"Setsuki-chan! Do not give up!" Lee's voice called. I looked up to see Lee standing beside Daisuke and Tenten, a few bruises on him, but other than that he seemed fine. Tenten was helping him stand, because using the inner gates caused internal injuries.
He gave a weak smile and a thumbs up. Kei put more pressure on my neck, I couldn't breathe properly.
"Your friend up there is trying to get you killed it seems." Kei sneered.
"N-no.." I coughed, gasping for air. "He has... faith in me.." I used the water subtitution jutsu, and turned into a puddle of water.
Kei humphed as his foot splashed in the puddle. "So you can do a few water tricks... it wont save you."
I was wondering, just how could a Genin be so strong? His strength was one thing, but agility was another. I could only wait until my body regenerated. I kept hearing Lee's voice calling out and telling me I could win. It was encouraging.
Kei stepped backwards, and my body regenerated, I jumped away from him quickly. "Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu." He muttered, suddenly he was gone. I looked around quickly, my guard raised. He wasn't behind me, beside me, or above.. My eyes widened as a hand grabbed my foot.
"Dammit.." I cussed under my breath. The foot pulled me down into the soil, up to my shoulders, only my head was poking out of the ground. I couldn't move, I was stuck.
Kei appeared in front of me. "Guess it's time to finish you." He said. I struggled helplessly.
"DO NOT GIVE UP, SETSUKI-CHAN!" Lee shouted. I looked over to Lee, he had a concerned look upon his face. I have to win this.. for Lee!
Substitution Jutsu. A log replaced my body in the earth. I bolted for the tree on the field, and hid in it without him noticing. I had to think of something, and fast.
"So you think you can out-smart me, hm?" Kei sneered. I flinched when I saw him looking directly at the tree I was in. How did he know I was here... "You can run from me, but you can't hide."
Maybe if I created a clone, to confuse him.
"Creating clones wont help either." Kei's voice was suddenly behind me, I flinched. He kicked me heavily, caused me to fly out of the tree and land roughly on the ground. I pulled myself up slowly, Kei jumped out of the tree, the bandages on his arm were becoming loose, but I paid no attention to it.
From up in the Kage stand, Tsunade seemed to have noticed something was wrong.
Kei stepped towards me. I kept a close eye on him. I was in pain from these heavy punches and kicks he gave. I think it was time to go all out. But first I needed water. Lots of water.
"Suiton: Ame no Jutsu!" Rainclouds rolled in, and began pouring down heavy rain over the arena. It wasn't too long before the arena was being filled with water, like a giant bowl. The water was now ankle height all over.
"... The purpose of this jutsu..? Rain? Or.. is it to create water..?" Kei was mumbling to himself, examining the clouds.
"Suiton: Daibakuryū!" I mixed my chakra into the water, which rose up and created a huge whirlpool, the more rain that fell, the bigger it became. Kei didn't seem very impressed. He just stood there almost gawking. I managed to get him trapped into the whirlpool. My intention - drowning him. Kei was sucked up into it. I thought I had him now. The clouds evaporated into thin air, leaving just the huge whirlpool.
"Surprise." Kei's voice whispered behind me. I jumped, almost whimpered at the fright. How on earth.. could he escape something like that?! I had no choice but to release the jutsu if I wanted to avoid him. As soon as the water all collapsed to knee-height I noticed there was nothing even there. Kei actually did manage to escape. Impossible..
Kei grabbed the back of my neck, tightly, causing me to cringe. "Interesting jutsu.. but it is not strong enough to affect me.. I've had enough games now. I'm going to end it now." Kei threw me against the wall, now gripping the front of my neck tightly, pinning me against the wall and off the ground. I gasped for air and kicked my feet around trying to hit him.
"Stop the match!" Tsunade's voice roared through the entire place. Kei looked over his shoulder, but did not let go of my neck. I couldn't breathe properly, I could only gasp.
Genma, along with everyone else, looked at her questioningly. Tsunade pointed down at Kei. "That boy, he is disqualified!"
Kei looked at his arm. "Oh.. it appears my bandage slipped off.. oops." He said in a sarcastic tone. My eyes widened at his arm. An ANBU tattoo.
