CHAPTER 29

"Baba!" Sarada gleefully squealed under her breath when she caught sight of the former Hokage at the gate.

She peeked around quickly to make sure no one heard her.

She and her teammates had just returned from a grueling three-day mission under a new captain while Konahomaru healed from his wounds. What was supposed to have been a simple mission had quickly escalated into something much more serious. Thankfully though, her team had pulled together and finished the mission successfully.

She was tired, hungry, and ready for a bath. Though she instantly felt better when she spotted her father-figure leaned up against the village gates, waiting for her.

As he always did, when he could, when she returned from anything outside of the village.

She couldn't spot her mother waiting next to him like she would do when she wasn't at work. So, from that she gathered that that was exactly where her mother was.

When she came close enough, she handed her bag to Kakashi and in return, he handed her a fresh water bottle. It was something that she always knew she could count on. She ripped the top off and downed the whole thing in a single go.

"Thanks." She breathed out as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

The genin quickly waved towards her team and informed them that she'd catch up with them soon as the rest of her team started towards Hokage Tower.

"Always!" He crinkled his eyes in that smile when she turned back to him.

"Mom working?" She asked as they crossed the bridge toward Hokage Tower.

"Yep. She said she would be off soon though. Something about wanting to take you out to dinner." He pulled out his tattered orange book and flicked the page.

"We never go out to dinner?" She was shocked and quickly turned skeptical, "What's the occasion?"

She was hoping for something good to come out of this dinner out. Her mother loved to cook, and very rarely did she order take-out or suggest going out to dinner. She always said it was better nutrition for a ninja to eat home cooked meals rather than the stuff from a food stand or even a sit-down restaurant.

"She wants to discuss some things with you and spend some time with you since she said something about not seeing you much now that you're on active duty."

Sarada mustered the best fake smile she could and gave it to Kakashi. Knowing he might just buy it in his distracted state with his perverted book in hand. It didn't.

"Sarada?" The concerned voice same through, "Care to tell me what you're thinking?"

"I don't know, Baba…" She hesitated before she took a deep breath, "I just have a feeling in my stomach that she has bad news. Maybe about my dad…"

He stopped then and led them over to a bench and ushered her to sit before he sat beside her.

"Sarada. I won't lie to you and tell you that everything she has to say is all good. That just isn't how things work. And, as a full-fledged shinobi, your mother wants to start treating you with the same respect that she wanted at your age. Trust me, she had to demand it like none other. And she doesn't want you to feel like a little kid because you aren't anymore."

Sarada sat in awe as the words she didn't know she so desperately needed to hear filled her ears. Her mother was wanting to tell her things and keep her in the loop on something? Was this the respect that a true ninja got? She was finally being treated like she was grown.

"But…" Sarada again hesitated as she pushed her glasses higher up.

"No buts, Sarada." Kakashi smiled, "You deserve to know things. Just know that this privilege comes with responsibility and gaining knowledge. You won't always hear things you like, but know you always have people around you that love you."

She felt tears come to her eyes, but quickly wiped them away as they escaped.

"Why won't you just tell me, Baba?" She cried, "I'm sure that you know what it is and why it's so important!"

It was then that she felt his heavy hand on her shoulder and was flooded by the comfort that just that one small gesture brought.

"I do know what it is, but it is not my place to tell you. Sakura, your mother, will tell you everything."

"Then come with us!" Sarada pleaded.

The dark eyed girl knew he was smiling underneath that mask as she nodded a couple times at her.

"Sakura did ask me to come," He shrugged his shoulders, "But, I figured that this was a mother and daughter thing and that I should remain on the sidelines for this one."

It was Sarada's turn to put her hand on his shoulder in reassurance.

"Baba," She smiled, and she lightly chided him, "You have always been there for me no matter what has happened. I trust you with my life and I want you to be here this time too."

The man regarded her warmly as she spoke.

"I know I was a bit of a brat when I was looking for my dad and I kind of regret that. Mom told me that you asked to come along and I wish that you had followed her to find me too. This time though, I want you there, no, I need you there."

Kakashi nodded once and waved a hand in front of himself to help calm the over the time compliments she was giving him.

"You're too sweet…" he started but trailed off when she raised a finger to signal that she wasn't done speaking.

"I love you, Baba. You're the father that I never realized I had until things got bad. Whatever happened, even though I don't even know what it is yet, I know we can make it through. The three of us. Just like it always has been."

She felt the rush of tears take over her as the words left her mouth. She had never fully vocalized her feelings toward the older man before and it felt freeing to her. Like a weight had been lifted. Admitting he was her true dad made her be able to let her biological father free from her heartstrings. She no longer clung to the idea of having a nuclear family.

As she wiped her eyes and could see through the tears, she felt strong arms wrap around her and hold her tight.

