Gray/Label

Chapter 5: Best Laid Plans

~Now (Presently)

. . .

Hinata sighed as she pulled back her hand, lifting the ink brush from the scroll unfurled before her. Looking at the now ruined seal she admonished herself for making another mistake as she tore away that portion of the paper from the scroll. As she placed it aside in a small stack, she realized that was her twenty-fourth mistake compared to the fifteen she'd done properly.

"Something wrong, Hinata?" Hazel asked as she sat down next to the girl to check on her progress. "You seem a little distracted."

Hinata shook her head softly. "No, not…no." She sighed, noticing Hazel's curious gaze. "Maybe a little." She admitted, removing a slip of paper she'd kept stuck to her forehead with chakra while going through her seal practice.

Hazel nodded. "Well, if it's about that, don't worry. Kori won't scold his cute little protege." She smiled knowingly after saying so.

Hinata blushed, looking mortified. "No! It isn't like that!" Hinata quickly protested, cheeks coloring faint pink as she slapped her hands over her mouth with a squeak. She hadn't meant to deny Hazel so quickly; but it was too late.

"Fu fu, poor Hinata-chan. It's fine if you don't want to admit it." Hazel laughed in jest, rubbing Hinata's back as she teased the girl again.

Hinata faintly scowled. "Please stop teasing me, sensei." She pouted with a deep blush, unable to hide the fact that Hazel's teasing had her thoughts going astray.

Hazel shook her head with a small grin turning her lips. "Alright. Sorry, sorry. Anyway, I heard you two had a date the other night." Hazel winked, but moved the topic along. "Were you able to get some of the answers you wanted?" She asked seriously.

Hinata sighed at Hazel, but answered. "Yes, some. Sensei explained a lot." She answered, knowing that was the reason she was so distracted.

Kori had shown her a lot of trust after all. Hinata didn't want to betray that by saying too much about it.

Hazel studied the younger woman's reaction and expressions closely. Hinata was only too easy to read. "…Did something happen?" Hazel asked.

The kunoichi could tell just from Hinata's expression that she was worrying about something related to the topic.

"It's fine if you don't want to." Hazel relented. "I know whatever Kori told you was out of trust." Hazel smiled. "Just remember that you can trust me too."

Hinata returned Hazel's smile. "Of course, sensei. I trust you." Hinata reminded herself Hazel knew Kori better than she did, so it wasn't a big deal. "I guess I'm more curious now than I was before." Hinata admitted.

Hazel lifted a thin eyebrow, grinning as she folded her arms under her bust. "Interesting, I wasn't expecting you to say that."

"It's just, I could tell it hurt him to talk about and still, Kori-sensei told me about some of his time and experience with…you know." Hazel nodded, she knew who Hinata meant.

"I was surprised by how much he told me. It was unexpected, right?" Hinata asked, tilting her head in idle curiosity.

"Hmm," Hazel hummed softly; thinking. 'I think I understand.' Hazel silently considered.

Hinata hoped Hazel wouldn't think she was being judgemental. She'd received baseless accusations before, all from Neji of course, about her thinking herself better than others.

She knew, and those she called friends knew, she was nothing like that. It was sometimes to her detriment as a lack of conceit made her that much more naive. It was just one more thing she was working on.

"Well…" Hazel slowly began. "Yes and no. He's known for keeping things to himself as long as he can. Back then, Kori was probably the only one who ever thought the snake could be innocent. Even after the truth came out."

Hazel grinned a large grin at Hinata's expression of shock that followed her words.

"Oh, so he didn't mention that." Hazel smiled. "Keep that to yourself." Kori's assistant giggled. "As for opening up, I've found it depends on who you are, and where you stand in his life."

"In what way?" Hinata asked curiously.

Hazel thought about it before smiling to explain. "With Rin he'll open up with her at times since they're pretty close, but he tries not to because he tends to think she's trying to shrink him."

She continued…

"Things are good between us, more give and take. Sorta like partners." That's when she poked Hinata on the nose, making the young woman's eyes cross.

"If he opened up to you the way you say, don't ask too many questions. Just be happy he confided in you. The only other people he was open with were his former teammates…and Yuhi Kurenai. He used to be pretty close with your sensei, but that changed a while ago." Hazel shook her head.

"Do you know why?" Hinata blinked in surprise. "Why did their relationship change?" She asked, somewhat eagerly.

Hazel shrugged and shook her head. "No clue, but you can always ask him." She said teasingly, causing Hinata to frown slightly.

"Anyway, you'd better get back to it. It's a couple dozen of these. Kori will be around once he finishes rounding with Rin-san." Hazel told Hinata, giving her a poke to the forehead.

Hinata shook her head away, but nodded. "Right, I'll finish this soon." She promised, meanwhile she thought about her conversation with Kori from a few days ago.

~Two Days Ago (Evening)

. . .

By the time Hinata got washed up and changed into comfortable attire -meaning her usual ninja attire- it appeared that Kori had done the same, and was waiting for her in the lobby of the facility when she arrived.

She was a little surprised to see him without his medical attire and she could say they were now dressed similarly.

