-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Italics are flashbacks and thoughts to oneself
Bold is Demon's talking
Bold Italic is the demon holders talking back to the demons
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Disclaimer: Is Lee getting chased by Seme's that want him as their Uke? No? Then I don't own Naruto.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Title: Ikiryou
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Morning light woke Lee up. There was a phantom ache in his eyes, like he knew they should hurt but they didn't. His healing had done its job and any pains where gone. He took a deep breath then let his gaze roam. His eyes settled on his kittens -in their same position from before he left. Either Jiraiya had done it or they moved towards his familiar warmth.- then he looked past their sweet features and stared at Jiraiya who had his eyes closed.
He stared for longer than he wanted to admit.
Finally, Lee breathed out a soft sigh and slipped out of bed again. He felt slightly restless. As he made his way to the window again, he looked at Jiraiya again. The older man was staring back. For a moment, his heart jumped, but not in an unpleasant way.
Lee looked away.
"Lee...?" Jiraiya called out quietly
Lee felt his insides squirm pleasantly. Still, he answered, "I feel the need to clear my head, so I am going to go for a walk."
Jiraiya said nothing. Lee looked out the window, placing his hand on the window frame. He stayed silent for a while before deciding something and looking back at Jiraiya. The man was still staring, silently waiting.
Lee smiled.
It surprised the man. Only obvious by the subtle widening of his eyes. Lee smiled a little wider, shyly turning his head away.
"Thank you." He murmured
Then he left, jumping out the window just as he did the night before. He landed on silent feet and despite being barefoot, went for his walk. He idly played with his hair, unwrapping it from its braid and smoothing it down until the waves looked perfect. He breathed in the fresh air, closing his eyes as he easily avoided bumping into anything.
He let his feet take him where ever they wanted.
It was nice, just walking and not thinking of anything, but of course he couldn't keep that up. His thoughts eventually wandered to his Angel and he felt his eyes prick with tears again.
He made himself think on the battle, forcing himself to remember like a detached observer.
Yes, Itachi did remember him, it barely made up for what he was trying to do. He was part of the organization that was trying to capture him, Gaara, and Naruto. Kisame didn't know who he was, or, Lee didn't think he did. He didn't try to attack him at all and never spoke once about Mother.
Mother...she still wasn't talking. He could feel her there, in the back of his mind but...she was still asleep...
Lee shook his head, he couldn't think of it. That was worse than everything else and if he did, he might start crying again.
Lee took in a shuddering breath and pushed his thoughts back to the battle. He was about to go over it again when he felt a familiar flare of chakra. His eyes snapped open and immediately, he noticed that he was in front of the town entrance. He stared out into the forest, his heart slowly sped up in his chest and he swallowed roughly. Did he want to go...?
Yes...he dearly wanted to.
Lee slowly began walking into the forest, mouth dry and heart pounding in his chest. He followed the small pulses of chakra sent his way and soon, came upon the one sending them.
Itachi sat at the base of a tree, leaning against it and already staring at him with those red eyes.
Lee felt the tears prick his eyes and hated it. He hated crying, and he hated how he still wanted to go over and curl against Itachi's side despite what had happened the day before. It had been so long since that short month he spent with the man...four years, he'd been ten.
-He still remembered how cold it was, December wind numbing his body. How bright his blood looked against the white of the snow. Mindlessly walking back to the only place he had as a 'home', even if that 'home' meant a cage.
He'd been wondering if it was worth it. Worth going back when the snow was starting to look so soft and comfortable. He'd just laid down, Mother oddly quiet in his mind, when he heard the sound of snow crunching under sandals. He hadn't moved, just laid there, slowly breathing and welcoming the pleasant numbness the cold gave him.
Black sandals appeared in his vision and he'd slowly blinked but the will to move just wasn't there. He'd slowly looked up and saw red eyes set on a heavenly face. He'd smiled and thought it nice that such a beautiful demon had come to drag him to hell. Accepting it, he'd closed his eyes instead of fighting. Then he'd heard Mother whisper 'Goodnight' to him just before sleep had taken him.
Yet when he woke, it wasn't on hell but in a warm bed.
It hadn't been a demon but a fallen angel.-
Lee took in a shaky breath and stood there, waiting.
