~Spring~

By EmotionalRockfish

-Story Details-

Description: It's spring and the village hidden in the sand is holding their annual spring dance in honour of the season. So it's a no brainer that the leaf ninja's who's almost as youthful as spring itself, Rock Lee, is chosen to attend alongside the Hokage her soon to be successor. But what will happen when the Kazekage takes a seemingly sudden interest in the taijutsu master?
Pairings: LeeGaa/GaaLee
Disclaimer: The characters that appear in my writing are the intellectual property of their respective owners, and in no way belong to me. I make no money from the writing of this fan fiction.
Story Rating: Mature 18+ (NC-17, R)
Warnings: Explicit Content, such as sex and sexual themes. Includes or includes mentions of homosexual relationships. See individual chapters.

-Chapter 1: The Arrival-

Chapter Rating: G
Published: 22nd June 2014
Last Updated: -

Author's Comments: I've been working on this fan fiction for a long time now. It was originally meant to be just a one-shot and I had written it as such, but it developed into a novel-length monster that's taken up all my time. As a result I've split it into chapters. Chapters will be released as I edit them to fit the new style and at this point I haven't finished the whole story yet either. This chapter is rather short as it's more an introduction than anything else.

Spring.

As Lee trails behind the Hokage, through the maze of twisting hallways that belong to the Sunagakure Administrative Building, that's what's on his mind.

Such a stunningly vibrant season, filled with so many magnificent wonders. The very essence of youth itself! A time of new life, joy, and tremendous delight; of blooming flowers and fresh grass. Though as quickly as a breath on glass, it fades, as even youth itself must. Unlike a person's youth however, spring comes about every year, and it never truly disappears.

And that is why Lee considers spring to be important. Very important. So much so that the Handsome Green Beast considers the season to be his favourite time of the year, and while he says that about everything, this time he is serious.

Yes, Lee adores spring with his entire being, his eager heart cherishing such a youthful season with all the passion it can muster.

Second to his precious Sakura-chan, of course!

Lee could never love anything as much as he does his darling cherry blossom, but the feelings he holds are similar, and in a way even his cherished Kunoichi is a part of spring. Such a cute girl with hair the hue of blooming cherry blossoms, and Lee guesses that is why he loves her so.

The spandex clad ninja's devotion is nothing new. Not at all! Everyone in the leaf village knows just how much he and his sensei worship spring. From the moment the first spring flower blooms, bright grins are plastered on their faces, and their youthful speeches seemingly get longer and more frequent, if that is even possible.

That being said, it makes perfect sense that the fifth Hokage would select Lee to accompany her to the annual Sunagakure Spring Festival, given his appreciation for the season.

In fact, he has been assigned as her bodyguard, along with Naruto-kun of course; lady Tsunade would never miss the chance to teach the blond even the tiniest thing about diplomacy. Lee's even marked off the two weeks for the trip on his calendar and he's has been counting down to it with almost child-like anticipation.

You see, the eagerly anticipated season of spring has just begun, much to the ebony haired boy's delight. While he will miss sitting under colourful cherry blossom tress and lying on fresh grass, something about the barren desert in full bloom fascinates hm. So of course, his answer to the Hokage had been an enthusiastic cry of agreement, and he hasn't regretted the decision since.

As Naruto manages to catch up to the spandex clad man, he realizes just how caught up in his thoughts he has become. Multitasking has never been one of Lee's better skills, unless it happens to involve taijutsu. With a dumbfounded expression on his face, the leaf ninja stops his listless ambling and gets a move on.

Lee isn't content with walking, however, and the grainy detail of the paved floor beneath his feet begins to slip away in a blur of uniform colour, the sandstone grid melting away in his sight.

Leaving his friends in the trail of his youthful spirit, the taijutsu master reaches the door sooner than he expects, and with his mind elsewhere, most likely concerned with lovely thoughts of spring, his body manages to collide with something hard. Whatever it is, it's still standing, which an accomplishment in itself. As Lee opens his eyes, he notices that the sandstone surface is in fact a door, the painful edges of its intricate carvings pressing into his cheek.

