Explicit scenes in this chapter have been edited down to suit the M rating.

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Kakashi awoke feeling strangely content. The dull ache usually accompanied with a night of sleeping on the couch nowhere in to be found. He stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering opened as the feeling of unease in his gut intensified. He didn't recognise the room he was in. Panic filled him and he jumped from the bed abruptly, ready to strike any enemy that might attack.

"Senpai?" Tenzou's lazy voice startled him as it drifted towards him from the bed.

"Tenzou?" He asked, looking uncomfortable as the memories from the night before started to flood back to him.

I'm so pathetic…

"I know what you're thinking Kakashi." He said as he stretched languidly before relaxing again with his arms above his head. Kakashi smiled slightly at the likeness that Tenzou held to a cat. The porcelain mask he wore on missions was a fitting choice for him. "You're not pathetic." He continued. "Don't be embarrassed okay? I told you I was here for you and I am. There's no judgement here." He said as he stood. Kakashi's eyes widened slightly at the not so skilfully concealed bulge in his friends pants. Tenzou ignored the wandering eyes and made his way in to the tiny bathroom.

The Jonin shook his head, chastising himself for his lack of discretion. He had seen Tenzou with morning wood before. After all, this wasn't the first time they had shared a bed and the sleeping body doesn't hide its desires just because you're on a black ops mission.

Feeling foolish he made his way in to the living room, shivering slightly at the cold floor on his bare feet. He had forgotten his slippers in his rush to leave the day before. He pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water from the sink.

"Good morning." He whispered as he tipped the contents of the glass in to Mr Ukki's pot. He smiled at the only quirk of his masterfully hidden insanity that he allowed to shine through.

He picked up the plant and moved him to the kitchen window so he could enjoy the morning sun, before making his way back in to the bedroom. The shuffling coming from the room signalling that Tenzou was in there and the bathroom was now free.

Closing the bathroom door behind him he decided he should shower. It wouldn't do him any good to show up to training smelling like his friend. He wondered absently if Naruto had realised that something was up with Iruka yet.

Yamato dressed hastily. He didn't have anywhere to be but he wanted to be ready by the time Kakashi came out of the bathroom so he could walk down the stairs with him. He forwent a shower, knowing that he would have the opportunity later in the day to have one at his leisure.

He brewed a pot of coffee and set out two mugs, waiting to hear the shower turn off before he filled them. As Kakashi ambled, fully dressed in his Jonin gear in to the kitchen he smiled at the simple gesture. It had been months since Iruka had thought to make him a coffee as well.

"Thank you." He said, surprised at the kindness.

"No problem." Yamato smiled back, sipping at his coffee when he realised he didn't have anything else to say. They slurped in silence for a minute before Kakashi broke the tension.

"Mr Ukki hadn't seen the sun in a few days so I put him up there." He pointed. "I hope he isn't in your way."

"Not at all. He looks a little slack, maybe he'd like some of your coffee." Tenzou joked, buying in to the other's make-believe. Kakashi grinned in to his drink. It was nice to have someone humour his relationship with the plant instead of sneering every time he referred to it with a male pronoun.

"He's more of a tea drinker. He likes the leaves." He quipped, determined to keep the joke going long enough for him to finish his beverage. Tenzou snorted, covering his mouth and turning away as he wiped coffee off his face with his sleeve.

"Funny." He giggled as he turned back. Kakashi felt his smile grow even wider. His heart fluttered slightly.

"I have to go." He said regrettably, putting his empty mug on the edge of the sink and pulling up his mask.

"I'll walk down with you." The brunette smiled, his cup joining the others. The Jonin nodded as his friend fell in step with him.

They chatted light-heartedly as they descended the stairs of the building. Yamato laughing at Kakashi as he announced proudly that he was early today, even though he was meant to meet his team over an hour before hand.

"Your version of early probably pisses a lot of people off Senpai." He snickered, elbowing him playfully.

"It does. But whatever." Kakashi beamed back. He was in a playful mood himself after a much needed night of rest. He realised feebly he hadn't slept so soundly in a long time.

