#06 : Melted

OOOOO

"Shannaro-yo, you're my daughter!"

Sarada - after finding out the truth straight from her father - felt embarrassed at the thought of even doubting her mother once.

"What made you think otherwise?"

Feeling the brunt of his wife's well-hidden hurt, Uchiha Sasuke could only look down on his food as he tried to keep a straight-face. Then, Sakura looked at her small family with all the love she always have.

"I'm your mother, Sarada. And I'll always be your mother… no matter what."

Silence enveloped the temporary Uchiha household. Now feeling more at ease with the truth of her birth, Sarada could only tear up.

"I'm sorry, Kaa-san."

Diverting her eyes solely to her cute daughter, Sakura could only look on fondly.

"Eat. I know both of you had a long tiring day."

Dinner was straightforward after a few reassuring words from Sakura. She was giggling at the diminishing awkwardness between her husband and child. Sarada was trying her hardest to be modest as she catch up with her father. And Sasuke feeling relieved at the thought that finally, he has a family to come home to.

OOOOO

It was a long exhausting journey even for Uchiha Sasuke. He was used to it but the idea of being home especially after marrying Sakura and having a child with her made him rethink his self-imposed journey of redemption.

'You're forgiven, Sasuke. Nobody hates you anymore.'

He understood that he was forgiven.

'Come back home to Konoha… with us.'

But still he wanted to see the world from a different light.

"Sasuke-kun…"

'Then what will you do about Sakura?'

He turned toward his wife who just got out from a nice warm bath he prepared after he was done himself.

'Are you just going to leave her to raise your own child by herself?'

'Is my mother even my real mother?'

"I'm sorry."

'Haven't you hurt her more than enough already?'

"Had I been more careful, Sarada would not have tried to run away."

No, it wasn't her fault. He knew it was him who made the mistake of not coming home even once to get to know Sarada better. She is a wonderful wife and mother to their child.

She looked up with pained-looking eyes.

"Don't worry. I'll try to be a better mother to our daughter."

He patted the space beside himself inviting her to join him.

"Come here."

She came but she didn't lay beside him. Instead she was seated looking down her lap.

"Lay with me?"

She was tearing up. She wasn't used to this Sasuke and everything felt so new to her.

"Sasuke-kun…"

"Hm?"

She was smiling yet all he felt was hurt.

"We've been married for so long yet this all seems new to me."

Her tears now slowly streaming down her face at the realization of how futile it was to be married yet not being together at all.

"Sasuke-kun…"

He seated himself to level with her. Touching her cheek, he felt the tears she's always been shedding for him. He realized he didn't want to see or feel those tears if ever again. He wanted to be a better husband to her (and a father to their child).

"I love you."

And he loves her too.

He felt sorry for himself to be only realizing the truth so late. He could've loved her better for a longer time. He misses her even now that he's physically together with her.

He gently pulled her towards him, pulling her on top of him as he laid down on his side of the bed.

"I love you and I miss you. I do! But it pains me, Sasuke-kun!"

'Don't hate me, Sakura.'

"Am I not enough for you to come home once in a while?" She pushed him away as she looked in to his eyes.

"I'm your wife and I'm also her mother but still I am jealous." She held on tightly to his chest bearing all the ache of her heart to her beloved, "You only decided to come home because of her."

He pulled her again hugging her tighter (if it was even possible) while trying not to crush her to himself.

"If it wasn't for Sarada, would you ever even come home? Back to me?"

He felt a pang on his heart. He had other thoughts as he decided to come home tonight and it was far from a night of crying tears of sadness. No it wasn't tears of sadness he wanted to receive from her but what else can he do?

He realized he didn't want to ever let her go.

"I'm sorry."

But then he remembered the need to always protect them from the remnants of Kaguya. He finally has a family but why does fate have to be so cruel? Creating distance in love in order to protect.

"What are you apologizing for? Had I been stronger..." And a better wife and mother...

"You're the strongest person I know. Even stronger than I am! So stop putting yourself down because of me, Tsuma."

She held on tight not wanting to ever let go again. He held on tighter to make her feel how much he loves her.

"I'm sorry because I wasn't the proper husband you deserve."

He snuggled to the crook of her neck. Placing a soft kiss and committing her unique scent to his memory.

"I'm sorry for keeping you to myself… you could have a better future with someone else, someone better."

She only hugged on tighter begging to disagree. He's the one she loves and she don't want to deserve anyone else but him.

"But I love you! I realized I always have and I can't give you up to anyone else. I want you all for myself. Is that even possible?"

"Then come home to us… to me."

"Sakura..." He whispered with a promise, "Thank you… for loving me the way you always have."

OOOOO

It was a long night prior to this day. It was tiring with all the fighting with the Shins and, crying out those pent up feelings.

"Do you have to leave?" His daughter asked, tears almost falling.

'Then come home to us...'

"Don't make that expression." He hugged her to himself, already missing her even before his journey.

He tapped her forehead, just like his brother did to him. I'll be back.

Sarada was surprised. Touching her forehead, she realized what her mother meant. I love you.

"Here's your lunch."

Sakura came up to them handing him the lunch she prepared for him. You'll be back before dinner.

Then like a jealous kid, she shyly leaned closer to him hoping for simple gesture from him.

He blushed having other thoughts in mind. Had they been alone, he'd indulge her better than a tap on her forehead. But he has to go.

He turned his back on her with a whisper so soft that only he and she can hear. Soon.

With a smirk, he left for his journey. Hoping that this time around, his mission will be finished. And when he's back, he can finally be with his family always.

END

A/N : I think I wrote more than just my version of the night after Shin. I was too lazy to check out their dialogue before and after this story takes off. Nonetheless, I tried to stay within those lines... close enough but not the same lines.

Anyway, it has been a long time since I've submitted anything here. Honestly, I tried to write something for this anthology but my ideas were coming too far from the general concept which is pillow: basically, a cameo of the thing itself, pillow-talk etc. You get the idea. Unfortunately, I'll have to end the "pillow" concept from here. So yes, finally, it's COMPLETE! YEY! Thoughts?

*Taps your forehead* See you on my next story! :)