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'The Kingdom of the Fire was the most powerful kingdom in the world and it's King, Naruto, was the mightiest person in the world. His Queen, Hinata, was the most beautiful woman in all the land. When they were born, their beloved country was under attack by  the evil snake, Orochimaru. After a great war, in which all great kingdom's joined against the evil snake, they won. Armies of the Kingdoms banished him and his all cognates to the Underground. He and his cognates would never be able to see the sunshine again. It was a happy ending for all of the Kingdoms, except the Kingdom of the Fire. Their happiness was incomplete until their first child, the crown prince, Boruto, was born. The crown prince who shone as bright as the sun itself.'

Mitsuki, the little snake who was born in the Underground after the war, grew up listening to this story over and over again all of his life. He's always hated the Underground where he was deprived of sunlight, but he knew he must not leave his home. This was the only option for him and his cognates in order to keep everyone safe. There was nothing to do because they had lost the war. They were imprisoned here, in a city of darkness… in the depts of the underground.

"Mitsuki!"

Mitsuki turned his head to the direction which the sound came from.

"Log..."

"What are you doing here? It's almost time for the gate's opening."

Log sat down next to Mitsuki and wrapped his arm around his little brother's shoulder.

"Nothing..."

"You are a terrible liar Mitsuki."

Mitsuki stayed silent for a while. This was his favorite point in all underground. There was a gate that opened the upper world, which was sealed by King of the Fire himself. The gate was always opened regularly by the guardians

"Log, are we really monsters?"

It was Log's turn to be silent now. He didn't want to answer Mitsuki's question because he didn't know what to say. All of the stories said that they were monsters, but Log knew what happened because his parent, Orochimaru, told everything to him.

"Of course we're not."

"Then why did we start a war for no reason? The guardians always say that we are blood-thristy monsters."

Mitsuki's inquiry was logical.

"If...If we aren't blood-thirsty monsters...why can't we live in the upper world like humans do?"

"..."

Mitsuki's eyes were glued to the gate that separated their world and the human world, even while he was asking questions.

"Well, Mitsuki. The hatred between humans and snakes is not a new thing. The two sides always had daggers drawn since they first met. Sometimes, humans had lost and were tortured and sometimes it’s us."

"But why? Why does everyone hate each other so much? Why can't we live in peace?"

"These questions have no answers, Mitsuki. Everyone is trying to find the answers but they just can't. Emotions, thoughts, and beliefs are beyond a reason."

"..."

Log stroked his hair as a response to his little brother's silence. He knew how upset Mitsuki was about being imprisoned here, and he knew it was hurting him. If he could, he would give him the freedom he desired. But he couldn't...

"Time has almost come. We have to return home before the guardians find us here."

Mitsuki thought that Log was worried. He knew what would happen if they were here when the Guardians arrived. They would yell and beat them if they're lucky. If they're not, they might be killed.

"Okay."

Log stood up and offered a hand to Mitsuki. Mitsuki gave a gentle smile and accepted his brother’s hand. While two snake brothers smiled at each other, Log heard a voice. He immediately hid his brother behind him.

"What are you doing here, you fucking snake?"

Mitsuki's heart froze in his chest. Log was successfully hiding him for now, but when the Guardians moved closer to Log they would surely spot him. Mitsuki gulped and waited for them to catch him. He was scared about being caught, but he was terrified for Log. He was just a kid so the Guardians were less likely to harm him, but Log was different. Log was an adult and he might be held responsible for this.

Please leave us alone...

Mitsuki silently prayed. He squeezed Log's clothes tighter. Log realized his brother's fear and it pained him. His little brother didn't believe he could protect him. 

"Don't worry Mitsuki. I will protect you, even if it costs my life."

Log took steps backward while keeping Mitsuki hidden until they reached the bushes. Now, Mitsuki could escape.

"Go, Mitsuki..."

Log said that without looking at him, but Mitsuki shook his head and buried his face in Log's clothes.

"I said go. You must return home safely."

"No...I won't go home without you..."

"Mitsuki!"

Log was able to push him through the bushes just in time.

"Don't you dare even think about showing yourself!"

As soon as Mitsuki was hidden, the Guardians arrived.

"I asked you a question!"

Log looked at them. Five guardians were there to 'chasten' him.

"I apologize. I didn't hear what you said earlier."

Log had to buy time for Mitsuki, that's why he needed to extend this conversation. Only for Mitsuki's sake.

"Then, I'll repeat for you, deaf snake."

One of the Guardians punched Log in the face. Log didn't move an inch. He wanted to return the favor, but he didn't.

"What the fuck are you doing here, you fucking snake?!"

"It looks like you are trying to escape!"

"No. I didn't try to escape."

He could've killed all of them if he wanted...

With tears in his eyes, Mitsuki watched Log and the Guardians' ex-parte fight. He could've killed them if he wanted, but he didn't. He put up with the ruthless beating because of Mitsuki. Only for Mitsuki's sake.

Please...Please don't hurt him anymore...

Tears fell down from his eyes and onto the ground.

Please leave us alone...

Mitsuki shielded his face with his arms. He brought his hands to his head and covered his ears.

No...no...

And then, Mitsuki made a mistake. The worst mistake of his life. He accidently let out a sob.

"Hey, you heard that?"

"Yeah. I heard a sob."

"Is someone there?"

"I hope it's a woman."

One of the 'Guardians' reached his arm into bushes and snatched Mitsuki from his hiding spot.

"Shit, this is a kid."

"Well, he’s close enough." 

"Eh..?"

Mitsuki didn't understand what's going on here, but it seemed like a horrible thing.

"I think you're right."

One of them grabbed his kimono and tried to strip it from his body.

"NO!"

Mitsuki, a hopeless little snake, tried to resist but he couldn’t. He didn't possess the power to stop them yet.

"PLEASE, NO! PLEASE, LET US GO!"

"Fuck, you are so beautiful..."

Those men got what they wanted.

From that day on, Mitsuki’s life was never the same. Log was in a coma right now, much to Mitsuki’s dismay. Orochimaru tried his best to save his son but the only thing he could do was stabilize his condition. The underground facilities could not guarantee his awakening. Waking up or staying in a coma were his only choices at this time. Mitsuki was physically okay, but he never rest in peace from that day. Whenever he went to sleep, nightmares refused to let him rest in peace. Nightmares of the night he was raped haunted him. Nightmares of the night Log was beaten by the Guardians. Nightmares of the night his brother was just trying to protect him while he hid in the bushes. These nightmares returned to him every night, refusing to allow him to forget that night.

Seven years had passed.

Exactly seven years had passed since that horrible night. Mitsuki was twelve and he was no longer that energetic, curious, and pure-minded child anymore. He was a boy that was boiling with anger from head to toe. He was angry with the Guardians, himself, and humans. When he first found out about Log's condition, he couldn't believe it. Tears full of sorrow traveled down his face. It was his fault. It didn't matter how many times he apologized to his brother anymore because the past could not be changed.

That's why he had only one choice.

Taking his revenge on the humans and making sure they paid for what they did to Log. If they took what was most precious to him, then he was going to take what was most precious to them.

He decided to kill the human sun, Prince Boruto.

"We can't let you do that, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki was sitting with Orochimaru and his three caregivers. Mitsuki looked at all of their faces.

"But I will."

Mitsuki said that without any sign of emotion.

"It's too dangerous, Mitsuki. You could lose your life."

Karin held his hand.

"I am already dead, Karin."

Mitsuki said that while directly looking into her eyes. Those words  stabbed into Karin's heart like a knife. Mitsuki continued to stab Karin with his words.

"Taking revenge is my only purpose in life. I am no different than a dead person as long as I do nothing. Once I get my revenge, it doesn't matter if I'm dead. I will complete my mission. I am going to kill everyone's sun, Prince Boruto. I'm going to darken their world. This is my own will."

"Lord Orochimaru, stop him! He is talking about nonsense!"

Orochimaru looked Mitsuki.

"Mitsuki, are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I've been preparing for this moment for years. I am ready."

The snake family stayed silent.

"I want to receive your consent, if I can but...even if you don't consent to it, I will do it."

Orochimaru deeply breathed out.

"I have no intentions to prevent you from accomplishing your mission, Mitsuki… but you need to know the consequences of the path you chose. If you fail on your mission, your end will be gastly, undoubtedly."

"I am fully aware of the consequences."

"Then there is nothing to talk about. When are you leaving?"

"As soon as the gate is opened. My preparations are fully complete."

"Then tomorrow."

"Yes. Before leaving I'd like to visit Log. Can I?"

"Of course."

Mitsuki said his last goodbyes to everyone before visiting his older brother.

"Lord Orochimaru! Are you going to let Mitsuki do that?!"

"Of course not. After he leaves, I will personally tell Naruto that he fled. I know Naruto, he won't kill a little boy."

***

Mitsuki entered the medical room. His older brother was floating inside a massive tube.

"Hello, Log."

Mitsuki touched the glass tube, his eyes full of sorrow.

"Is it cold Log? Do you feel chilly?"

Log, naturally, didn't respond.

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Log...it was all my fault...I wish I had never been there that night. If I hadn't done that, you'd be healthy right now."

Mitsuki tried to smile. Log had always said how he loved Mitsuki's smiling face.

"Do you remember what you always tell me?"

A tear flowed from Mitsuki's eye.

"You're my moon, Mitsuki. You are illuminating my dark night with your beautiful light. Just as Prince Boruto is their light, you are my light."

Mitsuki leaned his forehead on the tube.

"I am here because I want you to say something, Log. As you know, I was really powerless and useless kid in the past but now, I am different and I am ready to take our revenge. I will take their heart as they took mine. I swear."

Mitsuki looked at Log, maybe it was the one last time.

"If I fail, please forgive me, Log. My heart has always been with you."

Mitsuki left the room to pack his belongings before leaving his home, maybe for the last time. Tomorrow would be the biggest day in his life, the day that he's always prepared for. Hours before that big day felt like eternity. He felt like a starving snake, like a beast who was going to the upper world to swallow the Prince who was offered on a silver platter. He knew he was ready for the mission. When the time had come, he easily left the underground. It was time to see the fruits of his labor.

The first thing he saw when he managed to escape was the sunlight. The sunlight was a thing neither Mitsuki nor his compeer brethrens saw before. Its light was so warm and kind, unlike the Underground.

"It's not fair..."

These were the first words that came out of his mouth when he saw the upper world.

"While we are trapped in that disgusting place..."

Mitsuki balled his hands into fists  until his nails sank into his palm. When he opened his hand he saw blood.

"Don't worry, Log...I will certainly take your revenge...I gave you my word. Sleep in peace… and when you wake up, everything will be okay. Finally, I will be able to look at your face without shame."

Mitsuki looked at the sky again. The sun was shining with all its kindness for the humans, but not for long. Mitsuki looked at his crawling snake. Mitsuki touched the head of the snake that was tangling around his arm. Now, he knew where the Prince and his comrades were during the daytime. He had everything he needed to know. The night came quickly, and before Mitsuki knew it was dawn. The time he had chosen to sneak into the prince's chamber was four in the morning. While those on the night watch went to sleep, the guards who would take over were growing tired. An assassin looking to infiltrate the palace couldn't have picked a better time than this.

He sneaked into the prince's room from the window with light feet, and murder on his mind. The Prince of the Fire Land was sleeping soundly in his bed. The Snake began to close in on him. First step. Without knowing what would happen to him soon. Second step. The Snake slowly continued to close the distance. Third step. With each step, his heart was beating faster than before. Fourth step. He sharpened his hand to rip off his shirt the moment he was close enough. Fifth step. He stopped. Now, he could reach Prince's heart without any difficulty.

The Prince was snoring, surrounded by all of his belongings like his pillow, his blanket, his game cards and ninja equipment. The Snake moved closer and looked at his innocent victim's face. He was a child, just like The Snake himself. The Prince had a pure and delicate face, just like the snake once had. The Snake knew as soon as he looked at the Prince's face that he couldn't kill him, for when he looked at the blonde’s  face, he felt only one emotion. This was love. It was love at first sight. The Snake understood this, although he could not admit it to himself. He couldn't kill the prince, at least not for now. He would kill those feelings for the Prince and return.  He went to the window, intent on escaping before his position was compromised. He took one last look at the bed before he left. After swearing to himself, he disappeared into the full moonlit night.

"I will come for you someday again, beloved sun, Prince Boruto."

***

FOUR YEARS AFTER MITSUKI LEFT THE UNDERGROUND:

"Why am I not coming with you?!"

Boruto yelled at his father, but the older male didn't respond.

"I want to come with you, too! You've always said when I'm older I can go on the snake-hunt with you!"

"BORUTO!"

The king shouted at his son. There was an anger in his eyes that Boruto never saw before.

"We are not going to hunt! It wasn't a hunt! Killing people is not a game to play when you want! You're grounded from now on!

Boruto closed his mouth and watched as Naruto went on his way.

"Fuck it!"

He kicked a poor table.

"You think your shitty punishment can stop me?!"

Boruto wanted to follow him, but he didn't. He had to wait until his father left the palace, but he couldn't let him get too far. He planned to leave the palace two hours after his father. When the time had come, Boruto tried to follow him but he couldn't. He looked down and saw a shadow line between his shadow and another shadow.

"Shikadai!"

Boruto yelled.

"Release me! Now!"

"Stop being an idiot for a second, Boruto! You know how dangerous a snake-hunt is! Unlike us, they're blood-thirsty monsters who hunt humans for pleasure! You'll only be a monkey on King's back!"

"NO, I WON'T!"

"YES YOU WILL!"

"RELEASE ME! I'LL FIGHT WITH MY FATHER! I'LL KILL ALL OF THEM AND I'LL BE A HERO!"

Yes, Boruto was going to hero by killing them. He needed to do it because he could no longer live in his father's shadow. By doing it, he would be freed from his father's shadow. Everyone would know him as his father's son for now, but when he fulfilled his mission everyone would know him as the hero who destroyed the snakes.

"YOU IDIOT! I'LL TELL YOU TO SARADA!"

"NO, YOU WON'T!"

"YES, I WILL!"

"WHY ARE YOU TWO ARE SHOUTING?!"

Sarada, the King's vizier's daughter, joined the fight. Shikadai stopped the jutsu and made Boruto free.

"Good timing! Sarada, please stop this monument of idiocy! He is insisting on going after the King!"

"What? Boruto, is it true?!"

"..."

"Oh my god, it's true. You idiot! Don’t you know how dangerous snake-hunting is?! It won't take a second for them to kill you!"

"It's not that easy! I have ninja training!"

Boruto pulled out a kunai.

"And they have poisonous fangs to kill you immediately!"

Sarada hit his head.

"If you try to stop me then I'll tell the guards to lock you in the dungeon until I come back!"

"You really are nuts! The queen never let you do that!"

Shikadai grit his teeth.

"No, I'm not. Neither the old man or mom are here, so I am the highest rank here right now! What do you want to do now?"

Both of them stayed silent and exchanged glances. They wouldn’t be able to stop him. Shikadai sighed and Sarada rubbed her forehead.

"As I always said, you are going to be the death of me..."

"And my trouble."

"What do you mean?"

Boruto was confused.

"It means, we’re going with you, idiot. If you go there alone, you'll die one hundred percent."

"What? No, you won't!"

"Yes, we will."

Shikadai rubbed his neck.

"I'm going to prepare a few things. I don't wanna be Boruto's silly, ambitious victim for no reason."

He left the room.

"And you, Prince of the Stupid, are waiting with me here until Shikadai comes back."

Boruto frowned.

***

Shikadai, Sarada, and Boruto were following the King's troops without being spotted, thanks to Mitsuki's invisibility jutsu that they knew nothing about. Neither they nor Mitsuki wanted to be caught by the King's troops. While they were following the King's troops, Mitsuki was following them from a distance. They didn't talk too much at first, but as time went on, they started chit-chatting. Mostly about unimportant things like their mothers, their favorite foods, or card games.

"Once we return to the palace, you'll give me your 'Uchiha Sasuke' card, Boruto."

"In your dreams! I had the devil's own job to obtain that card!"

Mitsuki scowled as he watched them. Those Leaf brats thought that their troubles were real troubles. They didn't know anything about what it meant to have to eat whatever was put in front of them or else suffer from starvation. They didn’t know what it meant to be bullied, or to be too weak to protect themselves or their loved ones. He still had terrible nightmares about that night in the Underground, meanwhile the Leaf children were worried about materialistic things.

If the things they talk about are called 'problems', what are his?

