I'm really sorry that it's been so long since my last update, but I honestly had no inspiration for this chapter. It's taken me a while to write it out, mainly because of my severe writer's block, so I don't know how it's gonna turn out. I apologize for the insane delay and I hope that I won't end up doing it again. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its characters, even though I wouldn't mind owning the Uchiha brothers.

Chapter 22-The Request

Another week had passed in Suna, though it felt like longer to some of the members of Kurenai's team. Ten-Ten and Sakura spent some time together discussing matters too private for Lee's ears, mainly because they were about him. Lee spent most of his time training, not really noticing that his two female teammates were often seen conversing in low voices, always stopping when he came around. Kurenai just kept to herself, keeping a constant eye on her subordinates and making sure that Lee didn't injure himself with his exuberant training.

Sakura was still trying to figure out how to confess her feelings to Lee. Every time she had a chance to do it, she chickened out, unable to form the sentences she had been carefully creating in her head. She wasn't afraid of being rejected because she knew that he had always liked her. What she was afraid of was the feelings that she had for him. They scared her because she knew that she really did care for him in a way that was much more than a crush. Ten-Ten had given her advice on how to hint around, but it hadn't worked so far. So for now, she was going to settle with training with him and trying to work up the nerve whenever she had an opening.

Ten-Ten was a little irritated with her two teammates. Lee was so oblivious to the hints Sakura kept putting out and Sakura wasn't really trying her hardest to let Lee know how she felt. Sakura had already admitted that she was afraid to tell him how she felt, but Ten-Ten thought she had done her best to convince Sakura that there was nothing to be afraid of. However, she didn't think Sakura believed her as much as she had first thought.

Sakura and Ten-Ten were walking out into the yard of the building they were staying in, talking quietly. Lee was under the shade of some trees, doing his morning routines before he started his official training. When he saw the two girls, he waved and beckoned them to come closer.

"Sakura! Ten-Ten! Come train with me!" Lee exclaimed energetically.

Ten-Ten shook her head. "Sorry, Lee, but I need to go practice with my weapons today. Maybe we can train together tomorrow."

"That is fine with me. Sakura, will you train with me?" Lee asked.

"Yes, she will," Ten-Ten said loudly, before Sakura could answer.

"Why can't you train with us?" Sakura hissed under her breath.

"Because the two of you need time alone so you can tell him how you feel about him," Ten-Ten muttered with a smile.

"You think that I should tell him now?" Sakura whispered in surprise.

"You know what they say: There's no time like the present," Ten-Ten quoted quietly. "Now, go spend time with your man." She gave Sakura a gentle push.

Sakura glared over her shoulder, but smiled brightly at Lee. "I'll come train with you, Lee."

"Thank you, Sakura," Lee replied with a smile. "Would you like to warm up first?"

"Sure," Sakura said, glancing over at Ten-Ten, who was watching discreetly while she practiced with her weapons.

Sakura sat on the ground next to Lee and began doing stretches, her mind considering how to best bring up what she wanted to discuss with him. Lee didn't seem to notice her preoccupation, as he was focused on getting his body ready for an intense taijutsu session. Sakura didn't know if she was really ready to talk about it yet, now that she thought about it. She and Lee were still in a blossoming friendship and she didn't know if she wanted to push them into relationship status just yet. After all, they had only just started to really hang out and get to know each other over the past few months.

"Sakura, are you ready to spar?" Lee asked, cutting into her train of thought.

"Yeah, I am," Sakura answered quickly, dusting her clothes off and walking into the middle of the yard.

Ten-Ten began to slowly walk back into the house, keeping her eyes on her two teammates. She was hoping that if she gave them enough privacy, Sakura would confess. When she walked back into the house, she turned around briefly and saw Sakura give her an anxious glance. Ten-Ten shook her head and shut the door. When she walked into the main area, she saw Kurenai sitting at the table with a letter.

"Hello, Kurenai-sensei," Ten-Ten greeted with a smile.

"Hello, Ten-Ten," Kurenai replied absently, still reading the letter. She frowned.

"Who's that from?" Ten-Ten asked curiously.

Kurenai sighed. "It's from Kiba."

"What?" Ten-Ten was surprised and she immediately walked over to read the letter.

Kurenai-sensei,

I've asked Asuma-sensei permission for this letter and he said it was ok, so I've got a request for you. Since we've been here, Akamaru has fallen ill and even with all the rest we've given him, his condition hasn't improved. We'd really appreciate it if you could send Sakura over to come heal him for us. Asuma-sensei said that he thinks it's a really good idea because Akamaru is very important to our mission (And to me) and we can't really work our hardest if he's still hurt. Try to send her as soon as possible, please.

Kiba

"Are you going to send her?"

