I'll Be Back
by Diana-san

Sakura watches as her husband hugs their daughter and pokes Sarada's forehead. Sarada blushes as her hand raises to her forehead and she turns to look at mama.

Sakura smiles because she is sure that Sarada now knows the meaning and significance behind the forehead poke. With a bright smile, she saunters over closer to the two of them as she closes the space between the three of them. "Right… here's your lunch."

"Ah, right…" Sasuke nods as he takes the bento box from her and gives a small smile, appreciating the little efforts his wife makes in everything she does for this family of theirs.

He glances up in surprise as Sakura leans forward with a small, shy smile on her face. He says nothing as he knows right away what that smile was asking for. That smile is reminiscent of last night as they went to bed and she gave that same shy smile at him. He gulps silently as his neck turns red just thinking about it. He remains his composure though as he silently leans in just a little until, he heard a small shuffle of movement and saw his daughter out of the corner of his eye.

Snapping back, he straightens up as he stared straight ahead but Sarada is already giving him a questioning stare. With a swift turn, he whirls around so that neither his wife or daughter could see the blush across his face. "See you… I'll be back," he states rather abruptly as he tries to keep his composure once more, while walking a few steps out.

Sakura slumps her head down, not believing that her husband was going to make her wait some more. Sarada glances up at her mama in further confusion. Sasuke could sense Sakura's sadness even with his back turned. He clutches his hand as he feels the cloth of the bento box he was holding. The fabric is soft and reminds him of a great deal of things — mostly the warmth of having a family… a home… a wife and a child. He smiles at the thought of this.

He turns quickly back around as he marches in long strides back to Sakura and Sarada. He hands Sarada the bento box as she takes it with a confused look on her face. His hand goes up to cover Sarada's eyes as he leans forward and kisses Sakura on the lips.

As he pulls away, he smiles and whispers, "See you when I'm back… darling."

He removes his hand from Sarada's eyes as he picks up the bento box again. With a nod, he turns back around and he is off once more.

Sakura blushes as her finger brushes up against her lips, the warmth of Sasuke's lips still resonating there with every touch. Sarada slips a hand into her mama's free hand as she glances up at mama. Sakura smiles as she looks back up to see her husband's retreating form.

"Mama…" Sarada giggles as she sees the faraway look in her mama's eyes. "You pervert."

Sakura turns a bright red but begins to laugh. "Shush, Sarada. Or Papa will hear you and come back."

"Then I hope he hears this!"

With a grin, Sakura chases Sarada back through the Konoha Gates, tickling the young girl along the way. "Come, Sarada. Don't we have to start training for your exams coming up?"

Sarada grins. "Yeah! I want papa to be even more impressed when he comes back and sees me kick some butt— SHANNARO!"