The Queen of Masks [Sakura Haruno Story]

87

"What're you doing here?" Rui's gaze darkened when it landed on his father.

"Can't I visit my son after not seeing him for twenty years?" Raiakan shot back, still standing tall in the doorway.

"Not after he ran away because of you."

Raiakan's confidence flattered at that comment and his shoulders sagged. He turned his gaze to the floor as Rui stood up and continued.

"Every day, dad. Everyday I trained until I dropped. And yet, everyday you still told me that I wasn't good enough. I still remember the exact words you told me when I got home from training. You're nothing like your brothers, train harder or else you'll never be like them, why are you so lazy and weak? So do you know what I did? I trained harder, I did everything I could to make you happy, but never once did I hear the words 'I'm proud of you, son' come out of your mouth—" Rui stopped when his father mumbled something. "What?"

Raiakan cleared his throat and looked up at his youngest son, his blue eyes once again as sharp as steel. "I'm proud of you, son."

Rui blinked rapidly, refusing to get teary eyed. "And why didn't you say that twenty years ago?"

"After your mother died, I was all over the place. I didn't know what to do without Misri's sweet voice and soft hands guiding my way. So I decided to do everything in my power to make sure my beloved sons could survive on their own in this cruel world once I could no longer be with them. And you, you were the youngest and the one I was most worried about. I'm sorry if I got carried away and ended up causing more bad than good." Tears glittered in his eyes and one slipped down his face. "And look at you now. You have a beautiful wife and beautiful children, and a pink haired woman for a sister. I am so proud of you, son, I really am."

Tears slipped down Rui's face and his harsh expression cracked. Sakura watched on as his father and him met in an embrace that looked like it would never end. Rui's shoulders shook and tears freely flooded from Raiakan's eyes.