A/N: Hey
Thanks for all the reviews
Usual apologies
Disclaimer: see previous chapters
Lee stumbled along the hallway to the front door.
His head had barely even touched the pillow before he fell asleep only for loud urgent knocking to rouse him from his sleep and force him to get up from his bed.
He rubbed his eyes and gave a wide yawn, for a moment he almost forgot to hide his demon form and had to take a second to do so even as the knocking got louder. The boy frowned as he glanced up at a clock, he had on the wall nearby.
Less than ten minutes since he left Choji. Lee didn't know anyone else but the Akimichi's unless… the raven's eyes widened at the prospect of his master suddenly showing up at his door. But Gaara wouldn't bother knocking. He wouldn't even wake Lee before dragging the disobedient little demon back to the underworld. He wouldn't even need to use the door.
That just brought him back to the fact that Gaara had yet to try and drag him back. He must be more upset than Lee first thought.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Lee just let out a soft sigh, he didn't look through the peephole, he just reached out to unlock the door and opened it. The raven blinked in surprise.
"Choji? What are-"
"We need to talk."
"Of course, my friend." Lee said with a smile, despite the clear anxiety that he could see on the human's face. He stepped aside and Choji quickly went inside heading straight for the living room and Lee quickly followed.
"Do you mind if I ask what this is about? You are usually asleep by this time so-"
Lee paused when Choji stopped in the living room. His confusion sky rocketed when Choji suddenly turned to face him pushing the sleeve of his pyjama top up to expose his forearm. Lee paused because the human's usually creamy pale skin was covered in pitch black markings.
"When did you get a tattoo?"
"Lee," Choji started very quietly and this time Lee could hear the anxiety as well, there was so much panic and fear. The human was trying very hard not to freak out. "I didn't get a tattoo."
The raven frowned and his head gave a tilt, "But how-"
"Lee look at your arm and then look at mine."
It seemed a bit silly but Lee followed the instruction anyway. There was nothing on his arm except for the bond markings that have been on his skin since-
Lee's eyes went wide, "No…" the raven reached out to grab Choji's arm to inspect the appendage. Rubbing at the skin as if to try and remove the markings, he even tried licking them to which Choji flushed and squeaked as he tried to pull away.
"Lee!"
Lee didn't listen instead he reached out and ripped Choji's top open. The human's blush went two shades darker especially after Lee's hands started running all over his chest.
"Lee stop!" he stepped back only to stumble and fall. Lee went with him, but while Choji groaned in pain and tried to recover, Lee immediately started touching him again. This time the boy pushed his hair out of the way to look at his ears before his hands were suddenly on his mouth and his lips were pushed up as he seemed to inspect the human's teeth.
"Lee!" Choji said finally as he took both of the raven's hands and held him away, "What are you doing?"
Lee's eyes were still wide, he wasn't breathing or blinking and he sat frozen perched on top of Choji's legs.
"Oh dear." The raven's head snapped to the side and Choji followed his gaze to a large book on the coffee table a few feet away. Choji frowned.
"Lee what-"
"I think I made a mistake."
"Mistake? What're you talking about?"
The raven bit his lip staring at the boy beneath him in silence until he swallowed hard and started to get up. "Master, he'll know how to fix this."
"Master? What you mean your ex-boyfriend? What does he have to do with-"
Choji didn't even have the chance to finish his sentence, the raven showed an impressive amount of strength as he grabbed a hold of the human's arm and yanked him up to his feet.
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Sabaku incorporated is one of the biggest corporations in the city.
Choji honestly didn't know much about it, he'd only passed the large building with its looming walls from time to time on deliveries. He wasn't sure why the company was such a big deal, he just knew that it was. So, needless to say he was more than just a little shocked when Lee deemed it appropriate to drag him all the way across town to the building at one in the morning. What may have been more shocking was how the girl sitting at the receptions desk, who was still working at one in the morning for some reason, had bowed down low at the sight of the raven-haired teen.
"Welcome back, Lee-sama."
The girl then immediately ushered them to the elevator, using her key-card to give them access to the lift before they stepped inside.
"Lee-sama?" Choji asked, tugging at his windbreaker and praying that no one noticed that the shirt underneath had no buttons. Lee hadn't really given him more than a moment to grab something to wear before dragging the blue-eyed boy out into the street in the middle of the night.
"Lee what is going on?"
