An Uchiha Child

~ chapter 5 ~

(Sasuke's POV)

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Sakura...?

(3rd POV)

"Sasuke, I don't know where she went, I swear it's like she disappeared."

Sakura said to her husband in a panic. "She was at the library a-and she was with Kakashi, but sh-" Sasuke cut her off.

"Alright, I need you to tell me what is happening, but first you have to calm down. Panicking will only make this worse."

Sasuke took her hands in his and had her mimic his deep breaths, finally calming her down.

"Ok, so tell me, what happened?" Sasuke asked in a cool, but calm manner.

"She was just going to the library, but she wasn't there when I got there. I was on my break and I was going to surprise her, but when I got there I just found her little bag on the floor next to that old scroll." She pointed over to the table with their daughter's bag and an old scroll on it.

"Alright, it's fine. We'll find her." Sasuke was trying to calm his wife down, even though he was also losing his cool on the inside.

"Where could she have gone...? I should have been here...." Sasuke thought to himself.

Sakura paced back and forth, her eyes filled with worry. "We've searched the entire village. It's like she just vanished."

Sasuke placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We'll find Sarada. She's smart and capable. She wouldn't just disappear without a trace."

Sakura nodded, though her anxiety was evident. "But what if she's in danger? What if someone took her?"

Sasuke's jaw tightened. The thought had crossed his mind, too. "I'll check the perimeter again. Maybe she went to one of the training grounds."

As he prepared to leave, Naruto burst into the room, out of breath. "I heard what happened. Any luck?"

Sakura shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, nothing. She's been missing for hours now."

Naruto frowned. "I've alerted the village guards. We're organizing a search party. We'll cover every inch of Konoha."

Sasuke nodded. "Thanks, Naruto. I'll join the search. Sakura, stay here in case she comes back or someone finds her."

Sakura hesitated but agreed. "Be careful, both of you."

As Sasuke and Naruto headed out, Sasuke's mind raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Sarada wouldn't just wander off. She was too responsible for that.

They split up to cover more ground. Sasuke moved swiftly through the familiar paths, his Sharingan scanning for any signs of his daughter.

Memories of her childhood flashed through his mind—her first steps, her first training session, her determination to become a strong ninja like her parents.

He reached one of the secluded training grounds and paused, catching his breath.

There, near the edge of the clearing, he spotted something. A small, yellow shoe. It was worn and looked quite old, but it sure was hers.

His heart pounded as he recognized it.

"Sarada!" he called out, hoping for a response. The only answer was the rustling of leaves in the wind.