Sakura woke up feeling slightly lightheaded. She could hear a familiar rustle on the other side of the bed. Knowing full well her daughter, she slowly opened her eyes to quietly observe Sarada. She took a glance at the clock only to frown when it was only a little past 6 in the morning.
She slowly sat up from the bed before smiling at her daughter. "Good morning, Sarada. Why are you up so early? Had any nightmares again?"
Sarada, who was sitting near the edge of the bed, unhurriedly turned around to face her mother. She was clutching her shirt anxiously and Sakura was sure her daughter was a second away from crying her heart's out. The five-year-old girl was trying to avoid her mother's eyes and was chewing her lip nervously.
Sakura was on her daughter's side in a heartbeat. "Honey, what's wrong? Did something happen? You know you can tell Mama everything." Sakura carefully cupped her daughter's face. And in an instant, Sarada had her face buried on her mother's chest, pouring her heart out.
"Sarada, you're scaring Mama. Are you hurt?" Sakura rubbed her daughter's back continuously as she tried to calm down the girl.
"P-Papa..Papa's gone."
"What? Sarada, was it a dream?" Sakura tried to ask her sobbing daughter once again, clearly not understanding what had made Sarada into a mess.
"No, he left us, Mama. I was thirsty, and I don't w-want to disturb you because you're sick. I went to Papa's room. But he's not there. I tried to look for him. But Papa's car is gone. Did he leave us? Did some bad guys take Papa? Did he not want us anymore, Mama?" Sarada looked up to her mother, asking for reassurance.
"Shhh.. Papa may have just gone for work, Sarada. Calm down."
"But his things are not there. Is it because you don't like Papa, Mama?"
"What? No, Sarada. It's not like that." Baffled, Sakura shook her head no.
"But why can't he just stay here with us?" Sarada insisted- fresh tears rolled down her chubby cheeks.
Sakura exhaled loudly before cupping her daughter's face. "We've talked about this, sweetheart. Your Papa loves you so much. He can never hate you, okay? Your grandpa and grandma miss Papa too, don't you think? I promise you we will call Papa later. Now, I will cook your pancakes, and you will take a shower. And then we will go to school."
"With strawberries and chocolate milk?"
"Yes." Sakura smiled slightly.
"And we will call Papa?" The little girl added.
"Yes, dear. I promise, okay? Sometimes, I wonder if you love your Papa more than you love me." Sakura teased knowingly.
"N-no, of course not Mama. I love you as much as I love Papa. I love you both so so so much this big." She made a wide hand gesture before giggling.
Sakura laughed lightly before kissing her daughter's forehead lightly. "And we love you as much."
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Sasuke was not dramatic nor emotional; he was always analytical, always thinking. So when he saw Sakura bringing that guy into her apartment and apparently his daughter knows him too well, suddenly he could not think. The next thing he knew, he was in his room, breathing heavily as he just slammed the door hard- he was pretty sure Sarada heard it.
He was furious. He and Sakura may not get along well for the past five years, but he had never felt so irritated, so displeased towards her. Sure, they had fought one too many, but this feeling had been foreign to him. If he could describe it in another way, he could say it was the same feeling when his father would give more attention to his older brother when they were young.
But he knew he had no right to act like this. He could not judge that dog guy on just one occasion. However, thinking about Sakura and Sarada spending more time with that guy than him irked him to no end. He was very uncomfortable just thinking about it.
He threw back his head on the bed staring at the ceiling for a few hours, trying to keep his head cool. And yet, his peace did not last when his phone rang. He slightly groaned when he saw the familiar name of his brother appear on the screen. He even contemplated whether to answer it or just completely ignore him. But, remembering his scoldings displeased him more, so he decided against it.
He sighed loudly before sitting up and answering his phone. "Hello?"
"My dear brother, I'm afraid you have to go back home as soon as possible." The voice from the other line was nothing but calm.
"What? Why?" Sasuke frowned slightly, clearly not liking where this conversation is headed.
"Father is fuming. Someone had seen you with Sakura and Sarada in school. They took pictures of you, and they were using it to blackmail us. It is better if you leave Sakura's apartment right away."
"Wh-what? How can I just leave after you told me that? They could be in danger. You know how it is with us." Sasuke had already stood up, pacing back and forth across his tiny room, thinking of his next move.
"Whoever was behind this was after money. He sent the pictures in the Uchiha mansion, threatening of selling it to the press if we do not give him what he wanted. Although I do not think he meant harm to Sakura or Sarada, I guess there is nothing to lose to act more cautiously."
The young Uchiha heir clicked his tongue in exasperation. Now, he had worsened the situation. "I guess you could blame me for this, Sasuke. I was the one who suggested you stay over there. I've already talked to Father, and he wanted you back in the office tomorrow." Itachi added.
"No, it's my fault for acting carelessly. I should have not gone there with either of them. Now, the only chance Sarada could get a normal childhood was thrown away." Sasuke paused for a while before continuing. "I'll go home in one condition."
"What is it? You know, Sasuke, you are in no position to demand anything at this point." Sasuke was sure his brother was shaking his head at him.
"I just wanted to make sure my daughter will be safe. Will you send some guards after her and Sakura? Whoever is behind this will surely return to seek them out."
"I understand your concern. And I promise you no harm will come to them."
"Then, expect me soon, Nii-san."
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"You should have known this day would come. I have warned you, Sasuke." A dangerous yet calm voice echoed in the entire vicinity of the Uchiha mansion.
Sasuke remained silent the entire time, sitting across from his father in the living room of their mansion. His older brother was beside him, and his mother sat quietly on the other side of the sofa. Pictures of him and Sarada, not once but of all the three times he had picked his daughter in school, scattered on the table.
"We have to find the culprit. We won't let him get away with this." Itachi suddenly piped in, trying to deviate the conversation to the more important one. "I understand, Father. Sasuke should have acted differently, but we've been dealing with these kinds of situations for the past years. And no one had taken responsibility for all of those. We should end this now, or these will only get worse."
"I am perfectly aware of that, Itachi. But your brother clearly is not." Their father had once again turned his attention to his youngest. Itachi exhaled deeply before massaging his temple, expecting an upcoming headache. Their father narrowed his eyes before continuing. "When will you grow up? You stormed out of our house, and now this? You lack discipline. You are disrespectful, so ungrateful, nothing but a whining child. I have no such son."
Mikoto, who was also silent the entire exchange, had suddenly stood up from her seat, interfering. "Fugaku! That is enough!"
"And you always defend him! That is the reason why he is rebelling! He does not listen to me!" Fugaku started to raise his voice as well.
Mikoto gasped in surprise, putting both of her hands in her chest as if depending it from a heartache. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked up to both of his parents, equally surprised at how things turned out. "Of course, I'll always, always be on his side. I am his mother, after all. And sometimes, I wonder if you feel the same." The Uchiha matriarch muttered in a low voice, her voice cracking in the process.
"Mikoto.." Fugaku had seemed calmed down a bit, but his anger did not ease up.
"I know. You only want the best for our sons. But don't you think this is too much for Sasuke? He is already a father as well. I am pretty sure he knows what he's doing." Mikoto pleaded.
"He does not. I actually thought that Sarada would change him. That he'll be more responsible, more mature. But it's nothing but wishful thinking. Mikoto, just stop making excuses for him." The Uchiha head pronounced in a more firm voice.
"Okay." Mikoto left the vicinity in a second.
"Mother.." Itachi called her out, but she was gone in a flash.
Fugaku was not phased enough. "You made this mess; you should learn how to clean it." He turned to Sasuke once more. "Tell me exactly what you intend to do now that you endangered your daughter."
"If you would keep on insisting to have Sarada bear our surname or force Sakura into marriage, I won't do any of that," Sasuke said in a while.
And if the elder Uchiha was not mad earlier, Itachi was sure he is now. "Are you hearing yourself, Sasuke?"
"I do not want Sarada to put through this kind of suppression. Until when do we have to confine with these trivial Uchiha traditions?" The youngest Uchiha raised his head to look at his father.
"Sasuke.." Itachi warned his younger brother.
Fugaku snorted in response. "Sometimes, I ask myself what did I do wrong for you to grow up like that."
It was like a bomb was dropped in his chest. His entire body felt rigid; he could not breathe. It was like he was being deprived of oxygen. He had always felt a disappointment in his father, but to hear it from his father himself was a huge blow in the face for Sasuke. He merely turned his head down once more as his father got up from his seat and left him to his thoughts.
