Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Boy In The Closet ❯ A Day In The Park With Lee ( Chapter 11 )

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

A.N: See at first things were going smoothly then next thing I know, I'm smack dab in the middle of this novel titled: Your Computer Is A Piece Of Sh-- and I couldn't put it down, between the chapter about crashes and the morons who work at those places where you get them fixed the drama never ended. So inconclusion we lucked into another moron- the very person whom wrecked it, getting it managable enough to use. And that's where I've been for the past two weeks. ^_^. Never mind that, Hello gal, nice to know you. Thank you so much for the review ^_^ that made my sad return a good one. Enjoy the chapter and the rest of the story. Fantasy.


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Naruto leapt up to the tiny hang of porch that is set over the door of the Hatake home. With a few grunts to aid him he does several chin ups, laughing after jumping back to solid ground. "Sasukeee!!! Come on!! Everyone else is already at the park waiting!" He turns on his heals kicking a stone across the street nearly taking out a window in the home it flew to. "Are you taking a crap or something!!"

Neji stepped out of the house, adjusting the rubber band at the end of his hair. He gave the loud blond a dry smile of a hello before looking over his shoulder back into his house. "Why not go inside and wait for him?"

"Hmm?" He made a sour face. "Is... your other brother in there?" He asked kind of tight lipped.

"Yes. He's been in his room since after breakfast, so I doubt you'll run into him."

"Awesome!" Raising a hand to slap the stoic child on the back, he thought twice about it then backed off stepping inside.

Neji had to give him some credit for backing off, maybe Naruto isn't as dumb as he sounds. Looking into the vast blue sky at a single bird flying by he cocked his head wondering which bus would be on its way to the park. Then again, he could just wait for Sasuke and Naruto and walk with them. This little field trip was the blond's idea and Sasuke invited Neji to come along as well. Gai sort of invited Lee along with them when hearing the two of them talk about it after dinner. Gai said it would be good for Lee to get out of the house after such a stressful week. Neji agreed with that, just so long as the odd boy stayed away from him. It was... weird. Even after all the talks he had with the boy and he is sure that Gai may have had a very much needed talk with him as well, Lee is still continuing to act strangely.

Just last night the first child of the Hatake family said that he planned to sleep on the couch but then the family found him upstairs slamming his bedroom door, over and over again until eventually they came out into the hall and stopped him. When Kakashi asked him what he thought he was doing, Lee replied 'I wasn't doing that- the ghost was, I just stopped him.' Why is he so insistant on there being a ghost in the house? Neji hasn't seen any strange events except for Lee's behavior. There was Thursday but- that could have been anything, and he was half asleep when it happened, not to mention his vision being greatly impaired at night. But the thing is, he thought he saw that ridiculous bear that Lee keeps in his room floating around his bed. With a smirk that says 'get real', he shakes his head.

"Naruto I wish you'd stop stalking me around all the time." Sasuke is saying as he leaves the house. "It's pointless to follow me around like that when I told you I'd be out in ten minutes."

"But it was like thirty on my end." Complained the blond with a false pout.

Neji couldn't help but think the two of them were sweet. They fight like one of those married couples you see on television. "Are we going?" He asked when the two were beside him.

"Yeah." Stuffing his hands into his pockets, Sasuke starts down the sidewalk.

"Heh heh, Kaitara park, here we come!" With his fist in the air, he charges after his friend.

Inside, Lee is packing a little snack for himself to take when he goes to the park. Chouji is an eater for sure and if anyone knew anything about the boy its that he absolutely loves potato chips. Their family has a bag of sour cream chedder but that's about it. Maybe he could stop at a vender and get some other kinds. Lee is also bringing a couple bottles of water and some juice should his brothers get dehydraited while they're hanging out. It's gonna be good to have a friend, especially because he can talk with Chouji about how much it sucks to get picked on and teased because you're not beautiful like the other kids. Lee's hands stopped their movement when his gaze cast upon his haunted closet. Last night the young boy, Gaara, was slamming his door. It kind of hurt Lee's feelings somehow, he thought they might have come to a truce but as it happened he realized the young boy is still very angry. But why? He let him have his room for the night, what could have upset him so much? Was it something he said?

