Don't Own Naruto...if I did, they wouldn't allow it on television.
The light patter of gentle morning rain tapped against the thin shield of glass that was Rock Lee's window. The pin head sized drops dabbed together and ran down the fogged glass in streams. Heavy, thick storm clouds were hung above Konoha and they layered the village with their tears. The tender blue morning light poured in the room and gave every inch of life a certain heavenly glow.
Wiggling under the quilted warmth of his blanket, Rock Lee struggled to be set loose from the holding prison of his compact sheets. Once free, he rolled off his mattress and trudged across his carpet to the kitchen that was located down his long lonely hallway. The whole journey, he scratched his head and rubbed his eyes to throw away the dream's dew.
He allowed a long yawn to sing from his throat as he prepared his normal breakfast of a quick bowel of cereal. All his mornings started out like this: alone in his home, eating the same breakfast, and rising from his slumber to find himself solo, without another to be by his side. Neji and Naruto suggest he should get out and meet people, but who? Who would want to be with a teenage boy who had nothing to give in return and no knowledge of what the true feeling of love was? Even though he did not give up hope on finding someone, Lee had come to this conclusion long ago.
Love can be found anywhere in a person, no matter who they are. Someone can say that they can no longer care, that they have lost that blessed gift to feel such compassion for another. They're wrong. Lee would find that hidden feeling inside someone, no matter who they were. That sad person just hasn't loved the right people yet, and Lee would be the one to show them true understanding. When love found him he would know it, and grasp it with all his strength. It wouldn't make a difference what 'gender' a person was, love was love, no matter what.
It was raining again. Lee figured it would have stopped since this morning, but alas, it hadn't. Jerking the zipper to his hooded jacket up and down, Lee pondered on which way it looked better. Why do I even care? After that though, he ceased his wardrobe debate.
As Lee was glancing up, the obnoxious yellow blazing color of the school bus was seen clearly through the gauze-like layer of fog settling on the roads. Once again Lee was forced to remind himself of: Only one more day of riding this stupid thing, then I get my license.
The bus pulled up beside the black haired boy, and the doors creaked open as the aroma of gasoline flowed over him along with the temperature from the heater. Lee stepped willingly on, climbing the steps and pacing down the walkway.
As he glanced around for his normal (also) lonely seat, a new unfamiliar face caught his attention along with snagging him off guard. A young shaggy red haired boy was glaring out the window, almost burning his stare into his reflection like he loathed the mere sight of it. The new boy had gingerly placed himself in Lee's spot and didn't seem to care of the fact.
Groaning deep in the depths of his mind, Lee bit down on his tongue and sat next to the red head. Those lime green eyes darted to the side of the transparent mirror and saw the reflection of another taking their place beside him. Paying no mind to him, the dark appearing boy continued his scornful gaze out the window.
Lee now stole this moment to actually sneak a decent look at the stranger. As he motioned his backpack down on the floor, Rock Lee rotated his eyes to the side and glanced at the boy. Emerald green orbs first caught his attention along with the frail looking snow skin that contrasted with the jade. Unkempt maroon locks flew over his forehead and curtained a red inked mark that was posted atop his head, practically engraved. He wore nothing but a grimaced frown and his expression told more than what the boy intended to let on. He appeared so angry and sad, depressed almost at the fact that life had filled his lungs and gave him air.
He looks so sad. Lee uttered softly in his racing mind. He straightened up and reclined back against the leather of the bus's seat. Gloominess the third party member in the chair.
The siren like bell echoed down the packed hallways, ringing its alarm with in each student's ear, letting them know of the time. Thankfully, Lee didn't have to make the journey to health class alone, and had the amusing company of Naruto tagging along with him.
A heavy sigh came from the short blonde beside Lee, "Oh, God, I hate the mornings!" Naruto cried sadly like a punished puppy.
Lee perked up his enthusiasm and worked a smile onto his lips, "Come now, Naruto," he said latching onto his companion's shoulder, "we're youthful people and must seize the day and its glory!" Lee received a few stares and suspicious looks from passing students.
