soul_campaign | 16. February 15th, Video

[Some of you may be used to this beaming face being on your screens by now. Some of you may not. You are the lucky ones. But now you're exposed to it, and the owner of this face is unfortunately loud. He's cheerful, as is usual]

Good morning, everyone! I hope that all of the new arrivals are starting to get used to the city! I have spoken with some of you, but not all, and I hope to eventually meet with everyone!

I am Maito Gai, and there are two things I want to cover in this message. The first is Morning Training! By now you have heard of the war, I am certain. The best way to prepare for this is to attend Morning Training, held at the Training Grounds from six in the morning until nine! That is why it is called Morning Training. We teach partnership, basic, intermediate, and expert fighting, how to fulfill your role as a Meister or Weapon, and other things! Breakfast is provided so all should come!

We could use more teachers, if you have been here for a time and wish to help, or know things about fighting that you can teach. BREW has sent home more of the people who help and so we are... shorter than usual. I appreciate the help of anyone who teaches!

The other thing I wish to talk about is the Watch. I, along with my Meister Kakashi, am in charge of the Inner City Residential District. If you need assistance there, or something goes wrong, please do not hesitate to let me know!

Thank you for your attention and I hope that your day is splendid!

[It looks like the feed ends as he switches to private messages.]

[Private to Team Gai]
I had the idea of Team Dinners, once a week, just us four. I have already spoken with Neji about it, but what do you think, Lee and Tenten? When is best for you two? We do not connect enough here!

--

[Private to Stripperella]
How many did you wind up hugging?

--

[Private to Kanji]
I hope that you are feeling less upset today?

--

[Private to Spirit]
I have a few questions if you have time! The first is if a few people in the city work to make everyone happy, and succeed, can the city be renamed to Happy City? Or Joy City? Or something like that? Because Death City is a very grim name. Also, has anyone tried hugging a Witch to defeat them? And finally... How did the war begin?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is hard for him. He doesn't know how Lee might react. But it's better to tell his student, right? Instead of letting Lee find out some other way?]

I am... There is no good way to say this. It is not dating because he does not do dates, but if I say seeing then I will have to explain that because I did not get it at first either. And of course we are in a relationship because everyone has relationships!

[Gai shakes his head.]

It needs better words.

....

Sensei. I am confused.

[Gai, what are you saying? Just be your usual, straight-forward self, please! You are confounding your student.]

[He's actually a little worried about how Lee will react. But Lee is confused, so Gai needs to be clear.]

Kakashi is more than my Eternal Rival and my Meister here, Lee. He is my... my boyfriend. Or partner. Either word will work.

O-oh.

[Well, if that wasn't straight-forward...]

I did not realize... That is...

[Headtilt to the other side.]

.... a good thing? Yes? You are both... happy?

[It's a little sad in Gai's eyes that Lee has to ask if it's a good thing, but he hides that under an overabundance of confidence.]

It is very good! I have cared for him for a long time, Lee. And... And it was you that helped this to happen, last time you were here.

[It is more the shock of it all that makes him question it. How else is he supposed to respond to something like "by the way, I, your sensei, am now in an intimate relationship with another man"?

Lee is buoyed by Gai's show of confidence, however, and he smiles back in return.] That is good to hear! And... that is another interesting thing about my previous stay that I did not know before!

[It probably also came with a very interesting story...]

If it has made you both happier, then I am glad to have... been a part of that...

I did not know how to bring it up when you asked. I am sorry. I can tell you more about it if you would like!

And I am very happy, Lee. I think he is happy too, but it is sometimes hard to tell with Kakashi.

But you did tell me, and I appreciate that, Gai-sensei! I would like to hear the story, I think. [Even if it's awkward as hell.]

He is... a little strange. But if you are happy with him and he is happy in his strange way of being happy, then it should be fine.

I think we are all strange in our own ways, but you and I are at least not too strange! [Gai gives him a thumbs up before pausing, trying to think of a way to tell the story.]

You and I... were talking. It was a public message. And taste came up. Kakashi's taste, specifically. And I... did not answer your question completely. You then... [Gai sighs, shaking his head.] You then made a post to the entire network, filtered away from me, and told Kakashi that you thought I had feelings for him. It was... it was something that he'd known, more or less, and we'd both not acknowledged. For the Rivalry. When... when you are all someone has had for over a decade, you do not want to risk taking that away because you may wish for more.

[He shrugs.] He said he would talk to me. But before he could, we went for our morning run, you and I, and we talked. You finally told me that you had told him, and I left to try to make sure that everything would be all right.

Of course! [Lee returns the gesture.

Listening to the story, Lee realized with a sinking gut that he had been quite indiscreet about his sensei's precious feelings. He turns his head to the side, shamefaced.]

I see...

[What did Lee have to say in his defense? Nothing really. He didn't have the memories of doing or saying such things. But the guilt still ate at him.

There had to be more to the story. Thing had worked out, though, hadn't they?] And... everything was alright?

[Gai glanced back, toward where Kakashi is sitting. He smiled fondly.]

Yes. And everything was all right.

[That was simplifying things, and they still hadn't figured this whole relationship thing out, but he had faith and hope.]

Do not worry yourself over it, Lee. It is fine. And I forgave you that morning, even.

[Lee's eyes flood with relief and the tension leaves his shoulders. It's nice to hear that things worked out and Lee was forgiven, though he still felt that is should not have been that simple.]

I will endeavor to be more... careful next time, sensei.

When we go home, if you are the only one that remembers, I hope that you will indeed be more careful... by finding a more subtle way to do things. I know that subtle does not come naturally to either of us! But I did not ever mind your intentions, and I am glad of the result.

[That's a really sad thought. If he were the only one to remember. Lee puts on a brave face, though.]

Certainly, sensei! I will endeavor to do better next time, should a next time be necessary!

[As it is, Gai seems pretty happy with how things worked out, so Lee hopes that, if anything, Gai and Kakashi keep their memories when they all manage to win the war and return home.]

[Gai tries to be prepared just in case. That way he has a happier time in the future, and is ready to solve things if they go wrong.]

I know that you will! And maybe we will instead win the war and all of us will return home with memories!

16. February 15th, Video

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]

[Filter]