Umm...so yeah...hope you haven't forgotten me. It's been so long since I felt inspired to write anything. I've kinda been too busy with everything happening the past year or so and it's been busy to find time to do anything but sleep. Sorry guys :/ but yeah I'm gonna try and keep up with writing this so it can finally finish and I won't feel guilty about not doing anything. I know I really left it on a cliffhanger last time so I apologise for that and hope that this can clear that up. I can't say how long this fanfic has left but I'll try and get it finished soon

Sakura couldn't believe her ears when she heard those words coming from Lee. She stared vacantly at him, hoping to find some clue that it was all a joke and that he wasn't planning on leaving her yet she did not see anything of the sort in his stoic and pained expression. She must have just heard things she thought.

'What? What do you mean?' She spoke hoping to be told differently. It was a moment before he spoke but it felt like an age, each second became even more agonising for her. Lee. Leaving. Her. It was all what went through her mind, all control of her body was lost and her tears blurred her vision. She was so confused she never thought that those words could ever be put together like that but they were and couldn't find any sense in it.

Lee noticed the tears starting to appear in her eyes and he realised what he'd said and how it had came out and a sudden rush of guilt swept over him. 'Oh gosh, Sakura-chan, I'm so sorry. I didn't realise how it came out.' He reached to embrace her and gently stroked her hair as he felt the few tears which escaped trickle softly onto his tshirt and seep through to dampen his shoulder.

'I didn't mean it like that at all, you should know that I would never leave your side.' Lee pulled back and brushed the tears from her eyes.

'Then what do you mean?' She sniffed and held tightly onto him.

'My father's been seriously injured.' Lee said torn, he didn't mean for her to pick him up the wrong way. He didn't want to leave her alone here while he went to see his father but his father was very important to him too and he needed to see if he was okay especially in the condition he was in, it was possible it could be the last time he even sees him again. 'He was involved in the incident with Gaara and he's apparently in a life-threatening condition. I have to see if he's okay and be there for him when he wakes up.'

Sakura looked at his pained expression and the sound of her sobs died down but tears were still freely trickling softly down her flushed cheeks.

'Gaara hurt Gai-sensei?' She questioned, her voice thick with tears, 'how do you know?'

'Lady Tsunade told me just when I went to meet Gaara, she took me to one side and told me what happened.'

'I-I see. When are you going?'

'I leave in the morning.'

Sakura looked up in shock, 'that's too soon, why didn't you tell me sooner?' She demanded

Lee sighed heavily, 'I didn't want to put you through anymore pain than you already were.'

A silence had befell the pair, both of them lost in their thoughts.

Sakura couldn't help but feel abandoned, despite knowing that nothing can be helped and he really did need to go, but she couldn't help but feel cold at the prospect of her being alone with nobody to comfort her. She couldn't show any weakness in front of anybody else, she was known to be tough and was really in control of her emotions (most of the time anyway) and she especially had to be strong to support Gaara through this tough time as she knew what it was like. Yet she knew it was going to be ten times worse for Gaara considering the beast within him and he would have to depend on her to continue fighting for control. She didn't feel like she would be able to help at all without the love of her life to support her.

Lee cleared his throat, 'Are you okay?' He wiped away at the tears which were drying on her cheeks.

She shook her head not really trusting herself to be able to talk without crying yet again.

'Please, just talk to me, I need to know exactly what's wrong, I want to know what I can do.' He hated when he saw her crying, even more so when it was because of him that she was. He had to do everything he possibly could to stop it and to prevent it from happening yet again.

'I ju-just don't know if I can stay strong with you gone, I don't even know what I can do without you here with me.' Her eyes started to become wet again but she took deep breaths and tried to suck them back in.

