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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: Cherry Lotus

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Lee sat in his seat for the written exam. They were sent in small mixed groups so they wouldn't be sitting with their team mates. Honestly, he could barely remember this part. If he thought back, he recalled getting the answers from cheating and that that was the main point. Cheating without being caught.

Red caught his attention and Lee turned his head to see Gaara sitting next to him. Lee blinked in surprise then smiled at the boy.

Gaara stared at him then Lee could see Gaara reaching for him under the desk. A hand gripped his wrist tightly, it was...almost painful.

"Gaara?" Lee whispered, "Are you alright?" he asked, putting his other hand over his. Gaara's grip twitched, tightening just slightly more before relaxing to the point that he was holding Lee's wrist instead of squeezing.

"Close..." Gaara said, voice low like a murmur that Lee strained to hear, "Too close..."

Lee made a noise of confusion then Gaara's grip tightened again just as he heard noise next to him. Lee glanced to see who sat on his other side and immediately smiled.

"Shika!" Lee whispered and the Nara heir quirked a smile at him before his eyes went past Lee to Gaara. Shikamaru nodded to the boy and asked Lee,

"He's okay?"

Lee nodded quickly, "Shikamaru, this is Gaara. Gaara, this is Shikamaru, the one I told you about." he said, looking at the both of them. His wrist was starting to throb a little but he let Gaara continue to hold it, "Gaara knows...He knows that I know."

Shikamaru focused on Lee and after a second, he nodded. He got it, Gaara only knew half of the truth, the boy just knew that Lee knew what was going to happen. Shikamaru slouched onto the table, keeping his head turned so he was still staring at Lee. He felt, sort of special, knowing that only he knew the complete truth.

"Welcome to the club then." Shikamaru said towards Gaara. He could feel the boy glaring at him and though it was slightly annoying and troublesome, he could understand why. If he had less control, he'd be doing the same.

He noticed what was happening under the desk.

"You should let go." Shikamaru said, voice tinted with annoyance, "Can't you tell you're injuring her?"

Gaara's gaze darted down to where he was gripping Lee. His sand sloshed in his gourd, hitting the sides but when he finally released Lee's wrist to see, his sand froze. He had been hurting Lee. There was a bruise already forming and something in his stomach felt uncomfortable. He glared at Lee's wrist then watched it move as Lee gently took his hand.

"Gaara, it is alright. I know you did not mean to." Lee said, keeping his voice soft. He continued to smile at Gaara and his smile only grew warmer as Gaara raised his gaze to meet his.

"So, do not worry, alright?" Lee continued. Then Lee turned his attention onto Shikamaru and his smile never faded. He reached out and took Shikamaru's hand as well, "As for you, mister...Thank you. You are always looking out for me. I do not know what I would do without you."

Sure, he was saying it for something as small as a bruise but Lee did truly feel like that. Shikamaru really did keep him centered and there. Without Shikamaru, him as Lee might have already faded to be Sakura in every way.

Lee squeezed Shikamaru's hand and the boy's ears tinted red.

"Yeah well, it's not too troublesome." Shikamaru said, looking away even as he squeezed Lee's hand back. He heard Lee giggle and the sound made him smile. His mind slowed down to just enjoy the sound and that was something that he loved.

Their conversations were cut off by Ibiki talking and the first exam begun.

Of course Shikamaru had no trouble at all. He didn't need to cheat. Gaara used his sand, creating an eye for him to see out of, it was an amazing ability. Lee admired both ways. As for him, he had Inner looking back on his memories and giving him the answers as they hadn't changed at all.

If he didn't have Inner, he would be a little concerned but the questions weren't nearly as hard as he remembered.

He had just finished writing down the answered when he felt pressure in his head and then he was staring at Ino's back.

The suddenness of it made him stay eerily still so she wouldn't turn. He felt tense but he could hear her speaking.

She was apologizing for 'using her' and that was when it clicked.

Mind Transfer. Ino's mind was in Sakura's body and Ino was looking through Sakura's eyes to cheat. Honestly, he thought it was a good idea and if Ino told him, he would have accepted. But he didn't know that this would happen and.

Lee looked down and saw 'himself'.

His heart tightened in fear.

He was wearing his old uniform. The ANBU uniform that had been given out so that they could hide even slightly better. It was what he was wearing when he was sent back. Lee's heart suddenly jumped as he saw black hair in his peripheral and he swallowed hard.

He was himself and he wanted to cry. If he could, he would hug Ino in pure happiness but he couldn't. He couldn't let her see him.

A hand touched his shoulder and Lee whipped around, gripping the hand, twisting the person around and just before he could press his forearm into their neck -a rather calm reaction considering before he would have snapped the persons neck- he saw who it was.