Their families had spoiled these brats. Well, it was better for Mitsuki. If Mitsuki had to fight, then it'd be beneficial for him. After a couple of hours Leaf brats were back on their feet. Those three were so weak. How can they be so weak? How the hell could snakes lose to these spoiled, naive brats? They tired faster than he assumed. He could go there and kill all of them with a smile on his face. God, he really wanted to do that but he stayed in his position. He grit his teeth in frustration. The pleasure of destroying them would come soon enough.

What did people say, again? Yes, revenge is a dish best served cold.

Prince Boruto's torture was just beginning.

Mitsuki quickly exited his hiding place and headed towards the Prince and his friends, keeping a close distance. Shikadai and Sarada sensed the danger coming towards them  before Boruto and jumped to the sides to avoid the attack, but Boruto was not so lucky. Mitsuki reached out to catch Boruto, but couldn't because of the fireball that came at him. He took a few steps back to get away from Boruto. Sarada and Shikadai quickly made their way over to Boruto.

"Who are you?!"

Sarada shouted.

"It's okay if you don't know because you won't live very long."

After Mitsuki said this, he made a series of hand signs.

"Raiton: Snake lightning."

Since there was nothing they could have done to stop the electric current from Mitsuki, each of them were scattered all around the area. Mitsuki took advantage of this deficit and headed towards Shikadai, who fled to the right. If he wanted to win this fight, he first got rid of the 'Shadow Paralysis' technique, which could immobilize him.

"SHIKADAI!"

Boruto ran in front of Shikadai, and Mitsuki was forced to retreat.

"Fuck..."

Mitsuki  looked at his own shadow,  bound by Shikadai's shadow.

"I caught it."

"Good job!"

Boruto and Sarada moved towards Mitsuki. Take down Shikadai, that was what he needed to do. The last thing Shikadai saw was kunai being shot out of his enemy's mouth. Thanks to his surprise, the jutsu was disrupted, and Mitsuki had the opportunity to catch up with Boruto, who was imprudently advancing on him.

"BORUTO!"

"LET GO OF HIM!"

Both of the Prince's friends yelled.

"Don't worry I will. But not so soon."

Shikadai and Sarada tried to run towards him, but Mitsuki extended one of his arms to an inhuman length. He wrapped his limb around Boruto's neck.

"One more step towards us and he will be no different than a corpse."

Sarada and Shikadai stopped.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!"

"You're not the smart one, are you?"

"Hey!"

"Shut up, Boruto!"

Sarada yelled him.

"But--"

"Human’s sun, Prince Boruto. I've been so eager to meet you for a long time."

With his free hand, Mitsuki finally removed the hoodie that covered his face. His snake-like yellow eyes and pale skin came into sight.

"You are a snake!"

"Yes, I certainly am."

Mitsuki gave them his signature smile and disappeared with Boruto. Leaving behind two worried people.

***

"LET GO OF ME!"

"I should've muzzled you."

Mitsuki was carrying Boruto on his back. Boruto's body was paralyzed by him so he couldn't move anything below his neck.

"I WILL BEAT YOU TO DEATH!"

"I have a hard time understanding how your father had a child like you. You're quite annoying and loud. If you were my child, I'd already have muzzled your mouth."

Boruto chose to ignore him and decided to  look around. He had determined that they were in the middle of nowhere.

"We are here."

"But there is nothing."

Mitsuki could politely drop Boruto to the ground. But he didn't do that. Instead, he threw him to the ground with little care.

"Aw!"

"I would say I’m  sorry that I threw you to the ground...but I'm not."

Mitsuki put his hand in the ground, as if looking for something underneath.

"Did you finally go crazy? What the heck are you doing?"

Boruto watched as Mitsuki dug around in the dirt. Mitsuki ignored him and continued to dig until he touched a solid ground.

"I found it."

Mitsuki performed a long series of hand-signs and the ground was fissioned. In the blink of an eye, there was a gate. A dark passage with no clear end to where it leads.

"This was a little warehouse used in wartime. The King, his army, your friends can be on your trail for a thousand years but they can't find you here. This place is completely unknown to all of the kingdoms. The only people who know about this are my family. Me, my parent, my three caregivers and my brother. Six people. Well, my brother isn't coherent, he cannot do anything on his own. So lets make it five."

Mitsuki grabbed Boruto. Boruto's clothes were becoming dirty, seeing as how Mitsuki didn't take him on his back like he did last time. It felt like Mitsuki dragged him for a long time, but it was three or four minutes in reality. The only thing Boruto could see was darkness.

"This place is so dark."

"Deal with it, Sun."

Mitsuki made a series of hand signs and everything lit up. Boruto was looking the shiny crystals with pure admiration. Every one of them was shining different colors like the aurora polaris. Of course, Mitsuki caught on to the look of wonder in Boruto’s eyes.

"These are called chakra crystals. When it's given chakra, they begin to glow. It is the most commonly used method of illuminating the underground because it uses very little chakra."

He didn't know why, but he felt the need to explain it to Boruto.

"Tell it to someone who really cares about it, snake."

"We'll be here for a long time. If I were you, I'd get used to talking with a snake."

"No need. My friends will come and save me soon and you'll be captured by them!"

"Didn't you listen to what I said? They can be on your trail for a thousand years but they can't find you here. This underground cave was specially built for long-term hiding."

Boruto looked around the cave. It was a small but functional one as Mitsuki said. There were two beds, a little kitchen, bathroom, and a big cabinet including medicines, bandages, and much more. A chain hanging from a wall caught Boruto's eyes. Boruto might not be too clever but he was smart enough to understand what Mitsuki was going to do with that chain. Mitsuki carried him in bridal style towards the chain and restrained his left hand. 

"Paralysis poison's effects will be finished in a couple of minutes, except for the tiredness."

Mitsuki explained.

“You may have noticed already, but I'll explain it one more time. Don't try to break chains. You can't break them anyway, because it has a chakra blocker feature. The chain is long so you can go to the toilet and your bed comfortably but you can't reach the medical cabinet and my bed even if your left arm is twice as long as your right arm. Don't bother me or yourself by trying to escape."

Boruto didn't respond.

"You are silent for a while. Has the cat got your tongue?"

Boruto didn't reply. He didn't know what to say to the snake.

"Well, I don't care either way."

Mitsuki moved towards the little kitchen and began to prepare something. Boruto assumed it was a kind of food. It was food that he never wished to eat.

"What are your intentions with me, snake?"

"Oh, so you can talk without split insults."

Mitsuki gave him another of his signature smile.

"I just want to know what you want to do with me, snake."

Mitsuki sighed.

"My name is Mitsuki, not snake."

"Okay, Mitsuki. What are your intentions with me?"

Mitsuki didn't respond. Boruto was a little surprised, seeing as how  Mitsuki seemed to like to talk.

"Are you the silent one right now?"

"No, I am preparing meal for you but I am thinking about what I'll make."

"...meal?"

"Yes. I thought you’d have to eat properly if you want to be a healthy human, but if it's not the case please let me know."

Sassy snake...

Boruto stayed quiet and Mitsuki took this time to continue to prepare Boruto's meal.

"What are you doing here...?"

After ten minutes, Boruto broke the silence. If he could, he would keep quiet and resisted his imprisonment, but he smelled something strange coming from the kitchen. This smell piqued his interest.

"Meal."

"Can't you be more specific, please?"

Boruto looked him.

"Rat meat."

"Then it's o--wait WHAT?!"

"Rat meat. This warehouse has not been used for years so this is the only edible thing in here. So, I'll give some free advice; I hope you like rat meat, and if you don't then you'd better start liking it. Well, if you want to live, you'll eat it."

"RAT MEAT?!"

Mitsuki approached him with two little bowls full of weird rough things with a strange smell. It looked like soup with rancid rat meat floating around  in a red-liquid.

"Here is your meal."

Boruto glared him.

"What's the matter? You look as if you saw something disgusting."

"Yes. I saw a disgusting thing. Like a snake."

"You're so mean...even I feel hurt."

Mitsuki said it with a cynical voice. Mitsuki put one of the bowls down at a distance Boruto could reach whenever he wanted. He sat beside Boruto and smiled.

"Do you want to talk?"

"With you?"

In Boruto's gaze, there was something devious. Well, this was another thing that Mitsuki used to experience.

"You can also talk to the walls if you want to. Looking at the other options, I believe I'm pretty pleasant."

"Hah, really? Even chatting with mice is better than chatting with you."

Boruto joined the conversation. Mitsuki looked pissed off.

"If your time to die hadn't come yet, I'd kill you for what you're saying. I have no interest in being insulted by some spoiled brat, especially since the day he was born, he was loved and respected by others."

"If you weren't murderers, you could’ve lived in the upper world."

Mitsuki took a deep breath.

"I was born after the war. Do you know what this means? Let me tell you, I had never seen sunlight before I was 12 years old. All my life I've eaten rats, moles, bats… all of which you call disgusting. My brother is in a coma right now and he cannot wake up with the Underground's lack of medicine. In the epidemic five years ago, many of my people including newborn babies, elders, little kids lost their lives because you, the Fire Kingdom, polluted our clean water source. Tell me now, who are the real murderers?"

"You're lying!"

Intentionally polluting the water source and causing the death of innocents? His father might have been useless or an idiot, but he certainly wasn't a murderer!

"No, I am not. If you want to affirm, you can ask your father. I mean, if you can get out of here alive."

Mitsuki started to eat his 'meal'.

"My old man would never do such a thing!"

Boruto desparately denied what Mitsuki said.

"But someone did it. He is the King, you know? If he did that, he's a terrible person. If he didn't do that then he's an irresponsible person. He caused the death of many innocent people. Oh, silly me. You do not consider us human, right?"

"..."

"I think I lost my desire to eat. Unlike you, I have a stomach. I cannot talk about these things without my gorge rising."

Mitsuki trashed the rest of the bowl and went to the bed to rest. Boruto remained awake as Mitsuki slept. In fact, it would be strange to sleep in this situation. He was kidnapped by a snake, who held a grudge against his father. Judging from this information, Boruto's fate did not look very bright. He was in danger. Mitsuki could kill him wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and however he wanted.

I have to find a way to escape...

Boruto looked at the sleeping snake. He had skin as white as snow and hair as blue as the sky. His body was extremely thin, as if he hadn't had a proper meal in years. His face was more beautiful than the rest of his body. He had wide, glowing yellow eyes with long eyelashes and a little nose. His mouth was barely open while he slept. He slept silently and motionlessly, as if he were dead. If his chest didn't rise and fall while he slept, Boruto would have thought he was a corpse. Boruto knew Mitsuki had the keys to set him free. He had to reach him and take the keys. He desperately tried to reach him, but he couldn't. Mitsuki spoke the truth about the chains. It was too short to reach him.

Fuck it...

The night was long and his eyes were almost closed. Mitsuki mentioned the tiredness earlier.

At least, I know he is not going to kill me soon..I can sleep for a while...

***

A few hours after Mitsuki's attack, both Sarada and Shikadai decided to explain the situation to the King. The last thing Sarada and Shikadai wanted to do was give account for the stupid thing they had done in front of the King, but a life was a master at getting you to do the things you said you would never do.

And it did.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"

One would have to be deaf not to hear Naruto's voice. Sarada and Shikadai kept their heads down while the King shouted at them. No one could tell him he was wrong. He knew something was wrong and that's why he didn't allow Boruto to accompany him.

"Tell me what's going on. Completely. Without skipping any details."

Sarada raised her head.

"He was a snake, my King."

"Snake...with blue hair and golden eyes?"

"Yes..."

Naruto cursed under breath. Shikamaru sighed.

"My king?"

Sarada and Shikadai were shocked to hear Naruto had actually cursed. They had never heard him curse before.

"Do you know something?"

Shikamaru and Naruto exchanged glances.

"The main purpose of this mission was to capture him."

Shikamaru sighed while Naruto explained the plan to them.

"Main purpose...? Are you trying to say all of these troops gathered for just one person?"

"He isn't an ordinary snake. He is the son of the Snake King, son of Orochimaru."

"Holy sh--I mean--"

When Sarada realized she was about to swear, she blushed and stopped herself.

"But isn't it too much, even if it's his son?"

Shikadai asked.

"We said that the main purpose of this mission is to catch him. It’s not the whole point."

"But how do you know who he is?"

Naruto sighed.

"Four years ago his parent, Orochimaru, reported that he had escaped from the Underworld."

"That bastard reported his own son?! What kind of parent does that?!"

"This kind of bastard."

Everyone looked in the direction the voice came from. The sound came from a dark green snake crawling on the ground.

"Orochimaru..."

Naruto scowled. He was clearly uneasy but he still let the snake wrapped around his arm.

"It's been a while, Naruto."

"Orochimaru...your son has kidnapped mine."

"Are we getting straight to the point already? Fine."

"Do you have any idea where Mitsuki might have taken Boruto?"

"Yes, I have."

"Where?!"

"Why would I have to tell you?"

The four of them were bewildered for a second.

"If I tell you, you'll undoubtedly kill him. How can I say something that would endanger my own child?"

"But you reported him four years ago."

"Because he didn't commit a serious crime four years ago. I wanted you to find him before he tried to do something stupid. But now that it's gotten to this point, it doesn't make sense anymore."

"Then why did you contact us?"

Shikamaru asked.

"I was spying on him for a while. The prince is still alive and well. At least for now but even I can't be sure what Mitsuki will do next. Every second is vital right now."

"And that's why you want to make a deal with us?"

"Exactly."

"Mitsuki kidnapped the Crown Prince with the intention of killing him. The penalty of this crime is death and Mitsuki knows it well, right?"

"Of course I knew it, Naruto. If Mitsuki is caught, which is sure, he will die. There is no way out for Mitsuki because you will find him sooner or later and when the time has come, you will kill him. The main point here is will the Prince be alive when you manage to find him?"

"..."

"I think you understand."

"Mitsuki's security exchange for Boruto's life?"

"Yes. If you guarantee Mitsuki's safety, I'll guarantee Boruto's life. Now, please decide Naruto. Should they both die or both live? You will decide their fate."

"I'll consider it. Tell me what you know, now."

"Not until my child's safety will be guaranteed."

"..."

"You and your child's time is running out. I don't know how much longer I can distract Mitsuki. I hope God will help the Prince if Mitsuki's patience thins. Mitsuki is an expert of curses just like me. Suigetsu trained him in kenjutsu and he is a sensory type like Karin. Unfortunately, after what happened to his brother, he almost lost all of his compassion. As you can see, Mitsuki is a very dangerous person."

"..."

"You can think as much as you want, Naruto."

"...You have a deal. If you guarantee Boruto's life then I'll guarantee Mitsuki's life. Now tell me where he is."

"Do you have a map?"

***

"Did you wake up from your beauty sleep, princess?"

Boruto teased Mitsuki as he woke up.

"If you don't shut up, your death will come sooner than you thought."

Mitsuki didn't look at Boruto. It was obvious he was nervous but Boruto couldn't figure out why.

"How did they find us..?"

Mitsuki's eyes widened. It was too early! According to the information from the snakes he had left warhouse's outside the King, his troops, and the prince's friends were coming towards the warehouse. They would be here in five minutes. Boruto smirked at Mitsuki.

"I told you! My friends will find me!"

Mitsuki glared Boruto.

"Well, this isn't something you should be happy about. Now that I have no time left, I must execute my plan quickly."

Translation of this sentence was 'I need to kill you quickly'. Sarada always called him 'idiot' but it didn't mean Boruto was an idiot. He knew it. He knew Mitsuki was coming to kill Boruto. He couldn't do anything in order to defend himself because of this stupid chakra blocked chains! Mitsuki did a series of hand signs and quickly touched Boruto's torso. Boruto felt a burning sensation in his chest.

"What did you do to me?!"

Boruto cried out and pushed back.

And everything happened so fast. The King, the King's adviser, and two friends of the prince burst into the warehouse. Mitsuki calmly walked away from Boruto. He waited for them to reach Boruto and look him over for injuries.

"Are you okay?!"

Naruto checked his body.

"He did something to me..."

Boruto looked Mitsuki.

"What did you do to Boruto?!"

Sarada clenched her fists. As a response, Mitsuki just emotionlessly smiled.

"Talk!"

Shikadai took a step towards Mitsuki. Mitsuki didn't move an inch.

"And what will you do if I don't talk? Will you kill me? Well, I kidnapped the Prince with the intention to kill him. My punishment has already been decided, right?"

