The village gradually became aware of Sakura's return and the challenges she faced during her mission. Rumors circulated, but the specifics remained shrouded in secrecy. Kakashi and Sakura faced the stares and whispers with resilience, leaning on each other for support.
It took a few months to make Sakura confident enough to face her friends and go out without him by her side. But she preferred it if he's with her.
Tsunade frowned at Sakura's dependence on him but chose not to say anything. She knows that the two share the same pain.
But the villagers are not as forgiving as their Hokage. Kakashi's constant presence in Sakura's side became the new center of the village gossips.
The villagers' gossip reached Kakashi and Sakura's ears, but they chose to focus on their own journey of healing and supporting each other. Kakashi, accustomed to being the subject of rumors, remained unfazed. Sakura, however, struggled with the judgmental whispers and glances from those around her.
One day, as Kakashi and Sakura strolled through the village, they overheard a group of villagers discussing their relationship in hushed tones.
"Have you heard about Sakura and Kakashi? I mean, what's going on there?"
"I heard she was on some kind of seduction mission. Who knows what happened during that time?"
"But you know how those shinobis are, they act so superior, but they sell their bodies just to finish a mission."
"I can't believe she's sticking so close to Kakashi. People are talking, you know."
"Maybe he is her new mission."
"These shinobis really have no shame."
"We don't know anything. I mean, they are the ones who fight for us although they sure act inappropriately."
Sakura's grip on Kakashi's arm tightened as the words reached her ears. She felt a mixture of anger and shame, the weight of the village's judgment pressing on her shoulders.
Kakashi, sensing Sakura's discomfort, stopped walking and turned to face the gossiping group. His eye bore into theirs with a stern intensity that silenced them.
"What people say is none of your concern," Kakashi stated, his voice low but firm. "Sakura has been through a lot, and she doesn't need your judgment. If you have something to say, say it to our faces, not behind our backs."
The villagers, taken aback by Kakashi's directness, mumbled half-hearted apologies and quickly dispersed. Kakashi sighed, turning his attention back to Sakura, who wore a mix of gratitude and embarrassment on her face.
"Let them talk, Sakura. We can't control what people say, but we can control how we react to it," Kakashi said, his gaze gentle. "They don't know what you've been through or the strength it took to come back. You don't owe anyone an explanation."
Sakura nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She knew Kakashi was right, but the weight of judgment still lingered.