one_long_mission | (no subject)

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It had taken some time for him to heal enough for Temari to actually let him out of the house and, while he'd appreciated her concern, he needed some air right now. He could only take so much coddling before it became less endearing and more annoying, which was why he was currently out and about, exploring this new village.

He come to the market and was peering at the goods on display - so different from the ceramics and glassware that Suna was famous for - when the fluttering of some kind of paper caught his eye. He stared at it for a long moment, surprised; it was pinned to a wooden stall by a kunai. Curious as to what it could be, he plucked it up.

There were only two words on the paper: They died.

He froze, staring at it for a long, long moment. Logic dictated that this meant nothing; logic dictated that he was not involved in whatever this was, because he had been here only a few days and - so far - only three people were aware of his existence.

And yet...and yet, the simple statement squeezed at his heart. He crumpled the paper in one hand, clenching the other in the fabric of his simple black shirt, just over his heart. That statement struck at the very center of his fears for what he had left behind. Something very much like pain and heartbreak crossed his features, but luckily the break in his facade was covered by hair that he really should trim. But it couldn't hide the trail of tears steadily tracing down his cheeks.

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"You look well!" He paused a beat. "I did not know you had arrived here."

"It was a...recent development," was the taciturn response. He eyed Lee for a long moment. "I am informed that everyone here is not from the same timeline. When were you...brought here?"

He didn't know if it was possible to get back to one's own timeline, but if it was, he certainly didn't want to say anything that might end up changing things too dramatically.

His smile faded a little. "Konoha was working on repairs after being attacked by a rather intense individual." He brightened again. "But it was coming along splendidly!"

"Just after Pain... I see..." Several months before Gaara, then. He would have to watch what he said, then, at least in regards to the war. "Konoha has always been strong," he murmured diplomatically, but with real warmth to his tone. "And they have...that person to help." Flashing blue eyes and bright blonde hair...

He shook himself, crumpling that upsetting paper in his hand and turning to actually look at Lee. "...how have you been, Lee-san?" he felt it was only polite to ask.

"I have been quite well and this place has provided the most amazing opportunities. You and I must train soon!"

...leave it to Lee to immediately jump to training. Of course, that just made Gaara wince. "Are you certain you would want to...?" His sand contained a lot of blood - and some of it was definitely Lee's.

"Of course!" He quieted a bit. "I do not hold it against you to have been so tormented as a youth to lash out. You do not frighten me."

He frowned slightly, folding his arms self-consciously. "I would not expect you to fear me," he said, a little sharper than he'd meant to. "...I was concerned, but I see now that you bear me no ill will."

A beat.

"Nor do I harbor any such thoughts against you." Just felt he had to clarify that.

His eyes widened, and he held up his hands. "I merely meant to assure! I did not mean to fan the flames of unhappiness! You need worry not at all, and practicing with you would be my great honor Gaara-sama~!"

Ah - why are you so loud, Lee? Gaara blinked at the other. "...what?" he said at last, deadpan confusion. "I am not unhappy, I simply-"

Oh, forget it. Diplomatically, he changed the subject. "If you are not busy, perhaps we could have some tea?" There was a tea shop, conveniently enough, just around the corner. That was what people did to 'catch up', right? Sat down together and talked?

...he was still learning this whole 'socializing' thing.

He blinked, then caught his wrist. "Yes! That is a most glorious idea!" He promptly headed for the shop, Kazekage in tow.

The redhead actually squeaked. Apparently, socializing involved being touched, though he had no idea why, and he was too surprised by the sudden grip to yank away.

Luckily, there had been no ill intent in that grasp either, or the sand would have reacted poorly as well. Only, now he was being kind of/sort of kidnapped and had no idea how to respond aside from a surprised, "L-Lee-san??"

He gave him a brilliant smile. "Fear not! I assure you this place has the best tea in the village that is not made by our esteemed Ino-san."

It had so much less to do with the tea and everything to do with the hand around his wrist. "Lee-san, I am perfectly capable of-" Ah, staring at the other at the proclamation. "...the quality of tea was not under question, Lee-san."

"of course of course! Forgive me! I realize now that I should have let you taste it for yourself! I only meant to assure you of the sheer wonder of the blends!"

Still pulling you along at nearly-dragging pace here Gaara.

No, really, Lee - it's fine. Truly, it is. "...Lee-san. It is only tea." Granted, the Kazekage does love a good cuppa, but seriously.

"I am more concerned with the fact that you are dragging me through the marketplace-" He even stumbled a little there. Who let a chicken cross the road randomly like that?!

He froze, then spun to face him. "I am so sorry! Would you prefer being carried? I had not thought you would agree, though it is excellent training!"