Itachi was left powerless to do anything.
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Tsunade was whistling, taking her sweet time to visit each of her patients. And now that Sakura, her favorite and yet most stubborn apprentice, was not present, she got her hands full. Not that she was complaining, but things were easier with the young medic around.
Children were Sakura's forte, after all. And every time those kids ask where her apprentice is, Tsunade would often come up with lame excuses. Most of the time, they don't get fooled. The head medic sighed in relief after making sure everyone was fine. Well, except for one.
As she opened her door to her office, she was equally surprised and furious to see the familiar pink-haired doctor sitting comfortably on the sofa. "Sakura!" She shouted, much to the shock of the other patients nearby.
Sakura squeaked in response. "N-no, Dr. Tsunade, p-please let me explain. I'm not working, see? I did not even bring my coat." She stuttered nervously.
"Then what are you doing here?" Tsunade closed the door to her office and hung her coat nearby. She even crossed her arms, looking at her poor apprentice, waiting for her explanation.
"It's about Sarada." She paused for a while, looking at the head medic. Concerned, Tsunade nodded, asking for her to continue. "I-I think what she experienced when I collapsed in our apartment..it truly affected her. She was..like always afraid something might happen to me and even to Sasuke. She was more emotional in the past few days. I-I don't know how to assure her."
"That's perfectly normal- for her to feel that way, that is. What she saw was really traumatic." Tsunade explained, sitting across her apprentice.
"She basically became hysterical when Sasuke left earlier. She was terrified. She perfectly knew our situation, and she was fine with that before, but now, it was like she wanted to see for her own eyes where we are. A second we were out of her sight, she panics." Sakura explained further. "She had been demanding for Sasuke to stay with us more, asking for her father more often." She added.
"It was like what you said; your daughter is afraid. She is still scared something might happen to you again. Remind me again who saved you and brought you here to the hospital? It was her father. Having Sasuke nearby is like her assurance. That everything will be fine as long as he is there with the both of you." Tsunade interpreted.
"But you know, we can't do that. And just this morning, he left without a word. Not even a trace of him can be seen in our house."
"No wonder Sarada reacted like that." Tsunade frowned. "Sarada is wise, but she's still a child. And as her parents, you need to think about what is best for her. You have to talk to Sasuke about this. You know that, right? I am sure he will understand."
"I do, but..I am not entirely sure if this the best. We do not get along at all. I am scared that having Sasuke with us..will do more damage than good for Sarada. I do not want her to grow up with her parents fighting all the time." Sakura voiced out her worries.
The blonde medic frowned. "Any parent will do anything in her power to make sure his child is perfectly well. Learn to compromise with him; he may be a brat, but he is still the father of your child. Nothing can change that." Tsunade let out a deep breathe when Sakura merely looked at her in confusion. "My dear Sakura, I am not also sure what to do, but maybe visiting a therapist will help. Also, why not take Sarada on a vacation? Come to think of it- the school year will be ending soon."
"Yeah, you're right. I guess I have to talk to Sasuke."
"Good. You can even extend your leave." Tsunade now smiled.
Sakura smiled back. "I know. I'll think about it. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
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Kiba had never thought he would end up as a doctor. Growing up, he had always played soccer and thought of it as his goal even after college. But of course, things do not always go your way. His parents, like others, disapprove of him playing. They thought of it as nothing but a hobby- that nothing good will come out of it.
He never really had concrete plans; he just tried to pass all of his exams, joggled from his classes to soccer practice until he graduated high school. His father had been strict; he wanted him to take after him. And so he did.
Being a doctor was not his dream at first, and sometimes when he watches soccer on the television, he regrets. However, seeing his patients smile, their families thanking him endlessly was priceless. He got a stable job; he got everything he wanted, so he got nothing to complain about. Well, except for the woman he had been taken an interest in for the past few years.
As he saw a glimpse of pink hair, he immediately abandoned his earlier plan for an early lunch. He followed her as she made her way through the main entrance and held her in the arm before she could completely step out of the hospital.
"Kiba, hey!" She smiled widely as she turned around to face him.
He smiled sheepishly. "Hey, I thought you were supposed to be in a strict bed-rest." He teased her.
"Oh, come on, stop being dramatic. I am a doctor myself. I know my body more than anyone." Sakura retorted.
