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Living Stone	By : Resting-Madness Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male > Rock Lee/Gaara Views: 2359 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the naruto universe, or the characters involved. I also make no money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
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Lee didn't know where to begin with his questioning. He'd snooped before on a mission he'd once had with Kakashi-sensei, Naruto and the other members of his team; but that was snooping through visuals and listening. Lee doubted anyone would be openly talking about Kerai and his magic chakra stones. So his snooping was going to be investigating.
Lee also took notice to the fact that he couldn't exactly eavesdrop with the water giving away movement, though it's likely any step he took could be passed off as random weather audio. More importantly Lee isn't sure how to approach the subject without sounding like a snooping cop because he'll have to bring up Miyamoto's brother.
'Guess I should have thought this through.' He tapped his index finger to his chin, ready to think but not turn back. 'Maybe I can find where Kerai's place of business is and I'll search the place from there.' His fist popped into his palm over his brilliance.
Ducking under the awning of a market he looks round from left to right and ahead to search for someone to ask about the shady man's whereabouts. The small nation of Rain is even more menacing at night. The tall buildings loom over the inhabitants like watchmen keeping you in line, but rather than feeling security from them you steer clear and keep your head down, as the only invited protection you accept is the cover from their shadows.
The Leaf-nin has never seen a place go into complete lockdown just because it's early morning. In Konoha and Sunagakure you can always find something open whether it be a food stand or a small convenience store, but here everything is empty and dark. He moved himself from a building when a pitbull barked its disapproval of his being too close to its home and made for an ally.
An eyeball of floating sand set its sight on Rock Lee's cloaked form on the streets of Amegakure. The Leaf-nin is standing behind a building peering around the corner at a couple of homeless men and a woman who're huddled beneath an awning to shield themselves from the newly opened rain clouds.
Gaara sighed with exasperation before his body dissolved into a cloud of sand that lead a trail to the floating eyeball. "Lee." He lowered his hand from his left eye and reached out towards the addressed.
The peeper stood straight as an arrow from the start he got from Gaara sneaking up on him then speaking so suddenly. Whirling around, he snipped in a low voice. "Don't do that! I had my guard all the way up." Meaning Gaara's quiet tone came in tenfold to him. "For someone who doesn't like to be startled, you sure do enough of it yourself."
"I knew you wouldn't listen to me." Looking over Lee's shoulder at the huddled humans, he asked. "What are you planning?"
"I was going to ask around about Kerai," Lee explained. "I couldn't let Miyamoto down, not after he'd put so much faith in us to help him. Asking people discreetly seems like the best solution."
Walking closer so that Lee has to back up, the Kazekage spies the helpful male's choice of informants. The homeless are perfect to question. They'd have unintentionally sat through more of the prideful elective's rants than anyone in town. Problem was that homeless refugees tend to side with wherever they call home in order to keep meager protection and shelter and security. So they may not be willing to give up information so willingly.
"Are you with me?" Asks Lee with a hopeful expression on his face.
"Yes."
"Then let's go!" Fist in the air he rounds the corner of the building marching casually but intentionally towards the refugees.
The small murmuring crowd silenced their conversation upon seeing the two approach, they weren't speaking about much of anything important but it was almost customary to keep things to yourself in this part of town. It's honestly customary to keep things to yourself in any part of town. These types of cities tend to be like that.
"Excuse me," Lee began taking the city's greeting of the 'stink-eye' in stride. "can any of you fine gentlemen or lady, tell me where I can find the elective Kerai's place of business?" Seeing that none jumped at his question with an answer he went on. "I'd like to inquire after the special stones he's been mentioning."
One of the men, perhaps the dirtiest in the bunch, cleared his throat before using a stick to poke at a rumbling fire that's managing to keep a good crackle in the light sprinkling of rain.
"Unless one of you could tell me a bit about it?" He took a seat on an empty crate beside one of the refugees, an interested look plastered to his face complimented with a palsy lean of his upper body as if the small group often confided things with each other.
The refugees' gazes ogled Lee before they slanted a glance at Gaara, who hid his face well in the shadow of his hood and the darkness of the night.
