At the Precipice

[Valkier]

Aisu Naohiro strode through the dense mists around the base of the Mizukage’s tower. The many-windowed monolith loomed overhead, though only the lowest floors were visible in such heavy mists. He was tense, and apprehensive; his life could change dramatically in the next few hours. He hoped it would, and for the better.

Everything he had set out to achieve in the last few years pointed towards today, where he would meet with the Mizukage in the hope of a promotion. To him, becoming a chuunin was to rise beyond obscurity - even if it itself was just a step on a larger road - and it was the fulcrum upon which his future would depend. He had worked hard to forge himself into a capable ninja. He had defeated his opponent in a formal exam. He had the blessings - and more - of the Aisu at his back. And to fail now would crush the reputation he’d begun to build for himself.

With these dire thoughts in his head, Naohiro pushed his way through the doors at the front of the building. He’d been here enough over the years to be familiar with where he’d be expected to go, but for the sake of formality he found an aide and explained his presence. They guided him up many floors and into the heart of the tower before asking him to wait to be called into Kai’s office. The network of stitches on Nao's body pulled uncomfortably as he walked, but he didn’t - couldn’t - sit down and wait quietly. Beneath his longsleeved hoari he was ringed with bandages, covering large parts of his back, torso, and down his arms, but luckily none were openly visible. The only clear sign of his chuunin exam three days prior were some quickly fading bruises; they’d been seen to by the same medics that had patched him up after the fight, but they were still obvious against his pale skin.

Minutes felt like hours as he waited, until eventually he heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

[Jinan B]

3 days ago, Kirino was fighting harder than he had ever fought before against his rival. 3 days ago, he had put his pride and even potentially his life on the line for the sake of a promotion. 3 days ago, he had been knocked unconscious; as defeated as anyone had ever been in the Chuunin exam.

He had been defeated, but he also knew just how close he had come to success. Had things gone even a little bit differently during the battle, it would be Kirino looking forward to a possible promotion today. The thoughts gave him heart; enough so that he managed to keep his mood up well enough as he approached the Mizukage's tower. It helped that he would approach his immediate superiors for another exam soon enough, and he had little doubt that that would be a fight he would win. Assuming Naohiro got his promotion, Kirino would settle with being the best genin left in Kirigakure for now. The Aisu deserved his chance at becoming a chuunin, and he wasn't going to let his mood ruin that.

The fact that this was the boy's first time out of the hospital since he had been knocked out made the occasion even less glum. The medics had been hard at work making sure that the Karagata's name wouldn't be added to the list of exam accidents when he came off the field, but once it became apparent that he would recover they seemed content enough to only use lijutsu where it would make the largest difference to how long he would remain in the hospital. As it was, the staff had more pressing concerns than draining themselves over someone who was alive yet not urgently needed in fighting shape.

Under his black hakama he wore a brace on his left leg; the body part that had remained in the worst condition after the healing so far. Aside from that; the Karagata was a veritable patchwork of bandages and stiches. Thankfully most were hidden under his formal dress. The only truly visible sign of his lack of wellness was the iron brace that served to keep weight off of his leg. Despite the lack of speed that such a requirement imposed on him, however, Kirino make good enough time. Before long he found himself approaching the entrance to Kai's own office, and noticed that his rival had already beat him there.

Kirino sat down next to his old friend. Not saying anything for a moment. Instead he glanced at his crutch, before slowly getting back up and moving it to a corner of the hallway. "Heh..." He laughed as he tested putting weight on the leg. "I can't... I can't face Lord-Mizukage with that damned thing." He said by way of answer to Hiro's unasked question. He would survive without it at least, and hopefully look like less of a failure in front of Kai in the process. He just needed to pick it back up when he left.

Just then, the door to the Mizukage's office would open, and an assistance head would poke out. "Aisu, Naohiro and Karagata Kirino. Lord-Mizukage will see you now"