Fourteenth Gate [Action/Video]

[niceguypose]

[It hadn't been unusual for Lee and Neji to miss each other throughout the day. They both followed different schedules and different training regimens, especially without Gai-Sensei to guide them. But the amount of time without seeing Neji at all was alarming. So he checked his comrade's room for signs of a kidnapping, and instead he found something much worse. Neji had gone home. Home to face his death. Rock Lee let out a wail that could be heard throughout the Flame Building. This wasn't the plan. They were supposed to return home only after they could save Neji from that gruesome fate. That was Lee's Luceti dream, even moreso than his dream of obtaining true flight with the wings.

He eventually decided to see Sakura, to try to find some comfort from her about all of this. They had resolved to be there for each other as they endured the trials of Luceti, however. To make sure he was not walking in on anything inappropriate, he knocked approximately 300 times. When none of them gained an answer, he showed himself in. And found a completely empty apartment.]

[Video]

[Rock Lee appears in front of the video feed. Unlike his usual self, he appears more sullen and reserved. Raw and hurt, as he speaks.]

People of Luceti... This is Rock Lee. I am here to deliver news about two people you may know. One was Hyuuga Neji... the genius of the Hyuuga clan and an eternal rival whom I will never defeat. And the other... is Sakura Haruno. She is the most powerful kunoichi in the entire world, and very likely the most beautiful as well. Well, second-most-powerful, if Tsunade-sama is counted.

Both of them... have returned back to their home. [It was unsual to consider how small their numbers how dwindled to. Shikamaru now was the only Konoha ninja remaining, and the only others from their world are now Temari and Itachi.] Please, remember them fondly, and wish them the best in their endeavors. I have found some letters written by both of them. If you would like them, you should face me for them.

[He closes his eyes for a moment in thought.]

It also seems that... the Dancing Red Supportive Angel of Paris, Erica Fontaine, is no longer in Luceti either. [He had tried filtering a message to her, ready to truly ask her out on a date at long last. The filter broke.] Those who seek me... I will be in the Battle Dome. My intentions are to train until I can no longer move.

[He closes his eyes in thought.

Sakura, Neji, Erica, Naruto, Kushina, Minato, Ikki. Rapunzel. Everyone who was bright and/or represented hope in some way went home eventually. Rock Lee was left to endure on his own, and to try to find that hope within him once again.

But he could not find it yet. He can't even manage a parting smile as he closes the journal.]

[Action]

[Rock Lee squats one room of the Battle Dome for the entire day. He has erected a makeshift sign outside of the door reading "Reserved for the Preservation of Youth".

He spends the entire day working through that room, enduring constant and rigorous training in simulations fighting against enemies from his own world. He cannot quite stomach to face a simulation of Neji, but all of his other rivals or enemies are fair game to appear in hologram form. Gaara, Kisame, Obito, Madara, Kimimaro, Sasuke and Naruto himself are the opponents at different times. His final opponent of the day, when he's on his last legs, is Gai-Sensei himself.

However, the holograms are not exactly perfect. Some of the holograms have some unusual abilities caused by Lee trying to fill in the gaps of abilities that he did not know about, and most of the time it ends up being fire breath. And nearly all of the holograms were made in a hurry, resulting in them having some bizarre flaws in their appearance similar to the uncanny valley effect. Some of them end up with small beady eyes, others end up with oddly large and detailed hands. Sometimes, their body features shift oddly as they move, as if they're being poorly animated...]

Comments

[Action]

[endgames]

[With Erica gone, it's just him and Masaomi manning the store now. He was out of the building early because of that; hears the word about their comrades when he's down in the store's basement on his lunch break.

It goes unfinished.

It'd have been simple enough to duck out the moment he heard the news. He's his own boss, after all. But there's no one left to take this news hard but Lee, and if his comment is any indication, he's going to be difficult talking to until he gets some grief and frustrations out of his system. And Shikamaru can't deny a man that. Instead he works throughout the day and much of the evening, keeping an eye on the clock. When it's getting to be dark he makes a path for the Battle Dome.

"My intentions are to train until I can no longer move."

With Lee, that could be hours more yet if he were to pace himself, but Shikamaru is banking on high emotions and a rougher routine to wear him down faster. Right about now should be close to that. Not that it's easy predicting Lee.

Still, he gives it a try. When he reaches the Dome he heads up to the observation area, looking in on the ongoing simulations to see if he can spot someone familiar.]

