Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"NO WAY. Kakashi's dating someone?" Kurenai exclaimed as she reached for Gai across the table in her excitement.

Gai leaned back just in time to avoid his friend's eager grip. "Yes! Great news, isn't it? It shows wonderful progress!"

"And you say you've seen Kakashi three times this week?" Asuma added, his own eyes wide with surprise.

"Not just that; HE has come to ME!"

Kurenai and Asuma turned to each other with the same stunned expressions. Asuma's cigarette hung from the bottom of his lip precariously from how long his mouth had been hanging open.

"I am most certain this person he's with is the reason he has suddenly opened up. I can just see his heart warming more and more with each passing day!" Gai leaped onto the table and threw his arms out wide, large hearts in his eyes. "It is magical! It is fateful!"

"It's unbelievable." Asuma murmured. "I really gotta meet this chick."

Gai turned red and pretended not to hear Asuma's comment.

"She must be beautiful. Or...really talented. Or maybe really sweet? All three of them? I just can't picture her." Kurenai wondered aloud.

"I feel like he likes chicks with long, brown hair."

"Really? Where did you get that impression?" Kurenai asked with slight scepticism as her male companion stroked the sparse stubble on his chin.

Asuma chuckled and crossed his arms. "It's just a man instinct, Kurenai. I can't explain it."

Said ninja did not look impressed. "You mean a guess?"

Asuma scrunched his nose in annoyance. "No, not a guess. I just know."

His response was an exaggerated eye roll. Gai coughed loudly in an attempt to change the conversation. It backfired as both his friends turned to him with the echoed expression that they'd just found the answer to their problems.

"Wait. He must have told you something about her, Gai. What did he say?" Kurenai asked while Asuma nodded vigorously.

Gai laughed really, really loudly and waved them both off. "OH! Why, I just couldn't say! I mean, it's Kakashi's business, after all!"

The looks he received from Kurenai and Asuma told them they were not buying his excuse for half a second.

"You already told us he was seeing someone. Isn't that technically his business, too?" Asuma responded flatly.

Gai wrung his hands and bit his lip. Kakashi would probably gut him and use his insides as lining for his kunai pouch if he told the others that Kakashi was seeing Tenzou. And rightfully so, as it wasn't the most usual of situations. Gai had never actually known anyone to be attracted to another man. He didn't know how common it was.

"Ah. Well, I can tell you some things. Kurenai, from what I know of Kakashi's...sweetheart, all of the things you mentioned are correct; sweet, talented and attractive. OH! And, Asuma was also correct; long brown hair."

"HA!" Asuma crowed, flashing Kurenai a blatant, winning grin. "What did I say?"

She sighed in resignation. "Yes, Asuma. Your "man instinct" was right. Congratulations."

Asuma continued to grin to himself as Kurenai shook her head and Gai sent prayers of thanks to the heavens.

"So, Gai." Kurenai started, eager to redirect the conversation. "Do you think we'll ever meet her?"

It was a good thing Gai was a trained ninja or he'd have a really hard time keeping a straight face during this conversation.

"Oh...I'd say so."

His friends looked shocked once again. "Really? You think he'd introduce us?" she responded.

Gai grinned.

"I guarantee it."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kakashi sighed as he opened their brand new missions scroll and read through the contents. He was kind of considering asking for vacation time. Except that he didn't want to go on vacation if it meant Tenzou would be on missions without him.

Life was so complicated.

Not even getting into the fact that he wanted to ask for vacation time. Kakashi never took a break from work; ever. It was all he was.

And now, it wasn't. He had other commitments.

A shiver wracked his body, forcing him to control himself not to crinkle the scroll in his hand.

Calm the hell down, Self. I get it; people are scary. No need to ruin government property.

But, the idea kept bouncing around in his noggin. What if he just took a weeks vacation? He'd been in ANBU for years without ever asking for anything. How hard could it be to let him off the hook for one measly week? Sometimes they went half that time without a mission anyway. The really difficult part was Tenzou; Kakashi didn't want a break unless he knew Tenzou would have one as well. They were two of the most talented people on their team, with two of the most unique skill sets in ANBU. Would it be possible? He'd never asked, so he had no idea.

Hiruzen seems determined to cure me of my insanity, so maybe he'd be willing to arrange something...

