AN: Sometimes you have to have a little bit of serious to move things along. Don't worry, Zi's reaction to that is going to be to pull a Tobirama when it's done.

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We had a freak thunderstorm for a few days. Every so often Konoha actually gets weather but it's usually perfect. Thunderstorms though are new, and somehow Lee and I ended up camped in the living room. We'd hauled a futon down with both of us working on it, and our pillows and bedding. From there we were able to watch out the big window in the living room as the sky lit up and noise rattled the air.

"What do you think makes the noise?" Lee asked, his hair was loose for sleep and let me tell you, he has the most gorgeous thick black hair. Not fair.

"...Umm..." I stammered because I knew what did it but that was science. And logic doesn't really apply here. Instead I tapped my lips to try and come up with something fanciful. "Well, maybe it's the gods Grandpa is always talking about?"

"You think they're fighting?"

"Yeah. Maybe the sound is when they hit and the lightning is from their chakra?"

"That'd be cool.." Lee trails off, chin propped up on his hands.

"Hey Lee?"

"Yeah Zi?"

I pause because I am not sure how to say this but then I just decide who needs tact with Lee as a twin. "Do you ever feel like we don't fit in at the academy?"

"Yes." Lee pauses, and I almost want to kick myself because of course he doesn't have chakra. "We are different. They don't understand the joys of a challenge, they mock me because I don't have chakra."

"WHAT!?" I am furious, I mean I know it would probably happen but.. "How did I not know about that?"

"Because I'm a boy Zi-chan. It's my job to protect my nee-chan. They were saying you stole my chakra when we were in the womb. Only not that intelligently.." Lee is much smarter than he lets on. He doesn't even give me a chance to but in, knowing me too well. "Besides, if that was the case I'm glad you have it. It's not safe to be shinobi but I know you will always be smaller and more delicate than I am and so if I can protect you when I am not there by your having the chakra that should have been for both of us, I would have given it to you anyways."

Is it any wonder I've come to love Lee? I don't hide my tears, we were never taught it was wrong to show our emotions and so I sniffle messily. "Love you too Nii-chan."

I get a beaming smile and then Lee shifts closer, flinching in surprise at the next lightning bolt.

"You want to go visit Sakura-chan with me tomorrow?" Lee asks softly, shy. I chuckle but just nod, Lee tries to not approach Sakura alone to avoid the teasing. He's also trying to get me to befriend her but at this point really I have trouble being friends with other kids. Kou is a bit different, he's a means to an ends with my chakra control and as a Hyuuga I don't think he ever had a day to just be a kid in his life. It does sometimes worry me though, as I don't remember anyone his name and age existing in the show..

Really there were not many kids outside the rookie twelve though that we saw at my age so maybe that is why. I humm softly and watch the droplets sliding down the window. We're already six years old. Six more and I'll be going on missions..

The fun times are going to end soon. Once I graduate there is no guarantee I will live. That my friends will live. So I need to ensure I live as fully as possible. If I can help Lee by seeing him end up with Sakura some day? Well, why not. It'd be nice to see him happy. Especially if I am not there. It's a sobering thought and maybe it has to do with watching the water cascading down from outside, something I think of related to Tobirama whom is troll and harbinger of all that can go wrong in my mind. I need to see now while there is a chance to do something with it to get myself out of the coming rampages alive, if my chakra control can make up for the small amount I have. The best way to find out? I need to spar with a Hyuuga.

One who does not hold back and doesn't hesitate to push me to the edge. I remember hearing in my previous life that you never know what you are capable of until you have no other choices. And while part of me feels gross knowing I'll be using someone's suffering to my benefit, I'm hoping doing so will also keep Neiji from becoming so twisted as he would otherwise.

This is so going to hurt.

"I'm going to do something really stupid after this weekend Lee-chan." I usually leave off the suffix, so my use of it only underscores my point. I can feel Lee's regard even though he doesn't move. "I am probably going to come home really beat up but I'll make sure the other guy is too, so no trying to defend my honor or anything okay?"

"You can fight your own battles, Zi-chan." Lee nods, he chuckles then. "Just remember to keep your determination and no one can beat you." Oh lee, you're so adorably naïve.