'Of course you will, you're one of the strongest people I know, I know you can do absolutely anything. You were strong before you and I became one and you know it, deep down you haven't changed and you will be able to cope without me. Just by being nearby since first laying eyes on you I have steadily became a stronger person both physically and mentally just because of your influence so please just trust me when I say you can do it.' Lee smiled through his speech, every word of it was true, he needed, no wanted, to become a better person just so he could be equal to her and even further so that he could protect her in times when she needed him to, no matter the situation. This just so happened to be one of those times.

'Lee-kun…' She spoke amazed and astounded by the words which he used to describe her, a faint blush came to her.

'I wanna hear you promise, promise me Sakura-chan that you'll believe in me and so believe in yourself. Please.' He demanded rather than asked, staring directly into her glistening emerald eyes.

She could see the determined expression on his face and she couldn't help but smile a little and give a sudden giggle as she found it quite amusing. 'I promise.'

'Thank you. So then,' he kissed her gently on the nose and smiled, 'shall we head to sleep now?'

Sakura looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was well passed 2am and creeping closer to 3 and knew that it was probably a good idea to sleep, she may feel better once she slept it off. She nodded and wiped at her face removing all traces of her earlier crying as Lee reached to turn off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness except from the light of the full-moon shining through the cracks of the curtains, illuminating everything in a silvery veil. She could easily see the outline of Lee's face as he wrapped the bed-sheets around her and envelop her in his grip. He gently pressed his lips to hers giving a short but sweet kiss goodnight.

'Sakura-chan, I love you, so much...If you can remember that then everything will be okay.' He laid back, staring at the ceiling as Sakura laid her head on his chest hearing the relaxing thud of his heart and feeling the soft rise and fall of his chest.

'I never forget it, I love you too.' She wrapped her arms around him, pulling herself closer to his hot body, desperate to seek his warmth on this chilly night.

'Goodnight and sleep well, my little cherry.' He soothed and his brushed her hair softly enjoying the ticklish feeling it brought.

'Night.' She spoke wearily as a sudden lethargy overcame her and she drifted into unconsciousness mere moments later as all the events of the day came to a close.

A sound of rustling broke through the barrier between sleep and reality and wrenched Sakura from her slumber. Her eyes shot open as she heard this, wondering what could cause that noise. Rubbing her eyes softly she say up and looked around. She spotted Lee walking around his softly lit room as he gathered certain belongings and packing them into a rucksack. Memories came flooding back as she remembered the night before and realised that he was packing up to visit his father in Suna Hospital and her eyes started to well up with the thought of him leaving. Sakura quickly looked away and thought of other things, she couldn't start crying again, not when he hadn't even left yet.

Lee turned around and saw that Sakura was awake, 'I'm sorry, did I wake you?' He put down what he was holding and sat on the edge of the bed taking her hand and giving it a squeeze.

Shaking her head, Sakura gave a soft smile, 'no, I just woke up naturally.' This was a lie but she didn't want to make him feel bad for waking her up.

'Good,' his free hand found its way behind her neck and pulled her in for a long kiss, 'good morning,' he whispered as he pulled back.

Sakura felt a little breathless, she hadn't expected it but it still felt nice. A faint blush came to her face, 'good morning.' She beamed at him and giggled at his forwardness. She had to admit that she liked Lee a lot more when he is forward and taking control like a man should, it made her feel all warm and gooey inside.

At this sight Lee gave one of his signature grins and placed his forehead against hers and finding himself lost in her eyes which seemed to sparkle in the low light.

To the both of them time seemed to stop flowing and before they knew it the sun had risen to flood the room with light but neither took their eyes off the other. Both of them trying to communicate without the use of words of how much they'd miss each other. It was as if the world went to hell then it didn't matter because they would not have noticed it.

However there was a knock on the door and they both sprung apart in embarrassment at the situation.

'Y-yes?' Lee asked the mystery guest.

The door squeaked open as a mop of red hair peered around the edge of the door. It was Gaara and his face appeared to be the same colour as his hair.

