Three years later...

Sakura smiled at the gate keepers as she came back from her two and a half years mission in Suna.

The village had changed in the time she was away, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with the growth that surrounded her. The familiar faces of fellow ninjas greeted her, and she exchanged polite nods and smiles.

As Sakura made her way through the village, memories of the past flooded back, especially the bittersweet ones with Kakashi. She had dedicated these years to healing, both physically and emotionally, and the distant ache of the past had softened with time.

She had been training to be a poison specialist and she traversed all five nations to be able to master the poisons of every village. In the end, she became the top medic nin poisons department. If only forgetting is the same as learning poisons and antidotes, she might have been able to forget the love that hurt her the most.

Sakura's steps led her to the Hokage's office. She couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as she approached the familiar building. The door creaked open, and she found Shikamaru, now the advisor to the Hokage, immersed in paperwork.

"Welcome back, Sakura," Shikamaru greeted without looking up.

"Thanks, Shikamaru. Is Hokage-sama around?" Sakura inquired, her voice carrying a casual tone.

Shikamaru finally looked up from his paperwork, a small sad smile forming on his face. "He's in his office. But I have to warn you, he's been a bit... different lately."

Sakura raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Different how?"

Shikamaru sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Ever since you left for that mission in Suna, he's been... more like Lady Tsunade than himself."

"You mean drinking?" Sakura clarified.

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah, among other things. He's been buried in work, and I haven't seen him take a break in weeks. You might want to brace yourself, Sakura."

"What happened to him? Did someone die?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "No, it's not about someone dying. It's more about the stress of the Hokage position, the weight of responsibilities, and, well, some personal matters. He's been trying to shoulder it all on his own."

Sakura's concern deepened. "Personal matters? What happened?"

Shikamaru hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "You happened."

"Me?" Sakura asked, confused. "What did I do?"

Shikamaru sighed, trying to find the right words. "It's not about something you did; it's about his struggle with his feelings for you. When you left for your mission, it hit him hard. He's been grappling with his emotions, and it's taking a toll on him."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Feelings for me? We broke up. That's that."

Shikamaru looked at Sakura with a knowing expression. "It's not that simple, Sakura. Emotions don't always follow a straightforward path. He never really got over you, and your departure reopened old wounds." He sighed. "He is a mess, Sakura. No one can stand him anymore other than the rookie nine and Shizune and Lady Tsunade."

Sakura's curiosity and concern deepened at Shikamaru's words. She thanked him and made her way to Kakashi's office. As she approached the door, she could hear the faint sound of a bottle being opened. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

"Come in," Kakashi's voice, muffled and weary, responded.

Sakura entered the office, her eyes immediately spotting the half-empty bottle of sake on Kakashi's desk. He looked up from his paperwork, his beautiful, hazy, grey eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her.

"Sakura," Kakashi said, his voice carrying a mix of astonishment and something else, perhaps guilt.

"Hey, Kakashi. I'm back from my mission," Sakura greeted, her tone casual.

Kakashi stood up, hastily attempting to clear the sake bottle and glasses from his desk. "I didn't expect you so soon. How was the mission?"

Sakura observed Kakashi's actions, her gaze sharp and discerning. "It went well. Suna was a challenging but rewarding experience."

Kakashi nodded, avoiding eye contact. "That's good to hear."

There was a palpable tension in the room, and Sakura decided to address the elephant in the office.

"I heard you've been... different lately. Drinking more?" Sakura inquired, her voice gentle but direct.

Kakashi sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "I suppose Shikamaru mentioned it."

"He did. What's going on, Kakashi?" Sakura asked, concern etched on her face.

"Nothing. Just the same hokage stuff. It's stifling." Kakashi shrugged.

Sakura looked at him with worried eyes. He looks nothing like that man she fell in love with. She showed him her hands and gathered her healing chakra there, showing him that she meant no harm. "I'll perform a diagnostic jutsu, but I'm not going to touch you without your permission. Can I touch you, Kakashi?"

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Go ahead."

Sakura approached Kakashi, her hands glowing with healing chakra. She performed a diagnostic jutsu, scanning his physical health. She found some liver, lung, and heart complications. He is also anemic.

Sakura finished the diagnostic jutsu and stepped back, her expression serious. "Kakashi, your health is not in a good state. The excessive drinking is taking a toll on your body. You need to take care of yourself."

Kakashi avoided her gaze, his eyes distant. "I can handle it."

