Pickles

kawaiichiisaikitsune(blackharu2)

Disclaimer:
Me: Can you hear me now?
Person on the line: Yes.
Me: Good.
Person on the line: Okay?
Me: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!
Person on the line: AAAHHHHHH MY EARS!
Me: Ha ha ha ha ha, now you know! -hangs up-
Person on line: Freak.
Me: I HEARD THAT!
Person on the line: AAHHHHH -hangs up-

A/N: Wow, this is the most reviews I have gotten in all my stories for just one chapter! Thankies to you guys! This chapter and all the ones to follow are dedicated to me reviews, my friends, and my beta reader! Enjoy!

:--:--:--:Review Replies:--:--:--:(someone tell me if I'm allowed to do this -sweatdrop-)

Flame-Kunoichi-- Sankyuu! I'm glad you think it's funny, that makes me happy! I didn't mean to bash Sakura, 'cause she's okay (just gets on my nerves) but after I was told I was bashing her I'm all, "I was?" So, thatnkies for the review and is the brownie any good?
DarkvsLight-- I know, I felt sooooo bad typing that, since I love Gaara sooooo much! If you want GaaLee fluff I'm trying to get a lot in on this chappie. I mean seriously, if there's a pickle jar, there's a way!
Kiki and Machigai (anon)-- I'm a huge fan too! I'm soooo obsessed, yet I know how to share. Don't hate Lee, he's such a cute ass (line from DarkvsLight) and sooo adorable! And isn't Gaara is always sexy, hell yeah!
RockLeeda-- lol gomen gomen, I'll try to make up for doing that!
Ehwinn (anon)-- Thankies, you don't know how much that means to me! I'm sorry I took so long updating, it's just school is soooo evil! I always try to make my chappies funy, 'cause humor rox my sox!
ariel (anon)-- Ok, ok, I'll try. You'll see if they love each other or not later on, and I'm afraid one of the last few is going to be sad yet happy. Thankies, I love your compliments soooooo nice!
bound-2-be-love-- lol, yup, yup, sooooo sad (I say) Thankies, but I think the power of youth should be with Temari in the chappie (hee hee)
Anime-Dudette-- Of course, Gaara belongs with Lee. Thankies and I'm trying hard!
Hyuuga Yura (anon)-- lol, -takes the kiss- Thankies!
Ky0Kichi-- Let's hope, but I don't like pickles so we don't know if Gaara will. YAY! I'm someone's hero, cool!
Slover Pink-- Thankies, I'll try to but I'm soo caught up in other junk and two secret sants things I am in, it's crazy! Thankies for the review!
Lahz--Gomen, gomen! I just have this Japanese-English Dictionary and it's kind of old.-sweatdrop- I'm glad you like it, though. And Thankies for your review!

To all my reviews you get a choice of a piece of pie, chocolate chip cookies, or a double-chocolate brownie!

This was edited by Kiari-san, enjoy!

Chapter 4: Nighttime Talk

The taijutsu master continued gigglinguntil a very embarrassment and angered shinobi growled. Dripping of sweat from being frightened, Lee put on a wide grin and gave a thumbs up.

"Don't worry! I'll open this jar!" he exclaimed a little too loud. He set one of his bandaged hands on the glass body and the other on the lid. Forcefully he twisted and twisted and pulled and pulled.

The top wouldn't budge no matter what the young genin tried. He tried karate-chopping it, kicking it, throwing it, having Gaara pull it in a seperate direction, and he even tried telling it jokes (he said it would laugh open its lid). Gaara just rolled his eyes and watched as Lee made all kind of crazy noises attempting to take off the lid.

"ARGH!" a loud yell was heard as stomping came towards them. Shivers were sent up the two boys' spines. Temari boomed over to the taller shinobi and grabbed the pickle jar from his hands. Glaring and grunting harshly at the others she delicately turned the lid and off it popped. The Konoha ninja gawked in disbelief as the red-haired sibling barely lifted his eyebrows.

Lee pouted, "Just one more time and I would've had it!"

After the mad blonde went back to her makeshift room, Lee picked out two of the green things and placed each on a its own sheet of paper-towel. Gaara simply poked at the slimy vegetable before gingerly picking it up with one hand and biting a small portion of the large pickle. He glanced over at the taijutsu master and saw him digging in the jar once more for another one. The Shukaku vessel chewed unsurely and eventually swallowed, reluctantly.

The home owner saw him gulp it down and widened his eyes cheerfully, "Did you like it? Did you? Did you?" he asked like a little child requesting a lollipop.

"Ah...," Gaara of the Sand stumbled for words, "it was...interesting, yeah."

"Okay!" chirped the overly hyper Konohagakure citizen.

The young Kazekage nodded hesitantly and pushed the green vegetable aside. Soon enough the ebony-haired boy finished eating and cleaned up his small mess and put the jar back in the fridge. He spotted the redhead on the couch and the blue screen occupying the television screen. "Hey!" he cried excitedly, "Wanna watch another movie?"

The sand ninja turned slightly to look at the bouncing boy. "Uh..." he replied slowly, watching as Lee took up an almost pleading look. How could he resist. "Sure," he finished uncertainly.

Lee cried softly in joy as he made his way to his movie shelf and pulled out a random movie. "How about this one?" he gushed like an excited child, holding the movie box to the Shukaku vessel. The other took it, examining its colorful cover.

"Pinapple Boy and the Flying Pigs?" he questioned the leaf ninja disbelievingly.

"Yeah, it's about this boy who is a pinapple-boy living in Epplanip Town. He has to help the town from these attacking flying pigs who will kidnap you and hug and kiss you to death! It is such a sad movie," large pools of tears exited his charcoal eyes as his bottom lip quivered. Suddenly he brightened up and happily looked toward the other, "So you wanna watch it? PPPLLLLEEEAAAAASSSSEEEE!" he pleaded. His infamous puppy-dog face came into play and Gaara found himself unable to refuse the offer.

A exasperated sigh left the sand shinobi's lips, "Fine."

The DVD was put into the player and the title menu soon showed up. Lee selected the option "Play" and the movie began, eventually.

"Pinapple Boy, we need to help the banana sheep from the flying pigs!" yelled a minor character--named Philipinap--in the movie, Lee lipping the words. Gaara strained to keep his eyes open, but failed dramatically.

Poke, thought the ebony-haired boy, I'm gonna poke you. The leaf ninja poked the redhead until the other male began to stir. Incoherent mumbles escaped his pale lips as he lifted an arm to rub the sleep from his eyes. He came into a sitting position and adjusted his eyes to the new brightness.

"Huh?" he said groggily. The Shukaku vessle finally noticed Lee and spun his head quickly to look at the screen.

"Have a good nap, sleepy-Kazekage?" the taijutsu master asked playfully, "Did you like the movie?"

"Um...actually, I missed most of it," he replied truthfully.

"That's not a problem," Lee reached for the remote as a hand shot out at him and gently placed itself upon the other hand. Lee looked at Gaara, confusion and surprisement etched in his face, with a little tint of red appearing.

"I rather not."

"Then... Do you want another pickle?"

"NO! I mean-" Gaara lightly coughed, regaining his composure, "-not right now."

"Then, what?" his black hair flew as he tilted his head slightly.

"Can I ask you something?" a deep shade of crimson red made its way to the bridge of his nose.

"Sure! Ask anything!"

The Konoha genin looked directly into the Kazekage's pools of turqoise, and vise versa. They both blushed, but silently willed it away. Gaara suddenly averted his eyes and stared at the hard floor ground.

"Why did you say no?"

"Say no to what?"

"To... Sakura," input growl here.

"I...well, um... I just, ahhh, saw something, yup, I saw something,"

"Saw what?"

"Just, ah, something important."

"What was it?" Gaara grew impatient and softly grunted. Why doesn't he tell me?

"Just someone, um...close to me?" Lee replied sweatdropping slightly.

"Can't you tell me?" the almost depressed look on the red-head's face made Lee want to just kill himself, "If it's personal I understand, but do you not trust me?" By that line Lee just wanted to glomp the poor child.

"No, I'll tell, it's fine, " a strong arm made its way to the back of its owner's neck and scratched timidly.

"Sure," the usually stoic personality of the Shukaku vessel springed into action, unwanted.

"See it was a really good friend of mine," he stated. "I hope," he added as an after thought. "He's really important to me and I think--hope--he's my best friend."

"Do I know him?"

"Um...well, yeah, you should,"

"Just tell me already."

"Well, ano...I saw you," Lee said shyly, dropping his head in embarrassment.

Gaara was knocked speechless and couldn't find anything signifigant to say. "Whatever," popped out of his mouth first, and he instantly regretted it.

The black-haired ninja looked up sadly and seemed as though he was about to spill real tears. He stood up, Gaara copying, and found some blankets and put them on the couch, creating a makeshift bed.

"Well, I'm sleeping on the couch, you're in the bedroom," he yawned tiredly, he plastered a half-hearted smile on his face and said as cheerfully as he could, "Good night, don't let the bed-bugs bite."

