Chapter Text
The tournament had passed in the blink of an eye, surprising Sasuke with how quickly everything had unfolded. It felt like only moments ago that the team had started their practice sessions, each one filled with their fair share of struggles and setbacks. Despite the obstacles along the way, the sense of time seemed to blur, and before he knew it, Sarada was packing her gym bag for her finals tomorrow.
The Uchiha family had decided to sleep at their family house so that they could all arrive at the tournament together, but also to share a small good luck dinner for Sarada.
“Sasuke, could you call Sarada for dinner?” Mikoto asked, her hands busy setting the table as everyone chipped in with dinner preparations.
Sasuke nodded and made his way up Sarada’s room.
—
A few matches ago…
The second match was far from easy. Sarada’s team was up against the fast-paced and aggressive Iwagakure soccer team, and from the very first whistle, they were on the backfoot. Sarada struggled to connect with her teammates, and the constant pressure from the opposing team was starting to show.
During the first half, she made a couple of mistakes, passing the ball too early or misjudging the opponent’s movements. Sasuke watched her closely, his stomach in knots, hoping she could shake off her frustration.
But in the second half, something shifted. With Naruto and Gaara cheering their spirits up during the short break, Sarada had regained her focus.
"She’s back," Sakura muttered, a small smile creeping onto her face as she tapped Sasuke’s shaking hand. He relaxes in his seat, as Sarada and her team make their way towards another victorious match.
—
The team had made their way slowly but surely up to the semifinals, where everything would be on the line.
The game was brutal from the start. Sarada’s team was facing the reigning champions from Kumogakure, a well-coached squad that had dominated the tournament for years. Sarada had to be at her best to keep up. As the game progressed, she was everywhere on the field — tracking back to defend, creating chances in the midfield, and even blocking shots on goal.
By halftime, the team was only just one goal behind, and though they were physically drained, their motivation was far from dimmed.
Naruto gathered them around, his usual carefree grin replaced by seriousness. He locked eyes with each player, “This is the final stretch. You’ve fought hard to get here and for that I’m proud of you all. Now,I don’t want to put you guys under pressure but-”
Gaara scoffs lightly, interrupting the coach and catching everyone’s attention Naruto’s. “If Naruto can’t put you guys under pressure then I will,” his voice low. “I understand that putting you guys under pressure might mess with your game, but if you don’t put everything you have into this and catch up with their scores, then we– especially all of you, will regret it.”
The team let out shaky breaths, but their eyes hardened with determination. The weight of the red-headed coach’s words hit them like a surge of adrenaline.
Naruto sighed, glancing at Gaara, then clapped a hand on his back, his grin returning. “Well, that works too,” he said, his tone lightening.
“He’s right, girls. This isn’t on me or Gaara. We’ve done our parts as your coaches, now it’s all on you. Just trust in what we’ve taught you, communicate, and play with everything you got. You’ve got this.”
The tension in the air seemed to lift as the girls nodded, their composure returning. As they huddle up, the girls weren’t just determined to finish what they had started – they were already envisioning their final step to reach the finals. They knew, without a doubt, that victory was within reach.
–
Present day, At the Uchiha family house.
Sasuke knocked softly on Sarada’s door. “Sarada? Dinner’s ready.”
A beat. The door creaked open, and Sarada stood there, her gaze lingering on the packed bag and the equipment resting at the foot of her bed.
She turned slowly, her eyes locking with her father’s, heavy with resolve that felt far older than her years. There was no mistaking it — that look on her eyes. It reminded Sasuke of when Sarada had first played soccer, where she insisted on trying the sport out. And Sasuke didn’t just see the passion she has for the sport in her eyes, but also a reflection of him, and the strength she had forged herself, honed by those who supported her. And despite her dark orbs, Sasuke saw a familiar glimmer of passionate blue eyes.
Sasuke inhaled, feeling something shift within him. The tournament had tested her in ways he wouldn’t have expected, but more than that, it had proved her strength and dedication. She’s ready. The pride swelled quietly in his chest, and before he could get emotional–
He clears his throat, finally breaking the silence. “Dinner’s ready. They’re waiting for you.”
Sarada blinked, her focus snapping back to the present. “Oh! I’ll be down in a minute! Just double-checking things to make sure I didn’t miss anything!”
