Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ He Didn't Mind ❯ Just Be Quiet ( Chapter 5 )

Part V

The current Hokage of Konohagakure peered listlessly over her lands, pondering how the Kazekage's condition was and how Lee was reacting to Gaara's supposed critical condition. She was starting to get nervous; Gaara was one of the first actually friendly Kazekages to be kind to Konoha, and his death would jeopardize Konoha's security.

She realized after a moment how insensitive that thought had been. Gaara meant more to her than just some strategic diplomat whom she relied on for camaraderie from invasions from enemies. And now one of her taijutsu specialists, one Rock Lee, had fallen headfirst, totally, and insanely in love with the Kazekage. She smiled nostalgically to herself; she remembered what it was like to be in love, too bad he had died right in front of her. She hoped Lee wouldn't suffer the same fate she had; he deserved so much after his near-death surgery and what not.

Her thoughts were disturbed when she heard a sudden sharp noise come from the entrance to the village.

“What the…,” her voice trailed off, peering down the main path towards the gate of the village. “Of course,” she finished with a smirk.

Naruto and Jiraiya were walking down the main pathway, both apparently in a heated argument.

She shook her head, reveling at their idiocy and blatant disregard for the supposed the peace of the village.

“Why did you do that, NARUTO?!!,” Jiraiya shouted, bonking Naruto on the head.

“HEY!!! Why'd you hit me!,” Naruto asked dumbly, rubbing his head gingerly.

“You scared the girls away!,” Jiraiya yelled, his hands flailing in the air.

“Hmph. You two will never change, huh?,” Tsunade questioned, her arms crossed over her chest.

“Huh?,” Naruto and Jiraiya asked tactlessly, looking up to the current Hokage herself.

“It's about time you two got back,” Tsunade reprimanded, a slight agitation filtering her voice.

“Lady Tsunade!,” Naruto shouted with glee.

“Tsunade!,” Jiraiya yelled, trying his best to control his wandering eyes.

“I hope you haven't just been `gathering data' for your books all this time, Jiraiya,” Tsunade commented slyly, Jiraiya turning away with mumbled response.

“Tsunade-sama!,” a leaf Shinobi greeted her, running and then panting from lack of air.

“What is it now?,” Tsunade asked, rolling her eyes.

“Lord Kazekage has finally woken up! We just received word not one hour ago,” the Shinobi finished, running off in another direction.

“What happened to Gaara?!,” Naruto demanded, a shocked look on his countenance.

“He and Lee were involved in a battle down in Sunagakure a couple days ago, Naruto,” Tsunade explained briefly.

“WHAT?!,” Naruto exclaimed, turning as if to leave for Sunagakure right at that moment.

“Stop, Naruto! The battle's already over, and the village was victorious. There is no reason why you need to interfere and shove yourself into the already complicated situation,” Tsunade lectured, somewhat annoyed at Naruto's belligerent behavior.

“See ya later, Tsunade-sama!,” Naruto yelled, running off in some direction.

“I see his spirit has not mellowed since we last saw him, eh Jiraiya?,” Tsunade mused laughingly.

“Are you kidding? With all that chakra, it's a wonder he isn't awake all hours of the night,” Jiraiya joked, looking after Naruto's trail of dust.

“Well, come on. You have to tell me all about Naruto's training,” Tsunade prodded, making Jiraiya follow her to her office on the other side of the village.

(POV Shift)

A brave soul ventured into the hospital room which now housed the Kazekage and his lover.

Both were snoring lightly, their arms and legs entangled in a mess of limbs, Gaara's head snuggled in the space between Lee's shoulder and the pillow.

The sunlight streamed through the open blinds, making the scene even more sappy and cheesy as though from a sort of cheap chick flick.

The brave soul shook her head almost disapprovingly, an amused smile crossing her lips.

“It's too cute….Damn! I didn't bring a camera…,” she cursed silently under her breath.

“Ugh,” Lee grunted, pulling Gaara's already close body closer to his.

Temari froze; she REALLY didn't want to be found `peeking in' on Gaara. That's all she needed: An angry Kazekage bitching at her all day, his sand looming menacingly in the background for added dramatic effect.

“Ugh……..Temari?,” Lee's sleepy voice asked groggily, using his free hand to wipe his eyes.

“Shh!,” Temari tried to shush him, eyes darting to Gaara's face quickly.

