Author's Note: I'm really sorry about this chapter I didn't notice that I had accidentally erased it until a few days ago! Also if there might be some differences from the original I posted, but still the same story line.
Naruto's shocked expression was enough to let Kakashi know that it would probably be best if Lael went back to the tent before things got out of hand. Before he could suggest that though the dark haired boy left without another word. Naruto stared at the retreating back for a moment in anger before turning to him in what looked to be hope. "Sensei couldn't you just order him not to kill Sasuke?"
Looking toward his student he shook his head. "I could be I doubt it would work Naruto." The bright determination in Naruto's eyes assured him that his student wasn't going to give up. With that settled he decided that it would be best to follow Lael and have a talk with him.
...
Lael knew that Kakashi and Naruto were displeased with what he had told them. But he also knew that there was no point in denying something that was so blatantly obvious. Thinking about the moments before he shuddered with the memories and the feelings that washed over him. He had been young that was true and he remembered everything imperfectly despite what he told the other's. But there was one thing that he would never forget and the was being raped and the rejection from his own father thereafter.
Shaking the thoughts away he focused on what the next day would bring. Kakash-san probably wants to go all out and see what I can do. But he doubted that would work, after all he could exactly hurt the other and he was fairly sure that his collar would fell him before he even made a move in that direction. Perhaps it would be better for us to fight in teams of two like his squad does.
The thought had merit and it also solved the problem of him being unable to fight his master as well as letting him go all out without any interference. Nodding to himself he looked around as he walked wondering what his master was going to think of it. Looking around he watched as the people milled about on their business enjoying life. Perhaps I should take lessons from them and just enjoy the moments that I have.
He was shaken from his thoughts when his master was suddenly walking next to him his orange book in front of his face. "We need to talk Kakash-san." Without looking up the other nodded and once again Lael felt the sudden urge to strangle the other! The burning at his throat warned him that such thoughts would get him into a great deal of pain if he didn't redirect them.
Breathing slowly through his nose he was startled to notice "their" tent in front of them. Relieved he moved to enter but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Looking at the dark eye he waited, "Maa what was it you wanted to talk about Lael-san?" Flinching inwardly at the tone of voice he rearranged his thoughts. "I came to the conclusion that it would be counter-productive for me to spar with you seeing as I am unable to cause you harm. I thought it might be a better idea to fight in teams like you did the other day."
Kakashi seemed to contemplate it for a second then he nodded. "In the morning Pakkun will show you where." Nodding he watched silently as the other jutsu-ed away. It wasn't surprising that the other had left him, Kakashi seemed to do that at random intervals when he wanted to be alone. It also gave Lael a chance for some of his own privacy.
Entering the tent he sat on his cot and pulled out a journal that Sakura had given him. Opening it he started writing not really making any sense he continued adding doodles and little drawings when he got bored. Finally as the light faded he lay back and stared once again at the small stain on the tent ceiling that looking oddly like a cat curled in on itself. With these musing he finally fell asleep.
...
Pakkun looked at Kakashi and grumbled slightly. "Yeah?" His human was standing next to that rock again, the one that held all the names of the fallen. "I need you to go to Lael and bring him to training ground five." With that said his human simply turned back to the rock his eye dark and dismissive. Pakkun thought there was something he should remember about training ground five but dismissed it when nothing came to mind.
Jumping towards the tents he sniffed out the one that Kakashi had been sleeping in the past week. As he ran through the roads he wondered about this other human that was suddenly apart of Kakashi's life. His human was prone to keeping people at arms length, it was only when he was given the genin team that he had shown any sort of interest in another person's life. That interest had been limited and had nearly been broken when the Uchiha had defected.
Now there was this other human suddenly in Kakashi's life not by his own choice. It seemed to him that while Kakashi was curious he was also keeping his distance from this particular other. He was also aware that it wasn't working, it had been the same with Obito the human that had challenged Kakashi when he was younger. They hadn't gotten along well either but that had made the Uchiha Kakashi's best friend someone who considered Kakashi on the same lever as himself.
Grunting a little he smelled the other human who it seemed was part not-human as well. "Hey Kid get out here so I can show you were to go." The flap moved and he was met with intense eyes and a nod. "Just a second." Something told Pakkun that he was going to like this human he couldn't wait to tell the other ninken.
...
Lael knew better than to think that Kakashi would be on time so he lay in the grass and tried not to be bored out of his mind. The dog... scratch that ninken. Pakkun had been interesting to meet, the dog was blunt but Lael liked him. He was glad too because from what he knew about contract they didn't end until the contractee died. Which meant that they would be around each other for the duration of Kakashi's life, which if the collar had it's way was going to be a long long time.
A gentle breeze brought the sounds of fighting towards him from off to his left. He's only an hour late so far, I should have time to check it out. Nodding to himself he stood and brushed off the grass now clinging in bits and pieces to his pants.
Walking slowly he arrived just outside a clearing where it seemed another group of ninja were sparring and training themselves. But it wasn't that particular fact the caught his attention. No all he could think was... Green? Who where's green spandex? Especially that shade! His apparent shock was quickly forgotten when he had to dodge half a dozen projectiles.
Crouching he suddenly rolled as a foot swept past the place his head had been, looking at his attackers he blinked. A young woman with two buns on the sides of her head and a man with violet-grey eyes and no pupils. Before anything more could happen the man suddenly put his hand on the girls shoulders. "Wait Tenten he's not the enemy." The girl nodded and smiled.
Blinking he wondered if somehow he had met this particular ninja. Seeing his confusion the other softened his features, "I'm Neji Hyuuga and this is Tenten we weren't aware there were others sharing the training ground." Relaxing himself he stood brushing the leaves and dirt off nodding he frowned internally at his master.
