[CLOSED] No he can't read my poker face

[tenten_san]

Who: Tenten, Maito Gai, Uchiha Obito
Where: Konohagakure
When: AGS 1: September 9th
Notes: Gai's got a new boyfriend and Tenten is feeling fiercely protective. Because who cares that he's the Hokage...

With hardly a rustle of sound, the kunoichi dropped to the ground from her hiding spot in the trees, marking the end of the stand-off. Loose strands of hair fluttered in the wind, and there was a slight heave in each breath she took. But make no mistake of it, Tenten was energized. Even now, soaked in sweat and covered in dirt, she welcomed the cool caress of air against her heated skin as a trickle of sweat slowly made its way down the length of her face, starting at the temple and making a slow crawl to finally make a home at the curve of her clavicle.

It had been a good training session. And a much needed one, at that. Tenten could not remember the last time she had been able to spend this much time with her former instructor and squad leader. Likely just about as long since the entirety of the team had been gathered together for one. And even then, it had been weeks overdue.

But that was to be expected when separate promotions and concentration on different disciplines came into play. Neji was a Jounin now, and running on a different schedule than neither she nor Lee could follow. And especially in recent months, there seemed to be a number of other factors dividing his time, least of all his seemingly budding relationship with a certain Sand Witch from the desert village of Suna. That, however, was the least of her concerns.

Brushing a sleeve across her sweaty brow, she flashed the other an enthused smile. "I almost had you there, Sensei..."

The older they got, the more apparent it became that each member of Team Gai needed to learn to stand on their own for a little while and not rely so much on the effectiveness of them as a team. It was all well and good when they were Genin and still training on the fundamentals of how to function as a unit, watching each other's backs and making up for each other's weaknesses. To hold on to that, now, would be unfair and stifling. And that was the last thing Tenten wanted for her boys.

It was time to surpass her weaknesses. Only then could she stand proud as a pillar of strength for them. Only then could they all stand as equals. It did not, however, mean that the kunoichi could not miss her boys any less than she did.

Comments

[morningpeacock]

Gai rose out of his striking position as his student dropped from the trees, ending their bout. Though he tried his best not to show it, she had him a little winded. Dodging Tenten's excellent aim was always a challenge and had become even more so since Team Gai had largely struck out on their own. She was honing her craft and Gai was very proud of that, even if he didn't see her (or her teammates) all that much anymore. They would always be his precious students, even when the time came for them to adopt precious students of their own!!

"Almost!" He grinned, crossing the field and, as he did, picking up a few stray weapons from where they peppered the ground. The light in her eyes matched his own; there was nothing like sparring with one of your own students and getting a first hand appreciation for how far their skills had come. "Your practicing has paid off handsomely!"

He gave her a hug and slung an arm over her shoulders, pulling her in close to kiss the top of her messy hair. "You have never failed to impress me, my adorable Tenten. I am honored to be your sensei!" A bold thumbs up and a striking pose to accompany the statement. "Come! Let us pack up your tools and then I shall treat you to lunch!"

[thebestuchiha]

It was always interesting when he could practice his genjutsu, even if it was something as delicate as an Area cover that concealed him from notice for a while. He hadn't, after all, wanted to distract them. Letting it fall was a simple matter of blinking away his shortcut of a sharingan as he pushed off the tree he'd been leaning on and started clapping.

"That was pretty impressive guys. Don't let me interrupt if this is strictly bonding time though, just wanted to let you know I was admiring the skill."

[tenten_san]

Granted, neither one had been able to go all out in the match - to do so would have meant complete destruction of the training field that held so many memories and sentiment - but she had managed, at the very least, to show off a few new moves that he had yet to see. Tenten was strongest in Earth Nature, after all, and, in taking to the treeline, had done her best to keep him grounded in the open field. Upturned earth and deep treads in the dirt showed just how much she had improved.

Already in the process of picking up her weapons from the scattered mess, she paused and idly twirled the kunai in her hand as the young man approached. "...No. You're not interrupting anything, Lord Hokage. We were just finishing."

And while the kunoichi addressed the leader of their village with the usual level of respect, there was little denying a certain tone laced into her words. Because he wasn't just her leader, now. Not any more, officially, as of a few days prior. And like a child clinging to the only parent she had known since the death of her own father, Tenten found herself struggling to accept it.

