"Indefinite leave?" Minato, the Fourth Hokage, looked at Kakashi when he heard the request. "Why?"
Kakashi hesitated, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Personal reasons, Minato-sensei. I... I need some time to sort things out in my life."
Minato studied Kakashi for a moment, concern evident in his eyes. "Kakashi, you're one of our most skilled and reliable ninja. Taking an indefinite leave is a serious decision. Is everything okay?"
Kakashi took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "It's a personal matter, Minato-sensei. Something I need to address. I don't want it to affect my performance on missions, and I think it's best if I take some time off."
"You know that you're needed by the village, right?" Minato asked. "Especially since your father decided to retire."
Kakashi nodded. "I understand the responsibilities, Minato-sensei. But I need to do this. I can recommend other capable ninjas to take on my missions during my absence."
"Kakashi, you've always been dedicated to your duty. Why now?"
Kakashi ducked his head. "I... I made a mess of my marriage, sensei. I need to do everything to fix it."
Minato's expression shifted from concern to a deeper understanding. "Personal matters are important, Kakashi. I respect that. Family comes first. Take the time you need."
"Thank you, Minato-sensei. I appreciate your understanding," Kakashi replied, a mix of gratitude and determination in his eyes.
"Make sure to keep me informed if there's anything I can do to help, whether it's related to the village or your personal matters," Minato offered, showing a supportive stance.
Kakashi nodded. "I will, sensei. I don't want to let anyone down, but I need to take responsibility for my actions and try to fix what I've broken."
Minato placed a reassuring hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "We all face challenges, Kakashi. It's how we handle them that defines us. Take the time you need, and when you're ready, we'll be here for you."
"Thank you, Minato-sensei," Kakashi said, appreciating the understanding and support from his former teacher and the current Hokage.
As Kakashi left Minato's office, he felt a mix of emotions. The weight of the truth about his actions and the consequences of his choices weighed heavily on him. The path to redemption seemed daunting, but he was determined to make amends.
Kakashi's heart broke as he watched and hear her cry so hard that she had to be held so that she won't just collapse as a broken heap on the floor.
Kakashi sat beside Sakura, his heart heavy with the pain he had caused. Sakumo gently guided Sakura to his son's arms and she immediately latched onto Kakashi's shirt. Gripping the fabric tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Kakashi held Sakura close, his own emotions in turmoil. He wanted to offer comfort, to apologize again and again, but he knew that words alone couldn't mend the damage he had done. He held her as she cried, feeling her pain reverberate through him.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "I never meant to hurt you like this. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I want you to know that I will do everything to make it right."
Sakura's sobs echoed in the room, and Kakashi tightened his embrace, as if trying to physically shield her from the pain. He wished he could go back in time, undo the mistakes he had made, but life offered no such luxury.
"I thought... I thought you love me." Sakura stammered.
Kakashi's heart sank at Sakura's words. He held her even tighter, his own eyes welling up with tears. "Sakura, I do love you. More than anything. I know my actions have hurt you, and I can't take back the pain I've caused. But please believe me when I say that my love for you is real."
"You... said you fell out of love." Sakura repeated his words from last night. "What is it really, Kakashi?"
Kakashi sighed, realizing the depth of the confusion and pain he had caused. He gently pulled away from Sakura, holding her at arm's length to meet her gaze. "Sakura, I... I said those words out of anger and frustration. It was a mistake, and I deeply regret saying them. The truth is, I never fell out of love with you."
Sakura looked at him, her eyes searching for sincerity. "Then why? Why did you do this? Why did you betray us?"
Kakashi lowered his gaze, struggling to find the right words. "I made a terrible mistake, Sakura. It wasn't about falling out of love; it was about my own weaknesses, my own flaws. I let myself get lost, and in that confusion, I hurt you."
"Am I not enough?" Sakura asked him. "Am I still not enough, Kakashi? What is wrong with me?"
Kakashi took a deep breath, regret etched on his face. "Sakura, it's not about you. You are more than enough. This is about my own shortcomings, my mistakes. I let myself be led astray, and I hurt you in the process. It's my failure, not yours."
Sakura's eyes reflected a mix of pain and confusion. "But we were happy, weren't we? What changed?"
Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the pain in her words. "We were, Sakura. And that's what hurts me the most. I let something come between us, and I can't even fully explain why. It's like I lost sight of what truly mattered."
Kakashi saw the pain that was etched in Sakura's face before she pressed her face in his chest. He gently stroked Sakura's hair, a profound sadness in his eyes. He knew that his words couldn't erase the pain he had caused, but he was determined to be honest and transparent.
