sunshineverse | [Closed] Look, you were kind of over the top.

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[Closed] Look, you were kind of over the top.

Where: Konoha Training Fields
When: BGS 16, January 23rd
Notes: He didn't know why Gai had been attempting to be 'helpful' the last few months, but he figured he might as well let the guy know he had... noticed.

He still felt clumsy. Painfully clumsy in fact, because honestly, the growth spurt had done more to fuck him up than the actual damage had. He'd been out for a few weeks though, and while he'd gotten used to Kakashi hovering around the edges, to say nothing of how Rin had handled the whole thing...

Gai having decided to throw himself behind it had been weird. They hadn't been friends before, and he honestly hadn't even been sure he liked the guy. But he'd distracted Kakashi when he'd been a bit too unhealthily fixated on making sure he didn't die in his sleep or anything so... there was that.

And when he wasn't being blindingly loud he'd proven to actually have good ideas so...

So here he was, poking around to try to figure out where the guy spent his time when he wasn't hovering around the hospital hassling recovering shinobi half to death. He just hoped the guy didn't immediately ratchet back to over the top because that would... kind of defeat what he was trying to get done here.

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Obito... looked surprised. With good reason really. The only person who had unreservedly supported the very idea was Rin, and even she was doing it more as a 'supporting my friend' than a 'I'd serve you as a Hokage' kind of way. So... he didn't know how to react.

There hadn't been an Uchiha Hokage before, after all, so there were a lot of... doubters. The smile it drew to his face was a little embarrassed, and a lot of startled happiness. Maybe he should have looked closer at Gai sooner instead of just seeing him as someone busting in on his team.

"I- ah... Well." He cleared his throat, one hand coming up to fuss at goggles that weren't there before self consciously dropping back to his side. "So. Dragon huh? I'd definitely have to work on the whole lightly stepping thing. And the graceful thing. And the 'how not to outpace myself with my own eye' thing and just... baaaah there's a lot. But, well... you had ideas on how to tackle that lot right? No point turning down freely offered help, mm?"

Had he...left Obito speechless? Usually that was met shortly after with laughter, not the embarrassment Obito was displaying. Gai beamed back with an encouraging grin. Sure, there were plenty of doubters, but there had been plenty of doubters about Gai's abilities, too. And he was going to prove them all wrong. He was proving them wrong now, with every chance he got. Obito would have his chance too!

It wasn't until Obito reached up for the goggles that Gai realized they weren't there. Those were Obito's trademark, or something. Gai could remember Kakashi griping about Obito's eyes. He wondered if all Uchiha needed them or just Obito? ...Did Kakashi need goggles now?

"Outpace yourself with your eye?" Gai wasn't sure exactly what Obito meant by that, but yes, he was full of ideas! And he could find more if they needed them! He was good at coming up with training plans and working hard and... Wait. So Obito was...agreeing? "I have loads of ideas," Gai blabbered. "Tons! I will make sure you are well-trained, Obito, have no fear! You will be the sneakiest--I will even teach you how to get the drop on Kakashi!" It occurred to Gai only after saying this that measuring himself to Kakashi might not be a thing Obito did. Maybe that was just Gai. "We will start by working on your mobility again, because being steady on your feet is the first step to being light on your feet! We can do laps around the training fields!" Walking, of course. ...Maybe a little fast..er walking.

He puffed a soft laugh. Clearly he wasn't going to get out of this without some kind of laps but... but that was okay. His lags hadn't really been damaged so much as from the waist up anyway, so that was just... overall weakness at play. And getting tired way too easy, but that was fixable too. Carefully pushing away from the tree he'd been using as a glorified leaning post, he padded over to the other boy.

Currently a shorter boy too. He felt like a damn giant. A scrawny, unfinished giant.

Ugh.

Onto better topics. Still, he knew technically he shouldn't talk about these things with people outside the clan but... He'd always trusted his instincts and they were telling him that his family wasn't where he should be going right now for this sort of thing.

"Yeah. I can see a few steps ahead of myself and it kind of throws me off. I guess it's worse since I skipped a level when I leveled up on the eye factor. I started at two instead of one, so... yeah. Not... that you probably even know what that's supposed to mean but..."