The raven glanced at him nervously before he reached out to hit the button for the top floor and the carriage started moving.
"We are going to go see my master."
"Master?" Choji frowned and then his eyes went wide, "Your boyfriend? Why?!"
Lee sighed, "He is the only one who can fix this."
"Fix what?"
Before the raven could think to answer the doors opened and revealed a large open space. It more like an apartment than an office space. Dark wood floors with a set of couches to right side of the room that looked like a living room area. There was a bar area to the left with black marble tops and every manner of alcohol on the wall behind it. And then large windows that showed off the spectacular view of the skyline behind a large glass desk with a chair behind it.
Choji suddenly felt even more self-conscious than before as Lee dragged him into the space.
"Lee where are-"
"Lee! Where have you been?"
Choji looked up and saw a blonde woman walking towards them with a bright smile on her face. She had forest green eyes and blonde hair in four ponytails, dressed in a lavender suit and black stilettos.
Doesn't anyone around here sleep?
The raven let out a sigh and finally let go of Choji's hand.
"Temari… neesan, it is good to see you." Lee said hands twisting nervously in front of him as he bowed, "I am very sorry for-"
"Don't worry about it, I'm just glad you protected yourself and you're safe." Temari gave a scoff, "And as far as leaving, I'm not the one you need to be apologising to. You know I don't mind you coming and going as you like. My brother on the other hand is a different story."
The blonde stopped to wrap Lee in a hug and a smile, "It's good to have you back." And then her gaze moved to fix on Choji, "You brought a friend."
"Oh yes, of course!" Lee said as a blush coloured his cheeks before he spoke, "This is Choji Akimichi. He's a very dear friend of mine."
"Hi." Choji said awkwardly and Temari's head gave a tilt, "Okay and why is your dear friend here?"
Lee's blush got darker, "I-well…" the raven started stuttering, Temari arched a brow at the boy before he walked over to stand in front of Choji and gave a brief sniff. Choji frowned wondering what she was doing when her eyes suddenly widened and her mouth fell open in a gape.
"You… but-" Temari's gaze moved over to Lee, "Gaara hasn't cast the spell yet, why-"
"Neesan." Lee then moved his bag to the side so he could reach into the back pack he'd brought with him and pulled out that large heavy book, the blonde's eyes went even wider than before as the boy spoke, "I think I made a mistake."
Realisation suddenly dawned in those green eyes, "Oh… I'll go get Gaara."
"Wait Gaara?" Choji frowned, "Your ex-boyfriend Gaara?"
"Ex-boyfriend? You mean husband, don't you?" Temari asked incredulously Choji's eyes snapped over to the raven and Lee sighed, "It is a long story neesan."
"Clearly."
Temari gave a snort as she left the room to walk down a hall away to the left. "Gaara's… downstairs. I'll go get him."
"Lee." Choji hissed as he faced the raven grabbing his arm to turn him back, "What is happening right now?!"
"I am so sorry my friend." Lee said taking Choji's hands into his own, "If I knew that this would happen, I never would have cast that spell."
"Spell?" Choji felt so confused but before he could even think to ask a shiver suddenly ran down his spine and it suddenly became hard to breathe.
"Choji?" Lee asked with a frown when his friend suddenly started folding into himself taking in wheezing breaths, "Choji what is-"
"Lee." A dark gravel voice suddenly hissed and Lee tensed. The raven slowly looked back over his shoulder. Choji lifted his head to see a redhead standing a few feet away from them, the same redhead that's been pestering Lee ever since he walked into the diner. He had an average height, pale moonlit skin and bright green eyes with what looked like thick black eyeliner drawn around them. The man was dressed in a maroon blazer with black dress pants, a button up shirt and black tie. Bright green eyes stayed fixed on the raven-haired teen for one agonizingly long moment of complete silence while Lee only stared back until they finally moved over to Choji and his head gave a tilt.
He stepped closer, the closer he came the harder it was to breathe. Choji was having such a hard time that Lee was practically holding him up by the time that Gaara was standing beside them. The redhead reached out to touch him only for Lee to tug the portly boy closer into his chest.
"Master, please..."
Gaara only spared the raven a brief look before he reached out again, taking Choji's chin to tilt his head up and Choji could feel his face flush as he continued to take in wheezing breaths. The corner of Gaara's lips turned down ever so slightly.
"You cast the sacred spell on him."