"Sakura, I don't have a good explanation for my actions. I wish I could give you a clear answer, but the truth is, I lost my way. I let my own weaknesses cloud my judgment, and I hurt you in the process. I am so sorry for what I've done, and I understand if you can't find it in your heart to forgive me."
Sakura stayed in his embrace, her tears soaking into his shirt. The room felt heavy with the weight of their shattered relationship. Kakashi continued to hold her, offering what little comfort he could, knowing that the journey to rebuilding trust would be a long and difficult one.
A few minutes later, Sakura's breathing evened out. Exhaustion lulled her to sleep.
Kakashi continued to sit there, holding Sakura in his arms as she slept. The room remained cloaked in the heavy silence of the aftermath, the air thick with the weight of emotions and broken trust.
Kakashi's mind was a storm of regret, remorse, and the realization of the magnitude of his mistakes. He couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at him for betraying the woman he loved. As he looked at Sakura's peaceful yet tear-stained face, he couldn't help but feel the enormity of the journey they were about to embark on.
Carefully, Kakashi shifted Sakura to carry her to their bedroom. Sakumo watched the two with analytical eyes. When Kakashi came back out, softly closing the door behind him, did Sakumo talked.
"When she married you, I promised her that I'll break your legs if you ever hurt her." Sakumo calmly said.
Kakashi met Sakumo's gaze, a heavy weight in his heart. He understood the anger and protective instinct Sakumo felt toward Sakura. She's as much as a daughter to him as he is his son. He took a deep breath before responding.
"I deserve that and more," Kakashi admitted, his voice filled with remorse. "I never thought I will hurt her like this."
Sakumo sighed, his gaze still piercing. "You've shattered her trust, Kakashi. Rebuilding it won't be easy, and it's not just about words. It's about consistent actions that prove you're committed to making things right."
Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the gravity of his actions. "I know, Sakumo. I'm ready to face the consequences of my mistakes. I love her, and I can't bear the thought of losing her."
"This wouldn't happen if you know how to keep your eyes on what is important and your pants on, Kakashi."
Sakumo's words cut through Kakashi like a knife. He couldn't argue with the truth behind them. He had let himself be led astray, and he had betrayed the trust of the woman he loved. The weight of his mistakes bore down on him, and he felt the full gravity of the consequences.
"I can't change what I've done," Kakashi admitted, his voice heavy with guilt. "But I'll do everything in my power to make amends. I know I don't deserve her forgiveness, but I can't just give up without trying."
Sakumo regarded Kakashi with a stern expression. "Words are easy, Kakashi. It's actions that matter. If you're serious about fixing this, you need to prove it. Rebuilding trust takes time, and it won't be a smooth journey. Are you ready for that?"
Kakashi nodded, determination in his eyes. "I am. I'll do whatever it takes. Sakura deserves better, and I need to be the man she thought I was."
Sakumo sighed, a mixture of disappointment and understanding in his gaze. "I hope for Sakura's sake that you mean what you say. She's been through enough, and she doesn't deserve to suffer because of your mistakes." He looked at son. "Because if you don't mean it. I will help her to get away from you."
"Da... Dad!"
"That is not a threat, Kakashi." Sakumo told him. "That is a promise."
The weight of Sakumo's words settled heavily on Kakashi's shoulders. He understood the seriousness of the situation and the depth of the pain he had caused.
"Dad, please. Let me fix my marriage first. I'll make it up to her. Don't make a move yet. Please." Kakashi implored.
Sakumo looked at Kakashi, his expression still stern. "Kakashi, Sakura is like my daughter. I took care and raised her too. And I love her the same way I love you. But between the two of you, she's the one who's hurt and it's because of you. If she wants to get away, I will do everything that I can to help her."
Kakashi nodded, acknowledging the severity of the situation. "I understand, Dad. I caused this pain, and I'll do everything to make it right. I won't let her suffer because of my mistakes."
Sakumo's gaze softened, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I hope you mean it, Kakashi. For both your sakes. Trust is fragile, and once broken, it takes a lot to rebuild. I want to believe that you can fix this, but actions will speak louder than words."
"I know, Dad. I won't let her down again," Kakashi vowed, a renewed sense of determination in his voice.
Sakumo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'll stay for a while, Kakashi. To make sure Sakura has the support she needs. But remember, you have a long way to go to earn back her trust. Don't let her down."
"I won't, Dad. Thank you for being here for both of us," Kakashi said, grateful for the support and understanding Sakumo was offering.
As the night unfolded, the house remained filled with the heavy atmosphere of shattered trust and broken vows. Kakashi knew that the journey to redemption and rebuilding would be challenging, but he was ready to face the consequences of his actions.