His mouth dropped open but he didn't speak, still conscious of Ino not too far away.

It was Sakura, brilliant pink hair and all. She looked like how he did when he was her but her hair was unbound unlike his usual braid.

Sakura pressed her finger to her mouth and Lee nodded, closing his mouth. She then looked at Ino and slowly moved Lee back, stepping further and further away from the female Yamanaka.

Then Ino was gone and Lee was in control again.

Lee shuddered and there was a gentle touch to his hand. He looked at Shikamaru and his smile was slightly shaky at Shikamaru's wordless question of concern. Of course the boy noticed. Lee flipped his completed test over and rested his head on the table. The image of Sakura -Inner?- flashing through his mind. Was it...strange? If Inner was Sakura's Inner voice...why did Inner have such a solid presence?

There was a nudge in his mind and a feeling of warmth. It made Lee relax and smile.

It didn't matter right now. Inner would tell him when she was ready.

Shikamaru took his hand and lightly brushed his thumb over the back of his hand. It made his skin slightly prickle and Lee smiled again. He turned his head to the Nara heir and gave the boy that smile.

Suddenly, his other hand was taken and the same thing happened but a little rougher. Lee blinked in surprise and looked at Gaara. The boy was staring down at their hands intensely. His eyes darted up to his own and Lee bit his lip, his shoulders shaking slightly as he held in his giggles.

How cute. He didn't know why Gaara was copying Shikamaru but it was adorable and Lee wanted to hug the boy.

He held both of their hands, feeling better from the touch and subtle affection.

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They passed the exam, of course they all did. The tenth question was still a lie and Naruto was still Naruto so he still yelled about being Hokage, unknowingly giving everyone courage.

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The Forest of Death looked the same as it always did, large and imposing. Lee only half listened to what Anko said as she spoke about the second test, his mind focused more on what was to happen. He turned his gaze to the one he knew was Orochimaru in disguise and tensed when he was much too close to Naruto. Lee grit his teeth and forced himself to calm.

Nothing was going to happen, not yet.

He closed his eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath.

He got the permission slip to take the Second Test.

"Hey." Shikamaru's voice came and Lee raised his eyes from the form, slightly surprised -the three of them had separated when the first test ended, going to their own team mates-. Shikamaru offered his hand and subtly motioned him to follow.

Lee took the offered hand without a thought.

Shikamaru pulled him away to an area away from everyone else but not enough to get attention. He turned to Lee and pulled out a scroll, quickly putting it into Lee's weapons pouch with a barely there motion.

"This scroll will help you. Open it and put chakra into the seals, it will release purple smoke which will cover you and summon three 'Elite Shinobi'." Shikamaru's hands were slightly shaking as he took Lee's hands in his, "I got my dad to get it personally so I know it will work. I didn't tell him what would happen but he trusts me. There are only four seals, one for the smoke and three for the shinobi. I don't know who they summon but he said that they would be the only ones able to get to 'my' side fast enough."

Lee swallowed hard and suddenly hugged Shikamaru tightly. Shikamaru hugged him back immediately, hard enough that it was a little difficult to breathe. It only made Lee do the same and bury his face into Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Lee chanted, slightly scared but so happy. Shikamaru pulled through for him in such a way that Lee never thought he could.

Shikamaru pulled back and cupped Lee's face, staring straight into Lee's eyes. Lee subconsciously tangled his fingers into Shikamaru's shirt, a little worried about what the Nara would say next.

"That isn't all. I'm going to follow you-"

"What?! No! You cannot!" Lee immediately interrupted but Shikamaru pulled him close again, hugging him so tightly once more.

"You're so troublesome!" Shikamaru said, his tone tense enough to make Lee pause, "I know you don't want me to, and I know it will be dangerous, but don't you know that that's why I can't leave you alone? I don't want you to face something like that alone. I know it's just me and I'm no where near strong enough yet...but, please...please let me help you."

For some reason, Lee felt his face burn but as always, Shikamaru's words made him happy. He tilted his head down, resting it against Shikamaru's chest. He didn't want Shikamaru to follow. He wanted Shikamaru safe, but with how the boy was pleading with him...

"...Fine." Lee said, clutching Shikamaru's shirt hard. His own hands were subtly shaking and bone white now, "Fine. But the moment I say, you run. You will run as fast and as far away as you can!"

Shikamaru chuckled and if it weren't for the relieved quality in it instead of 'humorous' Lee would have taken his words back. He still wanted to take his words back because he was scared and he didn't want Shikamaru hurt. Shikamaru was...he was...Shika was so important to him.

"Please do not make me regret this." Lee gave his own plea, feeling his eyes burn with tears.

Shikamaru only held him closer.

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