Author's Note: Can anyone guess what chapter this is? The final chapter (not including the epilogue/author's note-that'll be up in about a week or so). I can't believe that after this I only have an epilogue to post and it will be complete. Well, I really don't have anything to say right now except: see you next week-for the end...

Team Gai could see Konoha off in the distance. It had been a long, tiring journey, but they were finally going to get home. The three of them slowed down, taking unhurried steps towards their home village. Tenten smiled over at Lee. "So Lee, you excited about seeing Gai-sensei again? I bet he's been worried about you."

Lee looked over at his teammate and gave her a bright smile. "You bet!" He punched the air once for emphasis. "I plan to train extra hard!" Neji smirked. At least Lee was finally feeling a bit better.

The day went by relatively smooth. They once had a bit of, 'trouble', when Lee caught sight of a defenseless bunny begging for food. Of course Lee had to sit down for an hour and feed the rabbit food while talking to it as if it understood him. Sometimes his teammates wondered if perhaps the creatures did understand what their crazy teammate said…

It was getting close to sunset and the group stopped to pull out a light dinner. Neji leaned over his pack and paused. "Do you hear that?" Neji's Byakugan instantly activated and the other two jumped into fighting position. "There." Neji looked in a particular direction before heading off, quiet as a cat.

His teammates followed behind him, wondering what could possibly be out here in the middle of no man's land. Neji stopped them, and together they looked out ahead through the trees. A figure sat hunched, their nails biting into the bark of a nearby tree and their breath coming out in pained pants. Neji's eyes narrowed and Lee looked on worriedly. "Lee."

"What Neji?"

"Go to him."

Lee cocked his head. "What? Why? Who is it?"

"Go." Neji replied in a firm voice.

Lee shrugged and jogged over to the figure. "Are you alri-" Lee's voice came out in a choked whisper. "Gaara?"

Break-

Gaara looked up at the figure. He wiped the sweat from his brow before he realized who it was standing above him. 'Lee?' Instantly, a twist of guilt struck his belly and he recoiled from the man standing before him. Lee knelt down, puzzled. The red-head turned his gaze to Lee's. Relief, confusion, and worry all came together on Lee's face in one jumbled expression. Gaara stiffened his heart, grasping the guilt he felt and shoving it deep down; so far that not even he could reclaim it.

Lee reached out a hand and brushed it over Gaara's cheek. With shuddering breaths, Gaara let himself lean into the touch, loving the feel of Lee's cold, rough skin on his own. Lee was crying profusely by now as he began to talk. "I-I missed you. Are you okay? Are the babies fine? Why are you breathing heavily? Oh! Are the babies coming? We must get to Tsunade!"

Gaara felt his little strength fade. Lee was here to protect him. Everything would be fine once more. With a slight smile, Gaara passed out into Lee's outstretched arms.

Break-

Gaara woke up to the dull ache of his contractions. He was lying on a hospital room bed and from what he could tell he was already prepped and ready for another c-section. His vision was blurry for a moment, but soon it cleared to reveal a bunch of faces he had not seen for what seemed like years. Lee sat on the bed close to him, holding his hand. On one side of the bed, Temari stood with Tsunade, restlessly moving from foot to foot. On the other side of the bed, sitting in a large cushioned chair, was a weary looking Kankuro. Kankuro paused to give his little brother a small smile before going back to petting a small white bundle of fur that was sitting in his lap.

Tsunade grinned at him. "It's good to see you back Gaara. We were all getting worried. But now, if you don't mind, we're going to get those babies out of you. It's time."

Gaara gave a nod. Lee squeezed his hand before standing. Everyone shuffled out of the room, Tsunade included. Gaara's vision swam for another few moments before he yet again was out cold.

Break-

Gaara awoke to dim lighting all around him. People in white suits were standing next to his bed, taking out his first baby. Gaara was barely conscious, only able to feel happiness as he watched his babies come out, one at a time. The second baby came and Gaara sighed, finally relieved to be finished. Instantly though, Gaara's eyes narrowed. A wave of shock hit him as he saw the doctors reach back into his belly and pull out a third child. Confusion overwhelmed Gaara and he turned inward for his few remaining moments of consciousness.

'Shukaku?'

'Yes Gaara? What is it?'

'W-what's going on? M-my third baby died. You yourself told me I was only going to have three babies. And one died. I should only be having two.'

Shukaku let out a harsh laugh as Gaara fell to the blackness of oblivion. 'Well, of course you're only having two babies Gaara. Because the third one…is mine.'