-1Ding….Ding…..Ding….

Each chime of the church bell was a pang in the young boy's heart. He was sporting an emerald green tuxedo, not the most stylish of choices but it was his trademark and he liked it.

The church outside the Leaf Village Ninja Academy was decorated beautifully with white and pink. Cherry blossom petals flew from the nearby tree, scattering themselves over the scene; a coincidental yet marvelous touch. Throughout the scene set up for this occasion, there was a bit misplaced bit around the front of the minister's podium.

"Naruto just HAD to add orange and blue decorations to the front of the chapel!! That idiotic twit, it doesn't match ANYTHING!" Ino shouted furiously, she had been in charge of organizing the entire wedding and was about to blow a fuse.

Sakura looked at Ino through her reflection in the mirror. While adjusting the bow on her sleeve she smiled back at her childhood friend.

"You know how Naruto is…I do think it personalizes it a bit though, I mean you can't expect Naruto to be completely peachy with a pink and white wedding." she said, looking over her reflection.

The pale blush of the dress was just enough to compliment Sakura's hair and leave a bridal air to it. Billowing down to past her ankles the gown showed every one of Sakura's curves, a magenta ribbon around her waist accented it just enough to finish it off.

Turning carefully as to not rip the long white veil where he headband usually was she looked at Ino.

"Ino, you have to calm down. It's the day of the wedding, and everything looks beautiful. You did a glorious job and you still need to fix your hair." With this statement Ino screamed and ran out of the room. Sakura chuckled and looked out the window at her future husband.

Naruto Uzamaki was wearing a bright orange tuxedo with blue accents and tie. He was waiting almost nervously having what looked like a nice, friendly conversation with Sasuke.

"What did you call me out here for, Sasuke?" Naruto looked at his long time rival and comrade with a questioning gaze. Sasuke looked down at his shoes, he seemed to be debating something. "Well, spit it out already!"

Sasuke looked up at Naruto and pulled a half-smile.

"I just wanted to give you two my blessings…Sakura's a really great girl and I think you'll do her real good…just…don't screw this up." Sasuke said. Naruto stared at him.

"What's with this sudden burst of caring, Sasuke? I mean really, you sound like a sap." Naruto said. Sasuke frowned, but then switched it over to a smirk.

"Loser.." he said, hitting him on the head and walking off. Naruto rubbed his head, half angry, half confused.

Ding….Ding…..Ding….

Another twinge of brutal pain and regret as the church bells rang. Looking to his left to his pale-eyed team mate then returning to his gaze at the ground, the green-clad ninja tried to analyze the thoughts whirling through his head.

Those pale eyes did not return his gaze, but stared out into the forest around them. Everything seemed jolly, calm, peaceful…but maybe too peaceful.

Neji stayed alert but didn't make a move, of course he had no lead and it would be foolish to react now, but he was also decently concerned with the ceremony about to begin, he glanced to the other side of the chapel to an identical set of pale eyes set on a red face. Hinata Hyuuga was staring down at her hands, fidgeting with the zipper of her jacket. Neji watched as his relative shed a small tear as it landed on her leg.

Tears…emotion…signs of weakness…poor, poor Hinata, he thought. Such a feeble excuse of a shinobi she was. A glint of light attracted Neji's attention but he relaxed seeing it was just Shino's sunglasses shining as he looked down at Hinata, then returned his glance to the end of the long aisle way.

The ceremony was about to begin.

Ding….Ding…Ding….

Rock Lee looked up at last when the final church bells sang out into the silence around them. The three bridesmaids; Ino, Temari and Lee's own teammate, Tenten were all wearing identical simple pink dresses similar to Sakura's. They all were looking at the end of the aisle as the minister walked in.

"I didn't know Iruka-sensei had a minister license..." Hinata said quietly. The long time teacher of the ninja academy took his place at the minister's podium and piano music began to play. Naruto had looked pretty bored up until now, his eyes had now lit up and he (along with the rest of the chapel) was looking back at the chapel entrance. Standing at the door was Kakashi-sensei linked arm in arm with the bride-to-be.

He had always wondered why people cried at weddings. Lee had been to a few in the past, he understood that it was a very happy occasion and it was okay to cry, but he didn't exactly know why. At this point though, he knew he could not cry. He wanted to, oh so badly…but he would not let himself.

Sakura's hair was fixed all around her face, moving slightly in the wind almost naturally. As Kakashi led her up the isle she cast an almost whimsical look at Lee, who's heart leapt with a twang of sadness and happiness. The most he could manage was to give her a feeble 'nice guy pose' with a half smile. Sakura didn't seem to notice his uneasiness and flashed him one of her famous smiles, continuing the walk to her groom.

A loud rustling sounded from the forest around them. It sounded rather distant, but Lee knew he could hear movement. His eyes darted to Neji's who seemed to be the only other person who noticed. Lee took this as an excuse to get away from this heartbreaking scene around him and whispered to his team mate;

"I will go see what it is," Lee's voice was soft enough to only reach Neji's ears, "Cover for me if anyone noticed I have left…do not disrupt the wedding unless absolutely necessary." Neji nodded and once everyone was focused on the beginning of the wedding ceremony he leaped off into the forest.

