Battle Scxrs

Grey/Label

. ... . ... .

Sigh.

"You know, if you're going to punch someone; the least you could do is try not to get knocked out at the same time…"

Another sigh followed.

Ino's right eye began twitching as her teal glare zoned in on the medic; attempting to set the man aflame for the perceived slight. Waking up to the throbbing pain in her head was one thing, but the rude medic-nin she didn't know, getting too close while checking her over was another thing.

"A Waste?" She bit out through clenched teeth as if daring him to repeat his last statement. She was already fighting not to beat the medic over the head; not that she would. The blonde kunoichi had noticed the green Chunin flak jacket beneath the modified medic's robe he wore open over it.

As a clan heir she held a certain amount of respect for rank and hierarchy… No matter how annoying and rude said person might have been.

"You heard me," he responded evenly, focusing a penlight into each of her pupil-less teal orbs. Wrapping up the exam he smoothly stood to his full height with another sigh. "All looks and next to no skill…makes for a waste of a kunoichi."

"What?!" Ino squeaked indignantly as her cheeks turned red from embarrassed anger. "That wasn't the point of the match!" She retorted with a deep scowl.

"Mm, I know." He nodded. "If you hadn't drawn your best friend in this competition your fight would have been pointless as well. Actually, it was pointless anyway…since it seems you only fight over boys." The medic scoffed, shaking his head sadly.

Ino growled but didn't respond to his final jibe. She couldn't exactly find a good enough reason to argue his point.

"Yamanaka Ino, Team Ten, no concussion symptoms, some light bruising. She can continue with team duties whenever." The medic informed Asuma with mock respect. "You may want to keep an eye out for later concussion symptoms though, as they can manifest even a few days after a hit to the head."

Asuma nodded silently as he lit a loose cigarette he pulled from behind his ear; not paying any mind to the exchange between his student or the medic.

Said iryo-nin continued with his duties, moving on to check up on Haruno Sakura. Just like with Ino it didn't take long and she also looked just as murderous by the time he was done with her check-up. Kakashi was seen holding the girl back from striking a superior.

Some attention was drawn away from the present fight taking place as Sakura began giving the medic a piece of her mind without much success. Leaving the pink haired genin fuming as he walked away, but decided to stick it out and remain out on the balcony.

'I may as well hang around. I've been called out here some four times in the last hour to work on these genin; walking back and forth on end is getting irksome,' he sighed thoughtfully while combing a hand through thickly braided, black locks.

"Hmph. He did his job already, so why is he still here?" A dark haired Jonin instructor muttered while crossing her arms in front of herself; her ruby red eyes piercing the medic with a glare.

He suddenly shifted to meet her gaze, having easily overheard her. Feeling polite, he smiled at her shooting her a wink with his right eye. He grinned when Kurenai glared harder at him in response then looked away.

"He really bothers you that much?" Kakashi asked, running his free hand through his shock silver hair lazily while reading from his little orange book.

"…" Feeling irritable Kurenai simply remained silent in response, arms still folded under her chest. Kakashi simply shrugged his shoulders, letting the matter go.

Near the opposite end of the cat walk Anko Mitarashi was also present, standing with her back straight, hands resting languidly on her hips next to the very medic. She spared Kurenai a drawn-out glance having also heard her comment.

Anko turned her attention to the medic next to her. "So… What is it between you two?" She asked, shit eating grin firmly in place as she licked her lips. "You leave too early the next morning?" Mischievous brown eyes looking the medic up and down in suspicion.

"Mind your damn business, snake charmer." He muttered, not even deigning to acknowledge that question, briefly closing his eyes and preparing himself to deal with the woman's ensuing antics. "I have enough problems with these reckless Genin without having to deal with your childishness too."

"Aww," Anko pitched into a whine, "don't tell me you're worried…" She laughed teasingly before a sudden mood switch had her appearing bored. "I'm not all that impressed. Although…the weapons throwing girl may need a spinal adjustment."

The purple haired kunoichi shivered. That fight had been mildly amusing. "The open hostility in her attacks were good to see. Hostile intent is the only way to send a message… Definitely a turn on, eh Kori-kun?" She nudged the medic in his side with her elbow, grinning just the same way she had before.

"Kuh," Kori scoffed in seeming disgust, "is there nothing that gets you excited?" He asked, sneering. Annoyed, more than a little, that she would think these genin could have any effect on him. "It's you that's getting me riled up…" He quickly trailed off, but it was too late. He'd given the blood lusting kunoichi an opening.

"Little ol' me, really?" She whispered seductively into his ear while leaning in to invade his personal space without shame. "Then, how about a nice, friendly spar after this… You know, to get the blood pumping? she whispered silkily, flashing him her trademark smile.

