Rock Of Sand

A:N
Yes it has been awhile since i wrote and i apologize....but i stayed up from 1 AM until almost 8 AM
writing this chapter....LOL...i hope you like it.


When Lee woke up the next morning he sat up and grabbed his head. [What a headache.] He looked around and noticed he was in the hotel, naked and alone. He looked down his body and saw the bruising around his sensitive area. His eyes lingered on it as he got flashbacks of the night before. He couldn't put a face to his victim but he knew he'd done something wrong. He gathered his clothes and dressed before leaving.

Lee walked slowly to his apartment and stared down at the street. His usual energy seemed to be gone and he walked quietly. He kept trying to understand what he had done. [Who could...Who would have let me do such a thing while i was drunk?] Lee turned the corner to his street and stopped walking. He saw Temari and Kankurou standing at his door. He walked closer and looked at Temari's face. She seemed uneasy and full of worry.

"Temari-san what has brought you to my house this cold morning?" Lee asked unlocking the door and inviting the two sand ninja inside.

Lee, i don't mean to be a bother but Gaara has gone missing. He was suppose to meet Tsunade-sama and i an hour ago in her office but he never showed up. Its not like Gaara to be late for anything. Especially not something this important." The woman played with her fingers not knowing what to do about her missing brother.

"We were hoping he was with you. We don't even know where he was last night." Kankurou rubbed Temari's back and stared at Lee.
[FlashBack:]

"Lee...onegai...stop. You don't know what you're doing and you're hurting me."

[End FlashBack]

"I do not know where he is." Lee was shaking as the entire night started to become clearer to him. "I saw Gaara last night but i do not know where he has gone now." It was the truth and Lee wasn't one to lie. "If you will excuse me then i have a quick errand to run...make yourselves comfortable. I will be back shortly." Lee took off through the still open door. He ran all the way to Tower and into the hall where Tsunade and Ke'rai were have a conversation all to themselves.

"Tsunade-sama! Please forgive me for my intrusion but where is the Kazekage?!? It is very important i have a word with him!" Lee stood up straight showing no sign of exhaustion. He locked eyes with Tsunade.

"Gomen Nasai Lee, nobody can seem to find him. I decided to have a talk with Kirikage without him. I sent Temari-san and Kankurou-san to your house. We all thought if anyone, you might know where he was. I guess that's not true." Tsunade dropped her head and wondered if the threat that had brought Gaara from his land had gotten a hold of him. She shook her head and looked up at Lee. "It will be your assignment to locate The Kazekage. Now go, we have no time to waste." She pushed Lee out the door.

Lee thought hard as he circled the city quickly. He ran back to the hotel and throughout the halls he saw trails of sand that led from the room he had been in that morning towards the stairs and up to another level. He raised an eyebrow as he grains of sand stopped just short of a door on the third floor. He swallowed hard as he was about to knock on the door, but he heard a voice behind the polished wood.

"Don't bother knocking. I'm not going to let you in. Leave!" Gaara sat on the bed staring straight through the wall. He felt vulnerable and he was in no mood to move. "Leave." He whispered and the Jounin heard him loud and clear as if he had shouted from deep within his lungs.

"If that is what you wish then i will leave but your brother and sister are worried about you and Tsunade-sama wishes to see you." Lee got ready to turn away when he heard a soft whimper leave the room through the closed door. He wanted to go inside and hold the sand ninja but he bit his tongue and left. He knew Gaara wouldn't want to be near him, now...or ever again.



A few hours later Gaara sat in Tsunade's office with Ke'rai and his siblings. Lee lingered near the door with his head down.

"I think that it is very important that we understand the agreement." Tsunade began, "So its settled then, i'll send a citizen of Konoha to each one of your countries for a few weeks to see if we can get some information. These men will also escort you home and i hope that you would treat them with respect as if they were of your own village." Tsunade looked at Ke'rai. "Kirikage, i will send with you an excellent Jounin, Shikamaru." As she said his name the Shinobi fell in the room. Ke'rai nodded in agreement.

"Kirikage Ke'rai-sama." Shikamaru nodded to the man and stood behind Tsunade. Kakashi and Neji weren't present, they'd been both sent out on a mission earlier that morning.

