A/N: I'm sorry once again, I know I messed up some of the time line with what I wrote but I needed to. If I added everything else then it wouldn't be so interesting. I hope you all wont mind this and I hope you all still love, or like this story!

P.S. In the flash backs, it has only been a few months. I usually state the time each time I write in a flash back so if you are confused about it, just look. It's usually in the first or second paragraph.

Another note! Did anyone notice the new cover!? KakaIru made it for this story! I squealed so hard when I saw it! She is one of the most AWESOMELY WONDERFUL people I know!

Disclaimer: Is Lee getting chased by Seme's that want him as their Uke? No? Then I don't own Naruto.

Title: Save your Sorrow

The first time he woke up, he was told that he was very lucky. That the breaks in his leg and arm were clean. The medic-nins told him that he would have to stay hospitalized for a long time as the breaks were multiple but when his bones healed, they would be stronger if he followed a strict diet. But the bad news was that his muscles were torn and that when they were healed, which would take even longer, he would have to train from almost the beginning.

Lee almost cried from happiness and frustration but fell asleep from the pain.

The second time, he fell asleep again almost immediately thanks to the morphine coursing through his body. The third, fourth, and fifth times were the same

It was only after the first week that he had woken to find no one else there and the I.V. no longer connected. Lee removed himself from the bed, somehow got outside, and began doing two hundred one-armed push-ups. The pain kept him on a single minded focus until he passed out at one hundred and ninety-nine. When he woke later in the evening, he noticed a daffodil in a small vase on his window seal. He barely had enough energy to mumble that someone had been there before falling asleep once again.

The days passed by and still Lee tried to train until he passed out. Each time he did, he would stay unconscious for a full day, but he still never gave up. It was only until a week before the final exam that he was able to move more freely, but still pushed himself to hard.

The day before the final exam, he was sleeping even in the morning. Lee twitched in his sleep, feeling, even through the haziness of slumber, the one person he could never ignore. His breathing changed and he slowly awoke but he could not move, could not make a sound thanks to his exhaustion. He had been training to hard once again and his body was crying out in pain from his still torn muscles.

He looked through the thin openings of his eyes, watching Gaara's sand wrap around his body, almost cradling him even as Gaara's harsh breathing told him that he wasn't thinking clearly. He felt his body rise off the bed and heard Gaara's mumbles

"Mine...You are finally mine again. I won, you can't escape me again."

Lee's heart ached in sorrow for Gaara. No matter what happened, even with the fight, Lee still loved him. Probable even more now, since he knew that Gaara had refrained from killing him, or injuring him much worse than he had. It didn't stop him from getting scared when faced with Gaara's demon, but he still truly loved the red head.

He watched as Gaara leaned down to him, and felt Gaara's face against his neck. Gaara nuzzled Lee's neck, placing little kisses to the exposed skin. Then he nipped the skin, scrapping the apricot skin.

Lee's breath hitched lightly, making Gaara pull away to look at his face.

"Don't leave me again..." Gaara suddenly said, quieter than normal.

Lee felt an incredible urge to cry for his Gaara.

He saw Gaara reach out towards his body then suddenly stop. A flash of yellow and Lee saw Naruto punch Gaara straight in the face.

"What the hell do you think your doing to bushy brow!?" He shouted, even as Shikamaru grunted in pain

"Hey watch it! I have him in a shadow bind, what he feels, I feel!"

"Oh! Sorry Shikamaru, hehe." Naruto grinned, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, but then got right back to glaring at Gaara, "Well!? Are you gonna tell us what you were going to do?!" He shouted again.

"I'm taking him back..." Gaara said, not caring that he was answering Naruto.

"Taking hi- What the hell do you mean by that!? Why!?" Naruto questioned.

"He is mine." Gaara said, slowly looking at both of them, "He has belonged to me since we first met. Now I am taking him back."

"What the hell! You can't jus-" Naruto began but then Shikamaru cut him off, "You don't want to do that. He is a Konoha ninja, he belongs here."

Gaara glared murderously at them, speaking in a growling rasp "If you get in my way, I will kill you..."

Shikamaru grit his teeth, feeling creeped out. Nothing about Gaara felt right to him.

"Oh really!? Well let's just see you try it!" Naruto raged even as Shikamaru told him to calm down, to let him handle this.

Shikamaru decided to bluff, it was his best option at the moment.