Kori's military fatigues and the medical coat he usually wore over them was replaced by an open white/black designer hoodie. Black shorts that reached the knees and deep red sneakers. A silver rope chain necklace wrapped around his throat with a symbolic charm that Hinata had never seen before. His braided hair was freely unbound over his head and Konoha hitai-ite.

Hinata thought it gave her doctor the relaxed, youthful look typical of someone his age. When he was dressed professionally she thought he seemed older than he truly was.

Hinata thought he gave off the aura and appearance of a person who took himself seriously, but was far from concerned. Her cheeks pinkened at the passing appraisal she caught herself giving her mentor.

"Hey, Hinata." Kori coolly waved her over as he finished applying his signature to some paperwork attached to a clipboard -which he returned to the pleasantly smiling secretary at the front desk-.

Hinata blushed bright red, realizing she was staring. She was getting to see him in a new, or at least 'different' light. A light she found she didn't dislike.

She bowed as she arrived at his side. "Apologies for being late…" She quietly apologized.

"No." Kori said immediately, shaking his head. "You aren't late. I just got here to sign you out, so no one panics if they find you're not here." Kori said easily as he looked upon her.

"As a note, try not to feel the need to apologize for every little thing. It's good manners, but it really isn't necessary. Most people won't mind. Anyway, let's make moves." He said, motioning for her to follow him with a nod of his head as he opened the door out.

"Ano, where will we go?" Hinata asked gently as they entered Konoha's early evening streets from the clinic walkway.

Kori planted his hands in his pockets as they walked and glanced at Hinata with a relaxed gaze. "Hm...wherever we like?" He answered her before looking ahead again.

After a few minutes of walking in amicable silence, Kori glanced at Hinata once again. As he did, Kori figured he'd tell her about the one topic he hated talking about most.

Orochimaru.

It wasn't a large part of his past, more like a blip, but some people wouldn't let it go. Kori knew he didn't suffer for it as badly as Anko did, but he still had detractors. If he didn't tell her himself, other people would tell her their own misguided, ignorant beliefs. At the end of the day those outsiders didn't truly know shit about the situation.

"So, I'll start with the hard part. My relationship with Orochimaru." He said tentatively.

Hinata slowly blinked at him as she silently processed his words. She furrowed her eyebrows and while she wanted to comment, fell short of speech and remained quiet; nodding instead. It was a surprise to hear him openly admit to his relationship with 'that ninja'. Which only made her even more curious than previously.

In the end, Hazel had been right in telling her that if she asked and was patient, Kori would tell her himself.

Kori took a moment, finding her reaction reasonable, if not a little underwhelming. Most people had harsh or panicked reactions when they initially found out. As for Hinata, he supposed she didn't know how to respond. She was the least judgemental person he'd ever met. That and Hazel had likely mentioned it to the girl already.

That was the main reason he was doing this. Otherwise, he honestly might not have bothered.

"One major thing about Orochimaru," Kori began, bringing Hinata's focus back to himself as she seemed to be in thought. "...Is that he's full of drama and loves spectacle. That guy gets off on telling people what he'll do, how he'll do it, and then doing it. It's one of many ways he messes with people's minds and gains an edge." Kori reminded Hinata, making sure the girl didn't forget his lessons on the mental struggle of confrontation.

Anko naturally took on many of Orochimaru's tendencies -especially the art of taunting people verbally and physically- from her experiences with the man. Kori hadn't, at least not by much. He preferred to move in his own ways. Taunting and trash talking was something any ninja could do -so long as that ninja had a good talk game-.

Kori continued.

"Remember, Neji tried using the same tactic to try getting you to quit your Chunin exam match. To your credit you resisted. He's much more skilled than you using Jyuken, so you were bound to lose. Teaching you the High Step and Essence Formula was to help augment your lack of talent with Jyuken. In that way you won't be at a disadvantage.

Hinata bowed her head slightly. "Hai, and thank you sensei. That's been most helpful. Until then I had no idea that most traditional Jyuken techniques conflicted with my fighting tendencies and style."

Kori nodded his head at Hinata's thanks. "It was a hell of a display though. Learn from that to stay motivated." He advised; not for the first time.

In their sessions together Rin taught Kori that acknowledging one's history was to be embraced. That doing so, repeat mistakes were less likely to occur and one could better improve weaknesses. However, Konoha's memory was long and seemed to refuse to forget mistakes or acknowledge its history, but that was for another time.

"Getting back on topic… To begin, I spent a short time learning under Orochimaru for a few, 'long' years." Kori's eyes narrowed into a slight frown as Hinata intently listened.

"So simply?" She inquired with curious surprise. Kori nodded, understanding what she was asking him.

"Hinata…put yourself in my place. I was younger than you are now when it all began and he showed interest in me. You gotta match the situation with the times." Kori explained. "The man was like a god to me…and many others. I was also impressionable and more than a little naive."

"At that time, Orochimaru was a hot commodity -still dedicated and loyal to Konoha- A superstar ninja, and a motivating influence on his peers and the village. Women wanted him, men wanted to be him. He was fucking royalty." A light filled Kori's eyes as he recalled and reminisced about the past with a small smirk.

