Forty-third and final Lotus

[spandexisyouth]

[The writing is much slower than normal. He's taking his time.]

I do not know that there is anything more to say on the topic of me. I am Maito Gai, the Green Beast of Konoha, teacher of Lee, Neji, and Tenten, Eternal Rival to Kakashi, summoner of Ninkame, shinobi of Konohagakure. What you have seen and met is me. I teach and I train and I fight. And I hug. And you are all welcome to visit. If there is anything anyone else would like to know, you may ask, but I cannot think of what else to say.

I am going home, but I will see many of you again, for I will visit here, and the worlds that have an invitation.

It has been my honor to work with those I have, and to meet those I have. I will not forget any of you.

Comments

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

I figured you would say that.


Don't get yourselves killed for it, though.

[spandexisyouth]

What, it is better that you die for it? That we do not strive and try and then you are gone and this will be gone? It is not. Not at all!

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

What's done is done.

[spandexisyouth]

Not yet. It is not done yet in my time.

I know the chance is slim. I know it is not likely. I do not care. Slim is still something and if you will go home then I will refuse to give up. I cannot give up, Kakashi. I cannot bear to.

I will spend three years by your side, once again hiding part of what you are to me, knowing what it was to have it, for the slim chance that I can save you, because I cannot lose you.

Clearly they should just tie Bell to the bed to keep him from leaving the Sphere.

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

[Nothing is written in reply. He hates himself for wavering on this when his head tells him that the answer should always clearly be what's best for Konoha. But he doesn't want to be dead, either, doesn't want to leave, and doesn't really want to make this choice. But duty comes first, and even if Kakashi can't do anything for Konoha anymore, because he's already dead, he knows Gai and Lee can, and that's important to him.]

If Gai thought that Bell would be all right with that he'd do it in a heartbeat.

[spandexisyouth]

[It's not easy on any of them, and Gai knows that he has a duty to Konoha that he needs to fulfill, but to lose Kakashi is such a high price. Part of him wants to suggest that Kakashi stay here while Gai and Lee go back, and then Gai comes back to visit, but even that's just a stopgap measure.]

[awokentospring.livejournal.com]

You know me well then. As can be expected.

I will not. I have an enduring spirit! And I know it would only cause you and Gai-sensei more pain if I did, so I will be careful but still strive to protect you in any way I can!