"What happened, Sarada? Are you alright?"

"Relax, Papa. I'm fine," I can feel her rolling her eyes at me.

"You don't call at this hour."

"It's your lunch-break now, isn't it?"

"Ah."

"Good. Now the reason I called," she takes a deep breath, "Can you come home a little early today? I need to talk to you and Mama. I've called her already."

"Talk to us? About what?"

"You'll have to come home early if you want to know."

"What?"

"Bye, Papa. See you later. My classes are about to start."

"Sara-"

The line has already disconnected.

.

.

.

I find Sakura waiting in front of the lift.

"Oh, you're here."

"Hn," I walk to her hastily, "Do you know what she wants to talk about?"

"Nope," she shakes her head, "She sounded pretty serious. Maybe something happened in school?"

There's a sound as the lift arrives and we get in without wasting another moment.

She's there, sitting at the couch with her legs folded, a book in hand. At the sound of the footsteps, she looks up.

"Mama, Papa, you're here."

"What's wrong Sarada?" Sakura walks to her, and places a hand on her cheek. "Are you okay?"

She's as tall as Sakura now, her facial features resemble hers as well. But the black of her eyes and hair are my heirloom.

"I'm fine, Mama," she sighs, "I just needed to tell you something." She looks at me. "I've been working part time."

"..."

"What?"

"Part... time?"

"Yes," she nods, "After class. I told you I stay back for group study but I was actually working at the record store near my school."

"Why'd you do that? If you need money for something you should ask us, Sarada," Sakura sounds somewhat dejected. And I am too. I mean, we're working. We have been saving up for her college and everything for so long. All because we don't want her to face the hardships we did when we were young.

"I can't always ask you for money. Sometimes I need things... Well, personal stuff I can't tell you about."

"But Sarada!"

"You're too young to be working yet."

She narrows her eyes at me.

"Seriously, Papa? Seventeen is too young to be working? Do you really want to go there?"

"Sarada! You cannot bring up our marriage every time we talk about something."

"Besides, now is not the time. You should be preparing for your college entrance exams next year."

"You know what? I never should have brought it up," and with that, she stomps out of the door.

"Sarada!" Sakura tries to run after her but at the sound of the door slamming, she stops to look at me, "I know she's supposed to be at that age now, but it seems like a bit too much. Doesn't it?"

I pull a chair and get myself seated. "I'm getting flashbacks from when we were young and our parents tried to stop us from doing certain things. Guess it's payback time."

"I'm worried about what she needs money for. I understand she needs her privacy but I'm also worried if she's getting herself involved in some problematic stuff, you know. She acts like that, but at the end of the day, she's still young."

She used to be so cute and innocent. My little girl, who loved her Papa. I'm not saying she doesn't love me anymore and she's still the cutest kid ever. But she's... at this rebellious age.

My phone rings in my pocket.

"Okay, Mom, we didn't do anything," I defend us before the accusation comes because oh of course she's going to take her granddaughter's side.

"We have to talk. Come down here. Both of you."

"Mom-" she cuts the line.

"What is she saying?"

"She's asking us to go there because apparently we need to talk. Which of course means they're going to take Sarada's side once again."

Sakura sighs. And we head downstairs. To the apartment where my Mom and her Mama lives in.

In the beginning we weren't sure it was a good idea. Sakura decided to bring her Mama here when she started to have problem in her eyes. Although Mama-in-law herself wasn't very willing at first. Didn't want to bother us. In spite of everything, she never forgot that she had abandoned her daughter. But still, with my father-in-law's help, we were able to secure documents and make her a passport and finally we brought her here. After the surgery, she insisted on going back but Sakura's mother talked her out of it. It was somewhat strange, at least it felt strange to me. I for some reason hadn't expected them to get along. Because in my eyes, they were some sort of... 'rivals' is the closest word I can think of. They share a daughter, and I personally can't imagine myself doing that. But it was because they share a daughter they both care deeply about, that they were able to establish such an amiable relationship. So, in the end, she stayed.

