Rock Lee's Birthtime of Youth

[niceguypose]

Who: Rock Lee, his fellow ninja youths, and practically anyone in the village. Anyone.
What: Rock Lee's birthday.
When: Throughout November 27th
Where: The Battle Dome.
Summary: It's Rock Lee's birthday, he should not be allowed near Battle Dome controls.
Rating: Y for Youthful

Today is Rock Lee's birthday. It's hard to say which, however, considering that he has already turned 18 physically and 19 mentally. Regardless, a birthday party was arranged with the help of Lee's friends. Tenten spread some invitations via paper shuriken, while others received notes in their journals. Pretty much anyone who's spoken to Lee, even briefly, has been invited to the birthday party. He even distributed a set of mystery invitations to random strangers, so nearly anyone can show up.

As for details of the party? It's a celebration of youth, in a distinctively Lee-esque way. The Battle Dome simulation takes on the form of Konoha's ninja academy - which isn't too different from a standard school despite the ninja-ing taught within its halls. Some of it has been modified by Lee messing with the controls, however. Specifically, he managed to program in an entire obstacle course, with hurdles to jump, walls to climb and hidden pits to avoid, along with any other generic non-lethal obstacles that come to mind. If you make it into the main room, a wide-open one that is very much like the one in which Rock Lee once kicked Sasuke Uchiha in the face, that is where most of the gathering occurs. The food tables are set up there, and guests are encouraged to challenge each other to battles. There are even a few sparring rings in the room for guests to duke it out within. A simulated version of Maito Gai will also appear in a variety of places, but this programmed version is only capable of giving a thumbs up and saying "Nice job!" after random and often mundane accomplishments.

For the first half of the party? Rock Lee is as energetic as ever. He's really having a blast. But he always seems to be looking around for someone else, someone who never shows. At around the halfway point? He excuses himself from the Battle Dome, and is gone for quite some time. When he finally returns, he is no longer the birthday boy he once was. Rather, he is much more depressed and even more teary-eyed than usual. Avoiding the shenanigans around him, Lee secludes himself in an obscure corner, where he quietly plucks the petals off of flowers. Who knows what he could have found that could have had such an effect?

Comments

[origami_ninja]

[Konan also received a note from Rapunzel. Rapunzel called her kind and that kindness was the greatest thing Konan could have taught. It's flattering, even if Konan doesn't think it's accurate. Rapunzel was far kinder than Konan's ever been. Except in childhood. She did possess that trait once, at least. Maybe her time in Luceti has revived that trait somewhat.

She notes Lee doesn't seem happy at his own birthday party and sends a little paper butterfly over to sit on his shoulder before approaching a few seconds later.]

You don't seem to be enjoying yourself.

[niceguypose]

loves me not...

[He had muttered that quietly as he plucked the last petal off of the currently flower. And then was immediately distracted by the paper butterfly on his shoulder. Only then did he look up and realize that Konan was speaking to him. He couldn't manage a smile, but he looked up and spoke to her.]

Ah... It is nothing to worry about, Konan-san. Youth is a time of both joy and sorrow. It is... only natural to find time to observe both.

[He stands up and offers a gentle bow.]

I apologize for failing you as a host.

[origami_ninja]

There's no failure on your part, Lee.

[She'd heard that 'loves me not', though. She does know that Lee and Rapunzel had been close. Close enough for Rapunzel to train with him and even don a jumpsuit for said training.]

It's your birthday. If anything, it's my responsibility to make sure that you are enjoying yourself.

[niceguypose]

Konan-san... That is very kind and responsible of you. However... you need not concern yourself.

[He winces for a moment, then gazes off distantly.]

My heart has the guts to endure all endeavors...

[origami_ninja]

Perhaps, but that does not mean you have to endure them alone. Least of all on your birthday.

[Since Lee is one of the shinobi who's reached out to her, she's hardly going to leave him alone to his own devices when he's so clearly unhappy.]

[niceguypose]

Thank you, Konan-san, for your sentiment. But I do not know... [He looks at the petal-less flower forlornly.]

...if this thing can be helped.

[origami_ninja]

What happened, Lee?

[She can guess, but she wants to hear from Lee directly. If he doesn't want to talk about it, that's his choice. The option is still there, and if she can help, she'd prefer to.]

[niceguypose]

[There's a pause, as he drops the flower to the ground and stares downward.

Then he finally utters it quietly.]

Rapunzel-san happened. Her entire existence happened.

Her existence happened in this world. But now, she is gone!