Kori grinned at Hinata's surprised expression, "the man was a fucking legend. It's difficult for the younger generations to understand, but he was like a fucking god to me. All others were jealous of Anko and I. Orochimaru was a very thorough and dedicated master as well." Kori grimaced to remember past instances of extreme torture (read, training) with the disgraced, former Konoha-nin.

Hinata nodded, giving thought to her own hard training. She was no stranger to exhaustive work and practice, even before meeting Kori. The medic simply took it to another level she'd never experienced before. She saw similarities between them.

They both trained to exhaustion and were trained by heavy handed instructors. For Hinata it was her father, the clan instructors at another time, and now Kori. For Kori, it had been with Orochimaru and then to a lesser extent, Anko Mitarashi.

Kori mentioned that he'd been assigned to a team with a Jonin sensei afterwards. However, that didn't last long as the team became Chunin several months after being taught by former Jonin, Uzuki Yugao, who would go on to serve in ANBU. She had also been a tough sensei, Kori said.

'Kori-sensei was taught with the same heavy handed and abusive 'training' I experienced with father.'

Training that blurred the lines of the world's accepted definition of the word.

It definitely wasn't enjoyable or fun for her, and it certainly wasn't something she would choose if given the choice. Hinata was confident about making certain there was no opportunity or need for any more of that.

She was pulled from her thoughts by Kori's deep laughter as he gave the girl a gentle pat on the head. However, she glared at him, feeling as if he might try to humor her.

"Do not patronize me, sensei." She frowned in annoyance, face red.

Kori's right eyebrow raised at Hinata's response. "I'm not trying to." Kori assured the heiress.

Hinata's response was definitely another sign of the girl's steady change. It was good that she was taking to his and Hazel's influence and trying to come into her own. She was expressing and asserting herself more as those confidence and self-esteem issues fell to the side, bit by bit.

Hinata quietly, patiently waited for Kori to continue as she noticed him thinking about something.

Kori breathed, preparing to recall his naive days as a daisy fresh genin. "Those days training with the sannin were good ones. The guy was highly knowledgeable, always involved, and overall a great teacher. Best of all, he got access to resources, property, and areas of Konoha that most don't." The medic recalled, shaking his head.

"He pushed us stupid hard. I'd sometimes faint or end up puking, but he wasn't malicious about it, you know?" Finding it easier than he thought to tell Hinata about this part of his past would make it easier for him to talk about the hard truth to her later on. "He was always super supportive. A lot of the insights he provided, I don't think many others would know."

Hinata frowned with concern when he mentioned puking or falling unconscious. "Excuse me?" She responded, uncertain if she'd heard him correctly.

"That's just how rigorous and hard he had us...Anko and I, work. It might sound crazy and counter productive, but that's how we wanted it. That's how we improved. We loved competition, pushing ourselves. I put myself through that because, and Hinata please remember, you can always be a better ninja and that made me a better ninja. It's all about how dedicated you are." Kori's words elicited a reluctant, but soft nod from Hinata; even as she felt uncertain about his justification for it.

"When he asked me to become his second student… I was awestruck, honored, and humbled that a sannin would take any interest in me. In my potential, growth, and ability -more so than my own family-. The Academy wasn't enough. It was too limited, no freedom to explore or experiment. I felt restricted, like I was standing in place. My improvement almost stalled because there was nothing for me to learn." Kori sighed, shaking his head. "But then that just might be my excuse for trying to grow up too fast." He sighed.

"Oh…" Hinata trailed. "How so?" She asked innocently.

"Now I realize I was impatient, quick to grow, and wanting to know it all. Being like that set me back in the long run... And I don't just mean skillswise, but in other ways." As he spoke, Kori wondered how he let this dough eyed girl talk him into airing his dirty laundry so openly? He didn't feel relief, he felt anxious, and highly unprofessional. On top of that, his mind was screaming at him that Hinata didn't need to know all this.

Despite that, here he was, revealing some hard truths and little known facts that he had refused to tell others.

A part of him though, was telling him that Hinata should know…so she wouldn't make the same mistakes he had. Or fall into the same traps he had.

Hinata avidly listened, her heart racing from the things Kori told her. She felt a little anxious listening to some of it, but she felt like she could relate to some of those things as well.

Hinata figured his precarious relationship and standing within Konoha had to have been because of his former teacher, aside from the self-inflicted wounds.

"I was hungry for more; more experience, more skill…more everything and I didn't want to wait. Plus, I knew there was no guarantee a Jounin-sensei would teach me the same." He shrugged. "So, for me, learning from Orochimaru was a given and a grand fortune. Especially as one of the greatest of all time was telling me everything I wanted to hear." Kori nodded to himself regrettably. "Oh yeah, I was a fucking brat with a huge ego." He scoffed into a laugh.

Hinata lightly bit her lower lip. To her, he'd done something that was risky and foolhardy. Even ignorant. So far as she knew, he'd done terrible things with the snake sannin.

Kori looked enlightened suddenly. "There's no shortcut or quick path. You just gotta have a drive that others don't, an undying eagerness to learn and improve if you want to survive as a ninja. Either you strive for improvement through self-discipline, or you don't. That's just the truth...that's what it takes. That's what I expect from you, but I won't be taking advantage or misleading you. I won't hold your hand either. Right now, I see you making large strides, and you've healed very well following my training and rehabilitation regimen. If that's gonna continue then I don't ever want to see you doubting yourself, or taking unnecessary risks. I want you to always be focused and working towards your own goals, Understood? I won't always be around to help you." Kori advised, his heightened tone somewhat stern and serious.

