I woke up the next morning, tucked in comfortably on a futon. It was warm, but it was also time to get up. I sat up and looked around. "Someone must've mov- WAAAH!" I practically shriek as I felt something grab my thigh. Tightly.
I scrutinise with wide eyes at my thigh, to see a bandaged hand grabbing onto it, I followed the arm and it lead under the blanket. I narrow my eyes as I lift the blanket up. Lee. He was curled up except his extended arm, his head resting right beside my foot. I narrow my eyes even more as I slowly slide out of the bedding and of course, release Lee's grip.
I began to hear shuffling in this room, that was too dark to see anything.
"I heard screaming. Was there screaming? Is everyone alr- gah!"
"Oww!"
I felt someone walk into me, pushing me over from my sitting position, and them tumbling on top of me. With the sound of the thud there was more shuffling in the room.
"Get. Off.." I whisper, trying to use all my strength in my arms to push him off.
"Ga-ow ow! Stop pushing already dattebayo!" Came Naruto's hushed voice. He rolled off and sat up, I did too. "I can't see anything, you were in the way."
"I wasn't!" I exclaim.
"What was all the screaming about anyway?"
"Well.." The rest of my sentence was a grumble "Why is Lee in my bed? Or..." My eye twitched "Why was I in Lee's bed?"
"Don't blame me! It was all Tenten! We tried to wake you both up." Naruto's voice turned to a grouse "But neither of you did, so she just threw you both in the same bed.." He grew a smirk "You both cuddled straight away we couldn't even pry you apart dattebayo!"
I felt my cheeks burning up again. I remained silent.
"So we just left you there, and- wait where is Bushy Brows?"
"Under the blanket.." I modestly reply. Naruto made a quiet snicker which made my cheeks feel hotter. "What?"
Naruto's snicker turned to a rather.. content grin. I repeated my last word.
Naruto began mumbling something, but I didn't hear him. "If her and Bushy Brows get together, that means I don't have to fight over Sakura-chan with him..!"
There was a silence echoing through the silent room, right until I saw the first tiny little ray of sunlight rise over the distant mountain, lighting the room the slightest little bit.
Suddenly there was a quick rustle and an obnoxious loud voice bursting to life "I WILL NOT BE LATE TODAY GAI-SENSEI!"
Everyone (except me) began cussing loudly amongst their grousing. I stared at Lee standing there with his arm in the air, as if saluting somebody.
Lee looked around with curiosity until he spotted me. "Setsuki-san! Are you awake?"
"Yes.."
"Good! Then we must start Gai-sensei's early morning warmup training!"
"Yeah! Well I mean, I would, but I'm still injured."
Lee's shoulders slumped, as if disappointed. "Right.. I did not forget about that! I was.. t-testing you! Yes! I was testing you!"
"Testing me on what?"
"... If I cannot do 1,000 sit ups- I will do 2,000 push ups!" Suddenly he was on the ground and away with his routine.
"Where do you get all your energy dattebayoooo.." Naruto groaned as is moaning like a small child. Lee shot a large grin at Naruto, I swear they sparkled.
After breakfast our plan was to head home. However there were suspicious dark grey clouds lingering, which seemed to get on everyone's nerves. Including mine.
"Hey, where's Rokusuke-san?" Naruto inquired, which caused everyone to look around the room curiously.
"Perhaps it has something to do with those clouds." Neji commented, he activated his Byakugan and searched around.
"Any luck?" Tenten asked. Neji's attention was turned to the mountains.
"Maybe.. he went back to find his friend?" Karashi mentioned, which made everyone gasp.
"We gotta go get him, dattebayo!" But before anyone could even respond, Naruto was out the door.
"Wait up Naruto-kun!" Lee called as he took pursuit instantly. Neji gave them both a taunting look before following. Tenten groaned and faced me.
"Can you walk on your own?"
I stood up and attempted to put pressure on my leg, it hurt, but I showed no signs of it. "I can stand!" I exclaim.
"Yes, that's nice, but I was asking if you cou-"
"NOPE!" I reply as I tumbled to the ground after attempting to walk.
"Can you walk on your hands?"
My expression gleamed with delight! How had I not thought of that myself? I attempt a handstand, with success.
"Good.. I think you should start heading back to the village and get some backup just in case.."
"No Tenten! We don't need help! We are strong enough as it is!" I raise my fist upwards to show determination "We are Gai-sensei's s- aah!" I fell over.
Tenten grimaced at me and stood by the door.
"Uh- we can take care of her until you guys come back!" Karashi exclaimed.
"Nope!" I retort, standing back on my hands, headed towards the door. "I am going! My teammates need me!"
