Chapter 1 The Greatest Challenge
"He's late!" thought Gai. "Late for something he does for himself! What a hip attitude towards life!"
Gai had been waiting for Kakashi for over an hour. He knew his rival's habits, he would eventually show up at the memorial stone, but the wait was beginning to be agonizing. Sitting still was not in Gai's repertoire. To make matters worse, the sun was shining like a beacon of light on the unfurling spring. Nature was exploding with youth. This was not a day to be lazying around or sleeping in. To calm his nerves the green-clad jounin sighed and continued his set of 2000 one handed push-ups.
A streak of movement dashed in Gai's peripheral vision, and there he was. Standing in front of the memorial stone, looking melancholic as ever. Gai would have liked to give his friend the time to mourn his dead comrades, but today was not a day to be wasted in the past. Today was a day for a challenge, today was a day to surpass your rival!
Gai burst forth, "Prepare yourself! Rival Kakashi!! Today we settle it once and for all!"
"Huh?" was Kakashi's only reaction.
"Our score has been tied at 49-49 for two weeks! Let's determine who has more youthfulness today! It's your turn to pick, so what'll it be? Ninjutsu? Taijutsu? A race? I'm bursting with energy I will defeat you in any such challenge!" Gai placed his hand on his hip and flashed a toothy grin.
Kakashi furrowed his exposed eyebrow and sighed, he knew there was no escaping this challenge. He had known this was coming, so he had already thought up a possible event for his rival's dare.
"Actually Gai, I've had a particular challenge in mind for a while. Let's go back to the village, I'll explain there." and just as quick as he'd arrived Kakashi dashed back towards the village centre, Gai eagerly following him. They stopped in the middle of a lively street, filled with shops. Gai's enthusiasm was reaching a boiling point. He tried to guess what the challenge would be. Maybe some sort of obstacle course, maybe some sort of eating contest. Any of these ideas would have made him very happy. He was not at all prepared for the actual challenge.
"For our 99th challenge, Gai, let's compete over the affections of a beautiful young lady." Kakashi had a devious glint in his eye. "We can pick someone here, the first to take her out on a date wins."
Gai's jaw dropped to the floor. His perverted rival might, but the green beast did not toy with the hearts of women. He was horrified at the suggestion. He could not compete in love with his rival, not over the same girl. "Kakashi, this challenge, it is not fair. This girl, we cannot subject her fragile heart to the flames of our passionate youth! It's too dangerous! Please pick something else."
"Huh...I guess you're right, she might be scared off if it's both of us. Well then... why don't you pick out a girl for me to seduce, and then I will pick out one for you, the first to go on a date with his girl wins the challenge."
Gai was at a loss, he knew the challenge was now fair enough that he couldn't back out. "Kakashi, I disagree with toying with the hearts of young women, but if this is our challenge so be it!" He scanned the area for someone who might give Kakashi a hard time. His eyes stopped on Ichiraku's Ramen. Inside was Ayame, the owner's daughter, a vivacious and beautiful girl, one that Kakashi might like, but she also had a short temper that would clash with Kakashi's easy going attitude. "There! The girl who works in the Ramen shop! She's your challenge! Do your best rival Kakashi! Thrill her heart!"
Kakashi was unperturbed, in his eyes Ayame would not be a challenge at all. He began scoping the surroundings himself, wondering if he could find any girl who would be unfazed by Gai's appearance and "youthful" attitude. For a moment he thought he had been too cruel, giving his rival such a hopeless challenge. His eyes stopped on a young girl who was picking out peaches. She was quite pretty, she had shoulder length black hair and soft features, she was wearing a flower printed yukata suited for the warm day. "That one over by the fruit market. The one buying peaches."
Gai looked at the girl and worry began to creep in his mind. Was this challenge truly hopeless for him?
