onerous | IC Inbox

[Rock Lee is soon there, peeking his through the window with a bright smile as he makes his way into the room. There's a light fluster in response to her comment.]

A-ah, Konoha does indeed have doors! I used them sometimes, but isn't this a much more efficient and speedy way to enter a place?

[Then he pauses as he enters the room and just looks at her, taking in her presence. It feels like they've been separated for a lifetime, so he looks at her with shining eyes.]

It's... different, that's for sure. [That isn't what he asked, Yuri?? But she shakes her head, amused] It is quicker than taking the stairs, I guess.

[He stares at her and she stares back for a moment, letting him see that she's here and alive and whole. Her fingers twist together uncertainly before she holds out her hand for him to take.]

...Come on. I need to let them know I'm leaving. You can tell me what I missed these last couple days.

[For a second, he ponders the point she brings up.]

Ah, stairs would be a better workout...

[But not even training can distract him from Yuri for long. As she continues speaking, he glances attentively towards her. And then her hands is held out towards him... Not even Lee can mistake that gesture. With his own calloused hand, he reaches back to shyly hold onto that hand. Even though they were practically cuddling not too long ago, his cheeks still redden slightly, and he nods.]

Yes! Let us go. I- I will be glad to recount for you! [Even though most of it from his perspective was him turning the colony upside down looking for Yuri, Neji, Lili and possibly others.] And I will gladly listen to anything you have to say.

[He doesn't want to push her into recounting her experience, because it sounds like it might have been rough and tiring in some way. But he'll leave the door open for it.

And he starts to walk with her out of the hospital room.]

[She swings their hands a little as they walk; a bit childish maybe, but it was a distraction from what she wasn't sure how to recount. Of course he'd listen, he always would, but it was worrisome too. Would he have worse nightmares now? Or would it be okay if only because he wasn't there to actually see it?

She's not entirely sure what there was to tell, either. It's not like she managed to find much out that was actually useful, and that was what made her most bitter.]

I... Don't really know how to explain it. [She begins slowly, trying to figure out where to start.] I woke up in a cell in some abandoned prison it looked like, with a couple other people. We managed to get out and explore a little--there were a lot of ghosts. [She remembers that clearly, and she drops her voice low to keep others from overhearing.] I tried talking with them, but they couldn't remember much. They hate CERES and they said we couldn't leave... And something about 'N44235.'

I... made a promise to help them move on if they helped us and answered our questions. So I did, with this other girl's help. I think we were able to help them all pass on. But... something didn't like that, so it... Me and the girl... [Died. She goes quiet, swallowing hard, and her hand squeezes his]

[Ah, the swinging is a nice and gentle motion. And fun. Lee supports this and lightly swings his arm as well.

But as she goes on, Lee's concern grows. And with her last words, Lee is brought to a full stop, though his hands is still holding onto hers firmly.

It's a lot harder for him to deny the most likely possibility now, and his heart feels like it's breaking apart as he envisions it.

Lee looks at her with teary eyes and can barely breath out a hurt whisper.]

Y- Yuri... No...

[Yuri walks a few steps before she realizes he's stopped, and she turns to face him. Instantly she wishes she hadn't bothered to go that far, that she'd stopped her explanation a few sentences back; the guilt is a crushing blow.]

Lee, I--... [What does she say here?] It's alright. [It's really not.] I mean... I'm fine now. It's no one's fault, and I don't... It was quick. And painless. I didn't even know what happened until I woke up here.

[She's grasping at straws here, not sure what to say or do that might comfort him or make this easier. She's not sure saying it was painless and quick is even helpful in the slightest.

After a moment Yuri drops her gaze to their hands and then the floor.] ...I helped put all those souls to rest. I can't regret what I did when it helped so many.

[The smile has faded from his face; he's horrified. He wishes with all of his heart that he could have been there, that he could have done something. He could have saved her...

He almost voices that, but he's stopped by her words. After what she's been through, she's still so... so calm, so nice. She's trying to comfort him more than anything. It was quick, it was painless, and... and she had helped so many people. It's just like the way that he would only resort to his forbidden techniques to save many precious people... or like Gai-Sensei, who burned up his body to the brink of death trying to save the entire world from Madara.

"In front of a man who made an important decision… feeling sadness or pity would be an insult to him!"

Lee can't summon words immediately, however. Instead, he chokes back a sob before he throws his arms around her and pulls her into a tight hug.]

It... it sounds like you did splendidly, Yuri! These tears of mine... th-they are becoming tears of pride!

Oof! [Yuri grunts in surprise, though she's not sure why it caught her off guard. Really, shouldn't she have seen that coming? After a moment of shock she slowly hugs him back, wondering just who is in need of comforting here.

Oh well. Even if she's not confident in hr ability to comfort people, it's better than trying to listen to their attempts at comforting her; maybe helping others was, in a way, the best way for her to be comforted.]

Everything's okay, Lee. I'm here now. [Besides:] I still can't cry, so... It's alright if you do. You can cry for me, whether it's because you're proud or because you're sad. It's alright.

...This helps me too. [The hug, she means.] Thank you.

[He embraces her warmly for a moment, and he sniffles with a nod.]

I... I am glad if it helps! And... and I am so glad that you are here and alright! [Unlike death back home... this wasn't the end. There was still another chance of life, and Lee's all too glad to see this firsthand evidence that Yuri is still here and still breathing.] ...I do not think that I can imagine life without you anymore, Yuri. I do not want to!

And, and I am glad... to be able to cry every tear for you, whether it is out of sadness and joy. I will carry any burden for you... Yuri!

[He slowly pulls back and smiles fondly at her.]

[I do not think that I can imagine life without you anymore, Yuri. Her breath catches in surprise and she feels her face turning red] Ah-- ["Do you mean that?" She wants to ask, but this doesn't seem like the right time. Instead she nods in both acceptance and possibly agreement?? and tucks the words into her heart.

She looks at him, quietly assessing him, before smiling slowly back. There's a moment of hesitation before she steps forward and cups the side of Lee's face with on hand, leaning up on tiptoe (he's like 4 inches taller why) to press a kiss to his cheek.]

Thank you, Lee. [Yuri says it softly, filling the simple words with all the gratitude she had for him, not just for this moment but-- everything, really. Her hand drops so she can take his hand again, and she tilts her head down the hall again in a silent question of if he's ready to go now.]

[His eyes progressively widen as her hands smoothly cup his cheeks. What is going on? What is happening? Perhaps she is planning to headbutt him. That makes sense - more sense than the other possibility which is making his heart race!

But no, instead it is her lips after all which rise and kiss his cheek. As if pumped full of life, both his cheeks quickly become much rosier, and he feels a wave of affectionate contentment and warmth wash over him.

And leaving him like a lovestruck deer in the headlights... the stark opposite of the way in which he was stunned just moments ago.]

...

...A-ah. [After a moment, he finally manages to words. And smiles.] You are... you are very welcome, Yuri.

[Lee gives her hand a gentle squeeze. With a soft nod, he manages to start moving forward, with a spring in his step and more energy in the swinging of his hands.

He can feel it. His heart is beating! It's singing a happy song! This is it - this is youth!! Gai-Sensei, are you proud?!]

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