Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto vs. Sasuke The Aftermath ❯ The Mystery of What Happened to Lee ( Chapter 20 )

Chapter 20 Summary: The mystery of what happened to Rock Lee is still unknown by virtually everyone. However, to the few people who do know, it has affected them greatly, and none more so than Gai. It will take two comrades of both Lee and Gai to help the both of them recover from this ordeal. And restore once again the bond that had made them the fabled “Green Beasts of Konoha.”

Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath

Chapter 20 “The Mystery of What Happened to Lee”

It was mid afternoon when Kakashi awoke from his deep slumber after struggling the past few days to survive his food pill withdrawal. Kakashi looked over to the clock on the wall and saw he had been asleep for over 36 hours since that ordeal ended. He absently stretched his arms over his head to work out the kinks, when he suddenly realized he was no longer strapped down. A sense of relief washed over him, as the joy of being able to move freely once more was a welcomed change after several days of literally being tied down. Kakashi swung his legs over the side of the bed and hopped down onto the floor, where he immediately collapsed into a heap much to his annoyance. As Kakashi struggled to climb back up into his bed, he silently cursed at himself for not realizing that his race to save Sakura and his subsequent medical ordeal because of it had left the muscles in his legs atrophied and quite useless at the moment. However, as he continued to try and pull himself up off the floor, the strength in his arms were also severely weakened as they too gave way and he slid back down to the ground. It was then he heard a shout.

"Kakashi Sensei!"

Looking over towards the door, Kakashi saw Naruto running over towards him to help him off the floor and back into his bed. Hinata followed closely behind holding a bouquet of flowers in her hands as she watched Naruto help Kakashi. Once settled into the bed again, Kakashi exhaled a heavy sigh, before facing his student and saying.

"Hello Naruto, what's up?"

"What's up, what's up? That's all you have to say? I've spent the last few days worried sick about you, that's what's up!" Naruto angrily replies.

"Naru-Kun, please don't get upset. You know Kakashi-San didn't mean for you to worry about him." Hinata softly says trying to soothe her agitated boyfriend.

Naruto's demeanor immediately became relaxed, as the tension he was feeling seemed to evaporate after hearing Hinata's calming words. Kakashi looked upon this scene in amazement that just the sound of Hinata's voice could cause such a change in his normally hyperactive student.

"Well I was worried." Naruto mumbled quietly.

"I know you were, and I want to apologize Naruto for not seeing you. It had nothing to do with you, I just didn't want you to see me in that condition." Kakashi replies with remorse. Unfortunately, Naruto still bore a grim look on his face. Kakashi wishing to change the subject looked over to Hinata who was still holding a bouquet of flowers and says.

"Hinata, did you bring those flowers for me?"

"Hai Kakashi-San, I hope you like them?" Hinata replies as she hands the bouquet over to him.

''They're lovely Hinata, almost as pretty as you." Kakashi answers as he places the flowers into a vase sitting on a table by his bed, while Hinata blushes furiously.


"Hey, are you trying to hit on my girl?" Naruto growls in jealousy.

"Naru-Kun, be nice! Kakashi-San was doing no such thing; he was just being polite. Something you are not being right now.” Hinata sternly reprimands to her boyfriend.

"I'm sorry Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto humbly says as he looks to the ground.

Kakashi merely chuckled at this and says.

"It's alright Naruto, you're just being protective of Hinata. If I were in your shoes, I'd be doing the same thing. Now, since I've been incapacitated the past few days, why don't you fill me in on what's been happening with you two and everyone else?"

Naruto and Hinata look at one another knowing how stressful the past few days have been, before they each pull up a chair and Naruto says while rubbing the back of his head.

"You want to know everything, this may take awhile."

Almost two hours later after Naruto and Hinata inform Kakashi of what's been going on. The silver haired Jounin is shocked at some of things he learned. It was almost incomprehensible to him that these two young kids had endured all that they had, yet still had the compassion to visit him. Looking upon the two of them, Kakashi could see that they were a little downcast after conveying to him everything that had occurred the past few days. In a voice filled with sympathy, Kakashi says.

"Naruto, Hinata, I'm so very sorry about what you two have gone through the past few days. I wish I could have been there to help you both. No one should have to endure all of that by themselves."

"We weren't by ourselves Kakashi-San. We had each other, so it wasn't so bad." Hinata replies with love as she grasps Naruto's hand and they smile at one another while Naruto nods his head in agreement.

Kakashi smiles underneath his mask at this before saying with conviction.

"You're right Hinata and it's good that you each have one another to lean on, but perhaps I should follow through on Naruto's promise of having a conversation with your father about several things when I get out of here later today."

"Oh please don't do that Kakashi-San. I, I, don't want you to be hurt because of me." Hinata exclaims in a voice tinged with fear.

Kakashi immediately picked up on the scared tone of Hinata's voice and was about to say something to calm the girl down when Naruto's voice rang out and said.

"Don't worry about your father Hinata-Hime. I'm pretty sure he got the message from me and Lady Kurenai about messing with you anymore."

"It's alright Hinata, I won't say anything to your father when I get out." Kakashi assures the nervous young kunoichi before asking.

"Speaking of Kurenai-Cha, - - San, she didn't come with you today?"

"N, no Kakashi-San. Kurenai-Sensei accepted a document delivery mission a couple of days ago and has not returned from it yet." Hinata quietly replies.

"Oh, I see. She hasn't said anything about me has she?" Kakashi hesitantly asks.

N, no Kakashi-San, I haven't heard her say anything." Hinata meekly answers.

"What are you talking about Kakashi Sensei?" Naruto questions.

"It's nothing Naruto, just forget I said anything." Kakashi replies in a somber tone, as he leans back into his pillow and closes his eyes while thinking to himself.

'Kakashi you are a fool. Why should Kurenai be here or even talk about me? It's not as though she and I were in any type of relationship. We are friends and had shared a kiss one night, nothing more. But why does her refusal to see me hurt so much? I guess that kiss meant more to me than it did to her. Face it Kakashi, you're nothing more than a lovesick fool believing that she would have as strong of feelings for me, as I feel for her over one kiss. I can't blame her or even be mad about it. It's not her fault that she doesn't feel the same way about me as I do for her. A lady as smart, beautiful, and special as she is could have any guy she wants with the snap of her fingers. She would have to be an idiot to consider someone like me. A man whose failed at every type of relationship imaginable from personal and family to even the very students I was charged to train and help grow. I'm not even from a respected clan like Asuma is. Why did I ever think I stood a chance of being anything more than just a friend to her? I just wish realizing this would lessen the pain I'm feeling.'

"Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto shouted breaking Kakashi out of his thoughts, as he looked over to Naruto and Hinata who had her Byakugan activated for some reason. Kakashi shook his head a moment to clear his thoughts and says.

"I'm sorry Naruto, what were you saying?"

"I was asking when you were getting out of here? Maybe we could get some training in today. But you kind of zoned out there for moment." Naruto answers.

"Sorry about that Naruto, I was just thinking about something. I won't be able to train you today, because Tsunade won't release me until this evening. She says I've got to build my chakra levels up a bit. But we can train tomorrow, I promise."

"That would be great, I like Gai-Sensei and all but his training sessions can be brutal at times." Naruto absently replies.

"Gai-Sensei?" Kakashi openly questions with a little bit of ire to his voice.

"Umm yeah, with Lady Kurenai still away on her mission and his team still short a member because of bushy-brow's injuries. Gai-Sensei has been training team #8 and myself along with Neji and Tenten the past couple of days. But I think there's something wrong with him Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto states, his concern evident in his tone.

"What do you mean Naruto?" Kakashi asks.

"Well, he's acting different for some reason? He doesn't talk about the flames of youth anymore and I haven't seen him smile once, have you Hinata?" Naruto replies.

"No Naru-Kun I haven't. But Kiba said he was- - -." Hinata answers and begins to say before stopping herself mid sentence. Naruto was confused by this and asks his girlfriend.

"What is it Hinata? What did Kiba say about Gai-Sensei?"

"I, I, don't know if should say anything. It's only a rumor Kiba heard." Hinata softly remarks.

"It's alright Hinata you don't have to say anything if you don't want to. But I promise that whatever you tell us won't be repeated. Do you agree Naruto?" Kakashi proclaims.

"Yeah, of course, not a word to anyone, I swear." Naruto quickly agrees.

"Well, both Kiba and Akamaru say that Gai-San smells of sake when he's around. And Kiba heard that Gai-San has been spotted in the lower district drinking heavily into the night the past few evenings. I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what he heard." Hinata hesitantly says.

"Wow, I never would have thought that about Gai-Sensei, but now that you've mentioned it. I have picked up a similar scent on him that I've smelled on baa-chan before, I just never knew that was the smell of sake." Naruto comments before asking.

"What do you think Kakashi-Sensei?"

"Oh I'm sure Gai's fine, nothing for you kids to worry about. Besides, I'll be seeing Gai as soon as I'm released. We made plans to get together to resolve some things that we discussed a few days ago. And I've been looking forward to that get together since then, so I'll know if anything is wrong." Kakashi replies with an evil smirk hidden under his mask.

"Ok, well Hinata and I want to go see Lee before we head off train this afternoon. I'm really glad that you're all better Kakashi-Sensei, and I can't wait to start up training again." Naruto joyfully remarks, the glee ringing in his voice.

"I’m looking forward to it as well. Now you two kids take care and don't overdue it on the training. And one more thing Naruto, I better not hear that you and Hinata have been alone at my place un-chaperoned the past few days. Do you understand? Kakashi sternly says.

"What's that suppose to mean? Like I could ever take Hinata there, not with all that perverted Icha, Icha memorabilia and books all over the place! Hinata's a lady, and I would never subject her to an environment like that!" Naruto slightly angered at Kakashi's insinuation replies.

"Well that's good to hear. By the way Naruto, I have about $100 ryo's in the top right drawer of my desk at home. I want you to use it and take Hinata out somewhere nice to eat tonight. I'm sure she's probably tired of ramen by now." Kakashi orders to his pupil.

"Man everyone always picking on ramen. What did ramen ever do to you?" Naruto grumbles in annoyance before Hinata kisses his cheek and says.

"Kakashi-San wasn't insulting ramen Naru-Kun. He was just thinking of me, and besides I know a very lovely little restaurant I've been dying to tryout, so this is very nice of Kakashi-San to offer. Thank you very much Kakashi-San, I to am very glad you are feeling better."

"Yeah, thanks Kakashi-Sensei." Naruto politely says.

"Thank you Hinata I appreciate that. And think nothing about dinner, I'm sure you've earned it helping keep Mr. Hyperactive there out of trouble." Kakashi contritely states, with mild amusement.

"Hey what's that suppose to mean?" Naruto growls in irritation before a giggle and another kiss from Hinata calms him down. As the two young Shinobi begin to leave the room, Hinata turns back to Kakashi and asks.

"Umm, Kakashi-San is there any message you would like me to give to Kurenai-Sensei?"

Kakashi pauses a moment, before shaking his head sadly and quietly says.

"No Hinata, no message."

"Oh, ok." Hinata softly replies, saddened by Kakashi's response to her question.

As Kakashi watched Naruto and Hinata exit his room, he began to wonder about what was going on with Gai? He then remembered once more that he and Gai had made plans to settle things between them as soon as he was out of the hospital. Kakashi then laid back into bed and began to stretch his arms and crack his knuckles in anticipation of that meeting.


Kiokure smiled weakly as he served another bottle of sake to his green clad customer sitting in the comer of his bar. As he hurried back to the counter, Kiokure silently wondered why a Jounin of such high caliber and reputation as Maito Gai was even in his establishment in the first place. Elite Jounin were a far cry from the usual drunks and riff-raff that he normally served to. In fact the last time an elite Jounin had come into his place, it did not bode well for Kiokure or his bar. He shuddered as he remembered that evening when Hatake Kakashi had been a patron of his business. It had taken a couple of weeks to repair the damage he and those Chunin had caused that night from their brawl. Kiokure could only hope and pray that nothing like that night would happen again. But so far, Gai Maito had bothered no one and merely sat in the comer peaceably drinking bottle after bottle of sake in silence. Kiokure was appreciative of this and thought that maybe this night would be uneventful, as he returned to wiping down the counter when the bar's front door flew open and a group of 20 Root Anbu sauntered in. The leader of this loud and unruly mob of Shinobi slammed his fist onto the counter and ordered a particular brand of sake from Kiokure. Unfortunately, that brand of sake the Anbu leader was ordering was the same brand Gai had been drinking the past several hours, and Kiokure had just sold the last bottle of that sake to Gai only moments before. When Kiokure nervously informed the Root Anbu leader of this, the man turned and glared at Gai before walking over to him and angrily asking.

"Hey are you the asshole that drank up all of my favorite sake?"

Gai barely glanced at the man as he finished another cup of sake. Without even acknowledging the Root commander, he began pouring himself another cup, before saying in an icy tone.

"If you're referring to this cheap swill, you should be thanking me for drinking it instead of you. It's flames of youth died out a long time ago."

"Flames of youth? What the Hell are you talking about? All I know is you've got some nerve drinking up our favorite sake! And because of that, I think you owe us all some compensation!" The Root leader said with a smirk.

