A/N: Warning~ Lee is pretty much going to be with everyone. He will mainly be with a few people though, but will still get some lovin from others. You know how cats are~
Uploading this one sooner cause it is -sadly- a shorter chapter X(
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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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Lee sighed softly and turned to Shikamaru. He smiled and said, "I must ask you to keep all of this quiet. No one can know what happened in this room today or what we are. Especially, what I am."
Lee paused then stepped up to Shikamaru, saying, "I will say this to you though. The Hokage knows about me and Naruto."
Shikamaru nodded after a moment, taking the situation seriously, "Alright."
Lee let out a soft breath and smiled brilliantly at Shikamaru, "Thank you." he said, leaning up to kiss Shikamaru's cheek.
Shikamaru's face went red and he looked away, slightly clearing his throat. He nodded saying, "Y-yeah."
Lee turned to Naruto and said, "You are going to come with me okay?"
Naruto stared at Lee, looking slightly torn -unknowingly hurting Lee- but then he nodded.
Lee held back a sigh of relief and almost took Naruto's hand, but, fearing rejection, Lee just started walking. He lead Naruto back to his home and welcomed him in. They both stayed silent as Lee got food out of his fridge -things he had made earlier- and set them on plates. Just as Lee put the plates on his table, Naruto burst out.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Naruto said, sounding hurt and frustrated and confused.
"Food first. You need to eat." Lee quietly said.
"I need answers more!" Naruto said, his voice getting louder. He stopped and almost looked away in guilt as Lee looked at him so blankly yet tiredly.
Naruto sat down at the table and began eating.
Lee gave a slightly tired smile and sat as well. He ate quietly, taking pleasure in the momentary calm. He finished his food to quickly for his tastes but looked at Naruto anyway. He took a deep breath as he saw that Naruto was finished and just staring at him.
"I did not tell you because...it did not really matter to me." Lee finally said, folding his hands on his lap.
"Understand this, Naruto, I did not plan to keep it a secret. It never had been before, but when I came to Konoha...well...it was just better that no one knew. It was never because I did not want to tell you."
Naruto slowly nodded after a few moments. He still felt a little frustrated but pushed that away, now knowing that Lee hadn't kept it from him on purpose.
"So, there are three of us?" Naruto asked
"No," Lee answered, "There are nine in total. You can count them by their tails."
"Nine!? Tails? What do you mean?"
"Take Ku-Kyuubi for example. He has nine tails, while Shukaku has one."
"Shukaku, that's Gaara's demon, right? He said that was the demon sealed in him." Naruto said, remembering that immediately.
Lee smiled and nodded, "Yes. Starting from one-tail, there is: Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Goku, Kokuo, Saiken, Chomei, Gyuki, then Kurama."
"What about Kyuubi? You said he was the Nine-tails."
"Kurama is the Kyuubi's real name. Some of the Tailed beasts have nicknames that the humans have given them. Kurama has one and so does Matatabi. They call her Ikiryou, the living ghost. I think those two are the only ones with those type of nicknames, most just call them by their tail number."
Naruto nodded in understanding then bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to ask but didn't know if he should. Then, he thought 'to hell with it' and asked anyway, "Which one are you?"
Lee chuckled quietly and said, "I am Ikiryou. My demon is the two-tailed cat, Matatabi"
'Hello!'
"She says hello." Lee smiled fondly.
"H-hi." Naruto said, grinning a little sheepishly. He looked at Lee and then smiled, "Thanks by the way, for telling me."
"Of course, it...it actually feels really great to finally tell you. And, if you let me, I can help you too."
"Help me?" Naruto frowned in confusion.
"Every tailed beast has a power that works best with them. I know for a fact that you heal very quickly, faster than what is normal for the jinchuriki. That is one of the best abilities you could ever have, especially with our line of work and what we are," Lee smiled, grateful for that, then said, "But you have another ability, Matatabi told me about it. If you work on it, you will be able to sense negative emotions."
