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Chapter 5: The Punishment and The Lesson

Mizuchi Lee had never been to the Konoha Hospital before, and, if not for the hulking Hokage Monument, she might have gotten turned around. Instead, she meandered in that general direction, peeking in shop windows and pausing to look at weapons displays, flowers she'd never seen before, televisions, and a big poster of the book Kakashi had stolen from her.

In the twenty or so minutes it took to reach the red, rounded building that served as the Hokage's command center, Lee developed a new appreciation for the village. She received more cheerful greetings in that walk-drab hospital clothes, disheveled hair, and all-than she had in years. Her fear of the consequences of her actions plagued her no longer; this was the brightest of all days and no cloud would challenge her sunny disposition. Her legs felt strong, her stride felt long, and Lee felt a joy so exuberant and uncommon that she sprung eight feet up onto a brick wall and followed it to its end, not noticing for a second that such a feat was beyond her capability. Her elation seemed out of place and unnatural, but Lee swung the bundle of books beside her merrily and let her mind buzz from one thought to the next like so many bees:

She looked to the great heads of the village's leaders, old and new, and contemplated what it would feel like if her own face was chiseled into the great rock face.

Do they think it's an honor, or is it just embarrassing? Maybe both. How weird it must be for their families. What will the village do when the Hokage monument grows too large to be contained in the village?

And she looked and walked to the east, where her home lay along the same mountain range that housed the monument, and Lee considered how some strange Hokage's face might hover over her own backyard in some distant year. She laughed freely, with no care for who might hear her. This was her morning, and the bundle of books was hers as well, and her bare feet (her shoes lay forgotten at the hospital) pressed into the packed soil of the streets, rooting her more deeply to her village with every step. Every chakra point in her body was thrumming in unison to some ancient song older than the Leaf, shinobi, or Lee's parents. With the Hokage to her north, and the village to her south, Lee walked eastward, the rising sun shining on her brow, and felt more awake and alive than ever before.

Kakashi arrived at the training grounds at 9:10, after a brisk shower, quick shave, and a pleasant breakfast. Despite his extended lack of sleep, he remained in good spirits. He had gotten the book back, punished Naruto (and the rest of the team for good measure), and he'd already decided on the perfect excuse for being late. All he had to do was let the kids train a little while he read, and then he could take a nice long nap. Later, perhaps he could bum a cig off Asuma, play a little shogi, and maybe swing by the Lee household to check the damage.

He stretched his arms overhead and let out a long, lazy yawn. He did a few lunges, a few side stretches, and, quick as a kunai, appeared on the archway above his three-man squad in a poof of smoke.

"Good morning, all. Sleep well?" The effect was instantaneous.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI! THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M-"

"I DIDN'T BECOME A NINJA TO-"

"I'M GOING TO PUT IN A COMPLAINT WITH THE HOKA-"

Kakashi dropped down.

"Well, aren't you two lively today! And Sasuke, don't you look radiant?"

The boy glared menacingly, his eyebrows twitching and his fists shaking, a dark aura rising around him.

A flash of pink and a mean right hook shot at Kakashi's face. He leapt backward at the last minute, wincing. "Sakura-chan, if you want to hit me, you're going to have to move faster~!" Kakashi teased.

"You are"—an uppercut—"without a doubt"—a series of jabs—"the laziest,"—a right cross—"most unreliable,"—another uppercut—"most infuriating sensei I've ever had the misfortune"—a flying roundhouse—"to meet!"

Kakashi dodged, blocked, and flipped his way out of the onslaught of pink fury. He nodded, satisfied.

"Much better. Good form, Sakura. Feel better?" She seethed. She really has been a ticking time bomb lately. It was bound to happen eventually. Should I really allow her to attack me though? I am her sensei...

"Not likely!" She spun away and waltzed over to the bench she'd been waiting on, plunking

down and crossing her arms with a huff. She turned away obstinately.

"Was this about the book Naruto gave that girl?" Sasuke asked, perceptively.

"What book?" Kakashi responded, playing coy. Sakura's head snapped back at them.

Book?

"Yeah, what book?" asked Naruto. "You gave me the list!" he said, jabbing a finger at Sasuke. "If anyone messed it up, it was him!"

"You grabbed an adult book, you idiot! Or is it cause you never learned to read?"