As Kakashi walked to the locker room where his team was waiting, he couldn't help but mull it over. A week to just relax, think about things, and spend whatever amount of time with Tenzou he felt comfortable with. No obligations, no threats. Just...living. What in the world would that be like?

It sounded amazing.

When Kakashi arrived in the locker room chatter died down instantly. Everyone awarded him with a smile and a greeting, including Tenzou, who was polishing his sword at the back of the room. Kakashi had to force himself to push his excitement at the idea of vacation to the back of his mind and get to business, but seeing Tenzou's cheerful face made it harder.

"Yo. We have a new mission. It's pretty straight forward, but still risky. Double assassination with protection thrown into the mess." Kakashi explained as he wiggled the scroll before his team.

"Ugh. Double assassination...but it's Tuesday." One of their more vocal teammates groaned.

"What's the big deal about Tuesday?" Another asked.

"Too close to Monday..."

"It doesn't make a difference way day we're assigned the mission, Rio, you idiot..."

"What if we have to leave right away? Don't get snippy with me."

"Wow, will the two of you shut up? You're interrupting Kakashi-taichou."

Kakashi let his team playfully bicker with each other for a few more moments before he cleared his throat loudly. Everyone respectfully went silent.

"We're leaving tomorrow. Does anyone have a particular aversion to Wednesday's?"

No one spoke, but a few people sent amused glances Rio's way, whom the comment was obviously aimed at.

"Great. We'll have an official mission debrief in about three hours when I think of a plan. Do what you like until then."

Everyone saluted him and chattered away as they slowly milled out of the locker room. Tenzou had been characteristically silent in the back of the room, and as of yet, had not left his spot. Kakashi hoped he was waiting around to talk. Now that his duties had been fulfilled, his mind was on vacation again. One of his teammates stuck around to ask him some questions about jutsu's, and when he finally left, Tenzou and Kakashi were alone together.

Slowly, Kakashi made his way to Tenzou, assuming what he thought was a casual stance beside the locker next to him. Tenzou glanced up at him right away, his usual smile in place.

"Good afternoon, Senpai."

"Mm." Kakashi answered softly. Now that he was moments away from asking about it, he felt a little bit of sweat accumulate on the back of his neck. He wasn't sure if he was ready to ask Tenzou to join him in anything, even if he made it clear that they wouldn't be spending the entire week together. Now that he was going to voice it, he wasn't sure he wanted a vacation, either. Too many new, scary things happening together at once. He must have looked like an idiot standing there staring at Tenzou because the mokuton user began to look concerned.

"Has something happened?"

"Ah..." Kakashi started, jostled out of his thoughts. "No. Sorry. I was just...going to suggest something. I wanted to see what you thought about it."

Tenzou gently put his sword down and turned so his entire body was facing Kakashi. He smiled supportingly, but stayed silent. Kakashi felt something melt in his chest at the sight.

"I was thinking of taking a week long vacation."

Tenzou stood straighter, his face brightening, his eyes wide and excited. "I think that's a great idea, Senpai!"

Kakashi blinked. "Yeah?"

"Yes, definitely! You deserve it."

A warm smile spread across Kakashi's face. It was hidden by his mask, but it was still clear that he was smiling. "Good. Because I wanted you to take a vacation, too."

Tenzou blushed faintly, looking slightly confused. "Me? Why?"

Suddenly, Kakashi had no idea what to say. He realized his reasons for wanting Tenzou to 'vacation' with him were completely ridiculous and obviously totally romantic. There was also a chance Tenzou would be offended. Kakashi had already worried him by adjusting the mission so Tenzou was out of danger; perhaps he would feel that Kakashi didn't trust his skills. He needed another reason.

"You're...a big part of my recovery, Tenzou..." Kakashi admitted quietly, unable to look at his subordinate as he did so. "It would make me feel better to know you're around. I hope that's alright."

When Tenzou's eyes filled with affection Kakashi felt a jab to his gut. He was such an incorrigible prick. Not that he was lying at all, not even slightly. But he wasn't telling Tenzou the truth in terms of his question, and he was answering in a way he knew would appease his kouhai. Maybe some day he'd learn to just be square with people, but today clearly wasn't that day.

"Of course it's alright, Senpai. I've already agreed to help you." Tenzou whispered.

It made Kakashi feel that much worse that Tenzou was so genuinely eager to adjust his life to assist his captain. Well...he'd make it up to him, Kakashi set his mind on it.

