Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Confrontation
I was released from the hospital today under strict instructions to go home, and rest, and eat. But I don't want to go home. Not until I know for sure that Mama is asleep. So I took to wandering the streets, kicking up dust, barely picking up my feet, staring at the ground. I wasn't heading anywhere, so there is no need to look where I'm going.
The village was hustling and bustling as usual. Mothers grocery shopping, children playing, and a couple of shinobi discussing the latest alliance between Konoha and Suna, and as usual I past by unnoticed. I've always been invisible.
Sometimes it's a gift to pass by unnoticed. It allows me to watch scenes play out. Like right now, across the street there are two girls around my age, shopping. They're laughing and smiling having a grand old time, trying on colorful clothes. Once in a blue moon I wish I could be like those girls. To laugh and have friends, wear bright new clothes. All of my clothes are ratty and are grey, black, or brown. But that wish never lasts long.
I turn to stare at the ground again, moving on, wondering what I could do to kill time instead of thinking of impossible dreams.
I settled for lounging about on a park bench, eyes closed. Pondering how long until nightfall, until I can go home when I was interrupted. "Azami-san", a soft voice said. I opened my eyes only to see Lee from a couple of days ago, standing over me. "Do you remember me? I'm Lee, we meet at the hospital." I nodded once not failing to notice that his voice held a strange gentleness to it. I didn't understand why though. Why is he even talking to me? I've never said one word to him and yet he acts all friendly, it is all very puzzling. Though my confusion doubled when Lee, spandex and all plopped down next to me on the bench, stretching out his arms before opening his mouth again, "It's such a nice day!" He stated, clearly trying to start a conversation.
"I guess", I said quietly, finally giving a verbal response. Thinking that when he hears my ugly voice he'd want nothing else to do with me.
However Lee surprised me once more. "It's the perfect day for some training! Want to go with me?" He invited, getting all hyped up.
Being so shocked, I openly stared at him, completely baffled. "I- I'm not a ninja", I told him, probably making my value go down in his eyes.
He smiled at me and I swear my heart stopped. No one has ever smiled at me liked that before, a smile filled with such kindness. "No problem!" He answered. "You can help me train." I paused, remembering that no one has ever invited me to do anything before. Slowly I nodded my answer and stood up. I could kill time doing this.
I stood off to the side with a gapping mouth. Lee was a couple feet away, altering from punching and kicking a tree. He was moving like lightening, and he's been at this for about two hours. Never wavering or slowing down, his speed is constant. How is he able to do this? He wasn't even breathing hard! That must mean he does this often.
I quickly closed my mouth as Lee stilled himself and turned to face me. "That was a good warm up." He told me, leaning into a lunge to stretch out his legs.
Warm up? What the hell! What warm-up takes two hours? I had to be careful not to allow my mouth to fall open again. So I wouldn't look any more stupid or ugly than I already do.
Lee stood up straight and shot another heart-warming smile in my direction. "So are you ready to help me?" He asked, his voice dripping with enthusiasm.
Staring at Lee for a few seconds, thinking about what I have gotten my self into. After that 'warm up' it didn't seem safe to help him with training. Though no one has every looked at me with such kindness before. Nervously I nodded, and took a step into the clearing.
Lee's smile widened before he lowered him self to the ground, until he was in a push up position. "Can you sit on my back please? Push ups are always better with some extra weight".
I nodded, even though I know he couldn't see it and on shakily climbed on his back, sitting cross-legged. Slowly he began to push himself up and down, pausing each time he went down to test his muscles. I sat on his back stiffly. I've never been good with human contact. The only people who ever touch me are Mama's clients. And that always ended in pain. Silently I belated myself, why did I agree to this? Was I really that stupid to believe that this would end differently? Lee kept going up and down keeping a steady pace.
Third Person
While Azami was thinking, Lee was also having thoughts about the girl on his back. 'She hardly weighs anything', Lee frowned still doing his push ups. 'It's like she's not even sitting on my back'. He thought. He's already present concern for the girl growing. 'Sakura-chan is right. She doesn't take good care of herself.' Lee's eyes flashed with a brand new determination. He had to help Azami!
Lee's speed suddenly increased, forcing Azami to grab a fist full of Lee's Clothing to keep herself from losing her balance. She gulped fearfully while she hung on, thinking once more, 'what have I gotten myself into?' She had no idea.
Lee kept doing push ups for another ten minutes. Using the time to finalize his plan to help Azami. After all it was his duty as a konoha shinobi to assist its villagers!
First Person
Lee didn't say anything, completely focusing on his training, while I slowly forced myself into a sense of calm. Making myself believe that he wouldn't hurt me. He didn't seem like the type. I had to scold my self for getting hopeful, there doesn't have to be a type to hurt me. Everyone I've every held a conversation with has hurt me, Intentionally. But I don't blame them; after all I'm just a waste of space.
Lee stopped after a while and I quickly slid off of his back, glad to have my personal space back. Lee Leaped up on his feet in one fluid motion. Still using that energetic manner that he was in before starting training. He didn't seem tired at all. "Thank you, Azami-san!" He said giving me the thumbs up and flashing another one of his smiles. I've never seen anyone smile so kindly before I met him. "Now I must repay you! Please allow me to take you out to eat."
I could only stare at him. Did he really just say that? Someone actually asked me to go have dinner with him or her. Is the world coming to an end?
I must have stayed unresponsive for to long, because Lee spoke up again. "Did you hear me, Azami-san?" Do you want to go get something to eat? My treat." He rephrased his question. His voice carrying a hint of worry in it like it did at the hospital.
I nodded to the did you hear me part, but he thought I was replying to the second question. Before I could correct him Lee had already grabbed my hand and was leading me back to the village at a light jog. "Great! I know the perfect place. They serve the best ramen in the village. It's sort of a shinobi hang out." He said as happy as ever.
