The Lotus Rock Lee

by AshleyKazekage

The tale of Setsuki begins here. Her life didn't begin quite so well, but upon making friendships her life was well on it's way to becoming great! She meets her best friend, and bonds with him easily. She is glad to have so many friends, and she even starts to fall in love, but refuses to show it at first. However Setsuki's life isn't as great as she thinks it really is..

22. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"Setsuki..?" I hear Takashi's voice. I poke my head out of the blanket, seeing Uncle Takashi, Susumu, Daisuke, Gai-sensei and Tenten. I blink a few times.
"What is this? A party or something?" I ask. Takashi laughs and shakes his head.
"No, turns out we all wanted to visit our favorite teammate." Daisuke says. Susumu smirks to himself.
"Baka!" Tenten gushes, then hits Daisuke over the back of his head. This made me smile.
"Ow.." Daisuke groans.
"It turns out these two forgot to tell your uncle, who also forgot you, to come and pick you up, and I was on my way here to visit Lee when I ran into Gai-sensei and he wanted to see you as well." Tenten explains. I frown at Takashi.
"You forgot me again." I whine.
"Oh I know.. I'm sorry." Takashi says. "But you know, I got carried away cooking."
"... Cooking what?" I ask.
"Food." Takashi replies. I facepalm. I hate it when he does that. "I can't believe you're still in bed though, it's almost 2 o'clock! I thought you would have been up by now."
I frown more. "It's the nurse's fault." I say.
"Yeah well, are you ready to go home?"
"Yes!" I say.
"You're not going home." Susumu says. I blink. "We have training to do."
"Oh! I forgot about that!" I say.
"We told you this morning.." Susumu mentions.
"I still forgot.." I say.
"Training hm?" Gai-sensei asks. I then got an idea.
"GAI-SENSEI I WANT TO TRAIN WITH YOU!" I shout excitedly, making everyone but Gai-sensei cringe.
Gai-sensei grins. "You have determination Setsuki! Such a youthful spirit, it makes me so happy!"
"... Freak.." Takashi mutters quietly, leaning away from Gai-sensei. Gai-sensei faces Takashi with a poker face.
"Well, you can't Setsuki, we're training with Kurenai-sensei's squad." Susumu says.
"I don't want to! I want to train with Gai-sensei!" I exclaim, even pointing at Gai-sensei.
"Yes! Can she Gai-sensei?" Tenten asks. Gai-sensei gets a thoughtful look.
"Pleeaaaseee?" Both me and Setsuki plead together in the exact same tone. Gai-sensei then gives us the nice guy pose.
"Of course you can Setsuki!" Gai-sensei says. I happily jump out of bed. "But.." I freeze in my tracks. "You must eat first, I could hear your stomach from Lee's room."
I laugh nervously. "Who's up for some Ichiraku ramen?" I ask.
"ME!" Both Daisuke and Tenten answer, then look at each other awkwardly.
"I'd rather sushi." Susumu says.
"Hm. No ramen." Gai-sensei says. I blink sadly. "You must become healthy!"
"But I am healthy!" I exclaim. Takashi chuckles.
"Setsuki we had this argument the other day." Takashi mentions.
"... Fine I'll have an apple or something!" I say. Gai-sensei shakes his head. "What? That's healthy!"
"Yes. It is. However you'll need something with more nutrition than just an apple." Gai-sensei says.
"... Two apples?" I ask. Tenten giggles.
"Hm. No. I was thinking more.." Gai-sensei trails off in thought.
"Don't say curry..." Tenten mumbles very quietly. Gai-sensei clicks his fingers.
"We'll have curry!" Gai-sensei exclaims.
"I'll make it!" I exclaim. "I make it at work!"
"Very well! Setsuki will make us curry, and we'll eat it then train!" Gai-sensei says.
"Yosh!" I reply.
"No!" Uncle Takashi retorts. We all face him.
"What?" I ask.
"I just said, I spent all this time cooking, and you want to go off with this freak, and eat curry?" He complains. I point at him.
"You're the one who forgot about me!" I exclaim.
"Yea-..." He didn't appear to have a comeback. I fold my arms victoriously.
Daisuke shrugs. "She has a point." He says to Takashi. Takashi sighs.