"Why would you want to know about the stones?" The only female in the group finally replied. She tucked a chunk of her matted hair behind her ear as if to hear him better. "From the looks of it... you're already a shinobi." And she looked from Lee to Gaara and back again.
A calming sigh expelled through the Leaf-nin's nostrils, and looking into the woman's dark eyes he admits in a quiet tone. "I'm curious because, though I'm a shinobi, I am in fact lame. I can only do taijutsu."
A couple of the men laughed, the others offered a sympathetic nod or shaking of their head that it was a shame.
"Do the stones really work?" Lee dove right into questioning, showing off his acting chops as a civilian with a lucky pass as a shinobi but who would still enjoy a life as any other of his fellow comrads. "Have any of you tried them?"
"Nnnope." One of the laughers was quick to answer him. All the others shook their heads as well. "Never had a need to. I fled the land of Sky the moment things went down and they attacked Konoha, been staying here ever since." He waved a hunger-shrunken hand. "Never had a need for battle or a battlefield."
"But I've seen 'em work." Another man comments. "One of the men who works at the shipping yard as a guard got his hands on one. He spent a real fortune getting treatments and such to unleash his chakra naturally, at least that's the way he went about saying it on stage, and next thing you know he's got one going down his throat and he's using water techniques like there's no tomorrow."
"Are they long lasting?" Lee wondered out loud. "Do you know where this man from the shipyard lives?" He looked out into the black of the city as though he'd spot the man right then. But, he's not Neji after all, and he certainly can't use the Byakugan.
"Why would we know that?" Replied the man on the brink of offended. "Just because we're bums doesn't mean we're stalkers too. What would we be doing following respectable men around like hungry puppies?"
"Sounds like a good enough plan, if they'll pay us to leave 'em alone." One of the quieter men spoke, receiving a laugh from the small group.
"I didn't mean to imply anything, I was just wondering."
They all shrugged, not caring either way what their lives are assumed to be like. The laugher eyed Gaara, then nodded in his direction.
"And what's his deal? He lookin' for a stone too?"
"I have no use for a stone, same as any of you."
"Uhh. natural born huh?" He almost seemed to be looking down his dirt smeared nose at the young man.
"Do you know anyone," Lee starts in with his questioning again, steering the conversation back on track and away from throwing insults and elbows. "of your walk of life who've used them?"
"Lucrecia Tachibana, she has one. You've gotta find her though." The woman replied. "I haven't seen her in a while."
"Oh..." Lee quieted to think.
"What does she look like?" Gaara inquired.
The group of refugees audibly thought of the missing woman with a few 'hmms' and 'let's sees'.
The quieter of the men came out with an answer first. "Unless she dyed it, she's got red hair."
"Dark skin." Added another man.
"Her eyes are golden hazel, more yellow than brown." Said the laughing man with a glowing smile on his face as he thought about the woman. He may have had a crush on her at one point or another.
Lee was writing all this down in his little black training book. By the time everyone was done remembering the woman, he was sure he had enough to go on to find her. Standing, Lee thanked the small group and dropped a few ryo into a can that sat before the laughing man. He isn't sure that that's what the can is for, but he saw that it was empty so he just assumed.
"Thanks, son." The man nodded to him.
The two investigators walked back to their Inn with a plan to locate this missing woman in the morning. Now Lee could finally get some sleep.
0 0 0
Naruto was so exhausted that he could barely lift his feet to go home that early morning. He wasn't going to sleep for long before he'd be right back in a different district working on buildings or delivering meals. That job was usually for the kids, but when your arms are worn from hammering it's nice to take a productive break. The worn male's shoulder bumped into the corner of a building.
Yawning, he mumbled. "..'cuse me." Then he fell asleep right there. You'd think the building had sprouted arms and patted his back, after offering a comfortable shoulder for him to lie on. Combine that with soft "shushing" in the exhausted blond's head, how could he not black out? Mouth agape he snored comfortably against his makeshift bed.
Not far away Shikamaru exits a restaurant with Chouji in tow. He just bought the male a rack of ribs, and got a light salad for himself. He really can't eat this early in the morning, but he couldn't deny he needed the refreshment.
