A Most Painful Awakening

Within the walls of the Konoha hospital were rooms that held many a sick or wounded citizen all of whom were in need of help and rest. Higuto was among the wounded within his own room as his jacket laid on a chair along with weapon pouches and his shoes. He laid in a bed under white covers and with comfy pillows as his eyes slowly opened from his slumber. He had to blink a few times, his head and face stinging, as his eyes were having trouble adjusting to the light coming from outside. Slowly memories of what had happened filled his mind once more as he slowly sat up and looked around to see he was inside a hospital room. The pain of his loss hitting him like a truck he looked out of his window to see he was on the second floor as children were playing catch in the streets.

His demeanor went from confusion to sadness as he looked down at his hands as the events of his failure flashed along his mind once again. The fact that he had lost he wasn't upset over. It was the fact of HOW he lost that tortured his mind. How could he have been so stupid as to not know to dodge? He could see the attack coming plain as day and all it took was to duck underneath so he couldn't get hit. So why didn't he? Was he in fact just that stupid? Did he think himself so strong that it wouldn't affect him?

He knew he had all the advantages against his opponent. He was the faster, the stronger, the more agile. But yet his mind couldn't register the simple function of dodging in such a crucial moment. It was supposed to be an instinct any ninja worth their salt should hold yet... He didn't. Such a basic concept absolutely ignored. And he paid the price for it. Here he now was, in a hospital bed alone while the Chuunin exams continued without him, his moment and goal absolutely crushed before his eyes. Now he would need to wait for the next exams if he wanted another shot at becoming Chuunin but, in his mind... What was the point?

All his efforts he had presented before another Genin same as him was literally spat on in the face because of his arrogance and stupidity. What good would waiting for another Chuunin Exams be for a ninja that was not fit in being a ninja? He didn't deserve another shot. He didn't even deserve being a Genin. His self pity would crash down upon him as tears streamed down from his eyes before he hugged his knees close to his face and he looked outside once again. He had wanted to make a name for himself, to show that he had what it takes to be a great ninja, but when it mattered most he was just an inexperienced eleven year old boy holding a knife. Before long his tears would become sobs as the boy quietly cried into his arms.

Higuto sat in his bed, sniffling and rubbing his eyes along his arms, for a few minutes as his eyes were darting around the room trying to take in the surroundings. There were a few paintings within the room, composed of a beautiful lake in one and the great stone faces during a sunset in the other, as he found them quite beautiful as his tears continued to fall. His mind kept returning to his match and how much of a failure he was compared to all other ninja. Had he been naïve to think a boy like him could grow and be strong? That he'd actually have peers that he'd be equals with? On that thought his mind went to Allegro and Jason alongside Kinzoku. They were his teammates and he had failed them with his pathetic display. It had always been a weakness of his to act brashly. He did it with his training exercise when he charged after Kinzoku without letting his teammates know or going over a plan with them. That was months ago. And now here we were, at the moments which were among the most important for Higuto, and he hadn't changed a single bit. Not one lesson learned.

His teammates were up against one another in the Chuunin Exams right now and he wasn't going to be able to join either of them in any winner's circles. Allegro, the Uzumaki incredibly talented with Fuinjutsu, up against their third teammate Jason, the Senju who was smart with his thinking and calculating almost always, as no doubt they were putting on a match that would possibly be put in the history books. Where no one would have anything to be ashamed of. Where even Kinzoku sensei would be impressed. Where even the Hokage would be impressed... And him?

Higuto sighed shakily, his depression returning stronger, as he unfurled from his upward fetal position and got up out of bed. He walked out of his room into a corridor that held doors to other rooms as he couldn't see much of any nurses or doctors. He stepped out into the corridor and walked along it to a set of stairs that led up to the roof of the hospital as he walked up them and opened a door to reveal the roof which had many clothing wires around with bed sheets hanging along them. He looked around the rooftop, his bare feet leaving a few footprints where he stepped, as he hopped up to the top of a water tank and sat down in the center. He had a clear view of the Chuunin arena and he faced in it's direction while his eyes focused on it specifically.

He could hear, even though the arena was miles away, the faint sounds of crowds cheering and battle cries and explosions coming from the arena. He would once again curl up and hug his knees close to him as thoughts of his loss and failures came rushing back into his mind once again to torment him. With every cheer of the crowd in the distance laughter of disdain filled his ears as the face of a shadowy figure standing over him flashed in his eyes for a moment. With every sound of kunais clashing in the distance the sound of steel piercing flesh filled his ears as a floor covered in another's blood flashed within his mind next. Whenever the announcer announced the name of a round's winner the words 'weak' and 'helpless' and 'failure' would ring loud within his soul coming from the mouth of a monster of his past. He would once again find himself wiping his teary eyes over his arms as the pain had, once again, become too much to bear.

