A Year's Wait

kawaiichiisaikitsune(blackharu2)

Disclaimer - No, I don't TTTT

A/N - Hope you like it. Hope they aren't OOC. And hope you like it!

Special Thanks - To...uh...whoever reviews!

Word Count - 974 words

Lee was persistent. He was determined and hard-working. Even if he was put down or ignored, he would never give up. A lot of people liked him for that too. The only fault of that was that when he had his eyes set on something he wouldn't stop until he got to an outcome he wanted. That was what made him annoying.

It'd been a year since his first chounin exam and happily Lee was now at that level, after the second time. He was much more masculine and very handsome. He bushy eyebrows were a bit of a turn off, but his body made a couple of girls blush (including Tenten). Lee was joyful about his new rank and newfound popularity. He had been rid of the jumpsuit and only wore it when he was training alone. His "undying love" for Sakura had taken a high I've off a 500-foot cliff.

The bubblegum haired kunoichi was the "hottest" girl in the village. Many boys were chasing after her, even some girls, but she still kept she heart full set on Sasuke, awaiting his return. Naruto tried comforting her. However, she just pushed him away and attempts to never speak with him.

Still, Lee found his life completely enjoyable and wouldn't want it any other way. Except he would like to see his special someone more often. His want to being friends with that person soon grew into a disease of love and lust. The two were good friends and not wanting to jeopardize that Lee didn't speak anything of his feelings.

The two only got to see each other when a visit was arranged at either of their villages. The ebony-haired shinobi contacted the other through letters. More than 20 letters had been sent to the person, but only two and a half replies were received. Two and a half because one of the replies had been ripped in half, jaggedly.

After that many letters his friends told him to give up. They didn't know of his harbored feelings, but they wouldn't let him continue "being a fool." He was just about to give up on the whole idea when he remembered what he promised to himself. I will never give up! He had vowed when he was younger. The promise was only for fights and matches when he first vowed, but it really went for everything as he thought about it.

Deciding a walk would help him decide what to say in his latest letter, he left the house clothed in his shinobi outfit. He noticed a familiar face under an oak tree. Walking closer to the figure, he smiled widely. Enveloped in the shade of the tree was Tenten, sitting down with her back against the hard bark. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was long and deep, but not even.

Lee took a seat next to the Weapons' Mistress and pulled his legs to his chest. His arms hugged the living daylights out of his shins as the side of his head lay on top of his knees. He was staring intently into her brown orbs and smiled softly, more sorrow than happiness in it.

"What is it?" she asked concerned, turning to face him.

"He never replies," he only felt comfortable pouring out his feelings to his female partner. Only she knew of his incurable disease of want.

"He's probably just busy. He is the Kazekage you know," she smiled with a motherly nature and took one of his hands in hers.

"Yeah, but--" he argued, but was interrupted.

"No buts. I'm sure he'd love to talk to you. He's probably fixing up a surprise. It is your birthday tomorrow."

"I wouldn't be shocked if he forgot," he said with a childish pout.

"He wouldn't do that, you two are buddies," her hands were cupping his one hand and desperately trying to make him smile, like he normally does.

"I doubt it."

An exasperated sigh left her lips, "Stop, really. You're acting like a child." She watched as his finger nails dug into his shin, he teeth were grinding and a trickle of blood rolled down from the side of his mouth.

"I can't help it. It hurts."

"Yeah, I know. I've heard it from you a million times. Just call him or something."

"What am I supposed to say?"

"The truth," she smirked to herself.

"Okay," he complied, standing up. The ebony-haired male outstretched his hand for her. She took it willingly and he pulled her to her feet. Tenten bid him farewell as she would be going in the opposite direction of him. As she left an arm waved to her back high in the air.

"Lee," said boy whipped around, the voice was familiar. He instantly saw the red hair and the kanji "ai" on his forehead. A smile situated on his face.

"Gaara!" he chirped happily, having to hold back the will to glomp the shorter teen.

"Tenten told me," the redhead sighed softly, his voice staying in monotone.

Lee looked really confused and blinked rapidly, cutely, "Told you what?"

"Told me...that," the Shukaku vessel pointed to the teller shinobi's chest, where the heart should be. A crimson cloud hung over the ebony-haired boy's cheeks.

"Ano...?" he drawled, not voicing his question.

"Happy Birthday," Gaara said, quickly changing the uncomfortable subject.

"My birthday isn't until tomorrow," Lee pointed out, cocking his head to the side in question.

"Hn.."

"Gaara?"

"Aa?" said person stated nodding for him to continue.

"Do you...feel...the same?" Lee asked, bowing down his head in embarrassment.

"Aa," he answered quietly, his tone one of caring. This time the taller teen didn't hold back. Lee glomped the redhead with a smile plastered on his face. Gaara blushed at the contact and the ebony-haired boy got a few new cuts from the sand.

A/N - Thank you for reading! Tell me what you thought! Please review... Thank you! ((Flames will do no good))