Living lire we're renegades (BoruSara)

I'll Come With You

"It's over, Code. Your existence has been in vain, even until the very end."

With his sword, Boruto pierced Code with a frightening calm and composure. Sarada, who was watching from behind, didn't recognize the one she loved, the one who was always a noisy idiot, the one who was always laughing and teasing her. He stood there, his sword filled with Code's blood. He didn't move, seemingly indifferent to Code's fate. He was a new man; she knew that. Obviously, he had suffered a lot and ended up suppressing all of his emotions because now he considered them weaknesses.

"Boruto..."

Sarada approached Boruto slowly. For a reason she couldn't identify, she was scared to approach him, to make him run away. Without looking at her, Boruto said in a cold tone,

"It's over, Sarada. Code won't attack Konoha anymore. I need to go now."

Before she could say anything, he started walking away. She was too stunned to speak. Why was he so cold to her? Why didn't he even look at her? Did she do something wrong? No. How could she? Then, there was only one possibility... he felt guilty.

He was already far away, but then he stopped, and in a low, sweet tone, she nearly heard him say,

"Thank you, Sarada, for everything. I'm sorry."

Sorry about what? She was really confused, but, for the first time, she perceived an opening to talk to him.

"Boruto, please wait..."

He stopped abruptly, and Sarada advanced step by step towards him.

"I'll come with you."

She was now at Boruto's level.

"No, I'm sorry, that's not a possibility."

Sarada gently placed her hand on Boruto's shoulder. He seemed to be holding back his emotions, as if just looking at her would unleash a flood of emotions he couldn't contain. In a gentle gesture, she turned him towards her and enveloped him in an warm embrace.

"Boruto... I'm here. Don't run away from me."

Boruto remained silent and seemed surprised by her embrace, he could even feel his cheeks getting warmer, tinted in a light pink. It only took him a few seconds to tighten his arms around her, and he melted himself in the warmth and peace he so desperately needed. He buried his head in her shoulder, before, for the first time in two years, allowing his emotions to overwhelm him. He could no longer hold them back, and in her arms, he felt secure enough to externalize the emotions he had kept bottled up.

Sarada felt him sobbing on her shoulder, but she didn't say a word. She knew he would talk when the time came. She knew that, for now, he just needed her love and comfort. Boruto, still with his head buried in her shoulder, whispered incessantly,

"I'm sorry, Sarada... So, so, sorry. It's all my fault."

Sarada's heart broke hearing those words. She knew what he was talking about, and her intuition was correct. If he didn't look at her, it was because he felt too guilty... guilty for Sasuke's death. She was already aware, Eida had told her everything. Despite Boruto's guilt, she knew he was not to blame. Code was the only one responsible. Sasuke had sacrificed himself so that Boruto could escape, honoring his daughter's last wish. In a way, Boruto felt guilty because, without him, Sasuke would never have had to flee and sacrifice himself in that way.

"It's not your fault, Boruto. Stop blaming yourself."

For the first time, he raised his head to look at her, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Yes, it is. He sacrificed himself for me, Sarada."

"I know that, but he did it because he believed in you, in us. He was aware of his actions, and I'm sure he would have made the same choice again and again. That's not your fault."

"But, I don't understand. Why Sarada? Why did he do that and why don't you hate me? You lost your dad, whom you finally had time with, because of me."

"Boruto, there is no world where I could hate you. Put this in your head, you idiot. Trust me, you don't have to hurt yourself like that. If I can understand that it's not your fault, that he did this because he trusted you and he knew that you were the only hope to reestablish the truth, why can't you do the same?"

"Sarada..."

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps brought them back to reality, reminding them that Boruto was the most wanted shinobi in the ninja world. He had to flee now, before it was too late.

"I need to go."

"I know, but I told you, I'm coming with you."

"No, Sarada. I won't let you be hunted by all your friends just for me."

"I don't give a damn about this. I won't let you face all of this mess alone."

"And as for me, do you really think I'll let you give up on your dream of becoming Hokage? You've got to be better than that, old man, I remind you."

"Yes, and I don't give up. It's just that what's the point of becoming Hokage if you're not by my side to protect me, you know? And honestly, how could I even dream of becoming Hokage if I can't save a friend?"

As Sarada spoke these words, she felt a warmth spreading across her cheeks, a little embarrassed by what she was implying to Boruto.

In response, he couldn't help but blush at her words, his cheeks tinted with a subtle shade of pink as he looked into Sarada's eyes.

"Sarada... if you come with me, you..."

"Discussion over, Boruto. We need to go now."

Without giving Boruto time to answer, she took his hand and smiled gently at him. He understood that she wouldn't give him a choice. Without further discussion, he used the few chakra he had left to activate his Jougan and teleported them far away from Konoha, where no one would find them. "Mama, I'm sorry. I'm sure you will understand," thought Sarada.

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Thanks for reading! :)

I hope you enjoy this one-shot; it's actually the first one I've ever written, so please share your thoughts with me!

I'm unsure whether this story deserves to be explored further and continued, so I would love to hear your opinions on that!