[Kirigara Sugita]

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[attr="class","sugita"]The travel home seemed to take decades and yet only minutes as his mind wondered into various labyrinths of worries and hypotheticals. Guards had come to give him notice just after the second round of the Chuunin exams had ended. His standing, while nothing spectacular, was now sure to be a failed attempt to graduate. He was to return home. Now. The Chuunin exams were by far the least of his worries, however. Word of his sister’s illness had pulled him back home. He didn’t waste a single moment in packing his things, even scrounging extra room to take home the lovely robe that Wahei had gifted him. Trembling hands sat at his thighs as he waited in a white-walled room. Cold and echoing with a painful silence, he simply waited. It seemed like another few hours in the same continued silence that he had on his trip back home only this time his heart could be heard beating over the air blowing into the room above instead of over the pounding of both his feet and the escort that accompanied him home.

Sugita had been told nothing of importance so far, and his mother was no where to be found. He assumed that she was with his sister, though why had he not been brought back to her room. The thought brought a lump to his throat. White walls. White tiles. White Styrofoam on a white tabletop. White hands as knuckle squeezed knuckle with only grey staring at the white clock above to contrast.

That was two days ago. The fear from that day paled in comparison. Everything that had been white two days before had turned black. Grey hues now collapsed downward, black sags underneath. The sky was black. The umbrella was black. The skin at his knuckles were black and bruised. His robes were black. The coffin was black. The cries were endless like a black abyss. His mind was blank like a dark…black…room.

That was a week ago. Hard to imagine. Hard to forget. The black of his knuckles was now back to normal. The sags under his eyes were beginning to fade, though the blankness under grey hues still wandered effortlessly. He would knock at the door in front of him that led to the Ame Lord’s office. In doing so, he would straighten his stance and lighten his face, though easily he was crumbling within.

"Kirigara Sugita. May I enter?” he asked, managing to not allow his voice to crumble. He would wait for an answer to enter.

In his hands: white papers with black ink about how he'd failed once again.

TAKEDA SANOSUKE™

[TAKEDA SANOSUKE™]

"You may.."

His words echoed confidently as he continued to navigate through all the paperwork on his desk. To say his work as Lord 6th was eventful was an understatement, and while many of the higher ups who were aware of what went down early at the boarders of Hi no kuni and Arashi might not have agreed with it the turnaround was nothing short of a success. Not only for his own reputation, but that of the villages in addition to everything he gained from said conflict.

Of course there was the alliances he managed to establish with Yukigakure and Kirigakure, and hopeful of the alliances he would build with Taki and Iwa in the coming months. There was a lot of work to be done especially now that the Chuunin exams were over. Which of course would be the reason for todays visit from Sugita in addition to a number of other things. As the young lad walked in the through the door a raise would be stretched across for him to stand before him.

"Failure.. I guess that's why we're here right?"

A sigh escaped from him as he collected all the papers on his desk and begin to mesh them together in different piles so it would be easy for him to navigate through once he was done with him. "Fortunately for you we aren't.. But before we get to that, how have you been holding up?" As the Amelord there was no reason to believe that he wasn't up to speed with what was going on in personal life, and while the nature of his body language wasn't fair to the boy he hoped he'd be able to make up for it with what came after.

He might not have passed the exams, but he got enough from the note given based on his performance earlier in the exams to believe that he showed enough promise to warrant another chance. Especially with what he accomplish on a separate task he was sent to partake in not long before the exams started. That of course ended with success which he felt warranted the opportunity for one, but he wouldn't get into all that just yet.

As promised he would do everything he could to not be like the last regime which he felt of course could be way more harsh than they were understanding, and while there were many who wouldn't be afforded the same luxuries as the boy standing before him it was fair to say that he was worth the risk while many others weren't. Hard choices still had to be made and he hoped that today wouldn't be one of them. Sanosuke still had high hopes for his favorite Genin.

[Kirigara Sugita]

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[attr="class","sugita"]The confidence in his voice penetrated the door with a resounding level of authority. The sound alone made Sugita shrink backward momentarily. The young man would enter, keeping his head held high despite the weight of the past week on his shoulders. His levels of confidence were severely lacking, but more so he was struggling for hating himself for even trying to participate in the Chuunin exams. If he’d never gone back to trying to be a shinobi…he would never have been at the exams. If he had never been at the exams…perhaps she’d still be alive. Maybe. But Sugita knew he couldn’t heal wounds like that. Her body was ravaged with an invisible disease. Ame’s best doctors weren’t even able to save her, so how could he?

He would line himself in front of the Ame Lord, his eyes distant but standing to attention, even as the word echoed in his ears.

Failure.
Failure.
Failure.

Sugita wouldn’t budge. He wouldn’t even breath.

The rhetorical question that was presented afterwards made his face flush from slight embarrassment. It was easier to feel embarrassed than it was to feel useless. He would nod subtly to answer Lord Sanosuke’s question, but he was unable to find his voice. Perhaps it was stuck under the lump at his throat. The past was still choking him.

White.
Black.
White.
Black.
Grey.

