Eyes Wide Shut, yet the Mind stayed Open (IO | NK)

Toran felt disillusioned after that fateful day inside of the arena. The idea that a connection, or even hint of betrayal would cause an event to be orchestrated entirely around your death scared him to his very core. Yet he still wanted to go out for the day. He had remained cooped up inside of the small apartment he was living in for too long throughout the week. Yet it was mainly because of what he wished to do in the future. He needed strength, and with strength came presence and influence. However, he had no one to really call an ally or a friend after everything he had been through. Typhon had just gone through the death of his father, and had seemingly retired from shinobi duty. His other teammates were either dead, or too busy with their forge. His sensei was also missing, and he didn’t really have anyone else to talk to. The Nova Exams having been announced so long ago feels like a distant memory. The festivities had grown thin as the days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months of anticipation. He had no interest in the exams personally, but he knew that there were others displeased with Hoshigakure as of late, whether it was as a village or simply because of its connection with the religious sector of the village.

Yet Toran decided to walk around the main central square of Hoshigakure. A red jacket covering his long white T-Shirt. His signature black pants and now closed toed shoes allowed him to feel comfortable in the environment he was in. The soft chill breeze of fall brushed against his skin like a blade. Yet he remained firm in walking around the village. He wanted to see all the sights that he could. He had gained a few bits of cash as a result of some generous donations given to him by both relatives, and others inside of the village for doing them small favors. Yet Toran felt something off. There was a feeling of despair that he couldn’t shake off, one that had him continuing to see Isaribi’s fallen form. She had been taken down with a single swing of the blade by Akaboshi. He didn’t know why, but the thought sickened him to his core. There had to have been a better way, even if she was suspicious, there had to have been something that he could have done to help Isaribi’s case, even if she was suspicious. He didn’t understand it, that suspicion had led to so much death. The actions of his village were strange to him, it wasn’t the Hoshigakure he had been raised to respect. He saw first hand the dark underbelly of the village, and that there would be no prisoners taken even if there was a hint of suspicion. His eyes scanned the area, finding a lone bench near the auburn covered trees. The falling leaves create a gorgeous environment for him to collect his thoughts. He remembered a time when he and Isemori would train, where they would discuss so much with each other. He remembered Hikari, his team, Yamato, Typhon, Morio, and Hotaru. No one seemed concerned about her death, no investigations were being made.

All of it felt so strange to the young Uchiha, yet he had nothing to speak of for it. Instead, he only found himself alone on the wooden bench by the side of the road. His thoughts cluttering his head like a fog, leaving him with almost no way to escape it.

WC:593
TWC:593