Notes:

A: Thank you for continuing to support this story.

This chapter is inspired by the French lyrics incorporated into song, I Belong To You by Muse 2:15, from a popular aria called 'Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix' from the French opera 'Samson and Delilah' composed by Camille Saint-Saens.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

[Mon Cœur S'ouvre à Ta Voix]
(My Heart Opens Itself to Your Voice)

Ah! Réponds,
(Ah! Respond,)
Réponds à ma tendresse
(Respond to my tenderness)
Verse-moi, verse-moi l'ivresse
(Fill me, Fill me with ecstasy)
Réponds à ma tendresse!
(Respond to my tenderness!)
Réponds à ma tendresse!
(Respond to my tenderness!)
Ah! Verse-moi l'ivresse!
(Ah! Fill me with ecstasy!)


Present…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

Past…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

Dream…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ


*Yare, Yare: A Japanese term used to interpret phrases such as, 'Well, well', 'Oh, my' or 'Good Grief'

*Ikemen: A Japanese word created through recent pop culture to describe good-looking or stylish men, usually young.

*Hime: A Japanese word used to refer to a 'Princess' or feminine presenting person of high status.

*Usuratonkachi/ Dobe: Japanese phrases used in a derogatory manner, generally perceived as 'Useless' or ' You loser'/ 'Idiot' or 'Dead Last'.

*Nani: A Japanese word loosely translating to 'What', often used among younger peers or people you're close to.

*Arigato: A Japanese word used for expressing gratitude.

*Minasan: A Japanese word interpreted as 'Everyone'.


Act III:

'Life On The Moon, My Heart Opens Itself To Your Voice!'


…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

'Lee...' Neji's translucent lids fluttered, eyes opening, immediately lurching up from his sleeping position, coughing. The clouds had come back with a vengeance, robbing the light of day, shielding those below from the heated gaze of yellow rays, bathing his room in a grey hue. He barely had enough time to process the dream he was having only a moment ago; reaching up his left hand, he clutched his sore chest, heaving and wheezing, causing a twinge in his aching muscles.

He looked to the bedside table, there sat a pitcher, a glass for water, his wooden box and inhaler. He glared at the little contraption, still trying to catch his breath before reaching out to grab it. Bringing the tube up to his lips, he pushed down on the button inhaling the medicine, while his pupils adjusted to the dim glare of early afternoon. It had been a soft knock on the door that roused the Hyuuga from his deep sleep, after he had settled, smoothing his hair and clothes, he called for them to come in.

A bemused look crosses Neji's face, watching Sai saunter in, flicking on the lights in a fluid movement, fashionably casual, as always; dressed in a black, long sleeve turtleneck, mid-drift still uncovered even in the cold season and black pants. The nails on the hand carrying a tray of food, were painted black; there was a word for guys like the Shinobi in front of him, the Hyuuga had heard the girls use it before.

'An Ikemen*?' Thought the recently stirred brunette.

"Yare, yare.*" Sai said with an unmoving smile.

"The great Hyuuga, Neji-hime has truly awakened." He jested, setting the tray on the long-haired Hyuuga's lap.

"Hello, Sai-san." Neji sighed and ignored his comment, never able to tell if the artist was teasing him or not.

He picked up his chopsticks, although he hadn't been very hungry since he had woken up from the coma, Tsunade said it would be a possibility and to just take it easy and eat what he can.

Or he would have if the dark-haired artist hadn't plopped himself into the chair next to him, resting his chin on his arms as he folded them on the edge of the bed.

"I'm actually not on hospital duty anymore, I only dropped by because I heard you were awake." Sai spoke with his trademark smile. "You should be honored."

Neji sighed, setting his chopsticks down and looking at the artist suspiciously. He was genuinely surprised to hear that; they hadn't been particularly close before the war. The artist paused to gaze at him emptily before a look of realization blossomed on his face.

"I didn't poison it or anything if that's what you are thinking." Sai said cheerfully.

"...Is there something I can help you with?" Neji retorted looking at the dark-eyed ninja, who just blinked innocently at him, the brunette rolled his pale eyes hoping he might get to the point soon.

"No, really. Don't let me stop you from enjoying your meal." The socially awkward Shinobi said, absent smile still in place as he watched the Hyuuga. The brunette sighed again, picking up his chopsticks to grab some rice, bringing it to his mouth before Sai chimed in again.

"So, what was it like to die?" He asked casually, the exasperated Hyuuga puts his chopsticks back down.

Neji pinched the bridge of his nose. It wasn't that he didn't get along with Sai... It's just, there hadn't been a lot of time to get to know him, and he had heard a few stories from his friends about his- disposition, because of his ANBU, ROOT training, the Shinobi was difficult to read, understandably so. The brunette never held it against the artist, just because one does not know how to communicate, doesn't mean they don't want to, patience he learned after becoming closer to Hinata.

