AN: Beware of the OOC-ness that is abound. Apologies.

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The Power of Youth
By SapphireWhiteTigress

Chapter IX – My Battle

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Lee raised a nervous hand to the door that belonged to his sweet cherry blossomed angel. He was growing increasingly worried about her since it has been well over twelve hours when they were last together that morning. He knew that she was still feeling a bit sick and he didn't approve of her training with Kakashi-sensei and Naruto. She, of course, told him that he had no reasons to worried, that she'll be perfectly fine. He pointed out the fact that a beautiful and pregnant girl shouldn't be straining herself so hard. That earned him a glare and a light smack on the back of his head.

So, here he was, positioning his knuckles a few inches away from her door. He tried the method he used yesterday by throwing small pebbles at her bedroom window, but his effort in gaining her attention went unheeded. He thought that perhaps she wasn't in her room at the time, so he would try knocking on the door. The thought that maybe she was still with her sensei training crossed his mind, but he knew that Sakura couldn't possibly be still training after eleven-odd hours.

He took a deep breath as he readied himself and brought his knuckle to the wooden door. What he was mostly nervous about was the fact that her parents would answer instead of her. He silently prayed that they wouldn't as he finally rapped his knuckles against the door three times. Small beads of sweat started to form on his forehead, despite the rain.

After waiting a few minutes, the door was finally opened and Lee found himself face to face with Sakura's father. If possible, Lee could've died right then and there from the look the older man was giving him. His eyes were so intense and cold that it could freeze fire with a glance. His jawline was set as he glared venomously at the boy.

"What?" His voice was as cold and hateful as his eyes.

Lee started to sweat more profusely, only half aware of the rain that fell around him. "Um...I...well..." He stammered, trying to find the right words to say to the man that would someday become his father-in-law. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply in honorable respect. "Please forgive me, Mr. Haruno! I realize that my love for your daughter has complicated matters in your home life and I will do everything I can to make up for it!" He spoke so fast that most of his words nearly ran over each other. He stood up straight and stared Matsou directly in the eyes. "However - and please forgive me for saying this - I will never leave her side and I do not regret my love for her. I wish to make Sakura my wife and I wish to have a beautiful family with her. I am sorry that it had to happen like this." He bowed again, his short bangs, matted to his forehead because of the rain, fell over his eyes.

Matsou remained silent throughout Lee's entire speech, observing him. Taking in everything the weird boy had said. What did he know about love? He was only a kid. A stupid, bowl-cut hair, hormone raging teenager. He knew nothing of love.

He was unable to respond, however, when his wife poked her head out from behind him. "Matsou, let him in before he catches his death out there!" She scolded her husband and gently pushed him aside, allowing the teenage boy to enter.

Lee bowed in respect at her. "I...do not wish to impose, but I was wondering, is Sakura-chan home?"

Miki shook her head and frowned. "No, she isn't. She ran out a few minutes ago." She glared at Matsou after saying the last part.

Lee frowned. "Oh. Do you have any idea where she went?"

Miki shook her head again. "I don't. I honestly thought that she would go to you. Maybe she went to see Hokage-sama?"

Lee nodded. "Ah, I shall go check. Thank you, Mrs. Haruno," He turned to Matsou, "Mr. Haruno." Giving one more grateful bow, he turned on his heels and headed in the direction of the Hokage Tower, leaving both Sakura parents behind.

"I hate him." Matsou glared after the boy, crossing his arms over his chest.

Miki sighed but said nothing as she closed the door.

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Lee ran as fast as the weights on his legs would allow. He wanted to see Sakura as soon as he could, to make sure that she was okay. He felt uneasy and he wasn't sure why, but no matter how much he tried to shake it, the feeling wouldn't go away. He would slip and slid around every corner because of the wet ground, but that didn't slow him down from reaching his destination.

