21st June 2003

Title: Janken Pon

Writer: Shiro-chan

Rating: G

Pairing: Nil.

Author's Notes: MY take on how the 'eternal feud' between Kakashi and Gai began.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kakashi, Gai, the fourth Hokage or any characters from Naruto in general.

*~*~*~*

Gai crouched low on the tree branch, making sure he was carefully hidden by the leaves as he watched his adversary standing below him. His hard work had finally paid off and now he was in equal stand with Kakashi. After watching Kakashi graduate when they were only five and then hearing the news of Kakashi becoming a chuunin in the following year had pushed Gai to work harder. And now, finally, he was in the same rank as Kakashi.

Eight-year-old Gai glowered as he continued to watch Kakashi from above, thinking of over one hundred and one ways to defeat Kakashi when he felt the unmistakable sharpness of the kunai against his neck.

"State your name."

Kakashi? But how did he-

There was a puff of smoke from below the tree. A clone. How long had he been following a clone? The kunai was still poised at his neck.

"Gai."

Gai? Now where had he heard that name before...

The short moment of distration was all Gai needed. He grabbed Kakashi's hand holding the kunai and within seconds had Kakashi's right arm twisted behind his back.

The victory was short lived. Kakashi still had the kunai in his hand. He twisted his wrist in Gai's grasp and flicked the kunai towards Gai, who had no choice but to release him and jump away.

Gai landed on a nearby branch. The last move from Kakashi had been unexpected and the kunai had made a small tear in his one-piece suit. Gai smiled. Now this was what he had been waiting for.

"Ah. Now I remember." Gai blinked. "You're the one who kept asking me to play janken pon with you in the academy."

"That's right! And I won you fifteen to eight!"

Kakashi sweatdropped.

"You really suck at that game."

"I do not." Kakashi retorted. Childish pride making him defensive.

"Oh yeah? Janken pon!" Kakashi automatically threw out 'rock'. "Paper beats rock. I win!"

"..." Kakashi stared at his own hand disbelievingly. Not willing to just lose like that, Kakashi looked at Gai. "That one didn't count."

"Janken pon!"

"I win again!"

"Again."

"Janken pon!"

"Hah, give it up, Kakashi."

"..."

"Janken pon!"

It was lunch time and Gai was basking in glory as he left. Even though he had lost count of the number of times they played, he decided it didn't matter. At least there was one thing he was better than Kakashi at.

Kakashi was still in a semi-state of denial when his sensei, the fourth Hokage walked up to him.

"Kakashi, there you are. We've been looking for you for two hours." No response. "Kakashi?"

"Gai! Wait up! I think I get it now!" Kakashi shouted, running after Gai, for once completely unaware of his teacher's presence.

The Fourth Hokage blinked, "What was that all about?"

~End~