"Wait.." Came Ranmaru's feeble voice. I turn my head back, to see him actually standing. "Can you.. take me with you?"
"No way!" Tenten slammed the door shut, right in my face. "You both are staying put! So be it I'll even stay here to make sure of it!"
I don't like Tenten when she's angry.. kind of reminds me of Ino.. just slightly.. I lower myself onto my backside and sit there with a pout – the entire time.
It wasn't long before the door swung open, catching us all off guard, making me scream in fright. Rokusuke stood there panting, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Rokusuke! You've returned!" Sanshou's voice called.
"No time no time! Raiga isn't dead! He's got your friends beaten!"
We all gasp. "Is Lee alright!?" I question.
"N-no. None of them are! They got blown back by a powerful blast from Raiga! He thinks you guys kidnapped Ranmaru!"
We turn to Ranmaru who had the slightest hint of satisfaction about him, but still looked worried.
There was clanging in the kitchen, Sanshou had a giant pot which she placed over the stove. "Karashi! Get your butt in here and help your mother out!"
"U-uh, yes mum!" Karashi ran to the kitchen. "Exactly what are you..?"
"We must make them the Curry of Life! It saved your young friend once before, it will do it again!"
"Of course!" Karashi began grabbing ingredients and throwing them in the pot.
"Hurry hurry! No time to waste!"
"Yes mother! I'm going as fast as I can!"
I face Tenten with an eager expression, but she narrowed her eyes and shook her head.
"Whyyy!?"
"Because you can't do anything! You can't walk so what can you do?"
"I can-... I can.. um.."
"Exact-"
"I can help search!"
Tenten frowned.
Next thing I know I'm roped to a column inside the house. It's something I could easily get out of though, but I wasn't game to while Tenten was still here. Tenten carried Ranmaru on her back, and Karashi carried the giant pot of curry on his back, and they were off. Sanshou sat down on a stood beside me and stared at me, making me feel uneasy.
"My young friend, it seems they left you behind. Do they not require your help?"
"Yes! They need my help!"
"Then why are you here? You should be helping!" Sanshou cut the ropes Tenten had tied me with. "Even if you can't walk, there's gotta be another way you can travel!"
"I will slide my way down there like a snake if I have to- wait! A snake!" I had just gotten a big idea.
"Snake?"
"Yeah!" I summon Keahebi, who didn't seem happy to see me.
"What iss it?"
"Kea- wow.. you've gotten heaps big!" I remark, admiring his huge size.
"If I'm going to hear that every time you summon me.."
"Uh- no no I promise I won't say it anymore!" I stare into his grey eyes eagerly. "I need your help." Keahebi returned the stare.
I rode Keahebi all the way up the mountain, and eventually caught up with Tenten. She had stopped.
"Tenten!"
She was focusing on something up on a high rock. I looked too, and I saw Lee, with grey smoke coming off his body. I blink as he began falling oddly down the rocks, and until he hit the ground. Tenten put Ranmaru down. "Lee what the hell're you doing now?!" Tenten gushes.
"Don't be so harsh Te-"
"Sanshou! Bring the curry over here!"
I blink. "Sanshou..?" I turn my head and see Sanshou walking over with another large pot of curry. "H-how did you..?!"
"I hitched a ride on your snake, missy." Sanshou said. Keahebi gave a slight nod when I looked at him. Tenten grabbed the bottom of Lee's jaw and began stuffing spoon-fulls of curry into his mouth.
Lee suddenly came to life, and pretty much dived into the pot. Sanshou stared in awe as Lee consumed the entire thing.
"Deeeeeelicious!" Lee exclaimed, his cheeks bright pink and his balance uneven.
"Lee! What happened?" I ask.
"Nyuhh?" Lee stared at me for a minute, then lowered his gaze at Keahebi. "What're youuuuu loooking- hic at?!" He narrows his eyes.
"What the hell?! Lee! Stop acting drunk!" Tenten growls.
"Me? Druuuunk? Ohhh~" Lee fell over, as if he'd just fainted. Tenten clenched a fist.
"Stop fooling around!" She swung a punch at Lee, but his body moved very swiftly and he stood upright.
"Nooope! I tricked- hic youuuu!" Lee stated, feeling quite proud of himself. Tenten's eye twitched.
We all rode Keahebi further into the mountain, dragging Lee behind with a rope tied to his ankle. We eventually came across Neji and Karashi.
"Look he needs more curry Karashi!" Sanshou exclaimed, grabbing a spoon-full of curry from his pot. Karashi waved his arms around all panicked.
"No! Don't! It'll only make him worse!"