"Are you really an ANBU?!" Genma questioned, glaring at him.
"Alright.. alright. You caught me.." Kei sneered. He dropped his grip on my neck and I fell, to my hands and knees, coughing and gasping desperately for air. An ANBU!? I was fighting an ANBU this whole time?! Kei kneeled down to me, and put his hand under my chin, tilting my head up to look at him, into his cold, piercing ice-blue, emotionless eyes. "I want to have a little word with you before I leave." I didn't respond. Genma was approaching. "Yakushi Kabuto.." My eyes widened. "Last time you came to Lord Orochimaru's hideout you were seeking out your.. sensei, am I correct?" He gave me no time to respond. "I saw you and your 'friends' messing around with Kabuto.. and him being weak as usual, was struggling against you four.. I was the one to knock you all unconscious." He explained. I noticed his voice became a little softer, but only a little. "I heard what Kabuto said to you. He is not your cousin?" Kei scoffed. "That man doesn't know anything. See, water girl. Kabuto is your cousin."
"Wh-what?!" I coughed.
Kei stood up as Genma was almost beside him. I looked up at him in shock. "But he doesn't remember you. He's not the same person you think he is. He lost his memory, and cannot bring them back... he will never remember you.. so don't bother coming back to get him. Because if you do.. I will kill you."
My eyes widened. Genma grabbed Kei's wrist. "You're coming with me. You have broken the rules, and-"
"Shut up." Kei gushed at Genma. "I'm taking my leave now. I've gathered enough information about you Konoha shinobi, and I'm passing it straight on to Lord Orochimaru." Kei smirked under his mask.
"You what?!" Genma questioned.
Kei chuckled under his breath in amusement, then stepped backwards. "I was sent here as a spy.. but you're all too naive to see that. You'll let in anyone at this time of year, hm?" Kei did a hand sign. We all raised our guard. I just remained on my hands and knees, staring with disbelief.
Genma ran at Kei. Suddenly a giant snake head burst out from the ground, about to swallow Kei.
"Farewell." Kei said, the snake clamped it's mouth shut then poofed into a cloud of smoke, which Genma choked on. Kabuto's memories.. were gone? Was it that Orochimaru's doing?! I clenched my fist and punched the ground.
"Dammit!" I cussed.
"Setsuki-chan!" I heard a pair of feet land near my head. I look up, it was Lee. He knelt down, clearly in pain, but tried to hide it. "Are you alright!?"
I sat up and gave a small nod. "Yeah.. I'm okay." I replied. We both looked at Genma. He was talking with another two Jonin about the situation. I looked at Lee. "Are you alright?"
Lee sort of tensed then looked at me. "Yes! I am.." He tilted his head for a moment, glimpsed at Daisuke with an unsure expression, then faced me again. Daisuke was frowning.
"Daisuke-kun looked like he gave you a rough time... Lee-san, why did you open the inner gates straight away?" I asked. Lee averted his eyes from mine, and turned them to the ground. "You.. know it's risky." I mentioned.
"Yes.. I know but.." Lee looked up at Daisuke, again. I was beginning to think maybe something was going on between those two that I didn't know about.. "I.. I let him get to me.. it created an opening.." Lee sighed sadly.
"Get... to you?" I tilted my head. Lee immediately faced me.
"D-Do not worry. It is nothing to worry about. Here, let us go back up there and rest." Lee said. I could tell he was trying to hide something.
I was forced to evaporate all the water I had created, so the arena wasn't flooded for the next match. It kind of felt like a huge training session. It was now between Daisuke, Tenten and myself. My match's outcome wasn't decided, so they kept me in the competition.
It was Daisuke vs Tenten first, in order to allow me to rest. Daisuke defeated Tenten.
Now it was my time to fight Daisuke. I wasn't gonna hold back this time, I was gonna go all out. By the look in Daisuke's eyes, he was thinking the same thing.
"Setsuki-chan, I wont hold back.. if I can defeat you, it will prove my worth!" Daisuke announced. I didn't fully understand what he meant, but I nodded.
"Yosh! Lets go!"
Our fight was long and intense the whole time. In our spars Daisuke never showed this much potential.. ever. Was he.. always holding back on me?
