𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙐𝙕𝙐𝙈𝘼𝙆𝙄 𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙄𝙇𝙔

Part 7

Later that night, after everyone had gone to sleep, Sarada stayed behind to help Hinata clean up the kitchen. They worked side by side in comfortable silence, finishing up the last of the dishes. When they were almost done, Hinata turned to Sarada with a gentle smile.

"Sarada, could you close the glass door in the living room? I think we left it open."

"Sure," Sarada replied, wiping her hands on a towel before heading towards the living room.

As she approached the glass door, her steps slowed, and she paused, zoning out as her gaze shifted to the glowing moon outside. It hung high in the sky, casting a soft, silvery light across the room. As she stared at it, her thoughts wandered.

She reflected on how she had once taken so many small things for granted—simple things, like being able to speak. The memory of the doctor forbidding her from talking for days after her throat had been damaged flashed through her mind. She never thought she'd face a day where speaking might be dangerous for her. Now, though fully recovered, she had come to truly appreciate her voice, something she had never given a second thought before.

"I guess I never realized how much we take for granted," she murmured softly to herself, her hand resting on the glass door.

Hinata, having finished her part of the cleaning, came into the living room and noticed Sarada standing by the door, lost in thought. Walking over to her, she gently touched her shoulder.

"Sarada?" Hinata’s voice was soft, filled with maternal warmth. "Are you okay?"

Startled out of her thoughts, Sarada blinked and turned to face her mother-in-law with a small smile. "Yeah Mom, I'm fine, just thinking."

Hinata nodded, her lavender eyes reflecting the glow of the moonlight. "It’s easy to get caught up in our thoughts sometimes, isn’t it?"

Sarada nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I was just realizing how much I used to take for granted… things like speaking, simple things like that. I never imagined I’d have to be told not to talk one day."

Hinata gave a small, understanding smile. "I understand. Life has a way of reminding us how precious even the smallest things are. But the important thing is that you’ve recovered, and you’re stronger for it."

Sarada smiled softly. "Yeah. I’m definitely not taking anything for granted anymore."

They shared a quiet moment, both gazing at the moon. It was rare for them to have moments like this—just mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, alone together. Sarada was often so busy with her duties as Hokage, and even when she was home, she and Hinata were both usually preoccupied with house chores. This time to simply relax and talk felt like a blessing.

They both reflected on how close they had always been. Since Sarada's childhood, Hinata had played a significant role in her life. With Sakura often busy as a doctor and Sasuke frequently away on missions, Sarada had spent a lot of time under Hinata’s care. That bond had only grown stronger over the years, evolving into the close relationship they now shared as family.

"It’s nice," Hinata said softly, breaking the silence. "To have moments like this. Just to talk."

Sarada nodded. "It is. We don’t get to do this often, do we?"

Hinata shook her head. "No, we don’t. But I’m grateful for these moments."

They both smiled, appreciating the quiet comfort of their conversation. But just as they settled into the peaceful atmosphere, their tranquility was interrupted by familiar voices calling from upstairs.

"Sarada!" Boruto's voice rang out, sounding almost whiny. "Where are you?"

"Hey, Hinata!" Naruto’s voice echoed right after his son's, full of playful impatience. "Are you coming to bed or what?"

Sarada and Hinata exchanged amused glances. It seemed that no matter how strong or capable their husbands were, they still couldn’t sleep without their wives beside them.

Hinata let out a soft chuckle. "Like father, like son," she mused.

Sarada shook her head with a smile. "They’re hopeless."

"Completely," Hinata agreed, but the warmth in her voice betrayed how much she adored her husband’s quirks.

With a shared, knowing look, they both headed toward the stairs, ready to join their impatient husbands. Even as they left the peaceful moment behind, Sarada felt a deep sense of gratitude for the bond she shared with Hinata—just one more thing she would never take for granted.