Thirteenth Gate [Video/Action]

[niceguypose]

[It's been two years since he arrived in Luceti - since he literally dropped right in. Today, he takes a moment to think back on everything - on all the friends he's gained and lost in his time here. He's said goodbye to Naruto twice. He fell for Rapunzel and lost her to her own world. Gai-Sensei came and left. And throughout all of this, he had struggled with the fate of Neji. Now? Only a few of his fellow ninjas from Konoha were left in this village, plus Temari and the missing nin Itachi. He had still made such great friends here in this world. And today, he decided this would be the day. To set several matters straight: in terms of training, departures and matters of the heart. The time has finally come.]

[Video]

[He starts off with a cheery greeting.]

Greetings, people of Luceti! This is Rock Lee... Konoha's Beautiful Green Wild Beast! I hope that you are all enjoying the springtime of your youth currently! However... I have some news to report.

[But he goes on with a more serious - or more specifically, a sadder tone.]

I do not think that anyone else has reported this to the village at large. So... I shall take this upon myself. Within the last few weeks, several people from our world have been returned home. They are... Kakashi-sensei, Mikoto Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki and the Yondaime Hokage, also known as Minato Namikaze. They are all... very important people back home, with much work to do. P-please remember them fondly!

[It's one thing for Kakashi - he's still alive back home, but Lee will worry for him now that he is rejoining the war effort. On the other hand, the majority of the enclosure likely does not know this, but announcing Minato and Kushina's departures is the same as announcing their deaths. It's crushing to consider not only with they not remember him at home, but when he gets home, it seems like he'll never get the chance to truly know either of them. They're gone.

Lee closes his eyes for a moment before he goes on.]

They were involved in a- a number of projects around the enclosure. [That's his way of winking at the existence of the Alliance/Projects on a pubic network.] I do not know what it's fate will be. But I know that I will take up one project that was given to me! I have offered several of you lessons in hand-to-hand combat in the past. So, I would like to expand this into a regular taijutsu class! Any number of you can meet up with me on any morning for lessons in these physical fighting arts! In a place like this, it is important that we all learn how to defend ourselves and to become stronger! At the same time? I also encourage all of my students to try to think of ways to train our wings, so that one day we may obtain true flight!

I believe that will be all. For now... please enjoy this youthful summer afternoon! [He gives a thumbs up and a cheery smile before he switches to a filter.]

[Filtered to Erica Fontaine: 80 Percent Hackable]

[Now he looks several shades of shy as he starts this video message.]

Ah... Excuse me. E-Erica-san? [He gulps. Why was this so difficult? He had resolved to do this!] Would you please meet me at the Battle Dome around 3PM? In the fourth room! I... I would like to show you a special training simulation! Please... let me know if this is alright for you!

[Action]

[Rock Lee can be found at a variety of locales throughout the village! In the early morning, he jogs around the village and does a number of exercises virtually anywhere around the village. Also, he makes sure to send out deliveries to any 'students' of his or anyone else he has interested who hasn't gotten one yet: essentially, a green jumpsuit in their size will be left at their doorstep.

Around noon, he is found at the library, where he picks out random books to read. As the afternoon goes on, he makes a stop at the flower shop before going to the Battle Dome, where he sets up the simulation for Erica.

And then finally, in the evening he spends a shift serving at Seventh Heaven, while also taking some time to practice his cooking. After all, he needs proper skills in order to defeat his cooking rival: the fearsome Mecha-Sanji.]

Comments

[yourhatred]

It is good of you to keep on top of these things, and it is much appreciated.

[He'd never allowed himself to believe that his mother's presence here would be permanent. In a way, it's good that both her and Sasuke had disappeared within a close time frame. It meant that neither had much time to grieve for the loss of the other.]

[niceguypose]

[Itachi. He still feels a chill of fear despite everything. Despite his mother being here for all of those months without any incident. He's not sure what to make of that, or beyond that, what to make of Itachi. But whatever he's feeling must not be simple.]

Ah... Thank you. I was honored to meet those people from our past. They... they were all very kind and hardworking. I know that I, and the people they met here, shall miss them dearly.

[yourhatred]

Yes. They were.

[And as stoic as Itachi remains, there's an undercurrent of heavy emotion in those words. That's all he's going to say on the matter.]

Given how this place cycles out those from our world, you may yet still see others.

[niceguypose]

[He can practically feel that undercurrent. It's certainly powerful.]

Ah... You are right. I suppose that is a good thing and a bad thing in itself. I'm sure that, given Naruto-kun's nature... he, at the very least, will find his way here again.

[yourhatred]

... It's likely. Both he and my brother have left and returned more than once.

[Sometimes without memories of their time here before. He would prefer them not to.]

[niceguypose]

[He asks hesitantly.]

Do you consider that to be a good thing... or a bad thing?

[yourhatred]

I believe they are needed in our own world.

[niceguypose]

I agree on that count. [In his time, he can see it clearly; the Alliance and their efforts would fall without Naruto, in the face of the Uchihas and their Juubi.]

But... if they are great enough, that they could help both worlds...?

[yourhatred]

... Perhaps. The logical side of me knows you're right.

I have experienced returning tour world firsthand. I know being here doesn't affect their time there. I should be glad that this place allows me time with my brother that I wouldn't get otherwise.

[niceguypose]

[It really seems like the murder bros. truly do care for each other... Lee feels touched, even as it continued to baffle him.]

I suppose... that is one upside to being trapped here. So that we can enjoy the company that we cannot back home! [He knows this feel very well. See: Neji.] But if anyone can find a way to truly link our worlds, I believe that it will be one of them!

[yourhatred]

If such a thing was possible... then yes. I believe you're right.

[There's no one else from their world he would be willing to put that much faith into.]

[niceguypose]

Such... such confidence!

I... do not mean to be rude. But, I never imagined you as someone who had so much faith in others.

[yourhatred]

I am not. [Simply.]

And that is the cause of many of my failings. But I've put my trust in Naruto before. My brother is owed the same.

[niceguypose]

I- I see. [Hearing Itachi mention any sort of cause... it's surprising and almost feels overwhelming in a way.]

Then in that case... trust can suffice. I will trust them as well as believing in them.

[yourhatred]

Do you consider Naruto a close friend?

[niceguypose]

Of course! Outside of my own team... He and Sakura-san are the best friends that I have.

[yourhatred]

He knows how to earn the trust of others honestly. It's a good trait.