"Sense negative emotions? What good is that?" Naruto asked. He knew the healing was awesome, and it made him feel fantastic and strong, but sensing emotions?
"An example is, say that an enemy has infiltrated your group. He or she could be the best, perfectly acting as one of your friends, but they could and probably would have moments of hatred, anger,...blood-lust. You would be able to tell. You would be able to save your team from being murdered." Lee said, "You just need to train yourself with it."
Naruto stared, thinking about it. He nodded, immediately determined. If something like that actually happened...he didn't want anything to happen to his team, his friends. Hell, something like that already did happen, with those teams in the Forest of Death.
"You'll help me?" Naruto repeated Lee's earlier offer.
"If you allow me. But...I must warn you, that means I will be making you try to feel any anger or blood-lust that will come from me." Lee said.
"Maybe we should get someone else then." Naruto grinned widely, "I don't think you'll be able to get enough for me to sense."
Lee blinked then smiled, hiding his sadness. He had forgotten that Naruto hadn't seen his anger before. And suddenly, he wished that Naruto would never feel those emotions from him. Especially blood-lust...he didn't want Naruto to ever see him like that.
It was hard enough, pulling himself back from his excitement when he had fought Gaara. What if he couldn't pull back when his blood-lust rose.
"Maybe you are right... I will figure something out." Lee said, then stood from his seat, "Will you be sleeping here tonight?" He tried to asked as nonchalantly as possible, slightly scared that Naruto would reject him in this.
"Yeah! Can you make breakfast in the morning?" Naruto jumped up, excited.
"Of course." Lee smiled brightly, his heart feeling light in his chest.
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The next morning, Lee kept to his promise and made Naruto breakfast. Afterwards, they said goodbye and promised to meet each other at the arena.
Lee sighed as he sat on his couch, staring at the blank television screen.
'Kitten? Is there something wrong?' Matatabi's voice suddenly echoed in his head.
'No...Yes...maybe. I do not know.' Lee sighed, dropping his head into his hands and rubbing his eyes. He slightly smiled as 'Mother' giggled at him.
'Tell me little one. What has you so wound up. You were so happy with Naruto.'
'I...I feel like something bad is going to happen today. Maybe I am just over thinking things but...' Lee sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes harder, making his vision spot with white.
'Stop that.' Matatabi immediately said then continued when Lee obeyed her, 'Now, not even I know if anything will happen, but you know it is always better to be cautious. Whatever you are feeling, keep it in mind, but do not let it overpower you.'
'Of course, Mother. Thank you.' Lee smiled a little tiredly then stood. He would act happily today, no matter what!
With that in mind, Lee changed out of his pajamas and into his normal black outfit. He braided his hair tightly then wrapped it into a bun. He nodded quickly then ran out of his apartment. He jumped from roof to roof and surprisingly say a flash of red on the ground. He stopped and saw that it was the Suna team. It was Gaara.
Lee didn't even think before he jumped down in front of them.
"Who- Wait, you're that one guy!" Kankuro said, vaguely remembering Lee from the battle last month.
Lee slowly tilted his head but nonetheless, politely said, "I am Rock Lee. Pleased to meet you."
He then looked at Gaara and gave the red head a little soft smile.
"You're smiling now. Why?" Gaara said, taking one step forward.
"Because I want to...maybe." Lee said, taking a step forward as well, "Truthfully, I do not know why. I do not even know why I stopped to speak with you." he took another step, "I just did."
"You are like me aren't you." Gaara suddenly said. What happened yesterday played on repeat in his head all night. That voice and that look in Lee's eyes.
"Yes, but that is not important is it?" Lee smiled and laughed softly, "Really, Gaara-kun. You confuse me so much..."
"I confuse you?" Gaara said, raspy voice hinting that it was the opposite instead.
"Yes. You want so much from me. More than I know how to give." Lee closed his eyes for a moment then took those last few steps and acted without thinking.
