Downfall (A Rock Lee fanfic)

The Journal

Chapter 3: The Journal

(Rock Lee's POV)

The door before me slowly creaked open to shine light into the dark building. I stepped over the threshold, entering the quiet, lifeless home.

I met no one on the way here, making a straight shot for my sensei's house. I was glad that no one had stopped me to chat. I am sure if anyone had, I would have broken down and decided not to go. I would have convinced myself I wasn't ready to find whatever it was I needed to find.

But I had too. For it was Gai's last wish.

I took a shuddery breath. This home seemed so warm still, the imprint of its inhabitant not yet faded. He was here alive and well, only yesterday. My throat clenched painfully and my chest shuddered. But I pushed myself forward.

He said there was something only I could find... What could only I find?

I entered Gai-sensei's living room and scanned the area. His walls were all a shade of lime green with decent furniture. Though training equipment was strewn about, along with several pairs of green spandex in need of a good wash. Nothing caught my eye here.

I moved onto the kitchen.

The moment I stepped into the room I groaned loudly and wrinkled my nose. Dishes piled almost ceiling high in the sink. Various bowls of... something... were cluttered about, along with rotting food and many flies. I groaned again and pinched my nostrils shut.

This was most unyouthful.

I quickly vacated that room. I was not going to stay in there any longer. Fear began to boil in my chest as I continued to search. What was I supposed to find? How could Gai-sensei be so confident that I would find it?

Doubts continued to build when I finally made it to the stairs that led to the second floor. I started up the steps, doubts of me ever finding this item growing, when I suddenly stopped. I raised my foot up off of the step I had just made contact with and stared down at it. Carefully I walked back down the stairs and back up with determination. I stopped again and stared at the same stair. There it was!

Unlike the rest of the stairs, this one made the most subtle hollow echo when trodden on. It was only noticeable by the most attentive of ears.

I bent down on the stairs, in front of the hollow one, and ran my hands over the boards, looking for any type of crack or crevice that might be there. I pushed against the front panel and it moved back with a click.

"Ah Ha!" I shouted victoriously as I moved the panel aside and spotted a small brown book with a strap snapped to the cover to keep it closed. This had to be what I was supposed to find. I was the only one who would have detected the amazingly subtle hollowness, thanks to Gai-sensei's vigorous training. Gai-sensei had taught me to train my ears long ago after he taught me Morse Code. So if we were on a mission, I would be able to hear his Morse Code in a 10 mile radius, or I could hear things no one else noticed. I frowned. It wasn't exactly the best quality to have when I had been fighting the Sound nin during the Chuunin Exams.

I gently picked the book up and sat on the stairs, rubbing my thumb against the firm cloth cover.

I found it Gai-sensei. Just like you said I would...

I breathed shakily, swallowing the apprehension in my throat, and popped the snap off. I slowly opened the book.

In the top right corner was a date. It was dated to twenty years ago. This is a journal! I realized, suddenly feeling bad to invade my sensei's privacy like this. But I had to read it. Those were my sensei's orders.

I nervously licked my lips and began to read quietly, brows furrowed in concentration. The first entry was just full of small tips and fighting advice. I smiled sadly, thinking of my own notebook in my pouch filled with Gai's wisdom.

I shook my head and continued to read.

There were a few other entries set twenty years ago, then suddenly the next one was set almost 18 years ago, he hadn't written in it for two years then, and this entry wasn't just a bunch of tips or advice. This entry was an actual journal entry.

November 26

I have been assigned a very important mission. I am to deliver a message to a man in the Uchiha clan. I am filled with such youthful excitement I can barely contain myself! Ah, a chance to see the legendary Uchiha clan! Maybe they shall even show me the true power of the Sharingan, the parts my eternal rival will never be able to master because he was not born with his. Oh, I'm so excited I will leave right now!

I frowned at the pages and furrowed my thick brows. Gai-sensei, why do you want me to read this? What am I supposed to learn from this? I thought, confused. This all just appeared to be everyday life.

I read on and my eyes slowly began to widen. I emitted a sharp gasp and dropped the book as I stood quickly. My hand groped at the walls as I struggled to find balance, the whole world spinning. "No... It can not be.." I whispered, trying to convince myself.

But it was no use.

I had just uncovered the truth.