Sarada Uchiha was 7 years old when her parents separated. She could still remember her younger self asking why she and Mama are moving out without her Papa, but all her mother could do was give her a faint, yet sad smile.

"Don't you love Papa anymore, Mama?" Sarada would ask, but Mama would shrug her question off with a tight embrace then, her eyes would become a little glassy. It's as if she desperately wanted to stop her tears from falling.

Maybe it was her Mama's way of telling her that some things don't work even if there's love. After that, Sarada stopped asking about her mom's feelings towards her father.

Now, she's almost 12 but she still couldn't bring herself to get used to their complicated set up and every day, Sarada wishes for her parents to get back together, for things to go back to the way they were before.

Every morning, her Papa's trusty old butler, Aoda-san picks her up and drives her to school. Sometimes, Papa does it but only when he's not busy. However, he is always occupied with work and he has to go to a lot of trips to meet important people ever since he took over Uchiha Inc.

Mama on the other hand, tries her absolute best to make enough time for her despite her tight schedule as Konoha Medical Center's top surgeon.

Sarada understands perfectly well that her parents are working hard for her future, but sometimes she cannot help but feel a little lonely because she's missing her old home.

"Sarada, don't forget to lock the doors while I'm gone." Sarada mumbled "Hai, Mama" lazily because she's been saying it over and over again.

"Do you want me to give Aoda-san a call and ask him to— "Mama worries a lot despite knowing that she's big enough to fend for herself and on top of that she has to hurry for another surgery today.

"It's fine Mama! I can take care of myself." Sarada interjected. Besides, she has someone else in mind who can keep her company while her Mama is at work because she couldn't stand Aoda-san's ramblings about the great Uchiha clan which she belongs to even if she's fond of the old man.

"Alright, but remember something happens you should call me or Aoda-san." Mama gave her a kiss and hugged her briefly before rushing out.

Being a "single" mother is not easy.

Sakura struggled to give her precious daughter enough time while working a full time job which requires her to be on call most of the time even during holidays. There was a moment when she had to cancel her reservation in some fancy restaurant to celebrate Sarada's birthday because of an emergency surgery that requires her immediate assistance. She was hesitant to go because she couldn't afford to disappoint her daughter on her birthday but in the end, Sarada urged her to go because saving lives is what she does.

Nevertheless, she tried to make it up to her daughter by taking her in an amusement park with her Cho-Cho Akimichi because she doesn't want Sarada to force herself to grow up because of what happened between her and Sasuke.

After legally separating* with her ex-husband, she worked hard to finish where she left off with her dissertation. It was left unfinished because she had to put it aside prior to her marriage with Sasuke because she had to learn the customs of his clan. The elders, who are extremely traditionalist, made it absolutely clear that she has to be honed to be an Uchiha matriarch aka someone who's capable of upholding their traditions and mingling with people from Konohagakure's high society.

A great amount of pressure was given to her since Sasuke is the clan's future leader because his older brother, Itachi made it clear that he has no interest in the clan's business and he wants to manage a non-profit organization known as Akatsuki that helps impoverished areas across the five great nations and builds schools for children.

Regardless of being an "outsider" she gave up a lot and proved herself to be worthy of their name by sacrificing her career goals and dreams to live up to his family's expectations but…

Enough is enough.

One day, she woke up and found herself stuck in an unhappy home and her marriage is in shambles.

People often ask her what went wrong but she would always shrug it off with a smile and change the topic immediately because her heart still couldn't bear to share that chapter… at least, not now.

"Uchiha-sensei? Tsunade-sama asked for you in her office." Oh how she dreaded being addressed in that name! She was allowed to move out with Sarada on the condition that she keeps their surname and won't ask for divorce since it would put the clan's reputation in shame.

"I'll be there shortly, thanks."

The nurse who's probably an intern made her way out with a polite bow.

Sakura sighed as she compiled her research materials neatly. After her surgery, she spent all her time cooped up in the hospital's research facility since her mentor wanted to make her hospital a center for medical research and as one of the top surgeons in Konoha Medical Center, she's being honed to be Tsunade Senju's successor that is why she's aiming to produce more papers to prove that she's perfectly competent for the job.

