.:HLV:. COLLAB - Reflection and Growth

Reflection and Growth

🦈Utaro & Akimitsu☀

total word count: 2013

Akimitsu☀

The fights had ended and after the awarding ceremony was it about time to leave the arena. The crowd was pumped up, those with ties to the Hibiki clan all seemed  to be celebrating as others appeared in a more foul mood. Akimitsu left together with the Uranami family, Chattering a bit to Utaro, having to ignore the nasty stares Nejime kept giving her. She had to give credits though that this girl wasn’t giving up ‘’Who would have thought that huh’’ Akimitsu commented as she played with a lock of her hair. Gazing around them as the sun slowly started setting, the sky filling with warm colors as the first of the stars started to shine through.  She better started to head back to her poor man shack for the night and not bother this family with her presence much longer. Utaro his father did not appear to be in the best of moods.

Utaro🦈

“Hinoiri-san sure is a strong lady.” Utaro said having a pretty amazed expression. “Though I must say I’m very proud of Harusaki-nee-chan. She did great.” He smiled, but the smile on his face didn’t last all that long, due to a loud sigh coming from Yasuro’s side. Yeah, Utaro knew that oh too well, he was getting ready for badmouthing again.
“Sure you should be proud about your clansman’s success...” Yasuro started. “But in your case, you should be ashamed that a woman is a stronger warrior than you are…  As a man you need to be strong and protect women in your clan instead of it being the other way around.”
This wasn’t as bad as Utaro expected but he had a feeling it will get worse.
“Ame got promoted long time ago, now Harusaki… Nejime will get promoted faster than you, I bet. You should really stop spending your time on your little plays and focus on something more beneficial for both you and your clan.”
Utaro just frowned stopping himself from saying a word. He knew what those words meant - Ame got promoted, Harusaki got promoted, and poor Yasuro can’t brag about his son, because his son is useless - or that’s at least how Utaro took them. Yasuro was really bad with words and really didn’t know how to express himself in a nice way so even if he didn’t mean it that way, he couldn’t really prove it. That’s probably the reason Utaro grew cold towards his father as he grew. He didn’t believe his father loves him even, but Yasuro probably said lots of bad things not just because of his pride, but also for the good of his son.

Akimitsu☀

‘’She is...’’ Akimitsu replied to Utaro, about to start saying her good bye’s to the family as she heard Yasuro sigh, Utaro getting uncomfortable. And there he went. lecturing Utaro over something so insignificant. Her hands would form fists, biting her tongue as she was trying to hold back her words. She was getting upset for Utaro his sake. How did this man dare to talk this bad about his own son who had given all he got, who had changed  so much since the first time she met him. He had turned from a whiny actor into a respectable young man,  fighted besides her and didn’t cower away in fear of getting injured. It was making her recall what had happened with her parents and how they had made her feel miserable and judge her decisions.

He was making Utaro doubting himself

Akimitsu no longer had any patience left, she didn’t consider talking back to adults a good thing but exceptions break the rules for that. A soft hand did she place on Utaro his shoulder as she stepped past him, maneuvering in front of him. She  lifted her chin up, placing her feet a bit wide, as if to make herself bigger than she actually was. ‘’How about you get your head out of that pig’s ass that you is stuck in huh?’’  Akimitsu bit out, if his mother didn’t stand up for him than she would do it.
‘’I told you before that you should bother to look at the scoring list. Utaro scored top ranks in the written part, he scored higher with combat also then many others and was still  ranked higher than Uranami Harusaki despite he didn’t get a scroll.’’ She spoke as she stared right at the man, not backing down for him. ‘’And do you know how you  turn your child into a weak good for nothing? With that horrible attitude of yours, don’t you see how you are hurting your son and causing insecurities while he gave it his all.’’