Squinting through the rain, he could see two figures up ahead. No doubt that one of them was Sakura because of the mass of pink hair. The other figure, however, he could not make out. For fear of what that shady figure may do to his Sakura, he burst with extra speed. Unfortunately, being that it was still heavily raining, Lee couldn't stop himself in time as he skidded on the wet dirt ground. He yelped as he tripped and landed only a few feet away from Sakura and the unfamiliar figure.

Sakura spun around and gasped at the fallen boy, who was now covered in mud. "Lee-kun!" She quickly forgot about Sasuke and ran to Lee's side, helping him up.

Lee sheepishly stood up with the help of his girlfriend before turning back to the unfamiliar person that was in their way. At a closer look, Lee could almost make out the dark eyes under the hood that looked somewhat familiar to him, yet he still couldn't quite place it. He glanced at Sakura. "Are you okay, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura nodded, turning back to her old teammate. "...I was going to see Tsunade-sama when I ran into..." She took a deep breath before saying his name. "...Sasuke."

Lee's eyes widen as he turned back to the other boy. Sasuke was back? Here? If Tsunade found out, she will certainly send in Hunter Nins to capture him. Why would he risk his life to return here? "Sasuke? Why are you...?"

"My reasons are my own." He stated sharply, cutting Lee off. Disgust filled his eyes as he looked from Sakura to Lee, something clicking inside his mind. "...I'm surprise, Saskura. I never thought you would sink so low. Naruto, I would have expected, but this fuzzy eyebrow freak? It's almost humorous."

Sakura glared at him. "Lee-kun is not a freak! He's more of a man than you'll ever be, Sasuke!"

Sasuke tilted his head to the side, humor feeling his cold, ominous eyes. "Is that so?"

Before Sakura could retort, Lee placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder. "It is okay, Sakura-chan, I will handle this..." His voice was gentle and his eyes shined with love.

Sakura frowned and nodded. "Okay, Lee-kun..."

Lee turned with determined filled eyes towards the missing nin. "Why have you returned, Sasuke? Do you not know the consequences of returning to the village that you had once abandoned?"

Sasuke straightened his posture and flipped off his hood, allowing them to see the full features of his face, as the rain once again slowed to a drizzle (hopefully, it won't start up again). His hair had grown over the years as it was now passed his shoulders and his facial features have also matured. No longer was his face childish as it had been in his adolescence years, but was more firm and defined. And above all else, he was still the handsome Uchiha he had been three years ago.

"I could care less about the consequences," he said, shifting his eyes to the side before returning them back on the two people before him. "And what I have come for...is really none of your concern."

Lee narrowed his eyes and took up his traditional fighting stance. "I apologize, Sasuke, but I will do whatever I can in my power to protect my village and the people in it. Your plan is my concern."

Sakura felt incredibly uneasy and she didn't want Lee fighting Sasuke, especially now since they have no idea how much he had improved over the years. "Lee-kun...maybe we should get Tsunade-sama?"

Lee eyes darted to her momentarily. "I cannot allow him to escape my sight, Sakura-chan. I promise to protect you and I will uphold to my promise." His eyes went back to the last Uchiha. "Prepare yourself, Sasuke Uchiha!"

Sasuke laughed and opened the palm of his hand. Instantly, the chirping sound of a familiar attack filled their ears as he formed the Chidori. As he did so, a sick and twisted grin formed his face. "Prepare to die, fuzzy-brow."

Lee prepared himself. "Sakura-chan! Please, get as far away from here as possible!"

Sakura was paralyzed on the spot, her eyes wide with fear. She couldn't leave Lee here by himself. "But...Lee-kun..."

"Please, Sakura-chan," Lee pleaded her to leave. If something were to happen to her, he would go crazy. He smiled at her and broke his stance to give her a reassuring thumbs up sign. "I love you!" He said.