"Great. Next time I see Hiruzen, I'll ask him if it's possible. I don't think we've been that busy lately."

Tenzou seemed shy and nervous as he fiddled with the hem of his chest guard. "He wants you to recover, Senpai. He will help you, too."

Kakashi's eyes softened as he looked down at Tenzou. The word 'irresistible' kept coming to his head. There was just something about Tenzou that he couldn't shake, couldn't resist. He wondered suddenly on his conversation with Gai; if it was unusual for him to be feeling this way about Tenzou instead of a girl. The only thing feminine about Tenzou was his hair, and perhaps his large eyes. The rest of the time his lean, toned male body was on clear display, and there was nothing feminine about his habits. Not to mention the fact that Tenzou very much had male parts that Kakashi thoroughly enjoyed handling. He wondered if this was supposed to explain the reason why he'd never had a crush on a girl when he was younger, or if there was just something special about Tenzou specifically.

Unfortunately for Kakashi, he was so socially inept that there was no way he'd know the answer to that question for a very long time.

At Kakashi's silence, Tenzou continued the conversation. "What did you want to do during your vacation, Senpai?"

Now Kakashi was back to feeling guilty. How was he supposed to tell Tenzou that while he wanted him to take an entire week off of work, he didn't actually plan on spending that entire week with him? It seemed selfish and slightly cruel, especially in Tenzou's case. He had no other friends to spend his newly acquired time with.

Then, a lightbulb went off.

Wait...yes, he did. Kakashi had already convinced himself that he wanted to introduce Tenzou to his classmates. To give him a life outside of ANBU. This was perfect.

"I have a task for you, Tenzou. I'm not sure if you'll like it at first, but it will be good for you." Kakashi began, noting Tenzou's look of slight discomfort.

"Ah...alright."

"I want you to get to know my classmates. Would you do that?"

Tenzou's mouth fell open ever so slightly and the flush on his cheeks deepened.

Kakashi wanted to bring him into his life? To know his friends?

"Really?"

Kakashi chuckled softly, pushing off from the lockers and taking a step closer to Tenzou. "Yes. You deserve to have more than just this organization and missions, Tenzou. You're very easy to get to know and to like; that shouldn't be wasted."

Tenzou's little smile eased the guilt in Kakashi's heart. "Thank you, Senpai. You're very considerate. I'll do as you recommend."

Kakashi sat next to Tenzou, folding his hands in his lap, but not breaking eye contact with his friend. "You've already met Gai, Kurenai and Asuma. But, I have other...friends." Kakashi added with hesitance, suddenly feeling like he didn't deserve to give them that title. He couldn't remember the last time he talked to Hayate, Genma, Raidou...any of them. He was a horrible classmate. But, maybe he could save Tenzou from the same loneliness he'd put on himself. "Gai is incredibly social. I'll bring you to him for a few days during the week, so he can take you to them."

Tenzou's nose scrunched slightly as confusion registered on his face. "You aren't going to introduce me, Senpai?"

Kakashi stared at the ceiling.

"Ah...well. I have some things to do, so I figured it would be best if Gai did it."

Tenzou's expression flattened. "What do you have to do?"

Kakashi twiddled his thumbs and tried not to look guilty. "Oh, you know. Errands. Home repairs..."

He could literally feel Tenzou's unimpressed, narrowed-eyed stare boring into the side of his face.

"Senpai. You're supposed to be spending time with your friends."

"I have been; I've seen Gai three times this week." Kakashi added weakly.

Tenzou's expression did not falter. "What about everyone else?"

"Maaaa." Kakashi breathed, waving Tenzou off with a few weak flicks of his wrist. "That's a little too much for me; I'm fragile."

Kakashi could not once remember a time when Tenzou had looked at him like he was a hopeless idiot. At least now he knew what it looked like.

"I'm not meeting them unless you're with me, Senpai." Tenzou added flatly, but firmly.

Damnit.

Why couldn't Tenzou just be cute and docile and unbending to his every whim?

It was going to be so painfully awkward trying to hang out with those guys again when he'd avoided them for so long. Especially Genma; he had a big mouth.

"Alright..." Kakashi muttered, not bothering to hide his frustration and unwillingness to comply.

It took a second, but Tenzou's expression changed and his soft smile returned. "I think it'll be great."

