Title: A New Era

Author: Shera

Disclaimer: Ma wa ha ha ha chases Masashi Kishimoto with a butterfly net the rights will be mine!

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Chapter 4

Sakura tried the handle first and found that the front door was unlocked when she twisted the doorknob. She took her shoes off and placed them next to Lee's. The living room was closer so she peeked in to find her husband sprawled on the couch with a pillow over his face. She giggled and proceeded to the kitchen to put away the groceries. The cupboards groaned under the weight of the nonperishables Sakura put inside them. The refrigerator was already well stocked so she only had bought a bottle of milk. Lee drank a lot of milk even for a grown man but it was his cute little boyish traits that held Sakura captive.

After gaining Gai-sensei's permission Sakura decided it was time to go on a date with Lee and finally get to know him better. She wandered though the woods to the place where she had last seen him and was taken aback when she found he was still there. He was doing single-handed push-ups and hadn't noticed her approach. She watched him mesmerized by the way his body moved. It wasn't long before they were both breathing at the same even pace. As she watched him her eyes wandered down his arms to his hands and she wondered vaguely what it would feel like to hold those hands. Would she even let him hold her hand or would she put up her defenses before he ever got the opportunity?

"Sakura-chan?" Lee's voice finally broke though her thoughts. Apparently he had been saying her name a few times because there was a look of concern on his face.

"Ah, sorry. I was spacing out," she replied while he approached her.

'Oh God was does he have to look like that!'

"Shush!"

'Take this boy now you fool!'

"Shut up!"

Lee's face looked perplexed as he watched Sakura's facial expressions continue to change. Sakura didn't seem to be herself. There was no doubt the girl before him was her of course. No one could deny how beautiful she was even after training all day in the woods. The spring sunshine warmed her skin and gave her a certain glow. He wondered what it would feel like to touch her. Just to hold her hand or a kiss on the cheek if he could dare yet he couldn't even dare the thought. It wasn't her fault. She didn't know how cruel she was being by just standing before him. Even if she was never meant to be his could he stay contented to only watch her? Or would he just wait until she grew wings and flew away like the image of an angel?

"Um, Lee-kun," a blush crept on both of their faces, "Ten Ten said that you all were going away this weekend to train."

He nodded, "Yes, Gai-sensei has the entire weekend planned for us."

"Well you know that the spring festival is this weekend too," he blinked at her, "I was wondering if your plans were to change would you go with me?"

He gaped at her, "You mean," he pointed at her and himself back and forth until she nodded. "I would go anywhere with you Sakura-chan even if you wanted to go to the rings of Saturn! I would be by your side and defend you from the aliens that may live there!"

She couldn't help to giggle a little at that thought, "That's good then because I've already convinced Gai-sensei to let you accompany me."

"R-really?" he said in a tiny voice.

"Yes and it's a date so dress nicely! I'll see you tomorrow," Sakura said while leaving Lee with his mouth hanging open.

He stood dumbfounded where he stood while he watched her disappear through the trees. "A d-date," he whispered. He brightened, "Yosh! I will not spoil this opportunity to make Sakura-chan mine at last!" With his thoughts finally gathered he ran into the forest to find his sensei and to ask for his guidance.

She put the bottle on an empty shelf and walked back towards the living room. Lee hadn't moved from his position on the couch this caused Sakura to raise an eyebrow. Her curiosity got the better of her so she walked over to him and pulled the pillow off of his face, "Bad day?"

He opened his eyes a tiny bit before taking the pillow back and covering his face. Whatever he was saying was being muffled by the pillow. She took the pillow away again and this time tossed it behind the couch. He felt him self being pulled forward and Sakura sitting on the couch where his head had been. She pulled him back to her body and let him use her lap as a pillow.

The warmth that her body gave off soothed his nerves and he continued to calm as Sakura started to stroke his hair. She liked to play with his hair. It had a silkiness that she was envious of and Lee kept it nice. His eyes held hers and she couldn't help but to smile down at him before giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"So what happened at the academy today?" she asked again while he groaned. She thought to herself, "It must have been bad to deplete even Lee's vigor."

"Well," he looked away, "There was an incident." There was no way that Sakura wasn't going to laugh. She watched him fully interested and he knew her eyes were boring at his head trying to read his thoughts.

"You know those videos that the older kids watch?" he started.