Hinata blinked. She hadn't considered that one day, maybe soon, Kori wouldn't be around to teach her anymore.

However, the girl silently nodded, hardly able to believe she wasn't dreaming as Kori-sensei told her she was stronger and could get stronger still. It was both refreshing and motivating to hear. She vowed not to take her time with Kori for granted. She could tell that he was imparting a life lesson onto her with himself as the living example she could relate to. She had plenty questions, but she filed them away for now. Questions would have to wait.

She knew it couldn't have been easy for him and didn't want to demand too much from him. Already he looked slightly uncomfortable, if not resigned to this moment

Hinata herself was feeling nervous by the implications Kori's words carried. She almost felt she didn't have it in her to do as he said without him, but wondered if she continued trying, what might come from taking on such a commitment. Could she really continue to raise her own bar for what she expected of herself? Nevermind what the Hyuga clan's expectations were.

She was beginning to no longer care what any of them or her father wanted. As those thoughts came to her, she smiled. She was doing this for herself…and maybe a little bit for Kori-sensei as well.

He was the one showing her the correct path, giving her the keys to all the doors.

She was grateful that Kori was true to his word, helping her meet all challenges and always trusting her capabilities. He didn't nit-pick at her. She wouldn't go the way Kori had in his youth; she was sure Kori wouldn't let her even if she tried.

"Also, your goals." Kori added. "Having goals that's very personal to you and meeting those goals works as well as anything. I know you have a few of your own, so hold onto them. Train as hard as you want, but you won't get far if your work doesn't have meaning." He imparted to Hinata.

"There's always a life experience, something that you've gone through that you can use to keep yourself honest and motivated. Better to die for something than to live for nothing after all."

As Hinata kept her ears open, her white-lavender eyes sparkled with realization. 'She could do that!' She thought suddenly excited. This was less a lesson and more a reminder that she had the qualities and potential to be a great kunoichi! The kind of kunoichi she wanted to be…strong, proud, capable, respected.

"What are your goals, sensei?" Hinata asked innocently. She knew he was a skilled medic, good with seals, and even genjutsu to boot, but even towards that end she thought more than just his work and training had to drive him. 'Otherwise,' she thought, 'that would be a very lonely and solitary life.' Hinata realized she hadn't met or heard about any of Kori's friends besides Hazel.

'Solitary,' the word slowly passed through Hinata's mind. Her eyes briefly widened as something Hazel-sensei told her suddenly clicked. 'Up until now, Kori-sensei had been withdrawing into himself, like…I…was.'

Hinata recalled something Hazel said to her one day, during their exercise and practices.

"You've been a breath of fresh air around here, Hinata. Up until Kori took over your case, he'd just been…going through the motions. Really…lost, closed off, and withering away into his work. So, whatever you've been doing…just stay your kind, sweet self. Look after him for me, okay?"

Hazel-sensei's voice carried through Hinata's mind. She hadn't known what Hazel had meant, not completely, so she just nodded at the time. Before Hinata could think more on it, Kori's voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Kori just looked at Hinata and smirked secretively. "My goals? Besides keeping my word…completing this mission? Hm, should there be more? I wonder..." He gave the girl a playful and sarcastic smirk before looking ahead again.

Hinata frowned at the man distastefully. 'Jerk.' She thought, blowing air past her lips in annoyance, and pushing some of her hair from her face. 'Fine, if that's how it is. Two can play that game.' She smiled secretively. She was already onto him…not that he knew.

Hinata wondered if she'd been better off for having taken some risks. Much like when she'd chosen to fight Neji. That was one time she didn't overthink it; she just did it. Still, when she was in the hospital afterwards she later thought herself foolish for having done that.

Then, of course, there was Kori's view.

The young iryo-nin had told her that. "It wasn't her 'fucking fault' that Neji was so jealous, hateful, and misguided that he felt justified in taking his pain out on her for something that wasn't her fault."

It was even more so, not her 'fucking fault', that the Hyuga clan and third Hokage felt justified in letting Neji get away with hurting her because they couldn't intervene or deal with the fact that she was different. As Kori-sensei had added. "Those were petty excuses and she wasn't their fucking robot, or Plan B for their lackluster leadership."

Hinata silently agreed.

Hazel had just quietly commented at the time that such things were, "the fate of many kunoichi, past and present. Like that 'poor' Suna girl."

Hinata wanted to know more, but Kori-sensei told Hazel to, "shut the hell up about that," immediately after. Never knew who could be listening, he said.

Kori was not a fan of the establishment, but he wasn't completely anti-establishment. He saw the current established for what they were when it came to the Hyuga-clan.

The established elders who wouldn't die, or willingly retire their position so that a newer, younger generation could begin to lead the clan into a new era. Elders were meant to serve their time, then pass the torch to leave the clan in a better place than before. So as to be prepared for the changes that came with the tides of time.

Hinata agreed with her sensei that It was why the caged bird seal was still a thing.

