Rian adjusted well to her placement on Gai's cell over the next month. With Neko-Chan coaxing her on, Iruka's worries about placing her on the team had diminished considerably. Gai was more then over-joyously accepting of his new student, and only after an attempted stabbing did he stop his habit of bone-crushing hugs. And one could feel Neji's indifference rather then see it.
Lee was happy to have another team mate, but continued to be much himself.
And so, The Gai Cell fell into a normal way of existing, which they hadn't since the death of their former member Tenten. Life fell into a strange kind of normal for them all.
Gai usually sent Neji and Lee off to do whatever it was they did, (leading to many gay jokes from a certain brown cat we all know…) and tried his best to catch Rian up to their level of skill.
Author's Note: DON'T KILL ME! My computer broke and had to be shipped out to be fixed! Oh well. Only one person has this on Story Alert, anyway...
Gai was thrilled to see Rian excel at a rather advanced rate, but it really wasn't due in any part to Gai's tutelage. No, it was all Neko-Chan's doing.
The cat taught Rian more then Gai could have possibly taught her.
Whereas Gai constantly lectured her on the proper ways to kick an enemy's brains out, Neko-Chan counseled her on keeping one's head. He taught her to watch an opponent and map out his idiosyncrasies, find his weak spot, visualize his moments and anticipate them with deadly accuracy.
Neko-Chan sagely unfolded Rian's Shinobi abilities, in a way that no human teacher could have. He knew every inch of her mind, every foible and habit. He knew exactly how to push and counsel her, sharpening her into a purely devious tool of war, much to both of their contentment.
An important thing Neko-Chan taught her was how to downplay one's self, therefore gaining another trump card.
Cursed with short stature, Rian was already overlooked as mediocre. Neko-Chan taught her this was another thing to be manipulated and used as a weapon.
Manipulation. That was the key to her potential, Neko-Chan drilled into her. Working behind the scenes, without the need for showy jutsu and crackling chakra. The mind was her most powerful weapon, he said, tapping his furry cranium with a brown paw. Rian took his words to heart.
He was all she had.
Another rule he taught her was, Never become attached to any human.
They are deceivers, betrayers, and even worse manipulators then she and her cat. They are drunkards and sluts, and vain, prideful creatures. Their habits were deadly, and what is deadly is toxic.
Besides, becoming attached to people created bonds that would hurt when broken.
So, as much as she appreciated Gai's tutelage, she did not allow herself to become overly-fond of his exuberant and loving demeanor, or look up to him as Lee did.
Crafted carefully under the hands of her dearest companion, Rian evolved from a weak academy student, to the rightful genin worthy to wear her country's symbol on her headband.
Truly, she was content to revel in Neko-Chan's attentions and learn all he could teach along the pathway to becoming a ninja.
"WAC-CHOO!"
Uh oh.. That doesn't sound good.
Rian rolled over from her tangled sheets, burying her face in the sweat-soaked pillow.
"Ugh, Nego-Than, I dun fell gud." she said, looking at him through her glassy eyes.
You sound awful.
A moment passed, a bit of red chakra glowing at Rian's forehead.
Your cooking like a rotisserie chicken, too.
Rian's only response was an "Ug."
Neko-Chan sighed. It probably wasn't good for Rian to be training today. He could already tell. Plus, he'd worked her hard yesterday, and it'd been raining, long after Gai and Neji had gone home.
"I'b nod getting up." Rian defied through the pillow.
Yeah, I know. Get some rest.
Rian sighed. "Sank you, Nego-Than"
Night, Chan.
"WAG-CHOO!"
Neko-Chan sighed, and curled himself into a ball. He might as well rest as well.
Rian was out like a light. Neko-Chan wondered what it felt like to have a head cold. The kid was a wreck, pure and simple. He'd never in his life been sick before. He wondered how Rian must feel, to be flaming with fever and nostrils clogged with whatever clogs noses when you have a cold.
Sympathy, one of his least used emotions filled him, as he stroked himself with one of his tails.
He hoped she got better soon. If he knew Rian, she'd be up before he could say-
A knock on the front door interrupted his thoughts.
"Combing…" Rian said, though she made no moves to get up.
The knocks increased in intensity and consistency.
"I thed, combing!" she said, and Neko-Chan braced himself as Rian pulled herself up.
