Lee stood proudly with his prize in hand. "Finally! I have done it!" By sheer luck, he has not only got the pink rabbit, but a tinier one as well! The tiny one had Velcro on its paws, which were supposed to stick together. The Velcro stuck to the larger rabbit and thus, Lee gained two.

Neji wasn't as impressed. "Only took you fifty times."

Lee ignored him. "Sakura is going to love these." Suddenly, he was aware that it was just himself and Neji. Two grown men holding plushies in the middle of the arcade section of the roller rink. "... Where is Sakura and Tenten?"

"They left a little while ago," Neji promptly answered. He could see brief panic well up in Lee to which he tacked on, "they're somewhere in here."

"Oh."

Neji narrowed his eyes at Lee. "I know why you're here though."

Lee gulped. It felt like Neji saw right through him. He had that sort of effect with his white eyes. It was disconcerting at times. "You do?"

Neji dipped his head. "You're being overprotective of Tenten. You don't think I'm good enough for her."

What.

Lee but the inner side of his cheek to prevent laughter from escaping. "You have got it all wr—"

"You think I'm unwell then, is that it?" Neji snapped at him. "Think I can't handle myself anymore?"

The laughter that started to bubble up immediately ceased. Lee was left with a sickening taste in his throat. "Neji..." Lee got out dryly. "That is not it at all. Tenten asked me to come."

Sakura wasn't around to stop Lee from divulging their little ploy.

The harshness in Neji's eyes faded away. "She did?"

"It was not because of you," Lee assured him, extending his hand out and placing it onto Neji's should. "Tenten feels insecure. I think she is the one that does not feel good enough for you."

"I see." There goes that look of embarrassment again. All too alien on Neji's features. "I apologize for accusing you."

Lee felt relieved. "It is okay Neji," he said warmly. "Tenten may be my sister by law, but I love you like my brother. I believe that you are more than enough for her for as long as she loves you."

"Thank you Lee."

Lee gave him a thumbs up and a sparkly smile. "You are most welcome."

A moment of silence passed between them before Neji spoke again. "We look ridiculous, let's go find the girls."

When they had found them again, they were giggling between one another, playing a strength test game. The sort where the player has to hit a small punching bag as hard as they can. They arrived just in time to witness Sakura's turn. She reeled back and wound up her fist before striking the punching bag. The loud sound of her punch reverberated through the machine and echoed throughout the arcade.

Lee felt his face get hot.

The machine chimed and flashed bright colors, signifying a high score.

What a woman.

"Close your mouth, Lee," Neji instructed him. Lee's teeth clacked together as he did so. He didn't realize that his jaw was dropped.

Sakura turned to them with a smile. "Hey!" She skipped over to Lee and threw herself into his arms. "You got the bunny!"

"Y-yes!" Lee stuttered. "Just for you, my angel."

Wow wow wow.

Sakura leaned in even closer.

Wait wait wait.

"I think it's time we stop highjacking their date," she whispered to him. Her breath tickled his ear. "Let's go."

Sakura let go of him and dropped down to her feet, looking at him innocently. Did she not know how cute she was? How dare she be that cute. What was he supposed to be doing? Oh right. Leaving.

"Well Tenten," Lee dipped his head, "Neji. It was fun but we must go."

Tenten clasped her hands together, overall feeling a lot better. "We should all hang out more often!"

Lee couldn't agree more. "We should have a sleepover at Guy Sensei's like we used to!"

Sakura put up her hands. "Oh no, I don't want to impose..." It was always the three of them before she came into the picture.

"Please, Sakura," Lee begged. "Do not let me be the third wheel."

"I would like for Hinata to come too," Neji added.

Tenten was quick to point out that she would be the fifth wheel.

"Then we'll see who Hinata wants to invite," Sakura reasoned. "Maybe she wants Kiba and Shino."

Neji was not very enthused about Hinata inviting anybody as his instincts to shelter her took over for a brief moment. He held himself back from saying anything, however.

That would have to be something they'd discuss later with Hinata present. For now, Lee and Sakura were going to let those two enjoy the rest of their date.

ˏˋ ˎˊ

Rather than go straight home, Sakura suggested that they go on a walk through the community garden. She insisted that Lee had to see how the plants were coming along after they helped Ino and her father with them.

The flowers weren't fully blooming yet but the buds were showing. With warmer weather coming, they were sure to start flowering.

Sakura led him to the painted rocks they made. There was Ino's rock alongside Inoichi's. Then there was Sakura and Lee's rock. Funny how they made it before they officially started dating. This representation of their love would be there so long as the community garden remained intact.

As the sun started to set and the lamplights began to turn on, Sakura gazed at Lee. She admired how the dark shadows cast upon his face brought out his features. He was smiling, looking at the flower buds before her gaze registered. He turned to her and gave her a close-eyed smile.

"Hey Lee," Sakura began, prompting Lee to open his eyes again. "Remember that conversation you had at the table at my parents' house?"

She shifted her weight as he tried to recall.

"Ah!" He lit up. "The one about what I did for a living?"

Sakura shook her head. "The other one."

"Where I saw myself in the future...?"

Sakura now nodded.

Lee grabbed for her hand and held it firmly. "I meant every word."

Given the time between them and now, Sakura was considering her mother's words concerning whether or not Sakura was dating for fun or for marriage.

Lee squeezed her hand. "Allow me to ask you the same."

"Me?" Sakura considered it. Up until now that has been an easy question to answer. "Well... I'm going to finish school and become a doctor. I want to work alongside Tsunade and Shizune. I've always wanted to get married. Figured I'd have one or two children. But now that you're in my life, the role of my imaginary husband could be filled by you."

Lee was grinning from ear to ear. Tears of joy were threatening to come out but he restrained himself as Sakura finished.

"I want to see your dreams come true, Lee," Sakura continued. "See you open up that martial arts school. Maybe you can convince me to have more children—" she laughed. "But that all seems far away from now, doesn't it?"

"Perhaps," Lee said. "But I am glad that you want me around for that long."

"Of course I do." She kissed his cheek.

"I promise I will do my best for you, Sakura."