It's Not Really A Date, but is sort of kinda (Boruto x Sarada)

Part 14

[22:49]

Two still-disguised young Shinobi sat on a park bench in the village's central park enjoying sweet dumplings on sticks and watching the spectacle before them. That of a pyrotechnics crew setting up the fireworks display as the Grand Finale for the first night of the '5 Great Nations Cross-Cultural Festival'. It was looking to be quite the show stopper, and Boruto was finally feeling pretty pleased with himself.

After 3 hours of trying his luck at multiple stalls (when the two weren't dodging familiar faces that might have recognised them), he finally won a prize for his lovely companion. A sleek and glittering charm bracelet, and at a Video Game Competition no less! Who would have guessed all the hours he'd spent on his console (when he wasn't training or trying not to get killed) would pay off when he needed it most?

'Take that Dad!' he thought to himself smugly after all the times his father had called gaming a waste of time. Sarada meanwhile looked at the bracelet with a charmed smile. "Well I guess you really know how to handle video games. Nice to know they haven't rotted your brains yet." she added teasingly.

"Well if you don't want the prize..." Boruto retorted with mock indignation, reaching for the bracelet. "Hey! Hands off! Mine!!" Sarada pulled her bracelet arm away from his reach and pouted. Their eyes met with their respective expressions, then both burst out laughing at their own childishness. When their giggles finally subsided, their gazes rose to the night sky now filled with stars.

"Bor...Botoru.. (Sarada corrected herself again, conscious of anyone listening in who might recognise them)... Thanks again. For convincing me to come out with you tonight. All things considered it's actually been a lot of fun. And to think I spent most of today worrying about everything that could go wrong tonight... Like I'm usually worrying about what could go wrong in the future... Like if someone else gets...."

Sarada left that sentence hanging, and Boruto didn't press her to finish it. They both knew Kagura's and Hebiichigo's deaths and those of all the people lost in the Mist/Funato War still weighed heavily on her heart. Even though nobody blamed her for them, except perhaps herself. Boruto wondered what he could say to comfort her without potentially revealing themselves to would-be eavesdroppers. He sighed while still looking at the stars.

"Renka... (he used her fake name accordingly without faltering)... The future will always be uncertain. But you always find a way to use what you got for the best possible outcome. Even if it's not always what everybody wants it's always the best we can hope for in a crisis... You've earned your place as a leader, y'know. Because you've worked hard to earn the trust of those who will follow you. Because you'll always make the most of what circumstance throws at you and always dedicate yourself to doing what's right. For the people you want to protect. That endearing selflessness... is just one of the things I love about you..."

Boruto cut himself off, fearing he'd said too much as his cheeks heated up. He sideways glanced at Sarada who was now looking at the ground with a shy expression, fighting against her own cheeks reddening. Forcibly re-igniting his courage, he turned to face her directly and continued. "...And just one of the reasons why I trust your decisions completely. And why no matter what the future holds, I plan on being there to have your back." Still not looking up, her shy expression slowly morphed into a small smile. "You know at this rate, I'm starting to think I might just be able to handle anything the future throws at me.... as long as I have you by my side........."

"...... Sarada..." Boruto responded in a small voice as she turned to face him directly, having forgotten in the moment to use her fake-name. But she didn't reprimand him. The sparkles he thought he saw were assuredly the stars reflecting in her eyes. It didn't occur to him how close his face had gotten to her own to observe those reflections, until both pairs of eyes began flickering shut.

.....

"AAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!"

Boruto and Sarada snapped back to reality as some of the technician team out of nowhere... began attacking other members of the team!?!? At a loss for what was happening, the two Shinobi nevertheless stood and took position ready to protect the civilians, their cover regardless! Only for the attackers' seemingly random assault to be stopped short by the appearance of several Ninja they recognised instantly as Anbu Black Ops!

They barely had time to register the situation when they heard a male voice, cold and commanding. "Hold it right there! Turn around, slowly!" Boruto and Sarada did so obediently and found themselves staring at a tall black-haired man with an owl mask, pointing a kunai blade at them threateningly.

"We're nothing to do with all this! Really! We just came here to see the fireworks and that's all! We're not your enemy!!" Sarada answered automatically, this time calm and composed despite the battle raging behind them. And careful to answer truthfully, but not with more truth than was necessary. Both young Shinobi knew it was a very dangerous thing to outright lie to an Anbu. The masked Ninja kept his kunai pointed at the two for a nerve-wracking period, both their hearts thundering for fear he wouldn't believe them.

Then he inclined his blade to their far left, but not away from them completely. "We're containing a situation in this area. That's all you need to know. Please vacate the park immediately and DO NOT return until further public notice has been issued." the man ordered coldly. "Yes sir!" the disguised-Sarada answered professionally before grabbing the disguised-Boruto's hand and leading them both in the indicated direction as far from the scene as possible.

The blonde Nin didn't dare incline to stay and ask the masked man what was going on or even look back, deciding instead to trust Sarada's lead completely. Whatever happened just now, he'd just have to trust the Anbu could handle the situation alone. Still, all this would have to happen just as.. something else.. might have happened. 'Someone up there really doesn't like me.' Boruto thought grudgingly as if he didn't have enough people down here who didn't like him. But nevertheless finding some small solace in the warmth of Sarada's hand.

"Wait... Is that... Lord Mizukage??" Sarada said quizzically before they were very far from the site of the scuffle. "... and...??" Boruto followed her gaze into the dense tree coverage. Though long shadows obscured most of their vision under the starry night, it certainly looked like the outline of the 5th Mizukage being supported by his masked kunoichi aide as the two made their way deeper into the foliage. "Ah yeah,.. That sure looks like 'Old Man Chojuro' and that Misuno lady. Dad said the other 'kage might show up at the Festival tonight. I wouldn't worry though. They're both tough, and they're together. They'll keep each other safe."

His assurances though clearly did nothing to ease the worried look on the Uchiha girl's fair features. "Something's wrong. Why would Lord Mizukage let himself be separated from the rest of his guard? I think.... I think he might be in danger!!" She looked back into Boruto's eyes, looking for support. Clearly there was no doubt in her mind of the severity of the blue-haired Shinobi's situation. Just as there was no doubt in Boruto's mind that he could trust her judgement.

"Alright... I've got your back."