Sasuke nodded, “A minute.” Without another word, he turned and walked back downstairs. As he descended, he couldn’t help but think about how much his daughter had grown, not just as an athlete, but as a person. She was someone else entirely now – someone stronger, more confident.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but it was gone before anyone could see it. Tonight, they would celebrate her journey. Tomorrow, she would face the culmination of it all, and Sasuke knew one thing for certain — whatever happened, she had already won.
—
The next day, the final match.
“Sarada!” Naruto called out with his usual enthusiastic grin, as his team captain sprinted toward the sidelines where the rest of the team had gathered.
“Start the warm-up, then we’ll go over today’s game plan, yeah?” The blonde coach ordered.
Sarada nods, “Sure thing! Dad’s over there with the rest!” She tilts her head to the direction of the bleachers, and before Naruto could comment on what she had just said, she dashes of to meet with the rest of her teammates.
Naruto shakes his head, a faint blush and smile on his face. He spots the Uchiha family, then makes his way towards them as they settle in their seats.
“Hey, everyone!” He greets, eyes immediately landing on Sasuke.
Sasuke’s eyes visibly brighten, but before he could reach out to Naruto, his mother beats him to it.
Mikoto stood up and immediately opened her arms for a hug. “There you are! And why didn’t you and your parents show up last night, hmm?”
Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Sorry, Ma’a—”
Mikoto raised an eyebrow. “How many times do I have to remind you to drop the ma’am ?” she chided, her smile playful. “You’re practically dating my son, and we’ve met a couple of times already!”
Sasuke clears his throat, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks. “Mother, not the time—” he muttered, his gaze darting around to see if anyone had noticed.
“Oh, right! What was I saying?” Mikoto paused dramatically, clearly enjoying Sasuke’s discomfort. “Ah, yes! The dinner last night. I’m pretty sure I invited Kushina and Minato myself, but they declined. Something about a schedule conflict, but as for you?” She raised an eyebrow at Naruto. “Why didn’t you show up?”
Naruto laughed softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Trust me, Aunt Mikoto, I would’ve loved to join you for dinner. Sasuke had invited me too, since you insisted, but… I wanted you all to have your family time. Not that I wouldn’t want to join, but uh…” He trailed off awkwardly, trying to smooth things over.
He cleared his throat. “Anyway, as for Ma and Pa, they’ll make it today! They had to work yesterday, so they took today off to come watch the match.”
Fugaku, who had been quietly watching the exchange, nodded thoughtfully. “I see. It’s great that they’ll make it. Shall we save them a seat, then?”
Naruto smiles, grateful. “They would love that! Thank you, sir.”
Fugaku raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “I guess it’s tough to drop the ‘sir’ after all this time, huh?”
Naruto tilted his head for a moment, blinking. “Huh? Oh! Uh, sorry, I’m still not used to it…”
Mikoto laughed softly, waving of his apology. “You’re fine, Naruto. And seriously, you and your parents should come by often. You’re like family to us now, you know?”
Naruto’s eyes widened for a moment before catching Sasuke’s gaze, who had watched the entire exchange fondly. Naruto breaks into a wide grin, “Thank you! I–”
“Naruto!” A familiar voice called out, interrupting him. Everyone turned toward the sound.
“Sakura! Oh, and Itachi!” Naruto greeted them, his expression lighting up. The two were both holding drinks and snacks.
Itachi passed the drinks around, a smirk tugging at his lips. “We grabbed some food so we wouldn’t miss a second of the match. We’re not letting anything distract us today.”
Sasuke rolls his eyes at his brother’s comment. As if it weren’t Itachi and Sakura who pestered him about him and Naruto awhile back.
Sakura nodded enthusiastically as she handed out snacks. “Yep! It already feels different, and the match hasn’t even started yet.”
Naruto let out a long, deep sigh, his shoulders sagging. “Yeah, that’s finals for you. But I know my girls can do it. I trust them.”
Sakura gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “We all do. There’s nothing more we can do now but cheer them on.” She winked playfully at Sasuke, who was nearby, then added, “Good thing they’ve got a coach who knows what he’s doing, right?”
“He’s alright,” Sasuke says trying to act nonchalant, but Naruto pouts playfully, he tries to say something, but he hears a distant whistle from where the girls were warming up.
