Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Research ❯ Chapter 8

I can't explain all the secrets of life to you,

And I hesitate when I look in your eyes,

But every day I discover there's no other,

Even though you are no longer mine.

Living my cardinal lie.

 

-Cardinal Lie, Spirit Creek

 

----

 

The silence was shattered by a harsh explosion of sound. This was followed with a hiss, a sharp crunch, and then silence returned. Lee did not even bother to open his eyes. “Gaara?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“The store is running out of alarm clocks.”

 

“Then quit setting it so early.”

 

Lee wrapped himself tighter around the warm body in his bed. Gaara had slept at his apartment every night since the dinner date a week ago, and the sand had destroyed his alarm clock each morning. His partner was not a morning person.

 

With no missions or training waiting for him, Lee indulged in the soft warmth of his shared bed. Red hair brushed his face as Gaara pressed in tighter against him. `Who knew that Gaara of the Desert would be a snuggler? Not a surprise, really. He has a lot of touching to catch up on. It certainly seems to help him sleep.'

 

----

 

On the morning after their dinner date, Lee finally had a chance to cook breakfast for the both of them. Gaara had stayed through the night in their nest on the living room floor. After breakfast he left, and there were no messages or meetings between them. Lee had finally given up hope of seeing him that day and gone to bed alone just after midnight.

 

At about three in the morning, Lee woke to a pounding at his door. Upon opening his door, half expecting to see one of his teammates with a mission scroll, he found the Kazekage standing in the rain, looking extremely irritated with the entire world.

 

“Gaara! You are soaked! Come in before you get sick!” Lee hauled the redhead bodily through the door, darting off to retrieve a towel and starting to pull off the gourd and soaking wet clothes before his partner could even comment.

 

“I couldn't sleep at my hotel. I'm sleeping here.”

 

Lee fumbled a bit with his towel, but took the announcement in stride. “Of course, Gaara! You are more then welcome to stay here! My clothes will be a bit big on you, but better that then wet and freezing.”

 

Gaara was hustled into the kitchen and a tea kettle was put on. “A little chamomile tea, some dry clothes, and you will be ready for your youthful rest!”

 

The redhead blinked at him, looking rather young with his rumpled hair and a towel across his bare shoulders. Grinning, Lee disappeared into his bedroom and found some drawstring pants. When he returned, Gaara was working on his hair with the towel.

 

“Here, you can wear these tonight. What were you doing in the rain at this hour, anyways?”

 

“It wasn't raining when I left. The weather just suddenly . . . changed.”

 

“Welcome to Konoha.” Lee checked on the tea. “Do you usually have trouble sleeping?”

 

“Yes.” Gaara rose from his chair and started to pull his wet pants off. “It's worse when I travel.”

 

Lee squeaked when he realized that Gaara was now naked in his kitchen and spun around to face the stove again.

 

“Lee?”

 

“Nothing, nothing.”

 

Soft footsteps gave the jounin some warning before the very nude redhead turned him around. “You've seen me naked before.”

 

“Yes, well, umm . . .”

 

Gaara ran his hand up Lee's arm. “You're turning red.”

 

Lee took a look at the perfect body on display in his kitchen, and the best his sleep deprived brain could come up with was, “Gah.”

 

“You're not wearing much more then me.”

 

Sure enough, the jounin had answered the door in his boxers, thinking it was an emergency. Distracted by the wet and bedraggled Gaara, he never did get around to putting any pants on. “Oops?”

 

Gaara trailed his fingers across Lee's chest, his gaze becoming predatory. “I'll admit, having this much skin on display is distracting.”

 

“Very much so.”

 

Pale hands tangled in shiny black hair, pulling the taller man down for a kiss. Lee melted into it, resistance failing rapidly.

 

The Kage pulled back first, whispering, “I'll put some pants on before I lose control.”

 

Lee's arms slid around Gaara's waist. “They can wait one more minute.” For the first time he could remember, he initiated something with Gaara. He pulled his partner back against him and kissed him. His partner made a faint, almost startled sound, but leaned in, opening his mouth when Lee ran his tongue along his lips. Tough, scarred hands trailed over flawless skin, enjoying the opportunity to savor the contact with no clothes to get in the way. Something hard was pressing against Lee's hip, and he moaned when his befuddled brain figured out what it was. Slowly, reluctantly, he pulled back, relieved to hear the tea kettle start to whistle.