"Mama is late." Sarada pouted as she flipped through the pages of her notebook lazily. She just finished her extra credit activity with a little help from her favorite uncle, Itachi. He just got back from his 6-month project in Sunagakure where he built a small school for Suna's impoverished area.

"Aren't you happy that your Mama saves a lot of people, Sara-chan?" Itachi looked at his beloved niece fondly, he can't help but notice the resemblance between her and his little brother. She looks so much like Sasuke especially when she pouts.

"Of course I'm happy oji-san! But I'd like to spend time with her too because I rarely see Papa" She pouted even more.

"I see, but you have me Sara-chan." Itachi smiled reassuringly and patted her head.

Sarada's eyes glimmered in delight and her face turned slightly pink at her uncle's reassuring words. She hopes that he could stay longer with her because he makes her feel less lonely, but he has to leave in 5 days for his project in Iwagakure.

"Come on, let's finish this box of Anmitsu before your Mama gets home" Itachi opened another box of sweets and served it to his niece.

Sarada giggled upon the imagining how Mama would react upon seeing her gobbling up too much sweets after breakfast.

This weekend, she was allowed to skip her "traditional ojou-sama" classes with a private tutor because her grandparents, Mikoto obaa-san and Fugaku oji-san are taking her on a trip to Kumogakure to visit an old friend. Although, she only accepted their invitation so she can read her newly bought book while on board Shinkansen and escape from the strict tutor that the elders hired for her.

"Tadaima" Sakura tiredly said as she made her way inside her house. Usually, Sarada greets her but it's her day off from school today so maybe she overslept.

She heard her daughter's laughter as she passed their living room, and there she saw Sarada and her brother in law snacking on sweets.

Sakura smiled upon the sight of her daughter acting her age, her separation with Sasuke kind of forced Sarada to act like an adult a little because she was left with half of her responsibilities at home. That's why seeing her laughing so carefree with Itachi makes her happy, at least now, she knows the reason why her daughter wouldn't let her call Aoda-san last night because Sarada knew beforehand that her uncle is coming home and wants to spend time with him.

They didn't notice her arrival so she quietly slipped in the kitchen to prepare something for them. After all, it has been a long time since she spoke to her brother-in-law.

Itachi came home after lunch. He had a great time bonding with his cute niece and catching things up with his sister-in-law (he still considers her as his sister-in-law despite the fact her marriage with his younger brother ended five years ago).

He's planning to take a short nap because he didn't get much sleep last night because Sarada coaxed him to tell her stories about his trips outside Konoha until she fell asleep. His niece is a delightful child and he's grateful towards Sakura for raising her to be a kind, responsible, and studious young lady. He believes that one day, Sarada will do great things for their clan because she was raised well, contrary to what the elders believe.

Itachi couldn't help but blame the elders for causing Sasuke and Sakura's marriage to end. Their expectations towards Sakura drove her astray to his little brother and it's affecting Sarada too. First, they were so adamant at not allowing Sasuke marry Sakura because she's an outsider and the elders had the audacity to force his little brother to meet distant cousins whom they call "women of great background" in spite of his engagement to Sakura.

In the end, they had no choice but to allow Sasuke to make Sakura his wife after Fugaku Uchiha had a word with them. His father may appear stoic and stiff, but he wanted nothing but for his sons to be happy that is why he showed his support by convincing the elders that Sakura Haruno is the perfect match for his son.

"How was your trip, Aniki?" Itachi snapped out of his thoughts upon the arrival of his little brother.

Sasuke just came home after spending a week cooped up in his office to meet the deadlines and requirements of Uchiha Inc.'s launch of a new game in the market. He didn't have a decent sleep for weeks and it shows because of the bags under his eyes. However, as soon as he heard that his elder brother got home, he let Shisui handle everything else.

"Ah, how are you Sasuke?" The sight of his little brother made him barely recognizable. Sasuke was always neat and tidy, he won't allow himself to go on without having a clean shave and let his clothes be crumpled nor his hair look disheveled.

