Kakashi never left her side ever since she woke up.

Now the whole village knows about them. And he still doesn't give a damn. Whenever he hears whispers about him being a cradle snatcher since there is a staggering 14-year gap between them, he just looked the other way. Grateful that he doesn't have to lie in front of his cousin.

He had been there with Sakura when the doctor said that there is an irreparable damage in her chakra pathways and will never be able to use her chakra again. That she will never be able to help in the hospital the way she used to.

He was there to hold her close when she cried about the loss of her profession, when she retired from the active service too early. He was there when she returned her forehead protector, and ninja tools. He was there being a silent sentinel.

And then, it was her turn to push him away.

"I can't do it anymore, Kakashi. Just leave, please!" Sakura shouted at the silver-haired Jonin that is currently reading in her couch. She's itching to throw a punch the way she used to, but the mere attempt to gather chakra in her fist is causing her to choke blood.

But she didn't stop practicing. Even if she already retired, she can't just turn her back to the only profession she imagined her whole life.

Looking at the man who is comfortable in her couch, she gathered small amount of chakra in her fist, but even before they reached her fist, she doubled over. Spluttering blood onto her floor.

Kakashi quickly set aside his book, rushing to Sakura's side. Concern etched on his face, he helped her sit back on the couch.

"Sakura, you need to take it easy. You can't push yourself like this," he said, worry evident in his voice.

"I can't just sit here and do nothing, Kakashi! I can't accept that I'm useless now," Sakura exclaimed, frustration lacing her words.

Kakashi sighed, his gaze softening. "You're not useless, Sakura. You're still incredibly strong, and there are many ways you can contribute. You have medical knowledge that can be invaluable, even if you're not in the field."

Sakura shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's not the same, Kakashi. I wanted to be in the field, to make a difference with my own hands. Now, I can't even do that." Angry tears started streaming from her eyes. Although she already knew that she can't be a shinobi anymore, she can't let go of the job.

She then looked at Kakashi. "I don't need you here. Get out of my house!"

"Don't push me away." Kakashi said. "We broke up once, look at where it led."

"So, you're here because you feel guilty? I don't need your pity love, Hatake!"

Kakashi's eye tightened, and he took a deep breath before responding. "It's not about pity, Sakura. I'm here because I love you. I want to support you, not out of guilt, but because I genuinely care about you."

Sakura scoffed, wiping away the tears with frustration. "Support me? I don't need support. I need to be on the field, helping people, making a difference. Not stuck here, unable to even heal myself properly. Just leave, I can't look at you without me pitying myself." Sakura said. "I can't look at your vest without wishing I will achieve that rank too. I can't look at your forehead protector without wishing I had mine too."

Kakashi remained silent for a moment, his gaze never leaving Sakura's tear-stricken face. He understood the pain she was going through, the frustration of having her dreams shattered. He, then removed the vest leaving the skin-tight dark blue undershirt sewed with a mask attachment and his forehead protector. He even removed the fingerless black gloves with Konoha's symbol. And toss it to the side.

Sakura's anger and frustration gave way to confusion as she watched Kakashi remove his vest, gloves, and forehead protector. Her tear-filled eyes locked onto him, trying to understand the significance of his actions.

Kakashi looked at her with a soft, sincere expression. "Without those, I am still me, Sakura. I'll give all those up, Sakura, if it means being with you. I can be just me, and you can be just you. It doesn't matter what rank I am, what vest I wear, or what forehead protector is on my head. What matters is us, together."

Tears continued to flow down Sakura's cheeks, but this time they were different. They were tears of emotion, a mixture of relief, love, and understanding. Kakashi's words cut through the cloud of her despair and self-pity, reminding her of the love they shared.

She reached out to him, her trembling hand brushing his cheek, and her voice was soft. "I'm sorry, Kakashi. I was pushing you away because I felt so small and helpless. I thought you'd be better off without me."

Kakashi took her hand and kissed her palm gently. "I could never be better off without you, Sakura. I experienced it firsthand, it was hell. I'd rather be imprisoned inside a genjutsu than live without you. You're my strength and my heart. We'll find a way to face this together, no matter what challenges come our way."

Sakura nodded, her tears now turning into a genuine smile. "I love you, Kakashi."

Kakashi leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I love you too, Sakura. And I'm not going anywhere."

As they shared a tender moment, their love for each other only grew stronger, no longer burdened by past mistakes or fears of the future. They had found their way back to each other, ready to face whatever challenges life had in store.