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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[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.

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[video; March 19th, late afternoon]

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