Sarada felt really happy. She finally had her whole family with her, even if it would be more difficult for Sasuke to introduce her to his own parents it didn't matter. All she needed were her own.

Unfortunately, things weren't as simple as Sarada thought.

"Mama, I'm really sorry. Papa explained everything to me." The little sharkling swam up hugging her mother, she didn't know how hurt Sakura had been in the past and Sarada will do her best to be more understanding.

"Sarada…" Sakura looked up at Sasuke unsurely. Sarada was still too young to understand fully about them, maybe in the future, they can have a more serious discussion.

"I apologise too, you had every right to know who your father is. It's that it was…" Too complicated, and hurtful, she's glad and grateful Sasuke wants to be in their daughter's life. It's just hard to trust him.

"I know, it was really hard. And Papa said you have every right to hate and be mad at him and I do too."

"But now I know who my Papa is so I can spend time with both you and him. I want to spend some time here with Papa right now. Is that okay?" Sarada's eyes were full of hope and excitement. Something she couldn't take away from her daughter.

"I see…" So he really was taking her away. Of course, Sarada would want to spend more time with him… more time with them. It's only natural yet why did it feel like someone stuck a claw through her chest?

"Mama?"

"Maybe another time Sarada," Sasuke spoke out, it was far too soon to make such decisions.

"But I want to spend time with you now!" Sarada pouted. "Please Mama I promise to be good."

"It's too dangerous for you to be here." What if she got lost and one of the sharks found her, even if Sarada did look like a shark her scent says otherwise. One little drop of blood, that's all it took. And then the mersharks would know about them.

Surely Sasuke would agree.

"I'll take care of her."

Then again maybe not, he seemed so sure of himself too.

"Can you?" Sakura's arms instinctively clutched Sarada hugging her tighter, Sakura couldn't risk losing her precious baby.

"It's not that I doubt you can, but Sarada is… adventurous." The little sharkling looks as though she was about to protest but Sasuke scoffed amused. "Wonder who she gets that from." He muttered audible enough for Sakura to hear, she coughed and looked away.

"The point being… if you take your eyes off her for one second anything could happen. You know it's not safe." What wasn't he getting? Surely, he himself knew the risks of allowing Sarada to stay.

"Mama, I'll behave. I promise, pleeeeeease." Sarada begged.

"Sa-"

"And are you planning to keep her cooped up? One day she's going to outgrow everyone and then what? That's when she'll be able to live with me and have no idea how to hunt and defend herself? It's best she does it now when she's still young, otherwise, she's defenceless."

"Don't talk like you know what's best for her, you're the one who pushed me away. Pushed us out of your lives, we could have talked and agreed on something but it's too late for that now!" The words came flying out as if he knew what it was like raising a sharkling by himself constantly bombarded with questions as to why the other parent wanted nothing to do with them.

Why did he get to make the rules now?

Sarada looked back and forth between the two parents arguing hating it. This wasn't how everything was meant to be, especially seeing the hurt and regret on her Papa's face. Perhaps Sarada can explain what happened.

"But Mama, Papa said he lov-" Her mouth was covered by Sasuke's claw as he tugged her away.

"It's not my place to say, your right. But I promise I won't let anything happen to our daughter." Sarada gave a sideway glare pouting at the shark, why were adults so complicated? If Papa was honest and explained his feelings and how he wanted to protect them, surely everything could go back to normal right?

Sakura looked at the two suspiciously for a moment before reluctantly giving in. This was a losing game.

"Fine, but listen if anything goes wrong. Swim straight back to me, do you understand." If Sarada did get into trouble and knowing her daughter would most likely be the case. If she swam back home she'll be safe.

"I'll let you stay with him tonight, but only for tonight okay? You come back first thing in the morning and then... maybe we can arrange something."

Baby steps, it'll have to do for now right?

The sharkling nodded because for whatever reason Sasuke didn't trust her speaking. They were already having secrets between them?

"Yes, Mama!" Sarada spoke finally breaking hold from Papa. "I'll be safe."

"We should get going," Sasuke said swimming away.

"Right now?"

"Yes."

"But-"

"Mama, I'll make it up to you when I get back," Sarada beamed up at her, since when had she become so mature?

Sarada waved bye to Sakura and the mermaid felt her heart clench.

