Hey, it's xXAkatsuki Black RoseXx back with the fourteenth chapter of Dance of An Eternal Lotus! I really don't know what to say about this chapter so lets just get on with it! But first I would like to thank...
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Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, alright? Good!
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Chapter 14
"You sure you don't want a change of clothes?"
"Yes, I am fine."
A pause. "How about another towel?"
Rock Lee glanced down at the white cloth around his neck before looking at Kado who was leaning on the wall across from him. He took the towel from around his neck, "that would be nice, thank you," Lee said as he handed the item to Kado. Leaning his back against the wall behind him, the taijutsu user looked down. His eyes scrutinized the wooden floor he was standing on with intense concentration. In his mind, thoughts of the events that happened that night drifted without any boundaries.
After finding Azami in a deep part of the training grounds, Lee had carried her back to the main street of the village. On the way he had met up with Kado, who looked more then relieved to see the sleeping kunoichi on his back, The three then made their was back to the house and now Lee stood in the hall outside of Azami's room, the door was closed and locked. Letting out a sigh, Lee looked to the wooden entrance. Subconsciously, he brought a hand up to his other arm and starting tapping his fingers against it impatiently.
"Here."
Blinking, Lee glanced up to see Kado standing in front of him; the other genin was holding a blue towel out to him. Smiling politely, Rock Lee took the fabric from him, "thank you," he spoke as he put the towel on his head and starting drying the last remains of rain water out of his hair.
"No problem," Kado said as he sat down next to Lee. Dark blue eyes glanced up at the taijutsu user with an unreadable look before looking straight at the other wall. Even though Lee was drying his hair, Kado could see a glimpse of the expression that was on the teen's face. "Don't worry," he murmured.
Deep eyes shifted. "Huh?"
Kado closed his eyes for a moment. "Azami is going to be fine, don't worry," he spoke. "She's been through a lot." Blue eyes reopened, "she's strong," Kado added.
Lee gave Kado a long, meaningful look before nodding in agreement. The genin was Azami's teammate after all and besides, he believed in her as well. "You are right," Rock Lee said. "Though I must ask, why does Tanjiro treat Azami-chan with such unfriendliness?"
Kado tilted his head up to meet Lee's questionable gaze; did the green clothed shinobi really see the hostility Tanjiro bestowed on Azami in such a short time? Running his fingers through his hair, Kado looked back at the opposite wall. "What would make you say that?" he questioned.
Lee chewed on his bottom lip slightly; a concentrated look was on his face. "It is just when Aza-chan mentions him, she seems to become sad," the taijutsu user said, his words were slow and thoughtful. "Almost as if she is blaming herself." Lee closed his eyes and sighed. "Also," he paused, "when I had found her she had a hopeless and lost look in her eyes, it reminding me of the day when I first met her when Tanjiro had hit her on the head. It was the same hurt expression." Reopening his eyes Lee looked to Kado," does that make sense?" he asked.
Blue eyes stared at Rock Lee with a hint of surprise, Kado nodded. "Yes, yes it does," he agreed. "Though the answer to your question…I really don't think it's my place to tell," Kado spoke coolly. "You could ask Azami." The Kumogakure shinobi crossed his arms, "Though I don't know if she'll tell or not," he added to himself.
Not noticing the pondering look on Kado's face, Lee gave a silent nod in response. He then turned his attention back Azami's room door. A sense of anxiousness was starting to make its way to the genin's head. "Please be alright," Lee thought as he closed his eyes and sighed. The waiting game was not fun to play.
Though as if the heavens themselves were listening to Lee, a creaking sound was heard. The door had swung open.
Kado got up from his spot on the ground as his sensei, Akio walked out of Azami's room rubbing his temples. The jounin glanced at the two genin who were staring at him clearly waiting, Akio closed his eyes. "She's alright," he murmured. "Just a few scratches here and there, plus a slight fever but other then that, she's fine." A soft sound was heard as the boys both let out a sigh in relief, "you can go in and see her," Akio said.
Without hesitation, Rock Lee and Kado walked pasted Akio and gave a small nod to him. Stepping into the room, they made their way over to the bed on the side of the room. Seeing some movement, Lee smiled and moved a bit in front of Kado and looked down at the bed. "Azami-chan" he called softly.
Green eyes fluttered and a small moan was heard from chapped lips as Azami turned her head. Seeing Kado and Lee by her side, the girl gave a weak smile. "Hey you guys," she spoke, her voice was raspy.
"How are you feeling?" Kado asked as he placed a hand on Azami's forehead. Akio was right, she was getting a fever.