Dad's case was somewhat unfortunate. It's not that I never thought of making up with him, but I don't know... something stopped me every time I entertained the idea. When I finally got there at the hospital, he couldn't even speak. Sakura didn't want to go in, and I couldn't blame her. But I managed to convince her and took both her and Sarada with me. I don't know if he was aware. Anyway, after his death, Mom was a mess. She apologised to me and to Sakura so many times, in tears, that Sakura ended up crying with her in the end. I felt somewhat bad for her, since I know it was mainly Dad. She just didn't have the guts to go against him. She sold the house and was renting an apartment. It made sense, living in that house all by herself would haunt her. She got to meet Sakura's Mama and although the two came from very different backgrounds, had had a very different life, somehow they managed to form a close friendship.

When we were looking for a new place, we were also looking for a place for each of them. They weren't getting any younger. It was the best to keep them close, since they didn't have anyone with them. We found this apartment, it was everything we could ask for and at five minute's walking distance from Itachi and Izumi's place. And Sakura's parents' house is only two blocks away. At that time, it was Mom who brought up the idea. And it hit us. Having a roommate is better for both of them. They'll have company, we'll have them in one place, it'll be easier. So, the two of them live in an apartment on the second floor while our apartment is on the third floor. They have recently started a small business together. Making outfits for kids. Sakura's Mama had her experience of working as a seamstress and while Mom isn't that good at sewing, she excels at knitting. So, together they started this venture about two years ago and now they're already doing great. Sakura's mother joins them from time to time, but she has her own life with her husband. Anyway, it's very reassuring now with everyone being comfortable with everyone.

We get there and when I turn the door handle, it's already open. I step inside, Sakura following after me.

"Why is it dark?"

"SURPRISE!"

I don't quite follow what happens because it all happens too fast. Some poppers go off, throwing around confetti, there's a huge noise and I feel Sakura grab my arm, startled.

"See how she's clinging to Papa?" Sarada tells Itachi, pointing towards Sakura as the lights turn back on.

"I feel so sorry you have to live with them," Itachi adds with a chuckle. "You know you're free to crash in anytime you want, right?"

"What are you waiting for? Get in, get in," Izumi drags a puzzled Sakura by the arm. "Oh," she turns around to face me, "Happy twentieth anniversary by the way."

What?

Oh.

Twentieth?!

When we were eighteen, we got married on this date. Damn, that was TWENTY years ago? The memory is still so fresh, it's hard to believe.

We did get married again, when Sarada was seven. But that was mostly for convenience. Being registered as one family meant less hassle with taxes and stuff. Also, it was easier on Sarada. We had long figured out that marriage itself wasn't the most important factor like we used to think. It was rather like a decoration.

"Here," Sarada shoves the knife into my hand as we stand in front of the table. "It was for this party Papa. I'm not doing drugs. Now you can stop sulking."

"I'm not sulking."

"Oh no you totally aren't," she rolls her eyes

We cut the cake together and my nephew keeps taking photos every two seconds. I don't get today's kids.

Then comes the gifts, it feels kind of strange. And at the same time very homely. There's something very calming about having the entire family gathered, just to celebrate our... I prefer the word relationship over marriage.

It's Sarada's gift that makes my eyes go round.

A couple ticket for a weekend at some resort.

"Sarada?"

"Go have a fun weekend with Mama."

"Look how considerate my granddaughter is." Sakura's father sounds unnecessarily proud as he pats Sarada's back.

"Have fun, Sasuke," I hate the way my brother smiles at me.

.

.

.

"Sarada," Sakura puts the cup of hot cocoa on the table in front of Sarada. Pulling a chair, she sits down too, joining our weekly father-daughter calculus lessons. "You didn't have to do so much, baby. Your Papa and I would have been happy even with something small."

"But I wouldn't," Sarada turns to Sakura. Pushing her glasses up her nose. She's already taken her contacts off. "I ask you two to go on trips, go on dates. But you never listen."

"Sarada, we don't need those. We understand each other and how we feel. Trust us, we do."

"I'm not saying you don't, Papa. But... You're allowed to have some fun too. You know?"

She sighs.

