During the days that followed, Shinki stayed away from everything and everyone. He only kept the routine of sharing breakfast with his adoptive father. After that he would go to the library or to his room. He from afar watched his beloved Boruto train with Mitsuki, but he did not approach them at any time. He definitely no longer felt worthy of pretending to him, nor of talking to Mitsuki. On the third day he entered, as usual, the room where his father was waiting for him. He increasingly resembled more dead in life.
Shinki let himself go, he was an expert in controlling his emotions, that's why it seemed that nothing happened. But those who knew him knew how to realize that something was wrong with him. The previous evening he told Shikadai that he should take care of the political and administrative affairs of the kingdom, since he was the one with royal blood. Then he walked away without giving him any kind of explanation.
Shikadai talked with his uncle the king and with his father about it. Gaara authorized him to do that but he would have to work together with Shinki.
"I would love to know what's wrong with my cousin? Isn't his attitude normal, do you know something about it, uncle?
"No, nothing. But I'll talk to him.
Now, father and son were in the living room having breakfast. Gaara was trying to remember what exactly he had said to his son, for him to be so hurt now. Shinki looked at the floor in silence, while he ate his breakfast. Gaara took a deep breath:
"Shinki, look at me son, who did this one. These last two days you have been acting strange. Shinki looked the other way and stopped eating. You even stopped training Boruto.
"I asked Mitsuki to do it, father. "Why? "He was the one who was training him from the beginning. He's already a real sorcerer, I thought it was a good idea."
"You haven't even seen him these last few days Shinki.
"I assumed that he would be tired and that he should rest. Besides, he has an important mission to fulfill. Gaara looked at him, still unable to understand. That was not the Shinki that he knew, his son would never have moved away from the one who captivated his attention to the point of feeling attracted, sentimentally speaking, as Boruto did.
Shinki was even willing to take Boruto away from Mitsuki out of jealousy, when the blonde assured him that the blue-haired man was like a brother to him. He remembered the sparkle in Shinki's eyes every time he talked about Boruto, so now he just walks away. Has no sense. Upon seeing it carefully, he could see that his son was broken and he was to blame.
"Shinki tell me, do you love Boruto? He looked at him in amazement. Tell me the truth son.
"What importance does that have, father?
"If I decide that Boruto and Mitsuki should get married, you... Shinki's expression changed, he breathed raggedly, while his gaze became more somber, possessive, he nailed his nails on the armrests of the chair and clenched his teeth.
"And why...would you do that...father? Shinki returned to being the one he once was, but for a few moments at least.
"What would you win?
"Bring back my son, and that's more than enough for me.
"What?
I want the other Shinki, the one you used to be... three days ago. "Father... you... you... why do you tell me that when you know perfectly well that you are not interested in me?
"Son, I...
"I'm making it very clear... Your Majesty... Excuse me... I... I don't want to disappoint you...
"I don't remember anything that happened and the way I left you I...I...I don't want to remember it. It's evident that I'm a monster and...and...I hurt the one I was meant to protect... I'm so sorry...
It's the truth when I tell you that... that I don't remember anything at all and the truth is that I don't want to remember it. I just want... I want to get you back son, would you give me another chance... please?
"Father. Shinki went from sadness to fury but he still felt insecure.
You are the king, you don't have to ask me for anything. It is my obligation to obey you if I want to continue living here. Otherwise you will return me to the place where you found me when I was six years.
"That's what I told you?
"Yes, you told me that I should only support you in all your decisions, whether they are correct or not.
Gaara felt horrible listening to his son, checking how monstrous he could become.
The rest is none of my business, that was what you told me...father. "I...I...I can't be that kind of person...I...Shinki you did and still do continuously important things for me...
You're an amazing guy, how could I turn my back on you like that? Son. ..I only trust you, you are my child.
"That's what I told you and I even asked you, but you…you were very cold. You don't care about anything more than…you yourself. It's already very clear to me what my place is here. You told me to stop acting like I'm your biological child.
