Chapter Six
Years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, Kiri had entered a prosperous state, becoming a modern and thriving city. The age of the bloody mist had ended, and finally, Kiri had opened up to outsiders. The positive outlook of the village started to attract tourists and the relations between other villages couldn't be better. While the vast majority of citizens were happy with the overflowing liveliness of their village, undergoing transformation and reconstruction, there was still a small minority that was both very distrusting and hateful towards outsiders, even some who longed for the old days of the "Blood Mist Village". Help to stop the riots in Kiri of the anti-reinvention faction was becoming a major problem for the Fifth Mizukage and her retainer, therefore Konoha had sent trustworthy ninja as reinforcements. Rock Lee was among one of those.
His mission squad had arrived at Kiri's docks that afternoon. It took them five days to reach the hidden village, part of the journey had been made by boat. During the boat trip, he had been lost in his own thoughts, all of them about Tenten, and unsuccessfully attempted to make sense of the emotional chaos within him
After what happened, his life turned upside down and it was impossible to get back to normal – he had reached a crossroads. Lee squeezed his eyes tightly shut, angry with himself for being such a disappointment. He should be focusing on his mission now. However, he couldn't stop thinking about Tenten's despondent expression when he left, and how foolish he was all this time.
Now, in his bed, he couldn't shake those feelings away. It was making him restless and sleepless. It was certainly not a good omen. Not that he believed in those things, but he knew a sharp and clear mind was crucial in a mission. He wasn't sure how he would manage to get one at this point. It was driving him crazy.
The fatigued and exhausted Lee let his eyes snap open again. However, once he opened his eyes, he realized someone was standing in front of him. There was a pair of legs in Lee's vision, with a familiar-looking uniform. The person seemed to be watching him. Lee slowly raised his head and looked up to see who it was.
"Neji…" Lee quietly murmured. "Is that you?"
His deceased friend, Hyuuga Neji stood there in ghost form. It wasn't the first time that happened. Neji occasionally visited him during his dreams, but it was always very unexpected and surreal. He could never get used to it and most of the time he didn't quite grasp half the things he tried to tell him.
"Lee," Neji said, watching him with his usual calm gaze. "I saw everything."
Lee was speechless. What could he mean?
"…eh-?"
Neji's ghost sat on top of him and crossed his arms and legs.
"There's something you have been trying to remember, right?" Neji smiled, his long hair swaying slightly.
Lee blinked, his mind wandering about the meaning of his words. Then it struck him. Could Neji be referring to the night of Hinata's wedding? He felt naked in front of him.
"Neji… I- " Lee began. His face was suddenly hot.
"I know. No need to say it." He gestured with his hand, empathetic. "But you really should remember everything."
A light bulb lightened up on top of Lee's head.
"C-can you help?!" His enthusiasm was palpable. Finally, he would have a chance to solve the mystery he so desperately needed to unravel. Neji was always the wisest of their squad, Lee expected nothing else from him.
Neji smiled and patted his shoulder, comforting him.
"A bit, yes." Lee's eyes started welling up. "Privileges of being your guardian angel, I suppose."
Konoha's green beast lips protruded in a pout.
"Nejiii!" He launched forward for a hug with his friend instead he ended up embracing air.
"Now close your eyes and sleep," Neji said in a peaceful tone. "In the morning everything will be fine."
"OK." Lee complied, adjusting the bedsheets. "If you say so." He yawned and rubbed his eyes, laying his head on the pillow.
"You shall remember everything." Neji whispered before his figure disappeared wrapped up in mist.
000
"Remember that time we tried to convince Hinata, Naruto was a childish guy?" Ino chuckled, picking up her beer mug and taking it to her lips, finishing her drink in a swallow. "Now they are on their honeymoon!" She slammed the mug on the table and burst out laughing. Her cheeks flushed.
"Oh god!" Sakura covered her mouth, trying to hide her giggle but was unsuccessful. Her cheeks turning red. "Geez, that's so embarrassing! We actually did that!" She wiped off tears from her eyes.
"Well, who would have thought he would get over you?" Ino waved her hand in the air and called the restaurant owner to give her another beer. "Seriously, I don't understand why every single guy had a thing for you at the time. I'm so much prettier!" The pinkinette shoved her blond friend with her feet under the table. "Ouch!"
