how goes the day

[Yahiko]

It had been raining all morning.

The pitter-patter of countless raindrops had become the soundtrack of the day as their assault upon the roof of my home raged on. It was a... calming noise, given my current circumstances. It was also a noise that I didn't hear too often when I was growing up.

I was born into a wealthy, prestigious family and, as such, I was raised in an absolutely extravagant estate. The Kikkawa Manor was magnificent in it's prime; it was a physically massive structure and it's outlying land seemed to stretch on forever; it was always very neat and clean, regardless of the litter of children that it housed; and it was home, warm and inviting and full of love. However, given Kusagakure's reputation as a playground for clashing shinobi forces, the manor had to be fortified.

My family had the walls of our home reinforced with the strongest materials available, each floor housed an armory fitted with every combat-related tool imaginable, and many of our rooms were subterranean, so even if our home above was destroyed, we would be safe - supposedly. I remember the silence in my underground room, and the darkness as well. My family traded our hopeful safety for simple, seemingly unimportant things such as the sun's first light peeking through a bedroom window or the sound of rain pounding against the roof.

In the end, I suppose it didn't make much of a difference. Our home was destroyed in it's entirety. My family perished along with it, save a few lucky members including myself. I went from a lavish life in a manor full of family to cold, wet solitude in a broken shack. But on the bright side, I could listen to the rain now.

Though even that calming liquid rhapsody that mother nature orchestrated for me wasn't enough to ease my nerves. I sat upright on my sofa, clad in my usual robes, hands clasped together, hair pulled back and tied in a messy wolf-tail, and my eyes staring at the front door - eyes made heavy by the weight of recent events: I'd lost my ability of properly mold chakra. Initially, I thought it was a fluke; perhaps I had simply overworked my body the day before. But after eleven days, six hours, and seventeen minutes without change, I understandably began to worry.

"My name is Akatome Kikkawa. I am a Chuunin of Kusagakure no Sato. At 7:45am on October 9th, I came to the realization that my ability to mold chakra had been compromised by unknown causes. Blanche is coming over to help. I will get better."

I had been saying the same thing all morning, emphasizing on the last few words with every fiber of my being. I will get better. I had to.

[Apple]

It was raining.

As of late, the weather in Kusagakure had taken a turn for the worst. Usually a paradise for sun, I could remember as a child the endless weeks of rain that the village had to bear with. It wasn’t a problem as I now glided across the plains in search of none other than my cousin, of course. I walked, my latex-like clothing repelling the rain perfectly as I moved, the raindrops bounding off me like small projectiles. The place in which he lived in soon came in to view – a small shack of dubious craftsmanship. It did move me somewhat how .. basic he was living now, but given that my home was technically the compound, I figured that we were at both extremes of the spectrum. Soon the time would come where I’d need to buy some place to stay – and I’d have no doubts that the officials of Kusagakure would require it to be fortified. Almost like my own family home all those years ago. Having lived in an almost claustrophobic underground lab for as long as I can recall since stepping back on to this land, I couldn’t imagine living elsewhere, but it was pivotal now. ”………” as I closed in, I saw the wood that made the shape of the building itself, spiderwebs glistening with raindrops galore whilst their own tenants hid away between wood beams in some attempt to be shielded from the weather. He’d told me loosely what had happened to him, but from the brief that I’d been given, I wasn’t looking forwards to this. My pale hand rose, knocking on the door a total of three times before I then took ahold of the handle.

"Akatome, it's just me."

I pushed myself in to the small construct.

So.. dark. There was a light, of course- but it could barely be considered substantial enough. Having come in here during the daytime and in better weather when light poured in through the windows, making everything seem so much better. In the darkness how, shadows loomed over everything, barely being restricted by the soft candlelight that flickered elsewhere. I couldn't see him living like this. "You know - I can find you a better place to live." I offered as I gazed around at his surroundings, before going back to the familiar black-haired man. Anything had to be better than this. "..Winter will be here soon, and I'd hate to see you fall ill." I was, of course, concerned for his health. I could feel the chill of the outdoors and the dampness of the rain from inside - as winter would come around with its bitter chill, I couldn't imagine the state that this place would be then. As a practicioner of the medical arts and a constant presence in the village hospital, the last thing I wanted was for him to be subdued by illness. Offering him a home was the least that I could do, as a friend, a cousin and as Kusakage. Pushing my hair back, even in this dank light my form almost glowed with ethereal power, appearing more golden that before from the generous supply of chakra that seethed within me. Of course; he'd be none the wiser but even I had come to terms with the fact that I looked different - the same, but much more.. radiant. I pushed a few loose strand from my face, as I gazed up at his features, awaiting his response.

