Chapter 20

I felt myself be lowered onto something soft and it woke me up but I still couldn't move and I couldn't even open my eyes.
"Well how is she?"
"Seems she's very low on chakra, any more and it could be lethal. Was she training?"
"We don't know. Lee spotted her unconscious like this against a tree in the village."
"Well give her a few hours and she should be okay."
"Alright."
I drift off again.

"... I really don't know what to say.. but please wake up Setsuki.." I slowly open my eyes, seeing a blurry silhouette leaning over me. "Setsuki?"
I blink a few times to focus my vision. "U-uncle..?"
"Yes? Yes? You're awake!" He exclaims. I yawns and try to sit up but I still felt weak. "Just stay down okay? Don' go pushing yourself. You really had me worried there."
"What.."
"Asuma-san told us what happened." He says. I stare at the ceiling.
"So a few hours have gone by.." I mutter to myself
"Hours? Setsuki a day has gone by." He says. My eyes widen.
"What?"
Takashi nods. "Yes, you've had a lot of people worried, particularly the fox." I frown.
"His name's Naruto. Please don't call him fox." I grumble.
"Yeah well, you know how it is." He says.
"... It's still mean uncle." I grumble, glimpsing at him for a moment then stare at the ceiling again.
"Also that friend of yours.. what's his name... Rock something." He trails off in thought.
"Rock Lee-san?" I inquire.
"That's the one! Yes, him and some Hyuuga found you unconscious by a tree. Also Rock Lee has been here since." He mentions. I blink then try and look around the room. "Oh, he's gone now because he had to return to his own room. But he was here most of the night before the nurses found him."
"W.. really?" I ask. "What about Naruto-kun?"
"Hm.. haven't seen him lately." He says.
"Oh.. I wonder where he is.." I say.
"Hm. Well the point is you're awake now." He says.
"So when can I get out of here?" I ask, facing him.
"Tomorrow. They said the day after you wake up, and considering it's noon now they're not going to let you out."
"Aw.. what time can I get out tomorrow?" I ask.
"Well I'll come to pick you up around lunch time."
"Can you get here before they serve lunch? I don't like hospital food." I ask.
"Well you're not having ramen. You can have something healthy, how about some broccoli soup?"
"Bleh! Ew! No way!" I gush.
"Well decide what you want until then okay? No ramen, no ice cream."
"Chocolate?" I ask, grinning slightly. He folds his arms and I pout. "Okay okay, I was joking."
"Yeah sure. Anyway, I gotta get home and turn the stove off." He says.
"You left the stove on?"
"Yeah..." He replies scratching his head.
"Hmph, if I did that you'd yell at me." I whine, closing my eyes.
"Yeah well, my bad. Good night Setsuki." He says, leaning down and giving me a small kiss on my forehead.
"Night." I reply, then he leaves. I stare at the ceiling thinking. "He's been here since? … Lee-san.." I smile. "You're a great friend."