"I know how to read, you-"

"I don't know what you two are going on about," Kakashi interrupted, putting a guiding hand on each of their backs and directing them toward the field, Sakura trailing behind at a distance. "Sorry if I was a little late, by the way. My neighbor's dog got loose, and I had to help her track him down. He's been bred for racing, so he actually runs faster than a horse. You wouldn't believe how-"

The three rolled their eyes and followed the taller man into the training area as he described the intricacies of dog breeding.

He definitely rehearses it, that baka-sensei, thought Sakura. He probably has a whole list. One of these days, he's going to tell the same story, and I'm gonna catch him. CHA!

I bet he's hiding a nose the length of Konoha under that mask, scowled Naruto, kicking a rock.

This is all Naruto's fault. Sasuke shook his head. Sakura really lost it this time. If one of those punches connected, Kakashi would've been flattened. Just the sound they made hitting nothing but air...Not that I'm impressed. She leaves herself wide open. If she were fighting a real enemy, she'd be dead. Useless. Still, she puts so much power into those punches. Is she using chakra control instinctively? Ugh. The kind of jutsu I could use if I understood chakra the way she does... I'd be unstoppable. But if I ask her for help, she'll just think I'm interested in her, and then she'll never shut up. Whose bright idea was co-ed teams? I'll just have to work on it on my own or ask Kakashi.

"Alright, since you three seem really fired up today, we're going to start with some laps. Once you've worked off a bit of that energy, we're going to work on using chakra for speed and force. I'll tell you when you can stop. Off you go," Kakashi said, shooing them away.

After 20 minutes of peaceful reading, Kakashi stopped the trio and gave them a few minutes to catch their breath and guzzle some water. When the three sat together, no longer heaving, Kakashi shut his book and stood in front of them.

"You've already learned how to use chakra to walk up trees and walls," Kakashi began, "When you use chakra to hold yourself in place, you're actually creating your own system of chakra rooting."

"Chakra rooting?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Chakra rooting," confirmed Kakashi. "Here, follow me. I'll show you what I mean." Kakashi waved them over toward the woods. The reluctant students heaved themselves off the ground to follow. "You see this sapling? Naruto, try giving it a gentle push." The boy complied, kneeling down and nudging it with a finger. It popped back up resiliently.

"Alright, now Sasuke, try pushing me over," Kakashi instructed, forming the hand seal to direct his chakra. Sasuke pushed, then pushed harder, but Kakashi didn't budge.

"Whoa! Cool!" exclaimed Naruto.

"Now if Sasuke tried really hard, he might be able to push me over, but he would have to use enough force to push all the earth above my chakra rooting as well. His best bet would be to hit me from below and force my roots upward. Just like how if you wanted to knock over that sapling, your best bet would be to yank it out, not to push it. He could also break my concentration to cut off the flow of chakra.

"Right now," Kakashi continued, walking up the side of a tree, "I'm directing chakra from the balls of my feet into the tree. When I draw the chakra back inside—" he lifted a foot—"I'm disconnecting the flow of chakra. Even if you didn't realise it, you three have been learning to create and retract your own chakra rooting system, though only deep enough to support the force of your own weight. If I pushed you and you tried to stay standing, you'd fall very easily. But for now, you have the basics of chakra rooting down. And that's not what we're working on today, anyway." Kakashi jumped down from the tree.

Naruto groaned. "Then why even bring it up?"

"Now, now. We're going to work on something you'll like even better. When your goal isn't stability, but speed, or force, what you're really looking for is 'an equal and opposite reaction,' as the saying goes; you hit the ground with chakra, and the ground hits back.

"Watch closely," Kakashi instructed. He put his fingers back into the hand seal for channeling chakra.

The three leaned forward, then gasped. Without moving a muscle, Kakashi shot up a few inches into the air, then fell back down.

"This is what we call 'brute force chakra'. Pretty interesting, right?" The three nodded avidly. "Chakra is what allows ninja to make jumps or use force that would normally be beyond their ability."

"Sensei," Sakura raised her hand, "don't we already know how to do that?"

"Yes and no. What you know how to do is increase the force of your muscles using chakra. Which is great; most taijutsu combine chakra and muscles to generate increased force and speed. But when you use brute force chakra, your chakra system is working independent from your muscles. It doesn't come as natural as supporting your muscles with chakra, but when you actively expel chakra from your body in a short, concentrated burst, it opens up a whole new world of techniques."