Lee's arms went a little bit tighter, "It was a mistake, I did not mean-"
"Leave us."
Gaara said letting the boy go and turning around to walk over to the desk area on the far side of the room. Lee's eyes went wide, "But Master-"
"You're trying my patience Lee." Gaara said with a pause casting a dark glare over his shoulder, "Leave us. Go wait with Temari. I'll deal with you once I'm finished."
Lee started to let go, Choji's eyes went wide.
"Lee-"
"I promise, everything will be fine. Master is not a bad person, it will be fine." Choji wasn't sure if Lee was trying to convince Choji or himself.
Lee pressed a kiss against his forehead before he let go and Choji collapsed onto his knees. The raven turned and quickly left the room, going the same way that the blonde had disappeared to earlier. The moment he was out of sight Choji suddenly felt another shiver run down his spine again and he regained his ability to breathe. He took in deep gasping breaths. Hands braced on the floor with his head hanging forward as he wondered what in the hell was going on.
"You aren't exactly what the elders had in mind for this year's bride but, I think you'll do just fine."
Choji looked up just in time to see the redhead stop beside the glass desk and turn to face him.
"My name is Gaara Sabaku."
Sabaku? As in Sabaku incorporated Sabaku?
"Welcome back, Lee-sama"
Suddenly the girl at the reception made perfect sense.
Choji took in one more deep breath as he forced himself to get up onto his feet, "Choji Akimichi."
Gaara nodded, "Sit." He said gesturing to one of the chairs in front of desk as he walked around to sit behind it. "I'm sure you must be wondering what's going on."
Choji pressed his lips together as he stepped closer, his legs felt a bit shaky at first but he quickly lost that feeling. "Is Lee-"
"Don't worry, I'm not angry with him." Gaara said dismissively as he watched the boy come closer and settle into one of the desks in front of him, "In fact, I'm not sure I've ever been so proud."
"Proud?"
"He pulled off a high-level spell, outside of the magical plane all on his own, less than a year after I started teaching him." Gaara started to smirk, "Did he tell you why he ran away from me?"
Not exactly. Choji and Choza kind of made up their own assumptions from the way Lee spoke and behaved that first day he arrived at the diner.
"He was running from you. "Choji answered and Gaara's head gave a tilt.
"You're not wrong." the redhead paused, "Lee killed one of my advisors a few months ago, stabbed him through the heart with a silver blade."
Choji's eyes went wide, "What?"
"Don't worry, he deserved it. Disgusting man, I've been resisting the urge to end him myself for years." Gaara said as he leaned back in his seat, "He's no murderer, it was self-defence. Lee's sweet and so naive, he often doesn't realise he's in danger until it's too late. He panicked when he realised what he'd done and then he ran away from me. He didn't have to, if he just came and told me what happened I would have helped him. But he ran like a disobedient little pet."
The redhead just looked at Choji for a moment as he spoke, "I guess it all worked out for the best. Again, you aren't exactly what we had in mind but, you should just do just fine."
"What do you mean?" Choji asked, feeling like he was having a whole lot of information dumped on him and none of it was sinking in. He was still stuck on figuring out how Lee, sweet, helpful, wonderfully friendly Lee could ever harm anyone let alone kill them. But Gaara said it was self-defence. Even so-
"I'm sure you've met some of them by now. Even if it's only the first day, one of them must have tried to seek you out."
"I don't understand."
Gaara's smirk grew, "Tell me Choji, did you meet anyone new today?"
"Did you meet anyone new?"
Lee's words suddenly came back to him and Choji frowned.
"No."
"Are you sure?" The redhead asked, "It might have seemed like something insignificant. A friendly face offering to hold open the door before asking for your name. A chance encounter before they give you a small trinket or gift."
Choji frowned, "I'm not-"
The redhead leaned forward and gave a brief sniff before letting out a snort, "You went to the shelter today, met a man with silver hair and dark eyes."
"Choji froze, "How did you-"
Gaara leaned back in his seat as he looked up to the ceiling, "Another boy you met today had, blonde hair and blue eyes with whisker scars on his cheeks and then another was tall with dark brown almost red hair. He likes to fly kites."
"How do you know that?"
"I can still smell them on you. They left phantom markings on you, except for Kankuro and Kakashi, it seems they gave you idol pieces."
"Kakashi-"
And then it hit him.
