It was another normal day. Tenten was throwing stuff, Lee was doing an insane amount of training and Gai was cheering him on. As for Neji though, he was watching while he did his training. Watching his overly flamboyant sensei and his so called rival.

'Why does he hold all of Gai-sensei's attention?' he thought as he paused in his training to glare at Lee. 'I'm the one that's already a jonin. And I'm better looking to.' Gai finally noticed Neji's staring and turned to look at him. Neji blushed and looked away. Gai turned back to Lee but kept his eye on Neji for the rest of the day.

After training Gai approached Neji about it.

"Neji what's wrong?" He asked in concern. "You seemed distracted all day."

"It's nothing that concerns you." Neji replied and was about to leave before he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sure it does sense you were staring at me." Gai said and Neji blushed slightly. He shrugged Gai's hand away and started to leave again. But Gai, determined to get an answer, grabbed his wrist.

"Why do you care?!" Neji snapped as he spun around to glare at Gai. "You only care about Lee." Gai stared at him in surprise and Neji could feel his face heat up again.

"Is that what this is about?" Gai asked as Neji grew increasingly uncomfortable. Neji looked away as his eyes grew watery and tried to leave again but Gai caught him for the third time.

"Stop." He whispered as was pulled into an embrace. He stared over Gai's shoulder in confusion before burying his face into the crook of Gai's neck. He had always wanted this but never thought he would get it.

"Neji both you, Lee and Tenten mean a lot to me. But you always pushed me away so I gave you your distance." Gai explained in a calming tone. Neji tried to say something but couldn't find the words. He pulled away and stood on his toes slightly to accommodate for the slight height difference. He pressed his lips to Gai's and wrapped his arms around the older jonin's shoulders. Gai blinked in surprise as Neji pulled away.

"I'm sorry." Neji said quietly as he averted his gaze. Gai was even more shocked by this. But before he could say anything Neji was gone.