"I didn't know they'd be using the electrical equipment this late at night," Chouji quirked an ear to the sound of a buzz-saw going off not far from them.
Shikamaru listened as well. It sounded too low to be an actual saw, slower too. Looking around, he spots an orange and yellow mound pressed into a building a few feet away. With a sigh, he slammed a troubled hand to his forehead. Waving Chouji to join him, he wanders over to the sleeping figure to access the situation a bit further. The option of should I bring him home or wake him to walk there himself hung on Naruto waking up from a simple shaking.
"Come on, Naruto... Let's walk home then get into bed." He shook the deadweight of his friend by the shoulder. "Naruto?" An exasperated sigh was about to escape him when it dawned on Shikamaru that he isn't alone. "Chouji, turn around and I'll help you get Naruto on your back."
"Why do I have to carry him?" Groans the male; rubbing his gut he then exclaimed. "I'm still digesting after dinner slash breakfast."
Blinking, the usually laid-back male shook his head before asking. "What's that got to do with carrying someone?"
"I could pull something."
"The only thing you're trying to pull is a fast-one; now turn around."
Rolling his eyes with a fullblown groan of annoyed discontent, Chouji turns around so he can act as a cart for the sleeping war hero. "Ohhh, hey Sasuke!" He piped when spotting an easy distraction. Moving towards him at warp speed, the bull-dozer came to a hault before the blind male. "Your house is close by... much closer than Naruto's."
Sasuke had a long pause before saying. "Yeah."
"Great! Then you can have a sleepover with Naruto tonight!" Getting behind him, he shoves Sasuke over to the sleeping Naruto, and the disapproving Shikamaru. "You're friends again... Right?"
"Something like that." He crossed his arms listening to the chainsaw cutting lumber. "Why would I want that in my home?"
"Well... because..." Chouji was at a loss. Why would anyone want something like that spending the night. He's never known Naruto to snore in any of the conjoined missions they've been on. The energetic male must be beyond tired for this display. "You're friends." He declared lamely.
Sasuke's thoughtfully annoyed expression is aimed where he knows the two are standing. He couldn't believe he was seriously risking the comforts of his home to the leveling personality that is Naruto, once he wakes up and realizes where he is. It's one thing when Sasuke spent the night over at the loud blond's home. He's enjoyable company! He doesn't waste things he doesn't like to eat. He's mess free. And more importantly, he doesn't snore!
Sasuke does feel kind of sorry for the guy. Even still, he ground his teeth when he says. "Come on."
Chouji cheered himself with a chuckle, and a finger rubbing cheekily under his nose over how clever he is. He may have still had to carry Naruto, but at least it wasn't as far as to the blond's apartment. And with help hoisting him up from Shikamaru, the trio were on their way to the newly built Uchiha manor.
0 0 0
Lee tugged the orange leg warmer up his calf; looking over his shoulder he smiles seeing that Gaara's through with dressing after slipping the single-shouldered vest over his jacket. Curious, the Leaf-nin slipped the Kazekage's clothes on once when he knew Gaara would be in a meeting. They were very confining to say the least. How does Gaara do it? Who knew what he'd be wearing if Gai-sensei hadn't given him this amazing formfitting uniform. Hopefully he wouldn't have chosen anything as drastic as what Gaara's got on.
"Ready to go find, eh..." He paused in thought over the woman's name. Before he could consult with his notes, he overheard Gaara say it. "Yes, Lucrecia Tachibana." Looking over what he's written down he hoped that the woman still looks as described.
"Yes."
Seeing that Gaara continued looking out the window, Lee walked to the door holding it open for them. "You don't have to come with me."
Turning around Gaara walks towards the avenging Leaf-nin.
"Last chance to change your mind, because once you step out this door you've signed up for the long run." Watching the stoic male pass right by him without a second thought he felt a swell of pride. He knew Gaara couldn't let Miyamoto down either.
