Like a Dream || borusara

13.

"Now who is this boy I have yet to be informed about?!" Sakura called with a hint of jest as she slipped through the crowd.

"Mama!" Sarada let go of Boruto's hand to greet her mother with a hug, holding her a moment longer than usual in hopes the blush on her cheeks would fade. That wasn't exactly how she wanted her mother to find out she was seeing someone. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

"You know we wouldn't miss it," Sakura hummed before glancing at Boruto. "Now, why don't you introduce us?"

"Oh yes, sorry! Mom, this is my... boyfriend, Boruto." Sarada couldn't help the big smile that found its way on her lips being able to call him that.

"It's very nice to meet you," Boruto replied.

"Wait, where's Papa?"

"He was just parking the car, but he should be right behind me," her mother told them before glancing over her shoulder to scan the flow of patrons moving through the gallery. "Oh, there he is!"

"Papa!" Sarada called happily, waving to a tall figure with dark hair that matched her own. But her smile faltered when she noticed Boruto stiffen beside her.

She turned to him and gave him an encouraging squeeze on his arm. "I know he looks a little intimidating," Sarada whispered. "But I'm sure he'll be nice to you... or at least I hope."

Boruto swallowed, not sure how to tell Sarada that it wasn't her father's intimidating appearance that suddenly made him nervous, but rather the potent curse that hovered around him. It was so dark and malevolent, it was almost suffocating.

Suddenly it dawned on him, this was what his father meant by thinking too narrowly!

His perception was clouded by his infatuation with Sarada (even more so after they got physically involved). He hadn't considered that another's love for her could make her the target of evil spirits.

But at least now things were beginning to make sense! Her father was the one who was cursed! This new information was like finding the missing puzzle piece he'd been searching for. His initial distaste from perceiving the curse soon morphed into excitement.

It was a strong curse, but certainly nothing Boruto couldn't handle. And once he did, this troublesome investigation would finally be over!

"Who's this?" Sasuke said, not so subtly eyeing the young man his daughter was hanging on.

"Papa! Be nice, he's my new boyfriend, Boruto!"

"It's nice to meet you, sir," he chimed in, holding his hand out for Sasuke to shake. If he could just touch him, he could imbue his energy into his body and ward away the curse hovering around him.

Dark eyes glanced down at Boruto's outstretched hand and then over to Sarada. "Boyfriend?"

Wait, was he really not going to shake his hand?!

He felt Sarada's mom reach over and gently push his hand down. "It's not you dear, he doesn't like shaking hands," Sakura whispered, obviously picking up on his confusion.

Sasuke's gaze slid to his wife and repeated, "Boyfriend?"

"Yes, Sasuke, our adult daughter is allowed to be in a relationship," she replied, blinking at him impatiently.

Boruto fidgeted uncomfortably, unsure how to react. Maybe it wasn't a question of his disbelief but more like he was giving them all an opportunity to correct themselves and introduce him as something other than Sarada's boyfriend.

Anxious blue eyes glanced at Sarada for some help with the situation.

"We're going to go grab something to drink," she huffed before grabbing Boruto's hand and guiding him to the small bar in the corner of the gallery. He followed her without protest, figuring this would be the best opportunity to have a private conversation. He needed to inform her of his exciting discovery.