Ok guys, this is my first fanfic, so please go easy on the flames…………(if you're going to flame me, at least make it constructive)
(For the sake of this story, logic has been put aside, and Rock Lees' leg and arm are magically all better)
Disclaimer: I own no one
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It was a very odd way to start out the summer, but Tsundae had decided that they would try this alternate type of training. There were to be two camps, one for all the young female ninjas, and one for all the young male ninjas in the leaf country. Life would go on as per normal, accept contact with the opposite gender was forbidden. The idea was that this prolonged separation would create a better respect for each gender.
May 3: During the counsellor meetingTsundae: Ok, now all we have to do, is split up all the different teachers into the different categories……….
Gai: I WILL TEACH THEM TO BE CHARMING WHILE KICKING BUTT! (Ridiculous thumb up pose)
Kakashi: Just what we need, more mini Gais loose in this world………. On is enough for me.
Gai: What was that?
Kakashi: Nothing, I was just thinking out loud
Gai: I heard you say my name!
(Arguing in the background)
Tsundae: This is going to be a long meeting………………..sigh
May 7: First day of pitching camp (girls)
Ino and Sakura just glared at each other, how they had ended up being tent buddies, no one will ever know. They both hated the idea of being forced apart form their precious Sasuke. Then it dawned on Ino; Sasuke was the reason they had broken their friendship, and now that he was off some were out in the wild blue yonder, they really had no reason to fight. Ino suggested this to Sakura, and her angry face melted away, leaving a stunned, blinking one.
Sakura: You're actually right; this means that we have nothing to compete over for the next two and a half MONTHS!
The idea that they could be best friends again just because their crush wasn't there was absurd, but it made perfect sense to both of them. Big smiles spread across their faces and they embraced like they did when they had been six years old.
Sakura: One rule, we aren't allowed to claim Sasuke, we can talk about why we like him and so fourth, but no fighting!
Ino: Agreed!
Every one who saw this was utterly confused, how do you just "become best friends again?" they all wondered.
Tenten was pitching her tent right next to Sakura and Ino, listening intently.
Hinata: Tenten? Are you even listening to me?
Tenten: huh? Oh! I'm so sorry, what did you just say?
Hinata: Why are you spying on those two? You're making it pretty obvious.
Tenten: sigh promise you won't tell anyone?
Hinata: Promise
Tenten: Well, you know my group member Rock Lee? Well, he's asked me to spy on Sakura, to see what she likes, what her interests are. He really likes her, but like all the other girls in this village, she's stuck on Sasuke. I really want to give him the chance to show Sakura that he can be just as good as that little emo!
Tenten was fuming at that point, Lee was like a brother to her, and she couldn't help but be angry with Sakura for not giving him a chance. Sure he was the Prince of cheese (the king being Gai-Sensei) but he had a heart of pure gold, full of admiration for her. In Tentens' opinion, she didn't deserve him.
Hinata: Hmm…
She wasn't listening as hard as she could have, but more wondering at that moment how Naruto was doing. Who is his tent buddy? Where is the boys' camp? Would he ever like her?
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Naruto cringed when he hear that his tent buddy was to be "eyebrows." Sasuke wasn't to excited when he heard that his own was Akimichi Choji.
Sasuke: Great, we're going to need a FOUR-man tent just to fit him. I can't believe they expect me to sleep with this guy for 2 MONTHS!
Neji: How fortunate I am. At least the people who are left are people I won't want to kill by the end of this absurd training.
Ibiki: Hyuga Neji and Nara Shikimaru
Neji/Shikimaru: Him…interesting…he'd better not snore.
Lee strode up to Naruto and suggested that they get going on the tent. Naruto hated the idea that he had to share his tent with this guy. For one, Lee was annoying, and another; he too had a HUGE crush on Sakura. Naruto pulled their tent out of the bag close to were Sasuke was setting up his (Sasukes' partner was just sitting there eating).
Naruto: At least I can be close to my friend
Lee: Hey Neji, come set up over here!
Lee was waving to his teammate, Naruto just snorted at the thought. Neji, although he thought Lee was a bit loud, decided that staying near someone he knew well could prove to be an advantage.
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Dusk set upon the two peaceful camps, feeling isolated and slightly alone after having all their teams split up. All each side knew, was that the other gender was off somewhere in the wild blue yonder, although the camps were only about a mile apart.
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Sakura woke with a start, it was too early to be up; the sun hadn't even started to rise. She decided to go for a walk, and try to settle down again. As she strode through the star lit forest, her thoughts wandered back to earlier that evening.
Flash BackDuring dinner, Mitarashi Anko had suggested that all the girls get into groups, and try to get to know one another. Everyone thought it would be a fun idea, and got into groups of four. Seeing as Hinata and Tenten were in the closest tent, Sakura had asked them if they'd form a group with herself and Ino. So the girls huddled into one tent, and decided to play a game.
