Noboru opened his eyes feeling a massive headache in his skull, and his ribs were aching in pain. He moved his hand down his shirt.
'That's right, I left it in the drawer next to my bed.'
Noboru moved his hands further down, and felt bandages wrapped around his body. He slowly sat up, and got a good look at the room.
It was simple, and small. He was lying down in a bed slightly shorter than his own, but the window to his right showed him something he wasn't used to.
'Ame.'
And not just what was in Kosutta territory, no - this was all of it. Tall metallic buildings coloring the skyline, he could even see the faint outline of the Kage Gullet Mikan escorted him through the previous day.
'It's all so small from here.'
He must have been several stories up as the streets below were small, and lifeless from where he was sitting; though the great wall was tall, the skyscrapers of Ame were several stories taller. It must've been the afternoon because far off in the distance he could see the sun shining through the dark gray clouds. The time of day reminded him of something he didn't want to think about, something he wanted to ignore.
Earlier he'd fought against his father Sejin in an attempt to unlock his Kiidogan, but it ended with an abrupt, and disappointing failure. Noboru had lacked the strength to defeat his father, and therefore he wouldn't be able to participate in the Mock Exams. He wouldn't be able to live freely, and he wouldn't be able to marry Chocho.
He had failed.
But as he thought about that unavoidable fact his mind drifted to his present situation. Rubin had saved him; stopped his father from ending his life. Given that, it stands to reason that he was at Jonin HQ.
Noboru pinched the bridge of his nose.
What value did Rubin find in Noboru? Without a doujutsu he wouldn't be able to adequately represent his clan. The only thing Noboru could think of is if Rubin had to meet a quota for Mock Exam participants. If that was the case then it'd stand to reason that he'd go out of his way to protect him, but even then why risk getting on the bad side of Sejin?
Noboru thought endlessly on Rubin's reasons for saving him, but in the end all he could do was wait for the man in question to explain himself, and luckily that didn't take long.
The door opened, and in walked Rubin, and Minori.
"Minori, are you sure it's safe for you to be here?" Rubin asked
"Sejin is probably sulking in his office right about now, don't worry about him." Minori replied.
"I'm not worried about Sejin Minori, it's his birds that I fear."
"Birds? You mean Natsuki?"
"He's one of many."
"He's more of a pigeon-"
Rubin had no words for that.
"-I just wanted to see him alive and well before I left him in your hands," Minori added.
"Minori." Noboru interrupted their conversation.
"If Mikan was there, do you think... Do you think I would've-"
"If Mikan was there it wouldn't have made a difference. The truth is Noboru, the reason you didn't unlock your doujutsu is because you lack something-"
'Resolve.' Noboru thought
"-And you have your father to thank for that. How could he expect you to grow as a person if he keeps your wings taped to your back? I don't blame you for that loss Noboru, I only regret that it was Rubin who stepped in and not me."
"Wings taped to your back?" Rubin repeated with a raised eyebrow.
Minori shrugged his shoulders, "The bird analogies work better when they're not coming from you."
Rubin smiled, "Anyway, well if you tried to intervene he may not have stopped, so. It's for the best."
"For what it's worth, your Air Current Dance has improved." Minori told Noboru.
"Thanks, I guess."
"See you around, I'm heading back to the complex before anyone notices I'm gone." The young chunin waved him goodbye before heading out the door.
Rubin, and Noboru were alone now. The man reached into his back pocket, and revealed a Hidden Leaf headband.
"I see more in you than just eyes, Noboru. Fight for Ame in the Mock Exams, and become a shinobi. Do that, and you won't have to worry about Sejin."
Noboru chewed on that thought. He had no doujutsu so his fathers interest in him would certainly dwindle over time. Hypothetically, if he were to leave, and come back to Ame would Sejin bother with him at all? Regardless of what he thought the answer was clear.
Noboru took the headband from Rubin, and sat it on his lap.
"It's not like I have another choice."
"Sejin is the other choice." Rubin said bluntly.
"I'll fight in the exam, just don't expect too much of me."
"I'm glad to hear it, you'll make a fine shinobi."
