Sorry! I was sick yesterday! Here is the update!
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Italics are flashbacks and thoughts to oneself
Bold is Demon's talking
Bold Italic is the demon holders talking back to the demons
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Disclaimer: Is Lee getting chased by Seme's that want him as their Uke? No? Then I don't own Naruto.
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Title: Ikiryou
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After Kakashi had told them to meet back at the bridge tomorrow at eight AM, Lee had taken them all out to eat again as a congratulations for becoming true Genin. After that, Lee bid them a good-bye and told Naruto that he would see him that night if Naruto wanted.
Naruto agreed with a silly yet adorable grin and Lee felt rather good as he made his way to the Nara residence.
He had told Shikamaru that he'd play a game with him and now that he had free time, Lee felt kind of excited to see the boy again. Though Mother had not actively spoken in a while –As she sometimes did; there wasn't much to speak about when you live similar days-, he could still feel her constant presence in his mind. Right now she was radiating curiosity.
Lee stepped up to the front door of the Nara residence and knocked. He could feel many chakra signatures but the ones that were familiar to him were in this house. He felt Shikaku's chakra come closer and smiled as the older man opened the door.
"Good Afternoon, Shi-san."
Shikaku blinked and his eyes flashed with amusement, he leaned against the door frame with his hands hovering by his pockets. It was a relaxed sort of tenseness.
"Lee," He said with a nod of greeting, "What brings you here?"
"I have met your son- which may I say, acts a lot like you- and I had told him that I would play a game with him." Lee said then spread his arms out, "So here I am."
Shikaku nodded and finally put his hands in his pockets, "I'll let him know you're here then. He's in the lounge room."
With that, Shikaku turned and walked further inside. Lee followed and politely removed his shoes before stepping onto their floor. He kept pace behind Shikaku –a lazy gait which Shikamaru had copied as well- and before long, they were in front of another room. Shikaku opened the sliding door and said, "Shikamaru, you've got a guest."
"Huh?"
Lee looked past Shikaku and saw that another door had been open, leading to the backyard which was a forest. Shikamaru had turned his had away from the sky and was now staring slightly wide eyed at Lee, the tips of his ears red.
Lee smiled and waved at the boy, saying, "Hello again, Shikamaru-kun. I am here for our game."
"Ah," Shikamaru quickly sat up then winced as Shikaku looked at him. He looked away from his dad's raised eyebrow and interested expression and just got up with careful carelessness.
"I'll set up the board then. You still good with shogi?" Shikamaru asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.
Lee giggled, his eyes flickering from Shikamaru to Shikaku and back. Same hair, same face, same posture, it was…cute. Lee liked it. He nodded to Shikamaru's question and said, "I look forward to our game. I have heard a lot about the famed Nara intelligence. I hope you will not be gentle with me."
"…Troublesome." Shikamaru said, cheeks warming, and Shikaku chuckled.
"I'll leave you two to your game." Shikaku said, turning with a brief wave, "I'll tell your mother where you are, expect her later."
"Troublesome." Shikamaru repeated, his tone filled with boyish dread this time.
Lee giggled again then went to sit across from Shikamaru, the Shogi board now set up. They began playing quietly for the first few minutes before Lee spoke up.
"You are a Genin now, correct? With Yamanaka Ino and Akimichi Chouji?" Lee asked, keeping his eyes on the game.
"Yeah, what a drag…"
"Oh? Do you not want to be a ninja, Shikamaru-kun?"
"It doesn't really matter to me. I just thought life would be more interesting as one." He gave a careless shrug though they were both looking at the board.
"So Shi-san did not make you as you are his heir?" Not that Lee really thought that the man would. He didn't seem the type to follow tradition.
"Shi-san…?"
"I know your father just a little. I owe him a rather large favor when he decides to collect on it." Lee answered the silent question, looking up to see Shikamaru looking at him with interest before looking back down.
"What did he do?"
"Ah…I suppose he…saved me?" Lee hummed then asked, "What is your plan for the future then? You want an interesting life?"
"…" Shikamaru was quiet so Lee looked up to apologize and say that he did not mean to overstep but the way Shikamaru looked, stopped him. He was leaning back, expression vaguely embarrassed as he looked anywhere but Lee. Then, he opened his mouth and mumbled,
"Someday, I just want to marry someone regular who likes some of the same stuff I do. Have two children, first a girl, then a boy. Retire after my daughter is married and my son becomes a successful ninja, and spend the rest of my life playing Shogi or Go. Then die of old age before my wife."
It was Lee's turn to be quiet then but when Shikamaru slowly turned his gaze back onto him, Lee gave him a genuine smile.
