P.P.S In the flash backs, it has only been a few months. I usually state the time each time I write in a flash back so if you are confused about it, just look. It's usually in the first or second paragraph.

Another note! Did anyone notice the new cover!? KakaIru made it for this story! I squealed so hard when I saw it! She is one of the most AWESOMELY WONDERFUL people I know!

Sorry sorry! Last note! It was my birthday on Nov. 8th! I'm so happy! also Happy New year!

Disclaimer: Is Lee getting chased by Seme's that want him as their Uke? No? Then I don't own Naruto.


Title: Save your Sorrow


For the next two days, Lee stayed away from everyone. He hid away from Gaara, from Neji, Tenten, and even from Kankuro and Temari. He knew it was cowardly but not even he could bring himself to face anyone. He needed to become strong again, not physically, but in will. He couldn't allow himself to fall for Gaara, more than he already had.

Though, he felt like even that was a losing battle.

Lee just couldn't understand why he was so attached to his childhood 'friend'. He had other friends now, a team he considered his family. Yet something called to him, telling him that he needed to be with Gaara, that it was inescapable.

Oh how Lee hated giving up though. He did not want this! He wanted to be normal! He wanted to be a ninja for Konoha! He wanted to become the best ninja using only Taijutsu!

...Was he being selfish?

Lee bit his lip hard and stopped walking. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, grabbing his own sides tightly. Was he really being selfish? His thoughts warred against each other. One half telling him that to go with Gaara was the right choice, and the other saying that he should deny Gaara and stay with Konoha. Lee had worked so hard, making himself the best he could be, the best ninja he could be! And still, he was getting better thanks to his team, his teacher.

"...Oh god, what am I thinking?" Lee squeezed his eye tightly, "Did I not say that I was not going to be taken by him anymore?"

Lee sighed, finally sliding down to his butt. His legs pressed tightly to his chest as he sighed loudly. He slowly raised his arms and crossed his forearms over his head.

Suddenly, Lee whimpered in frustration. He gripped his hair harshly and pulled. The pain in his scalp allowing his mind to focus.

"What is wrong with me! I am supposed to be a man who can keep his word, not a boy who fails!" He said, almost yelling at himself. Suddenly, Lee slammed his head against the wall, again and again. His teeth cut harshly into his lower lip and his eyes closed tightly once again.

"Why, why, why!?" He choked on his words for a moment then felt a burning in his eyes. His breath hitched as he realized that he was beginning to cry, and immediately felt humiliation.

"Why...?" He whispered, looking up at the ceiling, "Gaara-kun calls to me...he always had. I do not know what to do. Honor and duty binds me to my home yet...I feel like I am betraying Gaara-kun again."

Suddenly his eyes widened at his own words then his expression grew pained.

"I did betray him...I really did..." for years, Lee tried not to think of it, tried not to think of that day.

"I did not fight hard enough to stay. I practically walked away...I am so ashamed..." It did not matter that he was barely even a Genin when he was taken back, and that he was taken by Jounin. He could have fought harder, even screamed for help, but he didn't. He wasn't strong enough.

"I am so ashamed..." He repeated, letting his head fall onto his knees.

Lee didn't even realize that tears were rolling down his cheeks, or that his body had begun to tremble. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything else once again. Anything to get his mind off his aching heart and soul.


Lee sat on the edge of a building. He didn't know which one this belonged to, he had just climbed up the side. The wind was still warm as the sun was beginning to set. The sky was bathed in pinks, purples, yellows, and oranges. It made him smile.

It was the same view he would get in Konoha. Lee couldn't help but to look down to the ground, to search for the green he missed so much. Then sighed as he saw little to none. A little sad frown graced his lips then he looked to his side as he heard the sound of rushing sand. His frown turned into a slightly sad smile as Gaara formed within the sand then stared at him.

"Hello Gaara-kun..." Lee whispered.

Gaara continued to stare at Lee then walked towards him. He stood beside Lee's sitting form, so close that his leg touched Lee's arm.

"It has been half a year now."

Gaara looked at him, wordlessly telling him to explain

"It has been six months since I had last step foot in Konoha..."

Suddenly, Lee's expression grew pained.

"I miss it so much..."

Gaara blinked then slowly spoke, "Why...? They didn't want you."

Lee flinched and his eyes begun to fill with tears at the cruel yet truthful comment. He tried to deny it, "Yes they did! I am part of Konoha, and Konoha never abandons a ninja!"

