A/N: Ayyy another chapter done. Fastest turn around time yet, but only because I split this part off of last chapter lol.

Chapter 26

Awaiting the Truth

When the sun set the sky darkened incredibly quick - thick clouds obscured the moon and stars. The four of them decided to build a small fire to keep the chilly air at bay as they ate their rations - with the deep darkness it was unlikely that the smoke trail would be noticed outside of Sakura's genjutsu barrier.

"So... let's hear it guys. Your theories on what the Sound is up to again and what they plan on doing to the Leaf. Go," Kiba prompted, absentmindedly stroking Akamaru beside him.

"Well... let's first list the facts we know," Sakura said. "The Sound is trying to encroach on the Steam's land. They somehow seem to be allied with this mysterious Talons group. There is a new Otokage with a face of a snake. Several of the Sound-nin we fought were clearly experimented on. We have in our possession a mysterious scroll that we cannot easily decipher. When I accused the genjutsu expert of allying with Orochimaru and told her she shouldn't trust him she laughed at me and said I had no clue what was going on."

Shino spoke up first. "All of the nations that participated in the war are severely weakened due to the deaths of so many shinobi. Now it is the most opportune moment for any power hungry country to seize land from its weaker neighbors. No one has the manpower to fight back against another war. Orochimaru escaped after the conclusion of the war. The experimented shinobi are just like those we encountered during our first Chunin Exams. It must be Orochimaru. He must want to gather power and attack the Leaf again like he did years ago while we're weak."

"You're forgettin' about the Talons," Kiba stated.

"Simple," Shino replied. "A band of missing-nin that see power in allying themselves with Orochimaru but value their independence enough to not dissolve and become Sound-nin themselves. They likely don't align fully with his goals, but they found a mutually beneficial agreement."

Kiba nodded with satisfaction at Shino's answer.

"But what about what that genjutsu expert - Yumi - said to me?" Sakura said. "I had the same theory, Shino, but the way she laughed at me said to me that I had everything wrong."

"Then maybe she was a liar who was just trying to throw you off their trail," Kiba suggested.

"Hm," Sakura said, a neutral non-committal answer, as her brow furrowed in thought.

A liar...

It did not fit right for Yumi. As much as Sakura desperately wanted Yumi to be wrong about her feelings for Lee, she was right. Yumi used uncomfortable truths to manipulate and toy with her and Lee and thrived off it.

"It's just... intuition, but it felt like she was telling the truth," Sakura finally responded.

Kiba shrugged. "If you say so. Then if she said we were wrong, then what?"

"Maybe it is not Orochimaru," Lee offered.

"Well, who else who is powerful enough to be a Kage and also looks like a snake?" Kiba countered.

"Perhaps there is another snake-man out there..." Lee shrugged, unsure. "Or saying he looked like a snake was just an expression."

"The Otokage not being a snake-man? Boring," Kiba yawned.

They did not hash out their theories for much longer as they really had no other details to go off of. All anyone could do at this point was wait for more information from the Steam.

"A lot of those Sound-nin are actually missing-nin from other Hidden Villages..." Lee suddenly said, staring down at his canteen. "After the Steam is done interrogating them what will happen to them, I wonder?"

"Missing-nins' lives are forfeit," Shino answered. "The Steam would get a reward for either returning them to their Village of origin for execution or if they send proof of their death."

Lee's grip on his canteen tightened. "One of the Sound-nin I fought fled the Mist due to persecution. He said he came to the Sound for a home. How many other Sound-nin we fought were those forced into becoming missing-nin and are only with the Sound to feel safe? Would they lay down their arms if the Leaf accepted them, I wonder?"

Lee... Sakura worried as she watched him from across the crackling fire.

Kiba spoke before Sakura could. "You're being too soft, Lee. All of these guys who are dumb enough to join the Sound are either crazy or just assholes wanting power."

"If any of the Hidden Villages adopted a missing-nin from another Village, that would strain relations between the two countries," Shino stated. "Even a Village pardoning its own missing-nins comes with consequences if that missing-nin has harmed other Villages. That's why it's not done." Shino then glanced at Sakura. "Rarely done," he corrected.

"Yeah!" Kiba agreed. "The Sound adopts other missing-nin just because it's never given a damn about making allies."

"I see," Lee answered glumly.

Sakura bit her lip. She did not know what she could say to Lee now to make him feel better.

Afterwards they decided their watch rotation for the night: first Sakura, followed by Lee, Shino, then Kiba.

After dashing out the fire, the men all retired to their tents for the night. Before Sakura left to her watch position Lee jogged over to her holding his promised blanket.

"Sakura!" he called. When he reached her he held out the blanket to her. "Here is the blanket I promised you. It might help you stay warm on watch too, I hope."

Sakura accepted the blanket with a a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lee. This'll make my watch so less miserable."

Lee flashed a grin.

They said their goodnights and Lee left back to his tent. Sakura leapt up on a thick tree branch that would give her an adequate view of their camp and the surrounding area. She sat on the branch and draped Lee's blanket around her shoulders. It was a thick wool - a little worn and a hideous shade of pea green - but it was impossibly soft to the touch and she already felt herself warming up.

It smells like him, Sakura noticed. The instant comfort that brought her filled her with a twinge of guilt.

It'll be fine, she assured herself, When I see Sasuke again this silly little crush will go away.

The thought of seeing her husband again did not bring her the comfort she hoped. The thought of him brought her mind back to Yumi. She did not tell her teammates how she won the fight - how Yumi looked into her mind and was shocked at what she saw, and that small surprise gave Sakura the opening she needed to win. She did not tell her teammates because she feared what it ultimately meant. Sakura had dug and searched through her mind desperately, trying to figure out what would have spooked someone like Yumi. There were no secret revelations in her memories - nothing that should have shocked the Leaf's enemies. The only perpetual mystery in her life was Sasuke, so Yumi seeing him was the only guess Sakura had. Sakura had her theories on what that would ultimately mean, both good and bad, but she did not want to dwell on them now. She would have her answers soon.

Sasuke will tell me the truth. He just has to.

The rest of her watch went by without trouble other than the malaise that had settled within her, afraid of what answers awaited her at home. She tried to keep her mind off of her troubles and instead focused on listening for any intruders. The night had a deep blackness to it so she couldn't see far; she could really only rely on her hearing. The presence of her genjutsu tags and Lee's traps brought her some comfort at least.

The second her watch ended Lee appeared on the branch beside her. "Are you keeping warm, Sakura?"

"Yeah," Sakura answered with a half-smile. "Your blanket is really cozy. I owe you one, Lee."

"You owe me nothing," Lee assured, taking a seat beside her. "Knowing it is keeping you comfortable is the only reward I need."

Sakura chuckled. Why was he always so impossibly sweet? "What about you? Are you keeping warm?"

"Do not worry, I assure you I am keeping plenty warm!" he grinned.

"Good," she smiled. "Otherwise I'd feel a little guilty." Thankfully the awkwardness between them had subsided after putting a few hours between them and those embarrassing incidents from earlier in the day. Sakura knew she could just say goodnight and head to bed, but she wanted to be a little selfish and bask in his presence for a little while to get her mind off of things. "You know... the festival last night was a lot of fun. It really makes me wish the upcoming Konoha war parade had some dancing to it."

"It was a lot of fun," Lee agreed. "Maybe we could suggest it to Naruto for next year's parade?"

"I like that idea. I think some of the guys will hate that idea at first, but if we take inspiration from Yu and make it taijutsu-inspired, and maybe add a little bit of a competitive element to it for a prize, I think they'd be sold."

"That is an excellent idea, Sakura!" Lee said, pumped. "If we need dance partners for next year's celebration, I hope I am not being too forward by asking you to be my partner. We would win the grand prize for sure with our combined talent!"

Sakura laughed. "Asking me already? Even though this is purely hypothetical, and over a year from now?"

"Yes!" Lee insisted. "You would be in high demand. I would regret it if I asked too late and you partnered with someone else who asked first. And..." The eagerness in his voice then turned to sudden bashfulness. "And... I thought we had great teamwork in the festival yesterday. I would like to do it again with you... but only if you want to, that is."

"I accept!" Sakura giggled, bumping her shoulder affectionately into his. "Though... I assure you that I would have accepted no one else but you for my future dance partner."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah! Of course!" she grinned.

Clearly tongue-tied, Lee just bashfully chuckled, gaze falling briefly to his lap.

Did I go too far? Sakura wondered. Perhaps she needed to reel herself back in a little.

"So... Sakura," Lee finally said after finding his composure. "What are you looking forward to most when we get back home?"

Home...

She had answers awaiting her there but the thought of what they could be filled her with anxiety. "Well..." Sakura began, unable to hide the unease in her voice. "Sleeping in my own bed for one. And... well... I dunno! I'll have to think on that one."

Lee leaned forward, peering at her from around her curtained hair. "Is something wrong?" he asked worriedly, his eyes searching hers.

"Oh, it's nothing... Well, okay; it's not nothing." Sakura let out a sigh as she tried to find the right words. She couldn't tell Lee about what she feared about Sasuke. She had to keep that secret to herself... and maybe Shikamaru. But, at the same time, she wanted to be open and honest with Lee. "It's just... with our conversation we had that one night, I have some tough things to figure out when we get back."

"...Oh. I see," Lee frowned as he leaned back. Tentatively, Lee gently stroked her back for a few quiet moments as he looked ahead into the darkness, sparing her from his gaze. The caring touch soothed her as she just focused on his touch. At the same time, she glumly wondered if taking comfort in this simple gesture was another disloyal act towards Sasuke.

Lee then opened his mouth to say something more but Sakura beat him to it, wanting to change topics as quickly as possible. "What about you? What do you look forward to most?" she asked.

Lee's hand trailed off her back. He splayed out his hands beside him on the branch. He thought for a moment before he spoke. "Well, I will get to see Tenten and Guy-sensei again. I will be able to go visit my favorite curry restaurant. But... those things are always there waiting for me at home." He then turned his head to look at her, a gentle smile on his face. "If I may be honest... what I look forward to most is getting to spend time with you again."

Caught off guard, Sakura blushed, a smile creeping onto her face. "I'm... glad to hear you say that. I look forward to that too. A lot. Especially after I messed things up between us."

"The fault was mine, not yours, Sakura. I was the one who started it after all," Lee said shamefully.

"And I stubbornly refused to listen when you wanted to talk about it."

"We both messed up?" Lee offered.

"Sure. We both did then."

They both chuckled lightheartedly before a comfortable silence passed between them. As Sakura peered down at their campsite, she was reminded of their conversation at the fire.

"I noticed you seemed troubled by Funai earlier," Sakura stated.

Lee nodded grimly. "Yes... It troubles me that Konoha likely would have not shown him mercy had he come to our doorstep begging for help. It... troubles me that Konoha could be in the wrong, after it gave me my dream - my dream of being a splendid shinobi. I understand Konoha has its dark past, but I hope that the Konoha of now and the future can be better."

Sakura's first thought was to say 'With Naruto as Hokage it has to be!' but after thinking of Sasuke she instead said, "I think... some shinobi aren't as lucky as we are, to have had it so good in our Hidden Village. There's... disillusionment for those unlucky few. Having Tsunade-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and Naruto all as Hokage is a step in the right direction, I hope."

"I hope so, too. But... something else that Funai said also troubled me. He told me that the Hyuga could be next - that they could receive the same treatment his clan and the Uchiha received," Lee said. "Not that I am afraid of another massacre happening... I just worry what the Hyuga will do to itself, I guess."

"Wait... what's going on with the Hyuga?"

"Well... the branch houses want the practice of their curse seals to be stopped and any current seals removed. And they want the dual house system to be abolished so they can be considered equals," Lee answered, brow furrowed with worry.

"I heard that some want to stop the cursed seal practice from Hinata, but I did not hear about that second part. The Hyuga are pretty strict and traditionalist - I can't see that going well."

Lee nodded. "Not only that, but this split between the houses have become so severe that I witnessed branch members attack the heiress with the intention of killing her."

"What? Hanabi?" Sakura gasped.

"Hanabi is safe. However... I cannot help but think of Neji, who so desperately wanted to change his clan, who no longer has that chance. Perhaps I am just naive, but I cannot help but think that Neji might have made a difference and prevented such a split from occurring. Neji should be there right now." He clenched his fists tightly at his side, voice stressed with helpless frustration. "I wish I could do something to help the Hyuga in Neji's name - to carry on his dream - but all an outsider like me can do is sit and watch."

Sakura wished she could tell Lee that he could make a difference in the Hyuga, if only to ease his troubles. But he was right. A clanless shinobi like the two of them could do nothing. They had no sway in the enclosed clan political system; Sakura did not want to lie to him. Not even the Hokage could force a change - Naruto would first need the full support from the mysterious Konoha Council, and then they would have to modify one of the founding Konoha treaties that allowed clans to operate their traditions unobstructed.

"I'm sorry, Lee... I know how much you miss Neji," she said softly, aching to touch Lee in some way to show him she cared, but she feared what it could mean - if it would be yet another disloyal act towards Sasuke.

"I do. I miss him every day. He still had so much to accomplish. He deserved to live." Lee swallowed as he stared down into his lap. "Sometimes I wonder... if we could have trade places..."

Sakura lost her resolve then, reaching out and placing her hand on his balled fist. "Please don't say that," she pleaded. "Please don't feel guilty about what happened - trading places with Neji wouldn't have solved anything. And I can't bare to imagine you gone."

His hand relaxed under hers. "I am sorry, Sakura. You are right. I just... wish I had more time with him," he admitted. "You know... we never got to have our all-out rematch. He kept on pushing me off, giving excuses," he chuckled sadly. "One time Tenten told me it was because he thought he would lose. He always was a sore loser."

"Are you kidding me? Of course he thought that after seeing you fight in our first Chunin Exams," Sakura jested, yet her voice soft, trying to cheer him up. "You kicked butt. What's the Gentle Fist compared to the forbidden Eight Gates?"

Lee lightly chuckled, giving her a weak but appreciative smile.

"But... I understand your pain," Sakura said somberly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "All we can really do as shinobi is treasure every moment we have with those dear to us."

