As time passed by we made memories as strangers_

…. ..

KEI Uchiha hates mornings when it's been 4 days since her beloved mother Hinata is not by her side. She woke up and groggy Hinata went home as soon as she got up first in the morning and it's been 4 days since she last saw her.

She hadn't come to check on them she didn't know why wasn't contacting them she waited and waited but she didn't get

Any response from Hinata made her feel sad.

Sasuke brushed Kei's hair her face was still pouty from breakfast. "Mommy isn't home yet," the five-year-old said grumpily, "you should be here when Mommy comes back," she glared at him, but it didn't hurt.

"We talked about it didn't we? " he sighed "Your mother isn't coming back until she works, you have to learn how to live without her. "His voice was calm like usual but there was no missing the irritation, and annoyance in his tone. He wanted to snap at her but he tried to keep his emotions under control.

"But why is she away from us? " she asked.

"She is not your mother she is busy as a doctor you are just her patient" Kei looked shocked at that

"I'm your real father," he added with pride.

Kei's expression turned sad. "Why?" She whispered. Sasuke felt his heartbreak, how could this little girl look so young when she was hurting so much?

"Because your mother is not here with me," his voice softened

"my mother? "

"your real mother left us"

"Left?!" Kei was stunned that she couldn't imagine anything more painful than being abandoned. She didn't think she had a mom

but now that the words were out Sasuke realized that maybe that was better that way, she wouldn't know about her mother.

He had never been in love. Well, maybe a little.

"What happened to her? "

"I will tell you once you are grown up"

He brushed her hair she sighed and hugged his legs "I am sorry I shouldn't have bothered you"

"It's alright kiddo, I promise you I will tell you what happened to your mother." he stroked her hair, her bangs falling on her face. She pushed it away, he could see tears welling up in her eyes.

"When will Miss Hinata visit us? "

"she said she will visit us on Sunday"

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she threw herself on him, squeezing him tightly and making him gasp in surprise. She pulled back after a while, a bright smile on her face "I can wait for Miss Hinata!!!" she exclaimed.

"me too" he mumbled.

When he woke up that morning without Hinata by his side he knew he had messed this up badly. He couldn't let that slip away again. He had already messed up once because he allowed their relationship to grow too fast.

And now this. This wasn't right. He had to do something about this before something happened to her. Something bad. He hated having to leave her, especially if it was over her.

She was just a doctor to his doctor and his old classmate.

He also saw the message for the school group they are having a reunion he is planning to go to but that reunion also mentioned bringing a date he thought that he would ask Hinata for a dateadatehe won't say no right?

He texted Hinata asking her to come to his house to check on Kei since she is not eating her meals again. He tried his message to her hoping she would reply fast

. But the phone rang several times before Hinata answered

"Hello"

"Hinata" he sighed relieved.

"Oh hello Sasuke, sorry that I didn't pick it up last time, how is Kei? "

"She can't eat properly again"

he stated.

"Oh" her voice was filled with concern.

"Can I ask you something? " he began hesitantly.

"Shoot." she sounded tired, probably because she had just finished her shift.

"Have you ever… seen my daughter as a daughter?"

There was silence, then she responded

"Kei is an adorable child I will come by and check on her later"

He smiled, glad that she was willing to take care of Kei

. He wished that they could have spent more time together and he missed having her around him all the time.

...

"Kei you should eat your food" Hinata scolded the little girl in a soft tone.

"Why didn't you visit me in these 4 days? Did Daddy not let you? "She looked at Sasuke and he averted his gaze from the little girl. He knew that she would get upset if he would answer her question that way.

"Kei, honey, I haven't been very well lately. It'

"Are you getting sick? I don't want Miss Hinata to leave me as my mother did..." she started crying in a small voice. Sasuke felt the urge to comfort her and wipe her tears.

"I am alright, I promise Kei," Hinata assured her."You're dad needs some time alone for a while and I am his friend I'll make sure everything will be fine".

"how about we play a girl while we eat food?" Hinata asked with a cheerful smile.

After lunch, she took them outside to play and they ran around playing tag together and playing catch. They went into the park to sit on one of the benches. Kei seemed to be enjoying the time with Hinata, although she did occasionally complain. Sasuke couldn't blame her.

"Kei is asleep" Hinata answered as she picked up the young girl in her arms.

He nodded, he was a bit surprised the girl fell asleep during playtime.

Hinata laid Kei down on a blanket. She grabbed another blanket and tucked her gently in it. She looked so peaceful lying down she reminded Sasuke of a tiny kitten, except smaller.

"Hyuga I am sorry that you got up in this mess" he poured himself a black coffee from the thermos. Hinata gave him one of her smiles that always melted his heart.

"oh Sasuke, I told you that I would help you when I was able, even if it meant dealing with a stubborn toddler," she giggled.

"yeah understand Kei got that stubbornness from her grandfather it runs in our family"

They sat in silence for a moment as Sasuke continued his coffee while Hinata took a bite of the sweet chocolate muffin. The sky was starting to turn red, and the clouds were turning pink and orange.

"You look cute together like this," Hinata smiled. Sasuke choked on his coffee.

"what? "

"you as a father I never thought that meant Uchiha sasuke will turn into a sweet father for his daughter"

"It's called growing up, '' he scoffed.

"Yeah, I guess so but it makes sense seeing that you are raising a beautiful little girl," she said. He blushed slightly at the compliment and drank the rest of the coffee.

"I'll come back soon okay?" Hinata stood up.

Sasuke walked her to the door, where she paused.

"I wanted to ask you something?" he spoke softly, trying to sound casual.

Hinata tilted her head and raised an eyebrow.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll always listen" She smiled at him, it made him wonder how she does that. His heart clenched a little. He didn't deserve any kindness from her.

"yes?"

"Well the school reunion is coming, they have also mentioned you can bring your date" he scratched the back of his head.

She looked at him with a small smile "Yes please complete what are you trying to say"

"Would you like to go out with me to that reunion?"

"Like a date?" she asked.

"yeah if only you want"

He felt embarrassed and nervous.

"I would love to, thank you" she smiled.

A blush spread on his cheeks.

"Goodbye Sasuke, have a good day."

And with that, she stepped out of the front porch

The moonlight fell onto him. He felt beautiful when he saw her fading into the darkness of night.

And he smiled at her fading figure.