Chapter 1

Before They Were Rivals

Kakashi Hatake stood patiently outside the thick wooden door that hid the Hokage's office from view. The ANBU guards posted on either side of the door had given him the option of sitting in one of the chairs lining the hallway, but he'd turned their offer down. After all, one look at the sturdy chairs made it clear to Kakashi that his feet wouldn't come close to reaching the floor, and the last thing the four year old wanted to do – especially in front of the ANBU giants – was remind anyone that he was so young. So he stood in the hallway, positioned just opposite the sturdy door which kept him from hearing the conversation going on between his father, the Third Hokage, the Village Elders, and the Academy Instructors.

When Kakashi's vigil entered its second hour, he shifted his weight from foot to foot in an attempt to keep his circulation going – just like his father taught him – while eying the comfortable-looking chair to the left. Kakashi furrowed his brow and tried to block his brain's feeble attempts to convince him that it was okay to take a seat. He tried to counter its logic by determining that sitting on such a thin layer of padding for any longer than ten minutes was bound to feel like torture...but this theory was thrown out the window when he looked away from the tempting chair and spied a dark-haired boy – not much older than himself – curled up in another one of those very chairs. The boy was snoring away quite contentedly and looking very comfortable.

Kakashi sighed and tugged at the dark mask that covered the lower half of his face. He'd only been wearing it for about six months now – ever since his father let him start training outside of their own family compound – and he was still getting used to how it bunched up under his ears. His father said he'd get used to it eventually, and considering Kakashi couldn't remember him ever not wearing his mask...he figured he must know what he was talking about. Still though, when Kakashi was sweating, or otherwise uncomfortable, the mask just added to his misery. Of course, there was no way Kakashi would ever complain to his father about it...no way at all...not after begging the man to start training him in the first place...and Kakashi figured if the mask came off, his training with his father would end.

Nope – Kakashi would just have to deal with it. After all...it had to be better than other alternatives, right? He glanced back toward the sleeping boy and saw he was now sprawled across not one, but two of the seats – half on and half off the chairs. Kakashi's eyes went wide when he caught the sight of the horribly bright, seemingly skintight green outfit the kid was wearing. It reminded Kakashi of the pajamas his mother used to try to make him wear when he was two...the ones that had feet sown into them and a trap door at his backside. Kakashi suppressed a shiver at the memory.

Yup – things could definitely be much worse than wearing a mask...he could be forced to wear his pajamas in public like this poor kid! Kakashi frowned. That kid sure did look comfortable though...but surely that had more to do with being on the chair than wearing that horrible outfit. He edged over toward the empty chair, thinking that maybe he could prove his theory by sitting down himself, when the door to the Hokage's office was pushed open. All thoughts of the chair, the pajama-wearing boy, or Kakashi's own discomfort, disappeared as one of the two ANBU guards motioned for him to walk through the open doorway.

Kakashi felt his heart speed up at the idea of getting to see the inside of the Hokage's office, and he was actually glad he was wearing his mask, because he was pretty sure his mouth was stretched in a stupid grin while he tried not to stumble into the room. Just as the doors were closed behind him, Kakashi could have sworn he heard someone wishing him 'gobs of luck.'

-- --

Sakumo Hatake watched his diminutive son step into the room and found he was holding his breath, hoping the boy didn't stumble as he crossed to stand at his side. He shouldn't have worried. Kakashi held his head up and his back straight as he walked calmly across the wooden floor. The only thing that gave away the boy's curiosity was the way his eyes would shift to take in every single adult in the room. Sakumo smiled behind his mask when some of these stuffy old men and women actually seemed a bit intimidated by his four year old son.

Kakashi walked directly to stand in front of the Hokage and – just as they had practiced earlier in the day – bowed to show his respect to the Third. A low chuckle came from the Hokage's throat, and Sakumo saw the telltale tensing of Kakashi's shoulders that could lead to an outburst that might undo all the hard work he'd been through over the past two hours. But, to Sakumo's surprise and relief, Kakashi simply straightened himself up and cocked his head to the side, silently letting it be known he wasn't sure what was funny.

