Gai stretched and stood, "Well, your free to sleep here if you want. The couch is your's. But if you decide to go back to the ball and chain, the door's down the hall on the left. Your clothes are here on the table. But now I'm going to bed." And to bed he went, but he couldn't sleep. He laid awake for what seemed like eternity. He was out there on the couch. Probably fast asleep by now. He hadn't left. Gai would have heard it. He wanted to be out there still but he figure Kakashi'd need the peace and quiet. It wasn't like he missed him or nothing... But he knew that had he had to stare at a half naked Kakashi sitting on his living room floor any longer he would loose it. So he retreated and hoped that Kakashi would leave on his own accord. But a part of him wished for Kakashi to open up the door on the other side of the room. He shook himself roughly, no, he didn't want that. Or maybe... No, Kakashi wouldn't do that. Why me, he thought grimly, and why, oh Hokages of old why him? He was half sick with the emotions rolling around inside him. Maybe just a peek to make sure he's alright. He is upset about Kurenai after all. He got up, encouraging himself the whole while that he would only check on him then go back to bed. That would be it. Just a look see to make sure he's sleeping alright then sleep. He got to the door then down the hall, and stopped in the entrance to the living room, rooted to the stop. Kakashi was asleep alright, his head tilted a little toward the fireplace, a hand draped over the arm of the couch, the other on his stomach, and the blanket just at his waist. He swore, and covered his mouth instinctively. But Kakashi didn't stir. He let out a sigh of relief. And dared to take a step or two closer. Before he knew it he was next to the Copy Ninja. The fire cast shadows across his face his mask still covering must of his face, his silver hair glowing with a red orange light. There was something Gai had always wanted to know and why not now? Gai sat ever so gently on the couch so not to disturb the sleeping Jounin, then reached out with a curved index finger and hooked it under the mask pulling it down. His eyes widened and he went to pull his hand away, when Kakashi grabbed his wrist. "Was that really necessary?"

Gai couldn't think of anything to say, he was barely able to breath let alone hold a conversation. His heart bounded in his ears and he was sure he was turning red. Why he wasn't sure, other than age, Kakashi hadn't changed a bit under that mask. He was still gorgeous. Perhaps it was the fire light or the darkness around them or that they were so close. He hadn't been this close since that day they'd been tied to that tree but his reaction was far worse. He couldn't simply push him away, Kakashi's python grip was to strong, and Gai's body was to tense to find the strength to escape it. This man was Kurenai's, his friend's. He tried to stammer a reply but it came out very intermittent. "I... Just was... I always wondered... Why in lord's name to you wear that thing anyway?"

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "Why are you up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Came to check and make sure you were alright out here on the couch." It wasn't a lie. That had been the truth when he left his room and it was true now, if only Kakashi would let go. The faster his pulse the more he wished Kakashi would release his wrist for fear the Jounin would notice the difference, or see something with that damned red eye of his.

"Me neither. I've gotten pretty good at faking sleep lately."

"Kurenai again? Give her a little more sympathy. She's adores you." He couldn't help but frown at that. It was true and it sadden him. Made it more and more unlikely that he would... See there he went trying to cover it up. He so wanted Kakashi, he always had. Since he was old enough to want know what they meant by doing IT. He tried so hard not to let the longing show on his face and failed miserably, but just then something happened in Kakashi's eyes at his expression's change. Perhaps a sudden madness rose in his old comrade but whether madness or something else he leaned in and pressed his lips to his. Gai couldn't move from his spot, surprised. His lips instinctively parted with a rush of warm breath, his heart thumped brutally in his chest and his eyes flutter shut. His tongue swept his mouth. It felt good, to good for words. So good his teeth hurt. Suddenly Kakashi pulled back and he was left sitting there staring widely at him. Their lives suddenly perfectly clear to the both of them. Kakashi's eyes were open wider than his. Perhaps Kakashi hadn't even considered this to be the reason he and Kurenai didn't work. Gai had know there was something different for some time. Since he hit thirteen and hit puberty, guys talked of girls and sex and other such things. Gai talked Taijutsu with Kakashi, rolling his eyes at the others. Oh, did this explain his strange fascination with the younger Shinobi. But Kakashi looked suddenly very scared.

"I- I'm sorry I don't know what- Look I'm just gonna go-" He let go of Gai's hand and stood to leave. Gai snatched out for his wrist catching it quickly.

"Wait." Kakashi turned his head around, looking him in the eyes. Fear. The fear that he'd read Gai wrong, the fear he'd screwed up. Gai was desperate to keep him, to show him he wasn't wrong. "Stay with me... Please."

Kakashi glared, "Don't'... Don't play with me."

"I wouldn't. Never. Please-please stay."

"Your talking crazy... this is all so damn twisted. I'm-I'm not..." He broke then, the tears falling he sat abruptly on the couch. "What am I going to tell her?" Gai slid over, unsure what exactly to do. But he set a hand on his shoulder, and Kakashi held it. "I... She never really did anything for me. None of them did." Gai blushed, at the none of them. What did that mean. He did? He wiped the tears and stared at the fire. His face reddening, his eyes turned to Gai. "Gai I... I want you. Is that so damn wrong?... I only took Kurenai home was because I saw the way you looked at Asuma and I wanted that look all to myself... And I only remembered when you looked at me just now."

Gai's mouth fell open then he laughed, taking his head in his hands. He gazed into those different colored eyes, "No one compares to you. No one has ever made me feel the way you do. With or without that damn mask of yours." Kakashi must have caught the humor in his eyes, because he smiled. "Now, it's time to shut you up." He leaned in a kissed him. A slow passionate kiss and to his surprise Kakashi's hand slid around his waist settling on the small of his back and pulled Gai on top of him on the couch. His body refused to object. Instead it practically begged for the change. Those silk boxer slid off far easier than his flannels.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gai walked out of Kakashi's apartment building. Still troubled. He only hoped Kakashi felt as good as he said he did. He'd taken his time descending the stairs and the sidewalk toward his own home. "Gai!" Kurenai ran toward him from Kakashi's building. He stopped, and turned to the female shinobi raising an eyebrow.

"Afternoon, Kurenai. Lovely day, hm?"

"Yeah, spectacular." She panted catching her breath. "Can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"How come I never noticed? Jesus, I never even suspected... He'd better love you as much as it sounds like he does." Gai's blood ran cold, and his usually tan skin paled, "I overheard you two. I do however have to know something." Gai waited for her to catch her breath some more, then she continued, "How long did you love him before we separated? Hours, months, years? What time frame am I looking at here?"

"Two decades, if I recall."

The woman's dumbfounded look almost made him laugh out loud, but he restrained himself, "Decades."

"Yup, since I met him."

She gave an exasperated sweep of her arm, "God, I should have known! I could never have competed with that. DECADES for Christ's sake!"

"You use the lord's name in vain a lot, don't you? Catholic, are we?"

She glared at him, "Ha, ha. I'm going home. This is getting old, fast."

"Don't be to sour, Kurenai." His tone was soft and understanding, "It was never you. He just didn't know. I didn't know. If I'd know what would happen I'm not sure I would have picked him up off the street. At least then I wouldn't feel so guilty."

Kurenai's face went from irritated to tired, "I wasted so much time, in that bad, and confusing relationship. I feel like I've lost something... Valuable but not necessarily important, you know? Like a fifty dollar bill. It has worth but no sentimentality. I'd spend it without blinking."

"I know exactly what you mean."

She smiled, "You would."