The guy at the shelter, the new guy working for Ebisu, that jerk on the sidewalk, the creepy jerk at the park and the guy with the kite.
"How-"
"Maybe it would be best if I just showed you what I am first."
"What do you mean?"
Gaara slowly pushed his chair back and stood from his seat.
Choji could only watch in horror as the man's eyes suddenly flashed gold, sclera darkening to a pitch black while the pupils settled onto a bright gold. Long black veins spread over his skin, as it turned two shades darker to a sandy brown. Long K-9's grew to reach over his bottom lip, the shirt and jacket he wore pulled and stretched ever so slightly as his form grew and a long brown tail grew from his lower back.
Choji's mouth fell open in a gape. Gaara let out a deep breath as he stretched his arms up above his body.
"Better." His voice was an even darker rougher pitch before he looked over to the human that sat frozen in his seat, "Surprised?"
"I-…" the words refused to form let alone come out of his mouth, Gaara smirked as he spoke, "To answer your inevitable question, yes, Lee is like me as well. Though he wasn't born this way. Lee was born human like you and he had the spell of the chosen bride cast on him… just like you."
"I-what-"
"We're demons." Gaara said as he sat back down in his seat, Choji could hear the chair squeak under the man's weight while his tail moved back and forth over the armrest of the seat. "Centuries ago the underworld was ravaged by war and as a way to end the conflict, the lords of the underworld decided on a contest that would bring an end to the wars and still allow us to choose a new leader in a fair way. Every fifty years a human would be chosen, this human would be known as the chosen bride. Each clan would choose a champion and once the contest began, the aim would be to gain the human's affections and convince them to willingly submit to a mating bond. The first champion to get the bride to submit would win and they would earn the right for their clan to rule over the underworld for the next fifty years. Fifty years ago, the sacred spell was cast on Lee, he went through the contest and he became my mate. My clan won the contest and we ruled over the underworld for fifty years."
A lot of information was being thrown at him, Choji could barely focus. He hasn't even gotten over the shock of Gaara's appearance yet. But there was one question that stuck in his mind and he managed to stutter it out.
"W-what does any of this have… have to do with-"
Gaara's head gave a tilt, "As the magic clan, it is our responsibility to cast the spell of the chosen bride. Two weeks ago, I was meant to cast the spell. But Lee decided to run away from me and he took my spell book with him before I could cast the spell. That book held the spell of the chosen bride." Gaara's eyes narrowed down and he paused to sniff the air, "Yesterday, Lee cast the spell and he cast it on you."
Choji's eyes went wide, "What does that mean?"
"It means that you are this year's contest. You are the chosen bride."
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Naruto came bouncing into the room, grinning from ear to ear and Kurama couldn't help but arch a brow at the blonde from his spot on the couch where he sat reading a book.
"Someone's happy."
The blonde's grin somehow grew even wider as he waltzed over to the couch as he leaned over the back, "The contest finally started today."
Kurama paused, "Really."
"Yeah, I was down town and he just came walking into a convenience store."
"Convenience store?"
"That human was being a problem again."
Kurama started to roll his eyes when, "Wait-… He?"
"Yup."
The redhead paused, "I thought the chosen bride this year was female."
"Who cares!" Naruto said dismissively as he hopped over the couch and plopped down on the soft black surface, "He's really cute."
Kurama was still frowning as he looked back down to his book, "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Naruto said dreamily as he looked up at the ceiling, "He has blue eyes and his hair is kinda like this mix of honey and red and his lips are just… it was so hard not tackling him to the floor and just kissing him."
Kurama gave a snort, "I'm sure. Don't forget why you're chasing after him Naruto."
"Yeah yeah, I have to secure the seat to rule over the underworld after your epic failure last time."
"I didn't fail." Kurama looked up at his brother and glare, before looking back to his book as he mumbled out angrily, "Fucking Shukaku brat cheated."
Naruto only gave a snort, "Yeah well you don't have to worry about me. I got some extra incentive."
"And whats that?"
The blonde grinned as he got up off the couch, "He's really really cute."
"So was the last one."
"Yeah but this one's all mine, believe it." The blonde left the room and Kurama watched him go, eyes narrowing ever so slightly while his lips twisted into a frown.
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On the other side of town, Sai slipped into the boy's room mere moments after he suddenly left. He didn't mind much, he doesn't plan on revealing himself just yet anyway. But there are a few preparations that need to be made.