There was nothing friendly in that smile or her words, no matter what they or her body language implied.

Professionally pushing down the shiver trying to course up his spine he rebuked the woman and her antics. "Fuck my life," he sighed. "That's not what I meant and you damn well know it!" He whispered harshly.

Anko tilted her head in an innocent manner, still grinning. "No? We don't have to fight…there's more than one way to spar after all…" The snake summoner continued, gently pressing her body against his side.

The medic scoffed while trying to lean away from the woman, becoming just a bit uncomfortable by her antics yet again, despite himself. She was too good, because whether or not he knew what she was up to she still managed to get to him sometimes.

Kori rubbed an eyebrow with the thumb of his right hand and sighed. "You know, you're damn chipper considering I had to heal you after having your ass handed to you by our former sensei. That's not including the fact that you nearly attempted a forbidden suicide technique on a fucking Shadow Clone. Stay away from me, you crazy bitch." He whispered harshly again nudging her back with his elbow. "I'm gone, I've got work to do anyway…shit."

Anko to pout, "but Kori-kuuun!" She whined childishly, failing greatly due to the wild grin that split her lips, unbothered by all the attention she was drawing. Anko just watched him walk away not even trying to hide her amusement.

It didn't help then that the curse mark began burning irritably at the mention of her recklessly confronting Orochimaru. She glared over at the man pretending to be someone other than himself, refusing to grab at her neck in pain. 'Bastard, at least be move appreciative'.

. ... . ... .

As the Chunin Exams came to an end… Most everyone that were still present was completely stunned and at a loss for words.

For the most part…

"The Sound village's Genin lost his arm, and the Leaf Genin left here with almost every bone in both his legs completely shattered, but…this? This right here was truly something special to behold alright." Iryo-nin, Kori, said in feigned disbelief. He just shook his head as he stepped down onto the competition floor with everyone after baring witness to one Hyuuga attempting to murder another Hyuuga.

"I'm sick of your stupid, tasteless jokes. Just help my damn student already!" Kurenai yelled, trying and failing to keep herself calm. She'd be damned if she stood idly by while this medic made sarcastic remarks while Hinata suffered.

Kurenai cared about all her students, but unknown to Kori, Kurenai looked at Hinata in the same vein of a daughter and treated her as such. She easily found valuable traits in the heiress unrelated to her clan status that she favored about her student. She absolutely adored the girl and found her to be the gentlest person she knew.

Kori prepared himself to work on one Hyuuga Hinata. Blood would not stop coming from her mouth as she lay on the ground utterly annihilated. Her breathing was slow and shallow.

Exhaling deeply the young medic prepared to enter work mode. "Everyone give me some room and get your students back as well."

Despite his age and the fact that except the many sensei present, the Hokage, and a number of others, Kori being the youngest and lowest ranked among that group didn't keep anyone from listening to him. They all knew about his ability and skills. Everyone wordlessly took a few steps back without hesitation or question, making sure their Genin was as well out of the way. The Jonin and their students waited patiently while the medic checked on Hinata.

"You," Kori snapped his fingers at another medic standing nearby. "Give me your forceps, please." He used his free hand to begin, causing it to glow green, beginning triage as he received the scissors from the associate.

Unzipping the girl's large hooded jacket, he was sure to look Hinata over as closely as possible before doing what he did next. Shaking his head he grabbed the hem of Hinata's mesh top and cut through the material before tearing it open, and revealing her torso.

She was covered with small black bruises over nearly fifty percent of her torso. Each bruise a perfect circle that spoke of precision and power that he'd seen before and the Jyuuken was known for.

As he continued, a few gasps followed his actions, but for various reasons. Most of which was because of the number of small bruises covering her torso and another one of which was the furthest thing from his mind.

"What do you think you're doing!" That would be Kurenai. Kori just didn't have a good or trusting relationship with the woman and so the outburst wasn't too much a surprise to him. It still annoyed him just the same.

"I'm doing my fucking job, Ice-fire! Someone please get her back, she's distracting me." Kurenai managed to sneer at the nickname he called her.

Anko, knowing what was what and how things were between her friend and the medic, chose to step in to console the genjutsu master. She pulled Kurenai out of sight of Hinata and into a brief hug as she led her friend away while Kurenai struggled to hold back bitter tears.

"Yo…is this really Jyuuken that did this?" Kori rhetorically asked himself. "These marks show the same sort of precision and finesse one expects to find, but its also a bit… Heavy handed. Tsk, if that makes sense." Kori spoke to himself pressing two fingers to one of the bruises causing Hinata to tense up and groan in terrible pain. It just caused more blood to spill from her lips.

