The next morning, Michiko decided to take a walk around town before the tournament began. She weaved through streets and alleys until she found herself looking over a beautiful man-made pond with a traditional looking bridge that spanned its width. Michiko dropped to her knees to peer into the water. She could see koi fish swimming around moss-covered stones. She reached a hand out and stroked the water's surface, causing the koi to swim curiously about.

It was then that her eyes found the most beautiful flower she had ever seen. It was white, with several petals, and a golden center. Several of them grew out of the water, dotting the pond. Michiko gently plucked one and inspected it closer. She decided to keep it. She stood up, and looked around. With a sinking feeling, she realized she didn't know where she was. Wasn't the tournament supposed to start soon?

"Oh! Sorry, usually I am the only one who visits this place."

Michiko spun around to see Rock Lee smiling at her. Her face turned slightly pink, at being taken by surprise.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know!" she said softly. Lee put on a flustered look.

"I-I did not mean you were not allowed to be here! It is just not well known. I was hoping to get some luck while I was here for the tournament." he explained.

"Some luck?"

"Yes! Every time I visit this place, I receive good luck in some way!"

Michiko thought it over. Then she smiled, holding her flower out to him.

"Well, today, maybe you should bring some of that luck with you. Here." Now it was Lee's turn to blush.

"A lotus? For me?" He took the flower gingerly and stared at it.

"What's wrong?" Michiko asked.

"It is nothing! Just... the lotus is my favorite flower! I have a good feeling about today's tournament!" He gave Michiko a thumbs up and a sparkling smile. Michiko smiled in response.

"Um, Lee? Can I walk with you to the tournament? I kinda got myself lost..."

"But of course! A gentleman will always help a lady in distress!"

The two walked towards the tournament stadium together.

Michiko sat with Kurenai Sensei, Guy Sensei, and Rock Lee, as they watched the fighting. With each passing matchup, Michiko could see Lee growing more and more anxious. Guy Sensei thumped him on the back.

"Chin up, Lee! Just remember what I've taught you, and you'll be fine!" He flashed a thumbs up.

"That is not the problem." Lee answered. "It is just that..." Suddenly, he jumped to his feet, fire burning in his eyes. "I am so ready to compete, I can barely sit still!"

Sure enough, the next matchup was called.

"Gaara of the Sand, versus... Rock Lee!" the proctor called. Lee's whole countenance intensified.

"Right! Now it is time for me to show what I can do!" He started to run towards the ring, but paused and ran back to Michiko, holding out his flower.

"Would you mind holding this for me, Michiko? I will be right back! That is a promise!" Without waiting for an answer, he placed the flower in her hair, and took off.

Michiko watched the match as it started. Lee stood with confidence, striking a fighting stance. The boy called Gaara stood with a large gourd strapped to his back. From the gourd, a stream of sand spilled, which puddled around his feet. When the fighting began, Lee placed blow after blow, while Gaara simply stood there, his sand protecting him from every attack.

"How is Lee supposed to fight a guy like that?!" Michiko finally asked in exasperation.

"Don't count Lee out just yet!" Guy said proudly. "He's just warming up!"

The fight escalated when Lee took off his leg weights. Michiko could barely follow his movements anymore. Gaara looked as flabbergasted as Michiko felt. Was it even possible for someone to move that fast? But when Lee determined that even this wasn't enough to defeat Gaara, he did something new. He stopped fighting, and took on a sturdy stance. He began glowing, the air around him swirling around furiously.

"What's happening?" Michiko asked.

"Lee is using his ultimate trump card. The Inner Gates!" Might Guy responded. Kakashi Sensei heard him and gasped.

"Guy, you can't be serious! Only the most skilled of ninja can attempt a feat like that! Of all the reckless..." he trailed off as he turned his eye to Lee. He had already opened the third gate. He watched with amazement mixed with horror as Lee continued.

"That's... that's five of The Eight Inner Gates!" he said in awe. "To think that one so young could accomplish such a feat. That boy truly is a genius..."

Michiko watched as Lee's skin grew red. His eyes went completely white, and then, suddenly he was gone. Michiko couldn't even see him anymore. All she could see were the blows that Gaara was receiving. Surely this would end the match. So why did she have this sinking feeling?

"Guy Sensei?" she asked. "Will Lee be alright?"

"Opening the Gates allows the user to move and fight far beyond what the body is normally capable." Guy responded.

"This can cause muscles to tear, however." Kakashi added. "He is right now moving faster than physically possible. I hope you knew what you were doing when you taught him that, Guy."

"Lee heals faster than your average kid, Kakashi." Guy answered. "And his willpower is unshakable."

Everyone watched as Lee used his finishing move. There was an explosion of sand, and then Lee flopped to the ground several feet away, The Gates closed. Struggling, Lee rose to his knees, looking to see if Gaara was defeated. Gaara simply stared at him, hatred burning in his eyes. He reached out a hand. Everyone gasped.

"Even after all that, Gaara can still fight?" Kurenai Sensei asked in amazement.

Sand slithered towards Lee slowly. Barely able to move, Lee tried to crawl away. Michiko stood.

"Guy, I think Lee is in real trouble!" she said.

"If I intervene, Lee will automatically lose the match." Guy stated.

The sand grabbed hold of Lee's left arm and leg. Then Gaara clenched his hand into a fist.

"Sand Coffin!" he rasped.

Everyone looked on in horror as Gaara crushed Lee's arm and leg. Lee cried out in pain.

"Lee! No!" Michiko screamed. Gaara wasn't done. More sand approached Lee.

"Now, you die!" Gaara roared. In a blur of green, Guy swatted the attack away, standing between Gaara and Lee.

"That's quite enough!" he shouted, obviously angry. The proctor was about to call the fight, when the audience collectively gasped. Guy turned around to see his student back on his feet, trembling, but holding a fighting stance once more. He put a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"No, Lee. It's all right. It's over now. Anyway, you're in no condition to..." He cut himself off when he saw the hollowness in Lee's eyes staring through him.

"Lee... Oh, Lee! Wh-what have I done?" Might Guy uttered, tears streaming down his face. "Look at you, not even conscious, and still determined to show the world what you can do!"

"He's out cold." Kakashi said gravely. "Nothing keeping him up but sheer willpower." Michiko sank back into her seat and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Lee... you've already proven it!" Guy sobbed. He wrapped his arms around Lee, who collapsed into his embrace. "You are a splendid ninja."

"Rock Lee..." Michiko whispered, tears springing to her eyes as Guy laid his student on the ground gently. A medical team rushed forward and gathered the poor boy onto a stretcher, whisking him away and leaving Guy standing alone in the arena. Kakashi jumped down to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Guy, listen..." he began. But Guy interrupted him with a shuddering sob.

"I just wanted him to win!" he cried. "I wanted him to achieve his goals more than anything! And now... with his injuries, I fear he will never-!"

"Don't say that, Guy!" Kakashi cut him off. "You don't know that for certain. Now come on, they can't start the next match with us standing here."

"Right." Guy answered with a hollow voice. Kakashi led him out in the direction that the medical ninjas took Lee. Michiko stood up, looking worried.

"Kurenai Sensei...?" she asked quietly. Kurenai just smiled.

"Go after them, Michiko. They could use your support."

Without another word, Michiko ran out of the arena.