Kakashi shot him a pouty glare.

"Loads of fun."

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"A...vacation?" Hiruzen asked, his mouth opening slightly in shock. Smoke freely billowed out of his mouth, his pipe forgotten.

"Ah. Yes." Kakashi answered, slightly uncomfortable because he knew how odd the request was. "I also..." He closed his eyes, preparing to basically admit to Hiruzen that something was going on between him and his kouhai. "...Would like it if Tenzou could have the same time off."

Hiruzen stared.

He stared.

He grinned.

"Ah. Well, I have never done it before, but I'm certain someone could cover the two of you. What would be significantly less telling, though, would be me quietly taking your entire team off the roster so no new missions would come to them for the week. Less questions, you see."

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly. He gazed at Hiruzen, his face a mixing pot of all kinds of surprise. That was a very generous thing to do. Especially because the reason was so ridiculous; hiding his and Tenzou's relationship from his team. Hiruzen was a very kind man, and his affection for Kakashi was obvious.

"It would not cause conflicts with incoming missions...?"

Hiruzen guffawed. "No, no. You picked an excellent time to ask. If anything serious does come up, of course we will have to call you back. But I am confident that shall not happen."

With a slight lump in his throat, Kakashi placed his hand over his heart and bowed as low to Hiruzen as he could. He hoped his gratitude would shine through, as deeply as he felt it.

"Thank you." He breathed.

Hiruzen chuckled and placed a warm, firm hand on Kakashi's shoulder.

"You deserve it, Kakashi."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The strategy meeting went by as easily as any strategy meeting could. The mission was more or less straight forward, but it required the team being split up, which obviously bothered Kakashi. It made no sense to put him and Tenzou together since they were both excellent at stealth and scouting; they needed to be spread out between the two halves of the team. Besides, and as insulting as it seemed to his other teammates, he trusted Tenzou to watch out for all of them. His kouhai was almost an extension of himself when it came to how much he could rely on him.

He felt a small pang in his heart as he thought about it.

Kakashi closed the meeting by asking for questions, and when there were none, everyone scattered. Tenzou stayed behind, as he normally did, to talk to Kakashi. The mokuton user was playfully slapped on the shoulder, patted on the head or otherwise manhandled by his teammates as they said their goodbyes for the day. The room was soon silent, with only the two friends inside.

"Are you set for the mission tomorrow, Tenzou?" Kakashi asked as he rolled up one of the mission layout scrolls.

"Yes, Senpai. As usual, you've come up with an excellent strategy."

Normally, Kakashi blew off compliments like it was his job. But lately, anything Tenzou said to him affected him more than usual. He felt himself glowing slightly with pride at Tenzou's approval.

"It's alright. I would have preferred to keep the team together." Kakashi added, finding he could not look at Tenzou as he said so. As if his subordinate would be able to see right through him if he did.

"I think splitting us up made the most sense." Tenzou answered casually as he leaned against the table next to Kakashi. "We should be safer that way, too. We'll attract less attention."

"That's what I was hoping."

Silence fell between them as Kakashi struggled with what to say. Tenzou seemed to notice his tension. He leaned in slightly, his wide eyes concerned.

"What's wrong, Senpai?"

"Nothing." Kakashi answered quickly with a smile, feeling foolish for being so worried. "I got our vacation time."

Tenzou's expression brightened instantly. "That's great!...Isn't it?"

"Yes, Tenzou. I'm happy."

It looked like his kouhai saw clearly that he wasn't, but didn't have time to argue as one of their teammates came bursting back into the room.

"I'm SUCH a jackass!" He exclaimed, smacking his forehead. "Happy birthday, Tenzou! Damn, can't believe I forgot."

Kakashi dropped the scroll.

What?

Tenzou smiled warmly. "It's alright, Sao-san. I'm still getting used to it, myself. Thank you."

Kakashi stood there in horror. So much horror, in fact, that Sao noticed right away and looked instantly awkward. Clearly, he hadn't been the only one to forget.

"Ah...aaaaanyway, the team's gonna bring you a little 'surprise' on Thursday after the mission, so be ready!"

Tenzou laughed lightly and blushed. "You don't have to do that..."

"'Course we do! We've got to bring Tenzou to his sweet 16 in style!" Sao cackled. He popped out of the room almost as quickly as he came, noticing Kakashi's increasing horror and not wanting to be anywhere near his team captain in an obviously fast approaching state of vulnerability.