"I'm sorry was that inappropriate? Naruto has told me if I act friendlier and with sincerity, people might be more inclined to speak with me." The graceless ninja declared sounding hopeful.

The corner of the brunette's lip twitched at the sound of his friend's name. It had turned out, no one, not even the enemy, was able to refute the Uzumaki's logic about the power of bonds. The Hyuuga himself being changed after meeting the blonde. Hiashi had told him Naruto lived, but until he sees all his friends in person, his heart will not feel at ease.

"Well... I'm sure my response won't be interesting. I-" Neji paused; brows furrowed. He hadn't really gotten to think about it yet and his memory was still sort of cloudy.

"I recall...being cold... I couldn't speak or hear. I remember trying to keep my eyes open before... my vision, turned black. Everything before and after is kind of a blur..." After speaking, he looked to the artist bashfully, feeling exposed but relaxed when he saw his eyes, there was no sign of judgement, just patient curiosity.

Sai seemed like he was searching for something.

"How were things for you after the war?" Neji asked in a gentle tone, the black-haired Shinobi took on a pensive look.

"...This time last year I was staying at my art studio... like I am now; I was temporarily living with Naruto —and Sasuke-kun." The artist spoke carefully, there was a slight roll of his eyes as he spoke of the Uchiha's name. The long-haired brunette reacted with brows rising high; trying to deflect the movement after by tucking a few loose strands of hair behind his ear.

"Oh?" The Hyuuga said trying to sound not, too interested.

"Just when Naruto and I were getting really close..." The black-haired ninja looked off almost pouting. "He told me the dick-less coward was moving in until he could find his own place..."

"He comes in, acting all cool and all smug." Sai sniffed, and sat up, crossing his arms. "Always referring to Naruto as 'usuratonkachi'* and dobe*. Talking to Naruto like he has no respect for him."

Neji raised an eyebrow; this was the most he had ever heard Sai speak. 'It sounds like he needed to vent.'

"That asshole has caused nothing but heartache for Naruto...even now some of the villagers are talking about him and his soft spot for Sasuke-kun...bad mouthing Naruto, saying...Sasuke-kun is his weakness." Something dark flashed in his eyes before cooling down like molten lava turning to stone.

The Hyuuga raised his other eyebrow. 'That almost sounded like...'

"Sakura and Ino said I was jealous." Now the black-haired ninja was actually pouting, cheeks puffed. Neji's lip twitched but he suppressed a snicker. 'At least someone told him...'

"The villagers do love to gossip, but I wouldn't worry too much about that." The long-haired brunette added in, meeting gazes with the young man before him.

"What the villagers think, is about as useful as the thoughts of cattle." Sai scoffed and wrinkled his nose; his companion really did snort this time.

For a moment, Neji felt reminiscent, the memories of his younger years coming back to him. His ears tinted pink when he remembered his own dark past of being a stuck up, emotionally immature, brat to anyone who had the nerve to breathe his air. The young Hyuuga had downright been a bully, something he will always feel guilt from. He had said some pretty bad things that he's since apologized for, or at least tried too, his teammates not being receptive, claiming it was water under the bridge. As Gai-sensei always says:

It is the springtime of their youth.

"Perhaps that's Sasuke's way of showing his...uhh affections?" Neji finished sounding kind of unsure on what to say in this situation. It wasn't often his companions came to him for matters of the heart. Tenten and him had confided in each other often, but mostly as a listening ear than for wisdom, talks reserved for their Sensei.

"Even when they were supposedly getting along, they had a similar relationship when they were younger." The long-haired brunette said now that he thought back to the Chunin exams. Sasuke had always acted indifferent to Naruto if he wasn't right out insulting him.

"Even the... nickname you gave him; has made it's rounds through the village." The Hyuuga cleared his throat at the thought.

Sai looked like he was thinking for a second before a smile blossomed on his face. "You mean limp dic-"

Neji held out a hand to stop him. "You don't have to remind me." Sai pouted at his protests.

"And you call me Hime." The long haired brunette said accusingly, Sai just blinked at him.

"Well yeah, that's because I want to be closer to you; you remind me of a princess." The artist said plainly before crossing his arms pouting. "Like, Snow White."

The Hyuuga was genuinely surprised to hear that the artist wanted to befriend him and how easily he has opened up to him. The realization that Sasuke may not have any malice behind his insults towards the blonde, seemed to displease and baffle Sai even further. He limply dropped his top half onto the bed, tightly crossed his arms, burring his head in them. The black-haired Shinobi let out the breath in his lungs, the brunette patiently waiting for him to continue, watching the tint on the artist's ears darken.

"Maybe I am just... envious of Sasuke-kun's and Naruto's relationship...I-" Neji couldn't quite hear the rest of what Sai was saying with his face in the sheets.