"You had me so young, at the age when people just start enjoying life, you had to take care of me. All my life, as far as I can remember, you've been working relentlessly to give me a comfortable life."

"That's only natural, Sarada. It's not like we're doing you a favour or anything. It's just when you have a baby, you want to make sure you raise them well."

"I know, Mama. But your baby is no longer a baby. So, you guys can take it a little easy now. Take some time out for yourselves and have fun."

Sakura and I exchange looks. Then she smiles, putting a hand on Sarada's head. "You've really grown up."

"I'm only seventeen, Mama. I'm a baby."

.

.

.

We watch over the landscape as the rope-way moves up slowly. Sakura takes photos on her phone.

"This is so beautiful. I have to show them to Sarada."

"I think she told you to enjoy yourself and not think about her."

She turns to me, scowling. The fine wrinkles beside her eyes, I know there was a time when they weren't there. Just like the few strands of grey hiding in her pink tresses that she hides with hair dye. I remember the face of the feisty girl I had seen at the college cafeteria, those fiery eyes. It's mind blowing to think that I have been with her, by her side, except for the few turbulent years, on her journey from that eighteen year old girl to the woman standing in front of me.

"I can't. Okay? She's my baby."

She makes me chuckle and I am not one for PDA but since we have this carriage to ourselves in the middle of this beautiful scenery, I put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.

"S-Sasuke?"

She still blushes red like she used to do at eighteen.

"You don't change, do you?"

We watch the reflection of the surrounding hills in the lake's clear water. Breathtakingly beautiful.

"I'm glad I'm here with you."

"Hm?" she looks up at my face.

"Whenever I see something beautiful, I want to show it to you and Sarada."

"That's a very convoluted way of saying I love you, but I accept it, anyway," she sticks her tongue out before giggling.

"In hindsight, it wasn't so bad."

"Huh?"

"Having Sarada that young. Our most difficult times are already behind us. While people our age are changing diapers, here we are. Enjoying our honeymoon."

"Hon-" Her eyes go wide, "You're having the time of your life. Aren't you?" she tilts her head, "To think we never actually got to go on a honeymoon."

There's a lot that didn't go the way they were supposed to. But at the end of the day, I have nothing to complain about.

"Sarada was right. This feels good. I think we should do this more often."

"Feels like those early days when we had just started going out. I thought that feeling would wane away as we grow older but it actually doesn't."

"Maybe growing old is just a myth, I mean mentally. My knee pain is very real."

Sakura laughs out loud.

"But I get you. As a kid, I wanted to grow up so bad. It sounded so tempting. But slowly I realised that when people talk about growing up, they're mostly talking about conforming. According to the norms of society, there are so many things we're expected to give up as you get older. Not because those are harmful to anyone, but simply because that's not how grown adults are supposed to act. I've long decided I won't do that. I won't act old just to act my age. The kid inside me, growing old has been about me finally setting her free. Because she was my most authentic self to ever exist."

"You should try writing a novel or something. I think you'll do good."

She rolls her eyes. Then with a smile, holds my hand. Latching our fingers together.

"So, what I'm saying is, no matter how old I get, I'll remain a girl in love forever."

I give her a light peck on the cheek.

"Forever..."

Note: Hope that wasn't too bad. Also, the knee pain I have at 25!

First of all, I forgot in last chapter, but THANK YOU for the lovely birthday wishes. They made my day.

With this, this fic comes to an end. Thank you so so so much for bearing with me and my nonsense all this time. This year has been quite a journey and for me personally, this story became a big part of it. I'll miss this fic and I'll miss interacting with you guys. I loved your comments, every single one of them. Your opinions, your suggestions, your personal stories you shared with me. I read everything. For a fic writer, it's not just about what we ultimately write. It's just one single stage of a long journey. To me, all your support and love and interactions are part of my journey with In Pieces. Thank you for everything.

This story ends here but our difficult times don't. Please take care of yourselves.

I'm sorry I can't answer everything you ask me in my author notes.

(I generally do have a fringe. My typical hairstyle is adult Hinata's style although I cut my hair short from time to time.)

Love and lots of thanks,

June ❤️️

[31.08.2020]