A/N: Here's chapter ten. I don't know how I'm working so late on a school night. It's worth it I guess. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of Kishimoto-san's characters.

A Night of Romance

Chapter 10

Calm Before the storm, Reassurance from Those You Trust

The three continued on for hours upon hours. When they thought it would go on forever, they saw two figures walking in the distance. Gai-sensei and Rock Lee appeared before their tired eyes. Lee, though said to not be able to recover, was walking on his own two legs and in his green tights.

"Naruto." Lee called out with his usual gleeful tone.

"Lee." Naruto responded with happiness of Lee's recovery.

"Glad you're able to walk on your own now." Sasuke said in an arrogant tone.

"I thank you, Sasuke." Lee said with respect.

"Enough with the small talk." Kakashi interrupted the reunion. "We need to continue on. We only have a few hours of daylight left."

"Kakashi is right. We have a campsite planned out ahead. We'll break early today, Kakashi." Gai exclaimed.

"Any news from the village?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes. No sign of the Sound Village army yet. I doubt they'll make a frontal assault again, like before. They sneak in at the dead of night in the most likelihood." Gai responded.

"That's good, but we can't allow time to escape us." Kakashi said warningly.

"Don't worry, Kakashi. We're very close to their village. We need to rest before we make our assault." Gai said worriedly.

"Fine. But no more leniencies after this got it?" Kakashi asked.

Yes, yes. Of course, Kakashi." Gai responded.

Naruto, Lee, and Sasuke. Having been quiet this whole time, took off along side of Kakashi and Gai. They made it to the campsite Gai was talking about. They all set up their tents, got a fire started and began to talk about new things in their lives, and things of importance.

"Kakashi-sensei? Can I contact Sakura now?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes, go on."

"Gai-sensei, may I have the transceiver?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes, here you are." Gai said as he pulled the phone like object from his belt.

Sasuke went over towards the end of the campground. He raised the antenna and called out, "Sakura? Are you there?"

It took a few seconds for an answer to come, "Ye..es. Sasuke? How…are you guys…doing?" Sakura asked.

"We're alright. We're attacking tomorrow. Any sign of their forces?" Sasuke asked.

"…No…not yet…but Tsunade is…getting ready…for the attack anyway…We have Black…Ops all ov…er. I think we will be alright." Sakura finished.

"Okay. I'm sorry for leaving you their, Sakura." Sasuke said sympathetically.

"It's…alright, Sasuke. I understand."

"Tell Hinata, Naruto sends his best.."

"I…will. See ya…Sasuke."

"Later." Sasuke finished before shutting off the device and planting it into the pouch on his leg kept for Kunai knife and shuriken. Sasuke walked back over to the group of ninja. They didn't seem to have anything they were talking about. They probably were listening in on his chat.

Lee was the first to bring up the subject. "Sasuke? Are you and Sakura going out?"

"Y-yeah."

"And Naruto and Hinata?"

"Yeah." Naruto said.

"Then I have failed to embrace the spring of youth." Lee said sadly.

"No, Lee. The spring of youth will always be open to a young shinobi." Gai said to reassure Lee.

"Enough with the term "Spring of Youth" We need to get to more pressing issues." Kakashi said annoyed.

"And what's that?" Naruto asked.

"Love is very important in adolescence's youth. But for shinobi, such as yourselves, it will only distract you from the importance of the mission. When the time comes for battle, I want you fully focusing on it. Got that?" Kakashi asked.

"Kakashi? I'll ask you once again, haven't you have been in love? If not, you have no reason to criticize us." Sasuke said.

"Of course I've been in love. But that love is what caused me to believe what I believe today. I would not press this on you, if I did not have a reason." Kakashi answered.

"But Kakashi. Shouldn't they take advantage of their youth and live a life filled of love, and not of regret?" Gai asked.

"What good is life, if you die for love? I would rather walk the road of carnage. I'm not saying I like to shed blood, but I am saying that the true life of a shinobi should be carried out full heartedly." Kakashi exclaimed.

"What good is strength, if you have no one to protect?" Naruto asked.

"You, of all of us should know the answer to that. You seek strength so you can become noticed, and respected. I do not recall hearing anything dealing with someone to protect." Kakashi said mockingly.

"I've changed! Hinata is worth protecting. She took up my Nindo, fought to make herself more than a failure. She is worth it in my eyes! I rather die with her in my arms, instead of fighting to the death covered in blood." Naruto shouted in anger.