 

Gaara's tongue darted out to lick his lower lip. “You're too tempting for your own health.”

 

Blushing, Lee tried to focus on making tea, but his usually clever hands were fumbling. Gaara took the cups away and headed towards the table, where he also put on the pants Lee had given him.

 

Lee sighed with relief when Gaara put some clothes on. His self control was legendary, but he was still human. Much more temptation, and he would have Gaara on his kitchen table, and he doubted his furniture was rated for that amount of force. He carried his teapot over to the table, calm smile back in place. “A warm cup of chamomile tea. You will be asleep in no time, Gaara!”

 

“Hmm.” Gaara watched the steam rise off of his cup.

 

It was easier to forget titles and research projects like this. Sitting at the kitchen table with tea, Gaara's hair in a complete disarray from the vigorous toweling. `Or perhaps it is because it is after three in the morning . . . ` Lee hid his smile behind sipping his tea. “How did you end up here, Gaara?”

 

“I couldn't sleep, so I was out walking. I was actually going towards the Hokage's tower to do some work when it started to rain.” Gaara glared at his tea cup. “Rain makes my transport jutsu unstable, so I could not get out of it. I did not want to go back to my hotel. I fell asleep very easily last night when I was here. I want to see if it will work again.”

 

----

 

`And it did. He fell asleep within minutes, and when the alarm went off, he startled and the sand destroyed my clock.' Lee cracked one eye open, amused by the crushed remains of yet another clock. `He has been here every night since. Sometimes we eat dinner together, sometimes he stumbles in very late, but he just keeps coming back. It must be very hard for him to sleep in his hotel.'

 

Gaara mumbled and shifted, making Lee stifle a moan. `An unfortunate side effect of sleeping in the same bed. I cannot control my youthful reaction to his presence.'

 

“You're aroused.”

 

Lee buried his face in Gaara's hair, certain his face was on fire.

 

“Your appointment with Sakura is today, correct?”

 

Nodding, Lee tried to ease his rebellious body away from such close contact with his partner.

 

Gaara reached back and grabbed his hip, preventing his escape. “You seem well recovered, she should clear you for training and sex.”

 

`At this moment, I am only interested in the second one.' Trapped, Lee could not resist pressing against Gaara, his grip around the redhead's waist tightening. So close . . . The man in front of him sighed softly, running his hand over Lee's hip, gripping at the boxers the jounin had worn to bed. Lee's head slipped down to press on Gaara's shoulder, quickly becoming so aroused that it was painful. Every shift, every movement was providing stimulation, but not enough. He kept himself under control, resisting the urge to thrust against the man spooned against him. His breath shuddered through the wild hair hanging by his face.

 

The redhead pushed back, deliberately grinding against Lee and taking the older man's breath away. He gritted his teeth as the firm backside was rubbed against him. It was all he could do to not push against that delicious friction, thrusting against the heat pressed against him. Gaara ground against him again, and Lee's hand gripped at the Kage's hip. An image of slipping between Gaara's legs filtered into his mind. Plunging forward, sinking in, being inside Gaara.

 

`Oh, gods.'

 

Lee's hand on Gaara's hip slipped down to the front of the loose pants he was wearing. He could feel a hard length pressing up into the contact. `I should not be doing this, I should not be doing this, Sakura will know, she is a medi-nin, they know everything, I should . . .'

 

Lee moaned when Gaara pushed his hand under the waistband of the green boxers that had bunched around his hips, unerringly targeting in on the length that ached and burned. Warm fingers wrapped around his cock, and Lee whimpered into Gaara's shoulder. His own hand slipped inside of the loose pants, sliding over taut skin and making the Kage shudder.

 

Lee whispered, “We should not, we should not, we should . . . Gaara!”

 

Responsibility and orders fell by the wayside when Gaara tightened his grip, making Lee pant and rub against him. Lee's hand pulled at Gaara's cock, not even aware of what it was doing. Gaara threw his head back as Lee's pace increased, breath panting past Lee's ear as they clung franticly to each other.

 

Lee had one arm wrapped around Gaara's waist while the other hand drove him fast and hard towards the edge. The Kage's free hand was clinging to his arm as though his life depended on it while making Lee moan and whimper with the other one. Lee felt Gaara's body tighten, along with the hand on his cock, and he saw stars as he came in his partner's hand, closely followed by Gaara's climax.

 

Panting, Lee whispered, “Sakura is going to kill me.”