It's not until he peels himself from the door that Lee hears the melodic tune of music emerging from the room behind it, and the leaf ninja knows he has found the right place. For a while he is pleased with his achievement, a proud grin illuminating his face, but when he realizes that the only thing left to do is wait for his teammates, his face falls.

So he does the one thing he can; boast to the other members of his squad.

"Tsunade-sama!" I have found the party!" The spandex clad man exclaims at the top of his lungs, hoping that the others manage to hear him, even if they've managed to disappear from his sights, "I can hear the youthful sounds of a joyous celebration inside! Please do hurry so we can join in!"

The only reply the leaf ninja receives is his own echo, but in time he can spot two very familiar figures approaching, and patiently, he waits for them to reach him with a smug grin twisting its way onto his face.

When Naruto is close enough to tell the difference between Lee's eyebrows and caterpillars and, as he spots that awfully proud grin of on his face, the blond sends a silent glare in his direction.

"Bushy brows... you're so loud..." An exhausted Naruto scowls, giving a sigh as he inspects the large door before them and, rolling his tired eyes, gives it a knock, "Eh, you might be right about that though," Then turning to the Hokage, "Tsunade-baasama, I think we're here."

At that, the clearly unamused leader approaches the entrance herself, cautious that her idiot bodyguards might be sending her to the wrong place, and with an ear against the awfully cold surface, she gives a silent nod. Her agreement is as reluctant as her hangover is obvious. However, that doesn't stop Lee from celebrating his efforts, and loudly nonetheless.

"Yosh! I told you I could find it!" The leaf ninja shouts in triumph, merrily fisting the air with all his youthful energy and, from his excitement, one might think there had been a contest or something. Well, there hadn't been.

Ignoring the green one, Tsunade knocks on the door herself and her harsh thuds, laced with frustration, leave just the tiniest cracks in the surface of the sandstone door.

She must be pissed, thinks Naruto, because even Lee's thick skull hadn't been enough to leave a mark on that door.

The Hokage has been drinking. All during their trip to be exact, and while the leaf ninja would have said something before they arrived were he a braver man, something that might have convinced her to put down her sake bottle earlier, even he knows that there is no separating the mighty slug princess from her alcohol. It's because of her that they're late to the celebrations and Lee, who usually likes to come early, doesn't like being late. Not at all. He just hopes the Kazekage understands.

Rusted metal hinges screech painfully and Lee knows from the sight of the well dressed celebrants within that he is out of place in his simple spandex suit. He hasn't even been given the chance to change. Their penetrating gazes glue to the entering late-comers and the leaf ninja isn't sure if it's the moaning doors that catch their attention, or just him.

Not that he minds being noticed; had he had a choice, he'd have chosen his trusty spandex over anything, being appropriate for any occasion. Someone once told him he was a melodramatic attention seeker, but that doesn't bother him.

Probably Gaara, now that he thinks about it.

Ah yes, the red headed Kazekage.

As Tsunade strides in as if she's not two hours late, with Lee and Naruto lingering behind in almost timid manner, the leaf ninja manages to pick the young Kage out of the crowd almost instantly. He's excusing himself from a conversation to greet his new guests when Lee does, and from the hurry in his stride, they must be very important guests.

That hair, a vibrant crimson the colour of roses, has some use after all.

The leaf ninja can't help but smile when he sees Gaara meet his gaze. It's because of him that the taijutsu master is even here. Had they not been exchanging letters, Lee just might have passed up such a wondrous opportunity.

The two friends have been writing letters to each other for a few years, and even now, it surprises the leaf ninja that the Kazekage manages to find the time to reply. And as quickly as he does, scribbling down a much brisker response to the leaf ninja's nonsensical ramblings in that wonderfully cursive handwriting of his. It's quite heart warming that the aloof leader even bothers to him updated, and Lee awaits the letters with child-like anticipation every week.

