Author's Note: Hope you all enjoy the newest episode of A Complicated Situation! Read, review, and as always...enjoy! XD

If you're new to the story, catch up on the other chapters and please leave a review to tell me what you think. I love hearing what you all have to say. Any comments, questions, or suggestions are welcome!

Same disclaimer and summary as other chapters!

Episode 56: Not As Strong As They Seem...

Sasuke pulled on his shirt and shorts slowly as Sutefanii looked off into the distance, trying not to stare over her shoulder and admire his toned body. Her face was hot; she could almost still feel his lips on hers. The hazel-eyed girl had just lifted her hand to touch her mouth when the dark-haired boy cleared his throat, signaling to her that it was alright to look again. She glanced over at him, glad that the night could cover up her blushing face.

"It's getting really dark. We should get going," he said softly, catching her eyes. Sasuke stood up and offered a hand to Sutefanii, who reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. They gathered up the picnic stuff and climbed back down the stairway of the Hokage Stone, heading back to town. The two walked side by side through the village, but instead of continuing their game of truth or dare, they quizzed each other.

"Favorite colors?" he asked.

She looked down at her outfit. "Green, obviously…but also black, silver, and blue," she plucked at his sleeve with a smirk that rivaled his own perfected trademark. "Favorite fruit?"

"Tomato," he replied. "It is a fruit, you know. Hn, favorite…flower?"

"Black rose." He raised an eyebrow and asked why. "They're extremely rare…and unique. Like me." Sutefanii smiled brightly. After awhile, they lapsed into comfortable silence. The dark-haired boy finally mustered enough nerve to reach out for her hand.

As their fingertips grazed each others, there was a huge crack of thunder. It was followed immediately by a bright bolt of lightning, illuminating the dark sky. Sutefanii gasped and gripped Sasuke's hand tightly. He smirked and used the opportunity to pull her closer. The sky suddenly opened up and the rain poured down, drenching them in seconds. The thunder was so loud it shook the ground and the lightning contrasted sharply with the pitch black night. The brunette girl shivered and leaned in further towards Sasuke, because of the cold…and a few other reasons. The pale boy noticed the difference in her behavior immediately. He stopped walking.

"Are you…scared?" he asked, incredulous that this normally daring genin could seem so helpless. The rain continued to fall as Sutefanii turned away from him, shame coloring her face. Here comes the mocking, she thought, wincing at the next burst of thunder. She tried to pull her hand away, humiliated because of one of her few fears. He held fast to her hand, locking his fingers with hers. "It's OK. I won't tell anyone…I'm here, there's no need to worry," he said seriously, meeting her horrified, pleading gaze with understanding.

"Thanks," she whispered. Sutefanii allowed herself to be pulled into a hug. The thunder and lighting finally faded and the two began to walk along slowly, hands still intertwined. The brunette tilted her head back, letting the water wash over her face. Sasuke shook his soaked hair out of his eyes and smiled at her, a true smile, not just one of his patented smirks. She squeezed his hand and grinned in return, her hazel eyes sparkling. They slowed down further as they got closer to the Jeraado compound, eventually stopping just outside the gate. The rain had let up; it was only a light shower of mist now.

"Well, I'd better head inside….the parental unit will be worried about me out in this storm," Sutefanii said regretfully. "This was such an amazing night, Sasuke…you are…we could…I thought…I – I wish it didn't have to end," she stumbled over her words, trying to explain her emotions. She smiled at him, full of happiness, and turned to go.

Sasuke reached out and caught her wrist before she got too far away. She glanced up at him in surprise as he spun her around. Her back pressed against the outside wall and he leaned over her, an arm on either side of her, his hands pushing against the bricks. His face was just inches away from hers, his dark gaze intense. Sutefanii blushed. Just like at the training grounds…

"I'm glad you had a good time," he said in amused voice. "So did I."