"I apologize, it was my student that did such an unyouthful thing to his own family." Kori looked up to see Gai standing over him; a mix of unease, melancholy, and disappointment on his features.

Shifting his gaze behind Gai he could see Kurenai staring balefully at the only other Hyuuga present. Unlike most everyone else he appeared superior, satisfied, and uncaring; justified even, in his actions against Hinata.

He was also being confronted through it all by Uzumaki Naruto. Kori looked just in time to see Naruto take a handful of Hinata's blood from the cement into his fist while promising to personally destroy the Hyuuga on Hinata's spilled blood.

It was all very poetic and dramatic in Kori's eyes.

Neji only grinned in response and rebuked Naruto as easily as he'd attempted to murder his own family in an exhibition match-up. Not that someone dying in mutual combat could be called murder, but that was semantics.

Kori quietly scoffed. 'Dramatic, petty, and pointless. There's little hope for folks like him. It ain't her fault he's relegated to the Hyuuga secondary branch, but she was the most convenient target.' Kori also idly questioned the Hokage's hand in all this.

He remembered the Uchiha being given what should've amounted to a bye being paired to fight that out of depth opponent he'd been given, plus he'd fought the first match… On the opposite end of the spectrum he was tempted to place Lee's fight against Gaara, but he couldn't help himself.

What were the odds of Hinata being randomly matched up to fight Neji, who just so happened to have a grudge and a mean streak one mile wide because of perceived slight via life circumstance or chance. A grudge not only directed at the main house Hyuuga, but also that clan's heir. An heir that was far too kind and understanding for her own good…naïve as well.

"In case you didn't know, Neji is of the Secondary branch of the Hyuuga clan, while Hinata is the heiress to the Main line family." Gai informed Kori, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"I know," Kori sighed, "more Secondary house – Main house bullshit," he muttered. He removed his medical jacket and placed it over Hinata after examining her. There wasn't much he was going to be able to do here.

Kori's keen features filled with slight surprise as he looked closer at Hinata.

"Hey!" He snapped his fingers in Hinata's face a few times. When she didn't respond he smacked her cheeks a few times until her eyes fluttered open a bit only to close again.

"Stay with me, princess…" He groaned in slight frustration. "I need you to stay awake! Hinata…" He trailed off when he couldn't see the rise and fall of her chest that signified breathing after falling into shock.

"Damn… Okay, she needs to be transferred to the hospital, now! This place doesn't have the proper resources. There's internal damage, but the condition of her heart might be worse." Kori took a breath from the adrenaline filling his body. All this time he'd spent on probation and he'd nearly forgotten what it was like to have a critical medical emergency to deal with.

Anbu arrived to take Hinata away while Kori wrote complications and diagnosis on a slip of paper. "When you arrive at the hospital tell them the situation." When he finished, he pinned it to the coat covering the girl.

"Let them know Gen'ya Kori is the diagnosing physician," Kori turned to address the Anbu captain present.

The third Hokage simply stood by puffing from his tobacco pipe, overhearing Kori's words. He nodded towards Anko to have her bring the exams to an end. After everything calmed down, Hayate Gekko announced Hyuuga Neji as the final fight's victor.

. ... . ... .

Kori nearly exploded…

"But… You allowed me to be the lead medic on call for all of the Chunin Exams!" He protested; rather naively at that given his current predicament.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, third Hokage, shook his head with a deep resigned sigh. He'd prepared himself to deal with a sudden visit. He fully expected Kori to burst into his office and vent at the perceived injustice he felt when the news of his being replaced was delivered.

However, his patience was wearing thin.

"That is completely different, and you know it. That was a voluntary role and getting Konoha's more skilled medics and nurses to volunteer is difficult. Plus with you volunteering we had an easier time getting medical volunteers than in previous years. "You have my thanks for that."

The Hokage's words went through one ear and out the other as Kori continued with his argument, fighting against one of the key reasons he was being held back. "What does my rank matter? That's just a formality at my level!"

He winced when the Hokage narrowed his eyes at him for his course language. He added some killing intent for good measure. Kori shivered and took a half step back.

"I was a Tokubetsu Jonin, Sandaime-sama. Being demoted has no effect on my skill set! I was on sight when it happened, that girl is legitimately my patient!" Kori argued. "I took full responsibility for her."

Hiruzen let out a deep breath, trying to be patient with Kori. "Kori-kun, I've never denied your talent, but please be realistic. You know your demotion and the subsequent years of probationary status that followed is more than a formality. Your capacity as a ninja and medic may be more than that of a Chunin, but that doesn't change the fact that you are a Chunin, and Chunin do not head major medical decisions, and especially not where clan heirs are involved."

Kori looked ready to interject, but the Hokage continued speaking without missing a beat.