[morningpeacock]

Gai beamed, his eyes shining at the surprise visit, half tempted to sweep Obito off his feet in a hug. "Ah! Hokage-sama! I am glad you could stop by! There is much to admire indeed! See how impressive my precious Tenten is?" Gai was ridiculously eager to show off his students, every chance he got, and to just about everyone. But showing her off to the Hokage? That was very special! Tenten had an ability with weapons that Gai was certain was nearly unparalleled within Obito's roster of ninja, and Gai was not the least biased.

In a way, he got to show them both off. Tenten would finally get to meet the Hokage one-on-one in Obito's new position as Gai's boyfriend. Surely she would love him! What was not to love about Obito! And Obito would adore Tenten as well! They were his family! He wanted them to bond and it was time they did! He used a hug to nudge her forward towards Obito, his smile growing ridiculously giddy. "We were going to go to lunch, if you had time to join us, my boyfriend?" He was probably supposed to be subtle about that...right. Oops.

[thebestuchiha]

He looked at Tenten thoughtfully, but it was Gai's words that caught his attention, drawing a ringing laugh from him, as well as a brilliant smile. "Yes, she's very impressive, and I'm happy I decided to come by and got to see. Please tell me you mentioned the boyfriend thing before just now though, otherwise I'm going to have to fear for my life here and that's not much fun for me."

He stepped in close, then returned his attention to Tenten. "It's a pleasure to meet you properly you know. I'd heard a lot, but even Gai's praise doesn't do you justice."

[tenten_san]

That Maito Gai was a proud and boastful shinobi was no secret. Almost from the moment the three of them had been brought together as a team, their ever exuberant instructor made it a point to show off his students, always willing to list off their skills and broadcast their progression to anyone who would listen. And to several others who had better things to do with their time. It was a level of attention and embarrassment none of them were ever prepared for, save for Neji, who had been a clan brat from the start and accustomed to extreme scrutiny...

Still, it was never a bad thing to know that he could be equally as proud of her as he was with the boys. "Sensei, please..."

Shying away from the compliments and praise, the kunoichi, instead, focused on the young leader as he approached. And at Gai's quiet insistence, she stepped forward as well, regarding him with her own level of inspection.

"And you, Lord Hokage, have nothing to worry about. Gai-sensei was very excited to share the news with us about the... change in your relationship. Told us as soon as he could, I think."

He had always been a figure deep in the background of their lives, lingering just on the edge of her sphere of consciousness even before he had supersede the role of Hokage after Namikaze Minato. And from the way she understood it, this relationship had been a long-time coming. Still, there were very few other people that Tenten cared for more in this world than her teammates. Gai-sensei included. So it was only understandable that she would be hesitant to fully place the care of his emotions in the Uchiha's hands.

[morningpeacock]

He gaped a little at Obito. How dare he! Thinking Gai would not have mentioned sooner that their bond of friendship had blossomed into romance! Of course Tenten knew! Gai could not see why Obito thought he would have to fear for his life, however. It was not as if Tenten had any reason to throw weapons at their Hokage! She was extremely well-mannered! ....most of the time. But any mild annoyance was quickly dissipated as Obito complimented Tenten. He gave her an extra squeeze of a hug then, as he was so overcome with emotion.

Tenten's 'sensei, please,' was lost on Gai, who continued to grin proudly, not at all embarrassed by his own love for his students. There was nothing to be embarrassed about! They were like his children and she was being silly if she thought that being a grown-young-woman meant that she would receive less proud-papa displays.

He gave a little frown at her. "Of course I told you as soon as possible! I would not leave it up to rumors to inform my students of such a momentous occasion!" He grinned and finally released Tenten from the embrace to step forward and hug Obito. "You have nothing to fear! You and my cute students will get along splendidly!" How could they not?

[thebestuchiha]

"You're more on top of telling people than I am, I have to admit." He gave a sheepish smile, shaking his head. "I shouldn't have expected anything else though, you're that kind of guy."

He gave him a fond smile, studying his smile for a moment before looking back to Tenten. "I'm glad that's so though, it means I get to come at this without the extra scary nerves, ne? You guys were headed somewhere from here?"