Tears filled her eyes as she hesitantly nodded and backed as far away from the two as she could. She was afraid to leave the area entirely, because Lee might need her. She wasn't sure what she would be able to do in this state, but she couldn't leave him. She looked around the open area, noticing for the first time that the streets were bare with no life except for the three teenagers.

Lee fell into his form, drawing his strength for a quick burst. He surveyed his opponent, black meeting red, the tension in the air almost palpable. "Konoha Senpu!" Lee yelled, running forward quickly. Sasuke dropped back, flinging his hands up in an attempt to guard the blow but failing miserably, the kick landing squarely on his jaw, knocking him back. Sasuke shook off the blow and spun low, aiming at the taijutsu master's legs, Lee just grinned and jumped over Sasuke's sweep, flipping gracefully over the Uchiha's head and slamming his foot into his opponent's back. Sasuke stumbled off balance but spun around regardless, launching a weak punch at Lee, Lee simply dodged it, his speed easily overtaking Sasuke's.

Lee opened his first gate and easily blocked several shuriken from the Uchiha. He ran forward again, fully confident that he could end the fight then. Lee felt something wrong however, he felt... uncontrolled, it was then he realized, he had not taken into account the water on the ground and slipped. He lurched forward quickly, unable to catch himself when Sasuke saw an opening in the taijutsu master's usually impeccable defense. He jumped into Lee's path and immediately began to draw his chakra into his opposite hand, Lee's eyes widened but try as he may, he couldn't stop the force of his forward momentum. Sasuke smirked as he ran forward, the bright blue ball glowing sinisterly in his hand, "CHIDORI!" he bellowed.

As he was about to land the finishing blow, something else had attacked him from behind, throwing his Chidori into an abandon house, creating a huge hole. Sasuke twisted around to come face to face with Naruto's fist, throwing him into the same building his Chidori landed in only seconds before. Debris fell over him as he struggled to get up.

Lee smiled as he steadied himself. "Naruto-kun!"

Naruto just frowned. He was glad that he made it in time before some serious damage could be done to his friends. The fact that Sasuke was back chilled him to the core. "Sasuke-teme."

Sasuke stood up and glared threateningly at his old friend. The boy he once would consider his best friend. But not anymore. He was not turning back, it was too late for that. "Naruto."

Naruto stared at Sasuke, his eyes usually emotionless as he remembered that day. The day he last saw his friend. The day his friend tried to kill him. "Why are you here?"

Sasuke's eyes were as emotionless as Naruto's own. "I've came for you, Naruto."

The boy blinked in surprise. "What? Why?"

Lee stood next to Naruto and glared at Sasuke. "If you want Naruto-kun, then you would have to go through me first." He challenged, adopting his stance once more.

A few yards away, Sakura watched from the sidelines, silently hoping her friend and her love would be okay. It killed her to sit back and watch, so unable to do anything of use, and a part of her wanted to rush in and defend them but there was nothing she could do right now. She should have gone to get Tsunade, an ANBU squad, anyone...but she was too afraid to leave, she felt that if she wasn't there for them, they would be injured and need her.

Sasuke was growing annoyed with this. He wasted too much time in this forsaken village as it was. 'This is getting out of hand,' he thought, 'It would be wiser if I could catch him alone and take him then.' He quickly formed a Chidori in each hand as he glared at them. Once the twin balls of light left his hands, he took off running, retreating for now. He'll be back.

Naruto and Lee quickly dodged the attacks, causing them to explode in the nearby house, thus creating and landfall of fallen debries. Lee rolled a few feet away, making sure that none of the metarial from the house fell on him. However, his worries grew when he heard the most horrible sound possible.

Sakura's scream.

Lee's eyes widen as he spun around, as fast as lightning, to see Sakura double over in pain. He was immediately at her side before anyone could blink. "Sakura-chan! What happened!" He asked frantically, his voice was panicstricken.

Naruto's eyes widen as he, too, was by Sakura's side. "Sakura-chan!"