"Shut up, Ino pig!" A vein popped up in Sakura's forehead.
"Hmph!" Ino looked away, crossing her arms together. "Forehead girl!" She teased.
Tenten sweat-dropped but didn't say a word. She resigned herself by turning her okonomiyaki pancake on the griddle.
"It's not like I was trying to be popular, ok?" Sakura continued, putting another portion of okonomiyaki batter on the iron griddle built in the middle of the table. In fact, the only guy she ever wanted to be looking at her was Sasuke.
Ino rolled her eyes and mimicked what she said in a joking tone.
Sakura's fist clenched but she managed to control her inner self. "Shut up, you're so lucky!" She sighed and her shoulders sag. "Sai is always around. You don't have to see him once a year!" A depressive aura formed around her figure and she took a sip from her beer mug.
Tenten rolled her eyes, annoyed.
"Well, I'm glad someone's love life's on high gear…" Her sarcastic mumble caught her friend's attention.
Sakura and Ino turned to her with tented eyebrows.
"Why are you always sulking every time we meet?" Ino asked, and put her new beer in front of Tenten, who refused it.
Sakura bit her lower lip, remembering what Lee had told her at the medical office.
"What about your memories?" She asked, instigating the subject. "Did you remember what happened that night with Lee-san?"
Tenten's face turned red in seconds.
"Ah!" Ino smirked slapping her on the back, which made her jump. "I guess that's a yes!"
Tenten pushed her arm away irritated.
"I don't want to talk about it."
Sakura watched her brunette friend tasting her okonomiyaki pancake bite with a gloomy expression and wondered if she had done well in bringing up the subject.
"Well, at least you figured out if you… if you did it, right?" Tenten's cheeks were kissed red again and she choked on the food. Sakura quickly handed her a glass of water.
"No." She took a deep breath. "I didn't do it. It didn't reach that point…" Why she was sharing this information with Sakura and Ino was beyond her. She was sober, there was 0% alcohol in her system. Lee's words must have hit her harder than she expected if she was spilling out the beans voluntarily, without any ounce of shame.
"Oh, you're killing me here!" Ino complained curiously, hitting her hand on the table. "Not fair!"
"Well, then go die." Tenten scowled in anger and then looked away.
"Iiiiih!" She squeaked offended. "How mean!"
Sakura raised her hands and forced a smile, asking for a peace truce between her friends.
"Let her be, Ino. Those are private matters." The pink-haired kunoichi served Tenten with another okonomiyaki pancake. "Did you talk with him afterward?"
She winced as memories of her escaping from Lee surfaced.
"More like I was forced to talk." She face-palmed. If I wanted some peace of mind.
Sakura saw her sigh frustrated and remembered Lee told her how Tenten had kissed him.
"Did you confess?" She dared to ask.
Tenten turned crimson again and there was a pregnant pause.
"OH MY GOD!" Ino screamed and could no longer stay seated. Her friend's hearts jumped out of their mouths. "You did it!"
"Noooo!" The weapon's kunoichi also jumped out of her chair in denial. "I mean, not directly at least…" She frowned frustrated. "Oh god, what am I saying!" Tenten covered her face with her hands, cursing herself mentally. "Stop! I said I didn't want to talk about it!"
"Too bad, you already did!" The blue-eyed woman smirked teasingly, taking a sip of her beer.
Sakura sweat-dropped at the sight of a hysterical laughing Ino and at an extremely embarrassed Tenten curled up in a ball. She saw the restaurant owner popping up beside her wearing a forced smile, hinting they were embarrassing him in front of the other customers, and he wouldn't allow it any further.
"Eh-, we're leaving now!" Sakura left her payment on the table and grabbed Ino's arm, dragging her out of the restaurant. Then she looked back, tilted her head, and signaled Tenten to follow her.
The weapon kunoichi took a bill out of her purse and left it on the table for the owner to take. She made sure they left enough money to cover Ino's bill, then excused herself and went along with her friends.
When they stepped outside the night air was chilly and they shivered involuntarily. Spring brought glorious weather to much of Konoha, with cool, sunny days becoming more frequent as the season progressed. However, chilly nights and rain were still abundant.
