Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Boy In The Closet ❯ How Many Can One Kid Have? ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A.N: Thank you for the review. It makes me smile when my kids make friends- stories are your kids and reviews are the friends, right? Eeh forget it. Your right on with the ages by the way but you don't have to worry about the age right now because they're going to be a year or so older when the story really begins. Aside from that humor me because I forgot how to spell "Gejimayo" I'm not sure when the accent marks come in right. And another thing aside from that is that "Chichioya" Is more to say father in a sense of talking about them not calling them but I want Lee to call them both something different. Okay, now on with the show, hope you all like it. Fantasy.

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Morning shown in through the bedroom window of Gai and Kakashi's bedroom. The gray haired man scrunched his visible eye then rolled over. He could hear voices coming from the living room and they could only belong to his partner and new son. Lee has been a part of their lives for about a month and it literally feels like he's been here his whole life. He and Gai are up every morning at five doing work outs, counting as though they're the only two people in the building; its a wonder the neighbors haven't stomped the floor in complaint that their noise is rising into their apartment.

Rolling out of bed at his sensible time of eight fifty, he scratches his side while leaving the room for the bathroom. A quick glance at his two identically dressed children he then closes the door for some much needed pampering under hot water.

"Alright Lee, its time for our morning wrap up before you're off to school." Says Gai, one finger up, eyes closed giving off a very superior out-look to his green form fitting work-out ensemble. "What are the four most important things a man must live by?"

"Have respect for yourself and those around you."

"Yes." A smile breaks out on his face.

He salutes now. "Helping is its own reward."

"That's right, my son." His grin broadens.

"Never let your youth hinder so always challenge yourself." He's bringing tears to the mans eyes.

"And when you're faced with a problem never say never."

Grabbing his chin, he nods. "Yes, yes. And when we follow these rules life can give you heaps of health, wealth, and youth so that you may keep on living to do these kind things my splendid child."

"Yes, but Otousan.... What if those things don't get you any of that?" His shoulders droop. "What if your odd looks over ride any chances of that happening?"

"Well then, Lee" his voice became very grim, posture tight. "To that I say" without the boys knowledge his Dad raised his fist into the air popping him right on the top of his head. "I told you, never say never. If the kids look at you funny, call you names- you take the initiative to strive harder for their respect. Respect from your peers is just one of the most important things a man must possess in life."

Lee nods. He must find a way to make the other students see past his goggled eyes and, fuzzy brows. Absently touching them, he looks up at his Dad seeing how proud he wears his own. He must know what he's going through, but then again Gai exudes confidence so making friends must have been so easy for him. Lee will conquer this bump in his road.

Patting his boy on the back he tells him to get his things ready for when he leaves. Kakashi steps out of the bathroom, toweling his hair dry. He gets a good morning from his son, which he nods a response to. Gai shakes his head watching the child dash off to the bedroom, then follows his lover into the small kitchen.

"I made coffee and waffles are in the oven." Says Gai.

Kakashi yawned, picking up the paper. "I'll have two." He says, placing an invisible smile at the end followed by a "Please."

Gai had to roll his eyes to that, he just told the man where breakfast was and he still insists on having him place it down before him. But that's what love is- unwanted slavery. He laughed at his joke, grabbing the mans breakfast setting the fluffy, homestyle squares on to a plate.

"Something funny?" His highness asked half heartedly.

"Just remembering a time when you would want four of anything- you're losing your touch Kakashi."

"Is that right?"

Just where I want him. Thinks Gai with a knowing smirk while he grabs the syrup.

Taking it thankfully, Kakashi rolls his eye. Everyday he finds something new. Figuring he'd play along, he says. "Are you insinuating that I no longer can?"

With a dramatic lean back, hand up at his mouth as if a rabid dog were about to take a bite of his arm, he replies. "Not at all. I'm just saying that if you plan on working all day than you'll have to eat more than that. Any real man could take on six no problem."

"Then I'll see your six and raise you seven."

"Seven huh?" Gai knew he already ate breakfast this morning with Lee, but he was not about to back down from this challenge. "Eight."

With a shrug of his hand, Kakashi says. "Eight then."

"You're on." Taking the plate from the oven, Gai doesn't bother with syrup as he dives into the mess of breakfast servings.

"See you guys later!" Lee calls as he runs out.

"Good bye Lee." Says Kakashi with a casual turn of the page in the paper.