Thinking about it the monster was absolutely right. He was a failure. Weak and helpless and couldn't protect anything or anyone. He couldn't protect them then just as he can't protect anything now. He couldn't even protect himself. He wasn't even worth killing to the monster as he was left to still be as much of a failure today as he was back then. He would grow up to live a life where no matter what he did, how good he did it, it would all always wind up in failure. His heart broke smaller with every time he thought that word within his mind... It would be a word that he had tried to keep buried, deep down within him, so that he could prove the monster wrong... A word that now shouted in his mind over and over because of how true it really was in this moment... All Higuto was, represented, and lived for was failure... All failure... failure...

Zooming from roof to roof, Suzume was observing the tension of the exams from a far distance. It was intriguing to see the final results, but watching in anticipation wasn't something she was up to. She was too ashamed to join in with the crowd, being that she hadn't done enough of herself to even be applicable for the Chuunin exams. The cheering of the audience had been rather disgusting to her. "We're hardly fully grown, yet we're expected to fight one another in this arena in front of the whole village that we call home in hopes of gaining their acceptance as a Chuunin..." Suzume grew a bit of a grudge against the systems within Konoha. It felt like almost yesterday Suzume had received her Konoha headband, tying it around her neck like a collar to show her pride as a newly graduated academy student - but then the moment now had skipped everything in between as if she was transported in time. She had vague memories, such as when she sparred Allegro that day she saw him randomly a while after the academy (that of which now seemed like seconds after), or when she first met that girl Kozachi who she could have sworn to be a lost twin based on their similarity in looks, or joining a whole group of genin some of which she didn't know too well to take down a Jounin like it was some game. A game...is that what all this is?

On the surface, she kept this suppressed. Very deeply suppressed. So far suppressed that Suzume herself was hardly aware of how pathetic that matter was. Perhaps she was bouncing around the village as a way to distract herself from despair. She had been hyper focused on simply getting from point A to point B that she wasn't aware of how she disrupted some elder ninja's peace. They had seen the exams time after time at this rate, and already knew from their own experience how it goes down. Disgruntled at the loud pattering above, one of them got a broom and banged it at their ceiling, shouting "Quiet down up there!" Stopping at the ledge, Suzume held her breath realizing the mistake she had made. Grinding her teeth out of guilt, she swiftly leaped away. It broke her attention from thinking so much about where her next destination would be to a scared escaping prey as if a predator was going after her.

In the distance she spotted a roof cluttered with drying laundry. Not wanting to be seen, but also not wanting to be at home where she more than certainly would be harassed by anyone that passed her, Suzume went for the hiding spot, not paying attention to the fact that this building was the village hospital - a mistake a genin would make, after all. Once situated atop it, she noticed some footprints leading away from the door that went into the building. Cautiously keeping herself secret, she followed the direction that they indicated someone had recently wandered, only to come across one of the genin that she had sort of met before this dreadful day. Surly it wouldn't be dreadful to others, but for her - it marked the deadline of when she needed to move on, to which she missed. "Hey, haven't we crossed paths before?" Suzume blurted out towards the water tower without thinking. Immediately she hoped she hadn't just spoken, causing enough ruckus already, but in reality ended up being so loud that she probably disrupted any peace he had up there. Maybe there was enough time to cover up what she just did before they reacted?

[WC:609]

the hospital. The man in a black cloak gazed at it with a heavy burden in his soul. Yet another reminder of his dead family. The notion that here his twins were born. To think that at the time he had gleamed into the future. It was a cruel reminder that where hope fades. The empty shell behind reverberates with the lingering sensation that there was once a bright day.

To the man known as yensung. However, Thoes days have passed. He learned pain was the very core that even with sleep and healing. These were only temporary relief's. The only depths of pain eventually are met with the final sigh a person gives. The closing of the door's and the final period at the end of their last sentence. There was not a next step, nor was there a second stirring to the man. He only saw the husks of what was formerly full of life.

So the hospital only served as now a stroll down memory lane. With the ongoing exam it would be expected that there would be those whom were harmed in the exchange. As such especially with the return of the fishermen from that village in the sea. He refrained from truly giving kiri it's proper respects in the depths of his mind while he saved face for the most part. Besides the extra hands of his would more less be an easy bit of work to do.

  The genjutsu man walked into the hospital as he noted many people running too and fro. The doctors glancing at sheets and such, nurses rummaging through containers. The consistent barking of the head nurse running around. Lively is the best of words. Some of the wounded from the assault of the mist. Some had still yet to fully recover. Although it was not unusual to see a family wailing their eyes out at the tragic news that even despite best efforts. Their family name and pride fell due to injuries. 