"Did Lee-san say something?" Sakura asked while they helped Ino walking straight across the streets. "I mean after you indirectly confessed?"
Tenten bit her bottom lip bitterly at the remembrance of Lee's words during his departure. She must have stayed silent for a while because Sakura glanced her way concerned.
"Tenten?"
With a deep and long-drawn sigh, she dropped her arms, meeting her gaze.
"He says…" she paused, her head dropping. "He is sorry…" Her voice was little more than a whisper, but it was loud in the listener's heart.
Ino turned her head, a frown wrinkling her forehead.
"Sorry for what?" Sakura nudged her blonde friend who complained with an "Ouch!"
Tenten's pensive look turned exasperated.
"What do you think?" Her fists clenched. "Of course, he doesn't feel anything for me." She looked away feeling a lump in the throat. "Not that I was expecting it anyway..."
Suddenly Ino stopped in her tracks.
"How do you know that's not only your interpretation? Especially if you're telling me you didn't tell him clearly."
"That's right." Sakura agreed, surprised at her friend's mental clarity despite the alcohol she had ingested. "And you know with guys like Lee-san you have to be extra obvious."
Tenten admitted Sakura had a point, but she was missing the bigger picture.
She sighed, "Girls, stop. I don't want to think about it." She bit her bottom lip. "I'm trying to move on." Clearing her throat, she looked down.
"Move on?" Ino stared her in the eyes with such intensity, Tenten wondered when she had sobered up. "Tenten, did you tell him you liked him? Clearly?" She pressed, holding her friend's shoulders firmly.
Tenten's sigh was a mix of frustration and sadness, "No, I didn't."
"Then why are you jumping to conclusions and giving up without trying?"
"Trying what, Ino?" She shoved her hands away, upset. "You can't force your love onto someone who doesn't feel the same way." She took a quick step back and looking at her black high-heeled boots she shook her head sadly.
"How do you know he doesn't?"
"Maybe he just needs time to think about it." Tried Sakura, feeling her chest tight at her friends' sorrow.
"I've seen Lee in love." Peering at Sakura through her eyelashes, she faint smiled. "I know what he looks like when he likes someone." Tenten proceeded to stare into space with a vacant expression, feeling frustration build up inside her. She clenched her fists together and desperately tried to suppress the feeling, otherwise, she wouldn't know how to deal with the emotional eruption at the verge of manifesting through her eyes.
"But you're not just someone Tenten. You two have grown up together. You have to consider you're like his bestfriend-" Her voice was cut off by Tenten who threw her a sharp look.
"Yes, I'm just that." She said in low voice. "His bestfriend."
She - an otherwise mentally stable human being - had become an insecure nutcase because she couldn't stop thinking, "Doesn't he like me even a little bit?". Obsessing over how someone else felt about her made her feel stupid. It made her feel small. It made her feel pathetic. It made her forget about how she felt about herself - and for the most part, she felt pretty damn good about herself -. It made her forget about her dreams and goals. And she hated it. She hated feeling weak and indecisive. Drowning in unrequited love was almost suffocating, it hurt, but she couldn't be through. God, why was he such a wonderful man!
Sakura frowned, worried. It was her first time seeing Tenten so downcast like that. She didn't saw her crying, but she saw her contorted face and she could tell she was fighting herself. What she didn't seem to realize was that Lee was struck dumb with the sudden disclosure of her feelings.
"He was probably just very surprised." She remarked. "I think you should talk with him once he comes back and set the record straight."
"I agree with Sakura." Ino insisted. "You guys should get everything out in the open about your feelings."
"Enough!" Tenten's shout jarred them. "I'm not talking about this anymore."
Sakura and Ino shared a glance recognizing there was nothing more they could do.
They walked until they reached Yamanaka's flower shop where they met Sai, who was leaving to pick up his girlfriend that, as he guessed, had drunk a bit too much. Once she laid eyes on him, Ino freed herself from her friend's and throw her arms around her boyfriend's neck.
"Darling!" She purred, lifting her left foot from the ground.
