A/N: Well here's chapter 2. It's short but it gets the job done. I think.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of Naruto, I simply make up adventures for them.

The Price of a Dream

Last time:

"Do you want to help your friend?" The girl, no older then sixteen, said.

"W-what?" Sakura looked shocked, how did…

"I can help you help him heal fully…for a price." The girl said, her blue-brown eyes looking into Sakura's emerald one's.

Sakura took one look into those eyes and said, "I'm listening."

Chapter 2- A Dream of my own

By Nine Tailed Vixen

The strange girl smiled, her brown hair flowing in the light breeze. Sakura could not tear her eyes from those of the girl. They were so deep, full of wisdom that was older then the girl's young face. Sakura was jarred from her musings when the girl spoke.

"We should talk, but not here. Too many prying eyes. Can you take me somewhere a bit quieter, Sakura-chan?" The girl looked around at all the people entering and exiting the hospital, visiting their own family and companions.

"S-Sure, I guess" Sakura stammered, she had not yet fully grasped the fact that this strange girl knew not only her name, but also that she visited Lee. Sakura led the way to the forest, in there was a small clearing with a stream flowing through it. It was a beautiful sanctuary.

"Now, Sakura-chan," The girl began, "I need to tell you the danger of this…what I can do is make a rare medicine, it's called a Blood Salve."

"A Blood Salve? I've never heard of it." Sakura shifted uncomfortably. She didn't remember telling the girl her name. "Hey…uh…who are you? You don't look like a shinobi or anything."

The girl chuckled, "You may call me Gypsy and no, I am not a shinobi. I travel around, selling my medicines at affordable prices. They aren't expensive…not really anyway."

Sakura gulped, she was worried of the price of this Blood Serum. "Gypsy-san…what do you mean by 'not really'? Listen, I'm only a genin, I can't afford too much…"

"I know, Sakura-chan. You see I don't ask for money…The price you would pay for this particular medicine is risk." Gypsy looked serious.

"Risk?" Sakura did not like the sound of where this was going.

"Yes, you see, this Blood Salve is one of my more powerful medicines. I would take a rose stick and use the thorns to draw blood from your left arm and leg, so that it may heal that boy's left arm and leg. This must be done every night at dusk and applied that same night. Of course you will be weakened greatly." Gypsy's eyes never left Sakura's.

Sakura nodded, "That makes sense, but…that doesn't seem so bad."

Gypsy's eyes sparkled. "There is a little bit more fine print."

Sakura tilted her head tossing her strawberry blond locks over her shoulder "…fine print?"

"Yes, whomever you pledge your blood to, to will be bonded to."

Sakura's eyes widened, "Bonded?"

The woman dismissed it with a wave of her hand. "Not to worry, not to worry. It means that you'll remain…friends with him."

Sakura was unable to tell what Gypsy meant by 'friends' so she only nodded, "I can handle being friends with Lee, he is a great guy."

Gypsy smiled, "That's not all, girl."

"It isn't?"

"No, this must be done every night for a full month…and the process could kill you."

Gypsy never moved as Sakura leaned against a tree for support. Silence reigned supreme in the clearing.

Sakura took a shuddering breath. The words hit her like a punch, knocking her breath away. "K-Kill me? I-I don't know if I could do this…" She trembled. Lee-san, he always was protecting me…Is it worth my life? To do what? To give him back his dream…I don't know if I could do this…But he has a real dream…not like me…I heard that a person without a dream is like the walking dead…am I like the walking dead…? No, I have a dream…to marry Sasuke-kun…but is that a real dream? Do I want to give my life for a dream? Lee-san…he almost gave his for his own dreams…and…and…and…Sakura closed her eyes tightly against the oncoming tears.

Lee sneezed lightly.

"Are you alright, Lee?" Gai asked as he looked at his injured student.

Lee nodded, wiping his nose with his finger, "Yes, Gai-sensei."

"You haven't let go of that flower yet, Lee. Who is it from?" Gai motioned to the white lily that had yet to be released from Lee's loving grasp.

Lee caressed the petals fondly; "Sakura-san brought it to me."

Gai smiled, "But why don't you put it down? You'll kill it with so much attention."

Lee agreed, "Yes, I know but after what Sakura-san said, I don't think I can let her go."

Gai raised a thick black eyebrow at the unconscious change of subject. "What did she say, Lee?"

Lee smiled and kissed the petals fondly, a dreamy look in his eyes, "She…she said that she'll help me fight again, even if it was the last thing she'll do, she'll help me fight again…"

Gai smiled and tugged the lily from Lee's hand and putting it into a vase of clear water. "That would make any man refuse to let go, but a good woman is like a cat, they tend to prefer men who will give them space and let them come to him."

"How do you know this, Gai-sensei?" Lee tilted his head at the uncharacteristic wisdom coming from his teacher.

"Because I have over-indulged many a woman in my time." Gai smiled. "Now I must leave you for now, but I'll be back soon."

"See you, Gai-sensei." Lee smiled and began to watch the flower on his bedside, "Just because I shouldn't smother it, doesn't mean I can't protect it and love it.

Gai smiled warmly as he closed the door behind him, "Ah, the power of youth."

… I want to be a part of it. I want to be a part of that dream. That will be my own dream. I will do what I can to help other dreams come true. If I happen to get married in that process I won't complain. Sakura almost laughed at her own thoughts

Sakura smiled brightly at Gypsy. "When do we start?"

To be continued…