Ino: It's kind of like truth of dare, but seeing as we're supposed to be gathering information on each other, we're going to change the rules a little. We'll draw straws to see who gets to ask the first question, and it can be ANY question. If that person doesn't want to answer it, then they have to run around the camp crowing and flapping like a rooster!
Hinata looked down, he didn't like to talk about herself, but the other option was bleak. They drew straws, and Sakura was the first to ask. Her eyes narrowed, and she looked straight at Hinata, there was something she HAD to know.
Sakura: Hinata…
Hinata cringed as her name was said.
Sakura: Do you like anyone… as MORE than just a friend?
She tried to avoid naming his name, but Sakura was thinking one REALLY hard.
Hinata: nodding yes… I… I like… umm…say it! Just say it, you'll feel so much better if you do! ………Naruto.
All the other girls giggled, and Hinata blushed. It was odd, but a weight seemed to lift from her chest as she said her crushes name.
Hinata: All right, now it's my turn, Tenten…
End of flashbackIt was funny, just after that game, the four of them were thick as thieves. Even Hinata was opening up and showing more life. It was strange to think that in so little time, Ino would befriend her again, like nothing had ever happened, even with the deal.
Sakura looked around and didn't recognize her surroundings at all. Her dreamlike state and random walking had brought her farther away form the camp than she was supposed to be, and up until now, she hadn't noticed the clouds gathering in the sky, covering the stars. There was no light, and Sakura could barely see a foot in front of her face.
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Smack A hand landed quite roughly on Lee's face, with a groan, he looked over to see Naruto, yipping and twitching in his sleep. Kyuubi was dreaming. He pushed the hand off of him and tried to go back to sleep, but the light woofing and scratching was pissing the heck out of him.
Lee: I'll just go to the bathroom quickly and by then he should stop.
Silently he crept out of his sleeping bag, and left the tent. On his way out of the clearing, he ran across another dreaming boy, acting in the same manner as Naruto, but somehow he'd gotten out of his tent. He recognized him as the boy with the little white puppy, and shaking his head, stepped over Kiba.
Kiba: Mrff…. rrrrrrrrr…I'll get you next time…damn squirrel………
Lee: The people of this village are beyond me…
With that, Lee strode off into the bushes to relive himself.
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If only she hadn't gotten turned around, if only she hadn't sat down and let the damp darkness get to her. If only that darn rabbit hadn't jumped out of the bushes and scared the living daylights out of her, Sakura wouldn't be running as fast as she could in some unknown direction. Tears streaming down her face, bushes scratching and grasping her legs, she stormed on in a fearful frenzy. (Normally Sakura wouldn't act like this, but for the sake of the story, she is)
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Reliving………..3
Buttoning fly…………..2
Turning back to camp………….1
0……….Smack! Crash! Oof! Ow! SCREAM! Silence…………..
Sakura had landed on top of Lee, and thinking that he'd been ambushed flipped them over, and covered her mouth to stop the noise. Emerald eyes stared into black eyes, shadowed by monstrous dark brows. Instantly recognizing her, Lee got off, and pulled Sakura up into a sitting position.
Lee: Sakura-chan, what are you doing here?
Half confused, but half excited to be alone with his sweet heart, he started pulling twigs and leaves out of her hair. Sakura was so stunned she couldn't move.
Sakura: Thing…jumped…I…. ran…(finally recognising Lee) OMG! LEE!
Sakura pressed herself firmly into Lee's chest.
Sakura: He's my friend, he can protect me…
Lee's mind:
I wrapped my arms around the quivering pink haired girl, laying my cheek down on her head. She smelled so sweet, just like a sakura blossom, so I pulled her closer, wanting more of her, wanting to protect her from whatever she was afraid of. Her heart drummed fast against my chest, I wondered if she could feel my own. My love had so freely thrown her self into me; I must make her feel safe.
Sakura's mind:
He didn't hesitate, he didn't complain, he just held me. I felt so safe there, and then I wondered if Sasuke would do this for me. No, he'd tell me to suck it up, that I'm a ninja, and ninjas aren't afraid of the dark. Lee pulls me closer, and I wondered what he's thinking. I sense is Chakra waking up, as if he's expecting something else to pop out of the bushes. I realize that he would fight for me, just as he did at the Chunin exam, even if it meant getting hurt.
Sakura had calmed down now, and was relaxing in her friends' arms. Neither knew how long it had been, neither knew what time it was. Slowly, Sakura pulled away from Lee and looked into his eyes.
Sakura: Thank you… thank you so much. You're a great guy, and Tenten is lucky to have you on her team.
Lee: It's nothing, really. I'm just always looking out for my friends. Especially those who are precious to me.
Lee's mind:
OMG! I MUST BE THE LUCKIEST GUY ON THE PLANET! I JUST HELD SAKURA-CHAN IN MY ARMS FOR LIKE HALF AN HOUR!
Uh oh, the sun is rising, we'd better start heading back before either of us are missed.