They reached the ground floor in what felt like seconds. The easy banter flowing between them making the trip seem a lot quicker than it had actually been. Kakashi stopped on the bottom step, now acutely aware that they were about to go their separate ways and he suddenly realised he had no idea what to say.

My time to shine.

Tenzou thought happily as he watched the cogs tick over in his friends mind.

"What time do you think you'll finish training?" He asked with a wicked grin. Kakashi looked up, startled by the question.

"Uh… usually around 4. We won't be having missions for a while seeing as I'm… you know." He trailed off.

"Okay so 4." Tenzou smiled, trying his hardest to make sure the kindness came out in his eyes. Kakashi looked at his questioningly, not sure what the confirmation was for. "That's around about the time you'll be home." Tenzou clarified. "I'll make us dinner that's all."

The small portion of Kakashi's face that was visible, lit up. He nodded enthusiastically, words failing him.

"Okay well have a good day. I'll see you later." Yamato said, giving a small wave as he made his way past the man.

Kakashi felt another small flutter in his heart and wondered briefly if he should ask Tsunade about it. It didn't seem too serious and it wasn't necessarily a bad feeling. It could wait he supposed.

OoOoOoOo

Tenzou smirked at his tact as he made his way to the market. He had deliberately walked Kakashi down the stairs even though he didn't have anywhere to be. He didn't want to tell then man he was welcome back as he was leaving the apartment lest it feel too much like the morning after a one night stand. He had purposefully told his friend what was happening that night instead of asking, taking the decision away from him. He felt that in his vulnerable state Kakashi may not have agreed to stay again out of apprehension. He probably felt that his presence was annoying and Tenzou needed him to know that it was not and he was sincerely welcome for as long as he needed to stay.

He entered the market, excited at the prospect of cooking for 2. It had been a long time since he last had company. Almost 6 months since his last date.

This is NOT a date.

He reminded himself harshly.

Kakashi is still Iruka's boyfriend, no matter how much you hate it. You will NOT get in the way of that!

"Tenzou?"

"Sorry, what?" He asked, looking around for the person that had called his name.

"I said how's Kakashi?" Genma asked again, smirking at the confusion transparently spread across the ANBU's face.

"Oh hey… Genma… Yeah he's okay." He answered weakly, looking away as he stuffed some random vegetables in to the basket he had picked up when he entered.

Seriously? Why Genma? Does he follow me or something?

"Poison's gone from his system then." The special Jonin pressed, leaning closer.

"Yep. All gone." Yamato answered again, a small blush spreading across his cheeks at the close proximity of the gossiper.

Genma leaned closer, a smirk painted clearly on his face, senbon inches from Yamato's nose. "You smell like him." He winked.

"You're mistaken." Tenzou said firmly, straightening and doing his best intimidation face. Genma simply blinked at him.

He didn't react to the face… But… the face always works…

Tenzou's disappointed mind whined like a child not getting their way.

"Whatever you say. I just hope you're taking good care of him in his recovery." He said, winking again.

"How did you….?" Tenzou started.

"I work the mission's room sometimes. Lots of gossip flying around there." He said in a manner that implied he didn't start every piece of it. He was leaning back on a crate of vegetables, one hand resting on the edge and the other fisted in front of his face as he inspected his own nails. Yamato rolled his eyes.

"Look Genma… I don't know what you're implying but there is nothing going on between Kakashi and I. He is staying with me at the moment but he is still Iruka's partner and I would appreciate it if you didn't do the only thing you seem to be able to do well and spread some random gossip about us. You are wrong and it will hurt their relationship." Tenzou finished, pushing passed the man to pay for the random assortment of food he had just gathered.

OoOoOoOo

"Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto yelled running towards him and engulfing him in a hug. Kakashi allowed it. Smiling to himself as the blonde boy knocked the wind out of him. "We missed you yesterday!"

"They're saying you were in the hospital." Sakura piped up, her face contorted in worry. "Are you okay Sensei?"

"I'm fine." