A/N: Guess who appears in this chapter? Yep, it's Konoha's "handsome" blue beast, Rock Lee!

Chapter Three: I am Always Here for You

As Sakura walked home, she couldn't think straight. All she thought about was Sasuke, but every time she thought about him, it was too painful. Over and over again, his words were repeated in her mind…

"You don't have to check on me. I can take care of myself… Quit overreacting."

"What I do is my business—not yours, not anyone's."

And then…that cold, hard glare…

"Leave me alone."

Sakura blinked back the tears in her eyes. Sasuke…don't do this to me… Don't push me out… Please, just let me help you…

Suddenly, she came across an all-too-familiar campus bench. Sakura stopped in mid-walk, staring at the bench that brought back so many memories.

This…this is where we had our first real conversation… Sasuke and I… If only I could remember more than his calling me annoying. She glanced down at the cobblestone path. But…maybe…he was right all along. I am annoying…so annoying that just being in my presence irritates him.

What good am I?

As Sakura seated herself down on the bench, a loud voice abruptly rang out, "Sakura! Sakuraaaaaa!"

Sakura tore away from her thoughts and forced herself to look up. Who she saw next left her baffled. "…Lee?" She hadn't expected to see him again so soon after the preliminaries of the Chunin Exams.

When Lee finally reached her, he instantly noticed the tears that'd just formed in her eyes, and the smile disappeared from his face. "Sakura…are you okay?" he asked, his face full of concern that it almost hurt to look at it.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Lee," Sakura reassured him, drying her tears once again as Lee took a seat next to her. "It's just a cold; nothing to worry about, really."

Unfortunately, that lie didn't work on Lee like it did Naruto.

Lee studied her for a minute, and then shook his head. "No, tell me, Sakura," he insisted, "What is really bothering you?"

Sakura drew in a deep, shaky breath. "I really don't want to talk about it," she replied quietly. "It's a long story, and I'd prefer not to get into the details."

Lee hesitated. "It is…about Sasuke, is it not?"

Sakura glanced at him, a look of surprise passing over her. How could Lee know? How could he possibly understand how I feel about Sasuke? "…Yes…" Sakura said at last, looking down at the ground again. "It is…"

Rock Lee scowled for a moment, but then flashed his nice-guy pose, complete with a thumbs-up, shining smile, and wink. "Do not worry, Sakura! You can tell me anything, and I will gladly listen!"

Sakura tried to smile at his odd mannerism, but instead managed a small smile at his offer. Yet before she jumped into her story, she paused. "You don't mind me raving about Sasuke, do you?" she asked, keenly aware of Lee's huge crush on her.

Lee remained unfazed, "Anything for you, Sakura."

Sakura took in another deep breath. "Okay, here it is: Kakashi-sensei gave us a new mission today and when Sasuke didn't show up after fifteen minutes, I got really worried… A lot's been going on lately, and besides, Sasuke's never late," she explained, deliberately leaving out the part about Orochimaru and the curse seal. "So anyway, I went to look for him afterward. I just got so worried that I started pounding on his apartment door…only to see that he was right behind me…

"I asked him why he didn't show up at the bridge today—which was where Kakashi-sensei told us to meet him—and even explained to him why I checked up on him, but…" Sakura's voice cracked, and she could feel the tears forming in her eyes again, "…He dismissed my feelings, claimed that I was overreacting, and then…he told me to leave him alone…" She turned away from Lee so he wouldn't see her cry. Though it had hurt to explain the story, it had also surprisingly felt good to finally tell someone about it.

Rock Lee scowled in sympathy. Honestly, he didn't really know what to do at the moment; he just knew he had to be a good friend for Sakura right now. Though it's true he could never understand how Sakura felt about Sasuke, he tried his best to be consoling, "I am…really sorry, Sakura," he muttered, "…But I want you to know that I am always here for you."

Sakura took a moment to collect herself. "Thank you, Lee," she replied sincerely, smiling a little, "I really appreciate it. I'm sorry to put you through all this, though. I know that…listening to me drone on and on about Sasuke isn't really your thing." She then stood up to leave.

Lee blushed as he stood up as well. Sakura actually thanked me! I am so happy! "No, but I do not mind," he stated, "You know, I hate to see you upset, Sakura—it tortures me inside. I just hope that you feel better now."

"Actually, I do feel a little better now," Sakura answered with a slight nod, "…Thanks to you." With that, she began to continue her walk home again.

This made Lee blush even more. That's it! I think Sakura's finally falling in love with me! Now's my chance to ask her out! "Hey, Sakura!" he blurted all of a sudden.

She turned around to face him. "What is it, Lee?"

"I was thinking…maybe we should hang out sometime! You know, just the two of us!" he called, waving his arm in the air while cupping the other hand over his mouth.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "You mean, like on a date?"

"YES!" By now, Rock Lee was practically grinning so wide that you'd have been able to fit a kunai across his mouth.

Sakura winced. I should have known… Oh, great. How am I supposed to say no without hurting his feelings? At that moment, Sakura rehearsed possible answers in her mind…

Heck no! Not in a million years! Look, you may be a good friend, Lee, but how many times do I have to reject you before you get the point that I DO NOT WANT TO GO OUT WITH YOU?!

And that won't hurt his feelings? Maybe a milder approach, and by that I mean, much milder…

Um…no.

Nah, that's too blunt. He'll probably ask for an explanation.

No thanks. You're a great guy, Lee, but I just don't see you that way.

True, but is that what you tell someone who's just taken some time to really listen to you? Besides, that excuse is way too overused.

In the end, Sakura settled with, "Okay. Sure. Why not?"

A/N: Ha! I bet you weren't expecting that answer! Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I just had to end it there! Oh, and in case you're wondering: Why would Sakura say yes to Lee? She doesn't even like him! I'll answer that question and give you guys all an explanation in the next chapter. Don't worry; it will all become clear very soon! And please R&R!