Men of the Sea
Chapter 15
Kakashi's POV
The time was nearing when Sakura would be released from the hospital. She was stable and her wounds had mostly healed. Whatever emotional trauma she had from the accident seemed to also subside. It seemed as if things were looking up for his pink-haired little sister. Kakashi entered the hospital with a small duffle bag of clothes for her and a positive disposition.
He walked the familiar route to her room. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't there.
Instead, Kakashi found her in Kisame's room reading to the injured man.
It's been like this for the last few days. Her at his bedside, talking, reading, smiling, and laughing with him. With Sakura at Kisame's side, Kisame's mother, Namika, spent less time at the hospital. It could have been because Kisame was no longer at a life-threatening crossroads. He had survived the accident and surgery. Now his bones were mending, his skin was healing, and his speech therapy was showing significant progress.
Even if it were simple one-worded responses, the Australian native could converse. It was a practical miracle.
One that everyone was grateful for.
Kakashi suspected that the other reason that Namika decided to give Kisame space was that she wanted to give him time alone with Sakura.
"Sakura."
She turned her head upon hearing his voice. She hadn't noticed his entrance in the room. Kisame looked up as well. His expression was mostly kind towards Kakashi. Though this time there was slight irritation. Clearly, he was interrupting the Australian's precious time with the pink-haired woman.
On the day of the confession, Sakura confided in him of Kisame's affection with rosy-cheeks and a conflicted expression. Clearly, Sakura reciprocated Kisame's feelings. However, she couldn't submit to his confession so easily. The siblings never spoke in depth of her feelings towards the male in question, but he was sure she was thinking of the situation delicately. Afterall, her life was here in Tokyo, Japan. And his was clearly in Melbourne, Australia.
However, she didn't let her confliction mar her time with Kisame.
"I won't be here long. I just wanted to let you know that I brought a change of clothes for you. It's in your room."
"Thank you, Kakashi."
Her smile was warm and serene.
He was happy to see her in such a state. While they had only recently become close, he wasn't oblivious to her misery before. Between Sasuke and her being overly career-driven, her life lacked color and light.
Within the last week she was practically a new person. Currently, she vibraint and maybe even in love.
He knew it was due to an array of things: their Dad waking up, her being free of the engagement, and her connecting with the people around her. However, he was not blind to the influence of Kisame.
After bowing so slightly in appreciation to Kakakshi while remaining seated, the young woman turned a page within her book. Sakura happily resumed her reading to Kisame. Dark intelligent eyes stayed on her as she did so. And so the two were back in their own little world.
The whit- haired author lethargically waved farewell and closed the door behind him. He walked within the hall towards the exit with a slow and relaxed pace.
He thought of his next steps for the upcoming week. He had taken considerable time off from his most recent project as a result of issues occurring within his family. And while he didn't regret said action, he knew that such practices couldn't be upheld for long.
With a shrug, he mentally concurred that a lapse of work was fine in small increments. He knew he'd figure out his next steps soon. Or, at least, he would need to. Afterall, his research entailed travel. 'Aa, I have much to look into,' he thought to himself. He'd have to make a few calls and set up some interviews for research purposes. Then, there was finding a hotel, train tickets, and other accommodations.
He glanced at his wristwatch, it was barely 11am. Maybe he'd start drafting some ideas after lunch?
With a nod at this thought, he passed the reception desk.
"Yes, I already said I'm looking for my son, Kisame Hoshigaki. Please, tell me what room he is in." The woman at the desk seemed hesitant. "Sir, I need your identification before I can give you such information." "Yes. I am aware. But I left my passport at the hotel by mistake. I've traveled all the way from Australia-"
"Sir, with all due respect, this patient has had a lot of reporters try to infiltrate his room. Unless you have identification I cannot comply with your request."
Kakashi paused.
"Hoshigaki-San."
Said man turned. And clearly Kakashi saw the resemblance. In addition to the massive size of the man, there was the dark and nearly beady eyes and the strong nose that recognizably Kisame genetically inherited. "Hatake-San…" The recopinist tried to reason. But Kakashi wouldn't have it. "I vouch for this man. Sir, follow me."
Typically, Kakashi didn't meddle in other people's affairs.
But this man was not just anyone.
He was Kisame's father.
Kakashi wasn't necessarily a sentimental man. However, he had a soft spot when it came to family.
The man bowed respectfully and said his thanks.
"I appreciate your assistance, Hatake-San, was it?"
"No worries. And yes, my name is Kakashi Hatake." "Masaru Hoshigaki," the older man formally introduced himself.
The two men bowed respectfully to one another. And then, with a steady pace, the pair walked side by side the same route Kakashi had tread upon not too long ago.
"This is it," Kakashi said with a lame flourish of his hand after only a few minutes of walking.
"Again, thank you."
The man unnecessarily bowed again to show his level of appreciation.
Kakashi scratched the back of neck and told him it was no trouble.
With his task complete Kakashi pivoted his foot with the intention of continuing on with his earlier plans of lunch and figuring out his next move with his book, to suddenly hear Masaru shouting.
Knowing Sakura was in the room and fearing the worst, the white-haired male immediately opened the door to see what the commotion was all about.
And there Masaru stood, his face red, his fists curled. Sakura was now standing, her book was dropped unceremoniously at her feet. Her face was stunned, Kisame's brow was furrowed.
"You DARE bother my son? Haven't you done enough to Kisame? To my family? TO MY COMPANY!?" "Sir, I don't know what you mean. I already apologized to Namiko-San for the situation with Kisame-"
"DON'T play daft. I know you! Namiko warned me you might be here. But I didn't think you would truly be so disrespectful."