Gai tried to say it but just wound up choking on a bite. The gray haired male leaned over patting his back with his hand. "Gai says have a good day." Gai, who is now holding his throat nods, then waves a hand.

Lee smiled at his father's odd ways, then hurried out the door to the bus stop. He waved to Mrs. Minamino as she went into her apartment carrying a bag of bird seed for her parrot, Saio. She's very nice and let Lee hang out with the bird whenever he wanted, he even got to give the bird crackers. The streets hummed with life for that early in the morning but the most noise is coming from about 23 feet away at the bus stop. All the other kids have gathered there and were in the middle of conversation with their friends. Lee froze before going any closer, he took his bangs and began to brush them over his forehead the best he could to hide his caterpillar eyebrows- maybe he should wear a headband? That would work, wouldn't it? He can gather no more hair since he drew it into a tight ponytail this morning so with confidence nowhere in sight he goes for it full swing.

"Good morning everyone! It's a nice sunny day isn't it?"

The kids turned their cool, practiced faces to the odd man out then shrugged before going back to their conversations. That was fine because Lee doesn't see any of these people in his two classes anyway. So standing beside them, not with them, he brushes a hand down his white uniform shirt, smoothing the wrinkles from it. His favorite activity since he started school three weeks ago. No one seems to notice him until they look hard enough and see his life sized brows; usually Lee never let such things bother him since all his life he's been homeschooled at the orphanage but now, among the public school kids he feels really out of place, almost embarrassed by his unusual appearance.

Take Moritaka; now he is good looking. Lee learned his name by over hearing someone say it. The boy wears make up and gets away with it because his features are so light they're almost feminine but his voice is like deep rich chocolate pudding, seeping into your pores. The Hatake child can tell his hair is traditional black but he chooses to dye it blond giving it brown tips to accent it. For a few days Lee wondered if the boy was the kind of cool that pretended to accept everybody in which case he would befriend him until they became honest pals, or if Moritaka were the kind of person that looked down on everyone because he knows he's easy on the eyes.

As for girls, in school, Lee knew that the prettiest girl had to be Iraia Santino a girl of mixed race- Japanese and Spanish. She wears big hoops and usually wears her naturally curly auburn hair clipped to the back of her head. Her face is a heart shape and she has an accent with her Japanese which means she spoke Spanish first. Lee thought that if he were to choose from anyone to have a crush on, it would be Moritaka or Iraia. The odd looking teen long since came to many conclusions about what he prefers in a partner- he just wants someone to love him without change. Male or female, if he could get that he would never let them go. He would marry them like his fathers- or at least he's sure the two of them are married... He should ask; and they will live happily ever after. With a firm nod, he snaps out of it at the sound of the bus honking its horn for him.

Blushing, Lee adjust his backpack then climbs on. Sliding his card through the runner, he takes a seat at the back of the bus, his usual place and watches the city go by until they arrived at school.

.....................

Looking around the lunch room, he locates Moritaka. The handsome boy is sitting with at least two tables worth of people who wanna talk to him, the first table consisting of people who usually do, so Lee assumed his position with the other male that would be the open space at the first table, directly behind Moritaka. Scurrying over, he wondered how the people at table two hadn't thought of this, its genius! A brisk and completely straight backed walk over to the table and Lee takes a seat. Swallowing hard he glances over his shoulder at the boy. Moritaka is eating quietly sparing brown eyed glances at his usuals and a couple to people who called to him from down the table; time to make his move.

"Uhhh, Moritaka...."

"Hmm? Who said that?"

Swallowing hard again, he straightens more if that were even possible. "Back here, my name is Rock-... Hatake Lee." He remembered his new last name. "H- hhhow are you today?"

"How am I today?" He repeats before laughing. At least he was looking, right? "Well, 'Rock' Hatake Lee, I'm just fine." He laughed again, smacking the kid on the back.

Yahooooo!!!!! Soared the boys emotions. He's on fire, time to turn up the blaze. Spinning in his seat, he sets his face to stern before belting out. "Would you like to come to my house for a sleep over? I live in an apartment by the bu-."

"AHAHAHAHAHA. A sleep over?!" He laughed even harder.

Now Lee was confused. Do thirteen year olds have different rules now adays or something? Last he checked the best way to get to know someone is to have a sleep over. Why at the home the kids switched rooms all the time. He was never really that big a part of it but he listened in on them talking. He even added his own comments when the thought struck him.

"Naaah, I don't wanna have a sleep over- Rock Hatake Lee." He says, straw going into his mouth to be chewed. "And for the record its called staying over; girls have sleep overs." Four of his friends laughed.

