The moonlight filtered through the room and illuminated Sakura. Kakashi's heart clenched painfully when he realized the difference between the Sakura, he was with to the Sakura that was sleeping in the bed.

The moonlight just made the bruise in her arm more prominent. The bags under her eyes were darker than he ever saw before.

His decisions caused them unnecessary pain and suffering. More so in Sakura's case. He can feel the anger and hate boiling in his blood, demanding to be let out and knock some sense on the Uchiha's head.

Genma, who had been observing the situation, could see the turmoil in Kakashi's eye. He knew that Kakashi had genuine feelings for Sakura, and he had tried to shield himself from the pain that he imagined in his head when Uchiha Sasuke returned in the village. In his head, he saved Sakura the trouble from conjuring excuses to break up with him.

He was there when Sakura brought light in his cousin's life. He was there when he broke her heart. And he was there when Kakashi cried his heart out when he saw the two walking hand-in-hand.

"You know, Kakashi," Genma said, his voice soft but filled with understanding, "sometimes, we try to protect the ones we care about, but it ends up hurting them even more. Sakura deserves happiness, and maybe you should consider being honest with her and confronting your own feelings."

"I was just doing what I thought was best that time." Kakashi answered him, his eye never leaving Sakura's face. "I didn't know that it will come to this."

"You know that I love her." Kakashi whispered. "I always did."