"Two?" Gai squinted up at Obito's eye like it was going to provide answers, but he was just as curious as before. Two instead of one...as in the number of eyes Obito once had? Didn't most Uchiha start with two? Or did the Sharingan evolve one eye at a time? Gai was perhaps in over his head with this fighting-a-sharingan thing, but he was going to do his best!

And he could see how being able to anticipate an enemy would throw one off. Gai had never been that smart or that powerful (although he heard the Nara's could anticipate actions up to several places ahead, without any powers), and his own ability to anticipate attacks was limited to the moment and reflex. But he imagined it was kind of like watching a video where the audio and sound didn't match up, or looking through magnified glasses and trying to catch one's bearing.

"There is a lot I do not know about your eye," he admitted, unsure if he should even mention Sharingan aloud. Was Obito supposed to talk about that outside the clan? It seemed the Uchiha was super-secretive! There was a lot Kakashi didn't know about the Sharingan, either, and it was in his head now. "But if you will be patient as I figure it out, I will do my best to figure out how to help you with it! It may even be an advantage to your recovery!"

He blinked, since winking wasn't an option anyway, then after a moment of peering at the other boy, realized the issue. Ah. He turned it on. He hadn't really had the energy to do much with it yet, but there was two tomoe drifting lazily around his eye. "Yeah, two."

And then he shifted to try eye contact so Gai could see if he'd let him. He knew how weird people could be about the whole eye-contact-with-an-Uchiha thing. He knew most people didn't get that it was... kind of disheartening to have people dodge eye contact, so he knew not to take it personally at least.

"And I'm sure you will. You've always been smart, even if you are obscenely loud half the time."

Two tomoe. Gai supposed he had never paid enough attention to the Uchihas' eyes before, because he didn't realize they had varying amounts. He knew they were different...it just...never occurred to him in what way. How high could they get? Could they achieve an ultimate level? And if so how? ...How did one exercise an eye--by using it? What repercussions came with achieving an ultimate Sharingan?

"I am not!" he declared reflexively. Obscenely loud, he meant, only now fully registered the compliment added in there. That...was one of the only times anyone actually said aloud that he was smart. Most finally acknowledged it by simply...not calling him dumb anymore. "I mean," he looked down, blushing in embarrassment and laughing a little, "thanks."

Against his instinct, Gai met Obito's gaze, and, after a moment, boldly reached up to tilt the other boy's head to the side and scrutinize Obito's spinning pupil. It didn't even occur to him what the gesture of returning eye-contact could mean to Obito, nor that Obito might not enjoy being manhandled into showing off his eye.

He wished he understood better how Kakashi and Obito saw the world! That would make things so much easier. But, nothing was ever easy, and hard work would triumph over difficulties anyway, so he just had to start working!

"You seem to have a fair amount of mobility already," Gai said, unsure what else to offer and eager to prove that he would be a capable trainer. He poked at Obito's limbs, checking them out. "I think we should start by getting you some light leg-weights!" Leg-weights helped everyone, Gai was certain of it. "So as you move, you will build back up your strength! With strength will come better control of your body, and so more grace and coordination! Then you can step lightly again." No more lumbering dragon!

"And then we need to give you exercises to get you moving a lot, to increase your stamina! As for your eye, I think you will adjust to it as we work, and we will learn ways to work with it the more you have to use it!" It made sense to Gai. One knew the functions of their hand or arm because they used it in a variety of situations, not because they thought about how to use it. They would just put Obito's eye through its paces!

Obito was amused by Gai's reaction to his admitedly backhanded compliment... right up until the other teen grabbed him. He figured out what he was on about quickly enough, of course, but he couldn't prevent the way he tensed slightly... nor the mortified blush because no one ever touched his face.

In fact he couldn't recall anyone having touched his face since he got all the scars in any way that wasn't medically related and it sort of made his brain stumble as he tried to figure out how to react. This whole conversation had gone really weird really fast and he really didn't know how it had happened.

And why didn't the other teen take his hand back...???

He didn't pull away though, letting himself be handled as his sharingan was looked at. He hadn't really been up to showing it off and that part was... nice.

He finally found his voice when Gai finally started talking again though, otherwise that could have gotten... awkward. "I don't do holding still very well. I fidget unless I make myself stop so... yeah. Not surprised I'm properly mobile again. But. Um. Are you sure weights are a good idea while I'm still leaning on trees?"

