Harpie: (spilling coffee on herself as someone bumps into her) BLOODY HELL! IF I CATCH YOU YOU BLOODY WANKER...
Ryter: Um...why are you talking like that?
Harpie: (wiping herself off) Oi. And aren't ya the smart one ta notice somethin's wrong it me!
Ryter: Yeah...Didn't get any of that...
Harpie: (Hitting her hard over the head) 'cause a you and your soddin 'friends' I were borrowed for a bleedin' Harry Potter fic. Weren't even a public showing! Gah! Now I can't stop this nah matter what I do! It's annoyin that's what it is!
Ryter: Okay...Yeah I didn't get any of that. Sorry.
Lee: (walking up and putting a hand on Ryter's shoulder) I can speak to her and translate for you Ryter-chan.
Ryter: (hugging him tightly) I love you Lee-sama! So multi-talented!
Lee: (turning to Harpie) Oi! Mate what's the problim? You go and mess ya knickers o' wat?
Harpie: (clutching her head) Shut-up you pus faced ninny! It ain't like dat! That one's at fault yeah? Ah! Be a good boy and tell hur off for me yeah?
Lee: (turning to ryter and scratching her head) Um...She is upset with you it seems.
Ryter: WHAT?! What could she possible be upset with me about?
Lee: I believe it has something to do with...
Ryter: (placing a cookie into his mouth to cut him off) AH! It's all so obvious now! She's upset because I didn't thank the reviewers yet!
Lee: Hmm...chocolate chip with curry powder...
Ryter: (taking Harpie's hands) Oh Harpie I'm so sorry. (turns and bows) Thank you very much blz 1990 and Zetsu's rose. You are our first reviewers but hopefully not our last.
Harpie: (hits her forehead) AHHH! That's not wat I wanted ya bleeding cu...(A hand covers her mouth) Mrgha fasrwas maopeuowj MAODJSPH!
Lee: (holding Harpie in place) Oh yes Ryter-chan. That has made her very happy. Maybe you should continue on with the story!
Harpie: (biting him) Git ya hands off me ya twit!
Ryter: Good idea Lee. (smiling brightly) Please enjoy the newest chapter of Ninja Shuffle.
Disclaimer: We hold no ownership of Naruto. We'd have money if we did. (cough holds out hand)
Lee smiled cheerfully up at the sky as he ran through the open forest towards the Hyuuga estate. In the three months since they had met,and he and the young Hyuuga girl had become fast friends. She had even helped him to make friends with her cousin and a few of her families artists. It had become one of the happiest times in his young life.
"AH! What a glorious day! Hina-chan will be so very happy to hear of the good news."
He stopped when he spotted the Hyuuga hiding behind a tree.
"Hina-chan! How are..."
He was silenced almost instantly as the Hyuuga girl dragged him into the bush and out of side. Lee's eyes widened as she motioned for her friend to be quiet before removing her hand from his mouth. Lee looked through the bush, trying to get a better look at what had spooked his friend so badly. He looked into the clearing to see her father speaking harshly to three young men. One a blonde pratically stood out as he laughed and acted obnoxious to the head Hyuuga.
"Hina-chan why are we hiding from Shino-san and Kiba-kun?"
Hinata blushed furiously at this comment and shook her head.
"We...we're...n..not hiding fr..from Kiba-kun and Shino-kun."
Lee raises an eyebrow and continues to stare out at the clearing.
"Is it because of Hiashi-sama's prescence that we are hidden?"
Hinata shook her head once again and blushed a deeper red. Lee thought for a moment and then brightened as a light bulb almost literally. A smile spread across his face as he poked the dark haired girl's forehead.
"You like the blonde boy!"
Hinata quickly shushed him and covered his mouth, quickly glances over to the small group of people. Luckily they had moved on, opting to head back to the house. She let out a sigh and let go of her friends mouth, before turning to scold him.
"Le..Le...Lee-kun! It isn't very nice to...to tease me!"
"I am not teasing you Hina-chan! I simply find it very youthful that you have reached your springtime of youth so quickly! Who is the lucky man who has stolen your heart?"
Hinata tried her best not to overheat from the blood rushing to her face. She loved her friend, she really did, but there were times when he was just too much for even her to handle. She fiddled her fingers as his waiting gaze tried to bore the answer out of her.
"H..His na...name is..is...Na...Na...Naruto Uzamaki. He...He's go...going to...to be ado...adopted into one of the Hyuuga branch families."
Lee raised an eyebrow in confusion before guesturing for her to continue. Hinata sighed and closed her eyes. This was going to be hard to explain.