[Action]

[niceguypose]

[Well, Shikamaru. You can see Rock Lee in his last simulation. It's against a simulation of Gai-Sensei himself. And at the moment, it's a losing battle. Lee must have truly done a number on himself through previous simulations, as it's harder than ever to keep up with Gai's movements. Even if Gai seems oddly more rubbery in motion than usual.

Lee falls to the ground after a kick to the face. But after a moment of struggle, he pulls himself back up to his feet and assumes a fighting stance as he faces the man once more.]

[Action]

[endgames]

[Aa. So that's how it is.

Shikamaru absorbs it in a glance and maybe watches it for a few minutes longer before turning around, heading for the vending machines. He selects a sports drink - something not too high on energy, but electrolytes - and heads back downstairs for the console. His objective is to check how much time is left on Lee's simulation. If it's less than five minutes, he decides, he won't interrupt. But if it's more than that, or the full hour...]

[Action]

[goldenglasses]

[As some point when Rock Lee exits the simulation to restart it, Vash will be there. He gives Lee a gentle smile.]

Hey there, Rock Lee. Would you like to train together for a bit? [It's a one time only offer. Vash normally would never in a million years offer something like this, but he realizes the ninja could use something nice and distracting right now. As he was always chasing after Vash for training it's what the outlaw decides to offer.]

[Action]

[niceguypose]

[Lee's a bit bruised, scuffed up and sweaty when he steps out. But he manages a light smile at the sight of Vash, and at his challenge.]

Ah... Vash-senpai? It would be... nice to train with you!

[Action]

[goldenglasses]

Alright then! Let's do a bit of training! My expertise is in aiming. Would you like a simulation around that? Or something else?

[He's kind of hoping for Lee to say aiming. As he's got a simulation set up that he hopes will cheer the guy up.]

[Action]

[misterbrief]

[He's been there all day. And he's noticed the sign on the door. It's really no surprise to him who could possibly be inside. And the boy has been here for quite a while, challenging his own time spent in the Dome, which he squats on a chamber often. Good to see someone else dedicating the time that they should be to training, as far as he's concerned.

Sheathing his sword that's strapped across his back and stretching a bit, he goes up to get water from the observation deck in between hour long sessions, peeking into chambers out of curiosity. Sometimes you can learn something or get new ideas for how to train by watching others. But what he sees in Lee's chamber is very odd. It almost looks like a really screwed up video game to him. He doesn't understand, why would Lee want to fight something like that.

Either way, he won't interrupt Lee's training, but he is taking a small breather back downstairs before he starts his own training again. He hangs around the center console (to make sure no one pranks him), leaning against it with his water, tail lazily uncurling from around his waist to lie on the ground next to him.

What's the strategy behind that ridiculous simulation of Lee's? Maybe he'll ask him when he has to come out and reset the simulation.]

[Action]

[niceguypose]

[That time will come. He is of course forced to take breaks eventually, however brief, whenever the time comes for the simulation to reset. It's somewhere around the midpoint of his hellish marathon that he goes to the console to try to program someone else in and finds Vegeta there. His eyebrows raise in recognition, and he gives a light bow.]

Ah! ...Greetings, Vegeta-senpai. [He's already looking a little worse for the where, but still nowhere near having reached his limits.]

[Action]

[misterbrief]

[He's definitely noticed that Lee looks like he's been working pretty hard all day. But Vegeta gets right to the point.]

What's with that absurd simulation you've been working with? It's as if your entire program has glitched.

[action]

[windandrain]

[Neji is gone. The news of that hits harder than she'd expected, coming so quickly after the anniversary of what'd originally formed the bond between them. They'd shared a great deal with one another, both good times and bad, all six of them...that little family unit. So much so that it's hard to think of Neji as anything other than a younger brother.

With that weighing on her mind, Saori heads to the Battle Dome herself, beginning a series of her own exercises. She notes the sign and takes a room next to the Youth Reservation, and just goes and goes until the simulation runs out.

Exiting and taking a breather on one of the benches, she's wiping sweat and blood from her face when Lee's own room runs out. Rising quickly, she resolves to at least say something to him as he's forced to exit, but all she can manage is:]

Lee...

[action]

[niceguypose]

[Lee's looking quite exhausted himself as he steps out, with his own assortment of bruises and cuts. He breathes heavily and blinks as he beholds her.]

