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Chapter Forty-Two

...next chapter is the last one. Will be posted tomorrow. :] hope you've enjoyed the book so far and I'm glad to the readers who've stuck by this book from beginning to end...really, I appreciate it, and I thank you for taking the time to read.

Kakashi Hatake was released after a few months, but went back for weekly check-ups. Meanwhile, he had to review the courses he'd teach the next semester. His students were stuck with substitute teachers for the meanwhile.

Sayuri Hatake was released only a month after her brother was.

During their hospital stay, Sayuri Hatake had asked for a separate room as well. After all, she didn't want to have to stay with her brother for the next five months until she was released.

Sayuri was able to get her leg cast off by late Novermber and would get her left arm cast off by the next month, while Kakashi would get his cast off mid-November.

While Kakashi took physical therapy, he had his students review for the postponed exams. Sayuri got on making up her work since waking up in the hospital. She was to take physical therapy sessions as well, however, she opted for separate sessions from her brother. Reason being, we have different schedules.

By the time December rolled around, Sayuri had worked off most of her missing work with the help of Sakura Haruno (most of her missing work was from the time she spent recovering in the hospital). The Christmas Spirit was in place, and someone had a plan to socialize.

...-...

"Again, why me?" Sayuri monotonously asked as she sifted through her closet to find something decent to wear.

"Wear the sweater and the coat, okay? We're going because," the pinkette tugged on her red scarf. "you need to make some friends before the year ends. Ino and Hinata are there, TenTen too."

"Listen Sakura, I'm not looking to mingle," Sayuri said as she went into the bathroom and put on a baggy shirt. She tucked it in her jeans and swung a black coat over her shoulders. Every hem of clothing on her had stray strings and were sometimes lined with patches. They were her mother's old clothing's and since they were worn and torn, Sakura offered to fix them a bit. "I mean, I already have you as my friend."

"I spent seven months sticking with you in the hospital, honey," she responded. "You owe me. Like, three weeks out with me."

Sayuri switched the bathroom light off as she walked into the room, brushing a hand through her hair. "I'm dressed now. But I promise you, this'll be the worst hang-out ever."

"I'm sure it'll be fun," Sakura laughed.

"Water and oil don't mix, Sakura."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, don't mix the antisocial with the social."

...-...

The hang-out was surely awkward at first. They met at the food court, and once Sakura spotted them, she practically ran towards the trio as they walked. She screamed a greeting and enveloped them in a tight hug, from the looks of it. Sayuri muffled a laugh.

"Hey, Saku," Ino softly said as she returned the hug, as tight as ever. Through her thick scarf and platinum hair, Sakura could see pink tints on her nose and cheeks from the cold. "Where have you been? We haven't seen you in..I don't even know."

"I was with my friend, Sayuri. Sorry. I wanted to help her after an..accident," Sakura explained, gesturing behind her to said woman. "Sayuri, come here! Guys, this is Sayuri Hatake."