"Yea, yea. We watched your match against Lee. We know you're tough. But you know, me and Naruto have a few tricks up our sleeves as well. We were holding back during the competition, there are things you haven't seen yet. On top of that, hey, it's two against one. So don't be a fool okay. Just take my advise and go, quietly."

Gaara stared at Shikamaru, unfazed, and said, "I'll say it once more. If you get in my way, I'll kill you...", his voice going deeper in irritation.

"Heh! And I'll say it again! Let's see you try it!" Naruto shouted quickly

"Back off will ya! We don't want to go there!" Shikamaru said right after, annoyed, then continued "This guy fights like he's mad! Like he's a demon or something!"

"He can act like a demon if he wants to, but you know what? I got the real thing inside of me!" Naruto grinned.

Still laying on the bed yet partially floating, Lee's breath hitched. He didn't know that Naruto was like Gaara.

'Naruto has a demon inside him as well?!' Lee felt his heart squeeze in sorrow 'how...horrible...' Lee knew the hardships that Gaara had went through, to think that Naruto could have something similar. It broke his heart. His thoughts were so consuming that Lee was only brought out by Gaara's ending speech.

"I live solely for myself, I love only myself. As it was the death of my mother that first gave me life, now it is the death of others that sustains me, that makes me almost happy to be alive. And there is no end to it. As long as there are people to kill in the great wide world, I will never disappear..."

'This freak! He's out of his mind!' Shikamaru though to himself in fear, but he spoke anyway, "And where does Lee fit into that? Sounds like you don't need him, so why don't you just walk away from here." Shikamaru said calmly though he felt almost consuming horror.

"Lee is part of me. He is what completes my happiness. I am taking him with me" Gaara growled as his sand hissed behind him, rising into the air. He was about to mentally command them when a pained voice broke through his thoughts.

"G-Gaara-kun..." Lee forced himself to speak through the drugs in his system, "Please...stop..."

Gaara's wide insane eyes snapped to Lee. He breathed heavily, the sand still hissing dangerously behind him.

Lee's arm shook as he made himself move. His body aching and protesting the movement, but he still reached out and grabbed Gaara's hand.

"Please..."

"Alright! That's enough!" Gai's voice suddenly came in and Gaara felt a rush of jealous rage. This was the one who claimed Lee as a 'precious student'.

"Save it till tomorrow! That's when the final competition begins. You're just wasting it today, is that what you want?" Gai continued, walking into the room.

Gaara growled, holding his head in pain. His left hand gripping his hair but his right still being held by Lee's hand, anchoring him to reality. He gripped Lee's hand tightly and looked around in a wild manner before slowly turning his gaze to Lee.

"I will be back..." He promised Lee before turning away and slowly walking out of the room, his sand retreating with him. He stopped at the door and looked back. He spoke directly to Shikamaru, Gai, and Naruto, saying "And I will kill you all. I promise." before finally leaving.

Lee sighed and trembled in pain. He looked at Naruto, Shikamaru, and Gai-sensei and tried to speak, "Please...don't...don't hate him. He is...he is really..." Lee couldn't keep his eyes open and fell asleep instead, his words dying out. Leaving them with questions that would go unanswered.

Lee slept through the rest of that day and through most of the final exam. When he slept, he actually dreamed of the past.

Lee looked at his calendar and squealed happily as he noticed the day. A full year had passed, and now it was January. To be more specific, it was January 19th.

"Yay! I am so happy!" Lee whispered yelled.

He could not wait, it was Gaara-kun's birthday! Lee grinned widely and ran out of his room. It was early, much to early for anyone else to be awake, baring Gaara, but Lee knew that Gaara wouldn't be back from watching the village rise yet.

He would be back at 7 a.m., so Lee had an good hour before Gaara came back.

Lee got down to the kitchen and looked through the fridge. Lee practically purred when he saw that the food he got last night was still there. That meant that no one had a midnight snack. He reached in and pulled out the ingredients for a cake and left Gaara's favorite foods, the salted tongue and gizzard he had made last night, in the fridge for afterwards.

Wasting no time, Lee began baking a cake for Gaara. He hummed a little tune as he did so, carefully making the cake with all the love he could for a half hour. When it was done, he put it to the side to cool down then took out the salted tongue and gizzard. He cooked them quickly, warming them up then went back to the cake. He got out the frosting and food coloring. He put tan food coloring into the vanilla frosting so it would look like sand and spread it over the cake. He added a darker color to the vanilla frosting, making it a brownish color, and used it to write, 'Happy Birthday Gaara-kun!'

Lee stepped back to look at his masterpiece and jumped happily, giggling.

"I hope Gaara-kun loves it!" Lee whispered to himself

"Loves what?" Kankuro asked, scaring Lee.

Lee squeaked and whipped around, "Kankuro!" He said quickly, holding his chest, "You frightened me!"

Kankuro laughed and ruffled Lee's hair, "Sorry sorry. So whats with the cake?"

"You know! It is Gaara-kun's birthday today!" Lee smiled widely, then it turned a little sad, "I know what happened today but..." Lee's smile went happy again, "I am very happy that Gaara-kun is alive, so I want to celebrate it!"

Kankuro gave a half smile and pet Lee's head, "Your cute Lee. Alright, you spend the day with Gaara. Me 'nd Temari will stay out of the way."

"But..." Lee frowned lightly

Kankuro shook his head, "Me 'nd Temari don't feel like celebrating today. Plus, I think Gaara would rather have you all to himself", Kankuro's smile looked a little strained, but still genuine.

Lee nodded silently. He looked at Kankuro then suddenly hugged the older boy.

"I understand. I will save some cake for you two to enjoy, okay?" Lee smiled innocently at Kankuro who chuckled and smiled back.

"Sure kid." Kankuro pet Lee's head again then left the room, going back upstairs.

Lee watched him go then went back to preparing. He grabbed plates and set them down, then milk. He put the salted tongue and gizzard on Gaara's plate and quickly made some eggs and toast for himself. Then he put the cake in the fridge for after breakfast.

Lee looked at the clock, 7:59 a.m., one more minute...

Lee suddenly heard the swirl of sand upstairs and smiled. He rocked on his feet as he eagerly waited. It seemed like he only blinked when Gaara was suddenly in the doorway to the kitchen. Lee almost jumped but held himself still. Then he ran and grabbed Gaara's hand, leading him to his seat, then placing the food in front of him. Lee watched Gaara's eyes widen a fraction then go back to normal.

Lee grinned widely when Gaara looked at him and he explained.

"You know what today is, correct?" At Gaara's nod, Lee continued, "No matter what, I am very glad that you are alive, so I want to celebrate."

Gaara blinked slowly then gave an even slower nod.

Lee hopped in place for a moment then grabbed a chair and pushed it until it was right next to Gaara's. He sat down, his arm touching Gaara's as he began eating.

Gaara stared at Lee in awe then looked down at his food. His stomach grumble and for once, he wasted no time and began to eat.

Lee looked at Gaara from the corner of his eye and smiled.

'Thank you Gaara-kun...This will only be the beginning, I will never let you be alone again. I promise.' Lee mentally swore. The same promise he made to himself when Gaara had given him that flower six months ago. The same flower that changed every thing.

It was that day that Lee realized that he was falling for Gaara.

Lee giggled to himself and smiled.

'I hope he likes the cake too!'

Lee was woken from his memory by Gai-sensei and was taken to the matches to see Sasuke and Gaara's fight. He stood beside Kakashi and Gai as Sasuke showed up, looking different. Then noticed that Gaara was talking.

'What? Why is he...? Is he talking to Sasuke or...?' Lee furrowed his eyebrow in confusion then they rose in surprise as the floating sand dropped to the ground, 'No, He is talking to...him.'

He remembered in the beginning, when he was still within his first months with Gaara, how he would refer to the sand as 'Mother'. Then the day when the Kazekage himself told him of the demon that resided within his friend. Also, when he saw the demon with his own eyes...

'I have a bad feeling about this fight...'

He watched the fight and was amazed that Sasuke fought like a mirror image of himself, at least, with the Taijutsu, but noticed that Sasuke's stamina was draining fast as he continued. A part of Lee hoped that Gaara would win, even if it meant that he was cheering for a different village. Then he heard Naruto's voice call for Kakashi, and turned to see.

He listened as Naruto told Kakashi about Gaara's need to kill and felt a slight flash of irritation but pushed it away, knowing that it was good that Naruto was telling Kakashi.

Lee looked back at Gaara's sand dome and felt a deep seeded worry fill him.

What was going through Gaara's mind right now. Was he thinking clearly, or not at all.

"Gaara-kun..." Lee whispered quietly to himself, "Please be okay..."