After Sakura moved out, Sasuke found himself drowning in work to keep himself distracted. He never thought that her of all people would give up on him because he always believed that Sakura's love for him shall never waver for she gave up so much for his sake.

However, that was the case. He was the reason why Sakura left him and after all these years he still blames himself for what happened.

"I'm good, nii-san. I just need a little rest." He sat next to his elder brother who was admiring their mother's beautiful garden which Sakura used to tend in her free time.

Itachi nodded. Silence enveloped the two siblings. It was a perfect afternoon for a nap, yet, Itachi sees it as the opportunity to knock some sense on his little brother. It's time for him to stop moping around and see his daughter.

Sasuke's face softened at the memory of his ex-wife who fondly doted at his mother's favorite flowers. She's an accomplished woman who chose to stand by his side and forget about her goals and dreams for the sake of ensuring his position as the next leader of the clan, yet, he failed her in so many ways.

He's the sole reason why their marriage failed that is why he couldn't bring himself to see her and their daughter out of shame.

"Sara-chan is so grown up." Itachi broke the silence between them.

"She is." A small smile crept on his face upon the memory of his daughter.

All of her firsts that he didn't miss and all the moments they had together as a family came flashing right down to his mind like crazy. And each time he's reminded of them, Sasuke cannot help but feel a tinge of guilt because he couldn't bring the good times back.

"When are you going to see them?" Sasuke went stiff. The thought never crossed his mind at all, because he has been very busy with work. What is he going to say? He's a failure as a father and he couldn't bring himself to send even a card on his daughter's birthday. Aoda tells him often that Sarada misses him so much because the old man could see how much she's longing for her Papa.

"I don't know." That's all he could say. Sasuke gathered up his remaining energy and went to his room. He's simply too tired to deal with his issues with his broken family and all he wanted right now is a shuteye.

Later, Sasuke found himself driving towards Sakura's house with a bag of books for Sarada in the front seat of his car. He kept thinking of his conversation with his elder brother and it made sense because he's a father, and it is high time that he started acting like one. However, the problem is, He doesn't know how to connect with his almost teenage daughter because she's no longer the same little girl who used to beg for sweets from him.

Maybe all he needs right now is to see Sarada even if it's way past her bed time, that is probably the only way for him to find out how he'll deal with her.

As he was about to pull into Sakura's drive way, he stopped upon seeing Gaara walking his ex-wife right at her doorway.

Sasuke felt his blood rushing, but at the same time he felt a pang in his chest when he saw Sakura smiling so carefree. When was the last time he saw her smile like that?

Now, Sakura looks so free since she's away from the sight of the elders. She was able to reach her goals in her career and she looks so independent. She's far from the Sakura who used to wait for him at home, the Sakura who did nothing but be a dutiful wife to him, because he couldn't accept the thought that he never made her happy at all.

"Thanks for the dinner, Gaara-san." Sakura smiled politely. It was pure coincidence that they met while she's presenting her paper at a conference earlier today.

"It was my pleasure, in fact, I wanted to see you personally after hearing Uchiha Inc.'s project in building a free clinic for children's mental health." It was one of the projects under the charities of her ex-husband's company that she manages until now. She worked hard for it that is why Sasuke gave it to her completely and he promised to continue supporting her advocacy.

"Alright, then. I'll see you in a few weeks in Suna. Thanks again, Gaara-san."

For days, Sasuke kept thinking about Sakura in spite of doing everything that he can absorb himself with work, as usual.

He's considering getting away for a while so he can think calmly, but he couldn't afford to leave—not when his relationship with his daughter isn't working out well.

Yesterday, Sasuke asked Aoda to give Sarada his gift, but instead of reacting warmly at his gesture, she only pouted and tossed the gift bag to her room like it's nothing which means, his daughter wasn't completely ecstatic at him despite getting her the latest collection of the detective series that she likes so much.

