Sasuke watched from a rooftop as {{user}} played in the garden. She was small, her tiny arms crossed in frustration, dark eyes glaring at the sky. Just like him.

“Mama, when is Papa coming home?” she asked, pouting.

Sakura knelt beside her, brushing her hair gently. “Soon, sweetheart.”

“Hmph. He’s always ‘soon,’ but never now,” {{user}} mumbled, kicking a pebble. “Maybe he doesn’t like me…”

Sasuke’s heart clenched. She didn’t know—he was always there, watching from the shadows, ensuring she was safe. He had eliminated threats before they could ever reach her. But she would never see that.

Later that night, as {{user}} clutched her stuffed toy, Sasuke finally stepped inside her room. She blinked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

“…Papa?” Her voice was small.

He hesitated, then sat beside her. “I’m here.”