"You'll have to speak up." The Hyuuga calmly said leaning in.

The black-haired Shinobi sighed as he turned his head to face the brunette but doesn't meet his eye. The sky, as if reading the mood, passed a particularly dense cloud over the already hidden sun, dimming the room even more, making the florescent beams over their heads, look like spotlights; it turned the artist into the actor, reciting his monologue to Neji, as his audience.

"We were never going to live together forever anyway..." Sai said almost in a whine, guiltily biting his lip.

"—In the beginning, I thought it didn't matter how I acted now that Sasuke-kun was there...I've never- felt like this before...it was... confusing." The artist spoke, frowning.

"I... I would pick fights. Make snide comments, purposefully antagonize Sasuke-kun..." Before Sai stood and turned away to look out the window, Neji could see the colour on his ears start to travel to his cheeks.

"It felt like I was a spectator in my own body...doing things for attention like a little kid. Trying anything to wedge a divide between Sasuke-kun and Naruto so I could have his attention all to myself." The black-haired Shinobi put a hand over his eyes.

"I'm so embarrassed. —Naruto knew what I was doing... but he still forgave me, scolded me, smiling at me, but now..." Sai paused, dropping his arm to his side, looking out over the village.

"—And Sasuke-kun." He chuckled, frustrated, hands sliding up to hold his sides in comfort. "I said anything I could to get under his skin and he'd just... look at me. No reaction at all. It only fueled the outrage boiling inside me. Confused why he kept pretending to get along but..."

"Before Naruto went on a mission, Sasuke-kun and I got into a fight...I was the only one on edge...it was a regular day until I..." The artist suddenly became quieter. "I exploded. I— I said something unforgivable..." He whispered, as if it was a secret, only meant for him and his reflection in the window.

"Sasuke-kun... Sasuke-kun was really mad and said...he was thinking about traveling anyway. Naruto got incredibly upset, saying he is tired of us not getting along..." His grip on himself tightened, chin tilting up as his voice wavered.

"The moment I exploded on Sasuke-kun... He wasn't even being cool or smug; at that very second, he had been incredibly kind... For a moment he just looked at me shocked... I was shocked at myself..." The artist spoke sounding defeated.

"I've been making it hard for us to live together for so long... now t-they want to live separately and I—..." The black-haired Shinobi spoke in a hushed tone, sluggishly releasing himself, starring at his hands pensively.

"I... I didn't even get to really enjoy our time together like I wanted too...I was too busy fighting...This whole time, what I really wanted... what I really wished for..." Quietly speaking as if he had made a realization.

"I wanted Sasuke-kun to recognize me... For us all to enjoy our days together having fun, I wish—" The artist sucked in a shaky breath. "I wish. they would have cared about me... The way they care about each other..." Sai revealed softly, fingers steadily closing into a trembling fist, before dropping to his side.

"...And now I've pushed them both away- " The dark-haired Shinobi said sad and confused, looking up at his reflection.

"...I'm just realizing... what a horrible, selfish, fool I've been..." He whispered with an embarrassed smile, turning to look at Neji with wet, red rimmed eyes.

"Sai-san.." The long-haired brunette spoke softly, awe struck at his display of raw emotion and honesty.

The brunette's heart was aching with each word he spoke, fully understanding the pains of loneliness and how that can close someone off to any type of love. It made the Hyuuga remember all the times Lee had reached out for companionship and how he rejected him heartlessly, believing such kinships were beneath him. He had become so familiar with the pain, that rejecting the good, became second nature. When in truth there had been many nights, before he had put up his walls, that he had wished for someone to confide in.

"I know Naruto cares deeply for you. He cherishes all of his friendships." Neji said hoping to soothe him.

"If you speak freely from the heart as you have done with me, I'm sure they'll be receptive." The brunette said wanting to sound positive. The black-haired Shinobi paused, biting the inside of his cheek as he wipes away his tears.

"I don't know if Sasuke-kun will forgive me..." The artist says meekly, sliding back into his seat with a soft plop and sniff, the tip of his nose looking rosy. "I think I've might have messed up very badly."

The brunette studied Sai, slumped frontward in his chair, looking conflicted and flushed from his emotional state. The long-haired Hyuuga looked around his room decorated in vases full of beautiful bouquet's, pots of different plants and herbs.

"I didn't always have friends I could count on." Neji spoke, closing his eyes.

"I didn't always have people I could trust to understand or who wanted to understand." He stated remembering his days before Team Maito Gai, peering down at his hands.

"There was a time I took bonds such as those for granted. I thought they served no purpose in my journey to becoming stronger, I too acted in foolish ways. " The brunette closed his hand. "Keeping people from getting too close."

"But if it wasn't for those bonds, and learning how to cherish them, letting them fuel my strength, I would not be alive today." Neji looked Sai directly in his dark, glossy eyes, determined. "I'm sure this is something Sasuke-kun understands as well." The Hyuuga reaches out to clasp a hand on the black-haired Shinobi's shoulder in newly found comradery.