Ah... Saori-san. [He manages a light smile for her.]

action;

[codenamexv]

[After Lee's entry, Minako couldn't help but do something for him. She knew very well how a broken heart felt. It was up to the Goddess of Love to help pick up those broken pieces. After a battle in the kitchen, Minako packed a box what she finished and headed towards the dome.

She watched from the observation deck as she waited for Lee to finally finish. If it had taken a couple hours, it didn't matter. She waited up there holding a semi-large box wrapped with cloth by the knot. Maybe there were a couple times she had to sit down for a bit. When she saw Lee ready to finally leave the room, Minako quickly rushed down to beat him before he could leave the room. She wore a long blue skirt with a tang top. Whenever Lee finally opened the door, there was Minako holding a box that could be a lunch box. She didn't know what to say when he finally merged from the doors, only could smile her sympathy.]

action;

[niceguypose]

[He was utterly exhausted, bruised and a little bloody when he finally dragged himself to the doors and opened them. He then blinked at the sight before him.]

Ah... Minako-san? Or, could it be... the angel of my end?

[borntorebel]

[Leia's come to the dome herself for her Tuesday afternoon session. She's seen Lee's message from that morning, but she couldn't really think of anything to say that she didn't say the first time they met. Over the last four weeks, she's gotten to know the exuberant young ninja and she likes him. But seeing those return home who do is both good and bad.

She's both dreading and wondering if that will happen with her mother and Anakin, again. Or Obi-Wan. Or...Han.

The thoughts are terrifying. And so she couldn't find the words to comfort her young teacher. But she manages to reach him as he stumbles out of his room and she frowns. He's covered in sweat and blood and there are a few tears in his clothing.]

Are you determined to spend your entire day like this then?

[niceguypose]

Yes! [He pumps a fist as he declares this, displaying bloodied knuckles. He looks Leia down with determination]

I- I'm all fired up, and I will keep going! ...It- it is good to see you, Leia-san!

[action]

[ofnobleheart]

[ O-Oh dear...

Natalia realizes that although she's had a few people she's known depart recently herself, including Erika who Lee has mentioned departed, she feel like she doesn't know just how much Lee is feeling about this. After all, he's been here longer than she has. Space is what everyone needs after someone important they know leaves, right?

But... the last thing that Lee said worries her. She's seen him push himself and she doesn't want it to get that bad.

So a little after she heard the message she makes her way over to the Battle Dome herself. Although she might not be the only one thinking the same at least it could help Lee know that he still had people here?

But, if anything, helping him with her healing artes is what she intends to do. That way, even if he does push himself to where 'he can't move', she can hopefully alleviate that so he can make it home.

So once she's there at the Battledome Natalia finds the room he's in and rather than watching from the observation deck slips into the room to watch. This way, if something does happen and he needs assistance she's already there. ]

[action]

[niceguypose]

[There are multiple cries of "Dattebayo!" greeting Natalia, maybe a few "Believe it!"s mixed in there. Rock Lee is facing off against multiple shadow clones of Naruto at some later point in the day, looking fairly bruised and beaten as he faces off with them. He's breathing heavily, but he doesn't notice her yet. He steps forward at a great speed and starts furiously punching/kicking through several at a time. He at least is kind of holding his own at the moment.]

action

[wipesfaith]

[It had seemed pointless to try to reply to the message. Jean doesn't know what he could say, anyway. Nobody stays forever. You never even get to say good bye. That's just the way this world is, and they all know it. He has a quiet apartment that he used to share with his best friend, and a letter from Adela tucked away in a drawer, to hold him to that rough truth. Last week, he had come back to the enclosure after an extended kidnapping to learn that Mikasa had gone home. As the only one left here from his world, he feels more out of place than ever.

Words of comfort have never been his forte. He doesn't know how to make them sound not so empty. He doesn't know how to give shape to the empathy he clutches. So he doesn't try.

Later at the Battle Dome, after the training simulation he'd set up has run its course, Jean cools down on the observation deck. Having passed by the marked door earlier, he's quick to find the room Lee occupies below - no one but the bowlcut wonder would make a sign like that. As he watches Lee hammer out punches and kicks and twisting flips like a machine, he wonders how long he can keep going for. Until he can no longer move, he'd said, but it looks like that won't be happening any time soon.]

action

[niceguypose]

[Maybe it won't, but it's eventually time to take a break, sometime in the later portion of the day. He goes to reset the simulation and sees Jean there. He blinks as if somewhat dazed from all that time seeing holograms.]

Ah... Jean-kun? [He blinks some more and assumes a fighting stance.] Are you an opponent as well?

