Hiroshi wandered through the ANBU Headquarters, his expression solemn as he repressed his emotions and thoughts with a semi-catatonic state and automatically performed any menial task assigned to him within reason without so much as a second thought. Although his shinobi career had hardened him against the gruesome deaths that occurred amidst the battlefield, nothing could prepare him for the loss of his mentor, Izayoi Aoi. After all, the others were simply casualties of war; his peaceful mentor's only 'sin' was simply living too long.
Unmei nuzzled up to his soul and silently assured him "She was a good woman, Hiroshi-kun," she softly cooed. "Only the best make it to the end, that way."
His defenses faltered at her words, his face grimacing in anguish and torment as his fists clenched more tightly. "She isn't dead . . . ," he struggled to deny the reality of the situation. "She just can't be!"
"An entire team of Medical shinobi wouldn't lie to their own village, pup."
"How would you know!?" he venomously retorted inwardly. "Have you even lost someone you care about!? Do you even have anyone you care about!?"
A dreadful silence lingered within him for what seemed like an eternity before the Dread Wolf sighed. "I do have someone I care about," she confessed cryptically. "And when the time comes, I don't want to be around to lose them."
Another moment of silence, then Hiroshi embraced Unmei spiritually. "I'm sorry Unmei-sama," he apologized. "This is just hard on me."
"I know. But please honor her by continuing your training.
Hiroshi absently nodded in the physical world before his resolve started to slowly rebuild itself. With newfound purpose, he made his way to the office of his late mentor, eager to find out who would be able to help him realize his potential.
[MFT: 304]