AN: Aaaaaaand I'm back on this with some GaiKaka cuteness!

I forgot how much I enjoyed writing chivalrous Gai :D Hope no one is bored of this yet.

As usual, please don't take this fic too seriously, it is just supposed to be a bit of fun, and I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, so no flames please.

Chapter 11

"Ergh why are we meeting so early?" Sakura and Ino whined.

"I'm used to it now," Tenten smiled tiredly, full of sumpathy.

"Early?! Why it is only coming up to nine now!" Gai boomed cheerily, brimming with youthful determination.

"Exactly!" they all retorted, glaring.

"Why the urgency, Gai-sensei?" Hinata asked. "Did something happen?"

They were all sat at Gai's kitchen table after he had rounded them all up, to their parent's displeasure, who also considered it way to early to find a loud brightly dressed man banging on the door. Tenten's parents were of course used to such behavior and resigned to it. As Gai had collected her first, so had apologised to each set of parents who answered the others' doors and explained that they had a 'mission' and would be reporting directly to the Hokage.

This statement of course had the desired affect and they ushered their daughters up to serve the Hokage. The girls however, knew better once they set eyes on their companions, and they were understandably grumpy at being woken up on a day off.

Gai had however promised them a magnificent and youthful breakfast once they arrived at his. Gai had already eaten of course before the training, but he was nothing if not a great host.

When they arrived there was breakfast, as promised, but it certainly wasn't magnificent in their opinion. Gai's brightly painted kitchen contained only four wooden chairs around the dining table, so he stood leaning against the counter; the table was covered with... fruit. Lots of apple, oranges and pink grapefruit, nuts and some sort of muesli. Where were the chocolate pancakes they had imagined- where where the calories!?

Gai beamed at his display and seemed satisfied when Tenten sighed and reached for a grapefruit. Only the best super nutritious foods for his students!

So when Hinata prompted Gai with her question Gai's smile actually grew.

"Something did indeed happen," he announced happily while striking a good Gai pose. "I have secured a date for the evening with my beloved rival!"

The girls squeeled with delight despite their tiredness. "That is wonderful news, Gai-sensei!" Tenten cheered.

"So you asked him out?" Sakura asked happily.

"Well...no. Not exactly," Gai admitted, but refused to be deterred. "But a date it is all the same!"

"Hold on," Ino interjected. "If you didn't ask him out, how is it a date then... Gai-sensei does Kakashi think this is a date?"

"Well... no. But he will, my young friend, just you wait!"

All except Hinata groaned.

"What happened?" Sakura dared to ask.

"Why he lost the challenge of course, and a most youthful, energetic challenge it was; he sun was bright, the day full of promise and-"

"So if he lost the challenge he had to go on a date- genius!" Ino nodded approvingly.

"Well it was actually to buy the victor dinner, something we do often."

"So it's not a date?"

"But it will be; I will make it so! If not I shall run five-hundred laps aro-"

"OK, Gai-sensei, we get it," Sakura was rubbing her temples. It was way too early for this. "Sensei, how many dates have you been on before now?"

"Err well... none."

"WHAT?!" Sakura's jaw almost hit the table. "But you're in like, your mid-twenties or something, right?!"

"Yes..." Gai was staring at the floor sheepishly, embarrassed. He hoped Kakashi hadn't been on loads of dates either. But he was so great that Gai couldn't imagine him not being asked out. Sakura knowing her sensei's social awkwardness, doubted it. "I've always been busy with my training... that and I have never realised I wanted to until now. I only want to date Kakashi."

"Awww," the girls glowed with happiness. Why didn't anyone feel that way about them?

"So the question is, how do we make this a date?" Tenten asked.

"Yes tonight must be the transition from friendship to romance!" Sakura shrieked.

"So where are you taking him?" Ino asked matter of fact. "It has to be somewhere nice."

"Well I don't know how much money my rival has, maybe I should check with him on a budget first?" Gai said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. He must be considerate of his rival's wallet after all!

"Wait, what? Why would he be paying?"

"Because he lost the challenge! Upstanding members of Konoha's community must never go back on their word, young ones!"

Ino let out an enraged cry, banging her head on the table.

"Sensei," Tenten ventured. "Isn't it more like your taking him on a date if you pay?"

Gai frowned. He was feeling torn. He wanted to treat Kakashi to a beautiful canlelite romantic meal, but allowing him to forfeit his loss just felt so...alien. So wrong. So completely against everything Gai stood for.

"Can't I go halves?"

"No!"

Gai pouted. "Fine!" He folded his arms. "For the love of my rival, I will allow him to forfeit payment- just this once!"

"OK, now that's sort, you had better take him somewhere nice; we need to make reservations."

"What about that new restaurant by the park? I see lots of couples going in there." Hinata said, blushing. That was where she dreamed of Naruto taking her.

"OK good. Next, what will you be wearing? It has to be smart!"

"We'd better let Kakashi-sensei know then, he will turn up in his jonin uniform otherwise." Sakura added.

"Turn up- no, Gai-sensei has to call for him!"

"Better give him a time to expect him then too."

"And maybe he should bring him something?"

"Ah I already have that one covered," Gai beamed proudly, hands on his hips. "I wrote Kakashi a poem to express my honest and heartfelt feelings." He dissipated and instantly reappeared with paper in hand and cleared his lungs before booming the first line. "Silver night, pale moon, your quivering-"

"EWWW NO! THAT'S TOTALLY GROSS!"

"For the love of kami, please do NOT write any more poems!" they begged, suppressing shudders.

Huh how odd, Gai thought. Weren't poems meant to be incredibly romantic? But these girls don't seem to enjoy the beautiful rhythm of words from the heart.

"Right then, let's discuss just how you should behave on a date. Now firstly you must remember to ask questions about him, and compliment him, and..."

Gai resoutely grabbed a pen and pad, and began frantically taking notes.

Kakashi had just finished showering and was preparing his ninken's lunch when he heard the knock. He opened the door to find it empty except for a letter. Kakashi picked it up and was assaulted by the scent of some sort of male cologne. It felt like it was burning his eyes.

What the hell?

The mystery was partly solved when he noticed the bold, confident calligraphy of Maito Gai. Gai always was eccentric.

My wonderful rival,

Thank you for the vigerous race this morning. As a token of my affection, I will be paying the bill for tonight's dinner; no protests, rival! I know it is against our code of rivalry, but as a one-off I am happy to forgo your loss (though I will still count it towards my total number of wins you understand, of course).

I will pick you up at seven- don't be late! I am booking a reservation.

Gai.

PS. Don't wear your uniform, dress smart.

"Huh," Kakashi said to himself and he placed the letter on the table. "That seemed...different." Then he shrugged and got back to lunch. It was strange Gai was offering to pay even though he won. Not that he would complain about a free dinner. He would just have to fathom Gai's behavior later.

"Gai-sensei, what was with that smell on the letter?" Tenten asked. "It smelt very strongly of cologne."

"Well I couldn't scent it with perfume- that's unmanly!"