Naruto passed him a queer glare, "How do you stay this 'happy' all the time?" he asked. The question was almost vile as it came off of Naruto's lips, seemed almost at disbelief.
Lee smiled again and kept walking down the hallway, pushing and shoving passed others. I'll never let any of them know, how I truly feel. To be alone and live with no one, to only have an uncle who lives across the country be your closest family. They'll never need to know how upset all this pressure really makes me. I desperately wish for the connection that Naruto and Neji share, to be that close with someone emotionally and physically. A scowl was hidden beneath Lee's true feelings, protected by his everlasting smile. Could he always keep this up, packing away his ideas and hiding them from the world because no one could deeply understand how he felt?
Naruto and Lee parted ways, Naruto heading to his next class and Lee to his. At least maybe in health he would be able to push aside his regret and concentrate on things that were important.
Scribbling down random notes, Lee glanced at the board to catch what was jotted down upon it before Iruka-sensei erased the words and their meaning. Iruka-sensei had his head popped out through the door and babbled on to another teacher in the hallway.
After moments past of head nods and 'okay's', Iruka finally opened the door entirely and allowed for another being to step through. Lee was still writing down meaningless notes and hadn't noticed the new student before him and the rest of the class.
Iruka cleared his throat and danced his fingers along the desk, causing knocking taps to gain other's attention. One by one, students perked their heads awake and directed their courtesying eyes to the front of the bland painted room.
Lee didn't do as the others, what good would it bring him? Lee only slumped lower and buried his narrow shaped face into the crook of his arm that was laid upon the desk's surface.
"Everyone," Iruka-sensei began, cheerfulness sprinkling his voice, "I would like to introduce a new student, Gaara." the teacher's grin that followed couldn't help but be heard.
A peevish smirk tugged at the corners of Gaara's lips, his vacant green eyes scanned the other students in mere annoyance at the fact that he was placed in a class with them. Red locks wisped amongst a red tattoo that was etched into his flesh as Gaara jerked his head to the side to remove bangs from his view.
Finally now, Lee had emerged from the cavern of his arm and raised his head up slowly to witness the new comer. His large eyes grew slightly as they met the face of the boy from before. The class was paltry in his still saddened eyes as he scrutinized everyone.
Jade met dark orbs for the first time. Their eyes locked in place, never seeming or wanting to move as they bore into one another. Lee did his best to see the red head, to unfold those mysteries that loomed in his troubled mind. He wanted to be let in, for some odd reason, he wanted to envision the boy's life in his mind and learn of that perturbing past. Why did Lee want that?
Gaara, on the other hand, just stared never removing his eyes. They never faltered and held their target with perfect strength. He wouldn't be the first to drop down, he would gaze at the dark haired boy so hard he would have no other opinion. But as those few clipped seconds passed, Gaara noticed the boy searching him almost, trying to decipherer him like a lock or a puzzle. Gaara felt incredulous about the stranger now. Why is he looking at me like that? He shouted in his head, this was far from cute.
"Gaara," said a clear voice with a pat on his shoulder following the calling of his name, "Would you like to take a seat?" Iruka-sensei nudged Gaara forward slowly, motioning his hand over to a abandoned desk across from a fellow student. Grueling at the sight of the person beside him, Gaara took his assigned spot beside his 'bus buddy' and now 'class buddy'. It's not that he has a problem with the boy, he just doesn't like to be around the same people all the time. That's why he moved away from family and over into Konoha. Gaara wanted to start fresh and Sunagakure was becoming too crowded with past memories.
"Rock Lee," Iruka began, snapping Lee out of his trace that he was under, "maybe you would like to help Gaara out a little today?" the suggestion caused both boys to snap their eyes open and quickly pass glances back and forth.
Keeping his wits about him, Gaara was the first to speak, "I think I can manage." he answered plainly.
Feeling relieved, Lee relaxed back in his chair and prepared for class to begin.