The public display of romance made Tenten's stomach turn. She was done doing romance. She should not even have tried in the first place. She had been single for a long time and the truth of the matter is she didn't want to be someone's other half. She was whole on her own, she felt confident in herself and her abilities to not need another human to lean on directly. She was not scared to be alone, she liked doing her own thing, leading her own path, and making every decision for her. She should have stayed focused on her path and love for ninja weaponry instead of chasing someone's love and attention, at least her dedication and devotion to her goals would never fail her.
000
Lee grabbed his chopsticks and brought the pickled plum that rested on top of his rice bowl to his mouth, tasting it carefully so as not to bite the seed. The sour citric taste made him salivate and he brought the bowl near his mouth to complement it with some rice. His teammates also savoured the salty grilled salmon, omelet roll, and drank their miso soup with tofu. It was not on any mission that they had the luxury of being given good accommodation and food, so they took their time to enjoy it.
"Ah!" Complained the teammate sitting in front of Lee, pushing the miso soup bowl away from her lips. "It's hot!" She stuck out her tongue that was burning.
"That's why you should check it before you eat it, idiot." Teased the other teammate, offering her a glass of water that she took in her hands eagerly.
Lee let out a small gasp and his posture stiffed. It's hot? He put down his chopsticks feeling dazed and confused. Lee couldn't quite comprehend why, but his skin tingled at the words. Squinting, he suddenly saw himself leaning on his kitchen countertop, drinking a glass of water and sighing from exhaustion when a feminine figure appeared on his field of vision, wearing only her underwear. He then involuntarily spilled the water off his mouth and screamed "T-Tenten!". Rock Lee jumped up from his chair as if he had seen a ghost. His comrade's hearts leaped from their chests with his sudden jump.
"W-what?" Both asked, in shock.
Lee's cheeks flushed while small fragments of memories popped up in his mind's eye. Slowly, one after the other, the fragments become a sequence of events and he could saw himself kissing his teammate with passion and pushing her onto his bed. His body memory awakened, he could feel the touch of her skin on his hands, taste the sake flavour on her plump lips, smell the fragrance of her hair, hear her moan beneath him, and see her tipping her head back giving him access to her neck.
Out of the blue, he felt a hot liquid dripped down his nose and chin. He brought his fingers to his face and when he looked at them, he saw blood. His teammate's eyes bulged at the scene and they glanced at each other puzzled.
Lee pinched his nose embarrassed and run off to his room before questions could arise. He closed the door behind him and searched for a tissue to stop the blood that dripped from his nose. What was that?! Still dumbfounded he sat on the edge of his bed with his head tilted down, his heart couldn't stop beating hard against his chest and his face was red as a tomato. Then he remembered Neji's voice in his dream "You shall remember everything.".
"No," He slowly placed his hand over his mouth. "That can't be true..."
Rock Lee was in complete shock and couldn't believe what he just recalled was something that actually happened. How could he get drunk with a kiss? Yes, he had a tricky condition with alcohol, but that didn't mean he could go and get drunk like that. It didn't make any sense. Was he that sensitive? It made him feel ridiculous and pretty horrified at the same time. Plus, how could he take advantage of Tenten like that? Well, she did take advantage of him first, but that was no excuse! He pushed his fist into his mouth and bit down hard. No wonder she didn't want to tell him anything, she must have felt as conflicted as he was feeling now. His mind felt like it was split in two - one side was telling him he was a disgusting pervert and the other was telling him how excited she made him feel.
"Damn it!" He swore under his breath, slapping his forehead. Control yourself!
His team was due to report to the Mizukage's office within an hour to receive detailed information about their mission and he couldn't stop his damn nose from bleeding. What an embarrassing situation.
He felt even more scared if, as Sakura had told him, Tenten had feelings for him. What would he do now? It was all incredibly bizarre. Either way, he was doomed - things would never be the same ever again.
000
One month had passed and April gave way to May. Cherry blossom season had ended, but the last of the spring season brought pleasant weather to the village. There could be some rainfall, but the general weather was warm and comfortable. Perfect for outdoor activities.
Tenten had kept herself busy training, polishing and organizing her whole weapon collection, going out with her friends, and especially making sure a certain person was out of her thoughts.