Sugita blinked almost cluelessly. "I wasn’t…what, sir?” He cocked his head, his eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t follow. What…was he not? The next question did not leave Sugita time to ponder on it any longer. He would leave it as that, just as Lord Sanosuke had requested.

His shoulder would remain stiff and to attention, his hands would remain behind his back.

White knuckles.

"My family and I, we are managing.” Sugita spoke of his sister, assuming that Sanosuke would have already heard of her death. "Mineki’s burial was last Sunday.” A small smile crossed his lips to mask the pain.

Black robes.

"Many people showed their support. She was brave to the end, you should know. She would have been a fantastic addition to Ame’s forces.”

His grey eyes would travel upward, meeting Sanosuke’s gaze. He would peer into them, trying to make out any kind of reaction, but Sugita wasn’t fantastic with reading others, so his eyes would flutter nervously.

TAKEDA SANOSUKE™

[TAKEDA SANOSUKE™]

"I do not doubt that for a moment.. My heart goes out to your family, and I hope you loved ones including yourself are able to make it through."

Losing someone could not be easy. Sanosuke was fortunate to not have to experience many of those in his clan from when he was growing up, but that of course changed the moment he became the AmeLord. There was nothing like having to do a job that meant finding a way to be okay with putting the lives of others in harms way. The council said it would get easier, but honestly? It never does. Somehow you just find a way to become numb to it all.

What Sugita was going through would change their lives forever, but Sanosuke wished for it to change for the better. The boy had a choice and one of them was spiraling out of control. That was something he would never be okay with. The boy had too many promising qualities that he wished to not be wasted like he did all those years ago when he gave us just because the going got tough. Granted, what he was going through was different, but in a since it was all the same to him.

"You do remember what we spoke of the upon your reinstatement right? Do not let me down I said did I not?"

Sanosuke would allow a brief moment of silence in case he felt he needed something to add. If he did not he would merely cut in again. "I do not feel you have, and while you didn't necessarily accomplish our goal at the exams I wouldn't say you've been a failure either. Outside of the exams you've manage to do quiet a lot between missions and of course making myself and the village look well for what you did in Yuki."

"I still believe there is more to you than your failures, so I'll say this." Another brief pause was taken so that he could slide his chair back and stand up. "Upon putting out so more work in the field I'll promote you myself.. I've also decided to take it upon myself to make you one of my bodyguards.. You'll be weaker than my other, but I see this as a chance to help groom you into the Shinobi I feel you can become... Sounds good?"

[Kirigara Sugita]

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[attr="class","sugita"]Sugita would not budge; his face would be unmoving as Sanosuke said his piece. It was hard, but he knew that death was a daily occurrence in their line of work, and his heart would need to grow strong enough to endure the pain that came with it. While it hurt right now, he wouldn’t let it show, but he would bow deeply and would hold it there as he showed his gratitude for the man’s words. The boy felt blank, empty. He had turned off whatever switch it was that allowed him to feel. A little at a time, he would let it out, but this was not the place or the time. Right now, he had to show strength.

After a few moments he would ride, his grey eyes meeting Sanosuke’s. "I greatly appreciate your words, Lord Sanosuke. I will make sure my family is made aware of your thoughts.”

He would listen as the Sanosuke continued, nodding with narrowed brows. "Of course.” He would then shake his head. "I’ve lived on those words. I’m sorry if I—” His eyes would widen and waver as he felt a lump form in his throat. He couldn’t swallow it, but he feared that the Ame Lord could see it through his neck, stiff and quivering.

Sugita had not failed him? The words hit the young man with a great force, and he felt weak at the knees. Of the white and black of recent days, color began to show, etching itself around the windows as light shone through the water-stained frame. The young man would simply nod, his head remaining hunkered down as he fixed himself into a repetitive nod. Somehow it made the lump fell less restrictive as if he was convincing himself that was Lord Sanosuke had said was true.

He would continue to listen, allowing for the Ame Lord to speak his thoughts clearly. As the words, "I will say this…” exited his mouth, Sugita would raise his head, his eyes again meeting the Lord’s. And upon his continuation, Sugita would take in a deep breath.

It seemed like the first one he had taken in his life. It filled his lungs with life. His head felt light, but not lightheaded. Sugita did not smile, but he did not frown. The greys stayed grey, the white stayed white, but the blacks began to show hue as if a light trickled hope at the edge of the tunnel.

He took the Ame’s words.

Another breath. This which he held to feel the life it gave.

His bodyguard?

"Sir…you trust me to do something as important as this…?” Sugita looked at Sanosuke curiously. "I cannot express how grateful I am, Lord Sanosuke…”

And he truly couldn’t. What was there to say? He couldn’t refuse. As much as Sugita believed he was undeserving of such an honor, it was Lord Sanosuke himself that requested it. It was in that way an order.

TAKEDA SANOSUKE™

[TAKEDA SANOSUKE™]

"I think the more interesting question is whether or not you trust yourself. Because I trust me, and you'll have to learn to do the same.. How far you go will depend on how hard you work and believe me there will be a lot of work."