Then Lee heard Kakashi speak. Kakashi told Naruto not to worry, that there was a reason that they were so late.

Lee bit his lip hard, feeling his worry almost overwhelm him. What did Kakashi teach Sasuke? Would it actually hurt Gaara?

Lee actually felt a pang of hate at the thought. Then shame. He shouldn't feel that way, they were ninja's. Ninja's got hurt all the time, but still...Lee hoped that Gaara wouldn't feel pain anymore.

Lee slowly stepped closer as Sasuke attacked the dome and retreated as sand spikes came at him each time. Then Sasuke just stopped, sticking to the wall.

Lee's eyes widened as Sasuke's chakra became visible, like lightning, and he began running at Gaara.

'Chidori: One Thousand Birds?' Lee repeated in his mind, the name that Gai-sensei said.

Lee barely looked at Kakashi as he said his name. He knew what it would take to do that technique and knew that he would never be able to do such a thing, even if he did have the chakra strength. He did not have the eyes for such a thing.

For a moment, no, longer than a moment. Lee felt envy.

Still Lee could not tear his eyes away as Sasuke got closer and closer to Gaara's sand dome. Then, in just a moment, Sasuke's hand was suddenly in the dome.

Lee gasped and his heart squeezed in fear 'An assassination technique...does that mean? Oh gods, Gaara, please be okay!' Lee bit his lip, hard enough to make it bleed.

Suddenly, a bellow sounded from the dome. Words that made Lee feel terrified and scared, pierced his mind. Gaara had fear in his own voice as he shouted

"Blood, it's my blood!"

"Oh, gods..." Lee whispered, feeling himself scramble to move. The back of his robe was grabbed and Lee couldn't move anymore.

"Lee, what are you doing!" Gai's voice came in, confused and stunned.

"Gai-sensei! This fight, it needs to stop! They are in danger!" Lee yelled as Sasuke seemed to shout as he tried to pull his arm away.

Lee's eyes widened when he recognized the arm that came out of the dome.

"Oh no..." Lee whispered, not knowing that the others were looking at him, "He is awake..." Lee began breathing quickly as the sand dome cracked and Gaara was revealed, injured and bleeding.

Suddenly, white feathers began falling in front of his vision. Lee felt so tired and sleepy

'A genjutsu...damn it...' He only had enough thought and control the fall backwards instead of forwards. He landed on his backside then to his side and promptly fell asleep.

He stayed asleep, even as the fight continued around him. He wasn't able to help at all.

When Lee was woken from the genjutsu, the battles were over and the Sand Village had left along with Sound.

Months passed by and he hadn't seen Gaara since. He had been alone in sorrow, crying almost every week when he was alone, because of what happened with Gaara. He also mourned the loss of the third Hokage, yet was still hoping that Gaara was okay, and gone through the fear, confusion, and sorrow of what happened to Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. He hoped, oh how he prayed that they were alright.

The day Lee was finally released back to his own home. Neji stopped by. They walked in silence back to Lee's home. Neji holding Lee up as his bones were still weak and his muscles just barely healed and fragile.

"You were cleared?" Neji asked without looking at Lee.

"Yeah."

"Are you sure it is alright for you to be released?" Neji continued.

"My bones are on the weak side but will be stronger if I stick to the diet they gave me. For a few months at least."

"Good."

Lee looked at Neji then smiled softly. He was happy that Neji cared so much. He looked forward then stopped as they reached his apartment.

"Neji?"

"Hm"

"Thank you."

Neji looked at Lee then shook his head. He didn't say another word as he helped Lee up the stairs and into his room. He simply told him to get better soon before jumping out of the window.

Lee smiled brightly then went about his new daily routine. He trained the best he could before it hurt to much to move. Then he would rest and repeat. All the while, still following the diet that the hospital gave him.

Life continued on but something was always missing. A void was left in Lee's heart, in his being. Everywhere he went, he thought of Gaara, thought of how he was, what he was doing, if he was okay. The ache grew but he did his best to push it away.

One day, while Lee was wandering the village, he noticed that he was about to pass Yamanaka's flower shop. He stopped and decided, on a whim, to go in. No one was at the register yet but Lee still looked at the flowers, going over each one until his eyes landed on a certain one. One that he didn't expect to find.

"A cactus flower?" Lee whispered

"Yea, last one we have." Ino's voice startled Lee, making him jump.

"A-ah! Ino-san, Hello!" Lee blushed in embarrassment then looked back at the cactus "Is this really the last one?"

