This is an alternate story that my cousin, RabidPlotBunny, insisted on making me write. It starts off the same way as "It Started with a Bet?" but diverges when they are discussing why Sakura has never gone out with anyone and Gai decides that he will challenge Kakashi to see which one of them can get Sakura to go on a date instead. More humorous and lighthearted than my original story – well, I think so anyway! (especially chapters 2 and 3)

Obligatory disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Some characters may be OOC. Rated for some bad words and adult situations. I don't think it's too bad, but it might be towards the higher end of PG-13 (T). If anyone thinks I should up the rating at any time, let me know and I'll raise it!

Pairing - Kakashi x Sakura (who else :-P)

This story didn't come out quite as I originally envisaged, but I had a hell of a lot of fun writing it all the same, and that's what matters.

This was also intended to be a One Shot, but because it got so long, I decided to split it into 3 parts; "The Bet" "The Date" and "The Aftermath"

Many thanks to TDotShia, who read it over and pointed out a couple of things that needed fixing up. Much appreciated!

I hope you enjoy it!

xo xo xo xo xo xo xo

Chapter 1 – The Bet.

Kakashi sat facing the window in the Jounin Bar with his… well he'd lost count of how many drinks he'd had by now, but it was a lot. He was half heartedly listening to Gai, his self-proclaimed "eternal rival" carry on boisterously about…. Well, whatever. He had stopped listening to what the idiot was actually saying several minutes ago.

"How did I get myself into this" he thought fuzzily to himself as the alcohol took further effect. There had been a fairly large group to start with, but everyone else had drifted away until it was just Gai and himself. He gave a mental shrug; it didn't really seem that important anymore. He put his glass down with a quiet clink and let out an appreciative sigh.

Gai grimaced as he noted that Kakashi had finished yet another drink. "Ah, my eternal rival, how is it that even when you are approaching the most drunken of stupors, you can drink and yet keep that face of yours hidden behind that mask?"

Kakashi looked up and blearily fixed Gai's gaze with his one exposed eye. "That, Gai, is a trade secret."

"Ah, Kakashi, you are no fun!" Gai said mournfully as he slumped back in his seat.

Silently they stared out of the window watching the people pass by, whatever rational conversation that could occur between these two having been exhausted for the moment. Kakashi grimaced as he saw Sakura being followed by Lee who was trying to be inconspicuous, but failing terribly dressed as he was in his trademark green spandex suit. Sakura knew he was following her and she had a face like thunder. .

"Ah! Sakura," Gai enthused, "Such a beautiful flower of young womanhood! She is wasting her burning youth away pining after Sasuke, whilst Lee has devoted his youthfulness to her…"

"Oh come off it Gai," said Kakashi, "You are deluding yourself as much as Lee is. She just does not like him in that way. He is wasting HIS "burning youth" chasing after her like that! Besides, she got over Sasuke a long time ago."

"But it has been, what, 3 or 4 years now since the rescue of the the Uchiha boy? And yet since then she has turned down every single person that asks her out. She must still hold a torch for him… Such a waste of youth," Gai continued mournfully.

"She's still young, there's plenty of time for her to find someone. Besides, she has been busy with her studies under Tsunade, plus she doesn't get asked out much, I think Lee sometimes scares any potential suitors off," Kakashi slurred. "Hell, even Jiraiya would probably have more chance with Sakura than Lee does."

"Hmm, if what you say is true…" Gai pondered drunkenly for a moment, "In that case I propose a bet!"

"A bet?"

"Yes a bet! We shall have a contest to see who can win a date with the beautiful Haruno Sakura…"

"Don't you think she's a bit... young? And what do you think Lee will say when you start chasing her?"

"Ah! Kakashi, she's old enough, and Lee will get over it." Gai gave Kakashi a drunken, yet calculating look, "Of course, if you are chicken…"

Now normally Kakashi would have blown him off, but excessive alcohol consumption can render even the most rational of minds temporarily insensible. He gave Gai a sidelong look in return, "So, what are the terms of this… bet?"