"The Exams are on an island right? How do you expect me to get there?"
"Unfortunately for you the other Ame candidates left yesterday, and generally it's not safe for exam candidates to leave Ame without a jonin level shinobi to escort them."
Noboru had heard murmurings of an ongoing Civil War outside of the village.
'Has the fighting gotten that close?' He wondered.
"But luckily, Mikan was three steps ahead, as usual," Rubin said regrettably.
"Ohh, is that jealousy I detect? Of Miss Mikan?"
A new, distinct voice had presented itself. Noboru peaked over Rubin's shoulder and saw a young girl his age wandering into the room.
"Wow, I almost didn't hear you come in. You're definitely her student."
'Student?'
"I don't need you to tell me that, Rubin." She made her way to the bedside, and eyed Noboru curiously.
"You must be what Miss Mikan's been keeping all to herself." She glanced at the lead jonin, "Are you sure I can't meet mister Sejin as well?"
""That wouldn't be the best idea."
"Don't feel too bad," Noboru started, "I don't know anything about you either, my sister doesn't tell me anything."
Noboru felt relieved, after all he thought he was the only one in the dark, but it seems Mikan treats her students in the same way.
"So, I'll be traveling with you then?" The boy added.
"That's right! So I'll be asking you lots of questions. Please feel free to do the same with me!"
"I don't think you'll be interested in anything I have to say."
"Hmmm, I wonder about that." Rin said, bringing a finger to her chin.
"Noboru," Rubin interrupted, "Rin traveled here on her own from Kirigakure, and managed to do so undetected. You should be safe traveling together."
Feeling uncomfortable with two people standing over him, Noboru got out of bed. He took the headband, and stuffed it in his back pocket.
"You're almost as tall as Miss Mikan." Rin said, her hands behind her back.
"Will we have any trouble getting out of Ame?" He asked Rubin.
"As Minori said earlier, Sejin is probably too busy sulking to notice."
'Sulking about me huh?'
Noboru smiled.
"Why are you smiling like that? Are you thinking of something stupid?" Rin asked.
"Someone."
"I've got supplies packed for you both downstairs, please remember to take them before you leave."
After thanking Rubin, and loading up on supplies Rin, and Noboru had finally exited HQ.
The boy instinctively reached up to grab the pendant that wasn't there, before sighing in frustration. Instead, he squeezed his shirt in its place.
"Hey Rin, how much do you know about my clan?"
It was a shot in the dark, but Noboru figured it'd be worth the effort.
"Hmmm, not much at all. I know about the Air Current Dance, and the Kiidogan, but we only briefly covered Kosutta history in the academy - oh, and the first Mizukage was a Kosutta, but her legacy isn't highly regarded."
'An academy? Ame never had anything like that, but anyway.'
"How would you like to go on a little detour?"
She brought a finger to her bottom lip, and cocked her head.
"Hmmm, I dunno I have super strict orders from Miss Mikan to get you to-"
"You want to learn all about Miss Mikan right? Then let's go on this detour."
"Hmph, it'll be awfully quiet the whole trip if you don't say anything."
"You don't know who you're talking to. There's a reason Mikan never told you anything about me."
"Touché."
"Then…?"
"Screw it, why not. Let's go take a look."
The two made their way through Jonin territory, until they were in the western part of the village just outside of the Kosutta complex.
Before Noboru could make the suggestion Rin grabbed his left arm, and then using a single hand he cast the 'Air Current Dance Jutsu' after just seven signs.
"One hand? Wow, even Mikan can't do that!"
"Unlike Mikan, I haven't mastered the jutsu yet," Noboru whispered, "I can't mute our sounds, so please be quiet."
And with that they both disappeared.
Noboru knew the ins, and outs of the Kosutta Complex. The main thing he needed to watch out for were Sejin, and Natsuki. He would've preferred to do this alone, but it's unlikely that he'd be able to convince Rin of that. At least, that's how he felt. All he needed to do was get to his room, grab the Necklace, and then leave.
The Ito brothers were guarding the front entrance, but he didn't need to worry about that. Noboru's room was on the eastern side of the complex on the third floor. He quickly guided Rin across the territory, and around the building, and then using his hands, and feet he started to scale the large mansion.
