A Moment of Weakness

Part 7

"Good morning, Lee," Sakura mumbled. It had been a few consistent weeks of staying together. Not always making love but also just resting. Lee had learned Sakura'a body now though and could make her feel like new within minutes. On top of that, he learned how to comfort Sarada back to sleep before she would even begin to cry so Sakura was sleeping better. "How are you feeling?"

"Your bed is much more comfortable than mine, Sakura." He sighed, feeling her cuddle into his chest.

"Maybe it's just less lonely," she whispered, kissing his chest lightly. "You make me feel less lonely." They sat in silence for a few minutes, when it began to rain. Cold filled the room but they were untouchable under the blankets and wrapped in each other's arms. Moments like these were ones where neither could regret finding each other in this place. "What are your plans for today?"

"I am training today with my students. They need to learn how to fight in the rain."

"It's a good skill to have," Sakura hugged Lee tightly and felt him soften before letting go. "Will you be back tonight?"

"Most likely but if my plans change last minute I will find a way to let you know."

"Sounds good. I'm thinking it might be time now for me to try and go back to work."

"The hospital I am sure would not mind the extra hands."

"I'll have to hire a nanny though. I guess that's what I'm worried about."

"Why is that?"

"Sarada is my baby. I can't just leave her with anyone. I trust her with you and Sas-" dread filled Lee after the mention of Sakura's husband. "Well, mostly just you, you're all I have around, and my parents don't want to help in this way." Lee bit his tongue and sat up finally, Sakura followed close behind. "I think taking care of her and not socializing with anyone is making me a little depressed. You know?"

"I do," Lee replied, swinging his legs off the bed to get up. "I will go check on Sarada." Sakura smiled, knowing she would be in good hands before laying back down to rest more.

Lee watched as Sarada slept peacefully, and knowing he wouldn't wake her, slumped down against the wall. His arms covered his face, knees pulled close to his chest. Why couldn't it be me? Tears dropped to the ground under him. He knew Sakura and Sarada wouldn't be his forever and the regret sunk in deep knowing he would never have them all to himself. There he stayed, wrapped tightly in a ball until Sarada woke up and needed to be changed. Once she was cleaned up, he held onto her and rubbed her head.

Eventually, though, she needed to be passed off to Sakura to be fed and Lee needed to leave soon to work on his own morning training. After eating breakfast, a shower, and a change of clothes, Lee found Sakura in the nursery. Seeing her so calm brought a smile to his face, the impending guilt burying itself deeper in his stomach. Sakura looked up at him, just before he gently held her cheek to kiss her goodbye.

"Thank you, Lee. I hope you can make today a good day for yourself. I look forward to hearing all about it," She smiles.

"You too, Sakura."

Lee left the nursery behind and made his way to the front door, not noticing the approaching figure from outside. He opened the door, expecting to leave the way he usually would. Before he has the chance, he finds Tenten in front of him, readying herself to knock. His face immediately becomes a deep red, and he feels like he has done something wrong just by being there.

"Lee? What are you doing here so early?" her eyes dart around, trying to find Sakura.

"I um, well, I," Truthfully he had no clue how to respond. "My, Uhm, water stopped working at my apartment, and I needed to take a shower, so um. Yeah." He shifted his weight to his heels and looked around as if Sakura would be there to back him up but she wasn't there. Tenten's eyebrows pinched, knowing Lee was lying, but not pushing more seeing how Lee almost cowered at her.