"You can and will assist the medic-in-charge in anyway they ask you to." Sarutobi finished firmly, pinning Kori with a hard stare. He was tired of having to deal with his continued protests; today was not the first or even the seventh time, but he'd make sure that it was the last.

Kori grit his teeth. "But, Sandaime-sama…" He tried.

"But, nothing," the Hokage swiftly interjected, squaring his shoulders in his seat and appearing every bit the man who oversaw a ninja village. "Maybe now you'll take all aspects of your career seriously. You really need to get your attitude and priorities together, son."

Kori was silent, grinding his teeth in frustration. "Thank you for the advice, father. I'll remember to do just that."

Sarutobi's stare hardened even further. He wasn't going to be pulled down into a petty argument or be guilt tripped concerning Kori's situation either.

"As I said," he cleared his throat before continuing, "you can, and you will assist the head medic. Afterwards, you'll be responsible for Hyuuga Hinata's recovery, follow up, and physical therapy. That is well within your purview; as I understand it she was injured rather badly."

Kori sighed. 'Grunt work,' he thought bitterly.

He then forced himself to swallow his pride and screwed his features into a neutral expression. "May I ask who the medic-in-charge of the operation will be?" He inquired sounding resigned.

The Hokage briefly paused before answering, "…Rin-chan."

Kori's jaw dropped slightly. "Wha… Nohara Rin's specialty is in Psychiatry and Psycho-analysis! When was the last time she performed an op…" He trailed off, wincing when he felt the Hokage's chakra spike suddenly. He swallowed his tongue; even he recognized when he was beginning to push it.

"You're dismissed, get out of my sight and report to Rin. You'll do as you're told, or you won't serve my military." He stopped and seemed to think about something.

"And if it comes to that… I'll make sure that you can't serve anyone else's military as well."

. ... . ... .

Kori impassively made his way through Konoha's hospital, replaying the meeting with the Hokage over in his mind. He marched quickly toward the procedure room causing the end of his coat to billow around him as he sought out the medic-in-charge.

The hospital staff gave him a wide berth thanks to the blank-eyed stare and the small amount of killing intent he was unconsciously giving off.

'Fuck, of all the things he could've said, honestly.' He could respect the Hokage's decision and he grudgingly admitted his leader was right. The old grizzled leader had seen right through his attempt and told him in so many words that he had a long way to go to earning back his respectability; that even if allowed to work on Hinata it wouldn't help his case.

"I hope you get your attitude and priorities together..."

Kori shuddered at that passing thought and sighed. 'I'm not in the wrong though…I'm not!' He stubbornly thought to himself as more prevailing issues penetrated his worrisome thoughts.

'Nohara Rin, not just a psychologist…my psychologist,' he scoffed. 'He still doesn't trust me.' Despite the great distaste, he wasn't a doctor for nothing; he could place himself in Hokage-sama's shoes. He hated to admit it…but, he understood the venerable leader's position.

He wouldn't trust him either. 'Not one bit…'

It was dealing with Rin, more than anything. She wasn't difficult, but she was always trying to read him, always prodding. The woman knew tragedy first hand and it was her job to help others deal with it, among other things. He admired her for greatly understanding how the human mind and body worked; especially the ninja's mind and body.

He just didn't appreciate her understanding him, his mind was his own.

As he arrived outside the operating area where Hinata's procedure would take place, he flipped that internal switch. Bitching could wait, he had a job to do and there was Rin, standing out in the hallway; obviously waiting for him. He sighed.

"Rin-sensei…seems we'll be working together on this." He greeted her amicably, if not a bit coldly. His facial expression was indifferent, disconnected from emotion.

Rin regarded the younger medic with her usual warm brown eyes, purple markings on her fair skinned cheeks standing out prominently. She smiled a smile that reached her eyes. It was like looking at the sun, such was her sunny disposition. It was almost innocent. "Yes. I'll be counting on your assistance."

"Mm," Kori nodded slowly not expecting any questions to be forthcoming, it was time to put in work, simple as that. Outside of their patient-doctor relationship they knew each other fairly well on a professional level and slightly less on a personal level, or so he liked to believe.

Truth was that Rin knew him better than he knew her. Other than that, he'd learned a good deal from her as far as medical knowledge went and that was about it.

After Senju Tsunade departed Konoha; Rin later became the next best medic to take over some of her forgotten and disregarded projects when she was deemed able. Certain Konoha benefactors put a lot of equity into seeing that come to fruition. She quickly became Konoha's best medic; the contrast between her and her blonde counterpart were next to none.

On the other side of the coin Kori hailed from a shinobi family with a storied history of battle tested ninja and medical experts. Growing up he retained a second-year medical student's knowledge by the time he started at the academy, but that was only part of the reason Orochimaru later took interest in him as a younger second student next to Mitarashi Anko before he defected from the village. It was a few years of his life that very few were privileged to knowing about.

