A/N: Lee is finally getting his mates! Though one is still questionable… Also, here is an early update!
And as always, how is everyone liking this?
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Italics are flashbacks and thoughts to oneself
Bold is Demon's talking
Bold Italic is the demon holders talking back to the demons
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Disclaimer: Is Lee getting chased by Seme's that want him as their Uke? No? Then I don't own Naruto.
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Title: Ikiryou
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Lee felt something hit the back of his neck just before he was going to bite Shikamaru. His eyes widened and he made to turn and hiss but his body suddenly failed him. He made a confused desperate sound as darkness began creeping into his vision. Just before he succumbed to the darkness, Lee heard Shikamaru.
"Don't worry, I'll keep you safe…"
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Lee woke abruptly. He didn't move or change his breathing at all, but it was like he suddenly came online. The last thing he clearly remembered was feeling pain in his stomach and seeing Naruto's horrified expression. Then it was just a blur of anger and need.
'…Mother? Do you…do you remember?' Lee asked quietly, hesitant.
'Shikamaru kept you in a possession. You broke out of it later and tried to give him the mate mark.' She answered after a few moments.
'Tried? I did not succeed, correct?' Lee felt his heart thump, hoping that he didn't. It would be wonderful to give Shikamaru the mark but he wanted it to be when they both wanted too. Not when Lee lost his mind and tried to force it.
'Do not worry Kitten, you did not.'
Lee took a deeper breath in relief then mentally nodded, 'Then where are we?'
'I do not know, but I had sensed the new Hokage's chakra before passing out. I am guessing she was the one to force us to sleep, and I do not feel any hostile's nearby. We must still be in Konoha.'
Lee joined Matatabi in searching. He subtly spread his chakra, using it like another sense. In his mind's eye, the layout of the room he was in became clear. He was in a small Spartan bedroom that only held a bed and a single closet. Past that, he let his chakra travel into the next room and quickly identified it as the Hokage's office where he could feel six different people. Lee finally pulled back his chakra and opened his eyes.
'Time to go out and face them.' He sighed mentally, feeling a bit guilty as he got off the bed.
'I am sure Naruto does not blame you, nor does Shikamaru.' Matatabi reassured her kitten as Lee looked down at the grey yukata he was wearing. She didn't speak of the way his stomach ached or that his head pounded with dark memory.
'I guess we will see.' Lee looked towards the door and straightened up after softly sighing. He padded his way over and opened the door, interrupting the mild argument that was forming in the other room. Tsunade, Shizune, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and Shikamaru all looked at him; it was all of team seven that spoke first.
"Lee!" The said then Naruto ran forward, stopping just before Lee.
"I-I'm so sor-" Naruto began but Lee held a finger to his lips.
"There is no need for you to apologize, Naru." Lee said with a little smile, "If I had been a real enemy, that is exactly what I would have wanted you to do. Only, if you do get a real enemy like that, do not hesitate. Aim for the heart, not the stomach."
Naruto looked simultaneously happy yet serious. He nodded but then a moment later, his expression fell and he leapt at Lee, hugging him tightly.
Lee held Naruto close, smiling as he rubbed the subtly shaking boys' back, "Shh, it is alright, I am alright, my sun." he whispered. His lips formed a smile though…for once in a long time, it was fake.
He felt so very tired…
Sakura and Sasuke stepped closer to Lee, both looking him over for any injuries. Sakura turned her gaze to Tsunade is silent askance and the woman smiled at her, making her sigh in relief.
Lee reached out and put his hand on Sasuke shoulder in comfort as his eyes roamed from Sakura to Tsunade then back again. He made a humming noise then said,
"Sakura…how good would you say your chakra control is?"
Sakura tilted her head curiously then said, "It's been called perfect, but you know that…"
"Yes…Tsunade-sama?" Lee looked to the Hokage and said, "If I might ask a favor…Sakura is a very special shinobi. One who reminds me of many stories I have heard…on the road."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes at Lee in thought, "…Is that so?"
Lee's smile stretched into a grin into a slightly painful feeling grin, "Yes. Think on it, please? I believe…that arrangement could be very beneficial."
