Work Text:
Sasuke leaned back against the bark of the tree in which he was currently perched. A sudden fatigue overwhelmed him and he was sure that if he allowed his eyes to close, his body would slip from the branches. He pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled sharply, willing the quick thumping of his heart to steady. But despite his best efforts, the familiar sting behind his eyes continued to grow.
Below him and past the thick branches of the oak tree, was a home that he knew so well yet never allowed himself to feel welcome in. Through the window, he watched the even breathing of a sleeping child— his child. His heart lurched when she tossed and turned.
Though Sarada was now eleven years old, the Sarada before him was only a few months shy of turning six. As he watched her, he yearned to open his arms to her, to tell her that her Papa was here and that there was no need to question his love for her. But even in this vulnerable state, Sasuke knew the dangers of disrupting the past. He was not one to toy with fate but when given the opportunity to travel back in time, he no longer had the willpower to resist.
Sasuke and Boruto had just returned from their journey back to Konoha and with Urashiki defeated and Naruto’s life saved, he could finally relax. But there was one thing that bothered him—one thing that he had to see for himself. Just this once, he thought, he will allow himself to indulge in his own selfish desires just this once.
And so he traveled back in time, not to change the past or protect the future. This time he was here in this timeline so he could see the life he left behind when he embarked on his world-saving mission. For once, he wanted to see the things he was only able to hear about and hoped he could picture as vividly.
Sasuke sat up straighter when he saw Sarada stir awake. He watched as the small child slid out of her bed and out the door. He followed her with his eyes, watching her movements through the windows and praying that she wouldn’t move out of his sight.
He realized then that she was heading to Sakura’s bedroom—actually, his and Sakura’s bedroom—where his wife was currently sitting against the headboard with a book, reading in the dim light. He watched silently as little Sarada climbed into the bed and rested her head on her mother’s lap. Sakura smiled, so gentle and soft, and ran her fingers through her daughter’s black hair.
Concentrating, Sasuke could make out the sound of Sakura’s humming through the open window. He couldn’t stop the smile that played at his lips as the scene before him caused warmth to spread throughout his chest. But underneath the comfort he felt as he witnessed the tender moment between his wife and daughter, was the ever-growing guilt and sadness that seemed to plague him constantly.
He imagined himself there beside them. He imagined his past self giving up his mission completely—world be damned—so that he could spend every waking moment with his family. It was too late for him to change the past but the vivid images in his head brought him a sort of comfort. A fleeting sense of solace, but he welcomed it nonetheless.
“Mama, do you think Papa will come home tomorrow?”
The small voice was barely audible but Sasuke’s acute ears caught every word. At the sound, the tightness in his chest returned and he gripped the fabric of his cloak with a tense fist.
“Maybe, but I don’t think so,” Sakura answered. Her tone was gentle but he could hear the hint of sadness beneath her words.
Silence followed for several long beats until Sarada finally spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper, “How can I be sure that Papa loves me when he’s so far away?”
Sasuke’s breath caught at her question and he fought back a choke in order to not give his position away. The tightness in his chest was painful now, cloaking him in a dull ache. He pushed it away, telling himself that there was no use in feeling this guilt when there was nothing he could do to change it. But for once, he wasn’t strong enough.
“Sarada, remember when I had to leave on that mission last month and you had to stay with Aunt Ino?”
“Yes, you were gone for a long time.”
Sakura chuckled, “Yes, I was, wasn’t I?” She placed her book down and turned her full attention on his daughter who now sat upright beside her. “Did you stop loving me just because I wasn’t there?”
“No, Mama! Of course not!”
“Exactly,” Sakura cupped Sarada’s cheek with one hand and tucked loose strands of black hair behind her ear with the other. “The same goes for your Papa. Just because he can’t see us doesn’t mean his love is any weaker. If anything, your Papa’s love for you grows stronger everyday and that’s what protects him when he’s on his mission.”
“I protect him?” Sarada’s eyes widened.
“Of course you do. Papa does his best to protect the village because he loves you and that love keeps him focused on his goals so he can always win his fights.”
“Is Papa the strongest Shinobi?”
“Of course he is!” Sakura raised a fist in the air, “We Uchiha are the strongest and you should always be proud that he is your Papa.”
“Papa is cool,” Sarada laughed as she lied back down on her mother’s lap, her small hands tugging the comforter to her chin.
“You bet he is. Make sure you tell him that next time you see him.”
With a final nod, the little girl fell asleep again as Sakura continued to run her fingers through her hair and hum a soft lullaby.
As he watched the scene unfold, Sasuke let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He owed Sakura again, it seems. He’ll have to add that to the growing list of things he needed to thank her for when he got home. Home, he thought. It was time for him to go home, not to this past home in front of him but back to the present where his wife and daughter were likely still anxiously waiting for him to return.
With a final glance into the window, he committed the moment to his memory as he hopped from branch to branch and away from the past images of his family. The pace of his heart began to quicken once again as he reached the clearing in the forest where he would finally be able to reactivate his time travel device.
Despite the guilt that continued to threaten him, his heart was full—full with the love he had and the love he received. As he set his destination to the present, he smiled. It didn’t matter what happened in the past. Yes, he made mistakes and yes, he wished he could do things differently. But despite it all, he had people who loved him unconditionally: a wife who selflessly cared for him and a daughter who revered him.
And so Sasuke set forth and headed to the present, his chest aching at the thought of reuniting with his family. As long as they were there and they were safe, he thought, everything will always be okay. Everything will always be perfect.