[tenten_san]

How wrong he was about those extra scary nerves, deep brown eyes taking a subtle edge as she regarded the leader of her village.

Excitement was something that was never in short supply when it came to both Green Beasts. But there was no helping the skepticism she felt in the Jounin's last comment, though Tenten restrained herself from mentioning it. Because there were doubts in her mind over the entire matter and a protective streak that threatened to put their ten year dance to ruin if it meant that his feelings could remain safe and pure as they always had been in the past. Emotions could be a great source of strength for a person like Maito Gai. But it also made them extremely vulnerable as well.

The last thing she wanted for her sensei was a broken heart.

"...Lunch, I believe, was what Sensei suggested after such a heated spar. Just as soon as I've collected all my tools from the field."

[morningpeacock]

"Indeed! Lunch! My treat!" He embraced Obito firmly, then loosened his hug enough to carefully and less boldly, take Obito's hand, threading their fingers together and smiling hopefully. It would take some getting used to as to what sort of affection was comfortable in front of students (or others in general) and how to act like boyfriends, even privately. Not every moment together would be kissing in the forest! He had never had a boyfriend before, let alone two! It was so new, so exciting!

"And of course our Hokage is invited, if he has the time to spare!" He was so enamored, he didn't even notice how Tenten was regarding Obito. She had nothing to fear, Gai thought. Neither Obito nor Kakashi would ever break Gai's heart!

[thebestuchiha]

He looked down at his hand, then back to Gai, a soft, warm smile coming to his face then, his body relaxing. It was nice to have Gai so enthusiastic about all this, especially after all the rigid boundaries that existed up to this. "You're too used to having to pay for Kakashi all the time Gai, honestly."

He finally broke his gaze off Gai, looking to Tenten. "Would it bother you to have help with that?"

[tenten_san]

It was like a glaring beacon, confirming what she had already known as of one full week ago: They were together. And they were wildly open about it, despite the discretion of the gesture. This was a very real thing. And it was setting off all sorts of alarms within the mindscape of her thoughts. Because if one thing was true of Maito Gai, it was that he felt his emotions deeply, sometimes to irrational levels. And that included both the good and the bad. Should this relationship turn sour, which Tenten hoped beyond hope that it never did, it could have disastrous effects.

And if neither Lee nor Neji would take action for their Sensei's well being, that task would naturally fall on her shoulders.

That Gai had taken it upon himself to invite the Hokage to lunch was a blessing, even despite feeling a twinge of jealousy and resentment for the interruption. It was all the better for it, in the end.

"No, it wouldn't, if you insist," came her response, her tone light if not somewhat short, "Neji and Lee used to, all the time, after our training sessions..."

/turtles like the turtle sensei I am

[morningpeacock]

"There is nothing wrong with paying." He was nothing if not enthusiastic about this. The boundaries, though uncertain now, were dissolving after years and years of feeling unknowingly constrained by them. Having that gate opened was so freeing and he felt lighter and happier than he had in a long while. And to see Obito interacting with one of his most precious people, one of his children? Gai felt like his families were all finally merging into one.

He had no idea the worries or jealousy Tenten felt and if she had voiced them, he would have assured her everything would be fine. How could they not be? He and Obito had been dancing around this for years! This was just a dream finally come to fruition! And Kakashi, who had been elusive and always just out of his grasp was finally allowing himself to be loved. Tenten and Obito (and Kakashi and Lee and Neji) had always been part of the same family, even if they didn't know it all this time. There was no need to be jealous. None! It was beautiful. Gai could cry...but he wouldn't. Really.

Gai piped up as Tenten talked about her teammates. "They have excellent teamwork, Hokage-sama! Both on and off the field. You should really utilize them as a team more often! Just imagine all they can do! And such good friends! They are my little stars!"

[thebestuchiha]

"I know. They have one of the highest success rates for their age range you know." It was a murmur, and he leaned in, lightly bumping shoulders with him before releasing his hand. Then he padded away a few steps to start collecting weapons, piling them on one arm.

"I will see about getting you three all back in one place to work on that a bit though, if you feel there's been a lack lately. I don't want to ruin the dynamic because of individual interests."