Sugita might have been grateful now, but what his life would become after this meeting would not be easy. Sanosuke might not have had the fire that lord Tatsuo possessed, but he most certainly possessed the seriousness and worth ethic required of being a Shinobi. He wasn't in this position for nothing after all. Sugita would trained directly under him until his fighting prowess reached the level Sanosuke felt he was capable of.

Nevertheless, for now he would go as easy on the boy as he could as losing a member of your family was something that was not taken lightly among the Takeda. So for the time being he'd give Sugita a chance to feel the warmth of support from his superior until he felt he was ready to take the heat. "I want great things from you Sugita.. I really do. As I stated the moment we first met in this very room you are very much like myself when I was around your age."

"You have greatness lurking within you, but the only way you'll ever get there is if you believe it.. Myself and others can only do so much; I need you to want it all for yourself. Your family, your comrades, and your village."

"Going forward your journey will not be an easy one, and while it appears you are getting special treatment from me now it will not feel that way once we get started so I hope you're ready kid."

[Kirigara Sugita]

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[attr="class","sugita"]Sugita would lower his head, grey eyes deep within their own world of thought. Lord Sanosuke’s question had been a good one. Did he trust himself? Had he ever? His sister had trusted him. His teammates had trusted him. It seems he had let people down more often than not, but the man before him did not seem let down.

A fierce look rebounded as his eyes raised toward the Ame Lord. In recent months, he had been through many difficult challenges, and each had taught him that he was not the same person he used to be and that he never had to be that person again. With a little confidence and both friends and mentors at his side, he knew he could do wonders.

Sugita felt he had the support that he needed, and the mindset he had now was ready to face the world beyond. He had people he cared about, both alive…and gone. "I can’t change the past, Lord Sanosuke…but I can be there to change the future.”

He would pause, losing himself in his own thoughts again, fleeting images of the past year coming and going. "I’ve lost … and I’ve gained… and one thing I know is that I’m not the person I used to be.” He clenched his fist at his side. "I’ll fight tooth and nail to make sure the future of this village is forward and upward only for every day that I breathe.”

Grey eyes would turn more serious and focused. "I swear to you, I won’t let you down. Be as hard on me as you would have been on yourself. I expect no less, Lord Sanosuke.” He would bow deeply, chest on an angle with the ground below. He would rise only after several seconds passed. Sugita’s head felt light, and color was shining in his surroundings. The loss was still heavy in his heart, he had something to fight for.

To not lose another.

He’d paused again, this time a smile more revealing of his age would show. "Better than yesterday, not as good as tomorrow…right, sir?”

And he would start with cleaning up the slums.

TAKEDA SANOSUKE™

[TAKEDA SANOSUKE™]

Despite the loss among other things he'd been dealing with Sanosuke still believed that Sugita could reach his full potential. The amount of work they would need to put in together would be a lot, but so long as he was willing to weather the storm he could make it. From the looks of it Sugita was ready to give this opportunity all he had and that was all Sanosuke could ask for. It was unbecoming of a man in his position to pull such a move, but Sugita was worth it to him.

"Hmm, interesting quote.. Didn't know you were the reading type."

Sanosuke added with a faint grin before he reached over and grab a sheet of paper from his desk and slid it over. "Its not secret that there is one specific point of the village that has remained unchanged for generations. With all the success we have had over the years we're looking to finally transform the slums into something we can all be proud of." On the paper it would have a guide of what he wished to take place and how he wanted it to be done.

"The project has already been started, but there is definitely still room for someone like yourself to help to make this happen. The people there aren't going to be happy about it, but you'll see it through that they understand why this needs to be done. They'll be happy to know we aren't going to modernize it the way the rest of the village is, but it'll still come with a necessary upgrade. That way all parties are happy."

"With that being said, you're dismiss. Get to work and don't be surprised when you're summoned again as well. We got lots of work to so and I have some traveling to do as well you'll be apart of."

[Kirigara Sugita]

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[attr="class","sugita"]
A smile appeared on the young man’s face. The truth was, he wasn’t much of a reader. It was just something he said from time to time. Sugita didn’t see a reason in bringing that matter up with the Ame Lord, though.

Grey eyes would watch as Lord Sanosuke spoke, sliding a piece of paper over his desk to Sugita. The boy would pick it up, looking at its contents with admiration. The plans he had for the slums were an incredible testament to his devotion and love for his people. His work spread far beyond just looking and acting the part, as Sugita knew had happened in the past with other nations. No. Sanosuke cared for his people, and it showed in the effort he put into advancing their quality of life.

It brought a warm feeling to Sugita’s chest as he glanced over the outline of the man’s project. This would become Sanosuke’s legacy in Amegakure as the Ame Lord. If that was the case, then Sugita would be his weapon. He would be his shield.

"Lord Sanosuke, I would be honored to assist you in your ambitions. I will begin right away.” He would bow deeply. "I appreciate your time in seeing me, as well as the opportunity to serve by your side.” He would lift his head, a fierce look in his eyes. "I will not let you down.”

Sugita would take his leave.

The doors outside would lead to a world fuller of color where he could see much farther than before. He would walk towards a brighter future, leaving the darkness behind him.

TAKEDA SANOSUKE™