Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Photograph ❯ Waltz ( Chapter 22 )

Theme #22: cradle

 

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“No yelling, no swearing, no fighting. Don't break anything. Don't scare anyone. Lee, are you sure you can't leave the legwarmers behind?”

 

Lee leaned over to examine his legs before looking up at Temari. “What is wrong with my legwarmers?”

 

“Never mind.” The eldest sand-sib shook her head. “Be polite, or be quiet. Actually, do both. And Kankuro, keep your hands to yourself.”

 

“What are you talking about, Temari?”

 

“I don't want a repeat of the fiasco with that lord's daughter.”

 

“She initiated it!”

 

“Temari.”

 

“Fine, fine. Just, be on your best behavior.”

 

For Lee, it was still exciting. It was his first trip to the capital city of the Wind Country. There was a huge celebration taking place for the birth of the daimyo's first son, and the Kazekage was one of the guests. Whether he wanted to be or not. Kankuro and Temari were attending as his siblings, and Lee was the Konoha representative. He may be permanently assigned to Gaara and Sungakure, but he was still a Leaf shinobi.

 

“One more thing.” Temari focused in on the couple, standing side by side. “Discretion. Your relationship may be out with the shinobi, but it's not out with the civilians. The daimyo is an old fashioned kind of a guy, and we are going to get in huge trouble if you two start making out and cause the council to drop dead of heart attacks. Got it?”

 

“Of course, Temari-san.” Lee nodded away. He poked Gaara, trying to make him give Temari an affirmative, but he only got a quick glare for his trouble.

 

Temari looked the three over one more time, and threw her hands in the air. “Let's keep this simple. No arrests, no homicide, no war. Think you guys can do that?”

 

Kankuro turned and started to walk through the gates. “You worry too much, Temari.”

 

“So says the guy that got caught talking dirty to a fifteen year-old princess at a formal ball.”

 

“She said she was eighteen!”

 

----

 

It was the most boring thing Lee had ever done. He tugged at his collar again, trying to loosen up the choke hold his formal clothing had on him between greeting important people. As the Konoha representative, he was stuck in the receiving line of the daimyo's huge party. He was not anywhere near the shinobi from Suna, either. They were next to the daimyo's family, including the new baby in his cradle, while he was stuck somewhere in the middle of the line. On his right was a large, sweating man, and on his left was a tiny woman old enough to be his grandmother. Neither of them would recognize a shinobi if it came up and kicked them in the knees.

 

Another pair of guests was moving down the line. Just as instructed, Lee bowed to the man, smiling brightly, before turning to the woman. This bit of inspiration had actually come from his sensei, but Temari had not tried to stop him yet. For each lady that came through, Lee would take their hand and kiss the back of it. This was usually accompanied by a comment on youth or beauty.

 

The men seemed almost jealous, with the way their faces would turn red and they would pull their giggling dates along, but Temari had been quite clear on this. No kissing men. Lee was fairly certain this included on the hand. Shrugging at the odd behavior, he continued to smile and greet the couples in the exact same fashion. `Now, if only I could figure out what the ladies are staring at.' He tried to discreetly check his own clothing. `I passed inspection with Temari. She even said I look surprisingly good all cleaned up.'

 

Lee snuck a peek up the dais where his friends were stationed. Naturally, Gaara was not bowing or kissing hands. He did nod his head, but left most of the political maneuvering to his sister. Kankuro was studying the women's gowns. Avidly. `When did he become so fascinated with formal clothing?'

 

“You look bored, young man.”

 

Lee jumped to attention, smiling down at his elderly neighbor. “Not at all! It is an honor to represent my homeland at this most joyous and youthful celebration!”

 

“It's okay. We're all bored. And my feet are killing me.” The woman chuckled and shifted her weight. “These things are always so dull.”

 

“Your feet are hurting?” Lee scanned the area, judging the distance to the nearest chair and how long he had until the next couple arrived. “Just a second.”

 

Tablecloths rippled and ladies checked their hair as a sudden whirlwind shot around the room, materializing into Lee holding a cushioned chair. “There you go, madam.”

 

The woman laughed delightedly, giving her husband a push to make room for her new seat. “They just don't make young people like you anymore, young man. Such a gentleman, to help out an old woman.” With a sigh, she settled into the chair.

 

“You still have the power of youth, with the wisdom of experience!” Lee struck a pose, smiling brightly.

 

The woman giggled like a young girl. “Oh, you are a silver tongued devil. I am going to have to be careful around you.”

 

Lee was saved from trying to figure that statement out when the next couple arrived. Again, he complimented the lady and pressed a light kiss to the back of her hand. Again, the man dragged the blushing and smiling woman away.

 

The receiving line felt like it would continue on forever, but it did end. Eventually. Lee helped his new friend up from her chair before handing her off to her husband. The music was starting, and servants carrying drinks were appearing. Lee tried to make his way to the envoy from Sungakure, but did not make it far.

 

“Excuse me, sir, but would you like to dance?”

 

Lee looked over his shoulder before looking back to the lovely blonde in an elegant blue gown. “Me?”

 

Laughing, the girl took his arm. “Yes, you.”

 

“Well, uh, of course! It would be an honor to accompany you to the floor! I am not sure I know the dances in Suna . . . “

 

“Don't worry, I'll show you how it's done.”

 

After a few false starts, Lee was gracefully guiding his partner around the floor. “It is like a kata, but with less kicking!”

 

The girl threw her head back and laughed, golden curls bouncing around her shoulders. “Is everyone from Konoha like you?”

 

Lee carefully steered her through a turn. “I do not think my Konoha teammates would say that they are like me. My youthful teammate Ten-ten frequently says that I am one of a kind.”

 

“Pity. I thought I had figured out where all of the good men had gone.”

 

“Huh?” Lee spun his partner out, then back in. “I have seen many men in Suna. There are hundreds in this room.”

 

“But no good ones. Not like you, anyways. You haven't tried to look down my dress, for starters.”

 

“What? I would never . . . “

 

“That's my point.” The music ended with a flourish. The blonde wrapped her arms around Lee's shoulders for a hug. “Not that I would mind if you did. See you later.”

 

Lee stood in the middle of the dance floor, dumbfounded, as his dance partner walked away. `Did she mean that the way it sounded?'

 

“After that performance, young man, I am claiming the next dance.” The woman that Lee had befriended in line took his wrist and pulled him back into motion.

 

“Of course, madam! It would be an honor to partner with you!” Lee obediently swung into the dance, leading his giggling partner around the floor.

 

“Oh, it's not very often that I get to make my granddaughter jealous!” A playful wave was not well received by a lovely brunette standing at the edge of the dance floor.

 

As soon as one dance would end, Lee would be accosted by another woman insisting that he should dance with her. Being a gentleman, trained by Gai-sensei himself, he just could not say no. The night was quickly becoming a blur of satin dresses, laughter, and dance music. His cheeks had been pinched six times, his butt had been pinched twice, and he had three hotel keys. He had no idea what he was supposed to do with those, or how those ladies were going to get back in their rooms. He hoped they had spares, since he did not know their names.

 

Another dance ended, and Lee bowed to the rather matronly looking lady that kept offering to take him home and treat him right. Behind him, two young voices were being raised.

 

“You already danced with him. Let someone else have a turn!”

 

“Not my fault he keeps picking me.”

 

“Dragging him on the floor by his jacket is not giving him a choice!”

 

“Ladies, this is not youthful . . . “ Lee was cut off by a strong arm physically hauling him away from the bickering girls and back into the dancers. It took him a long moment to figure out who the beautiful blonde in the dramatic purple gown was. “Temari-san!”

 

“Hello, Lee. Having fun?”

 

Lee's feet easily found the new rhythm, and he took the lead as they began to move around the floor in a five beat pattern. “I am meeting many new friends from Suna, and having an amazing cultural exchange, but . . . “

 

Temari chuckled, freeing her hand to tuck a stray lock of her hair back into its silver ribbon. “You want to see Gaara, don't you?”

 

“I have been trying all night, but the youthful ladies of Suna just will not let me go!”

 

The loud, open laugh was almost startling after all of the giggling, as was the tightening grip as Temari took control of the dance. “I noticed. I told you that you cleaned up nice. Gaara looks like he swallowed a whole mound's worth of fire ants.” She started to guide their dance towards the end of the floor. “I'm the rescue party. When the music stops, I am going to drop you off right next to Gaara before he starts a cat fight with some spoilt princess over you.”

 

“I owe you, Temari-san.”

 

“Considering how long it's been since I've danced a tango without getting my feet crushed, we can call it even.” With a grin, she spun Lee out so that he stopped right in front of a scowling Kazekage. “As promised, and delivered right on schedule.”