"I think when it comes to the people you care about, you can never stop trying." The brunette says confidently to the artist, appearing surprised.

"That's something that my Sensei, Naruto, and other comrades have always taught me." He stated, dropping his hand and giving a smile that warmly lit his face.

Sai sits, stunned, staring at the Hyuuga before a gentle grin crept slowly on his face. It was the first genuine smile the brunette had seen since the artist had walked in.

"Yeah. I— I'll definitely try apologizing to Sasuke-kun..." He said smiling, casting his gaze downward, pausing before speaking again.

"It's just... With Naruto and Sasuke-kun..." Sai started, lacing his fingers in his lap, Neji made sure he was listening intently.

"I'm not saying that if I left the village, Naruto wouldn't care but..." The artist bit his lip. "I want them both to cherish me enough to chase me halfway around the world, if I were to leave." Rubbing his thumbs together shyly, finishing the sentence weakly.

"Even during the war, when you were injured, Naruto-kun held you with such care... In front of everyone." The black-haired Shinobi's hands relaxed, eyes still far away.

Neji visibly paused.

"...Eh?" The Hyuuga breathed, the dark-eyed Shinobi interrupted, submersed in his own thoughts. "And when Lee-kun got to your body, he became undone, holding onto you, crying..." The artists voice dropped an octave.

"Nani*?" The long-haired brunette squeaked out, all the air escaping his lungs, but Sai appeared not to be listening.

"Even Gaara-san was tearful as he swept you both off in a cloud of sand..." The black-haired ninja finished in a hushed whisper. At that moment, as if the magic of a spell had broken, Sai snapped out of his stupor, a pink tint slowly crawling up his ears as his eyes clear, now actually looking back at the brunette.

"I just want Naruto—" The artist spoke softer, scratching the side of his face nervously. "And S-Sasuke-kun to care about me like that..." The Hyuuga was stunned, no longer paying attention to his companion.

'Lee held me?' Always knowing his friend was no stranger to showing emotions, but to stop, leaving yourself defenseless in a battle, a war, to mourn a comrade was not a wise option.

'What if he had been harmed? Is he harmed?' Neji suddenly had a formidable urge to see his rival, to make sure he was okay. He hadn't even known Lee was close enough to see him fighting, or maybe he did... He couldn't remember, his memory still unclear.

'Gaara-san carried us off the battlefield?' The brunette had so many questions. 'Of course, Hiashi wouldn't mention those details...' The Hyuuga thought, cursing his uncle for reciting the war like he was reporting a mission.

"Care about me like what?" He muttered outwardly confused, feeling his temperature rise as his thoughts were overloaded.

'Care, like friendship care, right?' The Hyuuga thought at the same time as the artist pondered to himself out loud.

"Maybe instead of apologizing, I'll make a plan to lure Sasuke-kun and Naruto out to the training fields and put myself in dange-" Sai said but stopped when he noticed Neji raising an eyebrow at him.

"Kidding, kidding." The artist said with a wave of his hand; he stretched, lowering his top half on the bed, hands resting just below Neji's knee, not moving from his position, he turns his head to look at the Hyuuga, unbothered by his presence.

"You know... I think if it wasn't for Gaara-san... Naruto said you were dead before Lee-kun even got to you... Lee-kun was surrounded in Naruto's chakra when a clone of Gaara-san came out of nowhere and took you both away." Gaze flickering from his forehead, back to eye contact with the long-haired brunette. Sai's spoke softly with wonder, as if they were children whispering secret tales of heroes past the hour of their curfew.

As if he wanted to believe something ridiculous like, the power of love brought him back to life.

The Hyuuga was rubbing slow, tiny circles on top of his hand, trying hard to keep himself from reaching up to touch the flutter of warmth growing in his chest, heat was steadily crawling up his body, heart beating like the wings of a bird.

"I... I didn't know." The brunette breathed into the quiet room, it was all he could say, silently praying an impossible breeze would cool the hot flush rising up his neck; the black-haired artist observed him before standing to stretch, with a newfound look of perseverance.

"You know, you are cared for as well. By Naruto and everyone else too." Sai said, gesturing to all the flowers in the room.

"I know your presence is essential to me now. Your words have given me courage to be vulnerable with Sasuke-kun about how I feel, so if it goes bad, you'll have to be there for me again." The artist smiled shyly at the Hyuuga who was looking back at him with admiration.

"Once the war came to an end, I was assigned to take care of the people on this floor, including you Neji-kun." The black-haired Shinobi announced, gazing at an unmarked vase of red roses, placed in the corner by the door.

