[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you @--

PLEASE ASK BEFORE JOINING! THIS IS MEANT TO BE A FUN TORU WALKS AROUND THE GENIN AND NO ONE RECOGNIZES HIM THREAD SO CHARACTERS WHO KNOW WHAT HE IS ARE NOT PREFERRED FOR THE SAKE OF HUMOR!

The exams were beginning, and amidst all of the hustle and bustle of participants arriving along with their escorts, there was a sense of joy in the village of Mizu no Tera. It was usually used as a bit of a resort for nobles but had been cleared out for this very special event. The country would feel a boost from the cash flow found here with the sheer amount of people being kept. There were many familiar faces, one's that Toru acknowledged with quiet resolve. But, there were the less familiar too and these were the ones that interested him most.

Perhaps it was not safe for him to enter the grounds unattended, but no one ever said that he was not. His attendants were just exceptionally good at keeping out of the way.

But, the point here was not to see and be seen as Mizukage. Rather, it was to blend in. He came in as a genin here to participate in the exams. Dressed as he normally would be, with the Kirigakure symbol on display, poking out from underneath his hanten folded neatly over his body as to keep off the cold of not only winter but also the nearby sea.

He wanted to speak to, or at least listen to, to some of the genin that had arrived here. Which was why he was in the dormitory courtyard carrying grilled chicken on a stick and was munching on it quietly. He had no weapons on him, and there was no sign revealing that he might very well be the Mizukage either.

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." OLD ACQUAINTANCES After the almost incident involving Taki and Kasumi, Shigure decided to go back to the dormitory with his bag of Tayaki. He was feeling a bit down due to the hatred he saw in the girl's eyes and that was making him think long and hard as to the current standing of his village in the Shinobi world. There must be a reason why they were hated by so many, to the point that most villages he had come across, Mist, Rock, Waterfall, and Rain were all holding great animosity toward the Leaf. What did they do? Where they wronged, or the ones wronging others? Was there a way to mend those relationships, compromises to be met, or maybe they just had to face the fact that war and bloodshed were inevitable. It was a lot, and he knew that delving too deeply on such complicated topics would do him no good on the eve of his Chuunin Exams; those were matters for him to reflect upon after passing and climbing a bit more through the ranks, as an actual full-fledged shinobi rather than a rookie. He made it back to the dorms and entered the courtyard when his eyes came across a familiar face that made him stop right on his tracks. Shivers ran down his spine. Fear? In part, yes, for he knew this boy. Memories of their duel on the beach of Uzu no Kuni flashed before his mind, how easily he was beaten. If this boy was here, this meant that these exams were going to be extremely hard and he felt a bead of cold sweat dropping from his temple. His eyes locked on the boy, he decided to fight against his own instincts and self-preservation and approach him. "So we meet again, Himura Kame-san." he said, giving him a respectful bow. His expression was tense and serious, but he didn't mean any harm and that much was clear. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [325 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru paused he remembered that voice, less so the name he had come up with. But, once he saw who it was speaking to him he would stop and stare at the taller boy. He bowed and it made Toru tilt his head a little bit. He didn't bow back, an act had to be maintained to an extent. The name, or rather the nickname he had come up with for this boy made him remember their time on the beach together. So he was here. Then, he must have improved.

"I suppose we do," Toru responded, wracking his mind for the name of the other boy. Time had passed, and since that moment he had many things to keep in his mind. But, eventually, he would come up with a name as if it were procured from the deepest reaches of his memory, it was not a struggle conveyed on his face, but rather for how long he took to respond.

"Hyuuga Shigure."

Another pause as if he tried to think of what to say next, instead he took a bite of the grilled chicken on a stick. Chewing on it, as he were on chewing on the thought. Red eyes surveying Shigure neutrally, though he could see the sweat.

"Came from an exercise or just seen a ghost?" Originally, he had thought he might ask the other about his progression to get to this point, but surveillance of the other told him to say something else. Fear had a smell, and Toru could definitely sense it clinging to the boy in front of him, a boy, even if he was older.

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." RECOGNITION His heart was beating faster, his body had tensed up. He held not hatred or desire for vengeance, but he was scared. He could feel every single scar he acquired that day itching, and even though he was managing to control himself for the most part, a perceptive individual could definitely see there was fear in his eyes. Still, he was fighting against it, he was standing there without really cowering. Feeling fear is not bad in itself, it is actually useful, keeps one alert and cautious. The boy in front of him had remembered his name, and he nodded in confirmation. His next comment, however, showed Shigure just how perceptive he was; no wonder he beat him completely that day. Shigure's smile was bittersweet, and he scratched the back of his head, but didn't dodge from Toru's gaze. "To be honest, I was just intimidated. Your presence is imposing, and the memory of our duel is carved well in my flesh." he admitted; Shigure saw no point in lying to someone who had already seen through his fear. "Still, I learned a lot that day. And for that, I'm grateful. And for sparing my life as well." he said in a rather humbled tone. He wasn't just trying to be pleasant, that duel had a deep impact on Shigure's life, and pushed him towards trying his very best to become a better shinobi. He was humbled to the fact that the Gentle Fist, albeit still one of the strongest styles out there, was only as effective as their user is skilled. And he was seriously lacking on the later that fateful day. He could only hope he had improved since. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [281 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru acknowledged what Shigure said, but silently, not a muscle on his body twitched. He just stared, eerily into the white-ish lavender-ish eyes of the older boy. His words were a testament, to how time passed and how many things could change. There were scars, but they drove him to improve, for if he had not improved he would not be here. It was a part of his story, art upon the tapestry that was shinobi's flesh.

