A Warrior's Spirit

Amber sunlight filtered through the windowpane, falling across the sleeping face of young Tatsuo Uchiha, his torso wrapped in bandages while he lay resting in a hospital bed. The day before had been his last fight in the Chuunin Exams, where he had clashed against an old man who was much more powerful than he looked. The boy stirred as echoes of the battle invaded his dreams, memories of intense gravity, the clap of thunder, the blinding flash of a steel blade slicing his flesh while he remained paralyzed, powerless to stop it. He awoke to a sharp twinge along the scar on his chest, the phantom sensation he had relived in his dream following him into the waking world.

The boy licked his dry lips, his eyes wandering slowly around the room, groggily getting a bearing of his surroundings. He wasn’t at home. He must have passed out in the arena, as he didn’t remember anything after he collapsed. No recollection of leaving the stadium, or being taken into the hospital. He tried sitting up slowly, pushing his hands against the mattress and wincing slightly at the movement. His body must have sustained some internal injuries when it was crushed by the gravity fields. Every inch of him felt so sore. He saw a glass of water on his bedside table and reached for it, bringing the straw to his lips for a few refreshing sips.

While he was sipping, the door to his room opened, and a nurse in a white hat stepped in with a smile. “There he is, I’m glad to see you awake. You’ve been asleep for more than twenty-four hours. It’s nearly evening now,” she said, moving to his curtains and drawing them open to let in the last rays of golden sunlight from the afternoon. “We will have a light supper brought to you, I’m sure you’re famished. Oh, and your parents are here to see you, they will be let in shortly.”

Tatsuo watched the woman move around the room, still feeling a bit dazed. He had been asleep for a whole day? His brow furrowed softly, before a soft knock sounded at the door. When he looked up, he saw his mother’s face in the door frame wearing a sympathetic smile, a small basket of fruit in her hand. Behind her stood his father, his face stoic as usual, though Tatsuo could see the concern behind his eyes. “Hey, sweetheart,” his mother said gently, coming to the seat beside his bed and setting the fruit down on his table. “You’ve woken up, huh? We tried to visit last night, but the medics were very busy taking care of you. How are you feeling?”

Tatsuo spared his mother a small smile, not wanting her to worry too much. “I’m okay,” he said, his fists clenching his blankets slightly. His father pulled up a chair beside his wife, rubbing his knees slowly before interlacing his fingers, glancing towards his son’s face occasionally like there was something he wanted to say, but was struggling. Tatsuo’s mother placed a comforting hand on his knee. “It’s alright, Kazuo,” she said, the man grimacing slightly before covering her hand with his own. “Of course, of course it’s alright, Suzume.. He’s alright.” He smiled slightly at his wife, before looking back at Tatsuo with an intent gaze.

“Tatsuo, your mother and I were in the stands during your match. We were watching you, and rooting for you. The power that man displayed… is more than I have ever seen in someone of a mere Chuunin level. I want you to know that there is no shame in losing to such a man, who has had a lifetime of experience to get to where he is. You fought hard, everyone could see that. You fought hard, and you fought smart, and you didn’t give up even when the odds were stacked against you. You displayed the spirit of a true warrior, son… and I am very, very proud of you.”

Tatsuo saw the shine in his father’s eyes, a man who was usually so sparing with his praise, and a hard lump gathered in his throat. “Th-thanks, Dad,” he stammered out, gripping his blankets as tears stung his eyes. He scrubbed his forearm across his face, trying to make them go away. Kazuo chuckled, reaching over and ruffling Tatsuo’s hair. “Make sure you eat the fruit your mother brought for you. Rest well, and the doctor says you can come home tomorrow.”

Suzume then passed him a bowl filled with the peeled apple slices she had been working on, smiling cheerfully. “They’re Fuji apples fresh from this morning’s market, I know they’re your favorite.” She winked, then set her paring knife to the side of the basket. “Let’s see, there are also some nice juicy grapes in here, and a couple of sweet oranges. That should be plenty to get you back on your feet, hm?” She leaned over and kissed Tatsuo’s forehead, cupping his cheek gently in her palm before standing up where Kazuo was already waiting.

“Alright, sweetie.. We’d best be getting home now, but we’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow. Rest up, and listen to the nurses, and don’t get any funny ideas about training until we’re sure you’re fit enough to do so.” She gave him a stern eye just then, which made Tatsuo blush sheepishly in the middle of shoving an apple slice into his mouth. He swallowed it carefully. “Y-yeah mom… okay.” Suzume’s face reverted back to her cheerful smile, and she waved on her way out the door now. “Good boy, we’ll see you soon, then.” Kazuo followed behind her, giving Tatsuo an affirming nod before closing the door gently behind him.

Tatsuo sighed slowly, looking down at his bowl of apples quietly. It was easy enough for her to tell him not to train… But she hadn’t felt the way he had, completely powerless, helpless in the face of a strength so much greater than his own. He touched the bandage on his chest, the ache a stark reminder of how he had gotten here. He needed to become so much more than he was, in order to survive in this world. He knew it in his bones. And he wouldn’t stop until he was strong enough to stand up to any opponent who came his way.

[Exit]
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WC: 1,068

WC Claims:
Moving 10 Stats from Vigor to Chakra (New Values, 140 Vig, 35 Chk)

994 to complete Sharingan 3 Tomoe - (Link Link Link Link) -> 74 left, discarding remainder