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[Yahiko]

Three knocks.

My heart immediately began to race. My muscles tensed up. I even started to rise from my seat, prepared to take a fighting stance. Midway through my rise, however, I heard Blanche speak and it was as though calmness washed over my like a slow-moving syrup, easing me back down to my seat.

My beloved cousin opened the door and stepped into my home with her long, golden locks trailing behind her. My eyes flinched sharply as they focused on her. With a lingering gaze, I sized her up from crown to boot. I hadn't seen her in a while, not since our encounter on the bridge, and maybe that's why something seemed different about her. Somehow, I didn't think I would have noticed a difference if it had been a change as minuscule as new shoes or a different hair style. No, this difference in Blanche went well beyond her physical form, though that itself seemed somewhat otherworldly. She began to speak then, and I decided to try allow her visit to run its course without questioning her about it, though somehow I felt that it would inevitably come up sooner rather than later.

"Please, Blanche, the changing of the seasons is the least of my worries right now." I said with a light chuckle. Truth be told, I liked my home the way it was. I welcomed the exposure to the elements; I felt that it made me strong. Earlier prepared some tea for use which I had set on the table placed in front of my seat. Slowly, I rose from my seat and extended a cup of it to her. "Tea?" I offered.


(crap post :/ I haven't eaten today)

[Apple]

The sound of the rain hitting against the tattered roof was strange to say the least. I’d been so used to spending my days and nights within either places deep underground or buildings with enough bricks and cement to block out any similar sounds that it was an alien sound to me by now. It simply bolstered the sheer fragility of the building itself, and being relatively close to the person who lived within it, of course I was going to be concerned. ”Perhaps they are the least of yours but that doesn’t mean that they are, too, the least of mine.” I spoke, a clear If you become ill from this then don’t tell me I didn’t warn you vibe coming from my words. He had briefed me on what had happened almost erratically, and although I'd managed to pick up the details, he'd seemed somewhat.. panicked, upon finding out. As I looked at him now in full he seemed much more relaxed but it was debatable whether it was a front or not. Akatome had always been known for his cool head. He was perhaps on part with Ue's own temperam- My eyes flickered downwards for the slightest of moments as I remembered. I had told Akatome months ago that I'd find him, that I'd bring him back safe and that we could all be a family again. With painful truths having been revealed, I came to the realization that all of this time my efforts had been in vain. But.. I didn't know how to break the news to him. He had enough things to worry about at the moment.

"Tea?"

I smiled softly - or was that a smirk?

"..Tea.. is all that they give me in meetings."

"I expected you of all people to know that I still don't favor the drink."

My tone was playful, not condemning his words by any means but instead moreso turning the situation on its head and making fun of him for even offering it to him. But it was all in good nature. Regardless, I'd take the cup and allow the warmth that radiated from it to sink in to my hands, perfectly soothing the chill that had come over me from the uninsulated building we were currently sat in. Taking a sip, shortly thereafter I'd begin to speak. "I apologize to have to bring this up so soon; But, can you outline to me exactly what had happened in the few days before you made the discovery?" I questioned in a sympathetic tone, trying to find out if anything had happened to trigger it. I'd heard of cases only vaguely spoken in textbooks but personally, I hadn't seen anything like this in full. If he claimed it to be all that he said, then I was thinking the worst as despite being a medic - the chakra system within a human body was something that even we couldn't change to our liking. Looking over at him and taking another sip of the tea (Over time.. I hadn't grow to like it, but it was acceptable enough) I'd keep my gaze focused on him for any change in expression, any little movement or word from the lips. And I stood- basking in my own light as chakra seethed from each and every pore, satisfying my own health and mind, and allowing me to think rationally. Shifting my position, placing my free hand on my hip, I'd watch him, studying his reaction.

"And; how are you feeling?"

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[Yahiko]

I of all people.