'Can I help you?' Lee stood up and returned to packing as Sakura pulled the covers more securely around her.

'Um, yes. Naruto has just told me that Lady Tsunade wishes to see me later on today but he's left and I have no idea how to get there.' He spoke quietly eyes flitting between Lee and Sakura realising that he had came at a bad time and wanted to be away from there.

Sakura, still a little flushed from before spoke up, 'I can take you there and bring you back if you want after Lee goes.'

Gaara nodded once to confirm and pulled the door shut.

Lee looked at Sakura and noticed the same bewildered expression her face, 'any idea what that was about?'

Sakura shook her head, 'I'm just as confused as you are.'

Lee laughed loudly, 'what unusual behaviour.' He carried on packing as Sakura got up and went to the toilet. By the time that she had got herself changed and went through her daily routine, Lee had already finished packing and the now bulging pack was leaned against the piece of wall next to the door. He was sitting on the edge of the bed lost in thought. He didn't even seem to notice Sakura sit next to him until he felt her place a hand on his shoulder in concern.

'Hey Sakura-chan.' He placed a smile on his face.

'What's wrong?' She asked.

'No-nothing.' He stammered.

'There is, tell me.'

He sighed heavily, 'I wish I didn't have to leave you behind, I wish you could be with me on this trip.'

'Well, why not?' She asked curious.

'School starts again tomorrow, I'm not risking you being caught behind in work.' He stated simply.

'And what about you? You'll be missing school too.'

He smiled, 'but you know me, I'm ahead in all my work. Sometimes you struggle with the simplest of things.'

He was teasing her and she could tell, 'hey I'm not that bad.'

'No I know you're not. I know with the teachers here, especially the Hokage, that you'll be safe but if you came with me and I was elsewhere I couldn't guarantee that something wouldn't happen,' he said sadly, he didn't know if he could protect her with the distraction of his father and he couldn't to risk it, 'afterall Gaara needs you here and I don't think he would be fit to leave here just yet.'

This time it was Sakura's turn to sigh heavily, 'you're right….as always.'

She slid off the bed and knelt on the floor in front of him forcing him to look at her, 'just promise me one thing.'

'You know I would, Sakura-chan, anything for you.' He told her.

Tears threatened to spill, 'Promise me you'll come home safe no matter what. Please.' She begged him.

Lee nodded, 'I promise.'

'And call me while you're there, even if it's just once a day to tell me how you are.'

'Of course I will.'

She embraced him, placed her head on his shoulder and whispered 'thank you.'

Lee was slightly taken aback and caught by surprise but he then held her as close as he could without hurting her but still holding tightly.

'I know you worry about me but there's no need for you to.' Lee soothed her.

'I can't help it.'

'I'm really sorry but it's about time I go.' Lee sighed.

The grip on Lee tightened not wanting to let him go but the moment passed and Sakura loosened her grip allowing Lee to gently push her out the way so that he could stand up.

Sakura remained kneeling on the floor staring in one place while Lee walked to the door.

'Sakura-chan?' Lee questioned, 'aren't you coming?'

She gracefully stood up and shuffled towards the door and to Lee's outstretched hand.

'You know I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't need to but you know why I do. I don't want to leave you at all and I wish that things could be different but we have to just deal with this.' Lee stroked the hair out of her face.

'I know,' she mumbled, 'but I just know how much I'm gonna miss you and I don't even know how long you'll be gone.'

'I've promised that I'll phone you and I'll text you between those times to pass the time. You should know that I will never stop thinking about you even for a minute and you'll always be in my dreams. I love you so much and that will never change no matter how many miles are between us.' Lee vowed.

Tears welled in her eyes, 'I love you too, I just wish you didn't have to go.'

Gently Lee kissed her, 'I wish I didn't either… But I really do have to go now, otherwise I'll never be able to leave you.'

She looked away but nodded, 'Okay, let's go then.'