"I don't get it. What's so different about using brute force chakra? If you use the same amount of force, you'll hit or jump just as high, whether it's chakra and muscle or just chakra right?"

"There are many advantages to using brute force chakra. Say I've already punched you," Kakashi planted his fist against Naruto's chest. "My arm is already extended. I either have to retract my arm and punch again, or get closer to shove you. But with brute force chakra—" Naruto stumbled backward—"I can hit you again. Or, if I've injured a leg, as long as my chakra system is intact, I can still jump. And those are only two of many uses. Even if chakra-supported muscle is easier to use and more natural, this is still an important skill. It might not be your first choice, but, in a pinch, this could save your life. Any questions?"

"Yeah! If you have really good chakra control, can you fly? Cause you could just keep pushing off as long as you had enough chakra, right?" Naruto asked excitedly.

This kid.

"No, Naruto. It means you can jump really high. The air doesn't provide enough resistance to propel you forward. Any other questions? Good. Then let's give it a try, shall we? It'll be really tempting to use your toes, ankles, and knees to help, but resist the urge. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't work right away; this is more advanced than basic chakra rooting, so even Sakura might have a hard time with this."

After about five minutes, Sasuke suddenly tripped, falling onto his butt.

"HAH! What's wrong Sasuke? You tired? Look at you. You're already sweating! I could do this all day."

Sasuke...no..., thought Sakura, I believe in you. Stupid Naruto doesn't know what he's talking about.

"Very good, Sasuke. Naruto, Sasuke just succeeded in using brute force chakra. Because the flow wasn't steady or consistent between his feet, he stumbled, but he did manage to concentrate some chakra and hit the ground with it."

Wow! Sasuke, you're so cool. I have to do better too. Chakra control is the one thing I'm good at. Even if it's to Sasuke, I don't want to lose! Sakura blushed happily.

Sasuke nodded in response and returned to focusing his chakra, ignoring Naruto's jealous glares.

A minute later:

"Very good, Sakura! You didn't go as high as Sasuke, but your chakra was consistent and the force was applied evenly. Keep up the good work. I'll leave you three to it for a while," Kakashi said, walking off to find some shade.

Twenty minutes later, Naruto started shouting.

"I did it, Kakashi-sensei! I did it! Did you guys see that? I must've been two inches off the ground!"

"Yeah right. More like a half-inch," muttered Sasuke, looking away angrily.

"You've all made progress. Oh, excellent job, Sakura!" The boys looked over at Sakura, who had just shot up an entire foot. "You're a natural."

"Wow, Sakura, you're amazing!" Naruto cheered. Sakura tried not to look too pleased with herself. She eyed Sasuke shyly. He glared back testily.

"Alright, I think we're going to call it a day."

"Wha—But Kakashi-sensei, I only just started getting the hang of it! It's barely past noon," whined Naruto.

"The thing about brute force chakra that makes it entirely different from rooting chakra, is that once the chakra impacts with the surface you're on, it's gone. It doesn't come back. You're actively expelling it from your body. When you guys were climbing trees, you could practice for hours because you could reuse the same chakra, though even then it is gradually leached from your system due to inefficiency. If you want to get better, you need to practice this in moderation and over time. And you should eat, rest, and hydrate more than usual. So get some food, and take it easy," Kakashi said, hitting Naruto on the back. "Dismissed!"

Well, Kakashi thought, watching his Sasuke and Naruto bicker as they left the training grounds, that went better than it could have. As expected, Sakura's much better than those two. She picked that up way faster than even I could.

Lee took a deep breath and undid the latch on the weathered wood gate that led into the Lee estate. I can handle it. Anything. Today is a beautiful day, and this world is much bigger than them. The sun will still shine, no matter what they say. The stars will still twinkle. Lee walked up to the front door and slid it open without hesitation.

"I'm home," she announced, stopping in the entryway to remove the shoes she didn't have. She heard the taps of two tea cups hitting a wood table. He broke a teacup, didn't he. That guy...Lee felt heartened, knowing that Kakashi had stood here but one day ago, unafraid. Her parents must have seemed so small and insignificant to him. Who in the world did a great ninja like him have to fear? She tugged a drawer of the entry table open and hid the bundle of books, beforing stepping up into the hallway. She opened the double sliding doors to the living room, entered, shut the doors, and knelt down. She bowed low.

