AN: Hey everyone. Hope you like this chapter. Again it contains some flashbacks- particularly interested to hear what you think of the flashbacks. I am enjoying writing them and weaving them into the story. They are all in italic. Oh and just to warn you a slight bit of lemonness- though not from Kakashi and Gai!

Chapter 7

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"oh... Gai-sensei!"

"Oh, Lee!"

Tears were pouring from their eyes. Sakura swore she saw waves crash against rocks under a sun set. It something she hadn't seen in years. Well she should have expected one of these half familiar scenes. This was Gai and Lee being reunited after all.

And Sakura couldn't help but smile.

Asuma's twentieth birthday party was what Gai had expected- out of control. Their burly friend had developed an early weakness for drinking, smoking and girls. And this party was full of all three.

Gai pushed his way through the crowds, desperately searching for a silver head amongst all the other ninja. As he searched he accidently caught the eye of Anko and hastily turned in the other direction; the kunoichi had a snake draped around her shoulders and a mischievous glint in her eyes. Best to avoid her tonight at any rate. Gai and Kakashi had to be two of the few she hadn't dragged into bed and Gai would rather keep it that way. Especially after hearing Asuma swear she uses the snakes in bed.

Gai continued his search with enthusiasm. Kakashi had promised he'd be here. And Kakashi never broke his promises.

By the table of drinks Gai noticed a very strong smelling punch. He downed a cup in one go to calm himself. He had been looking for the last fifteen minutes and there still wasn't a sign of Kakashi. He then grabbed a beer and pushed back through into the crowds.

And there it was: a glimpse of silver! Gai ran forward and collided straight into someone else, spilling his drink over their shirt.

"Sorry! Really sorry! I, Maito G-"

The person in question turned and said, "Oh. It's you."

"Yamato!" Gai glared wishing he could take back his apology. But damn it Gai just didn't have it in him to exude bad manners, especially to a teen of only sixteen. He didn't like Yamato but he still had to set a good example.

"Ha, apology accepted Gai," the teen smirked. "Anyway, have you seen Senpai?"

"No!" Gai said a little too quickly.

Yamato's eyes narrowed. "That's funny; he said he'd be here."

"Oh really? I think he said he changed his mind. He, err, wasn't feeling well... dodgy ramen or something..."

Yamato watched him for a full minute before responding. "Right. Then why aren't you with him? You usually jump at the chance to nurse your 'eternal rival'."

Gai scratched the back of his head nervously and fake-laughed. "Ah well, wouldn't want to catch it!"

Yamato watched him some more. "Well since I am here, I might as well stay. After all it's not often I get to spend time with so many jonin."

Gai gritted his teeth. "Fine."

"Fine."

They both turned and stalked off to opposite sides of Asuma's apartment.

"Of course you will stay here, Gai-sensei!"

Despite everything, Lee was thrilled with the way things had turned out. He was undeniably happy that his sensei and best friend had returned and would be staying with him; after all they had A LOT of catching up to do. And a lot of training.

Gai started crying all over again. At least someone in Konoha was nothing but happy to see him. He really hadn't expected such a mix of emotions upon his return. Gai's greatest fear that those he cared about felt... regret that he had returned. Gai tried to shake the dark thought from his mind. It meant a lot to know he could always count on Lee.

"So, where will I be staying?"

"I have a spare room, Sensei. You are most welcome to use it and change it as you see fit. I could not think of a greater honour than you staying here!" Lee bowed and cried again.

Sakura felt a vein throbbing. These two clowns were giving her a headache and it had only been five minutes. "Alright, alright, enough you two. Gai-sensei, we had better get you some new things if you are to be comfortable here. I will speak to Naruto for some money. After all you were never able to collect the fee from your last mission."

"Being paid by Naruto... wow that will take some getting useful! I always knew Kakashi's foxy student had it in him!" Gai smiled and his teeth pinged.

"Erm, right." Sakura said. "So I will get going. I am sure you two have a lot of catching up to do. I will be back soon and we can head to the shops."

The pink haired girl headed towards the door.

"Sakura-chan," Gai called.

She turned back. "Yes?"

"Thank you."

It was late and Asuma's party was in full drunken swing. Gai found Kakashi too late. The poor nineteen-year-old had Anko draped across his shoulders and a snaked twisting on his lap. Even with the mask Gai could see his expression was uneasy. Gai strode over to the corner and folded his arms.

"Anko! Let my rival go!"

Her eyes flashed at him dangerously and Gai couldn't help wincing and taking a step back. Shit why was he so afraid of a girl. Maybe because he valued his manly bit- he had an irrational fear that the snake would target them, if the rumours were true...

"But, but.." Gai was about to plead for his rival.

