A/N: Finally, this is the conclusion to my not-so-popular Sakura and Lee romance fic: The Price of a Dream! Damn I suck.

Disclaimer: The usual.

The Price of a Dream

By Nine Tailed Vixen

Epilogue- Second Fiddle

Sakura sighed as she leaned on Lee's shoulder. This was paradise. The cool night air was nothing compared to the heat of her boyfriend. He was so warm and gentle with her. Whenever he planned to see her he would always bring her something. Nothing big or lavish, just something thoughtful, like a daisy. Something just to show her that he was thinking of her during his day. One day he had even brought her a beautiful blue butterfly in a jar. For that date he took her to an open field for a picnic, where she released the butterfly to join it's friends. Lee had almost seemed proud of her for doing that. He said that it was a sin to force something so beautiful to stay by your side. That was such a beautiful date. He made her so happy that even she was able to overlook the horrible sense of style.

Lee was tense tonight. He looked over the river, moonlight playing its silver beams over the glassy water. He looked at them but he didn't see them. He didn't see the beautiful cranes as the walked among the reads and played in the moonlight. He didn't see the fireflies as they danced on the water's edge. Sakura turned. She wanted him to see the beauty that his dull eyes wouldn't see right now.

"Lee-kun?" Sakura looked him in the eyes, he needed to talk to her and tell her what the problem was before his eyes would be able to see. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Sakura-chan." Liar, Sakura thought. This was going to take some prodding in order to get him to open up. Despite popular belief in the village, Lee didn't always speak his thoughts, especially when they involved his feelings. Well, most of the time.

"How's Neji-san?"

"Fine." Now she knew something was wrong. Whenever Neji was mentioned Lee would go on about something, anything that the white-eyed boy did that week, or day, or minute…Sakura entwined he hand with Lee's. Something was upsetting him, something big. She squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. He looked at her and looked like he wanted to ask something but was afraid.

"Tell me, Lee-kun." Sakura pleaded him with imploring puppy eyes. It was low, she knew but he'd walk over fire for her if she asked him with those eyes.

"Sakura-chan, why did you choose me? Was it because Sasuke's gay?" Lee asked her.

Sakura burst out laughing, he wasn't serious, was he? Was that all that was bothering him? One look at him told her that yes he was serious and yes this little thing was bothering him big time. "Lee-kun, it that it? Is that what's been bothering you?"

Lee looked away, she didn't believe him, she thought that he was paranoid. She'd leave him for sure now! "Yes, I'm you're second choice, aren't I? Please I need you to be honest."

Sakura looked at him and pulled him into her arms. Lee's arms came automatically to her waist and his head went to her shoulder, no matter how awkward the angle was, this was his favorite way to hold her. He stifled a blush as Sakura's smell bombarded him. "Oh Lee." Sakura cooed, as if comforting a baby. Her hands came up to play with his bowl-cut hair.

"Please tell me Sakura-chan, I need to know. I love you with all my heart, but I need to know." Lee begged into her shoulder.

Sakura kissed the shell of his ear, "Oh, Lee, do you doubt me this much?"

"Please, Sakura," His voice was muffled by her neck.

Sakura sighed deeply as she pulled him away to look into his eyes. "Yes, Lee-san. You were my second choice," Lee's face visibly fell, "But," Sakura continued, "I chose you first. Before Sasuke started with Naruto."

Lee took her hands into his warm, slightly sweaty ones, "So what does that make me, the first or second choice?"

"It makes you my choice. Let's just leave it at that." Sakura smiled.

Lee blushed deeply all of a sudden and looked over the river. "Sakura-chan?"

"Hm?"

"C-can I kiss you? Just a small one?" Lee's palms became almost soaking in sweat. It was gross but Sakura didn't mind.

Lee turned to look at Sakura. She smiled and slowly their faces came together. It was perfect.

Well, not really. Lee came in a little too fast and hit Sakura in the nose making her eyes water. Sakura pushed too hard and hit their teeth together through their lips. They pulled away from each other and started laughing. They walked away hand in hand.

Their first kiss sucked, but practice makes perfect.

The End