Eyes Wide Shut, yet the Mind stayed Open (IO | NK)

Toran felt disillusioned after that fateful day inside of the arena. The idea that a connection, or even hint of betrayal would cause an event to be orchestrated entirely around your death scared him to his very core. Yet he still wanted to go out for the day. He had remained cooped up inside of the small apartment he was living in for too long throughout the week. Yet it was mainly because of what he wished to do in the future. He needed strength, and with strength came presence and influence. However, he had no one to really call an ally or a friend after everything he had been through. Typhon had just gone through the death of his father, and had seemingly retired from shinobi duty. His other teammates were either dead, or too busy with their forge. His sensei was also missing, and he didn’t really have anyone else to talk to. The Nova Exams having been announced so long ago feels like a distant memory. The festivities had grown thin as the days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months of anticipation. He had no interest in the exams personally, but he knew that there were others displeased with Hoshigakure as of late, whether it was as a village or simply because of its connection with the religious sector of the village.

Yet Toran decided to walk around the main central square of Hoshigakure. A red jacket covering his long white T-Shirt. His signature black pants and now closed toed shoes allowed him to feel comfortable in the environment he was in. The soft chill breeze of fall brushed against his skin like a blade. Yet he remained firm in walking around the village. He wanted to see all the sights that he could. He had gained a few bits of cash as a result of some generous donations given to him by both relatives, and others inside of the village for doing them small favors. Yet Toran felt something off. There was a feeling of despair that he couldn’t shake off, one that had him continuing to see Isaribi’s fallen form. She had been taken down with a single swing of the blade by Akaboshi. He didn’t know why, but the thought sickened him to his core. There had to have been a better way, even if she was suspicious, there had to have been something that he could have done to help Isaribi’s case, even if she was suspicious. He didn’t understand it, that suspicion had led to so much death. The actions of his village were strange to him, it wasn’t the Hoshigakure he had been raised to respect. He saw first hand the dark underbelly of the village, and that there would be no prisoners taken even if there was a hint of suspicion. His eyes scanned the area, finding a lone bench near the auburn covered trees. The falling leaves create a gorgeous environment for him to collect his thoughts. He remembered a time when he and Isemori would train, where they would discuss so much with each other. He remembered Hikari, his team, Yamato, Typhon, Morio, and Hotaru. No one seemed concerned about her death, no investigations were being made.

All of it felt so strange to the young Uchiha, yet he had nothing to speak of for it. Instead, he only found himself alone on the wooden bench by the side of the road. His thoughts cluttering his head like a fog, leaving him with almost no way to escape it.

WC:593
TWC:593

Joro woke to the sky casting a bright blue all around, with the sun's rays lighting the streets of Hoshigakure. Below his bed, he could hear the joy of Hoshigakure. The city square. He enjoyed living in the city more now, although he did miss the simplicity of the country outside of it. He hoped that he could make it back to the country. He knew that he needed to go for a walk so he could find

Joro had shaved and was toweling his face when he noticed something popping out of his closet. As he finished his shave, he turned from the mirror. He walked to the closet and slid open the door. As he looked in he found himself a dark green hoodie; he found it to his liking. He wondered where it had come from as he had not bought it himself. Maybe it was from the previous owners of his home. But he decided to throw it on. It fit him well over his broader shoulders and strong chest as he walked over to throw on some pants to go with it and threw on some comfortable boots for his walk that day. As he headed out he made sure to bring Stout with him that morning. Hoping the little critter would follow along quickly as he had a slightly pressing feeling he was late. But for what, he did not know, yet.

Joro headed out of the house, locking his door behind him and ensuring the shades were shut so no one looked into his place. Although he didn't worry too much as he hadn't brought anyone to his house. So, theoretically, no one was aware of his living situation besides maybe the bank he purchased the house from. Maybe he should have a housewarming party. But with who? Although Joro was social, he wasn't sure who to invite. For now, he decided to focus on maintaining peace within himself and maybe do some training later. As he walked along with Stout by his side he passed the people of Hoshigakure, smiling at each and every one of them.

Joro was developing as a man of the people and realizing the importance of people in general. Outside of his safety. This had caused him to wonder about his interaction with the gates from the wander, Ciel, and Tsunayoshi. Tsunayoshi had slain the man in cold blood before he could even state his case on why he should be able to enter their village. He just jumped on the man and slashed his head off. Which wasn't even the oddest thing that day. After Tsuna had done that. He looked over at the two lower-ranking Shinobi and started scolding them. For doing nothing. Joro had simply been coming to switch shifts, and he was ending up being talked down on. Which was quite an interesting day. He remembered his brief comment to the Nova Corps member, and then how he disappeared as he didn't want the headache. If Tsuna wanted to patrol the walls, and that's how the heads of Hoshigakure handled it. Then Joro had the wrong idea.

As he walked more, he saw a young man who looked to be a similar age. He sported a red jacket covering a long white T-shirt. He was sitting on a wooden bench and there was an open spot. As Joro walked up to the young man he looked at him fondly and said, "Hey, this seat taken?" he smiled at the young man and his voice sounded sweet and calm. Joro wondered if he knew the man or not. But he felt some familiarity with him.

WC: 611

Toran’s eyes wandered to the sides of the dirt road, the smell of the fall trees gave him a sense of calm even in this worrying time. He had already packed up most of his belongings. He wanted to explore the world, and wanted to do it without the fear of this village. Yet he couldn’t have both in his life. His family would survive, at least, he hoped they would survive. His actions could not be forced onto his family. This was his burden, and his burden alone. The soft breeze of the wind carried his hair above his eyes. He caught the beauty of the village, serene hills and vibrant brown and red trees over the pearly white walls of Hoshigakure’s heavenly gate. Yet there was a presence that was so unfamiliar, yet he felt he had seen it once before. His head turned for a moment, only to be greeted with a boy slightly older than himself. Pure auburn hair with tanned skin and blue, shimmering eyes. He was surprised to see someone his age around here, given that he hadn’t seen anyone around his age in a long, long time.

“No, this seat is free,” He said, Toran’s tone was cool, a sense of familiarity could be felt between the two. He remembered seeing someone very similar to Joro’s look back in the unseen university, but that was almost a year ago now, and he had much bigger things to deal with. The Uchiha kept himself reserved, his posture straight and firm, almost similar to a training dummy. His charcoal eyes stared out towards the plains beyond the heavenly gate, to the borders and even beyond it. He couldn’t stay here, not when there was so much of the world to explore. Not when there was so much he could learn. Yet, if Joro had sat down, the Uchiha would remember those that he had met before him, how they were the ones who always asked him about his life.

Maybe it was the chance for a new beginning of sorts, starting with someone who was his peer.

“So, what brings you out here?” He asked. His tone, while warm, felt almost forced in a way. He sounded almost nervous to ask Joro what he was doing. Toran felt embarrassed, his face slightly nervous while asking someone a simple question. He wondered how others were able to talk so easily, and wondered if perhaps Joro was the same way.

WC:413
TWC:1006

Joro noticed the young man was keeping his posture straight as an arrow. Looking out beyond the gates of Hoshigakure. Interesting, he thought. Maybe this man shared a similar thought to Joro. But for now, he couldn't tell or guess for that matter. As he had motioned towards the chair the man had answered him back saying that it was indeed, free.

"Sweet, how's your day going? Anything exciting?"

Once the boy responded, Joro would follow him with an interested gaze, one filled with the joy of meeting someone new, yet seemed so familiar. If the boy chooses not to speak, Joro would take the time to fill in some of the silence. Either way, his response if he were asked the same question would be, "It's been pretty good, good breakfast and tea. Plus a newfound hoodie," he said, his voice soft and full of joy. The words rolled off his lips like a gentle breeze in spring. "I've been making plans, well plans to do some traveling. Just for a change of scenery as well as some exotic teas. As that is one of my two main passions. Outside of being a shinobi of course! The other is writing, which I'm hoping I get to find some wonderful spots on my travels."

He took a moment to wait for Toran's reply. Until Toran asked him another question.

In answer, he would say, "Well, you see. I just wanted to get out of the house. Breathe a little. Always feels good to walk. Sometimes teleporting all around can get a little boring. And also doesn't help one stay physically strong. Mentally sure. But not physically. So, gotta keep that up. Plus, like I said earlier, I'm planning a trip and hopefully, it'll be a very good one. Full of adventure and excitement," he said, his voice still soft and flowy as usual. But with a slightly higher joy in it. Like the sun glittering the sand on a warm sunny day. The young man ruffled the back of his hair as he sat down and kicked out his feet as Stout began to look at him curiously.

Joro sat looking at Stout as the latter looked at Toran with interest. While he looked at the other young man for a moment he soon turned and sat on the bench beneath the two men. Taking a quick nap it seemed.

"Poor guy, he gets tired at the oddest of times. But, I think he is just not used to being on the road all the time. His previous owner did more traveling. So, I'm hoping that the travel will do him some good. Oh, by the way. Sorry for not asking earlier, but what's your name?"

WC: 456
TWC: 1067

“No, nothing exciting, at least, nothing today that’s been overly exciting. . .” Toran responded. Not really understanding how he had come across someone else who was such a smooth talker. Yet his face remained somewhat blank, only staring back now at the lands beyond what this village held. His left eye caught Joro’s expression, the way he looked out onto the lands beyond what was inside of this cozy place they called home. He could tell that Joro was boisterous about what his plans were, with Toran wondering why he was the one cursed with being unable to speak like a human being. He was quickly interested in Joro’s own reason for being here. Similar to himself, Joro wished to travel around the world. The reasoning, however, almost made Toran chuckle, the smallest form of a smile lightly graced Toran’s face. The small bags under his eyes from the sleepless nights of packing and potential planning had gone into full swing, but he swore he couldn’t shake this feeling of uneasiness in his heart for all that could go wrong. He hadn’t done anything wrong against Hoshi, the village simply didn’t feel like home anymore.

“What places did you have in particular? I’ve heard there’s great places in the south outside of Konohagakure and Kirigakure’s borders. I’ve heard stories about their being ancient ruins that can be seen looking down at the great sea, but I haven’t seen it myself, only tales I’ve read from books and my mother.”

Toran looked on as Joro responded, now grabbing his attention, the mention of teleporting shocked him, a skill that he was unable to use, and another reminder of what he’s potentially missing. His eyes went back to looking out beyond the heavenly gates, towards the red and orange colored sky that meshed with the dark blues of the night. Toran nodded his head, tilting his head back towards Joro before seeing stout staring up at him, his eyes almost bulging out of his head from how much the dog was begging. Toran’s hand nervously came up from his side, placing the palm of his hand gently on the head of stout, right before beginning to pet him. Toran’s lips had fully turned into a small smile.

“Certainly seems like a good place to take the little guy with, I’m sure it’ll do wonders for him,” Toran said, right before Joro had asked who Toran exactly was, giving the young man another pang of guilt from what he had done using that name. Yet it was a name he’d have to keep, “ The names Toran, Toran Uchiha, what’s your name?”

Toran continued to shower Stout with attention, his hands, coarse and rough from exercise, doing well in scratching the dog's fur. All the while Shiro awaited an answer.
WC:465
TWC:1471