Gai merely ignored the man as he downed another cup of sake and then poured himself another, which infuriated the Root commander even more before hissed with venom.

"Don't I know you from somewhere? I know where I've seen you before, you're one of the whorekage's Jounin aren't you?"

Gai nearly leapt out of his chair after hearing that disparaging insult about Lady Tsunade before he remembered the lecture she gave to all of the Jounin awhile back about causing trouble in civilian establishments after Kakashi's incident with the Chunin. Maintaining his composure, Gai looked towards the smirking Root Shinobi and calmly said.

"Your flames of youth are burning very hot tonight my friend to refer to Lady Tsunade in such a manner. If you don't watch yourself, they may end up burning you."

The Root commander's response to that statement was to grab a handful of Gai' s shirt and pull him up to stand face to face with him before he spat out with malevolence.

"You know I'm getting tired of listening to your crap about flames of youth. And as for the whorekage, I'll refer to that old bitch anyway I see fit. So fuck you, fuck her, and fuck your flames of youth!"

Gai's eyes narrowed upon hearing this and he brought his hand up to grasp the Root Shinobi's wrist that was still holding onto Gai's shirt and said to the man in a deadly tone of voice.

"Never insult the flames of youth in my presence, dynamic grip!"

Gai then began to squeeze the wrist he was holding and a sickening crunch was heard by everyone in the bar as the Root commander screamed in agony. The remaining Root Shinobi were about to attack Gai in defense of their comrade before Gai whirled around and through their leader into them knocking the majority of them down. As they picked themselves up off the floor, they all drew various weapons but did not attack immediately due to the substantial killing intent radiating off of the green clad Jounin keeping them momentarily at bay. Taking a moment to collect themselves, the Root Shinobi slowly advanced on Gai with murderous intent before a shout rang out for all to hear from the doorway of.

"Hold it! I get first crack at him, I owe him!" Kakashi stated with authority.

Some of the Root Anbu immediately recognized the masked Jounin and held back the others. As they all watched Kakashi walk slowly past them towards Gai, they figured who cares who kicks the crap out of that bushy brow Jounin who injured their comrade. They would just sit back, watch the show, and then finish him off afterwards.

As Kakashi stopped in front of Gai, he looked his friend square in the eyes and said.

"Gai, for what you did and said to me in the hospital, I've got one thing to say to you!"

"Thank you."

Gai smiled slightly and put his hand on Kakashi's shoulder who also returned the same gesture, and he said to his masked comrade

"Anytime my eternal rival.
"
"Well, now that that's out of the way, are you going to introduce me to your new friends?" Kakashi asked.

"They're not friends of mine Kakashi, just a pack of Danzo's dogs who had the audacity to insult the flames of youth in my presence." Gai answered while glaring at the group of Root Shinobi.

Kakashi exhaled a heavy sigh and shook his head while he to stared at the Root Anbu before stating with annoyance.

"You idiots just had to say something about the flames of youth."

At this point, the group of Root Anbu were furious and out for blood. One of them spoke up and said with hatred.

"I don't give a shit who you are Mr. copy ninja! If you don't want to get your ass kicked, I suggest you move out of the way now! We got a score to settle with that spandex wearing freak next to you!"

"Funny thing, I don't take orders from a little pissant like you! And if you have a problem with my friend over here, then you also have a problem with me." Kakashi announces with conviction.

"Big fucking deal! There are 19 of us and only two of you! What do you have to say about that?" Another Root Shinobi said with a sneer.

"I only have one thing to say about that." Kakashi calmly replied.

"What's that?" The man asked.

"You should have brought more men." Kakashi answered before he and Gai look to one another and then back towards the Root Anbu, as they both shout in unison.

"Dynamic entry!"

At that moment both Kakashi and Gai leapt into the group of startled Root Anbu and began to systematically take them apart piece by piece. Kiokure who had been in the far corner of his bar with his arms covering his head looked on in disbelief at the melee. All he could see were the bodies of the Root Anbu flying in every direction and brief glimpses of green and silver blurs racing around the room. And while his eyes attempted to focus in on what was happening, his ears were greeted with the sounds of bones breaking and the screams of pain coming from the Root Anbu members. Closing his eyes and covering his ears to try and block the horrendous sounds he was hearing, Kiokure prayed to Kami for all of this to end, when suddenly everything stopped and he heard nothing more. Hesitantly opening his eyes, all Kiokure could see were unconscious Root Shinobi strewn about all over his bar. Most of them had one or two of their limbs contorted at various angles, which looked painful to even look at, let alone experience. Kiokure then saw Gai and Kakashi at his counter without a scratch on either one of them, laughing about something as they rifled through several wallets they had collected. Kiokure nervously approached the two Jounin, before Kakashi spotted him and handed the timid owner a wad of money and politely said.

"Ah, my good inn keeper. I must apologize once again for the damages your establishment has suffered once more due to my activities. Please take this as compensation for your troubles and repairs. And if there is anything either my comrade or myself can do for you in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Th, there's one thing y, you both c, can do." Kiokure stammered in fright.

"What's that my good man?" Gai asked.

"PI, please don't come here anymore, either one of y, you." Kiokure softly answered.

Kakashi was about to say something when both he and Gai felt several strong chakra signatures heading their way. They looked at one another a moment before Gai states.

"Anbu."

"Yeah, real ones this time, we need to go." Kakashi replies.

"Yes, let us take our flames of youth elsewhere. But we shall need additional refreshments to celebrate the fires that burn within us properly! Come Kakashi, let us show this village what it means to embrace the flames of our youth, yosh!" Gai exclaimed, as he grabbed several more bottles of sake and started heading towards the backdoor.

Kakashi heard his friend's declaration, saw Gai grab the additional sake, and sighed before he gave the remaining money he had to Kiokure. He then grabbed a couple more bottles of sake for himself, and quickly followed Gai out the backdoor and into the night. About 30 seconds later, a contingent of six Konoha Anbu arrived at the bar and surveyed the devastation around them. The Anbu officer in charge approached the owner and jokingly asked what tornado went through his place to cause so much destruction. Kiokure, still clutching all the money Kakashi had given him, looked up to the officer in a daze, before collapsing to the floor in a nervous breakdown while mumbling.

"Two, two tornadoes, one was green and one was silver. Ple, please, don't let the tornadoes come here anymore. I beg you, no more tornadoes; I can't take any more tornadoes. Please keep the tornadoes away. No more tornadoes, no more."

The Anbu officer watched as his medic attempted to help the incoherent bar owner and wondered to himself what the man meant by green and silver tornadoes?

