(A/N: Hey all! Lady Hiran here! Theywinner and the loserof the bet is decided HERE! Read on!)

Kakashi finally realized what happened three hours and proceeded to browbeat himself furiously.

His strategy just wasn't working.

Hotaru was currently so far ahead now he couldn't hope to catch her with an all point's bulletin.

He wracked his brain.

What was the main difference in their strategies?

Well, obviously, he attacked the body, while she attacked the mind.

Her methods so far were much more effective.

"Time to change tactics." Kazuce-Kakashi growled, still reeling from the blow to his masculinity.

Hotaru sat in the middle of her sculpting class, carving a pair of children throwing a ball, when suddenly the door to the classroom burst open.

Kazune-Kakashi, dressed in street clothes, holding a boquet of red roses that was almost as large as he was, came barging into the classroom.

He strode across the room and thrust them into her arms.

"What the-!" Rochelle said.

"Since when has Hotaru had a boyfriend?" Ameila wondered aloud.

Kazune-Kakashi knew all eyes were on them…as he wanted it.

He leaned forward and ran his fingers through Hotaru's red and black locks.

He locked his gaze with her black ringed eyes and saw her face begin to tinge with red.

"Red roses…" Kazune-Kakashi whispered into Hotaru's ear, "Never forget their meaning."

Hotaru promptly turned the exact shade of the flowers she held and fell off her chair.

With a swift kiss on the forehead, he strode out of the room with out another word.

Hotaru sat splay legged on the floor, one arm wrapped around the roses, the other hand up against her forehead, fingers pushing back her bangs, exposing her bright red face.

"Hotaru!" Dane cried excitedly, "Why didn't you tell us?"

"When did this happen?" Rochelle demanded to know.

"NO FAIR KEEPING SECRETS!" Amelia wailed.

She was bombarded by questions right and left until there was only one option left: escape out the window, flowers and all.

Hotaru stalked down the sidewalk, fingering the petals of one the roses.

Of course she knew the meaning of red roses.

They stood for passionate love.

However…

"They also have another meaning that I'm not sure you're aware of…Kakashi-perv." Hotaru smirked sadly, "They also stand for agony…and death."

"Hi-chan!"

Hotaru whirled around.

"Bro…"

"Hey, whazzup?" he asked, peering into his twin's eyeliner encircled eyes, "You look really down."

He finally took in the smally mountain of flowers she carried.

"Those are from him..aren't they?" he stated.

She nodded.

"I know the clincher to win this bet." She said slowly, "But I'm gonna need your help bro. Are you with me?"

"'course!" her equally gothic twin grinned, his own eyeliner ringed eye squeezing shut, "Just tell me whatcha need."

"Iruka." Hotaru said sternly, "Work with him on his confidence. The next part of my plan directly involves him."

"I see." Hajime nodded, "Leave it t' me."

With a wave, he took off jogging.

"Give me a call when you feel he's ready!" she yelled after him.

"Gotcha!" Hajime said, giving a thumbs up.

Hotaru looked into the water of the river below her.

"Kakashi-perv…while I can't stand the idea of being alone…the idea of losing a bet sits even worse with me." She said, allowing the roses to fall from her arms, until only one remained in her hands, "I don't think my pride could take it."

Two Days Later…

Kazune-Kakashi stared at the note in his hands.

Kazune-

Tonight I reveal my true feelings for you.

Meet me at the Central Park fountain at 9:00 P.M.

Your Secret Admirer

It was in Hotaru's handwriting.

He glance down at his wrist watch.

8:58.

Not much longer now.

Soon Hotaru would be arriving and he would win this bet.

He heard footsteps approaching.

He glanced up.

It was not the person he was expecting.

"Oh! Hey Iruka!" he grinned warmly, scooting over to make room for him.

Smiling somewhat nervously, Kei-Iruka took a seat.

"What brings you out here?" Kazune-Kakashi asked, "You're usually locking up about now."

"Y-yeah well…" Kei-Iruka stuttered, "W-what about yourself? What brings you here? I would expect to see you in a topless bar or an adult bookstore…but a park in the middle of the night by yourself?"

Kazune-Kakashi flinched.

"Well…" he said bringing out the note, "…I got this note from a secret admirer, but…it looks like they stood me up."

"Uh…um…" Kei-Iruka stammered, going red, "Notheydidn't."

"What was that?" Kazune-Kakashi asked.

"No they didn't." Kei-Iruka said again, gaining confidence, "Your admirer is right here."

"Whuh…what?" he blanched, "You?"

Kei-Iruka's eyes bore straight into Kazune-Kakashi's, unflinching.

"I've…I've always…always liked you." Iruka murmured, bringing his hands forward, wrapping his arms around Kazune-Kakashi's neck, "I love you Kakashi."

Before Kakashi could do anything, Kei-Iruka's lips pressed gently against his.

He felt his arms moving all on their own, wrapping around the younger man's neck to deepen the kiss.

Tongues began a battle for dominance.

Hands groped wildly under clothing.

From the shadows of her apartment, Hotaru saw all with the Kyuubi's Mugen Koukei (see Ch.17)

Silent tears streamed down her face,smearing and streakng her mascara and eyelineras she laughed.

"I win…you perverted asshole." She sobbed, "Iruka-chan, make him happy."

(A/N: And the winner is...Hotaru. But in a way way, she's the biggest loser. Kazune-Kakashi is happy with his new lover, Hajime and Kanna are happy together, HELL! Even the Shinobi-midgits have g/b-friends! What's a goth ta do? R&R)