We were both out of breath, staring each other down.
"Setsuki.. I think I should tell you.. you're under my Genjutsu." Daisuke suddenly said, he smiled, stopped panting and was completely fine.
"G-Genjutsu!?" I looked around, everything seemed normal. "Since when could you do Genjutsu!?" I questioned.
"Beefy-sensei gave me a little training. I finally understand how to do it. And I know you can't escape it... so I've been tiring you out all this time." He explained. I felt irritated.
"So you weren't really fighting after all!?" I questioned.
"... I don't want to hurt you, Setsuki.." He said.
"Have you... been holding back all this time.. just because of that?" I asked. He gave a slight nod. I felt irritated. "That's part of the whole ninja idea! Don't you understand!? No pain no gain!" I exclaimed.
"But Set-"
"As long as I'm alive, any injury I get will heal! That's what Uncle Takashi always says!" I exclaimed. "You shouldn't worry about hurting me, Daisuke-kun! It's not like I'm going to dislike you for it!"
"Wait.. you wont? I.. I was always afraid.. that if I hurt you.. you would turn your back on me.." He said.
I shook my head. "No! I don't like it when people hold back! It's.. It's kinda like you're underestimating your opponent.."
"But I know how strong you are.."
"Then fight me! I want to see your full strength!" I exclaimed. Daisuke bit the inside of his cheek, then released the Genjutsu.
"Fine. No Genjutsu. This is the real thing." He said.
I nodded, then ran at him. We fought properly this time. Going all out on each other. We were pretty tied in strength, though I think I was a little faster, and he was a little stronger. I wasn't used to him being so strong - but I guess that's because he was always holding back..
I was out of breath, and almost out of chakra. I stared at Daisuke across the arena. My vision was starting to blur, I was feeling a dizziness take over. Fatigue.
Daisuke was also beaten up, he was swaying on the spot. Until we both collapsed at the same time, everything blacked out for me.
When I woke up I was laying on a stretcher in the medical room. I sat up, feeling really sore - like I'd torn several muscles.
"No no rest miss Setsuki. You need to recover." A medic said, noticing my movement.
"Naaah, I'd rather not." I replied and stood up, feeling a little weak.
"But you-"
"DID I HEAR SETSUKI-CHAN'S VOICE!?" Lee's voice echoed from outside the room. The door burst open - Lee. "SETSUKI-CHAN!"
"I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT AND STAY OUT!" The medic shouted at him.
"BUT SETSUKI-"
"OUT!"
"BUT-"
"OUT!" She screamed.
Lee gave the biggest pout I'd ever seen. The medic glared. "I-I promise I wont sit on her again!"
"OUT!"
"Sit on... again..?" I tilted my head. "Lee-san.. what did you just say?"
"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I SWEAR IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" Lee dropped to his hands and knees, his head nearly touched the floor as he bowed. "I DID NOT SEE YOU LAYING THERE AND I SAT DOWN... ON YOU.." He explained.
"STOP SHOUTING! You're disrupting the other patients!" The medic yelled.
"I AM SORRY!" Lee faced her, without getting up he bowed again. I laughed.
"What's the big problem with him sitting on me?" I asked.
"Wha'ts the big problem!?" The medic mocked. "The big problem is that you could've had an injury on your chest!"
"Ch-chest?" I looked at Lee. His face went bright red.
"I-I AM SORRY! I DID NOT MEAN TO!" He was almost in tears. I sweatdropped and waved my hand.
"N-no no it's okay." I laughed nervously. I could tell it was an accident, so it wasn't an issue at all! Lee immediately stood up and pointed a thumbs up at the medic.
"See! It is okay!" He gleamed a smile at her. She was not impressed, she pointed at the door.
"Out!"
Lee whined and went to leave the room. I quickly dived forward and grabbed his hand. "Wait! Don't leave me here!" I pleaded. Lee blinked, looked at me, then the medic, then the door, then back at me.
"Ohh no you don't, you're not going anywhere young lady." The medic said.
"But you're scary!" I whined. Her eye twitched.
"Scary? I'LL SHOW YOU SCARY!" She shouted. I whimpered and hid behind Lee.
