Here comes your big, cliff hanger ending! I may end the story after this chapter, as I think 13 is a nice number to end my very first multi-chapter story on. It is my lucky number after all ;) Enjoy!

Chapter 12.

Looking up slowly, the shadowy figure emerged from the doorway. Gai's rage grew intense as the man stepped forward into the light. It was Kisame. (A/N: Yeah, I did make it him in the end. I had a brilliant plan for it to be someone completely different, just to scare you all! But I had to drop it.)
"Kisame Hoshigaki." Gai said his name, coating each word with an extra layer of venom and malice in his voice. Neji was shivering internally. If Kisame grabbed him again… He didn't think he could take more abuse. Kisame simply grinned like a maniac.
"Ahh, you bought the pretty boy back! Up for some more fun?" He winked at Neji… and then found himself being slammed back into a wall. Neji watched on as the fiercest battle ever started to build. Gai was showing no mercy this time, giving every punch, every kick, every attack everything he had. Kisame tried to keep up with the insane amount of power being dealt upon him.
"Neji! Up here!" In the commotion, Lee had managed to run up to where Gaara was. The red headed boy's eyes were open and he seemed okay, apart from some bruises across his body.
"The sword that shark man is carrying, it ate most of my chakra and I couldn't control my sand armour."
"Hey, it is alright." Lee reassured his boyfriend. Neji ran and sat next to the two, prepared to defend them.
"Getting tired, shark? Or should I call you guppy?" Gai taunted Kisame. The other man seemed to growl and charged himself at Gai with all his might. As Gai pulled back, a loud *BANG* sounded from the hall doors and smoke filled the room. Coughing, Neji peeked from behind his hand to see -
"Tenten, Temari! Kankuro and Kiba are okay as well!" Lee cheered. Gaara smiled, hearing his siblings were alright.
"You shouldn't take your eyes off an opponent in battle!" Gai shouted suddenly. Kisame spun around at the last minute, to see Gai's fist heading straight for his face. With an extremely loud crunching noise and bone-shattering force, Gai punched Kisame through the ground.
"I.. is he dead?" Neji asked nervously. Gai walked over to his younger lover and held him close.
"I think so. He's never gonna hurt you again." Neji relaxed, not caring that Gai was covered in dirt and blood. His boyfriend had saved him, saved Gaara, helped save everyone. That was all that mattered.

"Are you sure we can't convince you to stay longer?" Temari asked.
"I'm afraid the village needs us back." Gai smiled. "But hopefully, we'll get more holiday time soon. Come on Lee!" Gai called over to his student, engaged in a long goodbye with Gaara. The boy blushed and ran over o his team, waving goodbye as they headed out for home.
"Gai… When you told me, the first night we made love, that you wanted to keep me forever? Did you mean it?" Neji asked. He silently feared the answer, but he knew it was an important question. He had to know.
"Of course Neji." Gai smiled down at his younger boyfriend. "I meant every word."

CHAPTER 12 ENDS. INTERMISSION FOLLOWS.

WELL! I know it's corny, but come on. We have to have a happy ending!
It was painful to write Kisame dying. I love that shark man so much! *sniffs dramatically*
Gai: *whispered* cry-baby.
LoraLei: WHAT D'YOU SAY!
Gai: Nothing! I never said anything!
Kisame: Good.
Neji: Aren't you dead?
Kisame: In the story Neji… In the story.
LoraLei: I'm surrounded by idiots…