In search of prespective

As Hibiki soared through the sky astride her majestic pegasus, the wind rushing past her, she felt a sense of freedom and exhilaration wash over her. The rhythmic beat of the Helios wings carried her higher and higher, towards her destination.


With a determined expression, Hibiki guided her winged companion towards Tori's most likely location, a small park beside the complex the leaf ninja would be staying in for the duration of the exam. As they descended gracefully towards the ground, Hibiki dismounted from her pegasus with practiced ease, her heart pounding with anticipation.

As Hibiki approached the Jounin sensei for advice on how a normal girl asks a guy out, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. After all, navigating matters of the heart was uncharted territory for her. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she gathered her courage and spoke up.

"Sensai," she began, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty, "I wanted to ask for your advice on something... personal."  As she spoke, Hibiki's gaze flickered with a mix of apprehension and determination, her heart pounding with the weight of the question she wanted to ask about. 

[1]

Out enjoying the agreeable climate Tōri lounged in the park with some new clothes he’d picked up on the island that were far lighter and more loose-fitted than his typical attire. Before seeing what was approaching he heard the familiar flaps of large wings he had become more familiar with after getting a large flying mount of his own. Shortly after hearing its approach he saw the magnificently armored pegasus and its rider Hibiki land down and dismount before walking up. Sitting up from his more slouched position he wondered what Airi’s distant cousin might be looking for.

With a voice seeped in uncertainty she asked him for advice on a personal matter. There was one thing for sure: Airi and Hibiki might have been related but the two certainly seemed to be cut from different cloth. However, Tōri hadn't known what his leader had been like in her youth, so the two could be more close than he would have guessed. “Of course Hibiki, what is it I can help you out with?” With the nerves she was displaying he had an idea of the topic she wanted to talk with him on, he was just worried about the sort of advice he would be able to give the young girl.

Innocence had been enjoying a rather peaceful mid-day nap for the first time in weeks. She had created a perfect cocktail of drugs that kept the cosmic horrors at bay while also not sacrificing her health or ability to wake up if she really needed it. Nevertheless, she had used it strategically since inventing it. She had chosen specific days on which to enjoy her blissful rest free of nightmarish terrors. Unfortunately, Hibiki's emergency fell on the time of her designated nap.

The dark skinned kunoichi furrowed her brows and turned over at the sound of distant pounding. The banging grew worse the more she tried to ignore it and so her eyes snapped open. They were bloodshot with frustration and the remnants of her nap. She stumbled out of bed and marched towards the door with a particularly nasty expression on her face. Judging by the voice of her door's assailant, Innocence guessed that it was Hibiki or someone trying to impersonate her. Inno filched a scalpel from her surgeon's coat that had been hung up in her closet and peeked through the doorhole. Sure enough, she saw the redhead holding their beloved Jounin escort with a look of panic on her face.

Innocence considered whether it might be a trap. Either something foul cooked up by Nao and Kaori to take her out of the Exams before it began or maybe some elaborate test cooked up by the Hokage herself. Innocence shook her head and dismissed the possibility. Those two were so arrogant they wouldn't stoop to violating Airi's truce and the Hokage herself didn't seem like the type to spring such a surprise. Innocence opened the door wide open and rubbed the last bits of sleep from her eyes. The Iwa refugee would find herself staring at a short surgeon wearing lime green silk pajamas and a silk sleeping bonnet.

"What do you want dumbathth? I wath taking a nap." Innocence said. She gave Tori a look over and noticed his limp body and what appeared to be shallow breath. She then looked back at Hibiki. Inno had a decent idea on what was going on here. It wasn't a true emergency but she wouldn't expect Hibiki, or really any lay person to know that. Plague comas tended to freak people out and rightfully so. Too many had lost friends and family to the mysterious disease over the last few years. She isn't a complete idiot I guess. She knew where to go for help. Assuming Hibiki's explanation was in line-with her expectations, Innocence would sigh and grant the girl and her burden entrance.  "Get em in here and try not to cruthh hith thetht when you drag him"

Innocence would usher them into her living quarters, poke her head out of the doorway to see who was around and then shut the door behind them. Innocence would then direct Hibiki to lay their sensei on the bed. She dragged him all the way over here? He's almost twice her size. Innocence noted that the girl's strength had to be Chuunin level even if her brain power wasn't. Inno herself wasn't any stronger than your average 18-year old girl, but she had the intellect of a forty year old surgeon. Each of the Rookie 7 had their own talents and ways that they could serve the village. The Exams were a proving ground to determine which skills could best the others and who among they were well-rounded enough to call themselves a true champion.