The Third coughed a bit and then smiled. "I see what you meant when you said little Kakashi wasn't exactly an average four year old. If I didn't see you standing there next to him, Sakumo, I'd have sworn someone had used a shrinking jutsu on you."

Sakumo chuckled, and placed the palm of his hand on the top of Kakashi's head – a movement that he barely thought about, and one that Kakashi did his best to squirm out from under without looking like he was squirming out from under it. "Yes, well he does seem to have inherited his looks from my side of the family."

"But is that all he has to offer Konoha, Hatake? A pretty face?" Danzou's gruff voice grated against Sakumo's nerves.

He turned toward where Danzou and the other Elders were standing with their eyes glaring toward his boy. Sakumo pushed down the urge to slaughter the lot of them for that man's narrowly veiled insult, and instead crinkled his eyes into a forced smile.

"I believe that was why we were meeting today, Danzou. I'm sorry if the concept was not explained slowly enough for you to grasp."

Danzou's eyes flashed angrily toward him, and his hand gripped his walking stick until the knuckles showed bone-white. "How dare you?!?"

Sakumo was almost disappointed when the Hokage stepped between them. "Perhaps it's time to let the boy know why we've brought him in here, don't you think, Sakumo?"

He took that as both the diplomatic escape from the situation it was, and the reminder that his very impressionable four year old genius was still in the room. Sakumo cleared his throat and bowed his head to the man's wisdom. "As you wish, Hokage."

The Third turned his attention back to Kakashi and knelt on the floor until he was eye to eye with him. "Well then, Kakashi...do you know why we're here today?"

Kakashi narrowed his eyes and Sakumo knew the kid was wondering just why such a bunch of idiots had anything to do with deciding his fate. Fortunately, his boy didn't choose to share that answer with the Hokage.

"To let me know if I get to go to the Academy, Lord Hokage."

Sakumo felt a swell of pride rush over him at Kakashi's well thought out response. He relaxed a bit more, and settled in to watch the final interview continue. The Third smiled at his boy before continuing.

"But wouldn't you rather play ninja with children your own age, Kakashi?"

Kakashi's dark gray eyes narrowed. "Being a ninja is not a game, Lord Hokage. Shouldn't you already know that?"

Sakumo held back a chuckle when he saw the look of surprise on the Third's face. He imagined his own face held that exact same look when Kakashi used those words on him less than seven months ago. Unlike his own rather startled reaction, the Hokage calmly continued questioning the boy.

"And if we let you into the Academy, Kakashi, what would you do?"

Sakumo watched his boy roll his eyes slightly before he responded. "I'd learn what I don't already know, get better at what I do already know, and do my best to serve the Village."

One of the Academy Instructors stepped forward – a short, squat man with no hair to speak of. "Lord Hokage...that answer in itself is proof that this kid has been coached on how to respond to us. There's no way a four year old would ever use words like that."

Sakumo smirked behind his mask, even as he watched his son's ears turn bright red from anger. Kakashi spun to face the moronic Instructor. "Just because you couldn't speak well at my age doesn't mean I can't. My father hasn't told me how to speak since I was two."

The Instructor's mouth fell open and his eyes went wide. Another one of the Academy Instructor's stepped forward – this one tall and lanky, with dark hair cut in an oh-so-fashionable bowl cut. If Sakumo remembered correctly, this was one of the higher classes' instructors.

"Lord Hokage, there is still the matter of whether or not the boy would be able to keep up with the other students at the Academy. After all, this boy will be a year or two younger than the other entry-level students. We wouldn't want him to feel out of place, now would we?"

Sakumo had to suppress the laugh that threatened to escape his lips at the look of utter horror on his son's face. He figured he'd better step in before things got ugly. "I'm sure you remember that we discussed having Kakashi tested to determine what his placement would be. I doubt he'd be placed with the entry-level students, Sensei."