"Forgive me for my late return," Lee said, speaking into the floorboards, "I was unavoidably detained." She sat back on her heels, hands folded in her lap, as elegantly as a princess, though her hair was as wild as a stray dog's. Lee's eyes rose to meet her parents'. Her father's gaze was steely, and his strong jaw was set. His hair, a perfectly combed mane of white, black, and grey, made him appear both wise and terrible. Her mother's eyes crackled with white fire, and her cheekbones formed a steep, treacherous ridge over the otherwise delicate landscape of her face. A tight, elaborate bun held her brown tresses in place, adorned with a single jade hair pin older than the village itself. To Lee they seemed a fearsome pair.

She placed the two sensu in front of her and slid them forward.

"I also apologize for the state of the family sensu. They were an invaluable tool for my survival, but I regret the damage they have sustained." Lee's mother's eyes sharpened into a dangerous metallic grey as they fell upon the sensu, and her lips tightened into a long, thin line.

The two turned back to the table and resumed drinking tea silently. Behind them, a second set of double doors was spread open, revealing the back garden. Lee sat patiently, as her parents stared out into the yard. She sat until her knees began to ache. Eventually, her parents got up and went about their usual routines, save any that revolved around Lee. Hours passed, and the sun set, and still Lee sat, only daring to move to stumble over to the bathroom once. Her parents retired to the bedroom, snuffing the candles in the living room, and still Lee did not move. She knew better.

She fell asleep late that night, still sitting.

It had never taken this long before. But then, they had never been this angry before, had they?

Kakashi arrived at the Lee household later than he'd intended. Asuma had invited him to their favorite bar, where the two sensei caught each other up on their students' latest exploits:

Kakashi related to Asuma the details of the bandit attack and the paperwork that accompanied it. He also gave a far more distressing account of the adult book fiasco and Sakura's outburst, at which point Asuma clapped him on the back and bought him a round of drinks.

Asuma shared his own sensei troubles, such as how instead of being overly competitive like Sasuke and Naruto, two of his students lacked any motivation whatsoever, and every time he turned around, they were sneaking snacks or taking naps. To make matters worse, apparently the third member of his squad had suddenly decided she was in love with him and was asking for extra lessons, at which point Kakashi clapped him on the back and bought another round of drinks.

"How on earth did our own senseis put up with us, if we were even half as difficult?" Kakashi mused.

Asuma just sighed in response.

"We were definitely cuter too," Kakashi added, setting his glass down.

"Ah, I don't know. You were kind of a dick," Asuma grinned. Kakashi glared and kicked his friend's stool.

"Yeah, you're right. I kind of was," Kakashi laughed. "Being young is hard. I guess I should lower my standards a little. They're all trying, at least. I just don't see them getting along anytime soon. They want to become jonin overnight, but they keep messing up D rank missions because they're too busy bickering. And as talented as they are, when we fought we fought with Zabuza, Naruto was a total wildcard and Sakura just fell apart. Sasuke would be the ideal student if he could just get over himself. He's more arrogant than I was at his age. I have no idea what to do."

Asuma filled their glasses again.

"I don't know how Kurenai does it," said the man, after a long draft. "Her team is a total mixed bag,-That Kiba kid sounds as unruly as your Naruto-but every mission is a success. Overconfident cildcard, girl with no self-confidence, and Mr. Calm and Collected. Sound familiar?"

"I guess Kurenai's just better than me," Kakashi sighed.

"Yeah, she really is." Kakashi kicked his stool again and grinned into his glass.

And so Kakashi landed on the roof of Lee's house at half past midnight. He crept furtively through the yard and pressed his ear to the back door. He could hear faint breathing. He slid the door open an inch, just enough to look through. His eye widened marginally when he saw Lee sitting perfectly upright, facing his direction. He opened his mouth to whisper an explanation, only to realize she was sound asleep. Her head was lolling to the side, her lips forming a troubled frown, and her eyes looked slightly sunken in. A bubbling rage (or perhaps it was the alcohol) roiled Kakashi's stomach. After a traumatic encounter and a slew of minor injuries, the young girl should have been resting in bed after a comforting meal. Yet there she sat, still as stone, a face as weary as an adult's.

