AN: I don't own these characters. You know the drill. The rating reflects what's here now—not necessarily what is to come. This is my OTP, so flame anything but the pairing. Other than that. Enjoy, enjoy.

"And if you could save me a place in heaven with a clean, well lighted room—I'd muscle up to Armageddon—and I'd wave to you darling: 'I'll be home soon!'"

-Shawn Colvin

"The lotus in Konoha blooms twice." He had said, one eye nearly swollen shut, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"When we meet again, I will be a stronger man."

His words rang in her ears six years later, still clear as a bell.

"I will protect you to the death." He had said, and she had looked away from him in embarrassment at such a proclamation.

Focus Sakura thought to herself.

See your root chakra…

She closed her eyes and imagined her body painted on the inside of her eyelids—pale blue chakra pulling to the flats of her feet—as she did when she wished to climb trees or walk on water. She pushed a bit harder—the blue light flowing up through her legs to the hollow space inside her pelvis between her sitting bones…

Clear your mind…

Nothing. No light, no color, no resonation. Just dark empty space.

"Shit!" Sakura hissed, slouching out of her rigid meditative posture.

Ever since she had begun training with Lee to improve her Taijutsu (which had been all of a few days ago.), her focus had been scattered—her abilities pathetically limited. And though she had a notion as to why, she was choosing to ignore it.

The agreement had been that both would give their own skills to benefit the other. Lee would coach Sakura on her strength and Taijutsu, while Sakura would administer ancient nin healing techniques to help Lee's body meet the demanding nature of his combat practice.

However, for the past few days, Sakura had managed to avoid her duties under the guise of individual training and molding chakra. This afternoon however, proved different.

"Oi, Sakura-chan!" Lee winced as he hobbled through the buses into the clearing where she sat.

"Lee-kun," Sakura stiffened, a worried look crossing her delicate features.

"You're limping," she stood quickly and moved to support him.

"What happened?"

"I was training with Gai sensei," Lee announced proudly—his eyes already welling with tears.

Oh god, here it comes… Sakura prepared, sliding an arm under his shoulder and around his back.

"He gave the most inspirational lesson today on high speed blows to the legs…" He sighed dreamily.

"That's nice Lee, but I was wondering." Sakura interrupted; suddenly the neglect of her end of the bargain sprang forth from her chest in the form of an offer.

"Since you're in rough shape, would you like to do a nin-treatment today?" Adjusting, she unconsciously slid her supporting hand to his waist.

"Yes!" Lee nearly squealed with enthusiasm—his face a hot vermillion as he observed the gentle strength of Sakura's hands on his hip.

"Alright then." Sakura smiled brightly –hoping she could control her overwhelming embarrassment at Lee's excitement.

Lee had removed all his clothes and folded them neatly into little piles. He'd about died when Sakura had instructed him to undress. Too bad it hadn't been in the context he'd dreamed about (although he did hate to admit it, his youthfulness did get the best of him sometimes—especially late in the evening…)

He slid underneath the sheets on the padded table in the center of the room and waited for Sakura to return. As he waited—his mind began to wander.

Is this just an agreement based on training, or could this be it? Could Sakura finally have started to have feelings for me? Lee tensed his arms anxiously at the mere thought of such a possibility.

She's only had eyes for the Uchiha, but I must believe she is doing this consciously—I must! Lee thought frantically—sheets balled in his hands.

"Lee-kun?" Sakura's voice called from outside the door.

"Yes!" Lee replied letting go of the sheets quickly.

"Are you ready? Can I come in?"

"Yes Sakura-chan!" Lee answered militantly.

Yeesh. This is going to be so awkward. Sakura thought to herself, balancing a large basket of polished stones of all shapes and sizes on her hip as she opened the door.

GULP

Sakura was entirely unready for the sight before her.

That's what's under that hideous leotard!?!?!

She could scarcely believe her eyes—the sculpted loom of muscles laid out before her—smooth pale skin taught over it. In the spare candlelight of the room—Lee's hair was a glossy ebony—his eyes glinting—never left her face.

"Are you alright?" Lee called from his place on the table.

"Y-y-yeah." Sakura stuttered, feeling her chest tighten unexpectedly.

Shake it off Sakura! She told herself. It's just Lee.

Sakura began by unwrapping a large scroll of symbols and placing it on the counter behind her.

"I'm going to start with your right arm." She informed Lee, taking a polished stone about the size of an apple and placing it on the table beside his hand. She rolled up her sleeve and daintily bit (Not viciously chomped, as Naruto so often did when using a summoning technique) her thumb—scarlet droplets of blood forming. She marked the first stone with a symbol from the scroll and whispered the words:

"Stonefire healing technique!"

The stone began to glow dully. Sakura ran her fingers gently down the inside of Lee's arm and placed the warm stone in his open palm.

She continued much in this fashion for his entire body. Placing stones underneath his back, along his chest, under his knees, and even between his toes. When the last stone was placed she laid her left hand on his forehead and made several quick, one handed seals with her right.

"Stonefire healing body scan technique!" she whispered, a small mist rising from

Lee's body.

"Just close your eyes Lee." Sakura instructed. "Don't bother straining to see what I'm doing."

"I trust you Sakura-chan." Lee assured her, his mouth stretching in a gentle smile.

Sakura found herself smiling back, glad that Lee's eyes were closed—and unaware of such.

She turned her eyes to the mist—which had now taken the image of Lee's body—hovering just above him; little red clouds of light glowing in some places.

Okay Sakura prepared herself. Showtime.

She reached one hand down through the misty image of Lee's right arm to his actual bicep. Focusing her chakra, she began to knead his muscles with her hands.

Lee is much more attractive without clothes, for sure. She felt her face get hot.

Did I really just think that? She swallowed hard, trying not to focus on anything but Lee's arm.

I shouldn't think about Lee that way. She told herself sternly before moving up onto his shoulder. But as she worked, the reason why she shouldn't think about Lee that way—seemed to escape her.

Sakura's hands are very strong Lee thought quietly. She's very good at controlling chakra too…

For a minute, he became totally relaxed—his mind voided.

Oh!! Suddenly his mind snapped back into full gear. Sakura had adjusted the sheet around his waist and was digging her thumbs into the muscle of his hips.

This is bad. Lee panicked—his mind racing at a frantic pace. There was no way—with Sakura so close to his…youthfulness would get the best of him.

"I think that's enough for today Sakura-chan!" Lee yelped—his voice cracking clean in two. He sat bolt upright—deactivating her jutsu—sending stones flying everywhere.

Sakura blinked several times—before turning a hot shade of magenta and gluing her eyes to the floor.

"Ah, right then I will see you…"

"Tomorrow bright and early at the field!" Lee motored, laughing nervously—pulling the sheet higher around his waist.

"Well, see you then Lee-kun!" Sakura squeaked, shuffling hurriedly out the door.

Oh the curses of youth! Lee smacked his forehead in frustration.