Sexy no Omake

Waving Kakashi's concern off Gai smiled. "Of course I'm sure. Nothing that can keep the azure beast of Konoha down!" He gave the other ANBU a thumbs up. Just as he was about to continue a green blur raced straight towards the unaware ninja

Like a bolt of green lightning, he hit his mark true. Even Kakashi had no chance to react before Gai was hit with the force of a flying hug.

"GAI-SENSEI!" Lee cried. "I HEARD YOU WERE INJURED I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE OKAY SENSEI-!!!!"

On a good day Gai would have easily caught Lee before he actually hit, returning the hug. On a normal, not quite so good day he simply would have withstood the impact. Sadly though he was in no way recovered enough to be on the receiving end of Lee's killer tackle in the guise of a hug.

A small undignified yelp and a brief expression of pain were the immediate response to having his student barrel into his still tender side, but both vanished in an instance as a bright, if somewhat pained smile was turned towards Lee, Gai's arms coming up to keep hold of him to avoid the boy dropping to the ground as he staggered a few steps to the side. "Lee! How good to see you up and about with your usual youthful energy:" he greeted.

Lee hugged Gai tightly, as if afraid he would somehow vanish. "Gai-sensei! I heard what happened!!" Belatedly, he seemed to realize this meant that Gai-sensei was probably still injured and he let go quickly, eyes wide with worry.

Tousling the boy's hair so similar to his own Gai gave him a fond smile. "Well it was an interesting mission. But don't worry I'm already almost as good as new thanks to Hokage-sama." He gave Lee a sparkling smile and his thumbs up. " So how have you been while I was gone? I trust you, Tenten and Neji didn't neglect your training?"

Lee shook his head passionately. "OF COURSE NOT, SENSEI!" he proclaimed. "We've been keeping very diligent with our training to not disappoint you!"

Growing somewhat misty eyed Gai now returned the earlier tackle with his own bear hug. "You could never disappoint me Lee. After all you are my precious students !" He declared passionately, never mind that they were standing in the middle of the road and were drawing quite a bit of attention, but then that was something the elder beast had long since grown accustomed too.

Kakashi rolled his eyes at the two, but waited for Gai to finish before he stepped in to interrupt.

"Ah, Gai, do you really think you should be irritating your injuries like that?" he asked, in no small part because he was vaguely embarrassed to be seen with the teacher and student team after they'd gotten started.

Indeed it may not have been the best idea Gai had ever had to return Lee's embrace but he could hardly be blamed. The youthfulness of his cute student was simply so heartfelt he HAD to express his own emotions. Releasing Lee he put a proud hand on the youngsters shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. " Tsunade-sama has given me a mission for the next two weeks but since I'll be in Konoha I'm sure I'll be able to come and see you three. Check up on your training and everything." Stepping away from his favourite pupil he acknowledged Kakashi's remark with a small nod. "I'm heading home now, my rival. Best get in a good nights sleep before the start of the mission tomorrow."

“That's excellent, Gai-sensei!! We will all be looking forward to your checking on our progress! I can't wait to tell Neji and Tenten!" Lee exclaimed brightly. Kakashi resisted rolling his eyes again. Never was he so excited about training.

"Yosh! I'm counting on you then Lee!" Waving to the boy and his rival, Gai turned and started towards his flat. Really he was so lucky to have students such as his, especially Lee who was the closest to a son he probably would ever come.

Kakashi continued to walk with Gai all the way to his flat, sighing as they reached the door and Kakashi was unable to make any more excuses really. "...Are you sure you can manage by yourself tonight?" he asked.

While dense at times Gai was not that dense. Thinking for a moment he unlocked the door and pushed it open before looking back at Kakashi with a small but warm and welcoming smile. "Would you like to come in ?"

"...Well, I am already here..." Kakashi reasoned before going inside, as though that could hide his secret relief.

Deciding not to comment Gai closed the door behind him. "I'll see if I can find anything for you to wear.." he offered before disappearing into his bedroom.

