title: present for papa
disclaimer: naruto, not mine since 1999.
Sakura fastens the last of the buttons on Sasuke's cloak and stands up on her tiptoes, planting a sweet goodbye kiss on his lips. Sasuke returns it warmly, his hand resting on the small of her back.
As they pull apart, he looks around, frowning. "Where is Sarada?"
He will be gone for a few days on a mission, and the thought of leaving without saying goodbye to his daughter does not sit right with him. She has been quiet and reclusive since he told her a few days ago that he'd be leaving again. Her distance distresses him.
But Sakura smiles knowingly and shakes her head as she ushers him toward the door, her movements strangely and deliberately loud.
As they slide the front door open, the rapid pitter-patter of small feet can be heard racing down the hallway.
"Papa papa papa! Wait!"
Sarada skids to a halt in front of them, clutching something tightly to her chest. Panting, she holds it out to Sasuke. "Please take this with you, Papa!"
As he takes it from her, Sasuke's breath catches in his throat. The object is a small, handmade doll with black yarn hair, a navy dress with the Uchiha crest sewn on (obviously Sakura's handywork), and a tiny pair of glasses glued to her face.
With her heart in her throat, Sarada explains. "This is Sara-chan. She'll go with you wherever you travel, so you won't get lonely. And whenever you miss us, you can hug her and I'll know that you're thinking of us."
She blushes nervously, but Sasuke is touched. He kneels down and pulls her into a tight hug. "Thank you," he tells her gravely, "I'll take good care of Sara-chan."
He places the doll into a pocket sewn on the inside of his cloak, next to his heart. Sarada beams and kisses her papa on the cheek.
"Come home soon."