"I had a hard time adjusting after Konoha was rebuilt and while I cared for you, I would vent my frustrations to you, and it would help me feel a little more at ease." Sai turned around, back against the cool toned clouds outside the window to face the surprised looking brunette.

"I suppose... that's why I felt so comfortable talking with you today." The black-haired Shinobi said turning to him sheepishly, pushing himself off the wall, leaning forward with his hands behind his back. "What I'm trying to say is..."

"Arigato, Neji-kun.. I hope we can vent our frustrations together as friends, now that you're awake." The artist spoke sincerely; it was Neji's turn to stare in amazement, some of the weight of his worries for his future, lifted by Sai's kind words and promise of an open ear.

"Mm." The long-haired Hyuuga nodded. "I'd like that." Grinning at the black-eyed artist in front of him just as Hanabi busts through the door.

"We're back, Neji-niisan!" The younger Hyuuga announced as she walks in, Hinata following closely behind her, both stopping when they see the black-haired artist, they look at their cousin smiling and then back at Sai, who is also smiling, the youngest Hyuuga raises an eyebrow and smirks.

"Is this pervert bothering you?" Hanabi asks as she gets closer, yelping when her sister elbows her, her cousin snorting.

"I'll let you all catch up." The dark-haired artist said his smile never moving, he exchanges bows with Hinata as he heads towards the door to exit.

"Sai-kun, arigato; for taking care of me." Neji called to him with a warm smile on his face, the black-haired Shinobi looked back.

"Oh! Neji-hime, there's one more thing I forgot to mention..." The artist said with a glint in his eyes.

"Nice dick." Sai gave him a thumbs up, shutting the door before a pillow could hit him in the face. Hanabi snorted this time while her cousin and sister turned an identical shade of pink.

"W-we brought you some things from home Neji-niisan." Hinata stammered embarrassingly, face still mirroring the brunette's own redden one, the youngest was smirking at both of them.

"It's not what you think!" The brunette sputtered out looking at them in horror. Outside the door, the warm sounds of Hanabi chortling and the older Hyuugas chastising her, could be heard.

…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

When he was younger, most days Lee had been lucky, he'd wake from a dreamless sleep with only a slight haze that wore off before he even left his bed; they labeled him a morning person. The taijutsu specialist had never had very vivid dreams, he had just thought of himself as someone who lacked the creativity to produce grand illusions.

When he did, they were simple images with darkened corners of his everyday life, sometimes they were the good ones like that day he met his Sensei or hanging out and training with his friends. He felt a little sadden when he had the ones of his childhood, a time when he was berated and made fun of by his peers for his lack of skill in ninjustu, saying he had a rough start was an understatement. Lee was an orphan, never knowing his parents, already put him at a disadvantage in a ninja village with established families, passing down their knowledge and wealth from generation to generation.

—But after the war, after the infinite Tsyukiomi had unlocked his heart, Lee had come to understand what true dreams looked like. Brightly colored details, etching out desires locked so deep in your heart, it leaves you debilitated, blindsided by the desperate longing, wherever he lay, it clung to his consciousness. When he woke from the endless slumber, he felt so removed from his body, as if he was watching a movie, sunken in one of those old theatre chairs; all he could remember thinking was-

This is it, this was the scene, where the character never recovers.

The obvious cause of his recent sleepless nights; even on his best days he sleeps no later than seven o'clock. Now, before he rests, he lay motionless, fear stricken about what was waiting in his dreams, late into the night, until his eyes become so tired and heavy, he succumbs to its call.

He'd have days where he didn't dream at all; days he had trained so hard for so long, using every last ounce of energy in his body that when his head hit the pillow, there would be nothing but emptiness.

It was as if he was paralyzed, watching the blackness behind his eyelids until he awoke, almost startled by the sudden difference, not remembering when he had fallen asleep. He'd get up as if he'd purposely just laid down for a short time, popping up suddenly from his sheets, stretching and doing a set of push-ups to get his adrenaline pumping over his anxious feelings.

There had also been a time where Lee had tried his hardest to not sleep at all. Seeing how long he could push his boundaries; the longest he made it was a full ninty-six hours. Periodically surviving only on naps and resting his body, while his mind stayed alert as if he was the look-out on a mission, he called it special training.

It didn't take long for his body and mind to grow tired, and on those days, the dark-haired Shinobi would pass out from exhaustion, dreaming of the war they'd been through, and other nights Lee would wake, body taunt, screaming into the night, his blood pulsing heavily against his skin and the echo of his rival's name on his lips.

There was a point where he'd dream every day, after they had finally had enough buildings for people to stop sleeping in tents. It slowed to every week but by summer, the green-clad ninja was only overcome in his sleep by his memories of his Infinite Tysuukiomi once a month.

