A/N: I know last chapter was 3.3, but it should be this chapter. Not a big deal, but just wanted to say that was my bad.
Part 3.3: The Brilliant Beast
Lee traversed the city outskirts, avoiding passerby as he went. He was sprinting amazingly fast around city blocks enough so that he appeared to be a mere green blur to passerby. Lee followed the enormous wall, looming overhead around the gargantuan city. He kept looking forward, avoiding obstacles as they came towards him, using what little light was available to ensure he did not hit any barriers or people. His breathing was labored heavily now; his lungs burned trying to take the cold air into his body. However, he did not stop, but continued on single-mindedly. 'If I can't do four hundred laps around this city, then I will forever be a genin, and my nindo of hard work will never be proven,' he thought. His entire body ached, a cold, burning sensation was washing over him, freezing his sweat to his jumpsuit as a strong wind whipped around him, chilling him to the core. His hair thrashed wildly around him with each step, each strand being pushed to the back and sides of his head. The wind made his eyes teary, and a steady stream was now pouring from his face, freezing as soon as they left his face. He pumped his arms hard and rhythmically to match every step he took, leaving a deep imprint in the snow at every step. '398,' he thought, his body burning, his brain sending signals of pain that shockwaved through his body, demanding that he stop. However, Lee ignored all of that, continuing to sprint at top speed around the entire city, the cold wind beating against him. The pain, burning, freezing, and fatigue he felt combined to form a sensation that was overwhelming him, taking over his senses. '399,' he thought, his legs numb with pain, his entire body begging for release from the torture he constantly put himself through. He continued onward, circling the city, the shadow of the giant wall blocking out any light he had. 'I will not stop,' he thought, his mind and spirit determined, 'I will not yield. I am the great Azure Beast Rock Lee, I cannot fail!'
Suddenly, something wrapped around his legs, tripping him as he flailed through the air. His eyes grew wide; the starting point of his last lap only a few meters away. He felt something tugging at his leg, attempting to get him to stop. Lee frantically jumped with all the force he had, feeling his leg stretch painfully with the effort. He dove forward, seeing the outline of his starting point. He landed painfully on the snow, closing his eyes as the pain hit him full force. He slowly opened his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. '400,' he thought with a hint of satisfaction. He quickly turned his head around to see what had grabbed him.
"I tried getting your attention for the last ten laps you did here," said a very stoic and familiar voice.
Lee stared at his leg to see a long break of sand wrapped around his calf. Lee snorted indignantly, "A man of any worth will not let any distraction get in the way of his most excellent training regiment," said Lee, quoting his sensei, word for word.
Gaara looked down at him, a very perplexed expression on his face, "I never will understand you bowlhead,' he said, relinquishing his grip on Lee, "You and your whole, self-destructive creed you have."
Lee slowly got to his feet, his legs wobbling back and forth. He smiled brightly despite the absence of light, "The Great Azure Beast is a mystery," he said proudly.
Lee could have sworn he saw a smile creep across Gaara's face, but thought it was just the light shifting. Gaara looked away for a moment, his face deep in thought. Lee raised a thick eyebrow at him in confusion. "I've been curious about something for a while," said Gaara, "about all of you Leaf nins."
"Well ask away," said Lee enthusiastically, "I am not only strong, but most knowledgeable in many subjects."
Gaara's expression remained unchanged. Lee never noticed it before, but he seemed to have an almost sad expression on his face. "I learned a while ago," he said, his voice still stoic, but his face displaying a slight melancholy expression, "that what made you nins so strong was the fact that you have many people you love to protect. I was just wondering, how it feels when you're in that situation."
Lee was taken slightly aback by the question. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, staring up at the dark, cloudy sky above them. "Its kind of hard to describe," said Lee, "It's like a feeling is welling up inside your chest, almost like anger. But there's also a kind of love and sadness mixed in as well. It's like a hot feeling that begins here," pointing to his chest with one finger, "and then spreads throughout your body, giving you strength you never felt before. It fills every fiber of your being with strength, and it doesn't stop until you ensure your most precious people's safety." Lee nodded with approval of this explanation, inwardly proud. 'I sounded just like Gai-sensei,' he thought, a huge smile crossing over his face.
Gaara still looked solemn, "That's why he was so strong," he said quietly. Lee had heard of Naruto's fight with Gaara, of the Shukaku and how his eyes looked so lonely and sad.
