"This time," she agreed, sliding all of the diced into a container, "But I won't go so easy on you, next time."

There was amusement to be found in the end results. And though it was not quite as full and boisterous as her teammate's reaction, the kunoichi gave a soft chuckle of her own, nonetheless. Because while both Lee and Tenten had their strengths and weaknesses, there could be no mistaking just who had been their instructor. The variant mixture of determination, speed, and a healthy dose of competition was an equation that would always result in Maito Gai. And she, at the very least, could not be more proud of that fact.

As if on cue, the cooker beeped and chimed to signal the completion of the rice, steam pouring out of the vent with that fresh rice smell she had grown fond of. It was the mark of a well-prepared meal. The sign of a home-cooked show of affection that had been missing from her life for quite some time. "...This was a good idea, Lee."