The Crystal Serpent [Naruto X Oc] |Book 1

Chapter 85: Dawn of Reflection

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains of Kei's hospital room, casting a warm golden hue over the pale walls. The steady beeping of the heart monitor provided a rhythmic backdrop to the soft rustling of the leaves outside. Kei had spent the night in a restless sleep, her mind swirling with fragments of the encounter with her father again. Whenever she closed her eyes, the memory of his voice, his presence, and the overpowering sensation of helplessness would return. As she remembered more, she slowly formed a picture of what led her here. She just began to have nothing but unanswered questions on what to do about her father she didn't want to give up on saving him from his path,  but didn't know if she could or if it was still the right choice.

Kei stirred beneath the blanket, the comforter offering little solace to the whirlwind of emotions that raged within her. The weight of her decisions pressed down on her chest as she replayed the moment of her attempt to comfort him. 

'Could I have done more than pointlessly trying to tell him to stop, and could I have fought against him better.' Kei thought as her hand instinctively moved to the necklace feeling the smooth surface.

This necklace served as a reminder of the bond she shared with her father, however fragile that connection might be after finally meeting her father, but this necklace was a symbol of hope that somewhere within the monstrous exterior of Orochimaru he cared about her more than a pawn like he says, despite the way he knocked her out when trying to stop him.

Kei let out a soft sigh as she pushed herself up in bed, her body still aching from the battle. Her muscles protested, reminding her that the wounds weren't only emotional but physical as well, but knew it probably would have been worse if Kabuto hasn't had caught her before he collapsed from Naruto's justu. 

As her mind thought of Naruto her gaze fell onto the bouquet of pink chrysanthemums that Naruto had brought. The petals glowed softly in the morning light, a stark contrast to the dull environment of the hospital room. 

"Naruto..." Kei whispered her mind going back to the harsh words from after Naruto found out her father was Orochimaru. She wasn't sure if she was ready to forgive him, but the flowers were a step in the right direction of apologizing and earning her forgiveness.

Kei's mind continued to wander as the morning light brighter the room. The battle with Orochimaru had changed everything. The path she was on felt more uncertain, her goals muddied by doubt. She wanted to save her father to bring him back from darkness, but now she wasn't sure if it was possible yet her mother believed it was the day of the Third Hokage's death. However, the more she doesn't a response from her mother like before she can't help but feel she chasing an impossible dream or imagining that voice. 

The door to her hospital room creaked open, interrupting her thoughts. She turned her head slowly, wincing from the sharp pain of her neck, and saw a familiar face with dark blue hair nearly covering his right eye which was a lovely shade of green.  She immediately recognized him as her teammate Kaito Hoshigaki, his expression full of relief and concern.

"Kei you are awake," Kaito said stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. He moved to the side of the bed."How are you holding up?" 

Kei managed a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes."I'm holding, but still trying to piece everything together."

Kaito nodded, pulling up a chair and sitting beside the bed."I figured as much. You've been through a lot lately. We were worried when you didn't wake up right away after arriving and for being back in here again just after you were released not too long ago."

Kei nodded as she looked down at her blanket absentmindedly tracing the cruse mark on her neck that was covered by her hospital gown."I don't  even know where to begin," She admitted."Everything is so... confusing."