"Do not worry, Setsuki-chan! I will protect you!" Lee suddenly turned and wrapped his arm around my waist, hoisted me up and sat me on his shoulder and bolted out the door.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" The medic shouted, tumbling out the door in pursuit of us.
"NO ONE CAN CATCH MEEEEE!" Lee shouted, when suddenly Neji came out of no where in front of him, causing Lee to skid to a stop. "N-Neji!"
Neji frowned. "What.. are you doing.."
"I am saving Setsuki-chan from that scary medic!" Lee explained. Neji looked at me- well.. my feet.
"Take her back. She needs rest." Neji huffed.
"No! I will not allow Setsuki-chan to suffer!"
"She's resting! She's not going to suffer from resting!" Neji growled.
"Yes I will!" I whined. I heard footsteps. "Ahh! She's getting closer!"
"Yosh! Fear not! I will continue running an-"
Neji punched Lee's head downwards. "Idiot!"
Lee looked up at Neji, seeming unhurt. Lee's eye twitched. "That was not nice!" Lee whined in a high pitched voice. He then cleared his throat in embarrassment. I thought his high-pitched voice was cute.
The footsteps got closer, when the person turned the corner, it wasn't the medic, it was Tenten.
"What's going on?! I heard shouting and squealing!" Tenten exclaimed.
"I did not squeal!" Lee huffed, frowning at her. Tenten blinked.
"Is.. that Setsuki?"
"Huh? Oh, yes! It is!" Lee dropped me. I landed face first into the ground. "A-AH! S-Sorry Setsuki-chan!" Lee knelt down quickly to help me up when Neji hit his hand away.
"You're dangerous to be around Lee.." He said with a grimace. Lee grimaced right back.
Tenten helped me up. "My hand slipped..!" Lee said.
"See? It's okay." I said. They all looked at me. "His hand slipped.. it was an accident, it's okay." I repeated.
Neji and Tenten glared. "I don't think he should be near you anyway.. he sat on your chest!" Tenten mentioned.
"That's okay too." I said. Lee scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Okay!? You're okay with it!?"
"Y-yes.. Lee-san said it was an accident, and that he didn't see me laying there! So it was an accident, and is okay!" I said.
"You actually believe that?! That it was an accident!?"
I nodded. "Yup."
"Tenten. Don't bother getting worked up.. they seem to believe everything they tell each other.." Neji commented. Tenten rolled her eyes.
"No wonder they make a great couple." She scoffed. Lee and I gave them blank expressions. I looked at Lee again. I don't know why, but my eyes scanned his body. That's when I noticed something I didn't see before. A chuunin jacket! I gasped.
"You passed?!" I questioned. They all looked at me questioningly. Lee looked down at his jacket, then looked back up at me and had the biggest grin ever.
"Yes! I did!" Lee exclaimed. I felt happy for him, I threw myself at him and hugged him tightly.
"That's great!" I exclaimed. Lee hugged back tightly too. We were pretty much squeezing each other to death.
"C-Can't b-breathe.." We both gasped.
"Then let go!" Tenten shouted. We let go of each other and inhaled deeply, then laughed about it.
"Setsuki-chan! That reminds me, I have something for you!" Lee said, capturing my attention.
"Huh? You do?"
Lee unzipped his jacket halfway, and reached into it. I blinked. He then pulled out another Chuunin jacket, folded neatly. "This one is yours!" He said, holding it out to me. I looked at his face, then the jacket and back and forth repeatedly.
"M-Mine?"
Lee nodded eagerly, throwing it at me. I caught it, and looked up at him again. "You passed too, Setsuki-chan! We're both chuunin now!" I had the biggest, goofiest grin on my face. "I told them I would give it to you myself! Also, Daisuke-kun passed, but Tenten did not-"
"Shut up!" Tenten punched his head into the ground. Lee wailed loudly. I sweatdropped.
"D-Don't worry Tenten, I'm sure you'll make it next year!" I said, giving her a thumbs up. Suddenly Neji hit me over the head too. "Ow!" I looked at him, demanding an explanation. He just shrugged.
"I just felt like it." He said blunty, then turned away. Lee looked up, his nose was bleeding.