In terms of the third, Kori was irritated by Sarutobi's historically long tenure, but admitted there was no one capable or willing to replace him. He couldn't force the hat on anyone, so he settled for believing Sarutobi should replace his elders. However, that could involve the Fire Daimyo, potentially causing a lot of problems for everyone.

Directly and indirectly.

The established Hyuga were all happily and stubbornly holding to their meager power and position for as long as possible, and the current clan head, Hinata's father, was content to let it continue as that was the way it had always been.

Eventually, the Hyuga clan would find themselves lacking for a refusal to rotate clan elders and leadership; to do what was best for the clan, not just themselves. Without exception, their traditions wouldn't save them. Empires were meant to protect and serve at the behest of it's people.

However, empires served the rich and powerful at the expense of it's people and because of that, crumbled after their time was up. Because empires only served the empires -not it's people- and were only built to enrich the elite.

After Kori's little tangent, Hinata was assured that what she'd done wasn't foolish -that it was not a mistake to not back down, especially from bullies- Unless doing so for a tactical purpose. Neji was one single person, not all powerful, not all encompassing, and certainly not all knowing.

According to Kori; he was actually weaker than many people realized thanks to that bloated ego of his. Constantly underestimating others was a recipe for disaster.

But that was for a later time…

~Presently

The door to the office of the Chief of Medicine opened allowing Nohara Rin to step in. Seconds later, Kori Genya followed after as the two returned from morning rounds together.

Rin sighed sardonically. "So, what do you think?" She inquired while gently tousling her brunette hair and falling into her chair.

"There's little for it," Kori sighed as he lowered his plus six foot tall frame to sit in an open chair across from Rin's desk. He watched his sensei in medicine step behind her large oaken desk as she gathered the patient files strewn across it into a neat stack, and place them aside as she sat in her large, black leather chair. "Feel bad for the kid." Kori said, keenly leaning back into the stiff chair and fully stretching his long legs out in front of him. He laced the fingers of both hands together and placed them over his chest.

"I know. However, that's not what I meant." Rin answered as she leaned forward and placed her hands on the top of her desk. "I was asking if you could take a look, using alternative methods." Rin asked, her wide eyes pinning her protege with a meaningful stare.

Kori blinked once, then again, as Rin's question repeated through his mind several times. He tilted his head curiously. As he held her gaze he realized that she was serious.

'She's asking me?' He thought in surprise. Another question then entered his thoughts. 'Is she testing me because she feels I learned more from Orochimaru than I've ever cared to admit?' Kori asked himself.

The younger medic of the two must've shown his doubt because Rin's next words answered his silent question. "You heard me tell Lee that I wouldn't be able to heal him so he could remain a ninja. There was nothing helpful in Tsunade-sama's old medical texts either." Rin sighed, feeling ashamed. Feeling and thinking that she should've been able to help Lee, because if Tsunade were around, she definitely would have.

She was, by the villagers, often called 'Tsunade the Second'. She'd long discouraged others from calling her that; she was Rin and she wanted to continue to be Rin. The one thing she'd always been confident about, that Konoha also said about her…'her medical prowess was second to none, on the same level as Tsunade'. Rin had worked hard to build her resume and was proud of it.

Realizing she couldn't, wouldn't be able to heal Rock Lee to a full recovery…hurt. Before her thoughts digressed any further, she continued the conversation.

"If a different type of assessment shows anything positive, it could go a long way to improving our odds to heal Lee..."

"An assessment, sure. But anything more and the third would-..."

Rin shook her head as she cut off Kori. "Worry about that when and if you find something. Beyond that, just be straight with me." Rin said adamantly, eyes narrowed.

"Yes, okay, sensei, but…Why?" Kori both answered and questioned while recalling their meeting with Lee.

"I'm impressed by your management of Hyuga Hinata. Her recovery is ahead of the traditional timeline by…"

"Almost two months," Kori interrupted. "By the end of the Chunin Exams she should be near one-hundred percent thanks to the Stacked Recovery System." He said proudly, but while Rin thought it was from pride in his work, Kori was truly prideful for Hinata.

The Hyuga girl completely bought in and trusted the process, his process; by forgiving herself and getting past her trauma. Just that much majorly unlocked her potential, and allowed her to improve. She set herself up to become a great kunoichi; rather than merely a skilled or average kunoichi. The girl didn't realize she gave power to his truth, his motivations, and his agenda. Well, she'd certainly find out during the Chunin Exam finals.

The corners of Rin's lips turned up in a small smile knowing what she was about to say. "There's also something I wanted to say." When her student and protege looked at her curiously, she continued. "I wanted to admit to having doubts about your program…wait Kori, let me finish!" Rin called out, raising her voice over Kori's attempt to cut her off.

Kori was now sitting up in his chair, frowning as if he'd been badly insulted. His expression seemingly asked, 'the fuck?'. His large hands gripped the edge of his chair's armrests hard. Despite that, he did as Rin asked, and didn't speak. He closed his eyes with a sigh and nodded for her to continue as he leaned back into his seat.

Rin quickly moved on, smiling genuinely in a practiced attempt to disarm him. For all his talent, Kori never could take criticism of his work, constructive or not, but she continued.

