"Sakura-san, were you trying to leave without saying goodbye?" Lee asked.

She was surprised at how accurate he was.

"No, I just wanted some fresh air." She glanced at him for a second then concentrated somewhere in front of her. Sakura involuntarily shivered again and hugged herself.

"I would give you my jacket, Sakura-san, but I didn't bring one myself," Lee said regretfully.

For a second, Sakura wondered how Lee was always such a gentleman.

"It's okay."

She resumed looking intently somewhere in the distance. Lee tried to read the expression on her face. It was focused on something.

"Sakura-san..." His hand slipped around her waist and rested there. "You've been distracted lately," he said gently, "I thought before it was because you were tired, but you've been back for a couple days now..."

Sakura looked down at her feet and remained silent.

"I can't help but think something might be bothering you. Did...did something happen while you were gone on your mission?" Lee asked.

Sakura still didn't respond.

"Or...is it me?" Lee took a step to the side so now he was facing her.

Sakura turned her eyes to meet his. She saw they were full of kindness and concern.

She shook her head and said, "It's not you, Lee." She smiled weakly.

There was a pause before Lee stiffened slightly. He spoke again. "I don't mean to ask you so many questions, Sakura-san. But...I'm..." Lee sighed, "I'm just jealous of whatever...or whoever...has your attention."

Sakura's eyes closed and she felt a dull pain in her chest that made her heart sore. "Lee-kun..." Sakura shook her head sadly.

"Sakura-san." Lee put his hands on her arms and looked into her eyes. "No matter what it is on your mind...you can tell me. Please, Sakura-san. I want to know..."

Sakura felt tears start to build up and she quickly turned her head away from him. She didn't want him to know she wanted to cry, but her finger slipped under her nose as she sniffed.

"Sakura-san. I didn't upset you, did I?" Lee's voice grew more alarmed.

"No," Sakura choked out with a slight tremor.

She broke away from his arms, turning her back to him and walking a few steps forward. Lee was surprised by her rejection.

After Sakura felt like she had a better handle on her emotions, she turned around to face him again. Her eyes sparkled in the low light.

"Lee-kun...you didn't upset me. You never upset me. You're just...just..."

Lee looked anxiously at her.

Sakura sighed and her shoulders slumped a little. "Perfect."

Taking this as a good sign, Lee walked slowly toward her until his body was close to hers. He reached down to hold her hands and supported them at their sides. "Sakura-san..."

His thumbs traced the knuckles on her fingers. Her hands were cold.

"Let me be the one," he said in a tender voice.

She felt her stomach drop. She sighed softly again and tried not to meet his eyes.

"Please, Sakura-san," Lee begged. "You won't regret it. I'll give you everything you want."

Sakura did not speak.

"I'll make sure you never cry again, I promise. I'll protect you until I die."

He had said these words to her so many times. In the past she would be filled with a warm feeling of security. But tonight, they made her body ache.

"Why?" Sakura asked him desperately, "Why me? I...I don't deserve it."

The instant she asked that question, she regretted it.

There was an awkward pause but Sakura knew what was coming.

"Because..."

Don't say it...Sakura shut her eyes and pleaded silently.

"I..."

Stop...Lee-kun...Don't...

"I love you."

Sakura felt as if she were going to collapse. The tears that had been growing all this time finally fell down her cheeks.

Lee pressed her hands gently. "Do you love me?" he asked softly.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat. She had never even asked herself that question before. When she had left on her mission, she had believed in the possibility. His tenderness and sincerity were overwhelming. She felt so safe and protected around him. And, of course, there was no doubt he would treat her right.

Sakura appreciated him. He was definitely someone she could grow to love.

But even as she was debating these feelings, there was no doubt in her mind she was still going on her mission tonight. She had tried to convince herself the previous day that she was just going to save Sasuke because she felt compelled to as his former teammate. But now, she realized that as hard as she had tried in these past few days, she couldn't forget about him. Her efforts had been concentrated on pushing him out of his mind, but that only made her painfully aware of how important he was to her.

The answer became clear. If she could leave Lee so she possibly love him? In the way he deserved to be loved?

"I..."

Lee's face was full with nervous anticipation.

"Yes..." Sakura said breathlessly.

Then her eyes closed again eyes. She couldn't bear to look at his face.

"...but not in the way you want me to."

Sakura felt the hands that were supporting hers suddenly fall limp.

She opened her eyes, observing Lee's slouched figure with his head turned down. He looked like he had just been stabbed.

Despite her pain, Sakura wanted to look at his face. She wanted to make him understand that it had nothing to do with him and the way he treated her. "Lee-kun...please...look at me."

She cursed herself for hurting him so much. It would be so much easier for everyone if she returned his feelings, but there was no way she could deny it now. Her heart still belonged to only one man—a man who had never acknowledged her.

"Lee-kun..." Sakura was worried.

After a minute, Lee finally raised his dejected eyes to hers. They were empty and it scared her. Sakura trembled slightly.

She still held his hands and tried to rub them, but this elicited no reaction from him. He just kept his heartbreaking stare on her.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered.

Sakura finally stopped and gently released their connection. Just then the clock chimed.

Ten o'clock.

Sakura didn't want to leave like this, but if she didn't get moving now, she might not make it in time. She shook her head sadly.

Lee still remained silent. Sakura gave him another forlorn look, and then she said quietly, "I have to go."

She hesitated, but after another pause, she made up her mind and tore herself away from him quickly.

Her hand wiped the tears away from her face and settled over her mouth, controlling a sob. She quickly opened the balcony door and the beating of music became louder. Pushing her way around bodies, she found the exit and hurried down the stairs. Once she was outside, she started running down the street, the kunai holster on her thigh rubbing against her other leg.