Reunion

A fan fiction by Sequ3stered

Author's Note: Hey, everyone! Nice to see you (figuratively). Let's play a game! Let's pretend the Sasuke running off to Orochimaru deal and Naruto going insane deal did not happen. While we're at it, let's pretend this is not totally A.U. Happy reading and enjoy. (:

Summary: Gai's team has grown into 'mature' young adults. One's in ANBU and paints masks, one's a bachelor avoiding his former teacher, and one's a "weapons specialist." When they are reunited, they have only the past in common—but they reminisce about those days.

Key:

Thoughts/Stressed

"Dialogue"

Chapter One: Gai-sensei

A sigh of impatience decorated his silent complaints—all of which had settled uncomfortably in his mood. He'd actually been enjoying today, before some person had destroyed his pleasant solitude with a bright and chipper visit. The gate's bell, which was rusty from disuse, had impatiently rung five times before the disgruntled male had roused himself to attend to the maker of the noise.

Moments passed in silence as he gazed blankly at the green-clad man before him. He shivered involuntarily (of course). God forbid, it's…Gai-sensei. Damn. How the hell did he find me? I moved into this mansion deep in the hills and forest to get away from him. He'll just try his hand at…again. A soothing breath later, Hyuuga Neji pried open the gate, which shrieked at its exercise.

Gai-sensei opened his arms wide, as though expecting an affectionate embrace. Sorry, Gai-sensei, but I'm not Lee.

Gai recovered, stood up straight, and yelled, "Right you are! I am Maito Gai, here to save you from yourself! Your modern ideas of not needing someone—it's hogwash! You need a bright, wonderful maiden to soothe your aching heart! You're at the peak of your youth—twenty-two-years-old! It took me a fruitless three months to find you here, in this treacherous land! It's a better hiding place than the last time we had a heartwarming meeting, but don't you think that this place is a bit…intimidating, Neji?"

Hyuuga Neji slammed the heavy barbed gate in his face, enjoying the expression of disappointment and surprise that appeared on his former instructor's face. Through the bars, he asked brusquely, "What do you want?"

"For you to come back to Konoha, what else, my previous, yet wonderful student!"

"I'm in the Fire Country. It's close enough. And you don't need to send any hunter nin after me again because I won't sell the secrets of the Leaf or let people study my Byakugan. Satisfied?"

"What if—"

"If it is for the same reason as last time, go away and never come back."

"What if, young and passionate one, it is for a gathering—?"

Neji blinked. He's trying to set me up again, is he? He's Gai-sensei, "the Master of Poor Matchmaking Attempts on Innocent Bachelors." Of course this is a ploy to lure me back into a society filled with useless, weak women that Gai-sensei has been dying to throw me into.

"Go away and never come back."

"You'll get to see Lee!" Tears began to flow in Gai-sensei's eyes. "See the wondrous things that Lee can do! Lee, your friend; your old teammate!"

"Go away and never come back."

"You'll be able to feast your eyes on the superb, glorious female Tenten has become!"

"Go away and never come back."

"You can meet ladies! I know when, er, you visited last time, you weren't willing, but I know of a few—"

Neji turned around and walked back towards the forbidding place where he made his residence. He made it to the heavy doors, but when he opened them, the zealous ninja was in his home.

Sitting on his couch.

Dressed in one of his robes.

Holding a pipe to his lips as the fire crackled merrily.

… … … … … … … …

Rock Lee woke four minutes before his alarm went off. He slapped it prematurely, wrapped a towel around his body, and walked off to the shower, taking exactly one minute to do so. He had to run out in the nude 180 seconds later to turn off his alarm clock.

As he scrubbed, he contemplated on how his life had changed from just a year ago. Or, rather, how his most important people had changed, therefore changing him.

Staying up for absurd hours to worship Haruno Sakura's ever-so-lovely picture in on his wall and writing her poetry that would never be read had halted when she'd dated and then married her other admirer. Uzumaki Naruto. But, being the graceful loser that Lee was, he had acknowledged their coming together and had given her up to his worthy opponent.

He'd turned to his new love—making new designs for the ANBU masks. Being a primary member and having a connection to the Sixth Hokage, Naruto, he was able to show his efforts to top and get them rejected (nicely).

Also, a within the past sixth months, Gai-sensei had gone on a yet another mad trip tracking down Hyuuga Neji. I wonder if he's gotten him yet. Having no one to guide him in the ways of the world when he had questions, Lee remained naïve about many things. The Jounin's influence on him loosened, as he Lee, too, was a Jounin, but Lee still strove to be exactly like him.