 

Gaara tipped his head to the side so they could make eye contact. “You barely moved. You do more work then that when you go to the store.”

 

“But she specifically said that I was not supposed to do anything like . . . that until she said so!”

 

“You needed it.”

 

Lee groaned and sagged against the pillows. There was really no arguing with that point. He felt more relaxed then he had all week. “You may be right.”

 

“You have been waking up aroused every morning.”

 

`I guess he has not read about morning wood in his research yet.' Lee eased his hand out of Gaara's pants. “I believe we will both need to shower right away this morning.”

 

Gaara made a face as he eased his own hand free of Lee's boxers. “Yes.”

 

“Up we go, my youthful partner! The sun will be up in moments, and there is no reason to waste a second of a glorious day!”

 

The redhead glared at the man that was now standing proudly in the middle of the room, boxers stained and sagging around his hips. “I should have asked if you were a morning person before I entered this agreement.”

 

“Ah, but you were not aware that you would be sleeping in the same bed as me, so it would not have made sense to interview me about my morning habits!” Lee caught at Gaara's wrists. “I know you prefer to conserve water, so if you wish to shower with me, it is time to greet the morning!”

 

“I'm considering killing you right now.” Gaara staggered a bit as he was hauled from bed, grimacing at his soiled pants. A small tendril of sand snaked across the floor, dancing past Lee's bare feet.

 

The taijutsu master didn't even bat an extravagant eyelash, even though he did keep a watch on the new intruder in the room. The tendril of sand snapped around Lee's leg, trying to knock it out from underneath him. Rolling his eyes, the boxer clad shinobi snapped his leg free. “I am not even wearing my weights, Gaara. Off to the shower!”

 

Growling, the Kage rubbed at his eyes and walked to the shower, the sand following him. Lee eyed the sand as it slid from his room. He knew he was in no real danger from that small amount, but that did not change his reaction to it. He did not like it. It was a rare occasion when Rock Lee looked at something and disliked it, but he had a long, bloody history with that sand. He ran a hand over the leg that the sand had wrapped around, grimacing at the abrasion marks on his skin. At least there had been no blood this time. Gaara did not always show that much restraint first thing in the morning.

 

Jade eyes glared back from the doorway. “Are you coming?”

 

“Of course, Gaara.”

 

The redhead already had the water going, running his hand under the torrent to check the temperature. He preferred his baths and showers quite hot, but Lee had adapted. The damp boxers were tossed into a hamper, joining the pants that Gaara had already removed. He slid up behind the nude form, wrapping one arm around his partner's waist while he reached in to test the water with him. “Hot enough to prepare a lobster. It must be just about right!”

 

Gaara gave him a look before stepping under the water, his hair becoming as dark as old blood and running down across his face, almost highlighting the scar on his forehead. The jade eyes were mere slits as he stared at Lee, waiting for him to slide into the shower.

 

Lee slipped into the far end, working his way into the water. `I feel as though I am being prepared for dinner!'

 

Once completely under the water, Lee found himself in Gaara's arms again, the redhead stretching up to kiss him deeply. It was a bit of a surprise, since the Suna native was usually all business in a shower. He would clean himself up as quickly as possible before shutting off the water, whether Lee was done or not. Twice already Lee had been left with a head full of suds, trying to convince Gaara to turn the water back on.

 

Not one to question a bit of luck, Lee savored the taste of his partner while the hot water pounded down on his skin. Gaara had started to touch him, almost at random, whenever they were together. Usually it was subtle, a brush of fingers along his arm or shoulder. Once he had stopped and plucked a leaf from Lee's hair, then run his fingers through the shining black locks.

 

Sighing against Gaara's cheek, Lee enjoyed the quiet, intimate moment.

 

`Today is going to be a wonderful day.'

 

----

 

“Lee?”

 

“Yes, Sakura?”

 

“You're lucky I'm in a good mood.”

 

For the first time since Lee had walked into Sakura's office, the taijutsu master exhaled. “Thank you, Sakura.”

 

“You didn't do yourself any harm.” The pink haired medi-nin walked to her desk and sat on the edge. “You're cleared for basic training, and you can up your weights to half the usual weight.”

 

“A return to training! With my will and determination . . . “

 

“I already gave Gai-sensei your daily limits. Don't break them, or I'll make sure you end up back in a hospital bed.”

