The Prince and the Serpent

The Serpent King

Sarada and Boruto walked the first few hours in stubborn silence. Mitsuki lead the way placidly, completely unbothered by their drama. As they traveled, the terrain slowly became less sandy and giant red rocks became more frequent. The heat soared and the sun beat relentlessly down upon their heads. For the first time in his life, Boruto envied Sarada's stupid hat. He couldn't believe the desolation of this place. There wasn't so much as the skeleton of a single tree or even a rocky overhang to offer them relief from the brutal elements. Eventually, Boruto was too hot and exhausted to even remember his anger with Sarada. He struck up a conversation to save him from the silence and distract him from his discomfort.

"How did you find me anyway?" He asked Sarada with as much irritation as he could muster.

"Really, Boruto?" She said with a dramatic roll of the eyes as she wiped the sweat from her brow, "You aren't exactly low-profile. I asked around and showed your picture. There were always at least a few people who had seen you and knew where you had gone. It was so easy, I could almost just use your name." She said haughtily. Boruto wanted to be more irritated than he felt. She continued, "They also told me you had a beautiful traveling companion who was as white as snow. Honestly, I started to assume you had run away to be with a secret lover." Her voice was teasing as she finished.

"Stupid! You knew I wasn't interested in anyone." Boruto said, managing to feel indignant despite the heat.

" 'Wasn't', huh? Past tense?" Sarada zeroed in on the adverb, far more observant than she had a right to be as usual.

"You know what I mean..." He muttered, too tired to do more than blush.

"Sure. I did think it odd that you had actually managed to keep a secret from me..." Boruto glared at her, "But the timing with you running away was suspicious enough to wonder if you had. Imagine my shock when I saw for myself that they were a basilisk."

"Is that why you attacked Mitsuki?" He asked.

"Of course! As I said before, I assumed he was leading you to your death. I'm still not completely sure he's not." She shot a suspicious look at Mitsuki's back. The basilisk showed no interest. He looked like he was ignoring her for the time being. Boruto envied him.

"I trust Mitsuki." He said with an air of finality. He didn't like the turn this conversation was taking. Plus, the heat was making his head pound and he didn't want to talk anymore.

By the time the sun mercifully set, Boruto was ready to collapse and he did so messily upon a huge red rock. Mitsuki hurried to his side and helped him into a sitting position. He was so tired his cheeks didn't even turn pink. Mitsuki gave him an appraising look.

"We should stay here until you are rested, Boruto." He just nodded his agreement as he allowed Mitsuki to tend to him. Sarada said nothing but plopped down in the sand and took a long swig from her canteen. If her lack of judgmental looks was any indication, she was just as exhausted as he was. He took a long drink from his own canteen. It wasn't cool but he still savored the wetness in his mouth and how it eased the tightness in his body.

"How much further is it, Mitsuki?" He asked. Mitsuki sat down next to him, still fixing him with that concerned stare; like he was waiting for Boruto to collapse again.

"It's another day's journey, I'm afraid." He answered apologetically. Boruto moaned loudly and flopped onto his back.

"I don't think I'll make it." He groaned up at the twilight sky. Mitsuki's concern changed to alarm.

"You can make it, Boruto. I will see to it." He vowed. That time, Boruto did blush.

"Don't worry, Mitsuki." Sarada butt in, once again ruining the moment. "He'll be fine. He's just being a drama queen." Boruto turned his head enough to glare at her but otherwise didn't move. Sarada ignored him, opting to start eating her rations with a smug air. Mitsuki gave her a questioning look but Boruto changed the subject before she could educate him.