A Lotus in Winter: A Rock Lee Love Story

Chapter 53: Bittersweet

Sayuri's POV:

As I went into the house, my heart felt fuller than ever. It was late and I was surprised not to see elder brother. I knew he worked late, but he always came home no matter how late. I noticed a note on the dining table. When I picked it up it was in brother's handwriting stating that an emergency had come up, so he would be working through the night at the office. I sighed to myself, I wish Lee had stayed. I hated being alone in this big empty house, well not quite alone. I had Hitsugi to keep me company. 

I got ready for bed but sleep wouldn't come to me. I looked at the ring on my hand and I felt warmth flood my body. Slowly but surely I fell asleep and dreamed of my life with Lee. 

Several Weeks Later

News of our engagement spread like wildfire. Our friends were thrilled and immediately began helping us plan and prepare. Elder brother would act as my father and walk me down the aisle, 
Guy sensei would do the same for Lee from his wheelchair. Hinata would be my matron of honor and my friend Andromeda (her story is in my other book Andromeda and Aburame) my maid of honor. I was even being fitted for a beautiful kimono. 

Life has a dark sense of humor though. Just when everything seems to be looking up, something is bound to go wrong. 

Rock Lee's POV: 

Our wedding day was fast approaching and the whole village seemed to be helping us prepare. They had not forgotten how Sayuri had healed them during the attack of Pain, the ninja had not forgotten how she healed them on the battlefield and comforted the children and widows of those who couldn't be saved. She had even begun to teach these children how to heal. Even if they chose not to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, the could still feel helpful by healing others should an attack like Pain's occur again.

My fast paced lifestyle of work and training often left me exhausted at night. I slept heavily. This would spell trouble. One night I woke up in a strange place, it was dark and I could feel that I was chained to the wall and gagged. Immediately my mind went to Sayuri and whether or not she was safe. Then a blinding light entered the room, I struggled to see but as my eyes adjusted I could see a tall man about my age. He had long black hair that he wore in a single braid, he was wearing a uniform like an anbu but it wasn't our village's uniform. He had dark green eyes and his face wore the same kind of smirk that Sasuke would wear when we were younger and he had defeated Naruto in a spar. 

"So your'e awake huh? Seems my chloroform was unnecessary, a ninja really should be a lighter sleeper you know."

Lee: "Who are you!? Why have you kidnapped me and where am I?!"

"My name is  Hiro. I'm a ninja from The Land of Woods. There are multiple reasons why I kidnapped you and as for where you are, that won't matter soon enough."

His words crashed down upon me as I realized what he wasn't saying. The Land of Woods was where Sayuri was from, she was an anbu there. He had to know her. 

"Your'e from the land of woods! What have you done with Sayuri?!"

Hiro: "Nothing...yet. She is still safe at home. She is part of the reason I kidnapped you. You see, I wasn't like the other anbu, I didn't have the emotion sealing mark because it wouldn't work on me. My own will is stronger than that curse. Meaning I could feel emotion, and I liked her. I wanted to claim her as my own and you took her from me. Now I'm simply returning the favor and claiming what is rightfully mine. When I heard she was engaged, I knew I had to interfere. It was an added bonus that her brother turned out to be Kakashi, seeing as he murdered my brother for being part of the Pranja."

Lee: "Even if you keep me here forever or kill me it won't work! Sayuri loves me, she isn't some prize to claim! She is a person and I love her, she could never love you! All you feel is lust and the desire to hurt others!"

Hiro: "Your'e right, she does love you. Your'e also right in that she wouldn't love me. "

I felt a crushing pain in my gut as he kicked me. He didn't stop with one kick, he repeatedly kicked and stomped on my defenseless body. I kept silent as he did this, refusing to give him the satisfaction of hearing me cry. However in my mind I was crying out for Sayuri. I knew he hadn't gotten to her yet but I desperately wanted her here with me. I wanted to hear her sweet gentle voice, feel her warm embrace. I was going to die here, I would never get to see her beautiful smile again, I wouldn't get to marry her.

He continued to beat me and I lost track of how long it went on. I tried desperately to infuse my chakra in hopes of opening a gate, but the chains seemed to absorb my chakra.

Hiro: "No cheating Lee, those chains will siphon off your chakra and learn your fighting style. I can then transfer this to myself and use it to win Sayuri."

Coughing up blood, I spoke hoarsely. Speaking was painful and difficult as I tried not to pass out. "What... are...yyyou ttalking... about?"

He kicked me swiftly in the gut again and I retched.

Hiro: "I told you i'm going to make her mine, I will have to look and act the part."

He stooped down to me and ran his finger across the blood on my cheek and licked the blood off. I was horrified, before my eyes he turned into an exact version of me.

Hiro: "Once I absorb your chakra and abilities, she won't be able to tell the difference. I will take her as my own and get my revenge on Kakashi in the process. Now, i'm going to change my clothes, it's a good thing you keep so many jumpsuits in your closet. Then i'm off to take my fiance out for a date."

Lee: "No... yyou can't."

Hiro: "It's too late. You could have stopped this if you had been stronger. Your'e hardly a ninja at all. You can't use ninjutsu or genjutsu, why do you think you deserve her?"