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Fulfilled Promises

SasuSaku Month 2018

Day 26: Promise

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Another night of peace was felt in Konoha. As the world sleeps, two of the neo-sannin stood by their door, not wanting to let their time together end.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" Sakura's hand lingered on his cheeks for a moment longer before falling at her side.

"Aa, you and Sarada too." He tried to mask the sadness in his voice, but he couldn't hide such a thing from his wife. Letting herself be selfish even just for a moment, the kunoichi hugged her husband again. There was a certain desperation and longing with it and both burned the memory in their minds. Both knew it would be a long time before they could get as close as they are now, but neither dwelled on it too much. Sakura pulled away slowly, not wanting to let go but duty calls for it. Such was the way of life that they chose to have.

"I'll go now."

Just as Sasuke turned his back, a loud shrill sound echoed throughout their home.

"Papa!"

Both adults turned to see Sarada rushing towards them as fast as her chubby baby legs could allow her. She immediately hugged her father's leg tightly, refusing to let go.

"You should be sleeping right now, Sarada," Sasuke remarked tenderly, his gaze softening.

"Are you going away? Why did you not say goodbye to Sarada? Don't go, papa." Little onyx orbs looked up to mismatched ones, unshed tears making them glassy. The sight made the hearts of the two legendary shinobi of Konoha clench in pain. Sasuke slowly removed their little girl's hold on him and sat down to match her eye level.

"Papa… needs to go somewhere, Sarada. It's a mission."

She tilted her head to the side. "Mission?"

Sasuke ruffled her hair affectionately. "Hai. A mission. You know what it is, right?"

His female mini-version nodded slowly. "Like a chore."

He couldn't help but smile. Sarada inherited his and Sakura's intelligence and it was already showing. "That's correct. I need to go look for bad guys that can hurt us."

Their little girl frowned at that. "But why only papa? Can mama and Sarada go with you?" she pleaded.

"Papa is the only one who could do it," he answered simply. It was the truth, after all.

She pouted in a way that reminded Sasuke so much of his wife in their younger years. "You will come home, right papa?"

The shinobi hugged her tightly. "Of course, Sarada." The Uchiha princess leaned back to look at her father directly. She held out her little finger and Sasuke interlaced it with his own, understanding her gesture.

"Pinkie pwomise?"

"Hai. Pinkie promise."

Sarada then pointed to her mother. "Pinkie pwomise to mama too, papa!"

Obsidian clashed with jade sitting beside him, and Sasuke held out his pinkie for Sakura to take which she promptly did. "I promise, I'll return home to you."

His wife started to tear up yet she didn't let it fall. "And I promise to be always here, waiting for you to come home, anata."

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"Mata kondo na."

It was a silent promise, Sarada knew. Her eyes teared up as she glanced back towards her mother who smiled widely at her.

I get it now, mama.

The silent promise reverberated in their hearts and as they said and waved their goodbyes, the three of them knew that no matter the distance, their feelings are connected.

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Travelling across dimensions was tiring enough, adding the fight they had with the members of the Ootsuki clan and Sasuke felt like all he wanted to do was take a long sleep. There is fulfillment in his heart, though. The mission is a success and he looked forward to being with his family now. The moment they stepped back into Konoha, Sakura and Sarada were quick to greet him with wide smiles on their faces.

"Welcome home."

"Welcome home, papa."

The two kunoichi hugged him tight and a small, genuine smile formed on his lips. "I'm home," he announced, returning the gesture even tighter. He relished every singled time he could say 'Tadaima' and the warmth that he feels knowing that his family is there waiting for him.

That night, the family of three shared a dinner full of their favourite foods. After the hearty meal and cleaning up the dishes, the Uchihas settled down on the sofa of their living room, the genin in between her parents, watching the evening news. Sakura left for a moment to prepare some tea, and thus the two owners of the Sharingan were left. Unlike the first few times when they were alone, there was no longer any awkwardness between father and daughter.

"I'm glad you came back safely, papa. With Nanadaime and Boruto and the other kage as well."

A soft smile graced his face. "Aa. I told you I would, didn't I?"

She beamed at him and nodded eagerly. Sakura came back with the warm drink and the three chatted the night away. As they were busy watching a movie, Sasuke felt a weight on his side. Sarada was leaning on him, fast asleep. He shared a look with his wife and she gave him a soft smile as well. He took it upon himself to carry her to her room and placed her gently on her bed. Sakura fixed her blanket and pillows and the two allowed a few minutes to gaze at their teenage daughter.

"We should let her sleep for now," Sasuke suggested softly, not wanting to wake Sarada up. His wife nodded and quietly left the room.

The two cuddled in bed together, just feeling the presence of the other. "Thank you for coming home safely, anata," Sakura whispered.

Her husband nuzzled his cheek on her forehead, murmuring, "I promised that I would always come home, right?"

"Yeah. And I kept my promise to be always waiting for you." She looked up and smiled at him sleepily. Sasuke kissed her forehead right on her seal before leaning down to kiss her lips with all the love in the world.

"Thank you, Sakura."

Both slept peacefully in each other's arms, finding the warmth of a home long overdue.

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