"That sounds positively lovely." Lee said, a soft purr in his tone, "A wonderful plan indeed."
Shikamaru's lips shifted into a smile and he chuckled, sounding subtly pleased, "How about you? What's your plan?"
Lee felt his cheeks warm and it actually was vaguely embarrassing to think of putting it into words for someone else, "Well…Mine is very much the same. I would like to find someone to marry and have children with them, more than just two though. I would…I would like to have a large family. I would retire after I was sure my children were safe and most likely spend the rest of my life relaxing, preferably in sunlight."
"Sounds…really good." Shikamaru said before clearing his throat, "Your move." He nodded to the board.
"Oh, so it is." Lee nodded and quickly moved a piece, his stomach feeling strangely fluttery.
He was glad when Yoshino, who introduced herself as Shikamaru's mother, came in. He was able to calm himself and smile once again without feeling so warm under his clothing and without fighting the urge to shift every few moments.
"Oh you are adorable! Shikamaru, why didn't you introduce us!" Yoshino went from squealing to putting her hands on her hips and looking at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru groaned and Lee heard him mumble under his breath, "Scary woman..."
Lee felt his lips twitch and he bit down his smile and turned to Yoshino, saying, "That might be my fault, Yoshino-san. I had the chance to introduce myself but I found myself searching for Shikamaru-kun first. I hope you forgive me." he bowed to her.
"Oh, I like this one! It's very nice to meet you...?" She tilted her head and Lee found himself liking her.
"My name is Rock Lee, Yoshino-san." Lee quirked his lips in a happy kitten-like smile
"Just call me Yoshino, Lee-chan." She waved her hand, smiling brightly at Lee.
Lee blushed and nodded, feeling oddly shy. He waved when Yoshino said that she'd bring back snacks for them then turned back to Shikamaru.
"Ah...sorry about her." Shikamaru said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Lee quickly shook his head and said, "No, I- ah...I like her. She seems really kind."
Shikamaru groaned and leaned back on his hands, "What a drag...yeah, she's nice to others but not me. She's scary..."
Lee covered his mouth as he giggled and he smiled under his hand as Shikamaru's ears tinted red but the boy gave him a crooked smile that made his heart skip.
'Oh...my heart acts so strange around Shikamaru.'
'You like him, little one.'
'Well, yes. I find him interesting.'
'No, kitten. You like, like him. You are interested in him as he is interested in you.'
Lee's eyes widened, 'W-what? R-really?...That is...that is how that emotion feels like? All swirling and fluttering...'
Actually, it did feel similar to the vague feeling he had felt around his Angel but now it felt more. It was most likely to be because Lee felt more now. He felt more than just fear at least, even if most of it was vague.
"Hey, you okay?" Shikamaru's voice cut into Lee's thoughts and Lee's head shot up.
"Y-yes! I am fine!" Lee stuttered, his face shooting red. He quickly looked away, trying and failing to hide his burning face, but when he looked at Shikamaru from the corner of his eyes... Shikamaru was blushing too. The other boy rubbed the back of his neck and shifted in his seat. They both jumped when Yoshino came back into the room without knocking.
Yoshino looked at the both of them and visibly struggled not to giggle.
"Lee-chan, why don't you stay for dinner?" She asked
"O-oh, I would not want to intrude." Lee stuttered softly, honestly surprised by the offer. He'd never been invited to eat before. Well, he never had anyone to invite him. Until a few weeks ago, he'd only known Sarutobi, Shikaku, and Kakashi which he barely spoke with one, didn't speak to the other at all, and bantered with the last. He didn't even hang out with his own teammates outside of training and missions.
"Nonsense! Your company would be delightful." She quickly said, smiling widely, "I won't take no for an answer!" she sang before darting back out of the room then Lee could hear her yelling at Shikaku.
Lee blinked and found himself agreeing with Shikamaru, this woman was strangely scary. He still felt like he liked her though.
"Well...I suppose I am staying for dinner." Lee said, turning his eyes onto Shikamaru who didn't look disappointed in the slightest.
"She's a really good cook." Shikamaru said, like an obscure attempt to get Lee to stay as well. Instead of looking away, Shikamaru locked his eyes with Lee and gave Lee a rather handsome smile. Lee felt himself begin to purr and blushed hotly.
"I-I must see if she requires help then! I would not want to eat without doing so!" Lee sputtered and quickly got up, gliding out of the room faster than normal.
It didn't stop Lee's superior ears from hearing Shikamaru chuckle and whisper 'Cute' under his breath.
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It was late when Lee finally left the Nara residence. The moon was already shining and he hoped that Naruto made himself at home in his apartment if he decided to come over and stay.