I don't care how strong she is....it takes more than fists to save a life. Innocence reassured herself.

As Hibiki laid Tori sensei down, Innocence would go to her trusty medical bag and filch out some basic diagnostic tools. She then walked over to Tori's bedside and touched his forehead with the back of her hand. She leaned in close and listened to his breathing rhythm before stepping back and retrieving a penlight. She gently opened his eyelids and flashed the beam directly into his pupils. As she held up the penlight and examined his eyes, she spoke to Hibiki.

"Tell me exactly what happened Hibiki. I know itth hard but you really need to focuth and give me detailth." There was a subtle sense of agitation in Innocence's voice but the young girl was being remarkably professional. Most of the bitterness had evaporated, her tone was respectful and not a single insult had been levied towards the cherry since she had brought in the patient. Innocence was in "doctor mode" and that meant keeping the sass to a mimimum. Innocence would listen to Hibiki as she proceeded to tell her exactly how this all went down. After she was done checking his pupils, Innocence pulled out her trusty stethoscope and pressed it against Tori's bare chest. She listened to his hearbeat while making mental notes and consulting the many medical textbooks she had previously memorized.

This is as classic a case as you could devise.

Hibiki's heart pounded in her chest, each beat a reminder of the urgency of the situation. She had barely managed to drag Tori-sensei all the way here, her muscles screaming in protest. When the door finally opened, revealing a groggy and clearly irritated Innocence in lime green silk pajamas, Hibiki felt a flicker of hope.

"Innocence, it's Tori-sensei," Hibiki blurted out, her voice strained with panic. "He collapsed, and I... I didn't know what to do. I brought him here as fast as I could."

As Innocence's sharp eyes took in Tori-sensei's condition, Hibiki's anxiety grew. She could see the gears turning in the surgeon's mind, assessing the situation with a professional detachment that Hibiki could only envy. Despite the biting remark about her nap, Innocence's quick action and the command to bring Tori inside reassured Hibiki that she had come to the right place.

"Thank you," Hibiki mumbled, her relief palpable. She struggled to maneuver Tori-sensei through the doorway and into the living quarters, careful to follow Innocence's instructions and not crush his chest. The effort left her panting, but she didn't let up until Tori was laid gently on the bed.

As Innocence began her examination, Hibiki watched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The way Innocence switched into "doctor mode" was impressive, her earlier irritation replaced by a focused professionalism. Hibiki could feel her own heartbeat slowing slightly, the immediate danger feeling less overwhelming now that Tori-sensei was in capable hands.

When Innocence asked for details, Hibiki took a deep breath, trying to focus. "We were talking, just discussing some things. I... I had gone to him to ask for advice about how to ask someone out," she admitted, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment even in the midst of her panic. "I also wanted to ask about the 'Springtime of Youth' and showed him a note that big sis had written for me. That's when he fainted."

Hibiki's eyes filled with tears as she relayed the events, her voice cracking with emotion. She wiped them away quickly, not wanting to appear weak. "Please, Innocence, you have to help him. He can't... he can't die."

Innocence continued her methodical examination, her face a mask of concentration. Hibiki watched every movement, clinging to the hope that the young surgeon would find a way to save Tori-sensei. She knew Innocence could be harsh and abrasive, but she also knew her to be brilliant. If anyone could help Tori-sensei, it was her.

Hibiki stood by, her breath held in anticipation, praying silently for Tori-sensei's recovery.

[4]

Innocence nodded as Hibiki started to describe what she had been doing with Tori when he had collapsed. The mention of asking someone out, the "Springtime of Youth" and a letter from Airi caused her to raise an eyebrow. Her curiosity was piqued but that could come later. There wasn't anything that Innocence found concerning although if she was being thorough, the note was definitely an element of interest. Though rare, Fuuinjutsu could be used to deliver a memetic or psychological attack which could induce unconsciousness. If the letter Airi had given Hibiki contained such a form of Fuuin-Gen warfare, then that might be the cause of Tori's malady. Fortunately, Innocence believed that to be a fairly unlikely scenario. Still wouldn't hurt to be thorough... the nosy part of her mind reasoned.

