Hiding in the shadows.
I never agreed to this.
Nor will I ever accept this life.
I needed to get away.
I needed to run.
So as soon as Boruto started to take me out of the hotel, I turned on my heels in the basement and started running.
Boruto: SARADA!
I didn't dare to look back. My mind spiraled out of control as I ran. I couldn't go back home, and being in a foreign country was a misfortune, especially when I didn't speak the language. I turned into alleys and corners, and Boruto was hot on my tail. Sure, he didn't hurt me, but I did not trust him. If the police were after him, what would happen to me?
I was stronger than this. I am a Uchiha. Uchiha's are strong. They never back down.
They never give up.
I increased my speed, ignoring the people staring at me. I looked around, people looked astounded and I was confused at what made them amused. I had taken a break from the acting industry for some time so I didn't expect any attention. I turned back to see three men in black running after me.
Me: Come on!
I sprinted straight ahead to the club and entered. Luckily, there was no security and I went past crowds of people. I looked around, taking in the noise of the people and music. I needed some escape route from here.
Until I met ChoCho.
Chocho: Sarada? Is that... you?
Me: Cho?
Chocho: It is you!
I gave her a tight hug.
Chocho: You look like you ran a marathon. Who are you running away from?
Me: What do you mean? Running away? From who?
Chocho: I am not blind.
Me: I am not running.
Just then, I saw the man who ran behind me whispered something to the guards. I quickly turned back to ChoCho.
Me: Something's off.
Chocho: What is?
Me: You are hiding something from me.
Chocho: (sighs) The Uchiha you are.
I shook my head and headed to the emergency door.
Chocho: Sarada!
Without looking back, I ran out, and soon, an entire group of men was out surrounding me. I looked around and moved back, about to make a run until I felt someone grab hold of me. I looked up to see Boruto.
Boruto: Sarada, cara.
Sarada: I won't be a part of this scheme any longer.
Boruto: ...
Sarada: And let me go!
Boruto: I can't do it.
Sarada: What do you want from me? My life? My heart? My soul?
Boruto: I want you, is that too much to ask?
Sarada: Yeah. We are from different worlds.
Boruto: In what way?
Sarada: Mafia and celebrity... Boruto, it doesn't make any sense. We are in contrast. Light and darkness, which has nothing to do with each other.
Boruto: What do you prefer we do, huh?
I then heard the sirens grow louder. I looked around. Chocho was with another white-haired young man, who was the same age as us. I didn't bother asking who he was.
The chase was on.
Mitsuki: Boruto, we need to go.
Boruto: Go ahead of us, we will meet you there.
Mitsuki, grabbing hold of Chocho's hand, ran to one of the cars and drove off. I was in disbelief, shock, and anger. My anger was mixed with fear.
Boruto: So, salad, what do you prefer we do?
Me: (shocked) Salad? How do you know my name? Oh, wait! You have an entire portfolio on me!
Boruto: That was my nickname for you genius.
I looked puzzled. He was a part of my... past?
*SIRENS*
Fear came back at once. I tried freeing myself from Boruto's hold.
Me: We need to leave!
Boruto: Not until you tell me what the plan is.
Me: For what?!
Boruto: What do you want us to do now that you know?
Me: (sighs) Boruto... do me a favor? Don't get me in jail.
Boruto: (smirks) Can't guarantee you on that.
I hit his chest hard but he didn't flinch. Typical Don.
Me: Now let's leave before we get caught.
Boruto: We?
Me: Boruto!
Boruto: Hey. Be polite.
Running into the car, Boruto took the wheel and drove off. I closed my eyes as I recalled the events that happened in minutes.
Boruto: Nervous?
Me: Haha, you think?
Boruto: You tell me.
Me: (looking at Boruto) Of course I am! I am tangled in a mafia mess and you expect me to be calm?!
Boruto: No, I want to know what you're thinking. Let me in your thought process.
Me: You wasted that opportunity a while ago, in fact, a day ago!
Boruto: Wasted? No, that was a jackpot.
Me: Hello? My life is in danger!
Boruto: Is it?
Me: ???
Boruto: Is your life in danger?
I turned to him, staring as he drove past traffic. True, he was dangerous, and his world proved darker than the entertainment industry, I sometimes think I could have gotten married to someone else.
Then I returned to thoughts of people pressuring me to get married. How annoying it was when they did that, and how many guys always asked me out because they thought I was 'lonely.'
But since getting married to Boruto, I feel a sense of peace. Peace amid danger. I was not supposed to feel this way yet I did. Of course, I felt scared but having Boruto was enough. I didn't have to wonder who would throw themselves at me the next day. I was... married.
To an Uzumaki.
Though that surname made me wonder a bit...
Familiar yet unfamiliar.
Like I knew them... I knew Boruto...
But he was such a distant memory I could no longer recall.
Boruto: Cara?
Me: Yeah?
Boruto: You haven't answered my question.
He turned to look at me briefly before turning his attention back on the road.
Boruto: You said your life is in danger.
Me: ...
Boruto: Is it?
Me: (inhaling deeply) Boruto, you know how risky your world is. There are a lot of things that happen and sometimes go wrong but...
Boruto: But...?
Me: No. I don't feel like I am in danger... not when I am with you.
Boruto: That's more like it.
Me: Haha. Well done on getting a reaction out of me.
Boruto: (smirks) Says the wife who ran away in the middle of the night.
Me: Can you blame-
Boruto then took a sharp turn, catching me off guard.
Me: A loving husband you are.
Boruto: Sorry. We are on a chase. Besides, where's the fun without one in this world?
Me: None.
Boruto, while focused on the road, a call came through from Mitsuki. Without thinking twice, I answered it.
---ON A CALL---
Me: Listening.
Mitsuki: Sara- Mrs. Uzumaki?
Me: Yes, Mitsuki. What's the situation like?
Mitsuki: Head to the main base in the outskirts. We are waiting for you both here.
Me: On our way.
---END OF CALL---
Boruto whistled, a smirk on his lips, clearly impressed by what just happened. I couldn't lie, but his smirks of approval made my heart warm. I appreciated them, more than I am willing to admit.
Boruto: Spoken like a true-
Me: (laughing) Just focus on the road Boruto.
He chuckled but kept his eyes on the road nevertheless. My thoughts then drifted to Chocho. I thought I left her back home in Konoha, but I was wrong. She was holding hands with Mistuki like they were in a relationship.
Better than that - married.
The journey to the main base in the outskirts was quiet, and I couldn't complain. It wasn't defeating. I then looked around the dashboard and car pockets for my phone. But I didn't want to disturb Boruto.
Boruto: Your phone is in the car drawer under your seat.
I looked at him, a smirk on my cheek.
Me: And how did you know I wanted...
Boruto simply shrugged his shoulders.
Me: Right... You are the Don.
Taking my phone out, Boruto then parked the car and we made a run for it. Sirens seemed to catch up to us though they were heard far away. Boruto looked at me.
Boruto: So, are you ready?
Me: Are you undermining my abilities?
Boruto: Never do that to my cara.
I shook my head, my cheeks with a tinge of pink. Looking at the dark basement, then at Boruto's hand reaching out to me, I took his.
The jet's door shut behind us and we took off.
I knew that from this point on...
There was no turning back.
* * *
NEXT LOCATION: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA