Sarada and Mitsuki had quickly set up the futons in her room, though hapazardly, as both genin didn't want to be separate from the excitement yet. She been surprised when the Hokage had fallen asleep rather suddenly, but she acknowledged that he worked very hard most days. However, when she had expressed her pleasure that it was the real Uzumaki and not a clone, Boruto had shared similar thoughts.

She had been grateful that her mother had a 24 hour shift at the hospital. It had allowed for the gathering to be just her team and their fathers.

As her teammate approached the half open door, she grabbed the pale boys arm as the sound of father speaking reached her ears.

"-... I was cleared for duty, I had a hard time remaining in Konoha. I only came back because of Naruto. No matter where I am, his safety matters to me more than anyone."

"Sasuke-san" boruto started, his voice barely louder than whisper. "What about Sarada?"

Thankfully, Mitsuki moved over just enough to grant Sarada visual to the scene playing out in front of her. There was only one word she could think of when she looked at her father hold her Nanadaime.

Beautiful.

Sasuke turned his black eye up as the black faded to red and his gaze seemed to go past the blonde straight to her. Her father was looking at her.

"Sarada is second only to Naruto."

Sarada could feel the tears filling her eyes and she felt a gentle but firm squeeze on her shoulder. She had often wondered where she stood in his life. He did spend several years of her childhood away from the village. Did that mean she ranked higher than her mother? She wasn't sure how to feel about that.

She watched as her father lifted his one hand to play with the blonde strands that stuck up on Naruto's head. The male Uchiha never took his eyes off his daughter, but she could see the droopy in his eyes, the dark bags that were forming, and though his gaze was intense, she could see the alcoholic glaze that indicated that her father was more than toasted but was coherent by his own will power. She could also see the slight flush over his cheeks.

If she wanted to know, this would be her only chance.

"Tou-san," she started, opening the door. She opened her mouth to speak only to close it again. It seemed she lacked the courage to ask. At least until she felt a hand slide into hers and giving a familiar squeeze of encouragement. "Are you in love with Hokage-sama?"

For a second, Sarada felt the air become stagnant. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and felt like she was unable to drag any air into her lungs. Almost like she was suffocating. Was she afraid of his answer?

Then, unapologetically and clearly, Sasuke answered. "Yes."

And just like that, the air became lighter and Sarada took a deep breath, her lungs burning. "Then why are you still with Sakura-san," Boruto asked.

Sighing, Sasuke shifted just a little bit and he tore his gaze from his daughter. When he looked back at them, his sharingan was turned off. "We're not. Sakura bares my name and had my child, but we have an arrangement. Sarada, you should ask her about the details. For now, let me sleep the alcohol you poured down our throats."

Mitsuki and Sarada giggled but Boruto was silently staring at him and the blonde Hokage (who was still happily in dream land). Sarada attempted to take Boruto's arm but he shrugged her hand off.

"Is it tou-san fault," Boruto asked.

There it was. The look Boruto had mentioned to them previously as Sasuke's eyes closed. Love. Sadness. Acceptance. Loss. Sarada knew that her father was done speaking on the matter. So Sarada stepped to the edge of the bed and reached out to touch the man's leg and she gently squeezed it.

"Tou-san, we want you both happy. If Uzumaki Naruto is what makes you happy, you have our blessing."

Sasuke's eyes snapped up to look at the three genin before him and she wondered what he saw. When she glanced over her shoulder, Boruto had a grin on his face and was holding a thumbs up while Mitsuki nodded his head in agreement with a smile . So Sarada turned back just as she saw tears form a pool in his eyes before he adverted his face away and into Naruto's hair.

"Hn."

Smiling, Sarada turned around and grabbed Boruto's hand to drag him out of the room. "Sleep well tou-san!"

And Mitsuki waved as he closed the door behind him and his two teammates.

Notes: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Stay safe!