BORUSARA - Oneshots xx

Two Blue Vortex oneshots - CHAPTER 2: You've Changed

It was hot outside, despite the sun hiding behind an array of rain clouds that had earlier in the day opened up and let every ounce of liquid they held fall down to Earth. Perhaps the earlier rainfall was the reason why it was so humid now; the air felt thick and caused beads of sweat to form on Boruto's body as he set up camp; the familiar, uncomfortable feeling of soft trickling under his shirt and down his back.

Sasuke was supposed to be back hours ago from heading into the nearest town and buying supplies, and yet he hadn't returned. Boruto had to try and stop himself throughout the day from thinking the worst; he knew his shishou was strong, capable. But if for some reason his disguise when he entered the town faltered, or somebody recognised him in some way, he would be in trouble regardless.

Boruto's fingers worked deftly to erect the last standing pole of the tent he had carefully tucked within the brush; he had done this so many times in the last four years that he knew exactly how and where to hide their things away from possible prying eyes. He almost found it funny that in a way, that he had become the ultimate ninja during his time on the run as opposed to being in the village, able to blend in to his surroundings as effortlessly as a chameleon and evade anyone who might be after him like smoke through the trees.

There had definitely been a few close calls throughout their time outside of the village, and because Sasuke no longer had his Rinnegan, it proved a bit more difficult to escape quickly. Thanks to Orochimaru, somebody who had surprisingly agreed to help them, despite also being under Ada's omnipotence, they managed to dodge capture every time by slipping through secret passageways underground, or drinking unknown substances that altered not only their appearances, but also their chakra nature, scent, and DNA for a short time.

This time, he was sure that Sasuke had left camp with none of the things that could provide disguises like that, nor were they around any of the waterways or tunnels that Orochimaru had snaking around under the earth. So there was a small part of Boruto's brain that was conscious about how late Sasuke was coming back; it wasn't unusual for him to be slightly behind, as sometimes he would tend to things he deemed unimportant to tell the younger blonde about, but he was never hours late. Something was off, and it caused his mind to begin to spiral.

If something happened to Sasuke, what was he supposed to do?

Could he survive by himself?

He had been following the older man around for just short of four years now, listening to his every word, surviving under his tutelage and extensive knowhow.

He wasn't even able to fully control his jougan yet, or summon all of its powers at will; he relied heavily on the training and practise Sasuke was insistent on putting him through. The thought of being alone, without his guidance, sent chills down his spine. Not only that, but he was quite literally the only person he had in the world who was on his side, who could provide him the company that humans needed in order to not go insane. Because he most certainly didn't need another push in that direction, not with the constant buzz of Momoshiki's voice in his head.

Boruto's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of an explosion somewhere in the distance, but close enough to make the trees around him rattle, and the birds that nested in their branches to take flight. His body tensed immediately; right hand instinctively flying to the hilt of the katana that Sasuke had gifted him not long ago, his feet sprung from the ground and he darted into the trees, jumping from branch to branch as fast as he could towards the smoke that was now rising into the air. He did his best to quell the sinking feeling in his gut as he ducked and dodged the twigs and leaves that he was desperately pushing himself through.

You better be okay, Uncle Sasuke... he thought; his fear quickly turning irrational. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he could hear Momoshiki snickering.
The closer he got to the source of the explosion, the more his senses filled with the impending situation; the sound of fire crackling became audible, the smell of smoke and burning wood fled through his nostrils.