We returned everything to their rightful owners, and in return (mostly because of their cute little faces) the people kindly donated small amounts of change, and at the end of the day it was a fair bit of money for the both of them.
They decided they would continue living in that small little... well I can't really call it a house, so I'll say shelter. Though, as I was waving goodbye, I felt irritated.
"You know what, I'll go find some help and we'll all rebuild this little place!" I explaim. The twins' expressions lit up.
So off I went, to find some helpers; and who would've guessed who was walking by (on their hands). TEAM GAI!
I didn't notice it, but a huge grin appeared on my face. "GUYS!" I call excitedly.
They all looked up, towards me. They all smiled, except for Neji, smiles don't suit him, he only twitched the corner of his mouth.
"SETSUKI-CHAAAAAANNN!" Lee cried out, as he almost tackled me to the ground. I could only laugh. I heard Tenten mutter something like 'chan' and 'first time that Lee said'. I ignored it.
"LEE!" I blurt out in fits of laughter, I don't even know why I was laughing. I was just happy I guess. Gai aboslutely refused to quit the handstanding.
I told them about the twins, and they agreed to help me. It was perfect, with Gai-sensei and Lee's strength, and spirit, we could repair the building in double- no, triple time!
It seemed more like a competition between myself, Lee and Gai-sensei on who could do the most work, Neji and Tenten just supplied water and played with the twins. Well, mostly Tenten. Neji kind of tried to wonder off several times saying something about needing to be elsewhere, but we didn't let him.
We managed to repair the building by evening, the place looked almost brand new!
With a huge high five amongst each other, we celebrated with a small feast inside, (which for some reason Lee was willing to pay for..) we had built wooden benches and placed them around a small fireplace, with cushions, and there we sat. Stuffing our faces uncontrollably, trying to get the last bite in. Even the twins showed a wild side.
Lee told me about his most recent mission, and the fact that he really hates cats. After hearing his story I doubted the scratches on his face were really from a grizzly bear...
"No no! I implore you! It was huge!" Lee made a gesture, reaching as high in the air as he could on his toes. "About this big, honest!"
"Lee you dreamt it." Tenten grumbled, sipping a bit of herbal tea she made.
"TENTEN! DO NOT DOUBT ME!"
"Oh I believe you Lee-san!" I say. He looks down at me with surprise, then collapses his legs to fall onto his butt, sitting in front of me again.
"R-really?"
"Yeah!"
"SEE TENTEN! SETSUKI-CHA- er... I mean... S-SETSUKI-SAN BELIEVES ME!" Lee's face may have gone a little red, but I thought it was from the fire in his eyes.
"Yeah yeah, you two will believe anything.." Tenten grumbled again.
Lee shook his head disappointedly, and faced me again, with his back towards the others. "Listen, Setsuki-san, I have something very very important I must tell you!"
"Oh? Wh-what is it Lee?"
Suddenly, everyone, especially Gai-sensei leaned in over us, with massive smirks that Jiraiya gets when he sees a naked girl...
Lee reached into the top part of his suit, searching for something. They began snickering and making 'eeee~' sounds. It got me clueless.
"I WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS RAMEN COUPON I FOUND ON THE STREET!" Lee shouted as he pulled out a coupon for Ichirakus; buy two get one free.
I smiled brightly as I took the coupon from him, with a thank you the guys all fell to the floor as if disappointed.
"It.. it's getting late!" Gai-sensei humbly said as he stood up, brushing some saw dust off him from the ground.
"THEN PLEASE ALLOW ME TO WALK YOU HOME SETSUKI-SAN!" Lee stood up in an instant, his arm making a perfect 45 degree angle in a salute.
I didn't think much of it as I stood up and brushed myself off.
"Sure!" I respond.
We say goodnight to the twins, and tuck them into their new beds then leave for home.
Of course Lee followed me home, and we walked side by side. But for the first time ever between the two of us, there was this awkward silence, that neither of us could get rid off.
Until I finally cleared my throat and spoke up.
"So.. how are things with Sakura-chan?" I inquire.
"O-oh! Sakura-chan! Yes! ... Well..." Lee's shoulders slumped sadly. His head drooped. "She still likes that Uchiha.. even though he's not even here anymore..."
"Oh.. well.. did you... think of getting her something like... um... flowers?" I inquire. "Flowers always cheer a girl up!"
"Cheer.. up?" Lee slowly raised his head, to look at me.
"Yes! What kind of girl doesn't like flowers! I know Sakura-chan does! She especially likes cherry blossoms! You could try getting her a bouquet! I can help!"
"Oh! You would? Thank you Setsuki-san!" Lee wrapped his arms around me tightly, I think I felt a tear hit my shoulder. "Th-this time, I cannot fail to win Sakura-chan's heart!"
