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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 had gone with the others to sign out but the moment he did, an ANBU member showed up and said that the Hokage had requested his presence. Lee accepted though he felt slightly nervous. Usually he wouldn't be but...what if it was about the mark?
He told the others that he'd meet them at home then headed to the tower.
'What do you think Sarutobi wants?' Lee asked but there was no reply in his mind. He slowed his stride, feeling uneasy.
'Mother...?' Lee said then stopped as there was still no answer.
'Mother...? Are...are you asleep? You are just asleep right?' Lee swallowed roughly, feeling his heart stutter in his chest then he felt faint with relief as he heard a sleepy mumble.
'Do...do not worry kitten. I was only sleeping...'Matatabi said, sounding tired, 'I am very tired...I am going to sleep for a little, alright little one?'
'Of course, sleep well Mother. I will not disturb your rest.' Lee answered, lips curling into a smile. He felt her presence dim in his mind and knew she was asleep again. He didn't mind that his question had not been answered, he was just glad that Mother was okay.
He continued walking again and made his was to the Hokage tower. He told the secretary that he'd been summoned and went up the stairs to the double doors that held the Hokage. He paused for a moment and rolled his neck before knocking then coming in. His eyes caught the other two occupants immediately, Sarutobi and Jiraiya. Lee let his lips curl into a 'polite' smile but then Sarutobi shook his head and waved his hand.
"Honesty, Lee-kun. Do not worry about Jiraiya." He said
Lee's polite smile vanished and in its place, the familiar mocking smile -that was more habit than anything- came. He just...couldn't show how much his opinion had changed about the man.
"You summoned me Hokage-sama?" Lee asked with a slight bite.
"Lee-kun..." Sarutobi sighed as Jiraiya frowned then said, "I do not doubt that you've noticed the new addition on your chest?"
"Yes, it is quite...annoying. Is it safe to assume you know what the filth is?" Lee asked, voice lofty
"Yes. It's called a curse mark. There is another in this village who holds the same mark though hers is a different design."
Lee's smile -though still mocking- dropped and he looked at the old man with a blank yet cold expression, "So you do not know how to rid me of it."
"...No. The best we could do was seal it but-" Sarutobi paused and motioned to where Jiraiya -who had yet to actually speak since Lee's entrance- stood, "Jiraiya is the top Fujinjutsu Expert alive known. He sealed your curse mark."
Lee turned his gaze onto Jiraiya and looked him up and down just like he had that time near the baths, "Are you absolutely sure that the deviant is not in line with the snake?"
Jiraiya jerked and his lips twisted into a frown, "I do not work with Orochimaru. You would do well to remember that, Ikiryou."
Lee chuckled mirthlessly, "Ah...so you told him..."
"It was necessary for what I'm about to tell you now." Sarutobi said, making Lee turn his gaze back onto him.
"I am retiring soon, Lee." The Hokage said, "I am old and sentimental. I know I would not be able to do what's best for Konoha if confronted with Orochimaru again. I offered the title of Hokage to Jiraiya yet he has refused it." He paused then continued, "I want you and Naruto to go with Jiraiya and find Senju Tsunade. Convince her to come back to Konoha and become the next Hokage."
"How...nice of you." Lee said, "Now, what is the main reason for wanting me and Naruto to go?"
Sarutobi sighed again then put his folded hands on the desk, "There is a group-"
"Hokage?!" Jiraiya looked at Sarutobi with slightly wide eyes but the older man shook his head.
"It's alright, Jiraiya. I trust Lee-kun, plus, he plays more of a role than you think." He said, then continued, "There is a group called the Akatsuki. They have been going after the tailed beasts for reasons unknown for now. This will take you and Naruto out of the village and with one of the strongest people I know. Do not doubt, I do want Tsunade to come back and be Hokage but that is second to keeping Naruto safe."
Surprisingly, Lee heard the unspoken words of 'and you as well'. He shifted and breathed his own sigh.
"Alright. I can accept that but Naruto will not." Lee said, "Even if you do not tell him the truth. In my honest opinion, I do not think he will accept a mission without Sakura and Sasuke."
Sarutobi went quite for a long moment, thinking of the pro's and con's of such decision then he nodded, "There could be a benifit to bringing all the genin of Team Seven."
Jiraiya sighed, "Greeeat." he grumbled, rubbing his hand over his face, "I'm a glorified babysitter for four brats now."