"Kazekage-sama i send you with you someone i hope will be a dear friend and protector. I know of your troubles with people whom you do not know and so it is my choice to send Rock Lee."

The room cast a dark shadow and Lee looked up from his place at the door. Gaara's eyes sank back into his head. Fear crossed his mind over and over and he wondered if he would be able to handle this. He wanted to say something, object to her decision but he couldn't talk. His voice was simply gone and he worried that everyone would think it was okay with him.

"Uh, Tsunade-sama! Please reconsider. I do not think this is a wise decision!" Lee didn't move from his place at the door. He clinched his fists and kept his eyes low.

Gaara agreed but couldn't say anything. Inside his mind his inner self was going crazy. [What the hell is she thinking?!? Doesn't she know about our past? Doesn't she know that i want to kill him because of our present? DOESN'T SHE KNOW WE HAVE NO FUTURE?!?]

"Gaara-sama do you have any objections?" Tsunade raised her eyebrow.

Gaara stood still, shaking, arms still crossed, eyes still not seeing clear. He didn't answer her at all, just stood there looking into his own mind and screaming over and over. He thought about walking with Lee and talking to Lee, even sharing a house with Lee. He hated the idea of 'this' Jounin being within even two feet of him.

"Your silence leads me to believe that you do not disagree with my choice. You should leave while the sun is still high. I will be sending word in a couple weeks for the Jounin to return." She looked at Gaara who had no sign of any emotion on his face. She knew of his past with Lee and knew they were no longer friends. She hope she could change that. Gaara and Lee had been good friends and always made her smile.

Tsunade stood up pushing her chair back. "Kazekage-sama, Kirikage-sama, God's speed." The Fifth said and turned to leave the room.

Lee stood in front of the door and didn't move when she tried to get out. Lee stared at the floor collecting his words in his mind. He wanted to say so many things but he didn't want to be disrespectful. "Tsunade-sama i will accept this mission you have so kindly given me, but you do not know what you have done." He whispered quietly enough for only her to hear.

"I trust that you will take care of him. That is the only reason i chose you." She looked into his eyes and saw the boy she had healed so long ago. He had the same pain in his eyes and Tsunade began to wonder why he was so afraid of staying in Suna for a while. She sighed and put her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry so much, I'm sure he doesn't hate you.

[Do not be so sure. After what i did to him last night, it will be amazing if Gaara doesn't have me assassinated upon arriving in Sunagakure.] Lee thought as he stepped aside and let Tsunade walk out before Ke'rai and Shikamaru followed silently.

Temari and Kankurou began walking out but Gaara remained still. Temari turned back to go and talk to him but Kankurou pulled her out of the room and shut the door.

"What are you doing? You know Gaara doesn't approve of this, why won't he say anything?" She grabbed her brother by the collar and shook him not understanding Gaara's silence. She half looked like she wanted to cry and Kankurou suspected it was the pregnancy side effects causing her to be so emotional.

"Calm down Temari." He grabbed her arms and pushed her back a little. "I don't know why he's acting this way. Its not like he has much to say any other time. Maybe he was trying to be respectful of Tsunade-sama. Who knows?" He shrugged. "We're just going to have to keep a close eye on them both."

Lee looked up at Gaara who was eyeing him from across the empty room. Lee opened his mouth to say something but Gaara beat him to it.

"You won't talk to me." Gaara said firmly. He was surprised his voice had come back so strongly. He pulled a chair out and sat down with his arms still crossed. "Even if you do....don't expect me to listen to a word you say."

Lee pulled the opposite chair out and sat at the desk where Tsunade usually sat. He looked at Gaara. "Then, if i may have one word with you before our departure?" He put up one finger and frowned not knowing if the Kazekage would accept.

Gaara blinked several times thinking it over. He didn't want to hear Lee try and explain what had come over him the night before because he didn't want to remember how the Jounin had taken over him but, Gaara nodded anyway.

"Temari-san and Kankurou-san, i would like to send them ahead of us a day." He saw Gaara's eyes narrow and look specious. "This news that i was traveling to Suna with you is sudden. I cannot possibly leave today and be prepared to aid you if the need arises." Lee knew very well he was more than capable of leaving right then but he wanted time to explain to Gaara about what he'd done. He hope Gaara would fall for it.

"Why would you need to send those two ahead then? They can wait, just as i can." Gaara said not understanding.

"I know of the baby Temari-san carries. She id do very soon. I wish that she be safely in Sunagakure before the child decides to be born. Plus there is no need for her to be present if an attack is posed. Kankurou-san can take care of her.

Gaara somehow accepted the explanation of why Lee needed to wait another day. He seemed oblivious to the plot against him but he was drained and hadn't slept 'good' in almost a week. Five years ago that would have been nothing but, now that he had no endurance he tried desperately to keep himself awake for more than two days. "You won't talk to me." Gaara said again making it clear that he agreed but still didn't want Lee to say anything to him.

Lee nodded and stood leaving the room. "I will meet you at the gate upon sunrise." He said walking passed a very confused pair of Suna ninja.

It was dawn the next day and Gaara was posted up against the gate waiting for Lee. Gaara remembered clearly the entire night and tried to push it out of his mind but there was no use, it was haunting him and now he would have to spend three days in the desert with Lee, alone.
[You don't have to do this to me Lee. Just let me go, I'm begging you.] The plea plagued his thoughts and soon it was the only thing he thought about. Gaara closed his eye tight, he was so caught up with trying to find a way to erase this nasty memory that he didn't see Lee run up and stand right next to him.

Lee wanted to reach out and touch him but he knew better. He cleared his throat and slammed his foot on the ground. Gaara opened his eyes slowly as if he wasn't waiting for the Jounin. He turned his eyes to Lee as if he already knew he was standing there, blinked and began walking without saying anything.

[I wonder if it is going to be like this the entire way? I was hoping to talk to him and so we could clear all this up. He doesn't even understand that last night was an accident. I guess i better just keep my distance, at least for the first day.] Lee thought as he walked behind Gaara, wishing he could take back the last two days and wishing he hadn't decided to walk to Suna with Gaara alone.

Gradually Lee fell into step next to Gaara and held on tight to his backpack with both hands. His sandals picked up sand and pushed it forward. He had a lot of things to say but he was afraid to even speak a word to the man who evidentially hated him.

Gaara turned only his eyes to the Jounin but Lee was unaware. [Won't he apologize to me? Its not like him to go and do something wrong without saying sorry. He must know i want him to. But then again i cannot possible forgive him. There will be a wedge between us for eternity.] Gaara let his hands fall to his sides and he lifted his head to look at the bright sky. He closed his eyes soaking up the suns ray of warmth and then let his head fall low and eye he sand beneath his feet. He felt dizzy from thinking about everything that had happened and just wished he was back home, in the solitude of his room.

Lee cheered up some as the sun warmed him. The walk to Suna with Gaara had always been pleasant over the years, and though they were on bad terms Lee was still enjoying himself. He kept his eyes straight ahead and marveled at the desert in front of him. He felt Gaara's stare on him but he ignored it making plans in his head for how it would be in the village. He would not be staying with the Kazekage no matter what Tsunade said.

They both walked in silence, wanting to say something to each other but neither taking the chance to be shot down. Gaara wanting desperately to ask why, and Lee wanting Desperately to explain why. Gaara had hoped once that he and Lee would settle their differences and be together again but, now he felt as if Lee was so far away that he would never be able to reach him, even if he wanted to. Lee on the other hand had never wanted to see Gaara again and now that he'd been treated to his ex lover's body, it was all he wanted.

Night fell and deep in the sand's darkness the two broke for camp. Not talking Lee had just suddenly stopped and sat down. Gaara knew why but never said anything as he dropped his things and sat a few feet away, near a small oasis. This was their typical camp spot when they traveled back and forth between countries.

Lee broke down in a laying position and propped his head on his pack. True, he wasn't tired but he just wanted to lay down anyway. Then it occurred to him that when Gaara and him had their fights in the past that Gaara would still listen even if he didn't want to. Maybe Lee could explain and pray to Kami that Gaara would just hear him out. Lee sat up quickly and looked at him. "Gaara-" He said, not sure if he'd even said anything at all.

