Chapter Text
He hasn't felt this way since the end of the war. Years that stretch into eternity. This trembling excitement of danger, of being treated like a proper shinobi again - Gai never realizes how much he misses it until it explodes in his face, taking the form of a blade crashing down at him. It's ironic - he feels the most alive when pushed to the brink of death. But then it's not out of the ordinary for a man like him, one whose sole purpose, for a very long time, was to greet death in the most heroic way possible.
"It is rather unyouthful and cowardly to attack an enemy in his sleep, don't you think," Gai grins, blood trickling down in between his fingers from gripping the sword with his bare hand, "Hoshigaki Kisame?"
The wielder pulls the blade back in one big swing, his voice shaking the small apartment in a blood-thirsty growl, "So you remember".
Pushing himself with his uninjured hand, Gai sits up swiftly, letting his blanket pool at his bare stomach. A rather hot summer night with the moon at its peak, he can see sharply the large figure standing by his bead, scars and all, carved vividly by the cold moonlight. The offending weapon shivers on the intruder's shoulder with his every breath, warm blood dripping onto the thin robe he wears.
Kisame has changed - Gai realizes this almost too belatedly. He's not in the Akatsuki cloak nor is he wielding the Samehada. He's just there, blue body woven with acidic bloodlust and scars, waiting to put a proper conclusion to their unfinished battle.
"You broke your leg."
Gai jerks slightly at the statement, looking up just in time to see his glance at something peaking out under the blanket -the cast binding whatever remains of his right foot. There is no pity in his voice, just a matter-of-fact statement as if telling the weather.
One.
Two.
Three.
Gai acts first - leaping up from the bed, nunchucks spinning skillfully. "Don't underestimate me!"
At the same time, Kisame jumps onto him, sword catching the attacks as he prepares for offense. They go blow for blow, lapsing into a rhythm so eerily familiar it sends chills down their spines. When was the last time Gai had this to himself? When did he last fight someone like this since his injury, no holds barred? It's frightening, this unspeakable feeling boiling inside of him as he stares into the glint of his opponent's eyes, feeling the thirst for revenge, knowing they will only stop when the other is down.
An onslaught of various chakra crashes into the room, and all of a sudden their fight is over. ANBU comes onto them in mere seconds, kicking the blade out of Kisame's hands at they push him to the ground, kneeling on his back and arms, forcing his mouth open to prevent another attempt of escape all those years ago. He doesn't even attempt to break free, only laughing so loudly it shakes the ANBU holding him down.
"This isn't over, Beast. You and I have unfinished business. Just wait."
And Gai, bleeding and sweating, his right leg throbbing in waves of pain, grins through it all, "I look forward to it."