"Then why are we st–" Sasuke cut her off, silencing her with his lips. His arms went around her, pulling her closer as she slid her arms around his neck. Finally she had to break away, breathing heavily. Her whole body tingled with electricity and from the look in Sasuke's eyes, it was obvious he felt it too. His ragged breathing was just as unstable as hers.

"Bye Sasu-kun," she called softly to him, slipping out of his arms and through the doorway. He watched her go, entertained by his new nickname.

"Bye Sutu-chan," he whispered back with the same abbreviation.

She flashed him a quick smile before shutting the gate behind her and sprinting towards her house. Always leave them wanting more…But what if I'm the one who can't wait to see him again?

The next day during Sutefanii's training, her father noticed she had a new sense of energy. I've never seen her like this before. Generally, she seems really happy, but this complete euphoric teenager is a little unnerving. Whenever we take a break, she's lost in her own blissful little world, but she snaps right back into training without a problem and gives it more effort than I've ever seen. Sutefanii also isn't being nearly as hostile towards me as she usually is. She wasn't around at dinner last night…could that have something to do with the attitude adjustment? Deividdo thought curiously. Motioning to Sutefanii to try the technique again, he frowned. It may be good for her right now, but if the object of her cheerfulness begins to distract her, I will have to do more research into her life outside of our compound…

"That's good enough for today. You put forth a great deal of effort today. I'm…I'm proud of you," he smiled at her.

Sutefanii's face broke out in a blinding grin. She skipped over and hugged him tightly, planting a small kiss on his cheek before running towards the house to shower. "Thanks! Love you," she called out over her shoulder. Deividdo shook his head as he watched her go.

"Who are you and what have you done with our clan's heir?" he murmured under his breath with a small smile, stroking his cheek absently.

Sasuke seemed to be having a bit more trouble concentrating than Sutefanii. Kakashi was getting a little frustrated.

"Come on Sasuke. Don't tell me that you've given up. Should I start training Naruto instead?" the silver-haired man gently prodded at Sasuke's ego. The dark-haired genin scowled.

"Alright, I think I got it this time," he said quietly, beginning to attempt the technique again. An image of Sutefanii's smiling face broke through his concentration. "Ugh!"

Kakashi shook his head."I don't understand it…I was always motivated to get stronger. I'll see if Naruto –"

"NO!"

"Alright then…show me what you've got," the jonin crossed his arms.

"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled, his hand crackling with electricity. He punched a hole in the nearby hill, reducing it to nearly half its size.

Kakashi smirked under his mask. "Not too bad." The dark-haired boy swayed a little on his feet, but caught himself. His teacher eyed him carefully, but Sasuke waved him away. He did the technique a second time, nearly destroying the rest of the hill. This time he was so dizzy, he actually fell to his knees and held his stomach.

"You're nauseous…it's to be expected after draining yourself of chakra. Looks like two is your limit," Kakashi observed.

"How – how many can you do?" Sasuke managed to ask between gasps.

"Four…if I really push it."

"What – what would happen if I – if I tried to use Chidori a third time?"

"You wouldn't have any chakra left," the jonin said sternly. "Best case scenario, you'd be unconscious for a long time. Worst case, and most probable…you'd die."

Sasuke took the information in, as he got control over his breathing again. His muscles didn't feel so weak, so he attempted to stand up. Kakashi caught his arm before he could fall.

"Guess that's it for today, let's get you home," the silver-haired man said. He suddenly stiffened; Sasuke felt the new presence too. They turned to face…Gaara.

"What do you want?" Sasuke snarled at him, pulling himself away from Kakashi to stand on his own. Gaara's cold turquoise eyes glared at him.

"I'm here to kill you."

"Whoa there, can't this wait until your actual match?" Kakashi joked, although he sensed the tense atmosphere surrounding the two boys.

Sasuke stared at Gaara, unperturbed. "Why do you want to kill me?"

"Ever since I met you, that first day I was in Konoha, you never ceased to antagonize me. Added to your obvious strength in combat and your heroics in the hospital…you're a threat. And what better way to prove my existence then by killing you?" the Sand genin growled.