“Huh?,” Lee asked, glancing towards Gaara's sleeping face, smiling.

“Oh…..It's okay, Temari. Don't worry about Gaara,” Lee added with a sleepy smile.

Temari's face unfroze, a look of relief replacing it. She then proceeded to smile widely, almost evil in its bigness.

“Could you leave now, please?,” Lee asked, yawning widely.

“Oh…sure,” Temari replied with a smile.

(POV Shift)

“So, Naruto has progressed quite well then?,” Tsunade asked Jiraiya, her fingers intertwining in front of her face.

“Naruto has always exceeded peoples' expectations. Plus, the fact that he never gives up gives him a sort of niche, wouldn't you say, Tsunade?,” Jiraiya asked.

“Hm. Many people are determined, but Naruto has the best reason for wanting it so,” Tsunade reasoned.

“Tsunade!!!!,” Naruto yelled, racing into the door of her office.

“Naruto….DO YOU EVER KNOCK?!?!?,” Tsunade yelled, standing and glaring at said Shinobi.

“Eheheheheh,” Naruto snickered, running a hand behind his head.

“Anyway…I was wondering if I could go down to Suna..,” Naruto got cut off.

“We already sent a team down there, Naruto. There is no reason why you need to go down there,” Tsunade said, her face void of emotion.

“But Tsunade!!!,” Naruto whined, his face falling.

“Quiet, Naruto!,” Jiraiya finally spoke up, giving Naruto a very annoyed look.

“You interrupted a very important meeting, and furthermore you're being rude! Now wait for Tsunade to speak to YOU!!!,” Jiraiya said, almost meanly.

Naruto flinched, but didn't say a word as he exited Tsunade's office.

“Where did that come from?,” Tsunade whispered.

“So, where were we?,” Jiraiya asked a little too coolly.

(POV Shift)

Naruto was mumbling to himself, sitting against the wall to Tsunade's office.

“What are you doing out here, Naruto?,” a familiar voice asked.

“Oh, hey! How are you doing?,” Naruto asked excitedly, jumping up and grabbing said person in a giant bear hug.

“Um, Naruto? Could you let me go now?,” Neji asked, thoroughly annoyed.

“Oh, eheh, sorry Neji!,” Naruto apologized skittishly.

Neji wiped off the sleeves of his garment, shaking his head disapprovingly.

“I have to report to Tsunade-sama,” Neji said business-like, standing straight and entering Tsunade's office.

Neji's eyes bulged; “WHAT THE HELL?!!?!” Naruto yelled, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

(POV Shift)

Gaara grunted, shifting his body over to the source of warmth, only to find that the source of warmth had vanished.

“Lee?,” Gaara asked, almost frightened , lifting his head to look for his black-haired lover.

“What is it, Gaara? I'm right here,” Lee said, standing a few feet from the bed, apparently re-bandaging his arm.

Gaara whimpered, almost begging Lee to rejoin him on the comfortable and still semi-warm bed.

“Come on, Gaara. It's a new day! The sun's out, and we should get out of bed!,” Lee said seriously.

“I hate mornings,” Gaara grumbled, turning onto his stomach and positioning the pillow above his head.

“I'll give you a present if you get out of bed, Gaara,” Lee said enticingly.

Gaara got swiftly to his feet, his eyes no longer closed with sleep, as he waited for his present.

“Get dressed, Gaara,” a new voice said, coming into the room with amazing timing.

“Why?,” Gaara asked stubbornly.

“The council is having a meeting, and they'll never let you hear the end of it if you miss another one,” Temari lectured, throwing his Kazekage uniform onto the messy bed.

“Come on, Lee. We'll let Lord Kazekage put on his clothes all by himself today!,” Temari teased, grabbing Lee's wrist and dragging him out into the hallway.

(POV Shift)

“Are you certain?,” a voice almost hissed.

“Of course,” another voice answered arrogantly.

“Be sure to have him out of there by then, do you understand, Kabuto?,” Orochimaru asked.

“Of course,” Kabuto repeated again.

“Sasuke!,” Orochimaru called, hoping to not have to awaken the boy from his slumber he so enjoyed.

“My Lord, he is still asleep,” Kabuto replied, pushing his glasses back to the bridge of his nose.

“Damn,” Orochimaru muttered under his breath.

Waking Sasuke was like trying to wake a sleeping crocodile by poking him in the eye with a spear. And did I mention the crocodile was in a very pissy mood and had its young killed by someone?