Several hours later, the aforementioned tornadoes landed atop of Hokage mountain drunk off their Asses and giggling like schoolboys. They had just narrowly escaped the wrath of two of the more deadly kunoichi's of the village in one Anko Mitarashi and Yugao whom Kakashi had spotted going into the Konoha Hot Springs. Surprisingly, when Kakashi had suggested to Gai that they take a little peek at their fellow female Jounin in all their glory, the Taijutsu Master didn't object. Unfortunately, Gai had never peeped before in his life and when got one look at the two lovely ladies he immediately fainted due to blood loss. However, when Gai collapsed he accidentally crashed into the fence they were peeking through, alerting the two kunoichi of their uninvited audience. It was all Kakashi could do to escape with Gai on his shoulder while dodging kunai's, shurikens, and snakes thrown at them by the two very angry kunoichi's. Fortunately, Kakashi was reasonably sure neither Anko nor Yugao had gotten a good look at them before the two drunken Jounin had retreated back into the night. As their giggling slowly subsided, it was Gai who finally stated with a smile.

"That is still a most un-youthful thing to do, but I have to admit, it was also a lot of fun."

Kakashi stared at his friend in wonderment. It had been fun hanging out with Gai on this night, more fun than Kakashi had ever expected. But Kakashi knew this behavior wasn’t normal from his comrade and as much as Kakashi would have liked to continue this festive evening, he knew he had to find out what was wrong with Gai.

"Gai, this isn't like you. What's going on?" Kakashi asks.

"What do you mean? There's nothing going on. I'm merely enjoying the flames of my youth and have discovered that sake enhances that enjoyment even more." Gai exclaims before taking another swig of sake.

"Well that's true Gai. Alcohol in moderate amounts can enhance one's enjoyment at times. But the amounts I've seen and heard about you drinking the past few days leads me to believe you aren't trying to enjoy the flames of youth, but rather dull the pain of what's bothering you." Kakashi calmly states.

"Ha, ha, my eternal rival, why are you so serious all of a sudden? There's nothing bothering me. My flames of youth are burning just as brightly as ever!" Gai announces before he lifts his sake bottle to his lips to take another drink. As Kakashi watches him finish off the bottle of sake, he takes a deep breath before saying.

"I know what happened to Lee."

The next sound heard was the empty bottle of sake Gai had been holding shattering on the ground as Gai glared daggers at Kakashi and released some killing intent. Kakashi for his part stood silently by; standing firm against the intent he was being bombarded with. After a few tense moments, the killing intent began to subside and Gai sat down and opened another bottle of sake before replying in a voice tinged with pain.

"If you know what happened to Lee, then you should know better than to mention his name to me, he is no longer my student."

"That's disappointing to hear Gai, especially from you. I never would have expected you to cast aside a student so callously over a mistake the boy made." Kakashi says with disgust.

"Mistake! Mistake! If you know what happened how can you even call that a mistake! Gai fires back in a rage, as he bolts up from the ground to face his masked rival.

"Because it was a mistake Gai. A mistake I'm sure the boy deeply regrets. And it's going to take some time for Lee to recover from it. But you shunning the boy over it isn't going to help him do that. Quite frankly Gai, your actions in regards to Lee the past few days are very un-youthful as well as insulting of being his Sensei." Kakashi states.

"You're one to talk after seeing your un-youthful actions in regards to Naruto!" Gai replies with a spiteful voice.

"You're right Gai. My past un-youthful actions with Naruto do leave me little room to judge another Sensei's treatment of their student. But then who better than I to point out when I see a friend neglecting their student when they need you the most, as I once did with my own." Kakashi says with regret.

Gai continued to glare at Kakashi for a moment before he slumps back to the ground and says with resignation.

"Perhaps what you say is correct my eternal rival. I just don't know anymore? I never in my wildest imagination believed a pupil of mine could disregard the flames of their youth in such a manner. For Lee to have done this, it's obvious that I am nothing more than a failure as a Sensei. He doesn't need me."

"You're wrong Gai, Lee needs you now more than ever. He's hurting right now and knowing how close the two of you are, he probably thinks you hate him because of what he did." Kakashi states, to his green clad comrade.

"Hate, I could never hate that kid. I care about that boy as if he were my own son. But, I am hurt and disappointed and that's something I never thought I would be with him." Gai replies with defeat.

"Well Gai you need to swallow your hurt and disappointment and focus on what's truly important, and that's Lee. He's not perfect, and neither are you for that matter. But he needs to know that you still believe in him if he's going to get through this ordeal. So, suck it up and forget about what you're feeling. That's nothing more than your wounded pride showing. It's your duty as a Sensei to teach, help, and support your student at all times both good and bad. And to do otherwise would be most un-youthful of you and your flames of youth." Kakashi announces with authority.

"I don't know Kakashi? I essentially abandoned Lee after this happened and I haven't been back to see him since. He may no longer even wish to see me, and I don't blame him one bit. My reaction and subsequent behavior these past few days were most un-youthful towards him. I can't even forgive myself for what I've done, why should I expect him to?" Gai openly questions.

"I don't know Gai, but I have faith he will. Lee is like Naruto in that aspect, and if Naruto can forgive my past transgressions and accept me back into his life both as a teacher and a friend. Then I'm sure Lee will forgive your lone transgression and accept you back into his life." Kakashi says with confidence.

"I hope you're correct my eternal rival, I really do." Gai somberly replies.

"Well, there's only one way to find out. Get up Gai, it's time to go see Lee." Kakashi orders to his comrade.

“But it’s nearly midnight, the visiting hours are long passed being open.” Gai says with concern.

“Gai, with everything we’ve done tonight, if the one thing we get in trouble for is visiting a patient after hours, we should be so lucky.” Kakashi replies in amusement before he kneels down and helps Gai to his feet, and they nod to one another before both of them disappear in a swirl of leaves towards the hospital.


Naruto could see the Chunin guard standing outside of Rock Lee's hospital room, as he peered through the crack of the doorway of the medical supply closet he was hiding in. It was after midnight and most of the hospital staff had gone home, so it hadn't posed a problem for Naruto to sneak in to visit Lee. However, the Chunin guard did present an obstacle, and Naruto knew he had to think of a way to get rid of him so he could see his friend. Looking around, he spied a hospital cart full of medical supplies near where the Chunin was stationed, and after a moment of contemplation, an idea sprang forth that would make Jiraiya proud. Naruto quietly created a shadow clone and then combined his Sexy no jutsu to it creating a very lovely young girl in a revealing nurse uniform. He instructed the clone to retrieve the cart of medical supplies from down the hallway before stopping and asking in a sexy voice if the Chunin could help her put those supplies away in the closet he was hiding in. Naruto smirked as he watched his clone shamelessly flirt with the Chunin who quickly agreed to help the young nurse and followed closely behind her as they headed towards the closet he was in. If the Chunin was expecting to have a fun time in the closet with the nurse, he was going to be very disappointed Naruto thought to himself, as he prepared for the guard's arrival. Upon entering the darkened closet, the nurse clone disappeared in a puff a smoke confusing the Chunin guard before a blow to the back of the man's head ended his confusion at that moment. Naruto quickly gagged and hog-tied the unconscious guard before throwing a sheet over the man to cover him. Peeking outside the closet, Naruto saw no one else was around and he quickly made his way to Lee's room before quietly entering.