My eyes widened slightly, heavy bags beneath them conveying the weight of my condition. I had made the realization almost immediately after I extended the warm mug of he beverage that she loathed most intensely. I knew that. I'd known that since the beginning. Yet, while I prepared the tea earlier, it hadn't occurred to me in the slightest. "...I knew that." I said with a flinch, shutting my eyes at my stupidity. "Sorry...." I added, opening my eyes just enough so that I could stare at the hands that I had shakily clasped in my lap.

Was I forgetting things now too? Was this.... problem deeper than just my chakra-molding abilities? No, no, people forget things all the time. I was fine. Well, I wasn't, but I would be. Blanche was here. She could fix me - would fix me. My name is Akatome Kikkawa. I am a Chuunin of Kusagakure no Sato. At 7:45am on October 9th, I came to the realization that my ability to mold chakra had been compromised by unknown causes. Blanche is here now. I will get better. I didn't know if it helped, but I found solace in reminding myself of the facts.

"Okay.." I said. I shifted in my seat for no apparent reason and my gaze met hers briefly before returning to my hands. "...I...I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I've really just been reading lately... a-and I've been eating well, too. I don't know... I've been fine my whole life and then I just woke up and..."

"...I-I feel fine, now, I mean, I can't do a lick of ninjutsu for the life of me, but nothing hurts, y'know? I feel alright..." I spoke erratically, which was completely out of character for me. I was aware of this, but I did it unconsciously. My hands rattled and shook in my lap until I grasped one in the other to hold them still and glanced up at my cousin.

"What's happening, Blanche?" I asked. "What's wrong with me?"

[Apple]

Being able to analyze people quite well, I naturally kept my gaze on him as I watched him respond to my questions and comments. The most curious of which was my words about tea and how it wasn't exactly my most favorite drink in the world. Where before in the past he'd have taken it as the joke that it was, he now seemed oddy.. serious about it. As if I'd just offended him. My eyebrows shifting slightly as I developed a slightly quizzical expression, I opened my mouth to speak; "I was kidding, Akatome. Tea is fine." A pause, and a soft, all-too forgiving smile. "Don't beat yourself up about it." I'd seen him flinch, I'd seen his eyes cast down to the floor for perhaps only the slightest of moments. It only led me to believe that this change in ability had effected him in ways more than the obvious physical restriction. He displayed an unsettling amount of.. apathy, for himself, above anything. It was a far cry from the Akatome I'd seen merely weeks ago, and to say the least, I was concerned about him. Whilst I was sure he'd be able to change his style of combat as a shinobi, I could plainly see the lack of confidence in the way that he spoke, and the smallest of twitches that his hand displayed whilst holding the delicate teacup. As tough a personality I'd developed over the years between the first shinobi war and now, even that couldn't help but make me wince slightly at his words. Family had always been my primary concern. Whilst the village ranked first as well, family came tied with it, and as I picked up so much fear in his voice, I sympathized with him, my eyes growing slightly droopy and much softer in gaze, before hardening once more as I prepared to ask him a few questions in regards to what he'd asked, placing the teacup down on a nearby surface as I rested my hands, stretching their digits somewhat.

"You say you feel fine, now?
Had you experienced any symptoms previously?"

The way he'd spoken led me to believe that there had to be some kind of pain at the start where his abilities had been siphoned away from him by some unknown cause. However - as I asked, my hands had already begun to weave seals for a high-class medical technique that I was hoping would be able to tell if there was anything wrong with him physically which could have perhaps added to it - a strange, intricate seal on his body which could have locoked away his abilities, or some kind of internal deformity that might have effected his use of chakra in some way temporarily. I was unsure, but all I could do was hope that it was something which I could spot. Regarding myself as one of the best medics in the shinobi world, if I couldn't pick up on it - I had little confidence that he'd be able to harness his chakra again. As I finished the long strand of seals, I then rose my hands and approached Akatome, pressing them softly against the area of his solar plexus for only a few seconds, as the small amount of medical chakra began to bounce back and forth in his body, attempting to pick up on any fine details which could explain the disappearance of his chakra-moulding ability. This would continue for a very short time, before I took my hands off as the information fed back to me, shaking my head in response to what I hadn't found within him.

"I'm sorry, Akatome." I paused.

"..I couldn't find anything.
No irregular physical change; nothing that could take it away like that."

