A/N: Help, everyone, I've created a monster (this fic)!! It's taking over my life.

Gratuitous Hyuuuuga Neji-sama for my beta.

Yes, Lee is still wearing THAT. Ugh.

Whoops this is supposed to be sasusaku...::slaps self::

Question for reviewers: are my updates too fast for you to keep up? Let me know. I just don't want you guys to forget what happened in the story!!

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When Sakura finally caught up with Naruto at the Ichiraku stand, she noticed him talking to another figure about his same height, but a little more slender in build. He was wearing the jounin uniform.

She could identify this man immediately by the way he carried himself. He looked almost elegant compared to Naruto who was fidgeting around and making strange gestures.

Sakura remembered a time when he was impossibly intimidating. Although they did still not know each other too well, she had gotten together in groups with him before and been able to enjoy his calm, refined company.

Though his head was turned to Naruto, he could see her coming.

"Sakura-san," he said coolly. But his face showed a slight smile as he watched her walk closer.

"Neji-senpai." Sakura returned a gentle smile as she met his white eyes.

"I see you made it back alright. Everyone will be relieved," Neji said, not moving.

Sakura brushed back her hair nervously. Maybe it was because it was in her face, or maybe she unconsciously felt like she had to make up for Neji's stillness. It was a little odd how he seemed statuesque at times.

"Okay, enough chit-chat. Let's get some ramen," Naruto said as he grabbed both Sakura and Neji's arms and led them into the stand.

Sakura remembered just then that she had someone else to see.

"Neji-san," she began as Naruto pushed her down onto a stool. "Is Lee-kun gone on a mission right now?"

Neji turned his gaze from the menu to Sakura and said, "No, I saw him by the bridge today on my way here."

"What is he doing there?" Sakura tried to meet his eyes around Naruto who was standing between them and ordering a pork ramen from Ayame.

Neji said, "My guess is...he's worried about you. He spent all of yesterday there as well."

Sakura felt a sudden, indescribably warm pang in her heart. It was a different sensation from anything else she had experienced in the last few days.

Of course, Neji knew what she was thinking. (After all, he could see through damn near everything.)

"If you leave now, I'm sure you'll catch him."

Sakura gave a shy smile.

"Thanks."

She took a breath and then hopped off the stool, ready to leave the stand.

"Ehhh!? Sakura-chan! Weren't you the one who wanted to eat ramen?" Naruto exclaimed as his attention suddenly turned from his cooking food to her. He stood up, attempting to block her path.

"I'm not hungry anymore, Naruto." Sakura pushed him aside. She started walking briskly down the street.

Naruto called after her, "If you leave...we're not rescheduling! I'm only going to treat you this time!"

"It's okay! You've done enough! I'll talk to you later!" Sakura yelled back with a grin, before turning around and running down the road towards the bridge.
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The jog felt pleasant in Sakura's lungs, and she was in good spirits as she neared the familiar red bridge. It ran over a small stream, and Sakura could hear the soothing sound of the water flowing around rock.

She remembered it was here, about six years ago, that she had given Lee a bouquet of flowers. It had been a get-well present, which, the last time she visited his place, she noticed he had dried and kept all this time.

This memory increased her desire to see him, and her mouth turned into an uncontrollable grin when she noticed a figure clad in a green leotard sitting down on the bridge, head rested against one of its pillars.

Her footsteps were light, but she thought he had sensed her coming.

When he didn't turn, she walked up to right next to where he sat.

"Is this seat taken?"

Her voice seemed to snap Lee out of whatever daze he had been in. She noticed his head jolt quickly toward her legs, and then up to her face.

"S...Sakura-san?" His black, round eyes were wide and she noticed he was trembling slightly.

She knelt down to his level and clapsed her hands between her chest and her knees.

"I'm glad to see you," she said with a smile so genuine it made Lee start to tear up.

"Sakura-san..." his face turned into a frown and his thick eyebrows furrowed in an attempt to prevent himself from crying.

