Altering Affection

Kakashi waited until Lee finished choking and then repeated his question.

“Sex, Lee, have you had it?”

“No,” Lee said, and his voice was so high it hurt his own ears.

“Mm, I see,” Kakashi said and ran a hand through his hair. “Well, what have you done?”

Lee sputtered not seeing how this was germane to the situation in the least.

“So, nothing then?” Kakashi asked, eying Lee.

Lee blushed.

“Right. Okay, then…not a problem. Just means a little more cramming.”

Gulping, Lee watched as Kakashi ducked down behind the bar and sorted through something that Lee couldn’t see from his perch. After a moment or two, Kakashi stood up with a beaten old paperback in his hand. He opened the book, the spine breaking neatly to the section Kakashi apparently wanted, and then he approached Lee.

“You’re going to read this,” Kakashi said. “And there might be a quiz later, so pay attention to the details.”

Lee gasped when he saw one Jiraiya’s novels in front of him on the bar.

“Kakashi,” Lee screeched. “How is reading porn going to help me?”

“It may be porn, but that one is particularly educational,” Kakashi said. “It’s either this or demonstrate on you myself.” Kakashi grinned wickedly.

“If you like, I might be able to get Iruka to agree to-“

“Not necessary!” Lee squawked and waved his hands wildly. “I’ll just read the books.”

“Excellent! I’ll be over there.”

Still not seeing the point and blushing for the millionth time today, Lee propped his head in his hands and focused on the text. He read about the two men coming home after work and briefly wondered how far he should read before he asked Kakashi what this was all about.

Twenty minutes later, Lee was three chapters into the book, hard as a rock, and completely enthralled. When the main character lay gasping in post-orgasmic bliss on the sheets, Lee looked up to see Kakashi approaching him again.

“Now this one,” Kakashi said and handed Lee another book, also open to a particular section.

Without saying a word, Lee exchanged one book for the other and started reading. Kakashi casually poured Lee another drink. The bar was beginning to fill for the night, Glow being one of the few bars that stayed open on Sundays.

The second book was similar to the first, but the characters did different things; delicious, amazing things that Lee didn’t even know were possible. Lee was intensely grateful that he was in a corner, his obvious arousal hidden by the bar.

When Lee was on the fourth book, Sasuke wandered over to the bar to get a drink. Lee was particularly fascinated with this one because while it wasn’t written by Jiraiya, it was illustrated. And highly detailed with step-by-step instructions.

“That one’s a lot of fun,” Sasuke said, and Lee jumped as the man’s voice startled him. “But it works better if your partner supports your lower back.”

Lee couldn’t make himself say anything, but Sasuke didn’t seem to mind. He just wandered back to the table. Lee kept reading.

After six books and enough alcohol for Lee to feel more than a little buzzed, Kakashi walked over for the last time.

“It’s late, Lee, and we both need to get home. But here’s what I want you to do.”

Lee closed the book and let it rest on the bar. He fidgeted, his neglected erection painful.

“Tomorrow, go to the dojo like you always do. Pretend like everything’s fine. Gai will do the same thing, believe me, and he’ll be grateful to see you.”

Lee nodded; he could do that for Gai-sensei.

“Take this home with you,” Kakashi said and handed him a plain black book, the dust jacket obviously removed. “Read all of it. How long do you think it’ll take you to do that?”

Lee eyed the book. “Two days?”

“Then come back here when you’re done in two days. We’ll have some things to discuss.”

Lee nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Kakashi.”

“You’re welcome, Lee. Now get out of here so I can go home and screw Iruka into the mattress.”

Lee blushed but grinned. He got off the stool, adjusted himself while facing the wall, and then turned to leave. He spotted Neji at the round table; he was the only one left in the bar.

“Sasuke and Sakura went back to your house to unload your new wardrobe, and I waited so I could drive you home,” Neji explained as Lee approached.