"Yet you are here. And you have been here for six months."

Lee flinched again and looked away.

"Now I will repeat. Why could you possibly miss?" Gaara's voice took a slightly dangerous tone.

The tears began falling rapidly from Lee's eyes. He tried to hold it in but he choked on a sob. He turned, glaring at Gaara even as the tears fell, making his eyes look glassy, like a dolls.

"I miss the grass, the trees, the flowers!" Lee sobbed, "It did not matter if I was not wanted, Konoha is my home!"

Gaara frowned, rage making his sand hiss around him. Then, it suddenly stopped and he looked out to the desert. His non-existent eyebrows furrowed in thought then he suddenly disappeared in a whirlwind of sand.

Lee jolted and looked at where Gaara had just stood. He hiccuped and tried to wipe his eyes, but the tears came even faster, now that even Gaara had abandoned him.

Lee didn't know how long he spent, just sitting there, trying to stop his crying. He shuddered as the sun sunk further down, almost completely gone, yet still visible enough to cast an orange glow on the land.

Sand flared to life beside him, causing Lee to gasp. He turned his head, looking at the small swirl of sand in surprise. The sand fell away, revealing Gaara once again.

Gaara opened his eyes and stared down at Lee. He slowly held his hand out, holding something in his hand for Lee. He said nothing.

Lee let his eyes fall to what lay in Gaara's grasp and stifled another gasp. He stared at it wide eyed then quickly looked back up to Gaara.

"G-Gaara-kun...is that?" Lee whispered, confused

Gaara just frowned and held the bloomed cactus flower closer to Lee. He glanced at Lee's face then mumbled, "You said you missed it. We have those things here...I can show you. You don't need a village that doesn't care. Need me instead."

Lee stared at the flower again then looked back at Gaara. Lee felt a warmth grow inside his chest and, slowly, his lips stretched into a beautiful smile. He laughed through his fading tears and suddenly launched himself at Gaara, his arms wrapping around Gaara's shoulders. He hugged the red head tightly.

"Thank you Gaara-kun! Thank you so very much!" Lee giggled again, feeling like his heart could burst. He turned his head and kissed Gaara's cheek hard before pulling back. He took the flower and held it close to his chest, smiling brightly at Gaara.


Lee shivered when he opened his eyes. He smiled at his memory and slowly stood. He felt better now, like he finally understood something. Lee's smile grew and he began walking back to the main rooms. Suddenly, there was an announcement that the last team had finally appeared and that they must all come to the large arena.

Lee nodded to himself and ran.

He stood with his team members as soon as he could, and when the rest showed, it was Anko that spoke.

"First of all, congratulations on finishing the second exam!" She said, through a headset that amplified her voice.

Lee looked and immediately found his teacher. He mentally grinned, thinking that his sensei was to cool. He wanted to make Gai-sensei proud of him.

'I will not lose again. I will not let the people I care about, cry again. I swear.' Lee nodded mentally and straightened up even more.

"Alright! Now pay attention! Lord Hokage is going to explain the third exam to you!" Anko said, sternly, then added "You better listen carefully, maggots."

Anko turned to the Hokage and said that they were now his.

The Hokage nodded and stepped forward, and spoke, "First, before I tell you what the third exam entails. I want to explain something about the test itself. Listen closely now, it's something that you all need to understand. I'm going to tell you the true purpose of these exams." He paused for just a moment before continuing, "Why do you suppose our country holds these exams in conjunction with our allies? To raise the ability levels of the shinobi and increase friendship between allied nations to be sure, but it's important you understand its true meaning. The exams are, so to speak..."

The third Hokage stopped and grabbed his pipe, blowing out the smoke he just inhaled. He lifted his head once more and continued,

"They are the representation of the battle between allied nations. Now if we look at our history, all the countries that we are currently allied with, were once neighboring nations that continuously fought with each other."

Lee's eyes widened as he finally realized where the Hokage was leading to. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the words wash over him. He knew, he knew why these fights were here, it was sad yet filled him with a sort of pride. Lee listened as his fellow shinobi questioned the Hokage and were answered.

Finally, the Hokage said, "The third exam is a fight for life with the pride of your village and your own dream at stake."

There was silence before Lee heard Naruto speak in a slight prideful manner "Heh, well he sure convinced me."

Then Gaara spoke, not to far away from Lee.