"And that is why we are called the worst patients." Kiba smiled once again.
Sakura rolled her eyes, and yet, Kiba still finds it adorable of her. "Never mind that, I don't want to disturb you; I just wanted to talk about Tsunade-sama about something. I better head home and cook lunch. And just like you said, I should rest."
"Oh, perfect timing, I was getting lunch myself. Come on, my treat." He offered, smiling once again.
"That is tempting, but.." She hesitated.
"Just come. Let's go to your favorite restaurant nearby, shall we?" He persuaded once more, and he knew he won when she nodded and beamed at him.
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Sasuke drove his way to the hospital, expecting the mother of his child to be there. He got a few missed calls from her early in the morning- probably it was Sarada asking for him. He went back to Sakura's apartment earlier and was surprised to find it empty.
And now she was not picking up, how annoying. That woman is really getting on his nerves lately.
He needed to talk to her soon. They should move as soon as possible. The paparazzi are everywhere- he was even afraid they already know their whereabouts. Sasuke was proven right as he saw the familiar red car parked right in front of the main entrance.
He was about to park nearby when he saw a flash of pink in his peripheral vision. He stepped on the breaks as he looked back only to see Sakura get in a black SUV with that dog guy again, laughing at some lame joke. His mood had instantly turned worse.
He decided to wait until the car took off and followed it. As he was driving, he dialed her number once again. But he was surprised to have her answer on the first few rings. "Where are you?" He questioned in a low voice.
He heard her snort on the other line. "Where were you? Sarada has been asking for you since early in the morning."
"We need to talk now. Where are you?" Sasuke ignored her rambling, glaring at the car in front of him.
Sasuke was sure she was rolling her eyes at him. "Out. Do not call me again for the next two hours." She ended the call much to Sasuke's frustration.
If she thought she would just get her way, she was clearly mistaken. Sasuke continued to follow them as they stopped right in front of a dango restaurant. He made sure to pull over a couple of blocks away as he observed the two.
He sent a quick message to the annoying woman before glaring at his phone.
Sakura, this is urgent. I have no time playing games with you.
And as expected, he got no response, so he tried to call her for the next hour until she picked up.
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"Ughhh. I swear, I'll murder him." Sakura let out a frustrated growl as she finally decided to take Sasuke's call. "I'm sorry, this will not take long. I'll just go out in a little while."
Kiba smiled reassuringly. As he watched her leaving the restaurant, he could not help but feel down.
When he first saw Sakura, he was instantly captivated by her beauty. She was stunning-with her pink, silky locks to her emerald eyes with long eyelashes to her full equally pink lips. It was his first day at Konoha Hospital, and Tsunade-sama was introducing him to the other doctors and nurses, but as Sakura smiled at him, all words of the Head medic faded down.
So when he heard from Ino she already has a one-year-old daughter, he was surprised. He was sure he already stood no chance, but then, later on, he learned she was not married yet. He tried to get closer to her- many of the young doctors tried to as well. But she had turned down each one of them.
And yes, including him.
He got to meet Sarada, and she was a bright kid. She was beyond amazing for her age. And she loves Akamaru, his pet dog since he was fourteen. Kiba never met her father, not until the night Sakura passed out. At first, he thought of Sarada's father as nothing but Sakura's past, that he was nothing but a father to Sarada.
But he was wrong.
It was Sasuke Uchiha, the youngest CEO of the famous Uchiha Enterprises. Anyone would know him. So when he saw that man carrying Sakura in the hallways with little Sarada clutching him, he connected the dots right away. And he was proven right when the young girl called out for her Papa.
That guy was trying to calm his child, but he could see he was not doing well either. He was out of breath; his eyes were everywhere. And as Sarada slept, he paced back and forth in the waiting area muttering the word idiot repeatedly.
He could recall his older brother, Itachi, trying to calm him down.
"Sasuke, nothing will happen if you continue to walk nonstop."
"Tch, she's annoying. And an idiot."
He never really knew what exactly is their relationship up until now. But, judging from their conversations, they were not on good terms. And yet, why does he feel like he still stood no chance at her heart.
That was when he made a new resolve. He got up from his seat and followed her out. She was obviously upset. She turned around, and the frown on her lips straightened out as she saw him.