Poor kid, still wearing her wet clothes from yesterday. She'd gotten home, tossed her weapons on the table, and collapsed on her old mattress.
Rian stumbled over ramen wrappers, a wet blanket, a few DVD boxes, and the remains of Thursday's popcorn dinner before she reached the door. It took her twice to grab the handle, and fling the door open.
The green hurt Rian's eyes, and sent another pain through her head.
"Yosh!" the green thing cried, throwing a thumbs up at Rian's face.
Neko-Chan scoffed. What was Rian's idiotic team mate doing here?
"Hai, Rian-San! Where've you been?" he said, as though he'd been waiting for her all day on the doorstep.
Rian winced, his loud voice bothering her even more then usual.
"Hi, Lee. I'b been in bed. I thick." she said, a loud cough enforcing her statement.
Lee's massive eyebrows lowered with sympathy. "Oh, you sound awful"
"Yah." she said, wiping her runny nose.
Rian cast an anxious look over at her bed, really needing to lie back down.
"Well, I'b not combing to training tuday. See you toborrow"
"Wait!" he said, putting a bandaged hand between the door and the wall to prevent her from closing it.
Rian looked up at him, eyes half glazed-over.
"You cannot cease your training due to a simple cold! It would waste your precious youth!" he said.
Rian looked at him.
"You're crady." she said at length. "Get out of by houde"
Lee looked surprised at the statement. He'd been called crazy before, but never by his own teammate.. Well, Neji did sometimes, but-
"I insist you come!" he said, flinging open the door. "Youth awaits"
"Youth will wait 'till toborrow." Rian said, crawling back under the sheets, not even caring if Lee was there. Her head hurt too much.
"WA-CHOO!"
Lee looked at the lump under the blanket that was Rian. How could she just give in to sickness this way? Perhaps her youth was not as strong as he thought.
Well, he would remedy that immediately!
"Up, up, up!" he yelled, and pulled the blanket off her. Rian cringed at the light, curled into a fetal position.
"WACH! GET 'WAY, LEE! LEMEE 'LONE!" she yelled, her voice nasally.
"No! Youth waits for no one!" he said, attempting to drag her out of the house, while Rian grabbed another blanket and covered herself with it.
"GO WAY, LEE!" she yelled again, attempting to hit him with one fist and keep her head covered from the blinding lamp light with the other.
Lee scowled. "Are you coming to training with me, or am I going to have to drag you?"
"LEE, PUT ME DOWN!" Rian yelled, kicking her feet into Lee's chest.
"Never"! Lee said, trying not to wince as her fists dug into his back.
A man of his word, Lee really had dragged Rian out of the house. She'd put up quite a fight, biting and kicking and screaming, and dragging that darn blanket over her head.
Luckily, she'd left her weapons on the table and didn't have them on her, or Lee would most likely be bleeding profusely Even now, walking to the training ground, he was considering knocking her out the way she was carrying on.
He'd flipped her up and over his shoulder like a piece of meat the way a hunter carries it.
That was the only way to keep her from murdering him. That way she was beating his back to death instead of his face. Luckily as well, being sick she was too weak to fight him.
Lee's intentions were good, simply the ones Gai had brainwashed into him for all these years.
He meant no malice. But Rian did.
"Oh, when I get my hands on my kunai.." she hissed.
I say we poison his vitamins.
Neko-Chan was as pissed as Rian. He hated Lee.
"And make him drink acid."
And his leg warmers.
"And catfish."
Lee overheard Rian hissing. Probably plotting to murder him.
Rian was finally limp. She'd beat bruises into his back and chest until she had no more strength.
She flopped over his shoulder like a rag doll. Maybe Lee would think she was dead, and put her down. Then she could punch him in the teeth and escape back home and go back to sleep.
Truth be told, she wasn't too tired anymore. The cold had taken away the drowsy feeling. And her nose wasn't as clogged anymore. That probably came from being hung upside down.
Rian became more aware of her situation as she realized Lee could probably drop her flat on her face anytime he pleased, but he wasn't.
"Wonder why?"
.. He's crazy. That's why. He's going to kill you and put you in his freezer in a sandwitch bag.
She laughed a little, because her throat was still sore.
"Lee? Can you put me down, please?"
Lee shook his head. "I f I do, you'll scratch me and run again"
Rian flopped again, all her hope gone. He was going to drag her all the way to training…
"Lee, why are you doing this?" her voice clearing some.
