Days turned into nights, and Kakashi remained a constant presence at Sakura's side in the hospital. As she slowly regained consciousness, her eyes met Kakashi's with a mix of exhaustion and vulnerability.

"Kakashi." Sakura's voice scratched at her throat because of dryness. She slowly rise and settled into a sitting position.

"Sakura." Kakashi smiled behind the mask, relieved that he finally saw her eyes. He tried to hold her hand but she weakly dodged his attempt.

"Sakura, I'm so sorry for everything you had to go through," Kakashi said, his tone filled with genuine remorse. "I wish I could have been there to protect you."

Sakura's mind went back to the things she had to do for her mission. She prepared for the worse but she didn't know that it will not be enough. Thinking back, no matter what preparation she does will never make her ready for that mission. She personally asked for that because she wanted to get away, but she didn't consider the cost. Her dull green eyes turned hollow.

Kakashi noticed the change in Sakura's eyes and demeanor. He tried to hold her hand again and he succeeded, he added a slight pressure in her palm to reassure her. But it did nothing. He knows what she had to do to ensure that her mission is a success. He once partook in a mission that needed seduction and the actual deed to get information from the target. But after that one mission, he felt like his soul was ripped out of his body and turned to shreds. He never partook to any seduction mission after that.

"Sakura." he called her, trying to get her away from the memories that is sure to flood her.

Sakura returned to the world when she heard his voice and realize that Kakashi was holding her hand tight. She shook his hand from her and reluctantly, Kakashi let go of her.

"Leave me alone." She demanded him. Kakashi winced at the lifeless voice that he heard from Sakura's mouth.

"No."

"Leave me alone, Kakashi."

"No."

"Please, leave me alone!" Sakura turned to him. Her eyes wide, it started to fill with tears. "Please, just leave me alone." She lowly said as her tears escaped her lids. Then, she started removing the needles that pierced her skin. But Kakashi stopped her.

"No, don't do that." He stood up to sit at the edge of her hospital bed, pulling her into her chest, her hands trying to distance herself from him. But he held her tight. Not wanting to let go of her.

"Sakura, listen to me," Kakashi spoke gently, his arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace. "I know it's hard, and I can't fully understand what you went through, but you're not alone. I'm here for you." He knows that even though he had to partake in a similar mission, his pain is different from hers. He knows that he will never fully understand the pain that she feels but he knows how it would feel, and he will not let her wallow in her self-disgust.

Sakura's body trembled against Kakashi's hold as she tried to pull away, but he held firm. "You don't get it, Kakashi. You don't know what I had to do, what I had to become for that mission."

Kakashi's heart ached at the pain in her voice. He could sense the turmoil within her, the weight of the choices she made. "You did what you thought was necessary for the mission. It doesn't define who you are. You're still Sakura, and you're strong."

"I don't feel strong," Sakura whispered, her tears staining Kakashi's shoulder. "I feel dirty and used and I can't get those memories out of my head."

Kakashi tightened his embrace, his hand gently stroking her back. "Sakura, it's okay not to be okay. What you're feeling is normal after what you've been through. But you're not alone in this. I'll be here for you every step of the way."

"No, you won't." she whispered. He pulled back a little to stare at her in confusion. Does she not want him? Does she not want him to be in her side? "You have Ino to care for."

Kakashi sighed. He pulled her back into his chest again. He rested his mask cheek in her hair. "There's nothing between Ino and I, Sakura." he whispered. Sakura went still in his arms. "She just wanted to buy me some time because I can't muster the courage to be true to myself. I wished I did not play along." He said, his voice full of regret. "But you don't have to carry this burden alone. Let me be here for you, just as you were there for me."

Sakura's sobs echoed in the room as she clung to Kakashi. He felt her pain, her vulnerability, and he wished he could bear the weight of her suffering. But all he could do was offer his presence, his support, and a promise that she wasn't alone.

"I'm here, Sakura," Kakashi whispered softly. "You don't have to face this alone. Let me help you, even if it's just by being here with you."