Sasuke sighed and massaged his temples. Nothing has been going right for him after seeing his ex-wife because apparently, Shisui's secretary misplaced the flash drive that contains all the details about the game that their company is about to launch. If that thing falls into the wrong hands, a major problem could arise.

A short, loud knock interrupted his thoughts and a frantic Suigetsu came into his office.

"You gotta come outside." He said while catching his breath. Sasuke gave him a puzzled look.

"What's happening this time?" Sasuke cannot afford more glitches because he has a lot on his plate now.

"It's your daughter."

Sarada knows that Mama would flip if she finds out that she ran off to her Papa's office without Aoda-san. Sakura Uchiha made it absolutely clear to her daughter that she cannot wander off to places without her father's butler because it's not safe.

She was asked by the receptionist to wait in the lobby because she's going to call the big boss. While waiting, Sarada took out her Science homework because the stares coming from her Papa's employees makes her feel uncomfortable. Now, she regrets running off without Aoda-san. Her father never once brought her to work because he doesn't want her to feel pressured on her role as the daughter of Uchiha Inc.'s CEO and the leader of their clan, but now she kind of wishes that Papa did so the people won't look at her as if she's some kind of an untouchable being.

Then, she saw a familiar face. It's one of her Papa's college friends whom she met once. It was the same man who made her cry when he thought that she's Karin-san's daughter.

Upon seeing Sarada, Suigetsu Hozuki dashed off to Sasuke's office. Apparently, he still couldn't get over with his encounter with the little version of Sasuke who pouted and cried when he joked about her being Karin's kid.

Suigetsu shuddered at the memory of Sakura, who threatened to cut him into tiny pieces using her old scalpel for making her sweet daughter cry. That's why, from that moment he made up his mind that he won't go near Sarada nor her pink haired mother.

He was not sure what the heck happened between Sasuke and his wife, but judging from Sasuke's reaction, he fucked up really bad. The man looks like he's unsure of how he's going to approach his mini me.

"Hey man, I gotta go so, uhh, good luck handling your spawn." Suigetsu scurried away fast before Sasuke could say anything.

Sasuke, on the other hand fixed his tie because he couldn't afford to let his daughter see him looking less than neat. Sakura once told him that Sarada looks up to him and thinks that he's perfect that is why he's doing his best to fix his relationship with her because he doesn't want to end up losing her too.

He saw her doing her homework in the lobby.

Sasuke couldn't help but see his ex-wife at his little girl. The way how serious Sarada looks while doing her homework reminds him so much of Sakura when they were kids.

A lot of people say that Sarada resembles him the most but he doesn't think that way because for him, his daughter looks more of his ex-wife than him especially when she smiles.

"Oi. Let's go." Sarada looked at her Papa briefly. Despite his clean outfit, it's still obvious that he hasn't been getting much sleep because of the bags under his eyes.

"Mm." She nodded. Sasuke noticed the stares coming from his employees. Come to think of it, he never brought Sarada in his office before that's why it's no wonder people are curious.

He cleared his throat and led Sarada to the parking lot.

"Give Sakura a call and let her know that you're with me." he tossed his mobile phone to his daughter who only huffed at him. He was certain that Sarada didn't inform her mother nor the old man that she's coming here based on her reaction.

It took a couple rings before Sakura answered Sasuke's call.

"Mama?" Sakura was surprised to hear Sarada's voice on the other line. She's not against with the idea of Sarada meeting her Papa but she didn't ask for her permission, nor let her know about her plans to see Sasuke.

"Sarada?! You're supposed to be at school!" Worry was evident in her voice. After all, Sakura never lets her daughter go out on her own because it's not safe. Some malicious people could hurt her, people who are enemies of Sasuke's clan.

"I'm sorry Mama, I just want to see Papa." Sarada reasoned out.

Sakura massaged her temples and slumped in her swivel chair. She knows that her daughter is going through puberty and soon, she'll start thinking of going independent and ask for Aoda-san to stop driving her to school.

"Sarada, give the phone to your Papa. I want to speak with him." Speaking with her ex-husband is the last thing that she wants to do, but she doesn't have much of a choice right now because she wants to make some things clear to Sasuke.

