Maito Gai's Wife

"And that's match." said Kakashi, as Naruto sat up on the grass, glowering at Neji as he nursed his chin.

Team Kakashi and Team Gai were to spar one another for practice, all it being Gai's idea. Kakashi just agreed only to have spare time to read his latest issue of "Icha Icha Paradise."

"That was a cheap shot! I want a rematch!" Naruto yelled.

"Ah, such spirit to challenge Neji-kun with passion." Gai said, "It brings up the good ol' days when my flames of youth were still ripening."

Gai's and Kakashi's students all sweat-dropped at Gai's creative ways of expressing how impressed he is.

"Quit yappin' like a dang fool, honestly, it's embarrassin' just listenin' to you sometimes." said a feminine voice with a kansai accent. All heads (including Kakashi) turned to see a beautiful woman standing only a few feet where the group was, holding an infant with one arm.

She had wavy black hair, radiant violet eyes with seductive long eyelashes, and a very attractive mole under the corner of her left eye. Her skin had a healthy color as it was lightly tanned, and wore a casual kimono for the cooling weather.

The baby held in her arm had the same black hair, only it defied gravity, similar to Kakashi's hair. His eyes were the same shape as his mother's, only the color was different. And it could barely be seen, but the baby seemed…

"Midori! My darling wife!" Gai said, as the world suddenly stopped rotating. All of them thinking: WHAT!

Gai pranced up to the beautiful woman, his arms spread out ready to give a warm embrace, his lips puckered up for a kiss when he was abruptly stopped by a hand in his face.

"You're a grown man and yet you still act like a love-sick fool." Midori said as she pushed Gai back a bit, but he took no offense, knowing it was her own way of showing affection. So he gave her his trademark smile.

"Wait a minute! Since when did you get married, sensei!" asked Tenten.

"And how'd you get such a babe for a wife!" asked Naruto, getting an immediate bump on his head from Sakura.

"That's just rude, Naruto!" Sakura yelled.

"Why haven't you told us you were married, Gai-sensei?" asked Lee.

"Midori-san, how are you and little Susumu?" Kakashi greeted, ignoring the looks from his and Gai's students.

"We're doing just fine, Kakashi-kun." Midori replied.

And since when did Gai-sensei have a baby? That kid looks nothing like him. Neji thought.

"Susumu-kun is looking more like his mother each day." said Kakashi, holding one of the baby's tiny hands as the little fingers wrapped around his one gloved finger. Kakashi's one visible eye creasing as the baby responded with a toothless smile.

"Yes, and I'm rather thankful he doesn't have his father's facial features." said Midori.

So Gai-sensei is the father…that's a little hard to swallow. Neji thought.

"Gai-sensei, how come you never told us about your wife and son?" asked Tenten.

"And what's more is that you knew about this, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto yelled, as Kakashi continued to ignor him by gently waving his finger as the baby reached for it.

"Well, for starters, Tenten-chan, none of you ever asked." said Gai.

"Well, we're asking now, Gai-sensei." said Sakura.

"Then in that case, when we first met, we were young teens and we were instantly head over heels for each other." Gai began until Midori shot him down with saying:

"Actually, I never knew he existed until eight years ago. Even then I thought he was a freak because of his ridiculous eyebrows."

Everyone stood in silence until—

"HAHAHA!"

—until Naruto laughed.

"That may have been the case back then, but these two eventually got married." said Kakashi.

"True." Midori agreed, as Gai wrapped an arm around her shoulders while his free hand patted his son's head.

"And we've never been happier!" he said. "Right, Midori-chan?"

"It's your turn to cook tonight." Midori said in a casual manner as the five students all sweat-dropped.


Years before Gai became a teacher

A twenty-year-old Gai peeked around a fruit stand, his cheeks holding a pink hew as he saw the object of his affections walking up the street. An eighteen-year-old Midori was talking pleasantly with another girl her age, both oblivious to Gai's presence as they pass by him.

