Chapter 1 – Gai

The full moon hung low in the sky, just above the faces of the Hokages, and owls hooted softly and hunted even more softly. Ninja watchmen walked the walls of the city below them, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. Most of the people were asleep—save those who worked in the hospital and the occasional mysterious figures.

Maito Gai's apartment door silently opened. A shadow slipped in, and quickly set to work. First he went over to the bed and made sure Gai was asleep, and then used some unknown jutsu to ensure he wouldn't wake up. Then he went over to the closet and started emptying it of clothes. Within minutes, all of Gai's beloved green jumpsuits were replaced with brown priest robes…all save the one Gai wore.

The shadow went back to the door, and before leaving made another sign releasing the jutsu that held Gai in sleep. Then he was gone.

The sun's rays gently caressed Konoha with its morning light. Birds flittered about, accompanying many of the villages early morning chores with their sweet chatter.The sun stretched and filtered through Maito Gai's room waking its occupant.

Rock Lee was yanked from his sleep by the sound of his sensei screaming. He leapt from his bed and in seconds was at his sensei's door, demanding to know what was wrong and if he was alright.

A very red faced Gai opened the door. "No Lee, all is not right. Look what some—Fiend—has done!"

He stepped back to allow Lee into the room. Lee stopped just inside Gai's room. The sight before him struck terror in his very soul. He didn't know if he should cry or scream like his sensei.

All the wonderful green jumpsuits were gone!

"Who did this?" Lee asked unable tear his gaze from the gruesome sight.

"I don't know…they were here last night but they are all gone now!" Gai ran out the front door as if the culprit were still lurking about. Gai spotted a potential culprit at once: his eternal rival was strolling down the street, one hand in his pocket the other holding up the typical book.

"Kakashi!"

Hatake Kakashi looked up. "Yes? I wasn't aware it was time for our match yet." Gai felt Kakashi sounded to bored to have just played such a devious trick on him.

"Did you steal my beloved jumpsuits as revenge for loosing yesterday?" Gai's question sounded more like an accusation.

Kakashi stared at Gai for a moment wondering if he was joking, "Uh…no."

"Prove it!"

Kakashi sighed, and beckoned Gai and Lee to follow.

Kakashi took them to his house and allowed them to view his green jumpsuit free room.

Gai hung his head in defeat. He had no other ideas on what to do.

Lee was the one to come up with what should be done for the day. "Gai-sensei! Use mine! We will not give up until we find this villain who has stolen your cloths!"

Gai grinned at his pupil. "Yosh! We must find this person today, or we will do 500 one handed pull-ups!" Gai and Lee ran out to get Gai a jumpsuit and then to search for the villain.

Kakashi smiled behind his mask; he could now spend his morning reading in peace. Hi thoughts were interrupted by a wandering memory, he was supposed to meet his pupils today. He glanced at the clock. Forty-five minutes late. Ah, well. He pulled out his book and headed over to the Academy to pick up Team 7 and only spared a passing thought to who ever might have taken Gai's clothing, who ever it was he would congratulate on a prank well played.

Aoba walked down the street in front of Gai's apartment. He was going to pass without a second thought when something caught his attention. A small glinting something lay in the ground in front of him. He bent down and picked it up.

It was a small number six. It was no bigger than the nail on his pinky, and was some sort of stiff silver plastic.

He stared at it for just a moment, then put it in his pocket absently. It was probably just a bit of party confetti, he mused as he headed off to his destination.

The shadow was bored. And when that person got bored, things tended to happen…

The shadow was mad that Kakashi had been blamed for his prank. He thought it would've been obvious that he had done it—especially as he and Gai didn't get along at all. He'd have to try again. So he bought some paint—lots of it.