Walking over to said location, he grabbed the knob. A disturbing chill went through his body as he reached for his night vision goggles. If Gaara is in there, he has to talk to him, maybe he can compromize something. Pulling the door open, goggles ready, he looks about the closet for any sign of the darkened life. Nothing at first, but then there in the corner curled up with the bear sitting so close to him he thought the young boy might be holding it, Lee sees him.

Clearing his throat he says in a low tone. "Gaara, it's me, Lee.... Can I.... Can I talk to you?"

The dark figure turned its head, he thinks looking right at him. Startled for a second Lee thought about closing the door and running for his life, especially after the beating he took but he stood his ground. "I... I just want you to know that, you and I can share this room. You don't have to try kicking my family out of it... I'm sure they're gonna like you just as much as they like me.... So... don't be such a little pest." Dropping down to his knees, he holds out a hand. "Please."

The boy stood up so abruptly, Lee thought for sure he was gonna come crashing down on him like a tidal wave of hatred. Staggering to his feet, he was shocked to see that the only forceful hatred was brought upon the door as it slammed shut in his face.

"Guess there's no bargaining with him." He says to himself. Leaning forward a bit, he calls through the door. "I'll be back a little later... So the room is yours until then, okay? Good bye." Gathering his supplies, he heads out of the house and to the park after saying good bye to his parents.

Gaara stepped outside of the closet, eyes watering but angry. Going to the bed, he climbs on it then lays down wishing he could feel the softness like he remembered of his own bed. His pale green eyes stare blankly at the ceiling for a moment. How can he say what he said to me yesterday night then have the nerve to sleep on the couch.... I should have done more than slam his stupid door- he's just like everyone else. He says things to get information from you so he can mock you for it later on.... I have no friends, especially not in this family but... He told me that I could be loved. The tear welling in his eye rolled to the pillow leaving no evidence of its wet substance to say that there ever was a tear in the first place. How can he say something like that, how can he even think it with the way his brothers treat him- talk about him mercilessly and he says that I can be loved as he is. ...Hn. Surprise, surprise, I already am. But still... I can't say that my heart isn't pounding from the thought of it.

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"AHAHAHAHA!!!!!" A plantinum blonde girl, dressed in a yellow sundress laughed as she splashed water at her chubby friend who looked less than pleased to have water tossed in his face from what is probably a very filthy lake.

"Damn it Ino," the boy says over a mouthful. "You almost got my chips wet. Cut that out."

Cocking her head with a slightly pissed look on her face the girl sighed. "Chouji, you'll never get girls to like you when your top priority is a stupid bag of chips. Haven't you ever heard of romantic water fights?"

"I don't have trouble with the ladies."

With a wry look she says, "Mmhm. And when was the last time you had a girlfriend?"

Chouji thought it over, though why he wasn't sure, since the answer was NEVER. But still he didn't wanna look like a complete chubby who only loves his snacks above all else. Not to mention, Ino- his secret crush, just mentioned the word romance in his general direction. Asking her out might be a piece of cake. Shit, not food again. Thinks the boy shaking his wobbling cheeks to clear his mind.

"So you think if I were more romantic I'd have a shot with some girls... Maybe even someone like you?" He asked, hopeful, chip bag hanging tightly within his one handed grip while the other is balled in tension.

Straighting her long ponytail Ino set a hand just so beside her mouth before bursting into a loud laugh. "Don't be weird! Like you'd have a shot with someone like me!" Her laughter got so great she had to grab her stomach. "Chouji, first of all you need to improve on everything and second I'm a girl who needs all of a mans attention, I can't come second to something that only last- and in your hands I don't exaggerate- a few seconds granted a bug doesn't get caught down your throat from you shoveling food in and your choking on it."

"Hm?"

"A girl like me needs... adventure, an air of mystery.... someone I haven't known since I went topless with nothing but a diaper keeping me from being naked. So no thanks."

The chubby boy let out a low groan. Somewhere close by Shikamaru snickered to himself, he knew Chouji didn't have a chance but he didn't blame him for trying. Now for the task at hand, he sees the perfect stooge coming his way for a game of Shougi. Hatake Lee.