When he woke from those days, it was so achingly slow, it felt as if he was sluggishly being pulled to the surface through the thick dark waters of the ocean, he felt the dream echoing, trying to drag him back to that place. The dark-haired Shinobi sometimes feels it's clutches far into the day, still feeling as if he's drowning. Lee's blank eyes opening, listlessly starring at the ceiling above him, unblinking as his mind replays the remnants of his heart.

However, when the taijutsu specialist awoke today, in the spare bedroom of his mentor's home. He was immediately comforted by the familiar scent and warmth surrounding him, pale yellow light streaming through the blinds, it helped ground him, his memories of the day before, coming back to him as he got up from his bed and stretched looking at the clock. It was past noon, an impossible feat for Lee but Tenten had offered him some sleeping medicine last night after he had calmed down a bit.

They worked, almost scarily so, the black-haired Shinobi had awakened, way past his usual hour, feeling like he had been sleeping for days. Something he'd relinquished to his bun-haired teammate from the last time he'd took the medication; Tsunade prescribing it to him after he'd been seen falling asleep in his ramen with Naruto. Lee had taken it as suggested by the blonde Sanin, but when the brown-haired Kunoichi found him out cold on the ground of his apartment well into the evening after taking one, she confiscated it, saying when he truly needed it, he could come to her for a fourth of the recommended dose.

Crying had helped him feel lighter inside as well, though, around his eyes and nose was still very much sore and flushed. Touching his face in embarrassment, he winced once he felt his tender eyes and nose. He'd sobbed long into the night, his teammate worried he was going to pop a blood vessel. All his bottled-up feelings had spilled over in the care of his dear friend and Sensei, he was almost feeling refreshed.

He left his room to use the bathroom down the hall. Splashing cold water on his face hadn't been enough to subdue his swelling and headed to the kitchen for an ice pack. Not finding what he intended the black-haired Shinobi settled for a bag of dumplings for his swollen face and sat at the kitchen table with a sigh.

"Good morning." Tenten said quietly walking in from behind Lee's back, the taijutsu specialist jumped, startled by her presence.

"G-Good m-m-morning." Lee stumbled out nervously at his teammate.

An awkward silence stretched between him and his friend. They had spent the night, assured by their Sensei they were not a bother. The black-haired ninja had been too strung out on his emotions to talk so they all just went to bed. The kunoichi let him know, that before the younger Shinobi roused, Gai had left for his daily training session but mostly as an excuse to leave them alone to talk. So far, the two had spent the time in silence, raiding the fridge per instructions of their Sensei, before settling in the kitchen.

Tenten plucked the bag carefully from his fingers and replaced it with a glass of water. She stood at the stove before ripping the bag open and toss the dumplings into a pan to fry.

"How are you feeling today, Lee-kun?" She asks gently, turning her attention back to the food in front of her. Lee downs the water all in one gulp, puffy eyes glancing at her back guiltily.

"I-I'm doing a lot better now. Thank you." He said quietly with a flush, dropping his face in his hands, he remembered their exit together at the hospital.

.…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

Lee could feel his chest heaving, harsh breaths leaving his mouth, but he couldn't hear anything over the consistent ring in his ears, his vision darkening around the edge. The black-haired Shinobi stumbled until cooled stone hit his back, he slid down, knees coming to his chest, he put both hands over his ears.

'Oh *Kami-sama... I've killed him...' Rang throughout his head among the sounds of fighting, of screaming, crying.

He started to rock himself back and forth on the floor. Memories of Neji's lifeless eyes flashing through his mind; the smell of blood filled his nostrils and tears pricked his eyes. That's how Sakura found him, trembling in a ball on the ground hyperventilating, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Lee-kun?..." Sakura asked, concern laced in her voice. The pink haired Kunoichi said his name several times before kneeling in front of him with a worried look on her face.

"Lee-kun..." She repeated before taking his wrist to take his hands off of his ears, Sakura could feel him shaking.

"Lee-kun, it's okay. Neji-san is fine. He just had an asthma attack, he's sleeping now." She said gently, her eyes never leaving Lee's, making sure he understood every word.

Something got through to him, he looked up as if he had noticed her for the first time, the faraway look in his eye vanished and he stared, blinking at the pink haired Kunoichi with the most broken look on his face.

"I-I... he's alive?" Lee muttered, lip wobbling before breaking down and sobbing into Sakura's arms in relief.

He couldn't have gotten up yet if he wanted to, limbs giving out from his quaking. Lee didn't even notice Tenten until she had bent down beside them to help him walk out of the hospital, with a worried looking Gai awaiting them at the exit. The taijutsu specialist was bawling, especially after seeing the bun haired Kunoichi, the guilt of avoiding his friend had been weighing on him heavily as well and he was currently in a state where masking his feelings was no longer possible.

"T-ten-ten..." Lee spoke between sobs. "I'm so- I'm so s-sorry about-" She just looked at him softly, tears on her lashes, feeling for her companion.