Lee heard the creak of his hospital door opening and the light from the outer hallway shone on his face momentarily before he called out and asks.

"Who's there?"

Suddenly the lamp on his bedside table snapped on and Lee could see Naruto sitting by his bed with a grin on his face. After the initial shock subsided, Lee stammered to his friend.

"Nar, Naruto how did you get in here? I'm not allowed any visitors, what happened to the guard outside my room?"

"Oh him, he's umm indisposed at the moment." Naruto replied with a smirk.

Lee noticed the smirk on Naruto's face and knew he must have done something to the guard to get in there. Closing his eyes and shaking his head Lee said in a very despondent voice.

"You shouldn't have done whatever you did to the guard Naruto. You could get into a lot of trouble, you shouldn't even be here."

"Bah, the guy was only a Chunin, and I'm not about to let some Chunin keep me from visiting one of my friends." Naruto stated with zeal.

Lee looked over to Naruto and smiled slightly at him. If there was one trait Lee greatly admired about his comrade was Naruto's tenacity to accomplish whatever task was set before him regardless of the possible consequences. Lee didn't want his friend to get into trouble because of this and said with regret.

"I appreciate that Naruto, but you should go. I don't want you to get into trouble because of me, I'm not worth it."

"What do you mean you're not worth it? Of course you are, why would you say something like that? What's going on Lee? Why can't you have visitors and why is there a guard on your room?" Naruto asked, the concern evident in his voice as he peppered Lee with questions.

"I, I don't want to talk about it, just go Naruto" Lee answered.

"Well I'm not going anywhere until I find out what's going on? So you might as well tell me Lee because I'm not budging!" Naruto replied in defiance, as he gripped Lee's arm before he felt something attached to Lee's arm underneath the covers.

Quickly standing up and letting go of his friend's arm, Naruto looked over to Lee who said nothing and merely stared off into space. Naruto slowly pulled the bed cover back to reveal a large leather strap wrapped around Lee's wrist and tied off onto the bed frame. Naruto pulled the covers back a little more and saw that Lee's legs were bound in the same manner. Naruto dropped the bedcover and stammered in confusion.

"Wha, what's going on Lee? Wh, why are you tied down to your bed?"

Lee turned his head away from Naruto as a single tear rolled down his cheek and he answers in a monotone voice.

"Its standard hospital procedure to physically immobilize a patient who has attempted suicide Naruto."

Upon hearing this Naruto stared wide-eyed at Lee in muted shock, his mouth agape as if trying to say something but unable to utter sound. Finally he fell backwards into his chair in a heap, his face a bearing a look of confusion as he looked at his friend in disbelief. Lee saw the look on Naruto's face and inwardly sighed, as he had seen that same look on the faces of Gai, Tsunade, and Shizune when he had been revived from his attempt. However, Lee mistook this look as one of disgust, as he unknowingly projected his own feelings about himself and what he had done onto others. Seeing that Naruto was trying to speak, Lee said to his stunned comrade in a voice filled with resignation.

"It's alright Naruto you don't have to say anything. I know you're as disgusted with me as Gai Sensei and everyone else who knows about what I tried to do. I thank you for visiting me tonight, but I'm sure you don't want to see me anymore after this, and I don't blame you at all. I wouldn't want to associate my self with a coward anymore than you do."

Naruto continued to stare at Lee before finally blinking as if to signify he had finally absorbed everything his friend had just said, and in a calm and caring voice asked.

"Why do you think you're a coward Lee, I don't? And I'm not disgusted with you either. You're my friend and I'm just glad you're ok."

This was not the response Lee was expecting from Naruto. In fact, Lee suddenly found himself growing quite angry with his comrade for not reacting the way Lee thought he should to the news and shouted at Naruto with vigor.

"How can you ask me that? Of course I'm a coward! I purposely tried to extinguish the flames of my youth! How can you just sit there and tell me you aren't disgusted about what I did?"

Naruto didn't flinch as Lee suddenly began shouting at him, and in the same calm and caring voice replies.

"Well I'm not disgusted with you and you aren't a coward. I've always considered you one of the bravest guys I know, and what you tried to do doesn't change that whatsoever as far as I'm concerned."

Lee looked at Naruto in complete confusion. He couldn't understand why Naruto would still feel that way about him after knowing what he did. Shaking his head in frustration, Lee says in a subdued voice.

"You are a fool then Naruto and I don't understand you at all? What I tried to do proves I'm nothing more than weak willed coward. How can you not see this?"

"Well if you're a coward because of this, then I guess I'm a coward too about a dozens times over." Naruto replied while looking down in morose tone of voice.

"What are you talking about?" Lee asks in confusion.

"Do you think you're the only person in this room who has tried to kill himself?" Naruto quietly stated, as he continued to stare at the ground.

Lee was shocked to hear this revelation from Naruto and was at a loss for words for a moment before he finally spoke and said.

''I'm sorry Naruto, you are not the fool, I am. I had no idea. Perhaps you are someone who can help me understand why I tried to end my life."

"Of course I understand Lee. You were in a lot of pain and you wanted to make the pain go away."

Lee chuckled a little bit upon hearing this and asked his orange clad friend.

"Is it really just that simple?"

"Yeah pretty much. Oh sure the doctors will shoot all sorts of fancy big words and psychological theories to you about why you did it. But in the end, it all comes down you wanting to make the pain stop. And that's something I understand all too well." Naruto replied, as he stood up and adjusted Lee's pillow.

"I don't understand Naruto? The flames of your youth always burned so brightly. Why did you try to end your life?"

"Not try, but tried, several times actually over the past few years. But that damn fox inside of me kept healing me before the death that I welcomed could ever claim me." Naruto answered as he slumped back down into his chair.

"How, how many times did you try Naruto?" Lee stammered.

"I don't know Lee, at least a dozen times, probably more. I can't really remember?

''I'm sorry Naruto, I never knew. You always seemed so happy and care free in your life. I never would have suspected that you were hurting that much on the inside." Lee states with remorse.