Lee wrapped his arms around Gaara's shoulders, hugging him. He softly nuzzled Gaara's cheek, whispering, "You want things like this, yes? This I will willingly give. Anything I know how to do, I will willingly give to you."
'You deserve it. You who had been scorned since birth, who had been betrayed and hunted.' Lee added in his own mind.
Gaara had frozen in Lee's arms, his eyes slightly wide. On the inside, his heart was beating faster. Faster than anything before. Lee's body heat was sinking into his skin, bypassing his sand armor. It made him want... It made him want to remove his armor and actually feel Lee's skin against his own again, but this time it was willing. Lee was willing.
He wanted more.
"Because I love him." Gaara remembered those words. That Lee said them while protecting Naruto. He wanted that. Though he swore to fight only for himself, love only himself, Gaara wanted those words aimed at him instead. He wanted, and it was almost to much for him to handle.
Lee sighed softly and nuzzled Gaara's cheek again before pressing a kiss to that pale skin. He didn't notice the slight stutter in Gaara's breathing as he pulled away and instead, smiled at the boy again.
"Good luck with your match. I will be watching." Lee said then stepped away and ran off towards the arena.
Gaara stared at Lee's back, hands twitching and his breathing fast. Sand rustled in his gourd, wanting to just rush out and grab the leaf-nin but he held back. For once, he held back.
"Let's go." Gaara said as he began walking again, ignoring Kankuro and Temari's confused questions.
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Lee stared up at the large building where the matches would be. He took a deep breath, held it for a few moments, then let it back out. He closed his eyes and spread his senses...there were so many people...so many ways for this to go wrong.
Lee suddenly remembered that man. Pale as paper and terrifying...what if Orochimaru was still here?
Lee shuddered as something cold raced up his spine and his skin prickled. Just the thought made him feel slightly sick. Orochimaru was powerful, Lee still remembered the elders whispers of Orochimaru's deeds. Before another shudder could rack his spine, Lee felt a familiar presence come up behind him.
Pushing his thoughts away, Lee slowly turned and smiled at Neji.
"What are you thinking about?" Neji spoke first, his pearl colored eyes focused completely on Lee.
Lee gazed at Neji for a few seconds longer before looking back at the building. He hummed softly as Neji stepped up beside him and slowly said, "My mind...it is not settling on just one thing." suddenly, he shook his head and continued, saying, "but that is neither here or there."
He turned to Neji and smiled at his team mate. Then, want-needing to change the subject, he said, "I wish you luck with your match"
"I don't need luck. It is destiny that I win." Neji said, his lips turning up into an attractive smirk.
Lee laughed softly then said, "I would not be to sure, my friend. Naru has gotten very strong. Nonetheless," Lee put his hand on Neji's shoulder and leaned up to kiss his cheek, "I still wish you luck." then he left.
Lee walked into the building and headed to the area that he could sense Sakura. Right as he got to the open double doors, he stopped and looked around. Almost everyone of the rookie nine was there, except for those fighting.
Lee noticed Sakura's hair and went to take a seat next to her. He noticed the one named Ino on Sakura's other side but ignored her. Instead, he said hello to Sakura and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"How are you, little one?" Lee asked kindly.
"Hey Lee!" Sakura smiled widely, "I'm good, I just got done with some training before I got here! I think I could move up in weight again soon!" She was excited for that.
Lee softly laughed and kissed her forehead again, "That is absolutely wonderful! I am so proud of you!"
Before he could say anything else, Lee and Sakura noticed Naruto crashing into the arena.
"Naruto's here!" Sakura said, voice happy.
"Yeah but he's late." Ino chimed in, frowning.
Lee smiled and sat back. He noticed Sakura looking concerned but said nothing. Now wasn't the time. Instead, he just looked down at the Genin, his eye's focusing on Gaara.
There was something brewing in Gaara, he could feel it.
