I really hope you enjoy this chapter. I worked very hard for this one. I'm sad because I didn't want to do what I did at the end, but the story has to move... I want to thank Elenchi and Hilda for their help. Please review. It makes me smile when I know you're all happy. Well, I'm sorry I'm a little emotional because of the story lol I just finished it like a couple of min. ago. I hope you like it I'll post ch. 8 soon I hope! Sorry I'm just starting to learn jap. so no making fun! Have a good day.

p.s.

this chapter is split into part A and B.

Ch. 7 A: Gais, Lees, Nejis, and Narutos! Oh! No!

"Well, with what we've found I know we're catching up." Maito Gai smiled.

"Wait!" Neji stopped and dropped to the floor where tracks of nin boots where deeply set in the loose dirt.

"What now Neji?!" Naruto couldn't help but feel useless since missing the last obvious clue.

Naruto blanks out to the incident

"Gai-sensei! There's nothing here to prove it's them. Can we move on?"

"You aren't looking hard enough. If you were to open your eyes instead of your mouth maybe you'd find something!" As he said this, Neji reached underneath Naruto's foot which rested on a log, and pulled a torn piece of fabric from under it. Naruto landed on his back. Surprised from the speed at which Neji attacked he was speechless. "Well, how do you know it's from Kakashi-sensei or Iruka-sensei? You can't prove it!"

"Yet another thing you need to learn. All the nin vest from Konoha have a special design on the inside. Do you even know what this is?" Neji flashed the torn piece of fabric with the Konoha symbol stamped everywhere. Naruto couldn't say a word. He just walked away. "Urusei." Naruto seemed unmoved by the remark.

"Here, there's a mark on this tree. They must have changed their course."

"Ah, good work Neji!" Gai-sensei gleamed with pride.

Iruka and Kakashi still laid together enjoying the feel of the men next to them completely unaware of the time and the place. They remained clueless to the fact that their vacation was soon to end…

"There, Gai-sensei!!!" Lee yelled in his youth-filled voice

"AH, Lee!" tears flowed down his checks as he spotted the tent his dear pupil had found.

"Kakashi! Someone is here!" Iruka whispered in a nervous tone

"Get dressed Ruka. I'll see who it is." Kakashi dressed quickly and stepped out of the tent. Is it light already? How long were we asleep? Who is that?!

"Ohayo!" Kakashi's eyes curved into little crescent moons as he lightly waved at the team.

"Sensei! Ohayo gozaimasu." Naruto looked surprised he didn't except to find him here. The shock was driven in deeper when Iruka made his exit with his hair still by his shoulders.

"Iruka-sensei?"

"Ohayo gozaimasu Naruto!" Iruka blushed a deep red as he lowered his head

I feel like they can see right through me. Do they know? Can they tell? Why are they here?

"What is it Gai?" Kakashi tried to get Gai alone to avoid his secret to be spilled to Iruka.

"Well, nothing really we just picked up the mission. I am not sure about all the details. Perhaps it would be best if you both headed back to Konoha. Tsunade-sama is worried. Don't tell her we found you." Why are they here? I thought Iruka was sick. What is going on?

"Maa, Gai. Don't sound so serious." Kakashi tried to smile, but his nervousness showed up like red wine on a white carpet.

"Kakashi lets speak privately" Gai walked away and Kakashi followed

"Look I don't know what's going on, but did you leave Konoha without permission?"

"Gai its not what you think. I made a mistake."

"My mission is to report your whereabouts as soon as I can. My team and I will finish up the original mission by tomorrow. I suggest you get back before Tsunade-sama gets more irritated."

"You're right. We shouldn't have left the village. Is she mad?"

"Not when I left but Shizune seemed pretty upset when she caught up." Gai sighed "Kakashi are you and Iruka…?"

"What? Are we what?"

"Maybe its not my business to ask, but did you come here to be together? I know now that Iruka wasn't really sick. I know you guys weren't on a mission. So, why are you out here?"

Ch. 7 B: Eternal Rivals/ Best Friends

"Well, Kakashi?"

"Ano, umm." What do I tell him? He wouldn't understand.

"You know, love shows more when you try to hide it." Gai smiled at Kakashi and patted him on the back

"Is it obvious? I really do love him. I just wanted to get closer to him, but I didn't know how. He doesn't know that I lied."

"Kakashi you have to tell him. It's only going to get worse if you keep it in until he finds out on his own. I will tell him. This is serious he might lose his..."

"Onegaishimasu…" Kakashi felt a rush of sadness. The fear of losing his newfound love made him shake with fear. "Please Gai don't… don't …I couldn't stand to lose him. I know if he finds out he'll…he'll ... onegai… onegai!" Kakashi lost himself and dropped to his knees crying in loud sobs he let his tears spill onto the ground that eagerly absorbed his fears.

Iruka came over to check where Gai and Kakashi had gone. Unnoticed he stood listening behind a tree. As he watched, Kakashi exposed his lack of strength.

Gai could do nothing but reach down and embrace his rival.

Upon looking up his blurred vision drew in a tanned young man standing next to a tree.

Iruka slowly made his way over to Kakashi. Kneeling on the ground next to him he said "Shishi why do you cry? Matte kudasai, ne? It makes me sad to see you cry." His eyes watered as he saw Kakashi fallen and broken. "Iruka, I need to say…"

"Don't speak. Whatever it is I'm here with you." Iruka smiled and took Kakashi from Gai's arms. "Shishi, I'm here forever because it is you who showed me love."

The next chapter will be here soon... :-D review please!