Sakura crossed her arms, her tone firm. "Clearly, you can't. Drinking won't solve whatever problems you're facing. You're the Hokage, and the village needs you." She reiterated. "I know how much you hate hospitals and medics. But if you haven't change and you can still tolerate me, I'll heal you. It will take a whole day but I promise you, after I'm done, that hitch in your breathing will be gone."

Kakashi looked at Sakura, his visible eye reflecting a mix of reluctance and contemplation. After a moment, he sighed, giving a subtle nod of agreement.

"Fine, Sakura. Do what you need to do," Kakashi conceded.

Sakura nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. "Good. But this is just a temporary fix. You also need to address the underlying issues that are leading you to this state."

Kakashi remained silent, his shoulders slumping with a mix of exhaustion and resignation. Sakura guided him to a chair, and she began the intensive healing process. The room was filled with a soft glow of healing chakra as Sakura worked diligently to mend the damage caused by Kakashi's excessive drinking.

As the hours passed, Kakashi felt the fatigue lift, and he noticed a significant improvement in his overall well-being. The subtle aches and pains began to fade, and the clarity of his mind returned.

Once the healing process was complete, Sakura stepped back, her expression serious. "I've done what I can for your physical health, Kakashi. But you need to take care of yourself as well. Drinking won't solve anything, and unlike Lady Tsunade you who can heal herself, you can't continue like this."

Kakashi met Sakura's gaze, an unknown emotion is swirling in his eyes. She averted her eyes and continued on giving him some medical advice.

"Sakura." Kakashi cupped her face in his hands. "I missed you."

Sakura gently removed Kakashi's hands from her face, her expression a mix of emotions. "I'm not here for that."

Kakashi's gaze dropped, a sense of regret lingering in his grey eyes. "I know. But I still love you. I can't get you off my mind. And drinking... that's the only way that I can silence the voices in my head."

"So, you adopted up Lady Tsunade's coping mechanism when you know all too well that it's not healthy? And the only thing that saves her liver from destruction is her Byakugo seal? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Sakura scolded him sternly. "And what? You took up Asuma-sensei's vice too?"

Before Kakashi can responded, Shikamaru's voice sounded in the doorway. "Hey, Sakura? I appreciate you straightening out the stubborn Hokage. But please don't drag Asuma-sensei into your lectures."

Sakura glanced at Shikamaru with a raised eyebrow, her expression unyielding. "If it helps Kakashi understand the gravity of his actions, then I'll use any reference that hits home."

"But my sensei's dead." Shikamaru whined.

"Maybe that will help too." Sakura countered, before she looked back at Kakashi. "And I don't kiss chain smokers, they are gross."

Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise at Sakura's words, then he can feel his lips turning up into a smile. "Are you saying that if I stop smoking, you'll kiss me again?"

Sakura crossed her arms, "No. I still hate you, Kakashi."

The laughter in Kakashi's eyes died when Sakura said that. "You will never forgive me, Sakura, are you?"

"It still hurts. You discarding me like a trash is a hard pill to swallow." Sakura admitted.

"I'll make it up to you," Kakashi promised. "Just give me a chance. Please."

"It's been three years, Kakashi." Sakura said. "You can never fix us."

"Can't I try, Sakura?" Kakashi asked. "Give me chance. If after everything you still don't want me back, I'll back off."

Sakura stared at the grey eyes she loves too much. The same eyes that she tried so hard to forget, but can't. She took a deep breath. "Fine. But if I tell you that I can't stand to see you anymore or ask you to stop, you'll leave me alone."

Kakashi nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination in his gaze. "I'll respect your wishes, Sakura. I just want the chance to make things right."

Sakura sighed, her shoulders slumping with a sense of surrender. "I'm not promising anything, Kakashi. But I'll give you the chance you're asking for."

Kakashi's visible eye softened with a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Sakura. I'll do everything I can to earn your forgiveness."

Sakura nodded. "Good. Now, take care of yourself, Kakashi. No more drowning your sorrows in sake," Sakura instructed, her tone firm.

Kakashi gave a small, genuine smile, a spark of determination in his eye. "I promise, Sakura. I'll do whatever it takes to be the person you deserve."

Sakura nodded, her expression softening slightly. "We'll see about that. Now, get back to work. The village needs a Hokage who's in top shape."

Kakashi chuckled, a warmth returning to his gaze. "Yes, ma'am."

As Kakashi resumed his duties, Sakura left the office, the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future lingering in the air. The journey of healing and rebuilding had only just begun, and both Kakashi and Sakura were faced with the challenge of overcoming their shared history and forging a new path forward.