In reality, sparring with the other team wasn't bad. It was a nice change from the ordinary.
Except Kakashi didn't see it as a change at all. Naruto was still holding back. Something that everyone seemed to notice. He was just barely holding his ground against Neji.
The first fight had been with Sasuke and Lee, and had ended in a draw. As no jutsus were allowed it had been unimaginable speed and strength against unimaginable speed and strength. After three hours both Gai and Kakashi had called a tie.
And now, Neji and Naruto were fighting. Gai was simply thrilled that his Neji was almost beating the snot out of the loud-mouthed, orange clad student of Kakashi's. But Neji was irritated beyond belief.
"You're holding back!" He snarled as Naruto barely dodged a kick and easily dodged the punch Naruto threw at him. "Don't insult me by going easy!"
Naruto ignored him and they continued this charade for a very long time. If they had cared to, the fight could have lasted well past nightfall and fatigue would have decided the winner, but by sunset everyone else was bored out of their minds.
Neji was pissed by the time the two senseis decided to call it a draw. He knew that Naruto was capable of a lot more than what he had shown that day, and for the life of him he couldn't see why he wouldn't just let go and give it his all.
Sasuke had admitted that Naruto beat him in a fight the previous night, and Neji found himself jealous that the Uchiha had actually been faced with a challenge.
"Well, it looks like Kakashi's great students aren't that great after all!" Gai was gloating. "A little more training and we'll have you beat."
There was a lot of sighing and eye rolling at this.
"You know that sparring only shows hand to hand combat skills and if any jutsus were to be used all bets are off, right?" Kakashi said, keeping a smile on his face.
The two sensei's walked off bickering, leaving their students standing there awkwardly.
"Well, I have to go." Sakura said quietly and left the group in an even more awkward silence. Tenten soon followed.
The guys stood in silence for a few more minutes before Lee darted off, shouting over his shoulder, "I must go meet Gai sensei. He must have forgotten that we are having dinner together!"
Neji and Sasuke exchanged looks and walked away without saying a word. Naruto pouted for a minute before hopping up into a tree and lounging on a wide branch. He had no intent of going home.
