On the same day, back at the hospital, both Lee and Sakura had kept their end of the deal, Lee doing exactly as the doctors told him and Sakura visiting him that morning. The nurses all wondered at this new attitude of Lee, and were happy to see Sakura again. In fact Lee's arm and leg and healed so much that the doctor concluded it had become as good as it was going to get without the healing of a master healer, of which there were none in Konoha. So it was determined that he would be allowed out of hospital the same afternoon as most of the other injured ninjas, on a wheelchair. So it was that while Naruto was having a break and back in his house, Lee had gone in search of Sakura, as his whole team including Gai-sensei had gone out on a mission. However he did not know Sakura very well, at least in terms of where she went for training or breaks, so he had no idea where she might be. In the end he found her at the training grounds, training with Sasuke. He hesitated then, but decided to go up to her anyway.

I could always pretend I'm just here to train he thought as he wheeled his way up with his good arm.

"Hey guys" he called as he came close to them. Sakura waved but Sasuke ignored him, which was the expected response.

"Lee-san, don't tell me you're escaping from hospital again!"

"No, I was let out, they decided it was pointless for me to stay any longer.

Nearby Sasuke smirked at them but said nothing.

"It's good to see you up and about again" said Sakura with genuine happiness in her voice

Lee smiled his winning smile, and wheeled his way over to on of the training poles, where he began to punch with his one good arm. Sakura watched him for a while, still amazed at his determination and unwillingness to accept fate. Behind her, Sasuke smirked again, then simply turned and walked off.

After about half an hour of running laps, doing pushups and other training, sakura was beginning to tire, but Lee still showed no sign of stopping. She called to him

"Hey Lee! Could you tell me one thing?"

"Sure, what do you want to know?"

"Um...I was wondering how you got so strong since you graduated from the academy. I heard that you were a bit of a dunce then...and...well...you're one of the strongest ninjas around now, I always feel weak, I was wondering if you could tell me how you did it?"

Lee grinned again

"Hard work can defeat genius is the code that I go by. If you're determined, then set really high goals for yourself,, and if you're really set on becoming strong you will be able to accomplish those goals. I used to train here for the whole day without stopping, that's how desperate I was."

Sakura nodded, and, hardening herself, she continued training, from punching to kicking to throwing, she set herself nearly impossible goals, and began to reach for them.

Only a few meters away from them, hidden in the forest, two figures stood watching them. One whispered:

"What are we doing here?"

"Oh, my original plan was to go to the place where we met just before my match with your cousin. You remember? When you boosted my confidence and allowed me to get victory against all odds. Too bad you couldn't see it, Hinata-chan."

"Of course I remember...but why are we hear watching them?" She gestured vaguely towards Sakura and Lee. (By the way Hinata's lost her stutter due to a boost in confidence after she confessed her love for Naruto)

"Oh I'm just interested how they're going to turn out. I figured, since we got together, why not see if we can get other people together as well?"

Hinata thought for a moment, then said

"I might be able to help Lee's injury even if I can't totally heal it"

"What? Are you...a medic?"

Hinata smiled

"Don't you remember the ointment I gave you? I've been training as a medic for a long time. I'm not sure, but I think I know what Lee's problem is. Normally this type of wound is irreversible but I remember I found a book in the Hyuuga secret library that talks just about these types of injuries. Even if I can't totally heal him I'm sure I can make him a lot better."

"That's great Hinata-chan, let's go get that book!"

And they melted off into the forest with Sakura and Lee none the wiser.