AN: A lil gift from me to welcome in the New Year ;p

Chapter 23

Gai headed towards the gates of his beloved village with the intention of either speaking with Kotetsu there, or if not then gaining his home address from one of his friends who worked there. He felt that after his rude display only that morning, and his cold behaviour (for Gai anyway) the time they met before, that he needed to explain and his sincerest apologies offered. He needed to give the chuunin his blessing to pursue his eternal rival without any guilt or concerns. To make Kakashi happy, even if it wasn't with him.

After all, Kakashi had made his choice, and the best man had won. As much as Gai wished it had been him, that was not so. His heart was broken, but he sincerely hoped that it would mend in time. He had to have an honest talk with his recent love rival, man to man, and let him know that despite his feelings for Kakashi, he would not interfere anymore or make another declaration of love. He would simply step aside. He hoped that in time, when his wounds began to heal, Kotetsu-san would not see Gai as a threat when he continued his friendship with Kakashi. The Green Beast needed to reassure the chuunin that there would be no ulterior motive.

It was the right thing to do.

So Gai dried his tears and moved towards his destination. He needed to do this know and get it over with. Treat it like a band aid over his weeping heart. Rip it off now before things got any worse and ill feelings grew between them.

He reminded himself again: he had lost Kakashi's heart. This was the right thing to do.

He stamped down any hope that resided within him.

Izumo was bored. Bored and slightly hungover, despite all the water he had downed that morning. He had only been on shift for a half hour in the late morning, but already he was yawning and sighing. He was currently on shift with an old ex-ANBU who was no longer suited to the missions and status he had held previously, who now worked on gate duty with the rest of their small team. The guy was stern and dull, and never indulged in the good humour, chatter and laughs that the rest of them did. He took things way too seriously.

He sighed again. At least Kotetsu would be here after lunch for his shift, which crossed over with Izumo's.

Genma had the day off, but sure enough Izumo could see him making his way towards the gates for a chat, greasy burger in hand. His choice in hangover food always turned Izumo's stomach.

"Do you have to eat that shit?"

Genma merely took another, bigger, bite.

"Well you could at least eat it before you come here. You're distracting me from my duty."

"You know the old man has the gate covered." Izumo's fellow gatekeeper grunted, and moved slightly away from them, disapproval (and a dislike for Genma) creasing his features.

"That's not the point. It stinks."

Genma was about to respond, but a familiar presence interrupted their banter.

"Ahoy there!" He called to the newcomer. "I thought you weren't due yet?"

"Yeah well I needed some air."

"Does this mean I can finish early?"

"What the hell happened to your nose!?" In his glee, Genma nearly dropped what remained of his greasy burger.

"I take it last night didn't go so well then," Izumo laughed.

"Did Hatake do that? Brilliant!"

"Shut it! It's not that bad," Kotetsu grumbled, trying to hide his nose from their scrutiny. "It was an accident."

"I have a feeling this could be the greatest day ever," Genma practically sang. He shoved the rest of the burger into his mouth and replaced his usual senbon when he had finished. "OK, tell us everything. I have to leave the village this evening, so I need to know the dirty details now."

As Gai approached the gate over the roofs, he spotted the man he had been looking for. He was with Genma and Izumo and Gai paused, confused. Shouldn't they be working? But Genma didn't work here, he was a special jonin.

That's when the sounds of their voices drifted up to him. They were laughing, and Genma sounded almost beside himself with glee. Gai didn't want to interrupt, but he needed to speak with Hagane-san. He concentrated in their voices to find the best time to approach.

That's when he made out the words.

"Yes! We win!" Genma was cheering. "Pay the piper, Kotetsu!"

Kotetsu huffed. "I haven't got it all on me now. Besdies I was so close, if I just tried one more-"

"Hatake clearly isn't interested in anything you have got to offer. Mission to get into Hatake's pants is a failure Kotetsu. I knew he was too uptight and a bit weird, but who knew frigid as well, eh?"

"So damn close…Ergh, if only that buffoon Maito had not of shown up again, I would have won the bet AND a piece of Hatake's ass."

As these words reached Gai, he saw red.

They weren't prepared for what came next. A thud hit the ground behind them and caught them by surprise. Turning they were met with the tall, broad profile of Maito Gai; and somehow he didn't look his usual self. Hi continence held none of the usual cheer, humour, good nature or even eccentricities that one had come to expect from the Green Beast. There was only rage behind those black eyes.

"Oh shit he looks pissed," Genma said.

"Maito-san," Izumo said trying for light hearted. "How long have you been there?" Maybe, somehow, he didn't hear them.

"Long enough."

Maybe not.

"Look, Maito-san…" Kotetsu started but was unsure how to continue. Think, dammit, think. He swore he could feel the angry hate vibes coming off the jonin. The elite jonin that is.

"You can make fun of me all you want, everyone both inside and outside this village already do. I don't care what you say about me, but you will not speak ill of my rival and best friend. You will not treat his most precious gift with such irreverence as if it were nothing. You even have to guile to laugh about it afterwards. Your actions and words are dishonourable and unforgivable- and I will make you sorry."

"Oh SHIT!" Genma yelped.

"It was just a bit of fun!"

"We didn't mean any harm!"

The green beast merely smirked sadistically- which coming from one of the most upbeat and bubbly men in the village was utterly terrifying.

"Don't worry, I won't cause any permanent damage."