"I'm sorr-"
"Forgot about Setsuki? How could you do such a thing..!" Gai-sensei questions.
"I'M SORRY!" Takashi shouts. I walk up to Takashi and stand up on my toes and pat him on the head.
"It's okay." I say, smiling. "Now! Curry time!" I exclaim.
"Yay..." Tenten grumbles.
"Now hold on a minute, I have to sign you out of the hospital first." Takashi says.
"Well lets go!" I exclaim, grabbing his wrist, then dragging him out the door. Everyone else just follows along.

After un-signing me from the hospital, we head to my house for lunch, and when I walked inside, I realized Uncle Takashi wasn't joking about cooking all day.. it was like a buffet.
"Hm, what is this?" Gai-sensei asks.
"Food." Takashi answers.
"... What kind of food?" Susumu asks.
"I don't care what it is! It looks delicious!" Daisuke exclaims, then sits down at the table and begins stuffing his face.
"... I like that kid." Takashi says.
".. I don't." Susumu replies. Takashi and Susumu stare at each other. My stomach growls louder.
"Whatever! I'm hungry!" I exclaim, then sit down beside Daisuke, stuffing my face too.
"What about the curry?" Gai-sensei whines.
"Ugh, come on." Tenten groans, grabbing Gai-sensei's arm and pulling him to the table. Everyone sits down and enjoys the feast.. Except for Gai-sensei.

It was silent after everyone finished, and everyone looked stuffed. When suddenly Gai-sensei stood up, slamming his hands on the table and facing us al, making us jump.
"Yosh! Who's ready to train!" He inquires in a loud, enthusiastic voice.
"ME!" I exclaim, jumping right up. Daisuke, Susumu and Tenten just grumble.
"Right! Lets go!" Gai-sensei says loudly, then marches towards the door. "Thanks for the food!" He calls back, opening the door.
"Yep, thanks Uncle!" I call, running straight out the door.
"Ugh.. you're all going to get stomach cramps.." Takashi grumbles.

Tenten, Daisuke and Susumu eventually follow.
We get to the training grounds where Neji was already sitting on a log. "Neji, you're here!" Tenten calls.
"Hn.." Neji responds.
"Haha! He looks more like a girl close up." Daisuke teases. Neji closes his eyes with an anime vein.
"Baka!" I gush, then hit Daisuke over the back of the head.
"Ow!" He whines, rubbing the back of his head.
"That's not nice!" I exclaim.
"It's true..." He mutters. I raise my hand to threaten to hit him again, and he flinches, making me laugh.
"Why are we here? We're supposed to be with Kurenai-sensei." Susumu mentions.
"She's probably forgotten about us by now." Daisuke says.
"True. We did say we'd be five minutes... we've probably been an hour.." Susumu says.
"Should we go search for her?" Daisuke asks.
"... Yes!" I exclaim, pushing the duo away.
"What're you doing?" Susumu asks.
"You two go along and look for Kurenai-sensei, I'm training with Gai-sensei." I answer, continuing to push them away.
"Sheesh, stop pushing!" Susumu grumbles and begins walking on his own.
"Nooo, I wanna train with you~" Daisuke chirps, latching onto my arm. I blink.
"Please let go of me.." I say, looking at him. He gives me those dreadful puppy eyes, and I couldn't resist them. "Okaay, you can stay here Daisuke." I say, smiling. He smiles back.
"Yay! Off you go Susumu!" Daisuke chirps, shooing him with his hand.
"Why can't I stay!" Susumu inquires.
"Because you're mean." I say.
"Yeah~ And you're the one that wanted to train with Kurenai-sensei." Daisuke mentions. Susumu puts his hands on his hips.
"I don't want to be a loner!" Susumu complains. Daisuke began rubbing my arm while hugging it, which really freaked me out.
"Too bad buddy. I've got Setsuki, I'm happy." Daisuke says.
".. Fine! I'll stay!" Susumu says.
"No! Susumu! You have to go!" I say.
"Why!"
"Because... Because... um... I don't know.." I answer. He sweatdrops.
"You don't like me?" Susumu asks.
"Of course I do! … just not all the time." I admit. He folds his arms.
"Fine fine, be that way." Susumu grumbles.