"Any test is fine, just tell me what the details of the exam are already. I can handle anything you throw at me."

Sarutobi looked around and said, "Very well then!" he continued to speak, to tell them what they were to be doing when Hayate, the announcer for the exam asked to be able to speak.

The Hokage allowed it and Hayate turned to them, coughing.

Hayate told them that they were to have a preliminary exam, before the third and there were complaints.

Lee couldn't help but to hear Sakura and Sasuke speak as he was standing right next to them. He bit his lip but minded his own business.

Suddenly, Kabuto bowed out, and Naruto immediately argued with Kabuto.

When everything finally ended and everyone began walking to the stairs up to the ledges to watch the matches. Lee turned to walk as well when he was suddenly stopped.

Sasuke grabbed Lee's hand, staring into his eyes. Lee jolted slightly in surprise and looked at Sasuke in confusion. He opened his mouth to question what the Uchiha was doing when Sasuke spoke quickly.

"I'd like to make a wager, a challenge."

Lee turned to Sasuke and nodded slowly, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"I want to make a wager, you said that you were not interested in me, in fighting me. You practically said that I was weak before."

Lee tried to interrupt, tried to say that he did not think that way anymore but Sasuke continued.

"If I win my round, and make you see that I am not weak anymore, I want one thing from you. But if I can't then we can forget what I had just asked for."

Lee held back a soft giggle and just nodded, "Sure! I agree to that wager Sasuke-kun.". He was glad that Sasuke had a reason to try even harder, not that Lee actually thought he needed to. Lee already acknowledged that Sasuke was strong, strong in will, power, and heart.

Lee smiled brightly as Sasuke and gave him a thumbs up. He squeezed Sasuke's hand and added, "I wish you the best of luck!"

Sasuke felt his cheeks and ears try to turn a red color but forced it down. He nodded sharply then said, "You're not going to ask what I want?"

"Nope! No matter what, I will do as Sasuke-kun asks! After all, if you do 'make me see' then I'm sure the wish will be very important!"

Sasuke nodded once more then tried to hide his a smile with a smirk. He said, "Good" then quickly turned away, walking towards his team.

Lee giggled to himself, feeling a sort of pride in Sasuke. He shook his head and focused his mind on the task ahead. They were going to fight! Lee grinned and raced off towards his teammates. He slowed down to a walk as he felt those eyes on him. He finally stopped and turned, his own eyes finding Gaara's immediately. He stared at him, expression blank, for just a few moments, then sighed. He felt the ache in his chest again, not his scar, but his own heart.

Lee watched Gaara frown and knew his expression must have changed to an unpleasant one. Gaara never did like it when he was unhappy. Lee felt his lips twitch and form a soft smile.

It was just like the incident with the flower.

Lee smiled sadly to himself. He missed those days, when he liked being near Gaara, when he didn't feel scared or threatened. Suddenly, Lee smiled brightly at Gaara, surprising him

"Good luck, Gaara-kun!" Lee mouthed quietly then ran to the team that was already on the stands.

Then, the matches began.

Round one, won by Uchiha Sasuke. Lee gave a small smile, proud of how Sasuke was fighting. He was giving it his all after all, then slightly pouted as he saw the boy use his own move. How easily he did it though Lee had trained so hard, but then he remembered, Sasuke was trying to show off too. Lee giggled softly and smiled.

After that, Lee could only watch blankly as the other ninja battled against each other.

Round two, won by Aburame Shino.

Three by Kankuro, which made Lee smile briefly.

Round four, he watched Sakura and Ino fight. Then in Round five, Lee felt his heart squeeze as his 'sisters' fought each other. Lee wanted to cheer for Temari and Tenten both but could not get himself to speak.

Round six belonged to Nara Shikamaru, then Naruto won against Kiba.

Lee felt horrified when Neji and Hinata fought, and he hoped that Hinata would be alright. Lee bit his lip, not knowing what his team mate was thinking, injuring someone that badly. Yes, this was the Chunin exams but against family? Hinata was such a sweet girl...

Lee said nothing still as he looked up at the board that showed who would fight next. His heart squeezed tightly in his chest. The entire time, he had not taken one look at Gaara, but now, Lee couldn't stop his eyes from searching him out.

He watched as Gaara's lips twisted into a grin, visible even from the distance he was at. Lee swallowed down saliva and turned his eyes back to the board that decided his fate.


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