Before Anko was kidnapped and experimented on and Kori suffered a partial mental breakdown that saw him destroying his own reputation, it hadn't been surprising that some in Konoha considered him a close second to Rin. At least he liked to believe so.

He'd personally accomplished a good bit before being demoted to Chunin, and quite famously at that. A mess that completely altered the trajectory of his potential entirely, and changed the way he was looked at and treated; leaving him barely hanging on to his career. He presently lacked a purpose and a reason, and to him a ninja without purpose or reason was just better off dead.

After the rank change other repercussions followed; like Rin being assigned as his care coordinator. When that happened, a growing friendship was immediately put on ice; not by any fault of Rin's, she was just doing her job, but still…

"I thought you'd be more pleased, you did used to say you wanted us to work together all the time." She smiled again, bringing Kori out of his musings.

It was a true and innocent statement Kori knew, but then Rin was never as innocent as she could appear either, so he knew there was more to the statement; he just wasn't willing to do this dance with her here or now. He also thought she looked a bit hopeful when she said that as well. However, that was then and things couldn't return to how they once were. Too much had happened.

"No… I am pleased." He slowly lied. "The circumstances are a little…never mind." He just barely kept himself from sighing in front of her, but even the little he said was too much when it came to Rin.

She hesitated, but simply nodded. She knew that if she pressed he would just retreat, besides, she knew now wasn't the time. She told herself it was just time to focus on the more important matter and she could try again later.

"I know you must've written some notes?" Rin inquired innocently. When Kori nodded the affirmative, she inquired. "May I see them?" Kori was slightly bewildered and surprised by this request, given that she was medic-in-charge she could proceed as she liked without deferring to him.

He pulled the wrinkled notes from his jacket pocket. They were of thoroughly written thoughts on past and present procedures and treatments; it wasn't needed really. It was just a little known habit of his.

Rin quickly read over what he'd written and her eyes couldn't have been more kind or warm as she looked back up at him. "This is great, I think we're already on the same page. I'm impressed you came up with these so quickly." Rin handed back his handwritten notes and turned to lead him to the procedure room.

Kori obediently followed the brunette, unknowingly grinning to himself despite the demonic mood he'd been in just moments ago.

. ... . ... .

Several hours later Hinata was admitted into the critical care wing of the hospital and everyone was preparing to go their own ways to get what little bit of sleep they could before the next shift change.

"Ohh!" Kori stretched his body, arms going up, back arching, and legs stretching to extend and loosen the tightened muscles at the same time a few bones popped, releasing more tension. He sighed, feeling in slightly better straits after a job well done.

Rin just smiled at him and shook her head lightly as they ventured the quiet hospital halls.

During the operation Kori was relegated to the role of spectator, but was surprised when Rin took on a kind of supervisory role for a short time after making sure they were on the same page. She watched while allowing him to take the lead at a certain point of the procedure. He basically wrapped up the procedure but it was still an unexpected surprise, which unfortunately served as a taste of what he'd squandered not so long ago.

Rin was cunning, and Kori knew just like she knew; the third Hokage wasn't treating him lightly. It was going to be a long crawl back to Jonin, back to his winning ways, and back to respectability.

Rin understood that very well and had been trying to get him to see it for a while now, but he'd been acting ignorant and hard headed; like a privileged or spoiled child and she knew he wasn't that. If he had been, he likely wouldn't have been busted down to Chunin to begin with. He really should've known better, it was one thing to lose rank and medical privileges… but he hadn't been assigned any missions nor allowed outside of the village since.

"So," Kori coughed awkwardly. This was not something he was used to. Admitting when he was wrong, but his pride wouldn't let him not do it.

"Hmm, so…" Rin trailed, parroting him; a ghost of a smile turning the corners of her lips. She had an idea what was coming, but she had no plans on coaxing it out of him. If he wanted to apologize, that was on him.

"Ya know…no. Ehh, I…" Kori stopped stumbling over his words when Rin couldn't help herself and suddenly burst out into laughter.

He stared blankly at her.

"Oh, don't give me that look. I apologize. You just reminded me of someone just then." She giggled softly, thinking of her former Uchiha teammate.

Kori sighed dejectedly. "I appreciate your letting me have my hand in there for awhile, it was…refreshing. I needed that." Rin nodded with a smile and was prepared to respond to his words when he continued. "Also, I feel like I need to apologize. Nah… I have to apologize. I understand things a bit better now, you were trying to get me to see it a long time ago and I was just… Yeah, so, my bad."