Sakura held on to her side as pain ripped through her body. She glanced down at the blood that was seeping through her fingers and onto the ground. She became dizzy and started to fall forward. Lee instantly caught her and held her in his arms. Lee's eyes scanned over her and saw the ugly gash that now covered her stomach. His heart nearly stopped at the sight as his blood ran cold.

Fear and rage filled Naruto's eyes as he turned in the direction Sasuke had ran off into. "Lee-san, take Sakura to the hospital. I'll go after Sasuke."

Lee looked up at the younger boy with wide eyes as he stood up, lifting Sakura in his strong arms. "Naruto-kun, you can't take on Sasuke by yourself."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry about me. Get Sakura to a hospital."

Lee nodded as he saw the anger in his friends eyes. He looked down at Sakura, the blood endlessly falling from her wound and her usually radiant skin was a sick pale. He turned on his heels and ran as fast as he could to get to Konoha's hospital on time, nothing but a blur of green.

As soon as Lee and Sakura were gone, Naruto, with a burst of speed, chased after Sasuke. He wasn't going to let Sasuke get away with hurting his friend. No matter how much he considered the other boy as a brother, Sasuke was going to pay.

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In a matter of minutes, Lee reached the hospital and rushed inside, almost skidding across the tile floor as he rounded a corner. As he arrived at the receptionist desk, he noticed that Tsunade was there talking to one of the nurses. With great relief, he headed into her direction.

"Tsunade-sama! Tsuande-sama!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. He slowed down and took a deep breath, holding the girl close to his heart.

Tsunade turned around to see an extremely worried Lee with a bloodied and unconscious Sakura. She instantly paled at as she took note of the state the girl was in. "What happened?" She asked as she took the limp girl from Lee's arms.

Lee reluctantly handed his girlfriend over to the Hokage and followed behind her. "Sasuke was in the village," he explained, "And I fought him. Unfortunately, he retreated, but before he did, he threw his attack at us. I am...afraid that..." He trailed off, his eyes falling on the unconscious girl.

Tsunade entered a room, but before Lee could enter it too, she turned around to him. "I'll need you to wait outside Lee," she said quickly, "I'll be out soon."

"But Tsunade-sama!" He yelled, not wanting to leave her side. "Is Sakura-chan going to be okay? What about our child?"

"Go outside and wait," Tsunade repeated, placing Sakura on a small bed next to a table filled with medical instruments. "I'll come tell you in a little while, right now she's lost a lot of blood and we need to do something immediately." She turned around to shove the unwilling boy out of the room. "Now wait."

Before Lee could protest further, the door shut in his face. His eyes stung with tears as he turned around with his back against the door. He was so worried that he could hardly stand up straight. He took a sit in one of the available chairs in the waiting room. He placed his head in his hands and silently prayed that Sakura and their child would be okay. He wouldn't be able to live without them. He sighed again in depression. All he had to do was wait.

He hated waiting.

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AN: Uh-oh...Sakura's been injured. Badly. What's going to happen next? And what's going to happen once (or IF) Naruto meets up with Sasuke-teme again? Will Sakura be okay? How about her unborn child? And, I'm sure you're all wondering, WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS? Find out in the next exciting chapter of THE POWER OF YOUTH! Please keep reviewing...it helps me better my chances of more updates.

I tried making the chapters longer, but alas, I failed. I am so sorry that I could not do it...-cries-

Major credit goes out to EnduranceInTribulation for supplying me with awesome fight scenes, for I do not know how to write a battle scene if my life was depended on it.

Next Chapter Teaser: "Damn it!" Naruto cursed as he lost the person he was pursuing. He couldn't believe that that bastard had gotten away from him. He angrily searched the area outside of the village, not daring to venture any further. His eyes flashed a dangerous red as he scanned his surroundings for anything that would tell him where Sasuke ran off to. "You coward! Come out and fight me!" He hollowed, hoping to coaxed the boy out of hiding.