Rin didn't complain at all. Due to his 'Air Current Dance' he couldn't see her face, but he figured she was just soaking in as much information as she could. She was still holding onto his arm as they climbed.
'It's not much to look at.' Noboru thought.
After scaling to the third floor they'd finally reached his window. Noboru usually kept it open in the hope that either Mikan, or Minaka would stop by and save him from the nightmare that was Sejin; though that never happened of course.
Noboru peaked inside his room, and was reminded of how empty his life was. A small shelf lined the wall with books, and stories only Sejin allowed him to read. He'd hoped that wherever he'd live after the Mock Exams there'd be more for him to line those shelves with; new hobbies he could explore, and new things for him to try. He pressed his hands against the window to open it, but then the door swung open, and Natsuki made his way inside.
'Damnit. What could he want?'
The jonin slammed all the books on Noboru's shelf onto the floor. He tore the sheets off the mattress, and then the mattress off its frame placing it against the wall.
The last time his room had been searched was back when Minaka had taken him away. When Natsuki brought him back he was greeted with a trashed room, and all his belongings had been shredded. But this was different, Natsuki, and Sejin both knew that Noboru was rescued by Rubin. What did they hope to find by searching his room? In any case…
"What's this?" Natsuki said under his breath. He had opened the drawer next to Noboru's bed, and revealed a necklace. The one that Chocho had given him.
"No!" Heard himself say under his breath.
Natsuki, and placed the necklace in his back pocket, and left the room, closing the door behind him, and heading in the direction of Sejin's office.
Noboru immediately opened the window, and snuck straight into his own room, Rin following close behind. Then, he closed the window behind him, re-opened the door quietly, and carefully darted out of the room.
In front of him he saw Natsuki paused in the hallway, and across from him was Minori.
"Looks like you were somewhere you weren't supposed to be." Minori said, blocking Natsuki's path.
"I could say the same about you. However, you should not address your senpai in such a hostile manner, it's unbecoming of a Kosutta."
Minori cocked his head back, and crossed his arms, "what were you doing in Noboru's room?"
"I don't know what you're inferring."
Noboru swallowed hard. If he didn't take this opportunity, it'd be lost forever. Slowly, step after step, doing everything he could to maintain absolute silence he approached Natsuki. This was a jonin level shinobi, one misstep, one squeak in the floorboard and he'd be discovered, and not only that, but Rin would be in jeopardy as well.
"What were you looking for Natsuki?"
There, he could see the pendant hanging out of the man's back pocket. Noboru slowly reached his hand up, but suddenly -
Feeling something off, Natsuki immediately turned around swinging his arm back as hard as he absolutely could.
The hit connected, and a body slammed into the wall cracking it.
"An attack?!" Natsuki said.
He blew it. Noboru was so close to taking his necklace back, his gift from Chocho. The first, and only present he's ever received. The pendant was gone, it likely sank to the bottom of the man's pocket. And to make matters worse it wasn't him that the man hit. Noboru was just about to blow his cover, and get Rin out of there when:
"Natsuki, good job!" The young chunin clapped his hands, "you actually managed to detect my clone."
"Y-Your clone?"
"I cloaked it using 'Air Current Dance' and snuck it behind you. Looks like your skills are still sharp, keep it u-"
"Minori, I'm placing you under arrest for directing an attack against a fellow member of the Kosutta clan."
As Natsuki spoke, a handful of guards came running to the scene to investigate. They surrounded Natsuki, and Minori in an attempt to find out what was going on.
"Men, please place Minori under arrest, and take him down stairs. He'll need to face Sejin so he can explain his actions, and justify his attack against me himself."
Not entirely comfortable, several of the guards started to get a hold of Minori intending to keep him from leaving.
"Man, I hate improvising."
The man looked straight at Noboru, and winked before dispersing in a puff of smoke.
'No.'
When it cleared both Minori, and Natsuki were gone. It was likely that the jonin was in pursuit.
Noboru still felt Rin's hand on his shoulder. He bolted past the guards with her, and exited the complex the same way he came in.