"Not that I had doubts concerning practicality. That isn't it." Rin noticed Kori relaxed completely now that she'd said that. "It was more with the obscure theories. I felt you could've been overestimating the pros versus the cons." Rin smirked for effect. "Or, am I wrong to think so?"

Kori was ready to burst out indignantly, but seeing Rin's smirk he closed his mouth, realizing something.

'She's fucking provoking me!' He was surprised. He thought about their conversation thus far, bringing up his more unorthodox practices, and Lee's condition. After a few seconds Kori looked amused, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, you didn't." He laughed good naturedly. "Are you challenging me, sensei?"

Rin shook her head gently. "Maybe, but you do realize what I'm getting at, don't you?" The stripe cheeked woman asked as she reclined back in her desk chair, reaching a hand up to brush a few strands of mid-length brunette hair behind her ear.

"I almost don't believe you, but I'll play along." Kori agreed. He could never know when she'd choose to test him just to see where his mind was and his boundaries lay. She'd done it many times before.

"...I remember you stated you couldn't heal Lee to his wishes. That is, to continue his ninja career. At least, not without endangering his life." As Kori spoke, Rin nodded gently for him to continue.

He sighed. "So, you obviously read up on my more obscure and morally questionable treatment theories from my personal studies. At least the publicly acknowledged texts from the medical essays and journals I wrote a few years ago." Kori started slowly. Some of those texts he wished he hadn't published, especially the condemned ones. Despite having context, a couple of them hadn't been written with the best intentions, and he'd been venting his anger and insecurities while writing a few of them.

Kori nearly couldn't believe that Rin was seriously considering his advice on Lee's case. That she was now showing more trust in the more dubious, cutting-edge knowledge he coveted; was a shocking moment. He'd been waiting for a dire enough circumstance to get permission to try some of the newer, if not risky, medical procedures of the modern day.

Sarutobi always declined as there had never been a need to do so over preferred, conventional, and traditional methods. Then there was the fact his favorite student went off the deep end and abandoned Konoha. Kori could understand why Sarutobi wouldn't be up for testing those waters, especially when it was so easy to fall down the slippery slope of compromising one's humanity for the high of playing god.

"There's a good chance to successfully heal Lee-san." Kori added, as Rin wrote down notes on a paper pad. "It can be simple. I've run through a few theoreticals with Hinata that have been for the better." Kori admitted. Rin's eyes widened in surprise.

A disapproving light filtered into the kunoichi's chocolate brown eyes before her gaze narrowed at the man.

"Kori!~" Rin admonished at length, as she raised a hand to her forehead, feeling as if a headache might come to fruition. "Why? Why would you do it!" She said with a heavy sigh. "Such risks! So reckless!"

"I apologize for doing so without permission and not reporting it to you, sensei." Kori bowed his head towards his master. "However, it's partially the reason Hinata has healed so strongly and is improving rapidly. I was ninety percent certain of the benefit. The red tape to get approval would've set our schedule back weeks." Kori was fully honest in the face of Rin's disapproval for his unpermitted actions.

"So you say, but it's no excuse." Rin scoffed. "What would've happened had it been a mistake on your part?" Rin inquired, narrowing her eyes on the young man. "Better yet, you know I'm responsible for you as your sensei. What would you have done if I was blamed because of something you did?" She really didn't like the fact that he'd gambled on his patient's treatment, her trust, and his reputation. She could only sigh out of frustration…again.

Kori 'seemed' to think about it, not looking the least bit contrite. "If I were wrong..? Nothing adverse…at least that would've been the hope." Kori assured, taking a breath as Rin's ire ebbed away. "Nothing would've happened," he added unconvincingly.

Rin just frowned. "You're so very sure about that, eh?" She said sarcastically. "The success doesn't negate the immorality. Success under those terms could only embolden you to repeat this, because you were successful!" Rin scoffed. "I need you to stop."

"I'm not 'you know who'. What I did doesn't rise to the level of my former master's psychopathy. He thinks he's God and I have no interest in such motivations. But you're right and I will stop." Kori promised, deciding to leave out the worst of concerns.

It was something he definitely wouldn't have gotten approval for and his having tinkered with Hinata's psychology and physiology behind the village's back would get him in more trouble if found out. 'It's best I stop,' Kori silently decided.

'Hinata may be mad enough and never talk to me again if she ever learned what my special treatments did to her.' Kori thought. That was his foremost worry -losing his cute Hyuga patient and student-.

He was just thankful for Rin's kind heartedness and her fondness for him blunting her anger, as usual. That's what would keep her from reporting him. She always gave him second chances to not disobey her or village laws while keeping everything between the two of them.

After Orochimaru, human tests and trials were strictly regulated, monitored, and almost impossible to get approval for unless test subjects happened to be undesirables; missing-nin, rogues, thugs, spies…and that still didn't guarantee approval.

The only other way was if a study targeted attempts at curing a deadly illness or pandemic, a way to improve Shinobi mortality rates (which Kori could care less about and something Tsunade couldn't solve), improving quality of life for those suffering from the short list of incurable medical phenomena that no one had a clue about. Outside of that, no one in Konoha wanted to hear the words 'human study'. Unless it was for applications of medicines, which was a lot easier and safer to study in the human body. And experiments for the matters of jutsu; Orochimaru's sinister motivation, was outright forbidden unless otherwise noted.

