Chapter 2: Home

Some time had passed since the war had ended. Funerals were a common occurrence, honoring those who fell in battle. Several ninjas remained missing and were assumed to be deceased. The Hidden Leaf Village was near the end of its reconstruction era as it was rebuilt even larger than it was before, accommodating an influx of refugees and immigrants. The graveyard had grown in size considerably since the start of the reconstruction.

Lee and Tenten sat at Neji's grave. Hours had passed since the funeral was held for the young ninja. They both sat, wordless as they remembered the Hyūga teen. Tenten's eyes were red and puffy from all the tears she had shed. Lee breathed shallowly as he looked down at the freshly disturbed earth, his eyes bloodshot from his sorrow and lack of sleep.

"He was a good friend." Tenten said finally.

"He was a splendid ninja." Lee said, thinking about the moment he lowered Neji to the ground.

The incense at Neji's grave had ceased burning. Tenten and Lee watched as the last puff of smoke dissipated in the breeze. Lee sniffled as he wiped his eyes.

"Should we burn another?" Tenten asked.

Lee nodded and took out some supplies. He lit more incense, watching as the fresh smoke rose above the grave. He frowned as he watched the smoke drift high above before fading into obscurity. A flock of white doves flew above.

"He's free now." Tenten muttered as tears filled her eyes once more.

Lee embraced her as she cried. Tears flowed from his eyes as all the pain from that fateful day flooded back to him. Now he wished he could be as free, free from the restrictions of his life. Being a ninja without being able to use ninjutsu was a burden most would be unwilling to shoulder. Lee had listened to his mentor, ignoring his limits, and focusing on what he could do rather than what he could not do. It seemed like a pointless endeavor now, seeing as that there was nothing he could do in this situation.

"If only I was stronger…" Lee mumbled as he cried.

"Lee, you can't blame yourself. It was a war, and you know not everyone makes it out alive." Tenten reasoned. "There wasn't anything you or I could do." She said as she wiped away her tears.

Lee shook his head.

"I am tired of being useless." Lee said defiantly. "I am going to train even harder than I ever have before."

Tenten shook her head, trying to piece together what Lee was insinuating.

"What's the point?" Tenten asked coldly.

"What do you mean?" Lee asked, caught off guard by Tenten's change in tone.

"The war is over. We are living in a time of peace for a change." Tenten explained. "Why don't you just give it a rest already?"

Lee was taken aback. Tenten studied him, her eyes narrowed and anger rising.

"I cannot rest until I get stronger." Lee said as he gazed at his surviving teammate.

"Toward what end?" Tenten challenged. "Do you think this is the appropriate way to behave after we lost our teammate and leader?"

"Tenten, what are you saying?" Lee asked, confused and hurt.

Tenten's tears returned. She hugged her knees as she sorted her pained thoughts.

"I quit." Tenten whispered as she sobbed.

Lee's eyes widened in shock. He watched helplessly as Tenten's anger surfaced. She stood up suddenly as hot tears ran down her face.

"There's no point in being a shinobi anymore. I've been completely ineffective my entire life as one. Now is a time of peace, so there's no use or need of me any longer." Tenten sobbed.

"That is not true, Tenten." Lee said as he stood up.

Tenten glared at Lee. Lee studied her, concerned for his teammate.

"Name one time I beat an opponent in an individual fight." Tenten challenged.

"…" Lee was surprised by her harshness.

"That's what I thought." Tenten snapped.

Tenten reached for her headband and untied it. She threw it down next to Neji's grave. Lee stood, speechless as Tenten turned away and continued sobbing as she walked away.

"Tenten!" Lee called out, running after her.

"Leave me alone." Tenten cried as she walked.

Lee walked by her side, following the crying girl. She diverted her direction away from Lee, increasing her pace. Lee followed diligently.

"Tenten, you cannot just quit…" Lee attempted to reason.

"I said leave me alone!" Tenten shouted before taking off, running.

Lee stood, watching as Tenten ran. His weakened heart thudded in his chest as he watched her disappear into the village. He glanced back at the cemetery, observing the smoke from the incense burning at multiple other graves. He sighed as he walked to one fresh grave toward the back of the cemetery, by the lush green trees.

"She will be back." Lee said as he sat by the grave.

"…"

"Once you are done recovering, we can get back to training." Lee said as he forced a smile, wiping away his tears.

Upon the freshly marked stone of the grave was the name: Might Guy. Lee reclined on the green grass beside the grave, watching the clouds drift by in the sky. Lighting incense did not cross his mind.