Yen  although with a small toss of his cloak had experience in the healing arts. Although some would've known it to the extent. Only he knew and perhaps the lucky few. The rooms were all occupied yet he slowly walked through the place. A caring eye to the still sick. That was till he came to the second floor. yet he noted that that was well and done as well. Although from the looks of it his curiosity of the event was growing on him. So with a careful steps he climbed the stairs and after wandering amid the drying area for linen and such he noted the arena.  Still lively and abuzz to the exams at full swing.  

"looks like things are still going on i see."

he would state softly as he lean against the  wall. Thus noting the fresh pair of bare foot prints alont the rooftop. 

hm? well that is fine for a person to want fresh air, but they should be monitored.


His mind flashing to the worse case scenario. As a recovering individual would easily get dizzy and find themselves plummeting to the hard ground.unlike the imagination. A crack skull on the ground would not be full of yolk. glancing up at the water tower. yen  simply activated the surface walking technique, and walked up the water tower surface.

"ah! higuto. what is up?"

he stated noting that the aburame chose a pretty decent spot. the nosebleeds of the outsiders of events basically.

Higuto had his head in his arms, trying to keep his tears hidden, as he heard the voice of a girl below the tank and he looked up from his arms to blink his eyes and allow them to adjust to the sun. He looked behind him as then heard footsteps walking up the tower that he sat on as Yen soon showed himself over the top to stand behind him. He was pretty certain it wasn't Yen's voice he had heard as a kikaichu beetle flew out from under his T shirt's sleeve and checked around the tower to find where the voice had come from. The beetle would then locate Suzume who was standing at the bottom of the tower before returning to Higuto and informing him. He had recalled seeing the girl when they had been up against Yen but he didn't catch her name as they didn't get much of any introductions. What were they doing here?

Higuto would go back to looking at the arena as he sighed while addressing Yen behind him. His voice would be shaky and strained, as if he was trying to hold back from sounding depressed, as he spoke.

"Hi, Yen... I'm just... reflecting on things."

He didn't wish to be rude to Suzume as he turned his head a bit and shouted.

"Yeah... We've met before!"

He would then look ahead of him again to the arena. His way of thinking was taking a turn downward very fast

With the almost sudden appearance of Yensung, Suzume remembered when they met. "Oh yeah!" she exclaimed, using the surface walking technique to get to their spot on the water tower. Then she made a tiny rock cane using her rock section cane technique, "We were fighting this dude!" she recalled, giving Yensung a whack on the head but not too hard. It was more so out of a playful spirit more than anything. "Along with a ton of other random genin..."  She then stood on the other side of Higuto, walking past Yensung and looking out in the same direction of the arena. "You're watching the exams too? I wasn't even able to get in..." she sighed, admitting to  the pitiful position she got herself in. It seemed as though that unpleasantness from the aura the exams gave would not go away.

Yen smiled softly as he noted that hig was off. His confidence seemed to have been altered greatly. The tone was familiar. As it was not unusual. The heavy silence between words. Like as if he was struggling with the fact.

Mustve been a tough loss in that exam..... losses occur time to time, but one must move forward.


Yen thought as feza whom ccame striding in went down a quick memory lane. Although she formed a rock section cane and boped him on the head. He did not notice as he  he took a breath and sat by higuto.

" it is not easy higuto. We want to show all of our power at times, and at times it is not enough... Defeat is the pill we refuse to swallow......  still where were you hit higuto?"

Yen stated softly gazing at the arena. He was not happy with his own defeat against risako, but he then again did not really fight. He only took the blows as he needed to. It was a diffrent story, one he did only explain to one other person. 

Still he looked at higuto with an gleam of understanding in his single eye.

Higuto watched could feel the ground shift beneath him as, being that he wasn't watching Suzume, he heard the taps coming from the tip of her earthly made cane as she came to stand next to his sitting form. 'That's right.' he thought to himself. 'She had signed up but didn't come for the orientation and rules explanation so she was replaced... Lucky. Wish I didn't join so I didn't embarrass myself in front of everyone...' He thus sighed upon thinking this as his eyes never shifted away from the distant arena. Still he didn't want to not give support to a fellow Genin who possibly could be going through some things herself.

"Give it time. They'll pop up again for you to join... Use that time to keep up your training and you'll be able to fly through them. I have no doubt about that..."

'As if I'm one to talk... Maybe you'll have way better luck then I did...' He closed his eyes as Yen spoke his supportive speech and then asked his question as the painful memory of where Higuto got hit popped inside his head and he fought to keep the tears back but failed. He hid the lower half of his face with his arms so that only his eyes showed.

"It was a water attack out of the opponent's mouth... Like an amateur I thought I could beat my opponent with speed... and I ended up with my efforts literally spat on in the face..."

Now the tears flowed as easily as though a faucet had been turned on as Higuto tried in vain to wipe his face clear and hide that fact. 'I'm such a loser... A sniveling little boy who can't stop crying? I'm not fit to be a ninja...' He would continue to try and wipe his eyes as he wanted so badly to disappear.

