Tile: Not Quite Sane
Pairings: GaaLee
Rating: T
Description: Five years can change a person. But now that person is out and ready to find a certain man.
He sighed, his breath shuddering as he exhaled. He rested his hands on his knees and pulled in large gulps of air; trying his best to catch his breath. Sweat was gathering on his forehead and jaw line, but his ignored it.
He quickly looked up at the scoreboard.
Konoha Kyuubi; 47
Oto Orochi; 20
They were winning, but that was a given. No one beat them. The basketball team, the great Konoha Kyuubi, were undefeatable. They had won every game they had played so far that season. They were only beaten once, two seasons ago when their star player Uchiha Sasuke had quit their team and had joined the Oto Orochi.
They were doing fine in the beginning of that game, but lost in the end.
But that was one game, and they soon started their winning streak again when they beat team Kiri.
Rock Lee sprung up; a newfound burst of energy completely blowing away his fatigue, and rushed down the court. Naruto was guarding Sasuke; Shikamaru had Tayuya, while Chouji had Jirobo. Kidomaru had the ball and Neji was gaining on him.
The Hyuuga jumped in front of him and blocked Kidomaru. He passed to Kimimaro.
Lee rushed up to the white haired man and raised his arms and spread his legs to block him. Kimimaro dribbled to the left, trying to break away from Lee's block, and Lee followed. He reached forward to steal the ball.
Kimimaro jumped back, his special sneakers squeaking against the lightly polished floor and threw the ball.
Lee watched as it sailed over his head and towards what seemed like no one. He was taken aback when Sasuke suddenly ran around Naruto and skidded, catching the ball easily between his two ready hands. He pivoted towards the hoop and shot.
His teammates all rushed towards the hoop, ready to catch it if the ball didn't make it in.
The two point shot did not affect them, and they started the game back up quickly.
Lee passed the ball quickly to Chouji.
He passed the ball down to Neji, who was halfway down the court. Chouji was always good at passing long distances.
Neji swerved between Tayuya and Kimimaro with ease.
Lee ran behind Sasuke and held his hands in the air.
Neji faked an air pass and bounce passed it to him.
Lee dodged to the side as Sasuke fell for the fake. He grabbed the ball, pivoted quickly, and shot down the rest of the court. He sidestepped Jirobo and passed the ball quickly to Kiba when Sasuke and Kimimaro cornered him.
Kiba caught it in the air easily and shot for the basket. It rolled around the rim quickly before it fell into the basket.
The time ticked down quickly and soon there was only a few seconds left.
The ending of the game buzzed and everyone looked at the scoreboard one last time to see who had won.
Konoha Kyuubi; 49
Oto Orochi; 24
---
The locker rooms had always been awkward. Everyone knew he was gay and they held no bias towards him for it. But changing and showering had always been awkward.
Lee never looked at his teammates in such a manner, but insecurities of him doing so were still there. Even after having them be teammates for years.
He walked over to his locker and sat down on the bench across from it.
"Hay, what's wrong, Fuzzy Brows?" Naruto asked him as he pulled open his own locker.
He was never afraid of Lee in that way in the locker room…
"Nothing, Naruto-san," He said, still facing his locker, "I am just waiting for everyone to finish."
Lee pulled open his locker and stared at his folded cloths quietly.
"Why are you so afraid of showering with us, Lee?" Naruto asked, looking at him.
Lee bit his lip, he could feel his face heating up, "I-I-I am j-just very sh-shy, Naruto-k-kun!" He stuttered out.
He felt Naruto stare at him, "Since when have you been shy?" He yelled.
Lee looked at him swiftly, but quickly turned away when he caught sight of Naruto's bare chest. He blushed deeper; embarrassed that he saw one of his best friends almost naked.
"I have a-always been shy!" He squeezed his eyes shut and placed his hands over his face in embarrassment.
Naruto stared at him, blinking several times as he continued to stare. "Yeah, well, I'm going to shower… I smell really bad… Ew." He muttered and walked towards the showering area.
Lee slowly pulled his hands away from his face and rubbed his eyes in fatigue. He leaned forward and rested his head on his knees and released a much-needed sigh.
He seemed to be doing that a lot.
---
He curled up in his bed, his joints still sore even after the two hot showers he just took, and yawned. He wrapped his arms and pressed them against his chest and pulled his legs up towards his body so he was curled up into a tight ball. He yawned again, his eyes becoming heavy. He closed them, not much in the mood for fighting it, and dozed off.
Thin lips pressed against his own, a large tuft of red hair resting against his cheek.
Lee pressed his eyes closed happily and rested his hands on the person's face. He pulled his head away, his hands keeping the other person's head away. He opened his eyes and stared at him, smiling peacefully.
Gaara stared at him, face stony and cold, but that was how he usually looked.
He pressed his forehead against the redhead's and made their noses touch. He looked at him, smiling from ear to ear.
Gaara's hands rested on his hips, and his lips stretched to press against his own.
He gently kissed back, happy to see Gaara out of that place.
Lee sighed happily, his lips pointed into a smile, as he dreamt about Gaara once again. Every night, he'd frequently dream about the other, leaving him rather happy during his day.
"I am glad you are back, Gaara-kun."