Lee didn't see the difference but whatever they say. "Alright then, would you like to stay over? I have enough room in my bedroom for an extra futon."

"I already told you 'no'; but you know what Rock Hatake Lee, I like you."

Huuwhaa!!! Calming his voice so to sound more demoure. "You do?"

"Yeah. You can sit by me anytime- or I should say behind me."

"Well, thank you. And it's just Lee by the way."

"Riight."

This is the best, Lee couldn't help smiling. Otousan! You are very wise and very great and because of your teachings I have a friend!!!

"Oi, Gejimayo?"

"Huh?" He cocked a brow.

"How 'bout getting me another soda? Mines gone and I don't have any more change."

"But Fuzzy brows? What was wrong with Lee?"

"I like fuzzy brows better."

A kid with green hair, dark blue bangs chuckled at Moritaka's side. "Yeah, look at those things, fuzzy brows is the perfect name."

The whole table kicked up an uproar chanting over and over again. Gejimayo, Gejimayo! Gejimayo!!! Lee balled up his fist and-......

Moritaka had his nose broken from a simple joke and over the next six months Lee got a bad reputation and his nick name went from Fuzzy Brows to... Okorippoi which means temperamental hot-head. As for his fathers; Gai insisted that he apologize, Kakashi told him he did the right thing leaving one confused Lee at the end of that day. But things are going good now, Lee is a quiet straight A student that keeps to himself; hanging out with his fathers when he's at home.

In hopes to get rid of his bad image and former nick name should his new image leave, he asked Kakashi to give him a new look, one like his Dad and thus Kakashi shrank his lover into a pale faced, bug eyed boy named Lee. The look didn't help him, in fact it seemed to make it worse! Because he inherited a third nickname of 'Bobcut'. It went on like that for another six months and at the end of the year the Hatake's got a phone call from the adoption people. Lee thought one of his fathers might have made a call to them about his behavior and they planned to send him back. He loves it here, he doesn't want to go back! But when Kakashi hung up the phone, took a seat at the dinner table very carefully and went back to his book it left Gai and Lee wondering the same thing.

"So what did they say?" The two asked simultaniously.

"Hm? Oh... Now what was it they said?" He pretended not to remember, tapping a finger to his covered chin. "Oh right, it seems that we're pregnant." With that he turns the page in his book.

Gai cocked a brow. "What?"

"They found two boys that are in need of a home- though they say one claims to be a temporary keep for whatever family adopts him." Looking to their son he asks. "What do you say Lee, care for two brothers?"

Two brothers? His eyes go wide, a huge grin spreads across his face. Two brothers! Two people who will live with me, go to school with me and love me like brothers do? Two people who will provide life stories and manly wrestles before bed? Two brothers! Two brothers! He had to stand up, he got right up in his seat pumping his fist into the air and cheering.

"I'll take that as a yes." After a second glance, he snagged the boy by the elbow, pulling him down to a sitting position. "But how bought we not break the furniture."

"Deal! When are they coming?"

"It's a process, so it should be within this year." He turns the page in his book rather casually. "Of course that means we'll have to move."

"I'm gonna pack now!" He dashed from the table.

Gai laughed at his sons display of youth, the kid is full to bursting and will make a great brother to whomever these kids are. "By the way, did they give you their names?"

"Names? Names? Oh right. Uchiha Sasuke age 12 and Hyuuga Neji age 14." He turns the page again. "They'll be 14 and 16 when we pick them up in Tokyo, the woman told me a bit east from Roppongi."

"Tokyo? Ha. Didn't think I'd have to move out that far."

"Not as if we have to get a big truck."

"I guess that's true," Gai laughs hearing Lee talking about the things he's going to share with them. They showered the boy with gifts over the new year and took a billion pictures- all Gai's idea so it was only natural that their son who never really had anything but now has plenty would want to share as he has all his life.

Kakashi just hoped they'd all get along. Three boys. A lot of good could come from that. Smiling at Gai who was getting up to join their son- or ambush him, which ever came first he thought it would be nice to have someone to mold after his self because three guys challenging him everyday is a scary thought.

If there were ever a time when Neji thought he might go back to his uncle's mansion it was when he realized he had consumed about 50 disgusting bowls of what these people call cereal and thought he might have actually liked it that day. He's neve tasted the stuff and wasted an entire bowl after one bite on his first day. He hasn't heard anything from his fathers lawyer except for the fact that he's been moved to the larger prison. It's been about seven months and so far no one wanted to adopt him. It was to be expected if they watched the news and heard about his family. Hn. Idiots probably think 'like father, like son' and he would kill them one night. Not likely. But when he dropped his bowl of what used to be fruited circles into the dingy sink, he stared out the window in question.

