niceguypose | 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...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He nods, pressing his palm against his neck.]

And when Sora and Kairi left. It's easy, and for a while, it might keep you busy, but at the end of the day, all that pain came flying back. It wasn't until I really sat down and reflected on it tat I was able to accept things.

Ah... accept things? But, they are gone! How can one just... accept it?

It's not easy, and acceptance doesn't mean you have to like it. It's more that you're acknowledging that it's the way things are. Luceti's unpredictable that way.

[For one...]

You just never know how long someone's gonna stick around. Our friends, even we could disappear in five minutes, and there's no way we'd see it coming. So you gotta prepare for the worst, but at the same time, you can't just give up. It's like a balancing act.

[To emphasize this, he holds out both of his hands, holding them level with each other.]

On one hand, you have to take things as they come, but on the other hand, you gotta know what's ahead. Get too close to somebody, and there's that crushing disappointment, but distance yourself, and you'll be stuck on your own.

[If anything, it's an endless struggle. One that they all share.]

But if there's one thing I've learned, it's this: no matter how far apart you are, your hearts will stay connected. I don't know if that'll help you, but it's something to think about.

[He listens carefully to Riku's words. They're truly touching. And he nods softly, even if he's not sure if he understands.]

Our hearts? [That's right. It's like Naruto's words.] Even... beyond the curtain of death?

[Death...

He hesitates, briefly averting his gaze. Death is no laughing matter. It's one of those things you can't change-- not without powerful magic, at any rate. So how would death tie into it?]

No matter what happens to them, if you can keep carrying their memory with you, a part of them will always be there. Might not be the same as having them there in the flesh, but if you want another way of thinking about it.. well, the fact that you remember means you can keep their legacy alive.

I... I see. [He looks on somberly.] S-so... I can keep him alive in my heart. This is true?

Of course it is. For better or worse, they've left their mark. And trust me, you don't wanna underestimate the power of memories.

[Heh. After all, memories can make or break a person. They drove his Replica to his death, caused Sora to sleep for a year, and created Xion. What might seem intangible is still there. Still present.

And at that, he cracks a very small, nostalgic smile.]

I'm not saying you gotta heal overnight. I don't think it's one of those things you can just get over in a heartbeat, but you're strong, and if you're willing to pour that much energy into training, I'm sure you'll make it out just fine.

Riku-kun... You have been living without Ino-san. And... your words make sense. So I believe in them. I believe in you!

[He bows to him.]

Thank you. I will remember this very important lesson!

Hey, no problem. The whole reason why I wanted to help was because I've been there before.

[Too many times, really, and it's never any easier. So he'll continue smiling, giving a small nod.]

Still, if you really want to train, I doubt a little fighting would hurt.

[...But that's Riku's personal bias talking. Training is still fun, even if it does get draining.]

That is very wise of you. Perhaps I will fight some more... and then, I will stop!