Usually lines of formal Kazekage-stuff bury the contents of the red head's letters, with only the smallest mentions of his personal life ever included. But lately, the Kazekage had been mentioning a certain something quite frequently as the ebony haired boy's favourite season inched ever closer.

The Annual Sunagakure Spring Dance, the very same dance that the leaf ninja has just arrived at.

From the moment one steps foot in Suna, it is painfully obvious how lavishly they celebrate the season. Spring is such a joyous time in what would usually be a lifeless desert and one that the land of wind spares no expense for. It is when the usually hostile cacti adorn themselves with newly bloomed flowers and the inhospitable desert planes seem full of life. And, in what is considered a tradition, the sand village holds an annual festival each year; including the ever-popular dance that the Kazekage seems so taken with.

Lee isn't as thick as everyone likes to believe. Well, just barely. He is familiar enough with the Kazekage to know that if he wants you to know something, he makes sure you do, however bluntly he goes about it. And he never mentions anything as much as he does that dance.

As for why, the leaf ninja has no clue. It isn't like Gaara to take an interest in dancing, much less attending any sort of celebration. His last birthday party had been proof enough of his disdain for them.

The dance itself is more diplomatic than it is celebratory, with huge numbers of diplomats from countries Lee has never visited attending, their varying complexions a stark contrast to the typical tanned skin of the regular desert dweller. The Hokage had warned him not to do anything stupid, even if she had just made a spectacle of her lateness, for that very reason. Amongst that, Lee had also been informed of the dancing, and being told of that aspect the leaf ninja's face had lit up immediately; after all, he loves dancing.

Gaara however, really doesn't, and that is why the leaf ninja has no idea why he would want to attend this ball at all. It is just so odd...

Especially since the letters had stopped when Lee, curious, had asked Gaara if he intended on bring a special person along with him.

But Lee shrugs off his doubts in favour of simply believing that the Kazekage has opened his mind to more varied activities, for which he is proud of the young man. And after all, he is the Kazekage. Organizing a whole celebration has to take up quite a lot of a person's schedule, that's probably why Lee has been getting no responses. The leaf ninja is just thankful that he gets to see the sand ninja again in person.

"Lee-san, Uzumaki-san..." The sand ninja greets the two after shaking the Hokage's hand, his once impassive scowl widening into the smallest of smiles. The Kazekage's mint coloured orbs light up with a hint of joy as they glance over the bowl cut ninja, and his gaze lingers on that odd looking face for a few more moments than they should have.

"Hey, red head!" Naruto beams brightly, walking over to his friend and giving the young leader a casual pat on the back; he has of course no regard for the other man's ranking, and his invasive touching is met with a sinister glare, "Nice party you've got here, but where's the food? You wouldn't have any ramen would ya?" Of course the prospect of food is the first thing on the blond's mind, but Gaara crushes his hopes with a swift shake of his head.

"I apologize, Naruto-san, but there is no ramen," Gaara states bluntly, and the words have an underlying malice to them, an addition that confuses Lee, "However, I am sure you will find something you like at the buffet table to the left."

Surely enough the blond doesn't have to be told twice and, with bright eyes, he runs off without a word. Even Gaara gives a small chuckle as the orange clad shinobi sprints off, a pale hand raised to his mouth in an attempt to conceal the action. Lee is still standing besides his Hokage however, refusing to leave her side until she dismisses him herself, but his focus seems to shift to the amused red head uncontrollably.

"Is he always like this?" The sand ninja queries softly, his black rimmed eyes following the Uzumaki's movements until he could no longer be seen amongst the crowd, "It seems it has been such a long time since we last met, but I do not recall him being so eager to indulge. You haven't starved him have you now, Hokage-dono?" With an unamused blink, Tsunade sneers.

"Trust me; that boy could eat an entire ramen shop out if he wanted to..." The irate leader responds in a bitter mutter, with no time for idle conversation. Gaara merely nods in acknowledgment, and he seems glad that the blond is gone, before focusing on Lee with that unblinking stare of his, this time laced with question, and a sense of faint interest showing through.