Everyone sighed. This was definitely not the reaction Mitsuki was expecting. He had thought that one of the people present would definitely jump on him and try to kill him, but no one moved.

"What's wrong? Why aren’t you doing anything?"

"..."

"Say it!"

He's starting to get angry...

"SAY IT!"

Mitsuki hissed all of them.

That makes no sense. First they found this location very easily, and now they aren’t doing anything to me...why...?

"My parent told you..."

The words came out of his mouth before Mitsuki knew it. The expression on his face...as if he knew he was thrown under the bus. No one answered him. A dark green snake came out from Naruto's sleeve and wrapped around the king’s arm.

"Mitsuki..."

"How can you do this to me?! YOU BETRAYED ME! YOU SOLD ME DOWN THE RIVER!"

"I had to protect you, my child. I cannot let you kill the Prince. If you had done this, you wouldn't have survived..."

"You knew I was ready for death! I was ready to give my right arm!"

"That's why I had to do that. If I wouldn't do that, you would kill him. I know you well, my child. You are not the type of person who kills others without any regret. I couldn't let you live your life full of sorrow, vengeance, and hatred. I made an agreement with Naruto. His life for your life."

Mitsuki began hysterically laughing until he gasped for breath.

"My life? I am already dead! Since that night, I only feel hatred! They ripped my heart out and they will pay for it!"

Mitsuki stripped his kimono's left side and revealed the curse mark on his chest.

"You know what it is, right?"

First time in a long time, Orochimaru was at a loss for words. Mitsuki smirked and pulled out a kunai.

"Look carefully."

He held his kunai up to his own neck.

"STOP HIM!"

Shikadai used his special jutsu to stop him. Mitsuki looked down, directly his shadow.

"Shit..."

Mitsuki cursed under his breath. He stumbled over the same stone twice.

"Good job, Shikadai."

They heard a dropping voice. It was a drop of blood dropped to the floor from Boruto's neck.

"Boruto..."

Naruto wiped Boruto's neck. A small scar caught Naruto's eye.

"There was nothing here a second ago..."

Another drop of blood fell to the floor, but not from Boruto's neck this time. The blood belonged to Mitsuki.

"What...?"

Mitsuki smirked and looked at the King.

"Orochimaru! What is this?!"

Naruto looked at the dark green snake.

"It is called Link Curse. It connects the life of the Curser and the target of the curse."

Everyone was at a loss for words.

"Can it be lifted?"

Orochimaru didn't respond.

"Only the person who made this curse can lift it, 'Your Majesty'."

Mitsuki sneered at the king. There was heavy sarcasm in Mitsuki's tone. He knew he had won. He could do anything to Boruto whenever he wanted now.

"Lift it, Mitsuki."

Naruto ordered.

"Never."

Mitsuki disobeyed.

"I've lost already. My parent betrayed me, you found the prince, and you’ll surely capture me. If I have already lost, I will not die without causing as much pain as I can."

The hand which Mitsuki held the kunai started to shake. More blood spilled from Boruto and Mitsuki's neck.

"BORUTO!"

"He is strong! I cannot keep him down for much longer!"

Shikadai cried out for help.

"Mitsuki, stop!"

Shikamaru helped his son to keep Mitsuki contained. Mitsuki's hand was stopped by the Shadow paralysis jutsu. Mitsuki hissed again.

"Hold him like that.

The dark green snake crawled towards Mitsuki. Mitsuki tried to break free from the jutsu, but he couldn't. The snake wrapped itself around his neck and bit him. Moments later, Mitsuki collapsed.

"That will put him to sleep for at least a day."

Shikamaru carefully approached him to check if he had actually passed out.

"He is unconscious."

Shikamaru affirmed and everyone heaved a sigh of relief. They were saved from Mitsuki's meaningless violence for a while.

"Orochimaru."

"I know what you are going to say. I will search for a solution to the curse, but if I were you, I wouldn't make him angry. As you can see with your own eyes, Mitsuki doesn't even care about his own life. He is led by strong hatred. I'm sure you know from Sasuke how blinding hatred can be."

No one said a word.

"Does this curse have any special status? Is there anything we should or shouldn't do?"

"Actually, this jutsu is a forbidden technique. As the name suggests, this curse connects the lives of two people. This curse has two special conditions. First, whatever happens to Mitsuki's body will happen to the Prince's body as long as the curse continues. But the most problematic condition is the second. This technique has a distance limit. As long as the curse continues, Prince and Mitsuki cannot be separated from each other for more than a certain period of time. They always need to be together."

"WHAT?!"

All of the teenagers cried out at the same time.

"You’re telling me I’m stuck with this snake until the curse is lifted?!"

Boruto was furious. Being stuck with Mitsuki, whose whole purpose was to end Boruto in the most painful way, was a very troubling situation.

"He has a name, Prince."

"Yes, he does, but I wish you would have named him 'crazy' or 'lunatic,' not Mitsuki. These suit him more than his real name."

"Maybe I should have let Mitsuki chop you. Am I too late?"

Boruto sighed like everyone else did. He looked at Mitsuki who was sleeping peacefully. A madman had thrown a stone into a well, and now all the wise ones were looking for the stone in the huge well. Mitsuki put the cat among the pigeons and now, he was sleeping snugly. Boruto irritated him. The dark green snake removed itself from Naruto's arm and disappeared. Orochimaru had gone to do his research.

"What are we going to do with him right now?"

"Isn't that obvious? You can't stay away from him so we're taking him to the palace, too."

"Shikadai, tie Mitsuki up and take him on your back"

Shikamaru said.

"Why me? It's such a drag..."

He did what his father told him, even though he didn’t want to.

***

'Dreams are such a drag.'

If Shikadai had the dreams that Boruto's had, he would certainly say that. Mitsuki had haunted Boruto's dreams for the past three weeks but not in a bad way. His dreams about Mitsuki were usually cute. In Boruto's dreams, he and Mitsuki usually sit on a high place. Mitsuki was smiling and telling something to him, but Boruto could never remember what it was. He had not told anyone about these dreams. Even himself did not want to think about these dreams during the day. For the first two weeks, they were just sitting and talking in his dreams, so it was easy not to think about them, but after the dream two days ago, it was impossible to get Mitsuki out of his mind.

They kissed in his dream.

They were sitting palace's roof and watching the full moon together again. Mitsuki was smiling while watching the full moon. His pale skin and golden eyes was shinning under the gentle moonlight. The soft night wind was blewing his blue curls. His face adorable but Boruto's eyes glued on Mitsuki's thin and pale neck. Boruto leaned to Mitsuki and gently, slowly kissed his pale neck. The snake prince turned him. His glowing eyes were glued on his eyes. This time, he leaned to Boruto. Boruto felt like his heart was coming out of his mouth but kept up the snake. They kissed.

And Boruto absolutely loved it.

"What am I thinking?! He cursed me!"

Boruto didn't know whether to bang his head against the wall or jump out of the window to get rid of the thought. It's already been three weeks since they returned to the palace. Since that day, Boruto had not left the unconscious Mitsuki's side. Perhaps the reason for these strange dreams Boruto had about Mitsuki was that he was always with Mitsuki. He didn’t want to remain at his side, but he had to. However, he was getting bored by the eighth hour of the first day. To make matters worse, his father put guards at the door to keep watch each day.

"Come on...wake up already.”

Upon their arrival at the palace, Boruto looked at the unconscious snake that laid next to his bed.

"What we call life is something different, isn't it? Three weeks ago I was chained, but now it's you..."

Uzumaki Boruto's newest hobby seemed to be talking with unconscious snakes. But there was something that hadn't changed. Boruto still thought that Mitsuki was very beautiful and peaceful while unconscious. Well, if he wasn't a snake, a killer, a kidnapper he could like him. Something hissed under Boruto's feet. He flinched a little bit but didn't move. The dark green snake appeared and climbed onto the bed and wrapped itself around Mitsuki's wrist. It was a routine control of Orochimaru. He was checking on Mitsuki's condition during his stay here. Since Mitsuki and Boruto's lives are linked by a curse, they wouldn't dare do anything to Mitsuki, but Orochimaru probably wanted to make sure.

"Don't worry, we won't eat your precious son."

"I hope so."

There was no doubt as to where Mitsuki’s arrogance came from. His father--his mother--his parent was quick-witted just like Mitsuki.

"Anyway, I will avenge your rudeness with the expression you made when you heard what I just said."

What was that mean?

"Please tell your guards to call your family here. They need to hear what I have to say."

Boruto did what Orochimaru demanded. The entire Uzumaki family had gathered next to Mitsuki's bed. The King, the Queen, and the little princess, Himawari, huddled close together.

"Did you find a solution?"

Naruto asked.

"It is a solution, but not one that you will like."

"What the fuck are you trying to say?"

Boruto blurted out but when the whole family turned their angry faces to him he shut his mouth. Boruto didn't know what Orochimaru was going to say, but he knew he wasn’t going to like it. Orochimaru's words confirmed this.

"As you know, only the person who casts the curse can remove it, so we can't lift the curse without Mitsuki's will. But we can pass it on to someone else. If you choose this way, you will need someone with first-degree blood relations with either Mitsuki or the prince. That's why I wanted to talk to all of you."

"What you're trying to say is that one of us should take Boruto's curse?"

Hinata asked.

"Why does my family have to take the curse? Let's make one of Mitsuki's family the target of the curse!"

Boruto cried out.

"This option would have been available if some of your guards hadn't put Mitsuki's only blood relative, his older brother, into a coma."

"Mitsuki's only blood relative? Are you not his father? Doesn't he have a mother?"

Naruto asked the snake. This silence lasted so long that Naruto wondered if communication had been lost.

"I am the only parent Mitsuki and Log ever had. They never have a mother."

"What?"

"Log and Mitsuki weren't really born. They were created inside a giant tube and grew there until they were five years old. They are not real humans or snakes. They're one of my experiments. That's why they never had a mother. So until a year ago, before I changed my body, I was the only blood relative to him. As you can see, Mitsuki currently has no blood relatives. There was only one person, and he has been in a coma for years."

This time, no one was angry with Boruto when he cursed.

"Although if you say you'll wait at least eight or nine years, I can take his DNA and make a clone of it."

"NINE YEARS?!"

Boruto cried out again.

"That too, if we're lucky. However, not  all clones may survive.”

"Shit..."

"Or..."

"OR!?"

"You will make a baby from someone and pass the curse to it."

"WHAT? IF SOMEONE HAS TO MAKE A BABY, LET MITSUKI DO IT!"

His voice would be hoarse tomorrow from shouting so much, but Boruto didn't care. There were more important things now.

"He is a clone. Mitsuki is not capable of reproduction."

Everyone sighed. Mitsuki's unique situation got Boruto in trouble. Mitsuki's special condition was blocking all available ways.

"So you're saying that whatever happens, it will happen to me."

"Certainly."

Boruto could have sworn Orochimaru was grinning right now, but he couldn't prove it.

"If you can't make these choices happen then your only option is to make a deal with Mitsuki. Anyways, I said what I had to say. You will decide the rest."

"Wait. There is something I need to ask."

Naruto stopped the snake.

"What is it?"

"You've said, we need to make a deal with Mitsuki but we don't know what we offer to him. Do you have an idea?"

"I know only one thing. If that doesn't convince Mitsuki, you'd better give up."

"What is it?!"

Boruto pushed his father and closed the snake.

"I told you earlier. Mitsuki has a brother."

"Yeah, he's been in a coma for years."

"Yes he is. Mitsuki always blames himself for Log's falling into a coma. Due to the underground's lack of medicine, it's very difficult for Log to recover."

"He cannot be healed underground, but it can be healed here...Then, are we going to offer this to Mitsuki?"

"Yes. As I said before, if that doesn't convince Mitsuki, nothing can."

"When will he wake up?"

Naruto asked.

"I don't know. This curse is requires a huge amount of chakra. He will probably wakes up when he regains his chakra."

The dark green snake disappeared. It returned where it came from. The underground.

"Why did you lie to them? You are the one who put him sleep."

Karin asked. Orochimaru looked her and sighed.

"Because I don't know what Mitsuki will do when he wake up."

"He will wake up at some point. You're just delaying the unavoidable. Naruto isn't an idiot. He will understand there's something fishy going on at some point."

"I am aware. Maybe by then I can find a way to contain Mitsuki."

Karin sighed.

"I hope Mitsuki will be okay in the end because it doesn't look like it's going to end well."

Karin rubbed her forehead.

"You could say that again."

***

"Your situation is so dire that I can't even laugh."

Inojin, son of the chief architect of the palace, and Boruto were sitting together in prince’s room.

"Right?"

Inojin peered at the snake lying on the bed.

"Is he still unconscious?"

"Yes he is. He does not wake up like Sleeping Beauty.  Whatever it takes, I have to negotiate with him and persuade him to lift the curse."

When he said that, his voice was very strange. He wasn't angry, or worried. He seemed sad to Inojin. But the real question was that, why? Was he sad for himself or... Mitsuki? But why would a person feel so sorry for someone who cursed him? Or did this idiot fall in love with his curser? Out of all the people he could possibly fall in love with? Falling in love with someone who curses them? This wasn't a TV drama or a fan-written love story!

"Don't tell me you fell in love with that snake!"

"He has a name."

Boruto suddenly realized what he blurted out. He did the same thing with Orochimaru.

"So, you know his name?"

"He kidnapped me and cursed me. It would be weird if I didn't know his name after going through so much."

Boruto tried to save his skin but, unfortunately, Inojin wasn't stupid. It was obvious he didn't believe Boruto for a second. Boruto tried to ignore this simply because he didn't have an answer to give. Inojin chose not to push it. Boruto had been through a lot in these last few days. Inojin didn't really want to corner him or annoy him. Both Inojin and Boruto were silent for a while. While Inojin was examining the project for the new outbuilding to be built, Boruto was examining the beautiful face of his Curser.

"It's been three weeks already. Shouldn't he have already woken up by now?"

"Maybe he's pretending to sleep."

Inojin shifted his attention to Mitsuki.

"Is it normal for just one drop of snake venom to put someone to sleep for three weeks?"

"What do you mean?"

Inojin looked Boruto with a look that said,  'how can you be so stupid?'.

"I think there are wheels in wheels. This situation did not seem very normal to me."

What Inojin said made sense to Boruto. But who could do anything to Mitsuki when he was always around him? If someone tried to do something, Boruto would definitely notice.

"Shit, the snake."

Yes. Orochimaru's snake that came every day with the excuse of checking his status. He was preventing Mitsuki from waking up through that snake.

"Which snake?"

"Mitsuki's parent is sending snakes every day under the pretext of checking his health..."

Boruto laughed at his own idiocy.

"Fuck, he fooled us all! None of us even suspected..."

"But why?"

"How the hell should I know? He was probably afraid we were going to hurt Mitsuki or something..."

"But we have no evidence. It's just that his chakra may be depleted, as Orochimaru said."

"Then we won't let the snake near Mitsuki when it comes. If Mitsuki wakes up the next day, our theory is confirmed. It's pretty easy."

Boruto shrugged and Inojin sighed.

"What a drag..."

Boruto looked at him with disbelief.

"What a drag? Try to spend a little less time with your boyfriend. Even the way you speak has changed!"

"What's it to you?!"

Inojin became red and closed the drawing's note. Before Boruto opened her mouth a second time, Inojin had already fled the room.

"At least I figured out how to deal with Inojin..."

A day passed faster than anyone would have liked. Boruto hadn't taken his eyes off Mitsuki the entire whole day and hadn't let the incoming snake get close to Mitsuki. Now, it was night and Boruto and Mitsuki were alone in the room. Boruto could do whatever he wanted with Mitsuki right now. He could even kill Mitsuki.

Or he could kiss Mitsuki?

Although it was hard to admit, the option which captivated Boruto was the second option. Boruto bit his lip and slowly leaned to Mitsuki with the intention of kissing him. There was no one in the room. No one would know that he had kissed Mitsuki, even the snake himself. Boruto would be the only one who knew. Now and forever. Boruto felt how his heart skipped a beat. He would only need to lean a few inches more and then he would feel Mitsuki's lips on his own. Just an innocent kiss never hurt anyone, right? Boruto leaned towards him, closing his eyes until felt warm and soft lips under his lips.

It was the most beautiful moment he had ever experienced in his life.

Kissing Mitsuki made him realize something. The right person -or should we say, snake?- for Boruto was Mitsuki. Boruto wasn't an amateur about affairs of heart nor was this his first kiss. He kissed others before but never before had a kiss felt so right and so good at the same time. He wanted more than this. He wanted to strip his clothes and take him here, but he didn't. He didn't want to move away from him either but he had to do it. He moved away from Mitsuki with red cheeks.

