 
 
The day was moving slow, as they usually did this time of year. Lee found himself sprawled on the ground, the tidy grass combed beneath his well toned body. He would have been completely camoflauged if not for the neon orange of his leg warmers, dark hair, and plump Chuunin vest. But that didn't matter now, he wasn't trying to stay hidden. In fact, he wished someone would stroll around and find him. He could use something to perk him up. So many things had cluttered the shinobi's mind lately. But he wasn't sure why. Maybe it was all the hub-ub that had been going around lately, but, honestly, truly, he wasn't sure. Lee's thick brows furrowed over his closed lids, making his forehead crease. Visions played on the inside of his eyes like a movie. But they were only quick tid-bits of things he remembered. Vivid scenes from the past. In this sequence, he was facing of with the bone-demon he came upon -- one of Orochimaru's old goons. [He was thankful that both were deceased by now]. But as everything fluttered around him in this production in his head, he could see himself getting whipped around like it was nothing. He looked so lanky and weak. Beside him, his hands curled into fists. He couldn't believe how stupid he was back then. All cocky and so sure of himself. He had always tried to maintain a humble atmosphere about himself. But he could obviously see he had somewhat of an ego. But he was a sprouting teenage boy, back then. ...He couldn't help it, he confirmed inwardly. But now, oh now, there was a new ally in the field beside him. A boy with hair like fire, a haunting scowl, pasty skin, bright eyes, and a scar. Gaara. He heard his mind mutter. The boy didn't look at him, just moved forward and began to fight. His arms were crossed, his sand doing all the work. It was now that Lee's eyes turned to Kimimaro. He could see his muscles buldging as he moved, sweat trickling down parts of his body. An odd twinge surged through the boy. He forced his curious eyes away, back to the sand shinobi next to him. He could see the shadow cast over his cheeks from his hair, the rugged angles of his jaw, his thin lips pursing with concentration...Oh, how Lee strained to...to touch him. Then, he sat up with a jolt. The sixteen-year-old boy was staring down at his shaky hands, his body shivering. He couldn't believe what he was picturing! No, no, this was not how he was to grow up. He was merely curious, yes, that was it. Curious in reflections of others' work compared to his own. Yes, that had to be it. The boy rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands, letting out a long sigh. "Oh! Lee!" The call made him jumped. His head snapped to attention to see the cherry blossom kunoichi, Sakura, bounding his way. Ah! A chance to prove himself that this was all in his head! "Oh, hello, Sakura-san," he greeted with a wave and a kind smile, his brows remaining furrowed. "You look quite....radiant today." The beast swallowed a lump in his throat. Sakura stopped short and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, Tsunade wants to see you," was all she said, then gestured over her shoulder, and bolted off, shaking her head and grumbling all the way. Ah, good to know that, after all these years, he still annoyed her on some level... Lee was crazy about Sakura when they were kids...he was sure he felt the same. But as he stared at the girl, her cotton-candy hair billowing out behind her as she ran away, the butterflies he usually got... never came... | 
