I present to you an update!

I should be sleeping because I have an early class tomorrow, but I just really wanted to post a quick chapter to keep this story going.

Naruto does not belong to me because if it did it would just about how much everyone loves Lee!

Lee gently closed Sai's door behind him, face still radiating heat from Itachi's words. He knew that the elder was joking, but he was still not accustom to anyone being so forward with him. Especially someone as attractive as Itachi, he thought as he fanned his burning face. Lee could admit that to himself now that they were no longer on bad terms. And oh boy was Itachi ever handsome. From his slightly muscular build, to his strong jaw, Itachi was prime example of what Tenten had termed "boyfriend material" (a phrase she had used quite often whenever she talked about Neji). And if a small part of him preened under the false attention he had received from such an attractive man, well that was neither here nor there. Not that Lee was particularly interested in dating the other male, he really hadn't given dating much thought in general. Having struggled with his own sexuality for most of his teenage years and then everything that had happened when he left Saint Kage's, he didn't have much time to concern himself with anything of the romantic variety. That is not entirely true, his brain traitorously supplied, there is a certain redhead you can not seem to stop thinking about. Lee felt his face ignite in a furious blush once again. He was most definitely not ready to explore that train of thought. When Sai's voice cut through the air Lee readily accepted the much needed distraction.

"What did I say, Itachi likes to tease," the pale male chuckled emotionlessly, fake smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Expect more of that in the future. The more he likes you the less boundaries he has."

"Yosh! I will be sure to prepare myself for any teasing he may do in the future," Lee promised seriously, mock saluting to complete the vow.

Sai patted the space beside him on his bed, a silent invitation for the teen to sit down.

"So what did you think of my method?" Sai asked as Lee made himself comfortable.

"At first I was very nervous," the younger answered honestly after a moment of consideration, "I had only told you and Gai before and, although you both were very accepting, I did not know what to expect from the others…"

Lee worried his friend's blanket between his tan hands, head tilted down and gaze focused on his actions. "I….I still have not informed any of my close friends about…my orientation," he quietly confessed after several minutes of silence. "Ever since I told Gai, it has been my desire to tell them, truly it has…but I could not help but think of them rejecting me. I am still afraid that they will find me d-disgusting. But I have been so lucky recently. Everyone has been so kind to me and I have never felt more comfortable or safe," a small smile tugged at the dark haired male's mouth as he finally looked his friend in the eye. "You gave me the push I needed, and for that I am truly thankful my friend."

"Anytime Lee," Sai answered sincerely, his stoic expression soft and open. "For what it's worth, I think you should have some more faith in your friends. Not everyone's going to mistreat you, trust me."

"I am finding that that is becoming more true as the days go on," Lee laughed softly at his friend's advice. "You are right, my friends are all wonderful people and I must not doubt their affections for me any longer," he nodded to himself as he clenched his fist. "I will tell them tomorrow or I will learn every routine at Paradise!"

"Let's not get carried away now, shall we?"

*~~Timeskip~~* *~~Timeskip~~*

Despite Sai's warning, Lee organized a get together with all his friends for the following afternoon. He had still been riding the high he had received from telling his coworkers, and so felt confident that this was the best plan of action. He had texted the group before he went to bed, informing them that he had some wonderful news to share with them and he would be most grateful if they could all get together to share in this delightful event. The young male had confidently left the next day as well, giving everyone a parting hug and thanking Gai profusely for everything he had done for him. He felt practically invincible. Today was going to be one of the best Lee had ever had, he was sure of it. Nothing could stop him!

Maybe it was unwise to say that so soon, he lamented as he stood outside Naruto and Sasuke's large house, shaking slightly as he wiped clammy hands on his worn jeans. He had been fine until the looming mansion had come into view. Then he had begun to panic. His thoughts had slowly spiralled from I am so happy that I am finally telling my friends something so important to me, to, I really hope that they do not hate me forever after this. He just was debating whether or not to book it and tell his friends that something had come up, when the front door opened to reveal Naruto's familiar face.

"Come on Bushy Brows, you know you can just come in!" the blonde admonished as he yanked Lee inside. "Everyone's waiting, Tenten brought snacks and everything!"

Lee's voice stuck in his throat as the hyper male rushed them up the stairs, his panic steadily rising with every step. He could barely hear a word of what the other male was chatting about, he was too focused on the alarming thumping of his own heart that seemed to have relocated to his ears. I should have listened to Sai, was the constant mantra running through his mind. They reached Naruto's room in what felt like a blink of an eye, much too fast in Lee's opinion, and Naruto unceremoniously threw open to door. The comfortable chatter halted at their arrival, dashing Lee's hope that they had forgotten about his message. All of them had gathered in a tight circle on the Blonde's floor, something they did when they were expecting to have a long conversation. Lee was certain his heart had stopped. The last time we sat like this it was because I was leaving Saint Kage's, he fleetingly thought.

