A Lotus in Winter: A Rock Lee Love Story

Chapter 17: Results

No One's POV:
Upon hearing the Hokage's words, Kakashi's summons dogs released their grip on Sayuri. The crowd expected her to collapse from exhaustion and injury, Might Guy was already tensed to run catch her if that did occur. However that was not the case. Sayuri gained her balance and to everyone's shock ran to Kakashi in a blink of an eye. They feared she planned to attack him while he was down in order to prove her abilities, Lady Tsunade even jumped into the ring followed closely by Guy, and Shikaku. However they stopped short realizing her plan wasn't to attack him, instead she was healing his wounds and infusing him with her chakra so he wouldn't pass out. She looked like she was about to herself as the wound on her ribs had opened up. Everyone watched in stunned silence, but couldn't hear the conversation between the two.

Sayuri: You were sloppy in this fight. There was no need to utilize your sharingan as my jutsu is impossible for you to copy. So why did you fight so hard and recklessly.

Kakashi was silent as she continued healing him and giving him her chakra. He thought 'Her chakra is warm and pleasant, but it doesn't look like it should come from her. She's dark and broken' He was snapped out of his thoughts when something warm and sticky dripped onto his hand. He knew without looking what it was, he had been covered in it enough times in his life to know the feel of blood. He looked for the source and saw it was from her various bite wounds and he knew he took it too far with the dogs.

Kakashi: I wasn't myself when we fought. I was selfish and didn't fight with my head in the right place. I fought for myself and made too many mistakes, you deserved better. Guy probably felt the same as me but he gave you a coordinated worthwhile fight because he wanted you to achieve your goals.

Sayuri: I'm nowhere near as strong as you, but your lack of focus leveled the playing field. Why did you do this?

Kakashi: I wanted to defeat you in such a way that the superiors would never choose you for their ranks. However my overzealousness has most likely led to exactly what I hoped to avoid. I couldn't save my student from going down a self destructive path, I hoped I could save you. We're not too different you and I.

Sayuri reflected on these words as she finished healing him but her thoughts were broken by the Hokage.

Tsunade: You both fought well, the superiors and I will now decide whether you will become an anbu for the Hidden Leaf. Go address your wounds and rest while we deliberate. I believe you have a story to tell us afterwards.

Sayuri finished healing Kakashi and helped him to his feet. He covered his eye and praised her skill. However she heard little of this.

Sayuri's POV:
'Not good, not good at this rate I'm going to collapse' My legs are numb, everything is getting blurry. I could feel myself falling as my legs buckled, I braced for impact with the ground but it didn't occur. Looking up I saw that Kakashi had caught me. My wounds weren't serious, but they did hurt. Team Guy came rushing over to me and all spoke at once.

Lee: You did amazing! I can't wait to train with you!
Tenten: Finally I'll get to train with another girl instead of these two boys!
Neji: Hmph you did okay I guess.

I tried to respond to all of them but that was impossible, I looked to Kakashi and he nodded in an understanding way.

Kakashi: Let's get you to the infirmary here so you can doctor yourself up.

With that he took off leaving the team behind.
No one's POV:
Hitsugi now released from his genjutsu followed Kakashi who held in his arms the only person in the world he loved. To him Sayuri was the world and no matter what path she took he would follow her. She began to doctor her various wounds once she was sat down and Kakashi watched from afar. Hitsugi sniffed the dog bites and Kakashi summoned them yet again so that they might meet. He wanted her dog out of the way so he could talk to her.

Kakashi: So you're a lightning style shinobi?

Sayuri only nodded, clearly too busy with her current task to answer.

Kakashi: Your jutsu was impressive, if you would like I could help train you with Guy.

Finishing up her task she looked at him.

Sayuri: Thank you, I will take you up on that offer. But that's not what you want to talk about is it?

Kakashi sighing said "No it's not. Give up on being an Anbu. I know that you are more than qualified and already were in your village, but it's obvious that it doesn't suit you. You're a kind person whether you realize it or not and being an anbu will only hurt you more. I know that darkness you're in, I've lived it. Take my advice and give this up, you can be a Jounin in our village, anything but taking on that mantle."

Sayuri lowered her head. "Thank you for your concern, but it's already too late for me. I'm a weapon and that is the only life I know. I have to repay this village for its kindness. I'm sorry."

With those words she left the infirmary, Hitsugi not far behind. She entered the arena just as the deliberation ended. She looked up at the woman who was now the leader of her fate.

Tsunade: Sayuri, we have decided that you will become an anbu for the Hidden Leaf village.

Everyone cheered, everyone but five people. Kakashi, Guy, Tenten, Neji, and Lee. This was not the result they had wanted but they knew it was what she wanted and so false smiles plastered their faces. Despite his excitement for her, Lee struggled to smile. She wasn't meant for a life surrounded by death, it wasn't the life she deserved but he knew it was her goal and so he had to put up a front either way.