Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Photograph ❯ Planning ( Chapter 25 )

#25: fence

 

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“And now we observe the rare bushy brows, also known as the Rockus Leeus, in his natural habitat. This is one of only two members of the species known to exist in the wild. Note the unusual color combination of green and orange and the large, ornamental decorations on his forehead. He is cautious about leaving his den. He knows that he is being watched.”

 

“Kankuro. What are you talking about?”

 

“Never mind.”

 

Gaara gave his brother a look before returning to watching Lee's window. Kankuro was convinced the Lee was going to make a break for freedom, so they were both perched on the roof, waiting to see if the suspicions were correct. It had become increasingly difficult to keep the exuberant shinobi in bed. Only two weeks after his brush with death, Gaara had tossed him back in to bed when he was found doing push ups. Now, a week after that incident, they were laying in wait. The trigger was a comment from the medi-nin during a check up. The expert had said that Lee was cleared to start walking about. When dealing with Lee, it was best to assume that he would interpret `start walking about' as `full speed ahead'.

 

A dark head of hair emerged from the second story window, scanning the area. Even when he checked straight up he missed the two brothers behind their sand barrier. Gaara sighed.

 

“Who knows the crazy jounin? I know the crazy jounin.” Kankuro grinned and shifted his braced leg. Lee was not the only one still recovering from the S-rank mission. “So, want to place bets on where he's heading?”

 

Gaara had some ideas, but was distracted when he saw Lee balance himself on the window sill.

 

Kankuro stared. “No way. Not even bushy brows . . . he's still on fucking crutches!“

 

The sand jumped to life, racing down to intercept the shinobi that had just jumped from a second story window. Certainly, a ten foot drop was usually nothing to Rock Lee, but he had just been cleared to walk about for short periods!

 

Sandals dangling a couple of feet from the ground, Lee looked up to the roof and the now revealed brothers. “Gaara-kun . . . “ he whined. “I just want to go outside!”

 

“Ever heard of a door?” The puppet-nin echoed his brother's disapproving glare. “You're out of your mind, bushy brows!”

 

Lee looked up with pleading eyes. “But no one will let me go outside! It was only one story, and I still do not have my weights on. See? I brought my crutches.” The wooden implements were waved in the air.

 

Gaara sighed, staring at the dangling jounin. “He is supposed to be walking for a short time each day.”

 

“I guess we could fence him in somewhere. You know, kind of like a pen, like they do with injured animals?” Kankuro shrugged his shoulders. “He wouldn't be able to pick up much speed that way.”

 

“Possibly.”

 

“Gaara-kun! Do not tell me that you are actually considering putting me in a pen!” Lee looked around with a frantic expression, but there was no escape. “I will be very careful. I did tell the medi-nins that I would not damage their work!”

 

“We could set the pen up right next to the house. We could put him out twice a day for exercise.” It was obvious that Kankuro was really getting in to this.

 

“Kankuro-san!” The green clad legs kicked in mid-air, helpless against Gaara's sand. The famous bowl cut swung as Lee spotted a possible savior. “Temari-san! Help!”

 

The wind master was smiling brilliantly. As she walked, she tapped a finger against her fan. Unless the brothers were very much mistaken, she was humming. She wandered towards the house, her eyes on the horizon. Kankuro and Gaara looked at each other, confused.

 

“Temari-san?”

 

“Oh. Hi, Lee.” Temari smiled and patted Lee on the leg as she walked by, not even looking at him. The humming continued.

 

The Leaf-nin swung his eyes up to the brothers, his predicament forgotten. “Umm, guys? Something is wrong with Temari-san!”

 

Gaara and Kankuro jutsued so that they were standing just in front of their sister, staring at her. The creepy smile, the humming, the decidedly happy and optimistic air. The puppet-nin poked her in the shoulder. “Man, I told you bushy brows was contagious!”

 

“Temari.”

 

“Hi, guys.” Temari stopped, still smiling brightly. “Need something?”

 

Kankuro fell back a step. “Gaara, whatever jutsu she's in, release it already. She's creeping me out.”

 

“What happened to you in Konoha?”

 

The smile turned up a few more megawatts and she held up her left hand. On her ring finger there was a diamond ring.

 

There was a thud as Kankuro hit the ground, unconscious. Gaara looked down at his brother, then back to his sister. “A new ring?”

 

“Yup!” Temari grinned. “Shikamaru popped the question while I was out there.”

 

“Congratulations!” Lee's legs kicked as though he wanted to run over, but it did him no good with the sand's grip. “What a youthful and joyous event! Umm, Gaara-kun? Can you let me down?”

 

Gaara spared a quick glance for Lee before returning to his sister. “Popped the question?”

 

“I'm engaged, Gaara.” Temari laughed. “I'm going to marry that lazy bastard.”

 

“Marry. As in the legally binding contract.”

 

“Yeah. That thing.” Still laughing, the blonde stepped around her youngest brother, giving him a pat on the head, and hopped over her other brother.

 

“When?”

 

“We haven't set a date yet. There's a lot of planning to do for a wedding. I'm going to go and get started, okay?” Temari let herself into the house, still humming.

 

“Gaara-kun?”

 

The Kazekage stared at the closed door, then at his unconscious brother for a second before turning away and walking over to the trapped jounin. “Lee.”

 

“Are you going to let me down?” Lee had his puppy dogs turned on to full.

 

Gaara studied him for a second. “You will be permitted to go on a short walk each day, but I am coming with you. Otherwise I will barricade you inside of the house.”

 

Lee nodded his head eagerly. The sand eased its grip and set the injured shinobi down, giving him support until he had his crutches in place. “Thank you, Gaara-kun!” He caught his precious person around the shoulders for a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “I will enjoy my exercise even more with your company.”

 

“While we walk, you will tell me everything you know about weddings and planning for them.”

 

“Yosh!”