The ninja across from him opened his eyes carefully and looked on in confusion. [Here it comes.] He thought as he kept his eyes low, not wanting to seem too eager to hear what his 'guardian' had to say. "I though i told you-"

"Please let me talk for a moment. I will not let my apology go unheard by your unforgiving ears." Lee took a breath and tried to start. "Forgive me Gaara." He simply couldn't think of anything else to say to the Shinobi. He had so much to say that nothing was forming in his head.

"That's all?" Gaara stood. His shadow in the moonlight hovering across Lee's body. Gaara wanted to explode and tell Lee how hurt he was and how much he had hurt him, inside and out. How much he wanted to never look at him again, and how much he could never trust him. But in Gaara's lifetime, sharing his feelings hadn't been something to looked forward to. He balled his fists instead and started in the other direction, towards Sunagakure. He didn't need rest and would make it back alone.

"Gaara please, matsu." Lee was up quicker than ever and had grabbed Gaara's arm firmly.

The Kazekage froze and memories flooded his mind from the night before. Being held down and forced against his will by someone who had loved him so long ago. He shook now in Lee's grasp and his eyes showed a fear no one had seen from him. ["You don't have to do this to me Lee. Just let me go, I'm begging you. Kami! Lee...Lee... stop it, you're hurting me!"] He heard his own words repeating in his head as he silently stood there and shook in fear. "Let me go..." Gaara finally said.

Lee immediately let go of the ninja's arm and stepped a couple feet back. He could hear in Gaara's voice how scared he really was and Lee remembered the night before when Gaara had begged him to let go and he hadn't. "I will not hurt you." Lee stepped forward behind Gaara who had not yet turned around.

"I can't know that to be true." Gaara quickly turned around still shaking. He put his hand on Lee's chest and stopped him from getting any closer. "I thought i told you not to talk to me." Gaara said sternly as he got a hold of his body.

"I do not believe that is what you want. You wish to know why i did it just as much as i do. My explanation only goes this far," Lee a deep breath, "I was hurt." He blinked his eyes and voluntarily took a step back.

"You raped me because of something that happened two years ago?!? I apologized to you, i even tried to repair what we lost and you pushed 'me' away! I never apologize to anyone! I sucked up what pride i had left and left myself in the open! You had no right to-"

"Suimimasen! Suimimasen!" Lee dropped to his knees and held Gaara's ankles. "I have so much to say to you but i cannot find the words. I am sorry Gaara and your forgiveness is all i seek." Lee looked up as the tears ran down his face. "Onegai...listen to me. You do not know how much this is hurting my heart. Forgive me, forgive me, please forgive me."

"No-" Gaara said pulling away from Lee's grasp and turning his back to him. "Never." Gaara walked off and sat a few yards away with his back still to Lee. He laid down and let the soft sand find his hair. He would keep his promise to himself. [I cannot forgive you for doing this to me, no matter if you are here with me or not. I cannot forgive you Lee, i won't ever.]

Lee fell apart on the ground and sobbed to himself for hours. He thought he had been sincere enough for Gaara to forgive him but it wasn't enough. He would be hated by this man for the rest of his life and that wasn't falling well with him.

Day two in the desert was hot and humid. The night had been harsh and Lee was thankful for the day though he'd gotten no sleep and his eyes felt heavy as they burned with last night's tears. Lee walked with a hunch and tried to hide what exposed skin he did have, from the hot sun. His hair swayed in the dry heat and he followed the path in the sand left by Gaara's feet.

Gaara walked several yards ahead with his arms crossed, dealing with the heat. Accustomed to it he was walking much faster then Lee, like he'd forgotten about Lee's mission altogether. Inside he smiled at how he handled the situation the night before. He had no regrets about how he treated the Jounin, he'd deserved it in the first place, hadn't he?


Lee was busying counting Gaara's steps when he felt something under the ground move. His ears twitched and he stopped, stood up, and looked around. Nothing but a barren land was visible. He turned his eyes to Gaara who was still walking with his head turned, looking off to his right.

Gaara knew Lee stopped and he also knew why, he'd felt the earth move as well and it was nothing to ignore. [What...is this feeling] He thought as he finally stopped walking and turned his full attention to a spot in the sand that seemed to look like a hole of quicksand, but there was something different about it.

Lee stood next to Gaara and watched the hole as well. All hate between them aside, Lee spoke, "What is that? Quicksand?" Lee marveled at the speed the sand was moving.

