BORUSARA - Oneshots xx

Two Blue Vortex oneshots- CHAPTER 4: A bond so precious

The fire reflecting in Sarada's eyes was almost reminiscent of the burning suns of her Sharingan, at least Boruto thought, and as they sat there in the dead silence of the night, nothing but vast forest around them, he found himself getting lost in the sight.

He still wasn't really sure how she had found him and Sasuke earlier that evening; when he had asked, all she told him was that it didn't matter. In retrospect, he supposed it really didn't, as long as it wasn't Code or Kawaki or one of their goons that had been the ones trailing them.

Sasuke had sensed her approaching minutes before she had actually found the cave they had been hiding in, and though he had been a bit wary of her risking her life to inform them of Kawaki's change in plans, the father daughter reunion had been sweet. After a short argument between the two Uchihas, they had quickly found each other's arms and Sarada had begun to cry into his chest, telling him about how much she and her mother had missed him, and had never given up hope. The moment was tender enough that Boruto decided to leave the cave to find firewood, giving them the time together he knew they both wanted and deserved.

Once he had returned a little later, Sarada's eyes were puffy and red and her nose was stuffed up; even Sasuke looked a little uncharacteristically dishevelled. But regardless, she told them everything.

Of how Kawaki was suspicious of other villages.

Of how he was planning on pushing forward the White Zetsu army to find more information.

Of how he was beginning to unravel, and how he was slowly becoming suspicious of her.

After digesting all of the information, the three sat in silence for a while around the freshly built fire that Sasuke had conjured in the middle of the cave. Eventually, the elder Uchiha excused himself to do a perimeter check, leaving the two teenagers alone in the dim, flickering light.

Alone, truly alone, was something they had not been in a very long time, and despite how close they once were to one another, Boruto couldn't help but feel uneasy as he sat across the flames from her, absentmindedly staring at the face that was so familiar, and yet so different from the girl she had once been.

He shifted uncomfortably when her eyes flashed up from looking at the fire to meet his gaze, and the weight of the situation suddenly bore down on him as though he had just been thrown into the deepest ocean with weights bound to his ankles.

"You took a massive risk coming here, y'know." he murmured, mismatched eyes falling to the dusty ground below him. "If Kawaki is already starting to suspect you, nothing good can come of this."

"What did you expect me to do?" Sarada questioned with a tilt of her head. "Let him send the White Zetsus after you? You could have been trapped within Fire Country's borders if he moved them quick enough and you had no idea. Then what?"

Boruto exhaled slowly, his cool breath mixing with the warmth of the fire in front of him, making it visible for a split second. He was fully aware of her implications; he knew she was right. "I know, Sarada. I just..." he paused, swallowing roughly. "I just don't want you to get hurt because of me."

That much was very true. He had already been the cause of emotional strife for her. If she ended up being physically hurt as well, he might never forgive himself.

The corners of Sarada's mouth twisted upward slightly, an almost amused expression playing across her face. "You think this is all about you?"

"It's not that," he began, rubbing the back of his neck and he turned his gaze back towards her. He knew she was trying to lighten the heavy mood around them, but it was a touchy subject, and it had only become more so over the course of time. "I just don't want to be the reason you, or anyone else is in danger. No more than I already am...at least..."