One night, as Kakashi sat in the dimly lit room, Genma broke the silence. "You need to talk to her, Kakashi. Tell her the truth."
Kakashi looked at Genma, his eye reflecting a mix of sorrow and determination. "I know. I should have done it earlier. I should have been honest with her from the start."
Genma nodded. "You can't change the past, but you can shape the future. Talk to her, Kakashi. She needs to hear it from you."
Taking a deep breath, Kakashi approached Sakura's bedside. He hesitated for a moment, then began to speak, pouring out his heart and the truth that had been buried for far too long.
"Sakura, I'm sorry. I made a mistake, a big one. I pushed you away because I thought it was for the best, but I see now that I only hurt you more. I lied to you, and I hurt you, and I can't forgive myself for that. I should have been honest with you about my feelings. I love you, Sakura, and I always have. I let my own fears and insecurities guide my actions, and it led us to this point. If you can hear me, please, wake up. I need you to know the truth, and I need a chance to make things right."
The room remained silent, the only sound the soft beeping of the machines. Kakashi's confession hung in the air, a desperate plea for forgiveness and a second chance.
Days turned into weeks, and still, Sakura showed no signs of waking up. The medical team continued their efforts, but the uncertainty weighed heavily on everyone in the room, they started to believe that Sakura is beyond help.
Kakashi continued to stay by Sakura's side, his guilt and regret gnawing at him with each passing day. He didn't know if she could hear him or if his words were reaching her, but he refused to give up.
One day, as he sat by her bedside, he felt a faint squeeze in his hand. His heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Sakura with wide eyes.
"Sakura?" he whispered; his voice filled with hope.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she let out a soft groan. Kakashi couldn't believe his eyes as Sakura slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the harsh hospital lights.
"Sakura!" Genma exclaimed, rushing to her side. "You're awake!"
Sakura's gaze was hazy at first, but as her vision cleared, she saw Kakashi sitting beside her. Confusion crossed her face before the events of the past flooded back into her memory.
"Kakashi," she murmured, her voice weak. "What happened?"
Kakashi's eyes softened, filled with a mixture of relief and guilt. "You were injured, Sakura. But you're awake now, and that's all that matters."
Sakura tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her. Genma gently helped her adjust to a more comfortable position.
"What about Sasuke?" Sakura asked, her brow furrowing.
"He's been taken care of," Kakashi assured her. "Don't worry about him right now."
Sasuke was arrested by the ANBU Black Ops when Shikamaru reported the incident. He's being tried for murder but the most that they can really press is homicide.
Sakura looked at Kakashi, her eyes searching for the truth. "I heard you, everytime you were talking to me, I can hear you. But I can't respond to you, my body is not cooperating with me. But answer me. Why did you lie, Kakashi? Why did you push me away?"
Kakashi took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation. "I was scared, Sakura. Scared of being hurt, of hurting you. I thought I was protecting you by leaving, but I realize now that I only caused more pain. I love you, Sakura, and I should have been honest with you from the start."
Sakura's gaze held a mix of emotions—confusion, hurt, in her head the words 'I don't love you' the same words that stabbed her heart when he dumped her. But there is also a flicker of understanding. "You love me?"
Kakashi nodded, his eye never leaving hers. "I always have."
Sakura's lips curved into a small smile. "Then why did you leave?"
Kakashi sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I thought I was doing what was best for you. I thought you deserved someone better, someone who could give you a normal life. I was wrong, and I'm so sorry, Sakura."
Tears welled up in Sakura's eyes, but this time they were not tears of pain. "You should have trusted me, Kakashi. We could have faced whatever came our way together."
Kakashi reached for her hand, his grip gentle. "I know, Sakura. I made a mistake, and I can't change the past. But I'm here now, and I want to make things right. If you'll give me a chance."
Sakura nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll give you a chance, Kakashi. But no more lies, okay?"