The Instructor turned to face Sakumo. "I know you're proud of your son, Sakumo, but you shouldn't let your pride of the boy's accomplishments blind you to the fact he is likely no better than any of the other pre-genin in the Academy."

The Hokage walked to his chair and motioned for Kakashi to follow him before Sakumo had the chance to respond. "I think perhaps the best way to clear this up is to follow through with the test. Once little Kakashi is finished, and the test is reviewed, then we can determine his placement."

The Instructors all bowed their heads in agreement, and Sakumo was about to breathe a sigh of relief, when Danzou entered the conversation again. "I have a few additional questions to add to the test to make certain the boy wasn't coached on how to answer the standard placement test."

Sakumo narrowed his eyes and glared hard at the man who was limping toward where Kakashi was settling onto the Hokage's chair to start the test. "What are you implying, Danzou?"

The Elder chuckled darkly, even as he placed a stack of papers on the desk. "Are you worried your precious boy won't do well, Sakumo?"

He saw Kakashi's dark eyes look up at him and Sakumo knew he needed to phrase his response carefully. "I know Kakashi will do just fine on your test, Danzou. In fact, I should thank you...because now there should be no question of what his placement should be in the Academy."

The Hokage smiled. "That's a good point Sakumo. Now, please wait in the Mission Room until Kakashi is finished. That way none of these good men and women will think you helped the boy out during the test in any way."

Sakumo smiled back at the Third's strategic move. Although he would have preferred to be there for Kakashi, he knew his presence would only fuel Danzou's campaign to prove the boy would cheat. So Sakumo bowed his head at the Hokage's wisdom once more, and turned to leave. Just as he was about to step through the door on the other side of the room that led to the Mission Room, he turned back to see Kakashi staring after him expectantly. He gave Kakashi a two-fingered wave and a smile, then stepped through the door to wait.

-- --

Gai woke up to the sound of yelling coming from inside the room his Dad had gone into a long time ago. He wasn't sure what the heck was going on, but he was sure glad the noise wasn't directed at him! Gai stretched his arms above his head and yawned. He looked around the hallway trying to blink away the last of his sleepiness when the door to the room opened and the noise got so loud Gai had to press his hands to his ears.

He watched a bunch of old people rush out into the hall. None of them looked too happy, and Gai frowned, wondering what could have possibly happened on such a fine day to make so many people so angry. He wasn't in the habit of listening to other people's conversations, but every one of them was talking so loud that he couldn't help it...even with his hands over his ears! Especially that mean looking guy with the stick and the bandages...his voice was so loud it almost made Gai want to cry.

"I still say if the boy scored so high he should be entered into ROOT immediately."

Gai saw a bunch of old folk nodding their heads in agreement and then his eyes went wide when he saw his dad walk out and disagree with the man. "I'm sorry you think that – but the Hokage has already signed the boy's placement papers into the Academy for Monday morning. There's really nothing more to do about it."

The scary man turned around so fast that Gai couldn't help but gasp. His dad almost walked into the man but stopped just in time. The old guy leaned in close to his dad before talking again. "We'll see about that, Sensei. This isn't over yet!"

With that, the old folks stormed out of the hallway, Gai's dad sighed, and then he turned to where Gai was watching everything with wide eyes. His dad smiled at him, and Gai took that as the sign that it was okay for him to speak now.

"Geez Dad, who the heck was that old guy? And why was he yelling at you? And who were you guys talking about? Was it me? Was it me?? Can I go to Academy now?? Huh?? Can I?"

His dad sat in the chair next to him and motioned for Gai to sit on his lap. Gai smiled wider and jumped over to land right where his dad wanted him. "Now settle down Gai. This didn't have anything to do with you. You haven't taken the entrance test yet, have you?"

That wiped the smile off Gai's face and he thrust his lower lip out in a pout. "No sir...I haven't."