He did it.

He kissed Mitsuki.

And it felt better than making love with someone. How on earth can an ordinary kiss have this kind of power? Boruto tried to calm himself down but his heart refused to be still. It would be bearable if it just kept him from calming down. But his heart not just only prevented it, his heart wanted it to continue. Without even realizing what he was doing, Boruto found himself touching Mitsuki's pale neck. The neck which he had kissed in his dream. He gently rubbed his nails as if he wanted to tease him. He hoped that his nails were not enough to make Mitsuki's eyes open. He knew that if Mitsuki woke up, he wouldn't be able to watch him like he did before.

Kiss him again. Kiss his neck. Hug him. Play with his blue locks. Hold his hand.

His heart ordered but his brain disobeyed. He shouldn't have kissed him in the first place either but he lost himself and did. He couldn't do anything else. He shouldn't have… that was called sexual harassment! He had to get Mitsuki's consent first. But… they could lie in the same bed, right? Yes, Boruto's bed sheets were soiled, and Boruto was too tired to tell anyone, so he could sleep next to Mitsuki.

He lied next to Mitsuki fell asleep, lulled into darkness by the snake’s beauty.

"I'm sorry, Log… please, wake up..."

Mitsuki shook his big brother in order to wake him but it didn't work. He was so scared, so worried about Log. He was no longer scared for himself, the worst that could happen to him had already happened. He was breathing unevenly from crying, unable to speak properly because of how much he was sobbing.

"I'm sorry… please… please, wake up..."

His bloody hands were shaking. The blood on his hands, on his torn clothes, was smeared from his brother's body. It was his fault. He was responsible for everything that happened to them. No apology could make up for what had happened.

"I promise… from now on I will do everything you say… please, wake up..."

Mitsuki took his brother's hand.

"You will be fine… you and me… we… we..."

Mitsuki couldn’t finish his sentence because he didn't believe his own words anymore. Nothing would be okay. Everything was completely ruined, right now. His older brother lay on the ground as if dead, Mitsuki was bruised all over and bitten. His whole body was aching. His whole body was covered with blood, sweat and...

"Log..."

Mitsuki became silent after saying that. Mitsuki had stopped trying now. He was tired of trying to convince himself now. Therefore, he had accepted that nothing would be good in the future. Their fate was decided even before they were born. They were just toys which were defeated in battle, imprisoned underground, where anyone could do whatever they wanted whenever they wanted.

".. is it just because we were born this way?"

"...do we have to die?"

Mitsuki's eyes became dull. There was sorrow and pain once but now… now, there was nothing.

"They ripped you away from me… I don't know what to do without my heart..."

Boruto didn't expect that the first thing he would hear when he woke up in the middle of the night would be an apology. In fact, he did not expect to be awakened by a voice in the middle of the night. Since there were only the two of them in the room, and for obvious reasons Mitsuki was in a deep sleep, he hadn't expected to be awakened by someone else's voice. That's why Boruto had thought that he was imagining it. Closed his eyes again and tried to sleep again.

"I'm sorry..."

There it was again. Boruto opened his eyes and looked at Mitsuki, who looked as if he was suffering.

Is he crying?

Boruto gently touched his soft skin and tried to wipe his tears away.

"Please… don't touch me..."

Is he awake?!

Boruto began moving away from him.

"Please… let us go..."

Us?

Mitsuki wasn't talking to Boruto. Mitsuki was talking in his sleep. Mitsuki was having a nightmare right now. But why would someone say 'don't touch me' in a dream? Boruto wanted to know more about Mitsuki's nightmare. It was a good idea for him to find out about his past if he wanted to get close to him. So, he continued to listen to him talk, even though he knew he shouldn't.  Mitsuki said nothing but 'please' and 'I'm sorry'. He begged all night for forgiveness and it did nothing but hurt Boruto's heart. What had he done that he had to ask for so much forgiveness?

Boruto touched his waist and pulled him closer to try to relax him. Boruto pressed Mitsuki's face to his chest. His hands carefully ruffled Mitsuki's silky blue hair. Boruto remembered how he would run his hands through Himawari’s hair when she had nightmares. This always calmed Himawari so he hoped it would do the same for Mitsuki. Mitsuki trembled a bit at first, but Boruto pulled back slightly whenever he did, giving him the personal space he wanted. After repeating this a few times, Mitsuki finally calmed down and got used to it. Boruto was sure that he had a goofy smile on his face when he saw Mitsuki settling against his chest. He was silent for a while, but Boruto heard him begging one last time. It broke Boruto's heart.

"You will be okay… you're safe now."

Boruto whispered to him. He didn't know if Mitsuki had heard him, but he thought he did when Mitsuki calmed down. Boruto could've sworn Mitsuki was smiling. Boruto wanted to stay with Mitsuki until he woke up, but if maids would come into the room and they saw them like this, they would start gossiping. Boruto made a move to step back, but realized that Mitsuki was holding his collar.

"Shh, okay, I'm not going anywhere."

Boruto knew he needed to get away from him, but he didn't have the heart to leave Mitsuki alone in his bed. He could deal with gossip later. Boruto placed a small kiss on Mitsuki's forehead, then hugged him and fell asleep with him in his arms.

It was already noon when Mitsuki woke up but at first. He thought it was night because he couldn't see anything. When he moved a little, he realized that it was not really dark around, but that all he saw was blackness as he was leaning against the Prince's chest. Prince's chest… Prince's chest?! He had buried his head in the prince's chest while sleeping! The person who he wanted to kill! How the hell could he do that? Okay, Mitsuki was unconscious when this happened, so it was ridiculous that he blamed himself. But why the hell was the prince sharing a bed with the person who wanted to kill him? Was he really that stupid?

Wait.

There was no one.... there was no one in the room at the moment and the Prince seemed to be in a deep sleep. Mitsuki could easily strangle him, pull out his heart with his bare hand, or beat him to death, right now. But if Mitsuki killed Boruto, he would die, too. He moved slowly in order to kill the Prince, the beloved sun of humans. His nails became sharper. He was going to rip his heart. Fast but deadly. Mitsuki's hand froze before touched Prince's body. God, was Mitsuki really going to kill the Prince? Could he do that?

'You are not the type of person who kills others without any regret.'

Orochimaru, his own parent, said that. Mitsuki's parent did not believe he could kill an innocent person. Maybe he was right. Maybe Mitsuki wasn't really the type to kill innocent people. Mitsuki gulped. Despite Mitsuki's actions, the prince trusted him enough to sleep  next to him. Mitsuki closed his eyes and tried to move his hand towards the Prince's chest. He could feel his hand shaking. It was as if his heart couldn't fit in his chest.

What's my problem? I always dreamed of the day this moment would come but...

Mitsuki released a heavy sigh. He couldn't do it. He couldn't kill an innocent person. Mitsuki was not like those guardians. He couldn't use the power he had to harm innocents. Boruto was the sun of the humans. The sun that Mitsuki wanted to extinguish. If Mitsuki killed Boruto, he would hate himself for killing an innocent person, but if he didn't, he would hate himself for not being able to avenge Log. All roads led Mitsuki to the same place.

"Fuck it..."

Mitsuki got up from the bed. He wasn't tired, but he felt very weak. He was also hungry, so he assumed that he had been asleep longer than he probably thought. He didn't know what to do now, but it was too early to think. Unless the curse was lifted, no one in the kingdom would dare to harm him, but what really worried him was the possibility of the curse being passed on to someone else. No, they couldn't do that. In order for the curse to be passed on to someone else, there had to be a first-degree blood relation. No one would accept the king to take such a curse on himself, nor would he pass it on to his own daughter. The Queen was pregnant with her third baby. There was no available one who could take the curse now.

"Top of the morning to you, Prince Boruto--"

When the maid entered, seeing the Prince lying motionless on the bed and the Snake Boy standing over him with a knife-like hand, she dropped the bucket of water from her hand and fled, shouting 'the snake killed the prince'.

"This really hurt..."

In less than a minute, several guards entered the room with kunai in their hands and after a second all of the guards aimed their kunais at his neck.

"Check the Prince!"

Boruto woke up when one of the guards touched him.

"You're finally awake, sleeping beauty."

Mitsuki sighed. Boruto looked Mitsuki then his bed.

"ARE YOU AWAKE?!"

"No, I'm still sleeping."

"How?! Are you a sleepwalker?!"

Boruto asked drowsily

"Are you an idiot? Can't you see I'm standing?"

Mitsuki teased.

"HOW DARE YOU INSULT THE PRINCE?!"

A drop of blood dripped onto the ground as the guard standing on his right pressed the kunai to Mitsuki's throat. Boruto felt a drop of blood trickle down his neck too. Guards continued to press kunai to Mitsuki's throat and more blood ran down from his throat.

"DON'T DO THAT!"

Boruto cried out and pushed the guard's kunai.

"Prince...?"

"We are trying to protect you!"

The guard interposed.

"You're not very good at this, are you?"

"Shut up, snake!"

"As you wish."

Mitsuki shrugged his shoulders, smiling. If he was killed by the guards, he could take the prince with him to the afterlife with no pangs of conscience, but it seemed the Prince had different plans.

"That’s enough!"

The guards froze after hearing the voice of the King of the Land.

"Get away from him, now!"

Naruto ordered and his guards obeyed.

"Leave the room."

Guards followed his command.

"You've finally arrived, Your Majesty."

Mitsuki smiled at him. Naruto was about to open his mouth to say something when Mitsuki acted before him.

"I believe there are things you want to talk about with me. But can I have something to eat first, if you don't mind? As you know, I haven't eaten anything for a while."

There was a fine line between respect and disrespect, and Mitsuki was walking that fine line deftly. There was nothing in what he said that could be construed as disrespectful, but the tone of his voice and facial expression claimed the opposite. He had politely interrupted his sentences. Mitsuki could tell how annoying he was without even looking at Naruto's face. But there was a person who found it funny. The Prince of the Land, Boruto. Boruto couldn't laugh in front of everyone in the room, but Naruto burst out laughing after telling the maids to bring food and leaving the room.

"What's so funny?"

"Didn't you see my father's face? I've been trying to get him to make that face for years!"

"I can kill you whenever I want. You know it, right?"

"If you wanted to do this, you would have done it already, right?"

Mitsuki chose to stay silent. He looked at Boruto's bleeding neck. Mitsuki's wound had already healed. Mitsuki felt awkward at first when Boruto's wounds did not heal as fast as his own. Boruto was still laughing and it irritated Mitsuki -and Mitsuki thought Boruto's smile was a jolly one but it was a secret and the real thing which irritated him- so he decided to scare him for a little bit. He slowly closed him and unkindly pushed him on his shoulder until he fell against the wall. Mitsuki put his left hand on the wall and with his free hand he lifted the blonde's hands up and pinned them to the wall. Boruto didn't do anything. He was far too shocked to move. Mitsuki had just pushed him to the wall and pinned him there.

"You know what I am going to do?"

He hissed, his breath blowing gently against Boruto’s ear.

"I'm going to eat you."

Mitsuki whispered and bent over Boruto's bleeding wound. Boruto could've sworn when Mitsuki bent over to his neck, there was a little electrical current wandering inside of his body. He was excited because the boy in his dreams pinned him to the wall. Boruto was too distracted to even think about who Mitsuki was or how they met. All he could think about was that the beautiful boy had pinned him on the wall, and he couldn’t stop himself from creating different fantasies about him. Maybe he was going to use his snakes? Boruto's heartbeat started to quicken and his breathing started to falter from excitement, but Mitsuki misconceived it and smirked. He decided to tease him more and slowly licked the blood line that started from his neck to shoulder bone. He could feel Boruto's heart beating fast. He liked it. He liked how Boruto was scared of him. He released Boruto with a smirk on his face.

"But not now."

He looked pretentiously at Boruto's face, expecting to see fear.

"What? Why is your face all red?"

Mitsuki asked. His astonishment could be read on his face. Boruto looked into his golden orbs and didn't give an answer.

"Don't tell me you're… turned on?"

Mitsuki couldn't believe his eyes. Boruto thought he was dallying with him! Shit...Mitsuki was sure that his face was starting to turn red right now, too. Mitsuki moved away from him and turned around. Boruto, meanwhile, averted his eyes. The atmosphere in the room was very weird. Fortunately, one of the maids came with a mesh tray full of food just at the right time. The maid thought the atmosphere was weird either but she didn't want to ask about it and left the room as fast as she could.

Five minutes later the plate was still untouched.

"Uhm...Don't you want to eat?"

Eat...Eat? Eat. As soon as Boruto used that word, what he had just felt started to reply. Mitsuki's breath, his voice, his touches...Boruto just knew he wouldn't be able to forget these moments until the end of his life.

"I want but… the atmosphere is so… weird."

"Well, you are the one who wanted to make out so--"

"It wasn't my intention!"

Mitsuki interrupted.

"What? But you licked my neck!"

Boruto objected to Mitsuki.

"I didn't lick your neck! I licked the blood!"

Mitsuki explained.

"Yes, you licked the blood on my neck!"

"Yes but..."

Mitsuki sighed.

"I-I just wanted..."

Mitsuki stuttered for the first time in eleven years. It felt like he wasn't the one who was talking with Boruto right now, as if someone possessed his body. He didn't want to remember those moments because it was embarrassing. He and his actions were completely misunderstood by Boruto. He just wanted to scare him but how could he actually know Boruto would like it?

"You just wanted to tease?"

"Well… it's another true aspect, I think."

Mitsuki didn't want to admit it, but he liked seeing how turned on Boruto was from simply one touch. This was very strange for Mitsuki. Mitsuki didn't want to approach anyone again after that night, but... Boruto was different. He couldn't figure out why, but a voice inside him said he could trust him. Since that night, he hasn't gotten that close to even his parent or his caregivers but Boruto. Mitsuki looked at the plate. There was bread, eggs, rice, fish, and meat.

"Isn't it too much food so much just for one meal?"  Mitsuki asked while looking at the plate.

"Is that so? I think my father sent you a little food because you just woke up."

"Little? Damn rich people..."

Mitsuki sighed.

"Are you not hungry?"

Mitsuki took the chopsticks and pushed the fish a little far on the plate, separating it from the other foods.

"You don't like fish?"

"I hate scaly meat. It reminds me of us.”

"Us? What does this have to do with you and me?"

Boruto didn't seem to get it. Mitsuki looked at him with confusion, not because he didn't understand what he was saying but because of how he drew such a conclusion from what he said.

"When I said 'us', I didn't mean you and myself. I meant my own kind, the snakes. Snakes are scaly animals, too."

"Oh… of course, it makes much more sense."

Mitsuki giggled quietly, hoping that Boruto wouldn't hear it, but he did. However, Boruto didn't show it because he didn’t want to make Mitsuki mad. Mitsuki didn't touch anything but the eggs.

"It seems you like eggs."

"Yes, eggs are my favorite. Unfortunately, there are almost no eggs underground. There are more bats, moles, mice, and so on."

Mitsuki shrugged and kept eating his eggs. Rats, moles, and mice. Were these things that Mitsuki and his species constantly ate? Did they eat them every day when the smell alone turned Boruto's stomach?

"You can have my eggs, too."

Boruto pushed the plate full of his own eggs towards him. Boruto thought that it would make him happy. Maybe he could see Mitsuki's smile for a change.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Mitsuki's voice was icy and a little bit threatening. Not what Boruto expected.

"I-I just..."

"Do you feel sorry for me? From the rank of 'crown prince', do I look like a pathetic snake crawling underground? I'm not a poor pet where you can throw pieces of food in front of you whenever you want! You are nothing but a rich snob who thinks himself powerful just because you are your father's son!"

Mitsuki yelled at him. If Mitsuki hadn't said the last sentence, Boruto wouldn't have been angry. There were some lines that should not be crossed, and Mitsuki was spitting out venom without care. Boruto didn't deserve that. Boruto just wanted to make him happy.

"You’re exaggerating!"

"Me?! You are the one who treats me like a pet!"

"I didn't mean it like that! I just wanted to make you happy! You said you like eggs, so I basically thought you would be happy if you could have more!"

When Boruto explained himself, Mitsuki felt a little bit guilty. Boruto just wanted to make him happy and he yelled at him...

"...You… didn't you think I was pathetic...?"

Mitsuki's voice was almost  muted toward the end of the sentence. Maybe it was because he felt guilty? Mitsuki looked embarrassed, like he was ashamed of what he had done.