While Innocence considered the prospect of a Fuuin attack, she continued her more routine analysis. Unfortunately, Hibiki was on the verge of breaking down. Innocence knew what it was like to have a concerned friend or family member in the room while she was working. She hated it. It made her job more difficult and it got in the way of delivering a satisfactory result. However, four years of medical experience had taught her that yelling and insulting tended to produce the opposite effect. Loved ones didn't pipe down the more you berated them, so it was best to do as the more experienced doctors did. Innocence finished her diagnostics and sighed.

She is such a cinnamon roll. How the hell is she related to Airi-sama?

Innocence turned away from Tori and took Hibiki gently by the arm. She guided her into a nearby chair next to the bed and did her best to impersonate one of the more mature MDs she worked with at Konoha's Hospital.

"He'th not going to die Hibiki. I'd thay he'th thuffering from early-thtage plague. I note a lot of therebral activi-" Innocence stopped and remembered her audience. She rephrased. "He'th mildly thick. He'll get better in a few hourth or dayth topth. If we're really unlucky, he'll need to go to the hothpital but that'th very very very very very unlikely. Tori-thenthei ith going to be okay. He won't die. I'll make thure of it."

Innocence sat at the foot of the bed where Tori was still resting. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She was annoyed that Hibiki had woken her up but she was also somewhat flattered. She had done nothing but insult the cherry since they had first met despite Hibiki's insistence on trying to befriend her. And yet, she was the first person Hibiki had ran to in an emergency. Even if she was the best doctor among the Rookie 7, Kaori and Nao would have probably given Tori over to witch-doctors before coming to Innocence for help. Airi is right....She's a sweet thing. She's pathetic, stupid and spoiled by her good looks. But still sweet I guess. It was hard to be mean to someone who was only ever nice to you so Innocence decided that in the interest of her reputation as a good doctor and out of loyalty to her Sage-sensei, she'd at least try to not mock Hibiki for the time being.

"Why come to me?" Innocence asked. She felt that she already knew the answer but hearing it from Hibiki would give her a much needed confidence boost.

Hibiki fidgeted nervously in her seat, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety as Innocence guided her away from Tori's bedside. She was grateful for the reassurance that Tori would be okay, but the weight of the situation still lingered heavily on her mind. As they settled into chairs nearby, Hibiki couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging Innocence into the situation.

Listening to Innocence's diagnosis, Hibiki tried to focus on the words, but her mind kept drifting back to Tori's pale face. She appreciated Innocence's attempt to reassure her, even if it came out a bit awkwardly. The mention of a potential hospital visit made her stomach churn with worry, but she forced herself to push those thoughts aside for now. Tori needed her to stay calm and focused.

When Innocence asked why she had come to her, Hibiki hesitated for a moment before answering. "I... I trust you," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "You're really good at what you do, and... and I didn't know who else to turn to. I know we haven't always gotten along, but... but I thought maybe you could help."

Hibiki glanced down at her hands, feeling a flush of embarrassment heat her cheeks. She had never been good at asking for help, especially from someone like Innocence who seemed to have little patience for her antics. But in this moment of crisis, she had acted on instinct, seeking out the person she believed could best help Tori.

"I'm sorry if I woke you up," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I didn't know what else to do. And... I'm sorry for getting your name wrong last time. I didn't understand that you had a lisp."

She offered a small, genuine smile, hoping to convey her appreciation to Innocence for being there in her time of need. Despite their past differences, she couldn't deny the sense of comfort she felt in Innocence's presence, and she was determined to make amends for any misunderstandings between them.

[5]

Hibiki's confession of Innocence's skill was music to her ears. She was deeply insecure and felt like she always lived in the shadow of someone better. If it wasn't her sister then it was the girls at school. If it wasn't the girls at school then it was Yuichi at the hospital. It had taken four long years of grinding and studying to finally be acknowledged as one of the up and coming Ijutsu specialists in the village. She still had a long way to go, but her reputation was beginning to speak for itself. Lisp or no lisp, they'd all come around eventually Innocence told herself. Hibiki's admission was proof that her hopes were materializing.