"So, erm…" Begun the man in a wheelchair, observing his student practicing with the kusarigama. They were on the training fields and Gai was leading a personal investigation of his own. "Lee should be almost back from his mission…" He saw her flinch and she momentarily lost her focus, losing control over the chain attached to her sickle. Hmm, interesting reaction, but what does it mean? I need to be more direct.
Tenten continued practicing as if she had heard nothing, making sure she looked unaffected by his words. With Gai-sensei ignoring was always the best choice. If she gave him too much space, he would not stop to dig into the subject. After all, he was known for its unyielding persistence.
"By the way Tenten, you've really matured lately. Let me guess, you're in love, right?" Gai teased. He put his hand on his chin and smirked in her direction, surprisingly earning a blush from her. "Of course, you are!" He guffawed. "You're in your prime and it's springtime! Not a more youthful season for confessing your love!"
She cursed under her breath and took a deep breath.
"Sensei, please stop saying weird things."
Gai cocked his head to the side, glancing at her face and inspecting it. She frowned, uncomfortable.
"Ohhh!" His eyes slightly narrowed, and he pointed in her direction. "I can see that blush!"
"I-I'm not blushing!" She denied, glancing away. "This is from physical exercise!" Annoyed, she pinched her lips. You must calm down, Tenten. Don't take the bait.
"There's no use in denying it, I can feel it! There's love in the air!" He had stars in his eyes, and a board shining grin spread across his face as he rejoiced with the prospects.
Tenten crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks irritated. He totally didn't understand the meaning of the word privacy and certainly didn't have an ounce of delicacy.
"Perhaps," Gai draw near her. "Lee?" He raised his bushy eyebrows up and down several times.
A blush seared through Tenten's cheeks and for a minute she thought her face was on fire.
"I thought so." Gai said, nodding his head in satisfaction.
Tenten started swinging the weighted chain of the kusarigama in a large circle over her head and then whipping it forward to entangle Gai-sensei's wheelchair, but he dodged it.
"If you have nothing smart to say, go away!" She screamed, staring down at him with a clenched jaw.
"So, tell me," He continued, ignoring her complaints. He had to be blunter if he wanted to get something out of her. "I've been wondering but I still can't seem to find the solution: How did you end up in Lee's bed?"
Tenten started fuming in the face of such outrage. But what made her angrier was the fact that Lee had told him about their accidental night together. Of course, he had to tell Gai-sensei! What was I expecting! She wanted to dig a hole and die.
"I mean, I completely approve and support this relationship, don't get me wrong," Gai persisted, in a sympathetic tone. "But, as your sensei, I still think there are some steps you've missed. You see, usually, romance begins with holding hands, hugging, kissing, but making babies I think it's a bit too rushed." He gesticulated with his hands, emphasizing his words, not noticing she had stop breathing, scandalized by the awkwardness of his advice. "Not saying I don't want babies. There's certainly nothing more youthful than the full power of youth manifesting into a cute little being." His eyes become moist with emotion. "But please make sure you're mentally sane when you do such important and beautiful acts as making love. As your sensei, it's my duty to make sure you do not do anything that you may regret later." Gai finished his speech with his thumb up.
Tenten literally exploded. He saw a murderous aura form around her when she clasped her hand, in a white-knuckled grip, around the sickle chain, and started swinging it at light-speed with an evil grin. He gulped. There was no escaping now, he had unleashed the wrath of heaven. Quickly Maito Gai sped up his wheelchair while his student tried to entangle him with her weighting chain again. Tenten changed her strategy when the attack didn't yield any results - she unrolled the scrolls around her wrists and started summoning her arsenal of weapons.
While the weapon's user merciless tried to impale her sensei, a blond ninja stepped into the training fields accompanied by someone. Naruto Uzumaki's eyes bulged at the sight of Gai and Tenten madly running around the training area in circles with a column of flying dirt following them behind. It was all incredibly strange. Oh boy, bushier brows sensei must have done something really bad. The brunette man standing beside him seemed more fascinated than scared.
Suddenly, Maito Gai ran towards Naruto with tears running down his eyes.
"Save meeeeee!" He begged, hiding behind him.
Before Naruto could blink, he heard the angry hiss of a giant ax as it passed close to his head, hitting the target behind him. His face became livid and his brows raised and pulled together. With trembling features, he saw Tenten slowly raise her head where a sadistic smile sprouted. He gulped.
