Chapter 11: Absence
Tenten looked out the window of her new store. She was quite pleased with the place. She proudly displayed many weapons from her collection, mounting several 'not for sale' signs above her precious weapons. The store was wonderfully organized and contained various tools for all skill levels. However, Tenten was missing something crucial in her grand plan.
"There's not enough customers." Tenten muttered as she took sips of her drink. "Everyone just comes to look, but nobody really buys much of anything. This isn't an art gallery." she sighed.
Patience, Tenten, it's a new store. Odds are, not enough people have seen or heard about it, Tenten thought. I just need to get the word out, and more people will come.
After reassuring herself, she sat behind the counter by the register. She took out a book and spent the remainder of her day minding the store while reading. She stayed late, deciding to finish the book before returning to her home. She checked the register after counting her earnings for the day. She sighed.
Tomorrow will be a better day, Tenten thought as she locked up the store for the night.
Tenten considered some strategies to boost her sales as she walked home. In the corner of her eye, a green blur caught her attention. She turned to look, and the man disappeared behind a corner of the block.
Lee! He's finally back! Tenten thought as her pace quickened. It's been almost three months since Lee left for his mission.
A big smile formed as she followed where she saw the green blur. In the distance, she saw the green-clad man running. She ran, pursuing the man.
"Hey, Lee!" Tenten called out.
The man seemed unaware, still running in the darkness. Tenten focused her breathing and pushed herself to run faster.
"Lee, wait up!" Tenten called.
The man came to a stop. He stopped by a tree, where a small brown dog was sitting. Tenten slowed to a stop and watched the man as he crouched down to pet the dog, panting as she caught her breath.
"…Lee, *huff* I missed you." Tenten breathed.
"Inu!" the man said as he scooped up the dog.
The man turned around, carrying the small canine in his arms. He was startled by Tenten, and she was surprised by the man. He wasn't Lee.
"Eep! You scared me!" the black-haired man wearing green said.
"Oh. I'm so sorry. I mistook you for someone else." Tenten bowed as she apologized.
"That's alright. My dog ran off again. Whenever he gets out, he always returns to this tree where I found him." The man explained.
"Well, I'm glad you found him." Tenten said as she sighed. "Hopefully, the one I'm looking for comes back home soon." She said as she turned to leave.
The man watched her as she left. Tenten frowned, and her cheeks still felt hot from embarrassment. She walked back the way she came and went straight home.
That was so awkward, Tenten thought as she unlocked her door. It's good to be home now.
Tenten stepped into her home and removed her shoes by the door. She switched on a light and examined her room. Though her home seemed like a comfortable refuge away from her embarrassing situation, the place was uncomfortably empty. The one-bedroom apartment was home to only her and a few plants. The silence of the home made Tenten feel uneasy. She switched on the TV, a welcome distraction from her melancholy.
She prepared some instant ramen in her kitchen and sat in front of the old television. A neatly folded green handkerchief rested on the tabletop by the couch. It belonged to Lee. He forgot it the last time he had visited Tenten in her home. It had collected dust in the months Lee had been absent from her home. Tenten noticed it as she ate her dinner. She frowned.
I wasn't expecting Lee to be gone for so long, Tenten thought. I hope nothing happened to him…
Tenten watched the television. She picked up the remote and flipped through channels, trying to locate the local news. She watched intently, hoping to hear something related to Lee's mission. She watched for an hour until the same stories began cycling. She sighed and switched the channel again.
What am I thinking? Lee is capable of protecting himself, Tenten thought. I should have nothing to worry about. And yet…
Without thinking, Tenten's brown eyes rested on the green handkerchief. She smiled as she remembered her trip with him to the sea. She remembered his despair when she stated she had quit and recalled how lost he was without his loving mentor. Her smile faded.
Lee, I hope you are safe and can see you soon, Tenten thought. I really miss you.
Far away northwest of the village, Lee and Team 8 were camping. Lee stared at the fire intently as he sat. Kiba and Shino were having a conversation that Lee didn't seem to be a part of. Hinata watched him, seeing the flames of the fire reflecting in his eyes. She noticed his serious expression.
"Lee." Hinata cooed.
Lee seemed unaware of her calling his name. He continued his stare into the flames. Hinata was unsure if she should disrupt the young man's concentration, but she was concerned.
"Lee." Hinata repeated, slightly louder than the last time.
Kiba and Shino heard her and turned to Lee. They noticed his thousand-yard stare into the fire as he rested his hands on his knees. His eyes were tired.
"Hey, Lee." Kiba piped.
Lee's glanced up. He saw the three sets of eyes on him and felt flustered immediately.
"Oh, I am sorry." Lee apologized. "I zoned out."