How long has she been sitting there? I left her so early in the morning. Did she come right home? Kakashi slid the door shut regretfully. Well I'll just have to let this play out. I'll come back to check on her tomorrow. I don't think I can attest to her safety without knowing the extent of her punishment. At least not in good faith. We might not have a say in how the Lee family discipline their children, but if things are dire enough, we could try for a PTSD diagnosis to get the social services division involved. Though the strain on her familial ties and the stigma might just make matters worse. Ahh, what a mess.

Lee woke at dawn, feeling at least ten times worse than she had before she fell asleep. At least, she thought, they shouldn't be nearly as angry after seeing me kneel for so long. Mother always said my greatest fault was my inability to sit still. Look at me now, mother. You must be so proud.

Late that morning, through some unspoken parental consensus, Lee's parents kneeled side-by-side in front of her. Her pulse quickened in anticipation. Her father looked down at her.

"Mizuchi Lee," he spoke impressively, "your actions have brought great shame to this family. Explain yourself."

Explain myself? Lee panicked. Well that's a new one.

"Forgive me, Father. I am not sure what you wish me to explain," Lee said levely.

"Explain to me what you did, as well as your reasons. We have been told you got into a violent fight with a group of men and incapacitated several of them. Your mother and I want the truth."

"I do not understand, Father. I was told by the great ninja Kakashi Hatake that he himself had spoken with you. He told no lies. I visited Grandma Hatsu while you and mother were out—

"—A poor way to repay our trust, Mizuchi," her mother cut in.

"I am deeply sorry," Lee bowed, sorrowfully, "for my betrayal. It did not serve me well, for as I left Grandma Hatsu to return home, I realized I had left my s—I had left something behind. When I returned to retrieve it, I saw Grandma Hatsu beset by bandits. They saw me, and I knew I could not outrun them, so I ran to Grandma Hatsu. Our lives, I believed, were in great danger, so I offered Grandma Hatsu's belongings; they had no interest. They wanted information that would put the village—our family—in danger. The only option that occurred to me was to fight, and so I did. Luck shined upon me and I was able to repel them until the ninja, Kakashi Hatake of the Lightning Blade, overheard our scuffle and came to our aid. I have no love for violence, Mother, Father. I acted without beauty and wholly in fear. It is my sincerest desire that the Lee family's legacy is upheld, and to protect the village and our way of life seemed to me, at the time, the only answer. I see in your faces that I have acted rashly and it displeases you. I feel no pride, but only remorse. My only hope is that you see in my faults the potential to learn." Lee bowed low, though her back protested, and waited for their response. I have never spoken so well in all my life, she praised herself inwardly. And with no time to plan. Not too shabby.

"You speak well, child. Too well, with that serpent tongue. Your actions and your words disgrace you. You and your mother both. Long years has she worn away at your impudence, yet still you remain as disagreeable and obstinate as the day you were born. There is no remorse in your eyes, only deceit. You were born wild, and you remain thus. No Lee woman resorts to violence. Were it your mother, she would have kneeled and awaited her fate with grace, before surviving in such an unsightly manner. The legacy of our family does not rest on your shoulders. You are not so important. Know your place, girl!" He raised his voice. Lee flinched and tears pricked at her eyes in spite of herself.

"Forgive me, Father! I was out of line. I am tired and hungry, and troubled by the things I have seen. I am not sound of mind, and I fear only time may allow me to order my thoughts. I am not as lost as you fear. Please do not despair. Let me prove myself to you!"

"You are not sound of mind? Mizuchi Lee, you shall never be sound of mind, or you would cease to be the same girl. If you wish for time, then time you shall have. Until you are as calm and still in spirit as the family grave, I do not wish to see your face. Do not disturb us as we dine, nor plague us with your fitful sleep, for even then you are loud and uncouth. Your mother shall attend to your lessons as usual, but as you are, I have no interest in a daughter such as you. Become something better."

And with those words, Lee rose, stumbling and weak, as if walking for the first time. She limped into the yard, shut the doors behind her, and threw herself behind the great tree she had always climbed as a child. She sobbed and sobbed until no tears came out, clutching the roots of the tree, and then she sobbed more. Every ounce of joy and pleasure from the previous morning and the day before was gone. She was more miserable and lonely than any child in the world, and nothing could convince her otherwise.

Become something better. The words did not enter her mind. There was no room for thought in that place. But the words hung over her just the same.

Well that happened. Don't worry, this isn't a very depressing fic, but that scene was important for Mizuchi's development!

Look forward to the next chapter, "The Visitor," next Sunday (7/19).