"Neither was I forgive me. I'm Lael I was just curious to see what all the noise was." Both ninja nodded a look on their face that said they were already used to the noise. "Come I will introduce you." Nodding again he followed Neji and was greeted enthusiastically with handshakes and pats by the two men in the green spandex. "I am Rock Lee it is a pleasure to meet you my friend!" Startled at the exclamation he looked to see Tenten rolling her eyes which caused him to smile.
It had been a long time since he had met someone with such a wholly different fighting style and he was itching to spar with the self proclaimed Rock Lee. Checking the time he thought that perhaps he had time for a small match before Kakashi arrived with their sparring partners. "It would be a pleasure if you would spar with me Lee-san." Black eyes lit up with happiness and excitement. It has been a long time since I met anyone who was so open and honest with themselves.
Gai-san signaled the start of the match and Lael simply waited, Lee seemed to have no hesitancy and easily charged forward doing a spinning kick that was sure to hurt. Standing still he didn't dodge he needed to gauge how powerful Lee was though that didn't mean he was going to let the full impact injure him. At the last second he brought both hands up and wasn't disappointed when he was thrown back against a tree causing the wind to be knocked out of him.
Grunting slightly he grinned. I have your power pegged for now let's see what else you can do. Moving only a step he dodge a punch and landed his own causing Lee to fly back several feet. When he landed and stood up there was a large grin on his face smiling in return Lael felt the happiest he had in monthes.
...
Pakkun suddenly stopped eating he looked up with the dog equivalent of alarm at his human. "Kakashi I forgot Gai and his team are at training ground five." His human suddenly stiffened his precious book snapping closed, looking back down at his meat he continued eating. With a grunt the other was out the tent and toward the training ground at top speed.
...
Kakashi was less than pleased with his ninken at that point he had intended to leave the other at the training ground for a little while so he could take care of some things perhaps get a little reading in. But with Gai's team there he was fairly sure that some sort of contest would be forced on Lael, the one person he didn't think could handle that despite all his apparent claim of power and skill.
Running he stopped short when he noticed that already Lael was sparring with Lee. To his surprise Lael was holding his own against the mini taijutsu master. In fact he even seemed to be pushing Lee back and wearing him down, nodding to himself he leaned against a tree and watched. He blinked when brown-silver eyes caught his, they seemed to be glowing with glee.
...
Lael knew that the advantage he he wouldn't be for long, especially when Lee pulled out his nun-chucks and gained a startling amount of speed. It was all he could do to keep dodging the other without a weapon of his own. Behind him he heard Gai-san cheering his pupil on, gritting his teeth he leapt back and with a speed that Kakashi would envy he performed the hand-seals for a shadow clone.
That done he started making his own weapon, a katana, the manipulation of the elements was tricky and Lael was sure that he would never have been able to do so if Lee had still been pushing him back. Once it was finished he dispersed his clone and went back into the fray not noticing the sharp points on his fingers.
...
Lee watched as the other desperately dodged and blocked him before jumping back and creating a shadow clone which he was now engaged with. It startled him to noticed that this clone was just as good as the original and was holding him off with success without dispersing. Grinning happily he was a bit surprised when the clone disappeared and he was attacked with a naked blade. Looking at his opponent he noticed silver eyes and hair but dismissed it at the fight continued.
...
Lee lay on the ground and laughed softly as his opponent did the same with a small sigh. Tenten came by and handed both of them some water which caused Lael to sit up and accept. He heard his sensei talking with Lael and Kakashi-sensei but was to preoccupied thinking about their fight towork out the meaning.
He had found a true friend today of that he was sure, Lael hadn't tried to hurt him but neither had he held back in the fight. The other seemed to enjoy the fighting and the relaxed friendship afterwards. Lee was sure that he had found his own worthy rival!
...
Kakashi watched the fight with at first shock and then grudging respect, Lael had fought well showing off a myraid of skill some of which he had copied for himself with his sharingan. It was when they were sitting and resting that he joined the group ignoring Gai's ongoing stream of stories about their rivalry. It was when Gai suddenly smacked Lael in the back that he paid attention to what was being said.
...
Lael decided that he liked Lee, he wasn't so sure of Gai. The man seemed to think that he was Kakashi's best friend while said best friend was completely ignoring him. When he noticed that the Green Beast was about to smack him on the back he quickly took a drink from his bottle hoping that it would waylay the nin.
When the other simply gave him a thumbs up he relaxed. "So what are you doing here my eternal rival!" When Kakashi didn't stir from his book Lael simply answered the question himself. "Kakash-san was supposed to be sparring with me but..." The sudden smack to his back made him wince slightly as the other started speaking. "My dear friend but you have his name all wrong! It is Ka-kash-i, my eternal rival why didn't you tell him this!" Blinking he felt a blush lighting his face.
Did I accidentally offend him? Bowing slightly he looked at his master. "Forgive me I have been lazy in my speech it didn't occur to me that I might be offending you by dropping the i in your name. I will try to correct myself from now on." The lazy look the other gave him irritated him but he tried not to show him, "Maa its no problem I don't mind." Nodding he turned to Lee hoping to ignore Gai from that point on after a while Kakashi spoke up. "Time to go." Nodding he stood and walked "home" with the jounin.
Once they were in the tent the sun had begun to drop and Kakashi was staring at him with intent. Looking over he caught the gaze and kept it. "Yes Kakash-san?" The other sat back his eyes still serious. "How can you die?" Startled he looked away feeling bitter gall in his mouth. "All you have to do Kakash-san is order me."