"Welcome home, Sakura." Sakumo said as he opened the door of their house. "This is an old house but I think you'll like it."

Sakura entered the Hatake residence with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The warmth of the welcoming atmosphere was a stark contrast to the coldness she had grown accustomed to in her own home. The walls seemed to radiate a comforting embrace, a promise of safety.

"Thank you, Sakumo-ojisan," Sakura expressed, her voice soft but genuine. "Uhm, where are the cleaning supplies stashed?" she asked, uncertain. "I can start with my chores now."

"Chores?" Sakumo asked. "We clean the whole house together every weekend. I just sweep the floor lightly every morning." He patted her shoulders. "I learned what your mother asks you to do in your house during the... interview earlier with her" he chose the less violent word that he can use. "You don't have to enslave yourself scrubbing the floors here. We help each other when we clean the house."

Sakura blinked, processing the unfamiliar concept of shared responsibilities. The idea that cleaning wasn't a solitary burden, but a communal effort felt like a revelation.

"Oh, okay," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I've never really cleaned with someone else before."

Sakumo chuckled warmly. "Well, you'll get used to it. For now, let me show you around."

As Sakura explored her new surroundings, Kakashi trailed alongside her, sharing anecdotes about the house and its quirks. The atmosphere in the Hatake residence was filled with a sense of camaraderie and acceptance, a far cry from the oppressive shadows that haunted Sakura's past.

"Dad?" Kakashi tugged his father's sleeves. "I think I'm hungry now. And I think Sakura is too. We weren't able to eat our lunch as I left my bag at the academy."

Sakumo grinned, ruffling Kakashi's hair affectionately. "Alright, let's fix that. I'll cook something special for our newest family member. What do you feel like having, Sakura?"

Sakura blinked, unused to being asked about her preferences or eating dinner at all. "Uhm..." she looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi smiled at her. "Dad is an amazing cook. Anything you want to eat; he can probably make it." He proudly said.

Sakura thought for a moment, hesitating before making a simple request. "I always smell this when Mama cooks it, but I never really tried. I think she called it tempura."

"You never had tempura before?" Kakashi asked, surprised.

Sakura shook her head. "Mama usually doesn't let me eat much. The last time she let me touch the food in our house, it was a rotten apple."

Kakashi's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and concern. He couldn't fathom the extent of Sakura's deprivation and mistreatment. "And you ate it?" he asked.

Sakura hung her head in shame. "I have no choice, Kakashi. I haven't eaten for a week at that point. I'm willing to eat anything just to stop my stomach from growling."

Kakashi's expression tightened with a mix of anger and sadness. The revelation of Sakura's harsh reality weighed heavily on him, but he maintained a supportive demeanor.

"Well, you won't have to worry about that here," Sakumo reassured her. "I'll make sure you get proper meals, and we'll start with tempura tonight."

As they settled into the kitchen, Sakumo began to prepare the ingredients for tempura, while Kakashi and Sakura sat at the table.

"Aren't we going to help your Dad, Kakashi?" Sakura asked him anxiously.

Sakumo chuckled, glancing at his son. "Nah, Kakashi is more of a tasting expert than a cook. Right, Kakashi?"

Kakashi grinned. "I've mastered the art of quality control."

Sakura couldn't help but smile at their banter. The light-hearted atmosphere in the kitchen was a stark departure from the tense and hostile environment she was used to at home.

As the aroma of tempura wafted through the air, Sakura's stomach grumbled involuntarily, betraying the hunger she had grown accustomed to suppressing.

"I have to warn you," Sakumo said with a playful smirk, "once you taste my tempura, you might not want to eat the others tempura again."

Sakura chuckled softly, savoring the warmth that filled the room. The shared laughter and camaraderie created a sense of belonging she had never experienced before.

When the tempura was ready, Sakumo served it on plates, presenting Sakura with a generous portion. "There you go, Sakura. Dig in!"

