Back with another chapter. I hope you're all having a great day and if you've just woken up, I hope you have a great one!

Chichi - father

Hahaoya - mother

o.O.o

Chapter 2

Lee finished buttoning up his shirt and wound his school tie around his neck, lashing it expertly like he always did. He turned to the mirror and ran a fine-toothed comb through his hair, flattening it across his forehead. When his hair was perfect, he put down the comb and stared at his face in the mirror.

"Today I will see her," he said softly. "I will not reveal my feelings and will not press her to return them."

For the past three weeks Lee had fought the urge to seek out Sakura and talk to her. After contacting Ino and asking about how girls dealt with break-ups, she told him that Sakura probably needed some time to herself. Lee didn't tell anyone about the night he and Sakura had shared. To be honest, he was confused about it all. Sakura had liked Sasuke for years and her three months as his girlfriend had put a smile on her face. Lee was happy for her, despite his intense jealousy for the Uchiha.

Most unfortunately for Lee, he'd been in love with Sakura since primary school. He knew that crushes didn't last long, and his affection for the pink-haired girl had gone on for years, so he reasoned it to be love. So he loved her. He did anything to make her happy, even if that meant allowing Sasuke to date her.

Lee pulled a face at the thought. Sasuke had hurt Sakura deeply with his eventual rejection and only intense self-restraint kept the tall boy from hunting him down and punching him. Mebuki had called Lee the night before holidays began, asking him to come over because Sakura was crying. As her best friend, he was the best-equipped to listen and provide comfort. He turned up at the Haruno household and went straight to Sakura. His worst fears were realised: Sakura had been hurt. So he held her close and offered to do anything for her so she would feel better.

Then she asked for a strange thing. He didn't know if it was out of loneliness, sadness or confusion, but he did it anyway in the hopes that her hurt would lessen. Every day afterwards he wondered if he should have said no; maybe she would still be talking to him. He was afraid that their night together had ruined their friendship. Lee knew that she didn't feel the same way about him – she saw him as a friend – and he wouldn't push his feelings on her.

After all, if they mended their friendship he would happily remain in that position just so he could remain close to her.

o.O.o

"Sakura, blossom, you don't have to go to school today," Mebuki said. Sakura sat in the passenger's seat of their little Suzuki Swift, schoolbag held tight against her chest. She wore the normal school uniform – knee-length navy-blue skirt, white blouse, white socks, black shoes and navy-blue tie. Her bag had her lunch, notebooks, pencil case and one of the pregnancy books tucked inside.

"I know," she said quietly, "but if this is my last term at school I want to make the most of it." Even without talking to Lee, Sakura had half a mind to keep the baby. The other half – the scared half – wanted to abort it.

"Okay," Mebuki sighed. "If you want to come home, just give me a call. I love you blossom."

"I love you too." Sakura got out of the car and surveyed the front gates of the school warily. People milled outside, laughing and chatting, talking about all the fun they'd had on their holidays. Sakura scowled and marched through the crowd, lowering her head to the whispers that sounded as she passed. Everyone was still buzzing about Sasuke dumping her after coming out as gay. Well, at least they didn't know she was pregnant.

Her friends were probably hanging out in the Art rooms, as they always did before school. Sakura's group still consisted of Ino, Hinata, Tenten and Lee. Ino was always the first person Sakura went to for advice, as she was always willing to help out her friends. Hinata was quiet and very bright and often acted as the little sister of their group; the clueless one that didn't understand innuendo. The dark-haired girl was still incredibly sweet and was great to study with. Tenten was very tomboyish and got along with everyone and Sakura always cheered up after talking with the brunette.

Then there was Lee.

As the only boy in the group, many people assumed he was gay. While Lee had many girlish tendencies and was very eccentric, he wasn't gay. As they'd practically grown up together, she knew that he wasn't. Sakura couldn't count the number of nights they'd spent watching movies, playing video games and just hanging out. He was always there for her and never ceased to threaten Sasuke when Sakura was dating him. Sometimes he was the overprotective brother, but he wasn't just a brother or friend anymore. Last month assured that.