---
He rolled out of bed and walked down to his bathroom to shower. He sighed, the scolding water feeling fantastic against his knotted muscles. He didn't care about the little fact that it was already unbearably hot and humid outside to take a hot shower like that; he was just too sore to care.
Lee crawled over to his bedroom, his hair sticking to his forehead, and sluggishly made his bed. His still wet feet made strange sounds against the wooden floor and he walked away from the neatly made bed. He dried out his hair and wiped away the extra water that still clung to his body.
He sighed, feeling much better, and jumped to his closet to choose his attire of the day. Considering the heat and his plans for the day, Lee decided to wear a gray polo, khaki shorts, his sneakers, and bring along his silver mp3 player.
He had classes tomorrow and should at least worked on one of his projects; but he really had to get groceries so he pushed it off to the side in a very unlike Lee manner.
---
He had gotten the call during class, but ignored it, letting the person calling him leave a message. It wasn't polite to talk on cell phones during class. So, he let it vibrate and it stopped soon.
But, it did it again. He ignored it while writing down the math formula on his notepaper. But, soon after it had stopped, it started again.
Lee had spent a good fifteen minutes 'ignoring' his phone before he was forced to raise his hand and ask to leave class for a moment.
He stepped out of the classroom and flipped open the phone, "Hello?" He asked, staring at the double doors that lead to the classroom and watched his white-haired teacher continue teaching class.
I hope this call won't take too long… I hope it's not an emergency… I'll get behind in class if it is… He worried.
There wasn't an answer for quite a bit of time.
"Um… Hello?" Lee repeated, looking uncertain. If this was a prank call, the prankster was pretty committed.
There was a sigh. A sigh that was eerily familiar to him.
"Lee…"
His eyes widened considerably and he held his breath. He clutched the cell and pulled it away from his ear. He stared down at the number with wonder. He quickly placed it back towards his ear and licked his dry lips.
"Gaara-kun?" He asked, his heart thumping within his ears loudly. He cursed it, hoping his own heartbeat wouldn't drown out Gaara's voice.
He frowned, lips quivering, when the dial tone sounded. He had hung up on him…
Lee stared at the darkening screen and sighed, eyes downcast. He snapped it shut and placed it back into his pocket. He stepped back into the classroom and slid back into his seat.
---
He smiled and happily chatted with Naruto, Sasuke, and Neji.
"So, Fuzzy Brows, what happened during class earlier?" Naruto asked him.
Lee coughed down his soup, some of it threatening to come out of his nose. He scrunched his face and wiped his stinging nose. His heartbeat picked up quickly, and he suddenly felt fidgety.
"I, um, received a call…"
"From who?" Neji inquired, looking at him with his intense gray eyes.
Lee flushed in embarrassment while his fingers stitched together, "Gaara."
All pairs of eyes grew large. Naruto leaned forward, looking at him with amazement.
"Are you serious?" He asked in a yell.
Lee nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, he did, Naruto-san."
"Hn, I wonder why he called you now?" Sasuke pondered, eyes clouding slightly as he thought.
"Yeah! It's been five years! He should have at least called you once!" Naruto said angrily.
Lee smiled and held up his hands in a defensive manner. "Maybe they would not allow him to call people." He said, trying his best to stand up for Gaara.
"This is strange. We haven't heard of him in five years… Does that mean he is out of that place?" Neji wondered, looking at Lee carefully.
He brightened up significantly. "You really think so, Neji-san?" He asked, eyes sparkling.
He nodded slowly, "It's possible."
"Yes!" Lee shouted happily and jumped up from his seat. "I will be back later, I have to make a call!" He said and rushed away.
---
He flipped open his phone and checked his messages. There were none.
He frowned and looked through his calls, looking for the number that Gaara used to call him. He brightened suddenly when he found it. He whispered a small 'yes!' and dialed the number. Lee held to phone up to his ear in excitement.
"Hello?"
He blinked. That didn't sound like Gaara.
"Ah, yes, I am calling to speak to Gaara-kun." He said, his breath suddenly held again.
"Hmm? Who is this?" The voice was rough and mature and low. Baritone low actually. Defiantly a man…
"Rock Lee." He answered.
"What? How did you get this number, Lee?" The person asked him.
"Um, excuse me, but might I inquire as to who you may be?" He asked.
"Tch, you date my little bro and you don't even remember my voice…" The talker sighed and exasperation.
Lee's eyes widened, "K-Kankurou-san?" He asked, amazed.
"Sure am, you little shit." He growled, annoyed, "Now tell me. How did you get this number?" He asked.
"Gaara-kun called my about two hours ago."
The line was quiet.
"Is it true? Is Gaara out of that place?" He asked eagerly.
The line died, leaving him with the dial tone again.
What's going on? Lee wondered, his gut sinking.
---
He walked into his apartment and tossed his backpack on the sofa that sat in his living room. He slipped off his shoes and socks and padded down the hallway to his bedroom. He tossed his dirty socks in the pile of dirty clothing and placed his shoes down near the door of his bedroom.
Lee yawned and stretched his arms. He padded down to the kitchen. He looked down at the phone and blinked in wonder as he saw a small number one flash on the small screen.
He pushed the button and strained his ears to hear.
"Gaara's back."