Following after Gaara he took the lead once they stepped outside. He told the Kazekage to look left while he looked right then the two took to the rooftops in search of the elusive homeless woman. The outsiders know they've got eyes on them, but it can't be helped; besides that, they aren't doing anything against the law. Occassionally Lee or Gaara would hop down onto the street to ask a pedestrian if they've seen the woman, the answers were both fingers pointed and a shrug of the shoulder. Until at last, Gaara came across the woman sitting between two buildings. He wouldn't have had to double-back had she not been rummaging through the garbage can of the eatery beside her. It's just lucky he looked over his shoulder when she popped out.
Landing beside her he grabbed the woman's arm to alert her. Any other person she may simply have turned to see what they wanted because it would undoubtedly be the owner or a worker from the place she's looking for scraps, but upon seeing Gaara's dour face, and depervation-ringed eyes, beyond the hood of the cloak the frightened woman yelped before shooting a fireball at him.
Lucrecia's fear grew when a sheet of sand practically gave her an uppercut to deflect her attack. She attempted to run but the sand grabbed her by the ankle.
"Please relax, I don't want to hurt you." Gaara said calmly returning the sand into his coat pockets. "I need to speak with you." Another fire blast came his way, and once again his sand moving to protect him gave her a fright. Gaara removed the sand that's wrapped itself around her ankle, and continued calmly speaking to her as she fled him. With a sigh, he knew he had little option but to wall them in.
A sheet of sand blocked her exit before moving forward like a wall closing in. Lucrecia screamed and screamed pushing against the wall in attempt to get through it. It was harder than she'd thought. How could sand be so hard. Dense, yes. But hard. It's like reenforced steel!
"I only want to speak to you, about the chakra stones." Gaara explained when the sand has her within ear shot.
Lucrecia breathed a nervous laugh of a sigh then nodded before she fainted to the street.
................
Lee was alerted by a message in the sky that Lucrecia had been found and would be taken back to the Inn. The Leaf-nin hurried back to their rented room to find the woman resting on the couch utterly unconcious. Gaara explained what happened. Lucrecia thankfully did not wake up hysterical, but she'd definitely woken up hungry and is currently working on her second meat-filled pie. Lee couldn't help but recall Miyamoto eating with the same hungry vigor, and thought they should go about questioning the townspeople with snacks and other edibles. It'd certainly save them the trouble of spooking people or having the town clamming up because they're not refugees themselves.
"Thank you for the meal." She said after wiping her hand across the back of her mouth. "I haven't eaten that good in months."
"Why did you attack me? Who did you think I was?" Gaara asked when the woman made eye contact first with Lee then his self.
"Restaurant employee, an officer, anybody." With a shrug Lucrecia added. "Can't be too sure in my situation, and then you whip out those fancy tricks." Again she shrugs. "I'm just glad I could defend myself."
"You mean with a fireball?" Lee pipes up when an opening came.
"That's right. I chose fire because of my red hair... You get it?" She then snickered while running a hand through her hair at the side.
"So you get a choice?" Lee was practically drooling over the idea as his mind swam with all the possible ninjitsus he could do. He suddenly could see himself standing along side Neji, and running along with powerful ninjas like Naruto and Sasuke who are practically otherwordly in battle. His dream realized.
"Yeah." Lucrecia replied softly.
"What is it?"
"Nothing bad, I was just thinking it'd be nice to get my hands on some money... The kekkei genkai go deep into pockets. They're not easy to make I guess. But the others you can purchase finding change on the streets. I've even got genjustu abilities." She popped the last bite of pie into her mouth chewing over the swelled cheek with pleasure. "Are you planning on getting one?" She looked from Gaara to Lee, figuring it'd be Lee since Gaara's already proved that he has ninjutsu abilities, an impressive one at that.
"I'd like to know how the stones work... What do I need to do?" Asked the excited Leaf-nin, who was doing his best to keep it down. This was strickly business. He's not in the market for ninjutsu abilities. ...No matter how cool they are. Or how much stronger he could become with just one technique.
"You ingest it." As though her words weren't clear she pointed between her parted lips.
"Ingest?" That didn't sound right. Anytime Lee thought about the stones he imagined surgeries and heal time. Not simply popping one down like a vitamin. "And that's safe?"