Sakura hadn't contacted Lee since the night they'd spent together. He understood her need for space (after speaking with Ino of course) and didn't try to talk to her, content that she would contact him when she was ready. She just hoped he wasn't too annoyed with her since she hadn't spoken to him for the three weeks of holidays.

As she'd thought, her friends were in the Art rooms, huddled around a table and giggling at a video on Ino's phone. They all looked up as Sakura entered and beamed.

"Hey Sakura!" Ino cried. "I didn't see you all holidays! How are you? Are you okay?"

Sakura shrugged. "I've just been a bit sick. Hahaoya took me to the doctors yesterday and it's been sorted out." Her eyes strayed to the tall boy sitting with Hinata and Tenten and she blushed, looking away. Lee just smiled like he always did.

"I missed you," Hinata said, hugging Sakura. "My brother held a big party for Shikamaru's birthday and you were the only one that didn't come."

Tenten popped her hip. "Sasuke's been asking about you. He wants to talk to you and see if you're all good."

"Well I am," she replied honestly. "I just hope he's treating Naruto right."

Ino snorted. "They've been all lovey-dovey all holidays. I can't wait for Sarutobi to get up at them for touching at school." She smirked. "Not that I have anything against them, but it's hilarious watching Sarutobi get mad!"

"I know," Sakura grinned. Strange how she'd gone from terrified expectant hahaoya to gossiping teenager in less than a minute. She turned her head away. "Lee, can I talk to you?"

"Of course." He rushed forward to stand beside her, his eyes wide and attentive. She hesitantly grabbed his sleeve and tugged him from the room to the concrete outside. Her friends immediately turned around, sure that it had nothing to do with them.

"Um…" Sakura began hesitantly, glancing around. "It's about last month…"

Lee's gaze softened underneath his bushy eyebrows, a mixture of emotions crossing his face. "I apologise if I overstepped your boundaries. I will accept it if you want to terminate our friendship."

"No! It's nothing like that! I still want to be friends. I just…" She rubbed her stomach distractedly, looking at the ground. It was a lot harder than she thought. "What do you think about children?" she asked suddenly.

Lee's eyebrows knitted together. "I like children. I would like to have some one day and marry the woman I love."

"Lee-" The bell blared and Sakura stopped, knowing that someone could now easily overhear them. "Can you come over after school?"

"Sure." He grinned and hugged her. "I was worried that you did not want to be friends anymore. I am happy that we are still friends." He turned and walked away and Sakura stared at his retreating back, wondering what he would say when she told him the truth.

o.O.o

Lee. Lee, Lee, Lee. He devoured her thoughts all day and she could barely focus on her schoolwork. Quite a few teachers were unimpressed with her attitude but she didn't care. She was mulling over how to tell Lee that he could be a chichi in eight months. The idea still felt so strange… she was pregnant. A life was growing inside her at this very moment. If she was to have the baby she'd have to drop out at the end of the school year, meaning she'd graduate after her tenth year and wouldn't finish her final two. There were two more months of school this year and after that was winter break.

It was all so confusing and overwhelming and she still had to tell Lee. How was she going to do it?

The bell for lunch rang and she moved slowly from her seat, heading to the Art rooms absent-mindedly. A hand on her arm stopped her and she turned, staring at Sasuke. He looked different though she couldn't pinpoint what it was exactly.

"Sakura," he said quietly. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she assured him. "I was upset at first but I'm okay now. I'm happy that you're happy and you found someone who makes you happy."

He let go of her arm. "I'm just sorry that I hurt you to do it."

"Don't feel sorry." She suddenly felt exhausted. "Just…" A wave of nausea ran through her and she doubled over, clutching her hand to her mouth.

"Sakura?" Sasuke bent down and held her shoulder.

"Bathroom," she gasped. He wrapped his arm around her waist and they rushed through the corridors, stopping at the girls' bathroom. She barrelled inside and dived at the nearest toilet, throwing up her brunch. She'd held onto it for nearly two hours. That was a record.

