Chapter 7
Gai had been living with Aya and Lee for three months now. He was happy to be close to his lover while she was pregnant with his child, but he found that Lee was, dare he say it, annoying. He loved his student, but every time he came home from a mission, Lee would drill him with questions about the mission, training, and anything else. Gai just wanted some down time, but it seemed that no matter what room he went in, Lee was always there.
Aya came down the stairs to the living room where Gai was sitting tensely next to Lee. His prized student hadn't shut up about his last two dates with Sakura for the past half an hour. Gai looked back at Aya. She raised her eyebrow at him. He hadn't realized he was looking at her desperately.
"I'm going to the market," Aya announced as she walked toward the door to slip her sandals on.
"I'll go with you," Gai stated standing and walking to the front door.
"Lee, can you make sure all the expired food in the fridge and cabinets is thrown away before we get back?" Aya asked her little brother. Gai exhaled; relieved he could have some time away from the young man.
"Of course, sister," Lee grinned and gave her a thumbs up.
They left the house and as soon as they were at the end of the path, Aya turned on Gai.
"What the hell is going on?" She asked and concerned and annoyed look on her face.
Gai put his hands on his hips and tossed his head back as he exhaled loudly.
"I'm waiting," Aya said through clenched teeth.
"It's Lee," Gai stated simply.
"What?" Aya asked her face softening.
"He doesn't give me any time to myself. Everywhere I go, he goes. He doesn't stop talking to me. It's constant," Gai answered.
"I don't understand," Aya whispered. "Lee loves you, Gai. He looks up to you. He just wants to share his life with you."
"I know," Gai said pinching the bridge of his nose. "But I'm so close to snapping."
"Oh, Honey, please don't," Aya moved toward him and wrapped her hands around his bicep.
"I will try my best, but I don't know how long I can hold it all in," Gai said taking a step forward. Aya followed still holding on to him.
"Okay," she smiled. "Let's talk about something else."
"Like what?" Gai asked as they reached the market.
"Like god parents," Aya grinned.
"Huh?" Gai looked completely lost.
"God parents," Aya said again. "You know, friends or family who can be signed off as guardians if anything happens to us. Kind of like an honorary aunt and uncle."
"Oh," Gai said finally understanding. They walked through the door to the market.
"I had a suggestion for a god father, but I didn't know how you would feel about it," Aya said biting her lip. She grabbed a basket and started for the produce.
Gai followed close behind and grabbed a few bags of fresh apples and carrots. He threw them in the basket. "Who were you thinking?"
Aya stopped walking to look at his face. "I want to ask Kakashi."
Just as she said the name Gai's head snapped up as the aforementioned silver-haired man came toward them.
"Hello," Kakashi smiled in greeting. "I heard my name."
"That you did," Aya answered him. "How are you, Kakashi?"
"Doing well, thank you," he said. "Gai, good to see you. And how's the baby?"
Aya rubbed her hand across her engorged belly. "She's healthy."
Gai looked down at the mother of his child and smiled. He was so excited to be a father.
"So, why did I hear my name?" Kakashi asked.
"Well, I wanted, I mean, w-we wanted to ask you something," Aya stumbled on her words.
"Sure, what can I help you with?" Kakashi said relaxing his shoulders.
"Walk with us," Aya said. "I need to get this done. We'll talk as we go."
Kakashi nodded and Gai stayed close to Aya. They began walking toward the back of the store. Gai could see Aya was blushing slightly. He knew she was nervous. He squeezed her shoulder to let her know it was okay.
"So, your question," Kakashi paused.
"R-right," Aya stuttered again. "We wanted to ask you to be the god father of our child."
Kakashi stopped and blinked a few times staring at the small pregnant woman in front of him.
"Do you accept, rival?" Gai asked.
"I-I, yes. I accept," Kakashi smiled. "I would be honored."
"Really?" Aya grinned. "Oh, thank you, Kakashi."
"Of course," Kakashi put his hand on Aya's shoulder. "Thank you for asking me."
Aya and Gai nodded. Kakashi said his goodbyes and the couple finished their shopping trip. The entire way home, Aya was beside herself with happiness. Gai was happy that she was happy.
-X-
By the time Aya was at the end of her ninth month of pregnancy Gai was a wreck. He was nervous about the baby coming. He was incredibly nervous about Aya and how she would be during and after the delivery. Lee wouldn't stop talking in Gai's ear every chance he had. It put Gai on edge constantly. He was trying so hard to keep his promise to Aya and not snap on Lee, but it was proving very difficult. And on top of that, Gai was scheduled for a mission the next day. He was so afraid of missing the birth of his child. Aya was already having plenty of contractions every day, but no matter how many times she assured him they weren't close enough together, he couldn't shake the feeling he was going to miss everything.
When Aya and Lee were fast asleep, Gai slipped out of the house. He walked slowly down the path toward town. The cool October air felt calming on his skin. Not long after he left the house, Gai found himself standing outside the apartment complex Kakashi lived in. He stared at it for a minute or so before walking up the concrete stairs to the floor his best friend lived on.
He stood staring at the number on the door for too long. He didn't know how many minutes passed as he stood there contemplating his decision. He raised his hand and knocked. The door opened fairly quickly, revealing Kakashi in his lounge clothes.
"May I come in?" Gai asked.
Kakashi nodded and stepped aside to let the man in.
"Where's Satsu?" Gai asked.
"Sleeping," Kakashi said shortly as he closed the door. "It's late Gai, what's wrong?"
Gai shook his head, "I'm scared."
"Scared of what?" Kakashi asked. "Is Aya all right?"
"She's fine," Gai answered. "I'm scheduled to leave tomorrow on a mission to Suna. I don't know how long it will take and I'm so afraid I'm going to miss the birth of my daughter."
Kakashi put his hand on Gai's shoulder. Gai exhaled loudly. It felt good to tell someone.
"What do you want me to do?" Kakashi asked.
"If the baby comes while I'm way," Gai started. "Could you be with Aya, I don't know, for support?"
"You're sure you want me there?" Kakashi asked. "Does Aya want me there?"
"I haven't asked her," Gai said sitting down on the couch feeling like this was a bad decision.
"You probably should have talked to her before you dragged yourself over here, Gai," Kakashi berated.
"Yeah," Gai sighed. "I just don't want her to be alone."
"She won't be, Gai," Kakashi said. "She has, Lee, remember?"
Gai laughed, "I'm such an idiot."
Kakashi took a seat next to him. "No, you're not. You're just worried about the woman you love. She'll be fine. She's a strong woman. Even if you're not there, she'll have her brother, and me, too, if you both really do want me there."
"Thank you, Kakashi," Gai said relief in his voice. "It puts my mind at ease."
"Of course, Gai," Kakashi smiled. "You should probably go home. Suna is a hard trek during the cooler months."
Gai nodded and stood from the couch. Kakashi followed him to the door and let him out. Before Gai left he turned to his best friend. "Thank you, again."
"Don't mention it," Kakashi said. Gai walked down the hallway. He heard the door to Kakashi's apartment close as he made his way down the concrete stairs.
Gai's mind was at ease again. He inhaled deeply. The cool October air calmed his body. He felt like everything was going to work out.
