Talking to strangers

Chapter 42: Love

H POV

He looked like a mummified version of his former self. Older, but the father I remembered wasn't so slim, his hair wasn't so thin and damaged and he certainly didn't sound like this.

I had tried to gear myself up for this moment. I thought I would walk in here and give him a piece of my mind, or break down in tears and cry and question. Yet as I stood here, I couldn't grasp what was in front of me or rather who was in front of me.

Where was my father? The stern, cruel man I was supposed to curse.

This severely ill man that seemed like he could barely lift his head couldn't possibly be him.

" It's Hanabi Oto-san" Hanabi said with a bow.

" H-hanabi?" he uttered, before letting out a loud dry cough.

" Yes father" Hanabi replied.

" H-How's t-the dojo. Are the new students adjusting?" he asked.

That sounded a bit like him, but still, my father couldn't get sick like this. He was too strong, nothing seemed to get him down.

This man never opened his eyes and had yet to notice anyone else had entered the room.

" Yes, they are grasping the material fairly quickly."

" Good" he replied.

Hanabi looked at us then back at the feeble man.

" Oto-san I have a few guest with me today."

The old man stirred slightly in the bed, " Guest?"

He forced himself up with his forearms, trembling as he did.

" G-guest why didn't you tell me," he coughed once again " I..I could have made myself more presentable."

Hanabi rushed to his side as he struggled to sit up.

" Lay back, there's no need to get up" Hanabi said, helping him rest against the pillows.

There was no way...this wasn't my father.

" Where are they?" for the first time he opened his eyes.

Our family had naturally pale eyes but his were the palest eyes I had ever seen them, with faint gray/green splotches sprinkled throughout his scleras.

Now I knew for sure he wasn't my father. My fathers eyes didn't look like that.

Neji next to me held his hands over his mouth as he watched the old man look around the room. He looked traumatized like the sight before him was unearthly.

Why? Why did he look at this man like this.

" There here in the room with us. I believe you know two of them " Hanabi said to him.

She then turn to us, " Please come closer."

Neji slowly proceeded towards him , but my feet wouldn't move. It was like they were glued to the floor.

" Hinata..." Naruto whispered.

" W-who is he?" were the only words that slipped from my lips.

" Uncle...it's me Neji" Neji said stepping closer to him.

Once he was in closer range the man seemed to suddenly see Neji.

His lost face expression suddenly soured.

" N-Neji!?" He said a bit louder. He gripped the comforter tightly and Hanabi rubbed the man's back.

" It's okay Oto-san" Hanabi cooed.