"He..He's from a prominent family, an..and has talent. Father thi..thinks he'll be a good asset later on. H...He even has a...a voice teacher wi...with him. Iruka-sensei. He...He's really kind."
The dark haired boy nodded in understanding. The Hyuuga family as a whole never did anything out of simple kindness. There was an awkward silence between the two. Becoming uncomfortable Hinata decided to break the lingering quiet. She coughed into her hand and looked up smiling brightly at her friend.
"L...Lee-kun you were so excited when you arrived..."
She let the sentece fade off as she waited for him to finish for her. Lee's bushy eyebrows shot up as he suddenly remembered why he'd rushed over. He smiled from ear to ear jumping up and down as he took her hands.
"YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE IT HINA-CHAN! I HAVE FINALLY FOUND MY TRUE CALLING!"
Hinata giggled as she saw his obvious excitement. He started to pull her back towards the woods trudging through undergrowth and small trees.
"I thought your 'true calling' was singing?"
He made a face and stuck out his tounge at the thought, causing her to laugh even more.
"I am in no way interested in singing. Besides, despite my pedigree, you are well aware I have no talent at it."
Hinata placed a hand on her friends shoulder as he gripped her hand tighter. His irritation obvious.
"Lee...You're very talented. I've never heard someone with your voice. You train very hard."
He sighed softly and turned to smile at her softly as they continued through the forest.
"Thank you Hina-chan, but...I do not think It is meant to be my destiny. Gai-sensei said to me..."
Lee puffed out his chest and put his hands on his hips in his best impersonation of his idol. In the deepest voice he could muster he quoted his mentor word for word.
""Lee..." He said He said. "You must by all means find something that makes you happy! Never settle for anything that doesn't make you a splendid person. Never settle for anything that makes you less than a hero! Always give your best!""
The Hyuuga girl didn't know wether to laugh at his impersonation or take the words to heart. She shook her head. Then noticed that they had marched almost into the heart of the forest by this time. She frowned and grabbed Lee's hand again.
"L..L..Lee-kun...Wher...where are we..."
"We are here!"
Lee pushed back a shrub to reveal a large clearing. In the center of the clearing was a large half pipe, a ramp, and a long rail that ran on the left side of the ramp. Hinata looked on in confusion. Lee ran under the wooden structure and pulled out a green skate board with a black dragon sketched into it, moving around the board with its mouth open wide. He walked back to Hinata and held it out to her to show. She ran her fingers hesitantly over it.
"Lee-kun...What is all this?"
His grin widened further as he ran back to the pipe and took a ranning start. He was tall for his age and easily grabbed onto the edge and pulled himself up. He smiled at her before standing on the board.
"Watch watch!"
He leaned forward and went sailing into the indent. He pushed hard speeding himself up and onto the other side. He rode the edge happily before turning and once more riding into the the pipe. He was moving even faster by the time he reached the other end. He froze on the end, balancing almost perfectly without his wheels touching down. Hinata watched all of this through her fingers as he continued. As he went to fall back there was suddenly a loud thud as he lost his balance and hit the ground.
"LEE-KUN!"
Hinta rushed to his side frightened to death. Lee sat up with his arms in the air smiling.
"Did you see that Hina-chan! I've gotten better since I first started! It's all because of Gai-sensei!"
Hinat crossed her arms in annoyance as she gave him a rare glare.
"I don't think Gai-sensei told you to kill yourself."
Lee looked hurt. He frowned and hugged his knees to his chest.
"No...but he did tell me to be a hero. He even paid for the ramp and things, and it is even his board."
She sat beside him, still slightly upset, but calming slightly.
"Why'd you wanna do this Lee-kun? It's dangereous."
He buried his head in his knees hiding behind his hair slightly. This muffled his voice, but Hinata could still hear him as he spoke to her.
"I have often dreamed
Of a far-off place
Where a great warm welcome
Will be waiting for me."
He looked up, past her towards the canopy of the trees, daydreaming about the future that he could picture for himself.
"Where the crowds will cheer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be."
Standing suddenly he clenched his fist to his side, continuing to stare into the distance as light flooded down from the tree tops onto him. Almost as if to show him the way.
"I will find my way
I can go the distance
I'll be there someday
If I can be strong..."
He looked down at himself smiling brightly. He turned back to Hinata and held out a hand to her. She took it and stood up, all anxiety she once felt gone at how hopeful he was.
"I know every mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to feel like I belong."
Hinata hugged him tightly and he returned the hug lifting her off the ground. Both of them were laughing as warmth ran through them. She separated from him breifly and picked up his forgotten skateboard, handing it to him. He ruffled her hair grinning.
"I am on my way
I can go the distance
I don't care how far
Somehow I'll be strong."