Sarutobi chuckled even as Lee raised an eyebrow, "I think you will be surprised, Jiraiya." The oldest man said then continued, "Alright, mission status is Rank A disguised as a Rank C. Officially, you will be retrieving one Senju Tsunade and bringing her back to Konoha. Unofficially, you will be avoiding Akatsuki capture. Mission length is undetermined. I expect you to deliver the news to the rest of Team Seven, Lee-kun."
"Understood." Lee said then turned to leave without being dismissed.
Jiraiya followed him after confirming that he had nothing more to add with Sarutobi.
They were silent as they made their way down the stairs but Lee could feel the older man's gaze on him. It still rankled that the one Sannin that Lee actually had respected, the one he thought was good was the pervert next to him. He felt cheated at the knowledge.
Subconsciously, his lips began to pull down, slightly revealing his sharp teeth.
There was a grunt-like sound next to him and Jiraiya spoke, "Alright, Lee-san. We need to make nice or at least polite for this road trip. Think you can do that?"
"Do not come near my kittens and we will be fine." Lee shot back, disliking Jiraiya's tone immediately.
"I can't exactly protect them if I'm not 'allowed' near them."
"I can protect them just fine. You are not needed. Your only use comes from the fact that you are most able to bring back the Slug Princess."
Suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder and Lee was forced to face a glaring Jiraiya, "Look, I get that you have a problem with me-"
Lee cut him off, "I do not have a problem. I just hate you."
"Why the hell do you hate me so much!?"
"Besides the fact you peep on women while they are bathing?" Lee hissed, just barely keeping his voice down, "You are Jiraiya, the Toad Sage! One of the last legendary Sannin who was meant to be good. You did not become evil and you did not become a drunk. You did not abandon your village and you did not shy away from being a shinobi! I respected you...then I found out that you were just a pervert. Even being a pervert I could accept but viewing others while they are in a vulnerable state- You are just like that disgusting bastard." Lee felt his throat tighten like he was going to choke but he pushed away his feeling of sickness.
"So I will repeat, I hate you. And as long as you continue to do that thing I hate, I will continue to hate you." Lee spat then he pulled back, forcing Jiraiya to let go of his shoulder. He glared at the older man and said, "We will meet at the gate tomorrow at noon, goodbye."
Then he turned and left, feeling Jiraiya's wordless stare on his back.
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Lee walked through the streets of Konoha, still feeling the anger simmering under his skin. He fixed a smile on his face and walked with more of a sway to his hips than normal. The only thing he took comfort in was the fact that at least his kittens would be with him on the mission. He wished that Kakashi was too though...
Lee sighed and ran a hand over his face.
Kakashi did read Jiraiya's books though...maybe if he told the Jounin that Jiraiya peeked in on ladies bath houses, Kakashi would find fault.
He hoped Kakashi would find fault.
Lee groaned.
Then he felt sand circle his wrist.
Lee's eyes widened and he quickly whipped around with a happy, "Gaara!" leaving his lips. He immediately went to the red head's side and checked him over, "You are alright, yes? I heard you...turned. Are you alright?"
Gaara blinked, surprised, then a very tiny smile crossed his lips. It made Lee freeze and stare, a small blush tinting his cheeks.
"I am fine...thank you." Gaara said, "You were the one in the hospital though. How are you?"
"I-I am okay." Lee stuttered slightly, his blush growing, "I am all healed."
"That's good..." Gaara stared at Lee silently for long moments before Lee shifted and asked,
"Have you eaten yet?" when Gaara shook his head, a smile formed on Lee's lips and he asked, "Then would you like to have a late breakfast with me?"
"Yes, I would."
"Wonderful." Lee smiled a little brighter and took Gaara's hand. He lead the other demon holder to a place he liked to frequent and chose a table for them to sit at.
It was silent as they got their food and began to eat. Though every few moments, Lee would look up and there Gaara would be, staring. It was an odd sort of stare, it felt...nice, like one he'd feel from Shikamaru. It made Lee want to squirm and blush at the same time. When they finally finished their food, it was Gaara who spoke first.
"The fight..." Gaara said, catching Lee attention and keeping it. He went silent for a moment and Lee leaned back, his hands on his lap.
"Against the snake?" He asked though he knew.
"Yes." Gaara nodded. "When I saw you collapse..." there was a tick and Gaara's eyes darkened in a way that made Lee shiver. Gaara looked angry yet his skin somehow took on a paler shade than before.
"I understand now, or, I'm beginning to." Gaara continued
"Understand what?"