Gaara leaned back on the couch closing his eyes, his tears moistening his face. He understood Shinki perfectly. He himself felt that he was suffocating. When he was able to calm down, he opened his eyes and looked at him. Shinki could feel the intense pain from him, he was definitely the father he loved so much.
Shinki could feel his intense pain, he was definitely the father he wanted and needed so much. "Shinki...I hope you can forgive me one day and...and...help me to...to...kill this monster that obviously lives in me and hurt you so much son.
"You know how I feel about...
"Yes son, I know. But I'm not going to do such a thing. What I do know is that when I saw you that night I... I wanted to be your father and I brought you with me to protect you from pain. That's not a lie.
"That's what I thought too...dad...
"It's the truth son, I'm not going to abandon you. I'm not going to turn my back on you because you're my boy... you're mine Shinki... my little boy. I love you only... it seems that there is something in me that obsesses me and it makes me very cruel... but... but it shouldn't be with you.
"You should hold on to the idea of protecting others dad. You are being someone very noble, since... you would never have taken me with you when you found me if I followed someone cruel.
"Will you forgive me then Shinki? Will you give me a second chance?"
Will you fight against that darkness that lives in you?
"Of course.
In that case, it's a deal, father.
Gaara smiled to see how Shinki revived, returning to be that boy that caused him so much pride. He really loved him. He didn't understand how he could break him so much, but he wasn't going to hurt him again. Naruto. Only his old obsession with the Kyuubi's jinchuriki could lead him to hurt his own son in such a way.
What an idiot he was, if so, when did his sexual satisfaction become more important than his son's? It was garbage, he was lucky that Shinki kept talking about it. Besides Naruto had already chosen, a long time ago and went to him. Naruto was a thing of the past, now he was just a friend who had fallen from grace and had to help.
"You know Shinki? I heard that Sakura died of a strange disease a few days ago." Gaara said sadly.
"Is she really father? He didn't know anything.
"That surely triggered in me, that old obsession I used to have for Naruto. "You remembered? "No, but I know myself well enough to know that if I was able to hurt someone who is indispensable to me, it must only have been because of my sick obsession from the past.
"And now? No, now I must focus on regaining your son's trust. Besides Naruto already chose, I can't hurt him to the point of taking him away from the one he loves so much. Like I said son. he leaned back more comfortably in that armchair.
I don't want to be a monster, I don't want to hurt you or anyone else.
"In that case you must strive to fight against your own darkness father. We all have our own monsters right?
Very true father. They both smiled and for the first time in three days Shinki did it, he felt safe and at peace again. He adored his father, he would do anything for him but only if Gaara continued to transmit that security that he needed so much.
"Another thing son, go back to Boruto.
Don't think crazy, okay?
In agreement.
You love him?
Too much father
"You are lucky to be reciprocated son, hold on to him. Father...no...please...
Calm down son, Naruto is in the past and will remain there.
What a relief.
When they left, Shinki was back to who he used to be. He headed towards the gym where he saw them. Mitsuki smiled upon seeing him. "My friend, it seems you're back.
"Friend, angel, forgive me for acting so strange these days.
You call me angel again. Boruto smiled happily.
You will stay?
"Of course, both Mitsuki and I will train you.
Then tell us what happened. Mitsuki said
No, it's something personal. I'm sorry Mitsuki, I'm sorry for everything I did.
I'm serious.
Apologies accepted friend.
They both held hands smiling.
They were back to being the good friends they were.
When Boruto and Shinki's eyes met, their hearts skipped a beat.
"Hey. Mitsuki got in the middle Just because we're friends again doesn't mean I'll let you have an affair with my brother Boruto.
Hey. Boruto said. No one named you my babysitter Mitsuki.
"Whatever happens between us is none of our business." Shinki answered.
Now can we start with the training?
Of course. Boruto said smiling at him but Mitsuki looked at him suspiciously.
I'm serious Shinki, I'm not going to accept that you get close to my brother, until you show me that you're trustworthy... friend.
Shinki smiled as he shook his head, his friend was back to the one he used to be with.
He longed to win back his friendship and he was glad he did. But his reconciliation with his father, he couldn't feel better.