He took the offered board from her and held it above their heads. The sun glinted off of it and down onto him as he stared at the glossy dragon depicted on the board.
"I know every mile
Will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere
to find where I belong."
The sound of footsteps broke up the reverent moment. Lee stepped infront of Hinata to protect her incase it was a stranger, but both of them visibly relaxed at the sight of a white haired older male. Lee ran up to him and hugged the man.
"Kakashi-sensei. Why are you here? Was not Gai-sensei supposed to come and retrieve me? Is he busy?"
Kakashi remained strangely silent for a long time. Lee looked up to him in confusion. He pulled on Kakashi's shirt lightly.
"Kakashi-sensei? Where is Gai-sensei?"
Lee found himself wrapped in the older man's arms, his hand still clutching onto his shirt.
"Ka..Kakashi-sensei?"
The hug tightened further and the boy's eyes went wide as he started to shake slightly.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Lee could feel tears flowing down the nape of his neck, even though he couldn't see Kakashi's face. Unable to control himself, a heart broken sound ripped itself from deep within the boy's chest, and echoed through the forest. At the age of seven Lee had lost his most adored person.
It was only on the day of the funeral that Lee had learned the way that his Uncle had died. He had been struck in a hit and run. The driver had not been caught, not that their was much hope of a real investigation. His mother and father had already expressed their hatred of his uncle. It wasn't likely they'd care enough to pursue anyone who'd finally gotten rid of their nusiance.
"Lee, you are old enough to know how to at the very least how to put on a tie. It is already annoying enough that I have to miss a day of work for this little vacation. I don't need you embarrasing me as well."
Lee clenched his fist and tried hard to not to simply punch his father. When the man had removed his hands from Lee he bowed respectfully and turned to leave. He froze when he heard his father call out for him, but didn't turn to see him.
"Unlike that disgusting 'friend' of Gai's, I do expect you to be present at his funeral."
Not speaking Lee continued out of the room and walked as far away from his home as his feet would carry him.
By the time the funeral began, the large Maito burial ground was almost packed by all of Gai's supposed friends and family. Hinata, Neji, and another Hyuuga singer, TenTen, stood in the background as representatives of the main house. Hinata gripped her cousin's hand tightly as silent tears started to flow down her cheeks. Lee watched all of this from the safety of a far off Sakura tree. He didn't move a muscle or give the slightest bit of attention to Kakashi when he leaned against the tree under him. Kakashi sat down and started to speak, half to himself and half to the boy he knew was sitting in the branch of the tree.
"Seems like yesterday we used to rock the show
I laced the track, you locked the flow
So far from hangin' on the block for dough
Notorius they got to know that
Life ain't always what it seem to be
Words can't express what you mean to me."
He sighed and looked out towards the funeral percession, gazing passed them as memories passed through his mind. Memories of his beautiful beast.
"Even though you're gone we still a team
Thru your family I'll fulfill your dreams
In the future can't wait to see if you'll
Open up the gates for me
Reminisce sometime the night they took my friend
Try to black it out, but it plays again
When it's real feelings hard to conceal
Can't imagine all the pain I feel."
Kakashi reached up and ran his fingers through his hair, hiding his emotions as well as he could.
"Give anything to hear half your breath
I know you still livin' your life after death."
As they watched from the side lines the voices of a choir traveled softly to them, darkening the almost overly sunny day that was so much like their fallen comrade.
"Every step I take
Every move I make
Every single day
Everytime I pray
I'll be missing you."
A tear fell from Lee's face and landed onto Kakashi. Kakashi looked up at the boy, who was mouthing the next few words as the choir sung. The melody far too familar to him.
"Thinking of the day
When you went away
What a life to take
What a bond to break
I'll be missing you."
The younger boy fiddled with his tie, trying to be strong, even as the pain pulled at his heart and tears easily flowed down his cheeks.
"It's kinda hard wit you not around
Know you in Heaven smilin' down
Watching us while we pray for you
Everyday we pray for you
Till the day we meet again
In my heart is where I keep you friend
Memories give me the strength I need to proceed
Strength I need to believe."
Lee wiped at his face and buried his head into his knees. As Kakashi looked up at him he couldn't help but see a younger version of his lost one.
"My thoughts, Gai, I just can't define
Wish I could turn back the hands of time
Us and the six shop for new clothes and kicks
You and me takin' flics
Makin' hits, stages they receive you on
Still can't believe you're gone
Give anything to hear half your breath
I know you still livin' your life after death."
A voice cut through the air as the chorus sang on. Hinata's voice.
"Somebody tell me why..."