Itachi spoke first, his voice still like a drug to Lee's ears.
"They don't know who Matatabi belongs to."
Lee's heart stuttered in his chest and his breath hitched, but he didn't move. His hands were shaking so he wrapped his arms around himself, gripping his hips tightly. Itachi continued.
"I need my Otouto to hate me so he won't go after the people who are the real reason our clan is gone and far more dangerous..."
Lee swallowed hard, his heart stuttering in his chest again. He'd taken a few steps toward Itachi without even noticing. He hugged himself harder and his voice was strained as he said, "B-but...All of them...they are all my kittens... Mine." he hated how it sounded like he was going to cry, "You-" his voice broke and he clamped his mouth shut.
"I knew the Toad Sage was going to be here."
Lee felt his legs shake and he stumbled closer, his eyes burning with tears. He was going to cry again. His heart was beating so fast and if what Itachi was saying was a lie, he didn't think he could survive. He bit his lip, drawing blood, and Itachi stared at him.
Then Itachi said, in a low, sad tone, "I've missed you, Kitty."
A whine left Lee's lips and his legs crumpled underneath him. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he covered his face with his hands, crying. His body trembled and he hiccuped, "A-angel, angel, angel!"
Arms wrapped around him and pulled him against a firm chest. He clung to Itachi, pressing his face hard against the older man's chest. The arms tightened and Lee could hear Itachi whisper that he was sorry and it made his heart skip. Lee pressed closer, instinctively moving until he was curled up in Itachi's lap. Itachi whispered apologies over and over until Lee was practically trying to merge with the man.
Finally, Lee pulled away, still slightly hiccuping as he said, "Y-You are s-so mean, Angel! I w-was s-so scared!"
Itachi didn't say anything, only pulled Lee close again, surrounding him completely. Lee was still so small, he'd noticed it when he covered Lee's changed eyes. It made him feel guiltier. Seeing Lee...Lee had grown to be...beautiful. Tears didn't change that and the agony he'd seen, heard last night had made his heart squeeze hard enough that he almost fell to his knees.
It took a while before Itachi began to speak again. He told the truth even though he knew it was dangerous, even though he knew he shouldn't. It would put Lee in danger but...Lee already was with being what he was. At least this way, he could assure Lee.
He told Lee about how he was spying on the Akatsuki. He was Jiraiya's informant whenever possible. He also said that no one knew who Matatabi belonged to, only the name Ikiryou.
"I'll do everything I can to make sure they don't find out." Itachi promised in his quiet low tone.
Lee sniffled, looking up at Itachi with glassy eyes then he closed them as he felt a warm hand touch his cheek. He knew, even as Itachi gave him his reasons, that he'd already forgiven the man. Of course he did, he was his Angel.
Lee sniffled again then turned his face into Itachi's hand and kissed his rough palm.
"I have missed you too, Angel." Lee finally confessed, "I always knew we would meet again, no matter how long it took. We made a promise, sealed it even...and even though it was...horrible, I am now so very glad."
Lee gave a trembling laugh, "I am so happy to see you and know that you care, that you are not trying to kill my kittens."
Itachi smiled softly though he still hated what he had to do. His stroked his thumb over Lee's soft cheeks then whispered, "Konoha?"
Lee felt his cheeks pink. He opened his eyes and looked up at Itachi as he nodded and said, "I allowed myself to be taken by them when I remembered yours." A shy smile crossed his lips and he reached up to touch Itachi's slashed through hiate-ate, "Any place that made you could not be bad..."
Itachi's smile grew slightly and he chuckled lowly. It made Lee's heart skip and reminded him that Itachi still hand one arm around his waist and a hand cupping his cheek. He didn't want it to stop though.
"I'm glad" Itachi said, "Though I am surprised that you are so close to my Otouto."
"Yes, my little wolf," Lee spoke fondly, "At first I wasn't but...he was a lonely little boy and so funny. He grew on me and I love him dearly. It is thanks to my kittens that I know love like that now." Then Lee's felt his heart skip again but this time in excitement, "Now they can be your kittens too, Angel. Just say the word and we can all be together. I know they will accept it if you tell them the truth! And we can make sure Sasuke stays safe!...They can be our kittens and we can protect them together."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly then slowly softened. He leaned down and pressed their foreheads together, his nose slightly brushing against Lee's with every movement, "I wish that could happen Kitty..." Itachi whispered, allowing his voice to show his longing, "but it can't. Konoha is in danger- everyone is in danger thanks to the Akatsuki. I can't abandon my mission now."