Once out of view, Lee stumbled to a tree and put his heads in his arms. He always knew Sakura didn't like him…but he never wanted to accept it until now.

Naruto will make her happy… he thought, taking his head from the tree and looking at his feet, He is the best person for her…much better him than that Sasuke… Lee shook his thoughts away…he had almost completely forgotten why he came out here in the first place.

Mildly distracted by his thoughts, Lee silently creeped towards where he had heard the noise. It was all silent…maybe he had been hearing things? He had been a bit stressed all day…but no, Neji noticed it too. Lee had taken off the uncomfortable tuxedo and was now in his normal, jumpsuit attire. (Yes, he DID wear it under the tuxedo)

Lee stopped, he was sure he heard something this time. He looked around and in the distance of the woods saw blurred movement. He leapt into the trees and jumped ninja-like until he could see the scene clearly.

"So, boss, did you find anything good on her?" sneered a malicious ninja wearing all black, loose robed and a blue netted mask over his face. Another ninja of greater height with the same general persona about him shook his head.

"She's got nothing… I guess we'll have to dispose of her then, won't we?" he said, his voice slow and drawing like a snake.

Between the two men was a young woman, tied by her wrists to an above branch. The girl was wearing a tight purple shirt and matching pants, over which was a canary-yellow skirt, hanging to her knees. Her hands had fingerless purple gloves and her yellow boots matched the skirt. Over her shirt, around the waist, was several layers of bandages similar to Lee's.

What Lee noticed first, though, was the fact that her ninja-headband was tied across her eyes.

What kind of ninja would blindfold someone with their own headband… thought Lee, before he even knew what he was going to do he found himself jumping from the tree and landing in front of the three shinobi.

"I do advise that you step away from this young lady at once." Lee's mouth seemed to form the words for him. In his classic fighting stance he stared at the two men, who began to snicker.

"What's with this freak? Hey, eyebrows, get out of here before you trip over a snail and hurt yourself." said the shorter of the ninja. Lee continued to stare the two down and the larger man walked over to him.

"Did you not hear him? Get lost, punk." he said, putting a hand on Lee's shoulder. Soon as his hand made contact with the green spandex of Lee's jumpsuit there was a streak of yellow.

Lee had jumped back and up within a matter of second and kicked the ninja up through the jaw. He spun toward the other ninja who was approaching and punched him in the neck, then kicked him in the stomach.

The two ninja began retreating limply.

"Now, now bushy-brow. We didn't mean any harm, we'll….we'll just be on our way now…" the man was bleeding at the mouth while speaking. At this statement the two turned and ran back into the depths of the forest.

After Lee made sure no one else was around he figured those two ninja were just a couple of idiots bullying an innocent girl.

He turned to the limp body, now that he was closer he could see her more carefully. She seemed to be unconscious, yes he was sure of it. He untied her carefully and held her in his arms. She was lightweight…he could carry her back to the village.

To his relief, by the time he returned to the wedding the ceremony was over and they were merrily having cake in the reception area.

Neji caught sight of Lee as he came out of the trees and casually walked over.

"So? What happened….who is this?" he said, looking down at the girl.

"I took care of it…some ninjas had this girl hostage… I got rid of them, they were just random trouble-makers… I need to take care of this girl though, I do not know if she is wounded…." he said. Neji nodded and looked around.

"Go speak with Gai-sensei or Kakashi…maybe he'll let her stay with us." Neji gestured to their sensei over by the drink table, speaking with his rival.

To enhance training opportunity, Gai's team had been staying together in a large house. Since Naruto and Sakura would be living together now, Sasuke was now also living with them. Just next door the other teams had done the same thing. In one house was Shika, Ino and Choji, in another was Hinata, Kiba and Shino, both teams with their sensei.

"Kakashi! My rival! So you have beaten me in yet another challenge!" Gai was yelling, being overly dramatic. Kakashi looked over;

"What now?"

"So what if your team mates were the first to wed, I will find someone for mine soon and they will be a thousand times happier than yours, Kakashi! Possibly I can hook up Neji and Tenten… yes, yes, that will do…of course Lee doesn't exactly have a chance with-- wha-- OH LEE! HELLO THERE MY STUDENT!"

Lee looked up at his sensei, whether he didn't hear that comment or chose to ignore it, Gai wasn't sure.

"Sensei.."

"Lee! Who is this? Neji told me you went to check something out in the forest but he never mentioned you were bringing back a lady!" he said. Lee sweat dropped.

"Sensei, I was wondering if I could--"

"Whatever did you do to her, Lee? She seems out cold! Why I remember when I brought back my first damsel in distress from the woods, I beat Kakashi when I--"

"SENSEI!"

"Hm? What is it Lee?" Gai looked up from his rambling.

"I was wondering…if I could let this girl stay in our house for a while…just until she heals enough to go home." Lee said, Gai looked down at him with what was almost an impressed look on his face.