"Of course not.”

When Boruto saw this version of Mitsuki, he couldn't stay angry any longer. Boruto timidly held Mitsuki's hand. Boruto thought that Mitsuki would immediately withdraw his hand, but surprisingly it was not to be. Mitsuki let Boruto hold his hand.

"Mitsuki, I never thought you were a pitiful person."

"..."

Boruto and Mitsuki were quiet for a minute. Suddenly, both of them tried to say something at the same time but they didn't. Although they were holding hands, they didn't look at each other.

"I..."

Mitsuki started his sentence and Boruto finally looked at him.

"I am...”

Boruto didn't say anything. He gave the space which Mitsuki needed to express himself. Mitsuki gulped. He never thought the day he would apologize to the prince.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that to you..."

The Snake really seemed sorry to Boruto.

"I--"

But Boruto's sentence was left unfinished because of one of the guards had entered the room.

"Your Majesty the King is awaiting your presence, Prince."

Both of them nodded and followed the guard. They silently compromised about not speaking of this incident to others. After a couple of minutes which felt like eternity, they arrived at the dining hall. All of the Uzumaki family members, except Himawari, were there and waiting for their 'honored guest'. Mitsuki and Boruto found their places at the long table side by side. Until their tea and desserts were served by the maids no one said a word.

"Well, how are you Mitsuki?"

Naruto decided it was time to talk. Mitsuki looked like the King.

"I'm fine." He simply replied.

"I assume you know why you are here."

"Yes, I know."

"We talked to your parent about the curse you placed on Boruto. Your parent said that only the person who made this curse could remove it and we ask you to lift the curse."

Mitsuki took a deep breath.

"If I remove it, you'll immediately kill me. Why should I accept death?" Mitsuki maintained his calm manners.

'If I remove it, you'll immediately kill me' This sentence echoed in Boruto's head and made him remember the seriousness of the situation. How serious the crime Mitsuki committed, and how the punishment for his crime was death. If Mitsuki lifted the curse, he would have to serve his sentence. And that punishment would most likely be death. Even if he could save his life, the only place he would return to would be the Underground. He won't be able to see Mitsuki ever again.

Boruto began to feel his heart clench. He knew that he couldn't afford to lose Mitsuki.

"We won't kill you. I promised your parent."

"But you can still torture me? I don't remember you promising that."

Mitsuki looked at the desert but didn't eat it.

"Do I look like that bad guy?"

Those words pained Naruto.

"People do all kinds of disgrace for their child. I think you know that better."

Mitsuki took a small sip of his tea.

"If I had the opportunity to reinstate my big brother, I would do all kinds of disgrace..."

Mitsuki looked at his own reflection on the surface of the tea. They had exactly the same face. Every time he looked at himself he always saw his brother and it was ruining him. It was killing him from inside since that night.

"If you had the opportunity to reinstate your big brother, would you do anything?"

"Why do you need to ask it?"

"Does that include removing the curse?"

Naruto ignored Mitsuki's question. Mitsuki stared at Naruto.

"Can you save him?"

Orochimaru was right, there was nothing Mitsuki wouldn't do to save his brother. Everything was taken care of. Mitsuki would soon accept the agreement they offered, and Boruto would be completely saved.

"Yes. At least, Orochimaru believes they can save him due to the upper world's medicines. If you agree to lift the curse, the medicines are yours."

Mitsuki's greatest desire was to save his brother, but his reason for living was revenge. If Mitsuki agreed, he couldn't be sure if he could get his revenge. He was stuck between his desire for revenge and his love for his brother. Mitsuki took a deep breath.

"I am ready to do anything for my brother. This includes removing the curse as well. But the real question here is, would you do anything for your son?"

"Why are you asking that?"

Mitsuki bit his lip.

"I only want two things in this life. The first is to save my brother. The second is to take revenge on those who brought him and me into this situation. I want revenge for the men who hurt him. I want them to die."

Mitsuki tried to keep his calm when the chakra began to gather around Naruto. Although he didn't use all his strength, Mitsuki knew he couldn't take on Naruto. It would not be possible to kill those guards unless Naruto allowed it.

"You want to kill my people!"

"Those men deserve to die!"

"I read the guards' report about that night. If your brother hadn't come so close to the passage, he would never have been in this situation."

"And did they also report that they raped a five-year-old boy that night?"

Everyone was at a loss for words. Mitsuki grit his teeth.

"Yes, we were near the gate that night but when they started to beat my brother, we were about to return home. Log could've killed all of them but he wanted to protect me so he didn't resist them. He did nothing but remain quiet! He just wanted to protect his stupid little brother and now, he is in coma… all of this is my fault… I've already deserved what happened to me but he didn't. You want me to forget my revenge. You want me to let them live..."

"I...I..."

Naruto didn't find a response to give him.

"If someone did this to your precious little daughter, Princess Himawari… could you live without getting revenge for it? Could your heart take it, Your Majesty?”

That disgusting scene suddenly appeared before Naruto's eyes. He could feel his blood boiling with anger. If someone would do this to his daughter...

"I experienced all of that while you couldn't even bear to hear what I said..."

While Naruto and Mitsuki continued to argue, Boruto had already broken away from the conversation. It was now clear why Mitsuki was talking in his sleep and why he was so full of hate. He couldn't believe what he heard. Boruto could hear Mitsuki and his father arguing, but could not perceive what was being said. He was full of anger right now. He wanted to kill those men. How could someone do such a thing to a child?

"You want to hear that so badly? Then I will tell what I experien---“

"IT'S ENOUGH!"

Boruto stood up, banging his hands on the table.

"Boruto...?"

Everyone at the table turned their attention to him.

"NO MORE TALK!"

Boruto couldn't bear to listen to them anymore. Boruto roughly grabbed Mitsuki's arm and dragged him out of the room. Mitsuki let Boruto pull him to his room. The blonde didn't look normal to Mitsuki. Boruto was squeezing his hand.

"Prince?"

Mitsuki called him but Boruto didn't hear it. Boruto was breathing heavily. Anyone could understand that he was doing this to try to calm himself down. Mitsuki couldn't understand why Boruto was so angry.

"Prince?"

Mitsuki called Boruto again but the end was the same. Mitsuki understood that he couldn't obtain Boruto's attention with his voice so he tried to touch his hand with his free hand. Boruto composed himself when he felt Mitsuki gently grab his hand. Boruto looked at Mitsuki's beautiful golden orbs. His heart couldn't fit his chest right now. Boruto wanted to press his lips against his. He wanted to strip his blue kimono and take him right here. He wanted to erase all of those men's marks on him. Boruto wanted to erase all of Mitsuki's bad memories of that night by hugging him but he kept his composure/

"Prince, can you hear me now?"

Mitsuki's voice was soft and tender, or Boruto wanted to believe that.

"Yes..."

"Are you feeling well?"

Boruto gave him a fake smile to deceive him. Everyone always believed him when he smiled like this.

"Of course!"

"Don't lie to me."

"Eh?"

Mitsuki slowly put his hand to Boruto's face, next to his lips.

"This isn't a real smile. You can fool everyone but not me."

Mitsuki understood him. Mitsuki understood how Boruto wasn't well even after he really tried to deceive him. He was the first one who couldn't deceive. He was special.

"If you don't want to tell me, it's okay. Everyone has secrets they want to keep to themselves."

"Like… your past?"

Mitsuki removed his hand from Boruto's hand and smirked.

"Like the kiss."

The kiss. Oh God, did he know about the kiss?! Was he awake?! Boruto was sure his face was competing with tomatoes to see which was redder. Mitsuki couldn't keep his smile so he hid it behind his long sleeve.

"Y-You know?!"

"Was it real...?"

Boruto really was always finding new ways to surprise him. Mitsuki thought all of it was a dream but he couldn't be sure so he decided to test Boruto. He thought he was dreaming because of the drugs but it wasn't a dream. Boruto really kissed him while he was sleeping. It felt good. Wait? It felt good? He, Mitsuki, was kissed by the Prince and he actually liked it? This could not be... It wasn't supposed to be like this. How could his vengeance, his hatred, disappear with just one glance from the Prince?

When Boruto held his waist and pulled him closer, they stared into each other’s eyes. Boruto slowly began to bend over to him with the intention to kiss him, giving space to use if he wanted to refuse the blonde’s kiss. Boruto thought he was going to refuse his kiss, but he didn't. Instead, Mitsuki closed his eyes and waited for the kiss. Their lips, finally, became one. Mitsuki snaked his arms to Boruto's neck and deepened the kiss. Boruto bit Mitsuki's lip, politely asking for the entrance. Mitsuki easily granted access.  Boruto and Mitsuki had to separate from each other to catch their breath. Boruto gently bit his earlobe. This move earned him a little moan from Mitsuki. Mitsuki's moans were the most beautiful music Boruto ever heard. Boruto whispered Mitsuki's ear.

"Fuck, you are so beautiful..."

As soon as Boruto said that, Mitsuki began to shake.

"Mitsuki...? What happened?"

Boruto looked at Mitsuki's face. Although his eyes were closed, it was obvious that he had tears in his eyes.

"They… they said the same thing… that night..."

"Mitsuki..."

Boruto gently wiped his tears and made him sit down. Boruto just hugged him and put Mitsuki's head on his neck and let him cry. It took a while for Mitsuki to calm down, but eventually he relaxed.  Boruto tenderly stroked his hair.

"My brother used to stroke my hair like that."

Mitsuki gave him a little smile, tears still spilling down his cheeks.

"Your brother must love you very much."

Boruto kissed his hair.

"Sometimes, I wish he didn't love me. If he didn't love me, he would never have come there that night for me."

Mitsuki melted into his arms. He could hear Boruto's heartbeat right now. It was like music to him, a music that was calmative and lovely.

"Well, that’s basically  impossible. There is no one in this world who couldn’t love you. I want to be with you..."

Mitsuki pulled his head from his shoulder and looked Boruto in the eyes.

"Even though I am a snake?"

Snake. Boruto completely forgot that Mitsuki was a snake. He couldn't be with him, he was the crown prince of the Kingdom of the Fire. As long as all humans hated the snakes, Boruto couldn't be with Mitsuki.

"Even though I'm a snake, will you stay with me?" Mitsuki repeated his question.

"I..."

Mitsuki got his answer with Boruto's silence. He didn't want to be with Mitsuki because of his heritage. What did Mitsuki think would happen? Would they have miraculously fallen in love just because he kissed him? He knew Boruto was a casanova. This kiss was basically nothing to him. This hurt Mitsuki. It was the first time in his life that he had gotten this close to someone who wasn't his family, but… he didn't want to be with him. He just wanted to make out with him.

"I--"

"It's okay. I understand...”

Mitsuki stood up without looking Boruto's face.

"I'd like to take a bath. May I?"

Mitsuki asked.

"Of course...but..."

"But?"

After fifteen minutes Boruto and Mitsuki were in the bath together because they couldn't separate from one another. If Mitsuki had gone off alone in the palace, he might have gotten far enough to set the curse in motion. The bathing section of the palace was huge since it was built on top of the hot spring. They had turned their backs on each other while bathing and hadn't said a word since they had left Boruto's room and at this time, the blonde was trying to sort out his troubled thoughts.

The person he most wanted to sleep with was standing just meters away from him, completely naked, but Boruto couldn't even lay a finger on his body. It's not because of the curse. If Boruto tried to touch him, he probably would remember that damn night and just be sad. He didn't want to push him or make him upset… Boruto just wanted to make Mitsuki feel safe now because he loved him. He fell in love with his kidnapper and curser. Fucking Stockholm sendrome.

"I've finished bathing."

Boruto heard Mitsuki get up. He could hear the sound of water drops falling back down into the water, one after the other, each one from the blue haired male’s body. Mitsuki's body. Mitsuki's naked body. Boruto could only imagine how beautiful Mitsuki's body was.

"Me too."

They didn't say a word until they arrived at Boruto's room. As soon as they both entered the room and closed the door, he took his hand.

"Hm?"

"Mitsuki...I...I want to tell you something.”

Boruto had a worried look on his face.

"What is it?"

Mitsuki tried to protect his poker face.

"I love you, Mitsuki."

"You...?"

"Yes..."

"But… you are the Prince and I am a snake--"

"I will relinquish the position of Crown Prince."

"What...?"

"If you agree to be with me, I will relinquish it because I love you."

"You… you love me?"

"Yes, I know this confession was a fast one but---"

Boruto was still talking when Mitsuki pulled him closer from his collar and quickly kissed him. Both of their hearts were beating like they were going to explode from adrenaline. They separated when air became a necessity.

"If you feel bad, we can stop anytime you want."

Mitsuki nodded and they picked up where they left off. Boruto put his left leg between Mitsuki's and leaned into him. Mitsuki tilted his head while moaning. Boruto slipped his hand into Mitsuki's kimono. Mitsuki didn't do anything to prevent it. He just closed his eyes and let Boruto do whatever he wanted with his body. If he wanted to take Mitsuki there, he would let him do it. He tried his best to hide his discomfort but Boruto understood and released him.

"Mitsuki, don't push yourself. I don't wanna do it if you’re afraid.”

Boruto kissed Mitsuki's forehead and carried him in bridal style to bed. He carefully laid Mitsuki on top of the sheets.

"But… I just want to make you happy..."

Boruto joined him in bed.

"Then… please, tell me what happened that night."

"That night...?"

Boruto held Mitsuki's hand.

"I don't want to know what those bastards did to you. Actually, I don't care what they did to you because I'll keep loving you no matter what they did."

"Then, why do you want to know it?"

"Because I can understand how much of a burden that night put on your shoulders. I want to free you from that burden you've been carrying for years, so please help me to free you."

Mitsuki closed his eyes before began to tell that night.

"I was five years old when it happened. In the underground it was always said that we are blood-thirsty monsters, living just to kill humans. That's why I've always hated myself, my kind… I thought we deserved it but… I've always wanted to see the upper world, but knew I could not. Near the gateway was a place where I often sat and imagined the outside world. Even though I knew I would never get out, I couldn't help but dream. It was a normal day. My brother had come to take me back home half an hour before the door opened, as usual. But that day the door opened much earlier than we expected..."

Mitsuki bit his lip until it was started to bleed. Realizing that he was getting close to the crux of the story, Boruto stroked his hair to support him, gently wiping the blood from his lips.

"Go on."

"I… I don't want you to hate me..."

"I won't." Boruto looked directly into his teary eyes.

"My brother tried to protect me. He told me to not show myself. I… I was scared… t-they started t-t-to beat him until… until… the only thing I could do was pray… but I made a mistake… I let a sob out and they found me..." Mitsuki gulped before continuing. "I still remember what they said to me...'He is tight!', 'I want to hear you cry'... and they got what they wanted. Then, they left… me and my brother stayed there until Suigetsu came and found us. All of my clothes were torn, my throat and my hips were aching, too… all I could think about since that night was that I should be in my brother's place. I'm the one who should be in a coma. I deserved everything that happened to me, but he… they took my light from me… so I wanted to take their lights from them."

"Is that why you kidnapped me?"

"I had thought I was capable of killing innocents. But my parent was right… he knew, I cannot kill you… and my heart is separated into two pieces right now. One of my pieces is happy and the other is sad. I am so happy because I can save Log… but, I don't want hatred in my life anymore."

"Why are you sad?"

"Because I still want to be with you, but… you know, you are the Prince and I am a snake. I cannot be with you."

"Stop..."

Boruto whispered but Mitsuki didn't hear it. He already knew that he couldn't be with Mitsuki, he didn’t need to hear it again.

"I am going to accept your father's offer. If he can save Log, I'll free you and return to the underground without causing any more trouble. We will return to our lives before this encounter--"

"STOP!"

Boruto cried out.

"Prince, you---"

"Don't call me Prince!"

Yes. If Boruto wasn't the prince, he would be with Mitsuki forever. No one would interfere with what an ordinary person does.

"But you--"

Mitsuki was about to interpose but Boruto beat him to it.

"You want to make me happy, right? Then use my name!"

"If I use your name then… will you take me...?"

Mitsuki couldn't help but blush. The only thing he wanted before he returned to the underground was to become one with Boruto. He was fully aware of Boruto's identity so he knew that the blonde was going to marry a woman sooner or later. He was going to be King of the Land of Fire. He had a bright future and Mitsuki had nothing. Mitsuki didn't want to hold him back or destroy what laid waiting for him beyond the horizon.

"No, I'll save this right for later, like the wedding night."

Boruto playfully smirked after saying that.

