Breaking and Mending
Mission Requests, Part 2
by Michaela Will
They stood in a line. Neji said nothing, Tenten nodded firmly once. Lee did not have a chance to saying anything because Gai beat him to it.
"My illustrious Hokage-sama, we will happily and faithfully carry out the mission that you request of us! We are honored and most dutifully grateful for the opportunity to serve Konoha in your stead."
Tsunade smiled. "Actually, don't thank me. Suna understands that we are under a strain and that I can't be present. However, as Suna is still an ally its necessary for me to send a representative and the letter I received indicated that Gaara-san would be particularly appreciative for the opportunity to see Lee-kun again."
"Oh! Lee-kun!" Gai turned to his student, his eyes clearly starting to water, "What a wonderful show of friendship from Suna! That the new Kazekage would like to see you at his confirmation to office! He must have been moved by your strength during the Chunin Exams!"
Lee found he was nearing tears himself, especially with his mentor's show of emotion. Lee could see Neji attempting not to roll his eyes, but Tenten was beginning to crack a smile. Lee cleared his throat softly. "Hokage-sama, I am also moved by this show of friendship from Suna's Kazekage." He blinked back the tears, but knew his voice and the set of his jaw gave him away. "We will represent you and Konoha with the true spirit of allied friendship that this occasion deserves." Lee felt the tears slip down his cheeks anyhow.
Next thing he knew Gai was giving him a bear hug and Lee returned it wholeheartedly and allowed open the floodgates of his emotions. It was an honor to be singled out by the new Kazekage in a show of friendship. Tsunade turned and sat back down at her desk, signing their visas and waving Neji over to accept the documentation while Lee and Gai continued their hysterics. Tenten then started to clear her throat loudly. Both Lee and Gai struggled momentarily and then succeeded in getting their emotions under control, just in time to bow with Neji and Tenten in acceptance of their mission.
As they walked out of the Hokage's office, Lee wondered when Sakura and Kakashi would return from their mission. It would be three weeks from their departure this Thursday. Acting as an envoy to Gaara's confirmation as Kazekage would mean he would be gone at least a week. Sakura may return before he did. He looked into the north past the boarders of the village. He did not know exactly where she went, but he knew she and Kakashi had left in that direction.
With a quick prayer for her success, Lee headed home to pack. The work of a ninja was never done.
AN: snickers I know, tortuously short and a complete tease. I promise I'm building. The upcoming chapter "Return" will make this all worth it.