Sarutobi wanted nothing to do with it, especially as it brought up ugly memories. Ironically it was one of few things that he and Danzo both advocated against. Although there was no telling what Danzo's motivation was. Kori had an odd past relation with the war hawk on the topic of fuinjutsu.

It took some time for Kori to realize that Danzo's involvement hurt his case due to the old man's reputation for being zealously heartless, along with the hard truths associated with his Root group.

Rin shook her head, she wasn't going to let his insubordination go without speaking on it. "There was no one else you did this with, was there?" She looked at him closely, searching for a tell. "Hinata was the only one?"

"Hai, Rin-sensei," he answered, sounding somewhat petulant, as if not understanding what the big deal was. He answered her in that manner to throw her off. He normally would have acted contrary to her making a big deal of things.

"Mmm," Rin hummed skeptically, watching him closely for any tells of a lie. After a short moment she nodded and let it go. "Alright, I believe you. Just don't do it again…continue." She motioned with her hand.

"Well, I know the correct methodology and you know my work quite well. The method behind any procedure will be very straightforward." Kori sat up and leaned forward, resting his arms against his knees and clasping his hands together. "Healing a few, or even several broken or disjointed bones is different from applying the same method to Lee-san's case though."

"How so?" Rin asked. "I think I know, but just verify it for me."

"Given the damage, a cracked skeletal structure, the method would be more intensive. To better heal him and have the procedure take successfully, It's about healing Lee-san's entire bone structure by reconstructing the ligaments to help reconstruct the bones. That means boosting his chakra network to increase chakra flow through the tendons, ligaments, and bones so they're all reconstructed and healed together. Thus healing his body without compromise to his chakra network. Given his under-grown meridians, the reason Lee-san can't use jutsu, his chakra core will need reinforcing. Which can be supported manually, or by temporary seals."

"And afterwards?" Rin asked, smiling. She was again impressed as Kori gave his thoughts.

"How his body heals after that would be up to him. Thanks to his hard working nature, inhuman stamina and durability, he will only has to rehab himself. To that end I'd expect Master Gai to take over his student's recovery. Lee will require a wheelchair afterwards and then crutches for a time, but the procedure will be minimally invasive." Kori finished.

Rin seemed to think about it. "...Well, given Lee-san's insistence on returning to service, I'm sure he'd agree to it. Would that be all on your end?" Rin asked as she pulled up a pen and a consent to procedure form from a desk drawer; planning to have Lee sign and agree to the treatment.

"Just to prescribe a regimented medication, something like a high nutrients shake to drink with meals to help regain muscle, strength, and stamina. I do the same for Hinata, it's why she's grown as much as she has. You should give her a physical, she's gonna be one healthy, thick, little momma when she's older." Kori laughed, not completely in a perverse manner. Rin still frowned at him for making the suggestion.

Rin listened as she began noting down the procedure in preparation. She had no doubts that Lee, or Gai would agree despite the concerns. "Okay, I got it. I can schedule the operation for tomorrow midday." Rin said as she finished with the write up.

"Anything else? If not, we're both busy, and have other patients to help." She then remembered… "Also, who would you recommend for this? I don't expect you'd have time to, what with all the work you're doing with Hyuga Hinata and the Chunin Exam finals in a few days."

Kori nodded as he stood up. "You are right on that, but I'm glad you asked." He didn't need to think about it. "Hazel can be on the op. Afterwards, with a little advice from you, Gai-san could take over his rehabilitation upon discharge. Hazel knows everything about my methods and she also helped me with some of my theories. She's just as knowledgeable as me." Kori smiled, his tone of voice very much gloating about his kouhai's abilities and competency.

"Hmm." Rin considered it. She didn't know Hazel all that well, except for in a professional capacity. The woman was skilled, in a new age kind of way. She made medicine and science seem cool, rather than a thing of book nerds. She also performed analytics and cryptology. She received full or partial credit on most of Kori's medical papers, and all his most recent work. She'd also authored essays on new, safer, and obscure types of cryptography and key techniques. She was also said to be working on original languages and micro signs/tells for communicating more secretively and enhancing current cryptography methods.

Hazel was a medic, but she was a cryptographer by trade, and so Rin was going to suggest the Deputy Chief of Medicine. However, she and Kori were both familiar with Hazel, and she knew the deputy chief took issue with Kori, his methods, and reputation. Rin didn't need a beef starting over methods Kori suggested and specialized in. It would risk the patient and be highly unprofessional.

"Yes, that's a good idea." Rin smiled again, nodding. "We'll use Hazel in the procedure and have her be Lee's practitioner during his rehabilitation stint. Well, with that out of the way, let's call it…a…day." Rin finished slowly as she realized Kori had already disappeared.

"Hmph!" Rin scoffed with a small, cute smile as she opened a patient file and began to pour over it. "Gonna need some coffee,"she said to herself, realizing how much work she had to get through today.

