"I love seeing fireworks on my birthday."
The single sentence stopped all three in their tracks. Neji's blank eyes widened, Lee's kick sweeping right over his head before falling over, all while Tenten's kunai slid out of her fingers.
They had just been talking about if they should end their daily training early to prepare for the New Years Celebration, when their Sensei let out that little declaration. Neji had never given too much thought to their Sensei's date of birth, but learning it was on New years of all days... well, in hindsight that made perfect sense. Gai had a true sense of confidence and luck that could only come from being divinely blessed at the start of the new years.
"It's your birthday Sensei?!" Lee shouted, popping up from the ground. Neji just walked off, realizing the other had forgotten their little spar, and chose to take advantage of it.
"That's right. At the stroke of midnight, I came into this world!" Gai said with a grin and a thumbs up.
"Wow, never met someone who was actually born on January first." Tenten said, hopping over to them. "I guess you never have to worry about having a party."
"That's right. Every year I go through the streets, play games with the festival with my Eternal Rival, and watch the fireworks at the end of the night. It's our honored tradition."
"So amazing!" Lee shouted excitedly. "Gai-sensei! Can we perhaps join you this year?"
"We?" Neji asked, turning back to look at them.
"YES WE! THIS IS OUR FIRST NEW YEARS CELEBRATION WITH GAI SENSEI! WE MUST GO CELEBRATE IT TOGETHER! WHAT COULD BE MORE YOUTHFUL THEN CELEBRATING THE DAY OUR GREAT SENSEI CAME TO BE."
"Also it's the start of a new year..." Tenten cut in, shaking her head at Lee's enthusiasm. "But I didn't have any special plans with my parents. Maybe I'll ask if I can cancel on them to you two."
"GREAT TENTEN! NEJI-:
"Pass " Neji said, already walking away. The Hyuuga family had many traditions around the new year. And although he hated the main branch, to not show up without an excuse could be seen as... discourteous... perhaps even shameful.
"NEJI!!! WHAT COULD BE MORE INPORTANT AND FUN THEN THIS?!"
"That's enough Lee." Gai cut in, putting a hand on Lee's head. "Neji. I know you have family clan stuff to deal with. However, if at any point you'd like to join us, I'd appreciate it."
Neji stared as his sensei struck a pose, with white teeth glinting in the unnatural whiteness they usually did when he gave him the thumbs up... sonetimes, Neji was sure it was some sort of genjutsu.
Still he turned away from the display. Ignoring as Tenten and Lee asked questions about the meeting place and time, as. He headed home. Towards the Hyuuga compound...
________
Neji stared at his white kimono and black sash. It was simple, elegant...and reminded him of funeral wear. In the main hall the rest of the branch family and servants were making preparations for tonight's festivities. It would be a grand occasion...
Neji stared at the silk headband in his lap. A formal one that he he could wear instead of his hachimaki for the night. He could already imagine what tonight would look like. He would be surrounded by the hypocrites who killed his father. His uncle, the man who shared his father's face, would stare back at them and use his father's voice to spread his propaganda and vile speeches. His daughters stared foreword, either ignoring Neji or looking at him with their pitiful, weak, eyes.
His hand clenched and the thought of his smiling sensei came to mind. Maito Gai...when he heard he would be their squad captain, he had only negative thoughts about him. He heard of a fool who fought without ninjutsu or genjutsu. Who preached hard work and effort, and who challenged a man with whose bloodline and talents far outranked his. A man with like Gai was someone destined to die, never to accomplish anything or be remembered. It was simply fate...
But then he had met the man, and since then his ideals were... challenged. Gai not only was far stronger than he appeared, but clever too. It had been almost a year since he met the man, and although he was an overly emotional fool... he was also insightful, he taught them all in ways that were both tailored to their specializations, but he also attempted to teach them his secret techniques. Lee had gone from a handicap on their team, to someone who could move faster than Neji could almost block. From a fly he could swat away to a rival that....almost... was a challenged him. (He refused to acknowledge the broken arm he had almost gotten defending the boy's kick.)
Gai sensei was many things. Loud, annoying, obnoxious, kind, encouraging, a little selfish, very egotistical, and always pushing his body to extremes, and all these things Neji was slowly starting to appreciate more than he ever thought he would... although he never voiced it aloud, when Neji looked at Gai sometimes he genuinely questioned...if destiny could be changed.
