notes: revised (7/31/19)!
rating: K
disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
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26. warmth
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Sarada noticed, for the past week or two, that Sakura was starting to look deprived of sleep.
She partly blames it on the weather—it's so cold outside, leaves rusting in their usual green to muddy brown, and Sakura sometimes came home with half-lidded eyes on particular days with only a doctor's coat on. Other days it'd be the doctor's coat, on other days it'd be her pink jacket with fur lining the hood. It eventually became some guessing game for Sarada: which coat would Sakura be wearing when she came home?
Today, Sakura came home in the doctor's coat. Sarada wouldn't have minded that much if it wasn't for the fact that the doctor's coat meant that it was a busy day in the hospital.
"Were a lot of people sick today, Mama?" asks Sarada concernedly, her eyes carefully following her mama's sluggish steps (more like feet sliding against the ground than walking) to the couch. The bespectacled girl immediately prepares a cup of warm tea in hopes that it would soothe Sakura's weariness. It wasn't too uncommon for Sakura to come back tired—Sarada has seen it too much from childhood to now—but whenever she come back looking like a walking corpse, Sarada couldn't help but be concerned. Papa wasn't around home today; he's busy training Boruto and before Sarada could clench her chopsticks at the thought of it, she shakes her ill thoughts away, opting to pour tea for her mother instead.
That's right, Sasuke isn't home, so it's up to Sarada to look after Sakura. It's a big responsibility that she would gladly take and it wasn't worth thinking about how Boruto was receiving the training regimen that Sarada's always wanted, receiving the bonding time with her papa that she's always wanted— Stop, Sarada. Stop thinking.
With a gulp to herself, the girl ventures to the living room, cup of tea in hand, and gently seats next to Sakura to offer it to her. "Here, Mama. Maybe this will make you feel better?"
"Thank you, Sarada," answers Sakura tiredly, eyes alight in gratitude as she takes the cup and is immediately thankful for its warmth on her palms. "And I'm afraid so. It's the cold season after all, so it's expected to see lots of sick patients this time of the year." Their previous Christmases had always been somewhat grim—it'd usually just be shared between Sakura and Sarada, them seated together by the couch and staring out the window, and Sasuke wouldn't be able to make it back. But this year, Sasuke did make it back and she would curse at whatever lords out there that gave her such a sudden influx of patients. She truly looks reluctant to say, but she musters up the courage to murmur, "I might not be able to make it back for Christmas this year."
"No...!" Sarada weakly yells back, eyes grave and widened. "B-But Papa is finally back for this year!"
The only word Sakura could think of describe this is just: grim. Grim like her dimmed frown. "I know... But as head doctor, I have more responsibilities than the rest." She fiddles with her half-emptied cup. "It wouldn't be fair to the ill if we closed the hospital just to enjoy the holidays while they can't, y'know? Makes me feel a little heartless when I think about it."
Logically, it makes sense. It makes plenty of sense. But this will be the first Christmas they're going to have as a complete family, and she wanted just that! Why did life have to suck so much? Lips quivering, Sarada painstakingly nods, knowing that her mother is faithful to her work and the people she works for. She can't be selfish when a selfless holiday is coming up. "Okay... But can you at least make it back for dinner?"
Sakura takes another sip of tea, wearily smiling into the rim. "I'll try."
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Weeks later, Sarada found herself perplexed at the bag Sakura presents to her, a smile on her lips.
"Mama might have lied a bit," Sakura tells her, in an odd sing-song way, with a wink and a finger near her lips. Once her daughter takes the bag, Sakura continues, "I said there were a lot of patients—that wasn't wrong. But they weren't in any serious conditions; they just had the common flu and those are easy to cure." Hands on her hips, the woman beams brightly and Sarada thinks she resembles the glowing star atop their tree. "I had some free time and I couldn't work on it at home, so I made you and Papa gifts when I was in my office! Go on, open it!"
Owlishly blinking, she pries apart the white tissue paper covering the contents of the bag and she pauses for a bit when she fingers something of wool-like material. When she finally realizes her gift is a wool scarf of stunning red that matches her outfit, Sarada comments, "It's really warm." She'd wrapped it around her neck when she took it out of the bag, and now it feels warm, so warm. Her fingers lightly pat against the material again, unable to fathom how soft it really is. "You made it yourself, Mama?"
"Sure did!" Pride off her shoulders, she grins. "I'll give Papa his later—it seems like he agreed when I told him to stay a bit longer!" Sakura's smile softens. "I thought I should give you yours first since it seemed like you were the most upset about it."
She didn't even need to clarify what 'it' meant, and Sarada understood. "I just really wanted to spend Christmas with you and Papa this year..."
Her arms embrace Sarada gently, Sakura strokes the girl's head. "Your wish came true this year."
Sakura's hugs were always so reassuring, so warm. "I'm glad, Mama."