"Quicksand moves in a downward motion. Pulling the sand and whatever else is near into the hole. This sand is being pushed out on the sides and sucked in through the middle. There is nothing ordinary about this and we should remain more alert." Gaara turned slightly taking one more second to look at the 'deathtrap'.

Lee stood there staring at it and as he slowly began to turn the hole disappeared all at once. Lee jumped back and notice three more similar holes form around him. He looked at them carefully now that they were close enough to look down into. He leaned closer and noticed a hand coming up, but slowly. His eyes fell wide open and he immediately remembered Gaara. Lee turned his head and fell into even more shock when he saw Gaara being pulled into a near by hole.

On instinct Lee ran over with his speed and plucked Gaara from the ground, holding him in his arms and running across the sand without stopping. Whatever or whoever was trying to attack them wasn't going to win. Lee was running so fast the the holes in the sand couldn't grip his feet and so they all disappeared. He looked down at Gaara who was cradled in his arms and saw that the ninja's eyes were full of moving sand, he needed to stop and help him but he couldn't take that chance. Lee looked back as he ran to see if it was safe and just as he did he ran into something hard.

He fell to the ground still holding Gaara. He moved back to look upon the shadowed figure in front of him as he stood up holding tightly to the one he was protecting. He glared at the Shinobi in front of him and the man released a grin. Lee gasped upon noticing something that he hadn't seen before. [He's not wearing a forehead protector, so he is one of 'them'] Lee exhaled and stood calmly. "Who are you?" Lee felt Gaara move and push to get free of Lee's tight grasp. He stood on his own and shook the sand from his eyes.

The ninja laughed. He looked to his left then to his right and from under the sand two other ninja emerged. "How rude of me not introduce myself. I am Sabaku No Makkura and you have something that we want." The ninja pointed to Gaara who was standing at Lee's side.

"What business do you have with me? I am of no importance to a banished member of the Kanpeki clan." Gaara stared firmly at the man in front of him showing not one ounce of fear or concern. [He couldn't be back for revenge could he?] Gaara remembered when he was a little younger his father banished three members of the kanpeki clan for treason. They were now rogue ninja and had been spotted living in the random countries.

"Sabaku No Gaara." He laughed. "It has been a long while since i've seen you, demon child. You have accomplished a lot since i was forbidden to step foot within the village walls, Kazekage." He laughed again. "I have no business with you, it is my mission to bring you back with me. The details given to me were just that. I do not disobey 'Him' ever."

"And who might 'Him' be?" Gaara asked knowing that this wasn't going in a good direction.

"Someone you will meet very soon." One of the other ninja said.

Gaara moved his eyes over to him but kept his attention on the strongest of the three. He knew Makkura wasn't someone to underestimate. He'd tried to overthrow the previous Kazekage and would have succeeded if it wasn't for a certain Suna ninja, one who Gaara knew all too well. Yashamaru. He promised to help Makkura and then betrayed him, showing his loyalty to the Kazekage.

While Gaara was contemplating the situation the two ninja on the left and right disappeared under the sand and Makkura attacked, pulling a kunai from his side and moving to stab Gaara in the chest. Lee jumped in front of the attack as it started and threw a kick towards the Makkura who dodged it turned around and threw the kunai back at Lee.

[He will have to be much quicker than that.] Lee thought as he began to jump out of the way, but something wouldn't let him move. He looked down and saw two hands grabbing a hold on his feet through the sand. He quickly looked back up as the kunai came flying his way. He ducked, put his hands on the ground and forced his body into a handstand position pulling the ninja out of the ground, hands still attached to Lee's feet. Lee flipped onto his backside and forced the ninja onto the hard sand.

Lee got up and ran for Gaara who was using the taijutsu he'd learned over the last few years to defend himself against Makkura. Lee moved all over the place, dodging moves by both of the sand ninja while they fought him from underground, throwing kunai and shuriken. Failing they released the sand holes again and Lee was grabbed into one. His body was being pulled in and the only thing he could think to do was run. So he started moving his legs while the sand was pulling him. As he began running his body began rising again and once on the surface he decided he wasn't going to be caught like that again.

