A/N ... Putting this up later than expected, started reading a fanfic called Child of War, is a KakuzuxHidan AU story and omg, it is seriously the most amazing fanfic i have ever read, 33 chapters (in counting) of pure awesome. You don't even need to like the pair to enjoy it, it is that amazing. Go read it or... or Hidan will sacrifice you to Jashin and Kakuzu will take your heart... just read it !
A harsh storm whipped through Suna, engulfing the village in wind and sand, scattering and smashing anything that wasn't secure, doors and windows shuttered violently, threatening to tear from their hinges. Suna citizen lay huddled beneath the covers of their beds listening to the angry elements beat against the side of their homes. The houses of Suna were built to withstand the dangerous storms of Wind Country but they still felt fearful knowing Mother Nature is not one to underestimate.
Throughout the village only one had ventured from the comforts of a bed, he stood before the window, shrouded by the darkness in the room, blue-green eyes watching the storm, though he saw nothing, not even the ledge just centimeters from the window he stood at, vision obscured by the sand storm he could still sense what was happening below him. Turning his head to the bed he gazed at the figure warped in the blankets, who now lay spread like a starfish under them, a small smirk lifted the red heads lips as something smashed into the side of the building and the sleeping one did not wake. He had been surprised to find Lee still sleeping deeply when the storm woke him, deciding to wait for the Konoha nin to wake he remained in bed longer but after it became apparent he was not going to stir he had crept out to stand at the bedroom window.
Turning back to focus outside he let his mind wonder, remembering when he was younger, how he would creep out and away from the safety of his home during sand storms….
Gourd strapped and sand amour thick against his body he leapt out his window into the killing storm. After hitting the ground he did not waste a second and began to run, sand and wind whipped around him, tearing at his clothing but never injuring him. Unseen he would past home after home running through the storm straight out the Suna walls into the heat of the storm. A wide smile graced his lips as the sand and wind lashed harsher now that no walls or buildings surrounded him. He was almost one with the storm. Looking back he could see faint lights shining weakly through, he always wondered why soldiers remained in the barracks during a storm, what could they possibly see? shaking his head he decided not to bother, it wasn't his problem, not yet anyway.
Fiddling with the cloth he pulled the gourd tighter to his back before running again, he needed to get further away from Suna before he could play. After awhile something would stir deep within him forcing him to stop, telling him he had gone far enough. With a slight tug the gourd would fall from his back and land behind him and stay there, holding out his arms wide he threw his head back and closed shadowed eyes letting the sand and wind bite at him, this was his element, this was the time they would play. He sighed deeply as the stirring within him became more eager. He gave in to it, listening as the chakra infused sand slithered from his gourd and started to take shape, he body convulsed violently as the sand amour rushed away from him to join the formation, slowly opening his eyes Gaara came face to face with a miniature Shukaku, coin like eyes stared in his, both mouths twitching into sinister grins. Yes, time to play. Gaara leapt back as sharp claws swiped at him. How he loved this game, the game that could only be played when the sand and wind blew at their harshest, with chakra infused sand he released part of the Shukaku into it and they would have their game, both ran and leapt through the sand, randomly attacking but never hurting one another, they would dance with the wind and strike with the sand till the Shukaku form collapsed and Gaara knelt in the sand panting with exhaustion. His bond and control over the Shukaku had been built from that game; his ability to wield its power without the fear of losing control came from the game.
Crimson head flew up suddenly as a loud crunch sounded to the right of him, realizing it was just something tossed by the storm he relaxed and return to staring out the window
"Gaara-sama, what is going on?"
Looking over to the bed he wasn't surprised to see Lee awake after whatever it was smashing into the outer wall.
"Just a sand storm Lee, nothing to worry about" he answered, looking back to the window
"Why are you looking out the window?" Lee's voiced sounded from beside him this time "There is nothing to see… besides sand"
Gaara smirked "Yes, I know, just thinking"
A warm hand and a gentle tug on his pale arm caused Gaara to look up to Lee who was smiling softly at him
"Come back to the bed, would you like to talk about it?"
After another gentle tug he followed the leaf nin back to the bed where they both laid down on their backs, arms behind their heads. Gaara shifted his eyes down as the brush of skin on his side got his attention, hairless brow raised as he noticed Lee was shirtless.
"When did you take your shirt off?"
Looking to Lee he wasn't surprised to see the older male blushing as he answered
"I woke up and it was too hot so I discarded it."
Nodding faintly Gaara looking up to the ceiling, he was quiet confused about how comfortable it was to lay in his bed with Lee next to him, the warmth radiating from the man next to him was familiar and made him feel safe, which confused him all the more. Tilting his head he looked at Lee who caught his gaze and quickly looked away blushing again.
Lee closed his eyes after looking away from Gaara, annoyed at how much he was blushing. He had been honest with Gaara and couldn't get over how easy it was to just lay with him like this. He wanted to do this all the time, his skin was so soft and warm his hands ached to touch it. Starting to feel awkward he thought up some questions.
"Gaara, how early is it? And will this storm last much longer?"
"It should be at least early morning, still dark outside and the storm, you never know" he answered
"Okay..." now what can he ask…
"Lee, are you honestly sure about this Shukaku thing?" Gaara suddenly asked, twisting his body to lay on his stomach, shoulder and head raised and supported by his arms bent at the elbows
Lee grinned at the sight of concern painted on the Kazekage's face "Gaara-sama I would never have offered if I was not 100% sure of my decision. I thought long and hard on it and it feels right to me."
