Ch 21 - Reaching Out
Hitomi had never met an exclusively Taijutsu user and she didn't know what to expect in terms of what she'd see in her mind's eye. However, she knew that not being able to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu was a huge setback for any shinobi and only someone of utmost perseverance and determination could overcome that handicap. That's why she paid no mind to the blend of yin and yang chakra that blazed within him. Instead she focused on watching him train.
"54…53...52...51..." Rock Lee grunted as he frog jumped around an open field. Hitomi and Gaara had been watching him since he started at 1000. The Suna shinobi stood side by side at the edge of the field, quietly observing. Neither of them made any signs to interrupt. Rock Lee had only given them a quick nod and asked that they please allow him to finish his set. He didn't seem bothered by their presence at all.
"What do you see?" Gaara asked quietly, finally breaking the shared silence.
Hitomi clasped her hands in front of her. "His chakra is nothing out of the ordinary. If you never told me that he could only use Taijutsu, I wouldn't have known by sight alone."
"...Can you see his injuries?"
"Injuries?"
"I hurt him during the Chunin Exams," Gaara admitted, "I broke him in a way that would stop him from being a shinobi. The current Hokage seemed to have managed to undo the damage I've done but that was only fairly recently."
"Oh...Well, his chakra signature seem normal," Hitomi said slowly, "And based on how he's training now, he's in good shape to me."
"Ah…" Gaara said, "I saved him from the bone jutsu manipulator but he managed to hold up on his own before I intervened...He wasn't angry to see me. In fact, he was only surprised."
Hitomi tilted her head to the side. "You sound confused by that."
"In my experience...," Gaara said, "Whenever I cause someone pain or grief, they usually seek me out for revenge or show signs of hatred towards me...If they survived, that is…"
The hollowness in his voice from this statement was not lost to Hitomi but she kept this observation to herself. He didn't sound regretful of his past but he didn't sound proud of it either. Whatever he felt about it was not the matter at hand and Hitomi would rather focus on what was.
"Three...two...one…" Rock grunted and he straightened up his legs with a loud groan, "Ooooh! Yes! 500 push ups, 1000 sit ups, and 1000 frog jumps done! Cool down finished!"
Hitomi raised an eyebrow. "Cool down?"
"Yes, Gaara's friend," Rock Lee said as he started to stretch his arms and swing it from side to side, "Today's training is now complete and I look forward to starting another day of hard work!"
He bent down at the waist and touched his toes. "Now, Gaara! Gaara's friend! How may I help you?"
Hitomi stepped forward and she bowed. "My name is Hitomi Saboten of Sunagakure."
"Ah! How do you do?" he said and broke from his stretch to return her gesture.
"I have never seen a strictly Taijutsu user before," Hitomi said, "You must have worked very hard."
"Yes," Rock Lee said. He slid one foot back and began to stretch his calf, "Among strong people exists genius types and hard-working types. I was not born as a natural genius so through hard work and guts, I will become a splendid ninja."
"Hrmmm...I wonder what category I fall into then," Hitomi said.
Rock Lee lifted his head up but kept himself in the deep stretch. "What do you mean?"
"I have a natural ability because of my bloodline but I am also blind, so I have to work hard to compensate for that. Is there such a thing as a hard working genius?" Hitomi asked with a soft smile.
"Those should be the strongest people of all then," Rock Lee stated.
Hitomi laughed softly. "I hope so."
"You say you are blind but you said you wanted to see a Taijutsu user," Rock Lee said.
"I use a Sensing Jutsu," Hitomi replied, "I can see just not in a traditional sense."
"Understood," Rock Lee said and he dove into a perfect front split.
Hitomi refolded her hands in front of her. "May I ask you a question, Rock-san?"
"Please address me as Rock Lee or just Lee. Rock-san is too formal," Rock Lee said, "But yes, you may."
"Why did you decide to be a shinobi?"
"That is a great question, Hitomi. At first I wanted to be a shinobi because that's what kids do around here. Then I found out I had no talent in Ninjutsu and Genjutsu...But by then, even though everyone told me there was no hope for me, I was determined to prove them wrong," Rock Lee said, "I believe hard work and determination can exceed even a genius."
"So you're doing it for yourself," Hitomi said.
"Yes," Rock Lee said, "But then I met Gai Sensei. He is just like me. Someone who has no talent in anything other than Taijutsu, but he is an amazing shinobi. I wish to follow his path and one day surpass him."
He leapt to his feet and gave the Suna shinobi a thumbs up. "Guts and love will always prevail!"
Hitomi smiled. "That is a very romantic way of thinking."
"Romantic?" Gaara repeated.
"Gaara-san. One day, I wish to have another rematch with you," Rock Lee said with a firm nod, "With some more rigorous training, I am sure the results will be different from our last match."
Gaara remained silent so the other Suna shinobi answered in his stead.
"I wish you luck, Rock Lee, and I hope I can witness that match some day," Hitomi said.
"Lee! Lee! There you are."
Hitomi turned to see a fire user come running towards them. This kunoichi...has a lot of chakra.
"Tenten!" Lee said and pumped up his fist, "I have just finished my daily training but I am still full of energy so if you are in need of my assistance, I-"
"IDIOT! Stupid Lee!"
Thwack!
The kunoichi sent Rock Lee rolling across the field with a harsh flying kick to the jaw. She put her hands to her waist and glared at her defeated target. "You just got out of the hospital. You need to take it easy or else you're going to wind up back there again!"
"But Tenten, I-," Rock Lee protested but she dashed towards him and grabbed by the collar before he could even think about getting up.
"I'm taking you home," she huffed and dragged him away. As she passed by Gaara, she paused in her step for just a second before continuing on and giving a nod to Hitomi, "Please excuse us."
Hitomi gave a slight bow and smiled a little at the defeated wave Rock Lee gave them.
"She would be a hard opponent for you…"
"Eh?" Hitomi turned to face Gaara.
"She summons weapons," Gaara said, "That's her specialty."
"Ah...that would be difficult for me," Hitomi replied and then gave it some more thought, "Not impossible, though. Just difficult."
"What did you think about Rock Lee?" he asked.
"He is sincere," Hitomi said, "A quality not commonly found in the shinobi world…He's an optimist too, which is even rarer."
"Are you saying he's a fool?" Gaara asked.
Hitomi laughed and it took Gaara aback. It wasn't a particularly loud laugh and it was one he had heard from her before. She had just done it during her conversation with Rock Lee but she had never laughed directly to him. More bewildering to the jinchuuriki, she had never laughed because of him. In fact, it might be the first time he had caused anyone to laugh in a positive manner. If optimism was rare in the shinobi world, laughter was even rarer, especially around him.
"I think it's his optimism and focus on hard work that keeps him from hating you, Gaara-san," Hitomi said with the remains of a smile on her lips, "He's determined to look forward and push through all obstacles so that means he won't be looking back at those who caused any of them in the first place."
"Is that the same as your team member, Akira?"
"Similar but not quite," Hitomi said, "I think Akira Nee-chan is also looking towards the future and trying to find a way to save his sister. That's why he said he didn't have time to hate you."
"Ah…" Gaara stood there and contemplated the kunoichi's words.
It seemed that it wasn't only bonds that defined one's existence. It was mentality as well. It's not enough for someone to offer their hand and pull one out of the darkness of solitude. One needed to have the want to grab their hand in the first place.
He wondered how many hands he had ignored or pushed away when he was still imprisoned in his own solitude. He had been so engrossed in darkness that he couldn't see or think clearly if someone even did reach out.
He lifted his hand and he stared at it. He knew the hands that once reached for him might no longer be there or no longer wish to try but he was willing to take the blame for that. He was also willing to make amends by being the one to reach out this time. And he was willing to start right now.
