Thank you for all the reviews and for adding it to your alert and favourite list.

A few of you felt that the last chapter was rushed so I will like to clarify it. Firstly Sasuke and Sakura in no way made up as they only came to a truce. Sakura felt that her daughter needed her father and Sasuke wanted his daughter. They both were thinking like parents then as they only did it for their daughter. Whatever happened between them is still not solved as you will notice in this chapter.

/

Sasuke's POV

I parked the car in the garage and closed the ignition as I got off my car. I could hear the erratic thumping of my heart as I anticipated meeting my daughter. It was still unbelievable that I had a daughter. My anger began to resurface as I recalled how those douchebags had kept me away from my daughter all these years. When Sakura told me the truth last night, I had double checked the call logs with the operators where it was confirmed that she wasn't lying. I confronted them later where they shamelessly admitted their crime and tried to convince me that it was all for my good. I had abruptly fired my PA and removed the shares of Orochimaru from my company.

I later narrated to Itachi the events which unfolded and he was unsurprisingly eager to meet his niece as soon as he could. He also informed me that he checked the records of both Kabuto and Orochimaru and they were suspected of using the company's money for some corrupt schemes. He had fired a case of corruption and false hood at them and their trial was going to start soon. I wondered if they were involved in the scandal which bankrupted our company all those years ago. I shook those thoughts out of my mind as I got into the elevator. Right now my first priority was meeting Sarada. I was still mad at her mother. If she really wanted to tell me she could have contacted me through Naruto. Nothing could excuse her hiding something like this from me. I hadn't talked to her after last night. I didn't want to. I never associated the term hate and Sakura in a same sentence before. But after she kept me in dark, I couldn't stop despising her. She used to be Sakura; the woman who stole my heart. Now she was just the mother of my child.

I knocked on her door twice as I could feel the excitement bubbling in my stomach. A part of me was scared of Sarada's reaction. Will she hate me for never been for her all these time? Or will she adore her Papa the moment she meets him? Did Sakura tell her anything about me all these years ago? Did she portray me as a villain in her stories? So many thoughts rushed through my head at that moment as I couldn't help but feel nervous. The door flung open as I looked in and a scowl formed on my face.

"Well well! If it isn't Uchiha the petty key stealer!"

I raised my eyebrow at Ino Yamanaka as she fixed me with a harsh glare. It wasn't my fault that her boyfriend handed me the key easily when I asked for it. I was secretly glad that Ino wasn't at her home then as she would have followed the best friend code and wouldn't have given me that.

"Where is Sakura?"

I deadpanned as she crossed her arms across her chest, reluctant to not let me through as soon as a blur of pink appeared into the hallway.

"Ino. It's ok."

Sakura warned in a slightly strict tone as the blonde girl scoffed and moved out of my way, letting me in.

"Hello Sasuke."

Sakura said curtly as I nodded and she motioned me to follow her inside.

"I am gonna go now."

Ino said in a hushed tone to Sakura as she nodded and gave her a sweet smile. Finally. The blonde pain in the ass left but not before uttering a 'Call me if you need to kick some Uchiha ass' before.

I snorted as the door slammed behind her. Sakura guided me to her armchair and I noticed vaguely that there was no sign of Sarada whatsoever in the house. Had she lied to me? I looked at her questionably as she sighed.

"I just got home from work few minutes ago. She is at my neighbours. They sometimes babysit her."

"Are they trustworthy?"

My fatherly instincts kicked in as I couldn't let my daughter in the company of some shady strangers. Sakura rolled her eyes as she kept a bowl of cookies in front of me on the table.

"They are good. Sarada loves their company. Here, have some coffee. "

"No. I am good."

I rejected her offer as I was only here for my daughter and didn't want her to fake hospitality for my sake. She shrugged as she picked up a cookie and ate it. I was glad that she didn't nag me any further. There was a loud knock on the front door as I looked in that direction hopefully.

"She is here."

Sakura whispered as she walked away to open the door. I involuntarily got up as my heart ached to see her. I could make out some male voices at the door and frowned as I was pretty sure that she was staying with a woman or women.

It became quiet as the door shut down and I could hear the faint steps drawing closer in the room. I took a deep breath just as she appeared in the room. Her big innocent eyes looked up at me hesitatingly and I wondered if Sakura had already told her about me.

"This is your Papa Sarada. You remember right?"

Sakura bowed down to whisper to her sweetly as she nodded slowly. So she did tell her. Sarada looked up at her mother as she gave her an assuring smile. She then let go of her hand as she tiptoed towards me and stopped mere inches away.

"Papa.."

It was more of a question then a statement and my heart tugged at me. It was different than anything I experienced before as I gave her the gentlest smile I could muster. If I was Naruto, I probably would have cried at this point.

"Sarada…."