Sakura hesitated for a moment, her eyes welling up with gratitude. She took a bite of the tempura, and the burst of flavors on her tongue brought tears to her eyes.

"This... this is amazing," she mumbled between bites. "I've never tasted anything like this."

Sakumo smiled, his eyes reflecting a genuine joy at Sakura's enjoyment. "Good food is meant to be shared and appreciated. You're part of our family now, Sakura. And we'll make sure you get to enjoy good meals every day."

As they sat around the table, sharing a simple yet heartwarming dinner, Sakura felt a sense of normalcy she had long been denied. The shadows of her past still lingered, but in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of the Hatake family, she found a flicker of hope that illuminated her path toward healing.

After dinner, Sakumo ushered the two to their rooms to prepare for bed. But Sakura is not comfortable in her own room, so she knocked on Kakashi's door.

Kakashi opened the door, surprised to see Sakura standing there. "Hey, is something wrong?" he asked, concern in his eyes.

Sakura hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Um, Kakashi, can I... can I sleep in your room tonight? The room that your father gave me is so big, I'm scared."

Kakashi looked at Sakura, understanding the vulnerability in her eyes. Without a word, he stepped aside, inviting her into his room. The dim light from a small lamp cast a soft glow, creating a sense of comfort.

"Sure, Sakura. You can sleep here," Kakashi said gently, offering her a reassuring smile.

Sakura entered the room, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Kakashi. Don't worry I'll sleep on the floor."

Kakashi shook his head. "No need for that. You can share the bed with me. It's big enough, and I don't mind."

Sakura's eyes widened with surprise and a hint of embarrassment. "Are you sure, Kakashi? I don't want to intrude."

Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly. "It's fine. And you're family now. We can share a bed. Just don't steal or drool on my pillows okay?"

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at Kakashi's lighthearted remark. The atmosphere in the room felt markedly different from what she was accustomed to—warm, welcoming, and filled with a sense of belonging.

"Thank you, Kakashi. I appreciate it," she said, her voice reflecting genuine gratitude.

As they settled into the bed, Kakashi turned off the lamp, enveloping the room in a gentle darkness. The quiet stillness of the night, punctuated by the soft sounds of their breathing, created a serene contrast to the chaos Sakura had known at home.

"You know," Kakashi's voice broke the silence, "you don't have to be scared here. We're family, and we look out for each other."

Sakura nodded, feeling a sense of security she hadn't known in a long time. "I'm still getting used to all of this. It feels... different."

"That's okay," Kakashi reassured her. "Take your time. You're safe now."

As they drifted into sleep, the shadows that had haunted Sakura's past began to fade, replaced by the gentle embrace of newfound companionship. The journey towards healing had just begun, but in the warmth of the Hatake household, Sakura found the strength to face the dawn of a new day.

Kakashi suddenly woke up when he felt an arm draped across his stomach. He opened his eyes to find Sakura curled up beside him, her cheeks flushed.

Kakashi lifted her arm to extract himself out of her grip when he stilled. Her skin felt hot.

Concerned, Kakashi gently touched Sakura's forehead. It was clear that she had a fever. He sighed, realizing that the stress, malnutrition, and physical abuse must have finally taken a toll on her health.

Carefully, Kakashi got out of bed, making sure not to disturb Sakura's sleep. He quietly left the room, heading to the kitchen to get a wet cloth and a bowl of water. As he returned to the bedroom, he found Sakura shifting uncomfortably in her sleep.

Kakashi gently placed the wet cloth on Sakura's forehead and sat by her side. He considered waking up his father, who had experience in dealing with injuries and illnesses, but he knew that it might be overwhelming for Sakura.

Instead, Kakashi stayed by Sakura's side, periodically wetting the cloth and checking her temperature. The worry in his eyes betrayed the calm exterior he usually wore. As the night wore on, Sakura's fever seemed to subside slightly, but Kakashi remained vigilant.

When the first light of dawn began to filter through the window, Kakashi decided to wake up his father. He gently shook Sakura's shoulder, trying to rouse her from her sleep.

