Kizashi gives Sasuke advice on letting go of his daughter.
"How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Kizashi asked.
"Let her go," Sasuke replied looking at Sakura and Sarada. The two girls, along with the rest of everyone in the room was celebrating her engagement.
She was no longer a little girl.
"Hmm, I suppose you don't let them go. Not really, no matter what they'll always be your baby. I mean you two have Sarada but no matter what Sakura will still be my baby girl."
"You just support them and hope they find someone right for them. If it works out great and if it doesn't, just be there for them."
Sasuke's lips thinned at that, no doubt the Haruno probably had to deal with Sakura's heartache time and time again.
"You must have really hated me, huh?" Kizashi snorted.
"Of course I did, you broke my daughter's heart again and again. I wanted her to meet someone new, find someone right for her and be happy. But well... she always did have a big heart."
He looked at the two women fondly.
"No matter what she always stood up for you, always loved you. In the end, we realised we couldn't change her mind, so we decided to just be there for her."
"You never did give me any grief when I came back... why?" Neither of them did, which was odd. He always imagined they be against their relationship.
"What can I say, it runs in the family." He half-heartedly joked.
"The truth is I could see it."
"See it?" Sasuke tilted his head.
"Your love for her, I wanted to be angry and give you an earful as soon as you came through the door. But your eyes held so much meaning. The way you looked at my daughter, we knew how much she meant to you."
"And of course Sakura was so happy to finally introduce us. How could we ruin the moment?" Sasuke stood not knowing what to say, what was there too.
They knew what he did to her but still welcomed him into their home. Into their life.
"You have a big heart."
"Like I said, it runs in the family. Besides, everything worked out in the end. Why bring up such matters?"
Because no matter what I'll always hate myself for it. I don't deserve your kindness or a second chance. I don't even deserve to be worried about Sarada.
Not after everything I've put her through.
"You have every right to be worried about Sarada," Kizashi spoke almost as if he was reading his mind.
"You work harder than anyone. For the village, but most importantly for your family. I know you have a hard time forgiving yourself, that's why it's great to have Sakura to give you the love you do deserve. To let you know you're doing a good job."
"Besides being a father, especially to a daughter isn't easy. I know that better than anyone. We all make mistakes. What's important is that you love her and will do anything for them."
He smiled, Sasuke was speechless however before he got a chance to respond Mebuki interrupted them.
"And what are you two talking about? Giving him some tips on letting Sarada go?"
"Why of course dear, I am an expert after all." He winked at Sasuke letting him know their conversation was his little secret.
He nodded in thanks.
"We only have one daughter dear."
"Exactly, only one which is why it's, even more, harder to give them up. Right Sasuke?"
"Ah," he responded.
"Don't let him influence you." Mebuki huffed rolling her eyes.
"Hey, I'll have you know I'm giving him great advice." Well, he wasn't wrong there, Sasuke smirked.
"Anata," Sakura appeared beside him wrapping her arms around him.
"I know it's hard but Sarada will be happy. And, you still have me."
She smiled softly. "I know." He wrapped his lone arm around her kissing her forehead softly.
"Exactly, and one day you'll two be grandparents as well. Hey, you know I have my book of best grandad jokes. Want me to pass it on to you?" Kizashi asked grinning.
"NO!" Both women responded immediately.
"It was bad enough when you gave him your Dad joke book, poor Sarada."
"The Haruno joke book was passed on from generation to generation Sakura. I must do my part."
"Like hell, you will."
Sasuke give Kizashi a knowing look as if to say 'don't worry I got this' he nodded back.
"The shame," Kizashi fake cried planning to give Sasuke the book secretly. Hey, it is a family heirloom and Sasuke intended to keep it that way.
Even if Sakura and his daughter did hate him for it.