Lee smiled at her coherency. "Because you are my teammate! And I can't have you wasting all your youth away!"
Rian huffed. What was all this talk of "youth" he and Gai always chattered about? Then, something hit her.
"Lee,.. You know, Gai-Sensei isn't in the Springtime of his Youth anymore." the words tasted strange on her tongue.
Lee stopped dead in his tracks. Rian could feel his eyes pop wide.
'Wha-wha-wha.." he babbled at the realization.
"It's true." Rian said. "He's old and crusty now. Not young and.. Youthful"
Lee was trembling, but he kept walking forward.
"Then, then, then, then where is he?" he asked, as though Rian had all the answers.
Rian threw a look at Neko-Chan.
"The Autumn of His Virility." Rian gave Neko-Chan's answer.
"Alas, Autumn is so close to Winter!" Lee cried, nearly dropping Rian, but she scrambled and grabbed his spandex to keep from dying.
"Yeah." Rian said, a twinge of sadness in her voice. Autumn really was too close to Winter…
"Maybe the 'Summer of his Adolesence." she answered, her heart and voice lighter.
Lee smiled. "Yes. Summer"
Rian smiled right along with him. His smile was almost intoxicating, sometimes That wasn't the only thing she noticed about him. His arms, which had dragged her out of her home this morning, had been flexing with all their strength against his tiny opponent.
She suddenly felt how strong he was, carrying her like this. He was hardly any taller then her herself.
And his hand was clamped over her leg like a vice, which was the only thing keeping her from going flat in the dirt.
Rian smirked sadly. She hoped they'd get there soon. She certainly was not enjoying this mode of transportation.
"Come on, Lee. I won't run. Put me down, please." she asked.
Lee dropped her with about as much grace as one would expect from someone carrying a sack of potatoes. Rian slid back over his shoulder and landed on her face. She did a quick flip and got to her feet.
Lee smiled at her and continued walking towards the grounds. The barrier marker was in sight already.
Rian smirked, and ran to catch up to him.
For some reason, she felt a little better, and kind of "fuzzy" inside. But the feeling was soon forgotten.
"Come on, Rian-San. I know you want one!"
"No, I don't." Rian spat.
Gai waggled the bag in front of her face. "Come on, everyone loves Goldfish!"
"Not me, sir."
Gai looked at little Rian, who was scowling into space, probably because Gai was trying to force her into eating the cracker carps.
"-sigh- As you wish, Rian-San." he said, the sorrow in his voice catching, and tugging a string Rian's heart.
Pathetic.
Weren't Jounin supposed to be mature adults? Not ranting about youth, and wearing leg warmers and eating.. Goldfish?
Gai's look cheered up, and he reached into the bag grabbed a handful of cheesy, salty deliciousness, and shoved them into his mouth. He crunched contentedly for a moment.
But then-
Oh no.
"Run, Neko-Chan."
Gai cleared his throat, and began tapping his feet together. His grin turned sillily insane, and he opened his salty mouth and said…
"I love the Fishes 'cause... they're so delicious! … Got GoldFishes! … dun dun dun I looovve the fishes cuz they're sooo delicious… and nutritious…"
Rian buried her head in her hands and tried to block the sounds out. Neko-Chan yowled and covered his ears.
"Can you please call it a day?" Rian asked, trying to keep the hiss out of her voice.
'Oh, yes." Gai said, swallowing another handful of the crackers. "You can go on home now"
As she walked away, thanking God for his intervention, she could hear Gai singing,
"It's the snack that smiles back… Goldfish! When they smile, they're so suspicious... doo doo dee doo"
That man is insane.
"Hm. Neko-Chan…" Rian scolded, smiling.
And Lee's just like him.
Rian just smirked, and mentally ruffled Neko-Chan's fur. Oh well, it was time to go home.
She frowned, thinking about all the kunai she would need to sharpen tonight. And the flat needed a good cleaning, and her headband was-
The next thing Rian knew, she'd walked straight into a pole.
Smooth move, Slick Hair.
Rian grimaced, and started to scramble up. Suddenly, she realized there were two eyes looking at her.
"Hello, Lee." she muttered, shaking the splinters from her face.
