BORUSARA - Oneshots xx

Vulnerability

Unlike his brother, Kawaki had always been painfully aware of his feelings for Sarada. And sometimes his chest would burn and ache, and he would want nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow him. 

Like now, while he watched Sarada have a wordless conversation with Boruto. It was an exchange of knowing glances and concealed expressions, something they did from time to time when they thought no one was looking. 

Or the day before yesterday, when Sarada was heavily wounded during a battle, and Boruto scooped her into his arms and carried her as she rested against his chest. 

Kawaki never had the guts to be so close to her, to touch her like that, to hold her and bury his face in the crook of her neck like Boruto did. 

He wished he could interact with her with that kind of freedom. But for him, Sarada was like a doll behind a thick glass, beautiful, distant and unreachable. 

It was so much easier with Sumire. Her presence made his mind go calm, and he felt at peace when he spoke to her. She was kind, supportive, and beautiful in a very human way, if that made any sense. 

Where Sarada was someone he wanted to believe in him, Sumire was someone with whom he felt comfortable enough to be vulnerable. 

Vulnerable. 

A scene he witnessed a few months ago when they were returning from a mission by Thunder Train flashed through Kawaki's mind.

Boruto had almost gotten killed and was visibly tired. His face was blank and he was being unnaturally quiet. 

Sarada, who was sitting beside him, kept speaking to him softly, mostly non sense, but it seemed that her voice had a soothing effect on him.

Nodding to something she said, Boruto suddenly leaned toward her, and touched her shoulder with his forehead.

Sarada went silent, and Boruto, taking that as her surprise, muttered, "Just give me a moment."

Slowly, Sarada lowered her face into his hair and didn't move till he fell asleep, when she shifted so that he was lying with his head in her lap.

Even Mitsuki had looked away then. It felt too intimate, too private. 

"It's becoming irreparable," Himawari giggled, breaking Kawaki's train of thought.

"What is?" he asked.

"Boruto's ability to make decisions. He's becoming completely dependent on Sarada's opinion. Have you not noticed?" 

"I am certainly not," Boruto intersected.

Sarada raised her eyebrows in a are-you-kidding-me manner, but there was a shadow of a smile dancing on her lips. 

"You called her this morning to ask if you should put your T-shirts on the upper or lower shelf of your closet," Himawari pointed out not without amusement, though she tried to sound serious. 

Boruto's face went red in a matter of moments. "I - she - why are you - she's practical, that's all!" 

Sarada covered her mouth with the back of her hand to hide a smile. 

Kawaki didn't want to listen to it anymore. He stood up, surprising everyone, and stormed out of Thunder Burger.  

But before he could get any further, someone bumped into him, and he heard a soft gasp. He glanced down at Sumire as she rubbed her nose. 

"Sorry," he murmured, blushing. 

"Oh, it's quite all right," she smiled at him. "I was just coming to find you."

Kawaki blinked at her. "Me?"

"Yeah, I was wondering if you'd go somewhere with me. It's important."

He shrugged, "Sure," but he did feel relieved, and decided not to wonder how she always managed that.

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(@ladyuchiha96 on tumblr )

Disclaimer : Naruto and Boruto : Naruto Next Generations belong to Masashi Kishimoto, Ukyo Kodachi and Mikio Ikemoto.