"There's no reason to apologize Lee for not knowing. Only the Hokage and a few other people knew. As for my happy attitude, it was just an emotional mask I wore for years. I mean if I didn't, then the few people who did acknowledge me probably would go away if they knew how much I was actually hurting." Naruto replied.

"But you don't feel that way anymore?" Lee asks.

"Not as much as I used to, not since I found Hinata. I mean it still hurts that so many people in the village hate me and treat me badly because of the fox. But so long as I've got Hinata to care about me and give me strength and support along friends like you. I realized that it doesn't matter what the rest of the village thinks of me. The only thing that matters is the people that I consider precious. And I'll do everything in my power to help and protect those people, believe it" Naruto announces with authority.

"That is a very positive and benevolent attitude you have towards life Naruto, I commend you for it. I believe that is why your flames of youth are strong. But I don't have someone special like Hinata in my life to care for me and give me such strength and alas I fear I never will. And the few precious people I had in my life, now hate me for what I tried to do." Lee states with a heavy heart.

"That's not true Lee, you have a lot of people who care about you, Tenten, Neji, Gai-San and I can't imagine any of them hating you because of this." Naruto replies

'Well you would be wrong Naruto. Both Neji and Tenten couldn't even be in the same room with me when I told them earlier today what I had done. And as for Gai-Sensei I, I, - - -." Lee states before his voice choked up about Gai.

"What about Gai-San Lee? Surely you don't think he hates you because of this. He cares so much about you, there is no way he would ever hate you about anything."

"But he does, and I don't blame him. I willingly chose to end my life and snuff out the flames of my youth. I went against everything he has ever taught me about life by attempting such an act. The look of disappointment on his face when I regained consciousness was a look I had never seen before and when I called out to him, all he could do was walk out of this room without saying a word, and he hasn't been back."

"He'll be back Lee. I'm sure he was just upset about what happened and didn't know what to say to you. As soon as he calms down you'll be seeing him again in no time. The bond you two have with one another is way too strong to be ended by this." Naruto reassures his friend.

"I hope you are right Naruto, I really do. But you wouldn't understand. The pain and disappointment I saw on his face as he looked at me. I know what I did is something he could never forgive. I hope you never have to experience the pain of knowing that your Sensei feels nothing but contempt for you." Lee laments in a mournful tone.

Naruto stared at Lee with an incredulous look on his face before he angrily says.

"I wouldn't understand, are you kidding me Lee? The look of disappointment and feelings of contempt you speak of is all I ever received from Kakashi-Sensei when Team #7 existed. You sit there and moan about Gai-San being hurt by what you did, and you're probably right. But you know if he is hurt by it, it's because he cares about you enough to be hurt. I never saw any pained expressions on Kakashi-Sensei' s face towards me over anything I did, because he didn't care what I did! So don't sit there and say to me I wouldn't understand the pain of knowing my Sensei feels nothing but contempt for me. Contempt is only reaction I ever got from Kakashi-Sensei."

"Naruto, I, I, - - -." Lee nervously stammered.

Naruto heard the apprehension in Lee's voice, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before softly saying.

''I'm sorry Lee. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just being here at the hospital and learning what happened to you and what's going on between you and Gai-San brought back the memory of the last time I attempted suicide."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lee asks.

"There isn't a whole lot to say. It was right after Ero-Sennin and I brought back Tsunade to become the fifth Hokage. When we arrived back to the village, I took her over to the hospital to heal Sasuke and Kakashi-Sensei. Back then, 1 still stupidly believed that Sasuke was my friend and brother. I foolishly thought that once they both were revived and heard about my mission to retrieve Tsunade, I would gain Sasuke's respect and Kakashi-Sensei would finally acknowledge me with pride instead of disdain. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong about that if I had tried." Naruto solemnly states.

"What happened?" Lee asks.

"When Sasuke woke up and heard about what I did, he didn't respect me for it. All he wanted to do was fight me and prove he was still the top dog of the Rookie Nine class. I didn't want to fight, but he kept on pushing me and pushing me and finally I said yes and we went to the rooftop. The fight was intense but we were evenly matched which pissed Sasuke off even more. He then charged up a Chidori, Kakashi-Sensei' s signature jutsu. A jutsu by the way he never bothered to teach me. But anyway, Sasuke came at me with the Chidori so I created a Rasengan to counter it. Just as we were about to collide, Kakashi-Sensei appeared between us and deflected both attacks away. I remember, I was actually excited when I saw him, I thought he would be so proud that I was able to learn an A ranked jutsu. That day would finally be the day he would praise me for my efforts. Well, he didn't praise me but admonish me for using such a deadly technique against a teammate. Never mind that Sasuke attempted to use a similar deadly technique against me first, I was the one at fault in his eyes, never Sasuke, never his most favored pupil."

Naruto took a deep breath before continuing as Lee listened intently.

"So I went home after that with Sensei's disapproval of me still ringing in my ears. When I got there, I found someone had broken into my apartment once more and trashed everything I had. I guess that was the straw that broke my back that day. I don't really even remember drinking the gallon of cleaning fluid I had. I just remember thinking that no matter what I did I would always be hated and I would never gain the respect and admiration of my teammates or my teacher, or of anyone, so what was the point of continuing on. But, it was a futile effort on my part as the Kyuubi kept me alive once again. I remember I woke up in the hospital; apparently Iruka-Sensei had found me unconscious and covered in blood and vomit and rushed me here. I was pretty much healed by the next day, but baa-chan wanted to keep me there one more day to make sure I was ok. While I was there, I happened to look out my window and see Kakashi-Sensei, Sasuke and Sakura trailing behind them coming towards the hospital. For a moment I actually believed they were coming to visit and that they did care about me. Well, that belief was quickly put to rest as I saw them approach the hospital and then continue on by it, heading for the training grounds, forgetting I even exist once again. So there you have it Lee, another wonderful story about my time with Team #7 and Kakashi-Sensei. I have a bunch more similar tales, but I don't feel like talking about them anymore right now."

Both Naruto and Lee remained silent for several minutes before Lee spoke and said.

''I'm sorry Naruto, I didn't mean for you to relive such a painful memory."

"It's alright Lee, I actually feel a little bit better getting that off my chest." Naruto replied, as he rose from his chair and took a kunai out and began to cut the straps holding Lee down. This action surprised Lee who stammered.

“What, what are you doing Naruto?”

“What does it look like I’m doing bushy-brow, I’m cutting you loose from these straps. I mean it’s not like you’re going to try and off yourself again are you?” Naruto replied.

No Naruto, I’m not. I feel so much guilt and regret over what I attempted, I could never do it again. You have my word.”

