Epilogue: 6 months later...
Life for one Umino Iruka was good, really good. Six months after he had begun a polyamorous relationship with two of the village's strongest jounin he realized that whoever thought polyamorous relationships were wrong obviously had never woken up the filling in a Maito and Hatake sandwich.
Blinking owlishly for a moment, Iruka leaned forward and kissed the meditating brow of Gai before rolling over. Facing Kakashi, Iruka gave the still slumbering jounin a quick once over to make sure he had made it back from his mission unscathed. Other than a new scar on his nose that Iruka leaned forward and kissed better, Kakashi looked only slightly undernourished but well.
As Gai slipped from the bed now that Iruka was awake, Iruka felt a small thrill of satisfaction that Gai managed to stay in bed an hour longer than normal before heading out to do his normal morning routine. It had taken weeks of threats and bribes before Gai decided that communing with his chakra during meditation exercises was one way to a healthy relationship.
Kakashi and Iruka had learned that compromise was always a good option because both had quickly realized that Gai hated staying still for long unless mission mandated. Getting Gai to stop rising with the sun was like stopping seasons from changing. Though delays could be made.
When Kakashi latched on to Iruka and stuck his nose in his neck, Iruka shifted until he could stroke Kakashi's hair and went back to dozing satisfied with life.
As Gai went through his 2 hour morning workout and made breakfast he felt a natural smile tugging at his lips. It wasn't one of his full on tooth grins meant to unnerve people but an actual happy smile. Finishing up his workout, Gai went into the kitchen to prepare the light foods that Kakashi normally craved after a mission. He also made a superfood shake that he knew Kakashi would grumble about but would drink because it helped give him the nutrients he needed.
Like clockwork, Gai's ears picked up the slow shuffling sound of Kakashi as the man made his way downstairs. Hearing the shower going, Gai imagined that Iruka had gotten a bit of a workout this morning. After setting the table, Gai was in the process of cutting up fruit when two long sinewy arms wrapped around his waist and a cloth covered nose was buried in the back of his neck.
Mentally shaking his head at that fact that Kakashi was a serious pervert and horn dog, Gai reached back and fondled Kakashi lightly before he finished cutting.
"Tease." Kakashi grunted yawning.
"You need your energy," Gai responded heading towards the table with Kakashi latched on to him. "Eat up, I need a shower."
"I could lick..."
"Stop!" Naruto yelled walking into the kitchen with a hand over his eyes. "Come on there is no way you could still be raring to go, Iruka sensei was screaming."
"Cockblock." Kakashi grunted flicking a grape at Naruto as he let Gai go. "Why are you still here again?"
"Iruka sensei wanted me close and my apartment has gotten destroyed twice in the last few months." Naruto responded with a shrug, sitting down Naruto frowned at the green shake in front of him. "Gai do I have to eat that?"
"Yes you have to DRINK it to maintain youthful functions of your body." Gai responded with a smile.
"Huh? What about growing another inch or two?" Naruto mused scratching his chin lightly.
"Depends on where you are trying to grow." Kakashi teased having finished his food and was concentrating on getting his hands into Gai's suit.
"Not while I am eating." Naruto whined shoveling his breakfast down. Iruka entered the kitchen and burst out laughing as Kakashi tried to molest Gai, who was expertly dodging him. Meanwhile, Naruto was ranting about perverted senseis and how Lee would never let him live if he found out that Gai had gone to the pervert side while he was in Suna.
"This is my life and exactly how I like it." Iruka stated making the men present smile at him in amusement, warming him as he ate his breakfast and began his day.
When Naruto left for the day and Gai had managed to escape Kakashi for the showers, Iruka contemplated Kakashi who was lounging in his chair with one of the many books that he now had in rotation. Though the cover may say Ichi Ichi the contents of the books could very well be one of Gai's many works.
"So when exactly are we moving Gai in permanently?" Kakashi questioned as Iruka finished the dishes and sat in his chair with his tea.
"We have to get Lee's blessing." Iruka sighed. "I don't see why you are so worried."
"Lee HATES me." Kakashi shot Iruka a look.
"I'm sure you are imagining things." Smiling lightly, Iruka realized that he was being looked at with a solemn expression.
"No I'm not. Lee for one reason or another has never ever liked me. I think manners are the only thing keeping him civil." Kakashi responded.
Frowning Iruka tried to think about every impression he had of Lee and found that Iruka's knowledge of him had glaring holes, much like his knowledge of Gai months ago. "I'm sure that we'll think of something." Giving Kakashi a determined smile and receiving an eye smile in return, Iruka changed the subject.
"Is it just me or can you not turn around and almost trip over Shikamaru or Neji lately when hanging out with Naruto?"
"I wish they would just drag him off already." Kakashi grumbled closed his book and yanking on his hair lightly.
Smiling Iruka gave Kakashi a nudge. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the set of blue balls you have been getting recently every time you have tried to get into Gai's spandex lately does it?"