"Thank you, Sarada…" She felt his tighten his grip as she closed her eyes and relaxed her head on his shoulder.

It only lasted a moment before she really allowed herself to break down. It wasn't something she preferred doing in the middle of a crowded street. Sarada jumped up and dusted herself off. Wiping her eyes once more and smiling big towards her dad, she quickly spoke.

"I have to get to Lord Seventh's office before I'm too late!"

As she ran, she heard his faint call.

"Meet us outside the hospital after your meeting and we'll get barbeque!"

Her heart felt strangely complete as she ran to Hokage Tower. No matter what her mother had to tell her, she could handle it. She was strong. And, she would press on. That's what her Baba had taught her anyways.

Her meeting lasted a little over an hour and she was glad to be finished when it finally was actually over. She was back to being hungry and was looking forward to eating barbeque with her parents.

She bid farewell to her teammates and headed in the direction of the hospital. She was excited to see her mother and hug her and tell her about the mission. Though she was still curious about what needed to be said. She had formed her suspicions, given the lack of mention of Sasuke, but she would wait and see.

It wasn't long before she was met by the sight of her mother standing next to Kakashi and noticed how close they were as they spoke.

'Boy, they sure do look good together. Stop, Sarada! Mom is married to dad… Well, maybe…?'

"Sarada!" She heard her mother cry when she got closer and ran toward her and wrapped her into a crushing hug.

"Mama!" She struggled, "Too. Tight!"

Her mother released her and blushed slightly.

"Sorry. I'm just happy to see you! Now… let's go!"

Over the next hour, the trio discussed her mission and how things went from bad to worse and how, if not for Sarada's Sharingan, they would all be toast. Laughs were heard around the restaurant from the table as she reenacted some moves of Boruto's.

As the laughter died down, she watched as Kakashi and her mom exchanged looks and her mother sigh heavily in response.

"Sarada," her mom spoke first, "There are some things that I would like to tell you."

'Here we go.' She thought as she mentally braced herself.

"First off, I need you to know how much I love you. And how much it hurt me to lie to you for all of those years. It wasn't my choice to keep it a secret and I did have a plan to tell you, but as we know, I never got the chance. So, I'm asking your forgiveness for the pain that I have obviously caused you. I never want to be the reason for your pain ever again. And, I beg you, please forgive me?"

Sarada stared hard at her mother as she spoke. This was obviously something that Sakura had struggled with for a long time. She quickly glanced over to Kakashi, who had been sitting next to her, and found him watching her closely. She didn't miss the hand he placed between her shoulders to comfort her mom.

"Of course, Mama, I forgive you!" She nodded quickly as she looked back to meet her green eyes, "Please forgive me too. I acted so rashly and hurt you. You're my mom and have taken so much of your own life to care for me and treat me like a daughter."

"You are my daughter, Sarada." She corrected quickly, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes, Mama. I love you so much and I never wanted to hurt you in pursuit of dad. But I did and I'm so very sorry… P-please forgive me?"

She felt hot tears sting her eyes. She really didn't want to cry right now either.

"Of course, I forgive you," Her mother's voice cracked as she watched her wipe her own tears away, "I will always forgive you, no matter what you do. Because I love you. With all of my heart."

There was a long pause that initiated an almost eerie silence in the restaurant. As if the world had stopped.

"Now, I must tell you something that is not easy to hear…" Sakura trailed off.

Sarada felt her heartbeat speed up in anticipation. Not the fun anticipation of something exciting, but a suspenseful kind that left you with a sick stomach. Her mother had called it anxiety once when she was talking to Kakashi. Was this an anxiety attack?

"What is it, Mama?" She reached across the table and placed a hand over her mother's.

"Your father and I…,"

Sarada felt the anxiety intensify.

'What happened…?'

"He's gone, Sarada."

'Gone? He? Oh yeah, Papa. Papa's gone?"

"Gone?" She whispered and felt her mother grip her hand tightly.

"Yes, gone. He left the day you left on your mission. And, I'm so sorry Sarada. He will not be returning home to us. For you…"

'Gone? For good? He left me…'

"He abandoned us? Again?"

It was Kakashi that spoke next.

"He didn't abandon you as far as we know, but he did leave the village and we don't know when he'll return. You are not alone, Sarada. Remember I'm here for you. Your mother is here for you. There are so many people around you that love you and care."

"I know…" She felt numb for a moment before she gave her mother a questioning look, "But did he abandon you?"

There was just so much running through her mind. She was sad that her father had abandoned her once more. They tried to tell her he didn't, but she wasn't naive anymore. The young Uchiha wasn't stupid. She knew what was going on.