"Sakura, wake up. We need to get you some proper medical attention," Kakashi said softly.

Sakura groggily opened her eyes, wincing as the sunlight hit her face. "Kakashi? What's happening?"

"You have a fever," Kakashi explained, his concern evident in his eyes. "We need to take you to the hospital."

Sakura shook her head. "It's just fever, Kakashi. I'll be fine." she protested, then she noticed the bowl of water on the bedside table. "You didn't sleep?"

Kakashi gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. But now we need to get you proper care. My dad can take us to the hospital."

Sakura hesitated, looking torn between the comfort of staying and the necessity of seeking medical attention. Kakashi could see the conflict in her eyes, the reluctance to be a burden once again.

"It's not a bother, Sakura. We're family now, and taking care of each other is what families do," Kakashi said, his voice gentle but firm.

"Can't I just sleep in?" Sakura asked. "It's been a while since I got long sleep. I'll be okay after that."

"Okay." Kakashi conceded. "But if Dad says that you'll go to the hospital, no buts okay?"

Sakura nodded weakly, appreciating Kakashi's concern and care. "Okay, Kakashi. Thank you."

Kakashi stayed by Sakura's side, continuing to monitor her condition as they waited for his father to wake up. Sakumo, having heard the commotion, entered the room with a mix of curiosity and worry.

"What's going on?" Sakumo asked, his gaze shifting between Kakashi and Sakura.

"She has a fever, Dad. I've been trying to cool her down, but I think we should take her to the hospital," Kakashi explained, his voice filled with a subtle urgency.

Sakumo nodded, immediately understanding the gravity of the situation. "Alright, let's get her to the hospital. I'll call ahead to inform them."

As they made their way to the hospital, Sakura felt a mix of gratitude and guilt. Grateful for the care she was receiving, but guilty for being a burden to the Hatake family. Sakumo, sensing her inner turmoil, spoke reassuringly.

"Don't worry, Sakura. Taking care of each other is what families do. You're not a burden," Sakumo said, his tone gentle yet firm.

At the hospital, Sakura received thorough medical attention. The doctors confirmed that her fever was a result of a weakened immune system due to malnutrition and stress. The physical abuse she had endured only exacerbated her fragile state.

"I promise as soon as I graduate from the academy and start to take missions, I'll pay you back." Sakura said, shame coloring her voice.

"Don't think about it." Sakumo said. "We're family now, Sakura. And besides, Kakashi is very fond of you." he pointed to the dozing Kakashi by Sakura's bedside. "He loves his sleep and the mere fact that he stayed up all night to look for you says volumes."

Sakura's eyes softened as she looked at Kakashi, a profound sense of gratitude welling up within her. The realization that she had found a place where she was valued and cared for brought tears to her eyes.

"Thank you, Sakumo-ojisan," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "I don't know how to repay you for everything."

Sakumo smiled, placing a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder. "You don't need to repay anything. Just focus on getting better. We're here for you."

Sakura nodded wiping her tears away. "Thank you, Sakumo-ojisan." she thanked the man again. "I never thought I would experience this."

Sakumo's smile widened as he patted Sakura's head gently. "You deserve to be treated with kindness and care, Sakura. You're a part of our family now, and we'll make sure you feel at home."

Over the following days, Sakura remained at the Hatake residence, receiving the medical attention and nourishment she desperately needed. Kakashi kept her company and for the first few weeks, she had taken the habit of slipping into his bed to sleep. And she would usually wake up with him cuddling her.

As Sakura regained her strength, the Hatake household became a haven of support and understanding. The shadows of her past began to fade, replaced by the warmth of newfound friendships and familial bonds.

Sakumo, despite his busy schedule as a shinobi, made an effort to spend time with Sakura, sharing stories and imparting wisdom. The Hatake family's routine of cleaning the house together on weekends became a source of camaraderie, a far cry from the solitary and harsh chores she had endured at home.