Gaara nodded slowly then started to shift his body, pressing it closer to Lee's torso before stretching his neck to lay his head against the crock between Lee's neck and shoulder, he sighed deeply and shock his head against the cream-tan skin of the other
"I fear something will go terribly wrong, if not during the sealing but after, splitting a beast is highly experimental, it has only been carried out a handful of times and even then near to no data was recorded on the outcome" Gaara couldn't help but voice his concern
Lee removed an arm from behind his head and snaked it under Gaara's left shoulder and wrapped it round his back, he turned his head and rest it in the crimson hair, round eyes staring at the wall thinking deeply
"Everything will be okay Gaara-sama, we will be here for each other"
Younger male closed his eyes in content feeling the older smiling against his hair, a sigh still managed to escape his lips before both drifted back to sleep.
3 days later… again
Lee quickly made his way down the hall ways of the Kazekage mansion that led to Gaara's room, he wasn't sure if the younger wanted to see him but he would find out when he got there, he hadn't seen Gaara since the morning of the sand storm, the sand nin was gone by time he woke up and since then he had been pounced and held captive by Gai-sensei who refused to let Lee leave his side, going as far as forcing Lee to spent the night in his quarters "I want to make the most of these last moments" Gai-sensei had said to him, almost like Lee was dying which brought a frown to his face. Once everyone returned to Konoha and the other Jinchuuriki left for the island he would stay here for awhile longer for Gaara to watch over till he was satisfied he could return home. Lee's heart fluttered slightly at the thought of leaving Suna, something inside him did not want that. He wanted to stay with Gaara.
Finally reaching the correct door he opened it and smiled brightly as Gaara looked up at him from the book he was reading but quickly looked down feeling ashamed at his absences knowing very well Gaara had been inquiring on his where abouts after hearing things from Temari and Kankuro
"Gaara-sama I am sorry i…" he wasn't sure what to say
Looking up his eye widen in happiness as Gaara shifted across the bed exposing the spot he had occupied a few nights earlier. Slamming the door in excitement he kicked off his sandals and tore off his shirt and leapt on to the bed bouncing from the impact before stretching out and hooking an arm around the slim waist of the sand nin next to him, looking up Lee met the expressionless face of the Suna Kage causing himself to blush furiously at how silly he must of looked just then.
"It was that meddlesome mother hen again wasn't it?" Gaara asked, voice emotionless
Lee opened his mouth to protest at the name Gaara had given Gai-sensei but stopped himself as the other rested comfortable cross his chest and rest their head under his own
"Yes, it was Gai-sensei"
"I was going to personally come get you myself tonight if you did not show up" Gaara stated sounding irritated
"Aaaaaw, Gaara-chaaan, your are soo cu- OOF" Lee winced and rubbed his now bruising ribcage but soon started laughing loudly wrapping his arms around the sand nin's chest and waist pulling him closer so he could bury his face in the fiery locks
"Gee Gaara-kun, jab me in the ribs" the taijutsuist laughed into his hair
Gaara tried to hold his face straight but soon broke into a smile at the playful voice and laugher vibrating against his skull. After the laughter died down he lifted his book in an attempt to continue reading but failed, letting it drop to his side he sighed loudly, he had been doing that a lot lately.
"Gaara-kun?"
"They have decided on what is to be done if someone fails to gain control over their beast" he said
"Oh, have they?" Lee looked up from the hair he had hid his face in
"Mmm, failure to gain control to the required standard will result in the extraction of the beast which of course results in the containers death"
"What if control is gained and they return home but something happens, if they lose control?"Lee asked
"It will be evaluated, what caused it and everything, if it was an accident or something like that then they will be given another chance"
"And if…. If they kill someone?" Lee gulped
"They will be trialed, situation evaluated, who they killed, but I do not think another chance will be issued" Gaara confirmed
"Even if they are the enemy?"
"Well… everything has its exceptions" Gaara said with a smirk
"I can't believe it is tomorrow Gaara-kun, I am almost scared"
Lee hid his face in the crimson hair again not expected an answer from the other
Red and black heads turned towards the door as someone banged against it
"Gaara! Why is your door locked? Open up" came the shouts of his sister from the other side
"Temari, I always lock my door, you should know that" Gaara replied raising his voice to be heard
"Well… could you open up?" Temari demanded
"I am busy, what do you want?" he snapped back
"That crazy sensei of Rock Lee's is going mental, told us he hadn't seen Lee in hours, is he with you?"
"No" Gaara lied
"Gaara! You shouldn't lie" Lee frowned
"Shut up Lee" Gaara hissed at him
"What was that Gaara?" Temari asked
"Nothing" He lied again
"Well… okay then, will leave you alone" Temari giggled
Gaara cocked his brow at the giggle but ignored it
"Good night Temari" He said in a gentler tone
"Good night onii-chan" Her voice full of affection "Good night Lee" she quickly added before walking off laughting
"GOOD NIGHT TEMARI-CHAN" Lee shouted for her to hear and roared with his own laughter as the sound of a hand slapping on to a face echoed in the small room, nuzzling his face into Gaara's pale neck he kissed it softly
"You shouldn't lie Gaara-kuuun" he smirk
Gaara just frowned and blushed at the kiss glad he faced away from Lee.
A/N ... *mumble* ... you no the drill, review, inform of corrections if you want etc. Thank you to the readers ^_^