Sudden abrupt stop, what?? It catches him off-guard and, regrettably, he has to grab for Lee's shoulder to steady himself, else he'll fall. "Wha-?"

"No? Oh! Oh you wish to ride on my back." He frowned at him. "If you insist, but we must take a lap around the village if you do!"

"I - what?" Wait, how in the world did you get from that to this???

"Of course!" A moment later, Gaara was the proud owner of one deluxe back ride, and Lee was off at a dead run.

There were...no words to describe his surprise right now, because was he seriously being carried out someone's back right now??? This hadn't happened in--

Actually, he honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd been carried like this. It was instinct to wrap his arms around the other when Lee set off at a run, and how the other shinobi could run so easily with the extra weight was interesting. Not because of Gaara's weight, which was slight, but the gourd alone weighed at least seventy kilos.

"L-Lee-san-!"

"Faster? But of course!" He upped his pace, setting off at a dead sprint and quickly bounding up to rooftops to expiate the run.

Wait, what? What?? How in the world did Lee get faster from a panicked shout of his name? The redhead immediately tightened his grip around the other and held on tightly. Aside from his utter fucking shock, this was...interesting. Lee was just as fast as he remembered - possibly faster.

He took a nice scenic pass up along the cliffside then back down and around to inside the village again, ending at the teashop, beaming the whole way. "We have arrived!"

That whole time? Yeah, have a somewhat terrified Kazekage clinging really tight. Well, not...terrified, but definitely well outside of his comfort zone. As soon as they stopped, this redhead was hastily sliding off the other's back. "Ah- Um, thank you... Lee-san." He ran a hand through his windswept hair, trying to get it to lie in some semblance of order.

Lee gave him a brilliant smile, then ducked into the place with a flourish. "You are very welcome Gaara-sama! Come! Tea awaits!"

Pardon him while he takes a moment to calm down because, um, what. He rather hoped no one else had seen that...

Eventually he did step in as well, fingers idly manipulating the buckles of his vest so that he could set the cumbersome gourd down.

He bounced in place, then headed to a table, already going off on a tangent about the tea. With how much Neji liked tea, it had grown on him.

Which was all right with Gaara, actually; he liked tea a lot, too. It was one of the few subjects he could talk about with with interest. And no one stared at him in this village - unlike back home, where he couldn't walk the streets without people staring. It was a nice change.

He ordered a couple types, and snacks, and smiled brightly at Gaara. In all, he seemed perfectly content to spend time with him. For some reason.

'For some reason' indeed, considering this was the guy who'd quite happily crushed Lee's arm and leg. His choice in tea was a soothing jasmin - necessary, after that impromptu run around the village - and a few skewers of dango. Normally he didn't like sweets, but it went well with the bitter tea.

...that bright smile was so incredibly disarming.

"It is good to see you well Gaara-sama."

The redhead hadn't been expecting that, and Lee spoke just as Gaara had eaten the top bit of dango from the skewer. Caught with his mouth full, he could only blink for a moment, then hastily chew and swallow. He coughed politely. "Ah- You as well, Lee-san." He wasn't very good at this 'conversing' thing.

"...how have you been?" He was trying, though.

"I have improved drastically! Fear not, all is well!"

Saying 'improved' made him flinch a little. It had been years ago, but he still felt quite a lot of guilt for what he'd done. Still...

"I am...very pleased to hear that. I am uncertain as to whether I ever properly apologized for what I did..."

"It is something you regret, right?" It was a murmur, and he stared at him."

The slightest touch of pink lit pale cheeks at that. "I was...misguided, then. But yes - it is very much something I regret, even now." Even four years after the fact.

"Then you apologized." He gave him a bright smile. "Have some tea Gaara-sama."

...just like that? He was...forgiven? Gaara could only stare at Lee for a long moment before, unbidden, a tiny smile touched his lips. "...thank you, Lee-san," he murmured, reaching for the ceramic teacup and sipping quietly.

He waved his hand and took a long drink of his tea. "Not at all! I have had a lot of time to think about it and nothing else needs to be said. You have found your youthful spirit, have you not?"

He blinked at the other over the rim of his teacup. Youthful spirit...? "...yes?" he tried, uncertain. What on earth was Lee talking about now?

"Good! Then all is well!" He finished his tea and put down money. "For now I must go, but come find me when you wish for that bout!"

Gaara blinked at him, but made no move to get up as well, instead inclining his head slightly. "...thank you for bringing me here," he replied politely. The chances of him actually seeking out Lee for a spar were pretty damn slim but...no need to tell him that, hmm?

Lee just flashed him a smile, then moments later, was gone.

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Calling this thread done, yeah~?

Yep!