[origami_ninja]

I know.

[She'd been touched by what Rapunzel's note said, and the best way that Konan can see to honour her friend's memory is to embrace the trait Rapunzel said she admired.

She knows that Lee and Rapunzel were close. In what context, and just how close they were is where she's not entirely certain. But it's apparent that her loss has hit Lee hard, and the 'loves me not' makes her wonder...]

It's natural to feel sad that she's gone. She would have wished for you to be happy and surrounded by friends, though.

[niceguypose]

[He then looks up towards her intently.]

Are you sure? Those would be her intentions? But... but, it could never be the same without her! Rapunzel-san is so precious to me. How can this day be complete without her?

[He looks so sad. And there are tears welling up in his eyes. But oddly, they don't seem as comical as they usually do.]

[origami_ninja]

Rapunzel is a kind girl and it's apparent to me that she cared a great deal for you. I am positive that those would be her intentions.

[Konan doesn't find the tears comical at all. The tears make her want to keep trying to be reassuring. Maybe it's her own reminder of Rapunzel that's also prompting her to try.]

It's not easy when you're feeling her loss, but try to focus on treasuring your memories of the time you had with her.

[niceguypose]

Of course. [He pulls out her note, which had been neatly folded over and over into a miniscule square, looking down at it in his hand.]

She loves me.

[And he closes her eyes.]

The memories... My memories of- of Rapunzel-san...

[origami_ninja]

Imagine her smile, and all the time you spent training together. Imagine treats she baked to share with you.

[It's difficult to lose someone, but Konan's learned the hard way that it's better to honour someone's memory rather than be consumed by negative emotion, or to simply shut off. She's made those mistakes and she's trying to learn from them. If she can spare Lee some of that, then she'd prefer that.

Especially since Rapunzel isn't dead, she's simply been sent back to her own world. That helps a bit.]

[niceguypose]

I... I remember.

[He closes his eyes and smiles fondly.]

I recall... training with her and even singing with her. We have had... so many treasured memories in this world.

And now... of all the memories that we share together... I am their sole keeper. [Maybe Rapunzel would return someday. But there was no guarantee that she would remember any of it.] So I must... do my best to honor them.

[origami_ninja]

[Konan smiles a little, trying to envision some of these memories. She can imagine that being a very spirited singing session. Who knows if Lee has any vocal talent. He might be surprisingly skilled. Rapunzel's got a pleasant enough voice she she could imagine her having a sweet singing voice as long as she could sing on key.]

Exactly. Those memories also mean that a part of her is still with you.

[niceguypose]

[His face brightens up a little at that.]

Konan-san... That is true! [He places both hands over his heart soothingly.] If I can feel her here - than she still has presence! She... she still lives with me!

[origami_ninja]

She lives with you, and with others here whose lives she graced. Just look to the bakery, and to the Art Club and you can see her presence there, too.

[She's glad that her words are helping Lee, even a little. Lee's a nice boy. Much like Naruto, he's proof that one doesn't have to shut off one's emotions and be cold-hearted to be a good shinobi.]

[niceguypose]

You are right. So very right.

[He says, with very warm tears. And he smiles at her.]

She has a presence within you as well. You know, Konan-san... When you were a child... Your laugh sounded much like hers.

[He recalls that with the fondest nostalgia.]

[origami_ninja]

I was more hopeful at that point in my life than any other. And I think hope is a quality Rapunzel had in abundance. Even when she was upset, she had it in her to be hopeful about the future and to see the best in others.

[And as a child, Konan had been similarly trusting. As a young kunoichi growing up in a civil war, there had been perhaps a little less inherent trust in others, but she'd been more open at that point. Open, kind, and happy.]

[niceguypose]

I see. [He nods, with a bit of gravity.] Then, Konan-san, I hope that you can be hopeful like that once again. I can't carry on Rapunzel-san's memory all by myself, after all!

[origami_ninja]

I will certainly make an effort to try to remain optimistic.

[She doubts she can have that same kind of hope after all she's been through and knowing the depths that some people can sink to, but she can at least remind herself to hope for the best while preparing for the worst. She can remind herself that redemption is possible for people provided they seek it and take action to try to make up for their mistakes. She can balance realism with optimism.]

I think I'll have greater success at simply reminding myself to be kind, though.

[niceguypose]

Thank you, Konan-san. [He gives a bow.] I could ask nothing more of you.

Of course, I am sure that, you will not even need reminders for your kindness, in due time.