The cold wind rushed past them as they stood outside in the pouring rain as if the heavens could tell exactly how the two were feeling. Lee opened the car door and threw his bag on the passenger seat and then turned around to face Sakura.

'You better get back inside or you'll catch a cold and we can't have that happen can we?' He looked concerned as Sakura was starting to shiver.

'I-I'm f-f-f-fine.' She almost bit her tongue.

He pulled her into a rib-crushing hug trying to lend some warmth to her. She held on with just as much effort. Trying to contain her negative feelings to prevent him from worrying, instead she simply enjoyed the warmth his grip brought her and smiled softly.

'Now don't forget anything I've said because every word is true, I won't break any of my promises and I promise I'll stay safe out there as long as you stay safe too.' Lee stroked her wet hair and whispered in her ear.

Through all the wind she could still perfectly hear him and she nodded into his shoulder, 'I know it is and I won't forget,' then she giggled, 'I don't think I can get into much trouble stuck here.'

Lee smiled his signature smile and gave a big thumbs up as he pulled away, 'that's my girl.'

Sakura couldn't hold herself back anymore, 'Lee-kun, I love you,' as she desperately sought his soft lips. She put every single emotion she was feeling behind that kiss - joy, pain, love and tears - in her hope that Lee would understand her confused emotions and exactly how she felt about him. She could search a thousand years and never find anyone who made her feel like this. Her feelings for Sasuke, she realised now, were just a childish infatuation whereas with Lee it was truly love not a silly schoolgirl crush.

Lee returned her feelings with just as much a passionate kiss as hers, exerting his dominance over her as she subjected. He loved being in control but he also loved having such an independent woman in his life as Sakura was. It was sweet how she showed how much she cared by how much she stuck with him throughout the months they've known each other but he knew how strong she could be emotionally and that she would be able to manage to stay strong with him gone. He hoped for the best. A soft moan from Sakura snapped him out of his daydream and back to reality. He pulled back to allow them to breathe, their hot breaths mingling visibly together in the bitter cold air.

'I love you too. Gosh, how much I'll miss you, no amount can describe it.' Lee said sadly.

'I'll miss you too.' Sakura choked out as tears began to fall. He brushed them away with his thumb.

He kissed her once more as soft as could be, 'now go on, inside with you. I'll phone you when I'm there.'

She reluctantly took a step back to let him go. He stepped into the sleek black sports car and after closing the door Lee looked out the open window at her.

'Just do me one last thing before I go.' He said seriously.

'What?' She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her voice sounding thick.

The dramatic pause which was given was deafening, it sounded loader than the rain and wind which were pelting the metal on top of the car.

'Smile.' Lee said giving a cheesy grin.

Sakura's hands balled at her sides and she stamped her foot onto the ground sending a huge splash of water from the force, 'I'm going to kill you for that.' She spoke with as much anger as she could muster, she wished that he would stop doing that dramatic pause after a serious request, it made everything sound ominous.

Lee laughed loudly from the seat of the car and the sound made Sakura forget about her anger and she smiled too.

'Goodbye, Lee-kun.' Sakura smiled through her tears.

'Until we meet again.' Lee said as his hands held the steering wheel and he slowly pressed his foot on the peddle.

Sakura stood waving her arms wildly as Lee drove out of the main gates, and then ran after him and waved as he watched through the rear-view mirror until both were out of sight. Downheartedly, Sakura returned to the Academy as she started sorting out her confused emotions; so that she could be as she knew Lee wished her to be - happy.

'Gaara! Hey Gaara?' Sakura shouted up the stairs in the boys dormitory, she had searched all downstairs and she knew that this was the only place left where he would be unless he was wandering about the school halls or grounds.

A small diminished figure appeared at the top of the stairs with arms folded which she knew to be him. 'Come on, are we going or what?'

He didn't say anything but instead he slowly crept down the stairs with an awkward expression on his face.