"Angel, you are too kind." Lee whispered in a strained tone, expression sad but...he understood. He understood Itachi's desire and he wouldn't go against it despite how much he wanted to. So he instead said, "Can we...can we promise to meet again though? A better meeting next time, one where we get to be together for a long time."
"Kitty-"
"Please?" Lee asked, looking up, eyes once again shiny with tears. His heart was pounding in his chest as he said, "I-...I love you. I love you more than anyone else and even if you do not love me the same, I still want to see you. You are everything to me and I will take anything you give me...so please...please, Itachi..."
Itachi stared, frozen at Lee's words. His own heart skipped more beats than it should have and he knew it was wrong, so wrong.
Itachi's thumb resumed stroking Lee's cheek and his other hand lifted to do the same to Lee's other cheek.
"You really have grown..." He said, a smile slowly curving his lips as he heard Lee's breath hitch, "Alright. I promise, we will meet again and...we will have much more time together, alone." it was the least he could do, even if he knew he shouldn't. But he was already holding so much of himself back as all he wanted to do was-
Suddenly he was forced back and Lee was kissing him. It made him freeze then something inside him broke and he kissed Lee back, holding the boys' face and deepening it. He shouldn't, it was wrong for so many reasons, most of all...because of his illness, but...for once, he wanted to be selfish.
He wanted this.
So he tangled his fingers into Lee's hair and deepened their kiss even more, teasing Lee's mouth open and taking what he wanted. Lee's whimpers and mewls teased his ears and he could feel the boy cling to him. It was enticing and cute at the same time, he could barely stand it.
Lee felt drunk from Itachi's lips and tongue. He slowly shifted until he was on his knees, pressing himself completely against Itachi's body as he slowly wrapped his arms around Itachi's shoulders. He opened himself to anything Itachi did, eagerly giving back everything Itachi gave. He felt Itachi shift between his legs and mewled again as a firm arm held him tightly. This, this he wanted for forever and more. He loved it and even every soft tug on his hair made shivers run through his body. Anytime felt too soon for this personal heaven to stop.
When Itachi finally did pull away, Lee's dazed and flustered expression almost had him going back in but he held himself back. He knew that there wasn't much time left and they both had to leave soon.
"We need to be going." Itachi said, his voice rougher and lower than normal. It had an obvious affect on Lee as the boy shivered and whimpered at the sound. Itachi was dipping back down to taste Lee's lips again without a thought but he cut it short before he could get carried away again.
"W-we will be meeting again? Soon?" Lee asked, his own voice breathless and soft. It matched how he looked with warm pink cheeks, soft satisfied gaze, and shiny lips.
"As soon and I am able." Itachi promised again then slowly stood, still holding Lee as he did. It made Lee giggle shyly and Itachi smiled at the sound before reluctantly setting Lee onto his feet.
"Then...until we meet again, my Angel. My Itachi." Lee murmured
"Until then." Itachi said then leaned down and whispered right into Lee's ear "My Lee" right before disappearing.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Lee went back to the Inn and found everyone awake and ready. He smiled as his kittens jumped and practically rushed him at his entrance. He laughed at their overlapping questions of where he was and if he was okay. He hugged them all and nuzzled them happily, saying that he'd only went on a walk and that he was okay.
They slowly calmed and less than a half hour later, they were on the road again. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke walked a little ways in front of him and Jiraiya slowly fell back until they were walking side by side.
"...Are you really okay?" Jiraiya's voice was slightly hesitant but genuine in his concern.
Lee's lips formed a real happy smile as he looked up at the much older man. There was an unnoticed pause in Jiraiya's stride and Lee said, "Yes, Jiraiya. I am so much better now."
Jiraiya's eyes widened slightly and he looked away at the new way Lee addressed him. He scratched at his warm cheeks then began to grin. He looked back at Lee and took a chance.
"That's good. I'm glad,...Lee."
Lee's answer was a brighter smile and Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head, chuckling.
Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Review Please!
