AN: I just want to say that this is my first Naruto / Sasusaku fic. I am open to criticism. That's all thank you.
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Chapter 1
Sakura looked aghast. She never thought that she would be able to see this man again. No. Not in a few more years but here he is.
"Sakura..." his black eyes is searching her green ones.
She looked away and when her eyes met his again it hardened.
"What do you want?" Sakura looked at him her eyes not betraying a single emotion she might've felt. She was doing this for her family's sake damn it!
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He knew that she would be mad at him. It was his fault, he knew, but he was expecting a different reaction. One that include her punching while she was screaming at him. But this was different. He was actually mildly surprised. '
'Maybe she had changed.' He thought to himself.
Maybe, you might not know whether she's hiding something from you... or not. His inner grinned at him maniacally. You'll never know. He ignored the whisper in the depths of his mind. It might not show on her face but his gut was telling to find what it is that she might be hiding from him.
"Why did you go..." His eyes searched hers. His question sounded more like a statement rather than a question.
Sakura turned her head to look at the children playing in the park. She was glad Sarada chose to stay at home. It would put her in trouble – not that she is not in one now.
She sighed looking back at Sasuke. The man whom she loved and will only ever love.
She decided to cut all the crap and went straight to it.
"I guess we are not really meant to be.' Although the sentence was a little cliché and sounded like a girl breaking up with her boyfriend. Sakura couldn't help but agree with her words. It was true. They are not meant for each other. But she also can't help the pain that is currently scorching her heart. She wanted to feel like she is in a nightmare and that she is going to wake up soon. But unfortunately it is not and she has to deal with this.
The narrowing and suspicion in Sasuke's eyes surprised her.
"What's wrong Sakura? You're not like this before." He said with pure concern and curiosity written on his face.
Unfazed, Sakura replied in an uncaring manner.
"I've change. That much should be obvious. Now if you excuse me for there are matters that are needed to be done and I have no time having an idle chat with you." She was about to go when she turn around to look at him straight on the face.
"Oh, and it was nice meeting you again Sasuke." And she strode off without another word, leaving a baffled and determined Sasuke watching her retreating back. The loss of "-kun" did not escape his attention. He will surely know the reason behind this. That's for sure.
Sakura half walked half ran to their house. He had found her damn it.
She looked at her home. She—no, they needed to get out of here.
She hastily went inside.
"Sarada dear...!"
"Yes mom?" Sarada peeked from her bedroom.
"Pack your bags we have to go." Sakura said sternly and hastily while she put clothes in her own bag. She knew running away is a sign of cowardice. But she didn't care as long as she and her daughter could have a simple life together. Even if it meant breaking her oath as a shinobi, she could not afford to care right now. All she can think is finding a village that is far away from here.
"But why?" Sarada asks curiously looking at her mother's panic filed face. There's something wrong about her. It is as if she's trying to make an escape. But from what or whom she does not know.
"No more questions Sarada we have to leave now."
"But I can't just leave my friends here besides I have school and we are happy here. Why do you just want to leave like that?" Sarada looked at her and to Sakura's astonishment not a single hint of anger is in on her face but a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
"Why are you so scared mom? Did something happen?" Her face is now filled with worry she couldn't help it if she so much for her mother. She is her only family. Living a life devoid of a father figure, she could not imagine what it's like to have a dad, having a mom always by her side. Her mother did everything to fulfil both roles to her. She's caring, gentle and hardworking. She doesn't know how she was able to do both roles at the same time.
But there is one thing she knew, she couldn't live without her.
Sakura looked at her daughter, her eyes understanding.
"I'll tell you when we get there but for now please pack your bags."
Sarada looked at her mother, contemplating.
"Okay." She nodded and smiled at her mom. Then she went inside her room to pack.
Sakura sighed at least she would have to deal with this later.
That's what she thought.
A knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts.
Who would be looking for her at this time?