“Ah, looks like they’re done. Well, I gotta go — coach duties. Ma and Pa will join you guys soon! I’ll catch you guys later, yeah?”
Everyone nods, and Mikoto adds, “Of course! Good luck to you and the girls!”
A chorus of good lucks rings out, but the Uchiha family looks at Sasuke expectantly.
“What?” Sasuke asks, trying to sound annoyed.
Itachi breaks the silence with a teasing smile. “Not gonna kiss the coach good–”
Sasuke slaps his brothers hand, “Shut up!”
Everyone erupts into laughter, and even Naruto chuckles, his cheeks and neck tinted pink. “... Anyway! I’ll catch you guys later. See you, Sasuke!” he says, waving as he jogs back to the field.
Sasuke’s gaze follows the retreating figure, fuck.
He feels a nudge on his side — Sakura has sat beside him. “You had your chance,” she says with a shrug.
Itachi slides into the seat on Sasuke’s other side. “And you wasted it.”
Sasuke blushes, crossing his arms. “Not the appropriate time.”
Sakura scoffs, “Couples do it all the time, what are you twelve?”
“Oh, shut up! You go kiss him then!” Sasuke snaps.
Sakura laughs softly, stifling it with a hand, but the corner of her mouth still twitches upward. “As if you’d let me,” she teases.
Just as Sasuke glares at her, the speakers blare loudly, cutting through the chatter of the crowd. The air crackles with excitement, and the crowd buzzes with anticipation.
“There they are!” A familiar voice rings out from across the stands, and the Uchiha family turns their heads to see a pair of familiar faces.
Mikoto waves her hand, “Kushina! Minato! You’re just in time! Come sit! It’s about to start!”
Kushina waves back with a smile, and the two quickly make their way toward the seats. They exchange brief pleasantries as they settle in, though the undercurrent of tension in the air is palpable. It’s clear that the catching up will have to wait until the match is over.
“Sorry! It was so hard to find a parking spot! There’s so many people watching!” Kushina says, breathless from running to her seat, and plops down next to Mikoto.
Mikoto nods, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her expression softening with concern. “Today feels a lot different from their past matches… Oh, I hope Sarada’s okay.” Her gaze flickers towards the field, her worry evident in her furrowed brow.
Kushina releases a deep breath, trying to offer some comfort. “I’m sure they’ll be fine. We just have to trust them,” she reassures.
The final announcements echo through the stadium, and the players take their positions. The coaches are shouting instructions, the teams lining up, ready for the whistle that will start it all.
A loud whistle rings out, sharp and clear, signaling the beginning of the game. Both teams surge forward, spreading across the field with a flurry of quick, calculated movements.
Sasuke’s gaze sharpens as he watches the players spring into action. Every muscle in his body tightens, every instinct on high alert. The match has begun.
—
The ball is immediately in motion. Sasuke’s eyes are locked on Sarada, watching her glide effortlessly across the field. She’s calm, but her movements are calculated, every touch purposeful.
Sarada passes it to Chocho, who charges up the right side, using her quick footwork to slip past a defender. Sasuke can feel his heartbeat in his throat as Chocho moves with incredible speed, her legs pumping furiously as she drives toward the opposing goal. The defenders close in, but she jukes them both, sending a perfect pass toward Sumire near the edge of the penalty box.
The stadium collectively holds its breath.
Sumire lines up for a shot. The goalkeeper charges toward her, arms outstretched, but Sumire’s shot comes in hard and low—just inches from the keeper’s outstretched hands. The ball thuds against the post and bounces wide. The crowd lets out a collective groan of disappointment.
Sasuke’s jaw tightens. The pressure of the game is starting to wear on him.
—
The game is a blur of motion as Sasuke watches with a mix of pride and tension. His daughter was everywhere, her movements fluid and precise, reading the game like a seasoned pro. He sees her intercept a pass in midfield, sending it quickly to Chocho, who races down the field and passes it to Sumire. And with a swift strike, Sumire sends the ball hurtling toward the goal. The net ripples. The crowd explodes in roars of cheers.
Sasuke lets out an exhale, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. His chest tightens with pride, but the opposing team washes no time, pushing forward relentlessly. And his body instinctively tenses again.