"You came..." The red head hums softly, as if pleased, and Lee gives a nervous grin back, "You should probably join the Uzumaki before he gets himself in trouble; I'm sure the Hokage wouldn't mind at all." The offer is met with an agitated look from the blond, who obviously does mind.

"I could not, Kazekage-sama!" Lee refuses the invitation to slack on his important mission instantly, not even thinking about leaving the side of his leader, "My mission is to guard Hokage-sama, and I will not fail! Besides; I have not asked you how you are yet!" Gaara is confused for a moment, but it takes the young Kage a while to understand what exactly his friend means.

"Oh..." The former Jinchūriki murmurs softly, and he seems a bit embarrassed that he hadn't caught on; his gaze however, does not leave Lee, "If you must know, I am doing well. The village is peaceful, and leaf-sand relations are better than they have ever been. May I ask how you are?" The interest in the red head's eyes flares, and it is clear that he is sincere in his question.

Gaara never really did see the point in small talk, and that's why Lee takes a while to absorb the question. He's bewildered by that fact that the Kazekage wants to know how he is. The Kazekage, of all people. It might just be that he's had some extra etiquette drilled into him, but usually he's only this nice to Naruto. Nonetheless, Lee is happy to have someone interested in his life for once, and it certainly is a pleasant surprise for the red head to be that someone.

"Oh Kazekage-sama, I am just wonderful!" The taijutsu master exclaims giddily, ready to burst into a full speech about the joyous wonders of spring, "I never knew the desert of all places could be so full of life and youthful! Then again, Gai-sensei did tell me not to judge a book by its cover, and this is a prime example! Oh I will have many stories to tell my friends when I return! I bet they did not even know a cactus could bear such a beautiful flower as it does!" The sand ninja even gives a light-hearted chuckle at his friend's ramblings. He seems uncharacteristically happy for once. Well, happier than usual, but Lee always knew there was a smile hidden under that emotionless mask!

"Lee-san, it is great that you are enjoying your visit. If you and your friends need anything, do not hesitate to ask," Gaara replies with a brisk nod, and though the offer sounds questionable with a subtle twinkle in the red head's eye, Lee doesn't question it, "Now, if you don't mind, I am needed elsewhere. Hokage-dono and I must discuss the plans for her speech tomorrow, and your lateness means I have less time to do so."

Tsunade frowns at the idea of spending the afternoon with the emotionless Kazekage, but at least he is a man of few words, and even better, he's managed to rid her of those two nuisances already. The less annoying ninjas the better, she thinks to herself, accompanied with an amused snort.

"Kid, go enjoy yourself with blondie," The slug princess mumbles, dismissing the taijutsu master with a wave of her hand; not long after she has her aching head in her hands again, "I don't think I can stand you any longer..."

With a bow and a salute to his honourable leader, Lee focuses on the Kazekage.

"Gaara-sama, we will talk another time! I do not wish to impose on your time with the Hokage!" The leaf ninja shouts before he salutes the young leader. The red head gives an awkward smile at this and the faint hints of embarrassment fill his cheeks as an apologetic guilt taints his gaze. It seems he doesn't like forcing Lee to leave.

"I am sure we will, Lee-san," The red head murmurs with a brisk nod of acknowledgement, "I will be sure to find you as soon as I am done with your leader, I promise." And with that, the two Kages make their leave.

Lee sighs the moment they disappear beyond the crowd and he is left in his lonesome. A part of him feels unwanted, that after all this effort, even his leader doesn't need him. But the leaf ninja supposes she really doesn't need him by her side; she is the Hokage after all, and fully capable of protecting herself.

Pondering this, his stomach growls, but Lee isn't hungry and he instead wonders off to observe the graceful dancers in the middle of the ball room, the clicks from their heeled shoes ring through the room as their feet meet the surface of the polished floorboards. The food sure smells nice, Lee thinks to himself as he watches the dancers with interest, the lovely aroma of foreign dishes filling his nose, but he's eaten already and if he must waste his time, then he'd rather waste it watching something beautiful.