Lee sighed, 'I understand what you meant Naruto,' he thought, 'He is so very powerful, but there's just so much misery in him.' "Surely you have someone precious to protect as well," piped up Lee, "your siblings, or your village..."
"No," said Gaara, his expression and voice stoic again, "my siblings still seem resent me, and my village will always look at me like a monster. I have no acquaintances like that, nothing precious to protect." He crossed his arms and looked skyward, "Perhaps it is only my destiny to be alone, nothing more."
"That's not true," yelled Lee, catching Gaara's attention once again, "No one should have to live a life alone, to be an outcast from everyone and everything. My sensei says that for every person in the world there is always something so valuable to them that they would gladly give their lives to protect. Perhaps you just need to keep searching."
Gaara stared at Lee for a while. Lee could feel the tension between them, as Lee was unsure what he said helped or not. Gaara simply shook his head and walked onwards, back towards the village.
Lee hesitated and then yelled, "It's not like you don't have precious friends to protect Gaara."
Gaara did not answer, but kept walking away from Lee, into the darkness, back towards the center of town. Lee hesitated again, several different thoughts running through his mind. He then bounded off after Gaara, getting in front of him despite the intense fatigue and pain he was feeling, "After all," he said, "we're comrades eh?"
Gaara looked very taken aback by Lee's last comment. "I crippled you," he said, "almost killed you, it would be stupid of you to look at me as a friend or comrade." Gaara's tone was very serious again, but his eyes drifted off away from Lee.
Lee laughed out loud, garnering a perplexed expression from Gaara, "But don't you see Gaara-sama," he said, "We are friends. Were we not brothers in arms against the Sound-nin? Do we not train together? And as I said before, I harbor you no ill will, as I'm sure Naruto does not either. After all, my sensei always says its better to make a most hated enemy into a most beloved ally whenever possible." He then gave Gaara the classic nice-guy pose.
Gaara stared at Lee for what seemed like an eternity before walking past Lee again. Lee felt his spirits sink, 'It seems I have failed Gai-sensei,' he thought, looking dejected.
"Lee," came Gaara's voice, his back still turned to him, "You're odd, but I think I understand." He then strode off towards the center of the city.
Lee did not follow him, but merely looked in the direction he was going, a huge smile plastered on his face. He looked up towards the sky and watched as a snow gently fell on the city. Reality then hit him back full-force as he felt the aches and pains normal with a difficult training session.
'Well,' he thought, 'I had better find a place to refresh myself.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sasuke leapt across buildings in the night sky, moving quickly to the source where he had felt Naruto. His footsteps tread lightly on the houses, as he made quick movements across town towards a more densely populated and luxurious part of the city. Bright neon lights threatened to give away his position to the thousands of onlookers below who, like him, were rushing to the same area where the commotion was happening. Sasuke did not stop to look, but rushed straight forward into what looked like the result of a gigantic battle. Houses were mere piles of rubble; debris, broken windows, and huge, gaping holes in the sides of buildings showed the spots where the opponents landed. Sasuke finally stopped at a large and luxurious looking hotel and casino. He looked down upon it from above, watching with interest as the Thunder police force attempted to calm the situation, setting up barricades and shooing the crowd back. The local press had arrived as well, ready to post a new disaster on the evening news.
'I felt him here,' thought Sasuke, 'I know I did, the same power. It must be Naruto.' He activated his Sharingan, hoping to get a better perspective on the situation. His eyes revealed every little detail of the scene.
'Its Naruto,' thought Sasuke, 'no doubt about it. But who was he fighting?' He peered closer, attempting to identify Naruto's opponent. 'Based on the imprints in the snow and the cracks against the buildings, he was fairly tall. Probably well built too,' Sasuke examined the muscular features that were barely left in certain imprints of the building. 'Whoever it is put up a good fight, but Naruto must have finished them off. He may not compare with me, but he's still quite strong.'
His eyes went normal again, studying the crowd. Some of the genins for the Chuunin exam had appeared here. From his distance he could still make out their features. Many of the Leaf had appeared, Shino, who he had met before chasing Gaara, stood stoically away from the building, his eyes hidden under thick sunglasses. He slowly walked away from the scene, and Sasuke could have sworn he saw his head tilt up slightly to his position. 'Doesn't matter,' Sasuke thought, 'he's no threat.' He watched as Shino walked away, only for two other genin to walk towards the destructive scene. One of them had a long, light blonde ponytail and wore a long, blue skirt. Next to her was a pink haired genin; both were chattering about something.
