Being Watched Part 2

"You alright, Lee?" Tenten asked. She was sitting with Neji on the ground. They both were watching Lee, who's had a distracted look on his face all day long. He was doing his hand stand push ups and was now just standing there, on his hands, staring at the ground. "You've been lacking your usual youth spirit."

"Sorry. I have been distracted," Lee dropped his body down, swung his legs out in front of him, then crossed them and sat down on the ground, looking at his friends.

"Is this about Riku?" Neji asked.

"It is," Lee nodded as he looked down. "I would really like it if she came to train with us and, of course, to meet everyone. But her uncle is being so stubborn. She agrees with him and she does not wish to meet anyone. However, I believe deep down that she wishes to leave that house for a while."

"She's just scared, Lee," Tenten said. Lee raised his eyes back to her. "From what you've told us about her, she seems to have lived a very sheltered life and when she does meet new people they always treat her like she's carrying the plague."

"But you would not treat her like that," Lee replied.

"Of course we wouldn't, Lee," Tenten said. "We would love to meet…"

"Uh," Lee suddenly threw up his head.

"What is it, Lee?" Neji asked noting a slight touch of fear in his friend's eyes.

"She is in trouble!" Lee shouted as he jumped up and bolted back to the village. Tenten and Neji jumped up and followed their teammate.

…..

Riku watched as this person was almost on top of her. She tired to forced her mind not to think about what this person was planning on doing to her. The sound of Lee's voice calling her name washed a flood of relieve over her. Suddenly the person was gone, just gone. Lee's thundering foot step raced up the stairs, followed by other foot steps. "Riku!"

Lee kneeled down and lifted Riku up just as she regained control of her body. "L-Lee…someone was in here."

"Another hallucination?" Lee asked.

"No! Someone was in here," Riku insisted.

"Hm…Byakugan!" Neji quickly scanned the area and noticed that someone was indeed standing in the hall. He instantly went on the attack.

"N-Neji?" Tenten asked as Neji rushed passed her and did a round house kick to what appeared to be thin air.

"Someone is here!" Neji shouted as he continued his attack on his unseen foe. Tenten stood ready to attack, even though she couldn't see the enemy, while Lee remained holding Riku. They watched as Neji followed whoever down the stairs and outside. Tenten followed Neji, leaving Lee alone with Riku.

"Riku, are you alright? Are you hurt?" Lee asked as he looked her over for visible wounds.

"I'm fine, L…"

"What are you doing to my cousin?!" The two looked up to see Daichi standing there.

"It's alright, Daichi," Riku said as stood up with Lee's help. "Lee was just protecting me."

"There was an intruder," Lee started to explain.

"I see an intruder alright. And you're only wearing a that?" Daichi frowned at the young ninja and his cousin wearing nothing but a towel. Riku's cheeks flushed as she clutched her hand on her towel to make sure it didn't fall.

"Daichi, it's not Lee. There was…"

"Well, whoever that was they're gone now," Tenten said as she returned with Neji.

"Huh? You mean there really was someone?!" Daichi asked a bit stunned.

"That is what we have been trying to tell you," Lee said with a nod. "But first let's get Riku dressed."

Lee put his arm around Riku's waist and began to usher her to her room. A hand reached out and grabbed the collar of his flax and tossed him to the other end of the hall. "You're nuts if you think I'm gonna let you go into my cousin's room!"

"Whoa! Nice throw!" Tenten blinked as Daichi remained in his tossing position. Lee sat up and frown.

"What is with this treatment?! I did not wish to harm her! I only wished to make sure she was safe!" Lee protested.

"Sure you did! You pervert!" Daichi screamed.

"Lee maybe many things, but a pervert is not one of them," Neji said calmly.

"Why would you even think of someone like me as a pervert?! I am a man of honor!" Lee replied.

"Lee, think about it. I'll go in with Riku and make sure she's safe," Tenten sighed before turning to a blushing Riku and guiding her into her room. Lee thought for a second before the light came on in his mind and he blushed bight red. Tenten sighed at her dimwitted friend before stepping inside the room and closing the door behind her. "You idiot."

Tenten first checked out the closet then under the bed. Once she gave the all clear, Riku stepped over to her closet and pulled out some clothes. "Did you see who your attacker was?"

"No. I was, um, paralyzed. I couldn't move," Riku's voice was low as she put on a simple gray shirt and matching shorts.

"It's ok, Riku. Lee told us everything about you. He's a bit concerned," Tenten chuckled. "But that's Lee for you. He's aways a bit pushy."

"Uh huh," Riku mumbled.

Tenten sensed Riku was uncomfortable with this so she walked over to the window and peered out of it. "You have a nice view of the village here."

"It's a nice view of the sun setting too," Riku said as she finished getting dressed and grabbed her hair brush. Once done, the girls stepped back out into the hall. The boys were standing around, looking a little bit on the serious side. "Daichi?"

"Riku," Daichi turned to his cousin.

"What's going on?" Riku asked.

"I'm going to talk to my father."

"Ok?"

"About you exercising with Lee and his friends."

"Huh?!" Riku's eyes widened. "Daichi…I don't think that."

"No," Daichi raised his hand to silence her. "You need to get a hold on things. We're not always going to be able to be there to protect you. Tonight proved that. And…And I believe Lee has proven himself. He does not wish to hurt you in any way. I trust him and his team."

Riku blinked in confusion. She turned her eyes from her cousin to Lee. Lee gave her two thumbs but and his typical smile. "Uncle is not going to be happy about this."

"Leave him to me," Daichi nodded. "If anyone can get him to change his mind it's gonna be me!"

"We should go now," Neji said then headed for the stairs.

"We'll see you later, Riku!" Tenten waved as she hurried up to catch up with Neji. "I hope you get to come to our training grounds!"

Daichi followed them, leaving Lee alone with Riku. Riku stood there, a bit confused about this whole thing. She was brought out of her thoughts as Lee wrapped his arms around her. "I am so glad you are not hurt."

She was a bit stunned at Lee's reaction but slowly raised her hands and grabbed onto his flak.