Warm pictures began to fade in and out, desires overwhelming him.
"Lee-san, I can show you a different way to train." Gaara whispered hotly against his neck. "And it's a lot more fun than running laps." he breathed as he kissed down Lee's neck.
"Gaara-kun, are you sure? It seems so sudden." Gaara ran his fingers over Lee's chest, making Lee hot with excitement.
"I know you want it Lee…" Gaara whispered into his ear.
"Gaara!" Lee yelled as he shot awake. The sand collided with the bedroom door as the redhead shot up.
"What happened? What is it?" Gaara said sleepily. Lee breathed heavily and rubbed his face roughly.
"Sorry Gaara-sama. It was a dream." Lee said as he hide his blushing face in his hands.
"Don't let your nightmares get to you Lee. You need your rest. " Gaara said with a yawn as he called off the sand and settled back under the covers.
Lee's fingers were trembling. 'Oh my. My brain just cannot control itself! I will do one thousand kicks because of that dream tomorrow!' Lee said as he slid back under the expensive blankets, eyes shutting instantly.
Lee stretched as he woke up, the bright morning sun filling the room. Gaara was still snoring softly beside him, so he quietly slid out of bed, grabbed guy sensei's letter, and pattered down the stairs. 'What a brilliant morning to train!' Lee said as he quickly got dressed and dashed to the training grounds.
"One, two three, four-" Lee shouted as he kicked the dummy. 'I will train those dreams away!'
The sun moved as Lee trained beneath it for hours, strengthening his body.
"Three thousand and seventy-five!" Out of nowhere an ANBU shot out in front of Lee.
"Rock Lee, the Kazekage needs to see you immediately. He is in his office."
"I will be there right away!" Lee said as he shot after the ANBU in the direction of the office.
Lee knocked on the door of his office, finding the three sand siblings on the other side. Gaara's expression was deadly serious.
"Gaara-sama, you requested me?"
"Lee, there is an issue I need you to take care of. I know you still haven't been cleared for active duty yet, but we need your assistance. It's an S-rank mission. Are you willing to accept?"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!" Lee said with a gripped fist. Gaara sighed and handed Lee the scroll.
"Tsunade sent word that a ninja from the hidden leaf village has went rouge and is heading this way. He has escaped with certain intel that cannot be disclosed under any circumstances. It can be assumed he is under a jutsu, but do not let that interfere. He must be eliminated. A team was sent out from the leaf in hopes to obtain this shinobi, but most of the team has been injured and has fallen back. A few of the remaining members will meet you on the border of the Wind country. I am sending Temari with you. Any questions?"
"What about my medical clearance? Won't Tsunade-"
"She requested you personally for this mission. She know that you heal quickly. Any other questions?"
"No. I will not let you down!" Gaara tensed and looked at his siblings.
"Temari, Kankuro, I need a word with Lee alone please." They left quietly, shutting the heavy door behind them.
"Lee, please…don't be reckless. I'm not asking this as the Kazekage. I'm asking as your…friend. "Gaara asked as he rested his head on shaking hands. Lee walked over to his friend and rested a hand on his shoulder. The Kazekage's robes of office felt odd under his fingers.
"I will try not to be reckless, Gaara-kun." Lee whispered.
"Promise me Lee! Promise you won't come back to Suna in pieces!" Gaara yelled as he rose to his feet, his fingers twisted in Lee's shirt and he pulled him close by his shirt. It was unusual for Gaara to ever yell, something seemed broken inside of him. He looked hurt, like the world had gone cold around him. Lee wrapped strong arms around the broken Kazekage, lips almost caressing his ear.
"Gaara, I will return to you alive and well, if at all possible. I promise you that. I will not make pointless risks. " He heard Gaara's voice catch in his throat and they pulled apart.
"You better get going. This mission is important." Gaara said seriously.
'It must be hard for him to draw the line between Kazekage and friend.' Lee thought as he walked towards the door.
