goodbye meme!

[ramenandawesome]

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
even if they weren't so great.Some theoretical five years into the future, BREW's wish has been granted. Your character has evolved into what you'd planned for them, they've made the CR you've wanted them to make, and now, the war is over. To express their gratitude, Shibusen has one last surprise for their guests: the

Comments

LEAVING

[spandexisyouth]

Gai's made a great many relationships and friends, none of which he wants to lose.

But at the end of the day, Gai is a ninja. He's dedicated to Konohagakure. They're in the middle of a war and his duty is to be there, fighting for them, giving of himself to the best of his abilities. This is what he gave his word to do. To do otherwise would be to become a missing-nin and betray the village that trained and trusted in him.

It's not that it's an easy choice. There's nothing easy about it. But there's no choice to it, either, in his mind.]

[wiredgod]

Gai-sama...

[She might be leaving with them, if everything goes as planned, because Neji and Lee and Gaara had all promised to do everything in their power to take her back home with them, so she didn't have to return to her own world where she had nothing and no one.

Still, if she doesn't get that chance, she'd like to see Gai before they all leave. But she doesn't even know what to begin to say]

[spandexisyouth]

Lain. I believe the plan is for you to come as well? I am glad that you are coming, but... you should be aware that it is very dangerous. Our entire village has been destroyed once.

[The last of his things are now tidy. Gai's looking at the apartment, taking in where he's lived for five years.

He turns and smiles at her.]

We will often be on missions. And there is no telling if we will remember; I gather that returned people have not before. But I know that some of us are easy to befriend again if you manage to remember to try.

[wiredgod]

[She smiles back, slow but with an ease she didn't have 5 years ago and shakes her head]

It doesn't matter if you don't remember me here, [She points to her head] Because... you'll still remember me here. [She points to her heart] The connections we've made with each other won't let us forget how important we are to each other.

That's the power of a connection like friendship.

And I... We, the three of us, will train hard. We want to help, even if the offer comes a little late.

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai gives her a cheerful thumbs-up.]

That is true! And we will have those bonds, and so we will join again!

[He tilts his head, still smiling.]

Surely you mean the five of us. Maybe the six, though I do not think Kakashi will train very ha-- Oh! You mean... of you! I am sure that you will!

[wiredgod]

[She chuckles and nods] Yes, the three of us in here. Bold, and me, and even that 'Other' me... We'll help.

I... Gai-sama... [She trails of a moment, not sure where she's going with this]

If we do forget, I want to tell you now that I... That everything you've done for me, means a lot. Thank you very much, for being reliable to me--to all the 'me's.

[spandexisyouth]

[He nods, and his expression gets a bit more gentle.]

Thank you, Lain. I have been glad to get to know you as well, and I think you have done a lot of good, especially for Neji and Naruto. I hope we do not lose what we have had, but if we have, I am proud of the way you have grown and helped.

[hatedriven]

[this is the reason he's staying.

the one that has him approaching Gai, unabashed, and looking him square in the face. the one that knows he'd be unable to do this back there, if he left, unmake this tentative bond he'd never before had any desire to have.]

Are you ready?

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai nods.]

I am. And you are staying, I understand? I have to say that I am curious as to how this will change home.

[hatedriven]

[he rolls one shoulder in a careless shrug.]

Do you think it will?

[spandexisyouth]

[Gai raises an eyebrow.]

You will not be there. So you will not have... done some of the things that you have. I think it could change things.

[hatedriven]

[something in his shoulders eases, as though hearing it out loud from someone else makes it true.]

Good.

[spandexisyouth]

[He studies Sasuke for a moment before reaching over and placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.]

I think you have chosen well to stay here. As time has passed here you have matured, and here you have potential once again. It is up to you to make the best of it, and I believe that you can.

[hatedriven]

[he doesn't shy away from the touch, or shrug it off the way he would have once upon a time. instead, he stands firm underneath it, taking the blessing for what it is. he doesn't say thank you, but he doesn't look away either.]

[spandexisyouth]

[There's a smile after the touch is done.]

You have spoken with Kakashi? It does not mean anything against you if he does not seek you out, you should know. I think it is likely he will not go find people he will miss, because he has lost so many. But if you do see him, you should take the chance to say goodbye. He will treasure it, whether he shows it or not. He does care about all of you, very much.

[hatedriven]

[he shifts his weight, awkward, and exhales. a sigh, accompanied by a cutting away of his gaze that was easily an eyeroll. a reflection of his younger self.]

I know that.