"I'll have it then!" I cheer gleefully. I did. I ate the rest of it. It was very very spicy.. felt like my tongue was on fire.. but it was still great!
We continued to ride until we found a bunch of Naruto's clones getting picked off one by one by Raiga's lightning.
"Great.." Tenten grumbles as Naruto collapses again, causing all his clones to disappear.
Lee began singing contently to himself, his words were incoherent however.
"Let me go to Raiga.. I can stop him." Ranmaru said. We faced him with curiosity, then the area became misty, so thick that I couldn't see my hand if I held it out. Ranmaru's red eyes glowed somewhat, and he headed directly towards Raiga.
"Raiga!"
"Ranmaru!" Raiga's tone calmed and softened.
"It's okay Raiga. I checked all the other guys.. they're all dead."
"What? Keh, so they ought to be. Are you okay Ranmaru? They didn't hurt you did they? I was so worried."
"No Raiga. See, I'm without harm."
"Thank goodness.. Come, why is this mist so thick Ranmaru?"
"It's alright Raiga. I am your eyes remember? Don't you trust me?"
"Oh! Oh! Of course I trust you Ranmaru! Now that I know you're unharmed, I might even give those fools a funeral!"
Without Raiga actually taking notice, the mist was clearing, and we could see them, Raiga had Ranmaru on his shoulders and headed towards the edge of a cliff. Naruto sat up with a growl.
"Dammit.. dammit! Ranmaru!" He cried out. Raiga stopped walking just as he got to the very edge.
"Ranmaru? You.. you were leading me off a cliff! What's wrong with you Ranmaru!?" Raiga's astounded voice echoed through the mountains. We all sensed trouble.
Suddenly Keahebi tensed. "What's wrong Kea?!"
"I mussst leave.. I am being called.."
"Called? By who-"
Keahebi disappeared in a puff of smoke, causing us to fall to the ground, we all grunt but Lee only giggled.
"Ranmaru! Don't risk your life! We can beat him!" Naruto called out again.
Ranmaru's voice came echoing back, over Raiga's insane noises. "Thank you friends.. for allowing me to make more bonds..."
"Ranmaru.. Ranmaru.. do you like them more than me?!" Raiga bellowed.
"No.. of course not Raiga."
But it was too late, Naruto had gone, gone to fight him. A lightning bolt came straight for us, with Ranmaru's cries of "Raiga don't!" echoing behind it. We all moved to avoid it, but it was too late. It caused an explosion which threw us off into different directions.
I tumbled a few feet, and when I looked up I saw Lee and Raiga standing face to face. Lee in a somewhat dizzy stance, swaying really heavily.
My mouth hung open as I watched, Raiga throwing multiple lighting bolts, and Lee effortlessly dodging each one with such a slender and flexible body. I'll admit it was impressive.
"Haa~" Lee fell over, unconscious. Raiga seemed to have a somewhat relieved face after that.
"Little twerp! I mustn't give him a funeral!" Raiga approached Lee, pointing one of his swords at Lee.
I tense and try to get up, but I wasn't fast enough... Lee was, however. He rolled to the side as Raiga attempted to stab him. And again.. and again.. each time got faster and faster until Lee clasped Raiga's sword in his hands and stood up grinning. "Haaaaa~" His voice got very high pitched. "You ffeeeellll for et~" Lee spun around quickly, kicking Raiga in the face, sending him flying over the edge of the mountain. I notice Ranmaru break from Raiga's back, and went flying as well.
"Lee! What did you do!?" I call out. But he ignored me as he stood there as if spacing.
"Ranmaru!" Naruto's voice called. I saw many of his clones make a chain, which managed to reach Ranmaru, and catch him in time, but Raiga fell to his death.
After all the drama, we were back at Sanshou-san's curry shop, Ranmaru was being taught how to make curry, and decided he wanted to stay there.
So the rest of us were headed home, and of course, I had to be carried by Lee, because he considered it training. But I think he just made that part up.
"That was definitely a tough mission!" Lee said to me.
"Yeah-"
"But! We overcame it, because.. WE ARE GAI-SENSEI'S TOP STUDENTS! AND WE MUST WORK HARDER!"
I had to cover my ears. "Yes. We are.. indeed."
"Lee, you are wrong." Neji huffed as he walked beside us.
"No Neji! You are wrong!"
"We all know I'm the strongest of our team."
"Guys.. don't start this again.." Tenten grumbled.
"NOPE!" Lee shouted, as if he didn't want to acknowledge what Neji had said. Neji gave off a smug expression that went unnoticed.
Once we got home, Lee forgot about taking me to get my leg looked at after we reported to Tsunade, and went straight to Gai-sensei's apartment. It was there that I found a big surprise..