This will be a series of random scenes, one for each Naruto character's birthday that I keep track of. I have no idea what type of scenes they'll turn out to be, but we shall see...

January 1 - Maito Gai/Might Guy

"Tell me the story about the condor and the kangaroo again, Grandpa!" the little girl shouted, clapping her hands together.

"My young disciple! Do not call me "Grandpa"; the fires of youth still burn bright in me yet! If you must refer to me, call me "Uncle"!" declared Gai, grinning down at her.

"Papa says you're getting old and you'll need to retire soon!"

"What sacrilege is this? Your father has betrayed me! O, youth! O, springtime, never end!"

"Retire, retire, retire!"

"Never! I shall always remain the Green Beast of the Leaf!"

"Grandpa Gai, going gray…" she sang, dashing out of the room.

"Surrender, young rascal! My hair still shines as bright as ever!" Gai shook his glorious locks out of his face emphatically, chasing the young girl through the doorway.

"Grandpa Gai, going bald…" the girl cheered, giggling as she tugged on her hair buns and pulled them loose. Running away from old men in denial always took maximum maneuverability.

"How dare you! What gives you the audacity to suggest that my youth is fading?"

"Papa says so!" she shrieked, barreling into her mother's back.

Tenten turned around from the kitchen table. "Hikari, don't rat out your father. He trusted you with his private opinion."

"My dear student, it pains my heart to see you complicit in this hooligan's slander! I remain as youthful as ever!"

Tenten rolled her eyes and turned to fix her daughter's hair.

Gai gave his unimpressed student a winning smile and a thumbs-up at an extra sharp angle.

"Mama, where's papa?" Hikari trained pale, milky eyes towards her mother, wincing when she felt the hair pins slide back into place. "He said he'd show me a chakra channeling technique!"

"He's gone away for a little while, dear. I'm sure we'll see him again soon."

"And when we do, Neji will be sure to receive an earful from me! Ignoring my teachings and scorning the creed of eternal youth!"

"Good luck with that, Grandpa Gai!"

"Why, you little rascal!"

Gai shifted his stance and grinned, remembering a happy place that never was.

Within his cocoon, the Green Beast rejoiced, and the Divine Tree rustled overhead.

-mm-

Notes: My basic idea with this scene was to imagine what Gai's "ideal world" would be under Infinite Tsukiyomi. I haven't completely caught up on Naruto at the moment, so I have no idea if this actually appeared in canon.

Ringing in the new year with Gai... happy new year, everyone! XD Thank you for reading.

Next up is Danzo. Oh, and any alternate title suggestions would be wonderful, because I'm not fond of this one.