A/N: I still don't own Naruto or its characters, not even Lee…. le sigh.

Japanese glossary:

-san: suffix added to the end of one's name as a formality, like "Miss" or "Mr." – maybe a little less formal than that….. people who are more knowledgeable than I am in Japanese, please take the liberty of correcting me if I'm wrong.

Sensei: teacher

Konnichiwa: Hello

Gomen: An apology

Gomen nasai: A more formal, serious apology than "gomen" alone.

Chapter 2: Encounter

It was a youthful spring afternoon when I decided to put my resolution into action. The first step, I thought on my way home from morning training, was to initiate a conversation with her outside of battle or waiting in line at Ichiraku.

'Much easier said than done… but it might be less daunting after a shower and a change of clothes… Maybe some flowers?' I thought. 'No. Tenten told me not to try too hard…'

"Lee-san!"

As if my thoughts had materialized of their own accord, there she was. The girl I had been infatuated with for years waved to me from a bench in the academy courtyard as she called out over the noises of children playing. "Konnichiwa!"

"Konnichiwa, Sakura-san," I replied as I approached her and bowed, temporarily forgetting Tenten's advice.

"It's been ages! I'm substitute–teaching for the day and my class is out here for recess – care to join me for a few minutes and catch up?" She patted the space beside her, and I sank into the spot, both grateful for a break and thrilled to be so close to her.

She smiled that wonderful smile that makes the sun envious and spoke again.

"I haven't seen you around in a while. How have you been? Looks like Gai Sensei's been keeping you busy, at least." She giggled at my sweaty, disheveled hair.

Feeling an embarrassed heat in my cheeks, I quickly tried to smooth my damp mane into place, but to no avail.

"Gomen, Sakura-san…. I wish I were more presentable."

"No, really, it's fine. You can't always look like a model, y'know…"

Was she flirting with me?

A blush warmed her face and she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. "Erm…. I mean…. You're going to get sweaty when you work out. It just happens. No big deal."

Putting on the coolest, least-disappointed voice I could muster, I replied, "I knew what you meant, Sakura-san… Please do not be embarr-"

THWAP.

"Lee! Are you all right?"

I had no idea what had just happened. I heard laughter coming from a cluster of children a few feet away and my cheek was stinging. The angel beside me stared with a mixture of shock and amusement. I, Rock Lee, one of the fastest ninja in all of Konoha, had just been hit in the face with a wayward kickball in front of the woman I loved.

"Now, settle down, you guys…. Lee-san is going to be fine, but you shouldn't laugh – that's not nice."

"Ooooohhhhh….. Sensei's got a boyfriend!" I heard a little girl say in a singsongy voice.

This just caused my companion's previous blush to deepen. "Now you stop that…. Don't be silly – we're old friends."

It was too late, though. The little girl had gotten her playmates in on the game and they were all chanting gleefully, "Sensei's got a boyfriend…. Sensei's got a boyfriend….. Sensei's got a boyfriend…."

"I... think I should go," I told her quietly.

"Yeah," she whispered apprehensively, not wanting the boisterous young ninja-in-training to hear, "Might make it easier to calm them down that way…. Gomen nasai!"

"It is quite all right, Sakura-san." I felt extremely guilty about this turn of events. "Perhaps I will talk with you another time."

"Sure... see you later."

Great. I blew it again.