"Hasn't hurt anyone as far as I know." Lucrecia looked as though she were thinking on it. Wondering if there was ever a case where someone didn't take well with the stone, but none came to mind.
"Where are they sold?"
"There's a shop about a mile or so from here," her finger is pointed in the general direction. "That's Kerai's place of business. I mean, he's running and all but he still works at the potions shop as manager."
"I heard he worked in an iron factory."
"I suppose he did, back when the factory was thriving, but war took care of that." Nodding in the direction the potion shop is located she concluded her statement. "Any time I've seen him he's been in that potions shop." Again her gaze travels from Lee to Gaara then back. "Seriously, if you've got a couple ryo to spare, you should give it a try."
"How long do they last?"
Lucrecia shrugged her hand. "I've never had a reason to use mine much," shooting an apologetic look at Gaara for earlier, she continued. "Not since today when he came after me with that sand bending have I really gotten to flex my muscle. I guess if you wanna know, you'll have to ask its maker."
"Guess we will." Lee says thoughtfully. "How do they work?"
"You just say an attack command and wallah." She spread her hands as though the elements just flailed about over their heads.
"Do you know who was the first person to receive a stone?" Gaara moved in on the questioning with a very good one.
"No. I'm probably close enough to the last person than the first. But, I do know that anyone with a stone has gone on to fight in the last war. You might have even seen some of them yourselves."
Now that they thought about it, there were a few people out on the battlefield who looked wet-behind-the-ears in their opinion. And though they're sure a great deal lived, they're almost positive a great deal more have died.
"Some people have been whispering about the origins of the stones, but that's only because they've got nothing better to do."
Gaara asked. "And what do you think?"
"I think they're a gift, why question a gift?" She shook her head. "As for where they came from or how they're made you'll have to ask the creator." Standing from the sofa she gave a polite bow. "I've gotta get back to the streets before I get too comfortable in here. I do hope you'll try them for yourselves."
Lee walked her to the door opening it for her, waving a goodbye as Lucrecia walked out.
"That didn't get us very far," Professed the red head. "Are we going to question Kerai personally?"
"I will, but you'll have to stay here. He'll know your face instantly."
"I agree."
"I'll be quick but thorough." He blushed as if he'd heard a dirty joke in there, then laughing it off Lee hurried out of the door.
Gaara thought about tailing Lee with his sand eye then decided instead to go and see Miyamoto. Since it was his brother who'd gone missing, he might also remember the face of the man who'd been the first to help Kerai introduce the chakra stones.
0 0 0
Sasuke ate his breakfast of scrambled eggs and buttered toast with an almost joyous vigor, while across from him Naruto and Suigetsu glared daggers at each other.
"Sasuke," Naruto ground out while keeping an eye on the sword-loving stranger. "wanna tell me why I'm at your house, and why you're ugly friend is staring at me?"
"Ugly?!" Suigetsu balked. "Why you..."
Naruto's milk swirled angrily in the mug, but the blond picked it up and drank it down with a satisfied snigger over the threat of having it splashed in his face, only his being clever didn't really work out too well when the liquid that's gone down his throat tried to rapidly resurface causing him to gag until Suigetsu released his hold of it so Naruto could get it down.
"Grrrr..." Raising his fist to the other to defend or bypass the fist coming his way from his opponent, he can't help but get distracted from the sound of a mug being set down from Sasuke taking a drink.
"It was Shikamaru and Chouji's idea when they found you blacked out on the street." Replied Sasuke calmly.
"And that's another thing, why're you so happy this morning?" His eyes slit sheepishly. "I would have thought you'd be crying from having me spend the night, not to mention make me breakfast." The unwanted guest was practically sniggering when he said. "I never expected you the type to put something in your food."
Seeing that Naruto was suddenly pleased when Sasuke's semi-happy expression sagged a bit, the stoic expression then returned to it's usual place instead. "I'm not happy, I'm satisfied."
Naruto and Suigetsu blinked at the odd confession, first looking curiously at Sasuke before casting a suspicious eye at each other as if the other was to blame for such a loaded reply. But Naruto never once thought anything scandalous was going on between Sasuke and his... friend? Subordinate? Company? Why the hell is this guy here!?