"For onthe in your life you did thomething thmart" Innocence said with a smirk. The surgeon was incapable of simply saying 'Thank you.' However what Hibiki said next made Innocence deeply uncomfortable. The redhead actually apologized to her! First for waking her up and second for getting her name wrong. It appeared that someone had corrected her on the proper pronunciation of Innocence's name. How the hell is this cinnamon roll supposed to cut it as a shinobi?!. Innocence lowered her own eyes as she looked at the lower left corner of the room and pouted in annoyance. Being woken up to deliver care as a doctor was something she was used to. In fact, she relished it. Bad doctors were the only doctors that were allowed to sleep blissfully. Getting her name wrong because she didn't understand the concept of a lisp also wasn't surprising given Hibiki's simple-mindedness. What made Innocence unsettled was that despite how poorly she treated Hibiki, the girl was still willing to try and be nice to her. She was apologizing when in reality she should be just as nasty to her as Kaori and Nao was. It made the surgeon feel guilty. Like she was just a petty bully.

"I'm thorry for getting your name wrong" Innocence mimicked in a high pitched voice. She snapped her eyes towards Hibiki and spoke in an annoyed tone. "You're a real cinnamon roll you know that!? I'm the one whothe been making fun of you every thanthe I get. I thhould be the one apologizing to you. Tho thtop acting like you've done anything wrong, dumbath. "

Innocence got up in a hush and walked over to her room's mini-fridge. "You thound thirthty ath fuck. I'm getting you thome ninja-ade. I got two flavorth: grape or red. What do you want?" Assuming Hibiki answered with one of the two flavors, Innocence would grab a bottle from the fridge and shut it. She'd then go to her snack-stash and fish out two bags of lime-pickle chips. She tossed the bag of chips on Hibiki's lap and handed her the bottle of Ninja-Ade. Inno was quite fond of the sports drink. It had lots of electrolytes and minerals which was great for replenishing the body after a day's hard work of training, healing or in Hibiki's case, crying. It was the closest thing to an apology the Iwa native would get from her.


If Hibiki took the drink and chips, Innocence would sit back in her own chair. She hadn't done anything to the food, but she was curious to see if her guest would consume it. She was probably too simple to really grasp the danger of accepting snacks from an a known competitor. Especially one that had been as nasty as Innocence. If the redhead took no issue with it, it'd only make Inno feel worse. Why is it that the only people that can be nice to me are either chronically depressed Uchiha, drunkards or simpletons? Of course, Yuichi had been none of those things but life had taken him away from her just as she expected it would do for anyone else who got too close. Innocence tore into her bag of chips and began munching on the lime-pickle chips. The brand was tasty and provided a nice sour-salty kick to their crunch. She kept her chips in between her thighs while she opened her Ninja-Ade and took a sip. The impromptu snack time  improved her mood somewhat.

"Tho you want to athk thomeone out huh? Hibiki you're a lot of thingth but a theater ith not what I would have gueththed. Aren't you dating that purple eyed thuckle fuck" Innocence figured there was more to the story than what she was implying, but despite her guilt she got a sick kick out of messing with the redhead.

Hibiki may not have been the smartest of the Rookie 7, but she did have a sense of humor. Innocence smirked at Hibiki's declaration. She was sweet and simple. The designation fit her perfectly. Innocence wasn't surprised when Hibiki accepted and ate the snacks without question. It was par for the course when dealing with a simpleton, but it did make Inno feel a tad less guilty about her treatment of the redhead. She's obviously not holding a grudge.....and it isn't her fault that people like her more than me. When Hibiki mentioned that it was "complicated," Innocence rolled her eyes. When isn't it? She wasn't a psychiatrist but this conversation was beginning to make her remember why she had explicitly avoided the practice.  It was just a bunch of people complaining about their social woes, pining over their crushes or describing their bizarre and aberrant behavior. There was no real challenge. No objectivity. Innocence would have eaten her own hand if it meant avoiding a rotation in Konoha's looney bin.