Lee smiled at his friend. “I’m glad you waited.”

“Naturally,” Neji said. “Now come on. Let’s get you home.”

They talked very little on the drive home, but Neji’s face was relaxed into a knowing little smile. Lee’s eyelids grew heavy as Neji carefully wound the car through Lee’s neighborhood and into his driveway.

“Good night, Lee,” Neji said as Lee got out of the car.

“Thank you again, Neji,” Lee said. “For everything.”

Neji smiled a little and nodded at his friend.

The car drove away and Lee went inside. This had been easily one of the busiest, exhausting, most interesting and probably best days of Lee’s life. He knew he needed to rest…

But the book seemed to call Lee’s name.

With authority.

~*~

Lee had no idea how he made it through the next day, but one thing was for certain: Lee could kiss whoever came up with energy drinks.

After Neji drove away, Lee went inside and immediately up to his room. He expected his space to be in a state of chaos with boxes and bags strewn everywhere. Instead, he found the closet full but neatly organized, and the drawers were empty of most of his old things and reorganized to hold all the new stuff.

It took Lee three tries to find his pajama pants, but he still smiled and felt gratitude toward his amazing – and highly organized – friends.

Flicking on the light next to the bed, Lee decided to read a few pages and then get some much-needed rest. The other books Kakashi made him read were interesting, sure, but they were nothing Lee couldn’t put down if he wanted to do so. He’d read a few pages and then call it a night.

Much later when Lee escaped his bedroom to raid the kitchen for caffeine, he mumbled to himself about roads to hell and good intentions.

And he damned Kakashi in very creative ways…and told himself he’d do extra sit-ups in the morning to make up for it. After all, the man was trying to help…in his own rather eccentric manner.

Kakashi’s homework turned out to be…beyond intriguing. Lee simply couldn’t make himself put down the large, black book. Not even when dawn cracked the sky and Lee knew that the day would be torturous due to lack of sleep. Lee finished the last page of the book just before his alarm went off. He shut the book, the last word burned into his memory, clicked off the alarm and headed for the shower.

The hot water felt divine, and Lee stood and let it sluice over his skin. Exhaustion and curiosity and stupefaction warred in Lee’s mind and body. He had so many questions…He needed to speak to Kakashi and sort some things out.

But first he had to make it through the day. Lee shut the water off and sighed. Determination, he told himself. Thank goodness I have it in spades.

Lee arrived at the dojo on time, if slightly groggy, and Gai-sensei greeted him warmly.

“Lee, good morning!” Gai said.

“Good morning, Sensei,” Lee replied, stifling a yawn.

Gai started to say something and then spied the bandages on Lee’s arms. He walked around the counter and strode toward Lee, forehead furrowed.

“What happened to your arms, Lee?” Gai reached out as though he was going to touch Lee, and then he stopped short. Lee sighed.

“I was a bit too enthusiastic with training, Gai-sensei. It is nothing of concern, I promise. And I will not do it again.” Well, at least not for the same reasons if all goes well, Lee thought.

Gai nodded. “Lee…well, I insist that you go easy on yourself today. Lower body only, okay?”

Lee nodded thinking that was a blessing in disguise. He wasn’t sure if he could coordinate his limbs into full-bodied enthusiasm.

Somehow, Lee made it through two classes at the dojo, chores, and an entire day’s worth of interaction with Gai-sensei. Being utterly exhausted actually helped Lee when it came to Gai-sensei; he was so tired, he didn’t have time to do anything but act like himself. He didn’t have the energy to spare to think about dates, wardrobe, uncharacteristic alcoholic behavior, books, or love. It was hard enough to channel muscle memory. So, Gai-sensei didn’t seem to notice anything amiss, and Lee left the dojo in the early afternoon.

He walked two blocks toward the bar and called Kakashi, whose number had been on a slip of paper inside the black book.

