Ch 14

Swirls of colours, swirls of colors, vivid imagination plots, the trance of no thought, no emotion, but most of all, voices. I couldn't see and I couldn't tell who talked to me, nor could I remember what they say. I felt like this for a few hours then I distinguished sentences. He received an overdose, and, His healing factor is superb, has been said quite a lot.

A few more hours passed and I could keep a tally of who was talking in the room: two nurses, a male doctor, Gai, Tenten, and some articulate character… Not at the same time, mostly separate. Him and Lee must be having a conversation, just look at their breathing. I heard Gai joke around.

Let's initiate bringing him out of the coma, he might be within grasp of the consciousness chart.

Check for muscle reflexiveness.

Can confirm.

Let's bring him in.

Slowly, a snail's pace like pushing a building two inches from it's platform, I gained my senses back. I felt the sweat on my forehead with the bitter taste of plastic in my mouth. I smelled the rubbing alcohol piledrive my nose hairs to disintegration. I heard the breathing of what sounded like two machines and five to six people. I saw black, for my eyelids felt like bricks and refused to open. I lifted my right hand and stretched my fingers, which felt tense like multiple hamstrings. Two hands enclosed itself to mine and I felt no capability of moving it. I lifted my left hand to the tube in my mouth and felt around what was there.

"Take it out." I gargled through the pipe.

"Give us a minute, we have to take this out and you won't be breathing for a moment." A lady said.

I waited as they turned off the ventilahtor for me and I tried to get some more air but the pipe made me unable to.

"Just relax you're doing fine."

I felt the pipe slide out by every inch and kept gagging. It seemed a rather long way for them to put down a tube for me. Eventually I was considering it as one of those clown party gimmicks where they have the infinite handkerchief pullout from the mouth. This felt horrible to its own accord. Eventually, it was pulled out and I took a deep breath of air on my own. It felt so fresh but I coughed hard, like lots of phlegm built up over time.

"How long was I…-"

"Two and a half weeks…" I heard Tenten. "Your cane's by the door idiot."

Her tone went from serious to playful and I was met by a neck hug. I hadn't opened my eyes still and I assumed it was her.

"Where's Gai sensei?"

"He's been… coping."

"And Lee?"

"He's over to the right of you, not as good in condition. Much how you were."

"Did he win?"

"Unfortunately, no." My heart sank to hear that for Lee.

"How's Hinata doing?"

"She's good, though you tore a muscle cleanly through with my tomahawk and she's in a cast for the next month or two."

"So that's what it was…"

"I was expecting you scalping her honestly." We both chuckled at her comment. "I at one point thought the tan skin meant you were a poor swamp native or something, heh."

"Well you got half that right…"

"Wait you are a native?"

"No silly, I'm poor." I joked. "Remember the first few days I came by? My parents had essentially paid my way to get out of my old village for a lot of bullcrap reasons. If I were middle class they'd be with me… right… now." I zoned off with my eyes open, looking at my feet.

My parents… my real parents… bless them for they are in a better place now… I miss my whole family so much… Don't cry… Not now, not in front of her.

I turned my head away from her and one tear leaked out of my left eye.

"You miss yours, I understand… It takes a lot to realize how much they give up for you…"

"Hand me the cane." I held out my hand.

"You're fresh out of a coma." Tenten warned, but she threw it to me. "Remember, don't cripple that fool ass of yours."

I lifted from my bed with the cane's assistance and hobbled slowly to the door. My left knee was stronger so the cane helped my right foot more; both of which were weak.

"I got myself." I pushed her assistance away.

I checked myself out of the hospital (illegally) and walked my way to the main tower. I am to speak with the Hokage now that I pulled my fair share of the objective. I had barely gotten past security with ragged clothes (the ones I wore during the 2nd exam) as everyone and their mother had to clear me to go up.

I arrived to find Gai and him watching tapes of the second round. I had a few glimpses, some of Naruto's group, Gaara's group, and eventually, me with the traps near the center.

"I'm still not sure how Orochimaru got past our noses like this… And how about Takamitsu, Gai? Did you know he could do things like this?"

"He's very sloppy, but yes he surprises none of the less. He managed to outclass a main branch Hyuga clan member in hand to hand combat, given his tactics were a little cheap, that boy pulled a house out of his hat."

"His assembly speed and quantity of all these traps though, why I haven't seen as much except shadow clones from Naruto…"

"Speak of the whiz kid himself, glad you're up and walking Takamitsu. What brings you up here this morning?"

"Well sensei, did I win?" I eye smiled.

"You did pass the preliminaries, yes, but you have a long way before you're in any shape to fight in the third exams." Gai said.

"Tell me Takamitsu, how attached are you to your temporary team?" The Hokage flicked his pipe to drop the ashes onto a container.

"I say family. I wouldn't see to them being hurt so I could help it."

"Be it so, I appreciate your care for your assigned team, but I see it you have attached yourself rather quickly, don't you think?" I looked down to my realization. "Being a ninja, emotion can be a foothold for any enemy to take advantage of, be it friendship, family, or love. As from one man to another, be careful who you make friends with, or love. The world's a harsh place, and if you're not too careful, they can cripple your spirit with just the information of your eyes, be the enemy or your fellows."

"Be it a lesson even I can still learn from." Gai said with a hint of melancholy.

"Before you ask about the money, you have in excess, succeeded in the mission I sent for you out to do. Your work was very much appreciated and your check's in the mail. I'll be looking forward in needing your help with other things once you are 100% back in the near future. Don't worry about the medical bill and I got you a job or two in a toolstore nearby your home. Also, there was some outer motives in getting you the job, but you'll find out pretty soon what this job is. You are free to leave. Any questions?"

"Yes, can Gai still be my sensei to train under?" Both their faces lit up in shock.

"Well uhh, I'm not sure how the paperwork will… -hell why not. It makes things easier since you already get along with the team… but then again I… I'm gonna need a minute to think this out Takamitsu. I'll send you a letter in the mail of my final decision… Now you may leave." The indecisive hokage stated.

"Thank you for the opportunities you have given me sir." I bowed and left, being flagged and searched upon my departure.

I walked at a snail's pace home which took about an hour for it was about two miles. I opened the door and found a lot of mail that was shoved underneath. About twenty total.

Declined application

Declined application

Energy drink sponsor

Coupon magazine

Alcohol discount

Ramen shop discount from completed review

Letter from the Hokage

Three declined applications

Accepted application to blacksmith and inspect tools at a toolshop -This was probably the thing he spoke of.

Alcohol adverts

Shaving razor magazine

An unmarked handwritten note. …-Interesting...

And the rest solicitors. I threw away all the declined applications and picked up the blank hand drawn letter. Its contents made me pack my bags, for I had been discovered a phony… I ditched most of my stuff but took the Hokage's check letter with me. The clothes on my back and one of Tenten's tools that I scavenged went with me. I looked outside and in the direction of Kumogakure stood clouds of black with flashings proceeding to approach Konoha. I in the mind of immediate panic had broke down completely when alarms started sounding. Was this a terrible storm on approach? Or could this be… My founder...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAND Book one I say is for now complete. I feel as though I needed a stopping point between 25k and 50k words so I'll start Book 2 up momentarily. Thanks for your support and I will no longer follow the Naruto timeline. This is really where things have that butterfly effect as the storyline will change.

War will be made if one man is not found, because I know you cradled that man under your wing. Bring him to me and I shall leave in peace. Disobey and he will be to blame for your village punishments.