Inno's disdain for mental health didn't stop Hibiki from expressing herself though. Innocence sat and listened as Hibiki explained what she had meant by her earlier comment. The two were dating in all but name it seemed and Hibiki's issue stemmed from trying to outright profess her feelings to the Hyuuga. The speech she gave was equal parts nauseauting and inspiring. On one hand, it made Innocence jealous and annoyed that two people her age could love each other so fully and unconditionally as to only see the beauty in one another. It felt like a fairy tale that she would never get to experience. On the other hand, Hibiki's mental acuity seemed to sharpen when talking about Nao. Her vocabulary grew, her thoughts were well-articulated and the metaphors she used were nothing short of poetic. For a moment, Innocence wondered if she should record the conversation. She felt like she was watching medical history unfold. A low grade idiot has turned into a genius when experiencing the biochemical sensation normies call love....truly the astonishing find of the century! Innocence thought to herself with a playful smirk. Even when she had no audience, the Seventh's youngest daughter couldn't help but think in sarcastic terms.

Still, even a bitter doctor like Innocence could recognize true love when she heard it. She continued to snack and listen politely as Hibiki pontificated, wondering whether this girl knew just how head over heels she sounded. After Hibiki had finished her ode to the purple-eyed freak, Innocence cleared her throat and simply said:

"Either he hath you under Henjutthu or you are tho madly in love it maketh me want to barf." Innocence downed the rest of her Ninja-Ade and continued: "Look Hibiki...I know you aren't too bright tho I'll keep thith thimple. If you thay...exactly what you jutht thaid to me...to him....you'll be alright. He obviouthly liketh you back. People have thaid way worthe thhit to me than I did to you back in the offithe and all the boyth ever did wath laugh at me. He'th wath willing to fight a complete thtranger in the Kage'th offithe for you. I don't know what more of a thign you need. Jutht confethth your love to eath other and go make babieth or whatever...." Innocence wasn't sure if her point registered so to punctuate it, she followed up with a simple:

"Jutht tell him how you feel. Write it down if you need to and jutht tell him."

"I don't believe in true love or thoul mateth or any of that dumb mumbo jumbo. Everything ith a matter of themithtry and phythicth. Love ith jutht biology'th way of telling you that your going to die tho you might ath well pathth on your geneth." Innocence knew what she said would go over Hibiki's head but she didn't really care. The girl was simple, which while occasionally aggravating, probably would make her a useful soldier. She was also unfailingly kind which made it difficult to truly hate her. If more of the students in Innocence's academy class had been like Ms. Mercury then perhaps she'd have had an easier go of it. "Good luck with all your muthhy muthhy thtuff with Nao"

When Hibiki asked how babies were made and if there was a jutsu for it, Innocence glared at her for a second. She cannot possibly be this stupid. She just can't. For the first time since meeting her, Innocence had to confront the possibility that Hibiki was just trolling everyone. That she was actually fairly intelligent and that this was all an act to lower people's guards. It wasn't unthinkable and though unlikely, the soliloquy she had just delivered cut against the theory that she was well and truly retarded. Then again....if she was acting she wouldn't be showing her cards over some dumb boy. Innocence thus took the question at face value. She answered in as non-condescending tone as she could manage. It would actually be a pretty big deal if Nao pushed things too far and Hibiki ended up pregnant. The Tetsudashi was simply not ready to be a mother.

"If you don't know how babieth are made then you thhouldn't do anything but kithth and hold handth with Nao. Forget I thaid anything about babieth. I'm theriouth..... ath a doctor I'm telling you, don't...... uh......jutht don't do anything but give him a kithth." Innocence placed a hand to her breast and then to her lady bits. "Don't let him touth you here or here. I know he loveth you and even if he wantth to...don't do let him touth you there. You'll get really thick....you'll be unwell. Do you underthtand Hibiki?"

Innocence stood up as well and glanced over at Tori. He was still sleeping. That was fine as he would wake up soon and when he did, she could say she was the one who nursed him back to health. Every instance of care would lead her one step closer to getting attending surgeon privileges.

"You can leave tori-thenthei here. I'll take care of him until he feelth better."

"To be honest, I think it's too soon to be thinking about kids anyhow. I'd rather wait until after we get married.
"Thecond thmartetht thing I've heard you thay all day....you're on a roll Cinnamon." Innocence said.