Her brow furrowed trying to figure out what he was referring to, "You mean the visual demonstrations of charka control?"

"Um no. The non ninjutsu related videos."

"Oh," her eyes got large, "The Sex Ed ones?" He covered his face with his hand. "What about them?"

"They are very old films so old that the labeling has fallen off." Sakura remembered. They were so old that everything the kids in them were wearing had come back into style. "Somehow the tapes got swapped."

Sakura bit her lip, "And so?"

He looked up at her very sadly, "All the girls think they are going to grow penises while the boys are concerned about getting their periods."

Sakura couldn't help it. She started to laugh and couldn't stop for a long time. After awhile she calmed down and wiped her eyes, "I'm sorry that's horrible." He sighed as she returned to playing with his hair and he would squint at her every time she so much as snickered.

Her mother had laughed too the night of the festival. Sakura was having trouble tying her belt tight enough so her yukata wouldn't slip open. Her frustration was only making it more difficult for her to arrange the fabric accordingly and her mother had been watching. Sakura looked so pitiful that her mother came over, "Like this," she smoothed the fabric and straighten the seams as her daughter watched amazed. Then her mother patted her head, "It comes with time. Would you like me to do your hair?"

Sakura's eyes welled up, "Would you?"

Leading her by the hand her mother brought her into her parents' room and sat her down at her vanity desk. She hummed as she started to brush out her daughter's hair. Now that she was older she didn't let her mother brush her hair for her anymore but with her body so close to her own gave her a peace of mind that she didn't have before.

Sakura watched her mother's reflection in the mirror, "I have Mom's eyes," she thought to herself. She hadn't really noticed it before but she had grown to look like her mother after all.

"Your hair has grown out a little," she laughed, "I remember when you came back with it all hacked off."

"Yeah you rattled the roof with all your yelling."

She patted her head again, "Mmm, yes hair grows back it was really a silly thing to yell at you for. I was just so surprised." With skilled hands she pulled Sakura's hair and started to pin it up into a bun.

There was a knock on the door both of the Haruno women looked over to see Sakura's father standing in the doorway, "Um," he seemed slightly confused, "There seems to be a young man at the door for Sakura."

"Oh that would be Lee-kun," Sakura started to get up when her mother pushed her back into the chair.

"Honey, would you keep him company? We need just a few more minutes." Mr. Haruno shrugged and went back down stairs.

"Mom, I don't want to be rude."

"This is your first date with this young man right?" Sakura gulped. It was written all over her face and her mother knew her all too well.

"Yes, that's right," she whispered.

Her mother nodded, "First dates are very important because they determine if there will be others. Would you like there to be others," she looked at her daughter with a scary face.

"I uh, I guess so..."

Satisfied her mother hustled around her dresser drawers for different items and Sakura started to fear for her life.

Downstairs Sakura's father had led Lee to the living room. The room was full of awkward silence as they both sat down. Just two guys sitting in a living room together, one was the father of girl he so desperately loved and the other was a guy that saw his baby as an object of affection. What could be taking those girls so long?

"So, you and Sakura are going to the festival?" Mr. Haruno tried to grasp for conversation.

"Yes, sir."

"Ah, good."

Why did girls need so much time to get ready to go anywhere?

"Sir, if I may say something?" Lee had his complete attention; "If you will permit me I will protect your daughter with my life. I will never let any harm befall her as long as a heart still beats in this body!"

Mr. Haruno could only stare at him in stunned silence. Luckily Mrs. Haruno had joined them with a platter of tea and treats, "Sakura will be down in a moment," she said while putting the platter on the coffee table.

"Goodness me you are thin aren't you? It is most unbefitting for a boy your age to be so skinny. I'll go get more snacks," she said while hustling out of the room. They once again were all alone. Sakura's father took a cookie from the plate and nibbled on it while keeping his eyes averted from Lee.

Sakura glanced into the living room from the staircase. She couldn't believe her mother when she gave her a wink as she walked by into the kitchen. Her eyes went back to Lee. He was dressed in a green kimono with a lotus blossom stitched in the back and black slacks. She had only meant it as a joke for him to dress nice she didn't expect him to look really good in festival wear.

'Awesome! We have arm candy!'

Sakura mentally slapped herself and followed shortly after her mother returned to the living room. Lee seemed to be the only one who noticed that she had walked into the room. Without thinking he stood up and was completely breathless. Her yukata was lavender colored with white butterflies on it. Her mother had done up her hair with chopsticks and put a crystal butterfly hairpin in it. The way the light hit it made a ring of light around her head.