Kakashi answered and agreed to meet Lee at Glow in half an hour. Lee hopped a bus and made it with time to spare. Leaning against the wall next to the front door, Lee shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His backpack felt heavy with the large book inside; felt heavier still with all that the black book implied. Lee still wasn’t terribly comfortable with the idea of speaking to Kakashi about Gai-sensei or about…everything else. But thoughts of all that his friends had done for Lee made him determined to persevere.

An hour later, Kakashi arrived, late as usual. Lee didn’t comment; he expected as much and was happily listening to his Ipod.

Kakashi unlocked the bar, and Lee followed him inside.

“I thought you might get through the book a little faster than two days,” the older man said, smirking and flicking on lights. “But still, I’m impressed.”

Lee yawned.

“Didn’t sleep, eh?”

“No,” Lee said.

“Here, sit down. I’ll go grab an energy drink for you.”

Lee gratefully sat at a table while Kakashi vanished into the kitchen. He returned a moment later with a bottle of liquid energy, and Lee gratefully accepted it.

“Thank you,” Lee said and drained half the bottle.

“Sure,” Kakashi said, settling into a stool across from Lee.

“So, you read the entire book. What did you think?”

“It was…highly informative,” Lee said.

“Did you like it?” Kakashi asked, his head tilting to one side.

Lee licked his lips. “Not all of it,” Lee admitted.

“But some of it? Most?” Kakashi asked.

Lee considered. Nervous energy hovered on the edges of Lee’s brain, but exhaustion let him ignore it. This conversation wouldn’t be easy, but it was definitely necessary.

But maybe not all the details were necessary. Because while Lee probably could tell Kakashi that he’d spent half the night learning new ways to read and jerk off at the same time, Lee didn’t particularly want to divulge that information.

“Most,” Lee finally said in a near-whisper.

Kakashi grinned and leaned back in his chair. “I knew it,” he said.

“But more than anything I want to know why you loaned me this book. As opposed to others, I mean.”

Kakashi’s lips pulled back into a feral smile. “I think you know why, Lee.”

Lee gulped down more of the energy drink and didn’t meet Kakashi’s gaze. Last night while reading the text Lee remembered Kakashi saying something about Gai-sensei wanting Lee to be with someone less “deviant.” At the time, Lee assumed Kakashi meant Gai-sensei thought his desire of someone much younger than him was the deviant part.

Then Lee read the book.

And now he wasn’t sure of anything.

“He…does he like this book…too?” Lee asked, finding it hard to say Gai-sensei’s name.

Kakashi nodded. “It’s one of Gai’s favorites, Lee, and I’m going to tell you why that is so maybe you’ll stop looking like something’s going to bite you.” Kakashi’s tone was a bit dry.

Lee fought the urge to squirm in his seat. Lee didn’t know how to explain to Kakashi everything the book inspired. Lee didn’t have the right vocabulary to elaborate on the depths of his surprise, pleasure, confusion, and…well, fear, Lee supposed. Anxiety. He wiped his palms and drank more, his mouth dry.

“I’m sorry, Kakashi, it’s just-“

Kakashi held up a hand. “I know what it is. I didn’t let you read the book because I want you to learn the ins and outs of BDSM in one sitting. I let you read it because you need to know what Gai likes – or at least get a reasonable idea. And I needed to know if you were going to object to any of it. I spent entirely too many years convincing Gai that there was nothing wrong with needing things a bit out of the ordinary in the bedroom. I’m not about to let one twenty-year-old upstart undo all my hard work.” Kakashi arched a silver eyebrow at Lee.

Lee nodded. Perhaps a little too enthusiastically.

Kakashi smiled. “I’m glad you understand, Lee. Now, tell me what theme you noticed from your nocturnal sojourn into the land of educational erotica,” Kakashi said, grin on his lips and drama in his voice.

“This is the quiz?” Lee asked, pensive.

“This is the quiz,” Kakashi said, but his eyes danced with amusement.