He did not speak immediately, only allowed the words to freshly settle upon the dewey ground around them. He would take another bite at that moment from the grilled chicken stick. It was halfway gone. Toru would finish, swallow, and once again he would speak.

"A lot has changed. You are here, that is a testament to that change." Slowly his hand holding the stick lowered away from his face, methodically. "I did not spare your life. I did not intend to take it, we are not at war..." Yet. They were not at war yet, but Toru made did not continue only trailed before resuming what he had to say. The point of it all.

"And I do not go around making international incidents on foreign soil."

He would inhale softly then and exhale.

"I hope you are ready if we are to fight again."

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." POWER AND SKILL A lot had changed indeed, for both of them. Maybe more so for the Hidden Mist shinobi than it did for Shigure, but the Hyuuga was a very different person than he was when they met in Uzu no Kuni. However, the boy's words made him arch one of his brows. He claimed he had not spared his life, and then explained that he had never intended on taking it anyways. That gave the Hyuuga a rather bittersweet feeling in his heart: on one hand, he was glad he wasn't trying to kill him there; on the other hand, it made it even more evident the gap in their strength. Shigure hoped that he would have closed in that gap, but seeing the boy in front of him gave him the opposite impression, for it felt like the gap had only increased. At the end, he didn't want to cause any issues between their villages, and that was something he was grateful for. When he met the likes of Kunikunosaku, she didn't seem to care about that at all; as a matter of fact, she seemed to rejoice the possibility of causing problems between herself and the entirety of the Hidden Leaf Village. Still, when he asked if he was ready to face him, Shigure shook his head. "To be honest, Himura-san. I thought the next time we met I would feel more confident about fighting you again. I've been training really hard, and also going on dangerous missions. Still, upon seeing you, it feels like the gap in our skill only increased." he said, scratching the back of his head. "It's embarrassing, and a little frustrating. But if we were to fight in the exam, I would lose. I think I would have to yield." he admitted with a deep sigh. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [304 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru did not understand the down talking, what about him had changed so significantly outwardly that Shigure was saying these things. It seemed as if he were defeated already, a defeatist attitude did not make a chunin. At least, not in Toru's mind. One had to be determined to succeed. Then again, one could also know one's own limitations. Though, in the case of these exams, it showed little to be done before one even got started.

The younger man continued to stare intensely at Shigure.

"Why do you think this?" He would inquire, wanting to know what the other was thinking, if only a bit. It was strange, the Konoha shinobi he had met in the past, most were quite full of themselves. This one seemed to train a lot, and doubt himself. And yet, Konoha also did nothing to bolster this one's confidence in himself. A valuable pawn in the village's fortification was put to waste.

Toru saw that Shigure could have been put to a lot more use in Kirigakure. A lot more. He would have been chunin already most likely as well. He could not imagine a scenario in which one of his soldiers would be Shigure's age, and not yet a chunin. It was disgraceful, truly a symbol for Konohagakure's ineptitude. But he kept these thoughts to himself, for now.

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." LIMITS OF STRENGTH Toru wanted to know why he thought that way, and he massaged his chin with his thumb and index, pondering about it for a moment. The boy in front of him was young, but his presence was almost overwhelming. Maybe because he had faced him before and by looking at him, there was this air of confidence, almost as if the boy knew he was a force to be reckon with. It was intimidating, even though Shigure managed to keep his cool about it. "Why, uh? When I look at you, it's as if I'm staring at a tall mountain I can't conquer. Your swordplay, the one I remember, is still something I don't think I can defeat. Now, if we were to fight in a team situation, that would be different, but one on one?" he paused, shaking his head. "To know your own limits is a sign of wisdom. Fighting a lost battle just to try and prove a point, I would likely die, and then deprive my village from the things I can still do to contribute to it." he explained, musing for a bit, wanting to be able to properly explain himself as he didn't want to be seen as a coward. "I don't plan on dying here, and fighting you, and some other people, taught me the value of recognizing when we are bested. And that retreat so you can live, improve, and fight another day is valuable and important. That's how I view things now, and I thank you for that, Himura-san." he admitted, giving him an honest smile. It was this lesson that allowed him to realise when he was at the limits of his strength while fighting Kunikunosaku, which gave him enough clarity to talk his way out of continuing that fight, while also getting her to compromise to his demands; she didn't know he was drained and unable to continue fighting, and he did good in hiding that. Strategy and mindfulness are paramount for a Shinobi. The Will of Fire was something he held dear, but that alone couldn't make him overcome all obstacles. He couldn't rely on miracles. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [360 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru listened, silently. His gaze was sharp, and intense, but not judgmental or condescending in nature. It seemed to simply be, it existed and others took what they needed from those red eyes. Sadness, intensity, boredom, treachery. Everyone ascribed something different in Toru, but in the end, mostly Toru only reflected their own projections, and never what he truly was. That was reality.