Orochimaru crept silently along his own hallway, not looking forward to the encounter with his apprentice of whom he wanted his body badly. Unfortunately, Orochimaru still had a half year to wait till he could obtain his prize, and waiting was not something he enjoyed doing.

Orochimaru opened a door silently, creeping into the room.

“What is it?,” Sasuke asked grumpily.

“Time to get up, Sasuke-kun,” Orochimaru said, grabbing his shoulder and bringing him to his feet.

Sasuke glared icily at him, not liking being touched right after his nap.

“Where are we going?,” Sasuke asked, irritated.

(POV Shift)

“Why are you going back so soon? Shouldn't you wait a while? I mean after all, you have better things to do than crush that little Kazekage,” the voice of Kisame filtered his thoughts.

“I am not leaving to find the Kazekage,” Itachi spat, a scowl marring his features.

“Oh? And just where are you going?,” Kisame asked with a sly grin.

“To find my brother and finally be rid of him,” Itachi replied, heading out the door and into the forest.

Kisame shook his head; “Sometimes, you should just slow down.”

(POV Shift)

Sakura, Hinata, and Kiba were all seated around a table, different cups of liquid placed in front of each of them.

“I really wish we could get Lee what was in the store yesterday,” Sakura sighed, taking a sip of her hot tea.

“So do I, Sakura, but you know we're low on cash,” Kiba replied, leaning back in his chair.

“I…..I have an idea,” Hinata said shyly, earning the attention of Sakura and Kiba.

(POV Shift)

Lee and Temari were walking casually out of the hospital doors, onto the main rode as a certain person spied the two and had to make an appearance.

“Lee! Temari!,” Shikamaru called, waving a hand lazily in the air for their attention.

“Shikamaru,” Temari acknowledged with a nod.

“Hello Shikamaru-san! It is a lovely day, is it not?,” Lee asked, smiling.

“Um….,” Shikamaru stuttered, looking up to the sky awkwardly.

“I suppose I should be going now….,” Lee said, feeling out of place with the boy and girlfriend staring at each other at this point.

“Lee!,” Temari called after him, feeling a little bad for practically sending him away.

“Ah, let him alone,” Shikamaru said, catching Temari's eye.

Temari sighed, feeling a bit of guilt for their act.

“Come on now. Gaara tells you to leave him and Lee alone all the time. Don't feel bad,” Shikamaru made a very relevant point.

(POV Shift)

Lee stumbled along the sandy path, head bowed and somewhat alone as he found a shady place and decided to take in the desert sun. Since Lee normally lived in the woodsy area of Konohagakure, he was not used to the dry heat and the dry, grainy feeling of the sand between his toes. Not that Lee ever removed his shoes, but that is besides the point.

At times like these, moments in which people are able to reflect over personal decisions and dilemmas, Lee decided to ponder on the dilemma with Gaara and how he would be able to see him. Sure, Tsunade had that damned condition, but would it be enough? Lee wasn't sure….and the uncertainty was killing him.

He also mulled over his thoughts of Gaara; love, lust, friendship….he thought over them multiple times…taking them each and picking them apart for some answers that he wished he had but just couldn't for the life of him find.

He was all but enveloped within his own thoughts, not noticing a presence finding its way behind him.

“Lee,” the voice said, looking at him with big eyes.

Lee's eyes widened slightly, turning around and gazing at the man who stood before him.

“What...what are you doing here?,” Lee asked, a questioning gaze in the man's direction.

“The meeting ended earlier than previously expected,” Gaara replied, his face stoic as ever.

“Oh,” Lee replied, looking back to the now setting desert sun.

“I do not get out much to see the sunset,” Gaara said, taking a seat next to Lee, and gently laying a hand on his leg.

“Gaara… I've been thinking…,” Lee began, a little apprehensive.

“What about?,” Gaara asked, intrigued.

“Us….our relationship…our situation,” Lee replied, a little crestfallen.

“Why do you think on such things, Lee?,” Gaara questioned quietly, leaning towards Lee with half-lidded eyes.

“Because….well,” Lee was silenced as Gaara gently laid a hand over his mouth.

“You talk too much,” Gaara said with a slight smile, leaning forward and pressing his lips gently to Lee's.

Lee's eyes grew large, a slight blush appearing on his cheeks.