Gai pondered for a moment, "Hmmm… ok, if you can manage to secure a date with the beautiful cherry blossom, then I, the beautiful green beast of Konoha, will run around the village 1000 times wearing only a loincloth whilst beating myself with a brush. Then I will acknowledge in front of everyone in the village that you are a better ninja than I!"

Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow. That sounded pretty stupid, it was typical of Gai… "And what happens if I lose?"

"Then you will have to walk around Konoha for a whole day without that mask of yours. And that means nothing must cover your face and you must make sure that everyone can see you!"

Kakashi grimaced – if it had been just "without the mask" then he could have used something else to cover his face, but even though he was inebriated, Gai had covered that particular out. Still, he was sure that he could find a way around it given time, but the easiest way was to make sure that he didn't lose! He gave a sigh, "Ok then Gai, I'll agree to this contest. When do we start?"

"No time like the present!" Gai swayed drunkenly as he stood up, "May the best Ninja win!" and with that, he went to find his target.

The masked man sat for a moment, suddenly realizing, despite his drunken state, that perhaps this wasn't such a good idea after all. He shrugged to himself as he left the bar to follow in his rival's footsteps. He didn't have a lot of choice – he'd have to go along with this until he figured a way out of it.

But letting Gai win was not an option!

xo xo xo xo xo xo xo

Haruno Sakura headed back toward the medical center in a bit of a mood. Tsunade had sent her on a stupid errand and she had found herself being followed by the Baka in Green, Lee. Little did she know that her day was about to get a lot stranger.

"Sakura-Chan!" she heard a cheerful shout from behind her. She stopped dead, back ramrod straight. That had sounded like Gai. Why in hell would he call her in that tone of voice? Slowly she turned around. Shit, it WAS Gai…

"Gai-Sensei. What can I do for you," she asked politely.

"Ah, Sakura-Chan," Gai slurred, "such a pretty blossom, would you consent to have a drink with me?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. Gai was drunk. "I'm sorry Gai-Sensei, I have to get back to work and I think you've had more than enough already."

Gai got on his knees, "Oh, Please Sakura. I will be forever in your debt…"

Sakura stood there, face red, embarrassed to hell. "Get up Gai-Sensei. You are making a scene."

"I'll stop if you agree to go for a drink with me…"

"Gai-sensei, with all due respect I would sooner have a drink with Orochimaru." She turned to leave and almost ran into Kakashi.

"Hey, Sakura, Is this idiot causing you trouble?" he asked, leaning over her.

"It's nothing I can't handle, Kakashi-Sensei."

"Hmm… Let me escort you anyway, just to make sure that no more trouble comes up."

Sakura looked at him. It was obvious that he had been drinking as well. Just what she needed, two drunk Jounins being idiots. Well, a drunk Kakashi-Sensei was preferable to a drunk Gai-Sensei any day!

"Sure, whatever." She said in a disinterested tone and headed back toward the medical center, Kakashi in tow.

"Ah! My eternal rival wins this round, but it's not over yet!" Gai shouted as they left.

Sakura looked over to Kakashi, "What was all that about?"

The copy-nin looked embarrassed, "Ah, nothing really."

Sakura sighed, "Fine, I'm sure I don't want to know anyway. I really don't need Gai-Sensei to start acting like Lee-San though."

"Is Lee really that much trouble?"

"You have no idea…"

"Just tell him to piss off."

"I tried that."

Kakashi shrugged, "Well, you're a ninja. If he won't get the message kick him in the nads (1) or something."

"Kakashi-Sensei!" Sakura was shocked, "How could you suggest such a thing?"

"Oh, come on, you'd be doing us all a favor by ensuring that he couldn't breed."

Sakura couldn't help it. She broke down into giggles. "You'd never have said that if you were sober." She pointed out, "but you do have a point."

"Of course I do. Mind you, I wouldn't be surprised if both of them died virgins. They'd be better off sticking with each other."

Sakura was suddenly assailed by the mental image of what Gai and Lee would look like if they were naked – and in a compromising position. She felt sick. "Shit, thanks for that thought," she said.

Kakashi looked at her quizzically.