"Gai and I have a drinking competition!" Kakashi suddenly interjected, wild look in the eye Gai could see. One of Anko's hands was sliding further up his leg. Gai was too afraid of the crazy kunoichi even to even feel jealous.

What Kakashi had said seemed to grab her attention though. Her hand stopped and she pulled her face away, smiling. An evil smile.

"Oh but that is such a tame challenge," she purred. "How about something more interesting?"

Gai thought about it. "Will you release Kakashi?"

"Hmm... sort of."

"What do you propose?" Kakashi asked

"Something we all take part in," she said, smirking. "Spin the bottle."

Kakashi sighed. "Seriously?"

"Mm it could be fun." She licked the side of Kakashi's face. The snake hissed. Gai and Kakashi both shuddered. "Or I can keep you here all to myself..."

"We'll do it!" Gai and Kakashi both yelped at the same time.

Gai and Lee were having a push up race. Gai had almost reached a thousand when Naruto burst in.

"Bushier Brow-sensei!"

"Naruto-kun- I mean sama!" Gai replied hastily, still going his push ups.

"Ah, don't worry you can just keep calling me Naruto, believe it!"

Gai reached one-thousand and jumped up. "I will then."

Rock Lee finished only a second after him. "You win, sensei."

Gai struck a pose. "As expected. A coma cannot keep the legendary Green Beast down!"

"You were probably training in your sleep," Sakura chuckled.

"I am glad you're back Bushier-Brow-sensei," Naruto beamed. "Here is the money we owe you and a bonus for living expenses. Sakura filled me in on what everything." He shuddered here, and repressed the urge to gag at some of the finer details.

Gai took the money and a parcel from Naruto. "Thank you. And what's this?"

Gai unwrapped a three new green spandex suits, identical to the ones he had owned previously. Gai burst into tears again and threw himself on the new Hokage.

With this gift, Gai truly felt like he was back.

Many intoxicated party-goers joined the circle in the corner of the room, including himself, Kakashi, Anko, the snake, Yamato (which had earned the teen a glare from Gai), Asuma, Hayate, Genma and Kurenai.

Anko looked malevolent as she spun it to start. It landed on Hayate. She crawled forwards and laughed evilly as the snake coiled around her middle. Hayate coughed nervously. He then yelped when Anko bit his lip a little too hard.

Eventually it was Gai's turn to spin after Kurenai had pecked him on the lips. Gai was hesitant as he leaned towards the bottle but then span it with force. He had to physically stop himself from praying out loud, "Kakashi, Kakashi, Kakashi."

For one hopeful moment, it looked as if it was land on his love. Gai would finally dare to do what he had always been afraid to do, under the pretext of an innocent party game...

But the gods must have been taunting him. Instead of landing on his eternal rival, the bottle came to a clear stop in front of the person he least wanted to kiss- other than Anko that is.

"Oooh Gai and Yamato!" Anko squealed. "Mmm well go ahead then boys." She was smirking at their discomfort in their expressions.

Gai narrowed his large eyebrows and then leaned forwards. He wished so many people weren't watching. He wished Kakashi wasn't watching. It made him feel like he had to prove something- who was the best kisser.

Maybe that would settle this unofficial love triangle once and for all.

Unfortunately Yamato seemed to have the same idea. The younger man shot what Gai called only call a seductive look at Kakashi- his Kakashi dammit! - and crawled towards Gai.

The two young men threw their arms around each other and locked lips with their mouths parted. Their tongues fought a battle dominance, each trying to push their way into the other's mouth, neither wanting to be the 'uke'. Gai would be the best damn seme he could be. He would show Kakashi just what he was missing- Gai! He knew he was much more manlier than Yamato. His kiss became angry and forceful as he thought about how smug Yamato was that he was on ANBU and Gai wasn't.

Yamato responded with similar force and both were pulling at each other's shirts. They kept going for minutes, neither giving in and breaking the kiss first. The girls were screaming. The boys looked at them in awe. Kakashi was silent but wide eyed.

Still they kept going, each still trying to take the lead. Eventually they both looked at each other's eyes and silently communicated a truce. They tore themselves apart from one another, gasping for breath. Despite himself Gai was shocked to realise he had felt a stirring down... there. No no no! That couldn't happen with the enemy, his rival in love! No!

Gai looked at Yamato and saw that he was in a similar state of discomfort. Ha.

Gai took in the seen and saw the girls looking flustered, Anko even had a nosebleed. Her snaked licked the blood leaking down her face. Eww.

Gai and Yamato both sought Kakashi with their eyes for his reaction. It was hard to tell with the mask but Gai definitely thought he saw a blush on the pale skin. "Wow, you two," he said amused, the Icha Icha side of him coming out, "that was...something."

Seeing their friend clearly aroused made both Yamato and Gai blush themselves with pleasure. Maybe it had been worth it after all.