"W-Wedding night…?"

Mitsuki didn't know until this moment that it was possible for him to blush even more.

"But we are-"

"Enough! Just tell me one thing, do you want to be with me or not?"

"I-I want to be with you. too..."

Boruto smiled.

"Then it's okay!"

"It's not okay! It can't be that easy!"

"Love is easy."

"I-You-Us--"

Mitsuki couldn't find anything to say and just gave up. It was easier than trying to persuade Boruto.

"Okay..."

Mitsuki finally agreed and Boruto hugged him until both of them were asleep. Both of them were smiling as they embraced one another.

***

"Are you sure I look good?" Boruto asked.

Boruto dressed more formally than usual today because it was the big day. Today, Boruto was going to tell his family that he wanted to marry Mitsuki.

"It's the fifth time, as I said you look handsome as always, Boruto."

Mitsuki gave Boruto a quick kiss, who was still straightening his collar in front of the mirror. Boruto playfully smiled and leaned towards him to try to steal another kiss but Mitsuki took a half step back and smiled.

"We'll have enough time for that when we're done."

"But I want to do it now."

"Then we should be fast. The sooner we do what we're going to do, the more time we have for fun."

"You're mean..."

"Yes, I am."

Mitsuki confessed. He sat down on the bed and continued to watch his-soon-to-be-husband's, at least Mitsuki hoped that, war against the evil bow-tie with a smile on his face. Each time he was either tying it wrong or getting his finger stuck in it. Mitsuki tried to stop himself from laughing.

"Hey! Don't just sit there laughing! Come help me!"

Boruto cried out and Mitsuki couldn't keep himself from laughing anymore.

"Hey!"

"I apologize but you look so funny right now."

Boruto scowled but then he smirked.

"I will show you the real fun after the wedding."

"I can't wait."

Both of them couldn't help but laugh. They felt as if they were a married couple before they were even wed  -or even before they had gotten permission to marry.  After Boruto managed to dress properly, he extended his hand to Mitsuki. Mitsuki gladly took his hand and stood up.

They were both very excited for today. Today they were going to talk to Boruto's family first and then they would go to the underground and Boruto would ask for Mitsuki's hand. Of course, that was what was planned. They could have counted at least ten reasons that would prevent them from marrying, but the most important reason was that they were children of hostile races. The 'Great War' of the past didn't help them much either.

"It will be a difficult task, but for you, I can bear it."

"How manly."

"Come to me and I'll show you how to be a man."

After joking for a while, it was time for breakfast. It would take minutes even for ninjas to walk through the huge palace. Mitsuki was struggling to keep his poker face next to Boruto. He was worried, though he didn't want to show it to Boruto. Everyone around him thought he was a snake that was deceiving their beloved Sun. Mitsuki was okay with it. He was already used to it but Boruto was different. He was someone who cared about the opinions of his friends. What if Boruto found his friends' opinions justified? What if he decided to leave Mitsuki? When he thought about these possibilities, he never wanted to reach the dining hall.

"We're here."

Boruto's energetic voice drew Mitsuki from his agonizing thoughts. They were standing in front of the dinning hall's door. Mitsuki reached for Boruto's hand but he didn't do it because he heard a girl's voice.

"Boruto!"

Boruto and Mitsuki turned their heads to face Sarada. Next to Sarada was Shikadai and two others whose names he did not know. She took the lead and got closer to them, smiling at Boruto.

"Hi, Sarada."

"Hello. What are you doing lately? I'm sorry, I couldn't be with you lately." Sarada glared at Mitsuki but he ignored her gaze.

After all, Sarada had good reasons to hate him. But if things went their way with Boruto, he would have to get on well with Sarada, Shikadai, and his other friends. He didn't have a grudge against them, but... after what Mitsuki had done, it would be very difficult for them to accept him.

"I'm okay. Actually, I am better than ever!"

Boruto held Mitsuki's hand with a huge smile before exclaiming.

"We decided to get married."

Everyone was at a loss for words. They already knew Boruto wasn't your average person but they actually never thought that Boruto was going to marry a snake someday! As crown prince, to marry the son of the leader of the kingdoms' mortal enemies… Boruto must have been out of his mind to make such a decision.

"Shit, he lost his senses..."

"No, he really went nuts..."

"I knew someday he was going to go haywire but I didn't think that day would come so soon..."

Their reaction wasn't as harsh as Mitsuki expected. He actually didn't even know what he was expecting, but he was almost sure one of them was going to jump on him and kill him, so he reached into his bag—although he later remembered it wasn't there—to pull a kunai out.

"Boruto, are you sure you’re thinking clearly?!"

Sarada grabbed Boruto by the shoulders and shook him. She couldn't believe Boruto could reach this level of stupidity! This snake had only one purpose, to cause as much harm as it could on anyone. This snake even admitted it with his own mouth!

"Yes, Sarada! I am okay!"

"What the hell did you do to Boruto?!"

Sarada pushed Mitsuki towards the door but he didn't react. He already knew that she was going to respond this way and he deserved it, but it only made her angrier than before. He had attacked them, kidnapped and cursed Boruto, and now he was deceiving Boruto! Boruto might have been stupid enough to believe that, but Sarada wasn't.

"DID YOU PUT HIM UNDER A GENJUTSU?!"

Sarada asked but Mitsuki's answer was the same. He did nothing. He didn't open his mouth and didn't say a word. The fact that he didn't answer made Sarada even more angry.

"SARADA!"

Boruto grabbed her arm and made her retract from Mitsuki.

"LET ME GO!"

"NO! I'LL NEVER ALLOW HIM TO CONTROL YOU!"

"I AM NOT CONTROLLED!"

"THIS IS EXACTLY SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE WHO IS CONTROLLED WOULD SAY!"

"Let her, Boruto." Mitsuki said.

"What? She was about to hit you!"

"I know but I want to talk a bit with her."

Boruto and the Ino-Shika-Cho trio didn't get the logic behind Mitsuki's words but they did what he said. Mitsuki waited to talk until they were farther away. Boruto could see Mitsuki, but he couldn't hear him from this distance. Sarada looked at Mitsuki, confused.

"I believe there are questions you want to ask me. I asked them to move away so you can ask your questions freely. I will answer all of your questions."

"Why?"

"Because I want you to believe me. You are Boruto's friend and I don't want you to hate me."

She scowled but still decided to hear him out. Mitsuki's words sounded sincere to her.

"What are you planning to do with Boruto?"

"I am planning to marry him."

"Why? Because you want to be the queen?"

"Because I love him. Until I met him, I had drowned in darkness and sadness because I lost my heart, my brother. My whole world was colorless and the only thing I could think of was to take my brother's revenge. Because they darkened my world, I wanted to darken their world. Since I blamed all people for this, I planned to take my revenge by killing the prince, whom everyone loved so much. You've only known me for a month, but I've been watching you for four years, since I was 12. If you ask me how I fell in love with him, even I don’t have an answer for that. When I kidnapped him, I could have killed him immediately but I didn't. I didn't understand why at the time, but now I do. I didn't kill him because I love him."

"You don't love him. If you loved him, you wouldn't want to marry him because you know that making this decision will push him out of society."

"I told him before what you said to me, but he said he wanted to do it himself. He made his choice. I wouldn't say anything if he wanted to leave me. I… I've felt that I deserved it."

"..."

"Are there still questions?"

"No. I believe you for now. If you do something to hurt him..." Sarada pressed her index finger menacingly right into his chest above his heart. "You’ll wish you were dead..."

While Sarada returned to her friends and Boruto went to his boyfriend.

"Did Sarada upset you?"

"There's nothing to worry about, my Prince."

Mitsuki made fun of Boruto in order to distract him from asking him what he was talking about with Sarada.

"Jeez… I told you to not call me Prince!"

"And I told you, I will call you 'Prince' until our wedding night."

"I doubt you know my name..."

"You will learn this when the time comes."

Boruto had sighed but smiled after.

"A lifetime with you will never be boring."

The young couple found their places in the long table side by side again but this time, all Uzumaki family members were there. Naruto was at the top of the table while Hinata and Himawari sat across from Boruto and Mitsuki. Naruto hadn't taken his eyes off Mitsuki since the moment he entered the room. Mitsuki noticed but still ignored him.

"Good morning, Mitsuki." Hinata greeted him.

"Good morning, Your Majesty." Mitsuki returned.

All of them stayed silent until their breakfast was served. Boruto smiled, thinking he would see Mitsuki's happy face when he saw eggs on his plate and he was right. Mitsuki just ate the eggs without touching anything else on his plate. Boruto offered his own eggs to Mitsuki and he gladly accepted them. While Mitsuki was eating his eggs like a little cute snake Boruto was just watching him with a smile on his face. The aura around the young couple seemed to others too… happy. It was as if they had known each other for years or as if nothing bad had happened between them. Naruto wanted to broach the subject but Mitsuki seemed so cute -as if he wasn't a snake- and happy while eating his meal so, he didn't say anything until he finished eating.

"Well… our conversation from the other day was still unfinished. I hope you will give your answer to us today."

Mitsuki and Boruto exchanged glances as if trying to decide who should tell them their decision. Mitsuki was the winner of this staring contest. Boruto took a deep breath and said their decision at once.

"We decided that we want to get married."

When Naruto heard this, the coffee he was drinking came out of his nose. He quickly began coughing.

"You decided WHAT?"

"To marry."

Hinata dropped her fork and Himawari froze. Mitsuki thought they were taking it well, since no one was jumping on him or trying to kill him. Being shocked was an optimistic response compared to violent acts.

"Boruto, did something fall on your head?! Okay, I told you recently to pick a fiancee, but… I was expecting you to pick a girl! I gave up on it being a girl, but I was hoping they’d be human! He is a snake! No, actually he isn’t even a snake! He is a clone, an experiment!"

Boruto was about to open his mouth to respond but Mitsuki was quicker.

"If I were a real snake, would you give me your blessings to marry the Prince?"

Naruto couldn't find a response to give. Mitsuki released a sign of relief. If that's not the case, then it was fine. He could make amends for having children of hostile races and for what he had done to Boruto in the past. He could be accepted. But if the real problem was that he was a clone... there was nothing to be done about it.

He continued.

"I apologize for my previous actions to the Prince, Your Majesty." Mitsuki looked directly into Naruto's blue eyes. "I lived my whole life in the underground growing with anger, hatred and vengeance. After what happened to my brother… I thought there was no point in living. I was angry but not those men. I was the main point of my anger. Every night until I decided to get revenge for my brother, I wished to die. Revenge was my life's point until I met the Prince when I was 12--"

"Wait a minute! Twelve? We met a month ago!" Boruto was surprised.

"No, we didn't meet a month ago. You met me a month ago. I saw you for the first time when I was 12 years old. The first night I came out of the Underground, I infiltrated your room."

"Why?"

Everyone at the table looked at him. As if they asked 'really?' with their eyes. Well, everyone but Mitsuki. He was just smiling at him.

"Oh… to kill me, of course."

"Anyway, don't cut the story, big brother. It had been a long time since I heard a romantic story." Himawari silenced Boruto.

"Is it romantic that he's trying to kill me?"

"Just a little. Anyway, please continue, Mitsuki!"

"Although it's embarrassing to admit… I fell in love with the person I wanted to kill at first sight. That's why I left that night without killing him. I didn't want to see him for a while. What is out of sight is also out of the heart, right? The longer I stayed away from the prince, the more my hatred and anger blinded me but..." He looked at Boruto with his eyes full of love. "The Prince saved me from my darkness. He became my sun which illuminates my path. Every time I look at him, I see the gentle light that changed my life. Thanks to him, I remembered again what it was like to love, and to be loved. I… I don't want to be the old Mitsuki who drowned in pain, sorrow, and agony. I know, I can't live without him… that's why please give us your blessings, Your Majesty."

Mitsuki had done everything he could. Naruto would be the final decision maker for them

"Boruto. Do you love him enough to give up everything you have? The palace you lived in, your position as the crown prince and everything. If your answer is still yes, I'll give you two my blessings."

Naruto's eyes were serious. Boruto realized that their future was going to be decided by his own answers that moment and he was fully aware of the fact that this was his last chance to give up on Mitsuki. That moment had come. Now was the time to decide on his -no their future. Boruto thought he would hesitate when this moment came, but it didn't turn out as he expected. He thought he'd have to make decisions while walking in the dark, but he didn't. Everything was precise and true, thanks to the full moon illuminating his dark path. Boruto reached for Mitsuki's hand and held it while smiling at him.

"Yes. I'm ready to give up everything I have for my Moon."

Mitsuki tried very hard not to jump on Boruto and kiss him at that moment.

"Then let's inform all the kingdoms about the wedding." Hinata said, smiling at her husband.

"All Kingdoms? But… I am going to marry a snake. Will other kingdoms accept my marriage to a snake?" Boruto asked. Mitsuki seemed confused, too.

"I just wanted to see if you were really serious. Five years ago, a deadly virus was spread throughout the underground by a rebel group. Do you remember it, Mitsuki?"

Mitsuki's face fell, remembering such a sad memory.

"Yes… a lot of snakes died. It was horrible..."

"The current goal of this rebel group was to spread the virus in the upper world as well, but thanks to your parent, they couldn't. If this virus spread, it would cause great harm. Your parent wanted the snakes' freedom in exchange for a vaccine for the virus. Therefore, a new peace treaty will be signed in the coming days. Of course, it cannot end all the hatred at once, but unless there is war, both species will get used to living together. Both races will support the other species with their own good aspects and your marriage will be the foundation that strengthens this agreement."

"Then my brother...?"

"Yes. We will give him the medicines he needs."

Mitsuki's eyes widened. Mitsuki had obtained permission to marry Boruto, his species would finally be free, and his older brother would be able to take medicine from the upper world. Mitsuki couldn't be happier.

"I think we need to prepare a big wedding."

***

(As a Historical romance-lover, this part reminds me of Bridgerton. The Bridgerton-Strange soundtrack was on at the time of writing this part of the story. I think it was a little romantic. If you want to read this part with music, I recommend you to read it with this soundtrack.

Things had been so intense for the past two months that Boruto and Mitsuki hadn't even been able to see each other properly. They could only talk a little before going to sleep in the evening. Mitsuki was constantly going underground and coming back to the upper world to make final adjustments Most of his visits were about his brother's health. Orochimaru said that he would awaken soon. In order to do it properly he lifted the curse. They were no more linked with a weak curse. Now, they were linked to each other with the most powerful curse in the world, love.

Tonight was one of the rare nights they'd been able to sleep together for the past two months.

"Come here, little snake~"

Boruto playfully kissed Mitsuki's neck while wrapping his arm around Mitsuki's thin waist. Mitsuki giggled and held his hands.

"Not now, my Prince."

Mitsuki moved a little away from Boruto, who was hugging him on the bed. Boruto sulked against him. Shit, he always fought dirty. He knew Mitsuki couldn't resist him when he sulked. The result was just as Boruto expected. Mitsuki sighed and closed in on him again.

"Okay, just five minutes then we should sleep. I am tired." Mitsuki sighed.

"Not enough. Let's make it fifteen minutes."  Boruto gave him a quick kiss.

"Ten minutes."  Mitsuki said.

"Thirteen minutes?"  Boruto was trying to be cute to get Mitsuki to do whatever he wanted.

"Eight minutes."  Mitsuki didn't take the bait.

"Eleven minutes!"

"Seven minutes or you will have to wait until wedding night. Okay?"  Mitsuki got the final word.

"What can I say? You’ve got my hands tied.”

Mitsuki's only reaction was a chuckle but before he could even finish it, Boruto attacked his lips with his. Mitsuki was surprised with his rapid movement but a moment later, they were passionately kissing. Mitsuki snaked his arms to Boruto's neck and pulled him closer.

While Boruto's hand slowly slipped into his blue kimono he was playing with his blonde hair. He was tangling Boruto's hair to his fingers and withdrawing them. Boruto's left hand went down and removed his obi. A minute later, obi was no longer useful so Mitsuki let Boruto to throw it somewhere within the room.

Boruto stripped Mitsuki's kimono and broke their kiss for some oxygen but it didn't take long. After seconds their lips already became one again. Boruto's left hand's index finger was exploring his lover's chest. His hand had stopped and felt Mitsuki's rapidly fast heartbeat before he used his right hand to strip his boyfriend's one and only part of clothing.

 Now, he was completely naked.

