ATF Snippet - Team Gai Love
“Do not worry Neji-kun! I have absolute faith that you will return Triumphant from your Super-Secret-Hokage-Commissioned Mission with the full Virility of your Youthful Power!” Lee announced exuberantly with exaggerated gestures to match. Neji resisted scratching the tick above his brow and thanked god that he didn’t have to deal with this traveling with Jiraiya.
His eyes met TenTen’s and she gave him a sheepish shrug.
“That’s right!” Gai-sensei bellowed and redirected a shoulder-slap meant for Neji to Lee. “But it’s a shame that you'll probably miss the Chuunin exams. You’ll have to work hard to catch to your team mates.”
Neji was about to reply in the affirmative, but was distracted by the dumbstruck expression Lee wore. They all turned for an explanation.
“I…” Lee was grasping for comprehension. Hook. “I…I will become a Chuunin.” Line. “I will become Chuunin and before Neji!” Sinker. “This is my chance. Hard work will surpass genius. That is a Promise!”
Gai-sensei’s lips quivered. “Oh my precious student! What a Youthful attitude you have!”
Tenten rose from the log she was sitting on. “And we just got back together as a team too” she commented somewhat wistfully. She glanced at the crazy duo still spouting capitalized words and gesturing wildly. “What will we do without you?”
“I’m sure sensei can arrange for another genin to be the third member of the team.” Neji answered diplomatically.
The konoichi was about to respond when Lee, who could miraculously eavesdrop over his own din, piped up.
“Oh! Let us recruit Sakura-chan! She would be a wonderful addition to our team!”
Tenten put her hands on her hips. “Lee~ee,” she chided, “You’ll just get distracted.”
“No, I will be ten, no, a hundred times more focused and dedicated!”
“Hn,” Neji scoffed snidely. “I highly doubt you can be even more dedicated than you already are.”
It was silent for a beat and Neji didn’t realize his backhanded compliment until Lee’s eyes started glittering wetly, and was wholly unprepared when the boy tackled him in gratitude.
His eyes still stung from abuse and his mind still reeled from the responsibility weighing on his shoulders, but if it meant a respite from his team, he’ll take on the nine tails.
Still, he thought, tangled up in limbs and chaos, it’s nice to have something to come back to.
====
Edit: Now looking at it, I may have to rethink it entirely. It doesn't really say anything besides show a bit more about Neji's bond with them. Gai and Lee have a way of up-staging everyone else. Gah!
His eyes met TenTen’s and she gave him a sheepish shrug.
“That’s right!” Gai-sensei bellowed and redirected a shoulder-slap meant for Neji to Lee. “But it’s a shame that you'll probably miss the Chuunin exams. You’ll have to work hard to catch to your team mates.”
Neji was about to reply in the affirmative, but was distracted by the dumbstruck expression Lee wore. They all turned for an explanation.
“I…” Lee was grasping for comprehension. Hook. “I…I will become a Chuunin.” Line. “I will become Chuunin and before Neji!” Sinker. “This is my chance. Hard work will surpass genius. That is a Promise!”
Gai-sensei’s lips quivered. “Oh my precious student! What a Youthful attitude you have!”
Tenten rose from the log she was sitting on. “And we just got back together as a team too” she commented somewhat wistfully. She glanced at the crazy duo still spouting capitalized words and gesturing wildly. “What will we do without you?”
“I’m sure sensei can arrange for another genin to be the third member of the team.” Neji answered diplomatically.
The konoichi was about to respond when Lee, who could miraculously eavesdrop over his own din, piped up.
“Oh! Let us recruit Sakura-chan! She would be a wonderful addition to our team!”
Tenten put her hands on her hips. “Lee~ee,” she chided, “You’ll just get distracted.”
“No, I will be ten, no, a hundred times more focused and dedicated!”
“Hn,” Neji scoffed snidely. “I highly doubt you can be even more dedicated than you already are.”
It was silent for a beat and Neji didn’t realize his backhanded compliment until Lee’s eyes started glittering wetly, and was wholly unprepared when the boy tackled him in gratitude.
His eyes still stung from abuse and his mind still reeled from the responsibility weighing on his shoulders, but if it meant a respite from his team, he’ll take on the nine tails.
Still, he thought, tangled up in limbs and chaos, it’s nice to have something to come back to.
====
Edit: Now looking at it, I may have to rethink it entirely. It doesn't really say anything besides show a bit more about Neji's bond with them. Gai and Lee have a way of up-staging everyone else. Gah!