Getting out of class wasn't easy, Lee had to pass Gaara on the way out the door. He thought about waiting behind some and allowing for the red head to go first, but apparently the same thought had lit up his mind as well. They were the last two and neither one knew who was going to go first. Finally Gaara made a move and sped out the doorway and down the hall. Things couldn't have gone worse.
As Lee slowly walked down the hallway, his books like weights holding him down with each step, he thought back about the new boy. "His name is Gaara," he said softly aloud.
"Who's Gaara?"
Whipping around, Lee almost dropped all his books on the floor as he came face to face with Neji. The white eyed boy scaled the taller one before him, a brow quirked in suspicion and a smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth. Playfully, he stepped forward and asked again, "Who's Gaara?" the question sounded almost sarcastic as Neji's grin grew.
Gulping, Lee dug deep inside himself for a inch of confidence, "N-no one." he stuttered. Turning on his heel, Lee continued his walk down the hall, Neji following behind.
Neji released a tender chuckled in the depths of his throat, "I'm not so sure I can believe you Lee. From the way you're acting he doesn't sound like a 'no one'." Neji now matched up beside his friend and gazed deeply into the coal eyes that stared back at him.
Lee sighed, "It's no one. That's all." his voice held a certain meaning to it that told Neji the conversation was over. Neji complied.
Strategically changing the subject, Neji spoke louder as the classes began to release students, "So, have you seen Naruto today? I can't seem to find him." A slight shy tone washed over Neji's voice as he mentioned the hyperactive blonde's name.
Before Lee could utter out a syllable, an alien voice entered into their conversation, "I'm right here." chirped Naruto. He matched his footsteps beside Neji's and laced his fingers with the brunette's. Although, Neji yearned for a kiss from his lover, he must be denied during school hours. The last thing they needed right now was for the students to freak out again.
A gentle smile moved along Neji's lips as he peered down into the set of wild blue orbs that stared back at him. Both boys turned and grinned at their friend who tried his best to appear so happy. They bought his act and moved on down the hallway and to their next class.
Gaara is in this class as well! Lee groaned as his forehead smacked against his desk with a heavy thud that attracted a few looks. Lee did silently thank Kakashi-sensei for putting his seat in the back of the room, at least now Lee's area was crowded so Gaara wouldn't have to sit near him.
Once the red head was yet again introduced, his seat was pointed out diagonal from Lee, not completely near but close enough to mess with his head.
Lee sighed and mumbled something to himself that not even he understood.
Kakashi clear his throat from the front of the room, "Alright everyone," he began with a harsh shuttering tone, "I have a new book to hand out to you all. This one you'll read at home and be quizzed on the parts you read each day." The teacher paced down the narrow isles with a large box in his arms that held a number of green books that were being placed on desks.
"It's not another one of those 'Make-Out Paradise' books is it?" asked a girl, who cringed at the thought of reading another one of those.
Kakashi laughed lightly, "No, it's not." he stated giggling some on his words.
Many of the guys groaned and sighed at Kakashi's announcement, all but Gaara. As the green book was placed onto his desk, he immediately flipped the cover open and skimmed the first paragraph.
Kakashi quirked a brow and paused a moment, he had never seen one of his students started reading so quickly and be so interested into the book. Not waiting a second longer, the silver haired teacher paced along down the isle.
Lee's eyes followed his teacher's as they gazed at the boy, So Gaara likes to read. He whispered to his mind. So maybe Lee and the gloomy boy did have something in common.
As Kakashi finished dishing out the fresh stories, he marched towards the front of the class and began the day's lesson. Lee's mind however was not on the teacher, but the mysterious new comer ahead of him. Silently Rock Lee sat at the back of the class and imagined about what Gaara was like. He thought about what things he enjoyed to do in his free time, his favorite color, most desired foods and even personal thoughts or memories. Lee wanted to know Gaara. He didn't know why, but something itched at him inside and yearned to learn of the secret past that lay buried deep in Gaara's mind.