Once out of sight Noboru hurriedly undid the jutsu. The left side of Rin's face was black, but despite that she smiled at him - one of her front teeth cracked.
"Rin, I'm so sorry. I didn't think-"
The girl ignored him, and pulled something out of her pocket.
"T-The necklace. Y-You got it?"
"Yep!" She twisted her neck groaning in pain, "It's not every day you're punched in the face by a jonin. You owe me lots of answers."
"And you'll have them."
Rin placed the necklace in the boy's hand, and he immediately put it on.
The two made their way toward Ame's north gate.
He squeezed the pendant again, in only a couple short days it became a habit of his.
'Was this worth Minori's freedom? M-Mikan will help him when she gets back. She has too…'
Noboru forced himself to believe that, but then again Mikan didn't help Minaka.
Noboru's heart beat furiously as he got closer to Ame's entrance. Hunters, fishers, and laborers went about their day barely shooting a glance at Noboru, and Rin, but to him it was more than enough to make him worry. The young boy picked up his pace, and constantly watched his surroundings for any potential pursuers, but none came. As the two exited the village the guards watching the gate simply nodded their heads as they passed by. It was only after he exited the village did he breathe a sigh of relief.
"I-I made it."
"Hmm, it's not as crazy out here as it was a few days ago." Rin commented.
"Hmm?"
"There used to be refugees and mercenaries out here. Well, no skin off my back."
'Mercenaries? I wonder why'
The two started along the Rain Road that lead north of the village.
"Is it safe for us to just follow the main path?"
"Who's the escort here hmm?"
"Y-You're right, sorry."
"First question! No-bo-ru!"
"Alright, shoot."
"That necklace, why is it so important to you?"
"Oh, this?" Noboru gently caressed the pendant in his hand, "It's my understanding that gifts are meant to be cherished."
'I still needed to get a gift for Chocho.'
"Oh, and what gave you that idea?" Rin raised her arms, stretching them up and as high as they could go.
"The idea itself I've always had, but practicing it is new to me. I guess you could say, a person did."
"Are they a special person?"
"Yeah, they are."
"And what about-"
"Hey, Rin?"
"Hmmm?"
"Rubin mentioned that you're from Kiri. If that's true won't we be enemies during the Mock Exams?"
Rin already knew that he hadn't mastered his 'Air Current Dance' and on top of that she'd seen him cast it with one hand. If they had to fight during the exams she'd have the advantage.
'But in exchange for that knowledge, I have the pendant. I guess it was worth it all things considered.'
"Come on, don't give me that. Really, we're all on the same team; we're competitors… not enemies," Rin corrected, "By the way, you don't get out much do you?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Embarrassingly so, put your head down. What are you trying to do? Stare the birds out of the sky?"
"S-Sorry," Noboru said, putting his head down.
He'd been looking up at the gray sky, and admiring the trees and how high up they were. He saw squirrels leaping over branches, and watched cats, possums, and other animals scurrying about.
"Kirigakure is the capital of the Land of Water. Every time the Mock Exams are held our village comes out on top, it shouldn't be any different this time around."
"Is that so? T-Then If I had to guess, Amegakure is usually last."
"Is it that obvious?"
Noboru couldn't help but to smirk at such a cheeky reply.
It wasn't long until Rin took Noboru off the main path, and the pair made their way into the forest to get to their destination. Noboru looked at the trees with a striking sense of unfamiliarity, and Rin watched him carefully absorbing every detail.
"So why is Miss Mikan so secretive?"
"If your family history was full of misery would you openly share that with others? Especially a student that looks up to you?"
"Hmm okay fine, but she's secretive about everything. What does she even eat?"
"You're her student, and you've never seen her eat?"
Noboru watched Rin puff her lips out unintentionally. She was pouting in her own weird way, but then her cheeks grew flush red.
'She's embarrassed'
"Well her taste in food leaves a lot to be desired." Noboru began. "She dips her rice balls in her coffee for example."
Rin's expression seemed to warm a bit, "she does what now?"
"You should ask her about it next time you see her. She has her reasons."