Sakura's grip on Kakashi gradually loosened as her sobs subsided. She felt an odd mixture of relief and shame, relief that Kakashi hadn't abandoned her and shame for the actions she had to take for the mission.

"Kakashi," Sakura whispered, her voice hoarse. "I don't know how to face everyone after this."

Kakashi sighed, understanding the depth of her concern. "You don't have to face everyone at once. Take your time, heal, and when you're ready, we'll figure it out together. You have people who care about you, Sakura, and I'm one of them."

Sakura pulled back slightly to meet Kakashi's gaze. Her eyes were red and puffy, but there was a glimmer of gratitude in them. "Why are you doing this? Why are you here for me after what I did?"

Kakashi's eye softened, and he gently brushed a tear away from her cheek. "Because you matter, Sakura. You're not defined by one mission or one choice. You're a person, a kunoichi with incredible strength and compassion. I care about you, and I want to help you find your way back to yourself."

Sakura nodded, her heart heavy but also warmed by Kakashi's sincerity. The path to recovery would be long, filled with challenges, but knowing that she wasn't alone made it more bearable.

Kakashi pulled her again to his chest. Now that she's awake the knot that tangled in his chest is slowly unraveling. He smoothed her hair with her hand and rested his cheek in the side of her head. He closed his eyes when an overwhelming emotion flooded his chest.

"She's safe. She's here. She's safe." Kakashi repeatedly chanted the words in his head.

"I love you, Sakura." he whispered in her hair.

Sakura's body tensed at Kakashi's words. She pulled back slightly, her teary eyes searching his visible eye for any sign of deception. "What did you say?"

Kakashi met her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "I love you, Sakura. Not because of what you did or what you had to endure, but for who you are. You're strong, compassionate, and you matter to me." he said sincerely. "I love long before you left for that mission. After I was discharged I was looking for you. There's a fear that settled in my chest when I learned that you went to a solo mission. I had a luck of losing the people I care for, and I can't dispel the foreboding that you'll leave me too."

Sakura's eyes widened; her breath caught in her throat. The words echoed in her mind, and for a moment, she felt suspended in time. The weight of his confession mingled with the complex emotions she was already grappling with. "But I'm not... I'm not the same person anymore."

Kakashi cupped her face in his hands, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You're still here, Sakura. No matter what happened, you're still the person I care about. And we'll figure this out together."

Sakura's eyes searched Kakashi's for any sign of deceit, but all she found was sincerity and concern. She hesitated for a moment before finally allowing herself to believe in his words.

"I should have said it sooner, Sakura. I'm sorry for not being honest with you."

Kakashi smiled gently. "You don't have to say anything right now. Just focus on healing, and we'll face whatever comes next together. I'll be here for you, no matter what."

Sakura's lips trembled as a mixture of emotions surged within her. "Kakashi, I... I don't know how to respond. After everything, how can you still feel that way?"

Kakashi's gaze held a depth of sincerity that touched her soul. "Love doesn't change because of circumstances or mistakes. It's about understanding and accepting each other, even in the darkest moments. I care about you, Sakura, and my feelings for you go beyond any mission or hardship."

A fragile smile tugged at the corners of Sakura's lips, but despite the smile, her eyes still looked... hollow.

"I don't know, Kakashi. Maybe four or five months ago, I would have jumped in joy." she said. "But now I can't think of anything aside from the persona I had to play in the mission. I don't feel like myself anymore. I feel... cheap, disgusting, dirty, and used."

Kakashi's heart ached at Sakura's words, the pain evident in her eyes. He tightened his hold on her, offering comfort and support. "Sakura, it's okay to feel that way right now. Healing takes time, and you don't have to rush through these emotions. I'm here for you, and we'll navigate this together."

Sakura nodded, a mixture of gratitude and unworthiness in her eyes. "I just don't know how to face everyone, especially after what they'll find out about the mission."

Kakashi sighed, realizing the challenges that lay ahead. "We'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, focus on your recovery. The village can wait. And remember, you're not alone in this."