All Sasuke did was listen and agree to Sakura's conditions. He has to get their daughter home before 8:00 o'clock in the evening and he had to promise her that he's not taking her to see the elders because she's afraid that they will take Sarada away from her… by force.

If not for his intervention, the elders would have taken Sarada and send her away where Sakura can't reach her. However, he managed to convince them to allow him and his wife to legally separate and for Sarada to be raised by her mother because it is her right to do so. That was his way of redeeming himself for all the disappointments and pain he caused her.

He took his daughter in her favorite ice cream shop because he knows that Sarada's love for this store will never change. Of course, he used to go here a lot to satisfy Sakura's cravings while she was pregnant with their daughter.

"Mou~ Sasuke-kun I want an ice cream." Sakura pouted cutely. She knew that her husband couldn't resist her pouts no matter how much he denies it.

Sasuke Uchiha on the other hand, came tired from work and now his 6-month pregnant wife wants her cravings at this ungodly hour to be satisfied. Reasoning out that it's hard to get what she wants is futile because Sakura will end up with big f— no, not the "f" word because it will upset her more. Let's just say that she'll beg him until he gives what she wants.

Now he can totally understand Shikamaru when he says "troublesome".

His lips curved into a small smile upon watching his daughter gobble up a cherry flavored ice cream because the way her face lights up makes him feel like some part of Sarada has not changed. His daughter is growing up so fast and like other fathers, a part of Sasuke wishes that his little girl would stay under his wing longer.

Sarada's mood changed when her Papa got her favorite ice cream, he really does know her way to her heart and appreciates the thought that at least, a thing between them has not changed. It's been a long time since she and her Papa got to spend a day together because he was too busy running a huge business empire.

Sasuke doesn't know what to do next once they went out of the ice cream shop. Then, he saw her looking at a small arcade where kids her age are playing.

He approached the store's staff asking how much would the claw machine cost, but the poor staff replied frantically that he has to buy tokens to get the prize inside. Thinking that his daughter wanted the biggest cat plushie, he bought a lot of tokens and started playing like the other kids much to Sarada's dismay.

The mere sight of her father playing like a kid in an arcade made Sarada frown. It completely destroyed how she sees Sasuke Uchiha because she never expected him to do something uncool… ever. To her, Papa is a good looking business man who wears clean dark suits with blue or purple neck tie. He's always serious and perfect in every way.

She wanted to leave her Papa because she cannot stand seeing him embarrassing himself as he kept on losing on each try to get the biggest prize inside the claw machine.

However, when she saw a disheveled looking man with his son on a piggy back ride. It is obvious that the man lacked enough sleep and he looks tired, but he's trying hard for his son. Maybe her Papa is just the same and it made Sarada feel bad for thinking that her father looks uncool for trying to give what she wants. She realized that her father is not perfect and he will never be, no matter how much he tries to conceal his flaws. What's important is that her Papa is doing his best to be a good father to her.

Sasuke lost count on how many times he failed. He wanted to break the claw machine so badly and just pay for the damages, but he wants to set a good example for his daughter. Besides, doing this is nothing compared to failing to be a good father to Sarada.

Then, after a few more tries he finally got it.

"Sugoi, Papa!" Sarada enveloped him in an embrace and it made his Uchiha heart flutter with joy. The people inside the arcade could see his cheeks become a little red, but he didn't mind at all because what matters to him right now is making his daughter happy.

Sasuke poked Sarada's forehead affectionately, the same way his older brother used to do when they were kids.

A/n: At first I planned to write everything in a single chapter, but it was pretty hard because I got hooked up with other stuff since I had to set up a couple of things to snag an interview for the job I wanted. I'd like to say thanks to all the people from SasuSaku on Facebook for reading the preview version of this and for waiting for me to publish the whole thing.

I'll post the coming chapters as soon as I can. Thank you very much!

Btw, Sasuke and Sakura are legally separated, and since there's no legal separation in Japan, I've used the provisions of legal separation of my country. It means that they are legally separated but cannot marry again.