Building the Yellow Brick Road by LittleOne94

Chapter 6 : Too many people

Harry was forcefully strapped down on to a hospital bed for another day before he was finally allowed out again. Naruto had already been waiting for him, finding the whole situation quite hilarious. How could someone who had fought alongside Kakashi-sensei, Ero-Sennin and Tsunade baa-chan be scared of hospitals? "It's not the hospital itself that scares me," Harry whined with a dramatic sigh. "It's the endless boredom of being secluded to a bed. I need to do stuff. All that sitting around doing nothing drives me insane."

Naruto chuckled as they walked through the halls of the accursed hospital. "Oh wait," the blonde suddenly said, turning back to a room they just passed. "I want you to meet Bushy Eyebrows! He's also still in hospital, but Tsunade baa-chan should be able to heal him." He pounded enthusiastically on the door before barging in. Harry rolled his eyes, wondering if he should have stopped the blonde before he barged in, but Naruto was already shouting happily at his friend that he wanted to introduce the dark haired Wizard. Said Wizard sighed, smirked and shook his head before entering the room.

Harry blinked before hiding his surprise at the sight before him. An almost perfect replica of Maito Gai, the man with the impressive eyebrows he had met at Kakashi's, was sitting on the hospital bed. If the older man hadn't been standing in the same room, Harry could have sworn the guy had been hit with a de-aging spell. Staring at the man who was leaning casually against the white walls of the hospital room Harry couldn't help but feel sad. There was a great misery there, like he had lost something or someone not too long ago.

The Jounin nodded at him with a small smile. It seemed that Gai was struggling with himself, so Harry nodded and winked before turning his attention to the two Genin. "It's good to meet you Lee-san," Harry said with a kind smile and a bow. "Naruto-kun has told me a lot about you. Someone with a will of iron like you must have great trouble waiting for Tsunade-sama to find the right treatment. I was here for only a day against my will and it drove me nuts."

"I still don't believe you were ever anything else Ryuu nii-san," Naruto said cheekily, grinning like the cheeky brat he is.

Harry rolled his eyes and glared playfully at the blonde. "Now, now Naruto-kun," the Wizard said sweetly. "I believe you are becoming cheekier. Maybe I should have Ramen by myself today."

Those bright blue eyes couldn't get any wider, that mouth not closer to the ground. "You'll catch flies if you keep that up," Harry said with an amused smirk. Lee smiled a true and honest smile, something which seemed to wipe the sadness out of Gai's eyes, and Harry felt the warmth in his chest spread. "I've got some tips and tricks for you when you've healed Lee-san. I was always injured when I was around your age so I know a fair bit about dealing with stiff joints and muscles after being healed. Don't give up," he added with a whisper and a wink. "This won't last much longer, I'm sure of it."

Lee frowned a little but otherwise didn't let anything show that he had heard Harry's words. "Thank you Ryuu-san," the mini-Gai said, looking grateful for something Harry still wasn't quite sure off. It sure wasn't for the tips. "I'll make sure to come and find you once the Godaime heals me."

"Well that's us," Harry said with a smile. "You staying here Naruto-kun or shall we go see Sasuke-san as well? I think he was here for another check-up." Naruto's eyes widened slightly before the infectious smile spread. "Oh can we?" Harry nodded and the blonde bounced to the bed, shook Lee's hand and wished him well before he ran out the door bidding both men a hasty goodbye. "And there he goes," Harry muttered with a fond smile. "Lee-san, Gai-san, I wish you well today. Don't forget to come by every once in a while."