My Weakness Named Love.

These sensations weren't new to Toshiyuki. The subtle patter of rain on window panes. Tinges of pain screaming through his bones. The smell of sterilized walls imprinted on his sinuses. He was here the same reason as always: He was no good as a ninja. He never wanted to be a ninja. He never wanted to be a Ryuutei. He was never cut out for the task. He simply wasn't made of the same stuff. To think he'd had the arrogance to apply to the chunin exams just cuz they were close. To be beaten so far into the ground by another genin with just an axe showed just how inadequate he was. Even recently, with just two fresh genin he was put in here. He'd just wanted to prove something to himself. He'd sit up from the hospital bed, ignoring the cries of his body screaming for him to anything but. It was a welcomed distraction. Slowly he'd stand noting multiple barely healed fractures from throughout the fight, stitches would leak, his head would ring. The genin would limp out to the balcony he shared with the room next door grabbing his hoodie on the way out.

He could see out in the distance on this stupidly gloomy day, a the light of countless lanterns piercing through the rain. He'd never met Hana Kaguya. He knew nothing about the kage as he suspected she knew nothing about the no name genin who couldn't even make it through to the tournament portion of the chunin exams with the help of a proctor. His mind wandered more. It was a joke to think that he could have compared to those with talent, but he knew that even before he'd failed. Dead, tired eyes wandered over to his neighbor's room as he peered inside. Lost in the past, the figure on the bed wrapped head to toe in bandages with tufts of pink hair jutting out reminded him of the Kiri genin who'd he'd met then. The one who'd fallen for the Mizukage. Been betrayed by her. Unlike him though, she'd shown talent and promise. All he had were his memories. There was no way such an asset'd be here unguarded.

Toshi's tilted his chin up letting the rain wash away the face of pain because, with the rain coming down as hard as it was, perhaps no one could tell he was crying. He'd prose long washed away from most's memories to one who'd been betrayed and left defeated on the ground. Toshi didn't forget. He never forgets. He'd repeat it aloud, “None of these people are my friends or allies. I don’t know them. Anyone I ask for help with could stab me in the back. Anyone I help would result in more competition for the finalist spot later. There’s nobody here that I can trust.” He'd pause sniffling deeply and damming up quivering breaths and years of tears. "You already knew that, so why? Why did you let your guard down. Everyone. Every one of us spends more time tearing others down than working towards our own happiness. In a world full of saboteurs, all you have is yourself. It doesn't matter how sweet, wise, or kind they sound. Everyone else is a chink in your armor, right? Isn't that what it means to be a ninja?"

The dam would crack. "Damnit All!" He'd slam his fists against the bars of the balcony. "It was never supposed to be my responsibility." Another crack. "I just... Could I didn't but... I never wanted to let you down like this. I just can't be both." His face would crunch up in anguish, and he'd clutch at his chest. "I don't want to lose anymore. Never! Nothing! No One!" Toshi didn't know it, but something special would've been lost had he given in and let the shopkeep die. Slowly the symbols beneath his jacket would change. A condition had been met. "How could you leave me like this?!" He'd yell to the memorial. "Who the hell gave you permission?! What gave you the right to abandon all of us?!" That was it. That was all that was left. Any remnant of the dam holding back the tears was gone. He wasn't yelling at the Mizukage as he screamed at the silent memorial, but yet it brought out something he couldn't explain. There was no more hiding from it. No more pretending about it. It hurt, and he cried. Uncontrollably, he wept. "Why," he'd whimper with jagged breath as weak legs could support weight no longer. Reaching into his coats breast pocket, he retrieve a repaired ivory flute. "Why did you leave me my sweet, little brother?" Toshi thought to himself, O the sweet, salty ambrosia of tears and rain dance down his flute as the cold, afternoon sun was hidden behind the rain. Just as lost to me as Toshiyuki was. Maybe I should just leave.

[WC= 825]

The rain would slowly stop. dull brown eyes had been replaced and his chakra danced with a melancholic tempo around him. Toshiyuki would be left with his thoughts until the evening cradled his chin through the break in the clouds. "Hiro~ It's time for you to get up now, yeah?" Without speaking another word, Toshi would walk back inside grab, his stuff and head down near the memorial. Slamming his hands into the ground he'd initiate the summoning jutsu, pouring in every thing he had. This name didn't belong to one who gave up this easily. His name belonged to the one who would sit before all of the Ryuutei, and he'd change Kiri from the inside out. He'd tap his wound, smearing a line of blood up his contract, and going through the motions of actually doing the hand seals for summoning. Kneeling down, he'd slam his hands onto the ground and a great serpent would appear wrapped around him.

"Eh? The hell are you?"

"Ryuutei Toshiyuki, and I'd like to formally like to introduce myself as a contractor, Ikuchi? Faces, told me I'd have to challenge you for the right to summon you."

"Nah punk, you got it all wrong. I'm Ikuchi's grandson. Faces though, huh? Let's test your mettle then punk." As quickly as he spoke it the eel would grab onto Toshi's jacket slinging him across the courtyard. With a string of hand seals Toshi's hair would grow considerably, wrapping around his body in a sort of snaking pattern before lashing out at the eel. 10 mins would pass. Then 20. the two would eventually slow until the both were out of chakra and breath.

"So then what's your name, Grandson of Ikuchi."

"Gambino," the eel would search for more breath, "You're not half bad, but watch your mouth."

"This isn't even my final form." Toshi would snicker holding his arm out as Faces would appear latching onto it. Something has changed. I feel different somehow. Pulling out his two trench knives the semi-aquatic ninja would amp himself up as he began bouncing. Come on you can do this, come on. Damn straight you can doofus, Don't embarrass me in front of 'Bino. Toshi would steady his breathing then jump back in.

[WC= 377/1200]
[Gaining Ikuchi, Gambino [B Rank Custom] and Learning Lion's Nane [B], Needle Hell [B], Needle Cloak[B], and Chakra Drain [A] for 1100 wc. I shall tithe the last 100 for good fortune.]