One of the ninja appeared and formed a hand seal. He stood onto of the sand hole and it got bigger and bigger. "Chikara Buki No Jutsu!" The sand filled with dark circles and in an instant hundreds or kunai sprayed up and out of the hole aiming for Lee.

The Jounin evaded them as best he could. [There are too many] Lee thought as one of the snagged his shoulder. He slid across the ground and decided to run after the ninja. He was nearly two feet away from him when he disappeared and reappeared behind the Shinobi granting the man a kick to the spine. The ninja coughed blood from his mouth and flew forward face first in the sand. Lee jumped in the air letting his leg drop down, but just as he did the ninja faded into the sand. Lee slid to a stop and once again was grabbed at his ankles.

He looked over at Gaara who was holding up well except for the blood running down his face from his forehead. Just then Gaara took a blow to the jaw and blood started running from his mouth. Lee watched helplessly, the grasp on his ankles was stronger than before. He watched now as Gaara was repeatedly punch in the stomach and as if he needed to lose some more blood it came forth through his mouth.

Gaara fell to his knees and breathed. He was being beat even though he had been winning in the beginning. He was no match for this man without his sand power. Gaara slammed his fists against the ground.

"Give up Kazekage, you're no match for me. You're nothing without the demon inside you." The ninja laughed, unaware that Gaara still had the upper hand.

"Heh." Gaara laughed to himself. "Taigen Suru...SUNA JUTSU!" Gaara quickly placed his hand seals and then threw his his palms into the ground. The sand gathered beneath Makkura and soon it was working its way up the ninja's legs. The man looked afraid as the sand crawled upwards and wrapped it self tightly around his arms taken the shape of his body. It was squeezing him tightly and the only thing that showed of his hurting body was his head and neck. Gaara laughed evilly aloud. The hate in his eyes growing forcefully.

Lee looked on in amazement. [The sand...it moves as he wills it to....but i thought...] Lee tried his flip technique again and was free but didn't pull the ninja to the surface. Lee was running for the other Shinobi that had snuck up behind Gaara. He got to the enemy and kicked him in the stomach sending him in the other direction.

"How...how are you doing this? You cannot possibly be able to control the sand anymore?!?" Makkura asked as his blood started seeping from the cracks in the sand.

"Heh, i may have had help from Shukaku, but i still knew some Ninjutsu on my own. As it is, i can still control a small portion of the sand with my chakra. Though i do not possess the demon's spirit anymore doesn't mean I'm not a Shinobi. I've had my training and as of late i have become decent with my own Ninjutsu and Genjutsu.

Lee stood in awe as the sand began to lift Makkura up higher and higher into the heat of the sun.

"Kanpeki Shibaru Jutsu!"

Lee turned around to have five ninja holding him, two on his legs, two on his arms and the last holding him by the throat. The ninja in front of him smiled and when he did Lee felt a surge of lightening shocks go thorough his body. He screamed and was still held there to be shocked again.

Gaara looked over from the sudden cry and she Lee body begin to lose substantial energy. He then felt pain in his shoulder. He'd ben stabbed with a kunai. He looked up and Makkura kicked him in his face. Gaara flew back and laid on his side looking up at the mountain of sand where Makkura was still trapped. He disappeared in a cloud of smoke. [A replication? I should have known he wouldn't have been caught that easily.] Gaara sat up and Makkura kicked him back down stepping on his chest.

Lee bled from his mouth after being shocked three times in a row. He fell to his hands and knees as the four Sand Clones faded into the sand. Now both original ninja stood in front of him smiling. [How am i going to beat these guys?] Lee looked over at the wincing Gaara. [He's not going to be able to save me this time.] Lee thought as he looked at the two men in front of him. He stood to his feet and unwrapped the bandages around his arms. He threw on his best fight stance with one hand behind his back and the other extended forward, palm facing him. He opened his first chakra gate. "Koi."

One of the ninja ran for him. He ran as well and when they met he gave the enemy Shinobi an upper cut and then kicked his body high into the air. Lee threw his bandages around the man and jumped behind him. He wrapped the man up and threw his arms around him. "Omote Renge!" They began to spiral backdown and Lee turned the mans' head towards the ground. They moved faster and faster and as the ground neared Lee smiled.

