Muscles were tense, visibly shaking in anticipation.
This is it. This is what I've been training for…Trembling hands slowly descended until callused fingertips brushed the cold morning dirt below.
I can't believe it…The body was in a running position; Ready to spring up and head toward a man with identical bushy eyebrows. Fine dust coated the dry throat. The dust begged the throat to be let out but the throat held it within. The throat did not want to disobey the commanding mind.
I will finally master the good guy technique.
Bug eyes locked fondly onto experienced ones. Everything was still for a moment. Then the moment passed as Tenten moved her mouth to form the words "Go!"
Lee sat on the dirt and leaned against a training dummy. An unusual knot was in his stomach. He licked dry lips as he thought about what could happen the next day. Unlike the Chunin exam the Jonin exam was meant to test the shinobi individually instead of a group. No friends or comrades to help you out. A new shadow covered him and that slight darkness broke Lee's thoughts. He looked up.
"Gai Sensei!"
"Lee, I have good news for you."
Lee sprung up from his sitting position and starred at his sensei with wide eyes.
"What news do you have for me sensei?"
"I have decided that after you pass the Jonin exam tomorrow I will teach you the final move of the good guy technique."
With this new information Lee did the following: Jumped up and down like a hyperactive child. Waved his fists around furthering his image of a hyperactive child. Finally, shouting incoherent words on the top of his voice, completing the image of a hyperactive child.
"But that is if you pass the exam."
Lee immediately sobered up until he burst out again in hyperactive child mode but this time the audience of Gai and the forest around him could understand what Lee was saying.
"I will pass no matter what! My sparkling youth shall let me pass! Do not worry Gai Sensei I will pass tomorrow!"
"That is good to know. I will root for you tomorrow!"
Gai gave Lee the first move of the good guy technique.
"After I become a Jounin tomorrow I will master the good guy technique."
Lee mirrored Gai and then turned to the dummy to start practicing again. Gai let Lee be alone and walked away from the dummy and Chunin.
Don't worry Lee… You will pass.
Konoha was celebrating. The Jonin exams were over and the selected Chunins were all partying, well, except for one. In the dark of the night Lee stood before his sensei. The voices of many ninja's partying were dim to the point that the noise became a low hum.
"Gai Sensei what is the last technique?"
"Lee, this will be the hardest yet. Normally Genjutsu is required to learn this technique," An audible gulp was heard and a rustle of a body shifting on their feet. Which was a sign of uneasiness from the other man. "But with hard work I believe you can master this Lee. If I did not believe you could do this I would not have taught you any of this in the first place. Now watch closely Lee."
Bug-eyes focused on a human form as it rushed forward.
"Wow Gai Sensei how could I do that without Genjutsu?" Lee's eyes were overflowing with tears and his heart was full of joy.
"Ah! But that is what you need to figure out on your own"
"But…"
"Do not worry I have faith in you."
"Oh, Gai Sensei!"
"Oh, Lee."
Two forms clashed together. Water dropped to the ground and wailing was heard.
Lee once again sat and leaned against a dummy. His formal teammates was sparing before him. First was Tenten the weapons master. Second was his rival, Neji, the prodigy of the Hyuuga family. It has been exactly two weeks since his promotion and his new challenge. Lee forced himself not to think about it when training but today was different. He let his mind wonder as he saw Neji block one of Tenten's chakra holes. Tenten returned the favor and threw several kunai at the man. The man twirled and chakra was released.
The Eight Trigram Palms Heavenly Spin or Hakkeshō Kaiten. Lee numbly thought.
Tenten pulled out two scrolls and jumped into the air. Gravity did not seem to affect her as the now unraveled scrolls twirled around her. The weapons mistress then summoned the weapons from the scrolls and threw them at Neji. Neji just dodged them all. He knew her technique to well.
She will have to summon more weapons now or she will lose. Wait! That is it!Lee jumped up. To a bystander he seemed to be committing suicide because Lee was running toward the girl who was still attacking Neji. Lee avoided the weapons with ease as he sprung up and hugged poor Tenten who was in the middle of trying to stop her attack. They both fell. Hard. Yet, the landing did not seem to affect Lee as he was hugging Tenten and was calling her a genius. He then unexpectedly got up and ran away to who knows where. Neji shook his head toward the man and walked over to Tenten to help her up from the unexpected attack.
It was daytime once again and two people walked toward the training ground. Both wondering why Lee invited them both to a special training section. They walked into a clearing and Maito Gai and Rock Lee were present in the clearing.
"Why are we here?" Asked Tenten.
"To watch my wonderful pupil complete his training of the good guy technique."
"Oh, god no!"
"Tenten, tell us when to go."
Both men crouched down and focused. Sighing, Tenten grudgingly said, "Go…"
Lee shot forward while saying, "Oh, Gai Sensei, I will make you proud of me."
"Complete this and I will be the most happiest sensei in this little world."
In the background Tenten gagged.
Lee fiddled with his hitake and pulled out a scroll. He expertly opened it and let it fly out. The sky suddenly became red, blue, purple, and orange. It was in the middle of the day yet a beautiful sunset was before the foursome. In the background, as if a whisper, music played.
"Oh, Lee you did it! The power of youth prevailed!"
I could not have done it without you Gai Sensei!"
Pupil came together with his sensei in the sunset. Both were shouting at the top of their lungs. Two people watched the cheesy yet touching scene.
"Idiots." Muttered Neji as he turned his heel and left the scene.
Tenten kept looking at the two in front of her. She smiled a true smile.
"You may be right Neji but what would we do without them? Konoha would not have so much heart if people like them did not exist. But," Tenten turned to head back to the village. "They are still idiots."
Two souls did not even hear their guests leave. They were to engross in the sunset, music, and praises.
"Gai Sensei are you proud of me?"
"Yes, you have grown into a fine young man and into a great shinobi!"
Lee looked up at his long time sensei.
"I am a great shinobi?"
"Yes, you are a great shinobi."
Tears flowed down on both men's cheeks. Silence was heard until Lee burst out, "Thank you Gai Sensei!"
"No, thank you Lee."
The End
AN: Yay I'm done! I surprisingly liked writing this. Maybe it has something to do with the good guy technique? It just makes me so happy.