medicalpunch | [Luceti] Appointments

Yes. [He says quietly, plainly.] That is the way they manipulate us here.

[He's back on his feet now and looks at her uncertainly, shoulders slumped. He knew he was affected. Somehow, it made him like Izumo and be repelled by Sakura. But the way she was acting so nice to him that day, could she have been...? The idea only made him feel worse. He could have ruined his only chance and only proven that he could be as unfair as Sakura was towards him on their first meeting.

And he did not know what to do, with that similar odd, fluttering sensation that he was more aware of now, which he associated with Rapunzel.]

I see. Of course, you should... have all the time that you need to sort out your thoughts. And if you'd like - perhaps I can arrange for you to join a training session with my team!

[He smiles innocently. Maybe a group training will be a more comfortable compromise for the time being.]

Edited 2013-02-27 04:07 (UTC)

With your team?

[With Neji, and the moment she thinks it, she flinches, entirely unaware. Gods, all she can see when she thinks of him is his dying form draped in Naruto's arms, and her too far away, unable to help... not that it would have mattered had she been closer. Healing wounds such as those would have taken all the might of multiple healers, and in a battle, one person could not be afforded such attention.

Not that it makes the guilt any less. The lives of her companions are in her hands, and she's already failed one...

But she doesn't want to let Lee know. So she tries to play it off with a laugh, even if it sounds patently artificial and strained to her ears.]

Haha, well, that won't be necessary, I wouldn't want to get in the way of the three of you!

Maybe... [Deep breath. She doesn't totally know if she wants to do this, but a spar between comrades is a good way to mend bridges...] Maybe the two of us, sometime?

You would not get in the way. It could also be useful to have an extra person present because of how different combinations of ninja teams can be during emergencies.

[It's weird; by this point he could have heard from Neji that Sakura hadn't spoken to him at all, which is just odd. There are very few explanations for why two ninja of Konoha would want to associate with each other, and all of them were unsettling. What if Neji... what if he... What if he had used his Byakugan to peep on Sakura?! And he thought he trusted him...

But the way she brings up the one-on-one sparring again, it helps him to perk up. And he gladly raises his fist.]

Ah... sure, Sakura-san! Whenever you'd like... I would gladly go one-on-one with you!

[Good, the distraction gambit at least appears to be successful; she has no way of knowing if Neji has noticed her avoidance or communicated it to Lee.]

Great! I've been looking for an opportunity to do some strength training -- and I know you're the guy to go to for that! [Positive attention, yes, that's how to get Lee distracted from pursuing questions about her reluctance to interact with his team.

And it's not a lie -- with her chakra reduced further from its already-low levels, she does want to take up some of the slack with building muscle and physical strength.]

I see! And I am flattered by such a consideration. Simply... keep me updated on when you would prefer such an activity to occur!

[He turns and practices some punches and kicks on the air excitedly. Things don't seem to be too bad.]

[She watches him, unsure of just what she's signed herself up for with this. With complicated emotions -- ones she can't even be sure are really hers -- Lee's history of interest in her, and the events of the past week... well. The request for a spar might not have been the best idea.

But damned if she's going to rescind it.]

I will! Some day that I'm not needed at the clinic...

O-of course, Sakura-san! It is wise to wait until thinks settle down for you. I would not wish to rush your decision.

[He tries to give her a friendly smile. He feels that familiar feeling in his heart, and he's sure it was the same before the experiment.

But he finds himself thinking of Rapunzel's laugh, with a similar feeling fo warmth, of satisfaction. It's odd. As if that feeling had always been there. But that can't be right. He swore to protect Sakura years ago, no matter what her feelings were at the time. After all, maybe things were finally changing.

Lee finds himself digging in his heels and blurting out without thinking.]

It is sinful to have more than one person in one's heart, correct? And in such a situation... the proper solution would be to hold onto the original set of feelings for the rest of one's life. Is this right?!

[She's just about to respond to his original comments, something lighthearted and simple... and then he blurts out that new thought.

To hold more than one person in your heart... how can he ask about that? She blinks, knowing that he doesn't mean this, but unable to stop herself from thinking of Sasuke. Of the place he'll always hold for her as her teammate, as the first person to make her heart beat fast, as the first person whose smile she pinned all her hopes on...]

Sinful? I don't think so. There are a lot of people you can hold in your heart, in a lot of different ways.

And if someone drops out... then that's all right, Lee. [Even though those words make her wince, knowing he's talking about her, still twisted up enough to not want to essentially tell him it's okay to forget about her.] Let your heart move as it will, don't try to force it. Your feelings are your feelings.

I... I see. [He looks down at his bandaged hands for a moment in thought.]

You are very wise, Sakura-san. I am sorry that... that things are confusing right now. I will try to follow your advice. And I shall see - what path my heart truly seeks. [Is it really alright to abandon you?]

It doesn't seem like following your heart is something you've ever had trouble doing.

[But her throat is tight when she says it, and there's a part of her that really wants to hide for right now. To get away from him, because there are way too many emotions swirling around in her chest, and she can't deal with them. Not right now.]

I... I'll see you around, Lee.

[And now she's going to be fretting over his question on top of everything else. Does that mean that even though his treatment of her was event-based, the lack of interest is genuine? It's too early in the morning for this.]

Thank you. [He thinks that's a compliment. So he nods. And he takes a moment to look at her - everything that was beautiful about her before is beautiful again. But even with the apology accepted and the possibility of sparring together in the future, he can't help but feel he messed this up. Maybe he would be better off going to Rapunzel first, whom he hasn't hurt. Luceti had many eligible men who could treat her better.]

I shall see you soon as well. And, Sakura-san... [He stops as he turns to leave, to look back towards her with a smile and a thumbs up, before he departs.] I shall be rooting for you to have a good day!

[It's such a normal, such a Lee thing to say, she can't help but smile at it, even though everything inside of her is currently in turmoil.

Letting go of someone your heart no longer clings to... She's tried to do that with Sasuke and failed. Not even able to take her own advice and practice it...]

You too, Lee.

[And now, she really, really needs some coffee. It's the morning for it. Maybe spiked coffee. (And she starts down the path to being the next Tsunade...)]

[Luceti] Appointments

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject