Swaying Branches

Chapter Two

From the window in the library Sakura had a perfect view of the knights' training grounds. You see, most knights are trained at the Uchiha Palace. It had the finest teachers and a great reputation.

The Haruno Castle also trained knights, though in different techniques that were not quite as famed as the Uchiha ones.

Lee had been sent to the Haruno Castle at a very young age, studying to be a knight for the greater part of his life. He was one of the few students to be taught by Sir Gai, one of the greatest swordmasters in the kingdom.

When she was younger, Sakura used to love watching Lee train. He'd go from sunset to sunrise trying to perfect the techniques, and would of gone on longer and forgotten to eat if Sakura wasn't there.

Sakura found it so fascinating how Lee could make the ancient Haruno techniques flow with so much grace and energy.

It was definitely different from the Uchiha techniques. They focused on offense and accuracy, while the Haruno techniques focused on defense and waiting until the right moment.

Sakura grinned proudly. So far not one knight could land a blow on her Lee.

Abruptly Sakura heard someone enter the library, choosing to ignore it she didn't even fidget.

"Sakura, what are doing her?" Naruto's voice inquired from behind her. She turned her head to see him looking at her with curious eyes with a leather-bound book in his hand. She silently stared at him, making him slowly become more confused.

"Why aren't you training with the other knights?" she asked instead. He gave her a knowing smile as he looked out the window as she had been. "Sasuke was acting as his normal self this morning and demanded I play errand boy today. I'm here to fetch one of his books."

As he gazed out stood next to her, gazing out the window, he gained a thoughtful expression. Sakura noted the distant look in his eyes, as if he were remembering a long forgotten memory.

"You know," he began quietly. "I used to love this room when I was young." He smiled and turned to look her directly face to face.

"Once when I was too sick to train, Sasuke got the servants to set up my bed here so I could lessons from up here."

He chuckled softly, and turned back to the window. "It didn't help much, since I couldn't possibly hear instructions from here, but it did make me feel better. Sasuke has the strangest ways of showing he cares. I'm lucky to have such a good friend."

He grinned peacefully at her. As for her, she forced a small smile. It truly saddened her to know Naruto was so oblivious. She once heard that ignorance is bliss. But she was not so sure about that…

"Ne, something tells me he wouldn't do that for anyone else," Sakura said casually, giving him a small grin. Naruto merely gave her a small 'hmm' and shrugged.

"I must be going now. If I don't get back to the Prince with his book he'll get into one of his 'moods'. Good day, Lady Sakura," he said politely as he gave her a small now. He then crossed the room to the door, stopping hesitantly and looking over his shoulder.

"You're an smart and observant young lady, Sakura. Best use those qualities to your advantage."

It was muttered softly, but Sakura heard it quite clearly. For the next ten minutes she was frozen, staring at the spot Naruto had stood.

When she finally snapped out of it she turned to look out the window. To her disappointment the knights had all left the grounds, and she saw no one outside.

She yawned quietly and pressed a hand to her throbbing temple. 'I hadn't even noticed this throbbing until now, maybe I need some fresh air…'

"Ne, Sakura, I've been looking for you." Sakura colored when she noticed Lee standing only a yard away.

She heard him gasp softly and take a step forward. "You're so flushed, are you sick?" He tenderly brought his hand to her forehead. "You're burning up! You shouldn't be here in this dusty, old library while you're sick." He looked her up and down, before offering his hand to help her up.

"I'll help you to your room, then go fetch the healer." He gently began to lead her out the door. She didn't protest, hardly even able to grasp what he was saying. She was too preoccupied with the feeling of being a bit too warm and slightly dizzy.

"Lee, I…" Sakura began weakly. He turned instantly to hear her better. But before she knew what was happening everything her started to get fuzzy and finally black.

She fainted. Fortunately Lee was there to catch her.

The first thing Sakura felt was something cool on her forehead. Cool and damp. Confusion started to sink in and she fought desperately to open her heavy eyelids.