Rin nodded, "don't mention it," she said before yawning, at which point, Kori also yawned. "I won't say the obvious, just that things are in your hands now. They always have been. Hokage-sama gave you responsibility over recovery. It's all on you now, so I'd take that seriously if I were you." The brunette medic advised.

Kori nodded in agreement, unbothered by her pointing out the obvious. "I know you're right about that and I will most definitely do my best." He nodded sharply, suddenly feeling motivated despite his earlier complaints of his task simply being grunt work. This was an opportunity to show everyone that he still possessed winning ways.

Rin started to wave goodbye when she paused. "…Oh," she thought aloud. "You know that Hinata is heiress to the Hyuuga and that her clan is the most prominent of Konoha, but… Well, she is a very kind, timid, and shy girl. Please, please…try to take things easy and slow with her. Despite those things, she is still a very determined girl and will do anything you tell her to without complaint.-"

Kori held up his hand to stop Rin short. "I understand… Sensei." He smirked. "I won't push her too hard or be overly strict with her. I'd bet she gets more than the fair share of that dealing with her clan."

Rin hesitated for a second, but nodded. "So long as you're sure. Well then, I'll see you later Kori-kun… And try to get some rest before taking on any work with her. Please." She pleaded, knowing that Kori was dogged about his work; often getting little to no sleep. Still, all she could do was to ask, she couldn't force him to listen to her…not anymore anyway.

When Kori remembered this moment later on, he'd realize he hadn't meant to lie to Rin concerning Hinata.

. ... . ... .

"I don't care for your excuses. I will be going to see my daughter, observation status or not! This is a clan matter."

Kori blinked tiredly, standing lazily but not quite slouching as he watched and easily overheard Hyuuga Hiashi speaking down to a nursing assistant nearby. Now… Kori considered himself an asshole but this guy… The air of noble arrogance and the overbearing atmosphere of getting his way dripped off the Hyuuga clan head.

Sighing, Kori knew what he had to do. He took a calming breath and made his way over to the clan head, his thoughts of 'patience Kori, professionalism Kori', passing through his mind repeatedly.

"Aye. Perhaps I can be of some assistance," Kori offered, immediately gaining Hiashi's attention.

This man was one of, if not the most, important persons in Konoha; perhaps with the exception of the Hokage. However, Kori did not kiss ass, especially not the asses of the political or social elite. Sarutobi could easily attest to that.

Smiling politely, overly so, but not so much as to make the sarcasm in his features obvious. Still, enough so that Hiashi could see, but not enough for him to be able to definitively call him out on it.

He discretely nodded to the nursing assistant to let her know she could continue working her rounds and he'd be seeing to Hiashi.

Hiashi immediately turned his attention to the young medic as the nurse passed by him without a second thought after Kori made himself present. The Hyuuga clan head could've sworn he noticed a smug smirk on the woman's face as he regarded the smiling man.

"Gen'ya Kori-san, yes." Hiashi began pleasantly as he regarded the youthful medical prodigy. He'd had occasion of briefly speaking with this young man when he was fresh out of the academy and beginning as an iryo-nin apprentice to Nohara Rin. The boy was too young despite his potential and when the council was asked to vote on providing him an exception he'd been one of those to vote approvingly.

Perhaps unfortunately, Hiashi knew more about Kori's mishaps over recent years than he knew about the boy personally. Whether for bad or for worse there was few in the ninja circles of Konoha who didn't know of him. It was entirely too early for it, but Kori's name was starting to be compared with that of Nohara Rin's and Senju Tsunade's abilities by some of his more…excited and overestimating, but well meaning peers.

Surely, one day it might be possible…maybe, but that day was very far from being reality. Truthfully, Hiashi didn't see it happening.

"I hope you've been well despite circumstances. I've been keeping up with your endeavors and progress a bit and I shall have you know, as someone who approved your residency exception out of the academy, I'm pleased with your growth." The Hyuuga clan head spoke amicably, if note entirely politically.

Kori mentally gagged and rolled his eyes, but outwardly kept his smile about him; only slightly did it resemble a grin. He answered the man in a similar manner to which he was being addressed. "Such high praise and respect from the head of the Hyuuga. I'm both honored and humbled." He bowed slightly in thanks.

His response was one he personally wanted to choke on, but as the saying went, 'hate the player, not the game'. Kori could play along and give as good as he got. 'Patience Kori, professionalism Kori. Remember… Be better.' He minded himself.

"I'd love to speak to you about my progress, but we're both busy men and I can tell that you aren't here for a social visitation." Kori bowed his head slightly again. "I shall be in charge of your eldest daughter's recovery and rehabilitation. I happened to overhear, solely by mistake…" Kori stated while thinking, 'yeah right. Dude was yelling in the middle of the damn hallway.'