Sasuke let the fools assume what they wanted about his comment. The fact of the matter is that while the human buzz saw snored away he muttered a cloning jutsu and about twelve of the annoying bastards popped up making the snoring that much more pronounced. And it was during that restful slumber of the real Naruto, that Sasuke took up each clone and laid swift vengeance to them in the backyard. It was very satisfying. And he just happened to throw a kick to the real thing which stopped his snoring. To him that was a pretty good night. So he's perplexed as to why his two house guest are in such a foul mood, but he feels fantastic.
"...Anyway...." Naruto says slowly. "I'll be working in the district not far from here today, wanna help? I know you're probably just gonna hang around the house today."
"Sasuke has better things to do than rebuild a town he wants nothing to do with- don't you, Sasuke?" A shark toothed grin flashed itself smugly at knowing what Sasuke wants.
"You don't speak for me Suigetsu." He then wiped his mouth with a napkin, setting it beside his plate once he's done with breakfast. "I actually had planned on helping with the area around here, and you should include yourself if you're planning on staying with me."
Suigetsu blanched. How dare Sasuke just assume he's going to live with him in this foreign land with its foreign people. Is he nuts?! He's just sticking around until something better comes along, because hanging out with that human-cadaver Orochimaru while he rebuilds Sounds' state-of-being doesn't exactly flip him. What was Juugo thinking? He figured he of all people would remain at Sasuke's side, but he went with Orochimaru to help him instead. You think you know a guy.
"Clean these dishes, I'll be back in twenty minutes." Getting up from the table, Sasuke walks with as much confidence as a man who can see somewhere in the spacious home.
"Listen you," Naruto began but stopped when seeing Suigetsu turn his head into a flip-top just to yawn.
And before he could continue with what he was going to say the aquatic stranger liquidized and slid out of the room leaving the annoyed blond to his own devices. Sitting in silence for a moment, Naruto wondered where Sasuke went and then with a knowing smile on his face he made for the male's bathroom. Maybe he could join him for a bath?
0 0 0
Maito Gai whistled while he worked, which wasn't easy with nails protruding past his lips by their tips, they kept falling to the deck below him needing to be picked up again and again. But Gai didn't seem to mind. He's been up since four o'clock and he's still got youthful energy to burn on building homes and businesses, though he could tell that some businesses were attempting to become a little more gurthy than they originally were. Konoha is shaping up to look pretty ritzy if you ask him.
Back-handing the sweat from his forehead, he looks around him seeing familiar faces all around. It's like their great fire nation has become one big family! It's invigorating! How could a person not get wind of seconds and thirds from just looking around them. Even Sasuke's getting in on it. He can see him and Naruto walking down the street with the rogue-ninjas... Friend? Subordinate? Company? Gai's not sure. But it's nice to see more helpers, new faces. Maybe he can have lunch with the youthful trio, since he can't have lunch with Lee. And Neji's been almost a ghost. He must be working hard in whatever district he's chosen. Sometimes Gai wished for eyes that could see in the distance of his pupil. Then he could watch all of them with pride.
"Naruto!?" Gai called down to the passing trio. "How 'bout lunch? My treat!"
Naruto became happy so suddenly that he laughed before waving a hand to the man. "I'll be there!!"
Chuckling at the enthusiasm, he adds. "You too Sasuke, and your shark friend!"
Suigetsu's shoulders rose and his head sagged between them, like someone had run their finger up his spine. He didn't like the idea of having a meal with this loud man. Although, it was better than eating in silence with Sasuke.
Gai was curious though, because Lee should have been back by now. Wonder what he could be up to?
0 0 0
Lee stepped into line behind four burly looking men. They've got welts here and there on their exposed arms, he can see the bruises on the backs of one guy's knees. Must be in the shop for some salve after a mission or training session.
The undercover investigator looked around the shop seeing nothing out of the ordinary about it, leaving him to wonder how one would bring up the chakra stones. Does he ask outright? Or is he supposed to whisper to a worker about 'special merchandise' before he's brought in back?