"I know he genjutsu's the zipper that is the only way I can think of that makes it so I can't find it. It is never in the same place." Kakashi blew out air and kissed Iruka on the cheek.
"There is a good reason Gai is unofficially known as a genjutsu master." Iruka mused, "No one has managed to break one of his sunset or sunrise jutsu...ever. I wonder if he has any for bedroom use?"
"Now you are just being mean." Kakashi pouted as Iruka stood and left for the day, leaving Kakashi to putter around if he wanted.
==============Three Senseis and a Baby TENTATIVE Beginning=============
Laying in the bed with his lover's of more than two years Gai was for the first time unsure. He was unsure of where life was taking him and he was scared...terrified even of what would come to pass soon. He wasn't sure but he knew it wouldn't be good. Sighing softly Gai rolled over on his stomach before trying again to clear his mind to sleep.
When he no longer could hear the soft snores of Iruka or the deep breathing of Kakashi, Gai knew that he should at least try to come up with an excuse. Something to explain why for the last two weeks Gai had been lying awake in bed or slipping out of bed almost as soon as his lovers were asleep. Their relationship was a complicated one but he knew that if he wanted things to work he needed a plan.
"Gai why are you awake still?" Iruka's tone was deceptively mild and Gai felt a bit of a chill go up his spine. Turning his head slowly on the pillow until he could face Iruka, Gai took note of the fact that, Iruka was facing him. Kakashi had sat up and was regarding Gai through one lazy eye.
"I'm just thinking. I am sorry to keep you awake." Gai murmurred honestly trying to force himself into a meditative sleep Gai turned his head the other way again only to find himself tossed on his back with his head in Kakashi's lap and Iruka laying across his stomach.
"Now Gai..." Iruka drummed his fingers on Gai's stomach lightly in warning.
"Start talking." Kakashi's hands lightly ran through Gai's hair as he looked down at Gai calmly.
"I was thinking that I should move out." Gai blurted out the first thing that came to mind. He only needed a distraction and while Iruka stopped his drumming and Kakashi seemed to freeze it was only for a short pause.
"Not happening." Kakashi and Iruka spoke in unison. It had taken them almost a solid year to get Gai to live with them. Though Gai did keep the apartment he held for Lee he himself had given up his apartment awhile ago.
"Well..." Gai stopped trying to figure out the best way to put his problem or dilemma before sighing thoughtfully.
"Have you ever wanted to have children?"
"No, I'm a teacher and it works out perfectly because at the end of the day I can send them home." Iruka shrugged.
"I prefer ones my students age." Kakashi responded thoughtfully. "Anything younger is target practice."
"Kakashi!" Iruka scolded, swatting the man who grinned at him fondly.
"I see." Gai's voice held a rang of finalty before he nodded. "Thank you for your honesty."
"Anything to get some sleep." Kakashi yawned flopping back as Gai shifted over. "You not sleeping is irritating. You don't smile nearly as brightly."
Smiling softly, Iruka leaned up and kissed Gai on the mouth before snuggling up against him. "You are such a weirdo sometimes." Grumbling as he got comfortable, Iruka never noticed the stillness that Gai held himself with.
When he was sure the two were sound asleep Gai shifted himself out of bed and into the hallway. Walking down the stairs Gai shivered lightly. Winter in Konoha was not being kind. In more than one way Gai felt that winter suited him now.
He would be leaving the best thing he had ever had for the one thing he had always wanted. His own child. The son that was never planned for but was his. Not sure what to do with himself now that he was up and unlikely to sleep Gai started going through stretches hoping to get himself tired enough to sleep some.
As he moved Gai's mind sailed to what had been bothering him for weeks now. A dream he had never thought possible. When Gai had been young he had been really ill. The treatments for the illnesses had made him extremely unlikely to have children.
It had never bothered Gai overmuch until he lost his entire family. Then he had realized that it all ended with him. Aging and not being able to procreate ended his line. He wouldn't exist for someone past his generation.
The thought had terrified the then teenage Gai who had strived to be as youthful as possible. Everything was weighed by the effect it would have on his youth. His element was earth and the solid, inflexibility bothered Gai to an extent he didn't wish to admit.
Youth bent while age broke apart. Then Gai had fallen in love and things had become more complicated when Gai realized a man held his interest. Fighting tooth and nail Gai had done everything to deny his attraction but it was too late. Kakashi had knocked Gai for a loop in one cool stroke and Gai never recovered. Sleeping with woman and other men didn't help at all.
Resigning himself to a crush had made Gai slightly bitter but realizing that at least he had someone to remember him by made it worth it. Around that time Gai alway discovered Lee who had made Gai happy in a way Gai knew having a child of his own would. Lee was the son Gai didn't have but very much his own person.
Gai thought of Lee as a wonderful pupil but knew his family legacy would not carry on with him no matter how much Gai wished it. It really all came down to blood and as much as Gai could tell himself it didn't matter in some small section of his mind it did.
Almost a year before that fateful mission.
*So this is the promised epilogue as well as the possible sequel. We shall see. I have been getting a lot of writing done lately so who knows.