"What you just told me is far worse than anything you could've told me about your family."
"You're probably right."
Noboru continued to entertain Rin to the best of his ability, answering almost all of her questions.
After a few more hours a grassy opening presented itself, and both genin decided to take a moment to relax. Noboru slumped himself against a rock and stared up into the night sky.
Rin took out a canteen of water and drank some before handing the bottle to Noboru; he stared at it for a few moments before taking a sip,hydrating his body.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Rin asked.
Noboru turned toward her and saw Rin carefully maintaining her hair; but her brown eyes were fixated on the stars in the sky.
For the first time in years Noboru was truly at ease; for once the stars in the sky were obtainable, for once he was free to make his own decisions-he couldn't help, but blatantly smile.
"Uh, hello, earth to Noboru." Rin said.
"Oh, uh… Yeah, It is, especially now that I'm free to enjoy it."
Rin reached for the canteen she had handed Noboru earlier and continued to carefully analyze the boy she was traveling with.
"Hmm, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Noboru immediately regretted his words; he didn't want to share his life story with Rin- He didn't want to share it with anybody.
"It's nothing."
"Related to this Kosutta misery of yours no doubt!"
"We should keep moving."
Rin was curious, but respectful; she decided to honor Noboru's privacy for now.
The two walked for a few more hours in silence. Noboru thought about asking more questions, but one thing about his fight with Sejin had stuck with him, and he couldn't get it out of his mind.
'You lack resolve.' Noboru thought, 'what did he truly mean by that? It's not like I wasn't determined… It's not like I didn't want to win.'
Noboru continued this train of thought for hours on end, and Rin was happy to mull over him the entire time. The two were deep into the woods with almost no source of light to keep them company; so naturally, when one appeared just beyond a shrub a few feet away they were drawn to it like moths.
"Careful Noboru."
She moved her arm back, and carefully motioned him to follow. Soon the two were behind a few bushes; all they'd have to do is raise their heads to see what was going on in the area.
Rin, and Noboru carefully stuck their heads out to get a better look. What they saw was a dimly lit torch sticking up from the ground, and behind it was a child bound and gagged to a tree. Noboru's eyes widened in shock, but before he could speak, he felt a cold grasp on his arm- It was Rin.
"Noboru, I know what this looks like, but we need to think rationally here okay?"
Noboru turned his head and looked again at the child. It was a boy with blonde hair, and blue eyes; what stuck out most to Noboru however was the headband on his head.
"H-He's from the 'Hidden Stone' , " Noboru said, "I'm going to go take a look."
Noboru tried to pull his arm up, but Rin hadn't let go.
"Hold on," she said resiliently.
The girl finally let go of Noboru and placed her hands firmly on the ground.
"Ninja Art: Sensory Effect"
Noboru watched as a dim light appeared on the earth in the shape of a hexagram.
"It's a jutsu that lets me sense all the people, and animals around us as long as I channel chakra into it," Rin said, "there isn't anyone nearby."
She motioned toward the boy. "Go untie him, but like I said before, be careful."
Noboru heeded Rin's warning, and carefully stepped out of the bushes. Upon revealing himself the boy began to tremble in fear.
He looked at Noboru and started crying uncontrollably, shaking his head. Noboru noticed red marks on his chest just above the rope.
'It's hurting him.'
He pulled out a kunai, and used his good hand to cut the ropes, and as soon as he did the boy's internal organs flooded out of his body and onto the floor. His eyes locked onto Noboru's as he began to whimper loudly, then silently, then nothing. His head fell forward, and his headband fell off, and into the pool of blood.
Noboru started to shake in fear; his body quivering and convulsing repeatedly. Noboru brought his hands to his stomach, and immediately threw up; while on the ground he saw the boy's headband, and decided to pick it up, and place it inside his pouch.
Before he could do anything else he was jolted up by Rin. She grabbed his hand and started to run.
"I'm sorry about what happened, but you need to focus now!" Rin said.
Noboru felt his body being dragged along through bushes, and dirt; they were both running, but to Noboru it felt like he wasn't moving at all. All he saw was the boy's face; all he saw was his insides smeared all over the dirt.