"Neji!" Lee whined in a high pitched tone again. I giggled, I don't know why, but I giggled. Lee cleared his throat, and narrowed his eyes. "That was not nice!"
Neji started to walk away. I helped Lee to his feet. "Looks like we might have to go back in there.." I mentioned, staring at the blood continuously falling. Lee shook his head defiantly, getting blood all over him, then put his wrist against his nose to catch most of the blood.
"No, no I am fine!" He implied. I put my Chuunin jacket on, and felt like I'd just gotten stronger just by putting it on. I didn't zip it up though. I decided Lee would come with us back to my house, Takashi could help us.
Takashi wasn't at home. It was odd, Takashi never goes out. We sat Lee on the couch, and I rushed to Takashi's room into the first aid cabinet and grabbed a few cloths and gave them to Lee to hold under his nose.
"Tenten, why did you have to break Lee-san's nose?" I asked with a pout. She folded her arms and shook her head.
"I didn't mean to." She replied. "I guess I don't know my own strength!" She laughed to herself quietly. I heard the door open, Uncle Takashi, Susumu and Daisuke walk in.
"Setsuki-chan!" Daisuke chimed. Susumu smiled at Tenten and Takashi frowned at the blood.
"Okay. Setsuki. What have I told you about breaking noses.." Takashi said, walking past me to Lee.
"I didn't do it!" I exclaimed. Takashi gave a doubtful expression.
"Yeah, I kinda.. did." Tenten admitted. Susumu laughed. Tenten glared at him.
Takashi stood in front of Lee, almost intimidatingly. Lee whimpered up at him. "Let me take a look.. I promise this wont hurt." Takashi sneered, leaning down. Lee hesitantly lowered the cloths, and showed his disfigured nose. Takashi smirked and put his fingers on it. "Well it might hurt.. a lot." Takashi said. Lee's eyes widened, he was about to pull away, when CRACK. Takashi snapped it back into place, and Lee wailed loudly, more blood poured out. Takashi held the cloths back under his nose. "Now, see. That wasn't so bad was it? Just keep those cloths there until the bleeding stops."
Lee was almost in tears from the pain, but he held them back, he didn't want to seem weak. Particularly around Daisuke - but no one took any notice of that.
Daisuke frowned at Lee, and faced me. "Setsuki, wanna go get some ice cream together?"
I smiled at him. "Sure!" I replied. Who couldn't resist ice cream! Daisuke gave a smug look to Lee that no one took notice of either, Takashi was headed towards the kitchen and Susumu was talking to Tenten. Lee frowned and lowered his eyes.
"Guys, do you wanna come get some i-"
"No no just us." Daisuke said, hushing me. "Just you and me, Setsuki."
I blinked, a little confused, but I agreed anyway. I called out to Takashi where I was going, recieving a response.
Daisuke and I sat in the ice cream shop, eating away happily. When suddenly Daisuke brought up a strange conversation.
"Lee." He said, capturing my attention. I tilted my head. His eyes seemed distant. "Just what do you seen in that guy?"
".. What do you mean?" I asked, then took another spoonful of ice cream.
Daisuke looked me in the eye. "Do you actually like him.. or are you just being friendly 'cause he has no other friends?"
"Of course I like him, Daisuke-kun! What do you mean he has no other friends?!" I questioned, my expression becoming serious. "Lee-san has lots of friends!"
Daisuke shook his head and sighed. "No Setsuki. You don't understand. Lee.. he thinks he has friends. But truth is, everyone sees just how much of a failure he is. They all look down on him, and since you're always around him.. it.. it kind of makes you look bad.. Setsuki-chan." He said. I lowered my spoon and placed it on the table.
"Don't.. ever say that again." I said, almost theatening him. I've never threatened anyone close to me before. I had this strange, negative feeling in my gut. Daisuke looked up at me, our eyes met. "Lee-san. He's not a failure! He works hard, every day, he does not stop! He pushes himself past his limits every day. He is becoming stronger. Much stronger. Lee-san, he works way more than you, Daisuke-kun." I said, standing up. Daisuke seemed a little hurt by my words, and I hated his expression. I felt like a bad guy.. but it was the truth. I let out a deep sigh. "I am friends with Lee-san.. because.. because I really really like him!" I admitted, then turned and left the building. Daisuke tensed at my last sentence, and called out my name several times. I was about to run away when a hand appeared out of no where in front of me. It was Lee's..
