Green Beast part 6- a GaiLee

Lee was pretty sure he was bouncing.

He had spent days just lying around with nothing to do, having been strapped to the bed by Sakura  after the first and only time he’d tried to train. But today…today was the day he was supposed to finally be discharged. The only thing that could possibly make it any better was if…

“My youthful pupil! I am so proud of your recovery and happy to welcome you back into the world!” Yes. Now it was perfect.

“Gai-sensei!” Lee beamed, rushing over to give his teacher their customary hug-and-cry in front of their portable sunset backdrop. No one even batted an eye as the two sobbed into each other’s shoulders, assuring one another of their youthfulness. After a few minutes they broke apart, wiping their eyes.

“It’s good to see you Lee,” Gai smiled, giving his student a brief thumbs up. Lee flushed slightly.

“Thanks sensei. So…I’m getting out today,” he gestured to the bed with the loosened straps unnecessarily. Gai nodded, wondering why his student kept averting his gaze.

“I know. That’s why I’m here, Lee,” Lee flushed even more at these words.

“Right. So…I was kind of wondering… if you wanted to…come over, I guess. Like, for dinner,” Gai raised a massive eyebrow and Lee quickly elaborated. “Not as a date or anything! Just for fun, you know?” Gai smoothed his expression out into an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry Lee, I can’t. I have a mission tonight,” he nearly regretted saying that as he saw his student’s face fall. Only the knowledge of the immense danger he’d be in if he didn’t kept Gai from changing his mind.

“I see. I’m sorry to hear that,” Lee’s tone made it rather clear he didn’t believe it for a moment. Indeed, the glint of disapproval in his gaze was hard to ignore. Gai reflected regretfully that he couldn’t really blame him, it wasn’t like he was really making things easy. He pinched the bridge of his nose, bringing his hand up to rest on Lee’s shoulder.

“Lee, I really am sorry. Maybe…maybe you can come over while I get ready,” Lee smiled brightly, his teeth sparkling.

“Hai, Gai-sensei!”

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After leaving the hospital together, then being dragged back by an irate Hokage because they’d forgotten to check out, the two men were on their way to Gai’s apartment, making lazy conversation all the while. They had just reached the corner to turn into his complex when a shuriken came out of nowhere, pinning Lee’s flak jacket to the fence behind them.

“Waa!” Lee let out a squawk of protest as Gai shifted instantly into a defensive stance.

“You didn’t tell me you got out today!” Gai relaxed slightly when he saw his two students, TenTen dragging Neji behind her as she glared daggers at her teammate pinned to the wall. Lee smiled sheepishly, his mind racing.

“We came to the hospital to surprise you again, but you weren’t there! We were so worried! Right, Neji?” she rounded on the Hyuuga prodigy, who shrugged, looking supremely uninterested. At a growl from the kunoichi, he spoke.

“Yes,” he said monotonously. “We were upset. Very,” Lee snickered, but stopped when TenTen’s hand moved towards her weapon’s pouch. Gai decided to intervene before things got out of hand.

“My wonderful pupils! It fills my heart with such joy that you care so much about your teammate’s well-being! Come, join me in a youthful embrace!” Gai thrust out his arms in welcome. Both Neji and TenTen cringed, taking several steps back.

“Uh, that’s…that’s okay, Gai-sensei. We were just…uh…going to…”

“Jump off Hokage Mountain,”

“Right! Like Neji said! We’re…” TenTen trailed off, flushing slightly. There was a brief awkward silence before she and Neji took off, leaving a small cloud of dust in their wake.

There was a small thump as Lee dropped to the ground, before he straightened, brushing himself off.

“Well…that was interesting,” Gai chuckled, shaking his head.
“And people think we’re weird.”

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Lee was currently seated at the coffee table in the middle of Gai’s living room, slowly eating a plate of rice as he listened to the thumps coming from his sensei’s room. Gai emerged a few minutes later, strapping his kunai pouch to his leg as he went. Lee turned to him worriedly.

“Sensei, you sure you can’t eat something? You’re going to need strength for your mission tonight,” Gai shook his head, glancing subtly out the window. He noted with dismay that the sun had nearly set.

