A/N: Wow, nine reviews for a single chapter? That's a personal record! Thank you guys, so much! I hope you all like this chapter as much as the last, and hopefully, we can beat the previous number of reviews!

Chapter Five: It's All Because of Me

When Sakura arrived at the curry house, she took no extra effort in her grooming routine—just the usual. She wore her everyday red outfit with her family crest, and kept her pink hair down like it always was, with her leaf village forehead protector tied in its same way.

However, just because she didn't go all out for the date doesn't mean Lee didn't! As soon as he came in, Sakura was surprised to see him in something other than his green jumpsuit. In its place was a new, crisp tuxedo with a matching black tie and black shoes. The only thing that stayed the same was his trademark bowl-cut hair and his bushy eyebrows.

I can't believe he's wearing a tux on a casual diner date! Sakura thought in disbelief. He acts like we're going to get married or something! This is awful! Someone—anyone—please just get me outta here right now! This is so embarrassing!

Sakura suddenly noticed Lee blush, "Well, I am glad you like the clothes… If it were not for Guy-sensei's encouragement, I never would have even thought of wearing it."

Sakura shook her head hard. Is it just me, or did he say "I am glad you like the clothes"? Where'd he get that idea?! I do not like them! At least, not on him A new thought suddenly came to her. …He must have seen me gaping at his surprising change of clothes, and somehow interpreted that it meant I actually liked what he was wearing! Well, no way! He's got it all wrong!

Yet after all that, Sakura only wound up forcing an all-too-sarcastic laugh. "Heh-heh. Oh, I know how it is between you and your Jonin leader," she replied, hoping she didn't sound too fake. Well…at least that wasn't a lie. I do know—more than I'd like to, in fact—how Lee and his sensei get all touchy-feely… Ugh! But at least Lee was able have some of his own identity by wearing something different today…even if it is something I'd rather not see on him…

As soon as Lee sat down next to her, Sakura felt like hopping on a plane to America, thousands of miles away from here (A/N: yeah, I know they'd use kilometers, but I'd prefer miles...). Though it took everything in her power, she managed to sit still, having only flinched a little.

But a little must have been a lot.

Lee turned to face Sakura, but avoided looking directly into her eyes. "You are not…happy with me, are you?" he asked her. His every word was drawn out slowly and painfully, as if it hurt just to get the words out of his throat.

Sakura couldn't believe what he was saying, and at that moment, she felt like taking all her words—all her thoughts—back. She scowled. "No, not at all, Lee!" Sakura protested quickly, "Of course I'm happy! W-why wouldn't I be?"

Lee remained unfazed. "Because you do not seem happy," he answered dejectedly. "Just now, when I sat down next to you, I knew what you were thinking…"

Sakura winced. "You do?" she asked guiltily.

Lee nodded. "…You wished that you were far away from here…thousands of miles away in America, am I right?"

Sakura was stunned into silence. Oh my, gosh! He just read my mind! That's exactly what I was thinking! How could he have known?! …Okay, I suppose he could have made a logical guess on the Sasuke thing yesterday, but how'd he know about the America part?! That's insane! "Um, yeah," Sakura replied at last, still dumbstruck, "That's right."

She then suddenly snapped back into reality. Trying to hide how carelessly she answered him, Sakura quickly added, "I'm sorry, Lee. Really, I am, but I just can't hide the fact that you're not…" She instantly cut herself off, trying to avoid more hurt feelings.

"…That I am not Sasuke," Lee finished for her with a disheartened sigh. "Look, Sakura, I know I cannot and will never be Sasuke, but that is not what I am asking from you. I just do not want you to lie to me, Sakura. That is all. I told you before that you can tell me anything and I will gladly listen. Please, do not forget that." He then opened up a menu, noticeably shielding his face in the process.

Sakura didn't know what to say. Though he somehow managed to put up a credible polite and forgiving front, she could tell that he was hurting on the inside. She reached out to him. "Lee?" she began again, "I'm really, really sorry—"

"Please, Sakura," Lee interrupted, "Please do not say it. The best thing you could do now is order whatever you want. It shall be on me."

After all the pain she'd caused in the last minute, Sakura felt the need to speak out, "But, Lee—"

Lee tore away from his menu. Facing her, he stated seriously, "Sakura, I do not wish to make this day any more difficult on you. Date or not, I will make sure you get through the rest of today."

Sakura forced a nod, though she wanted to say so much more. "Yes, I understand."

"Good."

As Rock Lee returned to reading the menu, Sakura picked up hers as well. Though she tried to focus on picking a dish or two, her mind was elsewhere. Even after I broke his heart and ruined the date he was so excited about, Lee still wants to see me happy…

"You know, I hate to see you upset, Sakura—it tortures me inside."

That's what he said just yesterday… And now here we are, silent and miserable. I can't believe what a bad friend I am. Lee's always been there for me—even when it was life and death back in the Chunin Exams—but what have I done? …Lie to him? What kind of friend am I?

It's all because I couldn't control myself and just had to so outwardly express my urge to get away from him. I could have just ignored it. This date would've been over in an hour, but now, it'll seem twice as long… And it's all because of me.

A/N: Sorry about the short chapter, but I thought this was a good stopping point. As always, please read and review!