"Are you sure that you want to destroy this room?" Sakumo asked, looking at Kakashi's and Sakura's bedroom. "You can always transfer to Sakura's original room or the master's bedroom."

Kakashi looked around the room, the memories etched in every corner, both happy and haunting. The idea of leaving this room behind brought a mixture of emotions, but he understood the importance of creating a new, safe space for Sakura.

"I think it's for the best," Kakashi replied, his gaze lingering on the bed where Sakura had endured so much pain. "This room holds too much... darkness now. And I want Sakura to be comfortable in our own home."

Sakumo sighed. "If that is how she'll be comfortable again, then why not. But I need you two to leave for a few weeks. If we're destroying this room, we can't do it haphazardly, and a huge hole in the wall will attract thieves. You should stay at my place. There's a lot of room for you two there." He looked at his son. "And I tend to go a bit overboard. You might return to a newly constructed house."

Kakashi nodded in agreement, appreciating his father's concern and practicality. "You're right, Dad. We'll stay at your place while this gets sorted out. And I trust your taste in construction."

Sakumo chuckled, a brief moment of levity in the midst of the somber atmosphere. "Good. I'll make sure you have a comfortable space to come back to."

As they prepared to leave the room, Kakashi glanced around once more, taking mental snapshots of the memories—both joyful and painful. The decision to leave this space behind was a step towards healing, but it didn't erase the impact of the past. The journey ahead, rebuilding their lives and creating new memories, loomed large.

Sakura and Kakashi had been living under Sakumo's roof for about a month now.

True to his word, Sakumo went overboard in constructing the house. So instead of just removing the offensive room and making it an open space, he and his friends demolished the whole house and began reconstructing another.

"Just a few more weeks, Sakura." Sakumo said one day as he returned home after the construction. "You will be able to go home to a new house."

Sakura looked gratefully at him. "Dad, you don't actually have to do it. Just how much have you spent on the house now?"

Sakumo smiled at Sakura, his eyes reflecting the genuine care he felt for his daughter-in-law. "Sakura, don't worry about the cost. What matters is creating a safe and comfortable space for you and Kakashi. I want you both to have a fresh start, free from the shadows of the past."

Sakura nodded, touched by Sakumo's generosity and kindness. "Thank you, Dad. It means a lot to us. I just hope it's not causing too much trouble."

Sakumo chuckled. "Trouble? Not at all. It's a small price to pay for the happiness and well-being of my family. Plus, it gives me a chance to flex my construction skills. Consider it a Hatake family project."

"Dad." Sakura called him lovingly. "Thank you."

Sakumo ruffled Sakura's hair affectionately but withdrew his hand when she flinched. He smiled at her. "You're welcome, Sakura. You deserve a home filled with love and peace. We'll have a grand unveiling when it's ready." He watched as the young woman nodded at him. "And Sakura... don't leave Kakashi, please."

Sakura looked at her father-in-law, tears in her eyes. "Dad," she started. "I feel… I really feel like, I'm not deserving of him." she admitted. "I feel so dirty and disgusting and I think I should just leave."

Sakumo's expression softened as he listened to Sakura's honest confession. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, his touch gentle. "Sakura, you are not defined by what happened. It wasn't your fault."

Sakura looked up at Sakumo, her eyes searching for understanding. "But I can't shake this feeling, Dad. Every time Kakashi looks at me, I see pain in his eyes. I feel like I've tainted his life." She looked down and played with the hem of her shirt. "I always brought in trouble. Since you took me in, Dad, I've been nothing but trouble and burden."

Sakumo sighed, his heart heavy with the weight of Sakura's words. He gently cupped her face, urging her to meet his eyes. "Sakura, listen to me. You are not a burden. You are a part of this family, and we care about you deeply. I took you in because I wanted to, not out of obligation. You are not trouble; you are someone we love and cherish."

He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "And as for Kakashi, you haven't tainted his life. Love is about facing challenges together, supporting each other through thick and thin. Kakashi cares for you, and I can see the genuine love in his eyes. Don't underestimate the strength of your bond."

Sakura's eyes welled up with tears, and she whispered, "But I've caused so much pain." She looked at the open window, seeing a few shinobi walking past, murmuring as they cast an eye towards the house. "And I can hear them talking. They were laughing at Kakashi." she looked back at Sakumo. "They were saying that for all the accolades that he got, he can't even protect me." Tears escaped her lids as she said the words. "I'm bringing him down."

Sakumo's gaze softened, and he wiped away a tear from Sakura's cheek with a gentle thumb. "Sakura, people will talk, and they will always find something to say. But don't let their words define your worth or Kakashi's. You are not bringing him down; you are facing challenges together. Kakashi is strong, and he knows the complexities of life. His love for you is genuine, and he doesn't see you as a burden or a source of pain."

He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "In the shinobi world, judgments come swiftly, and gossip spreads like wildfire. But you and Kakashi can rise above it. Your love is resilient, and together, you can prove the strength of your bond. Ignore the whispers and focus on building a life filled with happiness and love."

"But, Dad, I'm dirty." Sakura murmured. "Kakashi doesn't deserve this."

Sakumo's expression turned serious as he looked into Sakura's eyes. "Sakura, you are not dirty. What happened to you was not your fault, and it doesn't define who you are. You are a strong, resilient woman who has faced challenges with courage. Kakashi sees you for who you are, not for the shadows of the past."

He held Sakura's hands firmly, his gaze unwavering. "You deserve love and happiness, just like anyone else. Don't let the judgments of others cloud your self-worth. Kakashi loves you, and he has chosen to stand by your side. Trust in his love, and trust in yourself."

Sakura reluctantly nodded as she cannot trust her voice and doesn't really believe what her father-in-law told her. In her mind, she should have just run and disappeared so that the people she held dear shouldn't have to tolerate her. Or she should have just endured her mother's beatings when she was a child, that way no one will ever miss her if she died in her hands.

"Sakura..." Kakashi called her name and she looked at his direction. He closed the distance between them in large strides and carefully pulled her to his chest. "Why are you crying?" he murmured.

Sakumo looked at Kakashi and saw that he can handle the situation so he left the two alone.

"Sakura, please, answer me." Kakashi implored.

Sakura just shook her head and buried her face on his chest, inhaling his scent. Kakashi held Sakura close, his arms providing a comforting embrace. He felt the tremors in her body, the weight of her emotions palpable against his chest. With a gentle touch, he tilted her face up to meet his gaze.

"Sakura, talk to me. What's going on in your mind?" Kakashi's voice was soft, filled with genuine concern.

Sakura looked at him in the eyes and tried to memorized his face before closing her eyes attempting to etch him into her brain. "Nothing, Kakashi." she lied.

Kakashi could sense the turmoil within Sakura, the pain she was trying to conceal. He cupped her face in his hands, gently wiping away the remnants of tears with his thumbs. His gaze held an intensity that sought the truth.

"Sakura, don't shut me out," Kakashi pleaded, his voice a soothing murmur. "I can see that something is bothering you. Please, let me in. I want to understand, and I want to help you."

Sakura bit her lip, struggling with the weight of her emotions. The fear of burdening Kakashi clashed with her desire to share her pain with the person she loved. She took a shaky breath and finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I... I think, I should not have asked for your help all those years ago."