Gaara walked to the end of the couch, where Lee's feet were, and watched him situate himself. His eyes squinted, his face unrelaxed, his breathing uneven.

Damn, what's up with him, at least I talked to him right?

Stupid brat, he said go to sleep!

Shut up you damn racoon.

If only you went to sleep...

I'm not stupid, bastard!

Yeah, you say so.

Shut the hell up, you damn racoon.

Why should I? Just go to sleep already!

Yeah, like I'd do that, Gaara grunted and crossed his arms arrogantly.

I want control! I won't do anything to hurt your precious lover-boy, the shinobi blushed as the demon racoon smiled smugly.

Just shut the hell up!

Gaara, a faint crimson still coloring his face, hastily cut off the conversation with the demon inside and looked once again at the sleeping shinobi. This time though, every nerve of the body seemed to be relax. The eyes were no longer tightly closed, instead they were peacefully shut. His face looked pleasant; even happy. It was much better than the strained face, in which Gaara felt a tinge of remorse. The mulitude of covers over the slim body made the breathing look even, more so than before at least.

Silently and without a single noise, besides the gentle thudding of his feet, Gaara made his way over to the usually restless shinobi. Instictively, the boy rolled to his side, his back facing the sand sibling.

"Lee," he whispered, earning a illogical mumble from the said person. "Lee," he repeated, a more comforting tone in his voice. The body turned once again and laid on his back, face towards the ceiling.

"Lee," Gaara repeated tranquilly. Lee shifted and twitched, right away the redhead quieted down and watched the eyes twitch continuously. Soon enough it stopped and the peaceful presence of the figure showed itself.

A sandy hand found its way onto the other's face and cupped the flesh cheek. Lightly caressing it with a thumb, the ebony-haired boy found himself liking the feeling. He nudged into the petting and smiled happily.

"I'm sorry," the Shukaku vessel said, completely opposite of his normal attitude. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Kami-sama, what am I doing? I just felt bad, that's all, he reassured himself.

The limp body flinched but the boy's hand did not move. "I'm really glad you think of me as a friend, you'd have to be my first, real, friend," thoughts of Yashamaru flooded his brain involuntarily. Sighing, he pushed those to the back of his mind. "Thank you."

I still don't understand why he'd want to be a friend of mine anyways... Idiot, he's such an idiot, the container sighed and cracked a small smirk.

Just then, eyelids flashed open to reveal charcoal colored orbs. These eyes were wide and held surprisement in them, mostly. The redhead looked embarrassed and rather scared, a rare sight to see, for him.

The usually calm, cool and collected persona washed over Gaara instantly, "How long?" he asked skeptically.

"How long what?" the other answered coming into a sitting position.

"How long were you awake? What did you hear?" inwardly the owner of the voice shivered.

"Since you apologized, why? I thought what you said was nice!" the boy replied ever so cheerily, a toothy grin plastered on his face. The Kazekage felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He refused to be seen like this and turned his head away, he couldn't bare to watch those innocent eyes.

"So... Can't sleep?" the ebony-haired shinobi inquired.

"Hm," he answered with a small upward jerk of his head. The other raised one of his bushy eyebrows and leaned to look closer at the redhead. The scrutiny of the paler boy lasted shortly as a lightbulb lit up over Lee's head, invisibly of course.

"Hey! Guess what!" he exclaimed.

A grunt escaped the container's lips, "What?"

"You have no eyebrows!"

"Huh?" Gaara responded dumbfounded. What an odd discovery. Idiot, such an idiot, and I knew it, he thought.

"Well, you have no eyebrows and people say I have huge ones!"

"You do."

"That's not the point," Lee sulked.

"Then out with it," the "no-eyebrow" ninja ordered.

"Well, do you want to share?"

Jaw dropped, eyes growing wide, "What?"

"You could take some of mine," the ebony-haired boy said proudly.

"Are you serious?" he asked in monotone, closing his mouth and blinking his eyes. One eyebrow, wait no, the area where an eyebrow should be, but was not, raised.

"Yup!"

And in some parallel universe, Gaara scream, 'cause he was laughing in this one. Gaara--the stoic crazy-killer--laughing? I guess he did get beaten. For some time now, he didn't seem to be stopping. But Lee didn't seem to mind, he actually seemed quite pleased.

"Lee, I'm not sharing eyebrows with you. They look just fine on you," the redhead said through uncharacteristic sets of chuckles. Eventually the laughter died down and he awaited the other's answer.

"Then I'll have to go with 'Plan B'."

"'Plan B'?"

"Yeah, instead of sharing them I'll just wax 'em!"

