Chapter 10

"You're late!"

The accusation didn't come from Gai, as expected, but from their other two team mates: Izumo and Kotetsu. Izumo's only visible eye under that hair was scrunched up in disappointment. Kotetsu just looked pissed off. And he wasn't going to hide it.

"Damn it, Hatake. You're supposed to be leading us! A fine example to set us chunin," he pointed at himself as if Kakashi hadn't worked out who was what rank. Kakashi sighed in irritation. He was in charge but he wasn't a mother hen.

"Sorry, I'm late... this kid dropped his marbles into the river, and I had to find them."

"What kind of an excuse is that?" Kotetsu now stood with arms folded, glaring at Kakashi.

Kakashi turned to Gai, to see if he had at least found Kakashi's latest excuse amusing. Gai was stood a bit behind the two chunin, and only watched Kakashi with a glum and downcast expression. There was no exclamation of "rival!", no running up to Kakashi like a puppy, no bear hug.

Kakashi's stomach tightened. He had been dreading this mission, but for one brief moment, whilst making fun of Izumo and Kotetsu, he had forgotten that things had changed between him and Gai.

Yet Gai didn't look upset with Kakashi or even angry. Once Kakashi had turned his attention to Gai however, he seemed to light up, despite what had happened over the past couple of days. Whatever faraway place his mind had been in, the moment Kakashi approached him, he snapped out of it.

"Greetings Rival." He smiled warmly, even if his welcome didn't have its usual vigour. That was when Kakashi noticed it; how could he have missed it? The sunflower. It contrasted so brightly against the green of Gai's spandex. Gai had placed the sunflower he had given him in his belt. Kakashi supposed he should find it endearing that Gai was treasuring it, keeping his gift close to him. But Kakashi couldn't help but find it a little disturbing that his treasured item was being kept so close to the bulge of his groin in that spandex... wasn't the usual place supposed to be near someone's heart? Kakashi shrugged off the thought: Gai was Gai, he didn't do anything the usual way.

Then Kakashi realised with horror that not only had he thought about Gai's crouch- he had looked at it! Great. He looked up to Gai, hoping he had missed that. But Gai hadn't taken his eyes away from Kakashi's even for a second. So he had seen.

Gai was now watching Kakashi with a look that seemed hungry, yet somehow soft at the same time. He couldn't quite tear himself away from that gaze. He was so caught up in it, he didn't even realise that a familiar chakra scent was bounding towards him. Strong arms clad in an orange jumpsuit wound around him.

"Congratulations, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Naruto," Kakashi said vaguely, as if he wasn't being squeezed by the orange blur. Then it hit him what Naruto had just said. Oh no...

"Kakashi-sensei, why didn't you tell me straight away? So will it be a Shinto-style or western? If you do western who will be your best man, me or Gai-sensei?" Naruto demanded finally letting him down.

Before Kakashi could respond, Sakura bounded up to them, also hugging Kakashi while squealing, girly style, "Kakashiiiiii-seneiiiiiiiiii, eeeeeee!"

"Hello Sakura," Kakashi said, wishing he could be anywhere but here.

Izumo and Kotetsu edged closer to the young shrieking ninja, curious. Gai stood watching, for once speechless, rubbing his chin in a confused manner. "Best man?" he mumbled to himself.

Sakura finally released Kakashi, whispering "congratulations" and beaming at him.

"Wow, Kakashi-sensei, if a porn-addicted pervert like you can get a beautiful girl to marry you, then maybe there's hope for me too!"

Sakura laughed and said "let's not get carried away."

"Hey!"

But Kakashi's attention had turned back to Gai, just as Izumo and Kotetsu started slapping him on the back with their own congratulatory comments. Gai had finally caught on- how could he not? His shoulders seemed to slump and his face went white with shock. He held his hand over his heart as if it had indeed just broken or crumbled. Luckily everyone else was so busy watching Kakashi they hadn't noticed yet that Gai was far from his usual self.

"Oi, Sensei," Naruto interrupted. "Will there be ramen at the wedding?"

"You idiot!" Sakura hit him. "That's not important! Is that all you think about? The real question is," she took in a breath. "Have you set a date yet?"

"Will I get free ramen all the time? I mean, we are practically family!"

"Will it take place here in Konoha? Or will you go somewhere super-romantic?"

"If there is ramen at the ceremony, will Ayame be making it herself? I mean I know she may not want to cook on her wedding day, but it may not be as good if they let someone else do it!"

"Ooooh will there be a honeymoon?!"

Kakashi tried to edge away from the hyperactive teenagers. This was the last thing he needed after the accidental proposal. And they had to be doing this in front of Gai as well...

"So that's why you filled the whole ramen shop with flowers yesterday," Naruto pondered. "I mean it isn't like you to do something that nice for someone else. You were wooing her ready for your proposal! Smooth sensei."

"Oh yes, Kakashi-sensei, it was so beautiful, like a whole forest of flowers. So romantic! So creative! Much more meaningful than just a single rose or a bouquet. It really showed you cared."

Gai looked from Sakura to his own lone flower is his belt that seemed pathetic now. He took it out and held it up to his chest, looking at it with disappointment rather than pride. Kakashi supposed that Gai wasn't sure if it meant anything. Gai seemed to be debating on whether to throw away or keep the only gift Kakashi had given him, if it would be too painful to keep.

Kakashi wished he had never even entered that damned flower shop. Who knew flowers could bring such hurt along with happiness?

Gai sighed, a gesture Kakashi had never seen him do before. Then he placed the sunflower back in his belt anyway.

"Hey, why is Gai-sensei so glum? In fact, you haven't even said anything!" Naruto demanded, too thick-headed to sense that something was wrong.

"Oh don't worry, Gai-sensei, I am sure Kakashi-sensei will still be your eternal rival," Sakura soothed, missing the problem completely.

Gai seemed to pull himself together at the mention of "eternal rival".

"Ah-ha!" he called. "Right you are Sakura-chan! Do not fear! Kakashi and I will be eternal rivals for all... eternity!" He struck a nice-guy pose and his teeth gleamed in the promising sunlight. Kakashi silently thanked Gai for covering his feelings so well.

"Well, my students," Kakashi said, finally taking his eyes away from Gai. "I thank you for your youthful blessings." Youthful? Where the hell did that word come from? "But it is time your sensei left for his mission. The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be back. OK, team, let's move out! It will be three days of walking from here!"

Kakashi whipped out Icha Icha in preparation for the uncomfortable three days ahead. As Naruto and Sakura waved goodbye, and Kakashi took his first step towards the gate, he saw a lone figure in the shadows. Anko stepped out from an alley, repressing her chakra. She only stood out enough for Kakashi alone to see her. She was glaring at him. Slowly she raised a hand and pointed at Kakashi, then drew it back to her neck and motioned slitting his throat. Kakashi's eyes widened in fear of the kunoichi's latest threat. Anko smiled, licked her lips, and slid back into the shadows like a snake.

All of a sudden, this mission didn't seem like it was long enough.