🌸The Journey🌸

After the Journey - Part 3

"Come on! Open the door, you sleepy-heads! Before I break in!"

Naruto impatiently pounded on the front door, "Sasuke! Sakura! Open up!"

After a few more knocks, the door finally swung open.

"Ah! Finally!" Naruto crossed his arms, "I'm coming in. Thanks, Sasuke!"

He stepped inside and walked past Sasuke, who was too exhausted to react or throw insults. He just groaned, shut the door, and followed Naruto into the living room.

"Naruto...." Sasuke sighed as he scratched the back of his head, "what do you want?"

"I just came to hang out with you two. You know, some Team 7 bonding time before... Before you leave, you know?" Naruto chuckled sheepishly, "listen, Sasuke, we really do appreciate what you're willing to do for the village, but... We're all gonna miss you. We've missed you even before you came back to get Sakura, but you're here. You're back, and we're all happy to see you. You have people who love you, you know. I understand, I feel you, it's a feeling we're not used to. But we have to take into account that we have people who care about our well-being, now. We used to just be independent, lonely people. That's not the case anymore."

"Hn." Sasuke smirked, "you figured that out with Hinata?"

"Yeah, actually." Naruto smiled, "so you and Sakura..."

"Yeah." He pursed his lips, "she's okay with it. We came to an agreement... Last night."

"Ah." Naruto rose a brow, "you two were already agreeing even before you two got back. I could tell."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You two got all close, didn't you?" Naruto chuckled, "I can tell."

"Idiot..." Sasuke sighed, "and keep your voice down. Sakura's still sleeping."

"Is Sarada not here?"

"She's at Sakura's parents' house. Did you leave Boruto with Hinata or something?"

"Yeah." He nodded, "she's taking him to a daycare. I think she talked to Sakura about taking Sarada there sometime. Speaking of..."

"Yeah..."

"Sarada's not going to be happy."

"We just." Sasuke pursed his lips, "we're just going to have to keep my mission a secret from her. I don't want her to get involved, and her knowing could put her in danger."

"Yeah, but what if she gets curious?" Naruto looked at him, "she's going to want to know who her father is."

"Then..." Sasuke shut his eyes, "Sakura will know what to do. She always does."

Naruto smiled, "yeah, you're right."

"Naruto?" Sakura called as she came down the stairs, "I thought I heard you... Good morning. What are you doing here so early?"

"Uh..." Naruto looked at her, "'so early'? It's almost noon!"

"Ah..." Sakura chuckled weakly, "oh, I see... Hey, uh, we should probably go get Sarada."

"Yeah..." Sasuke looked down at the ground.

"You... Probably want to spend as much time with her as you can." Naruto crossed his arms, "but can you imagine? The next time you see her, you might not even recognize her. Ha!"

"That long?" Sakura laughed, "I... I hope not."

Sasuke looked at her for a few seconds before smiling sadly and setting his hand on her head, "let's go."