I tested the word on my lips as I kneeled down like that day when I first met her and extended my hands towards her. She seemed unsure at first as she looked back at Sakura as though taking the permission who smiled affirmatively. She got the signal then as she rushed into my arms and hugged me tightly. I felt warmth spread through my chest as I cradled her closer to myself and patted her head lovingly. My daughter. I made her.

An hour later

I listened attentively as she told me about her school. I was currently sitting in Sarada's room as she showed me her homework copies. She was pretty smart for her age but then again she was an Uchiha. I chuckled as she told me how she beat up the boys of her class at racing and how her teacher told her that she was the best student of her class. I could listen to her talk all day and yet never get tired of it. It was strange how much I loved someone whom I just met an hour ago. Technically. She did ask me why I never visited her before and I told her a somewhat censored version of the truth and she seemed to understand it well. I had to give it to her though. Sakura did a good job in raising her. But I was here for her now.

"Papa will you come to see me daily?"

She asked in her childish voice full of hope as I smirked at her and patted her head.

"Yes I will."

She grinned widely at me as a voice interrupted our conversation and I inwardly cursed Sakura who came to stand by the door.

"Sarada! Can you get me the cookies from the table real quick?"

She appeared confused for a while before she got down from the bed and walked out of her room. I looked up at Sakura who was giving me a disapproving look.

"Why did you lie to her about seeing her daily?"

"I didn't lie Sakura."

I told her flatly as she got into the room and narrowed her eyes at me.

"What? So you will fly back and forth from California daily? We both know it's physically impossible."

"No. I won't fly because I am not going anywhere. I will be staying back in Tokyo."

Sakura seemed taken aback as she dropped her hands from her hips just in time for Sarada to appear with a box of cookie. I was further saved from the useless interrogation as she next opened her drawing book and showed me her art.

Our company already had a building here in Tokyo. Although it wasn't much in use and a lot smaller compared to the one in California but I had decided to work from here. I had already ordered for the transfer of my stuff and belongings back to Japan. I always wanted to come back to my homeland and run the company here. Sarada was just an excuse to get my plan in motion.

We may suffer a few losses here and there nothing we couldn't recover from plus Uchihas were lot more respected and famed back here at home so it was only a win-win situation. I didn't realise it was after nine as Sakura asked us to come join her for dinner. She had given us a complete privacy to get to know each other better and I was glad. I opened my mobile then which was put on mute as I noticed a couple of missed calls and decided it was my cue to leave.

"I should get going now."

I told Sakura as Sarada got into the dining chair quickly. She glanced at her to see if she heard me before shooting me a harsh glare.

"Do you seriously want to leave now? This will be her first dinner with her parents! Do you really want to disappoint her?"

"The only one who disappointed her was you Sakura. Don't you forget that. I would gladly have dinner with her but I can't bear to stand you."

I hissed back at her as she gritted her teeth.

"Right back at you Sasuke. But I am making an effort to act civil for the sake of our daughter? Is it too much to ask?"

I sighed as I took in her words. As much as I hated to admit to, she was right. I shouldn't let our mutual dislike for each other become an issue now. If I wanted to be a part of Sarada's life then I had to learn to bear Sakura's presence too.

"Mama. Papa."

Sarada's voice broke our little dispute as we looked in her direction. Sakura forced a smile as she got into the chair and I followed her suite. We both sat on either direction of her as she gave a cute smile before doing her prayers and started to eat. Seeing her so happy made me feel guilty as I realised how much this meant to her. There and then I decided that I would do anything to keep this smile intact on her face.

/

Three months later

Sakura's POV

I sighed with pleasure as I submerged myself completely into the rich mineral water. I was glad that I accepted Ino's offer of joining her to spa. It was my day off from work and Sarada was spending time with Sasuke and his family today. His elder brother Itachi was in city along with his wife and son and his mother was also visiting them. Mikoto had invited me to join them too but I politely declined her saying that I had a lot of work to do. A big lie. I just didn't want to be a part of their little gathering. My daughter was an Uchiha but that doesn't mean that I was one. Plus I was pretty sure that Mrs. Uchiha had still not forgiven me completely for keeping her granddaughter away from her. She was just being polite. She wasn't the only one who got mad as I vaguely remembered Kushina giving both me and Naruto a thorough lecture when she learned the truth. Things had more or less settled down by now as I was greatly relieved. Sasuke had found himself a cozy lush house in the plush area of the city and had settled down here. His business was also running smoothly now. Everything was ok except for the fact that I and Sasuke still couldn't stand to be in each other's company without getting into an argument.

Thankfully we only interacted when he was picking up Sarada or dropping her at my place to avoid any sort of conflict. I pushed all these thoughts at the back of my mind and I concentrated on my relaxing bath.

"Mm. I swear it feels better than sex."

I chuckled as Ino moaned with pleasure beside me. I couldn't help but ask her was Sai that bad in bed as she gave me a dirty look before smiling teasingly at me.