Sasuke spat at the ground near Gaara's feet. "You're insane. Killing me won't prove anything…I doubt you even could." His bravado only irritated the red-head more. Gaara seemed like he was about to speak when suddenly he grasped his head in pain. What? That's what happened in the hospital…Is he having some sort of attack? Sasuke wondered, as the Sand genin's breathing increased rapidly. When Gaara looked up again, his eyes were bloodshot. He dug his fingers into his head.

"Get…away…from me…while you can…" he gasped at the confused Leaf ninjas. Kakashi seemed concerned with the sudden personality change, but grabbed Sasuke's arm. The dark-haired boy gazed wide-eyed at the red-head, who fell to his knees, shaking with pain. As the jonin yanked his student away, he began murmuring instructions.

"As soon as I let go of you, run straight to any of your teammates. Don't let them know what happened…and do not go anywhere alone today."

"What are you going to do?" Sasuke whispered back.

"I'm going to find his sensei or his teammates, anyone who can help get him back under control. I'm not exactly sure what's going on with him, but I'm sure as hell going to find out," Kakashi hissed, his normally controlled attitude faltering. The silver-haired man jerked his arm harder, picking up the pace, when he heard a sudden howl of pain from behind them.

Sakura pushed Lee's bangs out of his face and sat quietly beside his bed, holding his hand. She had been spending nearly every moment by his side since her chat with Sutefanii, at least during visitor hours. Her heart-to-heart with Ino had also gone well, though her blonde friend could not understand Sakura's change of heart towards Sasuke and Lee. The pink-haired girl sighed lightly and pulled Lee's hand up to her cheek. I hope you wake up soon Lee-san…

Just as she finished her thought, the boy shifted restlessly in the bed, his eyelids fluttering. She nearly dropped his hand in surprise. "Lee?" she whispered. He cracked one eye open.

"S–Sakura-chan…" he muttered.

"How do you feel?"

"Pretty good…now that I know you're here." She blushed and he tried to smile, but winced in pain instead. The resulting grimace reminded Sakura that she should probably get a nurse. She started to stand, but his grip on her hand tightened.

"Don't go," he whispered pitifully.

"I'll only be gone a minute. I'm getting the nurse for you…"

"Don't go," he repeated softly, both dark eyes fixated on her face.

"Aren't you in pain?" she asked, concerned.

"You'll distract me…"

"I – I don't know how."

"Talk to me," he murmured, closing his eyes again.

"About what?"

"About what you were saying to me before…I couldn't quite hear your words, but I knew your voice," Lee's voice continued to drop. Sakura blushed deeply – she didn't know he could hear her while he was in a coma.

"I was just saying that I wished you'd wake up soon…I missed talking with you and seeing your smile…" she said softly.

He smiled, his eyes still closed. "Tell me more…"

Questions to be answered: What's going on with Gaara? Will Kakashi discover the truth? Where the hell is Naruto?! Will Deividdo find out about his daughter's outside life? What will happen between Lee and Sakura? Will Sasuke and Sutefanii's romantic spark last through the final rounds of the Chunin Exams? Will Naruto find out what's happened between them? How will Ino react when she finds out? Will Hinata ever stand a chance with Naruto? These questions and more will be answered in future episodes of A Complicated Situation! Stay tuned!!

Hey guys, keep a sharp lookout for the update of my new fanfiction named "Dream Girl". Neji x Tenten fans should be pleased...Hopefully, the final chapter will be posted THIS week! (If you're lucky...)

Also check out my newest fanfiction "Shikamaru Nara Must Die" a sort of parody on the movie John Tucker Must Die mixed with some canon and non-canon Naruto pairings and tons of fun! New chapter up SOON!

REVIEW PLEASE! Try not to flame unless it's truly constructive criticism. I'm sorry if some characters don't seem like themselves, but hey it's my story/life! Hope you liked this next chapter, please check back for updates often!

Any comments from new (AND OLD) readers would be appreciated!

Keep up the comments, I LOVE hearing what you all have to say