AN: OK I'm sorry! This was supposed to stay a two shot, but I just couldn't help myself! It needed to be continued XD BTW this may actually turn into a collection of oneshots, but there's no guarantee. UPDATE: Typos have been fixed!
DISCLAIMER: If I owned Naruto, we would have dragged Sasuke's ass back to Konoha aaaaaaages ago. Not very interesting, but at least everyone would be happy!

Fanning the Flames

From the first moment he had met his team, Gai had quickly noticed that he and Lee were clearly the most passionate members of it. They worked hard, and embodied the power of youth. But you see, this was a problem for Gai.

Team Gai did not consist of only himself and his most adorable pupil Rock Lee. There were also two others, who had not quite achieved the same level of passion that Lee and himself had. Gai desperately wanted his team to be the most youthful and brightly blazing team in all of Konoha. They had to be, in order to defeat the team of his eternal rival, Kakashi.

Gai understood the girl, Tenten. She had a most fiery personality, and was quite passionate about weaponry. The flames of youth burned brightly within her, and Gai saw so much potential that could be utilised.

Training with Tenten, he had come to see that she was truly a force to be reckoned with, able to keep Lee under control. He had also noted that Tenten did not seem as open to hugging and displays of pure youthful emotions as Lee was.

In comparison, his other pupil, the young Hyuuga prodigy, had not had that same fire. Neji, in comparison to Lee, was a natural genius. His kekkai genkai, the famed Byakugan, was the strongest in him than it had been in any other Hyuuga for generations. Had his father Hizashi, been born a minute or so earlier, Neji would have been the Hyuuga heir. But alas, this was not so. Neji was a branch family member, and in his own words, 'fated to serve the Main house forever'. Neji had held much bitterness and anger inside of himself. At first, Gai had struggled to reach him.

But Gai was not a quitter. He had worked hard, and managed to reach Neji. Slowly, Neji had let go of that resentment that made him so cold. The defrosting process had started thanks to little Naruto Uzumaki, the Kyuubi child.

Ah, the flames of youth burned so brightly in the little blond prankster. His passion rivalled Lee's!

After Naruto had successfully defeated Neji during the Chunin exams (much to Gai's disappointment and surprise, as the boy was on Kakashi's team, and 'dead-last' in his year), the ice on his emotions had broken and he finally allowed Gai to reach him.

Gai had fanned the flame of youth that now burned so brightly within Neji, and done the same with Tenten. While neither showed the enthusiasm that Lee did, both worked hard, and did their best to improve their skills.

Thus, Gai had felt it was time to give the rest of Team Gai the opportunity to experience the joy that he and Lee had. It was time to give them the jumpsuit.

At the time, Lee had just come out of the hospital, having suffered grievous injuries inflicted on him by the now Kazakage, Gaara. Lee had insisted on coming with Gai to watch Team Gai's practise session. Gai knew better than to protest. His pupil could be very stubborn.

Lee had seated himself at the side of the training ground, while Tenten, Neji and Gai had trained. He had sat with a most sad look on his face. Gai could tell he longed to be sparring with them. But Gai could not let Lee train! He was still recovering.

At the end of the training session, the team had gathered around Lee, so he was part of the group.

They had sat in the training ground in the fast fading light.

"Neji. Tenten. Lee." he had said, nodding his head at each of his students.

"You are all strong, passionate shinobi. I am very proud of my pupils."

He reached into a bag he had prepared especially for that occasion. With a flourish, he had revealed two of his most wonderful jumpsuits

"Neji and Tenten! You have worked so hard this last month, especially after the devastating invasion of our beloved village! That is why I feel it is time I gave you the same opportunity Lee has had!"

Holding up the jumpsuits in one hand, he struck the 'Nice Guy' pose.

"Behold! My most magnificent jumpsuit! Breathable, flexible, comfortable, just perfect for the fledgling shinobi!"

Their reactions had not been what Gai had expected. Both were looking at him like he was crazy. Maybe they hadn't understood him?

Before he could figure out what the expressions on Neji and Tenten's faces meant, he was interrupted by a terrible sound.

"Gai-sensei!" wailed Lee, who looked dejected."You…you have replaced me! Do you not think I will ever become a ninja?"

Gai had been appalled. Replace Lee? Never!

"I would never do that Lee! You are my prized student!" said Gai, voice filled with emotion. "I simply wanted Neji and Tenten to experience the joy that the jumpsuit brings! I wanted them to join us in our hip and youthful trendsetting look! Do not be sad Lee! You…you…"

Gai's eyes had filled with tears, passionately overflowing.

"You are my most favourite student!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

And like before, the sun had set in orange and pink splendour while the two green beasts of Konoha had hugged. It had been a magnificent moment, two powerful shinobi sharing their feelings with the world!

By the time the two had stopped crying, Neji and Tenten had gone.

Come to think of it, the jumpsuits had disappeared too.

Two updates in one day :D The idea for this popped into my head. Please review!