She was glad that Hibiki took her advice seriously. While her good nature came across as cringey and sickeningly naive, it made her incredibly pliable. She did what she was told. Trusting in others to make up for the intelligence that she lacked. Innocence could see how a cruel person might take advantage of that trait. Hibiki was rather easy to persuade and manipulate. Fortunately for her, Innocence wasn't a bad girl. She wore her sarcasm and snappiness as an armour but she wasn't actually out to hurt anyone. At least, not yet. Maybe the voices would change that.

Innocence walked over to check on Tori's breathing which was still fine. She snapped her attention back to Hibiki when the redhead mentioned sleeping in the same bed with someone. The shock would have been evident on her face, but as Hibiki explained it reminded Inno of something. The letter...I should check that out just in case. It sounded awfully irresponsible of the Hokage to suggest Hibiki spend the night in the same bed with Nao. The Hyuuga seemed like a proper arsehole as far as Innocence was concerned, which meant he couldn't be trusted with protecting Hibiki's virtue. It was suspiciously stupid of the Hokage to therefore expect two hormonal teenagers to sleep together without any so-called "hanky panky." Innocence looked at Tori but continued to speak.

"Hibiki. Before I anthwer your queththion....take out that note and read it exactly ath written."

She doubted foul-play was at work here, but she needed to be sure. Airi's "advice" was atrocious and it made Innocence a tad unsure if this letter was all it seemed.

Oh for fuck's sake....Innocence rolled her eyes at Hibiki's question. "Itth jutht an exp-, you know what nevermind it"

Innocence listened as Hibiki read the letter aloud. The Uchiha made it a point not to look at the paper just in case it had some kind of a Fuuin memetic virus stored within. Fortunately, the letter appeared to be safe which ruled out foul play. It was still an odd thing for Airi to say. Was she secretly hoping something would happen between the two of them? Why would the Hokage have a vested interest in her young sister sleeping in the same bed as Nao? It didn't make sense. The woman was sending mixed signals to a kunoichi who barely understood idioms let alone the emotional complexities of sex. Big sisters are stupid as hell. They may be even dumber than Hibiki.

The only thing weirder than the note was what Hibiki said next. She declared that what she had shared was private but that she considered Innocence her friend and comrade. The young black girl shook her head and laughed derisively. She left Tori's bedside and stood directly in front of the redhead.

"Pfffth! You and I aren't friendth. Jutht becauthe I agreed to help tori-thenthei don't think we're gonna be palth. You can get all buddy-buddy with the other leaf genin but not me. If we fathe eath other in the examth, I'm gonna knock you down hard and fatht" Innocence declared.

The surgeon didn't trust most people her own age. Natsuki was a notable exception and she had given him the time of day only because he was kin. Hibiki was a stranger and one joined at the hip by a total jerk. She was going to open up to her over some snacks and Ninja-Ade. People tended to let you get close and then stab you when you least expected it. Innocence would therefore protect her feelings by pushing away Hibiki's sincere offer of friendship. Ms. Perfect was naive but Innocence figured she was doing the girl a favor. She shouldn't trust someone who had mocked her so persistently and maybe this would be the kick the puppy needed to make it scamper off. The letter was indeed private and quite frankly Hibiki shouldn't have showed it to Innocence. It was something that the surgeon might use later to hurt her.

"Hanky panky ith when you let him touth the partth that I told you not to let him touth. If you do it too young, you get thick." Innocence didn't blush when she spoke the words. She was a doctor and was pretty used to talking about disgusting or embarrassing topics in a clinical context.

"I have no idea why Airi-thama wrote that letter. I guethth thhe could be trying to thay that thhe wantth to encourage you to date and love him but without the hank panky. I don't know. Thhe'th your thithter after all. I can tell you my thithter thayth thome pretty dumb thtuff thometimeth tho maybe itth jutht an older thibling thing. Oh well...thhe tethnically thaid you can get the room next to him tho jutht do that and don't worry about thleeping in the thame bed ath him."

It occurred to Innocence that she could write a prescription for birth control for Hibiki. That way she could do whatever she wanted without fear of getting pregnant. The lime eyed wonder of the Uchiha considered the possibility but decided against it. Airi was right. They were too young to be doing that kind of stuff. It would be better to give Hibiki some time to mature before getting intimate with Nao.

She's so pretty and she chooses that jerkoff?