"Mama."
Sakura looks down to see her sweet-faced, 3-year-old daughter pulling on her pant leg. She had been sitting on the couch, reading through her cases while Sarada and her father sat on the floor and played. Sasuke had been laying on his side, explaining to Sarada what each of her toy weapons could be used for in combat.
At 3 years old, she was quite bright and analytical, asking him questions after every explanation. Of course, he used kid-friendly terms as he explained, so Sarada seemed to enjoy it. Sakura, then, was surprised to see that Sarada had gotten up from playing to come to her.
Sasuke is sitting up on the floor, watching the two of them. She smiles and picks Sarada up, sitting her down in her lap, smoothing down some of the stray hairs on her daughter's head.
"Yes, Sarada?" She responds.
"Why does papa have one arm, but me and mama have two?" She asks. "And grandma and grandpa and Boruto and uncle Naruto? Why does only papa have one?" She repeats. She didn't seem to be upset, just genuinely curious.
Their daughter truly was bright and observant. Sakura looks up at Sasuke, slightly surprised at the question and a little unsure how to respond. Sasuke meets her gaze with a calm demeanor and speaks up.
"Sarada, come here to papa." He says.
Sarada jumps off of her mother's lap and quickly walks back over to Sasuke. In one swift motion, he scoops her up into his arm, stands, and lifts her up high into the air by her bottom so that she is sitting upright in his palm. Sarada squeals with excitement at the quick action. She momentarily forgets her question and yells,
"Look mama! I'm on top of the world!"
Sakura laughs. "You sure are, my sweet girl."
Sasuke brings her down to his side and looks at her.
"Unlike everyone else's papa, your papa only needs one hand to lift you up to the top of the world, Sarada."
Sarada looks up at him, then, dark eyes wide with wonder. Her facial expressions reminded him so much of her mother. Sasuke places a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"Papa only needs one hand to protect you and mama. Anyone else would need two."
Sarada looks over at Sakura, grinning. "Papa is soooooo awesome, mama!" She exclaims, pumping her tiny fist up into the air.
Sasuke sends a smirk in Sakura's direction. She smiles at both of them, a warmth settling into her expression. She tucks away the scene that just unfolded before her into her heart. She has a feeling that her heart will only continue to grow with each memory they make as a family.
"I think so too, Sarada," she replies.