Not Destined for Glory

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The True Story of Hansel and Gretel by Louise Murphy pg. 26 "Murder is warm and it's bitter." – Stepmother

Present Time: 29th of November, Night

I'm going to be frank; this was not how it was supposed to go. It went better than expected. Well, for them at least; in my perspective though it was going horribly wrong. Like when you forget to put away your dog's/cat's food away in the middle of summer. Or when you're like a few feet away from the bus and it still leaves your ass. No matter how much you bang the windows and yell "Stop! Wait for me!" while making eye contact with the bus driver they don't stop for you. Because you're not that special to wait for; you're not the Hokage, or the President heck you're not even the bus driver's teacher that examined him/her to gain the job. Things weren't going too well, the room was depressing me so much that I didn't even know if I could last for dinner. I walked all over the room, I eyed the extra space where another bed could be added. Was I going to get a roommate? Was my food going to suck? Where was my uncle and cousin? Are they okay?

My right leg started to nervously shake up and down, one hand was gripping the clean white sheets and the other tired and utterly failed to stop the shaking. Go figure that habits that were ingrained in my brain were hard to break. Beside my bed was a nightstand with a small flyer on top of it. The printed words hazed through my brain, I didn't feel like reading and I wanted to walk away from the room. I got up again and paced around, closing my eyes my body already was used to the layout of the room. I chucked my slippers off and felt the cold tile floors. My feet were aware of the slippery ground, the smooth tiles felt relaxing. My AC was a beast as it kept grunting cold artic air at my body.

The walls were so empty that I pretended that they were covered with green paint. The smells of markers and crayons clicked inside my brain; the smooth surface of wood tingled to my fingertips. Opening my eyes I gazed at the closed off windows. Another reason why I kept insisting on closing my eyes. The white materials that over flowed my surroundings would go away. Without a clock I wasn't so sure about the time I killed after my care-giver left; it must have been what? 30 minutes? 2 hours? A whole day? All I really knew was that I am alone in this room as my memories infested the few strands of sanity that I kept. Will he come back? Is he busy? Am I thinking too much?

Not enough, I twirled in circles, sometimes being a conscious idiot has its benefits. It defiantly killed time.

. . .

"Dig in."

Blinking I stared at my dinner; it was very simple. A milk carton was to the side, a peach that was cut into half, and some mashed potatoes mixed with peas. What about dessert? "No dessert?" he shook his head no. I sighed in defeat as I opened my milk carton, it was still cold enough that my fingers felt it. I took a plastic spoon and poked the mashed food. I wasn't in the mood to stuff my face but I opened my mouth anyway. He didn't leave so I pretended that I was at home and he was house guest. He sat down on a chair that was near the nightstand, his hands folded on top of his lap, his head lowered a little and made eye contact with me.

I didn't realize was looking too long, I barely registered his mouth moving, I narrowed my eyes in confusion for a few seconds before catching on what he was trying to say, "-aren't you hungry?"

"Y-yes." One if his eye brows hitched up as we both looked at my right hand poking the potatoes. This time I lowered my head enough that when I connected it with the spoon I swallowed the content. It wasn't delicious, but it would do. I took another and another until he looked away. I felt my embarrassment crawling and itching my cheeks, I took the peach and nibbled it next, the sweet liquid rushed down my chin. I sucked the peels when I finished the pale-yellow flesh, I missed the flavor of fruit. He must have noticed because he mumbled something under his breath but that didn't fully stop me. In my mind I tried to remember the taste of the peach, gulping the milk down was easy. He was making me nervous since I was eating in front of him, wasn't that rude? Was he hungry? Was I making him miss dinner?

As I placed down my carton I looked at the plastic tray, "Am I keeping you from dinner?"

His head drooped down a little one hand casually touched his knee, "No." was he tried then? "Are you finished?" there was still some milk left.

He got up and walked closer, "Do you need anything?" I wasn't sure. I looked at my hands. His voice softened, "Yūhi-san."

I touched my tray, "No." his hands slowly reached down I gave him my tray he patted my head awkwardly. "Thank-you."

He hummed and started to walk away, I could heard his feet perfectly, "Okay then good night Yūhi-san."

When I knew he was gone my head it the pillow from my bed. It was tense. It was awkward. And he was my care-giver. Just peachy. I need to work on my social skills.

. . .

