Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Seven Deadly Nins ❯ Envy: Lee ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

 

Seven Deadly Nins

By Niobe Jones

 

Envy

 

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I have always desired what others have.

 

When I was young and it was discovered I could not use chakra, I remember watching my classmates and feeling jealous. Back then, I did not have Gai-sensei. I only had myself and my taijutsu. It is of no surprise that I graduated last in my class.

 

I remember when I first met Gai-sensei, he was so magnificent that I wanted become just like him. In his generosity, he has encouraged me. Making me a handsome training outfit and introducing me to his wonderful barber. Gai-sensei has made me into the man I am today. He has made me into a ninja to be respected, not ridiculed. He taught me that through hard work and perseverance I could prevail. And I have, becoming one of the fastest ninja alive.

 

Then why is it that people do not acknowledge my abilities?

 

Why is it that those who are hailed as geniuses or prodigies get all of the attention?

 

First it was Neji-san, my eternal rival. The beauty of his genius was apparent, even to me. But the glory and results of all of my hard work were not visible to him. Even with his famed Byakugan.

 

Then it was others, too many others to name. So I will not.

 

I glance over at the kunoichi speaking to my sensei and notice my eternal rival watching the exchange with interest.

 

A raging green beast surges up within me.

 

She is supposed to be mine. Everything about her screams springtime from her pale pink hair to her snapping green eyes. She is springtime incarnate. And I am the noble warrior who is in the springtime of my youth.

 

It is the perfect match. If only she would see it that way.

 

I know she likes me. The pressed daffodil that I keep in a picture frame next to my bed tells me that. But I do not have her heart.

 

That thief, Uchiha, has stolen it away with him along with some of my hard won moves. I could forgive the theft, if it had not made my beautiful springtime flower wilt so much.

 

I do my best to persevere. Even though it seems like everyone else gets what I want.

 

She is what I want. She is perfect. She . . . is walking right towards me.

 

I concentrate on my training drill - three hundred leg kicks - and not at the kunoichi approaching me. I cannot let her know of my desire. It would not be fair to burden her so.

 

“Lee-san?” she asks tentatively.

 

I feel my heart start to pound erratically. She is speaking to me! She is acknowledging me! She is waiting for me to respond. Oops.

 

I swallow and smile winningly at her. “Two Hundred Sixty Two. Yes, Sakura-san. Two Hundred Sixty Three.” I reply, continuing to keep my count. It wouldn't do for me to fail at my drill. If I did, I would be forced to do four hundred one-handed push-ups and I am getting hungry.

 

She gives me an indecispherable look and asks. “How many more kicks do you need to do?”

 

“Two Hundred Sixty Six. I must do three hundred, fair flower. Two Hundred Sixty Seven.”

 

Sakura nods and moves to sit under a nearby tree. “I'll wait until you are done, then. I don't want to mess up your training.”

 

I acknowledge her courtesy with another gleaming smile, but decide to concentrate on my kicks. That last one felt like it was lacking.

 

A few minutes and thirty three kicks later, I sit down next to her and looked at her. She is biting her lower lip, something I find very endearing. “What is it that you wished to ask me, Sakura-san?”

 

She nibbles at her lip a little longer then looks me in the eye. “Tsunade-shishou wants me to improve my taijutsu as well as my stamina and speed. She suggested that I speak to Gai-san about it.”

 

“That makes perfect sense! Gai-sensei is the best at taijutsu! I can only aspire to be so good. But if that is the case, then why is it you are talking to me?”

 

“Well, when I talked to Gai-san and told him what I wanted, he said that he thought that you would be a better teacher.”

 

I look up at her sharply, my heart thudding in my chest. Could it be that Gai-sensei is acknowledging my skills as a ninja? Or is it another test? It must be the latter, Gai-sensei has always acknowledged my skills.

 

I clench my fist. I will not fail you, Gai-sensei!

 

I realize that Sakura is still speaking and turn my attention back to her.

 

“… said something about an eternal rivalry with Kakashi-sensei and it not being fair to steal away his students. Or something like that. I had a hard time understanding what he said between all of the ejaculations of hip, youthful, and springtime. So, would you be willing to teach me?” she asks earnestly.

 

I reach out and grab her hands, pumping them enthusiastically. “I would be honored to teach Sakura-san! I have always wanted to prove that I could be as good of a teacher as Gai-sensei. But I am curious, why does Hokage-sama want you to study taijutsu?”

 

Laughing, she gently disengages her hands from mine and turned them over to look at her palms. “Shishou says that while I have excellent chakra control, I don't have the stamina or reserves to do anything with it. She's got me working on a few exercises to improve my reserves, but I still get tired too easily.”

 

“Go on.” I prompt.

 

“She's also promised to teach me the secrets of her super strength. But she says strength is useless if you can't hit your opponent.”

 

I nod solemnly, crossing my arms over my chest. “Hokage-sama speaks with great wisdom. Hopefully one of these days, I will be so wise.”

 

“I'm sure you will be. You're already a better ninja than me,” she says a little bitterly, her emerald eyes dimming.

 

I want to take her into my arms and soothe away her fears. However, I know she will not accept this so I need to find another way. “Sakura-san is a great ninja and she will be even better after we start the training.”

 

“Great! So when do we begin?” she says clapping her hands.

 

“Why do we not start now?” I reply flashing her my patented smile.

 

She blinks - whether from my words or my effulgent smile I know not. “What? I thought we would talk about a training schedule first.”

 

“And so we shall, eventually. But first I need to get an idea of what specific areas we need to work on as well as your relative speed and stamina.”

 

“That makes sense.” She nods. “Okay, Lee-san, I place myself in your hands.”

 

It is not how I really want her. But perhaps this way I can keep her.

 

The Uchiha who I have envied for so long has abandoned her. Perhaps she will see that I am the better man and the better ninja. He sacrificed her love for power. Something I would never, ever, do.

 

I want her to acknowledge that.

 

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Note:

I wanted to update this sooner. But Lee kicked my ass until I could write him properly. He is very particular that way. People probably don't think of Lee as all that envious. But he is. He even says so in the fight when he is watching Gaara and Sasuke fight. It doesn't make him any less of a ninja. In fact I think his envy drives him to prove himself so that others will be envious of him.

 

I like Lee.

 

This part is twice as long as the previous two parts put together. I can't believe it! I normally only write 100 to 200 words a day when I get the chance.

 

There is an over reaching story here and I hope I am doing a good job of telling it.

 

Story stats:

Word Count: 1208

Inspiration Music: Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Start date: 4/18/07

Finish date: 4/23/07

 

Up next: Pride

 

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