Kakashi placed the chair near her bed. He will never leave her side anymore. He will guard her, he will never let anyone harm her again.

Tsunade was able to heal the superficial wounds, but Sakura's injury is deeper than the ones that they can see.

He was there when Ibiki interrogated Sasuke. He was mad. He lost all sense of humanity when he subjected Sakura to his torture. His hands turned into fists as he recalled Sasuke's accounts. The darkness totally consumed his heart.

He felt hate consume him as he remembered all the time that saw something wrong but pushed it away from his mind. Thinking that it was just a normal relationship spat. How he ignored Sakura's painful wince when Sasuke pulled her closer to him, thinking that Sasuke just held her too tight. He could have prevented this. But he didn't.

He carefully holds her hand. Trying to avoid the needles that were inserted to her veins. He lightly traced circles in her knuckles.

"I'm so sorry, Sakura," Kakashi whispered to her, his voice filled with remorse. "I should have protected you from the very beginning, but I failed you. I let this happen, and I'll never forgive myself for it."

As he continued to trace comforting circles on her hand, Kakashi's resolve strengthened. He knew he couldn't change the past, but he was determined to shape the future. He was committed to ensuring Sakura's safety and well-being from this point on.

Tsunade's words echoed in his mind – he couldn't give in to despair or hatred. It was time to put an end to the darkness that had consumed Sasuke and had inflicted so much pain on Sakura.

"I promise, Sakura," Kakashi repeated, his voice steady and filled with determination. "I'll be by your side, always. I won't let you suffer like this again. I'll protect you, just as I should have from the very beginning. You won't be alone anymore."

He pressed a soft kiss on her knuckles, sealing the vow that he uttered.

Days turned into weeks and into months. Sakura still laying unconscious in the hospital bed. But Kakashi didn't leave her side. No one can make him leave, he already has some of his things on the hospital. So, he doesn't have to leave her unless necessary.

The nurses started to talk about his behavior, but he didn't care. He stopped caring about their thoughts when Sakura was almost beaten to death. He doesn't care anymore. All that matters is her.

He talks to her, tirelessly, from morning to night. He recounted their adventures, their missions. What he thought about her the first time he saw her, and how proud of her when she proved that she can be so much more. He asked for forgiveness for his role in her state.

Tears rolled down his eyes when he remembers how badly she was beaten, how volatile her condition was. He thought he lost his ability to cry before but looking at Sakura stirred something in him.

"Sakura, please wake up." Kakashi begged to her. "You don't have to be afraid anymore. He will not hurt you again. I'm here, Sakura. I love you." He held her hand in his. Never wanting to let go.

But his eyes looked at her when he felt her twitch in his hands. "Sakura?" he called out to her. Another twitch. "Sakura, it's me, Kakashi. Please open your eyes."

He saw her lids flutter. As if attempting to wake up, her hand twitched again, making his heart soar.

"Sakura. Please open your eyes. I promise, I will protect you no matter what. Just please open your eyes for me."

Seconds turned into minutes, and finally after a long time, Kakashi was able to see her green eyes. He let go of her hand to cup her face. His eyes never leaving her.

"Sakura." he said, he leaned to kiss her forehead. Where her 100-healing mark used to stand proud. "You're awake. You're finally awake." he murmured to her. His eyes are filling with tears, but he held them back.

lThere's no more reason to cry. She's back. She's back.

"Ka... Kakashi." she whispered his name. Her voice hoarse. "I... I heard you."

He can't hold back his tears anymore when he heard her voice. He kissed her forehead again; he was just so happy that he cannot contain his emotions.

"Sakura," Kakashi replied, his voice trembling with emotion. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face and held her close, cradling her head in his hands. "You're back, and I'm here. You don't have to be afraid anymore. You're safe now."

Sakura's weak smile grew, and her eyes glistened with gratitude as she looked into Kakashi's eyes. She found solace in his presence, knowing that she was not alone and that he would protect her from any harm that might come her way.

"Thank you, Kashi-kun." she whispered to him, grateful for his presence.