"Thank you, Lee. Let's just get out of here." Holding onto his side tighter as she helped him on the road to their mentor's home.

…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

'I'm so embarrassed.' Lee thought, hands over his face shaking his head back and forth. Having a complete breakdown isn't how he wanted to start this conversation.

"I seriously want to know what's been going on with you... but I won't press you for answers." Tenten frowned as she removed the dumplings from the skillet, laying them neatly on a rack to drain and cool, her teammate looked around meekly.

"I didn't want to worry you." He said nervously, a red flush still tinting his face, she snorted, an annoyed look on her face.

"Yeah well, Sakura having to send someone to get me to come pick you up after having a panic attack has the opposite effect." The brown-haired Kunoichi retorted, the green clad ninja flinched, looking like a kicked puppy.

"I- Neji-kun... He's been fighting on his own this whole time, I-" His eyes watered in frustration, fists clenched on the table, the bun haired Kunoichi sighed, ears burning, feeling guilty that she had lashed out.

"I wanted to be strong too." He said lips quivering. Tears stung the brown-haired ninja's vision, she covered Lee's hand in her own, he bit his lip, eyes cast to the table.

"I'm sorry, Lee... I'm just... scared because you've been pushing me away. I want us to be able to talk again..." The weapons user spoke with watery eyes.

"I'm sorry too...I don't know what's been going on lately... I'm still having trouble sleeping and—" Lee began before the sound of the front door opening interrupted him.

Gai's boisterous voice bellowed in.

"Good news everyone! Your Sensei is back with a very honorable and youthful friend!" He cheered through the open door. Tenten wipe the wetness from her eyes but turned when Lee gasped happily at a familiar burgundy robe.

"Gaara!" He beamed as he got up to embrace his friend in a tight hug the moment he walked in the kitchen, Sensei following behind him; the redhead gave Lee a small smile and carefully hugged him back.

"What are you doing here? I didn't know you were going to be in Konoha today?" Lee questioned excitedly, happy to see his redheaded friend. They kept in contact so often these days, the Kazekage usually gives him a heads up when he's coming to the village. The small smile Gaara was wearing was replaced with almost a look of annoyance then back to his usual indifference.

"Meetings, again." The sand user said rolling his eyes.

"Good to see ya, Gaara-kun." Tenen smiled with a small wave.

"You as well, Tenten-san." The Kazekage nodded towards the weapons user.

"How long will you be here for business?" She inquired.

"A few days, although it might be extended..." Gaara trailed off.

"And of course, I am accompanied by Kankuro...and Temari." He said, pointedly looking at the brunette who slyly turned back to heating up the food, the redhead still caught the flush on her ears.

"O-oh?" She tried to sound casual; the sand user smirked once he was done teasing the bun haired Kunoichi, turning his attention back to his black-haired friend.

"I hear that Neji-san has awakened. Have you gone to visit him yet?" The Kazekage inquired, he was making intense eye contact with his companion, his relaxed face suddenly frowned in displeasure and in an almost threatening tone, he leaned towards his green-clad friend.

"Lee, your eyes, why are they red?" He softly questioned; never breaking his gaze with his friend's eyes, as if the answers would leak from his pupils, the black-haired taijustu specialist merely chuckled nervously.

"It seems like now is a good time as any to explain, since my dearest companions are here." Lee said leading them all to sit at the table.

They settled around the table, Tenten still standing, putting the dumplings on a plate they could all share, passing out bowls of rice and miso soup. Gaara silently accepts the offer, the younger green-clad ninja gave a deep sigh, slowly tilting his head down, the kitchen light above casting a shadow over his eyes and mouth; Gai was digging into his food happily.

"After I started going back on missions; at first, I was excited, the feelings the war had left within me were restless. I was ready to protect my village again but... as time went on, I found myself more and more... distracted. Finally, I was sent out to lead a simple retrieval mission with a team of three..." Lee started to gently rub patterns into his own wrist.

"Oh! That's the one you had with Sai-kun and Shino-kun right? You and Sai-kun had a few injuries but, the mission was successful, wasn't it?" Tenten interrupted in-between bites, he just nodded his head, rubbing his hands together nervously, food left untouched, his heart pounding.

"We retrieved the item and was almost back to the village when we were ambushed by thieves... One caused a distraction while the other led us into a weapons trap. I-I thought I had moved us out of the way in time but... Sai-kun." It started to feel like he was far away from his body, in a dark space where he could only see the shine of the white lighting the kitchen, Lee squeezed his eyes shut; he could feel himself start shaking, he bounced his knee as a distraction, he felt the edges of his vision twisting.

"Shino-kun captured the thieves while I grabbed Sai-kun to dodge the attack... I thought we had been missed but, after Sai stood, I noticed the gash on his chest." He swallowed, looking down from the faraway tunnel he felt himself in, noticing his hands shaking.

