Downfall (A Rock Lee fanfic)

Departure

Chapter 6: Departure

Tenten's eyelids slowly fluttered open as dawn light hit them. She blinked the blurriness away before shivering at the chill hitting her skin. She slowly sat up and looked around, confused. She was outside, on a bench. She was so befuddled.

I don't even remember falling asleep... What happened last night?... I remember...

She drew in a sharp gasp and leaped from the bench, swinging her head around. "LEE!" The weapons mistress yelled, trying to find her teammate. She looked to the Village gates and froze.

No. He couldn't have... He would never...

An unconscious tightening of her fists alerted her to a soft crinkly sound. She rose her hand to look down at it, finding a folded, half crumpled piece of paper. She slowly unfolded it.

She recognized the penmanship instantly.

Tenten I regret to have to tell you this way. I apologize for knocking you out, but I had no other choice. It was a most unyouthful thing to do, but you would not have let me go if you had been conscious. I am leaving the Village, Tenten,to seek out Sasuke Uchiha. I must find him. I need his assistance. I wish I could tell you the whole story, Tenten... But then you would be in danger and I can not let anything happen to you. What matters is that I know who killed Gai-sensei. And I am going to get my revenge. But I need Sasuke's help. Why Sasuke? Because he is one of the most powerful ninja I know and he is the only one who might even consider helping me. But if I must abandon my village to gain his assistance, then so be it. I do regret leaving all my friends behind, but it is for a good cause.

And mark my words, Tenten. I shall return. I promise.

-Rock Lee

Tenten stared down at the paper, reading and then rereading it over and over again. Her arms dropped to her sides and she stared out of the gates of the village.

The remaining member of her team was gone.

"Lee..." she spoke softly, hoping with all her might that he'd just walk back through those gates to her call. That he'd smile and wave and offer they go train. Like nothing had happened.

But he didn't.

Tenten stayed frozen, staring past the gates. "No.." she whispered, the strong facade she always kept up cracking.

Lee was all she had left. He was her close friend, teammate... and crush. Sure, Tenten used to like Neji when they first all became a team, but then she got to know him. She stopped feeling that way for him (though she did eventually befriend him), and never realized that her other teammate was sneaking into her heart with his never-quit attitude and bright smile. Day after day her affection for him grew, unnoticed Until one day when she sat down with Hinata to talk about the uncontrolled feeling of anger that sparked up whenever Sakura was near. Or, when she was around Lee, to be exact.

Turns out she was jealous. Hinata explained to her her emotions. Tenten had never been the girly type, so she was lost and confused about her feelings. Hinata, on the other hand, knew exactly what was going on. Needless to say, she was shocked when Hinata told her she liked Lee.

She denied it at first. How could I like that weirdo? She'd think. But gradually she came to realize Hinata was right. She was crushing on Rock Lee.

Ever since then, the emotion has just grown stronger and stronger, boosted even more when Neji died, leaving the two to comfort each other. Tenten was certain of her feelings now.

She loved Lee.

And now he was gone. Her heart gone with him.

Suddenly a hand grasped her shoulder.

"Tenten? What are you doing here? Where did you go last night?" Came Sakura's calm voice. When she walked around her friend to face her, she wore a curious expression that immediately turned to concern when she saw Tenten's face. Unknown to Tenten, tears had escaped her.

"Tenten! What's wrong!?" Sakura exclaimed, brushing her bubblegum colored hair from her face. Tenten remained silent, and her arm moved numbly. She held up Lee's note. Sakura took it with furrowed brows and looked down at the creased paper.

Slowly, her eyes widened, emerald orbs shrinking from shock. She turned to look out of the gates then back to her friend. "Tenten I-"

She was cut off as Tenten's unconscious body hit the ground.