"Um do I looked okay, Lee-kun?"

What a time for words to fail him?

"All I see is a ball of cotton candy wearing clothes," her father said before taking a sip from his teacup.

Both women shot him an evil glare and he immediately silenced himself with another cookie. Her mother went to her desk and pulled out her camera, "Just one, please?"

Just one turned into an amateur photo session and it was another twenty minutes before they were permitted to finally leave.

Lee sighed in exasperation when Sakura continued to giggle. She wasn't being a good pillow because pillows did not giggle. He pulled himself off of her lap and looked at her directly, "You can not stop laughing can you?"

She shook her head in response.

"Will I have to make you stop giggling?"

She looked at him with innocent eyes, "Maybe."

He grinned as he pulled her closer to him but she wasn't going to make it that easy for him. She slipped out from under him and ran to the doorway. It was only a moment before he caught up with her. Sakura ducked under his arm and ran into the kitchen but he got there before she made it into the room.

She laughed nervously, "That's cheating," she said while he walked closer to her.

"And using your super strength to move furniture is not cheating?"

"It's resourceful."

"So using super speed to catch my wife is not resourceful?"

Oh boy he was getting too close. He motioned to grab her but she moved and started to run back down the hallway. He couldn't stop the smile that tugged at his mouth. Surely she would have learned many years ago that she couldn't out run him.

There were plenty of game booths set up along the streets. They all had been decorated with flowers and the fading sun added to the atmosphere. The lanterns that lined the street were the only light left after awhile.

In one booth in particular Lee saw a stuffed pink poodle as a prize. He was determined to win it for her. The man in the booth noticed the couple and knew he could get some fast cash from a boy trying to impress a girl, "How about it, son? Win a prize for the little lady?"

A vein throbbed in Sakura's forehead. 'Oh, no he didn't!'

She put her hand on Lee's arm, "Lee-kun may I go first?" she said sweetly. Lee was too surprised at the contact to argue with her.

The shop keeper grinned at her as she put some coins on the counter, "Alright miss, you just have to hit this plate hard enough to make the metal ball move. If you hit the bell you may have whatever prize you want."

She took the hammer from the man and pretended not to know how to hold it properly. When the man couldn't see she grinned to herself. A test your strength booth, man he picked the wrong girl to tick off. She rolled up her sleeves and then gripped the hammer.

"An eighth should be enough," she thought to herself as she slammed the hammer down on the plate.

The metal ball soared up the line past 'wimpy', 'not bad', 'good', 'great', 'awesome', 'manly', and 'studly' until it hit the bell and forced the bell off the scale and into the air.

"Whoops," she stuck her tongue out. An eighth of her strength was still too much power.

"I guess I get whatever prize I want right?" The booth man was still in shock, "I would like that one. Mister?"

He shook his head, "Uh which one?"

She pointed, he walked over and pulled down a green teddy bear for her, "Thank you. Come on Lee-kun." Sakura took his arm and pulled the dazed Lee away from the booth before the man could force them to pay for damages.

When he came to Lee asked, "Which one did you get?"

"This! It's cute right?"

He looked at the bear. It was green with black eyes. He smiled at it, "If it makes you happy."

She nodded in response all the while her hand continued to slip down his wrist to his own hand. Without thinking about it their fingers were entwined as they continued down the path. Lee had removed the bandages that normally covered his fingers so she could feel his naked skin that had become calloused from years of training. They were surprisingly warm and welcoming to her tiny ones.

Lee had noticed that something small was in his hand. He flushed when he realized it was Sakura's hand. It was improper or at least ungentlemanly but he didn't want to let go. Her skin was so soft and her fingers were slightly cold. It seemed only right that he should try to keep her hand warm. Yes, by holding her hand he was actually taking care of her. He said whatever he had to in order to convince himself not to let go.

They walked to the bridge overlooking the river, "The fireworks should be starting soon," she said as he looked at her. The moonlight was reflecting in her eyes when she glanced back at him. Why couldn't he remember Gai-sensei's advice? He really wanted to say something cool to her but words were failing him today. He would just have to be honest with her and forget the flashy vocabulary.

"Sakura-chan," she looked at him and a blush rose on his cheeks, "I think you look really nice."