Somewhere else in the park Sasuke and Naruto are padding around on the palms of their hands just doing typical male stuff: Seeing whose strongest, who has the best balance, telling each other lies to make themselves sound cooler than the next guy. Close by on a bench, Kiba is listening to music on his MP3 player watching them and his little white pup of a dog sniffing around for a good place to pee. The Hatake boy wasn't bad to hang around since he stopped sticking up for his ugly brother. What was it he said that one day at school, Lee smells like something or another that was gradually getting worse. He may not have said it loud enough for him to hear and it may not actually be true since Kiba's never actually smelled anything disgusting drifting around said male but it was nice to see the new kid pull the rod out of his ass and be normal like the rest of them.

Tapping his finger on the top of the bench he looks about the park at all the people who showed today. Most of them he knew, alot of the others were just any old body and he doesn't really care. He's brought from his thoughts by the sound of Naruto's grunts and yells as he tumbles down a hill towards the lake. Sasuke grabbed him being jerked forward a good fall but he managed to stop the little twirp before he fell in. They laughed about it, said something Kiba couldn't hear then searched for what he assumed were rocks. Yup, moments after their search the two sit on the grass skipping rocks across the crystal clear water. With a sigh he stands.

I'd better referee this little game of theirs before they end up hating each other. Walking over to the lake he takes a seat beside his new friend, who spared him a glance before throwing another stone.

"Hey Sasuke," without letting him finish he continues. "How 'bout inviting us over to your place later on."

"Alright." He throws another stone.

"See Naruto, we have a good friend here." Grabbing said boy around the shoulders he grins toothly. "Most guys don't want their friends over because they act different when they're at home. But not Sasuke, he's all man."

Sasuke could guess this little speech was for some reason specifically but he neither cared nor wanted to, so why bother with it. Besides, its about time he had friends over it says something when a kid can bring his friends home. Itachi only ever brought one kid over but Sasuke wasn't sure he counted since he's lived next door to them since he was a baby and neighbors don't count because in the end everyone gets to know their neighbors.

Giving the air a good whiff, Naruto smiled an Mmmm across his face. "I'm gonna get something from the Yatai stall over there, you want anything?"

"No." His two friends say in unison.

"Your loss." With that he took off running yelling hello to fuzzy brows when he sees him in the distance. It might win more points for him with Sasuke if he heard it. But damn it all why did Lee have to come, no he'd probably seek them out and he'd be forced to hang out with him. Then again, the tall boy seemed to be on a mission of sorts as he didn't even yell back but nodded his head before walking over to a tree and crouching down.

Shikamaru told Lee where Chouji was; the skinny boy wondering what on earth Lee would want with his best friend but who was he to question these things. Besides, if Lee is at the park chances are good that Neji came as well it was all a matter of locating the male vixen. But he wasn't planning on looking for him when he has a small crowd of prospective money waiting to play a good game with him. No one ever beat Shikamaru in Shougi and odds were that no one ever would. His teacher came close when he came to the park one month back but he had a previous engagement and they ended up calling it a draw. This boy he's playing with now put up a clean 50 bucks and planned to win. But in the end, his money was taken just like all the others. Sure gambling is illegal in Japan but hey if nobody sees then nobody knows.

"Whose next?" He asks.

"Play me Shikamaru." A boy with sleek dark green hair takes a seat on the stone bench before the stone table where the board is set up.

The young genius knows this boy, he might have kissed him once or twice or maybe it was just the hair color that was bringing back someone he'd been with because the kid showed no signs of ever having been with him. Whatever.

"Chouji? Can I speak with you in private, please."

Looking the stick figure over, Chouji scoffed a laugh. What could this loser possibly want? Seems serious though, I might as well hear what he has to say. "Alright, talk."

Gathering his nerves, Lee sighs them out then takes a seat beside the boy opening a bag of chips. "Would you like some?" He asked casual. This is easy.

