Missed You

The wind was biting and ripping at his spandex as he sprinted through the water logged streets of Konoha. The rain lashed fiercely against his body, bombarding everything around him. Dripping off his nose, his eyelashes. His unusual features impassive to the rain and cold, the physical effort at maintaining the super human speed at which he ran. The cold air was whipping his usually perfect, shiny bowl cut into a mess of knots, the first roars of thunder could be heard in the distance. The mission scroll was clenched tightly in his bandaged fist, the battering rain threatening to smudge and smear the ink. Lee wouldn't allow that to happen, speeding up his pace he pressed on until he finally burst through the doors of the Hokage's building.

The preoccupied desk ninja sat completely unfazed by the bright green blur that screeched to halt in the hall. Bedraggled, yet somehow managing to behave as though it was a beautiful, bright spring day. His constant optimism was a unique trade he had picked up from his sensei and idol, but today he had a genuine reason for his happiness. One that was not being in the spring time of youth, having a youthful rival or how wonderful Konoha appeared in the torrential rain. Gaara was here. The flame haired boy had always amazed Lee, since the Chunin exams, the huge, grotesque scars that wove themselves around his left arm and leg as a permanent souvenir from their first encounter. His lack of compassion. His hurt. Physical pain was a long time of companion of Lee's, emotional pain had tortured Gaara since before he was born. Lee was mesmerised by the boy. The familiar thick chakra flared from within Tsunande's office, his love was just beyond those doors.

An obnoxious knock on the Hokage's door allowed to acknowledge Lee's desire to enter. She had sensed him enter the building, his excitement when he noticed Gaara's distinct signature in the air. She was aware of the way the red haired kid's jaw tightened and his eyes widened slightly, his brow less arches slanting inwardly. Young love was so... weird, a brow less brat and the bowlcut boy. What an unusual pair. Their relationship was one of the numerous banned subjects surrounding the Kazekage, no one ever spoke of it, but everyone was aware.

"Enter, Lee..." a monotonous voice drawled, much to Tsunande's surprise and sheer frustration. Gaara's face had returned to the porcelain, composed mask that concealed everything about him, only faltering in the most unstable of situations. Lee and Gaara's bond was a strange, twisted one. Not bitterness or resentment despite the bloodstained history of the two. Lee was a friend to Gaara, he loved Gaara. Gaara was inquisitive towards Lee, Lee was an exceptional specimen of human.

Cheerfully swinging open the heavy oak doors, Lee bounded towards the Hokage's desk and placing the mission report down. "Mission complete Tsunande-sama! We had no problems collecting the herbs you requested!" He announced with a stiff salute before turning to find Gaara standing, arm's folded face stern, closer than was usual for him. Furrowing his brow, Gaara placed his hand Lee's shoulder, unspoken words flowed through Lee at the affection in the simple gesture. Leaning forwards to close the gap between him and the shorter boy until his lips brushed against hard, cold sand. "I've missed you Gaara-kun"