soul_campaign | [video; March 19th, late afternoon]

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[video; March 19th, late afternoon]

[Lee is a little distracted today, and for the first time here in Death City he looks truly exhausted. He smiles, but as he speaks the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

Good day, Death City! It is wonderful to hear that our mission yesterday was such a success and that we are one step closer in the battle against madness! I hope you are all inspired to continue your training as Weapons and Meisters here so that we may strike with just as much vigor in our next big mission!

And speaking of training, I wish to see you all at Morning Training again starting tomorrow! I was not able to make it today, and for that I apologize. Gai-sensei, I owe you an apology as well for missing our run this morning! May I ask that I have a moment of your time tonight? There is something I wish to discuss with you.

[And with that, Lee cuts his video...]

[...Only to start a new private message for Neji.]

Neji. I have a request of you as well.

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You may have my time whenever you want. Come over, my Lee!

[A bit of stress left Lee's face just hearing that kind of response from his sensei.]

You do not mind the short notice? May I head over now?

Of course I do not. I have never minded, Lee. Come over.

Thank you, Sensei! I will be there momentarily!

[Lee did not keep his sensei waiting long. He showed up at the condo door and knocked briskly but without his usual vigor. He was almost nervous about talking about this, but it was not his nature to face a problem he had no previous experience with without first consulting his sensei.]

[Gai's ready and opening the door as soon as Lee knocks.]

Come in, Lee! Come have a seat on the couch. Can I get you anything? Or we can speak on the back porch if you wish to be sure of privacy. I do not know when Kakashi may return home.

I would like a glass of water! And yes, the back porch would be best, I think...

[Lee moved on inside, making a beeline for the backdoor. He hardly even gave the new dog a glance when he made it out the door. It took a great amount of self-control not to break into pacing the length of the veranda. Lee settled for clutched and unclutching his hands at his sides.]

[Gai grabbed a glass and filled it with ice and water before joining his student outside.]

Lee? What is bothering you? Do you need a hug?

[Lee glanced up at the sound of the sliding door opening and he nodded again in greeting to his sensei.]

A hug would be nice. But maybe I do not deserve one.

[He took a deep breath, worry etching lines in his forehead and furrowing his brows.]

I did not tell you about the mission I took on with Neji the day before yesterday. I... do not suppose you heard the outcome of it by any chance?

[While Gai probably was not privy to all information that went through Shibusen, he did have some high-ranking friends in town. Lee would not have been surprised if his sensei had received word of his students' failure.]

[Gai approached Lee, setting the cup down on their table and wrapping his arms around his student.]

You are my student, my Lee. You always deserve a hug, because you are precious and important to me. And I knew you were on a mission, but I did not ask after the results. I assumed that you would tell me them.

[Gai rubbed Lee's back.]

Talk to me, my beloved Lee.

[Lee leaned into the hug with a shuddering breath. It was hard to keep up his composure when he felt this bad and his sensei was being so kind to him. He stood there a moment, just letting himself relax in the warm embrace, then finally opened his mouth to speak.]

It was a failure. And it was my fault.

[He gripped a little tighter to his sensei's arms, looking up with tears starting in his eyes.]

I hurt Neji, Gai-sensei! I did not mean... I just... It...

[Gai's hug got stronger.]

Of course you did not mean it. And he would know you did not mean it, because Neji knows you. Tell me what happened. I am here for you, and I am listening, and I have faith in you. I love you, my Lee.

[He let go with one arm to wipe away Lee's first tear.]

[Lee sniffled, feeling like a child again as Gai wiped away his tears. It was a nostalgic feeling, one he appreciated at a time like this.

He pulled himself together with a shuddering breath. His voice was soft and heavy, but at least he managed to speak in complete sentences.]

We were fighting a kishin. I thought it best to go all-out so I expanded my ability again and again very quickly, but... [He bit his lip.]