It's just for today right? But of course, it would happen more regularly. Something Sakura wasn't ready for. And what if Sasuke can't keep an eye on her? Too many thoughts were going through her mind.

Please be safe Sarada.


"Papa you liar!"

"What did I tell you?"

"But Mama deserves to know the truth."

"Sarada, this is grown-up's business and I told you before she's not going to forgive me right away."

"Mama won't forgive you at all if you don't tell her anything." Who would think having a sharkling would be so difficult?

"Sarada-"

"You are not setting a good example to me, Papa. Don't blame me if Mama finds another shark." And with that Sarada swam ahead of him. Unbelievable.

"Don't go too far."


"Are you really okay with this?" Ino comforted her friend patting her on the back as the two were sitting on a 'table' (rock) discussing the matter.

"No, of course not. But I can't do anything about it. Sasuke's right, I can't keep Sarada here. When she grows up she'll be too big to stay here and then what? I haven't thought that far ahead about what will happen."

"I always assumed the two of us will go and live by ourselves somewhere, away from everyone and everything but..."

"But you're worried that Sasuke is taking her away?"

Pretty much.

"Am I being selfish?"

"Don't be ridiculous, it's natural. You raised her and it's not like Sasuke made things any easier. But you have to understand Sarada's perspective. She's only a baby and finally gets to spend time with her own Papa, not to mention being around other sharks. She's bound to be excited."

"Once she's older though, she'll understand." Sakura gave out a half smile, thankful for the blonde's reassurance. Ino always did know what to say.

There was still one thing unsettling her.

"That's not it though, Sarada is part mermaid. Will it really be safe?"

"You don't think Sasuke can take care of her."

"I know he can, I can see how much he adores Sarada. It's only one slip-up, one mistake... I can't let that happen." Ino frowned, Sakura made a good point. Who knows how many mersharks would try to get in between, especially considering now Sasuke was the fiercest of them all.

If they couldn't beat him physically, then they could get to him with his daughter who was still young. However, as her best friend, Ino couldn't think of those thoughts and had to be reassuring.

"She knows to swim here, I'm sure she'll be fine. Sarada is a lot like you and did you not always visit Sasuke?" The blush that overtook the mermaid made her giggle.

"Now let's get some drink down you, your child free tonight. You should be celebrating." Despite not liking or having a bad impression of the Uchiha. Ino knew he could be trusted to look after their daughter.

They had to have faith in him. And if not, she will gladly have words with him herself should anything happen to her beloved goddaughter.


Boruto and Mitsuki were swimming by until little Boruto noticed the big mershark.

"Hey isn't that Uncle Sasuke?" They swam closer to get a better look. It was only until then they saw another sharkling crouching. "Oooh, I didn't know Uncle Sasuke had a daughter. Why didn't he say anything?"

"Maybe it's a secret?" Mitsuki shrugged.

They watched Sarada hiding from the fish and then pounced ready to attack however when it turned to look at her she froze and went crying to Sasuke hugging him.

"Uwaaaa Papa, the fish gave me a 'please don't eat me' look. I couldn't do it." Sasuke sighed petting Sarada's head.

"Are we sure she's his daughter? I thought Uchihas were known to be vicious." Mitsuki whispered.

"Well, she called him Papa so he must be. Maybe it's her first time." The two sweatdropped, everything seemed so abnormal.

Especially with how soft and calm Sasuke was. And is he smiling? Uncle Sasuke never smiled.

"Your the one who insisted on learning to hunt," Sasuke figured it would be too much for her but Sarada kept on begging saying she could do it. This was now the fifth fish she had failed to catch. Not that it mattered.

"Sorry, Papa." Sarada sniffed.

"It's fine, I'll catch us something. But you need to stay hidden so no one else finds you... perhaps close your eyes too." Sarada nodded returning to her hiding spot.

"We should say hi!"

"I don't think that's a good idea Boruto."

"Why not?"

"Did you not hear Uchiha-san, no one is supposed to know about her. Including us."

"Why?"

"I'm sure he has his reasons, maybe this is one of them. If she's not good at hunting she'll be easy prey for other mersharks."

"Ooooh." That made sense. Still, Uncle Sasuke should know he can trust them but maybe there were other reasons. "I'm getting hungry myself, I wonder if Dad caught us anything."

Maybe they can be friends in the future.


Poor Sarada is trying