Sasuke's mouth dropped slightly. 'Sakura.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sakura stood wide-eyed in shock at what she saw. She had passed Tsunade carrying an unconscious Naruto back towards the hotel before she came running in the direction of the sound. The hotel was in ruins, an entire wall was missing, the interior was wrecked completely, and the guests in the way were either injured from the debris or in a state of shock.
"Did Naruto cause this," she asked, thinking aloud.
Ino shrugged, "I find it hard to believe that he could," she said, "the midget's not that strong. I wonder who or what he was fighting though."
The thought of what Naruto was fighting had not occurred to Sakura, but she did not care. Watching Naruto carried back unconscious only served to remind her of the day they failed to bring back Sasuke. Sakura looked down; she felt ashamed to be thinking of Sasuke now, despite the fact that her mind constantly wandered over to him.
Her train of thought was broken suddenly when snow from above her, hit her on the top of her head. She quickly shook the snow out of her hair and looked up. She stared up at a shadowy figure on top of a roof next to them. He was looking down at them, his eyes dark in the shadows, his headband reflecting light, showing the insignia of the Sound. Sakura took a sharp breath and stared fixated at the figure on the roof. The shadows moved, and the person disappeared. "What are you looking at Sakura?" asked Ino.
But Sakura rushed off, looking for a way to pursue the figure. She jumped between two walls in an alleyway and made her way to the roofs, Ino yelling behind at her asking what the hell she was doing.
Sakura ran as fast as she could, her legs beating hard against the snow covered roofs, trying desperately to catch up to the figure in front of her. "Sasuke," she yelled, hoping to catch the person's attention. Suddenly, the shadow stopped. Sakura skidded to a halt and slowly walked towards the form, her heart racing.
"Sasuke," she said, softly this time as if she dared not believe it. The shape stepped forward into the light offered by a nearby light. Sasuke appeared half in the light, while the other half of him remained in the shadows. Sakura's heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Her mind flooded with thoughts of what to ask, what to say, what emotions to feel, joyous, fury, sadness, her psyche was at a loss at the mere sight of him. Sasuke made no further movements, but simply glared at her with his dark eyes.
She hiccupped slightly, her breathing quickened in pace. She could feel the tears well in her eyes, but she held them back and remained strong. "Why Sasuke," she asked pleadingly, "Why did you have to leave us?"
Sasuke still said nothing, but his eyes diverted from her own, looking instead at the neon lights in the distance that shone like a beacon in the darkness. "Konoha was no longer an option," he finally said, "I could not achieve what I needed there. Everything else is merely an obstacle to my goal."
Sakura was shocked by his response; her spirits sank as she felt her heart grow very heavy. "Does that mean," she asked slowly, dreading the answer, "that I...Naruto and I were just obstacles that got in the way of your goal?"
Sasuke was silent again, refusing to look at her. He refused to answer, simply staring into the horizon, towards the Jade Palace where the Sound nin were staying.
Sakura felt the defenses she had put up against her emotions being broken down. Tears slowly streamed down her cheeks and melted the snow beneath her. "But," she said, her voice wavering, "we could help you with your revenge...I could help you. We've conquered so many things together as a team. Surely this can be-"
"I'm sorry Sakura," Sasuke interrupted suddenly, "I can't be what you want me to be. I am an avenger, and the path I chose is taken alone. Anyone else would only get in the way."
"But, but," Sakura was stammering now, attempting to say something, give some answer that would change Sasuke's mind. Her desperation was very close to the surface; her heart raced quickly, dreading the moment they would part again.
"Goodbye Sakura," said Sasuke, "the next time we meet, it will be as enemies." And with that, Sasuke retreated back into the shadows, heading towards the Jade palace.
Sakura stood shakily in disbelief. Her mind simply could not comprehend what she had just heard. She fell to her knees in shock. She then began sobbing madly, placing her hands up to her face to muffle the sound.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Surely there is a most refreshing and vitalizing place to which I can recuperate myself,' thought Lee as he searched through the city streets. There was a large commotion ahead of him. People on the streets were huddling around a large building that looked as though it was halfway through demolition. A large group was gathered around it, chattering excitedly, exchanging rumors, along with the 'eyewitness' accounts of several people. The media was talking amongst the crowd, attempting to divine which had actually seen the event and which were merely looking for attention. Lee ducked into a nearby alley, attempting to go around the demolition area. Debris still littered the area, and large cracks and breaks marked the fighting ground.