Sakura led the way to Lady Tsunade's office as Gaara followed in silence. This continued until finally, halfway to their destination down an abandoned hallway, she confronted him.

'What the hell is wrong with you today?' Sakura demanded, starting to get worried now, he's never been like this with me.

Gaara glared at her, 'I killed my family, what else'

She flinched, that had forgotten briefly about. She shook her head though, 'I'm sorry, I realise that would be hard for you but it wasn't that what I mean. You've been odd all morning and you were fine yesterday.'

'What do you mean?' His gaze wandered shiftily.

'Well you seemed awkward this morning when you spoke to me and Lee and now you're not talking to me, I mean I know you're the silent type but you talk more than this.'

Gaara looked around, a huge blush appearing on his face.

'I - well, um…' Words wouldn't form, it wasn't his fault but he couldn't help but feel ashamed, not only of himself but of her too.

'What?'

'Well….Last night...I couldn't help but overhear…' Gaara's voice was fading into the background with every word which was spoken and was staring at the ground.

Her face was beet red and the muscles became tort and her eyes widened. She was so embarrassed that they were overheard, 'I don't know what you mean,' she denied it.

With his best, but still terrible, female voice he repeated many of the heated moments of the previous night to her quietly.

It was now her time to be lost for words as they caught in her throat but eventually she managed to squeak, 'oh god.' She hid her face with her hands as she felt so ashamed that he'd heard everything what had happened and was said.

But she also felt angry, angry at the fact that he was holding it against her because she was a grown woman now and if she wanted then she could do whatever she wanted she didn't need his say so.

'Oh my god, I'm so sorry you heard that, this is so awkward and embarrassing now, but you have to realise I'm 18 years old and there's nothing to say that I can't, I still don't know what your problem is.' She said still hiding behind her hands.

A silence befell the pair as they walked down the corridor while Gaara contemplated his answer. 'I suppose it's just that it's hard to accept the fact you've grown up, you're older than me after all, and you're entering relationships like that, I suppose it should be expected but it was more of a shock, if you catch my drift.'

She nodded, she did understand, she knew that if the roles were reversed then she'd also find it a hard thing to accept. 'Well you have a week to be able to get used to it before Lee comes back from seeing his father. Hell I'll even promise we'll try and keep it quieter next time.'

He seemed to hesitate before finally agreeing to the terms. 'Naruto heard too.'

Sakura's face became much redder this time. Oh god having Naruto knowing could really be awkward, he's a joker and will never stop teasing. 'What did he say about it?' She stopped walking and held her face to cover the blush on her cheeks.

Gaara took a few more steps not noticing she had stopped before turning to face her as he spoke, 'he said that you guys are adults and can get up to what you want but he had a mischievous grin on his face.'

She rolled her eyes, yep definitely in for some stick later, she thought. Shaking it off she caught up to Gaara and kept going until she had reached their destination. 'You ready for this?' The pink-headed ninja asked him professionally.

Steeling himself he took a deep breath while closing his eyes and let it go slowly before opening them again and nodding with a certain expression on his face.

Sakura knocked on the door waiting for an answer, when she received a distant one she pushed open the door slowly and they could hear the squeaking of the hinges. They entered and shut the door but found no one there to greet them. Confused, Sakura moved closer to the desk which was in the middle of the room and examined it, hoping to find her bent over searching through her drawers for something but to no avail. Gaara remained by the door feeling anxious as he looked around for Lady Tsunade.

Sakura turned round to look at Gaara when out of the corner of her eye she saw something dangerous flying towards him.

'Get down!' She shouted to Gaara, it was a paper bomb.

Grabbing the hidden kunai she keeps on herself for emergencies she flung it at the paper hoping to catch it before it reached Gaara. Success! She had barely reacted fast enough but she caught it dead centre and found it stuck to the wall behind him. Gaara moved seconds later, when the crisis had been averted, not fast enough for Sakura but he was weak and untrained as of now. She expected the paper bomb to explode but upon closer inspection she saw that it was a fake, an expertly designed fake.