"Can you please explain to me what you're talking about?" Sakura asked, her voice calm but her face exposing every iota of distress that she was feeling.
"Mineral Resources."
And suddenly, it all clicks. Even Kakashi knows of the fiasco that occured when Sakura took her business trip to Australia.
Apparently Kisame Hoshigaki was a part of the Hoshigaki family.
'Shit,' Kakashi thought to himself.
"My wife may have forgiven you and has maybe even accepted you. But I will never accept my son's infatuation with you. You ruined my brother. You negatively impacted my company. And as if to add insult to my injury, you have literally handicaped my only son!"
"Sir," Kakashi tried to intervene.
But the man wouldn't hear it.
"Get out! And leave us!" He demanded of Sakura and Kakashi. Kisame reached over and grabbed her wrist. It was like a mirror, seeing Kisame and Masaru both stare at each other. Anger reflected in both their demenours.
Sakura put a comforting free hand on Kisamne's arm, as if to say that it was okay. Reluctantly, he released his hold of her. "I'm sorry you feel such hatred towards me. I will respect your wishes and leave now so that you may have time with your son."
Despite being visibly distraught over the situation at hand, Sakura bowed forward with genuine and deep remorse and respect for the older man before her. Before moving to exit from the room, she gave a squeeze to Kisame's hand and then grabbed the book that she dropped.
Kakashi followed Sakura out of the room.
She didn't turn to talk to him. She simply walked forward. It wasn't until she was back on her own hospital bed that she acknowledged Kakashi.
"Sakura…"
'I can see why he hates me."
"His emotions are high. He didn't mean what he said."
"How would you know, Kakashi? Do you know him personally?" Kakashi pursed his lips. She smiled at him.
"It's fine. I'll figure it out." "Does this mean that you intend to pursue Kisame?" "Yes." "Even despite with what his father has said?"
"Yes."
"It won't be easy." Sakura grinned. It was filled with life and determination. Her eyes ignited like precious rich emeralds.
Kakashi was almost taken aback by the shift of energy and expression.
"I've always liked a challenge."
Sasuke's POV
"And how did that make you feel?" Kurenai Yuhi, his therapist, asked. Onyx eyes stared at his perfectly shined designer black leather shoes. He repeatedly clasped and unclasped his hands as he tried to relax in his chair.
"Frustrated…" Sasuke muttered.
"Anything else?" Kurenai asked while tucking a strand of wavy black hair behind her ear. Sasuke's gaze turned from his shoes and directly into her red eyes.
"Guilty," he admitted after a few seconds had passed.
"And why is that?"
"I've arrogantly been stuck in my own little world. Now…I am overwhelmed with disgust of my past entitled and selfish behavior. And with how narrowly I saw this world."
"This is a completely new outlook for you, Uchiha-San. What would you say triggered this change?"
"The accident with Sakura."
"You care about her."
He nodded.
"I might have been the reason she was hurt."
"You cannot blame yourself for the actions of others."
"But this isn't the only time I've hurt her! I've pushed her away. I've belittled her. I've been cruel to her for the last ten years!"
"You didn't know how to process your emotions. And her rejection of your offer for intimacy set you off. Not to say that your actions were justified, for it most certainly wasn't. However, it gave you momentum to act out towards her. Leaving me with this question, Uchiha-San. What did Sakura mean to you back then?"
Sasuke didn't answer right away. He suddenly sat upright in his chair and stared at the ceiling in thought.
"She used to be one of my best friends. Then, I let ego get in the way. After awhile, it even ruined my relationship with Naruto, my other best friend."
"And why is that?"
He wanted to respond. But couldn't. It was too difficult. How could he say that Naruto confided to him that he liked Sakura when they were seventeen. That Sasuke continued his trend of not being able to process his emotions and as a result they brawled? Why? Because Sasuke knew that Naruto would have a shot. Sakura liked him enough when they were kids, and Naruto was an attractive and kind person. Everyone liked Naruto.
The blonde attempted to reconcile with him after their fight.
But Sasuke rejected the olive branch. He was too terrified of what would happen afterwards. If they were okay, did that mean Naruto would find reason to pursue Sakura? It was a first in their history as friends. To not make up. Though, now in Sasuke's adulthood, he felt cheated by his own foolishness. Why did Sasuke let Naruto fade out of his life?
"I didn't communicate."
"Do you think you'll reach out to this other friend of yours?"
"I can't say. I feel like too much time has passed." Vexation unveiled upon his face, "I've messed up in so many ways over the years to so many people." Sasuke leaned forward, his forearms rested upon his thighs.
"Mistakes are a part of life. That doesn't mean you're incapable of making amends. Perhaps everyone won't accept your efforts. While unfortunate, you reaching out and expressing these bottled up emotions is as much about healing for you as it is about them. Be genuine with your actions. At the end of the day, that's all you can do."
Sasuke nodded.
"You're weakness is that you're scared to be vulnerable. You are not alone with this. Even the most open individual has moments when they struggle in expressing themselves. But this is a necessary step into your healing process. Be open to the people that matter to you. In the best case scenario, you'll reconnect with the people that you've pushed away. At worst, even if your attempts of reconciliation isn't accepted, you've spoken your truth and expressed yourself."
"Do I even deserve to be listened to?"
"Everyone deserves a second chance."
Sasuke doubted that. Even so, a bit of hope brimmed within him.
The raven-haired male felt sick at the thought of being rejected. However, he had to try.
It was time to face his mistakes.