niceguypose | Fourteenth Gate [Action/Video]

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Fourteenth Gate [Action/Video]

[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...]

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[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...

[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.]

[She works her mouth for a moment, trying to coax out words. Gradually, though, they come.]

Are you...alright? Neji. He was important to you...yes? Your teammate?

[His eyes widen slightly at the 'was'. Could she know...?]

Yes. He has been one of my teammates for so long... and, my eternal rival.

You... knew him, as well?

[Saori takes a teetering step closer. She does know. Hinata had told her, and Neji had implied, not knowing what Hinata had said.]

I did. I knew him well. He...was my brother, during the invasion.

The... the invasion? [He blinks, it takes a moment before he places it.] Ah! The time when my fa- when Gai-Sensei worked for you? I never knew...

[He shakes his head morosely as he looks towards the ground.]

The idea of someone being a brother, yet not truly being one's brother from birth... I believe that I feel such a feeling as well.

Yes. When your father...it's alright to think of him that way...worked for me. Hinata and Neji were my younger siblings. And Kakashi was my brother in law. Now I am the last of our family.

[Saori's expression flickers from neutrality to sadness briefly, wisps of memory floating through the back of her mind. Brother. Sister. Faces and false remembrances...]

I imagine he felt the same way about you. A brother. Because some relationships are made, not born.

[He listens to her words with a heavy heart, sniffling slightly as he feels all of the sorrow. To be without a family... well, now he is without his entire team, including the only person he had been related to in Luceti Valley. Then again, there is Vegeta and Bulla...]

I like to believe the same. And if he did truly think that of me... then I am honored. [He bows his head slightly.] I am very sorry that you are without your family, Saori-san.

[She shakes her head, pushing out of the emotional quagmire that the invasion had left behind and pulling Lee into a short hug.]

And I'm sorry you're without your own, Lee.

[She'll let go just as quickly, not wanting to linger.]

Shall we train together, for their memories?

[He'll hug her right back for that brief instant, and then he rubs sheepishly at one of his arms.]

Thank you, Saori-san. I... I would be honored to train with you!

Alright. What sort of simulation should we run through?

Ah... I can try to set up another simulation, of an enemy from my home world. Or would you prefer otherwise?

It's up to you...but I could probably find you a real nightmare to fight. Something from my world. A challenge I gave Kakashi once, too.

A true nightmare?! [An eyebrow twitches curiously, like an eager yorkshire terrier.] I... I am very curious, Saori-san.

A demon. A strong one.

[One of many, but...he doesn't really need to know that. He wants to train, and she'd...vaguely seen those awful simulations he'd been using.]

A demon?! [His eyebrows furrow in determination.] Let us face him!

Alright, let me get the simulation together.

[Which doesnt' take long, she's kept this one saved for a while.]

Ready? We'll have to go in fighting.

[He pumps a fist.]

I have just the entrance mind!

Alright.

[Immediately as the door opens, there's a gust of hot wind, and the simulation is a hellish cityscape. It looks like a 4 way street that's been gutted, ruined skyscrapers all around, wrecked cars too. And at the center of it is an absolutely massive humanoid creature. Twelve feet tall, covered in ruddy red scales and coarse brown fur, the massive beast appears to be holding a club the size of a small bus in one hand and a lantern in the other.

And it roars when it hears the door open, charging ahead with the club raised high!]

[Lee looks around, astonished at the eerie landscape. It's disheartening and unsettling. But there's little time to adjust to the surroundings before he sees the east charging at them.]

Look out! [He gasps and starts off moving quickly, ready to dodge if the demon tries using its club, and trying to keep his eyes open for openings.]

[She's on the move, darting to one side away from Lee so it doesn't have two targets together and will have to divide it's attention. The beast follows her, trying to take a swing that she rolls under, giving Lee a brief window where he can attack]

[Great! Time to test the waters. With the opening provided, he makes a speedy leap at the beast and tries delivering a flicking kick somewhere at its midsection.]

Dynamic Entry!

[It stumbles forward slightly, but it's like kicking a tank. The monster grunts and turns, sweeping it's club in towards Lee's midsection.

Saori rolls back a bit further and produces a knife, studying the target and Lee's reaction, looking for an opening of her own.]

Ack! [He's tested the waters at least. Lee manages to leap out of the path of the club - he has speed on his side. And then he leaps up further to try to strike at the enemy's face.] You are truly strong!

[The big beastie grunts as Lee breaks off one of it's fangs. It stumbles back a few paces but comes right back in, focusing entirely on the boy. This time it spins in a circle, whirling the club like a tornado!]

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