"Do not defeat yourself before you have begun. You do not know where I stand, or where you stand. You do not know where any of the genin at these exams stand." He would inhale slowly, his voice even, his words open for interpretation. "It is wise to know when to back down. But not before you begin."

Toru would wait for a beat, looking into Shigure's eyes, for a sign of something. Anything, really. He was not looking for a 'desired result' only that he would impact the other. Even if it was disgust or annoyance.

"It is strange though," He finally spoke out on his thoughts prior. Finishing off his chicken he would flick the wooden stick off to the side, it flew almost gracefully, landing perfectly in a nearby trash can. It seemed that Toru had an overall prowess in weaponry, though it was no doubt that he was the best at kenjutsu.

"Someone your age, the way you talk... And yet you are a genin. Konohagakure has failed you, Shigure. Perhaps you do not realize it. But they have not cultivated your potential into what it could be."

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." GROWTH Shigure listened carefully to Toru's words, and he recognized the wisdom behind them and he nodded to the boy, trying to absorb what he was now sharing with him. It was almost embarrassing to be lectured by the boy who looked so much younger than him, but he had learned that age wasn't an appropriate measure of someone's strength, and that he had much to learn with the white-haired boy. "I see... Indeed, you are right. I still have much to learn, and I'm grateful for your aid in that regard, Himura-san." when he said that, a smile took over his otherwise serious expression, a smile showing happiness and gratitude. Shigure was a humble man, and he was always willing to learn, so he could truly improve himself. When he spoke again, saying it was strange, Shigure arched one of his brows, curious as to what was on his mind. "Uhn? What do you mean, Himura-san?" he asked. His eyes followed the stick, for when Toru threw it into the garbage, Shigure noted his finesse and skill with that, and he remembered how amazing his swordplay was. He was indeed something else, and if he was participating in these exams, he needed to warn his friends and allies, for he was probably the toughest one of the bunch. Then, he went on about how his village had failed him, pointing out the fact that he was still a Genin at the age of twenty. Shigure sighed deeply when he heard those words. Deep down, he carried the frustration with how the village treated him, sidelining him on difficult missions, and refusing to test his mettle to grant him the rank of Chuunin through an internal exam. However, this was not how the whole village acted, and thanks to that, he had the opportunity to train with strong, skilled shinobi such as Kazuto and Tomomi. He chuckled lightly, not in mockery, he was just a bit embarrassed. His white-eyes reaching out to Toru's own. "I failed them first. I couldn't deal with the death of my teammates, my mind shattered and it took me years to put myself back together. I do agree, though, that the village came to see me as unfitting and weak, but I'm here to prove them I've grown, that I'm a different person now. I will change how the see me, and hopefully this will allow me to contribute more to my home, and my clan." he said, with a kind yet determined tone in his voice. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [421 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru was astounded to hear what he heard. But as always the control over his facial expression remained. An unnerving amount of control was it learned or handed to him on a plate through a series of traumas that he had to endure without anyone asking him if he had ever wanted to endure them in the first place? Kirigakure hardened individuals quickly, and with Toru, well he was a remarkable example of that.

"You did not fail the village when your teammates died." He stated, he could only imagine... One of his genin, losing both teammates. Kasumi... Kazue... Taru... Yanji... Asuna... Any one of them, if they lost their entire team he would not see them as weak. Perhaps their perception might have been as such due to Toru's imperceptible gaze, but that would have been not at all what he would think.

"It is their job to put you back on track. If they did not, they failed you. You do not carry this burden upon your shoulders. You serve the village, then it must reciprocate its service." There was a pause, there were a few genin walking around here. None of them though were paying the duo any attention.

"So, I say once again. Konohagakure no Sato failed you Hyuuga Shigure. And they will continue to fail you until you wake up."

