.

Home

SasuSaku Month 2018

Day 28: Silence

.

.

The stillness of the night is a silent comfort. As the world sleeps, you continued down the familiar roads of Konoha. Another day has come and passed and you feel frustrated at the lack of data deciphered from the scroll. You just want to get this over with, so that finally, your heart can be at peace. There is no way you could allow a dangerous person to linger, especially near your family – two lives more precious than your own.

The cool breeze became your only company. At a time like this, hearing the tranquil sounds of the insects awake at night feels like there was nothing wrong with the world. But you know better.

It's the calm before the storm.

You came back to the village to get some answers. Although, the other much bigger reason was because you wanted to see and support Sarada on her chuunin exams. It's the least you could do, you reasoned to yourself, since you've been absent for a majority of her life. This time, she won't feel like she's the only one without a father that cheers her on.

It's already way past midnight, you thought. You slid the key in the lock, slowly opening the door. The warmth of your home contrasted to the coldness of the night. You left your coat at the stand at the doorway, leaving your shoes as well. There was no need to turn on the lights, for you easily navigated yourself in the dark. After passing through the living room, you noticed a plate of onigiri covered with plastic wrap, illuminated by the moonlight shining through the windows. You couldn't help but smile at that. Of course, Sakura wouldn't let you go to sleep with your stomach half-empty. Taking a bite of the riceball, your eyes involuntary shut in content. She just knows the right amount of everything and her cooking is something extra special for it always tastes like home.

It didn't take long for you to finish all five of the onigiri your wife prepared. Carefully and as quietly as possible, you washed and dried the plate, wanting to keep the kitchen as pristine as it should be. After taking a glass full of water, you went up the stairs where the bedrooms are. With the stealth that makes you the legendary shinobi that you are known for, you approached your daughter's room to check up on her.

Contrary to the poker face you showed to the usuratonkachi that you call your best friend and the seventh hokage, the pride you felt for Sarada reaches the moon and back. She slept peacefully, a tiny smile decorating her face. You approached her slowly, and as you reached the end of her bed, you left a ghost of a touch on her cheek. She barely moved, indicating just how tired she was.

You lingered for a bit more, just watching your little princess sleep. You felt like the years passed by far too quickly than you have wanted. It seems like it was only yesterday when you held her in your arm, tiny and precious, needing your protection twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Now, she wields her own Sharingan matched with the strength and chakra control from her mother. Intelligence and skills matched with beauty… you felt pride surge through you, feeling like the proudest father on earth. You knew that she'll be alright in her matches. She is the daughter of two neo-sannin, after all.

After placing a feathery kiss on her forehead and whispering your congratulations to her, you slowly left the room.

You opened the door to your own bedroom and you saw your wife stir on the bed. You approached her slowly, and jade eyes opened slowly and a sleepy smile formed on her face. You pointed to the bathroom, silently indicating your desire to remove the dirt and grime on your body. Sakura nodded in understanding and closed her eyes once more.

She always understands.

You let the warm water wash away your tiredness for the day. Changing into clean clothes, freshly washed, you made your way to the bed. And as you lied down, Sakura turned her body to face towards you. Immediately, almost unconsciously – instinctively – you let her snuggle on your chest, your lone arm keeping her secured to your form. You kissed her forehead and let your nose bury on the top of her head, inhaling her scent that is unmistakably Uchiha Sakura. It was something that didn't disappear from their genin days. He would never admit it out loud especially at that time, but the soothing smell the pink-haired kunoichi carried with her was something that calmed him down.

She looked up to you, and despite the cloud of sleep on her face, her eyes sparkled with her immeasurable love for you. The light in her eyes never wavered nor dimmed, only getting stronger as the days and years passed.

"Okaeri, Sasuke-kun."

After all that you've been through, you never thought you deserve this kind of happiness. You've done a lot of horrible things in the past – things that are even too big to be even pardoned. Yet, here you are now, a free man with a family you call your own. You knew that not everyone is given another shot in making everything better again, and for that, gratitude fills your heart.

That's why you'll do everything to protect this – this second chance at life, this second chance at love, this second chance of having a family.

With your heart full of love and adoration for the love of your life, your one and only wife, you pressed your lips on hers, fully aware that she knows your true feelings – mostly unsaid, yet shown through your actions. She is a constant ray of light for you, like a lighthouse guiding you home through a storm. She is the hand you hold in difficult times… your bright and beautiful spring after suffering a long and harsh winter.

"Tadaima, Sakura."

.

.