I spoke these words with a tinge of sadness in them for what had happened. I spoke of my own lack of hope but I knew that there were other ways of working from this - he could easily go forwards to dedicate himself to taijutsu styles which didn't require any chakra drain to use, but - "..Akatome, I can tell that you're not alright - you're .. shaking." I spoke, my tone mused and almost whispered as I looked on at him and his hands which he attempted to still by holding them firmly together. "Whatever this is, don't let it get to you. I'm sure there are many people born in to this world who aren't able to use chakra - I truly believe that you can pass this hurdle." Another pause, as I brushed a strand from the irregularly bright mass of hair behind my ear, permitting me slightly more of a field of vision. "Just take it slow - don't rush in to things." I spoke. my words pouring from my mouth as sweet as honed, laced with extremely faint traces of excess chakra, my lungs along with the rest of my body heavy with pressure. Picking up the teacup once more, I took one more sip from the edge of the slightly cracked porcelain, before resting it in my hand as I looked down at him, still studying his potential response to my words.

"I'll always be here for you - you know that, right?
You'll be OK."

[/b][/u][/color]

Horisageru no Karada (To Delve Into The Body)
Rank: A, A
Type: Supplementary.
Range: -
Handseals: 15
Chakra: High. Mid with medical mastery.
Special: The user creates a chakra 'sonar' which delves into a patient's body and confers the complete state of the body to the user after a turn. Can only be used once per thread, plus one more each time retrained.
Description: A highly precise Medical ninjutsu, the user channels chakra into their hands and then places them both on the patient's solar plexus. The chakra pulses through the body in several waves, taking all important information about the condition of the body and relaying it to the user. In this way a Medical ninja is capable of instantly understanding what is wrong with the body, although not necessarily what is needed to fix the problem.
Domain: Iryou Ninjutsu.[/ul]
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[Yahiko]

"I'm sorry, Akatome."

The words bounced around in my head, seemingly growing louder and louder, muffling anything else that Blanche said. I saw her lips moving still, but her words fell on deaf ears. My eyes fell to the floor, still and uncertain. The weight of my new reality sank into my skin, heavy, thick, suffocating; I couldn't move. My thoughts seemed either too jumbled to comprehend or thin to the point of absence. There was one thing I did know, however. One thought. One word.

Sorry.

Nothing that my cousin said after that mattered. All I needed to know was that she was sorry, because that in itself answered all questions that I could have possibly come up with. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered. My chakra had been siphoned away on a whim. The universe, in all its unbiased, disconnected wonder, deemed me unsuitable of a shinobi's life. So it cut me off. It was as simple as that. My mouth, which had fallen ajar to complete my daze visage, moved slowly, forming only a couple of words.

"That's it," I said apathetically. "It's over."

(weird post, the next one will be better)

[Apple]

"That's it,"

"It's over."

[/right]

Slap !!

"Akatome- snap out of it --!"

As quick as he had said such melancholic words, my left hand drew from its previous position, and found itself being slapped across his cheek in response. Of course - such an action would have reminded him of our youth in Kusagakure - always having been the most rowdy out of the three, Akatome, Ue and I, he'd been slapped perhaps too many times by my delicate hands. May it have been him saying or doing something that I didn't agree with, or responding to situations such as the one that he currently found himself in. Of course - it hadn't meant to be too painful, merely something to help draw his mind away from the black abyss that he was allowing himself to be trapped within at this time. Granted, as I mused over the past, my own mind began to wander as I recalled Kouketsu's words regarding Ue those few months ago. I couldn't tell Akatome about.. about him - Not now. I still felt an intense sense of dread as I remembered that I wouldn't see his face again, or his calm, kind demeanor. I missed him terribly - but thinking about such things only worked my nerves up. Closing my eyes after my hand was thrown across his face, I exhaled softly before allowing such bright blue eyes to fall on Akatome once more. As he sat, I approached him, slowly, the teacup having been positioned elsewhere on a table, as I leant down; in no way trying to patronize him, but merely to try and get to eye level with him in his seated position.

"Please, don't do this to yourself."

