[OPEN]

[awokentospring]

Who: Rock Lee and anyone who wants to visit him!
When: April 9th (backdated)
Where: Konohagakure Hospital
Notes: After getting heavily injured during a mission a few days before, Lee is finally awake and allowed visitors. He's feeling a little down, mostly because it was his fault things wound up this way.

His chest was wrapped with bandages but the worst of his injuries were hidden under his hospital gown. However, that didn't mean Rock Lee was unaware of his blunder. He had pushed himself too far and this was the result.

Rubbing his forehead, Lee slowly eased himself back against the raised bed. Neji and Tenten were safe, mostly fine. Alive. That was what mattered. It really mattered. And it did! But...

Lee closed his eyes, feeling resigned. He had failed, and that mattered too, to Lee if not to anyone else. He was going to need to fix that.

Comments

[thebestuchiha]

"Why?" The question was simple, pointed, and while said gently, there was no doubting the weight of his gaze.

"I see nothing to warrant such a decision."

[awokentospring]

Lee wrapped his arms about his middle hoping to hold back some of his more emotional responses to this dark moment while in the presence of the Hokage. He could lose it in front of Gai and his parents, but anyone else and it felt like he was being judged.

"Because... when I do the same as I have been up to this point I see less and less progress." Indeed, his training was still as intense as ever but his results were beginning to plateau.

"And, and if I try to push myself even further than I already do, this happens." Rock Lee, injured. Stuck in a hospital bed. Scolded for trying and told he wasn't good enough.

[thebestuchiha]

"That just means you need to take your training in another direction." He considered a moment, then dragged the chair closer, reaching over to tap the back of the boy's hand. "This is the hand of someone who works hard, and has come further than anyone once would have thought he should, right? The only one who can tell you that that's as far as you go is you. Maybe you've reached the limit in a direction, and that does happen sometimes. That doesn't mean that that direction is the only one that you can move in. It's not a corridor you're walking in Lee, but an open field. Unless, maybe, you forgot to look around and see the rest recently because you hit a wall of a house at the edge?"

[awokentospring]

Lee's palm twitched, not having expected the touch, then he curled his fingers in a shaky fist. It was true that he had beaten back naysayers before. He had gone well beyond expectations. Now the only problem was he didn't feel it was enough to satisfy himself. He wanted more, more than he probably deserved.

"My horizons have never been as broad as everyone elses'. I am not sure what I should be looking for when all I know is taijutsu." It was literally all he had trained for and it was still all he felt comfortable pursuing. It was what Gai-sensei had taught him and the only driving force for continuing into the shinobi way of life.

Somehow he had made it to Chunin but now he wondered if that was just because the officials knew his teammates would refuse a promotion should they not all receive one at the end of their exam.

"Hokage-sama, you made me an offer before for new training, but are you certain it is something you really want me to do?" He looked up at Obito with pleading eyes. "Do you really think I could do it and actually be good at something like that?"

[thebestuchiha]

He didn't hesitate, though he did pay close attention to Lee's reactions as he reached out and touched his cheek, brushing under his eye. "These eyes hold sincerity." He moved his hand further, brushing against his temple lightly, barely a touch. "And this mind knows promise."

He gave him a small, gentle smile, then dropped his hand to very lightly tap over his heart. "This heart is strong and large enough for many."

He tilted his head to the side, staring at him and holding his gaze. "How can you believe you wouldn't be?"

[awokentospring]

He did start crying then, unable to hold back despite his best efforts. He didn't want the Hokage to see him like this, but when he said something so powerful it was impossible to keep himself in check.

It took several minutes for him to regain a grasp on himself. He felt breathless and exhausted but also refreshed, somewhat. Like a heavy burden had been lifted from him.

"I... Maybe, maybe when I am discharged, I can start on some new training," Lee gasped, wiping wetness from his face.

[thebestuchiha]

He didn't look away, nor did he try to help him with his tears. He wasn't bothered, after all, and he was glad the boy seemed... more at ease int he wake of them. He'd looked much too hopeless before. He hadn't liked that at all.

"That would be very good I think. If there is anything I can do to help, don't think me too busy. I'm willing and able to help my shinobi, mm?"