Gai saw nothing awkward in the touch, personally. Obito's face was just a face, scars aside, and Gai could easily be an overly-physical person without much effort or thought. But he noticed the tensing and couldn't miss the blush, and so he wondered belatedly if maybe he had overstepped his bounds.

After all, that had always been Kakashi's complaint about Obito: that he was ~~a cry baby~~...sensitive. If they were to work together--were to be friends! (because surely Gai wasn't being too optimistic here)--Gai would have to learn his boundaries, since they were likely very different from those of Gai's own teammates' and from the boundaries Kakashi had drawn. What Obito was comfortable with letting him do would have to be, as all things were with Gai, a series of trials and errors.

"Weights are always a good idea!" Gai declared, loudly as if loud meant it was a statement not to be doubted. Still, he took the moment to give extra scrutiny to Obito's legs. While skinny, they looked sturdy enough. They certainly wouldn't break under the weight of a few light weights! And if he got winded, or dizzy, or just needed something to lean on, leaning was acceptable in this case. "They help build muscle strength and tone! We will start out light! And if you must lean on something, lean! You can lean on me!" he offered, before remembering that he should be polite and consider Obito's boundaries better. "We could even get you crutches, though it is not as if your legs are broken, just not well-used as of late! But that will change soon! My exercise plan will make sure you get a lot of use out of your legs!"

Obito's boundaries were fluid in some respects. He didn't really have a personal bubble, but he was so used to people imposing into said not really bubble that he didn't know how to react when new people did it. This was just a case of those, and he felt his eye narrow a little as Gai was shouting in his face, and that wasn't exactly appreciated.

At all. "You know it's easier to talk with you when you're not shouting right? Losing an eye didn't mean I lost my hearing too y'know."

But, right the point. There was totally a point in there. "I'd rather lean on you than crutches, thanks. Crutches would just encourage me to be lazy and I'm not really into that."

[[~~slowly eases back into rp with a terrible reply, IAMSOSORRY~~ AND ONE MONTH LATER. I SWEAR, I AM MORE OF A LATE-SAMA THAN YOU.]]

"Ah, I--I apologize," Gai dialed back his volume sheepishly. Obito was right. He had not lost his hearing. Though words spoken loudly were more emphatic, right? Basically! Obito would adapt to the expressiveness with time! And then he would have to be motivated by it!

Words spoken with passion had a way of catching one and sweeping them away with inspiration!

"I would not want to encourage laziness!" Gai agreed. "Me, then!" He offered a hand to his new friend? ...no, that was not too optimistic...so Obito could lean if he needed to. "Should we start right away? Do you think you are up to the challenge?" he asked, a hint of a dare behind his grin. Kakashi could generally be provoked with a little dare, surely someone far less stoic and aloof could as well.

He looked Gai up and down and then at the hand, aware that the other teenager hadn't taken the other one back yet. And it was still on his face. So, that meant he used both hands, lifting one to lift the one at his face away, and the other to take the one being offered.

"You just want me to collapse so you can carry me around. I'm not exactly spry right this second."

Gai pouted as his hands were rejected. Well, fine. Okay.

But any disappointment was quickly lost behind childish bravado. "Ha! Why would I want that? You are not nearly heavy enough to be a challenge for me to carry!" he declared, crossing his arms over his chest in a display of pride. "Perhaps if you were wearing leg-weights..." Though any added weight would be better training than none at all. Gai considered this, looking over Obito again.

"However, if you would like to carried, I would be willing!"

He noticed the pout even as he released his hands, a flicker of confusion touching on his expression as he tried to figure out the reasoning of it. Had he really wanted to have a hand on him that much?

"How am I supposed to know what you want? You've always been that loud guy busting in to steal Kakashi off, remember?" It was a grumble. He didn't like being confused. It made him... defensive.

"Borrow," Gai insisted. "I always gave him back!" Even if sometimes Gai didn't really want to. After all, Eternal Rivals needed time together, to bond, and as it was, Kakashi didn't really seem to be...bonded to him all that much. Someday! It would just require some extra effort to get through the thick wall shutting his Rival off from the world.

"Do not worry so much about what I want, Obito! What do you want to do? If you would prefer to walk home yourself, I do not mind..." As long as Obito could. With that in mind, it might be wise to follow him back down to the village, to ensure his safety. ...Secretly, of course. Plus, sneaking behind an Uchiha--even an injured one--might be a good test of Gai's stealth skills!

