Chapter Text
Sasuke is genuinely surprised when Sarada greets him a bubbly 'Happy Cat Day Papa!' when he returns home. There, on top of her head is a pair of black cat ears to match her welcome. Though taken aback by his daughter’s strange but adorable getup, he can't help but respond with a smile.
It reminds him of that one Genin mission where they infiltrated a cat village just to steal Nekomata's paw print, and he recalls how hellbent he was back then, despite the mission lying on the C-rank department. Uchiha pride. Tch.
Shaking off the memory, he decides that this celebration is still uncalled for. He wonders if Naruto has run out of holidays to celebrate in Konoha and thinks about having a word with Shikamaru about this ridiculous occasion.
However, his thoughts instantly vanish when another figure enters their living room.
Nothing prepares him when the Uchiha matriarch emerges from the hallway, a fluffy pair of white cat ears decorating her head.
"Sarada -" Their eyes meet. And instantly, her cheeks redden. "A-anata?" She squeaks.
Frozen in place, Sakura forgets all the practicing she did moments ago at the sight of her husband.
Sarada urges her to say something but when Sasuke only continues to stare, the intensity breaking her tact as her heart thumps in both embarrassment and anticipation, her next words become a stutter.
"Sasuke-kun, I -" she tries her best to hold his gaze, but her shyness gets the best of her so she pauses. It's so hard to gauge his expression, she thinks worriedly. He seems stunned at the very least, however she isn't sure whether it's good or bad to catch him off guard especially in this getup.
"Uhm...” She looks at Sarada who then mouths cheerfully 'Say it, Mama!'
With a lick of her lips, Sakura musters a bit of confidence and finally says, "Happy Cat Day, Anata!" Her hand mimicking a cat’s paw and her smile, full and radiant.
Sasuke inhales sharply, as if struck straight into his chest by his wife’s cuteness. Actually, he is. There’s a moment of silence before the head of the family finally speaks.
“Sarada - “
But the Uchiha heiress snickers, cutting him off and then adjusts her glasses that glinted a hint of mischief. This is exactly what she hoped for. Her Mama may not have noticed it but she’ll learn soon enough!
“I know.” She replies cheekily, making way to the opposite side, down to her own quarters. Of course her father would like to have a moment with her dazzling mom!
As soon as their daughter’s bedroom door shuts, Sakura immediately breaks the awkward pause between them with a flustered noise and her hands splayed across her beet red face as a huge wave of embarrassment seizes her.
She’s growing anxious because up till now, he hasn’t said anything and she fears he doesn’t find it endearing.
However, she is startled when something warm slides around her wrist, and gently pries off her hands from her face. Stuck in her distraught musings, she doesn’t notice that her husband is now standing before her.
“Sasuke-kun?”
Her emerald orbs are glazed with worry when he finally takes a good look at her, while still refusing to meet his own. And he knows he needs to act fast before the occasion becomes tearful. Softly, he murmurs. “Look at me.”
With his lips curled in a coy smile, and his mismatched eyes gleaming with affection, Sakura swears her heart skipped a beat. Even after all these years, this man can still make her knees weak and her insides melt with sheer closeness.
Her cat ears, he admits, stunned him. But what she doesn’t know, the moment she greets him with a full blown smile and cat mimicry has left him dumbfounded that everything seems to slow down for him and becomes alarmed that he might have accidentally triggered his Rinnegan.
Yet all he could do is bask in her charming appearance while desperately keeping his cool in front of his daughter. Unfortunately, she sees right through him.
But what can he do? His wife is breathtakingly adorable.
His gloved hand cups her cheek. “You look stunning.”
Maybe this isn’t a ridiculous celebration after all.
He watches her cheeks adore a pinkish hue and her emerald orbs shine with delight. Resisting the urge to chuckle, he revels at the way she glows with his favorite smile of hers, the one that never fails to conquer his entire being with her tender warmth.
“R-really?” She whispers, bashful.
“Aa.” He grunts, inching closer until their noses touch. “You charmed me, kitten .”
bonus
“Say Nya.”
“Eh?”
Sasuke’s gaze only intensifies and Sakura feels the pressure of his demand. With a tilt of her head and her fist mimicking a cat’s paw, she peeps a cute ‘Nya!’
Suddenly, he grabs her arm.
“Where - “
“Bedroom.” His Sharingan flares. “Now.”