 

Lee held his hands up, eyes wide. “I will obey your orders to the letter, Sakura! If I do not, I will do 275 inverted press ups!”

 

Sakura gave him an exasperated look. “That kind of defeats the purpose.”

 

“Oh. Yes, I suppose it does.”

 

“Just don't break them.” She picked up a folder from her desk, thumbing through the contents.

 

“I will not, Sakura! I must go meet Gai-sensei now to begin my therapeutic training.”

 

“Oh, and Lee?”

 

Lee turned, his hand on the door know. “Yes, Sakura?”

 

“Keep the activities with your boyfriend down to an A-rank mission, okay? I don't need to add any more sex-related entries to your file.”

 

“O-of course, Sakura! I will use caution when approaching those . . . activities. I am not certain what triggered the bleeding in my lungs, unless it was the overall increased respiration. I would have expected any damage to be . . . “

 

“I don't want to know!” Sakura dropped her folder and clamped her hands over her ears. “I already know too much! Just go train and boink your boyfriend already! You have my blessing!”

 

“Thank you, Sakura!” Lee bounded out of the room. He knew Gai-sensei would be waiting for him at their usual training ground, new weights in hand. Once outside of the hospital, he indulged in a sprint through the village, using the rooftops to bypass crowded streets. The wind whipped through his hair and his heart soared. He was back.

 

----

 

We have your Kazekage. If you ever want to see him again, go to the bar and pay the ransom.

 

~N

 

Lee burst out laughing. `I can only imagine Gaara's reaction to being taken hostage.' He pulled the note from his door and walked into his apartment. This was not the first time Naruto had taken a `hostage' in order to get a free drink. Lee's philodendron had been a hostage once, along with an expensive pair of Sakura's shoes, one of Kakashi's Icha Icha Paradise, and even Akamaru. After taking a bottle of sake hostage from Tsunade, Naruto had landed in the hospital, but that had done nothing to curb his favorite prank.

 

`First a shower and a change of clothes. Then I will go pay the ransom.' Lee went into his room. He pulled his weights off and set them on their rack. The headband, flack vest, and legwarmers were set on his dresser. He rummaged through his clothes, smiling at the casual clothing his female friends kept pushing him to wear. `Gaara does seem to prefer them.'

 

A tight, green shirt and a pair of comfortable black pants were tossed on the bed. Grabbing a towel, Lee stripped off the spandex he was wearing and started the shower. `I hope Naruto is taking good care of my Kazekage.'

 

----

 

“I'm a what?”

 

“Hostage!” Naruto had Gaara by the arm, tugging him through the streets of Konohagakure. “I left a note for Lee, letting him know that he needs to pay the ransom on you.”

 

“I was going to my hotel to change out of these robes.” Gaara glared at the back of the blonde's head, his hand on the brim of the despised hat he was wearing.

 

“No can do. If Lee finds you, I won't get my ransom.”

 

“And how much, exactly, am I being ransomed for?”

 

“Uhh . . . “ Naruto paused, rubbing his chin. “I got two beers for his plant, so I'm guessing I'll get more then that for you.”

 

Gaara upped his glare a few more notches, despite the fact Naruto was not looking at him. “I'm being held ransom for drinks?”

 

“Yup!” The favorite watering hole for Naruto's generation was already jumping, and the blond hustled his hostage inside. “I've got to say, you're probably the most valuable hostage I've caught yet! Even better then Sakura's shoes!”

 

Once inside, Gaara dropped his hat on a table. “I'm going straight to a bar without changing or eating because I'm a more valuable hostage then Sakura's shoes.” The Kazekage set the gourd next to a chair and started to shrug out of his robes. “You do know this is ridiculous, right?”

 

“Oh, come on. You should be flattered!” Naruto accepted his first beer with a smile. “Hey, Nami, looks like I'm going to need to feed this one. Can you bring out whatever the cook says is the safest?”

 

“Sure thing, cutie.” With a wink, the waitress went back to the kitchen.

 

Freed from his robes and gourd, Gaara took the seat across from his friend, decked out in the pants and fishnet shirt he had been wearing underneath the heavy white and blue. “Cutie?”

 

Naruto shrugged. “I'm in here a lot.”

 

“You didn't!” Kiba bounded to their table, Akamaru in tow. “Did you actually nab Gaara?”

 

“Hell yes. You know bushy brows is going to pay up to get his boyfriend back.”

