A/N: AU from chapter 699. I apologize if I get some events incorrect. I was a big Naruto fan in my youth yet stopped reading/watching it half way through Part 2 and later on I've skimmed through a lot of the Great Shinobi War. Any recent knowledge is all due to Naruto wiki pages. I'm also going to drop honorifics because I always hated figuring out how/when to change them for developing relationships. Enjoy!

Edit: Fixed some grammar mistakes. Also, since I've already gotten silly flames over my couple choice I think it's important to say that rather than hiding behind the "guest reviewer" persona and sending meaningless, immature hate over something fictional, one should instead do something more positive like create fanfic/fanart of the couple they like instead. Spread the love, canon or non-canon! It's perfectly alright for others to have preferences different than your own and it doesn't mean that what you like is being threatened (especially if it's officially canon. *cough*). We ought to embrace the variety of preferences Naruto fans have, not be hostile to them.

Chapter 1

How Things Are

Right after the end of the Great Shinobi War, Sakura was asked out on a date by both Rock Lee and Naruto. Emotions for everyone were high; their close calls with death paired with what taste they got out of the Infinite Tsukuyomi caused many to pursue that they desired with new found confidence. Sakura politely turned down both of them for she had eyes only for one.

Three years after the Great Shinobi War Sakura married the love of her life, Sasuke Uchiha. They had only dated for a few months. In that time Naruto had moved on and found love with Hinata. Lee remained as he was, seemingly his only love being training. Despite being pardoned due to his efforts in the war, Sasuke was still scorned by many; his previous traitor status was not forgotten. After Sakura became an Uchiha she was treated with similar distaste and she tried not to let it get to her.

Kakashi stepped down as Hokage early to let Naruto take his place. After the initial celebrations, Sakura saw less and less of Naruto every day as he was always bogged down in official Hokage work. She saw Lee every once in a while; usually they would pass by and exchange a few polite, cordial words and part.

Sakura's marriage was not how she had dreamed it to be. Sasuke was thankfully no longer as dark as he once was; he would even smile on occasion, yet, he was not the sweet, passionate lover Sakura dreamed of. His words were still blunt and harsh. He was distant and talked sparingly. His romantic gestures seemed almost mechanical. Sakura always thought that with her unconditional love, given the chance, she could open up the solemn Uchiha and bring out his deeply hidden kindness and happiness. Now that this chance had been given she sees that she thought foolishly.

A few weeks into the marriage Sasuke left the village for several weeks without informing her. Sakura was distraught. She thought Sasuke had abandoned not only the village again, but their marriage. She met with Naruto to tell him of Sasuke's disappearance while tears streamed down her face. Naruto was confused. "Sasuke didn't tell you he was leaving?"

When he returned Sakura told herself she would yell at him and tell him how much he hurt her. She would demand answers for why he didn't tell her anything. When Sasuke finally returned one night Sakura instead welcomed him home with a small smile and a trembling voice. This became normal. Sasuke would disappear for long lengths of time without warning and come back as though nothing happened. Sakura finally asked him one day where he was going.

His response was short. "There are still parts of the shinobi world I haven't seen."

Sakura didn't question him further.

Even with these marital problems Sakura's heart still fluttered with every touch and glance Sasuke gave her. She told herself she was happy with what was. She was living the dream she had since childhood: to be Sasuke's wife, yet, Sakura felt an emptiness inside her. Sakura felt neglected by those she felt closest to; Naruto was too busy as Hokage and Sasuke was always traveling. Her life started to feel like the days before Naruto came back from his training with Jiraiya with both of them absent.

To distract herself from these feelings she would push herself hard while working in the hospital or on missions so when she returned home the only thing she would think about is rest rather than their quiet house with the empty spot next to her on their bed. When free from obligations she would visit Ino or her parents though she hated that one of the first questions asked by them was always "How is Sasuke doing?" She wished she knew.

When news of Sakura's wedding announcement to the infamous Sasuke Uchiha spread across Konoha both Tenten and Guy individually asked Lee how he was doing. First was Guy when Lee visited him early in the morning to train. Rather than demanding a race to the training grounds Guy kept a steady pace besides Lee in his wheelchair. "Lee, how are you doing today?" Guy was lacking his usual enthusiasm; instead he looked intently at Lee for an answer.

It was a general question but Lee understood what was implied. Lee unfurrowed his thick eyebrows, put on his nice guy grin, and gave Guy a thumbs up. "Wonderful! It seems like it will be a beautiful day to train, Guy-sensei! Thank you for asking!"

Guy chuckled, but his eyes still portrayed concern. "Of course, Lee."

When Lee met up with Tenten he could tell there was something on her mind as they visited Neji's grave to replace the flowers. While they were eating lunch afterwards Lee asked what was on her mind. "Oh, never mind me, Lee. How are you doing though?"

"Full of youth as always, Tenten!"

Unlike Guy, Tenten was pushier. "What about Sakura's wedding? She's marrying that Sasuke. Yuck."

Lee looked away from Tenten's gaze, instead to the the curry he was pushing around on his plate. "Sakura has been pining for Sasuke since we were genin. I am happy that she has finally gotten Sasuke's affection and I wish their marriage the best."

Tenten did not question him further.

Lee was invited to the wedding like the rest of the Konoha 11. Most of their sensei showed up as well along with former Hokages, family, and other people Lee did not recognize. Sakura looked like a flower in full bloom; the way her dress draped reminded him of petals of a magnificent flower. This was the happiest Lee had ever seen her. The way she beamed at Sasuke brought a lump to Lee's throat, but he made sure to continue smiling for Sakura's special day.

During the ceremony he saw a few people with looks of disapproval and disappointment due to a personal dislike of Sasuke, but thankfully no one interrupted Sakura's special day or Lee would have had a word with them. During the after party Lee congratulated the newlyweds personally before departing soon after.

After changing out of his suit Lee headed to the training grounds and trained twice as hard that day.

Lee did not see much of Sakura after her wedding. Whenever he did she was usually too busy to slow down and they exchanged only a few words. Lee saw Sasuke even less. Sakura initially seemed cheerful with a bright smile always on her face. Lee was thankful that Sasuke made her feel that way, yet, sometimes he wondered if he could have ever brought her the same happiness had things been different. As time went on the bright smile faded and her eyes dulled. It was a subtle change that she could disguise well under a smile. Sakura's eyebrows now were usually slightly furrowed, as though distressed, and she had a faraway look in her eyes. Lee wanted to fix this; he wanted to see her vibrant smile again. Lee wondered if Sasuke had anything to do with her unhappiness. The thought of him mistreating her made Lee's blood boil. His next immediate thought was to teach Sasuke a lesson, yet, Lee knew it was not his place to intrude where he could cause more harm than good. After waving to Sakura goodbye he would pause and watch as she hurried away, deeply yearning to reach out to her to help her bloom again.

A/N: Please take the time to review if you can, even if you don't have anything that insightful to say. Every fanfic writer loves reviews! Thank you!