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

[weaver-girl.livejournal.com]

I'll continue to practice. Every Monday. And Thursdays, too.

[spandexisyouth]

I am glad to hear it, Kagerou! And when we run into each other again we will have a short spar so that I can see how far you have progressed!

[weaver-girl.livejournal.com]

I might surprise you! I'll have Tatsuki to teach me again.

I hope so, anyway. Things look a little dark right where I'm going.

[spandexisyouth]

You have a teacher back home?

They... are not bright where I am going either. But we will find a way.

[weaver-girl.livejournal.com]

Sort of. My best friend. She's the runner-up for the national karate championship for high school students, so she is quite excellent!

But she isn't really my teacher. Not like you have been. And more than that.

I still can't remember my parents. But I do know now what it would be like to have an uncle, I think.

[man-genius.livejournal.com]

Eternal rival? Is that what the kids are calling it these days.

You think we can visit? For realsies?

[spandexisyouth]

That is impressive!

I am sorry for your loss. I do not know if it is any comfort, but I cannot remember my father, and have only the briefest memory of my mother. They were both ninja as well. But I am honored to be as your uncle, Kagerou, and to know what it is to have a neice.

[spandexisyouth]

For about two decades we have challenged each other in a Rivalry that was more than friendly but not [pentaps] physical, not the way that it is here. It was physical at times in spars! But not like here. And so I am glad for here and the change.

For realsies! I knew that we would find a way for those to go home who wished to and those to stay who wished to! I know that we will see each other again!

[virginwarrior.livejournal.com]

You will always be welcome to visit Midgard, though I will rarely be there.

[spandexisyouth]

Thank you, Lily! What is it like?

[virginwarrior.livejournal.com]

Midgard is a beautiful realm, inhabited by mortals and occasionally harassed by the undead. They are swiftly dealt with but it still causes trouble. And, sadly, some humans still wage war against each other as is their nature.

[spandexisyouth]

I think that there is likely war in every world. It is the way of things, though it is not a good way.

[bloody-pens.livejournal.com]

Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that you are what you have been here. Not that it's a bad thing- it's good to be so comfortable with yourself that you just KNOW, even when getting your memories taken.

[virginwarrior.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I believe you are right.

[spandexisyouth]

I think that is a high compliment, Castle. Thank you! And it is also simpler, I think. I am not a very complex person. It is easier when things are straightforward.

[spandexisyouth]

But as long as there are people who look to the future and are optimistic, it may one day change.

[amodernjanus.livejournal.com]

I don't know what half of those words mean.

[spandexisyouth]

That is a lot of words to not understand. I think you are meaning 'many' and far less than half but if you do not say what ones, I cannot explain.

[virginwarrior.livejournal.com]

Perhaps someday. It only makes it worse knowing I can do nothing.

[spandexisyouth]

You can do something! All you must do is look for it! Judging from what I have written with you, you have a good heart. Use that. You will find a way.

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

What Gai's trying to say is that for about two decades he's manhandled me and called this foreplay 'challenges.'

[spandexisyouth]

WHAT? THAT IS NOT I MEAN OKAY YES THERE WAS HANDLING BUT IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT!

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

I seem to recall plenty of groping now that I have my memories back. Every chance you could get, your hands were all over me.

It's a wonder you made it here with a unicorn to lose.

[spandexisyouth]

Then maybe you should have thought about it before we got here and we could have had something there ^sooner. But the sparring and things were not like that so we did not so it was not like that at all!

[[ooc: The comment goes up at first whole, and then Gai hastily scratches out 'there' and adds 'sooner'. Even though he needs to somehow let the Spamily know to say good bye, he doesn't want to out Bell this openly.]]

[grab-my-bells.livejournal.com]

[Kakashi edits that comment further to say "Then maybe you should have thought done something about it before we got here"]

I'm always late. You know this, Gai.

And maybe it always has been like that, underneath the underneath. But neither ofno one looked there.