Across the village, I'd made myself known as perhaps not one of the most approachable people about, due to both of my status, intimidating appearance and of course the fact that I usually felt apathetic about most things and most people. However in times like these I bloomed, revealing the true length of my care. Of course, this was only a fraction of what I could display, but I was concerned for him - he was my cousin, after all. He was practically a brother to me. With the beautiful sheen of my hair and the soft, supple appearance of my skin, I stayed in my position, merely looking at him. He looked tired, above all, and I knew fatigue better than any at this point. Tired of the news he'd been given, tired of everthing, tired of life, perhaps. I didn't wish it upon him of all people, and the sympathy and concern was quite clear in my sky-blue eyes as I studied his response. And now I came so close, my own gloved hand pressing against his. Although beyond the unnaturally pristine condition I appeared to be in at the moment, it disguised the strong, painful bouts of anexity that rose up in my throat like unwelcome bile. Akatome's mental turmoil too added to it, but - I'd never admit to such a weakness. Engaging eye contact, I began to speak.

"It'll all be alright"

I paused, swallowing briefly, the words almost trapped in my neck.

"I know it will.
Don't lose yourself over this."

I asked this as a silent plead - Having been through so much myself, and with Ue having had a past which I couldn't have anticipated at all, and with my own future so delicately suspended under a veil of uncertainty, all I wanted was for him to rise above it all. I didn't want to see him like this - so .. distraught.
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[Yahiko]

Slap!

A match was struck. A fuse was lit. A bomb awaited. Something between us began to tear at that moment. Something unseen, such as a thread, perhaps, tied to the both of us. Unraveling under the weight of the day's news. The pain, while throbbing, did not render me any more useless than I already was. On the contrary, fire was catching somewhere inside of me. My eyes were glued to the weathered wood on which my home was built. They were looking, but not seeing. I found myself to preoccupied with what was going on inside my head to pay much mind to anything that my cousin was saying.

I thought of the dreams that I'd had of becoming a Jounin, maybe even Kusakage someday. I'd always wanted to work as an academy teacher in addition to whatever specific career I decided to pursue. I could have been great. I could have made a name for myself in this world. But what was to become of me now? An ordinary citizen? Would I take apprenticeship under a gardener or a contractor or chef? Would I even be able to find work? Would I succumb to the same fate as my chakra, vanishing without a trace?

I felt sick. And angry.

A hand grasped mine. I'd zoned out and forgotten about my dear cousin for a moment. My eyes met hers and the radiance of her form seeped into my mind. She tried too comfort me, but it wasn't working. I knew that she'd be fine after she left. Her, Shodaime Kusakage and World-Class Medic Blanche Kikkawa. She didn't understand the magnitude of what was going on. But how could she? She was gifted even among other gifted shinobi. Darkened eyes and furrowed brows were what she'd find looking back at her as I pulled my hand away from hers.

"How dare you even say that." I said, feeling something beginning to boil inside of me. "My chakra is gone, Blanche, there's nothing left. I stood to my feet, feeling oddly light and, unintentionally, pushing my seat back a few feet with the force of my rise.

"You don't KNOW anything, there's NOTHING left for me," my voice was beginning to rise. "You've got chakra practically RADIATING off you, don't try to act like you understand!" I was yelling, and I felt like my insides were on fire.

"Don't you get it!?" I felt like I was about to explode.

"IT'S OVER!!!"

I turned to the wall behind me and threw everything I had at it. I felt my fist connect, but only momentarily. My eyes, half enraged and half confused, could see a cloud of debris briefly, and the the rolling, rainy plains of the Kusa's outskirts. The wall seemed to have given way much easier than I would have thought it would. I hadn't planned on leaving a gaping hole in the side of my home.

[Apple]

"How dare you even say that."

I could see the anger clearly on my face. Whilst I'd always been, and still am quite an aggressive person when I wanted to be, it was something that I'd seen Ue and Akatome both harness, but never embrace fully. It was times like those in our childhood where it scared me to see them in such an enraged state, as it was so rare. And even now, despite my title as Kusakage, I couldn't help but reflect on those days now and watch, not in full fear, but in slight concern of the transition that the man before me was taking part in, as he slowly took in all of the scrambled emotions he surely felt at the moment. As he stood, our connection which I'd past created was now broken, and coming in line with his own movements, I too rose to my true height, towering over him by a few inches. Instead of speak, I kept listening, allowing him to vent his frustrations, however, the very moment that I heard his voice rise, my right arm shifted its position. Moving it over so that it inexplicably held on to my left hip, I backed off only a single step, blue eyes wide open as I watched him writhe in emotional turmoil. His words directed to me in particular weren't effective as I dislocated myself from the situation. I knew the feeling of anger like the back of my hand, and blaming me was merely one kind of coping mechanism that sprung from it. He truly believed that there was nothing left for him in the shinobi world if he was unable to harness his chakra - and so, as I told him of a possibility otherwise, he childishly chose to pick on me for having what he now lacked. Of course, I forgave him. I'd always forgive him - and for this short period, I allowed him to satisfy his frustrations.

