Chapter Text
Early May, 2014
"Mom, I'll be fine. I can take care of him." Shane gave his mom a small smile.
Yuna sighed with a gentle smile. She never would've thought this type of situation would happen. "You know to call when you need help. With it being the end of the hockey season, maybe bond with Haruka? Help him learn english. I know we will be close by but don't forget that we can help. Also—"
David placed a hand on Yuna's shoulder and interrupted her. The two of them looked at eachother and had a silent conversation.
Shane could tell that his parents were silently communicating with their eyes about Haruka Sakura– or was it Sakura Haruka?
Shane glanced over at the small seven year old boy sitting in a chair that looked oversized. The boy glared at the ground as if it was the worst thing on earth. Shane believed that Haruka was the boy's first name instead of Sakura– it was a Japanese custom that wasn't passed down since his maternal grandparents moved to Canada.
It was less than a week ago when his mother received the call from her cousin. He doesn't know the exact details but he knows that this boy has been passed around by all his extended family members in Japan and it was either Haruka goes to Hollanders or an orphanage. Yuna had made the quick decision to take Haruka. She wouldn't be able to live with herself without taking the boy in.
Shane knew that his parents would've taken Haruka in but Shane knew that they weren't at the age to raise another child– plus Shane wasn't sure if they even could (mostly due to their age and his father having to get a hip replacement not that long ago). So he volunteered to take Haruka into his care. He's already even signed the paperwork before he met the kid.
It was a stupid decision. He couldn't take care of a child by himself– much less be a professional hockey player and take care of the child simultaneously. Shane knows his parents will be taking care of Haruka when he has games but it still worries him.
After seeing Haruka, Shane knew that he was glad he didn't say no to taking Haruka in. He could clearly see how thin the boy was. How baggy and old the sweatshirt Haruka wore was. The holes in Haruka's shoes didn't help in the slightest.
Shane also saw the bruises on Haruka's wrist. They weren't normal falling down bruises as the distant relatives of his claimed it was.
He couldn't help but think of Ilya Rozanov when he looked at Haruka. The two had a similar look in their eyes and Shane had a gut feeling that Rozanov's and Haruka's childhoods were similar in a way that Shane never experienced.
Damnit, Shane needs to stop thinking about Rozanov. They haven't even texted in over three months– not after Sochi.
Shane glanced at his parents who moved from a silent conversation with their eyes to whispering in the corner. He looked back at Haruka and stepped closer to Haruka and sat down.
"Haruka, right? I'm Shane. I'm going to take care of you." Shane could only hope that his Japanese was decent. He truly ever spoke to his maternal grandparents in Japanese, he probably sounds bad.
Haruka flinched before nodding his head. He didn't look up from glaring at the ground.
Shane looked at Haruka for a bit longer. The boy had the hood of his sweatshirt up to prevent anyone from seeing his head.
"Do you know any English? It's okay if you don't know any, I've hired a private tutor to help you and to help set you up for schooling in Canada. She knows Japanese but she'll teach you English better than I could." Shane tried to speak like his mother but he felt more like his father at the moment.
Shane saw Haruka glance at him but looked away.
Shane decided to bring out his inner Yuna Hollander while trying to be gentle like David Hollander. "I- uh, you haven't been out of Japan before have you?"
A small shake of Haruka's head was a relief to Shane. He knew he wasn't great with kids but he's already learned a lot helping with Ruby and Jade– Hayden Pike's twin daughters who were a few months old.
"Canada is great. We'll be in Montreal for most of the year but in the Summer, I go to Ottawa. Is that alright with you?" Shane asked despite knowing that Haruka wouldn't likely argue.
"Is... Canada cold?" A small voice spoke hesitantly as if unsure he was allowed to speak.
Shane's eyes widened, he hadn't expected for Haruka to talk– even if it was nearly a whisper. "I think, uh, I mean compared to Japan it is. At least from what my grandparents say."
Haruka still wasn't looking at him but at least he wasn't glaring at the floor.
Clearing his throat, Shane spoke. "When we get to Montreal, my parents are gonna stay for a few days to help get you settled. We plan to go shopping for clothes and things for your room since I wasn't sure what you'd like."
Haruka stays silent. His tiny hands gripped the sleeves of his sweatshirt.
Shane continued on as if he didn't see how nervous Haruka was. "I know they didn't send a lot with you when you flew over. Was being on a plane scary?"
Haruka shrugged. "A little... being alone was scary but no one said anything to me... so it was fine..."
"Did you eat anything on the plane?" Shane merely got a shake of the head as a response. "My mom– er uh, Yuna is planning to make dinner at the house while we put your things away."
Shane didn't mention how little Haruka had. A duffel bag was barely full– he's pretty sure there was an indent from how little was inside.
Haruka tilted his head slightly towards Shane. There was a look of confusion on his face– as if he wasn't expecting a home cooked meal. It broke Shane's heart.
"I believe she's gonna make katsudon so that your stomach doesn't get upset at the sudden change of foods."
Haruka finally turned all the way to face Shane. Haruka's heterochromic eyes– the left one was black like Shane's while the right one was a pale hazel almost golden color– shimmered with tears. He didn't let any tears fall. Shane could see a tiny bit of half black and half white hair from underneath Haruka's hood.
Shane had already been informed of Haruka's unique appearance. Haruka had a rare form of albinism and heterochromia at the same time. Only the right side of Haruka's hair was white while the left side was black. Based on the photo Shane saw of Haruka, there was more black than white in Haruka's hair.
Shane wanted to comment on it but decided not to because he was informed that Haruka had been bullied for his hair. He didn't want Haruka to hate him for asking. He couldn't understand how anyone hated the child.
"Haruka sweetie." Yuna quietly spoke up in Japanese when neither Shane or Haruka spoke. "I'm Yuna and this is my husband David. He unfortunately doesn't know Japanese. Do you know any English?"
Haruka flinched and looked towards Yuna, while glancing over at David at the same time. He shook his head before pausing. He quietly spoke in broken English, "Little... school... not good..."
Yuna smiled softly at Haruka– Shane could've sworn Haruka looked like a deer in headlights– "That's fine sweetie. Shane told you that we got you a teacher, right?"
Haruka nodded.
"She will start in three days to give you time to adjust to being here. Is that okay?" A nod from Haruka let Yuna continue. "We're going to be leaving soon to go to your new home. Shane just has to sign some more papers."
Shane took that as his sign to go do what his mother said. He couldn't help but glance at Haruka as he left his seat.
The little family of three turned into a family of four due to a single phone call.