What's to become of me if I don't get a home? Is this like a shelter and they force you to leave, look for a job so they can soon send you on your way?

"Neji can you help me with the dishes, please?" The woman who works in the kitchen asks.

Neji merely looked at her, bored expression, wondering if she were serious. The first time she asked him, he actually laughed because of that he was sent to his room- which is shared with up to four other people, he being the fifth. The second time he refused because he didn't dirty the dishes, his was already washed and put away so why take care of that for other people? Then by the third time he figured why not and helped the woman do it. She really isn't all that bad but he hates manual work, he's never had to do a single thing for himself except keep his room tidy and he did that on his own accord because he doesn't trust people to touch his things.

"Please? It will go really quick."

"32 bowls, quick?" Some of those bowls still have cereal floating in them! Why should he touch that!? But reluctantly, he moved away from the window and over to the table to gather the bowls.

The woman smiled at him, "Just grab and clean what you can, I'll take care of the more messy ones."

Great. Now she's babying me like she knows my habits; I've been in this place too long. He places the dishes into a sink filled with water and suds, recalling that his family has a dishwasher to do this sort of thing, but with a grimace on his lips and gloves over his hands he dumps nearly rancid milk into the other side of the sink before washing the bowls.

"So how have they been making out in finding me a family?" He asks casually. "You think a lot of people would want a test son."

"Neji," she says in a tone that's calling him a 'silly boy' underneath. "You're not a temperary son, whoever wants you will love you as their own."

"I'm not fragile, Mrs. Aikawa." He dismisses her thoughts of him being a cry for help. "And I don't intend to get too close to the new members in my home."

Looking at him sideways with a frown, she shakes her head. "I wish you'd reconsider your situation; your uncle loves you, your aunt and cousins..... What happened to family first?"

Neji finished his stack of dishes then walked out. He had no time for such a conversation. He's been here for far too long and he's starting to go stir crazy. He has never had to share a room or anything else in his life with four other people and it was becoming retarded how these... other adoptees were treating each others things. Vandalism, stealing when you live in the same damned place. If he wanted to rough it on the streets this here was the experience for surviving it. And by the nineth month, fourteen year old Neji was about to come to blows with the whole place.

.....................

"Excuse me, Neji?"

The woman in charge called to him one day in December while he sat outside gazing at the sky due to sheer boredom and hope to ignore everyone else.

"Yes, Mrs. Takara?"

"I just wanted to inform you that we found you a family, and you'll be going home with them as soon as the paper work is filled out on their end." The kind woman said.

The young boy could almost hear her smile at the thought of the cranky new kid being gone. Whatever. "That's good news. Do I get to know whom they are?" He turns his pale, colorless gaze to her, standing from where he sat to walk over to her.

"Well, truthfully it's quite a strange couple...." Mrs. Takara trailed off bringing her thumbnail into her mouth to give it a timid nibble.

Neji winced. "Strange how?"

"Well, you see the couple is... two males- they live together."

A gay couple? That took him by surprise. He didn't even know couples of the same gender could walk out in public much-less adopt. How the world has changed. "And why is this a problem?"

"It's not my place to judge beliefs. I just think its better you know, after all, you did ask." She added like it were a dagger to stick it to the mouthy child. Neji didn't care. "You'll be seeing that family in no time. They're coming here to Tokyo with their other adopted son."

The boy nodded. It was strange to think about having siblings, much less a substitute family for a while. Now that it's finally happening he's pretty sure that these next few months will be somewhat bareable since he has promises of getting out.

.......................

And out he was. The Hatake's found a home smack in the middle of Roppongi, a nice little home with five bedrooms which is just what they needed for their new family. The price of the place was surprisingly low considering how nice the house is, and what a lovely location its in but they didn't bother with the details. It's now April and school will begin which means they have to settle into their new home, get Lee and the others enrolled and still get the house to living conditions. Minus one scare for Lee from a creepy looking doll hanging out in the closet of one of the rooms the place came together rather nicely. They even picked out the beds and bedding for the other boys rooms- they could decorate it anyway they wanted once they moved in. And on February 14 2007, approximately one year later Hatake Kakashi went to pick up his new sons.