His dad chuckled at him and rubbed soothing circles on his back. "Don't worry son...I'm sure your youthful eagerness is sure to shine once you take the exam. And who knows – perhaps you'll do as well as little Kakashi Hatake did."

Gai scrunched his face up in confusion and tipped his head back until he could see his dad's face. "Who's Kashi Hatucki?"

A quiet voice from the direction of the room his dad just came from made Gai jump a little. "It's Kakashi Hatake...and that would be me."

Gai turned to stare at where the voice came from and came face to face with a kid who was actually shorter than he was. His hair was a silvery white mess – sticking out in all sorts of directions – and the bottom half of his face was covered up by a mask. Gai jumped off his dad's knees and reached out to shake the kid's hand.

"Hi there! I'm Gai!" The kid just stared at him. Gai frowned and put his hands on his hips. "Hey – hasn't anyone every taught you about shaking hands?"

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Hasn't anyone ever taught you about washing your hands?"

Gai looked down and noticed his hands had bits and pieces of the rice ball he'd eaten for his snack while he had waited for his dad. He frowned and busily wiped them off on his jumpsuit before pushing the now cleaned hand back toward Kakashi. "Sorry about that."

Kakashi just stared at Gai's hand – never moving to take it – even after a really tall man stepped up and placed his hand on top of the kid's silver hair. "Kakashi, who's your new friend? Aren't you going to introduce me?"

Gai smiled brightly and shifted his attention to the grownup. "Hey – you look just like him – only bigger!"

The man chuckled and reached down to shake Gai's still outstretched hand. "That's because I'm his father, Sakumo Hatake. And who are you?"

Gai pulled himself up to his tallest and grinned back. "I'm Gai Maito! Glad to meet you! So is it really true that Kashi here is going to go to the Academy? That's so cool!"

"Yes, Gai – that's right. In fact your father will be teaching him, isn't that right, Gaman?"

Gai craned his neck to look back at his dad while he let go of Kakashi's dad's hand. "Really Dad? But I thought you didn't teach the new kids? Does that mean you'll teach me when I get to go to the Academy after all?"

His dad stood up and joined them, laughing a bit. "Ah, I'm sorry about this, Sakumo. Gai just seems to have a lot of energy these days. I don't know how he does it."

Kakashi's dad shrugged. "Have you tried finding him something to spend that energy on? He's tall enough already he could probably learn some Taijutsu moves. That should help tire him out a bit."

"I'll have to look into that. After all, his mother and I have tried just about everything else at this point."

Gai frowned. Wasn't his dad going to answer his question? He tugged at his dad's slacks. "Dad! So are you teaching new kids now? Huh?"

His dad knelt down in front of him and placed a hand on each of his shoulders. "Not exactly, Gai. Kakashi will be going straight into the advanced classes – so that's why I get to teach him."

Gai frowned and thought about what his dad had said.. Then he took a closer look at the kid and scratched his head. "So Kashi's smarter than me?"

His dad smiled at him. "I wouldn't necessarily say that, Gai."

He saw Kakashi roll his eyes. "I would."

Kakashi's father slapped the back of the kid's head. "That's not nice, Kakashi. Apologize...now!"

Gai watched him rub the spot his dad just hit and then glare toward him. "Fine. I'm sorry you're not as smart as me."

"Kakashi Hatake!"

The silver-haired boy crossed his arms in front of him. "Fine...sorry."

Gai smiled. "That's okay Kashi. I'll just have to work really, really hard until I'm better than you!"

Kakashi's father chuckled at that. "Look out, Kakashi...looks like you've got yourself your first rival."

Gai's smile widened and he placed his hands on his hips once more. "That's right...from now on, Kashi Hatucki, I'm gonna be your Eternal Rival!"

Kakashi sighed and started walking towards the exit. "Good luck with that."

Gai grinned and pointed his thumb up into the air, even as Kakashi's father moved to catch up with his boy. "Thank you for wishing me luck, Kashi Hatucki! I can't wait until we meet again!"