Azami eyes squinted as she felt Kado's cool hand, "very tired and sickish," she replied. Closing her eyes for a moment, the teen snuggled into her blankets some more," but at least I'm warm, right?"
Kado smirked, "right," he murmured as he took his hand off of Azami, the shinobi took a step back. "Well, I'm going to let you get some rest," he spoke before leaning down. Kado placed a quick kiss on the girl's forehead before straightening up. "Call me if you need anything."
Azami smiled as her teammate made his way to the door, she nodded. "Alright," she called weakly. When she heard the door close, the kunoichi closed her eyes. A few coughs came from her but quickly receded. Turning over to her side, Azami smiled. She didn't forget there was another presence in the room. "Lee-kun, you can take a seat if you would like," the teen murmured.
Dark eyes blinked as Lee looked at Azami, he watched her eyes open again as she smiled at him. Slowly, the boy turned and sat down on the edge of the bed silently. For once, Rock Lee didn't know what to say. The genin glanced to Azami for a moment before looking around her room, things were scattered and here and there some things looked very misplaced.
"It use to look a lot worse," Azami spoke quietly which made Lee look at her. "Akio cleaned it up a bit so it would be at least half decent." Resting her elbows on the bed, Azami pushed her aching body up slightly and stared out. "I shouldn't have said those things to Tanjiro," she murmured. "If I knew he was going to do this…" Pausing, Azami shook her head, "no, I just shouldn't have done it in the first place."
Frowning, Lee sighed as Azami blamed herself. "Aza-chan," he said softly. "Wasn't it Tanjiro who taunted you first?" Scooting a little, the genin moved closer to Azami. "He has always done that, right?" Tilting his head, Lee looked straight into Azami's eyes. "Why does he do that?" he asked.
Green eyes glanced to the side as Azami bit down on her bottom lip; Lee's eyes held a confused look and she could see sadness in them as well. Had the way that Tanjiro treated her really bothered him? Letting out a small sigh, Azami turned back to Lee. "It's a long story," she murmured before pausing, "but I will tell you…Tanjiro wasn't always like the way he is now." Lifting up a hand, Azami ran her fingers through her hair. "We use to be pretty close but a few months back, something in our village happened, an announcement of sorts." The teen's eyes narrowed slightly, "since then things haven't been peaceful between us."
Rock Lee nodded in understanding after hearing Azami's explanation. Leaning his elbows on his knees he kept his eyes on her. "May I ask what the announcement was?" he questioned.
A silence filled the room for a long time as Azami stared at the ground, the girl did not speak. After three long minutes, the kunoichi closed her eyes. "Not now," Azami politely said but a slight edge could be heard. "I'm sorry…I just-"
"-You do not have to apologize Aza-chan," Lee said as he raised his hand and placed it on the girl's shoulder. "It must be hard for you," he said. "I understand." Slowly, Rock Lee moved from off Azami's bed and stood, his eyes were still on her. "I will let you rest, you look tired," he spoke softly. A small smile was plastered on his face.
And what Rock Lee did next made Azami's heart stop.
Even though it was the same act of kindness that Kado did before he left, Azami couldn't help but gasp slightly as Lee placed his lips on her forehead. Green eyes stared at the shinobi for what seemed like eternity before he moved away. Azami felt her cheeks heat up in a blush, the only thing she could do was smile back at Lee. Though as the boy made a move to turn, Azami quickly reach out and grabbed his hand. The kunoichi looked down at the ground as Lee looked at her. "I-if you wouldn't m-mind," Azami stuttered. "D-Do you think you can s-stay a little while l-longer, until I fall asleep?"
Dark eyes watched Azami careful before Rock Lee smiled, intertwining his hand with the girl's, he sat down. "If that is what you wish," he said as he grinned brightly.
Azami smiled back gratefully, "thank you," she said, her words drawled as she yawned. Slowly, Azami let her head fall slightly and relaxed into her pillow. Green eyes blinked and the kunoichi focused on her breathing. Feeling sleep making its way to her, Azami gave her right hand a slight squeeze and when she felt a squeeze back she smiled. And within a few minutes the girl's eyes closed as she began her way into a comfortable sleep, her hand still entwined around Lee's.
And to tell the truth…Azami wouldn't have it any other way.
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Well there's the chapter! Sorry if it's a bit boring but I still hope you enjoyed it! Please leave reviews, comments and constructive critism is very much appreciated! I don't know when I'll update next because I'm going to a Choir Context with my school, but I promise to write more while I'm on the more then four hour drive. So till then, see ya!
xXAkatsuki Black RoseXx