niceguypose | Fourth Gate [Action/Video]

[Action]

[Lee is back in action on a brand new day. In the morning, before performing his usual workouts, he takes some time to prepare curried chicken soup to deliver to Rapunzel, assuming she still has her cold. And afterwards, amongst his jogs around the village and general intense workout routines, he takes some more time to prepare for his and Sora's Christmas plan.

Ever since that talk with Sora, Lee has set a new goal for himself and has started undergoing preparations. He doubts that this "Santa" will show up here in Luceti; so he plots to become Santa. He stops at the library and reads several books to get ideas of what different worlds and cultures think of this man, who must be nothing other than a Hokage-class ninja. Maybe even more powerful... His other stops include the item and clothing shops to collect accessories associated with this holiday, often with not-so-subtle attempts to be covert. He may spend some time people watching for signs of actions both benevolent or dubious. And finally, he spends some time running along the beach to collect as many seashells as he can carry to help Sora make them into what he calls "wayfinders".

But even so, he feels uneasy about this plan. What if there are key parts of Santa's legacy he is missing? How is he supposed to determine the difference between nice and naughty? And what if they want something other than seashells? So he decides to take to the journals, without playing his hand.]

[Video]

Rock Lee here! Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! And I come with good news for this holiday season. I have it on good authority that the one known as "Santa" shall be arriving for the beloved Christmas holiday! And - and I am doing my best to act as his ears, eyes, mouth and every other body part! So, I will accept any intelligence that you have freely. For example, the sleeping schedules of yourselves and others, and who you would classify as "nice" or "naughty", including your own honest assessment of yourself. Finally, what would your ideal Christmas present be? I can communicate all of your wishes to the mighty Santa-sama all in due time!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Apology accepted. [She snorts.] I wouldn't blame you. The resemblance is uncanny.

It's the long, girly hair.

And the long mustache and beard. [A giggle.] I still find it funny that they have the same name.

It'd be twice as ironic if anyone in Chouji's family has that name.

[Okay, that made her laugh.]

I'm sure Chouji will be pleased to know that.

--I said nothing of the sort if he comes back.

And you call yourself his best friend. [Tsk tsk.]

Oi, oi. I love him like a brother. [...a brother he hasn't seen in too long. It hurts more than the holes in his gut.] Rule of family is you can poke fun at each other.

[She feels you, bro.]

You know how he gets when you imply his weight, though.

Not just me. That talk is taboo.

[Those words manage to curve up her lips into a wistful smile.]

Talking about Chouji hurts me more than it should. [Especially when she goes back to what transpired days ago.]

[He knows her words intimately.]

...I miss him.

[Both especially now, and at the same time not at all. Chouji would've been on Hidan's list too, and after what happened... He's just too easy to rile up, especially when his friends are involved.]

I'm sure.

[It wouldn't take a genius to confirm that what he said is true but hearing him say it is like a dull jab to her heart.]

We all do. [Pause.] I just don't know if, with what happened days ago, it'd be wise to wish he's here.

[It's like she read his mind. He doesn't think it's just a Yamanaka thing.]

It wouldn't. [Not missing a beat. But then he sighs. This is technically the 13th, so he hasn't found out Hidan's gone yet. Gotta make plans...]

...I'm gonna take a nap.

[He's only been up for a few hours (in which I'm assuming she knows that), for the first time in five days, but the intestinal infection hasn't passed out of his system yet. Good enough excuse.]

[And she knows that when he brings it up, she mentions it.]

You should. You're not even supposed to be up yet. [A light reprimand.] Don't make me go there and make sure you sleep.

[Even though it's not visible, her smile fades.] In the meantime, Chouji will be waiting for us when we go back home. Let's both hope that's where we'd see him.

Yes m'am.

[Forcing a smile, and then he shuts the journal. Unhappy as he is, if anyone can get him to comply at this stage, it's her.]

[Chouji-kun.

He softly brings the journal to a close, feeling like he has overheard something too private. His heart goes out to them, being separated from the third part of their heart. And at the same time he realizes how lucky he is to have both of his teammates here with him. He'd have to make sure this holiday was special for them, to honor what extended family that they still had together here. And to keep his mind off of how deeply he missed Gai-Sensei.]

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