Neji Hyuuga nervously approached his Sensei.

Why? Why am I doing this? He thought. Why shame myself like this, over something so meaningless?

He was reluctant, but willing to risk the loss of his reputation, his self-respect, his honor.

And all of this to prove something to Lee.

Breathlessly, he ventured to ask

"Sensei?"

"Yes Neji?" Gai replied. His back was turned, but he tried all the same to give attention to his student.

Neji swallowed and attempted to calm himself. "I wanted to speak to you about our team."

"I'm very proud of our team Neji— especially Lee." Gai said.

"Yes. . . Lee. . . " Neji said darkly. "I've seen the way you talk to him. . . The way you look at him. . . But I could never understand why. . . It bothered me."

"Really?" Gai asked calmly "I didn't know that it bothered you."

Drawing a deep breath, Neji continued.

"It always bothered me, and I didn't know why. It disgusted me, until I realized . . . that . . . I was jealous."

"Jealous?" Gai asked interestedly "Why?"

Trying to steady his trembling hands, Neji replied

"He constantly went on about you, how great a teacher you were, so understanding, so wise, how you always listened to him . . . And I wondered . . . why you never listened to me."

"What are you talking about Neji?" Gai asked, sounding concerned. "When have I ever not listened to you?"

"You didn't have time for me." Neji said bitterly. "It was always Lee. . . Saying how greatly he admired you. . . And you just didn't get it . . . how much I admired you."

The trembling grew worse, still Neji continued. "And you, constantly training, trying so hard to prove your superiority to Kakashi Hatake . . ."

"I had to Neji," Gai insisted "Kakashi is my rival!"

"There was nothing to prove," Neji said darkly. "It didn't matter what he was.

I always thought . . . thought that you were better . . . than . . ."

He couldn't act as if he were calm anymore. Neji fell to his knees, drawing a gasping breath, which sounded much more like a sob.

Now Gai turned to look at him, gritting his teeth. A tear ran down Neji's face.

"Oh Neji," Gai said sympathetically "I feel the same way about y—"

Neji broke into hysterical laughter, no longer able to restrain himself.

"Better than Kakashi!" He scoffed "I can't say that with a straight face!"

"Neji!" Lee yelled, walking over to them. "You are a monster!"

"Just what the hell is going on?!" Gai said in confusion.

Lee sighed as Neji , who was weak with laughter, attempted to stand.

"Lee?" Gai said suspiciously "Did you have something to do with this?"

"Yes Sensei." Lee said. "Neji and I had a fight about you."

"About me?" Gai asked.

"Yes Sensei. I said that Neji should confess you that his defiant behavior can be blamed only on jealousy. Because he feels that you neglect him and favor me, but secretly considerers you to be the best Sensei in the world. But Neji said that he could not keep a straight face if he tried to tell you that. So I made a bet with him that he could make his confession calmly, because it is the truth, and the truth can always be told with a straight face. But Neji was right and I was wrong, he has made an honest effort, and has won our bet."

"I told you he was the devil," Neji said through his ill-restrained laughter.

"Lee?" Gai said in frustration."

"Yes Satan?—Sensei!—Yes Sensei!" Lee faltered.

"You mean this was all an act for a bet you two made?"

Lee bowed his head, and replied "Yes, I am sorry Sensei."

"So Hyuuga's here pissing himself, nearly chocking to death, all on account of a lack of respect for me?!" Gai asked angrily.

"I am sorry, Sensei." Lee repeated.

THE END