"I never did see why Sakura-chan did not wish to be my devoted girlfriend, but all is fine now, I assure you Sensei." Lee spoke, his usual oddly euphoric voice tinged with sadness and what may have even been grief. "I have moved on, and she has moved on. Well, she never did stop..." He hung his head, but managed to keep a small, weak smile on his face.

Might Gai was sitting next to his prized student in the Ichikaru Ramen Bar, his right hand grasping a small sake bottle. He was listening intently, honestly wanting to know the reason Lee was acting so... so... different.

"Sensei... would still accept me as your student if..." Lee did not continue, only looked up and turned his head away, as if in embarassment. Now Gai was really curious, even a bit worried. Placing a hand on the eccentric ninja's shoulder, he wore an expression of doubt, maybe even some fear.

"Lee, you might as well just go all out and tell me."

"No, Sensei, I am fine and wish to leave now." Sliding off the stool, the spandex-clad teenager sighed and started walking down the road towards god knows where. In his head swirled various thoughts, some of them confusing, some embarassing. Some a bit dangerous. All of this confusion was getting to him. He found himself asking more questions lately, and not being satisfied as often. Was there something wrong with him?

He stopped in front of the Ninja Academy, not knowing exactly why. Memories flashed through his mind, memories of being the only kid that couldn't transform properly. Well, look at him now. He had turned out to be exceptional, and almost no one could rival him in battle other than Sasuke and that kid from the sand, Gaara. He was better than almost all of them, and he knew it now. Had finally realized it.

Oh god, here came the mood-swings again. One moment he was happy, the next depressed, the next angry. Suddenlt, he slipped into a brief state of mania. Mania, as in, he thought, no, believed that NO ONE could face him, that NO ONE could bring him down. Lee swelled out his chest, and an insane grin passed his lips. Then it was over. His breath was let out in an exhausted sigh, and his gaze fell to his feet again. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Fuck." he whispered to himself, kicking a small rock. He jerked his head up, and cursed himself again. Wait, he shouldn't curse at himself for cursing. Jesus, all this was so confusing! Why couldn't he still be the bubbly, optimistic, determined, and slightly out-of-it teen he used to be? He was happy then. Now he thought too much, realized it was all worthless, and it was really bringing him down.

No, it was't all worthless! He was the best there is, and if he tried again, he would have Gaara and Sasuke begging for mercy! Spontaniously, he jerked back, and growled at himself. Then it was over. He was back to normal. Back to the eccetntric Lee everyone knew.

"What was that all about?" he asked to no one in particular. He felt his forhead, and shrugged. He didn't have a fever. Maybe he should see a doctor? One thing was for sure, shrinks were off-limits for him. A shudder ran up his spine. He didn't know why. All psychiatrists scared him, ever since he was small. "I don't need help, damnit!" he screamed aloud, modifying his personality back to the disturbed, troubled Lee.