"I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I'M YOUR FUCKING COUSIN, AKATOME !!


I roared fiercely, my voice radiating off the air for miles as I wildly looked at him.
It was almost scary.

However, was the gargantuan supply of chakra that was stored within me at the moment that noticeable? I'd have checked myself for it, but given that the only piece of skin viewable was my face and a small amount of my upper neck, I was unable to do so, but I took his words as truth. I exhaled shakily, my mind having been worked up so from shouting. I hadn't done it in quite a while and it felt so.. justifying to do it, urging me to push on and do it again, to remedy Akatome of the ignorance that was currently overpowering him - dare I challenge the black abyss that his mind frame was becoming? Dare he challenge me. My eyes lit with an unnatural, almost disturbing amount of fury for only a brief moment before quieting down as I took control over myself again.

"IT'S OVER!!!"

SMASH !!

[/i][/right]
With my right hand still latched on to my left hip, I couldn't move from the position I was in, even with the drawing of his arm to collide with the side of his home. I could see the briefest rays of light pooling in from the hole that had been created, and the onset of cold in to the already weakly insulated building. Approaching the burning fire that Akatome had metaphorically become, instead of backing away, I released my hand from its previous position and itself sought to wrap both around his form, drawing him in to my embrace. Although Akatome, by now, was very much an adult, he was acting like a child - but then again, it was understandable enough given the process which he'd so cruelly been put through. But that didn't mean that there wasn't hope to be found somewhere in regards to whatever condition he'd inadvertently adopted. "Calm down - please." I asked as, my right hand pressing against the back of his head, pushed his head gently towards my shoulder, now almost cradling him the boy in my arms.

"I won't give up on you - you know that." I spoke so softly as I gazed at the dim surroundings of home, right hand now brushing through his inky black hair. If he chose to push me away I wouldn't be too upset - but I only sought to comfort him and ease his mind at this point in time. "It's never over." I was, of course, aware of how quickly my attitude had changed, from releasing a shout that had overpowered to his own, to now holding him in my arms and trying to alleviate the anger that plagued him. But then again - I'd always been like that, although at this time I'd noticed more than any how changeable they had become - even compared to the average. "..I think that you've forgotten that I just so happen to run the village." I murmured. "If it was over then I'd tell you, given that it's my job to oversee each and every shinobi in this place." I continued to brush his hair between my lithe fingers as I spoke, my own eyes momentarily closing. I was, granted, feeling slightly drained right now. I understood why he was so frustrated because, as a create that even now sought he blissful feeling of chakra pouring in to my body, I wasn't sure what I'd do if I was in place. I surely, would have reacted worse than he did. I knew that there would come a time where I'd need to stop it- stop siphoning chakra from Kouketsu, as I felt the need becoming more and more potent with each passing day. But I couldn't bring myself to do it, and as an attribute, my body almost glimmered with chakra brimming from me, from each little hair on my head to the soft, supple skin that graced my skin. I was sure, Akatome having once bore the same abilities as myself, would recognize the strange sheen that had overcome me, but that didn't mean I wanted to explain to him fully. I'd always been taught that it was wrong to feed off others when not under a circumstance where it would be justifiable, but I needed it more than ever. The more that I merely thought about it the more it drove me forwards - but I couldn't. Not now. Not to Akatome.

"I won't let you do this to yourself, Akatome.
..I can't lose you."

I released my grasp, stepping away a single foot from him, my unnaturally healthy hair softly floating atop the breeze that was channeled from the broken wall. With such forgiving blue eyes looking back at him, I stood, my right hand subconsciously latching on once more to my left hip.

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[Yahiko]

Heavy breathes drank the chilly, rainy wind that my home seemed to be inhaling through the new window that I'd just installed. I stood there, shaking, with cold streams flowing from my eyes. I sniffled, but I didn't whimper or wail. I just stood, unmoving against the air. I felt the boiling sensation that had previously riddled my body begin to subside and vanish. I didn't feel light anymore. Actually, I felt heavier than I'd ever felt.