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." UNDERSTANDING AND DETERMINATION It was oddly comforting to hear from Toru that the deaths of Natsuki and Kaito were not his fault. Shigure grew to believe that in due time, but it took him years to strengthen his mind enough to reach that same conclusion. It was, however, still a bit embarrassing, so the redness in his cheeks and the slightly depressed gaze in his eyes were enough clue that it was still a sore spot of sorts. "I appreciate your words, Himura-san. I came to that conclusion after a few years drowning in guilt." he admitted, shaking his head and sighing deeply. It was always painful to remember their deaths, the sense of impotence Shigure felt, when he was injured on the ground, unable to do anything to help those who were putting their lives on the line for his sake, and the sense of defeat that followed, when he was taken out of the exams, severely injured, and mentally broken. Toru's words were cold, but they were full of his own conviction. He insisted the village had failed him, and even though Shigure didn't like to admit it, he felt the same way. The only person giving him any sort of support, his uncle, was just sent on mission after mission until he died, which meant that yes, the Hyuuga punished Natsuo, but the village condoned that behaviour. "I see that. It's something that bothered me then, and still bothers me now." he admitted. It was odd, but he was feeling good around Toru, he felt like the boy understood him better than many others who crossed his path. His last words were harsh, and made him remember the Shodaime affair, of how he was completely sidelined due to his rank alone, and sent away so he wouldn't interfere. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply before nodding. "They did, you are right. And that's why I need to pass on this exam. I want to be the change I want to see in my village, and in my clan. It won't be easy, I know... The price of freedom is steep. But what kind of shinobi would I be, if I gave up before even trying, right?" he said, opening his eyes and cracking a large smile on his face; he had taken in what Toru said before. He had to try before even thinking on giving up. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [400 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru would give the other a nod. He at least understood, listened and agreed. But, Toru had one last little thing to say before they would part ways. After all, Toru could not wander around the dormitories all day, he knew that his keepers would get annoyed that he was mingling like this anyway.

"If struggle to change things, you may always address me in letter form." Toru would invite the other to do so. In due time, Shigure would find out about Toru's true identity and the concept would all be much more clear. But for now, Toru would leave it vague and begin to wander away.

"Well, I'm going to get more chicken. Perhaps you can introduce me to your friends sometimes..." And with that, he would begin to walk away. Would Shigure respond and follow or perhaps offer for them to go see his friends now? Would he let Toru wander away? Or, would he join Toru's side to go grab some chicken. It was a strange offer, but Toru wanted to see how Shigure felt all-in-all about coming along with him. Was he averse to the concept, or would he happily do so?

Though Toru was actually getting chicken, he was thinking about octopus too.

OWL

[Hyūga Shigure]

"a mysterious visitor". "No matter how many people you may lose, you have no choice but to go on living." CHICKEN He was happy to hear that the Mist shinobi was open to help him out, despite the fact that they belonged to enemy nations, that gave him some hope for the future of the ninja world. Shigure responded with a large smile and a firm nod. "Thank you, Himura-san. I will remember that." his tone was honest and kind. Then, the boy said that he was going to go grab more chicken, and it reminded Shigure he had a lot of Tayaki with him. "Oh..." Toru also suggested he could introduce him to some of his friends, and Shigure nodded. "Sure thing! But before you go, let me offer you one of these taiyakis. As a way to show my gratitude for your words." he said, grabbing one of the packages of Taiyaki and offering it to Toru. Regardless if he accepted it or not, Shigure's stomach complained, probably due to the chicken, grumbling loudly. Shigure blushed with that and scratched the back of his head. "By the way, mind if I join you for some chicken? It looked rather appetizing!" he admitted, as he rushed to follow Toru; food was his weakness, and he couldn't really resist the prospect of getting a nice snack even though he had a bag of treats with him at the moment. "So what if it seems hopeless? If it were me, I still wouldn't give up. Embrace your dreams. And, whatever happens, protect your honour as a Shinobi, for the price of freedom is steep." Pre-Chuunin Exams Courtyard [Kaguya Toru] [218 words]

[Kaguya Toru]

if i'm a danger to myself Just think what I could do to you Hyūga Shigure

Toru shrugged, which was in his language, neither approval or denial of the other following him around. So, in other words, in some way Shigure was allowed to come along even if Toru did not speak again he just went to go grab more chicken. Someone would likely see them, but it didn't matter. Toru was posing as a child right now, and very few would realize that he was the Mizukage. Perhaps some Kiri shinobi, but certainly nobody from a foreign village. He had the upperhand in this, as while most knew that there was a 'young' Mizukage. Nobody knew how young, and certainly not what he looked like. The hidden villages were just that isolated. He accepted the taiyaki quietly, holding them gingerly before beginning to walk.

So, he walked along going to the stand.

Leading Shigure along. Once he got to the vendor he would ask for several skewers, six to be exact. Three for himself, and the other three he would hand over to Shigure. Denying the other the opportunity to pay for the food...

And that was, in essence the end of their 'journey' so to speak... Toru would linger near the vendor to eat though.

OWL