He followed her in stealth, like he had been doing ever since their academy years. He tried to confront Midori many times, but every time he did she wouldn't be listening—or looking at him for that matter! She'd always be preoccupied with something, whether it was talking with her friends, or doing a task.

She always seemed to be single minded, never was she seen multitasking.

But today—today he'd get her attention!

When he looked back, she was gone. He looked up and down the street but didn't see the beautiful girl. Teleporting to a higher place (on top of an apartment building) he scanned the area within his sight.

Still unable to see her, he gave a sigh and was about to turn and head home when he came face to face with Midori herself. She was standing before him, arms crossed and shoulders squared. He practically forgot that she was Konoha's most excellent spy, and so she was a natural in evading other spies with stealth unmatched by any other.

"Why are you following me?" she asked coolly.

Gai's cheeks flushed slightly as he tried to come up with a good excuse—but alas, he's no Kakashi. So he went with the truth.

"I'm sorry if I have given you the wrong impression, Midori-san, but I can never lie to you. In truth, I've been in love with you since our days in the academy. You may have never noticed me, but I've always noticed you."

Gai looked expectantly at Midori who seemed to be staring at him in a dazed state when she finally said:

"You have freakishly bushy eyebrows."

Not exactly the reply he was looking for.

After that, he began to confront Midori more frequently, becoming bolder each time. It took him his fifth confrontation for her to remember him as she'd always say:

"Oh, it's you, the guy with the bushy brows."

It may not be how he'd like fore her to remember him by, but it was a start, and he'd continue to improve what little relationship they had.

Four years later, he was praised with great fortune to be put on the same squad with Midori. The two of them, along with four others were to infiltrate into the Mist village and steal a scroll that held secrets to the downfall of Konoha.

The raid was successful, no one knew of their presence, and it wasn't until they were halfway back from Mist when they were finally caught up by Mist Anbu. Gai's team used the trees to lose their pursuers.

They were ambushed and forced into combat. Three were cut down but more continued to come, and to Gai's horror Midori was seriously injured as she was caught in deadly jutsu—or more like stepped in front of it to prevent it from hitting Gai from behind.

"Midori-san!" he called, as he stabbed a Mist-nin out of his way and ran to Midori's side. He shook her shoulders, getting no response.

"Gai-san! Get Midori-san out of here!" shouted one of his teammates. Gai nodded as he gathered Midori into his arms and ran towards their country.

As he ran, he looked down at Midori, her blood beginning to soak through his jounin uniform.

"Why…?" came a weak response, making Gai stop and look back down at Midori who was weakly look up at him. "Why…risk yourself…for me?"

"Because, I love you with all of my being. I'll protect you with my life." he said, before continuing onwards towards Konoha.

When he reached Konoha with inhuman speed, he didn't stop until he was at the hospital where Midori was rushed to intensive care. After her ten hour operation, Gai stayed by Midori's side, stroking her hand and whispering how much he loved her.

On the second day after being in the hospital, Midori stirred, waking up to a relieved looking Gai.

"Gai, have you been at my side this whole time?" she asked. Tears brimmed at the corners of his eyes after hearing her finally say his name. Taking her hand into his he smiled at her and said:

"You're so reckless."

And for the first time, she smiled at him, squeezing his hand slightly. After another year, they were married—though they made an odd couple, Gai being energetic and spirited while Midori was mellow and calm.


Present day

Gai walked home with his wife and son, holding Midori's hand as he told her about how well his students had done in today's sparring. And Midori listened, having nothing better to do until they reached their home.

"Their flames of youth have yet to disappoint!" Gai shouted enthusiastically.

"Quit yellin' like a dang fool, you'll wake up our son." Midori said.

"I'm sorry, koibito, you know how I get sometimes." Gai said with a sheepish grin. Midori smiled.

"Your son learned to pull himself up onto his feet today, that's why I showed up in the fields today, so he could show you."

"He has? My, he'll become a splendid ninja someday, and maybe he'll become one of my student's subordinate, too?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself, let's just take things slowly."

"Of course."

The End


AN: How was that? Sweet? Strange? Awkward? I wrote this because I wanted to get it out of my system and I did.