Chapter Text
He loved his work. He loved his village. But more importantly, he loved his students. That’s the real reason Gai agreed to this mission when Kakashi asked him to be a part of it. Under normal circumstances, he would’ve said yes just so he could spend more time with his best friend. Not to mention, Kakashi and him had a perfect record together, so logging a mission with him was basically a guaranteed success.
But Lee decided to break out of the hospital yesterday. And how convenient is it that he chose to escape during Tenten’s one-on-one training session with Gai? The training session that’s at the same time every week. What a coincidence.
So yes, Gai jumped at the opportunity to bring the boy home safely––and the other genin of course. But Lee was still recovering. If it weren’t for Lady Tsunade, he wouldn’t even be walking, let alone fighting. The other five boys were strong and healthy. All of them could hold their own in a battle. Lee, under the same circumstances, could too, but he’s not , thanks to that “Gaara of the Sand.” Gai clenched his jaw.
“ He’s just a kid. He’s just an angry kid. He’s allowed to make mistakes. ”
Images of the preliminary rounds flashed before him. Of Gaara crushing Lee’s arm and leg. It was so hard not to be mad at the boy. He tried to kill one of his students after all. But…one of his students also tried killing their own cousin. And if Gai could forgive Neji, then he had to forgive Gaara.
The problem is, it’s much easier to forgive Neji. For starters, Gai actually knew him. What got him motivated, what made him angry, what skill he was struggling with, what skill he was mastering, his homelife, his favorite pastimes, what made him laugh.
He knew next to nothing about Gaara. But he had a feeling he was a lot like Neji. Antisocial. Cold. Dead parents. Rough childhood. Disdain for that childhood. And from Neji’s perspective, you could see the thought behind his actions, not that it justified attempted murder. But if you knew Neji as well as Gai did, you’d almost feel sorry for the kid.
The truth of the matter is Neji should’ve bowed out of the match. He knew what consequences laid ahead if they fought. Even if she had won, he would still suffer. Because as a Main House member up against a Branch Family member, Hinata had an ace in the hole. One quick hand sign and Neji would’ve been paralyzed with pain, screaming at the top of his lungs and begging for her to stop. But that would’ve been far more embarrassing than facing the same consequences at home from much stronger members. So he tried coercing her into forfeiting the match, because in a fair fight, Neji would’ve won, no contest. How many times had he been partnered with Hinata at home to help her train? He knew every move she would make and when she’d make them. Not to mention Neji was far more talented than Hinata. It felt unfair to think, but it was obvious that Hinata was much weaker than most of her classmates, and Neji graduated top of his class. And of course, there was the obvious extra-year-of-training advantage that he had on her. No, under fair circumstances Hinata didn’t stand a chance. And Neji knew that, so why should he have to forfeit when it was his match to win?
In his defense, Neji did try very hard to convince her to forfeit, even if it was in a pretty callous way. And when she refused to do so, he should’ve forfeited himself. But God damn it, the kid was so prideful . He couldn’t just let her take what was rightfully his. For thirteen years all her family did was take from him. His freedom. His father. His opportunities. Gai could see why he snapped.
She toyed with him in a way only she knew how. They were cousins, sure, but after Hizashi died and Hiashi took custody of Neji, they were raised almost like siblings. She knew where to poke that would hurt the most. She knew what she was saying would get to him and elicit a violent response. Gai was informed of the times Neji lashed out during Hinata’s training sessions. It was a rare occurrence, Neji is usually pretty cool-headed, but every now and then he would snap, just like he did during the preliminary rounds, and Hiashi would have to intervene.
Neji’s punishment for nearly killing the Hyuga clan’s next heir certainly fit the crime. Gai never got a definitive answer out of him, but his best guess is that Neji’s seal was activated until he passed out, and then again and again when he came too, in a vicious cycle for days. He missed two weeks of training.
It’s no excuse for nearly killing her, but Gai couldn’t understand why Hinata kept the fight going. Surely she knew how it would end? She’d already lost. Unless she used the sign, which at that point would’ve just been cruel. Neji was guaranteed to be punished, why keep egging him on? There had to be something he was missing.
“Gai.”
He snapped out of his thoughts and looked over to his comrade, “What is it?”
“Pakkun thinks someone is just ahead of us,” Kakashi gestured to the nindog that was way ahead of them.
“Let’s slow down and assess the scene, make sure it’s not an enemy.”
Kakashi nodded and all three pulled back their speed coming to a stop on a tree branch when they were right above the scent Pakkun tracked.
“I don’t sense any movement…and I can definitely smell something familiar. Ichiraku Ramen?” Pakkun sniffed the air.
Kakashi and Gai gave each other a worried look. They both had alternative motives for this mission, even if they wouldn’t admit it.
They descended to the forest floor quietly and explored the area.
“Look, the kids left directions. Guess they decided to split up pretty early then,” Gai said, studying the markings in the wood.
“Found someone!” shouted Kakashi.
Gai jogged back in his direction and stared down at the young boy unconscious on the ground where Kakashi was kneeling. He wore a Konoha forehead protector, so he must be one of the genin, but he did not recognize him at all.
“Who is that?”
Kakashi pulled the dog tags from around the boy’s neck and read the name, “Choji Akimichi!?”
“Choji?” Gai said, just as shocked, “But…what happened?”
He didn’t want to be rude but the Akimichi clan was known for their larger size, and Choji was currently looking as thin as Sakura.
Pakkun gave the boy a sniff, “Oof. He reeks of chakra.”
Kakashi and Gai locked eyes, “Akimichi pills,” they said in unison.
Gai stood up and immediately started searching for the pill box. Kakashi was in charge of checking Choji’s vitals.
“Found it!” Gai said after five minutes of looking
“Let me guess, he took all of them?”
Gai frowned, “How’d you know?”
“Because this kid’s heart rate is 214.”
“Fuck. We have to get him back,” Gai said, kneeling down to examine the boy himself.
“Okay, I’ll take him back to Konoha, we’re not far. You and Pakkun keep going and be on the lookout for the others. Once I get him to the hospital I’ll try to catch up to you. You said the kid’s left directions, right?” Kakashi asked, lifting Choji off the ground.
“Yes, we’ll stick to their path. Follow the arrows on the way back to us, I’ll bet it leads us right towards them,” Gai helped reposition their bags while Kakashi got Choji on his back.
“Good plan. I’ll see you soon.”
With a curt nod, Kakashi headed back the direction they came while Gai and Pakkun carried on.