"Never mind, you don't want to know. Let's just say that I understand why they are both single and leave it at that."

"Heh – I've got nothing to worry about then." Kakashi grinned under his mask.

"Pardon?"

"Oh, nothing. I'll let you get back to work now. See you later!" He attempted to poof out and failed, so he wandered off down the road, weaving slightly.

Sakura watched him leave, there was something strange going on and she couldn't help but wonder what it was.

Whatever it was, it couldn't be anything good.

Later that evening, Sakura was heading towards home after just having avoided her first stalker, when she ran smack-bang into her second.

"Good evening, Gai-sensei," she began politely, hoping that he wasn't going to start again. Sadly, her hopes were in vain.

"Ah, Sakura-Chan, most beautiful of blossoms, will you consent to go for a drink with me… please?" He was not quite as drunk as he had been earlier, but he was just as nauseating as ever.

Sakura sighed in exasperation, "Gai-Sensei, did you not understand when I said no earlier?"

"But Sakura, it's only one drink…"

"No, Gai-Sensei." Sakura was resolute. She didn't know what was going on, but there was no way she would even consider having a drink with Gai. She was startled by another presence behind her. She turned to find the other player in today's strange game, Hatake Kakashi.

"Yo, Sakura," he said, "Is this idiot giving you trouble again?"

Before she could answer, Gai started up again, "Oh come on, Sakura, surely…"

Sakura glanced at Kakashi and was reminded of what he had said earlier. She turned to Gai and before he could finish his sentence she gave him a swift kick where it would hurt the most. Kakashi covered his visible eye and winced as Gai crumpled to the floor in agony.

"Is that enough of a NO for you, Gai Sensei?" she said in extreme annoyance. Then she turned to Kakashi, "And YOU are coming with me," she said in a no-nonsense tone.

Normally the Jounin would have brushed her off, but she was obviously so annoyed that he decided it would probably be better for his health (and that of Gai) if he went along with her. They left Gai in a heap in the middle of the road groaning softly.

In the shadows a few meters away, Lee had watched the spectacle unfold and he too winced in sympathy. If that was how she said no when she got annoyed he would stay away from her for a while, or at least until he had invested in a 'box.'(2) He went to the aid of his Sensei, wondering what in hell Gai had been up to. Was Gai really hitting on Sakura? That would be stupid… wouldn't it?

Sakura dragged Kakashi through the streets back to her apartment with a face like thunder. There was something going on, and she was going to get to the bottom of it if it killed her, or Kakashi. She had elected to take him to her apartment as she wanted to get the truth out of him, if she could, without the risk of being disturbed.

Of course, Kakashi was still under the effects of alcohol, although he was not quite as… smashed… as he had been earlier, or he probably wouldn't be going along with her quite so easily, even if he did owe her an explanation and help to find her a way out of the mess he'd inadvertently landed her in.

She pushed him into her apartment and shut the door and turned to the masked man. "Right, I want to know what is going on."

"I don't know what you are talking about, Sakura," he said, hoping he could get away with it. It was not to be.

"Bullshit, Kakashi-sensei", she stressed the Sensei part almost like an insult. "I've got enough on my plate with one green-baka being a pest. I don't need his Sensei starting too, and you seem to know something about it, so spill!"

Kakashi sighed, knowing that he would not be able to get out of this one so easily. He should have known that the bet was a stupid thing, and even if he had more sense than to pursue it, Gai would take it to the ends of the earth just to prove a point.

He sighed as he considered where to start. This was going to sound bad however he put it. "Gai and I made a bet…" he began. Sakura was looking at him in annoyance. He gulped and put his hand behind his head and smiled in embarrassment, "We kind of bet on who could get you to go on a date…"

"I don't believe it!" Sakura exclaimed, "Of all the stupid things to bet on, why that?"

"Well, it was Gai's idea and we were rather… the worse for wear. You just happened to be passing the bar at the time..."

"So it could have been anyone?"

"No, it only came about because it was you."

"And that is why Gai is trying to get me to go for a drink?"

"Ah, well, we never decided what would constitute a date, and Gai is so repressed when it comes to women he probably thought that would be enough."