Utaro🦈

In all honesty, all four of the Uranami were absolutely stunned by Akimitsu’s sudden move. Some negatively, some positively. Utaro was somehow, both happy and sad, because he didn’t want to get Akimitsu in trouble. The reason Kanade didn’t say a word, is because Utaro told her not to say anything, therefore she was very glad and even proud of Akimitsu, for a strong woman, and a good friend that she is. While Yasuro, he just stood there shocked with Akimitsu’s attitude. Young girls shouldn’t talk to adults, let alone, in such manner. That was pretty rude but he’ll look through it.
“No offence, young lady, but I should suggest you not to put your nose into things that aren’t your matter.” He would say, and at that Utaro looked down. He remember those exact words coming out of Akimitsu’s mouth back then when he tried to help her solve her issue with her sister. And he felt sorry that she was kind of in a same situation. He would put a hand on her shoulder as he looked at her bowing his head a little to show her his respect, and looked at his father.
“I also think you shouldn’t put your nose into my life and my decisions… I am not a child anymore. I haven’t done anything to disgrace you, nor I will. I might not be a perfect son that will make you proud, but that doesn’t mean I deserve such treatment.” He sighed as he raised his brows a little. “I am fully aware of my failure but I also am aware of my progress, and so you should try encouraging me for once, as that’s much more helpful than what you’ve been doing so far… But I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m sorry for being such a horrible son.” He would then bow, and step away together with Akimitsu.
“Oh and… I’m sorry for being proud of myself despite my failure.” He added, smiling happily as if he wasn’t bothered by his father’s words one bit. And he really wasn’t.
He was fully aware of how much this exam thought him, not just to believe in himself more, but it taught him his strong points, his weak points, his limits… And a way to push them and get stronger. He was sure Akimitsu felt the same. They were both encouraged to work harder and get stronger so that next time they can be standing there in the arena as winners. Of course he no one can know for sure what will happen next time, but what they did know is that they will give their best - like they did in this exam. They have proven that they care about their results and their progress. As for Utaro who was once a boy who joined this path just because his father told him to, to grow into a man who was ready to give his all to become a better shinobi is a good progress on it’s own. And as for Akimitsu, who was once a girl dependant on her sister, to now become a strong independant woman that can work her way around the hardships all alone is also a good progress.
They have both grown so much and they are ready to grow even better. So not even bad comments such as Yasuro’s can drag them down again. As they finally realized their worth not just as humans, but as warriors too.

Both Yasuro and Kanade did see that. Kanade was very proud to see her son grow into a man that he is now, and it was pleasant to see Akimitsu change for the better also. In all honesty, Yasuro was also proud in a sense - tho he’d probably won’t put it that way.

Kanade just smiled and bowed her head to the two showing them her respect for standing up for themselves and one another, showing them how proud she is of both.
Yasuro would sigh, crossing his arms on his chest, as he frowned. Utaro has already started walking away with Akimitsu to say his goodbye in peace, but Yasuro interrupted it.
“You two...” He said as he looked at them angrily.

“You did good.”

Akimitsu☀

Akimitsu was about to blow up, this man, Yasuro. She couldn’t stand him,  she was going to get into his business if he continued behaving like that. Apparently nobody ever stood up to him, like a child who learned bad behavior because its parents never corrected them.
She opened her mouth, ready to counter Yasuro his words, how did he dare, he didn’t even listen at all! Utaro stepped in though, a surprise as nobody in this family ever seemed to speak up till now.

It was a surprise to see the male finally stand up against his father, so Akimitsu didn’t interfere, letted him do his sayings as she couldn’t be more proud of him for doing so.
It was nice to see him finally have the courage to do so and it seems his actions got rewarded. As they left Yasuro spoke, looking angry but somehow he still praised them. she would look at the man but not respond to his words. Instead she looked at Utaro, to see his reaction, nudging him slightly.
‘’You should stand up for yourself more often.’’

Utaro🦈

To his father’s words Utaro simply nodded as a gesture of accepting his praise. He didn’t want to sound or look astonished by the praise because at this point he really wasn’t - he was just glad that his father finally had the courage to say something like that instead of harsh words.
The family bowed to the two before they started walking back home. They knew Utaro would probably catch up, but even if he decided to stay a bit longer was absolutely fine - tho Nejime didn’t like that idea.
Bowing back to them, Utaro would then turn to Akimitsu. “I really should.” He smiled awkwardly. “It feels good to be able to say what you really feel like.”

Akimitsu☀

Aki watched the family leave before nudging her elbow in Utaro his side. ‘’Should be more like me huh. However I do apologise for interfering like that, it was not my place to do so.’’ she spoke bowing slightly to Utaro. She might have apologised but she wasn’t taking it back either. It had been for his own sake, to let Yasuro open his eyes.


Utaro🦈

“Mm...” Utaro shook his head lightly. “It’s fine. I’m glad you stood up for me like that. You really are an amazing friend Akimitsu-san.” Utaro would share a shy yet warm smile. “I’m glad to have you by my side even outside of the exam.” He would bow back to the girl, showing her his gratitude.

Akimitsu☀
Akimitsu huffed again, frowning as she gazed at utaro. ‘’Stop all the bowing, it is not my thing’’ she replied with a huff. ‘’I will be going now, see you another time Mermaid’’ akimitsu spoke as she turned around,  raising her hand shortly as she left for home.

Utaro and Akimitsu separated paths for now, both having accepted their failure. Watched the others fight and most of all they had shown Utaro his father that they hadn’t lost hope. They would never give up, each time they would return stronger and stronger till they would succeed.