"But you like me, right?" Daisuke asks, putting his face right in front of mine, with those cursed puppy eyes.
"Aww, of course I do!" I exclaim, ruffling his hair. He chuckles.
"Psh, lovebirds." Susumu grumbles.
"... You know what? Yeah, I do like Setsuki! So nerrr." Daisuke says, poking his tongue out at Susumu.
"When you three are finished bickering.." Gai-sensei interrupts. We face him, and I just wished that Daisuke would stop hugging my arm..
Tenten walks over and stands beside me.
"What are we doing today Gai-sensei?" I ask.
"Well, I was thinking..." Gai-sensei says, trailing off, scratching his chin in thought. We wait for a moment before he finally answers, giving us the thumbs up. "We're going to train your biceps! Everyone now! 1,000 squats!" He exclaims, beginning to to them.
"1,000?" Daisuke and Susumu question. Neji sighs and begins doing them, Tenten grumbles and starts, then as for me, I was very enthusiastic about doing them, I begin excitedly.
"This is ridiculous." Susumu grumbles.
"Come on mate, I'll beat you!" Daisuke exclaims, then begins. Susumu began too, but after his third squad he was panting heavily. "Is that.. all you got..?"Daisuke asks, panting himself.
"These... are... impo..ssible..." Susumu breathes, then falls over. I blink.
"Yeah.. very hard.." Daisuke says on about his 11th squat.
"You guys are wusses." I say. Daisuke faces me, struggling on his 12th.
"20. 21. 22." Gai-sensei counts.
"15.. 16..17.." I count.
"18... 19... 20..." Tenten counts, gradually getting slower. Neji was counting in his head, and I admit, he did look rather funny doing them.

"998. 999. 1,000!" Gai-sensei exclaims then jumps up into a standing position. Neji stood up straight a while after, Tenten, Daisuke and Susumu were laying on the ground, panting heavily, and I was still going... very slowly.
"709... 710..." I count, my panting was also heavy. Gai-sensei watches me.. it was making me feel pressured, so I push through my fatigue and go a bit faster. "711... 712... 713.."
"Don't push yourself too far Setsuki." Gai-sensei says.
"But.. you told.. us.. to do.. our best.. and.. you set.. a task.. so I.. must complete.. it.." I pant.
"You have good determination.." Gai-sensei says, trailing off in thought again, he then chuckles.
I close my eyes. "After all.. I.. just have.. to.. believe.. in.. the power.. of.. youth..!" I pant. Gai-sensei's grin widens.
"Now that is what I call a youthful spirit! Setsuki you impress me!" Gai-sensei says.
"Kuh.. Gai-sensei.. do I ever impress you?" Tenten asks.
"Of course you do Tenten!" Gai-sensei exclaims, giving her a thumbs up. "You're my favorite feminine student! A fine youthful kunoichi!"
".. But..?" Tenten asks.
".. However, Setsuki has more spirit than you, Tenten. Now don't get me wrong, you are, in fact, very talented." Gai-sensei says.
"I agree! I.. could never.. handle that.. many.. weapons.. at.. once.. like you do.. Tenten-chan..!" I exclaim.
"Heh.. thanks." Tenten says.
"Oh! Gai..-sensei!" I exclaim.
"Hm?"
"You went.. to.. find.. Naruto..-kun.. right?" I ask. '730... 731...'
"Correct!" Gai-sensei says.
"Where.. is he..?" I ask.
"He's in the lodging town, close to Konohagakure." Gai-sensei says.
"Why..?"
"Don't you know? Naruto and Jiraiya-sama have set off to bring back our next Hokage." Gai-sensei explains.
"Next.. Hokage?" I ask. "Who's.. the next.. Hokage?"
"Why, none other than the legendary Tsunade-sama!"
"Tsunade?" Tenten questions, abruptly sitting up full of interest.
"Hm." Gai-sensei replies with a nod. "Yes Tenten, the very woman you aspired to be."
"And she's gonna be the Hokage!" Tenten questions, full of excitement. Gai-sensei nods.
"Yes.. I just said that."
"Aww.. Naruto..-kun.. is so.. lucky.. to go.. and.. do something.. like.. that.." I pant, feeling like my muscles would give out at any second.
"Setsuki. You can stop now." Gai-sensei says.