Kakashi hoped whatever Gai came back with wasn't green and stretchy, whatever it was. He instead made his way back inside, looking around the flat... he'd spent more time here than his own home, recently. Of course, he had never gotten around to replacing his headboard.

On his return Gai held out a folded shirt and a pair of trousers. They were in fact grey and blue respectively and not particularly stretchy although a bit on the large side. "I hope it'll fit." he offered. Somehow having Kakashi in his home felt right, as if the other man filled a hole he had never noticed before it was gone.

Kakashi nodded and took the clothes. "Thanks. I guess I'll have to bring some of my own with me next time to just leave here." he said, before he realized that statement was a very weighted one. A very weighted one with no way to really take the weight OFF of it.

"That's probably a... good idea..." Gai answered tentatively, unsure quite what to think about the sudden prospect of Kakashi becoming such a fixture in his life for a moment. But as fast as the doubt had come it was overwhelmed by a huge wave of contentment at the thought that he would no longer be alone and that is was KAKASHI that would change that.

Kakashi just nodded awkwardly, then gestured in the direction of the bathroom. "I'll go change..." he said, fleeing into the privacy of the small room. As he dressed, he decided to forgo the mask. The hitae-ate had its purpose, but the mask... Gai had seen him enough times without it now, anyway.

Gai meanwhile was busying himself with putting away the various things Kakashi had bought earlier, food and such going into the various cupboard and drawers while other essentials where stacked on the couch, before finally slipping back into his bedroom.

Kakashi was at the bedroom door soon enough, dressed in the clothing Gai had provided, though it was loose on the slightly slimmer man. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Looking up from where he had been rummaging in his closet Gai smiled. "Good. A hot soak was just what I needed. I feel as good as new!"

Kakashi was unable to hold back a slight smile at Gai's response. "I doubt your bruises will agree with that, you should still relax- ... what are you looking for?"

Looking back at the closet Gai shrugged slightly. "Just making a bit of space...There are a few old things that were simply gathering dust..."

"You can wait until you're better to do that. Come on, let's lay down." Kakashi said, gently taking Gai's arm and trying to tug him up.

Resisting for a moment to finish pushing a everything to one side Gai then willingly straightened. Standing next to Kakashi he flushed a bit as he nodded towards the cleared space. " Do you think that will do for your clothes..?" he asked avoiding looking at Kakashi.

Despite the previous conversation being about that, Kakashi was still surprised at Gai's reasoning for moving things. "...Yeah. That should be fine." He said with a small smile.

"Good." Gai more exhaled then spoke the word, tension draining out of him. Casting a look around the bedroom he changed the topic. "Do you think it's okay to make him sleep on the couch? I turned the cushions over so the stains shouldn't be visible.. Or maybe it's better if I sleep on the couch...Or I could get one of those folding beds..."

Gently pushing Gai to lay down on the bed, Kakashi leaned in and favoured him with a light kiss on the cheek. "I'll pick up a folding bed early tomorrow morning. Take the cushions out to be dry-cleaned, too. You can just say your team-mate spilled wine on it or something."

Gai sighed but let Kakashi manipulate him onto his bed. " I'm sorry for being such a burden, my rival." Tugging at Kakashi's shirt as he leaned down he smiled softly. "You should get some rest too." He remarked, patting the coverlet next to him in invitation.

"You're never a burden, Gai." Kakashi said, joining Gai in the bed. He was so relaxed in Gai's presence, and found himself feeling sluggish and tired.

Shifting to his side careful not to jar anything Gai turned to Kakashi . "I'll have to make it up to you once the assignment is over." he promised, smiling as he saw him about to doze of. "Get some sleep, Kakashi:" Leaning up he returned the kiss to the cheek before curling up against his rival, his forehead resting against Kakashi's shoulder and his foot thrown over Kakashi's leg.

"Mm. I look forward to it." Kakashi said with a yawn before drifting off to sleep.

It was early, very early morning when not even the sun thought about getting up for the day yet when Gai's inner alarm woke him. Apparently his body was rested enough to return to its usual routine and expected him to get ready for his morning training. Sighing he peered through the darkness at Kakashi.