"Hitomi Saboten," he said and held out his hand towards her, "Let's go back."
He noticed that even though it took a moment for her to put her hand in his, she didn't seem hesitant or uncomfortable to do so. She only smiled faintly at him and gave him a small nod. "Ah."
"Th...This is quite the gathering," Hitomi said when she and Gaara returned to their apartment complex. He had already went into his room but since Akira had the key, Hitomi had to wait outside her door to be let in.
Before Akira could even open the door, Hitomi registered the chakra natures of not just her team members but also Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, Shikamaru, Choji, and two people she had yet to meet. She didn't have to use her Sensing Jutsu, though, since the talking and laughing went right through the door and echoed into the hallway. They were staying in a cramped studio apartment, after all.
"You're back!" Tamotsu said as a greeting and then threw his whole weight on her, "Thank god! Save me."
"From what?" Hitomi asked and then pinched her nose, "Oh. You reek of sweat, Tamotsu. Go shower."
"That's what a man's supposed to smell like," he growled.
Akira raced to the door and he grinned. "Ah! Great idea, Chibi-chan! Let's all go to the bath house!"
"You are not bathing in the women's bath!" Tamotsu growled.
Akira put a hand to his heart. "I would never!"
"Eh? Eh? Are you guys forfeiting the game?" Shikamaru called out from the room.
Akira and Tamotsu both moved out of the way so that Hitomi could come in. She gave a deep bow and smiled at the two strangers. "Hello, I'm Hitomi Saboten."
Welcome back.
"Thank you, Sena."
"Ano...I hope you don't mind us coming," Hinata said as she sat around the coffee table with the rest of the group, "I was walking Akira-san and Sena-san home when we ran into Kiba and Shino...and then while we were here, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino came over too."
"Ino-san...Shino-san," Hitomi murmured and committed their chakra nature to memory. The swarming chakra of the bug user made her uncomfortable but she did not let it show in any way, "Hinata-san mentioned earlier that Shino-san, you are part of her team and a member of the Aburame clan."
"Yes, that is correct. Kiba and I came to find Hinata. Why you ask? Because we wanted to see how she was doing as we were concerned for our own team member," Shino said.
"That is very thoughtful of you and I'm glad you answered. I was wondering that," Hitomi replied and it caused Kiba to drop his cards.
Shino pushed up his sunglasses. "You're welcome."
"Wow...She speaks Shino," Kiba whispered and nudged Hinata with his elbow.
"And I'm guessing Shikamaru-san, Choji-san, and Ino-san are in one team as well?" Hinata asked and turned her attention to the ones sitting on the opposite side of the coffee table.
"Yah," Shikamaru sighed and pointed over to an empty bento box in their kitchen sink, "Choji's mom made you guys a bento as a thank you for saving him but he ate half of it on his way over and then the other half while we were playing cards. It's a drag for you to clean it so Choji can just take it home with him when we leave."
"Sorry!" Choji said with a contented look on his face.
"You are the worst," Ino huffed. She stood up and held out her hand towards Hitomi, "Hi! Let me properly introduce myself. I am Ino Yamanaka. I actually didn't come here with my team members. I was sent by Shizune-san to bring some more medical journals to Akira-kun."
"Nee-chan! Nee-chan!" Akira corrected.
"No," Ino said flatly and returned his glare with one of her own, "You can dress up all you want but you'll never be a natural beauty like me."
Hitomi grabbed her hand and shook it, ending the argument before it could get heated. "Ino Yamanaka-san...Nice to meet you. Are you part of the Yamanaka Clan? That explains why your chakra is so well blended…"
"Eh?" Ino gasped, "You can sense chakras too?"
"It's the only way I can see."
"Alright, ya brats! You said you were going to wait until Hito came back so now she's here so everybody out! We're going to the bath house!" Tamotsu yelled from the doorway and waved a hand towards the open door, "Out!"
