An Exploration!

[the_blue_beast]

Characters: Rock Lee and Open!
Content: After being sick for much too long (the mun's excuse for Lee's absence) Lee is feeling like his old self and has a lot of excess energy that needs burning off! And what better way than to explore the new place that the Convoy has docked in!
Setting: around Licre
Time: Daytime
Warnings: Youthful shenanigans

Comments

here with my best buddy

[hiccup_ninja]

Like Joshua, Gaara had also ended his trip to the hot springs early when the water had become unpleasantly chilled. At least it had helped calm some of his frayed nerves. However, unlike Joshua, Gaara was content to just go back to being a shut-in in his room on the Convoy. He had chosen to forego the usual knee-length jacket; instead wearing a grey undershirt with a much smaller-than-usual gourd strapped loosely around his midriff (he had left the bigger gourd in his room.)

The redhead had just arrived at the docks when he saw an all-too-familiar bundle of green spandex come flying out of the Convoy, with all the flambuoyant energy he had come to expect. It seemed that Lee had returned to his old self, which was good. Gaara slowly came to a stop, watching his hyperactive lunatic of a best friend bounce around as if his legwarmers had suddenly caught fire.

[the_blue_beast]

Lee turned at the sound of someone approaching, his expression turning from curious to overjoyed when he spotted Gaara. It felt like forever since the last time he'd seen his friend and most important person--he had refused to let him visit in case he got sick as well--and the sight of him made Lee swell with joy.

"Gaara!!!" he cried, rushing forward, arms held wide ready to envelop Gaara in a hug. "It has been so long!!! I have missed you! How are you? Have you been taking care of yourself? Have you made many new friends? What have you been doing since I have been sick?" he asked, rapid fire, staring keenly at Gaara.

[hiccup_ninja]

The redhead would have been very startled had it been anyone other than Lee running toward him at full-speed with the intent of squeezing the life out him. In this case he let the hug happen, both out of respect that they hadn't seen each other in a while, and because he wasn't yet fast enough to dodge the martial artist and the Sand had long since stopped paying attention to Lee and his antics.

"I'm okay," Gaara answered, somehow knowing that he was going to have to answer a bunch of hurried questions. "I've been taking care of myself. I haven't made any new friends. And I've been reading, mostly, and developing some new sand techniques." The redhead gave his friend a long, searching look, staring at Lee as though he were a math problem he couldn't fully understand. "You seem to be feeling better now. That's good."

[the_blue_beast]

Lee perked up even more at the mention of new techniques. "A new technique?! Then we must practise together again! It has been far too long since we have spent time together, indeed! What books have you read? Why have you not made any new friends? Has it been difficult? I could not imagine why someone would not want to be your friend!"

He smiled, striking the Nice Guy Pose. "Indeed, I am feeling much better! Thank you for noticing!"

[hiccup_ninja]

Gaara gave a small snort of bemusement.

"I would like to spar with you again," he said. "Though I don't have enough Sand with me at the moment to do so." he gestured to the gourd secured around his waist. It was only about a fourth the size of the container the redhead normally carried with him, and the last time he had fought Lee he had needed all of his Sand.

"Mainly just this one book I got from the Fiertia." Gaara replied dutifully. "And I've never been good at making friends. The fact that I haven't left my room much lately may have something to do with it."

[the_blue_beast]

Lee beamed, his smile sparkling. "We can spar again later! I do not mind waiting! And we have not had the chance to talk in many days! I would like to catch up with you before sparing!"

He stepped away, looking towards the sky. "It is a lovely day! Perhaps we can go for a walk together?" he asked hopefully.

[hiccup_ninja]

"Alright. Later then," Gaara agreed, making a mental note of it. He was fairly confident that this time Lee would have a bit more difficulty defeating him this time, since his ribs were properly healed now.

Gaara tilted his head a tiny fraction at the comment on the weather, but made a small sound of agreement. Normally the redhead didn't notice the weather unless it was particularly bad. "...Yeah." he said after a few seconds. Then the redhead moved to stand beside the older boy, watching him expectantly.

[the_blue_beast]

Lee blinked down at Gaara, blushing suddenly and smiling shyly. "Do you have anything in particular you would like to do today? Any place you would like to go, Gaara?"

[hiccup_ninja]

Gaara, on the other hand, remained as poker-faced as ever. "...No. Wherever you choose is fine." was his response.

[the_blue_beast]

Lee beamed. "Then we shall go on an adventure together and discover the sights of this village! We shall rejoice in our youth and my heath and this day! Yosha!!!"

Lee grabbed Gaara's wrist without thinking, moving forward, ready to embark on his adventure. "It is truly a wonderful day to be out! I am happy that I am feeling better! And that I get to see you!"

[hiccup_ninja]

The redhead glanced pointedly at the bandaged hand on his wrist, and almost pulled it away, but forced himself to ignore it and allow Lee to keep his hold on him.

"...Hm." was all Gaara said, keeping up with the green-clad boy fairly easily and letting Lee decide on wherever they ended up going.