"You know Sakura. You need to get laid."

My eyes shot open as I gave her an incredulous look. Was she out of her mind? She ignored the alarmed look on my face as she continued.

"It's been like seven years since you last had sex. I am pretty sure you might have regained your virginity by now. Do you really want to remain celibate for the rest of your life?"

I didn't answer as I looked away. It wasn't that easy. For me, sex was something which was pure and should only be done if you are in love with someone. I didn't believe in useless fucking and it was only after Sasuke confessed his love for me, I made love to him. After him, I was too busy taking care of Sarada that I barely had any time for myself let alone go on dates with guys.

"You are only twenty six Forehead! Before you avoided going out because Sarada was small but now she is big enough and also her Daddy is there to take care of her now."

"I don't know Ino."

I admitted truthfully as I leaned back on the wall and she stared suspiciously at me.

"You are still in love with Sasuke."

She deadpanned as I almost slipped on my feet and glared at her. Was she out of her mind?

"Are you crazy? I have been over him for years Ino."

"Then what's the problem?"

I myself didn't know that as I bit my lip thoughtfully. I really hadn't thought much about it. I guess I had gotten too used to living my life the way it was that I almost forgot how it was to be with someone. I was too busy playing the role of a mother that I forgot all about myself.

I couldn't help but think about it all the time as we walked out of the mall later on. We had decided to do window shopping after spa but ended up buying few things as we carried the polybags in our hands.

"Gosh that sale was totally worth it."

Ino exclaimed with sheer joy as we walked towards our parked vehicle. I agreed with her mentally as I had got shoes at fifty percent cutoff price.

"Is that you Sakura?"

A voice piped in as we both turned our heads to find a red-headed guy staring at us specifically at me with a warm smile. I immediately recognised that face as I returned the gesture and he walked towards me.

"Sasori! Fancy meeting you here."

He was my neighbour who looked after Sarada sometimes when I was not at home. He and his friend Deidara were renting the room together in our building. I had established a friendly relation with both of them. They both worked as the DJ in the Akatsuki club and had invited me a dozen of times there but I refused because of my daughter. Now that I thought about it, it kinda made me feel guilty.

"How are you doing?"

He asked in his usual cheerful tone as I laughed and shrugged.

"Pretty good. What about you? Haven't seen you around in a while?"

I complained to him as he scratched his head.

"Well you never bring Sara to our place anymore."

I realised it was true. Whenever I was at work Sasuke or either Mikoto looked after her so I never needed to drop her at there place. It was another thing that I was to be blamed for as I gave an apologetic smile.

"I am sorry Sasori. She has been busy with her father lately."

"So how is that Papa of hers? Is he treating our princess well?"

He wriggled his eyebrows as I gave him a mock glare and he chuckled. He was fun like that. There was a loud cough as we both saw Ino standing on the side with raised eyebrow and I yelped. I almost forgot about her.

"Ino. This is Sasori,my neighbour. Sasori, Ino my best friend."

They both shook hands as Ino gave me a funny look. I wndered what that was about but before I could corner her with my question, Sasori interrupted in between as he asked to talk to me in private.

"Sure."

I was confused by his unexpected gesture but didn't voice it as we stood a couple of inches away from my car. Sasori had a serious expression on his face as I wondered what was so important.

"Sorry for all that secrecy. I actually wanted to ask you something. If it's too personal you don't have to answer."

I encouraged him to continue as he took a deep breath before clearing his throat.

"Would you like to go out with me Sakura?"

My jaw dropped on the floor as I wondered if I heard him correctly as he continued with a small blush on his face.

" I know it's sudden and a little out of blue but I have admired you for the past one year. You were always busy so I never got a chance to pop this question. I mean it's ok if you are seeing someone or anything."

He finished awkwardly as I pursed my lips and looked away. This was really shocking as he never gave me a hint that he liked me before. My obvious answer was to reject him of course but then I realised that I was doing the exact thing for the past few years. I never gave anyone a chance and rejected them without a second thought.

Sasori was attractive without a doubt and a wonderful human being. He was also fun and easy going. Sarada also adored him a lot. I shook my head as I couldn't believe that I was actually considering it. Ino's words still rung in my head as I wondered what could possibly go wrong.

"Yes."

I didn't realise I said it out loud before Sasori gave a handsome smile. I was surprised by my answer as he took my hand in his.

"Great! Just name the day when you will be free and I am all yours."

I tried not to blush at his last words and did a mental calculation about my schedule before answering him.

"I will be free by six this Saturday. I can get someone to take care of Sarada."

He kissed my hand as heat rose to my cheeks and I retraced my palm back.

"Alright. It's a date then."

He promised as he bid his goodbye to me and left. I barely noticed Ino giving a big squeal when I told her that I was going on a date as I asked myself.

'Was it really the right thing to do?'

/

What do you all think guys?

As always please read and review.

~Sora