"I never want to see you like that again." Gaara said, voice slightly rougher than normal, "Pale like death and not moving. He had you in his arms and-" He paused like he was trying to collect himself but it didn't work, "I thought he was going to take you away and I couldn't do anything. I needed help and even that-"
Orochimaru had ran of course, but Gaara knew if the Hokage hadn't been with him then he wouldn't have been able to get Lee back on his own. Too much anger and desperation had filled him.
Gaara shook his head then he spoke a promise, "I will get stronger so I will never have to see you like that again. I will become better so we can fight side by side. I will do anything I can so I can...so I can protect you. My sand shields me, but I want to become your shield as well. When I am able to do that, that is when I know I can be your mate."
Lee felt his heart skip and his lungs squeeze. He swallowed hard, teeth aching, and before he knew it, he was already across the table and on Gaara's lap. His hands were in Gaara's hair and his mouth against Gaara's neck. He barely stopped himself from biting even though he wanted to. Then he felt a vibration against his lips and the tightness of Gaara's hands on his hips. He whined low in his throat, hands trembling as he scraped his teeth against Gaara's skin.
Gaara groaned lowly in Lee's ear then whispered in a ragged tone, "Don't tempt me..."
Lee shivered and panted softly against Gaara's neck. He forced his head away and rested it on Gaara's shoulder, wrapping his arms around Gaara's neck to try and gather himself. It took an amount of control that Lee honestly didn't think he had but a long while later, Lee was finally able to pull away.
He turned his head towards Gaara's and shakily inhaled as they were only inches away. Gaara's eyes were dark and kami, he still wanted to bite.
"I found it...?" Gaara slowly asked and his voice was still ragged and rough.
Lee made a noise that he hoped was a yes but even in his own ears it sounded like a whimper instead. He felt Gaara shiver and the red head closed his eyes, leaning down like being pulled by a string. Gaara's hot breath rushed over Lee's neck and he opened his mouth, teasing himself by scraping his teeth over Lee's neck just like Lee had done moment's ago.
"Do you...want like I do...?" Gaara rasped, arms slowly wrapping around Lee's waist instead of just holding it.
"Yes..." Lee answered, "but the timing..."
"..." Gaara suddenly growled against Lee's neck and tormented himself again by nipping Lee's neck but never broke the skin, "When we meet again. I will show you I can be your shield. Then...right here-" he nipped the spot again, making Lee gasp, "I will leave my mark here."
"Y-yes." Lee whispered and he pulled Gaara a little closer, "Next time..."
Then Lee pulled back and kissed Gaara, trailing his hands back and cupping Gaara's face. For once, the kiss was simple with no tongue but it felt intimate. He liked it. When he pulled back, he could feel Gaara's hand in his hair and the rush of warm air over his lips.
"I eagerly await our next meeting." Lee whispered with a slow but warm smile. He wanted to say that he loved the boy in front of him but the words would not even try to come up. So he laid his head back on Gaara's shoulder and held onto him.
Gaara exhaled shakily and hugged Lee tighter to him, the foreign feeling of happiness filling his chest to the brim. It hurt in a way he could easily say he...loved.
They stayed like that, quietly talking to each other for another hour before they knew they had to leave. Lee walked with Gaara until they were at the gates where Temari and Kankuro were. Lee stared at Gaara, feeling a strange hollowness forming inside his chest at the thought of Gaara not being in Konoha anymore. Still, he pushed it away with a sigh and kissed Gaara once more.
Gaara kissed back, slipping his hand into Lee's hair in a welcome habit. He barely pulled away and quietly reminded Lee of his promise.
Five minutes later, Lee couldn't even see Gaara's back anymore.
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Lee opened the door to his shared home and the sound of his kittens eased the ache in his chest. He inhaled and could smell their mingling scents everywhere.
"You're back." Kakashi's voice slightly surprised him but Lee smiled and nodded.
Lee removed his sandals and set them next to Kakashi's in the row, briefly feeling warm at the sight. He thought he'd be used to it but something about seeing all of their sandals together made it feel even more like they were...family. Lee smiled again then walked towards Kakashi.
"The Hokage explained a little on my new...mark" Lee's lips pulled back into a scowl but it was gone in a second. "I met with Gaara after and he affirmed that I was fine and left Konoha."
Kakashi nodded, walking close to Lee as they made their way to the living room.
"Was that all?" He asked then his lips thinned under his mask as Lee shook his head.
"No but that is something everyone needs to hear."
"Ah..."
"Kaa-chan!" Naruto and Sakura called out as they all saw Lee come in with Kakashi, turning on the couch and looking over the back. Sasuke stood instead of turning and his expression and body seemed to relax at the sight of Lee.
