Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Photograph ❯ Replay ( Chapter 21 )

Theme #21: violence

 

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It was pouring. The sky had simply opened up and water fell in sheets. The clouds hung so low that it felt like someone could reach up and touch them. From the top of the Hokage monument, the hidden village was nothing more then a few flickering lights. It felt like even those stubborn pin points could be submerged at any moment.

 

The hospital was still brightly lit. Lee's eyes stayed locked on that one building as though he could see the critically injured patient through the rain and plaster separating them.

 

`I failed him.'

 

He ground his bandage covered hands against his temples, trying to stop the endless loop in his mind. Again, he saw the arena. The genin from Mist, a genius, flashed through the seals and launched an attack of ice against the Suna genin Hideaki. The sand-nin dodged most of the attack, but he took a hit. The ice went straight through his shoulder, pinning him to the ground. A second attack punched through his hip. He was trapped and unconscious. The fight was over.

 

In the dark, overlooking the sleeping village, Lee squeezed his eyes shut. He did not want to see this anymore. He did not want to see the smile on the face of that genius. He did not want to see Hideaki's blood pooling on the arena floor. He did not want to see the hand seals that signaled yet another attack. Evidently, just winning was not enough for this genin.

 

Pain still rippled through Lee's muscles. He shifted a bit, trying to ease some of his aches even though he felt he deserved the pain. If he had worked harder and taught his students more, Hideaki would have been able to read that attack. He would have known that the ice would have a harder time following bending lines. He would not have been pinned down, helpless, while that genin tried to kill him.

 

Lee barely remembered leaping down from the balcony or ripping a gate open. There were vague images of shattering ice and defending his injured student. When the smoke cleared, he was standing between the genius and the downed sand-nin. The Mist shinobi could have the win, but Lee would not let him have Hideaki's life.

 

The rain camouflaged the tears that ran down Lee's face. `How could I have failed him? I know how to fight an ice attack. Why did I not show him? How could I have let him go into that fight without making sure he was ready for anything the five countries could throw at him? Of course he has never seen an ice based attack before. I should have shown him. This is my fault.'

 

Thunder rumbled across the sky, and Lee buried his head in his arms. `I am so sorry, Hideaki-san. I did not mean to disappoint you, Gai-sensei.'

 

Nightmares that had not bothered him in years were hissing at the edges of his mind. Ten years ago. The same arena, facing off against a genius that was not satisfied with just winning. Blood pooling on the floor. His dreams crashing down around him. Screams and insane laughter.

 

“Lee.”

 

Caught in a nightmare, the soft swirl of sand and the monotone voice sent the jounin into a panic. He leapt to his feet, a kunai flying through the air even as he dropped into his perfect stance.

 

Standing in the rain, Gaara stared at him. His hand brushed against his cheek, coming away red. A small cut leaked blood down his face. As usual, it was a struggle for the sand to keep up with Rock Lee, and the unexpected attack had not been completely stopped.

 

“Gaara-kun?” Between the cold rain, blood, and dark memories, Lee started to shake. “Oh, gods. I did not mean . . . “

 

Gaara studied his own hand as the rain washed the blood from his fingers. There was a long pause before he looked up to Lee. “You are shaking.”

 

“I . . . “ Lee dropped to his knees. “I am so sorry, Gaara-kun. I did not mean to hurt you.”

 

“Why are you out here, Lee?”

 

“Tsunade-sama threw me out of the hospital. She told me to go get some rest.”

 

“I know that part. She told me about that.” Gaara walked over and caught Lee's chin, turning his face up so he could study it under the driving rain. “You are not resting. You will get sick again.”

 

“I just could not face the team after failing them so badly.”

 

“When did you fail?”

 

Lee blinked. “Today. Hideaki was almost killed.”

 

“You were not in the arena fighting. How did you fail?”

 

“I knew what that genin was going to do! I could have shown Hideaki how to deal with that attack!”

 

Gaara grunted as he hauled Lee to his feet. “I should hope you could read a genin's attack. Hideaki was outmatched. The Mist genin is talented for his age.”

 

“But I could have . . . “

 

“You were soundly beaten in your first chunin exam and nearly died. Was that your instructor's fault?”

 

“What? No! Gai-sensei trained me to the utmost of my youthful abilities!”

 

“Then why is this your fault?”

 

Lee sighed, leaning a bit on Gaara's shoulder. “You were a jinchuuriki. I never stood a chance. That was not Gai-sensei's fault.” Images of sand wrapping around his limbs made the jounin shudder.

 

The movement did not go unnoticed. “You said that this was forgiven.”

 

Lee tightened his grip on his precious person. “Forgiven, yes. Years ago. But not forgotten.”

 

“So that is the real problem. This reminds you too much of your own examination.”

 

“Maybe.” Lee allowed Gaara to start leading him down from the monument. “It is very similar, right down to the part where Gai-sensei stopped you.”

 

“But Hideaki will be up in a few days, and training in a few weeks. The Hokage has already finished her repairs.”

 

“Really? Hideaki will be okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Lee sagged against Gaara. “I was so worried that his ninja way was in danger. Like what happened to me.”

 

“It was that bad?”

 

The couple had been dancing around this topic, but now it was out in the open. Lee was always honest. “You destroyed my left leg and arm, on top of the damage from opening five gates. The surgery was very dangerous and it was a long recovery. Tsunade-sama wanted me to become a civilian.”

 

Gaara looked thoughtful. “I cannot imagine you as anything but a shinobi.”

 

“And I chose the surgery, because that is my ninja way! I was stronger for it. I am stronger for it.”

 

“And Hideaki will be stronger.”

 

Lee nodded. “I know. It was just . . .”

 

“That Mist-nin could not have matched me as a genin. You faced far worse then what Hideaki had to face.”

 

“True.” Chuckling, Lee eased under some dripping branches. “That Mist genin is nothing compared to you as a genin.”

 

“If you had not jumped in, I would have stopped him. We do not have genin to spare over a child's pride.”

 

“And as soon as he is able, I will teach Hideaki everything I know about avoiding that kind of an attack!” Lee punched the air. “I will also teach Ami and Seiji! My youthful students will train hard and grow from this experience!”

 

Gaara hummed a bit, acknowledging the statement while making his way back down the muddy path.

 

“Um, Gaara-kun? I missed Ami's fight after I left with Hideaki. How did she do?”

 

To Lee's shock, Gaara actually smirked. “She easily defeated that Hyuuga prodigy that everyone was talking about.”

 

“She did?” Lee lit up like a supernova. “Yes!”

 

“Three genin from Suna made it to the next round.”

 

“An excellent showing!” The bounce was back in Lee's step. “Did Tsunade-sama say when we are allowed to visit Hideaki again?”

 

“Tomorrow. 8 am. Not before.” Gaara gave the bouncing jounin a look. “Do not try to drag me to the hospital at 4 am.”

 

“No, no. I will wait patiently until 8 am.” Spirits lifted, Lee followed Gaara through the hidden village. “I need to tell him how proud I am. He showed great determination, and his speed is much improved!”

 

There was another hum from the Kazekage.

 

“Thank you, Gaara-kun.”

 

Jade green eyes locked on to Lee. “For what?”

 

“Finding me. Talking to me.”

 

“I am not sleeping alone while you sit in the rain.”

 

Lee kissed Gaara on the cheek. “It has been a long day. Let's go to bed.”