She smiled warmly at him, "I think you look nice too, Lee-kun."

There was an explosion over head as the fireworks display started. They watched in silence as multicolor sparks lit up the sky. Every once in while Lee would squeeze Sakura's hand to make sure it wasn't a dream. As the show came to its close they became distressed that the evening was coming to a close. Together they walked back towards Sakura's house.

"Thank you for walking me home," she said while she stood on her front step.

"I would never make you walk alone at such a late hour," he said firmly. She giggled. Why did she have to be so cute? "Uh, Sakura-chan?"

"Yes?" her head tilted to one side.

He had to be bold, "May I give you a kiss goodnight?"

Her eyes grew large. He cringed, waiting for her to punch him but the hit didn't come.

"You may," he was shell shocked. Slowly, he came closer but she put her finger to his lip, "but it won't be tonight because I don't want to you to ask permission. Just do it when you feel the time is right." She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thank you for accompanying me. Good night, Lee-kun."

He stood on her front step long after she had already went inside. Manly tears streamed down his face. He was so happy he could run a million laps around the world. Lee considered it but decided it was better just to return home so he would be ready for morning training. Gai-sensei would want a recount of everything that had happened.

When Lee followed Sakura back down the hall he was surprised when he was hit with a pillow from the couch. He fell backwards from the impact and landed on the floor. Sakura was laughing but stopped when he didn't move. She warily walked over to where he lay. "Lee, are you okay?" she came closer and closer when she still didn't get a response. In a second Lee had his arms around her and had flipped her onto her back.

"Hello," he said from his position over her body.

She laughed nervously, "You got me," she tried to wiggle lose but he held her tight.

"I am sorry Sakura, but you chose to tease me this morning and this afternoon so now it is payback time."

She gave him puppy eyes, "Oh sir, please be merciful with your punishment even though I'm such a bad girl."

His fingers tighten on hers, "I will show you mercy just because you are such a cute prisoner," he murmured before kissing her throat. Her skin tingled from where he had kissed her. With his free hand he ran his fingers through her hair and rested it at the base of her neck. Everything about her was familiar from the mischievous glint in her eye to the smell of her hair and Lee had spent most of the last few years of his life memorizing those things about her. Holding her like this was something he looked forward to at the end of the day and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Sakura wrapped her free arm around his waist as he leaned in for a kiss. She felt the muscles in his chest press against her much softer one as their lips met. They released their fingers so Lee could put one behind her back and hers to his neck. There was no separation between their bodies as their hearts pounded wildly in their chests. He stroked her cheek with his fingertips this time she brought their lips together and she nibbled at his bottom lip.

"Who is punishing whom here?" he growled at her while she just stuck her tongue out at him in response. He smirked, "Better be careful because I can think of a better use for that."

"Really?" she said with seduction in her voice.

His grip tighten as he pulled her close again she parted her lips and let him explore her mouth. Her breath caught in her throat as he made no effort to let her regain it. She pulled at his shirt while he started to fiddle with her own top when there was a knock at the door. They looked at each other.

"Maybe they will go away," Sakura said hopefully.

"Sweetheart, we live in a village full of ninjas. I highly doubt they will simply go away," he got off of her and she felt like a child being denied sweets.

'Whoever it is, they are so dead.'

She followed Lee to the front door where he was opening it to find Naruto standing behind it. After that morning he had decided it was best to use the front door.

'Naruto, twice in the same day!'

"Here you are Bushy Brow, Iruka-sensei said you left this at the academy," Naruto said while handing him a manila folder.

"Yes, this would be my list of students for the fall. Thank you for bringing this over, Naruto."

"Eh, it was the only way I could convince Iruka-sensei to buy me ramen. Well, I'll see you in a few days for our mission, Sakura -chan," Naruto waved goodbye over his shoulder ask he rushed off.

"Mission?" Lee asked.

"I'll tell you about it if you introduce me to your new students."

"Alright," he said while closing the door.

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(A/N) Thank you everybody who has review or put this story on their alerts list. It's really nice to hear from other people who like this pairing and it's encouraging. So I made this chapter extra long for this reason plus I just couldn't stop writing lol

On another note no one's lost with the switching between past and presant? I'm not confused because I know what's going on I just hope no one else is having problems reading this because of my style of writing.

Ahem thank you for the support I'll continue to do my best. FIGHT-O!

-She-chan