Chapter 2. Been there, too.

As Gai poured spoonful after spoonful of soup into Lee's mouth, his mind was in fast rewind. He used to do that very same thing with an infant version of the same boy who was staring at him, half humiliated and half astonished.
He spent his first birthday with him.
His first word was his name.
But eleven years had passed...

The admiration Lee had flashed at Gai before has died, and was replaced with a hardened, stiff look of deep distrust. Not being able to move his fingers, his arms shifted restlessly over the bedcovers, rubbing his thighs in what seemed to be a nervousness-induced reflex movement. He was struggling, Gai could tell, struggling to say something and he couldn't bring himself to speak.

With the last spoonful, Gai took the dish, the empty bowl and raised himself.
- Please do not leave!
Gai stood still, closing his eyes. Polite tone, but cracked with anxiety. The voice of someone not used to have company... All this years, he has been an outcast and a loner.

He felt the same impulse as that day, when his legs began running on their own, but on reversal. He wanted to hug Lee and tell him everything. If he hated him, who cared, at least he would be informed that someone had cared and waited for him all those years.
But he had promised he wouldn't, so he stood still.

- I am not leaving, Lee! – Gai was surprised at his voice, which sounded light and happy. It was a good thing the boy could not see his face... – I want to clean this up, you'll break the bowl if you try to use your hands!
Taking a piece of cloth and lathering it, he carefully polished the bowl, putting it to dry. As he dried his hands, his narrow eyes never ceased to take Lee in.

And Lee was looking back. He was lost with words, wanting to thank him for the care and the attention, yet unsure of doing so. When a boy grows up with no references or people to look up to, a little attention is welcome. Yet, it was so unusual for him to be noticed... let alone cared for. Lee was used to be the center of attention only because he was a failure, used to be scolded, pitied, ignored, despised, so the warmth in the tone Gai used startled him. Like a shelter under a storm, and boy, it had been a heavy long rain until then...
This is how having a parent must feel like...

The jounin in front of him had taken his time to encourage him...
He had advised him to go ahead with his goal.
And he took the time to train him... even to pick him up and take him home...

He opened his mouth, not really knowing what he would say. Gai sensed something, and interrupted in his best booming voice.

- What is in that head of yours? – It wasn't reproach, nor anger, it was dissappointment...and Lee hated how it sounded. His sensei had paid him more attention than any other person in his life, and he had messed everything up again, trying to spare him a disgust.
- I... I thought you would not want to spar with me while I am this lame...
- Your taijutsu is not bad, but it needs work. Which is quite different to being lame.
- B-But Neji...
- Neji – said Gai, a grin dancing in his eyes – has a different style of taijutsu than yours.
- I know but... But you cannot understand!

Gai smiled. Reaching for his pouch-bag, he took out a small color photograph. A boy, eight or younger, was leaning against a tree, seemingly out of breath. He was wearing a baggy, tall-collared shirt, an equally baggy pair of pants, both in light blue, and bandages around his legs.
- Who are you reminded of?

- Tha-that was you, Sensei?
- You are very bright, Lee! - Lee felt the doubt again. Gai was uber awesome or uber lame? –When I was in the Academy, no one thought I'd make it. No one thought I was sane when I challenged a master of ninjutsu and a genious to be my rival. And with time, and a little help, I overcame the natural advantage Kakashi had over me. With just taijutsu.

He patted Lee's hair with affection.
- You're even more fortunate than me. Your chosen rival, Neji, has a taijutsu style as well. I can teach you the way of overcoming his style, and maybe something more. Depending on if you can handle it, who knows...

Lee's face shone with happiness. So he was going to train him, after all! Moreover, a technique that could win over Neji! He chuckled in amusement, joining his bandaged hands before him in a thankful bow.
- I am so very grateful! You will not regret your kindness to me this time!

Gai, a knowing smile dancing in his lips, closed his eyes. Well done, Gai, you will make a great ninja out of him, and you will help him achieve his dream.

The training field and the wonderful day came back as vividly as a summer sunrise. The image flowed in color, sixteen years after it happened. Bittersweet memories... Gai had been there, too, in the same spot in which Lee stood the day before. He had asked himself if sparring with Kakashi was worth it. He had been punishing his body for not being able to act as he commanded. And he got the answer from three different sources, plus his own hard work.
When there is a will, there is a way...

Two ten-year-olds were facing each other. Three years had passed since the day they had turned genin, in which they had seen less and less of their comrades return home alive. This was a pause between reports and new mission assignments, a break from the war, a moment in which the child warriors could return to be kids again.

But kids are natural fighters, even in normal environments, and this was a long-awaited rivalry rematch. No jutsus allowed, simple hand-to-hand combat.

Gai was facing Kakashi, smiling confidently in his new outfit. The young genious didn't look even remotely impressed at him: he had won their first five matches, and he was going for the straight six row.

Their teams were the only witnesses. There was Rin, anxiety spreading over her features, and Obito, his fists clenched in expectation. The Uchiha boy had gotten the rumor that Gai was growing stronger, and he was anxious to see Kakashi being beaten.
Gai's two Genin teammates were looking at him with different expresions. His female teammate was chomping on a weed, a serene, sober halfsmile in her lips. His male teammate was peeking at him, eyes even colder than Kakashi's. None of both expected him to win.

A paper tag was set on the floor, when it exploded, the match should begin.

BANG!

It all came without warning. Gai ran at his rival, while Kakashi waited, arms folded. Usually, Gai would try to pin him to the floor by jumping on him and trying to lock him still, but now, he ran past Kakashi as if he was invisible.
The son of the White Fang looked back and something like a big gale hit him. And another, and another.
Both could hear shouts and gasps from outside, but the cloud Gai had raised on purpose blocked the view. Never show your jutsu carelessly unless it's necessary. Basic rule.

Kakashi tried to hit back, but Gai, an impish smile in his lips, dodged twice and punched once. It was his territory, hand-to-hand combat, and he was absolutely sure he would claim the victory. He dodged again, Kakashi's fist impacted his cheek, but he countered with a punch in the guts. They locked in a tight arm grip, eyes unwilling to give up. For the first time, the Hatake genious was hungry to win... this was really a challlenge.

They were right... I can move so well now! Much better than before.

He was using only his limbs, their force increased by the training and the use of weighted gear. It seemed like overkill to use his most recent acquisition, the speed. Gai knew his strength now was superior, and he intended to prove the point that had pushed him, when they became genin, to adopt him as a rival and prompt him to spar seriously with him.
Okay, time to stop this!

He flipped aside with a quick flicker, raised his right leg and delivered a Konoha Dai Sempû on Kakashi Hatake. The force and the weights he was now wearing collided with the genious ninja's body, sending him outside the cloud that had formed.

Gai came out of the cloud, his hand in an attack position and a smile on his lips. Obito was cheering loudly, Rin was intent on checking Kakashi. His two teammates were enigmatic: The girl was unsure, the boy was envious.

- That was pure luck.
- You can call it luck. I call it sweat, tears, blood and... hard work.

Gai smiled. He could hear Lee saying that aloud, in front of a finally defeated Neji. Your quest is my quest from now on, Lee. Your Nindo and my Nindo are like one.