Title: The Best Father
Summary: Sakura comes home from a stressful day at the hospital. Word count: 594
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Prompt: 01 - The smell of fresh paint.
Rating: K
Warning(s): None.
Comments: Father!Sasuke because I can. Ill write more on my headcanon for SS kids in the future. Hinted NaruHina.

Sakura let out a sigh as she closed the front door behind her. It had been a long day in the hospital; two separate missions (one by a rookie genin team and one by an experienced ANBU squad) had gone terribly wrong, and the medical staff found itself with their hands full. Especially for Sakura, the director of the hospital. And even if in the end things hadn't gone as badly as they could, Sakura wasn't completely satisfied with her and the staff's work.

As she hung her lab coat and fully stepped into the house, she couldn't help but notice that it was completely quiet. Sakura soon assumed that Sasuke had taken Itachi out for training and Taro had also tagged along. While a part of her was grateful for the peaceful mood, she mostly felt disappointed. Her boys' smile would've surely cheered her up.

Making her way to the kitchen, she noticed an unusual mix of scents; a combination of hot chocolate, paint and cheese. Curious, Sakura peeked her head into the playroom, finding a sight that plastered a smile on her face.

The small bodies of Itachi and Taro were curled over the carpeted floor, sleeping peacefully, with the youngest of the two holding a stuffed cat doll.

But her kids were the only peaceful portion in the room... All their toys and stuffed animals were splattered around the room, two unfinished board games lied in a corner, a mug had been spilled close to the door, making it the source of the hot cocoa smell, and a bunch of paper and paint containers mixed over the table next to a plate with left over macaroni.

Too tired to get mad over the mess, Sakura couldn't help but think about Sasuke's whereabouts.

She carefully stepped in and got closer to her sons, trying not to step on something. She knelt next to them and watched them sleep, wondering what they were dreaming of while completely forgetting her stressful day.

"Ah, you're home" she heard coming from the door. She turned around to find her husband standing under the door frame, with a stack of paper in one hand and a mop in the other

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. I was in the backyard while the paintings dried" he continued, getting closer to her.

"Paintings? Let me see"

Sasuke gave her the stack of paper he was holding and asked "How was your day?". Sakura let out a sigh.

"Could have been better but... It was okay, I guess"

"Hm"

Sasuke picked the fallen mug up and proceeded to clean it's spilled content from the floor. Meanwhile, Sakura went through the paper sheets. They were all paintings made by their kids, which explained the mess over the table.

Taro's draws were still messy, as to be expected from a 2-year-old. Sakura thought she'd need the artist's help to understand them. Itachi's, on the other hand, she could easily figure out.

There was one of him playing ninja, one of Taro holding his beloved stuffed cat, one of her and Sasuke holding hands, one of uncle Naruto and aunt Hinata with their daughter Hitomi, and one of only Itachi and Hitomi that made Sakura giggle.

Once Sasuke finished cleaning the spilled drink, went to kneel next to her.

"Did you paint something?" she asked him.

"Art is not my thing" was his answer. She leaned her head over his shoulder while he wrapped an arm around her waist. They kept watching over their kids sleep.

"You're the best father, Sasuke" she whispered.