Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own Naruto or it's characters, that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Author's Notes: IS NOT FRACKING CANON! I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THAT NEJI DIED! HE IS ALIVE AND WELL! HATERS CAN JUST EITHER WALK RIGHT ON OUT OR WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER COMES OUT! Thank you!

There was absolute silence in the small booth of the restaurant. All eyes were trained on the petite, yet very busty blond, who was red in the face as Lucy was refusing to look at any of them. While the tall, dark-haired man sitting next to her just turned a brilliant shade of red. The whole situation was not what any one of them was expecting. No, not at all. Each person at the table noted that the restaurant itself was oddly quiet after that little outburst.

"Excuse me," The blond said as she stood up and walked with great restraint from the building.

"Wow!" Sakura said, her leaf green eyes wide as she stared after the girl.

It had been six months since the strange girl had just randomly shown up outside of Konoha's Gates. Daze, confused, spouting nonsense that was quickly proven right. Easily she had become someone everyone liked to be around. Her personality was like a perfect blend of each of those sitting at the table. Now, though...

"I think I... should go...after her," The dark-haired boy said.

When the silence was broken, each of the rookie nine that was there stared at who spoke. Heads nodding slowly, still very stunned, as Rock Lee stood up and walked out of the diner. Leaving his two teammates to glare daggers at the others. They were well aware of the feelings that their teammate had for the bubbly blond. On top of the fact that they had been secretly dating for about three weeks. That and it took a lot for them both to just open enough to admit that they liked each other.

"I hope you are all satisfied," Neji said, his voice a low growl, lavender eyes narrowing to mere slits.

The fact that nine heads hung in shame at once spoke volumes. It had finally taken Kiba cornering Lucy in a public place (at a group dinner of all places) to get the reason why she refused his advances. Only to have her snap that she was dating Rock Lee, leading to a rather rude and cold off-handed comment from Naruto. Which had made Lucy's face pale then turn a dark shade of red in a mix of embarrassment and anger?

"I do not think it was any of your business, Kiba, to know why she refused you. You should have just left it the hell alone. When a woman gives you a refusal, that doesn't mean dog her more in hopes that she will change her mind," Tenten snapped.

This had a small whine coming from Kiba, who, out of habit, reached down for Akamaru, who was not present due to a pet restriction of the restaurant. As everyone else wisely remained silent. The cheery mood of the meal was ruined. Friend's were hurt because of actions and words. And the rest of the place was still oddly silent, speaking of the volumes of gossip that would be going around

Lee didn't have to go far to find his beautiful girlfriend. Frowning as he saw her leaning against the building, she had stopped by, her arms around her waist. It made him pause and chew on his bottom lip. His usually positive demeanor was practically non-existent. He knew full well the insecurities that Lucy had. And to have Naruto comment on how just before Lucy had arrived, that he, himself, was still chasing Sakura — spouting love and youth.

Sucking in a deep breath through his nose, he steeled himself. Walking over to Lucy, making sure his footsteps were heard. Because the last thing he wanted was startled and panicked Lucy Kick to his chest. Seeing it happen to Gai Sensei was shocking, but the damage it had done to the ribs and internal organs being bruised from just that one kick. It had him wanting her to know he was there. So, when he saw her arms tighten around her waist, stiffening just a little, he stopped still a reasonable distance from her.

"... Is what... Naruto said, true? Before I arrived, you were still trying to pursue your feelings for Sakura? Am... am I a replacement?" Lucy asked, her voice soft, quivering, and very obviously thick with tears.

Carefully, he thought about what he was going to say. Because contrary to what everyone else thought, Lee, did stop to think things through. Especially very important things. Well, maybe except drinking Sake. That was a conditioned reflex for his specialty Drunken Boxing. But he knew not to take his 'medicine' unless it was necessary. This was one of those times. Lee knew how he felt about Lucy without a doubt. And that was not how they had agreed to break it to their friends, sans his teammates.

"No, Lucy, you are not a replacement for Sakura. You can never be," He said, his hands fisting at his side. "The both of you are two very different people. Which is obvious from the way you look to talk, to act. But most importantly, how you feel."

He continued to do controlled breathing. Fighting everything in him that said to go to Lucy, wrap his arms around her and hold her. That he knew would only get an adverse reaction. His long talks with Kurenai and a few of the other more senior Kunoichi helped a lot. Allowing him to read better and understand not just Lucy, but females in general and saving him a lot of heartaches and physical abuse.

"Really? What sets me apart from her? In your views, not everyone else, Lee," Lucy asked, her voice a bit stronger now, but still thick with tears.

Quicky deciding if it was a good idea or not, he took two steps closer to Lucy. He was pausing when her body stiffened further again — making him tense his muscles throughout his body. It hurt him that she was withdrawing. Her insecurities about not being able to measure up to the females of the village who were ninja-like himself. That she was different, softer, and less useful since her own very unique and beautiful skills took a massive toll on her.

"Yes, Lucy. That you see me for who I am. Past how I come across. She never took the time to see me, no matter how I felt. And after being with you, getting to know you. I know that was just a silly childhood crush. The way you smile when you're happy, how it makes your eyes light up. That you do not guard your emotions or blinding focus on one thing. Those are some of the most defining facts that I can list. You are you. Sakura is Sakura. There is no comparison," he said, pausing for but a second before just speaking his mind and hoping he didn't risk everything. "And I love you for it."

The soft gasp that came from Lucy before she whipped around to look at him. Her honey-brown eyes large in her face as her mouth hung slightly open. She was making him smile as he lifted his arms in a silent plea to her, which she answered by closing the distance and pressing her curvy body against his while burying her face into his chest. Once she settled, Lee wrapped his arms around her and just held her.

"You...you... love me?" she asked.

Humming softly as his body relaxed now that she was in his arms, Lee answered her, "Yes. There is no doubt about it. I love you, Lucy Heartfilia!"

His voice was soft, but his usual enthusiasm made it loud enough for those that were listening in to hear him barely. Only to feel Lucy lift her head from his chest. Looking down, he saw the small, watery smile on her face as she closed her eyes and did her best to stand on her tippy toes. Not caring, Lee bent his head down and captured her lips in a gentle, yet searing kiss. He is hoping that their watchers would get the hint and leave them in peace.

The eleven people had various expressions on their faces. Ranging from happiness and delight to shock and a bit of hurt. But none of them spoke a word as they listened to the exchange and witnessed the kiss. There was no doubt in the rookie nine's minds now that the two did care for each other. Each would be taking something away from this.

Neji and Tenten started to pull the others away. Knowing it would be wise to give the duo some privacy. And for the sake of having an angry Rock Lee on their hands. No, they both knew that for as sweet as Lucy was, she was incredibly scary when pissed off, which only served to make Lee that much more deadly if any was left standing after Lucy kicked them to oblivion.

"Damn... I guess I owe them an apology tomorrow," Kiba stated. "But damn if Rock Lee is not a lucky bastard.

There were many soft grunts of agreement. While the last to leave was Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke. Two of whom were watching their teammate very closely and seeing the pain of realization show clearly on their faces. Each knowing that they were guilty of it in their way. Naruto with Hinata. And Sasuke with Sakura's affections in the past. For Team Seven, this was a harsh lesson but would serve to make them that much closer in the future. Because they all agreed with Kiba, Rock Lee was a lucky bastard.

THE END!