Hinata's voice cut through Lee, breaking him down once and for all. All the pent up frustrations and depression overflowed inside of him. In his blurried vision he could see arms reach up for him silently.
"One black morning
When this life is over
I know, I'll see your face."
Lee let himself fall into Kakashi's waiting arms, clinging to his neck as he let it all out.
"Every night I pray
Every step I take
Every move I make
Every single day."
The singing started to die down slowly, not that the two would notice in the least. Lee sniffled in pain as he buried his face into Kakashi's shoulders.
"Every night I pray
Every step I take
Every move I make
Every single day."
They stayed that way long after the others had left, and the sun started to set on the horizon.
Hinata found Lee sitting alone on a hill in the darkness. He was staring at the stars the black jacket to his suit as well as his tie were long gone. The wind blew through his hair. He no longer had his long braid. His hair was now cut short, almost exactly like...
"Hey."
Lee looked back at her over his shoulder and smiled softly, unfortunately it didn't reach his eyes.
"Hey."
He turned back to the stars when the Hyuuga girl sat beside him. They sat in silence not knowing exactly what to say to the other. Lee was the first to break the loud quietness.
"Kakashi...Kakashi said that...that there is a company far away from here. A place that sponsors singers and athletes. He said...If I can become great..."
She just looked at him. Not saying anything at all for the longest time, just looking at him. He turned towards her big eyed.
"Hina-chan...I..I know I'll be great. I have to be."
She leaned against his arm as he continued to speak softly to him. A strange calm coming over them both.
"I will beat the odds
I can go the distance
I will face the world
Fearless, proud and strong."
She looked up to him as the wind blew through his hair, careassing his face. He closed his eyes and breathed in the lonely scent of fresh grass, sunshine, and something that reminded him a little of love.
"I will please the gods
I can go the distance
Till I find my hero's welcome
Right where I belong."
Hinata's eyes grew heavy as she leaned further into Lee's shoulder, the long day having worn her down quite a bit. She was mature for her age because she had to be, but that didn't make her anymore of a grown up.
"Then Lee-kun. I'll try my best too. Maito Lee and Hyuuga Hinata. We'll try our hardest okay."
Lee smiled and placed his chin on her head. She barely caught his last few words as sleep threatened to over take her.
"No. Not Maito Lee. Never again."
She mumbled slightly as she lost the fight to the darkness of sleep.
"Then who?"
"Lee. Rock Lee."
Ryter: I feel as if I cheated the readers somehow ya know.
Harpie: AH! Dunna start wit dat nonsense! Ye always cheat da readers wit dis trash ye vile daemon!
Ryter: Okay...Yeah ya lost me again. What happened to the british accent?
Lee: Oh, Miss Harpie decided that if she were going to have to speak in such a way, she might as well express her Anderson fetish.
Harpie: (Kicking Ryter in the head) It tis nah a 'fetish' ye stinking idiot. Tis merrily respect for ah man of da cloth!
Ryter: (holding a hand to the large bump on her head) WHY'D YOU KICK ME! I DIDN'T SAY IT!
Harpie: True, but ye twas thinkin it. UGH tis dificult ta talk like this!
Ryter: (grumbling) Wanna know what's difficult. Typing Lee-sama.
Lee: (giving his best puppy dog eyes) I..I am very sorry Ryter-chan.
Ryter: (Going fan girl and hugging him) It's not your fault Lee! It's just hard to type without contractions. Never quite noticed before. Guess I just didn't take that in account.
Lee: But what about the songs Ryter-chan? Like I'll be missing you by P. Diddy and I can go the distance from Disney's Hercules? They have contractions! Look I even used one.
Ryter: (waving her hand) It's not a problem. They're not mine, so it's not my problem.
Harpie: In other words ye are simply ta lazy ta duh da work! Lass ye truly ah something.
Ryter: (frowning) That's it! You know what. I'm going young Walter on your wannabe scottish catholic arse!
Harpie: (hissing slightly) Bring it! Ye blaspheming She-devil! (They break into a fight back stage.)
Lee: (scratching behind his head) Um...It was very nice of you to read. Please take the time to review.
Harpie: YE SHALL KNOW DA FIRE OF DARKNESS AFTER YE TASTE THE ICE OF MEH STEEL!
Ryter: THAT'S WHAT YOUR MAMA SAID!
Lee: Okay...I suppose that is farewell for now. (crash)
Ryter: (coming forward missing a clump of hair) WAIT! (clears throat) For those who don't know. We do take song request. If we can fit the suggestion in, we will use it for the story. So we encourage all you readers to suggest one.
Harpie: (sending her flying) TAKE DAT YE DRACULINA! (running after her limping slightly.)