"I-I'm.. almost.. at.. 800... I must.. make it.. to 800.." I retort, taking heavier breaths. "787... 788... 789..." I stop in the crouching position to catch my breath a bit.
"Setsuki.. don't push yoursel-"
"790!" I exclaim over the top of Tenten. "791... 792... 793..." I stop again to catch my breath. Gai-sensei became slightly concerned.
"Setsuki, you don't have to do 800. You should stop before you pass out." Gai-sensei says. I shake my head stubbornly.
"79..4... 795!... 796..." I pant. 'Just.. four more..' I was struggling now. I use all my might to push myself up again. "797..." I plop back down, almost out of breath. I try again, but my body resisted, and my legs gave in, making me fall on my butt.
"You did very good Setsuki!" Gai-sensei exclaims. I weakly raise my hand to give him a thumbs up, but it only lasted 2 seconds before I could no longer move a muscle and fall over on my back.
"Daisuke, you know the drill. Water." Susumu says.
"I always get her water!" Daisuke complains.
"Heh.. poor sweetheart Setsuki, no one will get her water." Susumu scoffs.
"... Bastard." Daisuke grumbles then stands up.
"Thanks.." I croak. Daisuke looks at me. "Love you.." I sarcastically say.. but he took it literally.
"I knew it! I'm going to get you the cleanest, most coldest water I can find!" Daisuke exclaims then runs off with anime tears. Gai-sensei gets anime tears too.
"Young love! It's such a youthful phase! It fills me with a warm sensation!" Gai-sensei exclaims.
"Ew! Gai-sensei! That's disgusting!" Tenten gushes, Neji was giving him a disturbed glare. I had no idea what their problem was.

Minutes later Daisuke came running back with a big silver canteen, it looks like it's made of metal rather than plastic. I still couldn't move a muscle, but after having some water, my body will surely bounce back.
"Here Setsuki!" Daisuke exclaims then kneels down to me. I open my mouth wide, and he blinks. I stare at him. "Oohhh you want me to pour it in?" He asks. I nod with my mouth still open. "Heh, I can do that." He says, and begins unscrewing the lid.. slowly.
"Haha, with a mouth that wide, you'd hope a fly doesn't wonder in there." Susumu chuckles. I close my mouth to pout.
"Gosh, I've never met two assholes like you two before." Tenten says toward the duo. Both Daisuke and Susumu frown at her. "Gimme that!" Tenten gushes, snatching the canteen from Daisuke and immediately unscrews the lid and pours the water in my mouth too fast, making me choke.. But she didn't stop pouring it and kept yelling at my teammates, oblivious to me. I swallow some of the water, and it was enough to bring back some strength and I wave my arm around between her and Daisuke, getting their attention.
"Oh! Sorry Setsuki!" Tenten says, then stops pouring the never-ending water. I sit up coughing.
"Heh, and you call us bad." Susumu scoffs.
"Shut up!" Tenten gushes, glaring at him.
"It's clear why you don't have a girlfriend Susumu. Clearly the ladies hate you." Daisuke chuckles.
"Me? What about you? You little reject!" Susumu smugly says.
"Reject? Oh I'll give you reject!" Daisuke shouts, standing up. They go to attack each other when Gai-sensei appears between them, grabbing the back of their shirt collars and hoisting them up off the ground, but they were oblivious and kept trying to run at each other.
"That's enough." Gai-sensei says, whacking their heads together.
"Owww!" They whine. Me and Tenten giggle. Gai-sensei drops them, and they both land on their butts.
"Fighting is not very youthful at all! It's the worst thing you could do, especially amongst teammates!" Gai-sensei scolds.
"Um, they wont listen Gai-sensei.." I mention. Gai-sensei looks at me. "Komaru-sensei tells them all the time but.. they never stop.."
"Oh, don't worry Setsuki. I will make them stop." Gai-sensei says in his assuring tone.
"Um, if I may, Gai-sensei.. you still haven't managed to stop Lee and Neji's fighting.." Tenten mentions. Neji was zoned out at this point and didn't hear a word she said. Gai-sensei sweatdrops.
"Er.. yes well.. it.. it takes time, Tenten!" Gai-sensei says.
"Yeah yeah.." Tenten sighs, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yes! There was something I was going to do... now what was it..?" Gai-sensei says, scratching his chin in deep thought.
