Chapter Ten. Rock in a Pond, Sad Circles in Water
Two days later, while Gai was in Rock Feng's room, polishing his apparel, a very agitated nurse ran in and asked the young chûnin to follow her.
- Lingu Shi-San is in terrible pain. There is not a lot of time left, we notified Yondaime-sama and Sandaime-sama, and they are coming, too. She wants to give something to her husband; as you're looking after both, she asked me to bring you.
She pointed to an inner ward in the Intensive Care unit.
The boy nodded his understanding, asked for permission and entered the room.
Against a pile of pillows, he saw a young Pond kunoichi who was gritting her teeth in pain. She encouraged him to come closer with a wave of her hand.
Ling-Si was a pale, beautiful woman. Her hair was falling around in cascades of raven- wing black. Shiny and wavy, though her fringe was rounded and straight.
And those two huge, liquid, almond-shaped eyes... they shone like onyx rocks and seemed to reach the deepest realm of his heart. They were full of strength and will, a cute pair of eyes.
- You're... Maito Gai.
The young ninja nodded.
- Please take this... to my husband. Tell him... not to worry about me.. I will be fine. I know our boy will be taken care of... and be worthy of us... living the life of a ninja.
She gave him a small piece of paper, folded several times. And smiled at him, despite being in so much pain her eyes watered from it. She held a piece of red fabric and put it in his other hand.
- In my village... the stronger shinobi wear... a red headband. Please accept it... and use it well.
Gai felt inmensely moved. Those two foreign ninjas trusted him on becoming stronger... he wouldn't deceive them. Also, for the sake of their offsping, if he or she survived.That kid was going to be strong, and if he was skillful enough, they might come across each other in a future and he would teach him or her.
Ling-Si motioned him to come closer. Gai bowed. The Pond ninja brushed aside his fringe and kissed his forehead. That was like a parting blessing, because, a second later, she twisted around and screamed in pain. Two nurses entered to check her condition, and the young Chûnin was unceremoniously shoved outside.
- Gai, come this way – It was Sarutobi, whose hand patted the boy's shoulders. Maito Gai did not move, his frame was shaking of impotence.– Sadly, we can't do much for her. I'm sorry.
They walked to the waiting room benches, where Yondaime was already sitting, and waited outside the maternity ward. It seemed an eternity; two hours passed before a nurse stepped out, her head shaking from side to side. Without a word, she walked by the aisle to the Pond ninja's room, holding a cloth bundle which was extremely silent.
Yondaime and Sandaime went in behind her. As they did, the newborn baby in the bundle began making gushing sounds. Rock Feng's eyes went dark.
- Here you are, it's a boy. I'm sorry, Fengu-san, but Lingu-Shi san died after giving birth. She did see her son and bless him before dying, though.
The Pond ninja nodded slowly. His face went pale; it was clear he was nothing short of dying himself. He took the boy from the nurse's hands – who rose and left - and watched him. Two eyes stared back unfocusedly; as round as his, and onyx black like his wife's. A little hand was raised, grabbing his ponytail into his tiny fist.
Rock Feng slowly opened those small fingers, pushing with his index his little nose. The baby sneezed and gurgled happily. Gai felt warm tears trickling down his eyes, he understood that greeting was a farewell.
The Leaf Chûnin walked forward and gave the Pond ninja the piece of paper. His round brown eyes scanned through the brief message, and he nodded gravely. "See you in heaven, my darling love, I will accomplish you last will"
- I forgot to tell you before.– he said, more color draining from his already pale cheeks, but without losing his erect and dignifyed posture. – This boy shall be called Rock Lee.
- Rock Lee... a Konoha citizen from this day on – Yondaime smiled encouragingly.
Rock Feng bowed his head in mute thanks, dedicated a weak smile to Gai as he handed him the baby. As the Chûnin picked the newly named Konoha shinobi, the Pond ninja's head swayed unnaturally, and his body fell back with a thud.
Dead.