AN: Thanks for my reviews :) and emijonks2000 I actually have a third story with this pairing I am struggling to write so if you ever get a chance let me know what you think of that one. Ok folks, I got chapter 2 up, really helped after the day from hell at work to calm down and de-stress. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

Sakura smiled menacingly, and managed not to squeal. Ino rubbed her hands together as if she had discovered something juicy and wonderful. Tenten held her head in her hands, too afraid to look at her sensei for fear of cringing. Hinata watched the others excitedly. She opened her mouth to answer with Naruto as her inspiration but was suddenly overcome with shyness and fell into some sort of high pitched hiccups which sounded suspiciously like "Naruto- hic – Kun".

Gai watched the girls as if his very life was in their hands.

Ino looked to Sakura. The pink haired one nodded encouragement.

"OK," Ino began. "I will ask you a series of questions and you must answer them honestly. Promise?"

"Right!" Gai air punched. "You have my word Ino-chan that I, the noble green beast, will not hesitate in my honest and will provide-"

"Yeah, yeah," Sakura waved her hand. "And you must answer ALL questions."

"Upon my honour! I have never backed down from a challenge!"

Tenten groaned.

"Wow, Gai-sensei," Hinata said. "That is very brave of you..."

"Aha! The Green Beast of Konoha fears nothing!"

"Oh we'll see..." mumbled Ino.

"Think of it as a test. When we have all your answers we will analyse your answers and be able to tell you your true feelings for your rival." Gai nodded eagerly at her words. "OK, let's begin," Sakura said. "Do you think about him when he's not around?"

"Most certainly! I prepare challenges well in advance. It is best to be one step ahead, you know, with such an excellent rival. I wish I could see more of him, but he quite often resists my challenges. So I have to hunt him down and explain the benefits of our most manly challenges."

"Err yeah." Ino said. "Question two: Do you think about him every day?"

"Of course. One most constantly find new ways to test one's skills. I always look for new hot-blooded challenges to-"

"Next!" Sakura interrupted. "Do you value his opinion in all things?"

"If I didn't he wouldn't be my rival!"

They were all snickering now, except Gai, who was hanging on every word of Ino and Sakura, and Tenten who was growing more and more irritated by the second. Her sensei clearly did not like Kakashi-sensei as anything but a rival and they were all twisting it for their own amusement, taking advantage of Gai-sensei's innocent nature.

"Does he make you want to be a better person?" Ino continued.

"Of course! I am always pushing myself match him. It helped me reach where I am today. My rival is not to be taken lightly."

"Do you accept his flaws?"

"Ha! Although he pretends he is too hip and cool to have any, I assure you he does! He is ALWAYS late for one thing..."

"Oh, tell me about it," Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Do you act differently around him?" Ino pressed.

"Hmmm well he definitely pushes me to train more vigorously. Maybe I'm more youthful?"

Here they couldn't help bursting into laughter. Gai frowned, confused. The two ring leaders in this conversation were enjoying this, although they themselves didn't really believe Gai-sensei liked Kakashi-sensei like that. They were just messing with him. It was way too much fun to tease the man, no wonder Kakashi-sensei always did so.

Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes and decided on another question.

"Can you picture your future without him?"

She had expected some more funny answers that they could interpret in a sexual way for the sheer fun of it. What she did not expect was Gai freeze and his eyes to grow hard.

"No."

The laughter died and they looked at the men with concern now, unsure of how the tone had changed so suddenly.

"One time, when Itachi I- I was scared I would have to- when he woke up I never felt so relieved..." Gai furrowed his brows in anxiety and confusion, unable to fathom his own feelings. His eyes were growing moist. "It was one of the worst moments of my life..."

Tenten raised her head. Gai-sensei was of course referring to when Itachi tortured Kakashi-sensei. He was so out of it even they had feared he may not pull through for a while. It was the worst Sakura had ever seen her sensei.

The girls looked at each other, all joking aside. Maybe this was more serious than they had thought?

This time Tenten spoke. Her voice was gentle and tried to coax her sensei away from more morbid thoughts. "When you're with him, how do you feel?"

Gai met her eyes slowly. The colour had drained from his face. Tenten repeated her question and a smile appeared on her sensei's face as he considered his answer. Tenten folded her arms and let out a knowing sound. The other three nodded. Gai-sensei's flushed cheeks and huge grin said it all.

"When I'm with my eternal rival... I feel youthful and complete. I am happiest when we're together."

Hinata was almost sobbing..."Oh, Gai-sensei...wow."

"Woah, he's got it bad," Ino said.

"Got what?" Gai asked pleadingly. His eyes were wide and leaned forwards in anticipation. "What?!"

"You really don't know?" Sakura asked.

Gai nodded his head and braced himself.

"Gai-sensei," the pink haired one continued. "You're in love!."