Tsunade was silent as she looked at the pink haired girl in question. She saw Sakura's confused expression suddenly sharpen and something familiar enter her eyes as the girl stared straight back at her. Tsunade huffed a slight chuckle and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll think about it."
"That is all I ask." Lee bowed his head to the Hokage then looked at Naruto and moved his hand from the boy's back to his hair. He let his 'grin' fade as he stroked those blond locks and said, "Come now Naru, I am fine. There is no need to be so worried; I am not easy to kill."
Naruto hugged Lee tighter then finally pulled away after inconspicuously wiping his eyes. He nodded to himself then grinned at Lee, "Yeah, with our luck, you'll live no matter what!" He managed to say it as a joke yet a command at the same time.
Lee chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I have no plans to die before you become Hokage after all."
"Believe it!" Naruto grinned wider, giving Lee a thumbs up.
Lee chuckled again then turned his gaze onto Sasuke who was looking at him strangely. The Uchiha opened his mouth to say something but the next moment; he was subtly yanked back by a hand on his shoulder.
"Ignore it." Lee could hear Shikamaru whisper to Sasuke and Lee's lips turned in a tiny but real smile.
Of course Shikamaru would see and understand.
"Hokage-sama," Shikamaru suddenly said, standing straight and firm, "is there anything else you need of me?"
"No- actually, take Lee home and make sure he reaches home with no detours. That is all, you are dismissed." Tsunade said before looking at Team Seven, "You three are not, I wish to speak with you all privately."
Shikamaru and Lee bowed to Tsunade then left the room, Shikamaru's warm hand on the small of Lee's back. Lee smiled softly and slightly leaned into the touch. He closed his eyes for a few moments, his pounding headache calming slightly.
"How are you feeling?" Shikamaru asked quietly, absently rubbing his thumb against Lee's hip.
"Well enough…" Lee sighed, stepping a little closer to the Nara heir. He looked at Shikamaru to see the man staring at him from the corner of his eye. The slightly disgruntled expression on his boyfriends face made him giggle then give the information he knew Shikamaru wanted, "My head aches terribly but I will survive…letting go took…a lot out of me. I am a little strained right now."
Shikamaru nodded and silently moved his hand to Lee's hip to pull the boy against his side. He began rubbing his thumb against Lee's hip again, "I'll take care of you then." He said, tightening his grip just slightly, "So leave your care to me, okay?"
Lee blinked then smiled happily at Shikamaru. He leaned into Shikamaru's side, blushing softly, and nodded.
"Okay…please take care of me." Lee whispered, his heart beat quickening in his chest.
Shikamaru was so nice, it made Lee fall deeper into the emotion called love. At least, that's what Lee thought and hoped that it was. It was so similar to how he felt for Itachi that he knew he couldn't be wrong. Shikamaru was….perfect, to him at least. For right now, Lee knew he wouldn't mind giving up everyone but Itachi and Shikamaru. They had special places in his heart; and it felt like they would't leave him.
It was because of that, that Lee wanted to share more with Shikamaru.
Lee was brought out of his thoughts when they finally stopped. He looked up and saw that they were in front of his apartment door. He quickly took out his keys and unlocked the door. He squeaked as Shikamaru suddenly picked him up. Lee quickly wrapped his arms around Shikamaru's neck and looked at the shadow user, confused.
Shikamaru gave Lee a half grin and said, "I told you I'd take care of you."
Lee blushed then softly laughed, "That you did. Pray tell, what do you plan on doing now?"
"Well," Shikamaru began as he began walking to Lee's bedroom, "I plan to put you to bed then I'm going to get you dinner, which you will eat in bed cause I've officially put you on bed rest for the rest of the day."
Amusement danced in Lee's black pearl eyes, "Oh? You are going to get me food?"
Shikamaru looked away, his ears tinting red as he set Lee onto his bed, "…Cooking is troublesome."
"You do not know how do you?"
"…" Shikamaru didn't say anything as he pulled the covers out from under Lee and set them over the boy's legs. His ears burned as Lee began laughing but at the same time, his lips quirked into a half smile. He didn't mind Lee's amusement, it made him laugh, so it was worth it.
"I will cook for you one day soon, alright?" Lee said, smiling brightly.