At first she was blinded by the bright sunshine, but as her eyes began to adjust it turned from fuzzy shapes to perfect sight.

She soon realized that she was staring up at the ceiling of her bedchamber and the cool, damp object on her forehead was a cloth.

Somehow she was also able to sense someone sitting nearby, their eyes concentrated on her.

Before she could turn to see she met eye to eye with a pretty older lady with kind brown eyes and blonde ponytails. She recognized the features immediately to be that of head healer, Tsunade.

"How are you feeling? Your fever had broke while you were unconscious, but you may be feeling weak for the better part of the evening." Tsunade's voice was professional, yet caring, and very soothing. Sakura found herself relaxing as she listened.

"Just drink some tea and rest. Dinner will have to be brought here for you. Now take this honey. It's a special type made only in the Aburame Territory, perfect for recovering. And lastly I want you to stay in this bed. Don't you dare move a muscle." The woman fluffed Sakura's pillows one last time before turning to leave.

"You hear that, Sir Lee? Please look over her and make sure she follows my instructions. I'll come back to check on her before sleeping hour comes." The soft sound of the wooden door followed and silence reigned in the room.

Sakura shut her eyes, listening to the steady rhyme of Lee's breathing. She heard him stand from his seat and could feel his presence next to her bed. Slowly she opened her eyes, and fought the annoying blush that threatened to grace her cheeks.

Lee looked down at her with one of his devoted smiles that she'd seen directed only to her. 'Best use those qualities to your advantage.'

She contemplated Naruto's advice and silent studied Lee's gentle, round face. "Lee…" she murmured softly.

Lee nodded silently, hearing the seriousness in his friend's usually carefree voice.

"Do you…" Sakura started, her voice gaining confidence and volume. "Love me?"

(A/N: Cliff Hanger? Nah. I'm not that mean. It's too soon to end the chapter anyway…)
She waited patiently, watching as his face turned from surprised, confused, understanding, then finally ending with that smile that was only hers.

"How could I not love you, Sakura? I'd do anything for you. I'll always protect you. Always support you. All I want is your happiness, even if it means you marry an other."

He looked so sincere, it brought tears to Sakura's eyes. She gingerly took his calloused hand and brought it to her reddened cheek.

"You do so much, Lee. I don't deserve you." Her tears trailed down onto his hand and they sat there for minutes just watching each other.

"Lee…" Sakura's voice cracked slightly. "I am in love with you."

He smiled brightly and leaned over her. Kissing her forehead, he stood back up and withdrew his hand. "You must rest now. I'll wake you when your dinner comes and I'll keep you company. Alright?"

Sakura nodded sleepy and pulled her blankets closer. "When I wake up I want to see your smiling face, Lee."

TBC

A/N: Well there you have it. Such sugary cotton candy fluffiness. Yep, more fluff than I'm comfortable with… -- oh well, as long as you guys liked it. I hope you liked it at least. Kinda short, though…

Next part is the last, might take a while since I doubt I'll be able to write before I go to camp. Which is for two weeks. So don't kill me if it doesn't come this month. But I promise part three will be done at least the first week of August, or you can shot me and send me to hell if it doesn't. (I think I went a little far…).

Thank you my reviewers. Have a cookie.

Ly Mizukage- thanx! I'm glad you liked it. You're my first reviewer, YEAY! Your profile said you were from Poland. I'm Polish! My mom came here from Poland and my father's parents came here. (here being America). Unfortunately, I'm not really that great at the language --6 In fact, I'm a Polish scout. The camp I'm going to is Polish… Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter and read the next one. Enjoy your cookie! Lol.

Kazehana- As you wished. I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I hope I didn't make you wait too long. Here's your cookie, and I'll even add in a glass of milk.

BTW, I went to Live8, it was awesome. If you have time please go to , its a great cause.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto in any way.

Please review, no flames.