Author's Note: I'd like to explain a few things about this chapter before you read it and send me threatening death letters. Thing one-No, I did not do the Lee reaction scene. Yes, I hear your moans of dissapointment. However, I will give you the reason why I didn't write it: it was completely predictable. Why waste an entire chapter when everyone knows that Lee would freak out/pass out/faint, whatever, then get over it, accept it, want to help, then spend the next couple days thinking about it. There you go, the missing chapter in a nutshell. Alright, Thing two-Yes, Gaara is very hormonal and sappy and just downright sentimental in this chapter. I want you all to realize though that I combined two things here; one: the obvious hormones that help trigger such things, and two: the underlying themes of Gaara's character that you see throughout the books/movies/show (especially later in the books after the two and a half year time gap). Some of you I know might disagree with me on this last point. I stand by what I say though; some of these things I brought out in Gaara's character are quite obvious, other's not so much. The latter being more of my inferences as to what I think Gaara goes through as the series progresses. That's all I have to say. I'd also like to apologize to everyone if I sound defensive. I just don't want any misunderstandings. Thank you all for reading and I'll see you next chapter!

"I still don't think this is a good idea. You should be resting."

Gaara turned and gave her a withering look. "I'm sick of resting. I'm going for a walk. See you at dinner." He slammed the door and walked out and onto the street. He walked with slow strides down the road, a protective hand on his belly. He was glad to finally be out of the room.

Everything had been confusing to Gaara these last couple days. It all seemed surreal. What Neji had said was constantly playing through his mind, constantly nagging him. Whenever he thought about it, it always ended in a round-about argument. He would think about what would happen if he told Lee, but in the end, he would end up right back where he started; it was his problem, there was no need to get Lee involved.

It was times like this that he could swear the hormones were kicking in. Because at times like this, he felt the overwhelming feeling of loneliness that had continually haunted him his entire life. Sure, he had Kankuro and Temari. In fact, it was hard to escape them. Both were extremely overprotective of him and rarely let him out of their sights. Yet those sorts of things were different from the companionship that he ached for. He felt safe with his siblings. He didn't however, feel what he desired the most…love. Love that was just for him. Love that he knew was unconditional. Love that would make him smile, a real big smile for the very first time. He'd learned something valuable from Naruto that day they fought in the woods. But the end result had been a double-edged sword…he now felt the loneliness more then ever.

Although he felt like this, he'd never admit it to anyone. Not even to Kankuro. Since the fight, and especially now with the pregnancy, Gaara and Kankuro had become a lot closer. I mean, who else other then a brother would stay at your side after you'd tried to kill him…twice? But still, Gaara felt uncomfortable about revealing his inner feelings.

Gaara continued walking, his head downcast and both arms now wrapped around his middle. A thought passed through Gaara's head and he gave the smallest of smiles. No, he wasn't completely alone. He had his babies. They relied on him. They were a part of him. They were special. They weren't even supposed to exist. Yet here he was, Gaara, one who had never understood love, bringing forth brand new life into the world. When he thought about them a strange emotion swept over him. An emotion of happiness, giddiness, anxiousness. Was this love? Gaara wasn't sure. What he did know was that he wanted these kids. He wanted to do the best he could. Maybe if he did…maybe they wouldn't end up like he had.

When Gaara looked up again, he was at the edge of a small wood. A small trail wound through it. With nothing better to do, Gaara started down the path. Besides, he'd heard exercise was good for one in his condition…

By the time he reached the training ground, his back was killing him. In a tired, sweaty lump, Gaara sat down, leaning against a tree. Kneading his back, Gaara looked into the clearing through the brush. There was a training stump in the center, sweat and blood staining its white pad. To Gaara's surprise and dismay though, the three members of Team Gai were in the midst of training. A sense of panic clouded Gaara's mind. He hadn't noticed the team before he'd looked, which in and of itself was shocking. Second, he'd left his gourd back at the hotel. The comforting weight of the gourd had only been hurting his back more. So he'd left it, insisting he'd be fine. Although now he wished he had its reassuring presence, for Gaara hated to be unprotected.