"...Welcome back." Sasuke said, and Lee's warm smile had him blushing and pushing his hands into his pockets, slightly looking away.
"I am home." Lee softly said, turning his smile onto them all. Then he clapped his hands together and added, "Alright, Team Seven has been given a mission."
"What?! Awesome! What are we doing?!" Naruto asked, excited
"We will be locating a special person. Tsunade, the Slug Princess." Lee said, then slightly frowned, "Unfortunately..." he looked at Kakashi and said, "Our team leader will be Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, not our Kakashi."
All of them frowned and Sakura spoke up, "But...why?"
"As Jiraiya is Tsunade's old team mate, I assume that is the reason." Lee answered though he began to scowl.
"Wait, isn't Jiraiya that pervert Naruto saw spying on the women's baths?" Sasuke asked, his own frown growing.
"Yes." Lee said, fully scowling now.
"What the hell?! I don't want to go with that guy! What if he tries to peek on Sakura-chan?!" Naruto exclaimed, looking angry. Sakura grimaced and shifted closer to Naruto.
"Then I will tear out his eyes." Lee said, sparing no sugared words. It made Sakura smile so Lee wouldn't regret saying it even if he had the ability.
Kakashi stayed quiet through it all.
In the end, the Genin of Team Seven didn't want to go without Kakashi -which made Kakashi happy, Lee saw it in the brightness in his revealed eye and the color that traveled to the mans ears- but they had to so they would anyway. They stayed together and spent the day like a family would coming together easily. It made Lee purr with triumph.
This is what he wanted, his kittens automatically staying together with him, it was such an added bonus that Kakashi did the same though.
That night, after the three children went to bed, Lee walked with Kakashi back to the older mans room. Kakashi left the door open and Lee followed in. They sat next to each other on the bed and Lee subconsciously sat close enough that his arm was pressed against Kakashi's.
They were silent for a while before Kakashi spoke up.
"I'm guessing that finding Tsunade is not the only mission."
Lee hummed a little, tone slightly irritated. It made Kakashi chuckle then the man slightly leaned back on his hands. Lee leaned against Kakashi without thinking, pressing against Kakashi's side.
"No...there is a group called the Akatsuki, they are searching for the tailed beasts. The mission was originally for me and Naruto to leave with the Toad Sage to avoid them, finding the Slug Princess was the second objective." Lee said and he felt Kakashi tense against him.
Kakashi's arm slowly curled around Lee's other hip, pressing the boy firm against his side. His -admittedly- more animal instincts telling him that he should keep Lee there, that he shouldn't let any of them go. He didn't feel good about this mission at all. He pulled Lee closer and looked down at the boy. His breath caught as Lee was already looking up at him, eyes open and large instead of the normal almost bored look.
His heart sped in his chest but he didn't let it show, instead, he leaned down and stared intently into Lee's eyes.
"You need to keep yourself safe." Kakashi said, "Don't-...don't take any chances."
Lee felt oddly flustered by Kakashi's stare and how close he was, yet that didn't stop the way his heart jumped in his chest. He felt almost...nervous, but in a good way, so he smiled.
"Do not worry, Kashi-kun." Lee said, lips curling a little more as his smile grew. He rested his hand on Kakashi's leg in comfort and added, "I will come back to you. We all will... So keep yourself safe too, okay?"
Kakashi's heart trembled in his chest and he swallowed hard, fighting against the urge to lean down and kiss the boy pressed against his side. He shouldn't, he knew that. Lee was so young, even despite the fact that age was not so much of an issue to Shinobi. They could die at any time, why would age matter as long as each person knew what was happening.
Only Kakashi felt so broken compared to Lee and he didn't want to drag Lee down.
So he didn't do anything and instead, only smiled, his eye crinkling as Lee left his room to go to his own.
Kakashi got ready for bed and slipped under the covers, bringing the blanket up over his face out of habit. It was strange in a way that it wasn't anymore, how easily Kakashi fell asleep at this house instead of his own -practically abandoned- apartment. This place, Lee's house...he was relaxed here. It made his want for Lee worse, the way the boy felt like home now.
Kakashi had to remind himself every day that no matter what, Lee didn't deserve to be shackled by him. No matter how dark Lee thought he still was, Kakashi could see how much the boy had changed. He was almost bright now, a warm light in darkness for anyone who looked.
For a moment, it made Kakashi think...what if Lee dragged him up instead?
Kakashi's breath hitched and he pressed his palms to his eyes as his heart trembled in his chest again.
He wanted.
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