A large bead of sweat dripped down Kakashi's forehead.

Damnit! What day was today?

It was the 10th of August...

Oh.

FACK.

It was totally Tenzou's "birthday", the one HE had helped him pick. Kakashi had completely forgotten. Not only was today his birthday, but it was the anniversary of him leaving Root and joining ANBU. The anniversary of his name. Their TEAM remembered enough to plan something for him, and he hadn't.

Slowly, Kakashi turned to Tenzou. He masked none of his utter embarrassment.

"Tenzou...I'm sorry." He murmured, fidgeting awkwardly. Kakashi couldn't remember the last time he'd felt obligated to remember some kind of social event, to the point where he wasn't even sure how to act when one forgot.

A little shrug and a smile was Tenzou's answer. "It's alright, Senpai. It's not a big deal."

Kakashi pinched the bridge of his nose. Tenzou hadn't had a single birthday up until his ANBU days; he deserved every single one he got from this point on. He knew Tenzou didn't care because he hadn't had the privilege up until now, but he should care. Kakashi was getting really sick and tired of being such a shitty human being. If no one had reminded him, would he have forgotten right up until next year? Would he have remembered when he happened to glance at a calendar? And if he forgot, how would that have made Tenzou feel? Everyone else basically being like "so glad you're alive!" except for Kakashi? Maybe it wouldn't have fazed him at all. But what if it had?

"Birthdays are to celebrate a persons existence. I'm very grateful for you, so I should help you celebrate. I promise I'll make it up to you. Okay?"

At first, Tenzou seemed embarrassed that Kakashi was so embarrassed about his slip up. But, there was something else slowly clouding Tenzou's eyes that Kakashi noticed as soon as it appeared. It seemed to only take a few moments for his face to transform from bashful, to something else.

And all of a sudden, it was clear as day. Tenzou was overwhelmed. He stared at the ground, winging his hands together slightly. It seemed like he didn't know what to say. It pained Kakashi to think that no one had ever celebrated Tenzou in the 13 years he'd been alive before meeting Kakashi. No one had ever told him they cared. Kakashi had lots of people who cared, but he'd taken them for granted. Whenever he thought of himself, it just made him cringe. Why anyone gave him the time of day was mind boggling.

Kakashi ripped down his mask, grasped Tenzou's face in his hands and kissed him. His heart clenched when he could feel a quiver in his kouhai's lips. Tenzou seemed to run out of breath faster than usual, his chest heaving when Kakashi pulled away. It looked as if he might cry, his eyes glistening with emotion. Kakashi wanted to hurt something for the way Tenzou looked at that moment.

"What is it?" Kakashi whispered, still holding Tenzou's face.

"I..." Tenzou started, sucking in a quick breath as his throat closed. "I'm just so grateful...to finally have real companions. I didn't know what I was missing. To think...people celebrate someone's birth their whole life. It's wonderful."

Oh God.

Kakashi felt like the filthiest, scummiest, most pathetic excuse for a human being on the planet. He'd literally scoffed at the idea of celebrating his birthday for years, and here was someone who cherished it so much he could barely keep from crying. Kakashi yanked Tenzou forward and pressed him to his chest. Instantly, Tenzou's arms flew around him, hugging him with such fever Kakashi was barely able to control his own emotions. He ran his hands through Tenzou's hair and held him silently.

As the moments ticked by, Kakashi could literally feel the warmth from Tenzou blanket his own body. It was such a nice feeling, to hold him like this. Tenzou's breathing had calmed almost instantly, his grip on the back of Kakashi's shirt loosening. But they remained embraced, enjoying one another. It was so simple, but exquisite.

Naturally, Kakashi had to ruin it.

"You know..." he murmured. "16 is the age of consent in Konoha."

Tenzou lifted his face from Kakashi's chest, looking up at him in innocent confusion. "Consent to what?"

Kakashi glanced away as he pretended to ponder. "Actually...it may be 14."

Tenzou pulled at his shirt. "Consent for what, Senpai?"

"Nothing..."

Tenzou looked slightly annoyed. "Just tell me."

"Nooothinnngggg." Kakashi sang.

"Senpai..."

"Look at that weird stain on the wall..."

"Senpai!"