It seemed appropriate, as he listened to Neji's reasons--and more importantly his transformation--that Neji had been named Swan. Swans were formidable birds, elegant and dangerous, but they were also transformations. A cygnet was a cute, sometimes awkward thing, but it grew into a noble and stately bird.
Gai could see how Neji would view ANBU as freedom. Though he could not see how ANBU had been that for Kakashi. But maybe he had been blind. Gai only ever needed being a ninja as any kind of freedom, but the bar had been set pretty low for him by society. With Neji and Kakashi it was different.
"I am glad the Hokage could do that for you," he said, turning to face Neji's new position, but not inviting himself to a seat. "I am glad you are finding yourself, and do not be ashamed that you did not have words for who exactly you were before. Self -discovery is part of growth, and I have seen you blossom with each new year. Late-blooming flowers are some of the most beautiful. Neji, you are an amazing young man, a splendid ninja, and I am sorry if anything I said has ever seemed as though I might be trying to clip your wings or cage you. That was never my intent."
Gai had never been good at letting go, but this was cathartic, he supposed. He was letting go of one of his students, allowing him to fly freely on his own path. The eventual empty nest, however, loomed before Gai and filled him with dread. Obito called them his 'Legacy' and perhaps they were. But knowing that they would soon all be headed off without him was terrifying. His ego and sense of loyalty had been hurt with Kakashi's re-involvement in ANBU; Neji's involvement just left Gai feeling sad and proud at the same time.
"I love you, Neji, as if you were my own son. I am immensely proud of you and I want you to keep growing, keep reinventing yourself. Keep choosing your own path, no matter how others try to direct you. I am sorry you were involved in this personal mess and I am sorry if I hurt you." He gave a solemn bow.
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Gai could see how Neji would view ANBU as freedom. Though he could not see how ANBU had been that for Kakashi. But maybe he had been blind. Gai only ever needed being a ninja as any kind of freedom, but the bar had been set pretty low for him by society. With Neji and Kakashi it was different.
"I am glad the Hokage could do that for you," he said, turning to face Neji's new position, but not inviting himself to a seat. "I am glad you are finding yourself, and do not be ashamed that you did not have words for who exactly you were before. Self -discovery is part of growth, and I have seen you blossom with each new year. Late-blooming flowers are some of the most beautiful. Neji, you are an amazing young man, a splendid ninja, and I am sorry if anything I said has ever seemed as though I might be trying to clip your wings or cage you. That was never my intent."
Gai had never been good at letting go, but this was cathartic, he supposed. He was letting go of one of his students, allowing him to fly freely on his own path. The eventual empty nest, however, loomed before Gai and filled him with dread. Obito called them his 'Legacy' and perhaps they were. But knowing that they would soon all be headed off without him was terrifying. His ego and sense of loyalty had been hurt with Kakashi's re-involvement in ANBU; Neji's involvement just left Gai feeling sad and proud at the same time.
"I love you, Neji, as if you were my own son. I am immensely proud of you and I want you to keep growing, keep reinventing yourself. Keep choosing your own path, no matter how others try to direct you. I am sorry you were involved in this personal mess and I am sorry if I hurt you." He gave a solemn bow.