'Looks like some brawl,' thought Lee, 'I guess I'll hear about it later with all the reporters around.'
He continued to walk onwards in the alley. Dark shadows covered him, with only the light produced in the city to give him any illumination. He crunched through snow and discarded trash, slowly making his way around. He stopped suddenly, hearing something distant, like a muffled cry. He looked up towards the roof tops, attempting to identify the source.
Lee thought to himself for a moment and then grinned mischievously. His legs were very tired now and having quite a bit of trouble supporting his body weight. However, Lee braced himself and jumped forward at one of the walls. As soon as his feet hit the first wall, he pushed harder towards the opposite, driving himself towards it. Lee smiled as he made progress up the alley walls. He attempted to push off again only for his legs to give way, only pushing him to the middle of the alleyway. Lee clawed in the air, flailing and trying to get a hold of some sort, but instead plummeted back to earth, crashing into the piles of trash and snow below with a loud thud.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sakura suddenly raised her head, tears still clinging to her face as a loud crash and groan was heard behind her. She got to her feet and looked over the edge to see a prone Rock Lee on the ground underneath her.
'Lee-san?' she thought curiously.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Lee, Lee," came a soft voice into Lee's ear.
Rock Lee slowly opened his round eyes and stared upward. 'How did I get down here,' he thought. He looked around and saw Sakura standing over him.
"Sakura, what are you doing here?" he asked while trying to shakily back to his feet. His legs gave out again, and he collapsed to the floor. Sakura rushed over to aid him, but Lee held up a hand to hold here back. 'I can do this,' he thought. He tried again, the pain was immense now, but he managed to get to his feet and stay there, though shakily so.
"Are you alright Lee?" asked Sakura, a tone of concern and curiosity in her voice.
"Of course," responded Lee, his voice very jovial and excited, "I am the great Azure Beast, nothing bothers me." He added, pumping a fist into the air that almost threw him off his balance again.
Sakura returned a smile to Lee, "Yeah," she said softly.
Sakura headed back towards the hotel she was lodged at as Lee followed slowly behind. Lee breathed heavily as his entire body had turned into a numbing pain in the cold. Sakura seemed very down, she was looking towards the ground, her eyes slightly teary and her steps weak. Lee was about to say something until Sakura interrupted him.
"Hey Lee," Sakura said hesitantly. Lee got stopped suddenly, still wobbling on his weak legs.
"What is it Sakura," he said cheerfully, despite the pain he was feeling coursing through his body.
Sakura looked down at the floor, seemingly unsure and uncomfortable with what she was about to ask. "Do you ever feel," she finally said, "well..." she seemed to be searching for the right word, "...worthless?"
Lee's heart sank slightly at her question. It had not been what he had expected her to ask, and this topic was one he did not like to talk about. Lee's expression fit his mood, though he tried to hide it.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lee," she blurted out quickly, trying desperately to apologize, "that's not what I meant to say. I just-"
"It's alright Sakura," said Lee, his voice still slightly solemn, "Yes, I do feel inferior at times. I don't have any amazing powers, hidden strength; I can't even do a simple bunshin jutsu. When I see all of the ninjas with such amazing abilities and jutsus, I do feel envious and even, as you put it, worthless."
Sakura had a deep look of regret on her face; she scratched the back of her head nervously, frantically trying to think of a way to apologize to Lee.
Lee could see her trepidation. He smiled warmly again, "But you know what Sakura," he said, his voice strong again, catching Sakura's attention, "Just because I don't have those things, doesn't mean I'm weak or powerless. After all, I am the amazing Azure Beast, Rock Lee, even if I meet ninja after ninja with more power than me; even if I lose battle after battle, I will not give up in proving my nindo. You can call it stubbornness, stupidity, or whatever you wish, but I know in my heart that I will prove my nindo, and I will be a strong nin, I promise," adding on a shiny smile and thumbs up.
Sakura smiled and laughed slightly at him.
"You're the same way Sakura," Lee continued, causing Sakura to show a perplexed look, "No matter what situation or whatever happens to you, you always look forward, never giving up. Just like Naruto, I can't imagine the two of you ever giving up until you get what you seek. That is your way, and the way of the ninja!" Lee pumped his fist into the air and shouted the last phrase loudly into the air so that it echoed across the entire city.'Wow,' thought Lee, 'Gai-sensei's most excellent mental training has made me a very wise person. No doubt Sakura is stunned by my most inspiring words.' He burst with pride at the thought, but his expression quickly changed to confusion when saw Sakura holding her stomach with laughter.
