Sasuke's POV

After walking for 15 minutes, I am finally here. Lakeside Elementary School. It's called Lakeside because the school is near the only lake in and around the city. The school is a big brick building with many windows on all floors. The school building is quite new. The old one looked like it was about to fall if you poked it. When I was trying to find a school for Sarada I saw this but with the old building. I was NOT gonna let her go here, but the principal told me that the building was going to be rebuilt, so I chose this school. It is also far from the center of the city, so it is more safe than other schools. The playground is pretty big too. It is on the left side of the building. There are about ten swings, three playground sets, a basketball court, a baseball court (but the kids use it for kickball), and many multiple benches. The education here is alright too. It's not the greatest, but the schools with great education are private schools that I can't afford.

As I wait, I can hear some of the other mothers gossiping and giggling toward me. This always happens. The parents will all get here early and either drive to the pick up line, or park and get out of their cars to talk to the other parents. Most mothers park and go talk to the other mothers, most fathers stay in their cars. I remember the first day I came to pick up Sarada from school. None of the parents thought I was a parent, which I don't blame them for because they are all in their late thirties or forties, and I was 25 when Sarada started school. They all thought that I was Sarada's brother so they left me alone.

However, when they learned that I was her father because of the parent and teacher conferences I went to and that I was single, their view on me changed, mostly for the mothers. The single or married mothers would always try to talk to me or flirt. One once brought me a casserole she made for me and Sarada. Because of this I wouldn't try to get here too early. Now they don't come up to me anymore, but they still stare at me and whisper to each other about me. I've learned to ignore it.

The bell rings, signalling that school has ended and the kids are coming out to the parking lot. The doors open and teachers with their students pop out. It's hard to believe that I was once that small. Kids come running to cars and to their parents. Some hug their parents, some give them their backpacks that are way too big for them, and some just climb into cars. "PAPA!" I hear my daughter calling me. I search for those big onyx eyes and chubby face. There she is. My daughter. The reason I keep working hard and waking up early. The person I love more than anything. My life.

She starts to come running to me now that I see her. Today she is wearing a new red polka-dot skirt with a white t-shirt along with a red headband that matches her glasses. Her hair that barely comes off her shoulders is bouncing in the air as she runs. She has the biggest smile on her face. I take my hands out of my pocket and open my arms and crouch down to her so she can give me the biggest hug. Sarada jumps into my arms and wraps her same chubby arms around my neck. "Hey princess," I say smiling.

This makes all the moms aww. For some reason, seeing a single dad give his daughter a hug is the "cutest thing" they have ever seen. I used to be very against public displays of affection, but after having a kid who always wants to hold your hand, give you hugs and kisses, and play with you I learned to accept it, and embrace it.

Sarada lets go of me and says"Papa, I finally finished my art project. Do you want to see it?" Sarada starts to take her bag off her shoulders and unzip it, but I stop her.

"I will look at it when we get home okay?"

"OKAY!" She says with a toothy smile.

"Come on, let's go home." I grab her hand and start to walk.

"Papa, I'm tired, can you give me a piggyback ride?"

"Seriously?" I chuckle nervously while saying that hoping that is not serious, but her pout says otherwise. "Fine. Hope on." I bend down and feel her small self climb on my back and her arms wrap around my neck again. I stand up and start to walk away.

Later...

I have just finished cleaning the dishes we used for dinner tonight. It's weird to have dinner this early. Since I normally work til five, I don't pick Sarada up from school at the time it ends. She normally stays at the after school program, but since I got out of work early, I got to pick her up when school ends.

Sarada is currently sitting by the kitchen counter making our lunches for tomorrow; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with carrots and pretzels. "How did you like the soup? Should I get more when I go shopping?" I ask. Tonight I heated up soup for us. I had tomato soup (of course) and Sarada had cream of broccoli. I can't cook at all, so most of the time we would eat take out or sandwiches. Sarada wants to cook, but won't let her use sharp knives, the stove or oven unless I am around to help her, but when I get home from work I am normally too tired to do it.

"I liked it."

"Then I will get more." I sit down next to Sarada and watch her make the PB and J's. How did I get such a wonderful kid? Sarada has two sides. One of her sides is goofy and jumpy. A little kid. But her other side is mature. I can talk to her about a lot of things and she will talk back. She is also understanding about our situation. She understands that I can't spend a lot of time with her and that we don't have a lot of money. Sometimes when we are in a store Sarada will see something that she likes, like a book or toy, and I can tell that she wants it, but she doesn't ask for it. Whenever this happens she bits her lip and looks down. It kills me to see that face. I wish I could give her what she wants. I wish I could be a better dad for her. Sarada is always smiling for me. She tries not to complain or cry towards me to make my life easier. I think she hides her true feelings too much.

"Sarada." She looks up at me with a small smile. "Am I a good dad? Am I doing anything right?"

" You have a good style. Your clothes match your hair and skin perfectly," she says. I can't help but chuckle.

"Wow, out of all the things you could say, you said my clothes?" I say sarcastically. Sarada bursts out giggling. Truly the cutest and best kid in the world.

Even later...

Sarada has finally gone to bed. I turn on the bathtub water to get ready to shower. I grab the end of my shirt an pull it above my head. I unbuckle my belt and slide it off. I put my hands in my pockets to take out the random trash I find in them. Wait, this is... the paper Naruto gave me. The one with Karin's number. An image of Naruto giving this to me pops in my head. Maybe it is time to move on. I wonder how Sarada would feel about this. Would she be okay with me dating someone? She doesn't remember her mother, and maybe having a motherly figure would help her out. I wouldn't say Karin is a great motherly figure, but she does know about Sarada and she doesn't mind that I am a father.

I walk out of the bathroom with the water still running to grab my phone on the table. I dial the seven numbers on that crumpled paper. "Hello? Is this Karin? This is Sasuke, Naruto's friend."