Sorry. I think this chapter kinda fell flat on its face -.-' I just couldn't come up with a common ground for Riku to talk to the others. The next chapter will be better.

Meeting Everyone

"I don't know, Lee," Riku turned her head and looked out her window. Lee had arranged for Riku to meet the rest of his friends to night at her restaurant. They were waiting downstairs at this very moment. She had this conversation several times with Lee. She knew that if she asked Lee to drop it he would. But she couldn't dismiss the slight yearning of wanting to meet the rest of his friends.

It's been two weeks since Riku started exercising with Lee and his friends. During this time she finally opened more up to Neji, Tenten and Guy. Though with Guy, she was still wondering why she felt like she knew him from somewhere. Riku watched as people passed each other on the street. "They really want to meet you, Riku!"

Riku just sighed and kept her eyes focused on anyone or anything outside of her room. She was finding it more and more difficult to say no to Lee. He just had this strange hold over her. She felt stronger with him around. Everything about him was just so positive.

Riku felt her heart skip a beat when Lee sat down on her window seat and placed a hand on her cheek. Her stomach was filled with butterflies as he gentle turned her eyes to him. "I promise you will be all right."

"Lee…"

"Riku, let me be your rock," Riku felt herself melting into Lee's pleading eyes. She couldn't quite figure him out just yet. He was one of the strongest person she had ever met, but at the same time he also the gentlest. He was also so determined to help her through any situation that came to her since they first met. Riku wondered why he wanted to be her friend so bad. Was this how friendships were formed? Just meeting someone like she met Lee and things just fall into place?

Riku closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes she reached up and placed a hand on his. She curled her fingers between his hand and her cheek. "Ok, Lee. I'll do it for you."

"Yes!" Lee squeezed her hand and stood up with her. While not letting go of her hand, Lee lead her out of her room. Riku stared at their connected hands and blushed. Lee was chattering happily about his friends as he dragged her along. Neither of them saw a costumer of the restaurant until Lee bumped into him. Lee stumbled backward and bit then bowed to the man he hit. "I am so sorry. Please excuse me. I was not look where I was going."

"It's quite all right," The man laughed and waved his hand. "I really wasn't looking where I was going either."

"Allow me to pay for your meal," Lee said as he stood up. Lee noticed that this guy was as tall as Guy sensei and had a messy cut style of black hair and black eyes. His skin was highly tanned and his hand were rough due to the work he probably did.

"It's not necessary," The man said he smiled at Riku. "Hello, Riku. How are you doing?"

"Hello, Takashi. I'm doing fine, thank you. How are you doing?" Riku asked as she politely bowed to him.

"I'm doing alright. It's good to see you out and about," Takashi looked at teens connected hands and frowned.

"I really am sorry that we ran into you like that. Please, order anything you like and it will be on the house. Daichi, will you please let Takashi have anything he wishes," While Riku set up Takashi with a free meal Lee noticed that Takashi was staring at his and Riku's hands with a displeased look. Lee raised and eye brow at this man and wondered why he held such a look in his eyes. Lee's body tensed up and he tightened his hold on Riku's hand. "I hope your meal is a good one, Takashi. Again, I'm sorry we bumped into you."

"It's alright. Do you kids have plans tonight?" Takashi asked.

"Yes. We are meeting my friends. They are sitting over there," Lee said pointing to he corner of the room where his friends were waiting for them. "We all are strong ninjas."

"Huh?" Riku noticed Lee put an stronger tone on strong ninjas and gave him a questionable look.

"I see. Well, Riku, I will not keep you from your friends. Have a nice evening," Takashi bowed to them then walked away to find a seat.

"Who was that guy?" Lee asked.

"Takashi? He's a regular here. Why?" Riku asked with a bit of concern in her voice.

"It is nothing for you to worry about," Lee smiled at her. "I assume I was just over thinking things."

"Over thinking what?"

"He seemed displeased with me."

"Is that all?" Riku smiled. "I guess he is kind of a bit protective of me too. He's been coming here for many years. I think since I was practically a baby. I don't remember him missing a week to come here. He doesn't have a family from what I've heard so he's kind of like a family member. My uncle and he talk often and sometimes Takashi helps out in the restaurant when we're low on staff."

"I see," Lee nodded, satisfied with her answer he returned to his happy self and began to pull her over to his friends. The closer they got to the group of teenage ninjas the more nervous Riku got. Lee tightened his hold on her hand. "Do not be afraid. I am right here with you."

"Right. Thanks, Lee," Riku gave him a light smile and nodded.

"Good evening, everyone," Lee said as they got up to the large round table. Riku watched nervously as the group said their individual hellos. "Everyone, this is Riku. Riku this is Naruto, Sai, Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Akamaru, Shino, Hinata, and you already know Sakura, Neji and Tenten."

"H-Hello," Riku lightly bowed to them.

"It's good to see you out of the hospital," Sakura smiled as Lee and Riku sat down with them. Sakura was the only other one, beside Neji and Tenten, that she had met already. And, of course, that meeting took place at the hospital. "How are your exercises going?"

"They're fine. I feel a little better since I've started them," Riku replied.

"That's good to hear," Sakura said then leaned over closer and whispered to Riku. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of explaining your condition to everyone. Some of them are kind of rude and don't think before they speak."

"Oh. That's alright. Thanks, Sakura," Riku smiled lightly at her.

Riku pretty much remained quiet for the duration of their visit. She would, of course, answer when someone asked her something, but rarely asked them something. She was fining it a bit difficult to find anything in common with this group of friends. After a while she settled in with the group and quickly picked up on their personalities. She really settled down when Akamaru moved over to her and practically sat on her lap.

"Well, it was really nice to meet you, Riku," Naruto said before he walked off with Sakura and Sai.

"See you later," Sakura waved.

"Thanks for coming," Riku waved back.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Riku," Hinata said. "I hope we get to see you again soon. Maybe you could come watch us train sometime?"

"Maybe so," Riku nodded then bent down to baby talk Akamaru. "I'll see you soon. You're a good boy. Yes you are."

"She's really cute! Better watched out, Lee! Akamaru's gonna steal your girlfriend!" Kiba laughed.

"Uh," Riku stopped petting Akamaru and blushed bright red when Kiba said this. She waited for Lee to say they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend, but he just rubbed the back of his head and laughed with a slight touch of pink on his cheeks.

"Let's go, Akamaru!" Akamaru barked in response and took off with Kiba.

Riku took a deep breath and stood up. "Hey…L…"

Before she could ask him about the girlfriend thing Lee pressed his lips to her forehead. After several seconds, Lee put his arms around her. She was pressed snuggly into his chest. She was so thankful that he was still wearing this flak. Her heart was pounding so hard that she knew he would feel it if he wasn't wearing his thick flak jacket. "Thank you, Riku. It means so much to me that you did this tonight."

"Lee, I…," Lee chuckled lightly as Riku went limp in his arms. He picked her up in his arms and watched her sleep. After a few seconds, Lee carried her inside and up to her bedroom. He laid her down on the bed and pulled the cover over her. He reached up and brushed a few bans from her face then leaned over and placed a light kiss on the tip of her nose.

"Sleep well, my princess."