He walked across the room going over to the desk up against the wall to pick up one of the books. Only to pause when he noticed the other one underneath.
"Icha Icha: City life."
Sai's head gave a tilt and he made to pick it up only to flinch away when his hand was burned and he hissed at the dark burn marks on his fingertips. He instantly knew.
"Kakashi."
The demon growled low in his throat, eyes gleaming silver for just a moment before he simply dropped the other book on the table and turned away. To move over to the closet and opened the door, taking a brief moment to look over the clothes only for his gaze to fall on the laundry hamper in the corner of the room. He walked over to open it and pull out a t-shirt. Sai lifted the material up to his nose to take in one long deep breath, eyes flashing silver again as his k-9's grew out.
"Perfect." He breathed before quickly folding the shirt to stuff into his jacket as he made for the window and slipped out just as quickly and silently as he came. Completely oblivious to the tiny little bug that scurried across the wall, disappearing in a small crack beside the bedroom door.
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"You've found the bride."
"Yes, uncle."
"And they are male not female."
"Yes, uncle."
"How strange." The older man said looking the young demon over as he stood on the other side of the desk. Hiashi leaned forward so his elbows were braced on the smooth wooden surface.
"And this is why you've decided to create this imaginary work program?"
Neji flushed ever so slightly and he hated himself for it. Ever since he caught sight of Choji that afternoon he hasn't had as much control over his body as he'd like to have and he made some rash decisions without consulting the family first.
A warm chuckle reached his ears and he couldn't help but scowl at his father as he stood beside Hiashi's chair, practically grinning from ear to ear at his son's embarrassment.
Hiashi only let out a soft sigh, "I assume you know what you're doing."
"Yes uncle."
"Neji, you know you can ask for help whenever you feel it necessary." Hizashi said still giving his son a smile as those pale eyes filled with warmth, "I'm sure Hiashi can tell you how overwhelming the chosen bride can be for any champion."
Hiashi glanced up at his brother with a glare before only letting out a deep breath, "He's right, if there's anything you need-"
"I'll be sure to immediately ask." Neji said still trying to ignore the flush in his cheeks, "I know what's at stake. I have no intention of disappointing you."
"Very well." Hiashi said with a nod, "You know you can use every resource available to complete the contest. We wish you well young one."
"Thank you, uncle. Thank you, father."
"You can go."
Neji turned to leave when-
"Neji one more thing."
Neji paused to turn and face his father, an even bigger grin had spread across the man's features and Neji knew he was in trouble.
"What did you think of him? The boy?"
A brand-new flush spread across his cheeks and Neji felt mortified when his father let out a chuckle.
"I see. Good luck."
Neji nodded and quickly left the room. Hiashi gave his brother a disapproving frown.
"You shouldn't tease him like that, he's under enough pressure as is."
"How often do I get to see my son so flustered?" Hizashi said before letting out a heavy sigh as he stepped away from the desk with his eyes on the door. "This contest is an opportunity for him to find… someone to help shoulder his burdens, to force him to open his heart to finally allow himself to find love."
"Love isn't the aim of the contest."
"But it's an opportunity." Hizashi said, "I worry about him, he's always so focused on the clan he often forgets himself. This will be a good experience for him. It's something that he can do not just for the clan but for himself as well. And if nothing else, he may end up making a new friend."
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"It's a bit early for this don't you think?"
Shikamaru looked up just in time to see his father walk up to him, walking around the enchanted trees and glowing bushes to stand beside his son who stood beneath a large tree filled with bright glowing fruit.
He shrugged looking back to the tree as his eyes scanned over each and every single one.
"Might as well get it over with."
Shikaku gave a snort, "You haven't even started courting this kid yet and you're already picking out a fruit. Getting a little a head of yourself don't you think?"
"Nope." Shikamaru said and his father shook his head. "I had the familiars sow tracking seeds all over the city. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to try and take the kid away, but after the Mizuki thing three contests ago its better safe than sorry."
"O.K"
Shikaku's head gave a tilt, "You know, you're really calm for someone that just encountered the chosen bride."
Shikamaru shrugged, "I don't think I have too much to worry about."
"Oh."
"Yeah," the younger man said as he looked back to his father with a smirk, "It's just a matter of time."
A/N: So in this last part I didn't really touch on Sasuke, Kankuro or the others cause that's next chapter so yeah.
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