 

Lee was floored when he got his first real look at his boyfriend in a tuxedo. `Oh, boy. This is the first time that I have been happy that Temari won an argument with him. He looks just amazing.' Self conscious, he ran his hands over his own tuxedo, hoping that he looked all right for his precious person.

 

Gaara's fingers twitched as though there was something he really wanted to do at that moment, but he held himself back. “Lee.”

 

“Hi, Gaara-kun. Have you been having fun?”

 

“No.”

 

“Oh.” Lee stepped to Gaara's side. “Do you want me to stay with you for awhile?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Okay!” Relieved to be off of the dance floor, Lee happily followed Gaara back to the table that the sand-sibs had staked out. Temari had returned to the mob of party goers, and Kankuro was no where to be seen. Gaara sat down quietly while Lee collapsed rather noisily. “I was becoming worried that I would never escape. I do owe Temari-san for the rescue.”

 

“You could have said no.”

 

Lee looked over, surprised. If it was anyone other then Gaara, he would have suspected . . . “Gaara-kun, are you jealous?”

 

“Do not be ridiculous. I am only saying that you had the option.”

 

The small amount of sand that still followed Gaara about (the gourd was in the coat check room by Temari's orders) was up and moving as though looking for a target. Lee eyeballed the movement before smiling. “Okay, Gaara-kun.”

 

A beautiful woman walked to the table, her eyes locked on the Konoha-nin. “Hi. Can I bother you for a dance?”

 

Rallying his strength, Lee started to stand.

 

“He is not available.”

 

The lady took one look at the moving sand and beat a hasty retreat.

 

“Gaara-kun! That was not necessary. It is a privilege to escort a lady at such a youthful event!”

 

The jade green eyes narrowed as they stared down the women watching his companion. “You are not available.”

 

“You are jealous!”

 

“We are leaving.” Gaara rose and caught Lee's arm, tugging him out of the room. With the sand swirling about in aggressive patterns around the both of them, the crowd magically parted to let them out.

 

Once outside, Lee dug his heels in. He could still hear the laughter and music from the party. “Wait. I do not want you to be mad at me, Gaara-kun. It is just polite to agree when a lady asks you to dance.”

 

“You are my precious person.” Gaara dragged Lee down by the front of his jacket, his eyes dark. “I was not allowed to touch you, but they were pawing at you. I did not like it.” He pushed the shinobi away and crossed his arms, glaring at the brightly lit building.

 

“I am sorry. I would have rather danced with you.” Lee felt terrible. It had not occurred to him that Gaara would be jealous of those women. When the music changed to a slow waltz, inspiration struck. In the deserted, moonlit street, the jounin extended his hand with a bow. “May I have this dance, Kazekage-sama?”

 

“What?”

 

“No one is watching. I have wanted to dance with you all night.” Ignoring the bewildered look, Lee pulled his precious person close, setting one hand at his waist and lifting their joined hands.

 

“This is ridiculous. We are in a street.”

 

“I know. But I would rather be dancing with you then anyone else in the world. It does not matter where we are.” Lee pushed Gaara back and over in the familiar three beat pattern. “You look amazing.”

 

Gaara of the Desert blushed.

 

With a laugh, Lee brushed a quick kiss against his lips. His partner was easily following the dance with the same power and grace that he showed in every facet of his life. “When did you learn to dance, Gaara-kun?”

 

“Tonight. While watching you.”

 

“You are very good at it!” Grinning manically, Lee tipped the Kazekage back into a small dip.

 

“Next song I lead.”

 

Lee laughed again and spun Gaara around. “Unless it's a tango, then I lead. I rather like those.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

----

 

At the party, a growing crowd of ladies surrounded a window. Below them, two young men in tuxedos waltzed by moonlight.

 

“I told you.”

 

“Damn. He was too good to be true.”

 

“I know! So polite, a great dancer, and did you feel those arms?”

 

“Of course! I danced with him three times!”

 

“It's like I always say. The good ones are gay or taken.”

 

“Or both.”

 

“What a loss.”

 

“They do make a cute couple.”

 

“Maybe he plays for both sides?”

 

“Do you want that psychotic ninja after you for stealing his boyfriend?”

 

“Might be worth it. Did you get a look at that ass?”

 

“I'll make sure that's in your obituary.”