A/N: Aoda meets Sarada.
Aoda's Blessing 2
Aoda spent much of his time patrolling Ryūji Cave and tending to his own brood of young snakes that were still learning the ways of the hunt. It had been at least one year since Sasuke had last summoned the massive snake, a year since he had last been able to converse with the man's charming wife.
The thought of the young married couple crossed his mind one day as the colossal summoning reptile coiled in preparation to sleep, and it was as though his thoughts manifested before him. Emerging from the shadows of one of the dimly lit tunnels leading to his abode was the dark-haired Uchiha, cloaked in black. Beside him was his wife, the pink-haired woman whom Aoda found was of great company. She was covered, too, in a sandy cloak that drifted near her feet.
The two were like night and day, according to Aoda, different but perfectly complementary. Sasuke's face remained stoic yet peaceful while Sakura's burst into a smile that could warm all of Ryūji Cave. The snake took notice that today, their hands weren't clasped together, though they still stood closer than Aoda had ever seen the Uchiha allow others to be with him. Always the exception, this one, Aoda mused.
"Sasuke-sama, Sakura-sama," Aoda greeted, lifting his head to bow it reverently. "It's good to see you again."
"Aoda," Sakura beamed, "you look well."
Beside the medic, her husband nodded in acknowledgement.
The massive snake made his move to slither over to the couple before his senses told him to pause midway. His tongue instinctively slipped out of his mighty jaws to taste the air, as a peculiar aroma filled his senses.
"There is…a scent," Aoda thought aloud, trying to place the foreign yet familiar smell. It was of a delicate sweetness mixed with strong earth, of spring blooms and midnight mist. It did not belong to either of the couple before him, as theirs were far stronger and more pure. He looked between the two humans, unsure of how to alarm them to the strange fragrance. "A third."
"Yes," Sasuke confirmed, unsurprised. "There is a third." Aoda's attention drew to his lord and lady curiously.
Sakura smiled warmly and turned her back to the reptile to face her husband. Sasuke seemed to fiddle with her cloak for a moment, and in doing so the peculiar smell grew stronger. He flicked his tongue in curiosity. It was…a mix. A mix of…of…
Sakura turned back around and Aoda froze in surprise. In her arms was a carefully wrapped bundle of a small human. Not just a small human; an infant. And not just any infant; it was an infant that possessed the perfect mix between his lord and lady from her appearance down to her smell. The little one had feathery tufts of midnight hair upon her head, eyes closed but pink mouth puckered as little breaths puffed in and out. Her cheeks were round fluffy things with smooth skin like porcelain. Her limbs were tucked carefully into the wrap and didn't fuss the way Aoda had seen other human infants do.
"This is our daughter," Sakura murmured just loud enough for all to hear. She stepped forward toward Aoda to allow him a better look at the little one. "Sarada."
Aoda looked to Sasuke who stood a short distance away for permission to study the little one closer. The man nodded his head, and Aoda lowered to look at the child. So small, Sarada was. So fragile. Despite it, he could smell her strength and the chakra that flowed in her veins.
"So tiny, this one," Aoda vocalized his thoughts, causing Sakura to release a chiming laugh. "She's a strong one, though. Powerful like her father." His eyes flickered to Sasuke before looking to his wife. "And fierce like her mother."
Sakura smiled at that, though her verdant eyes didn't leave the face of her child. The sheer admiration he saw in her eyes for this little human made Aoda feel warmth throughout each scale. He lowered his head to rest on the ground and stayed near Sakura and Sarada, curling his body protectively around the two. He widened his large eyes with awe when the little one would breathe a little gurgle or sing a soft sigh.
Sakura whispered of Sasuke's early tales of awkward fatherhood, earning them eye rolls and indignant scoffs from her husband that Sakura knew she could get away with receiving. Such a force, this one, Aoda chuckled internally. Their child will be the same.
Sasuke made his way over and rested his hand delicately upon his daughter's head, a gesture so gentle Aoda never thought he was capable until now. The snake watched as the man's eyes softened with fascination, admiration, appreciation.
"I am honored," Aoda closed his eyes to showcase his gratitude, "so honored to be a witness to this."
A hand rested on Aoda's snout. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see it belonged to Sasuke. "Thank you," he murmured before turning once more to his wife and child.