Feeling the weight of him and the way his body shook with his quiet sobs, Tenten was a bit taken by surprise. But as her own heart began to break with each tear he shed, the kunoichi made a decision, then and there to steel herself against such emotions. For her own sake, but mostly for his as well. Lee did not need someone who could break apart. He needed someone to lean on and support him through this time of strife and doubt in his life.

He needed a friend, not a teammate.

With that realization, she pushed aside any awkwardness and carefully circled her arms around him. Sighing softly and resigning herself to this task, Tenten rubbed at his arm and stroked her palm along the hard line of his back in soothing motions, much like she once did for any other charge under her care. Because it was the kind of sight and devastation that reached deep into her soul.

"I know, Lee. I know," she murmured into the fluff of his hair, "But that just means that you have to find a different way to get stronger."