Another Kankuro Love Story

37

"What are you stupid?!" Someone yelled as we landed on the ground. I opened my eyes to find Neji. "You're lucky I came by when I did." He said but I shook my head. "No I'm not." I whispered. "You should have let me die. I wanted to die." He crossed his arm. "No I shouldn't have. You're so stupid. Why would you jump from the heads?" I stared up at him.

"I'm tired Neji! I'm tired of being useless! I have never been so useless. The Hokage said so herself. I'm useless and rotting away. I am done depending on people I'm done being something I'm not. I hate looking in the mirror and only seeing the burden I am." I felt my tears escape slowly. "That isn't a reason to kill yourself. Life is tough Akemi but we keep going. We don't give up because we can't do something we want to do. I don't want to hear that as a reason to duck out. Ever." He pulled me up to stand.

"I'm so tired. I am having nightmares constantly of being carved and cut open. Then I wake the nightmare doesn't end. I'm always thinking about it. It never stops then I am unable to walk to clear my head. Instead I am stuck inside it alone. I can't be a ninja I don't know what to do if I can't be a ninja. My father always told me if I can't handle it just end it. Nobody would miss a mistake like myself. So I am doing what he has been telling me to do for years. Only the strong survive and I thought I am strong but I was wrong. I am weak and the world has no room for the weak. The world has no room for mistakes." I felt my head snap to the side and a little sting rise in my cheek.

"Stop. I know it is hard. I know you've been through crap that is unimaginable...but just stop. It's pointless to keeping going on about being tired or not being a ninja. Look at Lee. He was out of options and he thought he couldn't be the same but he never gave up. He kept fighting so should you." I put my head into his shoulder.

"He is stronger than I am. He had something to fight for. I have nothing Neji. Nobody will miss a mistake." He rubbed my hair in an attempt of comfort. "I would miss you. So would Sakura and Lee. Probably even Saskue." I hugged him.

"I know Neji....but...." He sighed then looked me in the face. "You don't mean us do you? You're talking about the sand ninja." I bit my lip knowing he was right. "I get it though. They took you in and became your friends. I don't blame you they were your first friends." I sighed and attempted to back away but fell on my butt instead.

He tried to help me up but I held my hand up. "I don't want help. This shows how much of a burden I am. I can't even stand without help." I slowly pushed myself off the ground. Wincing as I felt pain going through me. "Let's get you back to the office. I'll go grab your wheelchair." I stopped him.

"I want to walk." He gave me a hopeless look. "Please. If I am going to die I want to die trying. You're right about one thing. I can't quit because the going gets rough...so I won't. If Lee can do it so can I. The odds were way more against him." He looped his arm with mine. "At least allow me to walk you back." I nodded. We slowly made our way back.

I had to rest multiple times but we made it back. He helped me up to the office. The Hokage was sitting at her desk drinking. With my letter on the desk. I sighed. "Lady Tsunade I'm so sorry. I was in the moment too much. I was stupid to think about doing that. I would be dead if it wasn't for Neji." She looked at me.

"Nice job Neji. You on the other hand. You're an idiot. I never met someone who just gave up. If Naruto found out he wouldn't let you live it down. Be lucky he doesn't know just yet. We don't just give up. So what you can't use your legs? I've met people who can't move at all. At least your upper half works." She snapped at me.

"I know. I'm an idiot. I just thought I was too much of a burden on you. With you being busy as Hokage I didn't want to trouble you or anyone else. I didn't want you to have to worry about me. I'm useless. If I'm useless I'm just a burden. Like you read into the letter I was taught...to keeping going until I couldn't. Then just give up. But once I give up go ahead and end it because no one has any use for me once I've given up." She scoffed then sat back in her chair.