Misaki had lived in Konoha her whole life watching the others grow up and attend the academy while she remained home with her grandparents. She was all they had left in the world and because of the loss of her parents, they had pleaded with her to refuse joining the ranks at the academy. Out of her love for them and gratitude for taking her in and caring for her, she accepted their plea, learning instead the art of tea making. She knew which teas could cure a cold or ease fatigue, which would sooth a weary body or simply put a busy mind into a restful sleep. Her grandfather's ochaya was renowned in the village. Even the Lady Hokage and her predecessor had purchased her teas from his stock making her all the more proud to be the heir to his craft and business.

On this day, like so many before, she spent her time searching for new herbs and spices and flowers to dry for her trade. It was a truly beautiful day. The scent of that morning's rain still clung to the dirt and grass making everything smell fresh and new. The woodland that surrounded the village rose up around her letting streamers of sunlight cut through to shine upon the low bushes and tall roots mapping the forest floor. Nooks, crannies and clearings harbored the supplies she sought and she had been so absorbed in her search that she hadn't noticed just how far she had wandered that morning until voices broke through her thoughts.

One was pleading, which caught her attention and drew her closer to the edge of the forest. The other was resigned, which only confused her more as she spotted TenTen and Lee. She knew them both, kind of; she had seen them from time to time at the tea house and in passing. Lee always seemed so upbeat. A regular glass-half-full type but right now even she could tell something was very wrong as he drew up his knees and continued to stare out over the secluded training grounds.

Frowning, TenTen shook her head at his continued state before finally leaving him to his own devices. Misaki knew that It really wasn't any of her business. She should have just kept walking. One foot in front of the other, she needed those herbs. Only she found herself coming to stand just slightly behind him, her hands clutching the basket's handle in a near death grip.

"Go away, TenTen, I said I didn't want to talk about it."

"You don't have to talk about anything that you don't want to."

He moved so quickly at the sound of her voice that she barely even saw him come to his feet before he was standing there staring at her, his eyes wide with shock. A warm smile slowly moved to capture her lips as he just continued to stare at her.

"Hello. I'm Chihara Misaki."

Nodding, he had just barely registered what she said but it had worked to drag him from his surprise. Shaking his head, he dropped his eyes and stared hard at the ground. "Rock Lee. H-how long have you been…."

"Not long, Lee. I was picking herbs in the forest and saw you. You looked so sad, I just wanted to be sure you were alright."

A blush stole over his cheeks as he looked up at her, his expression saying far more then words could. He was surprised that someone like her worried about him. A perfect stranger that he thought was out of his league. One that he felt an odd sense of knowing. "Do I know you? You look familiar."

"I work at my grandfather's ochaya, Shirahime?"

"I know that place."

"Hopefully in a good way," she just continued to smile; the feeling of his thoughts seemed to be lighter as he returned the simple gesture.

"So you're going to take over for him later?"

Nodding, she looked out over the training field, "I promised them I wouldn't follow in the path of my parents. I regret it a little bit but I'll be happy."

"That's a good way of looking at it…" Nervously rubbing the back of his neck, he smiled again at her before lowering into a small bow. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I have to get back to my training."

"Of course, I still have to finish my errand as well." Parting ways, she couldn't help but look back with a touch of wistful envy in her eyes. How she would love to be able to train whenever she liked.

For several days after that first meeting, she found herself bumping into Lee here and there. Usually when she was out gathering herbs. During their brief conversations, she'd learned more about him then she had ever thought to know before. After a few meetings she had even begun bringing along a specially brewed tea just for him that would help to restore his tired muscles and used chakra. Nothing overly potent but he often thanked her for how it worked.

It was a few weeks after they'd first met that she found herself cutting through the woods near the training grounds after visiting a small patch of herbs she was tending. Unlike all those other days however, she found herself stopped dead in her tracks. Lee had begun to become a good friend. She agreed with the rest of the girls about his hair and the intensity of his gaze often brought a smile to her lips but she had also seen him sad, seen him concentrate and once even sleep when he had worked himself too hard before she had arrived. His ambition and drive impressed her. Nevertheless, that was not what impressed her now nor was it what made her mouth go dry.

She should have known. He was actually very strong, and very fast. She had been watching him train but it never occurred to her until that very moment the exact physical shape he was in.

"Oh! Misaki, I didn't see you there." He bore a sheepish grin and an embarrassed blush as he reached for his discarded top.

She had always thought that it was one piece. As a matter of fact, she was certain that it was after seeing Sensei Gai torment Neji with another one of them a few days before. Of course, Lee would have more then one, wouldn't he? They couldn't all be just one piece, could they? Apparently not...

Blinking back from the unauthorized side trip her eyes went on she looked back to his face. There was something different about his smile now. Something softer, warmer, even his eyes were less intense then normal. As he smoothed out his top, she finally found the power to speak again, "I-I didn't mean to interrupt. I brought tea. I brought you some tea." Holding it out from her frozen body she watched him step towards her. Swallowing against the desert that was her throat she had to force her eyes to remain on his. "It will help with fatigue and muscle aches. I…"

"Thank you, Misaki. You're too nice to me."

"Why shouldn't I be?" Then she remembered how almost everyone else seemed to treat him and found her eyes drifting to the tips of her shoes. "People are stupid. You're a great guy. Anyone would be smart and lucky to call you friend, Lee. I've barely known you a month and already I know that you'd do anything for a friend."

"I wish everyone was as kind as you."

She was about to respond when the touch of two fingers gently came to rest beneath her chin. Her own hand rising to capture his wrist within its grasp even as she allowed him to tip her gaze up to him. She couldn't explain it but for some reason she didn't want to back away as his head lowered. The path pausing barely before his lips touched her's, his eyes taking in the surprise that widened in her own.

"You looked beyond what everyone else sees. You took me for who I am no matter how silly, or serious, or hyperactive, I have been. I know I've said it before but I truly mean it with you, Misaki, I'd protect you with my life."

A small tear rolled down her cheek as she smiled and wound her arms around his neck in a warm embrace. His nose came to rest along side hers just keeping the kiss from happening, though his breath warmed her lips until his name slipped from between them. The kiss was sweet and passionate, his embrace strong and gentle at the same time. He contradicted himself even when he didn't try but she didn't care as she melted into the sensations, both of them completely indifferent to the figure watching from the edge of the training grounds.

Sensei Gai smiled before shifting from his lean against the tree and turning to leave them both alone.