Author's Note: Okay, I know all of you are going to hate me for this chapter. It's not the most interesting. It's basically a filler chapter. I did however, have a reason for writing it. I needed to put certain people together and I needed them to end up alone. Lee's next chapter is not filler and you'll see why I put these characters into the situation. So please don't hate me too much and please continue reading. I pray to God that this is the only chapter that will ever have to be like this (writing them is boring as all hell). I just needed a way to put people in the right situation. I thank you all for understanding...please don't kill me!
Also- Just for a side note; the two villages in this chapter don't actually exist, but just so you know- Kawa means River and Arashi means storm.
By the start of the second month after the event, Lee's team was sent on their longest mission to date. Together, he and his team left Konoha, their sights set on the River Country. Well, his team plus Naruto who had conveniently decided he needed to accompany them. Their mission could actually use the backup though. Not that they liked to admit it.
From the village of Kawagakure, they were to transport the prince of their village to the Lightning Country, disguised as one of them. He was due to marry the princess of the village of Arashigakure. However, Kawagakure was currently at war with a nearby village. And they were determined to stop the wedding. If they didn't find him, the wedding would happen and Arashigakure would send reinforcements (they were unwilling to send any until the marriage was set in stone). Unfortunately for the enemy village, they only had a description of the prince's appearance due to the fact that he rarely left his village.
It took the team a few days to reach their destination. After a couple days travel, they met their guide that led them to a hidden campsite. They were led immediately into the main tent. Within, there were two people. An older graying man in his mid-forties, sat on the right side of the table, his ear length hair falling into his eyes as he leaned down to look at a map. Across from him sat a young man, no more then nineteen. His long, flaxen hair was tied into a high ponytail, leaving his angular face open for scrutiny. When he heard them enter the boy's grey eyes glanced up with weariness. Giving them a weak smile, he stood along with his companion. The old man stepped forward and held out his hand to Gai. "I'm so glad that you've finally arrived!"
Gai grabbed hold of his hand and gave him a flashy grin. "No need to worry! Team Gai is here and ready to go!"
The man gave a relieved laugh. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself, I'm Sano and this is my son, Hagane. He's the one you'll be escorting."
Hagane chuckled and came forward. "Escorting is a bit harsh don't you think? I prefer the term assisting." He shook hands with Gai. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Why don't you come with us to get some food? It won't be much because we're low on supplies right now."
His father cut in. "I hope you don't mind, but our village's supplies are really strained at the moment because of the war. As you can see, we can't spare anyone right now; we don't even have enough people to protect my son. We're not a very strong shinobi village, so this war has been a very difficult one."
Gai shook his head in understanding. "That isn't a problem. I would just like to let my team rest before we leave. I want my team to be at full power. "
The king nodded. "Of course; I want my son as protected as possible if things should go awry."
Break-
They set out at sunrise. But not before Hagane was given a complete makeover. He was definitely not happy with it, but he would have to deal if he wanted to survive. His once waist length hair was now cropped to just below his shoulders. His face was touched with makeup, his features softened and almost girlish looking. His complete armor suit was traded in for a pair of black pants, a long sleeve mesh shirt, chest armor, and a black vest; yup, definitely not his style. Tenten had reassured him and told him not to worry; he still looked manly, only making him blush fiercely.
The first few days passed uneventfully. They were in Fire Country territory after all and not worried about being attacked. The only really interesting thing was Naruto's constant babbles about this and that. He never seemed to cease speaking, much to Team Gai's annoyance. Hagane however, was fascinated with Naruto and his stories about training. Their societies varied greatly, and so did the way they trained. By the time they reached the Lightning Country, Team Gai was ready to murder Naruto. The amount of time they'd spent with him was quite enough.
They reached Arashigakure in two weeks. Once they arrived they were quite happy to be done and over with the mission. No one had attacked them; there were actually no problems whatsoever. Unfortunately for them though, they found out two things once they had reached the village. One: they had to stay the week and a half till the wedding was complete, being Hagane's bodyguards till the I-do. Two: once the wedding was over, they had to guide the reinforcement's to Kawagakure; Hagane was, after all, staying in town with his bride for the first month. Team Gai could only sigh while Naruto grinned and cackled in the background.