Not much had affected Neji; he'd remained as solitary as ever, despite his being less cold and more kindly towards his cousin. His unruffled teammate had first moved away five years ago, without any warning. He'd been dragged back to Konoha by Gai-sensei, who obviously happened to be obsessed with getting Neji married. Neji had then gone away several times, always picking new spots to rest and then pick up and run. Now that Gai-sensei was after him again, he doubted that Neji would wiggle through and escape, like the preceding occasions.

And Tenten. His former teammate had become a "weapons specialist," or, basically, a weapon crafter. She made the best in all of the top Shinobi countries. Her kunai were perfectly balanced and sharpened until you could no longer see where the point was; her shuriken modeled so flawlessly that any self-respecting and wealthy ninja used weapons under her name. Of course, every job had its cons; she'd developed an even deeper affinity for all things metal and rarely wore anything that wasn't suited for work. She also avoided social occasions and had scared away any suitors she might have had.

Although they both lived in the same village, she and Lee and not spoken for a long time. They never ran into each other and seemed to stay on opposite sides whenever they were called to a gathering of which they both actually attended. It was regrettable, but he'd adjusted to it.

Other than that…

Lee turned off the taps and shuffled his hair, glad to be alive in the wonderful world.

After he dressed, he went out into the village to get some breakfast (his cooking was as good as his art). When Lee reached the streets, he began to search for somewhere to dine. As his "unique" eyes took in the familiar images, his shocked and astounded body fell on his bottom. Lee hadn't done such as thing since he'd been a mere student. What could have caused such a reaction from the young man?

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE!"

… … … … … … … …

Tenten held out her finger and smoothed it over the surface of a large shuriken. Her eyes expertly searched through the grooves and shiny edges. "Finished! My commission from Kakashi-san is finally done."

She threw off her apron. Tenten sported a stained bandana, a grey tank top, capris with the knees unbearably frayed, and her forehead protector tied around a bare forearm. Her worn gloves sat patiently for her on shelf to her right. Hardly the appearance of a top-notch "weapons specialist."

Tenten began to tidy up her workshop, inadvertently wiping grease on her cheek as she cleaned. She walked away, locking up.

A shadow loomed over her head. "If you want to order, do it tomorrow, when I open."

"You forgot me already, Tenten? You, with a youthful memory!"

"Gai-sensei…?"

It was confirmed with her scanning the man. He still wore that ridiculous jumpsuit and had a flashy smile that Lee imitated often.

"Gai-sensei, how…nice. I thought you were after Neji. Last saw you when you declared this 'would be the last time.' Did you have some sort of scheme in mind?"

The man nodded briskly, cocking a magnificent eyebrow at her outfit. "Well, of course! If I bring him here, and he finds a reason to stay, for old time's sake, maybe, then I can marry him off!"

"Why are you so intent on setting—"

"—Ahem! Oh, my throat, sorry. I found him, anyhow! And—" Gai leaned in, a huge, exaggerated wink plastered on "—he's still single! Just like you!"

Tenten sighed. "Gai-sensei—"

"—What I'm here for, however," interrupted her ex-teacher again, "is your consent to attend a 'get-together' for you, Lee, and Neji!"

"I saw Lee…um…recently. I've been busy; I didn't stop by the other day…"

"He lives on the other side of Konoha. You two are so busy that you haven't really talked for four months, three days, and sixteen hours—and that was only one word each. 'Hi.' How could you!" She didn't bother asking how he knew. "You are a young woman now, Tenten, and it is inexcusable for you to fall into outs with your old teammate! It has to have been at least two years since you two sat down and talked about your lives! The explosion of unhappiness will start when you don't keep in touch!"

"…Okay."

"GOOD! A week from now, on the first of June; the beautiful summer days are coming! At seven o'clock sharp, Tenten. Konoha Park."

She sighed. Just what she needed, another deadline in her life. Tenten turned, her left cheek exposed.

Gai-sensei waved. Suddenly, his eyes bulged in horror, his lips fell, and his hands thrashed about. He got a hold on of one of his wild limbs and pointed at his own cheek, eyes scandalized. "I tried to keep my idea of your outfit myself, but this is too much! Even if you've chosen the strange profession of a blacksmith, you should care for your looks, Tenten! I know a few blacksmiths and they are always impec—"

She touched the oil and scowled.

"I'm a weapons specialist!"

… … … … … … … …

Author's Note: This is not going to be a fast-paced fic. It's not going to be super-exciting. In fact, it's really just a nice, slow look at the characters after they've come of age. Lots of flashbacks, references to past events, a bit of humor, some romance. Reviews are welcomed and loved.