“Can’t Lee, I have to leave soon,”

“Oh. When will you be back?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Gai resisted the urge to look away when Lee turned his face towards him, instead keeping his expression stoic. Sometimes it paid to be a ninja.

“Tomorrow morning? So it’s close by, then?”

Gai nodded, checking the window once more. Lee fell into silence, watching as his sensei stared up at the sky with what he thought might be a trace of bitterness. But then it was gone, and Gai spoke.

“Well, I guess that’s it. I have to leave now,” Shizune wouldn’t be able to deliver medicine to him this time. He’d been too preoccupied with Lee to find a replacement to watch the house.

“Alright,” Lee watched silently as Gai made his way towards the door and slipped on his sandals, before blurting out. “You forgot your kunai,”

The older man flushed, inwardly cursing himself for this oversight. Indeed, the accusatory gaze Lee had given him in the hospital had returned full throttle. Sighing, he walked over and picked up the pouch he had set down, trying to appear natural despite his anxiety. He was struck by an idea.

“Hey Lee…do you want to stay here maybe? Watch the house for me, while I’m gone?” That way he could get his medicine, and he doubted Lee would suspect too much outside of a dangerous mission. Plus, it would give his student something safe to do, especially since Lee ought to be taking things easy.  

He did his best to convince himself it had nothing to do with the thought of coming home to the younger man.

Lee brightened once more, nodding in affirmation. Gai ruffled his hair and leaned down to give him a hug before departing.

_________________________________________________________

It was around eleven at night when there was a knock at Gai’s door. Lee hesitated, unsure of whether to answer. It could be a friend, yes. But it could also be someone out to get his sensei, or perhaps an imposter trying to take advantage or maybe-

The knocking on the door got louder, more agitated. Whoever it was didn’t appreciate having to wait. The Jounin hesitated for a few more moments before deciding that, if it was a friend of Gai-sensei, he ought not to leave them in the hall.

Not to mention the more personal interest of who his teacher had visiting him this late at night.

“About time, Kakashi,” Shizune huffed, stopping short at the sight of Lee. He blinked confusedly.

“This is Gai-sensei’s home,” he clarified, assuming she must have gotten the wrong room. It wasn’t a difficult thing to do, they both lived in the same complex. Shizune colored slightly.

“Well yes, but he’s usually the one here. And he got back just today…I suppose Gai didn’t know that, busy as he was looking after you…” Lee felt the most curious sensation of swooping and falling at the same time.

“Why is Kakashi-sensei usually here?” he attempted a polite tone, but from the look on the medi-nin’s face, he knew it had come across demanding.

“Well, just to take care of him. I know you two are close, but honestly I’m surprised he chose you. You’re a little young,” She tilted her head worriedly. Lee felt his indignation increase, as well as insecurity. But before he could give her a good piece of his mind, she held out a small box. “Well, here’s the medicine, at any rate. You must be trustworthy, seeing as he chose you,” she smiled and Lee felt his indignation melt away. He took the box, looking it over worriedly.

“So he’s going to be very torn up when he returns, then?” he questioned, trying to not let his voice falter. Shizune sighed, nodding.

“Yes. These nights take a huge toll on him. That’s why he usually has Kakashi help, but of course, Kakashi might not even be up to it tonight. His mission wore him out quite a bit. And…” she smiled mischievously. “I’m sure Iruka will wear him out even more,” Lee blushed at the implication, but his mind was focused more on the first part of her words.

“These nights? So he goes out a lot then?” Shizune blinked, looking surprised Lee even had to ask.

“Of course. Every full moon,” she pointed at the window in the back of the apartment. Sure enough, a complete orb hung in the sky.

“That’s awfully specific,” Lee mumbled. “Why does he have missions then?”

“Missions?” Shizune’s face went through a curious transformation from confused to understanding to horrified at what she may have revealed. “Oh um…I can’t say. He…um…well, if he didn’t tell you…” she trailed off lamely. There was an awkward pause during which Lee had only one, sad thought. Gai didn’t trust him with his secrets. Shizune cleared her throat, he raised his head, not really listening as his mind bombarded him mercilessly with this new knowledge.

“Well, I have to go then. I’ll see you later,” She paused, waiting for a response. When none came, she sighed, reaching out to him, before thinking better of it and turning, closing the door behind her.