"That's got to be the fifth time you've done that." Kiba said. "I'm about to start calling you 'space cadet' if you don't get it together." he chuckled.
"Take it easy, Kiba." Shino said, picking up on Lee's tension.
"Lee, are you alright?" Hinata asked.
Lee looked at Hinata. Her familial features reminded Lee of Neji. He forced a small smile.
"I am just a little homesick, is all." Lee said.
"You had the opportunity to return home a few times. Why didn't you take them?" Shino asked.
"No reason." Lee replied.
"That makes no sense…" Kiba challenged. "You must be avoiding something."
"Tax season just started a couple of weeks ago." Shino commented.
"No way, I paid mine in advance," Lee said, shaking his head. "I am just staying out here to stay busy."
"I understand. I feel the same way." Hinata smiled at Lee sadly.
Lee smiled. He knew Hinata understood his pain. The loss of a teammate was like losing a member of the family.
"A little birdy told me that Lee has his eyes on some girl." Kiba grinned. "Someone other than Sakura Haruno."
"WHAT!?" Lee shouted, becoming flustered. "Naruto!" Lee growled as he shook his fist.
"Relax, man. He didn't spill any more details." Kiba laughed. "So, who is it?"
"Is it someone we know?" Shino asked.
"No! We are not having this discussion." Lee spat; his face flushed.
"So, that's a yes then!" Kiba teased.
"Seems like it." Shino said.
"I had no idea you two are such gossips!" Lee groaned as he retired to his sleeping bag. "Now leave me be. I am going to sleep." He said before crawling inside and turning to face away from his teammates.
"Come on, Lee. Don't be that way! Your secret will be safe with us!" Kiba laughed. "Maybe I should start listing off some names, and we can figure it out from there." He teased.
"Kiba, please leave him alone. He seems upset." Hinata defended.
"Oh, settle down. We're just trying to have some harmless fun." Kiba said. "But we should get going anyways, Shino. It's about time we start our patrol."
"Right." Shino agreed as he rose.
"C'mon Akamaru!" Kiba called to his loyal dog.
Akamaru wagged his tail and barked.
"Stay safe. You know what to do if you need support." Kiba said. "Not like you two will need it. It's so boring out here."
"Will do." Hinata nodded.
The three set out, leaving Lee and Hinata alone. A moment passed until Lee unzipped his sleeping bag and rose, returning to his seat by the fire. Hinata smiled at him, but she was still concerned.
"Lee, you look tired. Why don't you rest?" Hinata asked. "I can keep watch."
"That is very kind of you, but I cannot sleep." Lee admitted. "Please rest if you need it. I will be up for a while."
"I will in a bit." Hinata said.
Lee added wood to the campfire and watched it as it sparked brightly from the addition of more wood. Hinata watched the young man, wanting to say something but unsure what to say.
"The fire reminds me of her eyes." Lee said as he watched the flames. "When the sunlight hits them just right, I cannot pull myself to look away. It's like looking at a glinting gem."
Hinata smiled. She thought about Naruto. She had been swept up before by his deep blue ocean eyes. She understood exactly how Lee felt.
"Does she know how you feel?" Hinata asked.
Lee shook his head.
"I am not very popular with the girls." Lee stated. "I am sure that she has found herself a much better suitor in my absence. She deserves only the best."
"But you are a good man, Lee." Hinata argued. "Maybe you would feel better if you told her. I know that's hard to do, but maybe she feels the same about you."
"I doubt that." Lee said. "We're only friends." he sighed.
"I understand." Hinata replied. "For how long you have felt this way?"
Lee thought about his answer as he gazed into the fire.
"Longer than I am willing to admit, but the timing and situation were not right. I could not pursue her under our circumstances. And then, I saw Sakura and thought I have found a love that could work." Lee explained. "I believed my crush was just a phase, but now I'm an adult and find myself back to where I started. I will not jeopardize our friendship now with these feelings."
"I think I know who you're talking about." Hinata muttered.
Oh no, I said too much! Lee thought as he looked at Hinata worriedly.
"I promise, I won't tell anyone. I won't even say her name." Hinata explained, realizing that Lee was now upset.
"Thanks." Lee muttered. "I thought some time apart would help me to bury my feelings, but months have passed, and I am no better than I was when I started." Lee sighed. "What should I do?" he asked.
"I'm sorry. I don't know." Hinata responded, ruminating over her longstanding crush on Naruto.
Of course you would not, Lee thought. I find myself walking in your shoes now, wanting someone whom I am afraid to speak to now.
Lee looked up to the night sky. He saw some stars between the large passing clouds. He let out another long sigh.
I really could use some guidance, Lee thought, blatantly ignoring Hinata's advice. Guy Sensei, I miss you a lot, but at times like these, I feel so lost without your wisdom.