Another universe?

make the best of it

Back in the village, Sasuke stood near the window of their home,his gazed fixed on the distant treetops where Yukio and Hikari were now living. There was something unsettling about the situation, something he couldn't shake off no matter how much he tried to rationalize it.

Beside him,Sakura noticed his silence, the way he had been lost in thoughts ever since they sent Yukio and Hikari away.And she knew exactly what's on his mind.

"Youre thinking about them."

Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He simply shifted his weight, his expression unreadable. "I don't think this was the right decision." He finally admitted.

Her brows furrowing."Sasuke, we've been over this. This was the best options—for them and Sarada. We can't risk her finding out about them yet."

His sharp gaze meeting her."I understand that, but we sent them out there alone,with no real answers, no real guidance."

Sakura folded her arms, frustration flicking across her face. "What are we supposed to do?Let them stay here and risk Sarada figuring everything out?Shes smart, Sasuke. She would have noticed something was off the second she got back."

 
"I know that." Sasuke said,his voice is calm but firm. "But pushing them further away isn't the solution. They don't feel safe. They feel abandoned. I could see it in their eyes when we told them."

Sakura was silence for a bit.She knew he was right, she noticed it as well, but they have no other choice.

"They'll be okay.They just need time to adjust."

"Hm"

Sakura seems to tell he had given up with this conversation,so she will stop talking for now.

"I'm going to sleep early,she will come back in the morning"

Sasuke didn't seem to say anything after that.

............

The next morning,the village was alive with usual bustle—merchants setting up their stalls, shinobis moving between missions,children laughing as they ran through the street.But inside the Uchiha household, the atmosphere was different.

Sarada had returned.

The door slid open,and Sarada stepped inside, stretching her arms above her head. She was still in her mission gear,her forehead protector slightly askew,and there was an exhausted but satisfied look on her face.

"I'm home" she called out, her voice carrying out through the house.

Sakura appeared from the kitchen,smiling warmly.
"Welcome back Sarada,You must've been tired."

Sarada exhaled as she set her bag down."Yeah it was a good mission.We handle it quickly but however we had to stay there for a while, which was weird but oh well."

Sakura smile remained,but there a brief flicker of something in her eyes—something Sarada might have missed if she wasn't already suspicious.

Of course, Sakura knew why Sarada teams had been delayed. It wasn't some random village issues—it was because of Yukio and Hikari. The mission had been orchestrated to ensure Sarada wouldn't return before they left.