"Good-bye Gaara! I will see you soon!" Lee said with a nice guy pose. He handed his letter to the secretary for mailing before he dashed to the mansion. He quickly packed up his necessities and extra weapons, before racing to meet Temari.
"Temari-san! Do you know who we will be meeting?" Lee asked as they raced across sand and rock.
"Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, and TenTen. They are the only ones that have managed to keep up with him safely. Others will be called for if we need backup." Temari said as she leapt into the air.
"Any word on his jutsu?"
"He specializes in weapons and explosive tags, but he's so quick he's nearly impossible to stop. That's why Tsunade wanted you Lee. Your speed is nearly unmatchable. "
"I'm glad that you think so highly of me Temari-san." Temari smiled and they picked up the pace.
They arrived at the meeting place 38 hours later. A smile spread across Lee's face as his friends appeared and a little of his homesickness disappeared.
"Shikamaru, what is the plan?" Lee asked intently.
"Well the plan is we wait until broad daylight to attack. You, Temari, and TenTen will attack and distract the target, while Kiba makes sure his is marked. Just in case he happens to avoid capture again. Then, after you weaken him enough I can restrain him with my shadow possession. That the plan anyway. Lee, we are depending on you. Guy sensei wasn't even able to match his speed, but we all know you have surpassed him in speed. Everyone, just keep in mind, this is an elimination mission."
"Yosh! I will not let you down!" Lee said enthusiastically.
At daybreak, they began pursuing their target, and they caught up quickly. Lee shot in front of him, instantly cutting him off.
"I will not let you pass!" Lee yelled as he stood in his battle stance. They all attacked at once, but Temari and TenTen suddenly blasted back and knocked unconscious. Lee managed to jump over the blast.
"How dare you mistreat my friends!" Lee screamed as his leg weights were ripped off and thrown at his opponent with considerable force. He shot through the air and his opponent never saw the kick that collided with his head. The man quickly recovered and let loose another explosion that rocked the terrain for miles, trapping the hidden Shikamaru and Kiba under fallen rocks.
"It is up to me!" Lee yelled as he flew towards his opponent again. "Leaf hurricane!" The kick did little damage, and Lee was forced to jump backwards to avoid a deadly blast. 'I promise I will not over do myself Gaara, but I have to complete this mission!' Lee ripped open his first two gates and he pulled out his nun chucks. The target was knocked back onto the ground by barely visible, yet devastating attacks. Lee had the man on the ground, begging for his life. Every ounce of energy was draining away from the target.
"Lee, eliminate him!" Shikamaru yelled from across the field.
"I am sorry. Forgive Me!" Lee yelled as he jumped into the air and ended it all with one last punch. With a sickening crunch, the battle was over. ANBU were quickly on the scene to dispose of the body, and Lee focused on freeing his friends and making sure they were alright.
The fire crackled warmly at their campsite that night, but it was not calming to Lee. The blood on his hands had dried, but the thoughts would not leave him. He had just taken a human life, that wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"Lee, you need to eat." Temari said as she offered him a plate. Lee simply remained silent, staring at his shaking hands. "Or at least drink some water. Please." She begged. Lee's eyes turned to the container in her hand. With a stiff nod, he took the water bottle from her hand and brought it to his lips. Water spilled as he tried to consume the fluid with shaking hands. "Lee, lean back. I'll do it." He swallowed hard and allowed Temari to tip the bottle against his lips. He simply nodded after he had his fill. He didn't say thank you, he didn't mutter a word. Everyone was worried about their favorite taijutsu specialist.
Temari lightened the mood by saying Gaara's silence was rubbing off on the ninja, but everyone knew that wasn't true. Lee hadn't smiled or spoken. He hadn't moved since they set up camp.
"It's like he's traumatized." she whispered to TenTen. "Does this always happen when he takes out a target?"
TenTen stared over at her green clad team mate. "This was his first. He has never taken a life before. We never knew how he would react." TenTen said with a frown. Temari sighed as she stared into the fire. It was going to be a long trip back.