𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙐𝙕𝙐𝙈𝘼𝙆𝙄 𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙄𝙇𝙔

Part 73

Same evening
At home

Hinata was busy with some cooking in the kitchen, and Himawari had gone out for a shopping trip. Sarada, despite Hinata's insistence that she rest, couldn’t help but help out around the house. Hinata had asked her to take it easy, but Sarada had already grown tired of being idle. She had finished all the paperwork that Inojin had brought over, which was barely anything compared to what she usually handled. Not wanting to waste time, Sarada had convinced Hinata to let her help, though her mother-in-law had reluctantly agreed.

She wasn’t really letting Sarada help; more like letting her keep herself busy, and Sarada was thankful for that little distraction.

Boruto had arrived home earlier than expected, clearly exhausted. Mentally drained and physically spent, his steps were heavy as he entered their home, and as soon as the door opened, both Hinata and Sarada knew it was him.

Sarada, already standing by the door, couldn’t resist teasing him.

Sarada: "Well, well, look who’s back already."

Hinata (looking over with a raised eyebrow as Boruto trudged into the living room): "Boruto, it was just half a day, and you’re already this tired?"

She couldn’t help but chuckle at her son’s weariness, but the concern in her voice was evident.

Hinata moved to help him to the couch, her gentle hands guiding him down.

Sarada went to get him a glass of water, watching her husband closely.

Boruto let out a long sigh, clearly defeated.

Boruto: "Mom, you have no idea how hard this was... I was wondering how Sarada handles all this every day."

Hinata (sitting beside him, brushing his hair back lovingly): "Not just this, she also helps me around the house. Sarada’s really amazing."

Boruto: "She really is…"

By the time he spoke, Sarada was standing in front of him, holding out the glass of water. She handed it to him with a soft smile, and Hinata, seeing the moment, stood up and excused herself to finish what she was working on.

Hinata: "You two rest. I’ll handle the rest of the work."

With that, she walked off to the kitchen, leaving Sarada and Boruto alone. Sarada settled beside him on the couch, her hand finding his shoulder. She gently began massaging the tense muscles there, trying to ease his exhaustion.

Sarada: "You’re really tired, aren’t you?"

Boruto nodded, leaning into her touch.

Boruto: "More than I ever was. Honestly, Sara, I never realized how much you handle alone until today. Y'know, Shikadai delegated a lot of work, so it was really only half of what you do, and still, I couldn’t handle it… You’re incredible."

Sarada (chuckling softly): "I’m not amazing, it just becomes easier when I think about you waiting for me at home."

Boruto’s eyes softened, and his heart swelled with gratitude as he looked at her, his hand gently stopping her from continuing the massage. He reached up, taking her hand in his, and turned to face her more fully, his gaze earnest and full of concern.

Boruto: "Still, Sara, it was too much. More than anyone should ever handle. You need to take it easy. This work isn’t something that can be done alone, and… you need to take care of yourself. Please don’t overdo it anymore."

Sarada’s heart tightened at the concern in his voice, but she tried to brush it off, knowing how Boruto tended to worry.

Sarada: "I’m fine, Boruto, really. I know my limits, and I—"

But Boruto cut her off, gently cupping her face in his hands, his thumb brushing across her cheek in a tender gesture.

Boruto: "No, Sarada. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this. I want you to be happy and healthy, not constantly worn out. I know you can handle a lot, but sometimes, you need to let others help you too."

Sarada looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity there, felt the weight of his words settle deep in her chest. She leaned into his touch, her own hand finding his, squeezing it gently.

Sarada: "I don’t want to be a burden, Boruto. I just… I want to make you proud. And sometimes, it feels like I need to do it all on my own."

Boruto shook his head, pulling her closer, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

Boruto: "You’re never a burden, Sara. You never have been. But we’re a team. Let me carry some of the weight too. You don’t have to do everything by yourself."

Sarada, feeling his warmth and his unwavering support, let out a small sigh and rested her head on his chest.

Sarada: "Thank you, Boruto… I’m so lucky to have you."

Boruto kissed the top of her head, holding her close as he whispered.

Boruto: "I’m the lucky one, love."

They sat there in comfortable silence, just enjoying the peace of being together, as the house around them hummed with warmth. Despite the chaos of their lives, in moments like this, they had each other—and that was enough.