You know that when I am in my Weapon form I am a pair of nunchaku. My batons are dark green. But when I continue to use my ability over and over, the color changes. I had not thought anything of it before, but I also have never used my ability so many times in succession either. When I became red, I was spinning so fast and with such force... I could not stop. And the energy rebounded.

And hit him. Is he all right?

[Gai needed to comfort Lee, but he also had to make sure that his other student wasn't lying in the hospital all alone or something. All of Gai's students were important to him even if he did have a particular preference for Lee.]

You did not know, and you were doing your best to support him and to fight with him. It is not your fault. And you both know that. Neji will not blame you. He may be miffed, but he will not stay so.

He is... bruised. [And it could have been so much worse if Lee hadn't realized what he had been doing as fast as he had.]

I know, but I am afraid he will not want to partner with me again. I would not blame him...

[That was the most painful part, knowing he was right back where he started, as always. On the bottom. Less than perfect.]

He is Neji. He is not as hot-blooded as us, but there is a fire in his soul as well. He will be there by your side for he is not easily dissuaded!

][Gai gave Lee a firm back-pat.]

He will get over it. He will be fine. We are a team, and teams work things out.

Mn. [Lee nodded, feeling a bit heartened. They were a Team, yes. Nothing could change that.]

I plan on speaking with him sometime tomorrow. I will try to make things better...

Good. And I know that you will succeed. Neji holds grudges, but over important, intentional things. It will work out, my beloved student. I give you my promise!

[Gai gave Lee his very enthusiastic Nice Guy Pose with Thumb in the Upright Position.]

You are right. Things will work out.

[Lee starts to smile again, albeit tentatively. He can't not smile when Gai looks at him with such confidence.]

I am glad I came to talk to you, Gai-sensei! You always know just what to say.

It is easy because I know you and I know Neji.

[He thumps Lee on the back at Lee's smile.]

And I also know that the world is a brighter place when you are happy, my beloved student! I am glad you came to speak with me as well.

If you want to make up for skipping out today, you know I'm always up for it.

[ The teasing tone of her voice has a friendly edge despite the competitive flare she's showing. He looks as though he needs a distraction, possibly one with less combat, so as the calm begins to seep into her features: ]

I'll also accept information as a suitable substitute. Want to meet up later and talk?

[He manages a better smile, though he's obviously still a little weary.]

Thank you, Sakura-chan! I appreciate your offer... [But for once he did not feel like training.

His eyes brighten just a little more when she offers to talk later, however.]

That would be delightful. If you would not mind... I can meet with you after I speak with Gai-sensei. Would that be fine with you?

[ooc: Wanna action spam it out here?]

I was planning to stay in for the day, so just come by whenever you're feeling up to it.

[ There are plenty of notes to evaluate and organize. So many in fact that it's a project for an entire day and Sakura plans to do just that for now. ]

If you do change your mind, let me know? [ Just in case. ]

[Lee bit his bottom lip, nodding.] Mn. Thank you...

Then... I will do just that! Thank you, again.

[But Lee's obviously still distracted right now. He wishes her a swift goodby, then closes the feed so he can head off to Gai's. After taking care of business there, however, Lee is a little lighter on his feet if not completely cheery. There's still something weighing on him, but he's going to give Sakura his best smile when he arrives at her door and knocks.]

[ The door jerks open quickly: ] Hey there!

[ Judging by the light exhaustion in her features and a glistening forehead ~~because it's so huge and makes her feel awkward~~, it seems she was cleaning up in preparation of his arrival. Stacks of books and papers litter the apartment in various places despite all of that. She hasn't been here for long and is already trying desperately to catch up. ]

Ready to spill everything you know? [ And in a teasing manner she adds: ] I could interrogate you.

Evening, Sakura-chan.

[Even compared to her worn out state, she was still in better condition than Lee. She had a brilliant light in her eyes. If only he could draw strength from that light.... He managed a smile.]