A revelation of Hinata fighting Neji came into view. Her heart failing and she's coughing up blood. Naruto was overcome with sorrow thinking of Hinata alone without him. Sound ninja lurking in the shadows waiting. Naruto remembered Sakura, remembered that her and Hinata had become friends. This calmed him a bit.

"Calm down, Naruto. We're only having a simple discussion. Besides, yelling will only get us killed in the middle of the night." Kakashi exclaimed in irritation.

"The boy has a point, Kakashi. Your life may have ended up like this because of your father, but you need to accept the love of someone besides the affection you get from that book." Gai added.

"What do you mean by attacking my book. "Sure, it helps my romance life a bit, but I just enjoy reading it. I don't need anything to cover a wound that doesn't exist." Kakashi said.

"That book is an erotic piece of smut." Naruto exclaimed in disgust. "I met Jiraiya, learned of the way he figures out his storyline. He peeks into the ladies bath and creates pornographic smut."

"You have little room to talk, Naruto. You're the one who created the "Ninja Centerfold" and the "Harem Jutsu" What right do you have to criticize my book, when you created a pointless Jutsu for you erotic pleasure." Kakashi said bitterly.

"What right do-" Naruto said.

"Hold on, Naruto. Allow me to explain." Sasuke said, coming to Naruto's aid. "You yourself said that Naruto had matured. He used to be an idiot. Going around performing the "Ninja Centerfold" all around the village. But he's matured pass that. He has become a fine ninja along with Lee and myself, and I now consider him a friend. So, Kakashi. What do you have to say about that?" Sasuke finished with cockiness.

"He's still incompetent. He has no rule of the basics. He knows very little about everything. He's worthless. To tell you the truth, I'm still wondering if he's even worth bringing into this mission. I'm still worried that he may very well die. In other words, Naruto, you know nothing, you understand nothing, and you'll become nothing." Kakashi finished in anger.

Before Naruto could react, Gai got up and sent Kakashi flying through the air with a kick. He proceeded by saying, "You have no right, Kakashi. Have you even seen his skills yet? He's improved so much. Jiraiya has taught him almost everything he knows. He could probably neat you with the power of the Nine-Tailed-Fox. Just because you feel cornered by the four of us, don't you have to lash out at one of your own students? Do you know how idiotic it makes you seem?" Gai finished.

"How would you know about Naruto's improvement?" Kakashi asked.

"I saw him with Jiraiya earlier. He looked different. As if he had a new found light within him. He has grown stronger. That light is still visible in my eyes right now, at this very moment. You only helped Sasuke with his training because he is like you. How unfair is that to Naruto?" Gai asked.

"How am I and Kakashi so similar?" Sasuke asked out of the blue.

"It's a slight similarity. Like your resentment toward your older brother, Itachi. He hated his father for a mistake he made." Gai said.

"What mistake would that be?" Naruto asked, now curious.

"His father, the "White Fang" was sent on a mission. He chose not to finish that mission out of the choices of allowing his comrades to die or let the mission fail. He chose to abort the mission. As a result the whole village hated his father. Even Kakashi himself hated his father. Soon after, the "White Fang" commited suicide. So your pasts are similar and your resentment towards a loved one of your family is what makes you similar." Gai explained.

Sasuke, Naruto, Lee, and Kakashi said nothing. The shadows danced across their faces. The were all tired and filled with anger and anxiety. Lee having said nothing, felt like this was a lecture, and was enjoying the education.

After a moments reprieve, Kakashi picked the conversation back up, still siting where gai had kicked him. "Naruto, I'm sorry. I had no right. You've become a great ninja. In fact, once again, you've improved the most. Please forgive me." Kakashi said, a faint smile appearing behind his mask.

"Of course, Sensei. You've taught me a fair share of your techniques." Naruto replied.

The moment went quiet again. The shadows continued to dance along with the flames.

Gai was the first to speak, "Let us go to bed. We have used the day respectfuly, we are tired, and irratated. Before our argument picks up, we should go to bed. Agreed?" Gai finished.

They all agreed by getting up and heading for their tents. Kakashi gave one last sorry filled look at Naruto. Naruto feeling Kakashi's eyes upon him, turned around and looked at Kakashi and smiled. After that, they all went to bed.

To Be Continued

A/N: Wow, I didn't plan on making Naruto and Kakashi have that argument. Well, that's all for now. I'd like to thank those of you who helped me with Kakashi's past. Thank you and good night.