"Yep. We only ordered a few to begin with but they weren't popular. Since it takes so long for the flower to bloom."

Lee smiled softly and asked how much it was.

Ino looked at Lee in surprise then told him the price. Lee paid and left for home. He placed the cactus on his bedroom window seal and gave it some water before sitting down and staring at it.

'Do you remember, Gaara? The time's you comforted me, by giving me a cactus flower...I hope..I hope we get to see each other again. I have some things I want to tell you.'

Lee smiled

'Like how much I love you...Would you believe me? I hope you would, because I really do.'

One night, Lee was woken by someone running their fingers through his unbound hair. He made a noise and opened his eyes, his mind thinking that it was Gaara. Only Gaara had ever woken him up like this. The person stopped stroking his hair and instead, starting stroking his cheek and lips. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, as he remembered, Gaara wasn't here and Lee squinted to see better. Quickly, his eyes ajusted to the dark and he blinked in surprise and concern.

"Sasuke-kun?" He whispered, and felt a flash of regret then shame at feeling such a thing tried to push himself up only to be gently pushed back down.

"Don't get up." Sasuke said slowly

Lee just nodded, still feeling sleepy. He lay back down but curled slightly so he could see Sasuke better. He covered his mouth with the back of his hand as he yawned, his eyes almost closing, then looked back at Sasuke. Apperantly, the matter wasn't to urgent as Sasuke wasn't telling him to quickly move.

"What are you doing here Sasuke-kun? What is wrong?" He asked sleepily, frowning slightly as Sasuke resumed in touching his face and hair. Why was he touching him? Lee wished he would stop but felt it to rude to tell him so.

"I came to talk to you."

Lee smiled politely and said thank you to Sasuke. Then he asked, "but why at this time of night? And how did you find where I live anyway?"

"I am a ninja Lee. And, I wanted to ask, what did you think of my preliminary match? A lot of time has passed since then...and I wondered if you remembered our bet" Sasuke spoke in almost a whisper, making Lee feel slightly wary.

Something wasn't right in Sasuke's voice. It sounded deeper that normal, and had a slight hitch, as if he were about to chuckle. Lee's eyebrows furrowed again as he tried to think of what was wrong. He never even noticed the slight glow from under Sasuke's collar. It took a few moments to remember that Sasuke was waiting for an answer and Lee smiled.

"I was impressed. You are very strong Sasuke-kun...but you did not need to prove yourself back then. I already felt your youth, and it was and is very bright." Lee lifted his hand and placed it over Sasuke's, which was now on his cheek. He took it within his own hand and squeezed it in a modified hug. Plus, it was beginning to feel awkward, having Sasuke's hand on his face.

"Good," Sasuke smirked, "Then does the mean you'll hold up your end of the bargain?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, just-" Lee yawned again and fought against falling asleep, "just tell me what you wish."

Sasuke grinned at Lee and placed his hand on Lee's face again. He knew he was going to far but didn't care, he would be leaving soon anyway. He felt his chakra pulse in malicious glee as he leaned closer to Lee, slowly tilting Lee's head up.

"Later, I'll collect your promise later. But for now..." Sasuke covered Lee's lips with his own.

Lee made a little confused noise as he couldn't move his mouth to much. He opened his eyes, not knowing when he closed them then gasped. His eyes widened, the sleep leaving him. He squeaked and blushed brightly as a foreign tongue entered his mouth. For a moment, he moaned, the almost familiar touch making his crave more kisses, but not from this man.

Lee wiggled and put his hands on Sasuke's chest to push him away. He squeaked again as he was suddenly being crushed by Sasuke's body, his arms caught underneath his chest. That's when he noticed it, the glowing fire on Sasuke's neck. Lee's heart stuttered in his chest as he remembered the last time he saw it. In the Forest of Death, against those sound ninja.

Sasuke tangled his hand into Lee's hair and kissed him deeper. His other hand pushing on the small of Lee's back, pressing them tightly together. He pulled his mouth away before Lee could try to bite him and pulled Lee's hair just enough to make him tilt his head back, then whispered into his ear.

"Goodbye, for now."

Then, Lee knew nothing.

What happened next was that Lee woke up, alone, in the morning. For a moment, he wondered if it was all a dream, but when he went to the bathroom, Lee saw a dark mark on his neck.

Lee's eyes widened as he realized that he was staring at a hickey.

Review please!