Chapter Text
She needed to hear it, to understand, but no matter how many time he repeated himself-
"Yes it does."
-She just wouldn't listen.
"Sakura…" He sighed out, arms constricting around her as he pulled her closer, one hand absentmindedly running through her hair as she let out another pitiful sound.
"Kakuzu, I know. I know you're trying to help, but it's just so hard…"
He knew it was, of course he knew.
But to see her break down like this, after dealing with everything else thrown her way, he just…couldn't.
Couldn't take it.
Couldn't grasp why he actually cared.
Couldn't understand why she'd made such a big impact in his seemingly monotone life.
"It's true though, and you need to listen to me. It wasn't your fault, it was theirs. They shouldn't have even considered such an option in the first place, especially with you being on the mission."
"Kakuzu…" He could hear her tearing up again, and he found his face falling into a glare, his anger at the ones responsible for her state getting the best of him.
"What happened doesn't change anything."
"But I'm a monster Kakuzu, a freak. Who could love me now? I'm just…The scars are…."
"I could."
Her breath caught in her throat, and he could feel her pulse beginning to race under his hand.
"I could love you."
"…Kakuzu- I-"
"Scars are…They don't make you…You I suppose. You'll always be that annoying little medic who needs money for supplies she'll never use. You'll always be that pain in my side, or my wallet, whenever you enter a room."
She tensed against him slightly, but he continued on.
"You'll always have that smile that makes my hearts race, even when it means you're trying to con me into something. And you'll always have those lovely eyes…That pink hair…Scars don't make you any different Sakura." He let out a sigh again, his eyes falling closed as he waited for her rejection, her disgust at his mere suggestion of liking her.
Just like everyone else.
But instead, he found his mask falling down, soft lips caressing his cheek as his eyes snapped open to see her lightly flustered face.
"Thank you."
That smile he loved came to her face for the first time in weeks, and his eyes softened at the sight.
"I could like you too…even if you are a penny pinching pain in my ass."