I was pulled into an embrace - I'm unsure if it was Blanche's superhuman strength that forced me into her arms or if some part of me just really needed a hug. Regardless, I didn't fight her. I couldn't. "I'm sorry," I said in an almost post-tantrum childlike manner. I was. Her warmth was soothing, although the breeze and goosebumps continued to remind me of what had just happened. I'd completely lost my composure, which was practically unheard of. I never wanted to see myself become an animal, and I never wanted anyone else to see that either. Especially not Blanche.

"..I can't lose you."

I wondered what she thought of me now as she backed away and looked at me. I was sure that I was a mess. The wind licked the tear streams on my face dry, my hair, messy and wet, was half flying all over the place, and half stuck to my face, and my hand was covered in splinters. I held my hand up to my face, palm down, and examined it. There were specs of blood and splinters, but there was no real damage. This was odd, I thought, considering that I'd just punched through a wall, albeit not a very sturdy wall, but a wall nonetheless.

"I think I was beginning to lose myself for a minute there..." I said, jokingly mind you, but unfortunately my voice carried my words dryly as I flipped my hand over to examine it more.

[Apple]

"I think I was beginning to lose myself for a minute there..."

The chill swept in through the hole in the wall that he'd created only minutes ago, although it seemed that by now, my attempt to comfort him had worked as he drew away from my form seemingly much more clear-minded than he had been before - but it didn't make me forget his shouts. Had I really become that latched on to chakra? It was a strange thought, but it was entirety possible, and whilst fully aware of this, I couldn't bring myself to do anything about it. I held myself where I was for a minute or so as I contemplated such a notion, my arms now crossed tightly against my chest. Whatever anger that had taken over my cousin had been, thankfully, short lived. I was relieved for several different reasons, the most notable of which being the fact that past the cold countenance that I bore, I hated to see him as he'd been. It reminded me all too much of myself, and at most times Akatome being a completely different person, I didn't want him to replicate me. Even as I stood now with barriers over my mind to try and calm myself, they had broken so easily mere minutes ago where I'd shouted at him so relentlessly.

I had too many things to consider and change.



"We'll work it out."

I flashed him the same caring smile; Even I was surprised at how warm I was becoming towards not only Akatome, but towards everything in general. Or.. I wasn't that surprised with being much more soft towards my cousin - I'd always been a family-orientated person, but now .... With Ue gone, Kouketsu looming at my door and all too many things surfacing, I wasn't sure how to react. I ought to be happy, but I felt seeds of doubt get planted in my mind each and every passing day. But Ue - for only a moment I froze, my eyes directed towards a corner of his home. Perhaps it was a gift that someone alike myself could feel any sense of regret, but I wasn't sure what to do. The more I let it go on the more time he'd have to wait, living a lie believing that he was alive somewhere in the shinobi world, but at the same time, relaying the information to Akatome myself clarified that Ue was gone, and that he'd never come back. Moving my attention to my hands, I found myself contemplating that for only a moment or so, before willingly cutting through such thoughts. The gift which I'd searched wildly for all those years ago was becoming such a burden - Edo tensei. I had so many that I'd loved, and so many that I'd lost. Reviving them for my own selfish intents wasn't a sign of respect, or love, at that. I couldn't bring myself to do it to them.

But you want to see him again..

..Don't you?

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Its voice stung my mind and my lip quivered in response.

But I disregarded it to the best of my ability.

Approaching the chuunin, I began to talk, a soft white light beginning to emanate from hands. I'd then take ahold of his wrists, softly pulling them closer to myself and allowing the grace of Shousen to envelop the small injuries that he'd sustained, loosening each of the small splinters as it rejected them and rebuilt the skin that had been punctured and cut. Perhaps I was merely making it worse for himself by displaying such chakra-related feats, but it was for his own good, in the end. The healing itself took no time at all given the spread of it, and as such, the light soon faded, as did my grasp on him. "You can always dedicate yourself to taijutsu - you know, Momochi specialized in that. If he was here-" a pause, as I began to realize what I was saying. "If he was here.. he'd ..have been able to teach you, I'm sure." I was unsure if his own memory spanned that far back, but for me, it was almost like it was yesterday, and as each and every day passed, my longing for him hadn't faltered. Although I had other things to think about now, other people and other problems, he remained. He was a good man, and I'd never understood why my family had disagreed with our relationship - perhaps in the end they were simply trying to protect me from what inevitably had happened, given his position in the village, but I hadn't listened, and despite this, I was quite glad that I hadn't. As time stood now, I cherished each and every memory I had with him, despite the tragic end to everything that had blossomed from it.