"I was too focused on people." Rin said, "I wasn't paying attention to the animals nearby!" Rin beat herself up.
"I'm not sure how they detected us, but as soon as the boy died, I could sense three beings moving in our direction at incredible speed," Rin said, "Noboru, we won't last long out here in the dark without a sense of direction. I could create a source of light, but it would only make us easier to target. Your Kiidogan Noboru, use it now!" Rin yelled.
Noboru could feel tears welling up in his eyes; he barely paid any attention to his comrade
"I-I lack resolve." He muttered.
Rin looked back at him, but as she did an enormous beast leaped out of the woods and tried to slice through Rin.
"It's too late to cast jutsu," She decided, "Even if I could use one hand I won't be fast enough," She smirked. "Alright you beast… go ahead and take it."
The wolf's claw tore apart Rin's left arm; she felt it explode as various blood vessels erupted covering her face with her own blood. The wolf decimated her arm; but it was somehow still attached. Rin winced in pain and screamed.
She pulled her right arm forward and did her best to throw Noboru to the other side of the beast.
'Now I can cast jutsu.'
"Wind Style, Gustling Wind Technique!" She yelled.
Noboru felt the wind beneath his feet tugging on his body.
'W-What?''
The wind launched him like a bullet toward the sky; he felt branches, and twigs scrape up his body, but before he knew it, he was closer than ever to the stars. He was above every tree in the forest gazing at the moonlight.
Before he began his descent, he saw Rin not far from him gliding through the air. She had a kunai in hand and was managing herself against what appeared to be a massive wolf.
'Because of the jutsu's range, I was forced to bring you up with me. But I took gravity into account. Noboru, and I will survive the fall, but something as heavy as you won't. Especially if I do this!'
Rin raised her arm again and cast the same jutsu.
"Wind Style Gustling Wind Technique"
A gust of wind flew past Rin, and completely enveloped the wolf, sending it into the forest.
As Rin, and Noboru glided toward the ground the enemy was nowhere near. As Noboru walked back to Rin he saw her bent down over her hexagram jutsu.
"I can say for sure that they're gone. More importantly- why didn't you do anything?!" Rin yelled.
"You're a shinobi aren't you- from the Kosutta clan, right - Mikan's brother? Why didn't you activate your Kiidogan?"
Rin did her best to stop the bleeding in her left arm, but she'd need serious medical attention as soon as possible.
"I'm sorry…" Noboru said quietly. "I-I've n-never been in a real fight before." Mikan's little brother was constantly looking around for the enemy- he was scared.
"A-as for the Kiidogan I-It hasn't been activated yet… I don't think I ever will."
Noboru looked at Rin's wound, and fought to hold back tears, "You got hurt because of me- I'm sorry," Noboru said sadly. "If you want to go without me- you can."
"You should've told me that at the beginning. Are you hiding any more disappointing secrets?" Rin said cradling her bleeding arm, "I can see why Mikan kept you a secret, you're nothing like her."
It stung. Every word. Just as he thought he'd been making progress. He'd finally made it outside, he managed to sneak up on Natsuki, and now he was participating in the Mock Exams. However, the cruel reality of it was that all of those accomplishments had nothing to do with him. He was only outside because Rubin let him leave the village, he only knew where to go because Mikan assigned Rin to escort him, and the only reason that necklace was around his neck was because Minori, and Rin made it happen.
Noboru said nothing, and instead lowered his head, following Rin from behind. Instead of feeling proud, and gazing up at the stars it felt as though the stars were looking down on him.
The two finished the trip in silence, arriving on a small hill, overlooking a tiny village, and in the distance the pair could see a small dock with a handful of exam participants waiting.
"As much as I'd like to stick around and meet your colleagues, something tells me they're just as awful as you are. I'm heading to the village to get patched up, and then I'm finding my own way to Point Break. See you around."
Without looking back Rin trotted off toward the village leaving Noboru alone with his thoughts.
In the distance were a handful of exam combatants his age. He squeezed the pendant again, and made his way toward them.
'Resolve. I will not freeze again.'