"You're so weird Lee-san," she said in between giggles. Lee's spirits drooped as it felt like an iron weight had replaced the inside of his chest. Lee looked towards the ground, a down and slightly frustrated expression on his face. Sakura's laughter finally subsided, and she walked over to Lee. Lee looked up at her again and received a very warm hug that sent electricity down his spine. "Thank you Lee," said Sakura, her voice happier now.
Lee could not help but smile; all the pain that had been coursing through his body was quickly replaced by a warm sensation that shot through him quickly. She let go, and smiled warmly at him. "Good luck at the exams Lee-san," she said and walked away back towards the center of town.
Lee was still in shock at what had just happened. He simply stared at her while she walked away. He sighed deeply, before his legs gave out once again and he collapsed to the ground again.
A light wind blew across him, freezing his breath above him as he exhaled and inhaled quickly, his lungs desperate for air. A look of surprise came across his face as he felt something brush into his hand. He looked over to see a single leaf fall into his hand.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set and Julius stood before the Raikage, the candles only partially defeating the immense darkness that blanketed the room. Both stood resolute; word of the hotel incident had just reached the Raikage's ears. He was rapping his fingers against an elongated table, a melencholy expression on his face. Julius looked over to his brother; Set was standing very stoically as well, awaiting the Raikage's answer. His red jumpsuit still had a very large, gaping hole in the shoulder of it.
"Did you succeed in eliminating the girl," the Rakage asked, a determined calm in his voice.
Set waited a few moments before answering, "No," he said, "Raan interfered and threatened suicide if I attempted to go any further. He really is becoming a nuisance; I don't understand why you need him alive."
"That is not your concern," replied the Raikage, "I'll deal with the hospital situation myself. As for the hotel incident, I can use this as leverage against Tsunade tomorrow, so it means little to me. There is a much more important matter to discuss here."
"The Chuunin exam," asked Julius.
The Raikage nodded, "I don't have to remind you that both of you play a huge role in making this plan a success. It will be done in three stages, you both should know what to do during the first two yes?"
They nodded in unison; Set licking his lips slightly in anticipation. "Because the test can only be done in teams of three, I have arranged another genin to join with you two." The Raikage stood up and gave them both a small dossier. Julius studied the picture. Her name was Kanitsu Cally. The girl had short, blond hair that was made into a small, hanging ponytail in the back of her head. Her eyes were brown and contrasted the paleness of her hair and skin. She seemed to have a permanent scowl plastered on her face, but otherwise was quite pretty. Julius looked at Set, who was smiling widely.
"Don't even think about it Set," said the Raikage, "She's a member of a very prominent clan in this village and is quite a skilled ninja. She has been reassigned to your team. As far as she and the rest of the village is concerned, you are nothing more than average level genin taking this exam for the first time. I don't want you revealing yourselves until the last part of the exam when everyone can see what you're capable of. I already have gone over what you are to accomplish during the first two parts of this exam. For the latter, you will receive new orders whenever that time comes."
The Raikage stood on his feet and walked towards them, dwarfing the both of them in his shadow. "I have chosen clan names for both of you," he said sternly, "Julius, you are now from the Kusemono clan, a now nonexistant clan that is very ancient. Coming from that clan will give the Leaf an uneasy feeling, reminding them of the damned slaughtering of our own bloodline clans," adding the last part with definite malice in his voice.
Julius bowed slightly but said nothing, a bored expression still on his face. The Raikage turned to Set, an annoyed expression plastered there now, "Per your request Set," said the Raikage, "you will be of the Izou clan. Raan will back up your eligibility in the clan. In reality it is a good idea to have someone of such a famous name in the exams."
Set smiled broadly, "Well, that was my thought," he said, chuckling slightly.
"Fine then," said the Raikage, "I don't have to remind you how important the upcoming event is. If anything goes wrong, we'll be made to look like fools and traitors. I am entrusting the future of the Hidden Cloud in you two, don't screw it up," he added, fury hidden in his voice, "now go, I have to prepare for Tsunade tomorrow."
Julius and Set both left slowly through the double doors into the black area outside. The Raikage smiled as they left and returned to his seat at the table, the candlelight showing only half of his smirking face. "Soon," he said aloud, "Very soon now..."
A/N: The updates hopefully will be coming a bit quicker for a while.