'Very sharp. I'm impressed.' A mysterious voice said from the next room. It startled her and she jumped to Gaara's side to defend him if necessary. The door opened and she saw that Kakashi-sensei and Lady Tsunade walked out and took their place at the other side of the desk, as if nothing had just happened.

Staring incredulously, Sakura blurted out, 'what the hell?' as she tried to relax the tensed muscles, Gaara near enough shaking next to her. It was his face she couldn't understand, he looked terrified yet also, hungry for more, was the beast trying to take over through the adrenaline which must have been racing through his system. Whatever the case, Sakura didn't like the attack they orchestrated and demanded and explanation.

'I apologise,' Lady Tsunade spoke solemnly, 'it was Kakashi's plan to assault you.'

'With good reason, I always wish to test my new students' He spoke cheerfully, that was always his thing though, he usually faked it to relate to students.

'But I'm not a new student, why test my skills since Gaara obviously hasn't honed his yet and can't fairly be tested?'

'I like students who question things too. Lady Tsunade will explain.' He finished with a flourish of his hand in the direction of his superior.

'First thing's first, Gaara.' She turned her head towards him and asked genuinely concerned, 'how are you holding up?'

He was slightly taken aback at the direct acknowledgement, despite the fact she wanted to see him in the first place. 'Good and bad, it's hard accepting my fate and it's a struggle to keep myself in check, but being around Sakura, a part of home for me, it comforting and it eases the desires of the beast and subdues it.'

'As expected.' She spoke softly, probably to herself. She pushed herself up from the desk and found a red file and handed it to Sakura, she noted the leaf ninja symbol embossed on the front and took it.

'This is a direct order from the Hokage, Sakura you are to move into the spare room which Sasuke left behind just over a month ago so that we can keep the beast in check.'

Shocked, Sakura opened the file and found everything all there, 'I thought that was forbidden but the rules of the Academy.'

'The Hokage deemed it prudent that we take as many precautions as necessary for Gaara, he is, after all, as dangerous as he is beneficial to us.'

Sakura bowed formally as she accepted her mission happily. She would love to be able to surprise Lee-kun tonight with the news.

'Is that satisfactory, Gaara?' Lady Tsunade addressed him

He nodded silently, not wanting to speak as his body shakes with a few minor shudders. Sakura reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder which stimulates his body to relax and stop.

'Now this leads on to the next part, as to why Kakashi is here and why he attacked.'

This was the part Sakura was most anxious for, she wanted to know what was going on here.

'Since you two, Lee and Naruto are going to now be living together, I would like to rearrange how the teams are currently in favour of all four of you being together, usually teams aren't any larger than 3 but the added help of Naruto to ease Gaara into being able to control the beast will definitely help.'

She was about to open her mouth and say that it still didn't explain the aggression but then she realised, 'Kakashi-sensei is going to be our mentor.' She didn't ask, she stated.

'That's right, I'll be your mentor, I'll be training you altogether once you're all here and accounted for and so I like to test my students.' Kakashi spoke to them. 'Usually I like to test the whole team together for teamwork but since Naruto and Lee have already undergone this test with their teams there is no need. Instead, I tested to see what you would do when the life of your friend was in danger, and you acted remarkably, both in stopping the attack and rushing to his aid to protect him.'

'Is that all?' Sakura asked politely.

'Nothing more need be required. You both may go.' Lady Tsunade dismissed them.

'I shall summon you when it is time.' Kakashi said and pulled a disappearing act that impressed Gaara.

They both left and quietly headed back to the dorm room. Eventually Sakura broke the silence, 'shall we get started on moving my things over?' She laughed, smiled and tugged on his arm to hurry up as she skipped down the hall. She missed Lee loads but now she would be living with him and she could only be happier if he was here with her, but she could only hope it was soon.