 

Gaara took a drink from the water Nami had dropped off. “Partner.”

 

Kiba rolled his eyes. “Boyfriend, partner, fuck buddy, whatever.”

 

“Fuck buddy?” The redhead looked at the Inuzuka.

 

“Sure! All the fun, none of the commitment. I've got plenty of them.”

 

“So, a boyfriend is a committed relationship, and a fuck buddy is a sex partner.”

 

“You've got it.” Kiba took a long pull from his beer. “So, which is it?”

 

“Neither. This is just research of couple behavior.”

 

“But what kind of couple? Are you just with each other, or are you still trying out all the flavors?” Waggling his eyebrows, Kiba settled into a chair. Evidently, he was going to stay awhile.

 

“We've discussed my reactions to others, but I'm only interested in doing this research with Lee right now.”

 

“Okay, so you've got options, but you're not using them. And we know Lee's not going to go sniffing around.”

 

Naruto's gaze fixed on Kiba. “Just drop it, already.”

 

“Why wouldn't Lee go `sniffing around'?” Gaara's eyes narrowed.

 

Kiba shrugged. “Wouldn't do him much good, would it? He's never been a hot commodity or anything. That might change after your research, though. People want to know what he's doing that caught him a Kage. I keep meaning to ask him, maybe get him to show me some of his tricks or something . . . “

 

The Inuzuka's head hit the table, guided there by Naruto. “You've got all the survival instincts of a lemming.”

 

“So people are wondering why Lee is my partner, and are thinking about experiencing him.” Gaara toyed with his water glass, running his fingers through the condensation.

 

Naruto hissed something at Kiba, who was still rubbing his forehead, then turned to the redhead. “It's just gossip, Gaara. You're a Kage. You get it all the time. Yeah, some guys might notice Lee now, but it doesn't make a difference to Lee.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The blonde hissed something that sounded suspiciously like `I'm going to kill you later' to Kiba. “So, how's about them Chunin exams, huh?”

 

----

 

Lee walked into the bar, not surprised by the crowd. It was Friday night, after all. A few people were looking at him, and he tugged at the short sleeved shirt he was wearing. He was not totally comfortable in this outfit, but Gaara would like it. He hoped.

 

With a deep breath, Lee waded through the patrons, looking for a certain someone with shocking red hair and a blonde. It was not hard to find, especially when there was also a splash of pink and a very familiar pair of buns at the same table.

 

Lee struck a pose, light glinting off of his hair. “I am here to pay the ransom on my Kazekage!”

 

Gaara stared at him.

 

`I hope Naruto explained what was going on, or that was probably very confusing.'

 

“Bushy brows, you made it!” Naruto grinned manically. “You owe me four beers for this one.”

 

“Ah, a stiff demand, but I am forced to accept to guarantee the safety of the hostage!”

 

“Sit down already, man.” The blonde gestured at the empty chair next to Gaara, obviously saved for him. “I'm sure drinks are already on the way.”

 

“You wore it!” Sakura jumped from her chair and spun Lee around. “I was starting to think I'd never see you in that outfit!”

 

Tenten leaned across the table, smiling. “You look slick, Lee.”

 

“Are you sure?” The jounin tugged at his shirt. “It feels so . . . “

 

“Green spandex is green spandex.” Sakura pushed him down in his chair. “How was your first day back in training?”

 

“Wonderful! I am very thankful for your hard work, which has allowed me to return to my way of the ninja!”

 

“No problem.” Sakura returned to her own seat and sipped at her cosmo.

 

“Hi, Gaara!” Lee offered the still staring redhead a smile. “Did Naruto take good care of you while you awaited rescue?”

 

“Of course I did!” Naruto grabbed something unidentifiable and fried from a plate on the table. “Got him dinner and everything!”

 

Gaara raked his eyes over the jounin sitting next to him. “It was fine.”

 

“Excellent! I was a little concerned, since you do not know about this habit of Naruto's.”

 

“He explained. Somewhat.” Gaara sipped at his beer, still watching Lee closely.

 

Unsure, Lee leaned over to whisper in the redhead's ear. “Is something wrong, Gaara?”

 

“That outfit is very distracting.” Gaara's hand trailed over the green spandex on Lee's shoulder. “Don't plan on staying out late tonight.”

 

Lee's face went crimson at the husky whisper. “Okay. We can leave early tonight.”

 

“Good.”