Kakashi was sleeping peacefully against Gai, it being still another few minutes before his own internal alarm set off telling him it was time to visit the memorial. He'd missed it yesterday.

Feeling the call of nature Gai carefully unwrapped himself from around Kakashi and slowly slid of the bed.

Kakashi awoke after Gai had already vanished into the bathroom. For a moment he felt his heart leap into his throat as he wondered where Gai went, then chided himself for acting that way at the sound of Gai's movements in the other room.

Stepping back into the bedroom Gai smiled as he saw that Kakashi was awake as well. "Good morning! I hope I didn't wake you?" With a sleeper as light as Kakashi that was always a possibility.

"...No." Kakashi said, trying not to think too much on the idea that Gai did not in fact wake him up and what that might mean. "I usually get up at this hour. Have errands to run. I'll pick up the bed on my way back."

Gai nodded. Kakashi was most likely headed to the memorial as was his routine and if he chose to keep that from Gai then he would respect that. " Don't worry about the bed. I might as well get it once the boy is here, just in case he is incredible tall or something..." he paused for a moment as if unsure whether to continue. "...when do you think you'll be back?" he bit at his lip in a nervous gesture.

Kakashi paused as he stood. He hadn't even considered that answer. Even more disturbingly, he hadn't even considered whether there was a question to whether or not he would be returning to Gai's. Of course he'd be returning there.

"...A few hours, maybe. I need to stop by my place and get some clothes, after all." Kakashi answered.

"Ah..." Gai nodded in reply his smile faltering for a second before coming back brighter. "I'll see what I can do for breakfast if you want then..."

“I don't want you hurting yourself cooking, I'll pick something up on my way back, I don't feel like cooking either. Get a few extra hours sleep." Kakashi prepared for the day ahead, enjoying the warm glow that felt as if it was surrounding him.

Gai shook his head. "My inner clock thinks it's time to get my training started. So I doubt I'd get any more sleep for today. I can go out and get something. Anymore time spent on my back and I'd go crazy, I’m not used to seeing so much of my flat." Stretching gingerly he winced at a few particularly nasty sounding cracks.

Kakashi sighed, but smiled a little at Gai anyway. "Okay. But don't go too far. And you'd better be here when I get back." he gave Gai a quick kiss on the cheek before he was out the door and to the streets of Konoha.

Shaking his head Gai smiled after Kakashi. Who would have though the man would mother hen like that? But for some reason it didn't annoy him or injure his pride as he might have thought it would, especially coming from his rival. Instead it gave him this warm feeling inside that was caused by somebody, his cute students aside, caring for the first time in a long while about what happened to him, Nodding to himself he reaffirmed his decision to ask Kakashi when he came back and if they had the time before his mission target arrived. Changing into a simple pair of trousers and shirt he grabbed his wallet and keys and left on the hunt for breakfast.

Kakashi took more time at the memorial than he usually did, in an attempt to make up for missing it yesterday. He felt safe and content with Gai, and all the more guilty for it when he read the names on the stone. Most of his time was spent apologizing. He couldn't help but begin to wonder, though... maybe, would they want him to move on? Would they want him to find happiness? He left the memorial filled with more questions than he arrived with.

Gai had taken his time deciding what to get for both himself and Kakashi and had finally bought proper breakfast as well as sweets. Still he was back way before Kakashi and in an effort to pass the time got out the book he had bought after their return from the Onsen mission. It had taken him a full day just to bring up the courage to go into the store and take it to the counter to pay for it, but up till now he had been to busy to actually open it. Settling on his couch he took a deep breath before opening it and reading the header. "The joys of gay sex." was written there in large bold letters.

Kakashi was still at his house at the time Gai began reading. He searched through his clothing, tossing a few articles in a bag without really caring much what they were. Taking one last look around his apartment, Kakashi sighed. He saw dust beginning to pile up here and there.

He didn't care much.

Kakashi headed back to Gai's place.