"Steal." It was an almost rebellious murmur, and he glanced away from him, finally blinking his sharingan away so his eye was dark before glancing back to his face. And then, he stalled, frowning at him for the question, almost accusatory.

"I came all the way out here didn't I?"

As if Kakashi would allow himself to be stolen by anyone, he thought bitterly. Was all of Team Minato so ...difficult? Stubborn. Annoying, Gai thought before doing his best to banish that rude idea and his frustration.

But really! Obito and Kakashi were so defensive! Sheesh! Well, tempting as it was to return in kind, Gai knew better than that.

"You did! I am really very honored you came to see me yourself!" he replied with a broad smile, hoping that would have a positive effect on a conversation that had obviously taken a downward turn. "And very glad to see you up and moving! But if you decide you need assistance getting back, just let me know!"

His smile softened. "As I said, you are not heavy enough to be a burden to me."

He stared at him for a moment more, then huffed a sharp breath, breaking off eye contact to stare at Gai's shoulder instead, a small scowl on his lips. The confusion was definitely not abating. They'd barely ever spoken before he got hurt and all of this... this was kind of disorienting.

"We had things to talk about."

Gai tilted his head, trying to make eye-contact again with his odd Uchiha comrade. Was Obito feeling okay? Maybe the sun and standing was getting to him.

Honestly, Gai was certain he had said something wrong, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what he had done that made Obito so grumpy. It was probably still best to treat this with optimism and a smile.

"So you still want to talk? Okay!" Gai took a seat on a little patch of grass near his feet and patted the area across from him. "Have a seat!"

He didn't fight the eye contact, having followed the motion when the other teen had sat, and he finally shifted on his feet, easing off his lean on the tree to sit in front of him. He was guarded, but his words were less suspicious in tone.

"I look that bad huh?"

"You look a little beat up, if that is what you mean," Gai replied, giving a shrug. "And perhaps in need of some exercise!"

He had seen worse, far worse. Shinobi who came back badly burned, or mangled, some with faces half-blown off by an explosion--barely even recognizable as human anymore. Obito looked good by comparison, and even without such a comparison, he was not 'that bad' looking, despite the battery his bones and muscles and psyche had taken.

"I did get squished by a huge rock a few months ago." It was a low murmur, and he leaned back against the tree, trying to figure out why Gai had gotten so... invested over the last months.

It couldn't have just been because of Kakashi, and that was really his best bet. "Won't argue the exercise, I didn't just come out here to stare at you."

Gai barely caught that murmur, but when he was sure what was said, he leaned forward, adding in a volume-subdued but emphatic tone. "And yet that did not defeat you!"

Ha! Just to stare at him! If Obito had, Gai might have to be concerned another Sharingan was trying to copy his moves!

"Even if you had, it would certainly not be the first time I was gawked at!" Though perhaps it would have been the first time someone sought him out to gawk. Still, Gai gave a cheery smile. "But do not fear, Obito! I will be the best trainer you could imagine!"

And that was Gai picking up on words he hadn't meant to get a reply for. "Ha, going to run me into the ground huh?" He tilted his head back against the bark, watching him intently. He'd settled his nerves, a little, with the bravado.

"As for any staring, I figure that your outfit is asking for it anyway."

"Until you can keep up, yes!"

Gai's grin faltered just a little. His father had given him these outfits...quite proudly, too. There was nothing wrong with them, no matter what anyone said. Nothing. ...Nothing.

"Good! Indeed I am! I want their attention! They should notice me! I am definitely worth noticing!" He pounded a fist into his open palm in a determined gesture. Someday everyone would want a jumpsuit! Gai would be that inspiring! Dad would be so proud. "Besides, this suit is perfect for training!" Which inspired an idea. Maybe Obito could benefit from the power of the green jumpsuit! Like Dai himself, the suit had always given Gai comfort and strength when he needed it most! Surely it would work for others! "Hey! I should get you one for our sessions together! We could match! Like a team!"

He looked somewhat horrified at the very suggestion, then grimaced. He didn't mind the idea so much as the idea, even if he was sure he'd look pretty terrible but... "Hey no, I'm plenty loud enough with the orange. Green would just get the assholes in the clan on my ass. Thanks anyway though. Suits you fine at least, mm?"

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