Ch.3

Everyday Life

The week had past in a blur and Sakura had no more time to ponder her chance meeting with Kakashi. Chores needed to be done, work was demanding, and Sarada battered her with question after question as to when her father would be home.

This was everyday life for her now...and she had fallen into a very comfortable rhythm. Even pleasant silver-haired surprises couldn't distract her from her way of life for too long. Not to say she didn't think of their encounter every now and then.

Ok, more than now and then...more like once a day.

But, only every other couple of minutes. It's not like she was obsessing over it. It's not like it meant anything to her except a chance meeting with a close person.

No, Sakura Uchiha had better things to do than ponder things best left untouched.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, Sakura was fully investing herself into the day off by laying in bed the longest she could get away with doing absolutely nothing. Sasuke was due back later that afternoon, she knew thanks to a helpful carrier pigeon the week before, so she had a busy day of cleaning the house spotless and pretending she had been a good, dutiful wife in his absence.

Just, after a little more quiet time in bed.

Sakura snuggled deeper into the ruby sheets and black comforter that Sasuke insisted their room have, (who knew he had an Uchiha themed decorative flair), when disaster struck.

"MOOOOMMMMMM!"

So much for that idea. Sakura mentally groaned as she heard her door bust open and felt an explosion of energy jump on top of her, shaking the bed with unnecessary force. Just once, she wished she could sleep more than five hours a day.

"Mom, mom! Dad's going to be home soon! Let's make sure everything is perfect so he'll be happy. I'll help you make tomato and mayo sandwiches for lunch and then maybe you can help me practice my taijustu so we can surprise him with how good I'm getting!"

Sakura maybe got every other word of Sarada's exclamations due to her ears being shoved underneath the covers every jump by Sarada's energy. "Ok honey, OKAY! Let me get up first before you start your mission!" Sakura laughed heartily at her daughter's enthusiasm; partly because she was so cute, but also because it was nice to see some of her former self in her daughter when everyone constantly said she was mostly a miniature version of Sasuke.

Sarada laughed at her mother's trussed up condition, hair puffed out in every direction from her thorough attack, and decided to take pity on her. "I'll start breakfast then mom. Hurry up before I burn something!" She then ran from the bedroom and starting slamming pots and pans around in the kitchen.

I need to stop letting her visit Uncle Naruto so often. The girl is turning into a little red tornado!

Sakura giggled slightly before getting up to stretch her sore muscles from her long week of 12 hour shifts. She knew she shouldn't overwork herself like this. There were plenty of eager start ups who would gladly step up their game, but Sakura needed the distraction.

She needed to keep busy or she would truly have time to sit and think about how boring she had become.

And thinking like that just wouldn't do.

Sakura sighed and went to get dressed. A pair of black shorts, a white tank top, and black flip-flops that showed her bright red toe nail polish were the picks of the day. It was probably the most bummy thing she had in her closet to be honest. But, for cleaning it would do nicely.

After a slightly burnt piece of toast and an over easy egg, her little one made good on her promise it seemed, Sakura and Sarada tackled the chore of cleaning the Uchiha house hold spotless. It wasn't like they kept the place a mess, but it just seemed negligent to not have it looking pristine for Sasuke's arrival since he spent so much effort to get the main house renovated so long ago. He was still trying to get the other buildings up and running, a project that Naruto had fully supported, but they were having some problems on deciding what it would be used for until the Uchiha's were enough in numbers to need so many houses.

Sakura had been worried that Sasuke would pressure her to have as many babies as possible, but as soon as Sarada was old enough to walk he had declared he had more to do than just sit around and get rusty. Which, in hindsight, benefited her tremendously.

The girls were just about finished making lunch, already showered after their cleaning/training sessions, and dressed in matching red sun dresses when they heard the door open and footsteps approach the kitchen.

"Yo." Kakashi raised a hand in greeting before looking around in appreciation. "This place looks great. You girls really outdid yourselves."

Sarada deflated a bit, but perked up at the sight of her second favorite ninja. "Hey Kashi-kun, thanks! We worked all morning!"

The house really did look awesome. The white walls were washed, the cherry wood floors shone invitingly, the black sofas had every dark red pillow in place, and every inch of the many red and black vases or accent pieces were dusted. The only room in the house that wasn't picked out by Sasuke was Sarada's room. Sakura would not budge in her thought that a little girl should be able to decorate her own room to her heart's content; a fact that Sarada loved immensely. Her purple and red polk-a-dotted room was the most lively in the whole house.