The Letters: For Reference

[niceguypose]

[Typed by Del, of course.]

From Neji

Saori,

I write this in the hopes you'll never see it. Since it seems none of us will enjoy the benefit of knowing in advance the hour of our departure...

In the time we have known each other, you have been a true and valuable friend - very much the older sister the invasion cast you as. I cannot express enough how much this has meant to me. You have a kind heart, and I hope there will be others there with you to give you the same comfort you have given me.

As little as any of us may truly like Luceti, it has been a home to me for over two years, and extended my life by the same amount. I don't know if anyone has told you this, but if I have gone home, it will be to die. If Lee is still there when I have gone... please, offer him comfort. I am sure he will take it hard.

I hope you will find your way home to your love.

Your "little brother,"
Hyuuga Neji


Lee,

If you have this, I've gone home. You and I both know what I will face - and I guess fate really will have the last laugh after all. I'm afraid we won't get that no-holds-barred fight after all. I'm sorry for that.

For a lot of things, to be honest. I don't know if I'll have the chance to tell you anything when... [There's a visible break in the script here, where Neji paused a long time to choose his words.] ...the time comes. So I will put it here. These are words I would not leave you without ha

You have become a truly excellent ninja, Rock Lee. Even if we never have that fight, I believe it would be truly impossible to say in advance who would triumph. We are extremely closely matched in skill, and have been for a while now. Your dedication has taken you further than I would have thought even remotely possible when Team Nine first came together.

Stay close with Tenten; I hope the two of you will take care of each other in this war. I'm ordering you both to survive it - live, Lee. Don't do anything stupid. Go home when the war is over and be a living, fighting example of what determination and spirit can do. And don't let Gai-sensei do anything stupid either. I know he will try.

Above all, I am proud to have been your teammate. And, these last few years, your friend.

Be well. Return home safely.

Your teammate,
Hyuuga Neji

From Sakura

Luke,

I'm sorry to be leaving you without finishing that project for the farm. (I'll remember to update this if we do finish it; if we have and you get this anyway, oops?) It has been good to know you, and fascinating to work with you in healing and medical matters.

I hope things will go well in Luceti, and when you finally do return home.

Haruno Sakura



Lee,

This is a "just in case" letter, and I really hope you never end up reading it. In my perfect world, we all go home at once, together, and then kick the hell out of all this stupid mess of a war and go home! But if that doesn't happen... I wouldn't want to leave you without anything.

I think we've gotten to know each other better during the last year and a half. I definitely feel like I know you better, and I feel closer to you. Truth be told... I've come to like you. A lot. I know it probably doesn't help much now that I'm gone, but... I think, if you had asked, I would have gladly dated you here. You're a heck of a guy, and your heart is so big. Maybe once we're both back home with the war over...

I don't know. The thought that we won't remember any of this doesn't sit too well with me, but I unfortunately can already confirm it's true.

Come home soon, Lee. The sooner you do, the sooner we can go home and see what will happen.

Until then, take care of yourself, and everyone else too.

I'll be waiting,
Haruno Sakura

Action

[stilldontgotit]

[It was tough to miss Lee's message. Especially when he seemed so uncharacteristically upset. Not that Riku could blame him. He's seen friends come and go more times than he could count, and no matter how many times it's happened, it's always stung.

He could have offered words of encouragement, but what all could he really say? "I'm sorry?" "It'll be okay?" Empty words at best.

Still, training to the brink of exhasution's hardly a healthy alternative. And that's coming from someone who has and still does use training as an outlet for stress relief.

So, Riku does the only logical think he can think of: he makes his way to the battle dome and into the room, disregarding the sign altogether.

At first he simply watches, shuddering at some of the traits of the holograms. His goal isn't to directly intervene. Not yet.

But if there's a lull in the training, he'll try and speak up.]

You really plan on fighting 'til you drop?

Action

[niceguypose]

[He blinks groggily as he looks towards Riku while halfway to the console.]

Riku-kun...?

Ah! Yes. Those are my intentions in their entirety!

[ravelt]

[When Haru hears Lee's message, he immediately runs to the battle dome. He wastes no time in engaging Lee in conversation the first chance he gets, which is likely when one of Lee's simulations end.]

Lee! That's so sad!

[Don't worry about crying, Lee, Haru's got you covered.]

1/2

[niceguypose]

[Rock Lee stares at Haru for a moment.]

Haru-kun...

[niceguypose]

[And then his waterworks start.]

It really is so sad!