To this day, I continue to mourn the both of them.

"I've met and known plenty of shinobi who focus on taijutsu alone." Although he did bear the chakra of the Yonbi, Akira, the Yondaime mizukage, was undoubtedly an example of this. I had no reason to believe that Akatome couldn't become a talented user of taijutsu - but it was barriers that he himself needed to break down which were in the way. "Don't ever lose belief in your abilities, Akatome."

"Because when you do; That's when it's over."

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[Yahiko]

"...I think..."

I started to speak, and would have finished, too, if not for a lingering thought that paused my words. Was this fate? Had I been destined by a higher power since the moment of my conception to lose my ability to mold chakra? Was this some sort of test or a task that was to be taken? I pondered for a moment what the universe could possibly be trying to convey to me with this sudden change.

I knew of Taijutsu users. Mighty, mighty people, on par with their chakra-wielding comrades - perhaps even stronger than them. Was I to become strong like them? Surely I hadn't become a shinobi to entirely lose my way at the feeble age of twenty-four. No, this wasn't the end. Blanche was right. What was stopping me from continuing my career as a shinobi other than myself? Nothing.

"...I think I just need some time," I said to my cousin. "Thank-you, Blanche."

With that, I stepped over the newly-formed threshold at the side of my house, being careful not to step on any sharp debris. The rain had subsided, leaving a melancholy blanket of gray drifting overhead and the thick, humid air lingering on.

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[Apple]

It seemed as if my attempt to calm him had succeeded, although, despite the infamous nature of my personality, I'd always been good at comforting people. Perhaps it was merely an extension of me that people were so unfamiliar to that it seemed more effective. I wasn't sure, but merely the way that I could speak so softly, almost as if if a breeze was to roll in to the dilapidated shack, then my gentle words would break beneath the impurity of the air. Between his words silence hung, the sound of soft rain continuing to hit against the roof like the most delicate of hail. The rainfall, for the time being, was almost subsiding, but granted that Kusagakure was in the middle of its rainy season, I didn't expect it to be over just yet. However, despite all of this talk and the silence which had begun after its end, I couldn't help but feel somewhat concerned for his living arrangements. Could he truly live in a place like this? "Akatome-" I paused, studying the gaping hole where his fist had collided with the weak wood. "If you need somewhere to stay - give my name as a namedrop. I'm sure they'll comply." I then watched as he climbed out of the hole itself, leading me to follow him. Moving forwards, I examined the shreds of wood on the floor and on the earth outside that I could clearly see, even from my current position. Carefully climbing out, I was quite relieved to see that the rain had subsided. Although I could heal surely any ailment in the world with my medical abilities, catching something from staying in the rain wasn't exactly something which I wanted to happen. But where his own home was concerned - if you could call it a home - it seemed in ruins, the cold easily seeping in through what was left of the wall. The least I could do was allow him to stay in an Inn or a hotel for a few nights under my name whilst he got the place fixed.

Passing through completely, the soft chill of the air hitting against what little skin I showed, I stood insulated by the latex-like clothing, the rest of me feeling nothing but warmth. Looking around at the trees, I allowed my vision to hang there for only a moment before returning back to my cousin. Although I didn't want to leave him at this point in time, I had several things to do today given my duty as Kusakage, and despite the fatigue which roared at me, I had to continue. Allowing the both of us to bask in the sweet silence, the only notable one being the chirping of birds elsewhere close to the shack.

"I have to go back; I'm late for a meeting." I spoke in an apologetic tone. "For the most of the time, I'll be in the atrium. If you need to talk about anything, I'll be there." Unlike himself, I hadn't a home that people were aware about. I was sure that people suspected that I slept in my office half of the time - which as time went on, I found that I did on a rare occasion, but, it merely reminded me that I needed to secure a home - the compound had its charms, but it wasn't suitable. "..Get training." I added a mischevious smirk at the end of my words, before then nodding my head a single time and beginning to make my way away from the area. I could only hope that he'd truly taken my words onboard and that he wouldn't allow such a problem to effect him as it had minutes ago.

EXIT!

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