Kurenai sighed again. "I suppose I should. Kiba won't be able to perform his best if his best friend is sick. Besides, if Asuma thinks it's important to send Sakura over to heal him, then I don't see why I should say no." She stood up. "Where is Sakura?"

"She's outside training with Lee."

"Go get her when she's finished."

Ten-Ten walked to the back of the house and looked out of the window at the pair. "Hurry up, Sakura, or you won't be able to do it today."

Sakura was panting heavily, her face soaked with sweat. Lee looked like he was just warming up, even though they had been fighting for quite a while. Both of them were holding back, but Sakura was still very tired. Lee was a tai-jutsu expert and she most definitely wasn't. She didn't say anything about her exhaustion, but Lee noticed the change in her expression and suddenly stopped moving.

"Sakura, are you tired?"

Sakura hesitated. "Yeah, I am."

"Then we shall stop for right now," Lee said simply.

"Are you sure?" she asked quickly.

"Yes. You need to rest for a while."

The two of them went back under the trees for some shade and Sakura wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She collapsed onto the grass and breathed heavily. Lee sat next to her and watched her in concern. When she finally sat up again, she was noticeably closer to him.

"Thank you for sparring with me, Sakura," Lee said quietly.

"You're welcome," Sakura replied. She fidgeted. "I definitely don't mind spending more time with you."

Lee smiled brightly. "And I like spending time with you too, Sakura. You are a worthy ninja to spar with and I am honored to say that I have fought you before."

Sakura blushed. "It wasn't a real fight, Lee. We were both holding back. But I already know you're a worthy ninja and I'm honored that you even wanted to spar with me when your tai-jutsu skills are definitely superior to mine."

"You do not give yourself enough credit, Sakura," Lee said. "You are very good with your tai-jutsu. You just have more focus on your nin-jutsu. If you focused all of your training into tai-jutsu, you would be very close to my level. If you trained under Gai-sensei for a very long time, you would probably surpass me."

Sakura's blush deepened. "Thank you for saying that, but I don't think I'm that good."

Lee smiled again. "Well, no matter what you think of yourself, I will always think that you are amazing, Sakura."

Sakura tilted her head up so that their eyes were level. "I will always think that you're amazing, Lee," she said quietly, leaning her head closer til their mouths were inches apart.

"Sakura, come inside! I need to talk to you!" Kurenai's voice rang out over the yard.

Sakura jumped up, disappointment clear on her face. She glanced at Lee and saw that his face wore a very shocked expression. She didn't know if it was from what she had been about to do, but she very much hoped that it was. When Sakura began to walk over to the house, Lee quickly got to his feet and followed her back inside. As they walked over to Kurenai, they both felt very aware of themselves and each other and were trying very hard to avoid touching each other. Once they entered the main area that Kurenai was in, they stood a little more apart.

"Yes, Kurenai-sensei?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your training, Sakura, but I just got a letter from Team Asuma," Kurenai said.

"From Team Asuma?" Sakura repeated in confusion.

"Yes. Akamaru has gotten sick since we've been here and Kiba has requested that we send you down to them to heal Akamaru. Would you be willing to go to them?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes, I will."

Kurenai smiled. "Thank you. We appreciate it very much. You will need to start preparing to leave tonight and I'll send you off tomorrow."

Lee stood up straight. "Kurenai-sensei, I have a request."

Kurenai looked surprised. "And what would that be?"

"I would like to escort Sakura to Asuma-sensei's team," Lee said firmly. "I do not think she should go alone and I would very much like to take her there myself."

Kurenai looked thoughtful. "I actually like that idea. I don't think it would hurt if the two of you went together. I'm sure neither of you will get lost and I'll feel better knowing that she didn't have to go alone." She looked at Sakura. "Would you be alright with this arrangement, with Lee going with you?"

Sakura gave Lee a grateful smile. "I would definitely like that."

Lee looked overjoyed and Kurenai smiled. "That settles it. Lee, prepare to leave with Sakura. I'll leave her in your care and I trust that the two of you will make the journey safely."

Lee bowed. "Thank you, Kurenai-sensei."

Sakura and Lee walked away together . Once they were alone again, Sakura turned to him. "I really do appreciate you escorting me," she said sincerely.

Lee's cheeks reddened slightly. "It is not a big deal. I do not want you to go by yourself and I would prefer if I was the one to go with you."

Sakura smiled and pulled him into a hug. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear, holding onto him tightly.

Lee smiled against her shoulder. "It is my pleasure."

Sakura began to think that maybe she wouldn't have to confess how she felt in so many words. Maybe, just maybe, her actions would speak loud enough.

End Chapter 22

Once again, I apologize for the delay in this chapter and I hope I don't have another delay like this again. My writer's block isn't nearly as bad as it was, but it's still there. However, I'm beginning to get inspiration for this fic again, so don't be too surprised if another chapter is put up very soon. I can't make any promises, but I'll still try. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Chapter 23 coming soon!