WILDFLOWER

"I hear you callin' out my name,
I love the sound, I love the taste,
And I can see it in your face,
You've got a side you can't explain"

Sarada fought against her body, trying to cling to the dream realm for just a little while longer but the feeling of floating to the surface was too strong and the current swept her up. Eyes still closed, she heard her mother laugh softly followed by her dad responding in a low voice. Reluctantly, Sarada opened an eye and looked to the doorway. She'd forgotten to close the door last night. Her mom laughed again and Sarada sat up quietly, leaning over to check the time. She almost groaned. What the hell were they doing up at this hour? Her dad said something and he sounded…what did he sound like? Playful? Sarada couldn't believe it. She'd never heard him use that tone.

Making her decision, she got out of bed as quietly as she could and snuck to the door. Crouching down, she tucked herself against the wall and leaned to peek around very slowly. Through the open-plan kitchen she observed them. Her mom leaned on the counter and – oh. Was this reality? Sarada had no idea he could cook.
"Sakura, I'm only warning you once." He said, giving an exasperated sigh, but Sarada thought he didn't look annoyed at all. In fact, from that small smile on his lips, she was almost sure he was amused. Mom leaned forward a bit, biting down on her lip to try – and fail to supress her grin.
"Sakura," he turned off the stove and she let out a soft surprised sound before taking off. She didn't get far. Dad was behind her in a second, his arm going around her waist, lifting her up easily.
"I wasn't doing anything, Sasuke-kun." She protested. Sarada watched as he set her down on the counter and moved back to continue cooking. "Ne, Sasuke-kun?"
Dad turned back, his hand slapping down onto the counter next to her leg, he leaned in close and looked up at her. "What is it, Sakura?"
Mom's lips parted and her cheeks turned red. She seemed to forget what she was going to say.
One side of dad's lips tilted up and he moved so quickly that mom had no time to react, he leaned in and pressed his lips against her's and then he turned back and continued what he was doing as if nothing happened. "Now you're teasing me,"
"Is that so."

Sarada leaned back into her room, a small smile on her lips. She'd never seen her parents like this. Is this how it was when they were alone? She had no idea their relationship was like this. She knew they were husband and wife but this side of them, together, surprised her. Her mom seemed so…happy. Genuinely happy around him. And dad…in public he was, well…himself. But here, seeing him like this, made Sarada feel giddy inside. If he was like this…maybe he would come home more from now on.

Her mom let out a squeal and Sarada leaned back in time to see her running again. Of course, dad wouldn't let her get away. He appeared in front of her so quickly that mom stumbled back. "That's not fair." She whispered.
"Neither is this," her dad dipped, intending to throw her over his shoulder but mom caught on and somehow, they both ended up on the floor. Mom leaned over him and for a moment dad became very still as he watched her and then he jumped, lifting her up. Mom laughed but quickly slapped a hand over her mouth because they both assumed that Sarada was still sleeping. Dad walked back to the kitchen and set her down and she leaned back against the wall, looking up at him.

Sarada pushed herself forward a bit so she could see. Looking up at him, her mom's eyes seemed to be shining, her lips curving into the prettiest smile as she reached up, her hands grabbing hold of his shirt.
"I love you, Sasuke-kun."
Her dad leaned in and –

Whoops. Sarada ducked back into her room, her hands going up to cover her cheeks because they felt like they were on fire. She didn't feel embarrassed or annoyed that they were kissing. She felt so, so happy. They loved each other. They really did. All too quickly, her happiness dimmed. How could two people who loved each other that much survive years and years apart. Her mom had her, but…papa is all alone.

Sounds in the kitchen resumed and Sarada held her breath, leaning out again. Her dad was back at the stove, and mom stood just behind, her arms around him, but what caught Sarada's attention was the smile. It was different from any other smile she'd ever seen on her dad's face. Sarada didn't know how to accurately describe it, but there was something secret about it. Like it was only meant for her mom. She wondered if this was being in love looked like, would I ever smile like that for someone?

Sarada leaned back into her room, and snuck back into bed, a goofy smile on her lips.

x-x-x-x

Hi!

I have a lot of these short scenes in my head that don't really fit into any of my stories but I still feel like writing them, because honestly, if I don't I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it.

Thank you for reading~

- Zana-Lee