7th Punch | Video

[medicalpunch]

[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.]

Comments

[medicalpunch]

[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.]

[niceguypose]

[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.

[medicalpunch]

[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.

[niceguypose]

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.

[medicalpunch]

[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.]

[niceguypose]

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!

[medicalpunch]

[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.

[niceguypose]

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.

[medicalpunch]

[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.

[niceguypose]

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!

[medicalpunch]

[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.]

[niceguypose]

[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.