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Sarada crept over to the main bedroom, the bed was bigger in comparison to her but nothing with her jumps. “PAPA!” Sarada sprang and landed with a thud on Sasuke’s chest almost knocking him out.
“Happy Birthday Papa, Papa?” She tilted her head poking his cheek. No reaction, immediately Sarada started bawling.
“Waaah, I killed Papa.”
“No, no.” Sasuke coughed sitting up to catch his breath.
“Don’t leap on me like that again, okay.” She was getting a lot heavier now.
“Okay!” Sarada beamed as if nothing happened plopping off the bed.
The cheek.
“Aren’t you up a little early?” What five-year-old was excited to wake up at six in the morning?
“It’s Papa's special day so Sarada made sure to wake up extra early for it.”
“Ah.” She would probably fall asleep later in the day, but the thought was appreciated.
“There are presents for you in the living room.”
Sarada spoke smiling before leaving the room. He gave a soft smile in return; she was far too mature for her age but that’s to be expected.
“Another day.”
Once in the living room he noticed his daughter had set out breakfast... well the best she could do. She couldn’t reach the high table, so Sarada set it by the couch where the TV was and instead of his usual, he had her cereal.
Sarada then ran over to the presents picking one out.
“Papa open mine first, Uncle Itachi and Naruto helped me with it.”
“Thank you Sarada,” he looked around the room as if expecting something or rather someone.
‘Sarada let your Papa eat first, then we can open the presents.’
‘Aww.’
That's what should be happening but the world doesn't work like that.
“Papa.”
“Hmm?”
“Why are you sad?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are, you're always sad but on your Birthday you're extra sad. Is it because of Mama?” Sarada's innocent question took him off guard, he didn't think she would pick up on it but their little girl was smarter than he gave her credit for.
“It’s… hard... I should be used to it by now, but your mother always went out of her way to make my birthday extra special. Even if I didn't want it to be.”
Sakura always had something planned, including shooing him to another room because:
“This isn't decorated properly, Naruto did a terrible job. Do me a favour and go out with your brother for a bit.”
“I told you I don't need anything-”
“That's an order Sasuke-Kun.”
There was no use in arguing with her.
“She would surprise me a lot.” Sarada placed her small hand on top of his.
“Mama wouldn't want you to be sad.”
“I know.”
His daughter frowned but then got up and looked through the presents before finally picking one out feeling satisfied and bringing it over to him.
“Here, you can pretend this is from Mama and that she’s working late.” It used to be what Sasuke told her when she didn't understand why she didn’t have a Mama.
How could you explain death to someone so young?
“Thank you, Sara-”
“Ah, not Sarada. You have to thank Mama.”
“Right,” except the said present had a ‘best father ever’ on the mug. It will do.
The next few hours were followed by Sasuke playing with Sarada, watching her cartoons and later his parents and brother came by dropping gifts and spending some quality time with them.
Nothing big or special, they respected that he wanted this day to be like any ever. Minus the presents and cake since Sarada wouldn’t allow it.
Even Naruto came by with Boruto.
Just as he expected Sarada had fallen asleep after the guests had left. But she did ask in her sleepy state if she could sleep in his room tonight and so he tucked his daughter in his bed accidentally falling asleep himself.
Whilst today had been fun it was still too much so as soon his head hit the pillow he was out.
“Happy Birthday Sasuke-Kun.” Sasuke woke up to see Sakura smiling down at him. She didn’t look sickly or even ghostly, there was a glow for sure, but it was like he could reach out and touch her.
Maybe he bumped his head?
“Sakura?” What was happening?
Is he… did he somehow-
“No, of course not. You are very much alive. I thought I’d pay you a visit, seeing as it is your Birthday.” She held out her hand for him to take.
“One last dance?” The Uchiha was beginning to put the pieces together, knowing this was a dream.
“You know how I don't like dancing.” That didn’t mean he wouldn't accept it. Sakura smiled as he swished her around.
“I know, and yet you always do for me.” There was no music but that didn't matter, they were in sync together bringing him back to the day of their wedding.
No one else had mattered at that moment, only them.
“Papa?” A sleepy voice was heard and two snapped out of their trance as Sarada rubbed her sleepy eyes waking up. Sakura let out a small smile.
“Sarada, do you want to dance with Mama and Papa?” She didn’t hesitate.
“Yes!” Like this is normal and meant to be.
When he woke up, Sarada was tucked under his arm snoozing softly.
So everything was a dream.
“Did you and Mama have fun last night?” Sasuke almost spat out his coffee.
“What?” How would-
“You and Mama were dancing remember?”
So that wasn’t… his heart felt a little lighter.
“I told you, Mama doesn’t want you to be sad.”