The Untold Uchiha

Chapter 21: Letting Go

Chapter 21: Letting Go

"Sasuke-kun!" His wife called out, breaking him from his thoughts. "Did you hear that? Sarada can finally say it!" Sakura said, feeling proud about her daughter's previous words. It was unexpected to suddenly hear her say those words.

What Sasuke just heard covered his thoughts from the bad news he's holding inside, but before he knew it. It hit him back. These smiles he's seeing right now, will soon fade away and will be missed for many days, months, and years.

Sasuke masked the sadness in his eyes to an approved one for his daughter. The scroll he had felt after gripping it tightly from frustration subsided when he started walking closer to them. Sakura and Sarada came in first as Sasuke followed in.

"I came to get Sarada from Hinata once I was done in the hospital," Sakura said, hanging her white coat, "It's good that the collapsed kid was alright, I just came in time."

Sasuke nodded after her short explanation. He went to the living room putting down the scroll on the table along with the other scrolls.

Sakura peeked over his shoulder, "Another mission, dear?" Sasuke was going to flinch at her sudden appearance but he stayed still, and started thinking how he should tell them what Kakashi had said to him.

His wife went and sat on the other couch, waiting for him to answer. As she looks at Sarada's sleeping state, she decides to make her sleep while Sasuke is staying quiet.

"No." He finally said, he looked up to see Sakura's confused face.

Sasuke sighed. "Kakashi had told me about the important mission. I have to do it sooner than the time I was given." He said, and looked away.

His eyes lingered on the floor for a while. Sasuke felt scared for the first time in a long time. The emotion he is feeling seemed to hurt more than what he would usually feel when he's training.

He expected to hear her sobs, her words of missing him. That was something he knew would hurt even more, but he heard her sigh, "Sasuke-kun."

Just that, he looked up slightly to see her smile. It was different. Something he had seen before, and a smile that was different from the others that made him want to lift one too.

She looks down at Sarada's sleeping face and caresses her face, "I.. I kind of figured." She looks at her husband's face, telling her to continue. "You don't have to worry. We'll be fine."

Sakura had expected to see Sasuke nod in understanding and say a few words, but a hug had sunk away all her expectations. She was surprised, but it left her to tears anyway.

She sat there, holding Sarada as Sasuke's arm was wrapped around them as if it was wanting to stay, but she knew better. Sakura's smile changed. She buries her face to his hair, and whispers those three words they never say so often.

She knows Sasuke must go. Letting go of Sasuke felt different than before, because they both know their connection had become deeper, which is making it harder to let go.

What a long journey they experienced. After years of being by each other's side, they're now a family, reminding them of those carefree days.

-~-~-~-

Leader Noriko raised a hand, signalling to stop Riyu and Ena to stop behind him. "What is it?" Riyu asked, looking over the trees to see their village. Ena did the same and furrowed her eyebrows.

"They have chakra around it," Ena starts standing up but stopped when the Leader holds her arm. She looks at the Leader questioningly.

"The barrier is coming down." He said. Ena looked up to see what he had pointed out was right. Something threatening must've come near. Did Konoha suspect Riyu and her and followed them?