"Well then…that would be fine. Where should she stay though? We're full on beds with Sasuke there…"

"She can have my room, I will sleep on the floor in Neji's room or something….it is not like she will be here too long anyway. I will figure something out…" he said. Gai nodded and Lee turned and carried the girl gingerly towards their house.

"Heheheh. See that, Kakashi! Maybe Lee WILL find a lucky girl to marry…I challenge you that I can get Lee married off before you can get Sasuke! I CHALLENGE YOU, MY RIVAL!"

"Hm? What? I wasn't listening." Kakashi said, looking up from his trademark orange book. Gai anime fell.

"AGGGHH!! KAKASHI! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO COOL!!!!"

Lee walked into their five bedroom house with the woman in hand, he walked past the main hall which lead to the kitchen and living room. He walked past the bathroom and Gai's bedroom and up the stairs. He passed Neji's bedroom and Tenten's room down to the end of the hallway where Lee's room was across the hall from what used to be the spare bedroom, and now occupied Sasuke.

Lee walked in and set the girl on his bed, moving the pillow to make her comfortable. He walked to the window and opened the shade. The room was filled with light and Lee finally got a better look of the person he rescued.

She had fair skin that was dotted with freckles…especially around the bridge of her nose and her cheeks. Her hair was about chin length and a bright orange…she seemed about… a little below average height. Not quite as short as Gaara was, but not exactly tall.

"Oh…" Lee remembered for the first time since he found the girl about her headband. "I should untie…" he started to himself, reaching his hand out to untie the ninja band being used as a blindfold.

Before his hands even touched the cloth another hand shot up and grabbed Lee's wrist. The girl's fingers, thin and feeble as they looked, had a strong, breaking grip on Lee's arm.

"Don't…touch it…" a struggling voice said. The words from her mouth seemed forced…as if she was in great pain.

Lee looked down at the girl.

"I…thought you…sorry." he said. "Tell me…what is your name?"

"Ah….Akemi." she said, before her arm went limp again. She had fallen back asleep.

"Akemi…" Lee repeated. "You must be completely out of chakra…what did they do to you?" he said. It was then he noticed a wet spot on her shirt…she was bleeding.

"Uh oh…" Lee said, "I…have to bandage that…" he said. He sighed, "Calm down Lee, you're mature… you can do this. It's for medical purposes…I'm not a pervert or anything…" he said as he got out the bandages from a shelf in the corner of the room.

------

Ugh… A noise awoke Lee, he sat up and looked around. He had fallen asleep on the floor beside his own bed. Why am I…oh right. he remembered…the girl…the bandages…he hadn't figured out where to sleep yet, so he had dozed off on his own bedroom floor. He looked over at his guest, seeing that she was awake and sitting up.

Somehow…with the blindfold on, she was facing Lee.

How did she know I woke up? he thought. He had awoken just a few seconds ago…

"W-where am I?" she asked. Lee looked up from his thoughts.

"Oh…um you are at my house…well my team's." Lee said, caught off-guard by the question.

"And you would be…" Akemi questioned, seeming to be a bit impatient.

"Oh…Lee…Rock Lee…" he said.

"I see…Well I'm Akemi…Hotaru, that is." she said, her voice going a little more polite. "Why…how did I get here?" she asked.

"Well, I found you in the woods with a couple of ninja, you were unconscious and I could tell they were up to no good…so I cut in and shooed them away." he said. "I did not want to just leave you there…so I brought you here."

"Oh…whose bed is this?" she asked.

She sure asks a lot of questions… Lee thought before responding.

"Eh, mine…we are sort of short on beds at the moment…so I gave up mine." he said.

"Oh…" Akemi said. It was quiet for a moment.

"Are you sure you do not want to take off that blindfold?" he said. Another moment of silence.

"But it--…it's not a blindfold…Well it is…but I…choose…to wear it." she said. "Well…I have to.." Lee looked at her.

"But does that not impair your vision?" Akemi shook her head.

"I…no. It doesn't." She said, "I'm blind…have been from birth." she said. Lee looked at her,

"Then why wear the blindfold if you cant see anyway?"

"…believe me…you don't want to look in my eyes…listen, is there somewhere I could wash up…I've been out in that forest for three days without bathing…I smell horrid." she said. Lee took her to the house bathroom and gave her a towel. She closed the door just as the front door opened and the formally dressed Gai, Sasuke and Neji walked in.

"What…who's in the shower?" Sasuke asked. "I thought Tenten was at the after party for the wedding still…" he said, looking at the bathroom door.

"That is Akemi." The three of them stared at Lee blankly.. "Oh, the girl I brought back from the forest.." this time only Sasuke stared blankly, the other two understanding.

Lee recounted to them how he went out to the forest and found her, when he brought her back, then the conversation they had just a minute ago.

"Blind you say? Hm…interesting." Gai said.

"Why would she keep something over her eyes if she cant see…" Sasuke said. "It makes no sense…"

"Unless…" Neji spoke up, Sasuke and Lee looked over at him. Gai looked at the wall, still thinking. "Unless she has a hereditary nin-jutsu…one that works through the eye. Such as my byakugan or Sasuke's sharingan."

The group thought for a moment…the silence wasn't broken until the door of the bathroom opened and Akemi walked out