His hands swept over the silk fabric one more time, clenching it hard briefly...before setting it aside on the mantle. With his head held high, he left his room and started to leave the compound.
"Neji, where are you going?" A servant asked, making him still for a moment.
"My sensie has requested my presence for tonight. I need to leave immediately." He announced. The servant bowed low, saying something about informing the Head, before Neji just continued on his way.
______________
"NEJI! YOU MADE IT!!!" Lee shouted upon seeing him. The boy hadn't even changed his outfit for the occasion.
"You're looking good Neji!" Tenten said with a grin. Her usual space buns were covered by white and pink fabric, and she wore a simularpibk flowery kimono. It was nice that one of his teammates knew how to properly dress themselves.
"Thanks." Neji said, looking around. "Where's Gai-sensei?"
"Looking for his Rival." Tenten Sighed deeply. "Apparently that Kakashi guy is always late to everything. He's probably going to infect our sensei with his tardy ass."
"NONSENSE!" Lee shouted. "Gai sensei will definitely drag Mr. Kakashi here with all his might! He'll make sure the both of them show up on time, OR EVEN EARLY. NEJI! CAN YOU SEE HIM."
"I'm not wasting my Byakugon on that." Neji sighed. Crossing his arms in front of him... still, of their Sensei truly did end up late, he'd be checking in on the man to make sure he was at least coming.
They didn't have to wait long after all however, as Gai came in, holding hands with his grey haired rival.
"OH THERE'S MY KIDS! COME ON KAKASHI!!!"
"Right right." The other sighed.
"Really Sensei? Hand holding, at your age?" Tenten asked, looking their sensei up and down unamused.
"OF COURSE!!!" Lee shouted. "HOW ELSE WAS HE EXPECTED TO ENSURE HIS FRIEND MADE IT ON TIME."
"Oi..." Kakashi muttered tiredly.
"Lee. That is not the true reason." Gais said gravely, before thrusting their hands in the air. "THE TRUTH IS, ONE IS NEVER TOO OLD TO HOLD THE HAND OF THEIR BELOVED RIVAL!!!"
"Gai..." Kakashi just covered his face with his hand briefly, before noticing Neji. "Oh. Looks like all three made it after all."
"Hmm?" Gai finally looked right at Neji. At first he looked surprised, before an open grin spread across his entire face. "Neji! It's good to see you!"
Neji nodded at the strange man in front of them. He would probably never understand this man... but he did appreciate him. And celebrating his birthday with his team and the weirdo with a hidden face, sounded better then spending a second celebrating new years with his disgusting clan.
Instead of saying any of that however, Neji just asked:
"So, what games kind of games do two grown ass men play at these things?"
Gai grinned, ruffling his hair before pointing ahead. "WE'LL START HOW WE ALWAYS DO. RIVAL, TO THE GOLD FISH SCOOP!!!"
"Fine fine." Kakashi said, before being dragged off into the night. Behind them, Neji and his team ran after them.
________
It was a few hours later that the four had made their way to the roof tops as they waited for the fireworks. Lee was eating a curry bun while Tenten ate some dragon's beard candy. Kakashi, was sitting a bit away from them, covered in giant stuffed animals and holding a goldfish that Gai had won for him.
"Neji," Gai said, coming to sit beside him briefly. "I want you to know, that I know going against your clan's wishes to be here tonight, was big of you. And I'll never forget it. Thank you for being here Neji."
Neji was quiet for a moment, looking up at his sensei. It wasn't easy, being here... but it did feel right.
"Don't worry. If they bring it up, I already blamed the whole thing on you."
"Hah! I'll happily take responsibility then." Gai laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "If you ever need a reason to leave your clan's activities, just tell me and I'll ensure you have a reason to miss it."
Neji blinked at that in surprise, but his sensei just gave him another grin with a thumbs up, before walking over to sit beside his "eternal rival" again, placing his hand on top of the other's man as they talked about the upcoming fireworks.
His sensie truly was a polarizing man... however, as the crowd started the countdown, and fireworks started to light the sky with flames, Neji couldn't help but appreciate the man, and look forward to his time being under his sensei's wing.
Hopefully, he thought, this would be only the first of many birthdays he'd get to celebrate with his team...
Happy Birthday, Sensei