"Kiba, I'm really sorry about that." She tried to apologize. "I have to go. It-it's an emergency. I promise I'll make up to you."
But it turned out, Kiba did not smile like the usual. "No, you are not forgiven." He stated flatly.
"Eh? Uh-Kiba.." Sakura, stupefied, had her mouth opening and closing, trying to find the right words.
"Unless.."
"Unless?" Sakura echoed, uncertain.
"Let's go on a date. This weekend." Kiba looked at her seriously.
Sakura had her eyes widen a bit before her expression fell, looking away from him. "Kiba.." she started, looking at him apologetically once again.
"No, don't give me that. I know you tried to turn me down in the past. But that was before, Sarada has grown up." Kiba did not flail and continued. "You know I've been serious about you this whole time. I never thought of giving up. And Sarada and I..we even get along. Just one date, Sakura."
Sakura, in response, hesitated. Her eyes were trying to avoid his. She really hated doing this. She knew, of course, how Kiba is feeling towards her; she is not dumb. But..she is entirely clueless about this stuff. She never really experienced going on dates, let alone have a boyfriend. Sasuke does not count.
What they had is out of the ordinary. But never mind that. She looked at the young surgeon, hesitating once again.
"Please, Sakura." Kiba continued to press on. "Just one date, and if you don't really see me that way. I will completely stop."
"Okay."
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Sasuke impatiently clicked his tongue as he saw Sakura talk to the dog guy. What was taking her so long? Did he not tell her the situation? He was contemplating whether to get out of the car and drag her away or simply call her again and yell at her.
Of course, he settled for the latter.
He could see her expression turned sour as she peered at her phone. She looked up to the other side of the road and glared at him. The dog guy followed her line of vision, and Sasuke glowered at him as well.
The pink-haired woman tried to breathe out as she faced Kiba and say her goodbyes. Whether she was doing it on purpose or not, she even hugged the guy before crossing the street and waving at him. His eyes did not leave the other man as he continued to glower on his way.
Sakura opened the other side of the car and put on her seatbelt as she settled to cross her arms childishly. Sasuke, in return, eyed her sideways. "Took you long enough. Your date must be much more important than your daughter's safety."
He took off as the pink-haired woman settled to let out a huff of frustration his way. "It's none of your business, anyway." She kept her eyes on the road and tried to process the information she received from Sasuke earlier. A few minutes of silence settled in as Sasuke continued to drive to an unknown destination.
If what he had said is true, things could get ugly. They need to think of a plan and fast.
"What should we do, Sasuke?" Her voice was now back to normal. She turned sideways to look at him. This was what she was mostly afraid of-Sarada being exposed to the outside world. Both she and Sasuke had been trying to give her a normal childhood; they've been doing it for the last five years.
And suddenly, they could not just hide her anymore.
Sasuke, on the other hand, was back to his calm and calculating demeanor. His eyes were set on the road ahead of him. "I'm thinking of you and Sarada moving to Osaka."
Before Sakura could react, Sasuke looked at her sideways. "Temporarily that is." He added.
"Did you not hear me? Sarada has become overly emotional in the past few days. We can't afford to put her into more stress. Leaving suddenly like this..I don't know." Sakura gazed down, defeated.
"Or we could face them head-on. Reveal Sarada's identity. But know this, you are not safe there anymore. You have to move." Sasuke paused after seeing Sakura's worried expression. "Until we find the culprit, Itachi will send bodyguards your way."
"If you think that is necessary, fine." She replied resignedly.
"I do not want her to go through the same thing as I did. Not until my family changes their ways, Sarada should remain fatherless in the eyes of many. If my great uncle Madara finds out about her, you know what will happen, Sakura." Sasuke explained, his voice sounded worried for the first time in a while.
The young medic nodded.
Sasuke continued. "It's either you will not see Sarada again. Or I'll be forced to make a decision I don't know I can make."
Sakura shook her head in response. "Sasuke, no, you said it yourself, your great uncle has left Japan for years."
"And we don't know when he will be back. Everyone is afraid of him. Even my father. That is the only reason why we keep on upholding the family's traditions." The Uchiha heir eyed her once more before continuing.
"I'll be exiled in the Uchiha." Or I could marry you
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A/N: Phew! A little late for Sakura's birthday, but right on time for our little Sarada-chan's! Have a nice day ahead, everyone.
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