A/N: It's been a long road for an 8 chapter story. I know that it was short and didn't have a lot of detail but this is the first chapter story that I've made with an end in sight. I can see it from here. There will be an epilogue for those who care, although I don't know when I'll put it out.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the character, I do own Gypsy though, but who'd want to use her?

Warnings: An ending so sugary that you'll get cavities!

The Price of a Dream

By Nine Tailed Vixen

Last Time:

Gypsy pulled a five-leafed plant from the large bag around her waist and placed it in her mouth. She chewed it into a fine paste before spitting it into her hand. She gently rubbed it over the bruises on Sakura's arm and leg and immediately the bleeding stopped though the bruises remained. "She is out of danger now"

Gypsy looked at the occupants in the room somewhat sheepishly.

"I guess I have some explaining to do, eh?"

Chapter 8- Second Choice Made First

Sakura was sleeping soundly as she was placed on a clean bed and bandaged, just in case she began to bleed again. Lee was quiet as he looked out the window. He couldn't believe all that was told to him. Sakura risked her life for him? Seriously? And now…Now she was laying in a hospital bed next door, fighting for her life as more blood is taken from her every night and applied to him.

Naruto had been fuming as Gypsy-sama explained the medicine and what it did. How could Gypsy allow Sakura to put her life on the line like that. Even Lee was upset. Sasuke kept his hand on Naruto's shoulder to keep the blond boy from pummeling Gypsy into tomorrow, though he probably wouldn't have been able to. For some reason the teachers seemed to be afraid of Gypsy, though he didn't know why.

Maybe she was some great shinobi or something. It was obvious that she was older then she looked but by how much even Tsunade didn't know.

Lee himself had been enraged when Gypsy-sama explained that the Blood Salve must be continually applied for Sakura's reparation system to heal the bruises made by the magic. But in the end he reluctantly agreed to have the Salve applied.

Now he cried every time the Salve was applied to his limbs, knowing that the blood of his precious angel was the one to suffer for it. Gypsy had made it a habit of hers to ensure that no one else was in the room when it was applied to his wounded appendages. Her foresight was amazing and Lee respected her for it, even though she aided in Sakura's suffering.

Tonight was no different. Gypsy arrived with the fresh pot of Salve, ready to be applied. It was still steaming. Lee had personally requested that it be applied when it was almost scalding, so that he may at least feel that he was being punished for what was being done to Sakura. Gypsy respected his wishes.

Lee winced as the burning liquid was applied to his bare arms. For some reason the burning never effected Gypsy like it did everyone else. The tears washed down his cheeks but he didn't even bother to try and stop them. He felt that it made him stronger to cry for a loved one, as opposed to giving in and having a heart of ice.

Gypsy said nothing as she finished applying the Serum and re-doing the bandages. Lee just looked out the window at the rain shower as it beat a rhythm on the window.

"The beat of life." Gypsy told him, Lee looked at her, startled. She didn't normally speak when she was doctoring him.

"Huh?"

"The rain, it is the beat of life. Everything flows by it and nothing can change it, though it may sound different at different times. All you need to do is learn how to listen to it. It is never enough to hear something, one must learn to listen. It is was keeps things alive and lets them die. Even Sakura."

Nothing more was said.

Two months later…

"901…902…903…904…905…" Lee kicked the large tree stump in succession, sweat dripping off of his bare torso, "If I don't finish these kicks," he thought, "I'll do one thousand sit-ups."

Lee grunted as his body was pushed to the limit. The muscles in his left arm and leg were still sore from being bed-ridden for so long. This never stopped him, though. "…995…996…997…998…999…1000!" Lee collapsed to the ground as he finished. Lee did nothing, he just lay there, looking at the sky. Birds flew overhead, singing their peaceful song. Lee shut his eyes and listened. He never forgot what Gypsy had said to him that night.

Shortly after the final application of the Salve was made, she left. No note, no goodbye. She just left.

"That's just how she is." Tsunade-sama told him. "She comes in with the wind and out with the tide. You were lucky to have met her. Many have spent their whole lives trying to find her, never to succeed."

"Their whole life?" Sasuke had asked.

"Yes," Tsunade told them, "Some say that she is as old as life itself, and is as wise as the stars."

Lee opened his eyes and flexed his arm and legs, testing them. He was able to use them but he had to work hard to get them back to their original strength. He sighed as the warm sun filtered down onto his face. This was peace.

Sakura was taken away by her parents by Tsunade's order to a healing hot spring immediately after Gypsy left. Lee didn't even get to say good-bye. He thought about her everyday: her smile, her brilliant green eyes, her quick temper, and her fiery spirit. God, he loved her. No, he loves her. He never stopped.

A branch cracked as someone approached. Lee turned to look at the intruder.

Sakura.

She was back and looking exquisite, Lee had to stop himself from drooling. Her hair had grown out a bit but it was still short. A smile graced her face as she met his eyes. She blushed slightly as Lee wouldn't even let his eyes leave her. Sakura stepped forward and stopped about a foot from Lee.

A long silence fell between them. The wind blew gently, kissing their cheeks. Lee didn't say anything. He didn't move, afraid that any small thing would break this dream into a million pieces. Even though he wasn't that close to Sakura, he could still smell her. He swallowed slightly, mouth suddenly dry.

Sakura spoke up, her normally strong voice sounding quiet and shy, "Tenten-san told me that you'd be here."

Lee nodded.

"How's your injury? Are they healed?" Sakura prodded, she needed him to say something, anything.

"They healed perfectly thanks to you. I just need to work them to get them back to their original strength." Lee told her, before continuing, "I said that I'd protect you with my life, and I only endangered it." Lee choked, "I'm so sorry, Sakura-san"

"I'd also said that I'd help you if it's the last thing I did." Sakura reminded him.

Lee stepped foreword and took her hands into his, "It almost was, promise me you won't do anything that foolish again, Sakura-san."

"No." Sakura said with a smile, "No, I won't promise that. If given the option again, I'd do it over again. And neither you, nor Kakashi-sensei, nor Naruto, or Sasuke-kun would be able to stop me."

Lee nodded mutely. He tugged on her hands until he pulled her into his arms. He hugged her close to him. Her soft body molding to his muscled one. He loved this feeling. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck and played with his hair as they stood there in the clearing. His hair was damp and slightly greasy from his previous workout, but she didn't care. This was nice. Lee brought his head down to her shoulder and breathed deep. If this was the only time that this could happen then he was going to savor it.

Sakura pulled back to look Lee in the eye.

"Still need that girlfriend?"

The End.

A/N: In case anyone doesn't remember: Lee asked Sakura to be his girlfriend back when they first met.