Sakura slumped in a chair, "So what happens if one of you wins?"

"If I win then Gai has to run around the village 1000 times wearing only a loincloth whilst beating himself with a brush and after that he said he would announce to the whole village that I am the better ninja."

"That sounds stupid enough for Gai. If he wins, heaven forbid, what then?"

Kakashi mumbled something that Sakura couldn't quite hear.

"Can you say that a little louder please?" Sakura was not going to let it go.

Kakashi sighed, "If Gai wins then I have to walk around Konoha without my mask or any other face covering for a whole day."

Sakura started to laugh at that. "Well, you got yourself into this mess, you can get yourself out of it!"

"That's not a problem for me," Kakashi said, almost with a smirk, "After all, you'll never agree to go on a date with Gai will you?"

"Good grief, no!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Thing is," the masked man scratched at the back of his head, "We never agreed on a time limit either, and knowing Gai he will probably pursue it till the end of time, despite what you did to him earlier."

"Shit, you are probably right," She hadn't considered that possibility. She dropped her head into her hands and let out a huge sigh, "Why me?"

"It's not that bad, there is a way out of this."

"Oh?" Sakura wanted to know what it was.

"Well, you have 2 options. One, you go for a drink with Gai, we say that fulfills the bet and I have to go around with my face exposed for a whole day…"

"Hmmm," Sakura pretended to give it some thought, "Nope, can't do that. If he decides that agreeing is some kind of come on, I'll never be rid of him, and I know how important that silly mask is to you."

Kakashi looked slightly affronted to the jibe about his mask, but carried on, "In that case the only other option is for me to take you on a date. That will fulfill the terms of the bet and get Gai off your back."

Sakura sat in consideration for a moment. She knew that the masked Jounin was right. Well, if he was offering…

"So, are you offering to take me on a date?"

"Ah, yeah, I suppose I am."

"A proper date? Not just a drink?"

"Yes, if for nothing else but to show Gai how it should be done."

"Ok, I'll agree to that, but I want to be able to ask you to do one thing after the date is over."

He raised his visible eyebrow at her, "I could always just leave you to Gai's mercies…"

Sakura narrowed her eyes at him, "Hey! This crap is at least partially your fault you know, and besides, I could always go for that drink with Gai-Sensei…"

Kakashi knew she was bluffing, just as he was, and sighed as his guilty conscience pricked him. He knew that he was responsible for allowing her to be dragged into this, and he felt that he did owe her something. "Fine, fine. I'll let you ask me to do one thing after the date is over." He just hoped it would be nothing bad.

"Don't look so worried," she said, "I might not ask you to do anything. It depends on how the date goes, but you've got to make an effort."

"OK, so when is good for you?"

"How does tomorrow night sound?"

"That sounds good to me. I'll pick you up at 7. Is that ok?"

"Sure, see you at seven, and don't be late!"

He smiled at her and poofed out. Sakura sighed. Stupid Jounins and their stupid games. How on earth had Kakashi managed to get them both caught up in this mess?

Well, she'd go on this date, and she had a little plan of her own…

Whether she failed or succeeded, this was going to be fun!

xo xo xo xo xo xo xo

Authors Notes:

(1) "nads" – Gonads, testicles, balls. You get the idea. Probably just a localised British term, but I wanted to use it, so I did. :-P

(2) "Box" – it's the language thing again. You see, over here in the UK I know such an implement as "A cricketers box," (box for short,) or a "Cup". TDotShia, who is Canadian, and was so kind as to read the story over for me, didn't quite know what I was referring to, and the nearest she could come up with was a Jockstrap (a word I don't feel that comfortable using for some reason…) Although I don't think I've heard that word used too much over here, it could possibly be known as that by younger people in this country as Americanization of the language continues. However, my way of writing it will stay, although I did add this note to make it clearer. (sighs at 'younger people' – I make myself feel old.) Of course, if it is known as that over here and I'm somehow way out of touch, I apologize. I'm still not changing it though! XD

The next chapter "The Date," will be up in about 3 days!