“That’s good enough for me!” Naruto says as he cuts through the final strap freeing Lee from his bed-ridden confinement. Naruto answers.

Lee stares at Naruto a moment while he rubs his wrist for circulation and is grateful for the trust his friend was showing in him. Reflecting upon what Naruto has shared with him the past few minutes, Lee commented with a hint of disgust in his voice.

"I can't believe how poorly you were treated by Kakashi-San and your teammates. Gai-Sensei has always spoken about his eternal rival in such high regard. It's hard to imagine Kakashi-San ever acting like that towards you, especially after seeing the two of you get along so well the past few months."

"Well Kakashi-Sensei and I had a long talk about a lot of things after he brought me back from the Sasuke retrieval mission. He said to me that he knows he made a lot of mistakes with Team #7 and especially with me. But he promised that was going to change and become the teacher and friend he should have been to me in the past and so far he's kept that promise, but sometimes I do wonder."

"You doubt his sincerity." Lee asks.

"No, I believe Kakashi-Sensei is sincere about that. I just wonder if his prized pupil Uchiha hadn't deserted the village and I wasn't the fourth's son, would he still be trying to forge a relationship with me? Or would I still be cast aside in favor of the teme? I don't want to be a replacement for Sasuke, and I don't want to suddenly matter to him because he's learned I am the last living legacy of his Sensei either. You want to know what's funny Lee. For the longest time I was jealous of you and the bond you and Gai-had with one another. And now that I feel like I’m beginning to have a similar one with Kakashi-Sensei, it's not the sincerity of his promise that I doubt, but his reasons behind it I sometimes question to myself." Naruto replies stoically.

"I wish I had an answer for you on that question Naruto. I guess all you can do is have faith that Kakashi-San is doing this for the reasons he gave, and not out of a sense of loss for the Uchiha or guilt for the neglect he gave to his Sensei's son." Lee states to his friend.

"Yeah you're right Lee, I guess I just have to have faith in Kakashi-Sensei and try to forget about the past. Thanks bushy-brow, I hadn't thought of it like that before. Naruto said.

"You are most welcome my friend. I wish both you and Kakashi-San well in your endeavors to forge a bond with one another as strong as the bond I once had with GaiLee replies with a touch of regret.

"You still have that bond with Gai-Sensei Lee."

"I don't think so Naruto, not after what I did. I'm afraid my time with Gai-Sensei has ended, and I don't think I'll be seeing him anymore. " Lee states with regret.

"Why is that Lee? Are you planning on going somewhere?" Came a reply from the doorway startling both Lee and Naruto, as they looked over and saw Gai standing there with Kakashi behind him.

G, G, Gai-Sensei! Wh, wh, why are you here? Lee stammers.

"What do you mean why am I here? I'm here to see how my most youthful student is doing." Gai answers with zeal.

"I, I, thank you Gai-Sensei, your visit is appreciated very much, but you need not have come. I know my most recent actions have brought shame to you and everything you stand for, and I most humbly apologize for that. I've insulted not only you, but also the very flames of youth themselves. A great man such as you should not have to associate with someone as weak and cowardly as myself. I shall tender my resignation from your squad at once, and you need not ever deal with me anymore." Lee says with sorrow and contrition.

Gai merely shakes his head sadly and walks over to Lee as Naruto vacates the chair he was in to allow Gai to sit and speak to his student. Naruto moves over to Kakashi and they nod to one another in greeting before Gai exhales a deep sigh and says with remorse.

"Lee, you have nothing to apologize for and you have not shamed me. I'm the one who owes you an apology for not seeing the pain and anguish you were experiencing more closely, and how it was affecting the flames of your youth. And the only shame I feel is in myself. I am ashamed of my response to your cry for help, and in my failure to you not only as a teacher, but also more importantly as your friend. I'm sorry Lee and I hope you can forgive me, because upon the flames of youth I shall never fail you again, this I swear yosh!" Gai exclaims.

Both Lee and Gai looked at one another with tears in their eyes before each one said in unison.

"Lee!"

"Gai-Sensei!"

The two Shinobi then embraced into a fierce hug as an image of the sun setting and waves crashing upon the shore appeared behind them. Both Naruto and Kakashi had their eyes screwed shut and both were shouting "kai" and attempting to release the Genjutsu, but to no avail. Naruto then said to Kakashi in a voice tinged with fright and filled with confusion.

"Oh Kami, I can still see it even with my eyes closed! What's going on Kakashi-Sensei? What kind of Genjutsu is this? Why won't it release?"

"Nobody knows Naruto. I heard even Kurenai has been unable to dispel this Genjutsu. Just try to ride it out, it should be over soon." Kakashi answers with frustration.

Kakashi's words seemed prophetic, for as soon as Gai and Lee released their embrace, the image behind them disappears. Both Naruto and Kakashi exhale a sigh of relief before the silver haired Jounin says to his pupil.

"Come on Naruto, let's get out of here. These two have a lot to talk about."

"Ok, but before I go, Lee you haven't smiled once since I've been here and I kind of miss seeing it. Can you give me one trademark Rock Lee smile before I go?" Naruto asks.

"I'm sorry Naruto but I haven't smiled like that in months, not since I sustained my injuries at the Chunin exams. I don't think that smile even exists within me anymore?" Lee states with sadness.

"It's still there Lee, in fact I'll make a bet with you. I'll bet you lunch at Ichiraku's that I can get you to smile like that again when the sun comes up, and I won't have to say a word or even be here to do it." Naruto replies with confidence.

Lee looked at the confident face of his friend and then looked to both Gai and Kakashi who both shrugged their shoulders before Lee turned back to Naruto and said.

"Alright Naruto, I'll accept your wager. But I do not believe you shall be successful, especially with the obstacles you've placed upon it."

"You let me worry about that Lee. When the sun comes up in the morning, you just look out your window towards the village and Hokage Mountain, ok." Naruto answers.

"Agreed, and Naruto I want to thank you for coming here tonight, it meant a lot and I'm proud to be able to call you a friend." Lee says with gratitude.

"Me to bushy-brow, me to. I'll see you around. Naruto replies with a grin and a wave of hand before striding out the door followed by Kakashi.

When Naruto and Kakashi exited the hospital, Naruto announced with a smirk as he began to walk away.

"Well guess I better get started on Operation get Lee to smile. If I can pull it off, they'll be talking about this prank for years. I'll see you later Kakashi-Sensei. If you're feeling well enough, maybe we could get some training in later on?"

"Naruto wait!" Kakashi called out to his departing student.

Naruto stopped and turned around before stomping back and saying with slight annoyance.

"Come on Kakashi Sensei, you're not going to tell me not to do this are you? I made a promise to bushy-brow and I never go back on my word, believe it!"