"S.. Setsuki-chan, please wait." He spoke. I faced him with slight surprise. "I... I did not mean to eavesdrop.. but I heard my name be said... was all that.. true?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.
My stomach tingled and felt numb, my heart rate sped up.
"It's.. true." I answered. Lee lowered his arm and stood straight. Daisuke ran outside after me, and stood beside me, frowning at Lee. A small part of me didn't want Daisuke here, and I couldn't figure out why..
"Then... Daisuke-kun.." Lee gave Daisuke a confused expression. Daisuke tensed and looked away, grimacing.
"Fine. I admit, I was wrong..." Daisuke huffed, his fists clenched. Lee's eyes seemed to widen a fraction.
"Wrong about what?" I asked, confused. Daisuke glimpsed at me with a pained expression.
"Setsuki-chan.. could you give us a moment?" Daisuke asked, putting his hand on Lee's shoulder and forcing him to walk alongside him. I stood there, watching them walk away. I scratched my stomach because it wouldn't calm down. I sighed and went back inside and ordered some more ice cream to eat in the meantime, I didn't know how long they would be.
"Lee, listen." Daisuke spoke. Lee was all ears. "I don't know how to say this... I lied to you at the Chuunin Exams." He said.
"L-lied?"
"Yes.. I.. I would never admit to something like this... but.. I'm j... I'm jealous.. of you, okay."
"Jealous? Why are you jealous of me?" Lee asked, surprised.
"Because you get all of Setsuki-chan's attention. You.. you're always around her. She's always around you. I barely even get to speak to her anymore.. I'm envious.. I want Setsuki-chan back."
"I.. I think I understand, Daisuke-kun. I did not notice that I was spending nearly every day with Setsuki-chan.. now that I think of it..."
"Just.. leave her alone for a while. Let me spend some time with her. She is my teammate after all!" Daisuke looked around the area, making sure the area was clear. "Look.." Daisuke glanced at Lee's guilty expression. "I'm in love with Setsuki, 'right?" Lee's eyes widened.
"L-Love?"
"Yes! Since the very moment I met her, I knew she was the one. I tried to prove myself to her, every day, but she still seems oblivious to my feelings even after all this time.. but how the hell am I supposed to prove myself when you keep taking her away from me?!"
"I... I..." Lee let out a short sigh and lowered his head. "Forgive me.. Daisuke-kun.. I did not realise you.. were in love with... Setsuki-chan.." Lee was almost in pain at speaking those words.
"Now she's attached to you like a fridge magnet! I said all those things.. I lied to you, because I didn't want her around you anymore.."
Lee gave a short nod of understanding. "Say no more, Daisuke-kun." Daisuke gave him a stern look. "If that is your true intentions, then I will help you!"
"Wait.. what?"
"Setsuki-chan always tried so hard to help me be with Sakura-chan... but despite all her hard work, things did not work out. Sakura-chan.. does not see me worthy, she is only in love with Sasuke.. but I did not tell Setsuki-chan, because I did not want her to think all her effort had gone to waste. So, in return, I do what Setsuki-chan did for me. I can help you be with Setsuki-chan!" Lee was hiding a wall of sadness at his own words.
"Y.. you'd.. do that? For me? After everything I did?"
"... Gai-sensei says that, love makes you do crazy things." Lee replied, giving a thumbs up to the blondie. Daisuke would've burst into tears, but he held them in and stood up straight.
"I don't know what to say.."
"Thank you, would suffice!" Lee replied, gritting his teeth, holding back unshed tears.
".. Thanks.." Daisuke said.
I'd finished my ice cream and was waiting almost impatiently for them to come back. It kind of irritated me, the way Daisuke-kun degraded Lee like that. I stared out the window, my mind deep in thought, then I remembered what Kei said to me about Kabuto. I never told Takashi. I stood up.
"I'm sure they'll come find me later." I muttered to myself. I headed straight home.