Apathy And Other Small Victories By Paul Neilan (Chp.3 Pg. 40) "Nobody knows how to just shut the fuck up and look out the window anymore."—Shane

Present Time: November 30th, 7:45 am

"Aren't you tired of drinking that yet?"

The cup was filled with green tea and still steaming up in the air, Mitate blew away the heat. Carefully sipping the beverage he was wise enough to not talk back as he swallow the hot drink. Setting it down to the worn but clean cafeteria table, "Not really." He circles around the cup with his fingers, "Unlike you I need my tea. How else you do expect to find my overly charming personality to shine through the day?" he went ahead to demonstrate by drinking and ending with a huge smirk planted on his face.

As Mitate smirked his companion, Kitō, rolled his eyes. Quickly looking at Kitō's appearance Mitate raised an eyebrow, "You're not in duty you know that right? You can take off the hood." At the last bit Mitate gestured to the head hood that was on covering Kitō's overall head. The only discernible features he could see was Kitō's dark eyes and light tan skin. Other than that Kitō was pretty much covered from head to toe from the white uniform the medical-corps were expected to wear during their shifts.

Kitō looks down as he lifts one hand and pulls off the white fabric material that covers his head revealing short black hair. He absent-mindedly touches his earlobes, "After a while I forget I'm even wearing it, you know." He doesn't stop touching his ears, "I almost forgot I had black hair and ears." He takes one of Mitate's apple slices and chews it.

Mitate scoots his chair further away from the table, "Is that why you hardly take off the top?" the tea was cooling off and that made Mitate in a better mood. "Besides how was the front?" his voice was still raspy but he pushed on since Kitō was back from a mission that ran three weeks. Munching on a slice he looked at Kitō's eyes shifting down to the table and then at him.

"Fine." He started, "There's not much you can describe and other than seeing people die by either your hands or someone else's." He glances back at Mitate's plate of apple slices, he shrugs off some tense muscles and reaches forward for more food. As he stuffs his mouth Mitate silently gives him the peanut butter dip, Kitō thanks him softly as he dips the slices into them. He leans back and gives Mitate a look that could mean either: I'm too fucked up depressed why did you let me go? Or don't say I told you so.

Mitate didn't know what he silently said to Kitō when he looked at him; either way Kitō sighed in defeat.

"Harsh." Mitate took a longer sip from his tea, enjoying the smell and taste, he knew Kitō was going to be damaged for a while and definitely a have more angst than usual. It was understandable; and he was a breathing fresh example of why he didn't want to write his name on the roster to be a field medical-nin. Instead Mitate made sure to work inside the hospital, even if that meant to work in this wing they were currently in. The psychiatric hospital isn't that bad like how they made it to be. True there were people like Takio but there was people like Yūhi, polite and quiet.

"That's life for you." Kitō grabs another piece when Mitate instead grunts and lightly pushes him the remaining slices to Kitō.

It was quite between them; Mitate wasn't so sure what to say at this point. But if he had to really look at things in perspective he was glad that Kitō came back well enough to continue working here than being registered. The tea was almost gone, taking one long drink from it the liquid pushed back to his tongue, the sweetness overwhelmed his sour soul. This was he needed, something familiar and pleasant. Taking a quick second drink he finished his tea, he knew he couldn't waste any more time. Kitō's body was starting to relax as the humming from the vending machines kicked up, the squeals of the plastic chairs also helped. The clatter of people's shoes was loud and appertained. Kitō is going to be fine, Mitate finally concluded. He just needed time.

Besides, knowing Kitō's success rate as a field-nin wasn't that hot. It would mean that maybe Kitō would have more time to lick his wounds per-say versus people like the late Nohara Rin. With the war being well all traumatizing and the past it was a good sign that it was more about politics than fighting with each other's' fists, the Hokage wouldn't needlessly sent too many away. Kitō didn't even want to be sent away too often, he shared that feeling with me right? Mitate started to curl his fingers. Damn, he started but quickly settled his thoughts. He was thinking too much. But he knew one thing: Life is always a pain in the ass.

Mitate straightens his hood and places his ID on his breast pocket.

"I know right." The empty tea cup was cold, his tray as well, looking at the furthest clock of the room he gets up, "Well I'll see you later I have breakfast to deliver."

Kitō waved him off still munching and silently looking ahead to the white walls and vending machines. The chatter of the workers was still hushed as he made his way out of the employee lunch room.

