Author's Note: Ach! I downloaded this a little later than the Choji chapter…but that's okay…and because I was too lazy to do it on the other chapter, thanks to Elsie-neechan, AuroraStarPhoenix, Kaos-chan, and Athame Kunoichi (she suggested lilacs for Shino, though…) for their suggestions!

Anyway, this chapter's a Rock Lee chapter! Because weirdoes and non-geniuses are underrated nowadays…

Lee, more than anybody, was a flower. He was a complex plant, the result of long development. He was unique and remarkable-the sweetest part of a plant.

And really, Hinata'd always thought of him as a lilac.

Preferably pink.

Lee-san had always had a soft spot for pink, she thought with a small smile.

A pink lilac was a contradiction. A mistake in the system, something gone wrong. Lilacs were meant to be…well, lilac. Pale shades of purple, a definition of the lilac flower in itself. Pink just didn't fit in the typical person's mind.

Neither did an overdramatic ninja who could only do taijutsu, nor a weak heiress to the Hyuga clan.

The thing about the pink lilac was that, despite its color, it was willing to blossom. It held its head up high among the beautiful purple lilacs-not because of natural arrogance, but because of practiced confidence. Like Lee.

Lee wasn't the typical definition of a successful Konoha ninja. After almost a lifetime of training, he still lacked any ability to perform genjutsu and ninjutsu. He failed to uphold the majority of shinobi rules (especially #25: never show emotion under any circumstances.) He wasn't a respected genius the way Neji and Sasuke were-but that was okay.

He was strong in his own way-strong from all the bruises, broken bones, and wounds he'd received, strong in a way Hinata wished she was. Even if he didn't have a calm heart the way a shinobi was supposed to…he had a strong heart. Lilacs grew in clumps and bushes instead of the expected roots and stems of ordinary flowers.

Lilacs didn't have regular leaves. Their leaves weren't the usual round, nor extraordinarily intricate. But she liked lilac leaves.

They were heart-shaped.

After seeing his sentimental displaces and amusingly old-fashioned speeches, it was easy to forget how unusual Lee's heart was.

Underneath the clichéd words, Hinata knew what it all meant.

Lee's mind was heart-shaped too.

Ino had told Hinata what lilacs meant.

"Lilacs symbolize first love. We're in the lilac part of our lives, neh?"

And while it suited Lee well, it occurred to Hinata later that Ino-chan was probably referring to purple lilacs. So she asked again.

"Well, white lilacs are sometimes sent to the shop. They represent youthful innocence."

Another description that suited Lee. And yet-

"What do pink lilacs mean, Ino-chan?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Pink? Um…they represent…ah! They're the symbol of youth…and acceptance."

Lee had had so many problems and obstacles…that he easily accepted others' weaknesses. He understood what Hinata had felt, not being a genius.

"Ah! Hinata! Glad to see you on this most noble day! Tell me, how are you making the most of your blessed youthfulness today?"

It was a very clichéd greeting…but somehow Lee's genuine smile made it seem much more real.

"Hinata! What a most beautiful flower! I myself usually prefer the wondrous cherry blossoms, but…this flower is unusually delightful!"

Hinata merely nodded and placed the sprig of pink lilacs in Lee's hands, smile on both of their faces.

Author's Note: There! A chapter for each month! And…that marks the ending of the first part of Zinnia! (I'm skipping any possible chapters for the Akatsuki for right now, though I'll probably get to it later on. Gotta conduct more research first…) Which means…it's now time for either the friendship chapters or the chapters where the others shed their insight on Hinata's flower! Because I'm too lazy to play 'eenie meenie minie mo' with myself, you guys get to choose which ones I post first!

So please review and tell me!

And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, well…please review anyway!