After departing Rin's office, Kori rushed back to the rehab facility hidden in the shadow of Konoha's hospital. He was running especially late and prepared himself for a scolding from his sweet subordinate, Hazel. Probably Hinata as well, given her attitude changes.

When he arrived he found both young women laughing about something or other. He took note of their good mood and quietly entered. That was when both girls finally noticed him.

That was when something worrisome happened. Hinata and Hazel both blinked and blushed deeply before laughing again.

That little moment freaked Kori right the fuck out. A guy could never know what women spoke and laughed about in their absence. It was especially worse when the laughter picked up upon sight of the guy in question.

Kori suddenly felt cold and extremely insecure.

However, at closer inspection, he could tell Hazel had put Hinata through her paces and then some. Since she wasn't mad, he decided to not say anything, thank her, and remind himself to gift Hazel a present.

Something nice to show his appreciation for her endless help.

He really wasn't sure if he should be worried or not after Hinata went to get cleaned up and change clothes without saying a word. The same went for Hazel as well, as she also left the facility without a word to him. Only providing a silent and sympathetic pat to his shoulder while slowly shaking her head as she stepped past him.

Kori felt himself going from freaked out to scared, but he was forced to hold his composure as Hinata returned, asking what they'd be doing today.

~Fifteen Minutes Later

. . .

"Ano-...I mean, sensei. Where are we going?" Hinata asked, looking around and beginning to feel nervous. She was usually content to follow without question, but given the familiar -to her- path they were walking; she couldn't help but to ask.

Kori gruffly huffed at Hinata's inquiry, having been waiting for her to say something about it. "What did I say about asking questions you already know the answer to?" Kori asked rhetorically. His way of answering her nervous curiosity didn't at all make Hinata feel better.

"W-why are we going to the Hyuga clan's estate then?" She asked, nearly falling into a stutter before dejectedly sighing.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you feel about it, I have a meeting with your father to update him on your -our- progress." Kori answered. "Which likely means he asked me to bring you because, he wants to test you to see if I was right…and if you're capable."

"..." Hinata swallowed as her mind began to turn her thoughts toward dark disappointment, humiliation…shame.

Noticing Hinata falling into complete silence, Kori glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Don't!" He growled at her, a scathing frown forming as he realized what she was doing.

Hinata gasped at Kori's sudden demand and tone, her legs stopping her in place. "..." She said nothing else.

"Don't do that, Princess." Kori called her, knowing that the nickname riled her up. "Keep your mind focused, but blank. Don't revert to that self-conscious doubt of -what if?- that Old Hinata used to mentally torture herself with." He advised, his tone of voice now light. "If you want to start that again, I'll call you, princess again."

He leaned towards her and patted her on the head causing Hinata to blush despite the annoyance she suddenly felt from that nickname that suggested she was spoiled and naïve. "Damn girl…you're passed that." Kori's eyes looked her up and down before he stood straight and turned to keep walking.

"This is your opportunity to confront your clan and bury the trauma and hurt feelings by proving them wrong. You are ready to do that now, do you understand me? Besides, your father may have been rough on you, but I think he really wants to see you succeed. Not just for himself, but for your sake. He just doesn't know how to express it."

"Y…you really think so?" Hinata meekly asked, digging her hands into her jacket pockets. She looked up at Kori with wide pale eyes tinted by lavender.

Kori felt his heart pull at the hopeful look in Hinata's eyes. This girl didn't know how cute she was. "Yeah…well, at least I think so." He answered, now silently hoping he was right. "No matter what though, you have to remember and rely on your training. You can only move forward, so give it your all from here on, if nothing else!" Kori demanded.

Hinata gave a firm nod, a determined glare birthing in her solid, pale eyes. "Hai! I most certainly will!" She said without the signature softness in her voice.

"Stand up straight and hold your head high then. Don't show doubt, or nervousness! I'll be damned if all of our hard work and struggle is wasted because you fucking forgot who you are." He cursed. "Now, again. Like a kunoichi!"

"Yes, sensei!" Hinata said louder than before.

The two guards outside the gates to the Hyuga clan's estate saw the pair coming a mile away.

"Kori Genya and Hinata Hyuga for-."

"They've been expecting you, you're late." One of the guards addressed Kori with blank but expressive eyes. White eyes looked at both of them as if they were 'less than', Hinata more so, as the secondary branch Hyuga addressed them dryly.

Kori raised a single eyebrow at Hinata questioningly, finding the experience a novel one. 'What an asshole,' his facial expression seemed to say.

Hinata, who was used to the treatment and over it, sighed, closed her eyes, and shook her head as if to say, 'Please don't. Let's just get this over with.'

Kori chuckled at Hinata as he let the girl follow after the guard, and he followed close behind her.

Kori was keen to take note of the layout of the large compound. The entire place was decorated in an ornate and traditional fashion. However, he couldn't help being able to feel a mild pressure wash over him as they were led into the large housing area of the main family.

"Agh, shit. Lord, please don't let this get out of hand. I got a bad feeling." Kori pled, mumbling to himself.

I know it's not much of a chapter AND it's been awhile. I'm getting my fics back on track. Had to rethink the plot for this & WVO…

~If you find any mistakes lingering in this chapter, please let me know…If there's something you don't understand, PM me and I'll clear it up.

Until next time…