He's going to be fine. So stop worrying.

. . .

"Are you finished with the labeling lazy ass?"

Currently Mitate refused to look up from his chart, with his black fine point pen he checked off this roster of people he needed to deliver breakfast to. All of their food and medicine was gathered and ready; but it the voice that caught alone made him want to leave the room in that instant. In this moment that was fine Mitate found himself hating where his existence has landed him; it may sound harsh or weird to newcomers that didn't know or understand Mitate and that person's current hatred status. There are many things in his hate list and it included this person that wouldn't dare, name at all. In back of Mitate's head he knew he was being immature about this but he honestly didn't give a crap; it was his life and if he wanted to hate someone then he had the god damn right to. It was her personality that drove him insane, she was in the essence everything Mitate hated but in body form it was like she was born just to make his life a living hell. They both clashed in almost everything that he was surprised and annoyed to find her working here. It was so irritating but it made sense, she would find where he worked just so she could annoy the hell of him and make sure she was better than him in any aspect. It only made Mitate wish he was almost on a mission, key word: almost. When the academy years were over he was glad that she joined a different team and career to leave her too busy to annoy him. He got rid of her and that made his day even if had failed his genin team and was put into the rooster for the genin-corps, he didn't even care at that moment when he had to explain to his mother too; it was just the single fact that she was gone from his life made him happy, luckily enough Mitate was still able to enter in the medic-corps without too much fuss.

But right now with this surprise he wanted to curse his luck as she was in front of him. The angry was getting too annoy as well he wanted just relax but as he looked the chart again he knew she was waiting for a response. After all these years of bliss it ended so suddenly he wanted to have a funeral of the good times he had without her hellish ways. Maybe after his shift; and with that Mitate had the ill fortune to listen to her voice that was still high and nasally that it drove him almost to insanity. With the chart Mitate still kept writing and rewriting his words just so it looked like he was doing something that didn't require looking at her, but that didn't stop his mind to picture her actions because she was so predictable. The academy days are haunting him they were reliving the days she would boost about her knowledge of something relevant from their job he can just picture her perfectly cared nails placed on her slim hips, she probably was wearing some make-up that drew out her (dull in his opinion) light shade of eyes. Just thinking out her made him want to vomit and bang his head for the times she barged into his life when he continued the medical route. Why couldn't she have stayed where she was all those years ago?

"Oi, Mr.-I think-making-me-all-mysterious-and-broody that isn't sexy at all. I want to know if you finished you lazy ass."

You're still as charming as ever, Mitate thought as she continued giving him orders. He knew what he was supposed to do he wasn't an idiot but he didn't voice it since he didn't want to listen to her more than necessary. The sass she was giving wasn't anything compared to his mother; either way he just wanted her to shut up. After finishing the chart he promptly left her in mid-lecture, he didn't bother to stop. When her voice was gone Mitate only prayed that he wouldn't be stopped again.

Delivering breakfast shouldn't take long. Usually when Mitate was in charge to deliver breakfast to a couple of people it didn't ever exceed 20 minutes. But for some reason today Mitate was stopped repeatedly; (sadly enough he jinxed himself) he wouldn't say out loud but the people that pestered Mitate were really annoying. Was today make Mitate annoyed as fuck? Couldn't they just leave him alone? Couldn't they see he was working? Deep inside Mitate wished he stayed with Kitō, he could handle that idiot; he was friends with him after all. After all he didn't want to deal with pesky meaningless conversations right now; especially with the person he never wanted to see again.

Walking to the elevator he felt a hand rest on his shoulder, "Lazy-ass!" the hand was smaller than a guy, and the voice was very perky (even in anger).

He was glad he had his tea earlier, "…" when he was confronted by his unwanted companion (again) he mentally wanted to punch a wall. Instead he felt his mouth twitch to a crocked smile that leaning towards a cringing strain muscle twitch. At least his companion didn't fully read his mind because that would have made a more awkward angry conversation. Her eyes darted pass him as she grip his shoulder. He still didn't say anything but watched in annoyance as she stayed in place.

"Kitō is back." He knew that already. "Have you seen him?" Yes he had but he wasn't going to tell her. When she finally gave up looking around Mitate she rested on his face, "Well?" her dull brown eye searched for some clue beneath his eyes; her frizzy black hair was tied back but all Mitate could concentrate was the elevator that she was in front of. Her voice was really annoying him.

