Finally, It was time for Lee to visit Gaara for his monthly training session. Lee had been paying this visit for many years since Shira, Gaara's former taijutsu master, moved to another far away town.
Lee was kind of surprised to learn that Tenten was going with him this time. He figured they should invite Guy sensei too for all time's sake. He thought it would be a good idea for Metal to train in the desert for endurance in extreme weather. Guy invited Kakashi to join them as well since they were travel buddies. All of a sudden, it became a group trip. Lee made sure to contact the Kazekage's office to update them with the number of guests.
As the group was approaching the Kazekage's residency, Gaara, Kankuro, and Shinki were observing from the terrace. Guy sensei always found an opportunity to work out, so he was handstand walking. Shinki looked at him with annoyance, "How undignifying for a guest to approach Kazekage's residency in such an absurd manner."
Gaara turned to speak with his son in a calm but firm manner. "It is an honor for us to host Guy sensei. He was the only one that could face Madara Uchiha with his superb taijutsu skills during the war. He trained Lee, who is the best taijutsu master of all the Shinobi world, which is not a small accomplishment as a sensei. Lee was born without any ninjutsu abilities. Guy sensei nurtured his spirit and physical abilities through perseverance and hard work. Without utilizing ninjutsu, Lee is one of the top Jonins of the Land of Fire, and I trust him with my life".
Shinki felt sorry for his words. He didn't know that such a legendary shinobi would act in that way. People from the Sand Village did not have colorful personalities as the people from the Leaf seem to have. "Father, please forgive my thoughtless comment."
Gaara knew that his son was sincere, "It is okay, son. I am glad you will have the opportunity to train with him". It seemed that it was the first time Shinki heard about this training. "Father, I was not aware of that training. I thought I was going to be your escort".
With his usual calmed demeanor, Gaara explained that a personal lesson with Guy sensei was a great privilege since Guy had already retired. He also asked Shinki to show around Metal, Lee's son, when they were not training. Shinki agreed to his father's wishes, not fully understanding what training with Guy sensei meant.
Kankuro was listening to the conversation and thinking, 'Little brother is planning to pin his guests to Shinki so he can have time alone with Tenten. Smart move'.
Gaara and his family greeted the Leaf shinobi. As expected, Guy made a big entrance letting Gaara know what honor was to train his son. He apologized on Kakashi's behalf. As they were getting ready to board the train, the Hokage's office asked to join a council to discuss an urgent matter.
After so much anticipation, Tenten got the chance to say hi to Gaara, "Thank you for having us, Gaara. I brought you this present for you and this one Shinki". Tenten presented boxes with sweets for Gaara and his son. Gaara thanked her with a kind smile, while an expressionless Shinki just politely said, "Thank you, Miss Tenten. You should not have troubled yourself".
Kankuro thought, 'How come I did not get a present?' but he got over his lack of presents, 'Let's see how little brother acts with his lady friend around.'
Gaara thanked everyone for coming and ordered the guards to show the guests to their chambers.
"Please make yourselves comfortable. We can recombine as soon as you are settle and ready for the training."
Of course, Lee and Guy were ready to train immediately. Shinki was not expecting that much energy and enthusiasm at once. He wanted to fulfill his father's wishes, but this mission appeared to be one of the most difficult ones.
"Guy Sensei, I am the most grateful for your time to teach my son, Shinki. He is looking forward to your lesson."
Guy sensei, Shinki, and Metal left to a separate training room while Lee was already warming up for his session with Gaara. That arrangement left Tenten alone without any activity. Kankuro realized that and decided to help out his little brother.
"Tenten, why don't you settle down and I can show you around the house. Then we can see Lee and Gaara before they take a break. I want to see Gaara's progress".
After a tour of the Kazekage's house, Kankuro took Tenten to the training room. Gaara had improved his taijutsu a lot, but could not keep up with Lee. Kankuro thought, 'Maybe it was not a great idea to have Tenten witnessing Lee kicking his little brother's ass. Oh well, too late'.
"Hey, you two. It is time for a break. Gaara, why don't you get something to drink with Tenten, while Lee helps me with this kick combination".
Lee thought that request was uncharacteristic on Kankuro. In all the years that he has been training with Gaara, not once, he attempted to join them.
"I will be happy to help you, but I thought you are a puppet specialist, close combat is not something to encounter often."