Lee nodded seriously and then spoke slowly, considering each word carefully. “There was a ton of…er, well…formal speech,” Lee said. “And lots of…ahm, interesting…tools?”

Kakashi nodded and gestured for him to continue.

“And it always involved somebody getting tied up,” Lee said.

“Exactly!” Kakashi said. “A+, Lee. The word you’re looking for is ‘bondage.’ And in this case, it’s rope bondage more often than not.”

“As opposed to…” Lee said before he could stop himself.

Kakashi shrugged one shoulder. “As opposed to leather or cuffs or benches or crosses or-“ Kakashi stopped when it looked like Lee’s face would implode it was so red.

“I see,” Lee rasped. He felt like his dick had been hard for a century, and he prayed to all the little gods of obliviousness that Kakashi didn’t notice. He was embarrassed and overwhelmed as it was. At least Lee didn’t have to think twice about what his body thought of Gai-sensei’s…preferences.

Kakashi laughed. “Well, it looks like you two will be very well matched after all.” He leered at Lee. “And hopefully I’ve managed to catch you early enough that you won’t have any of Gai’s hang-ups.”

Lee sat and thought for a moment. He felt many things when he thought about the book…and Gai-sensei liking the book…Gai-sensei reading…doing the things described on the pages…doing those things to Lee…

Lee flushed.

“I don’t…really see anything wrong with…well, anything in the book, really. I may not want to…well, try everything.” Lee swallowed. “But I don’t think it’s…wrong.” It was hard to admit that for whatever reason, but Lee felt it was important.

“Good, Lee.” Kakashi seemed genuinely pleased.

“And if Gai-sensei likes this book, and you wanted me to read it because it shows what he likes…” Lee thought aloud.

“Go on,” Kakashi said, resting his chin on one hand and letting Lee work this out for himself.

“…and you think I’ll have to do something drastic to get Gai-sensei’s attention, and you felt it was important to know if I objected to the main theme in the book…”

Lee paused. Then his features formed an expression that was as close to devious and conniving as Lee got.

“Kakashi,” Lee asked, looking up to meet the white-haired man’s gaze.

“Hm?” Kakashi practically purred.

“Do you know how to tie knots?”

~*~

Lee was a quick study and a hard worker. Kakashi gave him every book he owned on knot tying, and showed Lee first hand how all the knots worked. Lee did his own research, too, spending hours getting lost on the web.

It was hard to continue training at the dojo while he and Kakashi schemed, but Lee did it. Kakashi told him that acting would be a key part to the entire plot, and of course he was right. Lee thought he did remarkably well considering that every time Lee looked at Gai-sensei he saw him tied up and helpless.

It was distracting to say the least.

Days went by and Lee lost sleep as he read and practiced with rope. Then finally Sunday arrived. The previous Friday, Lee and Kakashi decided that Lee knew enough. They went over the plan – how Lee would get Gai-sensei into a chair, what he would say. Lee was fifteen varieties of nervous, the fear of failure practically leaving him breathless.

Nevertheless, Lee stoically packed his backpack with nylon rope and then dressed in an outfit that both Ino and Tenten assured him looked fabulous. He let Ino do the thing with the minty-smelling stuff and his hair again. He told his uncle he probably wouldn’t be home that night. Then he left the house and headed for the dojo, the weight of his future with Gai-sensei – or lack thereof – measured in coils of rope and Lee’s eternal hope.

And now…as Lee sat straddling a confused, aroused, and completely helpless Gai, Lee felt a surge of triumph that managed to override his fear of failure. The weeks of anxiety and disappointment made Lee angry and fueled his courage. Hours of practice and preparation gave him confidence.

And sheer lust gave Lee the desire to do what came next.

“T-talk?” Gai said, his voice strained.

Lee stroked fingertips over Gai’s cheeks, his touch feather light.

“Yes, Gai. Talk.”

~*~