The Struggles of Sarada

MINOR MANGA SPOILERS AHEAD

. . .

"Are you sure you don't want me to do the dishes?"

Sarada scrubbed the residue off of the ceramic plate with a dark blue sponge. "I'm fine mom. You had a long day at work, right?"

Her mother stretched and yawned. "That I did... Sorry Sarada, I guess I'll be going to bed first."

"Goodnight mom."

"Goodnight."

There were only 3 dishes left. Two forks and a cup. But Sarada was dreading the end of the task. For if she had nothing to occupy her mind, it would drift to places she didn't want it to go.

There were countless things to focus on when doing the dishes. The amount of suds. The pressure applied to the sponge. Whether or not the spot being scrubbed was a stain or leftover food. Making sure all of the soap was properly rinsed. Drying every speck of water.

But the moment she had done the dishes to completion, his face flashed in her mind.

"I'll be fine... Go after Mitsuki!"

Sarada shook her head. It was time for bed. And tonight, she was actually going to get some sleep.

After brushing her teeth and hair one last time, she took off her glasses and outerwear and slid into the cool blankets. But despite exhaustion plaguing her from sleeping a mere three hours the night before, her eyes refused to close. Distractions. Anything in her room would work.

But everything somehow reminded her of them.

A kunai in the throwing target up on the wall brought back memories of training together, with both her father and Boruto. The picture on her desk reminded her of the seventh. Of her desire to become Hokage.

Everything was in shambles now.

She forced her eyes shut.

Sarada. You've seemed out of it lately. Do you need to take a break from missions for a while?

No, I'm fine. I just need to get one good night's sleep... Just one. Tonight is the night. And I promise you Mitsuki, when I finally get that good night's sleep, I'll be back to my old self...

Or so she thought behind closed eyelids. But no matter how much she tried to sleep, she found her eyes open, staring wide eyed but never looking, always lost in thought.

Sarada. I'm relaying a message from Boruto... Not that I really wanted to. But he says thank you for sending your father to his aid, and not to worry about him. He said he'd definitely be back.

It was the last thing she heard about him before he disappeared. Eida was the messenger. It had been one year since then. And lately, a strange worry had come over her...

She squeezed her eyes shut this time. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six...

By twenty eight, her imagination was back...

Borushiki towered over Sasuke, laughing maniacally, his haughty gaze peering down through a slashed purple eye. In his hand was a rasengan that grew larger by the minute. Her father tried to defend himself. But Susanoo couldn't withstand the blast.

Sasuke was knocked backwards at a tremendous speed. Crushed flat against the rocks. Body limp against the rubble. 

And that was when he regained consciousness.

Boruto forced Momoshiki back. Pleading. Wishing he knew healing jutsu. Screaming for Sakura. And as Sasuke died in his arms, he put down his master and put a kunai to his own neck.