She hurriedly went to the door and hastily opened it.
"What can I – "
What she saw on the other side left her horrified.
"Sasuke,"
Sakura moved a few steps backwards.
"What are you doing here!?" She whispered / yelled at him, worriedly thinking whether Sarada heard her or not.
"Get out!" She pushed him out of her house only to she realize that they are already in the living room.
"Stop it Sakura." He took hold of her wrists.
"No! I won't! Get out!" She desperately keeps on pushing him out of her home even though she knew it was useless.
He did not dare utter a single word.
"Why are you hiding from me? This is not you Sakura."
"I am not hiding from you! Go away!" She said pointing to the door.
"I don't want to see you ever again!"
Something in Sasuke snapped.
"What is wrong with you?! Why are you so desperate to keep me away?!
"Stop acting like a child Sakura!"
"I am not acting like a child!" Sakura was enraged, she never thought that it would be like –
"Mom?"
Both of them froze.
Sasuke's eyes moved towards the direction of the voice.
Sarada rushed to her mother's side.
"Mom? Who is this? Is he the reason why we are going away?" Sarada looked from her mother to the man. She looked at the man and gave him the most serious look she could muster and said.
"I did not know what my mother did to you sir but please go away." She looked at the man annoyed and angry.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Sarada said irritably. Sarada was now fuming; the man just stared at her like she's a ghost.
Sasuke looked at the child in front of him. His earlier suspicions were right; Sakura is hiding something from him. He's just not ready for what it is.
Sakura strengthen her resolve. She would not let Sasuke ruin her life anymore.
"Go." The command was cold.
"What?" Sasuke looked at her in disbelief. She is not just telling him to go right? That is just...
"I said go Sasuke! And I don't want you to go back here! I don't want to see you again. Leave us alone." She pulled Sarada behind her; shielding her away from Sasuke's gaze.
"She's mine isn't she?" Sasuke ask with straight face unfazed by Sakura's outburst earlier.
"NO!" Sakura's eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Please, stop this Sakura." Sasuke looked pleadingly at Sakura.
Sakura almost turned into jelly at his tone. He's begging her now and Uchihas never beg. She looked away as she felt tears slide down her face.
"Sasuke, just go." She said her tone pleading and desperate.
"No." He responded her with the same line she gave him a while ago.
"We can start over again Sakura. We'll go back home."
Sarada started at this. "Home? What do you mean home? Is this not Mom's home?" She gestured at the house.
"And how do you know my Mom's home?" She looked at the man suspiciously still clinging to her mother's legs.
Sasuke looked at his – no, their daughter. She looked just like him: black hair and the same eyes. Although her personality is from her mother, she's really adorable. And because an Uchiha was saying this it meant something. She's the same little girl he dreamed on having with Sakura.
"I know your mom because your mom and I knew each other since childhood." Sasuke crouched down to his little girl's level.
Sakura wanted to stop him from saying anymore but she found that she couldn't and she just looks helplessly with dread in her impending doom.
"And we are from the same team."
Sarada looked at the man and her mother. She is not saying anything. She slowly removed herself from her mother's legs and stood in front of the man and started to ask.
"Team? What Team?"
Sasuke looked at her lovingly her curiosity comes from both Sakura and him. He reached out and touched her cheek.
"Your Uncle Naruto was also in our team."
Sarada let the fact that he did not answer her question.
"Uncle? You mean I have an Uncle?"
Sasuke nodded while giving his daughter a small smile.
"Your Uncle Naruto is also your father's best friend you know."
Their little chat was interrupted with a gasp. The raven heads turned to see Sakura covering her mouth and her eyes wide. He is going to tell her! But why isn't she doing something?
Sarada looked at the man and asked him the question she should've asked a while ago,
"And who are you?"
Sasuke give his daughter a smirk.
"Oh me?"
Sarada nodded.
"I'm his best friend."
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A/N: Please review. :)