"Alright. I guess I can go take a bath. Akamaru needs one anyways," Kiba said with a shrug. The puppy growled and Kiba grinned at it. "I don't like it either, buddy, but we have to or else mom is going to yell at us."
"Oy! Oy! Oy! I meant just us. I didn't mean all of-," Tamotsu protested but the Konoha shinobi were already on their feet and speaking candidly to one another as they walked past him.
"Baths are great. Really works up the appetite," Choji grinned, "Shikamaru, want to go get barbecue afterwards?"
"If you wanted to eat barbecue, we would have to go before the bath or else we'll end up having the stench of it stuck to us all day tomorrow," Shikamaru grumbled.
"You'll need help in the bath house, right?" Ino asked as she linked arms with Hitomi, "I can take care of you. I'm really good at washing hair. So tell me more about your sensing ability. Mine isn't that powerful yet. I can only-"
"Is anyone listening to me?!" Tamotsu shouted.
I don't think so...Sorry, Tamotsu Sensei.
Tamotsu glared at the monk, who was at the very end of the group and he tore up the sign as Sena passed him. "I don't need pity from a celibate man who can't even eat meat!"
I am at peace with who I am. You should be too.
They made quite a rowdy parade as they walked through the streets of Konoha into the bath house with Kiba, Ino, and Akira dominating the conversations. It was a first for Hitomi. She didn't expect everyone to be this friendly and energetic. Maybe that was the perk of being in a flourishing and powerful Hidden Village. In Suna, relaxing was a luxury not many could afford and the competitive atmosphere between peers was significantly higher. The excitement of this new experience gave her an energy boost that she never knew she could feel.
However, as soon as she slipped into the hot water and let the heat soak seep into her sore muscles, the novelty was washed right off of her and she felt herself sinking lower and lower into the arms of sleep.
"Ah! Hitomi! Be careful!" Ino cried and pulled her out of the water, forcing her to sit at the edge of the pool with just her feet and calves in the bath, "Are you getting overheated? Do you want to wait out in the lobby and get a popsicle or something?"
"I want to sleep," Hitomi said grumpily.
"Ah! You guys are here too?"
Hitomi frowned at the door but she wasn't sleepy enough to forget her manners entirely. "Good evening, Temari-san."
"Tch. I thought I would come here to get some peace and quiet," Temari sighed as she unwound her towel and sat down in front of the showers. When the water hit her back, she let out a groan, "Ahhh. That feels good. How can chakra training be so rough on the muscles?!"
Ino grinned at the fellow blonde. "Shikamaru told me that you took out the kunoichi from Otogakure easily even though he had a difficult time with her. I think he's scared of you."
Temari scoffed and began to lather her hair with shampoo. "He wouldn't be the first guy who found me intimidating."
"Is Kankuro-san taking a bath as well?" Hitomi asked.
"No. He's back at the apartment with Gaara," Temari said. With the mention of the youngest sibling, her frown deepened, "Oy...I don't know what you've been saying to Gaara but-"
"I can't help it if he comes to me for advice," Hitomi said defensively, too tired to think of a more delicate approach.
"Let me finish," Temari snapped, "I was going to say thank you."
"What?"
Temari dunked her head underneath the showerhead and used that as an excuse to not reply immediately. When she was done, she took a deep breath. "He's had a difficult life and that has led to life with him being difficult as well. However...recently, he's changing...and I think it's for the better...and I acknowledge that you are a partial factor in that...So...thank you."
"You might want to make the water colder," Ino teased, "Because your face is all red."
"Shut up!" Temari glared right into Ino's soul, giving her an inkling of why Shikamaru could be afraid of this wind user.
"Thank you for telling me that," Hitomi said and lowered her head, "But I'm going to have to apologize…"
"For what?"
"For burdening at least one of you…" she said and then passed out, falling head first out of the bath and onto the wet but hard tiled floor.
"HITOMI-SAN!" Hinata cried.