Lee almost frowned but kept his expression blank instead. He watched the competitors go to the waiting room and knew he had to speak with Shikamaru. He had to make sure.
Lee stood and made his way to the back, to where no one would notice him. When he knew that no one notice, he sunk into the shadows and moved to the waiting room.
When he got there, he stared at everyone. The Shino, the sand siblings, Gaara, and Shikamaru. He needed to get Shikamaru's attention only.
Knowing that he needed to speak with the Nara heir, that he couldn't go back, Lee walked over the the boy. Making sure that no one else would see or sense him, Lee draped himself over Shikamaru's back so they could speak without anyone hearing. He felt the slight tensing in Shikamaru's body and lightly patted Shikamaru's torso where his arms curled then said, "Do not worry, it is only me."
Shikamaru had tensed in surprise at the sudden weight on him, having not heard or even sensed Lee's presense. His eyes widened slightly as Lee whispered into his ear, making him force down a shiver even though he couldn't stop his skin from prickling at the pleasant soft tones.
His ears tinted pink as he unwillingly focused a little to much on how warm Lee was against him.
"What is it? How did you get down here?" Shikamaru said, forcing his voice low.
Lee blinked, his ears perking at the low rumble of Shikamaru's voice. He mentally shook his head and said, "I wanted to make sure that you have not regretted yesterday. You are not having second thoughts on telling, yes?"
"I don't kiss and tell." Shikamaru said.
Lee purred and pressed closer to Shikamaru, wrapping his arms around the Genin in an actual hug, "I am so glad. I knew I was right to like you."
Shikamaru couldn't stop the shiver that time, that purr making something warm rush through him. His ears tinged red and he forced himself to focus on the conversation again. It didn't help though, with Lee's words, he couldn't help but to remember that Lee had kissed his cheek yesterday.
Then he forced himself to remember that Naruto said Lee did that to everyone.
"Good luck with your match today. I will be rooting for you." Lee smiled, "But afterwards, I wish to speak with you again."
Lee turned his head to kiss Shikamaru's cheek but at that moment, Shikamaru turned his head as well.
Their lips met instead.
Lee blinked in surprise, slightly frozen as he felt those rather warm lips against his own. When his brain finally kick-started again, Lee let go of Shikamaru quickly.
Shikamaru felt his cheeks burn red and had to just lean forward, not looking at anyone and he covered his mouth. His lips tingled and there was a pleasant warmth running through him. He groaned quietly, not able to force his mind away from what just happened.
"A-Alright. I will seek you out later." Shikamaru said quickly.
"Y-yes, good. See you later." Lee said quickly as well.
He turned and left as fast as he could without anyone noticing. When he was back where the spectators were supposed to be, Lee walked over to where Sakura was. As he took that short walk to Sakura, he suddenly felt his cheeks warm up and he touched his softly tingling lips.
'N-no, this is not the time to be distracted.' Lee shook his head quickly and took his seat next to Sakura again. Then, he heard something that immediately set him on edge.
He forced himself not to scowl as he heard people speak of Naruto. His hands tightened into fists then he tensed for another reason. His eyes darted back and forth until they landed on an Anbu.
'Black ops!?' Lee thought to himself, tensing further.
'It seems you were right, little one. Something really is not right with this.'
'What should I do?'
'Wait and see. There is nothing else that we can do right now.'
'Yes mother.'
Lee turned his gaze back to Naruto and Neji. He would keep his eyes on everything. He would distance himself from everything...no matter what.
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Naruto and Neji's match, Naruto won.
Second, Gaara and Sasuke, it was postponed.
Third, Kankuro and Shino, Kankuro withdrew. Shino won by default.
Fourth, Temari and Shikamaru. Shikamaru gave up in the end. Lee forced back any emotion he would have felt. Though... 'I think I fell in love...at least a little.' Lee smiled faintly.
Fifth battle...
Kakashi and Sasuke finally showed up.
'Now...'
'The real battle begins.' Matatabi finished for Lee.
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Review please!