Of Rivalry and Stupidity: The Two Teams Unite!

Chapter 1: An Awkward Night

Kakashi sighed heavily as he watched his three students. As usual, Naruto did something to upset Sasuke and Sasuke trying his best to stay calm just walked away too angry to say anything. This lead to Sakura yelling at Naruto, Naruto saying something else stupid as an apology which upset Sakura even more, and ending with Sakura beating up Naruto and following Sasuke.

Kakashi got up from the rock he was using as a seat putting away his book and got over to where Naruto lay in the dirt. He kneeled beside the boy and looked down at the boy's back. Naruto seemed not to notice that he was on the ground for he just lie there on his stomach. Kakashi finally rolled him over and noticed that he had fallen asleep.

Now isn't that talent, he thought to himself. He stood up and turned around to leave when he remembered that Naruto was still lying on the ground and would probably not wake up until after dark.

Again, he sighed, kneeled back beside the sleeping boy, scooped him up, and carried him back to his apartmet.

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Naruto woke to the warmth of - a candle? It took him a moment to remember that he had fallen asleep as soon as Sakura beat him up. That would explain the bruises. And it was night. That explained the candle. But how did he get home? Sleepwalk? No. The apartment was too far away and he most likely fell off a bridge or into a river and drowned. He lay back down again, thinking. Someone must have brought him home. Maybe he should ask his sensei if he had.

Then he heard the sound of someone else turning in their sleep and sat up. Slowly, he scanned the room to look for anyone else in the room. Then he saw the person he was looking for. In the corner of the room was - Gai!

"What the heck are you doing in my house!" Naruto yelled and jumped out of his bed, pointing at the sleeping figure. Gai jumped onto his feet as well looking like a frightened child and shaking his head back and forth.

Gai saw Naruto and stood straight looking down at him with a puzzled stare. "Your house? I think you mean my house. And why were you sleeping in my bed?"

"Your house! Your bed! This is my house and my bed! And if this was your house than why are you sleeping on the floor?" Naruto shot back. He was more frustrated than surprised.

Gai looked around the room once more. Finally, he seemed to realize where he was. He stared back down at Naruto again. The boy was scowling at him and seeming impatient waiting for an answer.

"Oh, yes this isn't my house. Sorry about that. I guess I'll be leaving now," as Gai turned and opened the window he turned his head to see Naruto once more. "If you happen to see Kakashi, can you tell him to meet me on top of the academy room tomorrow morning? Thanks kid." He shot out of the window before Naruto could say another word.

Naruto closed the window and stared at it before shaking his head. I can definitely see how Lee is related to him, Naruto thought while walking into his kitchen. He opened the refrigerator door and grabbed some milk. Next, he went over to a cabinet and got a box of cereal out. He opened the cabinet next to that one and got a bowl and spoon. Over at the table he poured his milk into his cereal while suppressing a yawn with his other hand. After he ate a four hour early breakfast he went back to bed. His final thought before drifting off to sleep once more was what Gai had said to tell Kakashi. What had he told him to say? Oh well. He'd probably remember in the morning. Once more, sleep came.

Chapter 2: An Mission for Two Teams

Kakashi looked at the village. It was vast in size and but surprisingly not in population. It didn't matter how many people took home in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, the village itself displayed its beauty. And the academy rooftop made a perfect view for it was the tallest building in the village besides the Lord Hokage's house which stood above all buildings and boasting his respect.

"Hey Kakashi my-rival-for-all-life-and-eternity! I see Naruto relayed the message," a familiar voice said behind him. Kakashi turned to see Gai standing at the doorway of the stairs leading to the rooftop. Of the few people he wished he had never met, Gai was one of them. And what did he mean by Naruto relaying a message? He hadn't received any message.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Kakashi replied cooly.

"Hm. I would have thought he was reliable," Gai said with confidence.

Kakashi tried with great effort not to laugh. Naruto reliable? Maybe in the next century but now, no. Then a question appeared in his mind: why would Gai want to meet him here?

Instead of asking he told Gai, "Naruto is probably still in bed. When did you see him exactly?"

"Why just last night."

"Hm."

"Yes, last night. I was confused and tired and so I mistook his house for mine. It was when Naruto woke up and screamed at me, thus waking me, that I was informed that it was his house and not mine."

Kakashi stared at him with a wide eye(his other eye covered). For what seemed like hours, but was really just a few minutes that he just stared at him shocked.

When he finally found how to work his mouth again, Kakashi said almost yelling, "What were you doing at Naruto's apartment! I don't see any way for you to mistake Naruto's apartment as your house! Your house is much bigger than that little shack!"

"...I don't know, really. It's strange but somehow I did. Why did I want you to meet me here again?"

Silence. Gai was trying to remember why he wanted Kakashi there and Kakashi just shook his head disbelievingly. He respected Gai but he was so...strange.

Finally, Gai seemed to remember why Kakashi was there. He punched the air and said dramatically, "I have called you here because the Lord Hokage wants to assign a special mission fit for two teams. This is very rare and unexpected but it might make our teams stronger if we join teams together."

He had a point there...Kakashi thought about this a little longer before he came upon the decision that they should try it; as long as Gai stayed as far away from him as possible.

" When do we leave?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"Three days from now. Enough time to prepare our teams and get supplies ready," Gai replied smoothly.

"Then, I guess I'll be seeing you in three days," Kakashi sighed.

"In three days!" Gai turned to leave then stopped. Without looking at Kakashi he said, "About what happened in Naruto's apartment...Just tell him that I am sorry about it. But you can't blame of course, for not noticing that it wasn't my house. Especially, because it was dark and I had a terrible time training my students yesterday. You know how that is, right Kakashi?"

Kakashi just stared at him in disbelief. How could he not know which house was his! Of course, he did know what he meant about a hard time training students, but to not know where you live! Especially, when your house is on the other side of the village, right beside the training grounds.

Since Kakashi didn't answer, Gai turned around to see that Kakashi had all ready left. "Wow, he must be excited to go off so quickly! I never thought my rival-for-life would have just answered."