Jaw dropped, eyes growing wide...again. "You're gonna what?"

"Wax them!" he repeated happy.

"Why?" that place where the eyebrow should be raised again, after regaining composure.

"So people don't make fun of me anymore," his eyes took a distant look.

Nobody spoke and a light blush crept onto Gaara's facial features. His head turned to the side, "So what?"

"What?" puzzlement etched itself on the genin's face.

"So what? What does it matter what they think?"

"I just don't want to be laughed at," Lee said sadly, eyes now downcast.

"Don't worry about it."

"What?"

"Just kick their asses if they do."

Now it was Lee's turn to have his jaw dropped and his eyes wide, "I can't do that!"

"Why not?" the Shukaku vessel frowned lightly.

"Because it wouldn't be sane!" he exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"And since when have you been sane?"

Lee pouted and agreed to beat anybody up who made fun of him, with much persuassion. They both sat on the couch underneath the warmth of the blanket, but far away from each other. The two where facing each other and both thinking of what to say.

"Why were you mad?" Lee started the conversation with a blush on his face.

"About what?"

"Sakura," that one word made the redhead hiss. Now he's hissing? Lee thought confused.

"No reason," he replied through gritted teeth.

"Tell me, please," and that ever-dreaded puppy face appeared.

"She just... I hate her, okay?"

"Why?" his hair fell as he tilted his head.

"No reason," Gaara mumbled barely audible.

"C'mon tell me, pppplllleeeeaaassseeee," God how he hated that face!

"Personal reasons," he managed to choke out.

"Please! Aren't we best friends. I told you my secret!" the ebony-haired genin pouted and remained doing the puppy-dog face, hoping to persuade the other into telling.

"'Cause..." he started in a sure tone, "'Cause you like her," he heard himself saying in a whisper. A thick line of crimson spread itself on his cheeks and nose.

Lee leaned closed forward, so his head could rest on his knees in front of him. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

Gaara's head dropped in a sweatdrop. Inhaling a deep breath he released it in a sigh and looked unemotionally at Lee. Although that didn't work since half his face was already a tomato. "I hate her because you like her so much," he said slightly louder then before. Still the leaf ninja strained to lean closer and faced his ear toward the Kazekage.

"You're speaking too soft!" the Gai replica pouted.

A growl, a growl of annoyance, a growl of anger, a growl from Gaara. (Ouch) The house owner visibly shivered. "Look, Lee, I just can't tell you!" he barked unexpectedly.

"Hm... Is it because she can beat Naruto when you can't?"

Sigh, "No."

"Is it because she gets a lot of attention?"

Growl, "No!"

"Is it because she likes Sasuke and you want him?"

Twitch, "What the--? Hell no!" I, Sabuka no Gaara, wanting Sasuke to myself? I'd take that stupid fox-boy before him! But I don't want them, that's just wrong!

"I know!" his hand, in a fist, pounded into the other that was flat.

"What?" the redhead asked stoically.

"You hate beautiful Sakura because someone who you like likes her," his index finger and thumb rubbed at his chin. "No, that can't be right. Gaara doesn't like anybody! But what other reason is there?" Lee pondered on his decision as the other shoke his head in disbelief.

"You got it," he answered monotonously.

"Really?" the ebony-haired genin's face lit up in excitement. "Tell me who! PPPLLLEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE!" and that damn adorable puppy-dog face showed itself.

Gaara, not wanting to tell, was straining not to give in. If I say it's him, he'll think I like him. When I am obviously not homosexual!

Yeah, that's why you hate that wench... This would be perfect blackmail, if only you would GO. TO. SLEEP!

Shut up you damn racoon! Gaara jumped back to reality and watched helplessly as Lee pleaded and pleaded.

"Tell me, PLEASE! I promise not to tell!" his hands clasped in front of his body as he took the look of a begger.

"Fine," the redhead mentally kicked himself and growled as he continued. "I hate Sakura because this idiot likes her," Lee watched him patiently, "that idiot would be my...best...friend."

Shukaku's vessel winced as no reply came and the leaf shinobi looked at him, a hurt expression posted on the boy's face.

"You have another best friend who knows her?" his bottom lip quivered, "I thought I was your best friend."

The Kazekage ground his teeth and clenched and unclenched his hands. "Idiot! You are!"

"Oh," Lee took on a quite surprised look.

A/N: Is that enough fluff for you? . I thought it was sooooooo kawaii! I had a blast writing it! I don't mind if you review or not, I'm just glad you took your time to read it! Hope you enjoyed it and hope you can't wait for the next chapter! Also, gomen nasai for making it a cliff-hanger!