"Move aside," She yelled, veins pulsing in her neck. "Unless you have a death wish!"
"Woah, hold up!" His arms raised in surrender. "I don't know what bushier brows sensei did, but you should calm down!" Beads of sweat poured over his forehead and he flinched when she threatened him with a chain whip.
"You must be Tenten." A smooth male voice called her attention, and she cocked her head to the side, blinking. She was surprised to find a man she never saw before smiling at her. He had dark eyes with light brown hair, with bangs framing the right side of his face, and he wore his medium-length hair in a high samurai-styled ponytail. His outfit consisted of a sleeveless light grey kimono tied up with an obi, black puffy hakama-styled pants, black taller ninja sandals up to his calf, white bandages around his forearms with black fingerless gloves, and a black headband with Takumi village symbol on his left upper arm. "The number one master of ninja weaponry."
In confusion, she pointed at herself with a raised eyebrow and he chuckled.
"And you are?" Tenten asked, tilting her head quizzically. She felt her ego get too much inflated after being called 'the number one master of ninja weaponry'.
Gai peeked behind Naruto with narrow eyes.
"Takao. Kawamura Takao." He held out his hand to greet her, and Tenten stared at it for a few seconds before shaking it. "It's nice to finally meet you."
"Erm, thank you." She said, hesitant. "Pleased to meet you too."
"I just met Takao at Ichiraku's." Begun Naruto, putting an arm around his shoulders. "He is a weapon developer from the Land of..." He looked at Takao with furrowed brows. "What did you say it was again?"
"The Land of Rivers." Takao completed, observing the ninja tools scattered across the ground with a focused gaze.
"Takao told me that he came to Konoha especially to meet you, so I offered myself to bring him to you."
"Oh," Tenten's eyes sparkled at the words 'weapon developer'. "Really?" She let the metal whip fall on the floor. "Weapon developer? What is your specialty? How many have you developed? Did you bring some with you? Can I take a look?"
"Erm-" Takao began, but his speech was cut.
"I also like to experiment and create new weapons; I did various combinations in the past." Her enthusiasm was palpable. It was her normal reaction when talking about ninja weaponry. "By the way, what's your opinion about the price of weapons nowadays? I think ninja tools are a bit too expensive since the war is over. How much is a single kunai in the Land of Rivers?" She leaned closer at every new question.
"Erm-" He tried again.
"Oh," She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry! I overreacted." Tenten chuckled, embarrassed. "So, how can I help you?"
Maito Gai observed their whole behaviour with keen interest and suspicious eyes.
"Actually, I came in pursuit of the treasured tools of the sage of the six paths to see them with my own eyes and to study them." He explained with a voice sprinkled with passion. "If you'll allow me, of course."
Tenten's eyes widened, she was stoked by having another enthusiast showing interest in her tools. A person with the same spark of interest for ninja weaponry was a rare thing to come by for her, especially in peaceful times, so she felt utterly excited.
"Ok, come with me." She cleaned up the area by sealing her arsenal of weapons back into her scrolls and gestured him to follow her. "I have them stored in scrolls in my house because they are too precious to carry around." Takao nodded in agreement, thrilled by the prospects of seeing the sacred ninja tools.
They left, chatting passionately about cutting edge weapon technology, price fluctuations in the ninja weaponry market, and her expensive flying guillotine.
Naruto became aware of Gai's focused gaze and his intrigued expressions as he followed them walking away with his eyes. He was evidently engrossed in deep thought and seemed like he was silently planning a detailed strategy. Then he put his hand on his chin and shook his head a bit distressed.
"Lee, you must return quickly!"
The blond ninja's eyebrows and nose wrinkled at the statement and he crossed his arms confused. Well, at least, his duty of the day had been accomplished.
A/N: Please feel free to leave a comment or two and tell me what you think. I'm always looking to improve, looking for ideas and feedback from all of you wonderful people!
freckledlittleacey: We need the drama xD Don't worry, it's a happy ending! ;) Thanks for your support!
Jac Frust: Indeed, I totally agree. Not healthy at all.
u-Shiro1: Gracias!
