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___ Lee drew a line of red on the scroll in his hands with a deep feeling of regret. It always pained him to make negative marks on his students’ class work, especially when they had obviously put so much work behind it, but there was simply no other way. How were they supposed to grow to be strong, successful ninja if he didn’t point out their current mistakes? Besides, he would be there to help them correct their errors, and together they would become more skilled! After all, didn’t he learn from his students even as they learned from him? Yes! That was the path to success! Greatly cheered, Lee continued correcting essays and tests with such vigor and concentration that he missed another person entering the room until calloused hands covered his eyes. He recognized who it was instantly – for he knew every line and scar and scent of those hands – and was smiling more brilliantly then the sun before she even opened her mouth. “Guess who?” “The most beautiful blossom that has ever bloomed,” he said extravagantly, cheeks stinging slightly from grinning so broadly. But how could he help it? How could he not want to shout his joy from being privileged enough to spend even a moment in this amazing woman’s presence? She released his face to swat his shoulder. “Silly, don’t say strange things like that,” she said, but he could tell she was pleased from the warmth in her voice. He turned his head to watch as she came around to the front of his desk and leaned her folded arms against it, sunlight from the window filtering through her unbound pink hair. She was smiling at him affectionately but it was sort of sad at the same time. “Did you enjoy your visit with Sasuke-san?” Lee asked with a touch of concern. He knew how much she still cared for her former teammate and it never failed to upset Sakura whenever the Uchiha was hurt or...caused trouble for himself and others. How he hated to see her sad. Someone such as dear Sakura should never have reason to frown. But he must believe in her strength too. Yes, though it hurt him to see her suffer, the best he could do as her beloved boyfriend was be there to support her when she needed him and stand aside when she needed to fight her own battle! “Sasuke-kun said...” she started, voice trailing off as she looked to the side. Lee knew instantly that something had happened between them. He waited patiently for her to continue. She took a deep breath and met his eyes straight on. “Lee, I want to tell you this. Sasuke-kun said to me, ‘If I asked you, would you marry me?’” She stopped again and Lee smiled encouragingly. This seemed to confuse her. “I said no,” Sakura continued in a rush, like she had to explain before he got the wrong idea, “Because...because the person I am wouldn’t be happy with someone like Sasuke-kun. And I’m happy with you, I love you, I – but it wasn’t just being your girlfriend, it was, I mean – “ Lee reached out and took her hand, cradling it between his own. “It’s a sad thing, isn’t it Sakura-san, to realize your dream isn’t what you wanted?” She blew out a long breath and eyed him, her expression a mixture of gratefulness, bafflement, and wistful nostalgia. She pulled his hands toward her until she could rest her chin on his knuckles. “You’re a wonder Lee-kun, really you are,” she said and he could feel the warmth of her breath through the bandages, “Any other man would have reacted very differently to their girlfriend telling them that.” Lee shook his head, not denying her words, but showing that he didn’t understand the reason behind them. “You would have never accepted my advances if your heart wasn’t certain. Because that is the woman that my Sakura-san is.” There has never been, Lee decided, a jewel that shined brighter than Sakura’s eyes when she smiled like that. END
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