Lee's black eyes were staring at her, boring a hole in the back of her head. Neji had gone home hours ago, and Lee had been practicing his various training exercises.
"What were you doing?" Rian asked.
"Tree kicking!" Lee proclaimed.
He made it sound even dumber then it looked. Oh well, habits of the ridiculous.
She was about to comment on this when she noticed his leg.
"Lee, your leg is bleeding." she said pointing.
Lee looked down, his black hair flopping with the movement of his head. "Oh." he said. "Yes"
Rian just looked at him, at the blood seeping through the orange leg warmer.
"Sit down." she said, sighing, and pulling a bandage from her shruiken pouch.
Lee dropped on his behind on the ground, looking at her as though she was going to skewer him alive.
"What are you doing?" he cried when she put a hand on his leg.
"Bandaging your dumb ass leg, what does it look like?" she snapped. She was already worn thin from training today, and she could have been home hours ago.
"Rian, I don't think-" he began.
"Shut up. I'm doing you a favor"
She yanked at the Velcro until the blood soaked cloth gave way, and tossed it over beside Lee's hand,
There was a huge bulge in Lee's pantleg.
"Lee, what-" she knocked on the knot with her knuckle. It clanked, like metal.
"Oh. That is my training weight." he said, rolling up his pant leg to reveal the metal apparatus.
Rian's eyebrows jumped to the top of her head.
Lee struggled to undo the thing, and when it gave way, dropped it to the ground. The earth shook slightly.
Rian stared wide eyed at the thing. "How do you-" She silenced herself, and turned back to his leg, where the blood was still flowing fresh.
Rian gasped.
She knew almost nothing about medical training, but even she knew this was serious.
There was an imprint of the weight into the bloody flesh. Apparently, Lee had tried to keep the weight from rubbing with a wad of bandages, but they were having no effect at all.
The gauze had collapsed on itself, leaving bloody chafe marks in two lines around his calf. Half-healed flesh was trying desperately to close back up, but could not from the constant pressure of the weights. Fresh red blood pumped out of what had to be agonizing wounds, dripping into a puddle on the forest floor, darkening the soil.
Rian's mouth dropped open. Neko-Chan was mimicking her expression. This, this was bad.
She threw a glance over at the weight. It had to weigh, 60, 70 pounds.
How did bear the pressure of those things? When, how did-
"When's the last time you took these things off?" Rian asked, still incredulous.
Lee looked down into his lap. "Um, last year."
Rian turned to look at him. "LAST YEAR?"
Lee grimaced, and Rian turned back to the bloodied mash of a leg.
The open air must be killing it.. And the pressure of hitting it against a tree repeatedly.
She quickly bandaged it as gently and as fast as she could, but God. It made her want to puke. She could practically see the white of his bone poking through the mangled flesh.
She sobered her face as Lee reached for the weight again. He must wear it all the time. How did he sleep, run- hell, how did he even walk in those things.
She caught his hand before it strapped the thing on.
"No." she said, sternly.
"I have to." he replied, sadly.
"But Lee, it's just festering! It's gonna get infected, and-" Rian was practically in tears, trying to imagine the constant pain he must be in. Why, why did Lee have to be so ridiculous? Why couldn't he just-
"Because it'll make me stronger!" he rasped.
"Stronger, my ass! Youre going to get gangrene and"
Lee's look said she didn't need to continue. Rian looked away as tears gathered in his eyes.
"I must." was his only answer, as he dialed in the last lock of his torture device.
He tried to stand up, using a tree for support, but Rian grabbed his arm and helped him stand.
"Thank you." he said, strapping his leg warmer back on.
There were a million things Rian wanted to say to him, but she couldn't bring herself to.
She just watched as he walked off into the forest, a slight limp in his step.
"You're being stupid!" she choked out after him.
Lee turned to fac her, a whistful smile on his face. "Stupid is as stupid does."
It was right about then that Rian 'got it'. Got why Lee wore those silly weights, why he trained at all hours of the day, why he worked so hard. She didn't know how. She just 'got it'.
She smiled, and Lee disappeared off for home.
Neko-Chanbristled.
That kid is ridiculous.
"No." Rian corrected. Neko-Chan just didn't 'get it'.
"He's just… strong"
And she promised herself she would never think of him as a weak fool again.
A/N: If no more Motherboards blow out, Chapter Five should be here sooner then this one was.