 

“Hey, Lee! We need a judge over here, and Neiji wants it to be you!” Chouji waved from across the bar, drawing the jounin's attention.

 

“I will be right over!” Lee brushed his lips against Gaara's cheek before wading back through the crowd and towards more of his friends. “How can I be of assistance?”

 

“Shikamaru and Neiji were competing with darts, and they are arguing over who won.” Chouji gestured towards a board with two darts at the center. “You pick the winning dart, and then we'll say who owned it.”

 

“Yosh!” Lee bounced over to the board. `It is very close. They are both at almost the exact center.' Long moments passed while he measured and fussed at the board. “The green dart has won.”

 

“Woohoo! I knew lazy bones could do it!” Kiba grabbed Shikamaru in a bear hug, making the genius grumble and roll his eyes. He was set down with a thump, and the overjoyed shinobi turned his attention to Lee. “You just won me a butt load of money, bushy brows!”

 

“All I did was select the true -“

 

Lee was snatched off the ground in a massive bear hug. Kiba set him back down and put an arm across his shoulders. “Better you training with Neiji tomorrow then me. He looks ready to spit nails over this one.”

 

“But it will be incentive for more youthful training!” Lee threw an arm over Kiba's shoulders and offered a thumbs up to the glowering Hyuuga. “And I am certain that Kiba will assist you!”

 

“Only if he wants to serve as a target.” Neiji fixed the Inuzuka with a pale glare.

 

“Now, now, Neiji, do not . . .” Lee's words trailed off. He knew that sound.

 

Kiba hit the wall, thrown there by Lee. Kunai in hand, the taijutsu master scattered the attacking sand with a vicious kick. “Gaara! What are you doing?!”

 

The bar went silent, all eyes focusing on the two men glaring at each other from across a space that was suddenly devoid of people. Lee stayed in his crouch, kunai at the ready, while Gaara stood with his arm crossed, sand hissing at his feet.

 

“Oh, crap.” A female voice echoed through the silence, and Temari started to move through the crowd towards her brother.

 

“What the hell, man?” Kiba rubbed at his shoulder, moving to stand just behind Lee.

 

The Kage's hands came up, making the sand gather for a new assault.

 

“Do not make me stop you, Gaara.” Lee's jaw clenched, his heart aching. `Why is he attacking me now? And in the middle of all of my friends?'

 

Off to the side, Sakura had summoned a slug and was whispering to it, probably sending a message to her mentor, while Naruto moved to stand between the two of them. “Both of you, knock it the hell off!”

 

“Get out of the way, Naruto.” The sand lashed out, dissipating the shadow clone. Gaara looked away from Lee, scanning for the real Naruto.

 

“You know I can't let you two level a bar full of people.”

 

Gaara snapped his head to the side, his sand jumping at the voice coming from right behind him. Naruto's hands were clasped together, prepared to fight. Temari was watching the Konoha-nin, her hand on her fan and Kankuro at her back.

 

Lee spared a glance when he saw Neiji move, the Byukagen activated. One wrong step, one mistake, and the most powerful members of their generation would have an all out melee in the middle of a Konohagakure bar. Gaara, Naruto, Sakura, Neiji, Kiba, Tenten, Chouji, Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro, and even himself. . . He was looking at a disaster just waiting to happen.

 

“Gaara, not here.” Naruto stared at his friend, his blue eyes gone cold. “I won't let you risk the lives of my village. I don't want to, but I'll take you down if you don't call off the sand. I don't know why you're attacking Lee, but you can't do it here.”

 

The Kazekage looked at Naruto, then back to Lee. His eyes narrowed, glaring, before the sand whipped around him and he disappeared.

 

“What the fuck. I saw my life flash before my eyes.” Kankuro relaxed his stance, his hand sliding away from his puppet scrolls. “What set that off?”

 

Temari looked across the room, locking gazes with Lee. “I think Gaara's in much deeper then he expected this time.”

 

Lee swallowed hard and moved out of his crouch. “I do not know why he attacked me this time.”

 

“What's going on in here?”

 

All eyes swung to the blonde that had just slammed through the bar door.

 

“You just missed him, shishou.” Sakura dropped into a chair, rubbing her temples. “He just teleported out of here.”

 

Tsunade's eyes swept the room, noting the tense postures of her elite shinobi. Her eyes stopped at a certain man. “It's a damn good thing you don't date much, Rock Lee.”