"Come over here Lee," Tenten instructed as she gestured to the empty space beside her.

"Well actually I—" Lee stopped himself before he could make a flimsy excuse, biting his bottom lip roughly in the process. "Y-Yosh."

He made his way across the small formation, avoiding the eyes he could feel focused on him. He sat down gently, trying to prolong the inevitable, before he finally looked at all of his friends. However, everyone seemed to have relaxed, returning to their previous conversations as they passed out the snacks the brunette had brought.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Tenten asked lightly, not quite picking up on Lee's turmoil as she opened a bag of chips. "It seemed like you had something exciting to talk about!"

"I-I…um I guess…it is…exciting, that is," he finished lamely, cursing himself for slipping up so bad. He had been given a rare opportunity when Tenten didn't immediately drill him when he sat down and he had destroyed his only chance of using it. He knew Tenten would notice his odd behaviour. She never missed a thing when it came to his emotions.

"Woah, are you okay Lee? Did something bad happen?" That seemed to be enough for everyone to once again stop what they were doing and focus on Lee.

"N-No! Nothing bad happened at all, in fact everything has been splendid and I have been enjoying myself so very much!" he quickly denied, getting more flustered as he continued to rant, "I had a lovely time with my coworkers yesterday and had the most delicious curry I have ever tasted in my life, and did you know that if you wash carrots under—"

"Okay I get it, yesterday was a good time for you, what's going on?" Tenten interrupted, eyebrows scrunched in concern.

Lee could feel himself break into a cold sweat, his hands even more clammy than when he had been dumbly standing on Naruto's front steps. He knew, beyond a single doubt, that every one of his friends was staring intently at him now. Lee could feel their eyes burning his skin, making him shiver at the intensity of their gazes. He wanted nothing more than to get up and run until his legs gave out on him. Maybe I can, he began to convince himself, I would only have to get past Hinata and she does not have the best reflexes. If I just jump over her—. Lee's phone trilled softly indicating he had a text. Looking down at the device he had placed in front of him, the screen flashed to briefly display the message he had received.

'Good luck' —Sai

The dark skinned male felt himself inexplicably relax at the simple words of encouragement. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes tightly. I can do this.

"I-I do have something I would like to tell you, "He began, still not looking at the group of people he considered to be his closest friends. "I w-will not ask you to promise me anything because it is not fair of me to do so, but I hope that you will at least listen to everything I have to say."

"Jesus B.B, it sounds like you're about to tell us you're dying or something!" Naruto joked, trying to break the tension.

"Y-you aren't really d-dying, are you?" Hinata looked on the verge of tears.

"NO!" Lee half shouted half gasped as he awkwardly lunged himself forward to grab the purple haired girl's hands. "I AM MOST YOUTHFUL AND WILL LIVE FOR A VERY LONG TIME!"

Tenten started to laugh uproariously at the ridiculous turn of events, everyone following soon after. Even Lee couldn't stop the steady chuckles that joined in the din. Straightening back up, he relaxed his body the best he could as the laughter dissipated. Everyone waited patiently as Lee took a few more calming breaths before speaking once more.

"I have been wanting to tell all of you this for a very long time, but I did not know how until recently," he explained, voice wavering slightly as his nerves began to catch up with him. "I…that is…well I am…I…am—"

"Gay," Gaara's gravely baritone supplied.

The room went completely silent.

Yes I left you with a cliff hanger.

Not updating in forever and then doing this, I'm just horrible.

Oh and I felt that I should just clear something up about the previous chapter because it seemed like some people thought my treatment of Lee coming out was harsh. When I wrote Lee "practising" coming out in that manner it was not meant to be a blanket guide on how to come out. I personally believe that Lee is the kind of person that needs to be pushed to do things; if he has some sort of motivation then he feels like what he's doing must be accomplished. So Sai knowing this gave a challenge to Lee that he could accomplish in a safe environment with people he trusts. I would also just like to say that I know someone who the only way they could come out was when asked upfront. It gave them the courage to openly speak about it, and while this doesn't work for everyone it does help in some cases. Lee was at the point in my fic where he was comfortable with himself and wanted to speak openly about his sexuality but needed help pushing himself to that place. Hopefully that clears up some misunderstandings.

As always comments are greatly appreciated and I hope you enjoy!