Echoes of Self

If there was one thing that Lee wanted in life it was a chance to be like Gai-sensei. Not just in his brilliant taijutsu, nor his trail-blazing fashion style (he already tried to emulate those skills as much as possible) but a chance to find someone at their lowest point, and show them the beauty of a life fully lived. It wasn't even a consciously realised desire – if he had been asked about it he would have denied such thoughts – but it was there, nevertheless, brewing.

Which was why he did what he did.

"Come now Neville-san, you've only made two laps around the castle! Just 98 more and Ginny-san will surely love you!"

Neville collapsed after the tenth lap.

Lee chewed at his bottom lip, worried. He had met Neville yesterday, and had immediately seen his younger self in the polite, bumbling boy. He had seen the way the other kids had sneered at him, and the way Neville accepted this as if it were his due. But he also saw the fire running underneath that: the desire to prove himself, and to be equal to his peers.

"What you need," he said eventually, helping Neville to his feet, "is a rival." After a moment's though he added: "And some new clothes. Your dress is too impractical for you to be training in. I have a spare outfit of mine that you can borrow. Do not worry Neville-san, soon you will bloom in all your glory!"

Which is how Neville came to be standing outside the Grand Hall; his hair newly cut, and his assets clearly displayed in a clingy jumpsuit.

"Be firm, Neville-san!" Lee prompted, "Challenge him to a battle of luck! And if you fail, promise that you'll do 200 push-ups!" Lee didn't want to overwork Neville and cause him to strain his body. Just then, Draco Malfoy walked up towards the Great Hall doorway with his two goons in tow.

"M-Malfoy." Neville declared as bravely as he could, "You are my r-rival! I…" he looked despairingly at Lee, who made encouraging motions. "I challenge you!" Truth be told, Neville wasn't sure of whom he was more afraid of: Draco, or Lee. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be doing this. But Lee had been so enthusiastic, and so determined. He had said that this would make Neville stronger, and that this would make people respect him. He had talked at length about lotuses and blooming, and about the overwhelming power of youth to conquer all trials. He had mentioned some guy sensei who was apparently the best of the best, and who Neville would have to meet one day.

But most importantly, Lee had said that he was Neville's friend.

And so Neville stood just outside the Great Hall facing the boy who scared him almost as much as Snape, garbed in a ridiculous outfit, and challenged him to a game of scissor-paper-rock.

What happens next is immaterial. For just then Neville had taken the first step towards coming to his own, and had just experienced the first taste of manhood. And from there, he could only grow.

(Which is a polite way of saying he got his arse kicked to next Tuesday, but still didn't give up, and never will.)