 

Lee's head drooped. “Yes, Hokage-sama.”

 

“Lee, Naruto, Temari. Outside. Now.”

 

Wincing, Lee followed his Hokage and fellow jounin out to the street, hearing the buzz of gossip before he had even stepped through the doors.

 

Tsunade pointed at Temari. “What the hell is going on with your brother? Do I need to restrict his movements?”

 

The wind master paled, but stood firm. “I'm not sure why the Kazekage used a sand jutsu tonight, and I'm not totally sure who the target was, but I don't believe he is a threat to your village, and for the sake of the peaceful relationships between the villages, I'm requesting that you do not restrict his movements.”

 

“You're off duty, Temari.” Tsunade started to walk down the street, assured the jounin would follow her. “I'm asking about your brother, not the Kazekage.”

 

“Oh.” Temari shrugged and followed after the woman. “Fuck if I know what that was about. I don't think he liked seeing Kiba manhandling Lee.”

 

“What?” Lee jogged to Temari's side. “What does Kiba's display of excitement over victory have to do with this?”

 

“That idiot.” Naruto dragged a hand over his face. “Kiba was talking to Gaara, and he said he wanted to know what Lee was doing to get himself a Kage. Made it sound like he was going after Lee, and that other guys were going to do the same thing.”

 

“Your friend's a moron.” Temari sighed and stared down at the road as they walked in the dim light of lanterns hung outside of shops. “So Kiba made Gaara think he might go after Lee, then hugged Lee in the middle of a crowded bar.”

 

“But, I would never . . . I agreed to be Gaara's partner! I would not break my word!” Lee looked at his companions with wide, almost pleading eyes. “It was a friendly gesture! It meant nothing more then the sharing of a moment of victory! Why would he think I would do that to him?”

 

Temari slanted her jade eyes over to study Lee in an expression that was clinical and all too familiar. “He doesn't trust you to not hurt him, Lee. He doesn't trust anyone like that. And considering the way you reacted to the sand, I'd say you don't completely trust him, either.”

 

“That is not true! I trust him! He is not a person to go back on his word, and he has been my ally in battle!”

 

“I'm not talking about him lying or not helping you in a fight. Why did you automatically assume you were under attack when the sand started moving, and why did you assume the target was you?”

 

Lee's heart sank. “Because he has done so before, and I expect he will do so again.”

 

Naruto frowned at him. “How often is that sand coming after you?”

 

“Often enough that I do not trust him. Not completely.”

 

“You're playing with fire, Lee.” Tsunade looked back over her shoulder. “He's a dangerous shinobi, and whether he likes it or not, emotions are coming into play. If the two of you don't trust each other . . .”

 

“Gaara doesn't know how to trust. Not like that.” Temari dragged a hand over her hair, mussing her already unruly do. “He's gotten to the point he doesn't see everyone as a threat, but that doesn't mean he isn't expecting to get hurt.”

 

Naruto shook his head violently. “You're wrong. He trusts you and Kankuro. He trusts me. Now he has to trust Lee, and Lee has to trust him.”

 

“I do not know if he will be willing to try.” Lee sighed as his heart twisted again. “That is not a part of this research.”

 

“The hell it isn't!” Naruto spun around and caught Lee by the shoulders. “If you can't trust your special person, who can you trust?”

 

“I am not his special person.”

 

“But he's yours. I know he is.”

 

Lee started to shake his head, but his friend shook his shoulders violently until he blurted out, “Yes! He is my special person!”

 

Off to the side he heard Temari whisper, “Oh, Lee.”

 

“Then you have to trust him! How can he trust you if you don't trust him?” Naruto stared into his friend's eyes. “I don't care if this stupid thing is real or not! You want to show him how to have a relationship, then show him how to do it right! Even if you're just friends, he should trust you! I trust you with my life, and he can, too.”

 

“I . . . I can trust him. He will not hurt me. Not intentionally or seriously.” Lee's hands clenched into fists. “I can do this. I can trust him.”

 

“That's the spirit, Lee! I've got no idea where that shrimp went, but when you find him, you two are overdue for a long talk.”

 

“Yes. We are.” Lee looked to his Hokage. “With your permission, can I go look for Gaara?”

 

“Go for it, kid.” Tsunade fixed him with a sharp look. “I don't want to see either of you coming into the emergency room. Got it?”

 

“Yosh!”

 

In a cloud of dust, Lee took off.