A Lotus in Winter: A Rock Lee Love Story

Chapter 33: The Mask

Rock Lee's POV:

I went to the hospital right at the time her shift should end and waited. She never showed up, I went in and inquired. Apparently she left hours ago. I searched everywhere for her and I couldn't find her. I even knocked at her home, no one appeared to be home. I left broken hearted and went to Guy sensei.

Sayuri's POV:

I left the hospital hours before my shift ended, Lady Tsunade didn't want me to over exert myself. I was happy to leave so early, I could go home and free myself of my sorrow. Lee had confessed his love to another girl and didn't tell me about it. He probably said that to every girl. I should have never removed my mask. As soon as I made it home I put on a spare mask I had and curled up in bed. Elder brother was out on a mission so I could cry in peace. Hitsugi tried comforting me, but I was inconsolable.

Hours later I heard a knock at the door, it was Lee. I ignored it and began crying anew. I was such an idiot for trusting him, for trusting anyone. I didn't have work the next day, so I stayed in bed. I didn't bother meeting Lee for training, there was no point now. I'm sure he would just find another girl to practice with and confess his love to. Elder brother came home from his mission and knocked on my door, I had it locked and tried to muffle the sound of my crying by pulling the blankets over my head. That was to no avail, he picked the lock and came in quickly.

"Sayuri, Sayuri what's wrong kiddo?"

He pulled back the covers and saw my mask. He gently removed it and saw my tear stained face.

"Sweetheart why did you put the mask back on? Why are you crying?"

He pulled me into his lap and ruffled my hair. I couldn't hold back anymore and the whole story poured out. I ended up sobbing in his chest. He wrapped his strong arms around me and held me close.

"Let it all out kiddo, I'm right here."

"I wish I had never gotten my emotions back elder brother. I don't want to hurt this way. Please take this pain away."

I sobbed into his chest until I fell asleep.

Kakashi's POV:

Hearing Sayuri speak like that hurt my heart, and infuriated me that anyone dare make her feel that way. She lived her life in suffering and had to do the impossible, hearing that she wanted to shut off her emotions again was more than I could bear. I held her close until she fell asleep from crying and I laid her down in bed. Hitsugi stayed behind to watch over her, I had to go talk to a bowl haired brat. 

I left home and sought out Lee, he was going to make this right or he wouldn't be doing much of anything ever again.