Sakura laughed good-naturedly and shifted her body weight to sit down next to him. For a minute, he stared at her, while Sakura's gaze focused on the pillars on the other side of the bridge.

After awhile she turned to him again, brushing away the pink hair that the wind blew into her face. His intense expression was making her a little nervous. Lee was still speechless.

"It's okay, Lee. I'm back. I'm alright," she reassured him as she took one of his hands in both of hers.

His fingers were cold and Sakura rubbed them gently.

"Wh-When Tsunade-sama told me you didn't come back from your mission...I didn't know what to think..."

He paused and swallowed hard. "I didn't want to expect the worst...but I couldn't help it...She told me to keep my hopes up...but...Sakura-san..."

"What is it, Lee?" Sakura asked softly.

"I didn't think you'd come back...I'm sorry I doubted you," he said guiltily, eyes falling to where their hands met.

"Don't worry about it," Sakura smiled, trying to comfort him.

Her tender tone made Lee feel even more at fault. Although he was determined not to cry, he suddenly found the tears forming inside his eyes and tumbling down his face.

Sakura sensed his sincerity and felt the same warming in her core she experienced when she thought of visiting him for the first time in so long. She was touched by his feelings towards her and, especially, the way he expressed them. Lee was the only one who had ever been so open with his affection for her.

"Were you hurt, Sakura-san?" His voice cracked.

Sakura shook her head and tilted it to one side.

"No. Look," she said while running her fingers over her small wound on her neck. "I just have this one cut, and another on my arm. But they've healed almost completely and in a few days you won't even be able to see them anymore."

Lee looked a little relieved, but his shoulders were still slumped and his gaze fell again.

"Lee," Sakura whispered, raising his chin so that their faces met.

His eyes were watery but he stopped crying momentarily.

"I'm here now. It's okay."

As she said those words, her hands reached up over his shoulders and around his neck, bringing him in close to her.

Lee's face was full of surprise at her gesture. His chin rested on her shoulders and he finally noticed that she was hugging him. He couldn't recall a time that she had initiated their embrace.

She pulled away after a few seconds and rubbed her arms, shyly.

Lee felt overcome with emotion.

"Sakura-san!!" He threw his arms around her and held her tight. Sakura was caught off-guard at first, but then put her arms around his waist. They remained in this postion for a long time, and Sakura began thinking about all the of he times they had hugged. She noticed his proportions again, and felt herself comparing this embrace to Naruto's...and to—

"You don't have to worry," Lee said passionately, "I'll protect you. Just tell me who hurt you, and I'll promise to make him regret it! I'll...hunt him down and kill him...or...I'll die trying to!"

His reference to the same person Sakura was just thinking about made her let go of Lee suddenly and push him gently away.

Their bodies separated.

"What is it?" His eyes were disappointed and concerned.

"It's...nothing," Sakura stammered slightly, using two fingers to rub the side of her forehead uneasily.

Sasuke...

His name sounded more foreign in her mind now, and Sakura didn't know whether she was happy about that or not. A part of her scolded her for thinking of him at a time like this with Lee by her side. Another part of her ached for him and guiltily wished he were here sitting next to her instead of Lee.

Sakura tried to push Sasuke out of her mind and concentrated on the face in front of her. It was easier than she imagined. She studied Lee's features...how different they were...how amazing...the warmth in his eyes was so comforting. There was no doubt about the way he felt.

"You'll have to forgive me. I must still be a little distracted."

"It's my fault," he said understandingly, "I should have given you more space."

Sakura touched his arm and smiled at him appreciatively before resting against the pillar, once again noting the gentle sway of the trees and the sound of tricking water.

After some time, she felt his fingers brush hers lightly and then settle over the back of her hand. Sakura turned her palm up to welcome them and gave them a soft squeeze.

The hand in hers didn't send a chill down her spine. Her heart was beating normally, not thumping painfully as if it would jump out of her chest. She didn't feel paralyzed or vulnerable, but safe and protected.

This was home, and the man next to her...he was real.

Maybe...Sakura told herself with a content sigh,

Maybe this is how it's supposed to be.