AN: Sorry it's a short one today guy; just been struggling to write for some reason. Thanks for pointing out the fatal grammatical error Avel! Eeek! I've updated as a result :)

Chapter 3

Gai's jaw dropped.

"W-"

"It's true!"

"Yeah you have all the signs! You should have seen your sappy expression just now!"

"Yes, Gai-sensei, it's like when I think about Na- when I think about people I love!"

Gai blustering, unable to form coherent words. Ten Ten stood up and put a hand on her sensei's arm.

"Gai-sense... I really think they might be right."

"Of course we are!" Ino burst out.

"Have you ever been in love before now?" Ten Ten asked gently.

Gai managed to cool a little and looked into his student's warm face.

"I- don't know. I don't so anyway. I mean, I've always been more interested in training and-"

"...And?"

"And err- And training with Kakashi."

"Training eh?" Ino snickered. Ten Ten glared at her and Sakura elbowed the blond girl in the ribs. "OW! No seriously we need our theory to the test!"

Ten Ten narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"OK Gai-sensei, picture this!" There is an evil smirk on Ino's face that Ten Ten didn't like one bit. "OK It's a hot day, you've been training together-"

"A hot blooded and manly challenge?!"

"Err, yeah, whatever. You've been working out together and decide to warm down at Kakashi-sensei's place before going to grab something to eat. While you are punishing yourself with one finger push ups, or something equally as stupid, to make up for losing, Kakashi has a shower. He comes out in just a towel his silver hair all wet and slicked back, water beading down his toned abs and past his hips towards the beginnings of-"

Gai yelped and turned away, hands covering his ears. If he heard anymore he was in danger of an all too eager sign making itself clear through the tight jumpsuit.

Hinata on the other hand gasped as blood sprang from her little nose. "Oh...!"

Sakura and Ino clasped, rolling about laughing at their reactions, pointing to Hinata and shouting "eeeew!" Hinata managed to stop the flow of warm blood, but her cheeks were burned red.

Ten Ten rubbed her forehead. She sighed. "Why me?"

When things has calmed down and Gai and Hinata were in no danger of hearing such scenes described to them again, Ten Ten spoke.

"Gai-sensei- all jokes aside- I think you really are in love with Kakashi-sensei."

Gai stroked his chin in thought. He wasn't freaking out anymore at least.

"How did you become rivals anyway?" Sakura asked.

"Ah well. It was just something that we did in class at first at the academy during tests. But when Sakumo- Kakashi's father- passed away I sought him out for challenges, to keep an eye on him."

"To look after him," mumbled Sakura, quietly pondering these things she didn't know about her sensei.

"It took a while but Kakashi eventually came around and warmed to my manly youthful challenges. Pretty soon we weren't just meeting for challenges: we were best friends."

For once the female students were hanging onto his every word.

"But when did change?" Ten Ten asked.

Gai blinked. "Change?"

"When did it turn from friendship to... deeper feelings?"

Gai furrowed his bushy brows and scratched his head. "I don't know."

"But- how can you not?"

Surprisingly it was the quietest of the three that answered this.

"Erm, Ten Ten-san, maybe Gai-sensei always loved him. Just like I..." She Hyuga blushed furiously and fell silent.

"Yes that may be right! Just like how I always knew I loved Sasuke!" Ino said smugly.

"Loved? You never loved him, Ino-pig! You never knew him well enough. I was on his team, I am the one who-!"

Ten Ten face palmed. "Yes, you two we get it. It's not you we are focussing on right now."

"Oh yeah, we have to help Gai-sensei!"

"Help me?" The jonin put his hands on his hips. "Help me what?"

"Help you get together with Kakashi-sensei of course!" Sakura beamed.

"We," Ino flicked her ponytail importantly. "Will be your matchmakers!"