Rock "LOUD NOISES" Lee (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
niceguypose) wrote2014-08-26 02:22 am
niceguypose) wrote2014-08-26 02:22 am
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...]
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...]
[Action]
[Action]
Gai-Sensei! [He reaches for the hologram as it faded away.] I was so close this time... S-so close...
[Action]
Call me blind and missing the point, but would it be as satisfying as the real thing?
[Action]
Sh- Shikmaru-kun? Ah... What could you mean? [His brain doesn't feel like thinking out that question at the moment.]
[Action]
I don't think a program would hold a candle to the real man.
[Action]
You're right. It's nothing like the true Gai-Sensei! But... I still failed to defeat even such a lesser one...
[Action]
Shikamaru sighs, like one dealing with a small child, and pushes off the wall to approach Lee at the center of the room. First things first, before I tackle that...]
Let's have this talk up on the observation deck, where we can sit. And here. [Once he's at arm's length he offers the sports drink.] Drink this before you melt into a sweaty puddle on me.
[Action]
Very well. We may have... a youthly discussion.
[Action]
Once they're up in the observation area again, Shikamaru glances at him from the side before picking a seat.]
You want anything from the vending machine?
[Action]
Ah... spicy curry rice, please.
[Action]
[WOW AND HERE HE'S JUST BEEN GETTING STUFF LIKE PEANUTS. Motioning for Lee to sit, he walks about to one of the machines further down. Maybe they do have meal things.]
[Action]
Do they? Ah... When a youthful wish is made, it may be granted!
[Action]
[This is an unsure look he is shooting you, Lee, but he does make sure to give all the machines a cursory check. It's not fruitful. Instead of telling Lee to pick something else, Shikamaru employs the right to make an executive decision. He comes back to take a spot across from Lee with two bags of food under one arm, and another sports drink.]
No dice, so take your pick of one of these. [He sets down the extra drink on the floor to hold up a snack in each hand - a bag of spicy peanuts in the left, and chili-flavored potato chips in the right.]
[Action]
Such a choice! [He makes sharp glances between the two of them. Which has the kick that he's hoping for?! His gaze grows more intent than ever. For a moment, he starts to reach for the spicy peanuts, then-]
No! [He sharply pulls his hand back and shakes his head.] I must make sure my decision... is absolutely flawless!
[Action]
[INDULGING HIM by still holding up the snacks for inspection though. Never let it be said that Nara Shikamaru is an impatient human being.]
[Action]
[And now he looks once more, very intensely. Finally, he closes his eyes and lets out a grunt as he blindly reaches out, seizing the spicy peanuts and then pulling them close to his chest.]
[Action]
Good choice. [Seems fitting, anyways, that he'd get the potato chips. He sets the sports drink on the seat between them, gesturing to it with a flick of his fingers.] You can wash it down with that, after you finish the other one.
[Action]
This food... It will train my teeth and my stomach! I'll become at least a little better! [He speaks to himself as if it's a mantra.]
[Action]
Working your hardest to become stronger isn't an alien concept to him - the realization that you're not strong enough is something every ninja faces early into their career, as is the need to overcome it. Pushing yourself to your limits though; that's something entirely contrary to his nature, and it's a position he and someone like Lee have always been opposite.
It's just the way he is, of course. Wondering why men like Gai and Lee are the way they are is just too troublesome. It's easier to accept them and move on. They're good guys.
Normally that's how it is, anyways.]
"Better than the you of yesterday", right?
[Action]
That is right. I have to be better than the me of yesterday. He... he needed certain people to endure in this world.
[Action]
Endure... [Chew, chew. He swallows quickly and continues.] What obstacles do you picture in your way when you say that? If those are the words you intend to live your life by.
[Action]
When one is without their rival... What obstacles are left? How can one know if they are truly getting stronger? If they cannot overcome him. Or- or save him.
[Action]
He shouldn't have to be here physically to give you purpose. I can't think of a better way to honor Neji's memory than and your rivalry to continue to push forward, improving yourself.