He got back home and subtly perked up when he felt Naruto's chakra in his room. He went inside and removed his shoes before padding to the bedroom. He quietly opened the door and smiled when he saw that blond mop of hair peeking out from under the covers. He quickly changed into an over-sized t-shirt -what he had begun wearing instead of going nude since Naruto starting sleeping over- and gently placed his weights off to the side before joining Naruto on the bed.
Naruto briefly woke as Lee curled around him and quickly pressed closer to Lee's warmth. He sighed in content, muttering "Kaa-chan..." happily.
Lee smiled and whispered a question if Naruto ate. When Naruto nodded sleepily, Lee kissed Naruto's bare forehead and whispered an almost loving 'good night'.
The next morning, Lee woke first, hours before Naruto needed. He got up and wrote a little note for Naruto just in case his kitten woke up, telling him that he would be back at 7 to make breakfast before they had to go to the bridge.
After, Lee went to his own teams' training spot for the first time in several weeks.
"Lee!" Gai exclaimed, "You are back! I hope Hokage-sama's mission was successful!" the older man grinned as soon as he saw his missing student.
"Lee!" Tenten said as well, smiling, "Welcome back! Got to say, it's a bit boring without you."
"Aw, Ten-chan~ I knew you liked me~" Lee purred
"I will hurt you Lee." Tenten deadpanned, slightly glaring but then she sighed with a smile.
Lee grinned back at her then looked at Neji. He hummed, feeling excited to tease his teammate.
"Neji~" Lee purred with a seductive quality, making the Hyuuga's cheeks go red. The pale eyed boy glared at Lee, his arms crossed as he scowled.
"Oh do not make that face, I have missed you~" Lee said, slinking over to Neji. He disregarded the fact that Neji had his arms crossed and draped his arms over Neji's shoulders. Neji tensed up and stared down at Lee as if he had no mouth to speak with.
"How youthful!" Gai exclaimed, making Neji jerk and Lee felt himself begin to laugh. Seeing Neji so flustered was just amusing.
'I suppose I need to revise the list.' Mother murmured in his head.
'What do you mean?' Lee asked even as he continued to tease, easily doing two things at once then actually started training.
'I have access to your emotional state Kitten. I know when there is an interest from you whether small or large. You have no real romantic interest towards Neji, same for Sasuke. You have the smallest bit of interest for Hatake but quite a bit for the Nara boy. I approve, by the way. The Shukaku vessel is unknown and of course your Angel is wanted.'
Lee blinked, his only visible reaction to Mother's words as he trained, slamming his fists against the wooden post. He quickly switched to kicks but had to pull back on each move as to not destroy the wood. This was only a warm-up though. Later, he would train by himself with a clone.
He did still know how to make rock clones thanks to his life from before. He knew Shadow Clone as well since he had watched Naruto try over and over again to learn it that one night.
'Still, it might change as you spend more time with each person. The only concern is being able to do so.'
'My path does not put me on the same as theirs often unless I seek it out myself.' Lee nodded to himself
"It seems I must go out of my way then…"
"What-" Neji's voice startled Lee to the point that he whipped around and pinned the boy to the ground. Neji grunted from the force then his eyes widened slightly.
"Oh, Neji…" Lee muttered, vaguely surprised. His hand was frozen just an inch from Neji's neck and began to smile seductively but Neji suddenly glared.
"Stop." Neji said, voice tight with irritation, "Stop playing with me!"
Lee blinked in surprise then the emotion fell off his face and he looking at Neji with vague curiosity, "Whatever do you mean, my dear Neji?"
"You know what I mean. You…you flirt with me, constantly." Neji's brows turned down and the line of his mouth tensed.
Lee slowly tilted his head, not moving from his position on Neji as the Hyuuga hadn't moved him either. His expression was blank though his vague sense of curiosity continued, "So…do you wish me to stop?" is that where Neji was going?
The tips of Neji's ears suddenly burned and he shut his eyes for a long moment before gritting out, "I wish for you to be serious and face destiny."
Lee's eyes widened a fraction in genuine surprise and he stared at Neji, speechless. Those white eyes bore into him and Lee felt something squirm in his stomach. He also felt…confused though, face destiny in what? We were talking about flirt- and Neji was now touching his hips. It suddenly clicked and Lee felt his face warm.
"I-I must think!" Lee blurted and shot up, getting off of Neji and running. He barely said a quick goodbye to Gai and Tenten as he left, not listening as Tenten called out, asking where he was going and Gai shouted about his youth.
'I stand corrected. It seems Neji is still on the list. 'Destiny' indeed.' Matatabi laughed inside his head as he ran faster towards home.
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