"However, Hinata-chan was badly injured and her recovery will take some time, a few weeks at the least… A month at most." Kori's smile slowly vanished and a slightly disapproving frown replaced it. "As such, and given your high praise, I hope you'll trust me, listen to me, and work with me when I say that now is an awful time for discipline and that I fully intend to make sure she doesn't regress or find herself in such a bad condition ever again." Kori pinned the man with a meaningful stare, medic mode activated. "Give us time to make sure Hinata not only recovers properly, but that she improves thanks to my methods for conditioning from this point onward."

Hyuuga Hinata had just fallen in his lap and after going through part of her personal files, he found that she was the perfect candidate for his methods. He'd just wrapped up his first medical paper explaining the theory and detail of what he hoped to accomplish. He didn't have a completed medical term for it yet, but had taken to calling it 'Biometric Chakra Based Ninja Mechanics' as a project name. It was a non-evasive practice and so he could immediately begin using Hinata to test it all out with minimal effort. He was positive getting clearance for it would only be a formality. Despite the newness of it there was still a lot of standard practices also involved.

Hiashi kept his emotionless mask in place but Kori could sense just a little strain in it. Had he not been trying to gauge the man's response he'd of missed it, but it seemed his words had their intended impact.

A small, quiet presence he'd failed to notice earlier suddenly caught his attention out the corner of his eye.

He turned to see Hyuuga Hanabi, youngest daughter of Hiashi; whom he'd only just now noticed. Her messy brown hair fell over her shoulders to near waist length and her pupil-less Hyuuga eyes resembled more her father's pure whites where Hinata's were a near lavender. The neat, white kimono she wore showed off the Hyuuga clan's insignia proudly on the left breast. Despite the air of elegant Hyuuga esteem the young girl possessed, she was obviously a tom-boy. The mussed brown hair, her stance and the cocky, challenging fire in her eyes were obvious in that respect.

Hanabi was openly gawking at Kori while in thought. 'I've never heard anyone look at or address my father like that… Or hear anyone actually think that Hinata-nee-chan as capable of progress. Who is this person?' She wondered, staring as Kori eyed her back with indifference.

Mmh, seems I've done something rare, unheard of, or wholly unexpected. I wonder which? All of the above? He thought to himself as his gaze returned to Hiashi, facial features even.

However, Hiashi didn't have a problem speaking aloud what Hanabi had simply thought and Kori knew he'd respond accordingly. Unknowingly though, he'd made a veiled challenge that questioned everything Hiashi and most the Hyuuga clan believed about Hinata's qualifications and capabilities as both a kunoichi and a clan heir…and with Hiashi's youngest as witness.

"Improvement?" Hiashi tested the word on his tongue with his eldest daughter in thought, and barely kept himself from openly scoffing. He held his head higher and stood straighter, if that was at all possible. "Very well…" He paused, slowly considering. "Two months. I shall give you two months before I decide on the discipline for my daughter's embarrassing failure to her clan, but know that if her recovery and so called 'improvement' isn't tracking positively by then… She'll be disowned, branded, and made a secondary branch Hyuuga. Hanabi shall then take her place as Hyuuga clan heir, something for which you would be partially responsible if you agree."

Hanabi's head pivoted to look up at her father in surprise. While she was pleased her father took interest in her over Hinata, having been personally grooming her for some time. She never once considered that her father would brand Hinata with the Caged Bird seal even if she did replace her older sister as the clan heir; she'd always thought he threatened her with that possibility to get a reaction out of her…to motivate her to try harder. Contrary to what many would believe about her, Hanabi wasn't so pleased to hear that.

Meanwhile Hiashi continued, "I meant what I said about you before, but I can't help feeling as though you should be focusing more on yourself given your situation, because should Hinata fail it'll be an unofficial negative on your record." Warning given, he turned to take his leave. "Come Hanabi, we're returning home now."

'Gah, I failed to check myself…' Kori bowed his head to hide his displeased frown as Hiashi departed with his curious and shocked daughter by his side; constantly shooting him glances over her shoulder as they disappeared around a corner.

When they were gone, he sighed in disappointment. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" Kori bit his bottom lip. "Why the fuck did I say all that when I don't care about that spoiled little princess? And just my luck, it'll be on me if she's branded a slave." He walked away, suddenly regretting being so quick to pull the trigger on using Hinata Hyuuga as his test subject. It seemed he wasn't thinking clearly because his mind was contradicting his emotions and actions. 'Rin was right, I should've gotten some sleep.'

Seemed it was going to be a long couple of months if things started on a bad note like this. He'd basically just promised to 'fix' Hinata Hyuuga by making her better. There were certainly things he could teach her besides helping with the basics, but he knew nothing about Jyuuken. The Hyuuga were as traditional as any other clan or more so and it'd be a near guarantee that if Hinata didn't improve in Jyuuken his efforts would be considered a failure.

