A Moment of Weakness

Part 7

"Alright well, I came to visit Sakura and the baby, I figured on a rainy day like this she might like company, is she around?" Lee nodded and went to find Sakura, only inviting Tenten in the doorway to get out of the rain.

"I'm so glad you came to visit, Tenten!" Sakura greeted Tenten, not even a hint of guilt as she reached to hug her. Lee slipped out of the door without another word, not wanting any more questions thrown at him. Being out of the house brings a sigh of relief knowing he wasn't in line with Sakura or Tenten.

Sakura invited Tenten the rest of the way to sit inside. "How's baby life? I bet it's exhausting since Sasuke is gone."

"Actually, not too bad. Sarada is an easy baby, after a couple of weeks she stopped waking in the middle of the night so we both sleep well," She sighs, holding the baby close. "I do miss Sasuke, don't get me wrong, but it's... more okay than I expected, ya know?"

Tenten nodded. "I noticed Lee has been more distant lately, and that he's been more... friendly with you," The mention of Lee's behavior earned a frustrated glare from Sakura.

"He's just lonely, you know that right? He's afraid of being alone and you're getting all assuming and suspicious over nothing. We're just friends, Tenten, get over it."

"Get over what exactly? What is there to be suspicious about? Sakura you're getting all defensive over me asking about him because I noticed that you became closer. Would you just relax?" That kind of behavior raises more questions. I just wanted to know if she knew what was going on with him but now I'm worried that I should be concerned.

Sakura thought for a moment until her expression softened. Lee was so nice to her and so helpful so she wasn't going to mention anything about them spending more time together than when they were in public. "No, you're right, Tenten. There isn't anything to be worried about. Lee has been really helpful with the baby, and we keep each other company when we can. I promise he's okay, and I am too. Sorry for freaking out, It's 'mom brain'." She laughed as if she hadn't been overly harsh.

"I think I should go, Sakura. I don't appreciate you being so mean and accusatory," Tenten stands and pats herself down. "I'm glad you're doing well. I hope we can talk when you aren't so freaked out over things so easily." Sakura didn't try to stop Tenten, just watched as she left. Once she was out, Sakura looked down at her baby.

"That was a bit dramatic, now wasn't it?" she whispers.

The rest of her day was filled with thoughts that just never fully came up about Lee. Why was he doing all of this? Of course to keep her happy but it seemed like this whole affair would have been against his morals. Why am I doing this to him? How is this fair? Was it enough that he made me happy? Would I choose him over Sasuke if he came back now? Of course, I would. Lee is more of a father to Sarada. So why would I go back to him? If Sasuke asked, how would I tell him no after being in love with him for years? Would I tell him no?

The thoughts consumed her as the day passed and she did the things she needed to but all she wanted to do was be back with Lee.

Lee spent his day distracting himself by focusing entirely on his students. Not letting a thought about Sakura slip through and distract him. He wanted to be back with her again but seeing Tenten this morning shook him to his core, and made him internally angry, not for the time he'd been spending with Sakura but for knowing that she still wouldn't be his alone when Sasuke inevitably returned and took back his wife. The thoughts stayed away while he was training and working but they emerged the second he was alone again.

It was jealousy, possession, anger, and sadness. All of it hurt and multiplied as his imagination grew into how happy he would be if Sauke just didn't exist. What it would have been like if he had died, or killed himself instead of choosing to "atone" for the crimes he had committed against the Leaf. Lee had never hated anyone like this before, he never wanted to hate anyone like this. Sakura was his but only for now, no matter how much Sakura assured him that she would keep him around.