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7th Punch | Video

[It's one of those things she feels like she ought to say. Ought to let people know, because it's important. They're important, even if they're not here anymore.

On the video, her expression is carefully calm, forced into composure -- but for those who know her well or who are very good at reading faces, it's obvious she's not at all calm about this, not really. They're too important to her for that, and Sasuke in particular... it feels like not enough time. Not enough to getting to savor having her team together again, whole again.]

For anyone wondering... Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke have both gone home.

[Once again, she's the bearer of bad news for Luceti's Konoha population. She takes a breath to say more, but then pauses. What else is there to say, really? And her throat is so tight with it. Her teammates, her boys, are gone -- but they're back where they belong.

It's not enough to ease the sense of loss, though.]

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I will. [She's just grateful he understood what she was asking. To say it outright feels weak, needy -- after all, she did just fine without them! -- but the truth is, she does feel suddenly very alone.]

[He keeps looking into the journal while picking up speed, trying to look right into Sakura's eyes and give her some early comfort.]

S-sakura-san, I...

[A low-hanging tree branch then nails him in the head, and he stops for a moment.]

...I will talk to you soon!

[Okay, she really shouldn't be laughing at him getting hurt, but at least there's enough of a slapstick element that it lightens her mood momentarily.] Be careful! Don't hurt yourself getting here. I'll still be here if you take a little more time...

[Of course, the disappearance of both her teammates underscores that someone can leave Luceti at any moment, but she doesn't think she's liable to disappear in the next five minutes...]

[He just gives a sheepish grin at that.]

I... I will, Sakura-san! Please don't worry. Just know that... I am on my way. [He'll close his book in a moment, once he notices the flower shop is nearby.]

I know. And... thank you. [She gives him a warm smile before the connection cuts, then settles back on her couch to wait for Lee to get there, trying not to feel as alone and cut off as she did the last time her teammates left her behind. She'll just have to hope that they'll be okay until she gets back...]

[He finds himself missing Ino when he checks the flower shop - she could have provided a helpful hand. And it drives in to him how small their numbers within this village had grown. He, Sakura, Shikamaru, Neji and Temari were the only ones left aside from the adults...

But he manages to rush to her door in record time. He softly wraps on it, sporting a bouquet in hand. It was assembled in a rush, but he tried to include pink flowers as well as flowers that at least seemed similar to ones that Sakura had given him in the past.]

[She answers the door, and the sight of the flowers in his hand is so unexpected, such an absolutely sweet touch when she's feeling terrible, that she nearly laughs -- and just as nearly starts crying. But she does manage to rein in both impulses, and just steps back to let him in with a shaky smile.]

Lee, thank you... [She needs a friend so badly right now. And when things are dark, he's very good at being there for her.]

[He sits there quietly and nervously, breathing it all in. He knows he's not the same as Naruto or Sasuke. But even so, to have earned even that smile from Sakura, his heart feels just about full. He steps on in.]

Sakura-san... Speak nothing of it. You are very welcome. I hope that - that they are pleasing to you. [And he holds the flowers towards her.]

[He's not the same, and yet - if it had been Lee who left, Sasuke certainly wouldn't have dropped any plans he had in order to run to her, and certainly not with flowers in hand! Naruto might have come, but the flowers wouldn't have been there. Lee... Lee has been a very good friend to her.]

They are. [The words are warm, if still laced with sadness, and she accepts the flowers and cradles them tenderly.] I know I shouldn't be taking this so hard, but...

They are your comrades. I understand.

[He's already lost Tenten twice and Gai-Sensei once.

And he has nightmares about losing Neji.]

You have the right to feel their absence. This... is a bittersweet time of youth.

[His understanding means a lot. That he's willing to offer her the support he needs, not just sympathizing but empathizing with the pain she feels... she needs that.]

I feel like I should be happy that they've gone home... it's where we belong, isn't it? But I'm going to miss them. Having them both here, where we could be a team without the war...