As he talked with her, Suzume snickered at what Higuto said. "Great, but now I'll be behind those I went to the academy with. Who the hell wants to be left behind? And trying to catch up is such a drag. Maybe instead of doing the exams, I'll take on a few C rank shinobi to gain the title of Chunnin. Even though that's more dangerous, I'd rather not waste another day being kept in such a constrained rank. Can't make much of a living with being only a genin...." she'd ramble, only apprehending the fact that she wasn't being helpful after saying all that. Once Yengsung said his words, she would remain quiet.

With Higuto now visibly upset, Suzume made it her goal to try to console him. Although she didn't entirely know him, there wasn't any reason for her to act like they were total strangers. After he explained what happened to him during his exams, Suzume placed a hand on his shoulder to let him know he wasn't alone. At least, she didn't want him to feel that way. To her, Higuto seemed like a pretty alright guy. Yet, Suzume wasn't the wise one here, so she choose to keep silent and let the more experienced shinobi speak. Maybe he'd say something that she too would find useful.

The Chuunin exams were in full bloom today, matches flying by left and right. Kinzoku was obviously on hand for the matches, except he was not there as a regular audience member. No, he wasn't allowed to enjoy such pleasantries. Being a Jounin of a village meant he had to be on the job pretty much all the time. Today his job was to be on guard duty and protect the audience, the contestants, the Hokage, and the Kiri representative known as Naoki. Although nothing was likely to happen, it was best to be prepared. However being on guard duty allowed him a few moments here and there to observe the battling Genin as they went all out in an attempt to obtain the rank of Chuunin. In these exams were three of Kinzoku's own students who he was eager to watch fight. He knew each one had the skill to take it to the end and win the exams and was excited to see them fight. Unfortunately, the Hokage and made two of his students face off against one another in the first round. Whether that was do to their skills being on par with one another, or simply being a cruel jape by the Hokage, Kinzoku was uncertain. One thing he was certain of was that it was a match he needed to catch.

The Jounin could not help but feel a little bit of excitement as well as a little bit nervous. He couldn't wait to see his students in action and only wanted them to do their best no matter the outcome, which brought a number of mixed emotions in. The nerves came in because he could only hope he had done his best to prepare them for this. Only time would tell.

First of his students were Higuto and although he displayed tremendous skill, he was evidently beat by the more cautious and defensive Konoha ninja. Kinzoku was sad to see that his student had lost knowing he had the potential to have won the whole thing. He felt disappointed. Not towards Higuto, but towards himself. He began to second guess himself, wondering if he had prepared his students enough, whether his teachings had been good enough or not. Unfortunately he did not have time to dwell on such thoughts as he needed to stay focused on the job. 

During the match between his Uzumaki and Senju students, the Nazar couldn't help but watch the fight. The two students showed tremendous skill and growth that Kinzoku himself had not even known about. The only disappointment Kinzoku felt here was that one of them had to lose. Allegro went on to win the heated exchange but not necessarily because he was simply the better ninja. No, that fight could have gone either way. However now it was time to take his leave from guard duty. With matches yet to come he knew there needed to be a guard at his post. So he found a replacement Jounin. For the time being he needed to go see Higuto who would enviably have been taken to the hospital. 

In a matter of moments the Nazar found himself strolling through the hospital doors. As he entered he removed his top hat with his left arm, the light gleaming off his shinny metal arm. After inquiring about the location of his Aburame student, Kinzoku arrived only to see the room empty. It was only at that moment did he realize there were a number of chakra signatures on the roof of the ceiling, one of them being that of Higuto. At least he was awake. That in itself was a good sign. Making his way down the same path Higuto had taken to the roof, the moment he stepped outside he placed his hat back onto his head. With his crossbow strapped to his back, he slowly made his way over to the three Konoha shinobi gathered on top of the water tank. Though he remained down on the roof as three people on top of the water tank were enough. 

Kinzoku noticed Yen the moment his eyes found the smaller Jounin as they had fought side by side at the gates. He tipped his hat towards his fellow Jounin, his student Higuto, and even the female beside the Aburame which he had never seen. "Seems I was late to the party" Kinzoku spoke, as he leaned back against the railing bordering the hospital roof. From here the sounds of the Chuunin exams could still be heard and Genin fought for fame and glory. But there were more important things at hand for the Jounin. Judging by the situation and body posture of the three on top of the tank, it was clear the other two were doing their best to console Higuto. It was even clearer that Higuto was conflicted with an array of emotions Kinzoku could only imagine. He would have to speak a few words to his student, but there would be time enough for that. At the moment there were already two people at it. So Kinzoku would remain down below not wanting to overwhelm Higuto. When the time was right Kinzoku would do his part and speak with his Aburame student.