"I'll hold you to that." Shikamaru said, looking back at Lee and staring for a few moments. He huffed a slight chuckle and leaned down, gently pressing his lips against Lee's. He pulled back and said, "I'll be right back." Then left.
Lee stared at the spot Shikamaru had occupied, slowly blushing. He looked off to the side, pressing his fingertips to his lips. Warmth made his cheeks pink and he felt his lips turn up in a sweet smile. He laid back, sprawling on his bed comfortably. He shifted, his borrowed yukata opening as he pulled his hair over his shoulder and undid the braid. He let his hair fall in thick waves around him.
A sudden clacking against his window startled him and Lee looked to see a familiar crow standing on his window seal. Lee's eyes widened and he shot from his bed, opening the widow quickly.
"Mr. Crow!" Lee said with a smile, holding out his hand so the crow could perch on it, "You are back! And with a note? Thank you!" He continued, noticing the note. His heart skipped in his chest and in his happiness he pressed a kiss to the crow's beak before taking the rolled up note.
It said:
-My Lee,
It hasn't even been a week yet but I feel like I must see you again. Two days from now, I'll be in Yume village. I will wait for you in Tsukino Bar from five to eight at night.
Please come.
Always yours,
Ita-
Lee held the note to his chest, already thinking of how to get to Yume without too much notice. It would take a day and a half, leaving him enough time to meet Itachi with plenty of time to spare.
"Thank you again..." Lee whispered to the crow again and the crow briefly pushed its head against his cheek. Lee giggled and gently kissed its beak again before saying, "I will see my Fallen One in two days. If you can tell him that, then please do."
The crow pushed off from Lee's hand and quickly flew away. Lee grinned, staring for a few moments before discreetly hiding the letter and getting back into bed. Just as he did, Shikamaru came in through the door, a bag in each hand. Lee blinked and tilted his head in question.
"I went back to the Hokage Tower and got your clothes back." Shikamaru said, holding up one bag before putting it down next to the closet, "And I got curry, medium spice."
Lee's eyes widened then he blushed. Another favorite, really, it was almost embarrassing how Shikamaru could find out such little things about him and make him feel fluttery in his stomach. He smiled and said, "Thank you, for the clothes and for the food...and for looking after me."
Shikamaru shrugged though his ears tinted red again, "...It wasn't that troublesome."
"High praise coming from you~!" Lee laughed, his lips forming a wide warm smile. He then shifted, putting his legs under him so he could eat comfortably on the bed. He pat the space next to him and said, "Sit, you will eat with me, yes?"
"Yeah, yeah." Shikamaru said, his tone bored but his eyes were warm and his lips were turned up in a half smile.
They ate together, making little comments and laughing quietly as they talked about the past. Lee spoke of his time traveling, before coming to Konoha –the good things that he remembered- and Shikamaru told Lee about a few of the things that happened before the Rookie Nine were Genin. As night descended, Lee took Shikamaru's hand and softly asked the boy to spend the night.
Shikamaru's ears burned and he felt his heart jump but he kept his expression as calm as he could. He nodded and removed his shirt, shoes, and pouch before slipping into bed beside Lee. He waited for Lee to get comfortable before slipping his arms around Lee and pulling the boy against his chest.
Lee felt his cheeks burn but he couldn't stop himself from smiling in glee. He brought his hands down to the arms around him and held them closer. His heart skipped as he felt Shikamaru burry his face against his hair.
'When we get back to Konoha, we should ask Shikamaru to become our mate.' Matatabi suddenly said.
'Yes. Before that, we will ask Itachi though!' Lee answered, excited by both thoughts. Then, for a moment, Kakashi flashed inside his head and he felt an anger and depression build inside him. He mentally shook his head, he would not think of that two-faced man!
Shikamaru's arms suddenly tightened around Lee and Lee felt Shikamaru's breath brushing against the back of his neck. It brought him out of his thoughts and made him smile again. He didn't need to think of that man. Lee had Shikamaru with him, someone who spoke of marriage when they were older.
'I want a happy ending Mother…do you think I will get one in the end?' Lee slowly asked, hopeful yet sad.
'Of course little one. No matter what, I will make sure that you get one.'
Lee smiled and pressed more against Shikamaru's chest, feeling happy with the reassurance.
'Thank you, Mother.'
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