"Sasuke and I… We came to a decision to formally end things and separate. The papers were signed the other day and the divorce was finalized. I'm no longer married to your father." Sakura spoke slowly as she tried to give a quick summary of what she could only assume was lots of complicated stuff.

Was it a sense relief that she was feeling? Yes. That much she knew. She knew that there would always be a part of her that yearned for her biological father. But she had Kakashi she quickly thought as she glanced to the silver haired man. The man that had stepped up and cared about her heart without asking for anything in return. Raised her to know shuriken jutsu. Raised her to be strong in the face of even the toughest opponents. He was her true dad. Maybe not her father. But, her dad. Her Baba.

She felt the tears roll down her face as both of them just stared at her.

"Oh, Sarada," her mother spoke as she quickly moved around and the table and soon felt strong, yet delicate arms wrap around her, "What can I do for you?"

A few moments passed before she had a voice.

"You know?" She wiped a tear away and put a real smile on, "I'm happy. Yes, it hurts. But, I have you. And, you."

She pointed to Kakashi at that mention.

"You two have always been here for me and guided me. Dad never was. He didn't care. But, that's okay. Sometimes family are those that you love most. Not by what runs in your blood. You guys are my family…"

'I'm okay.'

Sakura kept her arms securely around Sarada for a few more minutes while she finished gathering her bearings. Being told your parents divorced was pretty shocking news, even when it was inevitable.

"I just wish you guys would get together."

Sarada put a hand over her mouth, wishing that she could have not said that. She didn't wish to embarrass them.

"Well…" Kakashi started talking first, "Now that you mention it…"

Sarada jerked up and looked at Kakashi with a bewildered look.

"Wait? You're…?" she whispered as she snapped her head to look at her mother next to find the pinkette giving her a smug smile.

"That was the other thing I wanted to tell you. Only if you were ready though. I wanted to spare your feelings given the divorce… But, yes, Kakashi and I are finally together since Sasuke is out of the picture."

Sarada then felt her heart swell in utter joy. Her dream was coming to pass, and all seemed right. She had to be dreaming. Was she dreaming? No, she knew that much.

"Finally!"

"You're not mad?" Sakura asked, obviously surprised by the cheery expression.

"Mad? Of course not! I have been hoping for a long time that Baba would finally ask you out! You guys always seem so happy." she revealed her little secret as she faced Kakashi, "And, mom always seems so happy with you. We are a family! Not by blood but by bond."

Sarada reasoned with herself and took a deep breath. Running all of the changes through her mind as her mother and Kakashi spoke amongst themselves. As quickly as things fell apart, they fell back together. A nonexistent family was lost, but another happier family was instantly formed.

The rest of the dinner and evening had been amazing. Sarada had taken everything well. Kakashi knew she would be understanding of what happened. He explained it to Sakura earlier that day before he left for the gates. Sarada may still be young, but she wasn't an innocent bystander anymore. She deserved to be pulled out of the shadows for good and Sakura happily agreed.

It was technically their first decision made together as a couple and as parents. It was a decision he was proud of too. He'd never let anything happen to her. His daughter.

Once night fell, Sarada quickly passed out and he carried her to bed and Sakura helped get the unconscious girl changed and tucked in. He was in their bedroom getting changed himself when he heard Sakura enter and quickly change herself and together they crawled into bed.

"She took everything so well." Sakura mumbled as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I told you so." he sang the reply and huffed a laugh when she gently slapped his chest.

They laid there and enjoy each other's company for a while in silence.

"Now what?" the pinkette asked the open-ended question.

But he knew exactly what she meant by it.

"I'm so excited to tell your parents." he admitted.

Sakura pulled her head back and gave him a baffled look.

"Are you insane?"

"Nope," he shook his head as he pulled her closer, "Your dad told me he wished it was me you married and not Sasuke."

His girlfriend completely pulled away then as she sat up and looked down at him.

"What?"

"On your wedding day too." he added on.

Sakura's eyes nearly bugged out of her head as he revealed this long-kept secret.

"And you never thought to tell me?!" she said with an obvious hint of irritation.

He gave her a pointed look as he carefully chose his words.

"We discussed this already." he replied quietly and she immediately nodded, "I wanted too, but I couldn't do that to you…"

The pinkette quickly found her spot next to him again and she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"Better late than never."

He couldn't help the smile that overcame him as he nodded in agreement.

"Good things come to those who wait." he mumbled as he rolled and peppered kisses onto her.

Hello my wonderful readers!

I am sooo sorry for my slight hiatus. Life has been pretty crazy and inspiration has been fleeting. But I am back again! :)

Please enjoy this chapter! And, let me know how you like it! Thank you so much for all of your support through this ride! There is going to be another chapter or two! I am so excited that our couple is together and happy! It's about time!

Also! A big huge thank you to my wonderful friend and BETA generaltay! Go check out her stories!