"Exactly why I need the help. I don't often, but here and then I have to throw a punch".
Lee did not think much of it. He was eager to train Kankuro and assumed that Gaara would come back after the break. Gaara and Tenten left the training room and headed over to a nearby space to get a cold drink.
"I am very grateful you were able to come with Lee. I am sorry that I have not had the chance to show you around. I know Lee, and he was not going to allow the delaying the training".
She laughed because she knew how passionate Lee was about training. "You are correct. Don't worry about it. Kankuro showed me around".
"I am sure he did not take you to my terrace." Gaara took Tenten to the terrace where he cultivated cacti. He was proud of his collection and was happy to get to show Tenten.
The terrace was full of a variety of cacti of every type and shape possible. Gaara gifted Tenten a small plant with small pink flowers. "This cactus is for you. I have a small box for it so that you can transport it with you to the Leaf. I am sorry if it is an unusual present. It is just something dear to me that I wanted you to have."
Tenten loved her present. It was so Gaara. Unusual, but amazing. They stayed at the terrace looking at the dessert and talking about everything and nothing. They realized that the short break Gaara took turned into a couple of hours.
"Oh no, I lost track of time. I hope I did not offend Lee".
After training with Lee for so many years, Tenten said, "I hope Lee did not break Kankuro." they both laughed even though it was utterly a possibility.
They went back to the training room but did not see them there, so they went to look for Guy and the young boys. Everyone was there. As soon as they entered the room, they heard Guy's staple, "Yes! That is what youth is all about!". Kakuro was sitting down like he had been struck by a bus while Lee assisted with the boys' training.
As soon as the couple approached Kakuro, he could only say, "Lee is insane." Gaara, with a shy smile, responded, "That is why I only train with him once a month. I hope he is not upset about me leaving the training early."
"No worries. I explained the reasons, and Lee approved".
Gaara gave Kakuro a scary look but did not want to say anything else, so Tenten would not notice.
Shinki was a strong shinobi mentally and physically, but nothing could have prepared him for Guy sensei. He was exhausted, but he was too proud to ask for a break. Not that a break meant much to Guy since, for him, a break is to do a series of push-ups.
After the training was over, the shinobi prepared for dinner. Gaara had a strange satisfaction while sitting at the table. He used to eat alone most of the time when he was growing up. He loved eating with his uncle, but after he died, no one ever wanted to eat with him, not even his siblings because they were afraid of him. However, this night, he was at the table seating with his brother, who was doing everything possible to help him spend time with the girl he liked. With his son, who he loved dearly and wanted to make sure he was happy. Lee was there. Lee was able to forgive him after he tried to kill him twice for no reason. Now, Lee was a dear friend that shared his family with Gaara. And there was Tenten.
After dinner, Gaara asked Shinki to play with Metal. Shinki enjoyed training with Metal, especially since he was the sanest in the group. He wanted to be a good host but was not sure how to entertain. "Father, I do not play any games in particular."
Metal interjected, "Not even XCards?"
Shinki shook his head. Metal explained, "I have some here. They are cards with the most powerful shinobi, so you can form teams and battle each other".
Although he wanted to be a good host, Shinki was not willing to play a children's game. "It seems childish to me."
Metal was a very kind child; he chose not to take offense to the comment since he and his friends love to play with XCards, mainly because their parents were on them. To lure Shinki into playing, he said, "I have your dad's card. Wanna see it?"
Shinki did not want to look too excited, but he wanted to see his father's card and see the other ones. He agreed to let Metal show him the game.
While the young shinobi were busy playing the game, Kankuro was going to help his little brother to get rid of the adult shinobi.
"Guy sensei, after that training session, I think you deserve some good sake for all the effort."
"I agree with you, Kankuro. We all worked very hard today. I am proud of each one of you. All of you are what youth is all about!"
The idea of going to a bar with Lee and Guy was not appealing to Tenten. She had seen them party and did not want to be responsible for that. "You guys should go. I am sure it will be fun, but I am going to go to bed early."
An apologetic Gaara also declined the invitation, "Unfortunately, I can't join either. I have a meeting early tomorrow."
Lee usually would insist on Tenten and Gaara to join. Still, since Kankuro told him about Gaara and Tenten liking each other, he was more focused on making sure Guy and Kankuro left the house quickly to leave Gaara and Tenten alone.