Boruto moved a little far to take a look from his beloved moon's beautiful and graceful body. His body was shining under the soft light. Mitsuki looked at him like he was made of glass, as if could be broken to pieces any second. They were exchanging glances for more than two minutes but neither Boruto nor Mitsuki complained. They knew there was magic within the room and if one of them spoke, it would disappear.

 Love needs no words.

Mitsuki extended his arm to reach Boruto's jacket. He got rid of the jacket and then it was time to remove him from his t-shirt. Boruto raised his arms and let Mitsuki take it. Boruto unzipped his pants and took them off.

Now both of them were ready.

Mitsuki gulped before looking into Boruto's eyes. Boruto kissed his forehead and gave him some time to refuse, if he didn't want what was surely coming next. If he didn't want to be one with him, he wouldn't force him to do anything. It was Mitsuki's choice. Mitsuki tightly held Boruto's hand and nodded. Boruto gently kissed the back of his hand. After that, he leaned towards Mitsuki and their foreheads touched.

"I'm not gonna hurt you..."

Boruto whispered. Mitsuki spread his legs so Boruto could easily take his place. Boruto rested Mitsuki against the headboard. Mitsuki snaked one of his arms around Boruto's neck while his free hand was fisting the blanket. Boruto kissed a line from his collar bone to jaw. In every kiss, Mitsuki released moans. 'Being touched by the sun feels like that' was all he could think now. Mitsuki flinched when he felt Boruto's soft touch against his left thigh. Boruto's touches were slowly going up.  Mitsuki closed his eyes and waited for the pain. Soon the pain was going to come and constitute a new kind of link between them. A link which held couples together, making them closer than they already were.

"Are you ready?”

Mitsuki nodded without opening his eyes. Mitsuki was going to be okay. The person who touched his body was his precious sun, not those men. Those men would never be in his dreams again after tonight. But why was there fear? His hand on Boruto's shoulder was shaking, alerting Boruto’s attention.

"Open your eyes."  Boruto politely ordered and Mitsuki obeyed.

"I will be gentle. You will feel nothing but pleasure. You don't have to be afraid of me."

Mitsuki was smiling at him as he nodded. He was trusting Boruto. Boruto kissed him without lust and passion, only with love while pushing himself into Mitsuki.

"Ah..." Mitsuki gasped.

"The pain will go away, I promise."

Boruto continued to kiss him. The more he pushed in, the louder Mitsuki moaned. It was the most beautiful music in the world for Boruto. He struggled to move at a slow pace but it managed for Mitsuki. Now, Mitsuki could feel that Boruto was fully inside of him. There was pain and fear, of course, but love and pleasure outweighed them.

At first, Boruti’s thrusts were kind and innocent but as time passed they became more fast, rough, and enjoyable. Mitsuki was moaning and begging for him to take it easy but, obviously, his words did not reflect the truth.

"Please, slower, my Prince…!"

Mitsuki moaned but Boruto continued at his pace.

"Don't call me that, Mitsuki. I have a name, say it."

"B-Boruto..."

Mitsuki realized it was the first time he said his name, and he liked it. He liked the saying, or moaning, his precious sun's name. He loved making love. He loved the feeling of being Boruto's. He just hoped Boruto liked the feeling as much as he liked it, and he looked like he was having a lot of fun too. For the rest of the night Boruto requested that Mitsuki say his name over and over again.

Finally, their little game was over when Boruto released inside of Mitsuki. Both of them gasped for air and smiled at each other. Boruto pulled his soon-to-be-husband closer to himself and gave him a long, passionate kiss.

"You were wonderful, Mitsuki."

"So were you, Boruto."

"I know."

"You should."

The lovers embraced each other in bed, finally sleeping. Boruto thought they'd snuggle until noon and then make another round when they woke up, but Orochimaru's snake ruined everything. The snake had woken them up and called Mitsuki home.

***

"Do you really have to go to the Underground?"

Boruto was watching his fiance while he was dressing. Firstly, he put his pants on and then  his long black fingerless gloves and kimono followed after. Although Boruto wanted to say 'dress slowly' to Mitsuki, he felt too mesmerized to say it. But that didn't matter, after all, he would have more time to say those words within a month. Woah, Mitsuki was going to be his queen in a month.

"I'm sorry but my parent personally requested it. There has to be an important reason behind it."

"That's a pity, I thought we would make another round."

"That's a pity, I've already dressed.”

"I can undress you, if you want."  Boruto offered.

"I can dress you, if you want."  Mitsuki offered that as a response.

"I'm okay with it, 'tsuki."  Boruto came out from under the covers. "Dress me up."

Mitsuki chuckled. Boruto would never miss his chance when it comes to touching him or being touched by him. Mitsuki took Boruto's clothes from the floor.

"May I dress you, my Prince?"

To annoy him, Mitsuki had called him by his title rather than by his name and he achieved his goal. Boruto grabbed his arm and pulled him into him.

"I told you to call me by my name."

"We're not married yet, my Prince."  Mitsuki said, emphasizing the last part.

"We weren't married last night, either."  Boruto teased. Mitsuki smiled at him.

"I don't remember that."

This was now a little game for Mitsuki and Boruto. The rules were never spoken, but they both knew them very well. He should have made Mitsuki say that of his own accord. If Boruto made Mitsuki say his name, he would win. If Mitsuki still called him by his title until their wedding day, he would win.

"Wha- You said!"

"A lot of things happened last night. I don't remember what I said because you were so good. You really melted me."  Mitsuki shrugged but he was still smirking. Boruto scowled but he was smiling with him. This game was going to be fun and Boruto was eager to win just like Mitsuki.

"Then I'll have to remind you of everything again."

Boruto grabbed his chin and made him look at him. He placed a flirtatious smile on his face in order to seduce him.  But he didn't try to do it just with a smile. Soon, his hands and lips were involved too but Mitsuki didn't raise the bait.

"You may be more sneaky than a human, but you are still too inexperienced to fool a snake, Your Highness~"

Mitsuki broke away from Boruto's arms.

"Now, I have to go."

"Hey! It is called cheating!"

"No, it's not because you already knew I had to go."

"Then let me come with you."

"My parent told me to come alone."

"Why am I not allowed to go with you?"  Boruto frowned.

"I don't know, but don't be sad. When I come, we'll continue our little game."

"Killjoy..."

***

"I came here as soon as I saw your snake. What's the problem?"

Mitsuki had come to his parent's underground laboratory. His parent, as always, was striving for something even while talking to him. He was making some kind of medicine. When Mitsuki got a little closer to his parent, he realized that the drug his parent was preparing now was the medicine he used to strengthen his body. But this was strange. Mitsuki didn't need these medicines anymore, why was his parent preparing them?

"Why are you preparing this medicine? I don't need them anymore."

"You've become quite egocentric since I last saw you, my child. It's not for you."

It's not for you. Come here alone.

"He is awake… right?!"

Mitsuki's eyes sparkled with joy. After years of remorse, his brother had finally woken up. He left his parent in the laboratory and entered the room where his brother was being treated. Suigetsu, Karin, and Jugo were looking at the young man floating in the tube. He had opened his eyes and was scanning the room.

Mitsuki put his hand on the glass and his brother place his own hand on his from the inside of the tube. When he was first born, Mitsuki was floating in the tube and Log was supporting him from the outside. Now the situation was the opposite.

"Log..."

Log couldn't answer, but that would come in time. Right now, Mitsuki felt like Boruto who had found the 'Sasuke Uchiha' card. Log was Mitsuki's treasure, just as Mitsuki was Log's treasure. He felt tears in his eyes. Thirteen years of remorse had finally come to an end.

"Aren't we going to drain the liquid?"

"Not now. His body needs rest right now."

"But is he going to be okay, right?"

Log nodded from inside the tube.

"He will be out of the tube in two weeks then he will be fed with medicines for a week."

"Three weeks… then he can come to the wedding!"

Log looked through the tube as if to say 'what wedding' or 'what happened while I was sleeping?'. Mitsuki smiled at him. Mitsuki could understand Log even though he couldn't speak. They had always been close like that, understanding each other in ways others could not.

"I am going to get married next month, Log."

Mitsuki was glad that Log's body was weak for now because his eyes were screaming 'which bastard is marrying my little brother?'

"He is the Prince of the Fire Kingdom. Prince Boruto Uzumaki. And I assure you, he isn't a bastard. He is so kind and funny."

Log didn't look convinced but Mitsuki knew that kind of thing may happen. As an older brother, it was his duty to hate any man who approached his younger brother, after all. After this one-sided conversation went on for about an hour Orochimaru came to the room with a snake.

"Mitsuki, you have a call."

Mitsuki took the snake from his parent.

"I think there is a problem with the preparations for the wedding..."

"Then you have to go."

"But I don't want… Log is conscious!"

"If you want him to make it to the wedding, you have to let him rest."

"But..."

Mitsuki looked at Log one last time. Log smiled at him, as if to say 'I will be okay, you can go'.

"Okay… I'll fix the problem with the preparations and be right back!

 ***

A month went by so fast, but it also felt like an eternity because neither Boruto nor Mitsuki could wait for the day when the other man would finally be just his. But it also passed so quickly because there were a lot of issues to take care of. The reason why the wedding had so many problems to solve was that snakes and humans had different customs, but they managed to solve it.

The wedding was entirely left to Boruto's family, where and how the wedding would take place, but some of the snakes' wedding customs would be followed in return. One of them, according to Mitsuki, was that Boruto wanted him to wear a wedding dress prepared according to upper world traditions. Mitsuki didn't accept it because his three caretakers already prepared another shiromoku for him. Both of them argued but in the end, they managed to compromise. Mitsuki would wear a long and beautiful upper-worldly veil along with a traditional kimono.

Both of them wanted a wedding that would conform to the customs of their kind. The strangest of these for Boruto was to present a basket with small handmade gifts to the other family before the parents of both parties got married. The fact that they were handmade was considered an indication that both parties would try to get along well in the future. Mitsuki's family had given them many handmade items in return. Orochimaru's natural remedies, Karin's special herbs that were used to make natural medicines, Jugo's hand knitting, which everyone thought Karin crafted at first, and Suigetsu's own handmade small knives as gifts. The prince's family, on the other hand, had a few problems with it. They were not afraid to give gifts, but the fact that it was handmade put them in trouble. Growing up as noblemen since they were little, they were not used to doing such things with their hands. Himawari provided a beautiful landscape drawing and Hinata handcrafted sweets. Naruto, on the other hand, couldn't make anything. He really tried, but lacked dexterity.

And now the big day had finally come.

A very big wedding was organized in the palace. As important names from other kingdoms came, many snakes also attended the wedding. Of course, Boruto was the first to enter the hall. He went as the prince to greet everyone. Boruto took a deep breath as the piano began playing. Mitsuki would come to Boruto soon, and that meant the wedding could begin. When Mitsuki finally entered the hall, Log held out his hand to him and escorted him down the aisle to where Boruto was standing. Soon Mitsuki would come to him and they would be connected for life.

But Boruto felt his brain stop working because of Mitsuki's beauty. The shiromoku he wore was a floor-length white kimono. Although the very long sleeves of the kimono, as always, covered his hands, it did not hide how slim and curvy his body was.  Normally, shiromoku's distinctive veil would be an opaque veil, but not this time. Boruto had a more transparent veil where he could see Mitsuki's face clearly. Boruto's heart was beating faster with each step Mitsuki approached him and after another eternity, Mitsuki and Boruto finally side by side. The part from Mitsuki entering the hall until he kissed him after the vows seemed to have been erased from Boruto's memory. He couldn't remember what he had read, what Mitsuki had read, or what the officiant had said. All he remembered was how he lifted Mitsuki's veil and kissed him.

Then, Mitsuki decided to be naughty and  he covered his veil again, leaving himself and his husband under it.  Boruto always knew that someday he would lift his future wife's veil and kiss her, or him in this case, but he never thought he would kiss under a veil. Boruto wrapped his arms to Mitsuki's waist while the blue haired male snaked his arms around the blonde’s neck. If Log hadn't interrupted their kiss with a fake cough, it would have been a long and passionate one. Mitsuki got the message and pulled back the veil over Boruto's head while smiling. He stepped back.

Now, it was time to feed each other cake.

Of course, Mitsuki had found a way to make it awkward, too. He dipped the piece of cake that he was going to feed Boruto into one of the salt cellars on the table and took it out. Every human inside the hall was watching him with confusion while snakes were laughing. Boruto looked at the cake and then at Mitsuki. After doing that one more time, he still couldn't understand why he did it. When Mitsuki brought the cake close to Boruto's mouth, Boruto had to open his mouth and eat it. It tasted worse than he thought. Boruto swallowed the awful thing in his mouth with difficulty.

"I would rather do 'groom bullying' but I think it's close enough."  Hearing what Karin said, the snakes laughed.

"G-Groom bullying?" Boruto asked.

"I thought the name was clear enough, but let me explain anyway. In 'groom bullying', if the bride wants to do it, the bride's or groom's friends give the groom tasks that are difficult or embarrassing to complete. If the groom completes these without complaining, it means he truly loves the bride."

Boruto looked Mitsuki.

"Please, tell me you don't want this..."

"Actually, I hesitated between feeding you salty cake and 'groom bullying' in the beginning but I chose salty cake in the end."

“Damn, and I had so many ideas of what to make the prince do..."  Suigetsu grumbled in disappointment.

I hope they don't have more traditions…

Boruto gulped.

The rest of the wedding was completely uneventful. They danced, they joked, they hung out with their friends, they ate a lot of food, although Mitsuki only ate eggs. Boruto thought for a moment what Mitsuki's response would be if he asked Mitsuki "eggs or me?" It would probably take him a long time to think, and he would eventually leave Boruto for the eggs. He would probably be the first husband abandoned for eggs. And this funny, amusing but also perfect wedding was over at night. Everyone went home and now it was time for the wedding night.

It was the moment Boruto had been waiting for all day.

***

Everyone in the country had welcomed the Prince's wedding. They were so happy because their Prince had finally found the love of his life. He was happy and he would be until the end of his life.

But there were villains in every fairy tale and this one wasn't an exception. The villains of this tale went on with their lives until the news of the Prince's wedding, comfortably and without any remorse for the bad things they had done. They had put someone in a coma and raped a small child, and had never regretted a day in their life.

Until they saw the prince's beloved.

With his light blue hair, golden eyes, and pale skin, it was clear at a glance that he belonged to the snake race. All four guards who were there that night had recognized the Prince's husband the moment they saw him. And the Prince's husband recognized them as soon as she saw them. He would never forget the faces of those who gave him nightmares for years. At least until he got his revenge.

And it was today.

Those four bastards were in the dungeon awaiting their execution. Mitsuki was feeling like the happiest person in the world right now. His race was free, his brother had woken up, he had married the man he fell in love with, and the men who tormented him were in prison. What more could Mitsuki want from life?

"Boruto, there's something I have to do before I go to the room. You go first, and I'll be there soon."

"What? Where are you going?"

"Somewhere. Please, allow me to do this. It is important."

Boruto had never seen Mitsuki be this serious before. Whatever Mitsuki's job was, it had to be something very important. Boruto just kissed his forehead before going to his, no, their room. Mitsuki touched his forehead and watched Boruto with a smile on his face. He thought how lucky he was to have Boruto.

When he arrived at the door of the dungeon, the guards bowed their heads to him. Mitsuki gave them one of his emotionless smiles and entered. There they were.

"Hello, you four."

Mitsuki stood up in front of them.

"You are..."

"Yes. I was the weak little child eleven years ago but now, I am your future queen."

"What...Y-You..."

They looked at his clothes. He had a veil and was wearing a traditional wedding dress.

"I got married to your Prince today. I'm sure you didn't think it was me when you heard that the Prince married a snake."

The fear of the four of them was worth seeing. Mitsuki liked it.

"You are here now because I personally wanted it from the King. And you will die because I wanted it, too. I came here because I wanted to tell you personally about the appointed day for your execution."

Execution. They were going to be executed because of what they did. They deserved it.

"In three days you will be executed by guillotine in the courtyard in front of the palace."

Mitsuki smirked at them.

"See you in three days!"

TWO YEARS LATER:

In the past two years, Mitsuki thought he couldn't be happier. His marriage with Boruto was like a dream. While Boruto, as the Prince, took care of the kingdom's affairs in the morning, Mitsuki was trying to fix the relationship between snakes and humans.

However, they never neglected to have their meals together. Both loved card games, video games, chatting and sparring with each other. They were never bored together. Their sex life was going well, too, if Boruto did say so himself. Even two years later, they still found each other as attractive as the first day.

