AUTHORS NOTE: Starting up a new arc soon, so this little chappy will be the introduction to that. Sorry peeps, no Kakashi or Shikamaru, no references to anything about what's going on with them at this point. Just because I can ;)

So, AnimePop31 was nice enough to point out to me that my dialogue and stuff can get a bit hard to understand at times because of the way I space things.
I've tried to clear that up in this chapter, please let me know if it's easier to read now, because if so, I need to rework all the beta's I've already done in advance, and I'd really like to know sooner rather than later, because it's quite a bit of work. (And it also means that I can start writing with that spacing intact so it wouldn't have to all depend on the beta so much, because I really hate doing beta. If anyone wants to beta for me, please, please I beg you, please, let me know)

Hidden Feelings, Hidden Lives

Chapter 34: Team Gai Reunites

XOXOX

"Escort missions are so boring…" Tenten folded her hands behind her head.
Team Gai had just walked into a small village in the Land of Wheat in order to report in for their assignment.

"Tenten! Where is your youthful spirit?! This mission is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the power or our youth!"

"Oh, Gai-sensei!" As usual, Lee looked at his sensei with tears streaming down his face, "You are right, Gai-sensei! We will use the power of our youth to complete this mission perfectly!"
Tenten sighted, sometimes it would be just be so nice to have a normal sensei and normal teammates.

But she wouldn't want to trade this team for any other.

Neji, too, had let out a small sigh at the over-enthusiastic words of his jumpsuit-clad teammates. He also agreed with Tenten about the not-so-exciting nature of their current mission. However, the Hyuga was not one to complain and so he remained silent. Still, a small smile tucked at the corners of his mouth, Neji was pleased to be reunited with his old team once more.

It had been nothing more than a fluke, a stroke of luck. The client had requested to be escorted by four ninja, and at the time, they had been the only four on stand-bye.

That is, according to Lady Hokage they were. Neji was certain there were other shinobi available, like Kakashi or Shikamaru, Asuma too. But he also knew that both his old sensei and his younger mirror-image had been hounding Lady Tsunade to put the four of them on a mission together for old time's sake. It would seem that the blonde had finally succumbed to their relentless efforts, creating this opportunity for all of them to enjoy each other's company once more.
Even if it was cringe-worthy unpleasant at times.

XOXOX

"Sensei, I do not believe I can remain calm for much longer," The young main stood straight – although the phrase 'stiff as a board' seemed more accurate – in front of Gai. The jounin replied with some forced enthusiastic remark, but Neji couldn't care less about that.

Lee's right, this is bordering on intolerable. Not only did this man hire four incredibly capable shinobi to be little more than pack mules, but he's insulting us at every turn. Tenten's already snapped twice. As a shinobi I cannot agree with that, but as a person I cannot fault her for it either.
Just one more day. One more day and we're through here. One more day and I can get back to missions that are actually worth my time.

"What are ya lazy scums doin' now?! Ya really that pathetic that ya can't even carry a simple pack with ya?! You're useless, useless I tell ya!"

Another insult. If this guy ever makes it to the bingo-book I would gladly take him out. Even though Neji knew this would never happen, the thought seemed to cheer him up a bit. Ignoring Tenten and Lee's protests at the client he picked up his – unusually large – pack again and started walking. Five days of this… At first, Gai-sensei had persisted in calling this, this insanely heavy pack we're all carrying 'training'. But even he's given up on that by now. I can honestly say that I can't wait for this mission to be over.
Teaming up with them again seemed like fun, at first. And it would've probably been fun on pretty much any other mission. But now… One more day…

But as the client stepped in a rabbit-hole, one day turned into two, then three. Gai-sensei had to carry the fat, egocentric man on his back while the pack he'd been carrying was divided between the other three. Slowing all their movements, prolonging their journey.

As time dragged on, the insults multiplied, Gai being the one bearing the brunt of it.

XOXOX

"If this goes on much longer I think might kill this guy," Tenten whispered.

Night had fallen and as their client lay fast asleep the four shinobi huddled around their little campfire, thankful for the little bit of warmth it provided. At this point, even Neji agreed wholly with the kunoichi, though he didn't say so out loud.

"Tomorrow we will reach our destination, Tenten. I am sure of it!"

"Let's hope so, Lee. Because I really can't take any more of this…"

The Hyuga felt tempted to add his voice to the string of complaints as well, but being raised in the side branch of the family had thought him how to swallow just about anything without uttering a word. So, instead, he opted for suggesting they'd get some rest. After all, if they wanted this mission to be over, they would have to keep up a steady pace tomorrow. Which meant they had to give their bodies time to rest up tonight.

XOXOX

They'd left the most annoying client ever at his cousins house as per his request.

The only good thing about this mission is the fact that it ended in the Land of Fire, so we can get home quick. Let's just hope that the next mission will be something more worthy of our skills. Neji mused as he jumped from tree to tree. This was not a B-rank escort at all. The guy may be related to a nobleman in the Land f Fire, but I couldn't exactly describe him as a VIP. Even if my life were to depend on it. Add to that the fact that there was absolutely no threat to his person, and it becomes quite clear he should've just hired a moving company to move all his junk.
I sincerely hope Lady Hokage has something better planned for my next mission, of I might even be tempted to decline…

But at least the way home was fun, hanging out with the old team again. Everyone was so relieved their mission from hell had ended they made for a rowdy bunch. Even the Hyuga participated in the conversation. Laughing with his teammates and even daring to crack a joke or two about their last client.

All in all, they had a good three days.
Normally, Gai would be pushing their speed, Lee coming in as a close second to the incessant 'training talk'.

But not this time. This time they set their pace to a more comfortable level. Allowing themselves to enjoy the reunion. And of course, they also enjoyed the fact that they were rid of one of the most obnoxious clients any of them had ever had to deal with.

XOXOX

A/N: I know this seems to be going absolutely nowhere, but trust me, I have a plan… Sorta… When I feel like writing it…. :P
Don't worry, though, I still have some time to go before I have to start to work this little sid-arc in, by then I'll probably get more excited about it… Or maybe not. Either way, I know it's important for the story to unfold properly, so I'll manage it ;)