In a frenzy, Gaara stood up, hoping not to attract any attention. But his hopes were useless. His body rejected the speed at which he stood and a wave of dizziness followed. Gaara fell to his knees, shaking and holding his hands over his mouth. The most violent bout of nausea he'd ever felt hit Gaara with the strength of twenty shinobi. He managed only to take one crawling pace forward to a bush before he threw up everything he'd ever eaten (at least that's how it felt). It kept on coming for what seemed like hours until only bile was left. But still, Gaara felt himself dry heaving. He spit out saliva, and to his shock, blood sprinkled the ground.

"Oh my GOD! Are you okay? Gaara! Speak to me!" Heaving, a small line of blood dribbling out of the corner of his mouth, Gaara turned to find a worried Lee. Neji stood on his right, a cold expression on his face. And Tenten stood at his left, a look of shock marring her features. Lee knelt next to Gaara and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital? Is the baby alright?"

Gaara, still recovering, and unable to speak, looked at Lee with wide eyes. Lee knew about the pregnancy? When did he find out? Who blabbed? Neji. Gaara narrowed his eyes at the emotionless boy before a thought struck him; Lee was okay with this. Even though this pregnancy only happened because of Shukaku he was fine with it. Even though Gaara still had Shukaku in him, Lee was still okay. Why wasn't he running? Why wasn't he afraid? Scorn, pity, fear, those were all emotions Gaara had dealt with. But never, had he received just open acceptance. It brought back memories of that day. The day that changed Gaara's life forever…

Flashback-

"Friends?"

"Yeah," Lee gave him a smile, "you know; people you hang out with and share your secrets with, people you trust and respect."

Gaara looked down at upturned palms. "I've never had a friend before."

Using his hands, Lee pushed himself up. "What do you mean? You can't tell me that you've seriously never had a friend before."

Gaara didn't look up as images from his childhood slid through his mind like a never-ending movie. "Everyone I've ever met, everyone I've ever known, look at me with fear. I have no friends. I have no true companions."

Lee made a fist with his hand before sticking it out towards Gaara. "Fine! Then I'll be your first friend! The happiness and vitality of youth shall not be taken by the ignorance of cowards!"

End Flashback-

"Gaara?" Something within him snapped. The flood gates opened and soon tears were rolling down Gaara's pink cheeks. Lee, seeing Gaara's tears, went into freak out mode. "Gaara, what's wrong? Don't cry! Your youth should not be wasted with such things!"

Gaara only cried harder. Tenten grabbed Neji and started heading away, mumbling something about hormones and all that. Once gone, Gaara grabbed onto Lee's biceps and dug his face into his chest; sobbing out all the pain, all the loneliness. Lee did the only thing he could do. He wrapped his arms around Gaara's quivering form and held on tight, letting the boy cry.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Gaara settled down, his sobs fading into hiccups. Rubbing his back, Lee gave Gaara a warm smile. Gaara wrapped his arms around Lee and sighed, cuddling into the warmth. Lee didn't want to break the moment, but eventually he couldn't hold it in anymore; he had to ask. "Gaara, can I ask you a question?" Gaara nodded but didn't let go. "I know it's still far off and I know you might not want to, but I'd really like to work something out with you. I want to be apart of my child's life. I also want you to be a part of it. This baby is ours and no matter how it came about, I want us to be a family. Besides, we have plenty of time to spend with each other before you decide anything." Lee sounded surprisingly mature and Gaara couldn't help but be drawn to that strength.

Gaara rasped out, "You mean babies. I'm pregnant with triplets."

Gaara could almost feel Lee's eyes pop. "Really?" He let out an awed breath. "Wow. I'm going to be a dad…of three."

Gaara felt the edges of sleep converging on him. "If you accept me, if you accept our children, then I wouldn't have a problem if you came with me." This was a big step for Gaara. It was the first time he'd opened up enough and truly included someone else into the pregnancy. It was their children. Lee laughed. Before Gaara fell asleep, he had enough breath to utter a single phrase, one that he'd never revealed to anyone, "I don't want to do this alone."

Gaara fell asleep in Lee's arms. Lee smiled sadly at the sleeping form. Just how long had Gaara been holding all of this in? He'd heard the last sentence alright. It only got Lee boosted up more. Gaara had accepted him. Gaara trusted him. Gaara had actually admitted that he wanted help. 'Youth once again prevails!' Lee disengaged Gaara from his front, earning a small growl of protest from the other boy. Adjusting Gaara on his back, Lee stood up. The pregnant boy unconsciously wrapped his arms tighter around Lee's neck and snuggled into his back. Lee grinned all the way to the hotel.