Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Thick Brows ❯ Frustration ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: Don't own it, just like to write about Naruto and company

This is a REEEAAALLY short chapter, but I am just starting out here, so there will be more. Suggestions are welcome. :)

Thick Brows

Chapter 1

His fist impacted on the huge stump that he always used to practice. He knew it had been far too long since he'd been here and the pain confirmed that. Carefully cultivated calluses had softened and peeled off during his long confinement. Grimacing he hit the stump again and again, ignoring the blood and the splinters. His legs were still too weak to take the same kind of beating, but he refused to wait even another day to begin his training…the only thing he had anymore.

He paused panting and looked up at the blue morning sky. The chuunin exams had made it clear that he was not yet ready to be a true ninja. He sighed and pushed back his black hair, mussing the typically perfect bowl shape that he and Gai Sensei favored. He cringed at the thought of his Sensei. Gai had been very understanding and supportive during Lee's long recovery…four months of it…but Lee couldn't help but wonder if his Sensei wasn't just a bit ashamed of the boy's failure.

With a growl of frustration he swung at the massive stump, chipping a chuck of its bark away. Gaara…the deadly Sand ninja had nearly crushed Lee with his horrible, crushing attacks. Gai Sensei had saved him, but not much of his body. His leg and arm had been badly damaged. Even the parts of his body left relatively untouched by the Sands boy had been severely damaged by Lee's Lotus attack. For months he had felt useless; only half the man that he should be. The shame of Gai carrying him to the toilet, being bathed by nurses he couldn't even name, and worse.

The worst was when Sakura would come to visit, which she did a couple of times a week. Sasuke had gone off with Kakashi Sensei and Naruto with the strange hermit ninja, rumored to be one of the Three Senin. Sakura had been left alone and thus came to see him. The shame and joy of her coming to his hospital room each week left him sobbing when she left. He couldn't stifle the feelings he had for her…even though she probably still loved Sasuke. He wanted to be the one to hold and protect her always. He hit the stump again in disgust. How could he protect her with useless limbs?

"Lee?" a gruff voice queried softly from a short distance away. Gai Sensei approached him frowning. "Lee…you aren't concentrating."

Lee shook his head, "Sorry Sensei…I was thinking…about Sakura-san."

"Do not give up Lee. She may come to love you yet," Gai Sensei said softly. He patted the young man on the shoulder. "Now do one hundred laps around the clearing and then resume your training. He sighed and watched as the grim young man sprinted off across the clearing, still limping a bit from his injuries. Even with the Hokage's miracle touch Young Rock Lee still had some recovering to do.

"What's up with the boy, Gai?" Kakashi asked softly from behind.

Gai wasn't overly surprised that Kakashi appeared behind him. The two men played this game daily. "He's in love."

"No wonder he looks miserable," Kakashi muttered. He leaned against a tree and crossed his arms and long legs.

Gai chuckled and flashed Kakashi one of his trademark grins, "Had a falling out with Iruka today?"

Kakashi grunted and ignored the question. "Is he still in love with Sakura?" He sighed when Gai nodded. "Well then there's hope. I caught her following him here on three occasions."

"What happened to her undying love for Sasuke-san?" Gai asked with a smirk.

"She found out that Sasuke-san doesn't play for the right team," Kakashi said casually. Gai's impressive brows lifted and Kakashi chuckled, "She caught him kissing Naruto a few months ago, after Naruto returned with Tsunande and the Hermit." (A/N: we have to pretend that episodes past 100 never happened and that Sasuke likes boys)

Gai laughed and patted Kakashi on the shoulder. "Must be something in the water. The women of the village were sad enough to lose you…but now the last of a great clan…and both so handsome…." Kakashi grinned under his mask and shrugged. The two men chuckled together and watched as Lee made his way around the wide clearing…determination written all over his face.