"…."

She didn't get the memo that he didn't want to talk. Mitate placed one hand in front of the cart of food where she — (he was not even going to bother say or remember her name); could see what he was doing before she barged into his life at this given moment. Her eyes scanned it briefly at the cart but insisted on an answer. "I don't know." He finally said.

She pouted, "Aww come on! You're his best friend you should know!" the ever constant feeling of punching the wall grew when he looked at her. How many times has he expressed this in his mind? He wanted a new job or be in a more secluded station.

He was wasting time and his charge (and everyone else he was supposed to give food today) was waiting for him. The blinking white light zoomed his interest as the doors opened from the elevator. He took that opening and pushed the cart and didn't care if it hit her. Luckily she wasn't too stupid and dodged the cart. Irritation swept in her eyes as he moved inside the elevator.

"You're no fun lazy-ass."

Like I care, he thought as he pushed the button for the fifth floor.

When the doors closed and the humming of the machine congratulated him that he was alone for the moment he massaged his temples. Even if the air was slightly constricted he glad for this single moment of his life even though it didn't last very long. Reaching the given floor he was denied the time to relax, his hands quickly supported him when he pushed the cart. The air was warmer, thicker almost. Clicking his toe for momentum he reached his first set of rooms; he opened the door and allowed himself to be inside. The facial expressions that told him mind it was a smile stretched his skin, his head nodded to his fellow mute companion. When he was close enough to the bed his companion got the memo and sat upright.

Times like this was when Mitate was forever grateful for people like his current buddy. At least he didn't have to talk or overly work at his station.

. . .

Present Time: 30th of November, Noon

Kitō was not having a good morning.

"God dammit."… "Ouch!"... "Fuck!"

First of all after the small snack with Mitate he was harassed by some old class mate – who by the way Kitō barley remembered; he didn't even want to know why she was suddenly interested into going out with him. With her pursuit all morning he became creative at dodging her approaches. It was actually embarrassing to have people laugh at your expense. Kitō didn't like feeling an ass by dodging her but he wasn't interested and she couldn't take no as an answer.

Are all girls like this is, Kitō panicked as he rushed through the hallways and trying to distract himself from pain radiating from his toe that he accidentally smashed earlier hence his cursing.

No, they can't. Kitō refused to believe this after thinking about one girl in particular.

Then it was having to be regrouped and arranged to have a new charge under his belt after being freshly dispatched to the village after seeing the all scaring after elements of post-war. Yes, he knew he was being a baby at complaining but he couldn't help but squirm from the inside. The only good news was that he was mostly cleaning up the after effects of war and not really fighting. It was finally stopping, the Third Great War era was ending; it was time to think about tomorrow.

And even though he was happy about that he couldn't stop whining about the stubbed toe. It hurt. A lot.

Smack!

Kitō winces under his breath as he looks at the culprit that caused him pain; his first instinct was to shout or whine but as he looks and sees who it was his face stretched into a huge smile. "Sukui." He still can't help but wince at the strength she used; or the thought of a blush forming under his skin. But before he could response Mitate was behind Sukui giving him a long look he liked to call: Why are you smiling like an idiot? Kitō's smile enlarges (though painfully) as he presses some weight on his injured toe. "Hey what's with smack?"

Sukui's face looks relaxed but he could still see her being a professional, "Cursing is not allowed Kitō." Stepping away and giving more room for Mitate to get closer Sukui motions for them to follow her. "Lunch is starting soon, you should go to your charges." And with that she left both boys registering what she said.

Mitate being the usual cranky self-sighed, "You're so obvious." Kitō went to smiling stupidly to being confused, Mitate went ahead of him and went straight to the elevator, "I see you later." His receding figure made Kitō sigh.

Kitō was left along with a toe aching and wanting to ask what Mitate meant. Looking at the convenient clock made Kitō rush while mentally crying for his toe. "Wha—wait for me Mitate!"

. . .

"Aren't you hungry?"

Yūhi started at the tray and then at Mitate, "A little" but she didn't touch her food. Her face was easy to read for Mitate, she looked still afraid and stand offish. But hey she was still polite.

"You know you don't have to be so formal and ridge just relax; I won't bite." Mitate's eyes still looked guarded but he was at least attempting to make his charge feel slightly better.