"Thanks Rosario," All four men waved goodbye before exiting the shop.
'Casual. Casual.' He coached himself. Stiffening his back, elevating his head, and puffing out his chest he moves forward to the counter. "Excuse me, I'd like to ask about the chakra stones that Kerai-san mentioned during a demonstration."
The sweet-faced woman behind the counter nodded before waving a plump arm in gesture for him to follow her. The two walked a little ways from the counter over to shelves filled with boxes and pouches.
"How can there be so many?" He asked in awe.
"Oh, those aren't the Living-Stones, those are just food pills for shinobi who can... well..." The clerk seemed almost embarrassed to mention expansion for battle when she's naturally gurthy.
"I know a friend who uses them." He nods.
"We keep the stones back here."
With the push of a button the shelf slid over with a quick whoosh.
"Why hide them?" Lee asked when following the woman through the passage. "I thought they were open to the public?"
"The paying public, even if they're cheap you have to proceed with caution that people could steal and use the stones for no good."
"Paying people could." Informed the Leaf-nin.
It seemed she didn't hear him, because she went on speaking as though she hadn't. "We also don't have many in stock but six at a time."
"Are they that hard to make?"
"Oh very! A lot of hard work goes into it."
"I see." He looks at the four large stones resting in a small decorative wooden box on a soft pillow.
Pointing out each she's describing, she said. "This is water, wind, electricity, and wood."
"Wood!" Lee stared in awe.
"The other two were bought just a little while ago." Leaning the box towards him, her brown hair fell over her shoulder as she does this, she asked. "Which would you like? Unless you'd like to wait until your preference comes in."
"It's hard to decide... Any one of these would be good." Lifting the little red stone with the dark brown smudge inside between his fingers, he twisted and turned it around in his grasp. "So... I swallow it?"
"That's right."
"There's no way of using it otherwise?"
"Well, it has to blend with your body's chakra, so I don't see how it would work without ingestion."
'Then I can't try it out.' Lee's brows sag along with the corners of his mouth. "Has anyone ever tried to... Use it without swallowing I mean?"
"Pretty much everyone who comes in for one. They joke around with them calling out commands... But nothing ever happens." She shrugged a thick hand.
"I see we have another prospective customer." A semi-familiar voice said from behind them.
Spinning around, Lee held his gasp when Kerai walked into the small room. His employee didn't seem alarmed, she even smiled at him.
Unnerved, Lee spat out the firs thing that came to mind. "You're Kerai-san! I've become an admirerer of yours."
The man smiled.
"I'm very curious about them, how they're made."
"I'm afraid that's a trade secret, but if you'd like I can show you one I've been sort of saving for special."
"Oh?" He looks cautiously at the arm that's come around his shoulders.
"People can use multiple stones but, few can acquire every one. In fact I'm very adamant about informing them to only use them two at a time."
"So the effects do wear off."
"In time, if they're frequently used. If you use the abilities sparingly it could last you a lifetime."
"How?" Lee is lead from the room, unable to make full sentences in the man's sudden and overbearing presense. Kerai seemed a lot less intimidating on stage.
"The stone itself bonds with the user, the longer it's with you. I'm afraid not many will get to know this because they're already through four of five of them within a week."
'They're that safe one could use them up then get some more?' It was almost too good to be true! It actually is too good to be true. "Are there any side effect?"
"None whatsoever." Replied the man easily. "I wouldn't distribute them if they could become a problem."
"But you said it yourself, no one has had it with them long enough for it to bond permenantly." Lee shrugged himself free. "How do you know nothing wouldn't happen then?"
"Well, that's where a fine young man like yourself come into the picture."
Confused, Lee quirked a brow in wonder of what the man could possibly be talking about. "How could I possibly help you?"
"I've been wondering about you since I saw you rescue that little boy at the rally yesterday. I've never known someone so skilled with taijutsu that he's able to sort of create his own style of chakra."
'He must be refering to my senpu...' Thinks the male.
"If you will?" Asked the man.
Before Lee could even think that it was coming he's received a swift pop to the head.
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Living Stone