"AAAACHOO!"
We all jump and look around frantically for the cause of the noise.
"Komaru-sensei?" Susumu asks, seeing a pale-skinned Jonin making his way over to us.
"Goodness Komaru-san! You don't look well at all!" Gai-sensei says.
"Komaru-sensei!" I question. Komaru-sensei finally approaches us, his skin was just glowing white, he has heavy bags under his eyes and his nose is red.
"Evening.." Komaru-sensei says in a croaky voice then sniffles.
"What the hell happened to you?" Daisuke questions.
"It's a... a.." Komaru-sensei begins.
"A what?" Daisuke asks.
"A... aa~.. ACHHOOO!" Komaru-sensei sneezes loudly, then blows his nose in his hankie. "A bug."
"A bug? Ehh! A bug caused this?" I question, freaking out. Komaru-sensei sighs and rolls his eyes.
"No Setsuki." Komaru-sensei groans. "It's just a.. a sickness. Bug is another term for it.."
"Ohhh." I reply.
"What kind of bug is that?" Gai-sensei asks.
"I don't know. But it's nasty." Komaru-sensei replies. "Oh yeah, and I heard about Jiraiya-sama."
"Hm. Yes, he's gone to find Tsunade-sama so we have a Hokage."
"Great. Maybe she can fix this illness." Komaru-sensei says. Gai-sensei gets a more serious face as he nods.
"Yes. And I only hope she can help Lee." Gai-sensei says.
"Yeah, real shame. I'm sorry about his Gai-san." Komaru-sensei says.
"He'll get better. I just know it." Gai-sensei says, staring into space. Komaru-sensei coughs, I could hear the phlegm too, it was gross. "We cannot daunt on the past! We must be optimistic right now!"
"Yes!" I concur. Komaru-sensei coughs again.
"I'll concur to that." Komaru-sensei coughs.
"You should lay down Komaru-sensei." Susumu says.
"Yeah, I mean, you look like a ghost or something." Daisuke says. I blink out of fear.
"G-GHOST?" I question then cling to Gai-sensei, shaking as I frantically look around.
"Uh...?"
Komaru-sensei sighs. "Let go of him Setsuki." He grumbles. I reluctantly let go of Gai-sensei and just close beside him.
"I was being sarcastic, he looks like a ghost, he isn't really a ghost." Daisuke says.
"Stop saying ghost!" I whine.
"Sorry." Daisuke mumbles.
".. Anyway.. lets go Komaru-sensei!" Susumu says, then begins dragging Komaru-sensei away.
"Wha.. where are we going Susumu?" Komaru-sensei asks.
"We're taking you home. Come on you two, we're a squad who's good to our sensei!" Susumu exclaims.
"Yes! That we are! Come on Setsuki!" Daisuke says, running after the other two.
"Coming!" I chime then go to run after them when Gai-sensei puts a hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
"I just remembered what I was going to do. Setsuki, before you go, there's something I want to give you." Gai-sensei says.
"You two go! I'll catch up!" I call. They nod and continue walking. "What is it Gai-sensei?" I ask, facing him.
"I have a gift for you! This gift is the reason why Lee is so strong.." Gai-sensei says.
"Oh? What is it?" I inquire, wanting really badly to know. Gai-sensei grins and reaches into his Jonin jacket.
"THIS!" Gai-sensei exclaims, pulling out a green suit. My eyes sparkle at the sight. "It's the ultimate, stream-lines, form-fitting, easily-accessible, perfectly-made bodysuit! Wear it while training and you'll know the difference! You'll never look back! Our Lee wears it 24/7, and, of course, it is my most-beloved piece of ninja must-have!"
"COOL!" I exclaim, totally in awe watching it wave around in the slight wind.
"... You're not serious.. are you Setsuki?" Tenten asks with a frown. I take it from Gai-sensei's hands and spread it out in front of me.
"It looks like the perfect size!" I exclaim.
"Of course it is!" Gai-sensei says, giving me a thumbs up. I smile big at Gai-sensei.
"Thank you Gai-sensei! I will wear it forever!" I exclaim then run straight past Komaru-sensei and the others, headed straight home to change. Just wait till Lee sees me in this!