"When are you going to stop calling me what you did as a baby? It makes your dear friend feel older than his years!" Kakashi playfully grumbled.

"Well, thirty-nine is kinda old ji-ji!" Sarada giggled as Kakashi sighed in defeat while patting her dark head; which she quickly slapped away. Sarada then ran over to give him a bear hug; which he gave into whole-heartedly. Sakura watched them fondly from the corner of her eye. She had a sneaking suspicion her ex-sensi had a soft spot for her daughter...he always chased little Boruto off with his slightly scary teacher tactics.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what brings you here Kakashi?" Sakura called out over her shoulder while putting the finishing touches on lunch; discreetly hiding a slight blush at remembering all the times she thought about him this week.

Speak of the devil... The insanely attractive smelling devil! I don't even have to know what under that mask to know I want a piece of that!

Oh Kami...

Kakashi replied while play fighting with Sarada; who turned the hug into a surprise attack, thankfully turning his attention elsewhere. "Naruto wanted me to tell you that he got a report from Sasuke saying he was going to be a little late today. Something about a new development occurring on his trip home. Also, he wanted us all to have a little reunion at Ichiraku's as soon as Sasuke arrives so it was assured everyone could have some time together. Personally, I just think he's trying to weasel himself away from paperwork for a few hours."

Sakura turned to put lunch on the table and spotted her daughter on the floor, pouting from her defeat, and an innocent looking Kakashi sitting at the cherry wood kitchen table with his signature book shoved very close to his nose.

Sakura sweat dropped at their hilarious positions and set her tray of sandwiches and tea on the table.

"If you are done harrassing my daughter Kakashi you're more than welcome to stay for lunch. But I warn you, these were made with Sasuke's taste buds in mind and I wouldn't be offended if you declined."

Kakashi looked over his orange book and raised and eye at the food in question. "Well, I suppose I've eaten worse." He put his porn away while simultaneously grabbing a sandwich; much to Sarada's delight.

Sakura knew how badly Sarada wanted to see under her mysterious friend's mask, much like she herself had when young, and was so disappointed that no one had ever taken a peek so she could glean some information. She had tried every trick in the book...even went so far as to feign injury to get him in close. Needless to say, she was very unsuccessful.

Because Sakura was way past those days and somewhat respected the man in her kitchen, she walked over to Sarada and planted a kiss on her forehead to distract her from her mark. Sarada pulled away just in time to see Kakashi put up his mask and sigh loudly as he pushed the rest of the sandwiches in her direction.

With another large pout, directed now at both adults for being tricked,Sarada took a sandwich and mumbled she was going to her room as she stomped away.

Kakashi chuckled fondly at her back and turned his attention to Sakura; who was miserably failing to hide a devious smile.

"You're so mean to her sometimes Sakura. Today could have been the day she finally bested me."

Sakura snorted. "The day someone gets under your mask without your consent is the day you will officially be an old man!" Kakashi nodded before reaching out and patting her on the head; slightly making her pink strands frizz up with the friction.

Sakura slapped his hand away in defiance, much like her daughter had previously, and gave him a displeased look.

"I'm not twelve anymore Kakashi and I would appreciate it if you stopped messing my hair up every time you get close to me."

"Well, then I guess I had better come up with a new way to annoy you then."

He took the hand that had been on her head and fixed her hair, tucking each loose strand behind her ear before brushing his knuckles down the side of her face.

Sakura sat there in equal parts awe and confusion at his actions while trying to get the image of her Inner Self happy dancing out of her head. His eyes were intent on her face and somewhat curious; like he was testing her reaction to this new touch.

However, it seemed like she had let the moment go on too long because he awkwardly took his gloved hand back and coughed in the name of breaking the silence.

Sakura stood up suddenly in embarrassment and promptly upended her chair. While she was frantically trying to right it, she also made the tea pot fly off the table;which thankfully was deftly caught by an amused silver-haired ninja.

He put it back on the table while Sakura was mumbling to herself about how she really needed to get her equilibrium checked out or go one a mission to get rid of all her rustiness.

"Alright Sakura, I'll see you later tonight. Give Sarada my best and try not to break anything while I'm gone!" With that, he was gone in a puff of smoke.

Sarada chose that moment to walk into the kitchen with a confused look on her face. "What's all the noise? Where's Kashi-kun? Mom, did you scare off another person with your clumsiness again?"

Sakura slumped in her chair, already thoroughly worried about what the night would bring.

Dear Diary,

I think I need professional help.

PS: Damn Kakashi and his sudden reappearance into my life.