He might be able to manage something so long as Hiashi kept his word not to interfere as it was more than obvious that Hinata had deep seated issues from verbal and emotional abuse; perhaps even physical bullying. She had a complete lack of confidence, self-esteem issues, quite possibly even PTSD, and more.

Kori wasn't foolish enough to believe that two months was going to be enough, but if he could show Hiashi enough improvement on Hinata's end by then; perhaps he would allow the young iryo-nin to continue with her for an extended period.

Kori paused. 'There could be a bright side to making Hinata my personal reclamation project however. If I can push pass that wall, pass her trust and confidence issues, and turn her into a high quality kunoichi… Well then…'

Hiashi would be proven wrong. Thusly, he could gain the man's favor for turning his daughter into an acceptable clan heir. Then one of the most powerful and influential persons in Konoha would owe him. He could use Hinata to get in Hiashi's good graces and have the man singing his praises to every decision maker in the village and be restored his dignity, honor, and respect. Sarutobi wouldn't be able to outright deny Hiashi with the shinobi council backing him.

Plus Hinata would be so enamored and grateful, he wouldn't have to worry about her not going along as the girl would feel indebted to him for helping her improve and gaining her father's respect.

Kori felt his blood pumping as his body tingled with excitement at the prospect of it all. He smirked deceitfully, 'calm down Kori, be calm,' he minded himself. 'I still have to plan it all out before putting it in motion…and there's no guarantee of success; but no excuses. Get this done, Kori.'

Hinata's confidence, her emotional and mental issues, all would be the most worrisome issues to get passed, but he figured with his knowledge, experience, and a little research he could get it done. He might have to seek out a bit of advice as well, but that was fine… He knew just who to ask when the time came.

Next, he'd have to put together strict training, dietary, and recovery plans. It would cost him some, as Sarutobi was unlikely to approve everything that'd be needed for a budget, but that was fine, he tended to be frugal and had savings as well as good standing to ask for credit if he ever needed it. One thing he didn't have a problem with was his word and thanks to always keeping his word, there was a few that owed him favors as well.

Kori already had a fairly good idea of what type of ninja he could help her become as well as what to teach her, outside of Jyuuken. Many in Konoha had called him a prodigy at one time after all, so he'd be certain Hinata gained an improved temperament with plans to make her a well rounded kunoichi with his teachings. He just hoped his bad reputation didn't effect her negatively from being closely associated to him.

He had two months for Hinata to show marked improvement to Hiashi. If he went along after that, Kori hoped to have another four to five months to really teach her as much as possible, and if he failed in that he was fucked. Plain and simple.

Short of a disaster, war, or extraordinary events these opportunities just didn't come around often but he knew what needed to be done besides dedication to this that he honestly just didn't feel currently despite his recent actions portraying otherwise.

'Guess I'll get started on some coffee first though.'

As Kori strolled away he just missed a silhouette stretching out into the corridor. It coalesced and reached across the hallway, up the next wall over, and steadily faded to reveal Yuhi Kurenai leaning against the wall.

'I wasn't able to get in to visit with Hinata-chan, but I'm glad I stuck around for a bit. I'll have to thank that nurse for telling me Hiashi was being a pain in the ass and Kori was confronting him, otherwise I'd have missed something important.' The mistress of illusions thought.

"I don't care what Anko says, I know I'm right not to trust you, Kori. Two-faced so and so. I will not let you ruin my precious student." Kurenai quietly vowed; staring hard at the young medic's back as he disappeared down the hall and around a corner.

Kurenai decided that she had no choice but to let things play out as they were, at least for the time being, as she vanished from the hallway via Shunshin. She needed to go meet with someone, get a bit of perspective.

. … . … .

AN: Next to no Hinata here unfortunately. Trust me, it wasn't on purpose. The keywords for this fiction is going to be patience and pacing. Little will happen quickly. I needed to establish a bit of who and what this OC (not a self-insert) is like first. I had Hinata's scenes coming up but I didn't want to drag out the first chapter anymore. 19 – 20 pages in Word was pushing it. Well, 7,745 words after copy and paste. I promise plenty of Hinata from chapter 2 on though, so don't get too hung up on that. This is a fic about her at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, the site just wouldn't upload my perfectly formatted docx file version and I had to copy and paste it, so I just know that somewhere in this chapter I probably overlooked some grammar corrections or format changes that took place because of the copy and paste. I'll come back to it.

A good portion of this fiction is pre-written by hand front to back in a notebook so updates should come fairly quickly for a bit. Feedback is appreciated, please PM questions.