Looking to see who was talking to him since Lee was somewhat out of view at his place on the side of the tree, he shrugged then took a pinch full to eat. The two ate quietly for a moment then Lee decided to break it by saying, "You don't like being called 'porkbelly' anymore than I like being called the names that I'm called." He didn't dare speak them himself because it would sully his clean tongue and remembering the people who said them might make him tear up a bit mostly since his brother was becoming one of them. Sasuke has let Fuzzy brows slip more then once at school to the point of almost calling him that at home. "So I thought maybe the two of us might... I don't know, hang out sometime. We could be friends and-..."

"Hold on! Since when was I tied into the same catagory as you?"

"But you get called the same amount of names as I do, I just thought that-"

Setting his bag of chips down, he raised his voice a bit. "I have more friends than I can count, a bunch of silly names is what buddies do and most of that shit is from guys I couldn't care less about."

"I'm sorry. I honestly thought that-..."

"Ha. You thought wrong, bobblehead, don't ever talk to me again, you got that?!" His voice harshened. "Or I'll squeeze you to death. Now, GO AWAY."

Completely taken aback by the boys words Lee stood and walked away from him. That didn't go as planned. Who would have guessed that Chouji didn't care. Maybe he should take his example and do the same, just stop caring and hang out with whomever he chose. But that would probably result in a manslaughter of beatings. He could beat them up easily, but he won't go back to his fighting days, he can't let his fathers down again. Heading back to where Shikamaru is sitting a thought occured to him. Shikamaru is a pretty ok guy. He won't mind playing Shougi with him and they can talk and maybe become friends in the process. Casting his gaze at the boy in mention, he sees a teen getting up to go somewhere else since he's been beaten by the laid back male.

I don't mind losing so this should be fun for both of us. I just hope he doesn't mind teaching me a bit since I've never actually played this game before. Heading over to the table he takes a seat, smiling handsomely.

Cocking a brow, the other male just laughed a bit. "Hey Lee, how did it go with Chouji? You two gonna be braiding each others hair soon?" He teased while cleaning up the board, then he set the pieces back in place.

"Doesn't seem like it." He laughed. His brain was practically buzzing over having a real conversation with someone other than his fathers and Sasuke. As far as Neji went the boy may not as well even live in the house beyond anyone but Sasuke and Kakashi.

"Eeeh, Chouji's not bad, you just have to get used to his buttons and know how to talk to him." Once done he nods to his next challenger. "You gonna put some money up?"

"...Hm? Oh!" Fishing through his jeans pocket he takes a 300 coin out. "That's about it for me."

Looking at his offer, Shikamaru had to laugh at that, but whatever. He never said he wanted to be rich, his mother is a doctor and his dad owns a liquor store, so he's pretty much set in the money department. "Go on, you start."

"Okay." Looking all the pieces over, he studies each one carefully before moving a piece.

Shikamaru concidered that to be an interesting strategy, so he moved a piece as well. Lee looked it over then grabbed the same tile and placed it before Shikamaru's and after that it soured quickly.

With a frown the Nara boy shook his head. "You have no clue how to play do you?"

Blushing Lee scratched the back of his head. "Not really, this is my first time."

Almost like a bad odor drifted under his nose Shikamaru groaned. "Ugh, just... pick up your money and get lost. I don't have time for this."

"But," he picks up his money. "You could teach me how to play."

"No." He said sternly, cleaning up the board. "I don't have time for that, just go. Come back when you learn how to play."

".........." Blushing deeper, he bowed. "Okay. I'm sorry. Thank you for at least starting; I'll learn how to play real quick and then we can have a match. I'm sure it will be gripping." He kept his smile up until he was sure he was out of site. He's never been so embarrassed. I need to sit down. Finding a comfortable bench away from just about everyone, Lee pulled a drink from his pack and took a long drink. I'm out of my league, I should just go home and sleep or something. Maybe work out a bit, I'm getting a little rusty with the sword. He nods. Yeah, that's what I'll do. Standing, he leaves the park hoping to find some solace at home.

Watching his brother's departure, Neji comes from his sitting place relocating to the bench before Shikamaru. Smirking at the boy he sets the board up, then asks. "Don't you think you were being a bit harsh."

"Not really. Do you know how many people come up to me asking me to teach them to play, it's fucking annoying. I've just stopped altogether."

