Ok, this is pretty much my first fanfic ever, so please, try not to go too harsh with flames. Anyways, this takes place ater the Chunin exams but before Lee runs off to fight Kimimaro.

Disclaimer: Rock Lee, Maito Gai, Tsunade, and Subaku no Gaara do not and probably never ever will belong to me. Unless I somehow am related to Masashi Kishimoto and I inherit the manga and anime and... Ok, let's get onwith the story.

Rock Lee awoke from his sleep to the startling sound and sudden jolt of a green figure stumbling into his sectioned-off hospital bed. "Gai-sensei!" Lee said as he realized who the man was.

"Lee!" Maito Gai shouted back to his student. He leapt up to the side of the bed and hugged Lee, ignoring his winces. "Lee, I'm so happy for you!"

"Gai sensei, thank you so much! Without you, I might not have accepted the surgery." Both Lee and Gai had tears streaming down their faces. Tsunade the Fifth laughed as she saw the two. Neither of them had realized that she was standing just inside of the curtain barrier.

"Tsunade-sama, I cannot thank you enough for recovering my adorable student!" Lee nodded in agreement with his teacher.

"He's not fully recovered yet, though he is making good progress. He'll be able to start training again soon," she said softly, admiring their praise. "Anyways, it's time for Lee to take his medicine." Lee groaned as she handed him a tan bottle of the liquid medicine. "Make sure you drunk all of it"

Lee sighed. "Fine…" He watched the new Hokage leave before turning to his teacher. "Do I really have to drink it, sensei?" he asked his teacher. Gai nodded.

"Lee, you have to get strong. I know it tastes bad, but--" Gai was cut off by a man who appeared at the curtain.

"Gai, I need to speak to you," the man said. Lee could tell he was a Jounin for he wore a green vest just like Gai-sensei did. Gai stood up, waiting for him to speak, but instead he motioned for him to come outside of the curtained area. He sighed and followed the man who began whispering. Lee tried to listen in, but since he wasn't fully recovered yet, and still healing, he couldn't make out what they were saying. A few minutes later Lee's teacher walked back in without his usual smile.

"Lee, I'm sorry but I must take leave."

"Wha-? Why, sensei?" Lee pleaded. He had been looking forward to spending the day with his teacher.

"Orochimaru has been spotted and they're gathering Jounin to try and capture him." His eyes began to well up again, this time with tears of sadness. "Lee, I promise that I will come back to see you, no matter what!" He struck the good-guy pose and hugged Lee one last time before saying goodbye and leaving with the Jounin.

Lee laid his head back on his pillow, closing his eyes. Maybe I should go to sleep… he thought. He didn't know if he could. Everything was so quiet, except for… what was that? Lee couldn't place it due to his condition, so he opened his eyes. The source was easily spotted, moving around his bed and beginning to creep up the side of his bed.

It was sand.

A figure came into view. Lee could have spotted him anywhere and wasn't happy to see him. Why was he here? Lee didn't smile as he looked directly into the boy's black rimmed eyes and stated his name.

"Gaara."

That's it for chapter one. I know it's not much but if people want me to update it, I will. Reviews would be nice.