Before I knew it, we were standing outside my house. I kind of felt disappointed, I actually really wanted to spend more time with Lee..
We said goodnight, and I went inside, changed and laid down in bed. Then one look at my broken window and I remembered that I had completely forgotten to see Lady Tsunade! I felt bad, what would Takashi do!? I promised him I would get another mission! I sat up. "I have to go see her! No matter what!"
I quickly rushed outside again and ran down the street, secretly hoping to find Lee aswell. And I did, Lee was walking down the same footpath, so I ran up behind him and tried to scare him.
"BAAH!"
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Lee cringed and cowered on the ground, huddled in a ball quivering. I couldn't help but laughh.
"Hehehe, Lee it's only me!"
"S-S-S-Setsuki-san!? Y-you scar- YOU DIDN'T SCARE ME AT ALL! AHA!" Lee jumped to his feet, his legs were shaking. "You'll have to do better than that to scare Konoha's Handsome Devil!" Lee ran his hand through his hair, making himself look rather.. charming. I avert my eyes and pretend I saw nothing. "Wait.. what are you doing out here Setsuki-san?"
"Oh.. I completely forgot I was meant to see Tsunade today! I was hoping.. maybe.. you could come with me?"
There was a slight pause that made me feel stupid for asking it, after all Lee was probably tired and just wanted to go home and sleep. "Actually don-"
"Of course Setsuki-san! I will come with you!"
A smile cracked open on my face.
Repeatedly I knocked on Tsunade's door, but no answer. I sighed and slid down the door, sitting on the ground.
"Aw.. don't give up Setsuki-san! I am sure we will find her!"
"Nah, don't worry about it. I'll just come see her tomorrow."
"Setsuki-san! I will help you find Tsunade-sama!"
I lift my attention to Lee, standing over me, holding a fist to my face, this thumb standing tall and strong in the air. When I turned my eyes to his face, I swear his teeth were gleaming. He opened his hand, to help me up. So I took his hand and he pulled me up, however he slipped on the rug, causing him to pull me a little closer than intended. He almost fell, but caught his own balance, I don't know how my head got on his shoulder, but it was there, my body pressed against his, almost like some sort of embrace. I could feel his tone.. muscular body against mine, his body heat... everything.. I could've cried, my stomach felt numb, I felt like I wasn't breathing, my body was extremely tense. My face burned, and my head felt light... extremely light... i couldn't see properly, I don't know what the feeling was.. Genjutsu perhaps? No.. it was something else.. something I've never felt before.. and the longer I stayed like that, the more Lee tensed. The fact that I wasn't getting off him, made the situation worse. But I felt.. embarrassed? Or.. maybe... too shy.. to move? No.. I was scared to move, scared of his reaction to this, but staying like this only frightened me more. My whole body went numb, my mind when blank and all I could see was black.
I woke up to the sound of a rooster chirping outside. I immediately sit up straight, I was in my bed. I look around, not remembering actually going to bed. Then I remembered last night! My face burned again, my stomach hurt, so I wrap my arms around it.
What happened to Lee? What exactly happened..?
I stayed swimming in my ocean of questions for at least an hour, until Takashi entered my room all of a sudden. "Setsuki? Oh you are awake.. what's wrong? You're not sick are you? You didn't get up as early as normal, I was worried."
"U-uh.. I'm okay uncle.."
"Oh? Why's your face red? You haven't caught a fever have you? You know the drill, cover your mouth, and sneeze in a tissue.." Takashi approached me, and put his hand on my forehead. "... Indeed you do have a temperature.. this is why you mustn't stay out so late with your friends, Setsuki, okay?"
"F-friend! Uncle, can you tell me what happened last night?" I ask, completely ignoring his statements. I stare eagerly and someone frightened toward him, and dreading the answer.
"Uh.. well your friend.. Rocky brought you back here last night about 11.. you were asleep, he said you had mysteriously fallen unconscious.."
"Wait.. 11? But it was only 9:30 when we went to see Tsunade!" I exclaim.
"Yes well, let me finish. He had spent all that time searching for Lady Tsunade for you apparently, and when he couldn't find her, he brought you home to me." He stopped to laugh. "He thought you had caught some sort of deadly disease, but you were only asleep."
"Did.. he say what happened when I 'Fell unconscious'?"
"Well, he said something along the lines of, you fell over and he caught you 'Heroically' then you passed out. Somewhat reminds me of your Hyuuga friend around that blondie."
"Y-yeah... okay.. thanks uncle!" I push him out of my room so I could get dressed, I didn't know why, but I suddenly felt happy. Happy that Lee devoted so much time into finding Tsunade for me, and that he brought me home.. but was he.. mad at me? I mean... he had to be.. right?