He sees Itachi look over to him, “It won’t be easy, Sasuke.”
Sasuke meets his eyes and nods. The pressure is back, and the game shows no signs of slowing down.
He looks over to Sakura who sat beside him, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat, eyes never leaving Sarada.
And Sasuke looks back on the other side again, and looks over to his father, his sharp gaze tracking every move on the field. He feels the weight of his father’s gaze even when he isn’t looking directly at him.
And his eyes move a bit further to Mikoto and Kushina, who were now both holding onto each other’s arm tightly as they follow the team’s movements. Kushina, even nervous, is still practically vibrating with excitement, shouting words of encouragement here and there amidst the loud audience.
And Sasuke calms himself, and he can’t help but feel a brief flash of gratitude to the people with him.
But before he could let his thoughts linger further, he turns his attention back to the field just as the opposing team takes control of the ball. His chest tightens again, his focus narrowing.
The other team pushes forward, their forward making a break for the goal. Sasuke holds his breath as the ball is shot toward the net. The goalkeeper dives but barely gets a hand to it, deflecting it toward the edge of the box. Sasuke feels his stomach knot. If the ball falls to the wrong player, it’s over.
But then, just like that, Sarada is there. A flash of movement, a perfect slide, and she blocks the shot just in time. The crowd erupts into cheers. Sasuke’s heart swells with pride—his daughter, so quick, so decisive. Her focus, her skill, it’s like watching a mirror image of himself at that age, but with more precision, more grace.
Sakura exhales beside him, her voice soft and full of emotion. “That’s my girl...” Sasuke glances at her, and though she’s smiling, he can see the tightness in her eyes, the nerves of a mother watching her child under pressure.
Minutes tick by, and the game enters its final stretch. Sarada has the ball again. Sasuke leans forward, his body instinctively following her movements.
This is it.
Sarada’s eyes scan the field, her mind already processing her next move. The defenders rush to close the gap, but Sarada feints left, sending one of them off balance. She surges forward and passes to Chocho, who races down the sideline. Sasuke grips the armrest, his heart hammering in his chest.
Chocho crosses the ball into the penalty box, and Sasuke watches as Sarada positions herself perfectly. The defenders try to close in, but they’re too slow. Sasuke holds his breath, every second stretching long. Sarada leaps, meeting the ball with a controlled strike.
The ball arcs toward the far corner of the goal, spinning with deadly precision. The goalkeeper dives, fingertips brushing the ball, but it’s too late. The ball slams into the back of the net.
The roar of the crowd is deafening, and both families stand before they even realize it. Sasuke feels his heart pounding in his chest. The game is over.
Sakura, standing next to him, throws her arms around him, tears in her eyes as she hugs him tightly. “She did it, Sasuke!! She really did it.”
Fugaku, Itachi, and Minato, who are usually the picture of calm and control, are standing tall and clapping, their smiles wider than usual. They’re all genuinely happy, and it’s pretty clear.
Fugaku looks over at Sasuke, then to Itachi, and nods. “Well done,” he says, his voice low but surprisingly warm.
Itachi just lets out a soft chuckle and gives Sasuke a small, approving grin. He slaps a hand on his shoulder. “I knew she had it in her.”
Kushina and Mikoto were both jumping up and down, cheering louder than the rest, it seems as if Kushina’s energy has been passed even to their mother.
And Sasuke spots the blonde coach, who was jumping up and down, his grin wide, his fist raised in victory. Even Gaara, who’s usually the calmer one, has a wide smile, his eyes bright with pride. The team is celebrating, and Sasuke feels a warmth flood through him, the joy of victory so palpable in the air that it almost feels tangible.
—
The final moments of the game felt like a blur.
The sound of the whistle, the deafening cheers of the crowd, and the rush of victory all melded together into a single moment of pure euphoria.
Naruto’s girls had done it — they won . Sarada’s perfect shot had sent the ball flying into the back of the net, and the stadium had erupted in a wave of cheers.
Naruto’s heart pounded in his chest as he threw his fists in the air. “We did it! We did it!” His voice was hoarse from the excitement, the words tumbling out in a breathless rush. He started running toward the field, Gaara quickly following behind him.