Their married life was simply perfect.

Until Mitsuki started to feel sick.

He couldn't understand why he had morning sickness, dizziness, and the constant urge to eat fish, even though he didn't like it. If he were not a synthetic human and a man, he would believe he was pregnant. During the last few days, his movements were not as fast as before while fighting, he was very tired, and this caught Boruto's attention. It seemed strange to him, too, but he didn't think much about it as they thought Mitsuki would tell him if something bad or serious happened.

Thus, they continued their lives as normal until Mitsuki passed out while working. When he opened his eyes, he was laying on bed. Boruto was sitting and waiting in the chair next to the bed, dozing off. Mitsuki chuckled and straightened up to wake him. Mitsuki shook Boruto but he couldn't wake up. Boruto was certainly a heavy sleeper.

What would humans do in such situations? Oh, I remember.

Mitsuki pinched Boruto's cheek harder than necessary.

"OUCH!

Boruto yelped as he fell from the chair. Mitsuki couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"It's not funny!"

"Yes, it is."

Mitsuki looked so cute as he said this with a smile that Boruto couldn't even pout. He kissed Mitsuki and sat down next to him.

"Are you okay? Why did you pass out?"

"I don't know… I've never been like this before."  Mitsuki admitted, even though he knew it would scare Boruto.

"You need to see your parent. I'm worried something will happen to you."  His voice sounded far more terrified than Mitsuki thought.

"I know what will be good for me."

Mitsuki took Boruto's hand and made him touch his own chest. Under his clothes. He hoped it would help distract Boruto's attention. It was always successful.

"Will you make love to me?”

Mitsuki asked and he waited for his response, or even a passionate kiss. Boruto smirked and leaned for a kiss. They kissed but Boruto withdrew a moment later.

"Not tonight. You need the rest."  It was the first time his tactic was unsuccessful.

"But-"

"And promise me, you will go to see your parent tomorrow."

"Okay..."

When Boruto got Mitsuki’s word he laid down next to him. The first thing Mitsuki did when he got up in the morning was to inform his parent that he was coming around noon. He had breakfast with his husband, as usual. After solving a few important problems that could not be delayed, he went to his parent's laboratory for a quick check-up.

"Welcome, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki greeted his parent and looked around. There was no one but two of them.  Normally, when Mitsuki called them about a visit all of them would be there.

"Where are the others?”

"Jugo and Karin went to the forest to collect herbs. Suigetsu is sleeping and Log is observing your brothers and sisters. Why did you come here?"

He took a deep breath.

"Actually, I want to have a check-up. I've been showing some… symptoms lately and… uhm..."

"And?"

"The symptoms are… well, it's not normal for a… man."

Orochimaru seemed confused.

"What symptoms?"

Mitsuki glanced away and it made Orochimaru ask his question again.

"Morning sickness, dizziness, tiredness, food craving and I fainted yesterday." Mitsuki replied.

The expression on Orochimaru's face was priceless. All the symptoms Mitsuki described pointed to only one conclusion. Pregnancy.

"Mitsuki… well… these symptoms actually point to a conclusion. I think you already knew that but… these symptoms are..."

"Symptoms of pregnancy. I know but I am… it is impossible, isn't it?"

Orochimaru sighed.

"Let's talk about it after your check up."

The injectors, serums full of medicines, and weird cables were Mitsuki's old friends since the day he was born. That's why Orochimaru's lab always felt nostalgic. It was never frightening until now. His parent gave him medicines to calm him and took his blood for detailed tests in order to approve their pre--theory. Waiting was the scariest part and he found himself craving alcohol for the first time in his life. He never wanted to drink alcohol before because it had no effects on him or he didn't like its taste but now, he wanted some. Orochimaru came closer and took a seat next to him.

"Let's talk a little while the machines analyze your blood."

Mitsuki nodded.

"How is your relationship with the prince?"

"Our relationship? We are getting well. We hardly ever argue."

"Not that, how is your conjunction?"

"Oh… well… it's okay..."

Mitsuki tried to cover the matter quickly.

"How many days do you have sex with him?"

Talking to his parent about his sex life was the most embarrassing thing in the world. Mitsuki didn't look at his parent while answering the question. He started to play with his fingers, hoping that it would be less embarrassing if he was more distracted.

"Normally… every two or three days, if we don't have a lot of work to do… sometimes multiple times in the same day."

"Where does he usually cumming?"

"Wha-"

"I am trying to understand the situation."

"Usually inside of me..."

"So, when did these symptoms first start?"

"Two months ago..."

"And are you coming to me NOW? What if there was something more important?"

"..."

He had never been scolded by his parent before. He had always been a good boy. They sat in silence until the machines alerted that the blood tests were finished. Orochimaru went to the machine and came back with a wad of paper.

"Your Beta HCG hormone value is 110,567 mlU/mL."

"What does that mean?"

"Blood tests prove that you have been pregnant for two months."

"But… how...?"

"You know I am always changing my body. There are some times I am a man and there are some times when I am a woman. Probably my DNA mixed both man and woman and your DNA comes from mine. It appears that this situation affects your DNA ,too. I believe there are triggers which instigated your pregnancy."

"Live and proper conjunction..."

Mitsuki put his hand on his belly with surprise. He was really pregnant with Boruto's , his precious sun's, child. There was going to be a baby soon. Their baby.

"I believe you need to tell Boruto. I will let know him-"

"No. I… I don't want you to tell him..."

"Do you want to say it yourself?"

"..."

"Mitsuki?"

"He… he told me before that he doesn't want a child..."

***

Ever since Mitsuki returned to the palace, all he did was lie on his bed and stare at the ceiling until his husband arrived.  He hadn't eaten lunch because he was nauseous, having only had hot milk all day. He couldn't tell if it was because he was pregnant or if he couldn’t eat anything. He didn't even want to eat eggs. His favorite. Mitsuki waited until Boruto came to the balcony where they always ate for dinner. Mitsuki had learned something new about himself. He would start playing with his fingers when he was nervous. He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Boruto approaching him from behind.

"What are you thinking about?"

Boruto hugged him from behind. His hands were wrapped on his belly. His belly. Mitsuki put his hand on Boruto's hand trying to feel his warmth. He didn't want to tell him that, but in a few months everything would be revealed whether he wanted it or not.

"Mitsuki?"

"Nothing."

Boruto kissed his cheek.

"You were going to go to your parent today, did you?"

Mitsuki silently nodded.

"What did he say?"

"It's nothing. Let's eat."

Mitsuki took his hand and sat him down on the table. Boruto found this strange, but didn't think much of it. Mitsuki would never lie to him, if there was something important he would have told him. Mitsuki and Boruto's dinner was quieter than usual, but they were still chatting. They talked mostly of trivial matters, but some strange things hadn't slipped by Boruto.

The first of these was that Mitsuki did not push the fish from the plate. He hated the smell of fish so it made no sense to keep it close. Secondly, he hadn't even touched the eggs. It was an eating habit he hadn't never shown before. The last strange thing he noticed was Mitsuki stopping in the middle of his speech and swallowing awkwardly. He did it more than two times. After dinner, Mitsuki went to the room, telling Boruto that he was tired and was going to sleep. Just a few minutes later, Boruto followed suit.

Anyone who didn't know Mitsuki wouldn't have noticed how strange his current actions were.

Boruto went to their room. Mitsuki was already in his pajamas, pulling the duvet over his head. Boruto knew Mitsuki heard him but he remained silent. He continued to pretend to sleep but Boruto didn't buy it. He sat the bed and stroked his head, or where he thought his head was.

"Do you have a problem, Mitsuki?"

Mitsuki didn't respond.

"Mitsuki, I know you are not sleeping."

Mitsuki came out from under the duvet and looked at him.

"There is something you didn't tell me, isn't it?"

"..."

"Mitsuki...”

Boruto put his hand to Mitsuki's cheek. Mitsuki closed his teary eyes and pressed Boruto's hand to his cheek as if he wanted to make sure he wouldn't withdraw from him.

"Please, don't leave me..."

Mitsuki whimpered.

"I will never leave you, Mitsuki."

"DON'T LIE TO ME!"

Boruto would never forget this moment. This was the first time Mitsuki yelled at him. He blushed slightly when he realized what he was doing. He didn't mean to shout at Boruto. He was just… so nervous and scared. He was now terrified of not being accepted any longer by his sun. What if Boruto hears this and doesn't want to see him anymore? What if he just asks him to have an abortion? He didn't want to have an abortion nor did he want Boruto to leave him. But he was fully aware that he was trying to avoid the inevitable.

"Mitsuki, do you really believe I will leave you?!"

Boruto held his hand. There was certainly something so serious about him but what? It must've been about his health. But what? Did he have a disease? What kind of disease could make him think of such a ridiculous thing?

"..."

"Answer me! Do you really believe I'm such a terrible person to leave you because you have a disease?"

Mitsuki glanced away and stayed silent for a few minutes.

"It's not a disease..."

This was the first thing he said for a few minutes.

"Then tell me, what is it?"

Boruto realized that Mitsuki's hand was shaking. He was really afraid of him. What could he have done to scare Mitsuki so much?

"I'm sorry, Mitsuki. I didn't mean to upset you..."

He made their foreheads touch, as if he wanted to give him courage. Mitsuki leaned into Boruto's chest.

"I will never leave you. I will never harm you."

"But you will… when I say this, you will leave me because you don't want that."

"How can you be so sure?"

Mitsuki couldn't hide it any longer. After a while, the truth would be revealed. It was better for Mitsuki to explain it to him than for him to see it with his own eyes. Besides, Mitsuki didn't want to carry this burden alone anymore.

"I promise I won't leave you."

"Promise?"

Boruto kissed his hair.

"Yes."

Mitsuki took a deep breath and looked into his eyes. He opened his mouth a few times and closed it without saying anything. Boruto didn't say anything. He simply continued stroking his chin, waiting for him to express himself. After two years with Mitsuki, he knew that he was having trouble expressing himself and that to avoid this, he had to calm him down and let him talk.

"I..."

Mitsuki took a deep breath before putting Boruto's hand to his belly. Hoping it would make him more… tender to them.

"I'm pregnant..."

Boruto's eyes widened when he heard that. He had always thought his own family would be a family of two. Him and Mitsuki. Just two. But now, Mitsuki was saying that their two-person family would be three soon.

"Boruto?"

Mitsuki called. His biggest fear was about to happen.

"Boruto… I..."

He must to do something or Boruto will definitely leave him!

"I..."

His baby or Boruto? He knew that he could live without a baby but he couldn't live without his sun. It was the hardest choice of his life and his first choice was Boruto, of course. He can't afford to lose him.

"If you want me to.... have an abortion… I… I will.."

"YOU WILL WHAT?"

Boruto held his shoulders and shook him.

"I NEVER WANTED YOU TO HAVE AN ABORTION!"

His voice sounds like he was… angry?

"But… you told me you don't want a child?"

"What, when?"

"Don't you remember? We went to visit the newly opened orphanage six months ago. That day you told me this."

On the day of the orphanage visit… holy shit, he was talking about that day!

"Thank you for coming, Your Highness."

The director of the orphanage greeted the crown prince respectfully. She hadn't even thought it possible that the crown prince would visit the little orphanage, so when she heard he was going to attend, she first thought it was a joke. But it wasn't, he was really here. How thoughtful and kind he was! The kingdom was surely blessed with such a compassionate heir.

"I was sure someone as nice as the Crown Prince would do us an honor!"

Boruto frowned when the director of the orphanage said that. 'he who honored her' was only the crown prince. Not the royal couple, only the crown prince. He politely dismissed Mitsuki by not calling out at all. Boruto thought that Mitsuki hadn't noticed this because he was smiling looking straight into the director’s  face. This angered Boruto even more. It was Mitsuki who specifically asked Boruto to come here and help, but the director of the orphanage was showing him such disrespect! It wasn't fair...But Boruto knew what to do.

"The real honor is to be here. I wouldn't be here today if Mitsuki personally hadn't informed me that we were invited to the opening of this place and hadn't helped me finish my work."

He emphasized the word 'personally'. Mitsuki just kept smiling, not understanding anything but the director seemed to get the message. She found an excuse and walked away from them immediately.

"Are you angry Boruto?" Mitsuki asked. "I mean, your heartbeat is faster than before and you have been squeezing my hand since we came here. Did I do something bad to embarrass you?"

"What? No, you didn't." Boruto held out his arm for Mitsuki to take. Mitsuki gladly accepted it and they decided to take a tour around the orphanage. The orphanage building itself may have been small, but its garden was not. There were lots of kids running around and playing. Other kids watched the royal couple with curious eyes.

"He really is a snake!"

"He is so scary..."

"One of my friends told me snakes only live to kill humans!"

Mitsuki knew that Boruto didn't hear these because he was talking to someone else. If he heard that, he would surely be upset. He had a horrible reputation in people's eyes because of his heritage. He took a deep breath before turning his head to them. He looked and gave his biggest smile to them.  As if he wanted to say 'You say bad things to me, but I will forgive you for saying them because I have no intention of harming you'  with his huge smile.

But they didn't get the message.

"He is looking us!"

"He will kill us!"

"Run, run, run!"

Even more frightened by Mitsuki's gaze, the children quickly fled into the building.

"Do I really look that bad?" Mitsuki whispered to himself.

"Did you say something?"

"No."

"But your face says otherwise."

"My face?"

"Well… you always have that poker face but it doesn't work on me. I know you well enough to see when you're face with full of sadness, happiness or..." Boruto playfully smirked and leaned to whisper into his ear. "Pleasure."

Mitsuki chuckled while pushing Boruto's face away.

"We're in public, your highness."

"If that's the problem, I can arrange a room for us."

"What a gentleman."  Mitsuki teased.

The way to get Mitsuki to talk was not to go after him. If he forced Mitsuki to talk, then he would only give one of his soulless smiles and say that it was okay, that he was sorry for worrying him. After making him laugh enough, it was time to see if he would be willing to talk.

"So, now you want to tell me what happened?"

Mitsuki just hugged his arm tighter and gave one of his emotionless smiles again.

"It's nothing, Boruto, really."

Boruto was aware that it was a lie, but when he realized that he couldn't make him talk even by laughing, he tried to understand what had happened by observing. They toured the orphanage all day with Mitsuki, chatting with the children, whom the snake didn’t speak to at all because he thought the children wouldn't want to talk to him. To say that Boruto was a bad observer would be an understatement. Mitsuki especially seemed to avoid talking to children, and he wondered if Boruto even noticed.

"Do you like children?"  Mitsuki asked.

Where did such an irrelevant question come from? Was Mitsuki's problem with the kids?

"Why did you ask?"

"Just curiosity, you know we won't have a child..."  Mitsuki made up an excuse that he thought was logical to get his answer. But Boruto got it completely wrong. When Mitsuki looked after the children, he was upset because he was a clone and male, so they could not have children. He must be blaming himself.

"I don't like children very much. I don't want kids, if you ask me."

"Forget everything I told you that day!"

Boruto held his hand.

"I've never wanted to say that. I… I said that because I thought you were upset because we won't have a child...".

"But you-"

"Just forget it! I want you and our child! So never say such nonsense again!"

Boruto hugged his lovely, cute, and pregnant wife. He was playing with his blue locks while rubbing his back. Mitsuki was more than eager to return the embrace. He was happy, and his husband was happy because their family would be completed soon. They shared a long but innocent kiss.

"I love you, Boruto."

"I love you, too."

***

'The Kingdom of the Fire was the most powerful kingdom in the world and its King, Naruto, was the mightiest person in the world. His Queen, Hinata, was the most beautiful woman in all the land. When they were born, their beloved country was under attack by  the evil snake, Orochimaru. After a great war, in which all great kingdom's joined against the evil snake, they won. Armies of the Kingdoms banished him and his all cognates to the Underground. He and his cognates would never be able to see the sunshine again. It was a happy ending for all of the Kingdoms, except the Kingdom of the Fire. Their happiness was incomplete until their first child, the crown prince, Boruto, was born. The crown prince who shone as bright as the sun itself.'

"It was a lovely story but not a complete one."

'Shining as bright as the sun itself, the Crown Prince found the happiness he sought in the son of the evil serpent Orochimaru, who was always described as the enemy. Their love became a symbol of peace between the two races. Just as the Crown Prince was the sun of the people, his beloved became their moon. The moon of perfect beauty that illuminates their path in the dark and their twin children that shone like stars. With the arrival of the Moon, the happiness of everyone, not just the royal family, was complete.'

"Here, the story is now complete."