A/N: Janken pon is our Rock, Paper, Scissors in Japan. Not much happened in this chapter, but I felt that it was necessary to show Kakashi's team noticing and accepting his changes. Also, thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to read my fanfic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything to do with it.

Chapter 6: Eternal Rivals

Kakashi sat in the shade underneath a tree at his team's training grounds. Minato had gone with Rin to buy some senbon; she had been very eager to try training with them after Kakashi's suggestion. Obito was supposed to be training with Kakashi while they waited for Minato and Rin to return, but as usual, he was late. Kakashi sighed. He was still working on his own habit of being late, and he barely managed to show up on time for anything. If he reverted back to his usual lateness, he would never hear the end of it from Obito. That was enough motivation to make an effort.

It had been a week since Kakashi had been officially released from the hospital. Minato had dragged him back after his escape to make sure it was alright for him to be walking around. Then, Kakashi had pretended to struggle with depth perception. Kakashi recalled that it had originally taken him a few weeks to stop running into trees, missing targets, etc. This time, he faked misjudging distances for a few days. There was no way he could patiently keep up that act for a while since he was already used to seeing with one eye. His team never questioned his ability to bounce back so fast. After all, Kakashi was technically a genius. Obito had laughed at each one of Kakashi's "failures", but then Kakashi would point out that he had "lost" his eye saving Obito. That effectively shut him up every time. Also, Kakashi began wearing his hitai-ate slanted again.

Kakashi looked up as Obito finally stumbled into the training grounds. "You're late," he said. It was more like a conditioned response than a spiteful one.

"A black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way here," Obito replied, glaring at Kakashi. Then, he looked around in confusion. "Where's Rin and Minato-sensei?"

"They went to buy senbon for Rin."

"Oh. What are we supposed to do while they're gone?"

"Minato-sensei said we should train together until he gets back," Kakashi answered. Suddenly, Kakashi looked towards the forest, his eye narrowed. "Someone's rapidly approaching."

"Who is it?" Obito asked, looking in the same direction as Kakashi. Kakashi shrugged, and they waited until someone wearing a distinct green jumpsuit and orange legwarmers burst out of the bushes.

"Kakashi, my Eternal Rival!" Gai shouted. "I heard you were hospitalized, but I see that you are once again filled with youthful energy! I challenge you! If I do not win, I shall do 500 one-handed pushups for each hand, and if I fail to do that, I shall…" Gai began to ramble on. Kakashi internally groaned. He really did not want to deal with Gai right now. He began to discretely search for escape routes, but Obito caught him.

Obito raised an eyebrow and smirked at Kakashi. "Are you scared that you're going to lose to Gai?"

"Of course not," Kakashi scoffed. "I've never lost to him, unlike you." Kakashi knew that Obito didn't like Gai because Gai had defeated him during the chuunin exams. However, Kakashi also knew that Obito could tolerate Gai's presence for short periods of time if Gai was annoying Kakashi. Obito glared at Kakashi for his comment, and was about to reply when Gai unintentionally cut him off.

"So what do you say, my Eternal Rival?"

Kakashi looked at Gai. He remembered that Gai had pestered and annoyed him until he had accepted his challenges. They had always been about something like marksmanship and taijutsu at this time. It wasn't until later that the challenges became things like Rock, Paper, Scissors and eating contests as well. Their last competition in the future had left Gai with one more win than Kakashi. Kakashi knew that these varied challenges didn't accurately determine difference in strength, but still. Also, he didn't really see the harm in accepting Gai's challenges. He was already resigned to it, unlike his past self, and Gai had been an annoying but good friend in the future. This Gai in front of him was not at the level of the Gai that Kakashi would trust to guard his blind spot in battle, but he would be someday.

"Alright, I accept your challenge," Kakashi muttered. Obito seemed surprise at how quickly Kakashi gave in, while Gai seemed delighted. "However," Kakashi added, "I get to choose the challenge this time."

Gai looked slightly taken aback, but then he struck his signature "nice guy pose". "Of course you can, my Eternal Rival! I am glad you are finally showing an interest in our challenges, for we are in the springtime of our youth! We must—"

"Okay," Kakashi said before Gai could get carried away. "Then, I choose Rock, Paper, Scissors." There was silence.

"Rock…Paper, Scissors?" Obito said, unable to resist commenting. "Seriously? What happened to the Kakashi would take any chance to beat up Gai?"

Kakashi ignored him. "Are you ready, Gai?"

Gai seemed to get over his initial surprise. "Yes, my rival! I should have expected you to say something so hip and cool!"

They got into their stances and said in unison, "First comes rock! Janken pon!" They had both thrown out scissors, making it a tie. Then, they proceeded to throw out the different symbols in rapid fire succession, each one ending in a tie. Obito watched, feeling both impressed and irritated. He had never seen so many ties in Rock, Paper, Scissors, but it was starting to get on his nerves.

Minato and Rin came back to this scene. They stopped in their tracks, surprised, before walking up to Obito.

"What's going on, Obito?" Minato asked.

"Gai came and challenged Kakashi. Kakashi accepted and suggested Rock, Paper, Scissors. The result is in front of you."

"Kakashi suggested it?" Rin asked, incredulous.

Obito nodded. "I was surprised, too." They all looked at Kakashi, and they could tell that he was completely absorbed in the childish contest.

Rin smiled. "Kakashi's been acting differently. I hadn't been expecting it, but it's a nice change." She noticed the others' eyes on her. "It doesn't mean that I didn't like him before," she added hastily.

"I know what you mean," Obito said. "He's been different ever since our last mission. How do I put it? He's less… hostile. I still think he's a jerk, though."

"I think having a team has been good for him," Minato said, grinning. "He was closed off because of certain events in his life, but I think you guys are helping him to open up again."

They watched as Kakashi finally won, beating Gai's rock with paper.