Chocho and Sumire were already swarming Sarada, the rest of the team piling on, joining the triumphant chaos of their hard-earned victory.
"My girls! You did it!" Naruto was about to join the celebration when something stopped him, something that made his blood run cold.
Sarada wasn’t jumping, wasn’t laughing with the rest of them. She was standing still, clutching her thigh with a pained expression, her face taut with discomfort. Her eyes were downcast, shoulders hunched, as if trying to hide her pain.
Naruto’s stomach twisted. "Sarada, what’s wrong?" He rushed to her side, reaching for her shoulder, but as soon as he touched her, she collapsed into his arms, her body crumpling to the ground.
" Coach –" she winced, her breath coming in sharp, strained gasps as she clutched her leg. Her face was ghostly pale, the strain in her voice unmistakable.
" Sarada !" Panic surged through Naruto’s chest as he crouched beside her. His hands trembled as he gently tried to lift her leg, but she cried out in agony, her whole body tensing.
“I—I think I pulled something... maybe worse,” Sarada gasped, her face tight with pain. Her words were soft, shaky, but the fear in her eyes was clear.
Naruto’s mind raced, and before he could process anything more, the rest of the team swarmed around them, their faces full of concern. Chocho’s eyes were wide with worry, while Sumire bit her lip, looking as if she were trying to hold back tears. The joyful atmosphere of the win had turned into a heavy cloud of anxiety.
Naruto's gaze darted to Gaara, his voice urgent and strong. “Get Ma and Pa and the Uchiha family. They should be by the stands. Now, Gaara!” Gaara’s face hardened, and he nodded before quickly jogging toward the sidelines.
Naruto’s hands shook as he tried to keep his composure, but the fear was suffocating. His voice softened as he looked at Sarada, trying to offer comfort.
"I’m gonna carry you, kiddo." His tone was gentle, but the worry in his eyes was unmistakable.
The team, still in shock, looked on, their expressions a mix of concern and helplessness. “Girls, you did great today,” Naruto said, his voice strained but trying to reassure them. “We’ll celebrate this properly, but for now—” He carefully scooped Sarada into his arms, trying not to hurt her further.
She winced in pain, but her head rested against his shoulder as he began to walk, the weight of her injury heavy on both of them.
The stadium’s cheers still echoed in the distance, but Naruto’s heart was no longer in them. He could only think of Sarada, and how quickly the joy of victory had been overshadowed by the fear that something far worse might be waiting for them.
—
Sasuke’s heart dropped into his stomach as he watched Naruto move swiftly across the field, his team trailing behind in a hurried scramble. In his arms, Naruto was carrying Sarada.
The elation of victory had evaporated, replaced by a suffocating weight in the air. It was as if the very atmosphere had shifted, a shadow falling over everything, unspoken but undeniable. Sasuke’s chest tightened, the panic creeping up his throat as he tracked Naruto’s every step.
It was in the way Naruto held her—too stiffly, too urgently—that made Sasuke’s pulse race. His heart hammered in his chest, the growing dread choking the air from his lungs. Something was horribly wrong.
Kushina's sharp voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. “Gaara!” she called out, voice cracking. “What happened?” Her eyes flicked toward him, waiting for answers.
Gaara was running toward them now, his expression grim, his eyes sharp with a cold intensity that Sasuke only ever saw from him during the most intense moments of soccer matches — when every second counted, and every decision could mean victory or defeat.
“I’ll explain on the way down,” Gaara said, his voice low, but clear. “Naruto asked me to get you. Sarada’s badly injured.”
The words felt like ice, the air thick with unspoken fear. Sasuke could feel the panic rise, but no words came to him. He glanced at Sakura, whose face had gone ashen. Her hand reached out, gripping his, and Sasuke could feel the tremor in her fingers, matching his own.
The world seemed to slow, the silence growing louder.
Kushina gasped. “No, Sarada!”
Without another word, everyone surged to their feet, rushing toward the stands, following the assistant coach down to the field where Naruto was already carrying Sarada toward the medical area.
As they push the through the crowd, Sasuke could feel his breath coming in shallow gasps.
His heart thudded louder, and his mind — already racing — couldn’t stop.
Don’t think about it, Sasuke. Don’t overthink it.
But it was too late. The fear had already taken root.