"N, no Naruto, I wasn't going to tell you not to do it. I was just wondering if I could help?" Kakashi asks while looking sheepishly towards the ground.

Needless to say, Naruto was utterly shocked at his teacher's request to help him do a prank. Shaking his head momentarily in disbelief, he answers back stammering.

"You, you, really mean it? You, you really want to help me Kakashi-Sensei? You could get into a lot of trouble because of it if were caught."

"Yes Naruto I would very much like to help if you'll allow me to? I don't care about any trouble that may arise because of it. I know you're doing this to help make Lee feel better, and some things are were the risk of trouble if you're doing it for the right reason like you are." Kakashi says with conviction.

''Thanks Kakashi-Sensei, I'd love to have you help me. But first I ought to tell you what I have planned, after you hear it, you might want to change your mind? Naruto says before whispering into Kakashi's ear his plan. After hearing what Naruto has in mind, Kakashi chuckles before he says in all seriousness.

“You know if we are caught Naruto, Tsunade’s going to skin us alive.”

“Yeah, this will probably send baa-chan over the edge, but it will be worth it to help Lee smile and laugh again.” Naruto calmly states with determination.

“Well, we better get started. We have a lot of work to do before sunrise.” Kakashi remarks.

“Hai” Naruto replies before he and Kakashi leap away into the night.


As the dawn broke over the Leaf village announcing the start of a new day, the light shone through the window of Rock Lee's room onto the young Shinobi's face awakening the young man. Rubbing his eyes to fully awaken, he looked over to the side to see his· Sensei peacefully asleep in a chair. It was then that the memories of the night before filled his thoughts. He and Gai had spoken about many things into the wee hours of the morning before sleep claimed them both. However the lack of sleep had been worth it, as he and Gai had renewed their bond with one another even stronger than it had been before after having their heartfelt discussions throughout the night. Lee had Naruto to thank in helping to repair the bond he had with Gai-Sensei he thought to himself before he remembered the wager he had accepted from his friend.

Looking around, Lee spied his crutch leaning against the wall a few feet from his bed. Stretching out to grab the crutch, Lee found it was just out of his reach. Straining even more in his attempt to retrieve it, Lee began to fall out of his bed before an arm shot forth and propped him up. Lee looked up to the smiling face of Gai who reached over and grabbed the crutch before handing it to Lee and helping him out of bed. The green clad Jounin and his student made their way over to the window to gaze upon Hokage Mountain as per Naruto's instructions. When they got there and looked upon the great monument, their jaws literally dropped in stunned amazement.

For you see the stone artisans of Konoha had begun to carve Lady Tsunade's face into Hokage Mountain signifying her place as the 5th Hokage a few months ago. The work had progressed rapidly, and the artisans had completed the eyes, nose, and lips of the Hokage with great detail. The monument still had much to be done before it was completed, but it was far enough along that one could see the facial features of Tsunade quite clearly even though the ears, hair, and the depth of the statue still needed to be carved out. However, on this morning Tsunade did have hair. Jet-black hair as a matter of fact painted into a very unique bowl cut style that before today had only been seen on two citizens of Konoha previously. Tsunade's monument also sported two very thick eyebrows of the same color on this morning as well. And for the final touch of alterations to Tsunade's face, a pop-up bubble came from the mouth as if the Hokage was saying something. Inside said bubble in gigantic bold letters was the phrase.

"MAY THE FLAMES OF YOUTH BURN BRIGHTLY WITHIN YOU ALL!"

Taking a moment to register what they were seeing, both Lee and Gai spied two figures standing atop the 4th Hokages monument. One figured appeared to be dressed in orange and was jumping up and down while waving in the direction of the hospital. The other figure while slightly taller was dressed in green and black was also waving in the same direction. Almost simultaneously, both Lee and Gai began to snicker before they both in unison flashed their trademark smiles and the sun reflected off their teeth, alerting the two painters atop the monument that their artistic efforts had been a success. Lee and Gai took one more look at the mountain before the two of them erupted into hysterical laughter as they both dropped to the floor in a giggling heap. Their laughter was so boisterous and loud that Shizune had come rushing into the room to see what was going on. Seeing the two Shinobi on the ground laughing so hard they had tears coming out of their eyes, Shizune wondered what could have caused this before she looked out the window and her eyes grew as wide as dinner plates. She suddenly found herself laughing at what she saw before the realization hit her of who could have done this. Turning around and sprinting out of the room, Shizune began to race towards Hokage Tower. The only thought going through her mind as she ran was.

'Naruto, Tsunade may kill you for this!'

Meanwhile, Tsunade awoke and stretched her arms above her head before she groggily arose from her bed and made her way to get a cup of coffee. Pouring herself a freshly brewed cup into a stainless steel goblet, she topped it off with a touch of sake before walking out onto her balcony to gaze upon the village, as was her morning ritual. Upon stepping out onto the balcony, she began to take a drink before her eyes fell upon Hokage Mountain and she immediately spit the liquid out in absolute shock at what she beheld. Staring at her beautifully carved face in abject horror, as her eyebrow twitched and she gritted her teeth. Tsunade crushed the goblet in her hand before taking a deep breath and shouting so loud that Gaara probably heard it in Suna, the name of the individual she was sure had done this.

"NARUTO!"


Authors Note: So the mystery of what happened to Lee has been revealed. I have to admit, the number of readers through the reviews and PM’s surprised me, who were anxious to learn of what had happened. I hadn’t really intended on this being a major focal point for the overall story, just one of the many side-stories that fill this tale. But I’m glad to see there are a lot of Rock Lee fans out there, (myself included) who like his character. So I didn’t want to drag his story out of what had happened over several chapters. Hence, the extended length of the chapter, which I hope, doesn’t turn a lot of you fans off from the story. As I was telling a writer/colleague of mine, when I sit down to write a chapter, I never say to myself “ok I’m going to make this 7,000 words in length.” I just start writing until I reach the ending that I had envisioned for that chapter. So, I was more surprised than anyone when I saw final tally of length. But as I said, I didn’t want to drag Lee’s story out over 2 or 3 chapters. So you get it all in this one. I hope everyone enjoys it; I realize it does focus on a depressing subject, but I did try to incorporate a little bit of humor in at places. As well as trying to slightly advance other side-stories still going on. But I guess I will find out from your reviews if I succeeded or not? Once again, thanks to everyone who took the time to review this story. I know it sounds corny, but reviews are the motivation that helps keep a writer going on. And right now I need all the motivation I can get. As always, if anyone wants to discuss the story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with the readers who really have an interest in it. I’ll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can.

Thanks again to everyone, and take it easy!

Kingkakashi