The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of the Uchiha home, casting a gentle warmth over the quiet kitchen. Sakura sat at the table, a steaming pot of tea between her and Sasuke, while Sarada played contentedly on her lap. The faint sound of her cooing was the only noise in the room, a rare calm that they both welcomed.

Sasuke sat across from Sakura, his single hand resting on the table as he sipped from his cup. His expression was unreadable, as it often was, but there was an ease in his posture, a comfort that came from these rare mornings at home. The weight of his travels, of his past, seemed to lift slightly in these quiet moments.

Sakura set her cup down, watching as Sarada's small hands reached for the chopsticks near the bowl of rice. "She's getting more curious every day," Sakura said, her tone casual but fond, as Sarada's fingers brushed the wooden utensils.

Sasuke glanced at his daughter, the briefest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She's always watching," he replied, his voice steady. He didn't often speak much during these mornings, but when he did, his words carried a weight that Sakura had long since grown to appreciate.

"She'll figure things out quickly," Sakura remarked, gently shifting Sarada's attention to the soft toy on the table. "Just like you."

Sasuke's gaze met hers for a moment, thoughtful but without the need for flattery or unnecessary words. There was a mutual understanding between them, built over years of shared experiences, both the painful and the ordinary. They didn't need grand declarations anymore.

Sarada babbled, her tiny voice breaking through the silence, as she reached out toward her father. Sasuke placed his cup down, moving his hand to her without hesitation. Despite the limitations of one arm, there was no awkwardness in his movements. He had adapted to fatherhood the same way he had adapted to everything else in life practically, without complaint, but with quiet commitment.

Sakura watched as Sasuke lifted Sarada slightly, adjusting her in his lap. There was something about the way he held her, his touch both firm and gentle, that told Sakura everything she needed to know. It wasn't about sentimentality; it was about responsibility, about being present in the way only he could be. She admired that in him.

"Not much of a morning person, are you?" she asked lightly, offering a small smile as she poured more tea into his cup.

Sasuke gave a small shrug, his eyes still on Sarada. "Depends on the morning."

Sakura leaned back slightly, watching her husband and daughter with a quiet contentment. These mornings were far from common, but that made them all the more meaningful. The simplicity of it, just sitting here, together, without the need to be anywhere or do anything was something she valued.

"She'll be walking soon," Sakura said after a moment, her voice soft but certain. "And then everything's going to change."

Sasuke's gaze shifted to her, his expression calm but with a hint of amusement. "It's already changing."

Sakura nodded, her smile deepening as she picked up a piece of rice with her chopsticks. "It is."

For a few minutes, they ate in comfortable silence, the kind that came from years of knowing each other's rhythms. Sarada, now content in Sasuke's lap, reached for his cloak, her tiny hands gripping the fabric with curiosity.

Sakura glanced up, watching as Sasuke let her tug on the material, his attention unwavering. "You're a good father," she said quietly, not as a compliment but as a simple truth.

Sasuke didn't react immediately, his eyes still on Sarada. After a beat, he looked at Sakura, his expression unchanged. "I'm trying."

Sakura smiled softly, appreciating the honesty in his answer. That was enough for her. They were both trying, both figuring out how to navigate this new chapter of their lives, and that was all they could ask of each other.

Outside, the village was beginning to stir with activity, but inside, their world remained still for just a little longer. Sasuke gently passed Sarada back to Sakura, his hand brushing hers briefly. It wasn't a grand gesture, but it didn't need to be. They had long since moved past needing more than these small, unspoken moments.

As Sarada began to settle back into her mother's arms, Sakura looked across the table at Sasuke. "We don't get many mornings like this," she said quietly.

Sasuke gave a small nod, his gaze steady. "We'll make them count."

Sakura met his eyes, feeling the weight of his words. She knew he meant it not just for her, but for Sarada, for the life they were building together. No matter what else came their way, these moments, however brief, were theirs to hold on to.

And that was enough.