"The blood on... the moment I saw it on my hands I-" The dark-haired taijutsu specialist stopped, Gaara laid a warm hand on his, grounding his thoughts.

'He isn't wearing his sand shield.' The dark-eyed Shinobi blushed in embarrassment at touching his bare skin but gave him a thankful smile and gripped his hand tenderly; his rising pulse beginning to slow.

"I passed out." He said sheepishly, his vision gradually stabilized. "Shino had to carry me the rest of the way back." He finished, putting a free hand over his eyes.

"After I woke up, I swore them to secrecy, promising I would bring it up with the Hokage myself...That's when... I asked for more work and missions around the village..." Meekly shrugging his shoulders, his Sensei already nodding in confirmation.

"Ah yes! My poor young pupil, dealing with a bout of hemophobia, yes, I heard all about it from Kakas-" Gai stopped short when he noticed the look of shame and indignation Lee shot at him.

"Now, now Lee, I was simply worried for my pupil in the springtime of his youth! It's not often you hide anything from me... I had to do a little research to make sure you were okay." He finished with his classic 'Nice Guy' thumbs up, a sparkle shining from the brightness of his smile, Tenten snorted.

"It's not really research when you live with the guy." The brunette Kunoichi jabbed at her Sensei, setting down her bowl after finishing it's contents, her face softening when she looks at Lee.

"Is that it? You know that's not something to be ashamed of..." She said quietly before getting up and embracing her longtime friend.

"I-i." He stammered, the warmth from his friend melting his defenses. "I am so embarrassed... I don't know what's wrong with me... I-I feel like I lost something after th- everything ended." Lee's eyes growing dark, voice going soft. "Like, I cannot move forward...I'm supposed to be a Shinobi, I'm supposed to be able to protect everyone..."

"It's okay Lee... Thank you for telling us." Tenten's embrace tightened; she pulled back, tears in her eyes for the second time that day.

"I just wished you had told me sooner, so I could have supported you somehow." She squeezed his shoulder before smiling.

"We are friends after all, right? Not just teammates." The bun-haired kunoichi grinned making the tears in Lee's eyes overflow.

" Y-yes! You are my precious people, that's why I didn't want you all to worry..." He said looking back and forth between the three there.

"That is why, when you're full of joy, from the passions of your youth, those precious to you want to celebrate with you." Gai said before clapping Lee on the back who jolted forward by the force.

"It's the same for hardships like sadness and anger. They want to be there for you no matter the circumstances." Gaara added in agreement, piercing gaze on his friend's face, his soft palm giving an encouraging squeeze, to the black-haired Shinobi, the redhead's hand had never left his.

"Minasan*..." Tears reformed in Lee's eyes, he threw his arms, encircling his friends and mentor into one big hug.

"Arigato*! Tenten! Gaara! Gai-sensei!" He bellowed while the tears profusely ran down his cheeks.

"Now, let's finish eating so we can go see Neji!" Tenten said grinning, wiping away her tears.

"Mm!" Lee replied before happily digging into his food.

.…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ


Bonus Words:

*Chabashira: A Japanese word using kanji meaning 'Tea' and the other meaning 'Pillar; Post; Cylinder; Support'. It is used as a phrase to depict 'A tea stalk standing vertically' in a teacup, to symbolize good luck.

*Kotatsu: A Japanese word used to describe a heated table with a thick blanket used during colder seasons.

*Baka: A Japanese word usually used as a 'joking' insult, perceived as 'a fool' or someone who is lacking in sense.


Bonus Short

Title:

*Chabashira?


Back at the Hyuuga compound in an empty sitting room, Hiashi dressed in a casual kimono, sat comfortably under his *kotatsu, he carefully reaches past his tea, filled to the brim, to grab a rice-ball, arranged neatly on a plate; his heated beverage had a tiny stalk slowly bobbing in the center, a symbol of good luck.

The older Hyuuga stops, inches away from the cup when he notices the sleeve of his robe is gently resting against the side of the ceramic. Inwardly he sighs a breath of relief, steadily he pulls his sleeve back past his elbow, now his wrist was almost fully past the steaming, green, liquid, when his face crinkles and his eyes shut.

He sneezes.

Hiashi's arm knocks over his cup spilling scalding, hot tea, not only all over the table and his precious snack, rice immediately soaking up the juices, but his lap as well; the older man yelped gruffly, grabbing the cup even though it was too late to save its contents. Running footsteps could be heard before the door was quickly shoved open, revealing Hanabi, ready in stance with a kunai in hand.

His youngest daughter stares at him owlishly, her father, face blank, silently blinks back before she turns around and shuts the door; even with it closed he still hears a mumbled, '*Baka', as she walks down the hall.

Hyuuga, Hiashi sighs.


A: ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ

Notes:

A: Please let me know what you think in the comments.
...( _ _)ノ|