When she'd emptied the contents of her stomach she washed out her mouth and exited the bathroom, noticing that Sasuke was waiting outside.

"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked.

"I've just been sick," she shrugged. "Look Sasuke, you don't have to feel bad. Just be happy with Naruto. He's obviously a very special boy."

A strange look fluttered across Sasuke's face and he nodded. "Thank you. Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. See you around." She retreated, waving slightly, and went straight to the Art rooms.

o.O.o

As agreed, Lee met her after school. Mebuki was there to pick them up and took them to the Haruno household, completely oblivious to Sakura's flushed cheeks. The pink-haired girl had to force down the nausea that flared while the car moved.

Once home, she and Lee went to her room under the pretence of doing their homework like they always did. Her parents didn't suspect a thing. They would never think that Lee was the chichi.

Lee closed the door behind him and watched as Sakura slumped on her bed, a defeated expression on her face. "What has happened?" he asked worriedly. Sakura looked up at him tiredly.

He was such a kind, guileless boy and he meant no harm. The baby wasn't his fault – it was hers. If she hadn't asked, they wouldn't be in this awkward position where she had to explain that he could be a chichi. Their baby's life depended on Lee's decision, as Sakura felt fully-prepared to raise him or her if Lee wanted to help. If he wanted nothing to do with the baby, Sakura would book an abortion. This wasn't something she could do on her own and she needed his support if she was going to keep it.

"There's no easy way to say this," she eventually said. "But… things are different between us."

"I know. I do not regret what happened between us last month."

"I'm not sure if I do or not," she admitted. Even after what they'd done, she still wasn't sure of her feelings for him. She saw him as she always had: as a friend. If there were any romantic notions towards him, they were well hidden.

Lee sat beside her, his brows knitting together. "What bothers you?"

"I have a confession…" She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, attempting to ready herself. Her eyes flew open as Lee covered her small hands with his large ones, his touch gentle.

"I will hear it," he said softly, his eyes wide and guileless. She breathed deeply for several moments, drawing strength from his touch, and found the courage.

"Lee… I'm pregnant."

The look on his face would have been priceless if she hadn't been completely terrified by the expression. When he finally spoke, his voice was shaky. "Is it…?"

"It's yours. I haven't been with anyone else. I went to the doctors yesterday and they told me."

"So when you were sick before…"

"It's a part of being pregnant. But Lee, there's something really important we need to discuss."

"I am ready." He set his mouth in a determined line. She dug deep inside her to find the courage.

"I don't know if I want to keep the baby or not. I wanted to ask you first, seeing as it's yours too."

Lee's face went slack and he took several deep breaths. "You are pregnant with my child. I…" He pressed his other hand to her stomach and breathed softly. "My child is within you. I cannot explain how that makes me feel." His eyes turned sad. "But we are teenagers and are completely unequipped for parenthood."

She swallowed in an attempt to still her racing heart. "I know. But I know that every child needs love. What if we were to give them that love?" She shook her head. "I've thought about it a lot and abortion scares me. It's… murder."

"Do you wish to raise the child?"

She nodded, tears forming in her eyes. "That scares me more. I know I shouldn't, but I want to. It's wrong! I don't know what I'm doing!" Her voice had risen and she quickly lowered it so her parents wouldn't come.

Lee laid his other hand on top of their joined ones. "If you wish to raise him or her, I will stand beside you and do whatever you need of me."

"This is crazy." She shook her head. "Totally crazy." Guilt surged through her as she realised the full impact of Lee's declaration. He was agreeing to raise a baby with her. It was wrong, given that they weren't even together. They were just friends! A strange thought popped up and she wondered what it would be like to love Lee as a boyfriend. Strangely, the idea of loving him wasn't that bad, especially when she remembered how gentle he was with her. Perhaps… if they did raise the baby… and bonded as a result… she could learn to love him? And he could learn to love her? It was a big if. Lee was her best friend and her brother. Would it be bad if she found another way to love him?