Yūhi in the other hand slowly grabbed her chop sticks and ate the rice. After swallowing Mitate smiled at her as if encouraging her to continue. "How long until I can leave the room?" Yūhi's voice was still small but he could still hear her clearly.

"Not long Yūhi-san, we're still looking at the probability of having more people come in and we don't want to rush you to going to an environment that will make you very uncomfortable." Mitate was by then sitting down on a chair with his hands still inside his pockets.

With that information it made Yūhi's spirits brighten up at the thought of seeing others but also making her panic; it was confusing but she couldn't help but want to see more of the building she was now living at. As she kept eating Mitate slipped out a book and read in comfort. So far they didn't meddle too much in each other's bubbles that Mitate almost felt bad for not fully treating her like a friend verses a charge; but that was life and he was going to stick as being a professional for his job. Co-workers were a different story. With at least Kitō Mitate could deal with the job's demanding hours. Thinking back he was grateful for meeting and knowing Kitō; he was the actually the first to understand his personally and not be offended by his lack of social skills.

"How was breakfast? Do you need me to pick you up any reading materials? I know how boring it could be without much to do." Yūhi passes Mitate the tray as she thinks it over before nodding yes. "Anything in particular?" she shakes her head no making Mitate pause, "Alright then I'll be back in soon then. Remember if you need anything just buzz," he ends with one hand motioning a small machine near her bed.

Leaving Mitate takes one last look of his charge, her body is still fragile looking and lost, he almost feels bad for her. Taking the cart down the elevator he feels himself aching; I need a break.

Ding!

The doors open and Kitō's happy smile is the first thing he sees. "Hey, so how was your charge? Yūhi-san right?" making room for the cart both boys push the cart to the side. Mitate almost tells him everything but at the last minute he stops, the buttons are pressed and the door closes. "Lunch is still on, so what do you say?" Kitō's grin grows as he nudges Mitate.

Knowing his friend's antics he simply brushes it off, inserting an eye roll. "I still have twenty more minutes until my break time food freak." Kitō pouts as Mitate continues, "Besides I have to pick up some books for my charge." The doors open and Mitate steps off with the cart.

"Then I'll help you." By then Kitō pushes the cart forward his face still holds a cheerful look.

Idiot, Mitate couldn't help but think. But it was better than the angst he saw earlier that day.

Mid-way through the trip Mitate couldn't help but feel better with his friend back from his slot from the outside combat-relief missions. It almost looked like things were going to be alright. Even if they were still under construction, that didn't mean they were far from being repaired. Time right now wasn't such a huge ass and it made Mitate an idiot for hoping for a good ending. But he was okay with that.

. . .

Present: Lunch break 12:45pm

"I brought these books for you." I looked up to see my care-giver with some paperback books.

Reaching for them I touched the pile, the smell of aged books seemed to calm me down, "Thank-you." He nodded as he went to grab my tray; the smell of peaches and apple slices were engraved into my stomach and nose. My nose wrinkled and I felt a hallow smile grow on my lips. I couldn't shake the feeling, "Really thank-you." I looked at his uniform and found his nametag, "Mitate right?" I hope it was okay to call him by his first name. His face didn't show much so did that mean he was okay with it? I didn't know anymore since he kept calling me by my surname. But he did say o call him that right? From the introduction that was yesterday? Why was I bad when it came down to names?

When he sat down from his chair Mitate still looked at his book when addressing me, "So you remembered my name now?" I paled a little in embarrassment. "Its fine and it's the job description." He flips a page, "I finished that book in two days I hope you enjoy Fantasy-adventure. If not then I can get something else like—"

I stopped him when I recognized the author's name. "Akira, Unyoke?" my hands look over the title and I can't help but smile a genuine one. "That's my favorite author, I've been meaning to read this one." Mitate looks a little uneasy but still relieved.

His eyes are still glued on his own book, "Well then that's good." It was kind of funny to watch him express some emotions like embarrassment and being awkward. Almost refreshing if anything.

The ease into that transaction was better than I hoped, as I took a bite into my lunch I couldn't help but feel better knowing he had good taste in books, "Mitate?" he nodded his head for me to continue. "When I am able to leave the room is okay if you sign me up for the books club?" he flipped another page but this time hummed in reply. I took that as a yes. It was good fortune to have read the pamphlet and knowing the little activities that developed inside the hospital.

It made hopeful that maybe things could stray into something better. That I could repair my life, I couldn't stop grinning.

…000…

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