A short while later I was sitting up in my bed staring out the window when there was a knock on my door, I look at it. "Come in..?" I call.
The door slides open and Sakura walks in. "I see you're awake finally." She giggles, then gives a soft expression.
"Hah, hi Sakura-chan." I reply, smiling back at her.
"How are you feeling?"
"Great!" I exclaim.
"Haha, that's why you're in hospital." She says sarcastically. I blink. "Never mind." She laughs.
"Oh, Sakura-chan you're on Naruto-kun's squad!" I exclaim.
"Why yes I am." She laughs. "Why?"
"Have you seen Naruto-kun?" I ask.
"Uh, not recently I haven't." She says, giving a thoughtful look.
"No one has.. Hey! Maybe Lee-san knows!" I exclaim then swing my legs over the side of the bed.
"What? Setsuki what are you doing?" She asks.
"Gonna visit Lee-san!" I answer, jumping off the bed. My legs were a little shaky but I try to ignore it.
"I really don't think you should be walking around just yet." Sakura says, giving me a concerned look.
"Nonsense, I can walk perfectly fine, see?" I say, smiling as I walk past her swaying slightly. I get to the door. "Come on Sakura." I say, opening the door then I look out the door.
"Alright alright. Lee-san's room is right there." Sakura says, pointing to the door opposite mine..
"Really? How convenient!" I exclaim then walk forward to his door then knock on it.
"Come in." Lee calls. I open the door and pop my head in smiling.
"Hiya!"
"Huh? Oh! Setsuki-san, you are awake! Are you okay?" Lee asks, sitting up straight in his bed.
"Yep I'm fine." I reply. Lee beckons me to come in, so I do, and Sakura enters behind me. Lee's expression lit up straight away as he sees Sakura and I found it admirable.
"S-Sakura-san!" He stutters over excitement.
"Hi Lee-san." Sakura politely says.
"What brings you both here?" Lee inquires.
"I was wondering if you've seen Naruto-kun anywhere?" I ask. Lee thinks for a moment.
"Mm, no I have not. I am sorry." He says.
"Oh, it's fine." I say then walk over to the window and look around outside. "Seems like he's gone missing off the face of the earth."
"Yeah, it's certainly been quiet without him." Sakura says.
"Maybe he's sleeping." I suggest.
"Well I should get going, the nurse will be kicking me out sooner or later, but it's great to see you both healthy." Sakura says. I nod. "Well good night, Lee-san, Setsuki-chan."
"Ni-"
"Good night Sakura-san!" Lee exclaims.
".. Heh, night." I laugh.
"Night." Sakura says smiling then walks out. There was a moment of silence for a bit. I was about to speak when the door opens again, capturing our attention.
A leg being hugged by an orange leg warmer steps in.
"Gai-sensei!" We exclaim, immediately recognizing the leg warmer. Gai-sensei walks in with his hands on his hips, looking directly at Lee, not even glimpsing at me once.
"How are ya Lee?"
"I am very good Gai-sensei!" Lee exclaims, sitting up straighter.
"Hm. I knew you would recover quite quickly, however it is unfortunate that you are bound to the hospital for a few more weeks." Gai-sensei says, his finger and thumb holding his chin. Lee looks down for a moment. I notice he was holding a thin rectangle box.
"What's that Ga-"
"Wah!" Gai-sensei jumps and faces me with wide eyes. "S-Setsuki! How long have you been standing there?"
"Uh... since you walked in..?" I reply. Gai-sensei exhales deeply, holding a hand to his chest.
"Did.. did she scare you Gai-sensei?" Lee asks with a slight chuckle. Gai-sensei stands up straight and clears his throat.
"Of course not! No one can scare me! I'm Maito Gai after all!" Gai-sensei exclaims. I sweatdrop.
"Yep... So um, what's that?" I ask, pointing to the box in his hand.
"Hm? Oh this?" Gai-sensei inquires, holding it out in front of us. "Shogi."
"Shogi?" I ask.
"That's right!"
"What is it for Gai-sensei?" Lee asks, having the same curious expression as me.
"Well, I did bring it for Lee, but considering you are here Setsuki I'm sure this will have it's effect on you as well!" Gai-sensei exclaims, giving me the thumbs up.
"Effect?" I ask, tilting my head to the side. Gai-sensei closes his eyes and grins then holds it up into the air like it's pure gold.
"Training of course!" Gai-sensei exclaims, grinning wider. Both Lee and I remain silent in our confusion. Gai-sensei keeps his pose until he realizes there's no reaction and lowers the box and gets a poker face.
"I do not understand Gai-sensei. How is Shogi training?" Lee inquires. Gai-sensei gets a slight smirk and pokes his own head a few times.
"Not only do you need physical training, but you also need logical training to become a great ninja!" Gai-sensei exclaims.
"Ooooh! I see Gai-sensei!" Lee exclaims, getting two fists of passion and becoming full of interest. I then remember something Komaru-sensei said..

"If you do not possess Heaven, gain knowledge and be prepared. That means, for example, if Setsuki's weak point is her brain, she should study and prepare for her missions."

I frown. "Something wrong Setsuki? You don't look too excited about this." Gai-sensei says.
"Huh? No no I'm fine!" I exclaim, smiling.
"Very well! I want your youthful minds to become much more intelligent by tomorrow, got it?" Gai-sensei says. We both quickly salute him.
"Yes Gai-sensei!" We respond in unison.

He sits down and teaches us to play, then shortly afterwards a nurse found him and kicked him out, and of course, dragged me back to my room. However, later on, I snuck back into Lee's room and we continue our game of Shogi which ended up in a draw every time. We both eventually fell asleep leaning on the table.