[But it's all an illusion, isn't it? She sets the flowers carefully in a bowl, resolving to find a proper vase for them as soon as possible, and settles on the sofa, slumping.]

Yes. [Lee just keeps hovering near her, looking on in concern. And he speaks with more reservation than usual, trying to make sure that each word is the best he can think of, occasionally closing his eyes in focus.

This is a comforting talk of youth.] Even though this world has its own war... most of the time we have peace here. And we are free from all the problems plaguing our own world. We... could all truly enjoy our springtime of youth while we live here.

And sometimes... it feels like we have all the time in the world to sort out our problems that remain. But then... that time can be cut short, so cruelly.

But... you are right, in that home is where we truly belong.

[It is comforting -- his words, and the effort he's putting into them.]

Here, sit, you don't need to keep standing...

[She gives his wrist a gentle tug to encourage him to sit beside her.]

You're... you're right, though. It feels... well. I don't want to say idyllic here after what happened in Zompania, but compared to home and the war and constant missions, it's very relaxed here. It's... it's too easy to let time slip away. I've been here for a year and a half now, and you even longer...

[She sighs.]

[He moves along with her touch quietly, seating himself on her couch with just a slight feeling of nervousness, and then he rests his hands on his knees as he listens to her.]

Y-yes. Time has passed so quickly... even for youth! And, sometimes... It's hard to remember many details about home, after all this time. That is - until we recall someone we miss who is dear to us.

[She nods, absolutely agreeing with him.]

There are so many people I wish I could see again. Naruto and Sasuke, now... but for a long time, I've missed Tsunade-shishou badly. And... and I wish I could see Ino and Hinata again, too...

I'm sure you feel the same about many people; I think we all do.

Yes. I do miss all of those people in ways. Even though, if they came back to this place... Hinata-san or Ino-san might not remember the good times we've had in this place. [He does miss Tsunade as well. He'll never forget everything she did for him, how she healed his body and helped him become a ninja again. He wants to repay her with constant diligent service, but he can't as long as they're apart.]

It has been almost a year since I last saw Gai-Sensei. [He looks down wearily.] Sakura-san... at the least, you are fortunate that your own sensei is still here in this world.

[That's right; he has plenty of his own people that he misses dearly.]

It has been that long, hasn't it? [She offers him a sad, sympathetic smile.] I'm sorry, Lee. You've seen just as many people come and go as I have. [She still has her sensei here; he still has Neji.]

I suppose that I have. But please, don't be sorry, Sakura-san. [He offers his own soft smile in turn.] This is an endeavor which we will endure together. And... through it, we shall grow even stronger. So... should our friends come here again, we can do an even better job of protecting them!

[Growing stronger... that's the right way to look at it. There's no growth without effort and struggle, she's learned that lesson all too well.]

Endure together... I like the sound of that. We will endure, no matter what this place throws at us.

Y-yes. [Hearing Sakura say that makes Lee feel all the more confident.]

We are sturdy ninja of Konoha, after all. And... I must apologize for being selfish, but... [He glances down towards his hands, resting on his knees.]

I - I feel grateful that you are still here, Sakura-san.

[Maybe in a weird way, that's the thing she needed to hear most of all. From Lee's perspective, she's not left behind -- she's still here, while the others are gone back. It reframes things a little for her.

Instead of looking at Sasuke and Naruto's backs, she's facing Lee, metaphorically speaking. It brings at least a small smile to her lips.]

Thank you, Lee. [And she means it; those words are heartfelt.] That... that really means a lot to hear.

Really? [He's glad to hear that. And he smiles lightly while still looking down at his knees.] I am glad to help you, Sakura-san. And I will always be near whenever you may need me!

[Always be near when she needs him... yes, he's good at that, isn't he?] I know you will. [Her voice is warm when she says it, and after just a moment's hesitation, she reaches out, laying a hand gently over top of his.]

[His smile grows fonder at her touch. Sakura was truly here for him as well. He gaventhat hand a gentle squeeze with his own as he muttered softly.]

Thank, you, Sakura-san. Thank you for your faith.

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