"Mm." He says in thought. Setting about ten bucks on the table, he makes his first move. He's never played this game before either, but he's been watching the young genius long enough to get the basics. Neji won't admit to seeking him out, he just happened upon him when he found a place to read nearby. He found it interesting how he was playing for money and who knows, maybe he could become good enough to do the same. The more money the better.

"Why not charge people?" He makes another move after watching Shikamaru choose.

The other male just waves a hand to that. He just doesn't like explaining things to people, it's pointless. There are so many places, especially with the internet now, to learn how to play why should he waste his breath and valuable time teaching them when he could just have a good time with someone that already knows the game.

"That was a good move, you might pose a threat- someday."

"Hn." He takes another turn. "You could though be a little more sympathetic with them."

"It only keeps them hopeful that I'll teach them. Would you ease a band-aid from your skin? You have to pull it right off."

"I see your point." I just hope Lee doesn't go home crying or something. I'm not trying to get a big lecture on family behavior from Gai.

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

What is wrong with the two of them? Thinks Gaara while he sits atop the dresser in Gai and Kakashi's bedroom. He left his old room when he heard the two of them walking upstairs, he was curious. He later wished he hadn't come in at all. The two of them stripped their clothes off and began screwing like a couple of animals in heat. Kakashi on Gai's lap, the tanned male ran his hands up his lovers pale thighs setting the right one to rest around his testicles while the other hand gripped his wanton member. Kakashi arched his back, resting his head on Gai's shoulder while his lower region bucked into the slick heat of Gai's hand.

Gaara found it strange how adults wanted to do this. Does it really feel all that good. They seem to be having a good time. He'd often heard sounds like there's coming from his fathers room late at night when he told Yashamaru that he wanted to try to get some sleep since the medication he was on tended to make him dizzy rather than tired. Could the two of them have been... having sex with each other? If so, did that mean his father was gay? Did he not love his Kakura anymore? Or was it something that happened because she and his uncle look so much alike. That would be weird. Either way he's had enough of this. The kids of the house have been gone for hours and Gaara was actually getting bored with no business to get into but the primates in the next room. Heading back into his closet, he decided on a board game to pass the time. Ten minutes later the house was silent. Gaara was pretty sure he heard the front door open and close twice, though, then he was positive someone else was in the house more so when his bedroom door opened and in walked the thief of said location.

Lee wasn't his usually plucky self, Gaara could tell. The boy walked over to the bed and lay himself down like the world were about to implode in on him, pulling the blanket up to his shoulder like it were a hug. From there he went right to crying, soft low sobs that made Gaara wonder just what happened that his balloon would burst so drastically.

"I'm trying to fit in with someone, I really am but..." he ran a hand over the snot coming out of his nose. "It's just too hard. No one, not even the losers at school want anything to do with me and I can't catch a break with the kids that don't care...." he shakes his head. "Where do I fit in? Who can talk to me about their problems, console me through mine." A few sniffles and he went on. "I wanna bring people home to see my house and meet my cool parents and see how much fun I am than when I'm at school and you have rules to go by...... I just wish that someone would make it easy for me."

Lee sobbed for a moment. Gaara listened in, feeling sickened by his words. He felt the same way so many times after school or over the weekend when his brother and sister would disappear for hours with their friends and he would be sitting at home with no one but Kuma to converse with since Yashamaru was usually at work or didn't understand the 'silly' things that he talked about. He never knew the formal way to speak with people his own age since no one really talked to him kindly since he was maybe 4 years old. And now to have this boy here with his problems it's just... it's just too much. Gaara actually began to cry himself.

"I don't wanna be on that end, I don't wanna know what happens to the people who grow as a person always being told to 'go away'. But Gai, I failed you." He sobbed. "I'm sorry." His tears bit at him silencing his own sobs just long enough for him to hear anothers. "Gaara? Is that you?"

Gaara only cried a bit louder.

"Well come on over here," he sniffed back tears. "Its no good to cry alone like that. Come on."

Lee wasn't so surprised to see the closet door push open but he was shocked when his blanket raised from off of him and the weightless body climbed in beside him. The two sobbed together, whether the boy was holding onto him was a mystery but Lee lay his arms out to hold onto him.