Chapter 13 - Our Hearts [1]
- That's the least of my problems now, Mitsuki. - She rolled her eyes, but then smiled. - But thank you.
Without further ado, she held out her hand to him.
- Let's see who's faster this time? I bet my frog wins.
Boruto watched them return to the center of the clearing and crossed his arms, annoyed.
- Aren't you going after them?
Hanami raised an eyebrow, as if she thought the question was absurd.
- Who, me? They're quite big, Boruto. Let them sort themselves out.
She laughed and shook her head.
- Besides, if Sarada is anything like Anzu... - A mysterious smile appeared on her face. - You can bet they'll be fine.
Boruto didn't like her tone, but he knew his teammate well enough to know that arguing would be pointless. He huffed and sat down on the grass, sulking. It seemed that everyone was having a good time with the newcomers... except him.
It was because he was alone that he was the first to see Konohamaru approaching.
He jumped to his feet and ran up to him, anxious.
- Well?
Mitsuki and Hanami were sitting in the center of the clearing while Konohamaru was talking to the Hokage. The pale boy was showing off his snake hands, amusing himself by scaring the girl, who was screaming with fear and excitement. When a frog jumped near them, Mitsuki made one of his snakes swallow it, which startled Hanami, who immediately burst into laughter. They laughed together, comparing the summoning animals and their contracts.
A little further away, under the shade of a tree, Sarada, Boruto and Shin were sitting quietly. Sarada watched them with keen curiosity, while Boruto kept his arms crossed and Shin seemed oblivious to everything.
- So, in this other reality, none of the three of us exist? - She asked, without facing him directly, her gaze lost in the sky.
- "I guess not..." Shin replied awkwardly.
- But Shikadai is there.
- Yes, he is.
- Which means that Temari and Mr. Nara...
- ...would somehow always end up together. - Shin murmured, distracted, his eyes fixed on her face.
- And you said my father has six children?!
- Yes.
- Wow... that's a different world. I can't even imagine it.
Boruto frowned, irritated by the way Shin was looking at Sarada.
- What are you looking at her for, you idiot? - He grumbled, loud enough to break the mood.
Sarada turned to Shin and realized that Boruto was right. The boy seemed paralyzed, just watching her. She blushed and looked away, uncomfortable.
Without answering, Shin leaned forward slightly and held out his hand.
- May I?
- Huh? - Sarada blinked, confused, but before she could react, he had already taken off his glasses.
She felt vulnerable without them, but, in a strange way, it didn't bother her as much as she'd imagined. She squeezed her eyes shut, adjusting her vision without the lenses, while Boruto looked from one to the other, completely lost.
- What are you doing? Sarada!
Without listening, Shin turned in the direction of the clearing and called out:
- Hanami!
The girl stopped playing with Mitsuki and ran over to them, puzzled. Shin, still absorbed, turned his attention to Sarada, his expression almost reverent.
- Let me touch your hair.
Before she could answer, he began to straighten it, pulling a few strands to one side, as if he were tidying it up.
- But what...
- Take your hands off her, Shin! - Boruto ordered, but his voice had no effect. Neither Shin interrupted his movements, nor Sarada protested. It was as if they were both stuck in a trance, unable to look away from each other.
Hanami stopped behind her brother and, as soon as she saw Sarada up close, she put her hands to her mouth in surprise.
- My God... - she whispered, shocked.
Sarada ran a hand through her hair, trying to understand what was happening.
- What's going on? Tell me.
Shin, with tears in his eyes, replied:
- I don't know what this means, Sarada, but...
- ...you're identical to a good friend of ours.
- Anzu. - Shin stammered, dumbfounded. - Anzu Uchiha.
- She... - Hanami added, still in disbelief.
- ...she's beautiful.
- But she's my age.
Sarada's eyes widened, she pulled her glasses from Shin's hand and stood up abruptly.
- That's impossible! I'm me here and everywhere! For her to be identical to me, I'd have to...
- ...be someone else's daughter. - Boruto added, his voice lower, almost reluctant.
- No! Again? You're not going to do this to me! What the hell!
She spun on her heels and ran off.
- Wait, Sarada! - Shin immediately got up and chased after her.
Hanami clenched her fists.
- Shit... I told him not to say anything!
- I don't think you should swear, Hanami. - Mitsuki commented, her expression unchanged.
Hanami gave him an impatient look.
- That's the least of my problems now, Mitsuki. - She rolled her eyes, but then smiled. - But thank you.
Without further ado, she held out her hand to him.
- Let's see who's faster this time? I bet my frog wins.
Boruto watched them return to the center of the clearing and crossed his arms, annoyed.
- Aren't you going after them?
Hanami raised an eyebrow, as if she thought the question was absurd.
- Who, me? They're quite big, Boruto. Let them sort themselves out.
She laughed and shook her head.
- Besides, if Sarada is anything like Anzu... - A mysterious smile appeared on her face. - You can bet they'll be fine.
Boruto didn't like her tone, but he knew his teammate well enough to know that arguing would be pointless. He huffed and sat down on the grass, sulking. It seemed that everyone was having a good time with the newcomers... except him.
It was because he was alone that he was the first to see Konohamaru approaching.
He jumped to his feet and ran up to him, anxious.
- Well?
Konohamaru sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
- That's all right. Let's all go to Waterfall Country.
Boruto smiled, but his expression soon hardened. Something told him that this trip would bring more questions than answers.
- What's up, man? - Shin approached and greeted little Nara with a high five. - Are you going too?
- Actually... I just came to say goodbye - Shikadai replied, giving Hanami a smile. - Boruto told me you were going away for about five days. I thought it would be good to come.
Shin nodded, understanding.
- Shin... would you mind if I talked to Hanami for a while? Alone?