"You are right... That is all we can do - treasure these moments and never forget them." A faint, wistful smile appeared on his lips. "You know, I still see him sometimes, in those returning Infinite Tsukuyomi dreams..." he mused. "They still feel so real. In those dreams I have everything I ever dreamed of. I dream of having him back, I dream of defeating him in our rematch, I dream of proving myself as a splendid shinobi to the world." He then paused, as a different kind of longing took hold of him, his gaze focused on their touching hands. "And I dream of..." Sakura watched with bated breath as his hand gently turned over under hers, until her hand was resting on his open palm. "Of..." he started again, his voice so incredibly soft, drawing Sakura in. His hand started to curl around hers, slowly and tentatively, until his fingertips barely brushed the top of her hand.

They both looked up at each other at that moment. Confused and questioning, Sakura's lips parted, eyes searching his, waiting for his answer, heart thumping in her chest. Lee's brows pinched together faintly, pained almost, as he gazed at her with such incredible... yearning.

He faltered then, decidedly clenching his hand away before he could close his hand any further, balling both fists away in his lap. "Well, it does not matter," Lee said, clearing his throat, looking away. "It is best not to dwell it."

For a moment Sakura's hand hovered uncertainly where his just was before she pulled her hand back under Lee's blanket. A question lingered unsaid on her tongue, skin still tingling where he held her hand. She desperately wanted to know what he was about to say, but in a strange way she was afraid of the answer. "I was one of the lucky few who didn't get trapped in it, but I know the Infinite Tsukuyomi dreams still haunt those who were. Lee... if you want to talk about the dreams or Neji, I'm always here for you. Please remember that."

Lee smiled at that. "Thank you." A quiet pause lingered between them before Lee spoke up again, expression unreadable. "I am sorry for taking up your precious time for rest. Please, go get some sleep, Sakura. I will start my watch."

"Oh. Uh, sure! Thanks!" Sakura said, tongue-tied, unsure of what else to say as she started to pick herself up.

"Before you go," he said suddenly. "I just want you to know... when we make it back home... I... I have something important I need to tell you." He looked at her with wavering eyes, vulnerable and uncertain.

"Y-You do? You can tell me now, if you want," she said, clutching the blanket around her shoulders tightly with anticipation. "I'm listening."

"I am sorry, but it needs to wait until we get back home. It will be... easier that way." He paused for a second, considering his words before adding, "...Sorry, I am making it sound ominous, aren't I? I promise it is nothing... kind of. I hope. But... I just wanted you now just so I do not get the chance to chicken out later," he chuckled uneasily. "It is just... something you need to know before we start training again. That is all."

"But..."

"Trust me. Please," he pleaded.

Sakura swallowed as he looked at her desperately. "Okay. I trust you," she said even though her mind screamed at her to push for answers.

Lee let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you, Sakura. I mean it."

"You're welcome," she said before returning to her feet. "Well, I'll guess I'll leave you to it then. Goodnight, Lee."

"Goodnight, Sakura," he nodded timidly.

When Sakura returned to her tent she crawled into her bedroll and tucked herself snugly in Lee's blanket. She tried to clear her mind and get some sleep, but the blanket's familiar scent distracted her, not allowing her a moment of reprieve.

He has feelings for you, but I thought that was obvious, Yumi's taunting voice reminded her as she thought of the way he held her hand, and the way he just simply looked at her.

It can't be, she immediately countered, but her denial rang hollow even to herself.

I can't just jump to conclusions, she decided. Her heart seemed a little more satisfied with that response.

Like for Sasuke, she would wait for Lee's truth when they returned to Konoha. It wasn't worth the hassle to worry over questions she would soon get answers for.

Still, the mere thought that her and Lee could share the same feelings for one another terrified her. Because if it were true, what would it mean for the two of them? She dared not think of the possibilities. Her mind taunted her with them anyway.

A/N: What's this? Oblivious, always-in-denial Sakura is actually catching on? Crazy, I know. (I'm also definitely getting some good mileage out of those Yumi quotes lol)

You know, last chapter, this chapter, and next chapter I originally intended to fit within one chapter in my chapter outline notes. I totally seem to overestimate how many events I can fit in one chapter, oops. I've tried to kinda guess what the final chapter length would be for this story once it finishes since I have all the remaining plot events bulleted out, but I might definitely be underestimating it... I'll wait before I give an estimate but perhaps I can say it's almost halfway since the midpoint turn hasn't happened yet? We've been building more and more questions as time as gone on without any answers. I'm excited to finally get to answering those questions soon!

Next chapter is gonna suck to write, so please be patient with me lol. I definitely won't be posting it in a week's time like I've been able to do with this chapter.

I wish you all well! Love you guys. I hope you all are keeping safe. Until next time.