If there is anything you wish to know, you may ask! [He attempted to tease back:] I am at your mercy, Sakura-chan!

[ If only he could. She wouldn't mind it too much, in fact, she'd feel a lot better if her presence could lift his mood. ]

At my mercy? That's not a good place to be. Just ask Naruto-kun.

[He chuckled.]

If that is the case, then perhaps Naruto-kun only lacks the proper conviction of spirit!

[But even with the playful banter, Lee's mood was still a far cry from its usual boisterousness. His smile settled somewhere between reluctant and gentle.]

I am sorry if I worried you earlier, Sakura-chan.

Do you feel up to talking about it? [ It's a calm question, but also just as reluctant as his own mood. ]

It's alright if not. I just thought I'd offer.

I did speak with Gai-sensei about it but... [Well, perhaps Sakura could give him a bit more peace of mind. He knew her team dynamic had been very different from his own. Perhaps he would learn something about dealing with problems.

He found himself a place to sit in her apartment space; quite a feat considering how much clutter was scattered about.]

Neji and I went on a mission together a few days ago. And, it did not go well. [His lips pouted into a frown.] Primarily because of me.

What happened exactly?

[ Sugar coating it wouldn't do, so she asks outright. It's the best way to handle the situation she supposes. ]

If you can't tell me that, then maybe start with how you feel you've fouled up.

The attacks backfired. [Lee shook his head, feeling a little hopeless.] I believe my weapon ability may actually be tied to my Lotus attacks.

[He smiled weakly. He didn't mind telling her, no. It was a little disgraceful to admit his weakness when he thought this place had put all of that behind him.]

...? [ The noise she makes at that is one of confusion, before she shakes her head. ]

It could have been something else. You know Naruto-kun and I have a lot of trouble resonating at times. [ Mostly her because of her mood swings, but hey that doesn't need to be said. ] It was a stressful situation and hard to predict how you might act in that situation.

[ Holding up her hand. ] Have you had this problem before? Ever?

[He shakes his head.] No, I am quite certain it was my attacks that were backfiring. The nunchaku batons change colors. They start as green and progress to red. It was then that Neji began to gain marks on his body... And the kishin had claws and teeth. The injuries Neji received were from heavy blows hat left welts.

[Lee bit his lip.] No... but I cannot see how it can be anything else. We have very strong resonance...

What is it, Lee?

Edited 2012-09-04 05:41 (UTC)

[Shit. He can tell he's in trouble. He really screwed up on that last mission if Neji is this angry.

Lee's frown is close to the typical pout he takes on when sincerely contrite.]

... I would like to speak with you tomorrow. I took the liberty of making us a reservation.

[A flash of skepticism crosses into wariness from annoyance]

A reservation.

[Lee nods, turning his eyes away from the screen.]

Mn. At the hot springs. I thought... a hot bath would be good for you.

I'm fine. [Because of course he is] You didn't need to do that.

No, I needed to. If not for you, then for my own peace of mind.

[His face sets into a more neutral expression, a little more light coming to his eyes as resolve wins over.]

And we need to talk. Tomorrow. At the hot springs.

[Neji's jaw clenches and it's his turn to glance away from the feed, though difficult to tell when his head doesn't move. A sigh, shake of his head]

When.

Seven in the evening.

[He swallows.]

I will see you there.

[Neji nods shortly and closes the feed]

Congratulations on the success of your mission!

Thank you!!! Everyone did their best and we achieved much!!!!

Did you learn much from the mission? Did you gain trust in any of your comrades?

I did learn from it!!

And I believe I did gain more trust in Tassadarsan! He deserves great trust! And a good partner.

That's is all top-notch to hear!

Could you possibly refresh my memory of what this mission consisted of?

Shinigami-sama instructed us to take out a machine that was emitting madness!!!! Needless to say we managed to destroy it!!!

We also took down a great number of kishin that came our way it was a glorious battle!!!!

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[video; March 19th, late afternoon]

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