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It's been a few days since Sarada was born and Sasuke still felt everything was surreal.
He truly was a father now. It was hard to believe the first time they found out that Sakura was pregnant, it was still hard to believe now that he's watching Sakura
breastfeed their child.
He's watching his little family. His wife and daughter.
They're really parents now, and they have such a beautiful baby. But that should probably be a given to him as Sakura is the mother of his child.
Sasuke watched as their baby gradually dozed off, her little mouth slowly stopped, and her hand finally went limp. He didn't notice he had been smiling all along.
Sakura then moved to unlatch her mouth from her breast. Sasuke helped her cover herself as she carefully placed the babe in the bed.
Sasuke thought he'd probably never stop being amazed by his wife. From being the strongest kunoichi in Konoha, probably in the world, to being the top medic nin, definitely in the world, and now to being a loving mother. The fact that she grew their offspring inside her, and now continues to nurture her
using her own body—it won't stop fascinating him. It was short of a miracle.
His life now was a miracle. He never really thought he'd be here, still alive, with Sakura and now with the product of their love, Sarada. It was all so surreal.
He was so deep in thought that it was only then that he noticed there was something off with Sakura. She was smiling as she caress Sarada's back, while humming a little. But her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes.
Sasuke frowned, thinking about what it could be. Was she perhaps tired? She had barely been able to sleep the past few days. Is she hungry? Maybe her body is still sore from giving birth? Maybe it's everything. He mentally scolded himself. He should take care of his wife better.
"Sakura, you can sleep for a while." He tells her. "I can take care of Sarada for a few hours."
But Sakura looked at her in surprise.
"Huh? I'm fine, Sasuke-kun. I was able to get a whole night's rest last night since you took care of her. I think you're the one who should be catching up on some sleep." She tells him.
She was smiling, but it still didn't reach her eyes.
"What's wrong, then?" Sasuke decided to ask.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Something is." Sasuke insisted. "What's on your mind right now?" He asked, frowning.
Is there something he had done? Is she disappointed about something? He can't figure out what's wrong. Maybe it's what they say about some women feeling depressed after giving birth? He doesn't know but he would like to, so he can help her.
Sakura sighs, and Sasuke feels relieved because that's one of her tells that she was finally willing to share.
"I... There's really nothing wrong. You've taken really good care of me and Sarada these past few days—these past few months, actually. But, I just... I hope you're not too disappointed about Sarada being a girl. I know you wanted to revive your clan and I—we can probably have another one in the following years. Hopefully it'll be a boy n—"
"Sakura." Sasuke cuts her off, feeling completely confused. "What are you talking about?"
Sakura looks at him and blushes. "Oh, I just. I mean, I know how important it is to you to revive the clan."
Sasuke sighs. "Sakura, I don't care about whether we have a daughter or a son. I don't care if we'd have more or if we only have Sarada." Sasuke tries to explain calmly. "What I care about is that you and our child—or future children, if we have more, will be healthy and happy. When I say I want to revive the clan, I just meant that I want to bring back its honor. You know this."
Sakura was looking down at Sarada now, obviously avoiding Sasuke's gaze.
She just nodded, but Sasuke noticed there were tears gathering in her eyes.
"Sakura, what brought this on?" He asks her gently, moving to sit beside her.
Sakura leaned in to him as soon as he was in her space, and Sasuke placed his lone arm around her.
"Sorry, I was just—I guess my emotions are just all over right now. And you know about my parents..." She said, breathing deeply. Sasuke knew she was trying not to cry.
He frowned at what she said. He does know. Before he became comfortable sharing things about his family beyond what he knew she should know—the massacre, Itachi's real goal, and everything that pushed him to the decisions he had made when he was younger; before he could share about who his family really was, about the memories he remembered of his family, Sakura had started sharing about her family life.
He knew all about both her parents not being in ninja clans. They were both from civilian families, and had wanted to start their own ninja clan.
She had told him about her mother having her late in life because both her and her father couldn't really afford to raise children while being active genins, as well as not having a lot of savings since they only were lower ranked ninjas.
And when they were able to finally have
her, they were disappointed because she was a girl, and couldn't carry on the clan name, as they would say. They couldn't afford another baby since her mother was already quite old, and they were already caring for one.
They obviously weren't subtle about it either since Sakura had known since she was young. And he had remembered when she noticed her being very insecure as a kid, and getting bullied. And even when she was bullied, she didn't seem to have anyone to depend on until Yamanaka befriended her. Her parents had definitely neglected her.
He had gotten angry on her behalf then, but she tried to reassure him that they did love her, but it was just conditional.
Sasuke thought that was bullshit. But he didn't try to argue anymore since it looked like that's what Sakura wanted to believe.
He wasn't surprised then why she had started living on her own as soon as Tsunade
took her in as a student, and even now, she barely had contact with them. He only ever met them once before they traveled together, and just to tell them he had intentions to marry their daughter. Sakura didn't know about this meeting, as he still hadn't asked her then. But if she knew, he knew she'd probably say it wasn't needed. But Sasuke's own family traditions won't let him skip that part.
Sasuke pulled Sakura closer to him.
"We won't be like them." He tells her. "Sarada will always know we love her and we're proud of her. I'm sure you'll shower her with love, the way you've done to everyone you love. And I don't care about whether she can carry the Uchiha name or not, even whether she'd become a ninja or not. She herself is already the symbol that Uchiha's honor is back. Because she's your daughter."
Sakura hid her face in his chest, and Sasuke knew she was letting out the tears. He just let her, rubbing her back in an effort to soothe her. He hated that he never knew this before. He hated that he had judged her when she told her she was envious of Naruto not having anyone to having anyone to scold him. He knows how it feels when you feel like a parent had impossible expectations from you, but at the same time, didn't expect much from you.
But he knew Sakura wouldn't be like that to Sarada. He knew Sarada is very lucky to be able to have a parent like Sakura. So he just needed to make her realize that. She was a wonderful person. A blessing to anyone who'd met her. An unparalleled kunoichi, an amazing teammate and friend, an irreplaceable partner. And he knew she'd also be the best mother for their child—and maybe children, in the future.
END