A loud crash could be heard and Lee jumped out of the way as the man's skull cracked upon hitting the hard sand. Lee wasted no time running after the lingering ninja as he watched in astonishment as his comrade was taken down in one move. Lee did his signature Konoha Senpuu and the ninja fell face first into the sand. He tried to get back up but Lee jumped up and then down hard onto his back, breaking every bone. He wasted no time going to Gaara's aid.

The Kazekage laid unmoving as Makkura muttered things while continuing to kick him. Lee ran full speed and head-butted the guy in his back. Makkura lurched forward and then turned around angry. Lee stood in front of Gaara's body with a serous look on his face.

"Why are you defending him? He hates you, resents you. You're nothing to him. Why put your life on the line for someone who can't stand you." Makkura asked, dusting himself off.

"You do not know him to say such things, nor do you know me. I will help whom ever i please." Lee looked furiously at his opponent. [I gave Gaara a 'Nice Guy' pose some time ago. I told him that no matter what i would never let harm come to him...as long as i live. I will not break such a promise no matter how he feels about him.]

"Baka." Makkura said standing unpleasantly forward. "Koi."

Lee took off as fast as he could and punched Makkura in the face. He pulled his hand back to punch him again but the Shinobi caught it.

"You're not very strong for a Jounin. Trying to prevent me from completing my mission is pointless. I will win." Makkura used his free hand to punch Lee in the stomach. Lee flew back and slid across the dirt on his back. He landed next to Gaara. He laid there breathing hard and remembered his promise. He stood up again and felt his shoulder was out of place from where he landed on it.

Gaara opened a slit of one of his eyes and saw Lee hunched over and breathing hard in front of him. [Lee...]
[FlashBack:]

Gaara inhaled then exhaled as he finished a mission beside Lee. "You protected me?" Gaara said out of breath. The ninja next to him stood up straight and threw on smile.

"I SURE DID! And do not worry Gaara, as long as you are with me you will be safe! No matter what happens to us in the future i will never let harm come to you!" Lee smiled and threw a thumb up, his teeth gliming in the sunlight. "I promise!"

[End FlashBack]

[Lee...] Gaara had the sudden urge to reach for him but he couldn't move a bone in his body. [How could he...after i was-]

"I will not give up! I will not lose to you and let you take the man i love away from me!" Lee stood straight up and breathed through his nose, concentrating, trying to open the five gates. He was fatigued from opening his first gate and using the Front Lotus. He'd also taken a great deal of damage from the other two ninja. [I have no choice but to use this attack. He's much stronger than i am and if i am to save Gaara i must use this move even if it costs me my life.] Lee looked back at Gaara who was still not moving but had his eyes on him.

[He can't be...HE CANNOT USE THAT MOVE! He'll kill himself.] Gaara thought as he seen them same look in the Jounin's eyes only once so long ago.

Lee threw up his 'Nice Guy' pose and turned back around. "Alright then! Lets go!" Lee shouted as he launched another run for the ninja. Lee stopped dead in front of him then disappeared behind him dropped to the ground and cut the man's legs from underneath him with his feet. Lee then disappeared back in front of him and flipped upside down kicking the man into the air once, twice, three, good times. Makkura then couldn't move as Lee appeared behind him and punched him in the back and appeared in front of him.

"Ura Renge!" He forced his leg to extend and brought it down forcefully onto Makkura's chest. Lee could feel the bones break as Makkura coughed up blood and at the last second fell hard into the earth with a loud crash. Lee backflipped away but with the massive amount of chakra gates open fell on his stomach and slid across the sand. He struggled up and looked at the man, they were finally safe.


Lee crawled over to Gaara's body. His arms were shaking but he forced himself over to the fallen ninja. He leaned over Gaara's body and a bit of a smile crossed his face when he saw that the Kazekage was okay. Pain stung into Lee's chest and nearly fell over but held himself up to look into the sky blue eyes that were once his.

"See, i kept my promise." Lee said and just as Gaara sat up Lee fell into him.


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Matsu-Wait
Suimimasen- I am sorry
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I hope you all were thrilled with the reading today....i actually loved this fight scene...i love writing about Lee...its so fun to me...and his fighting style is somewhat predictable....LOL...anyways thanks for the reading
make sure you R&R -NIK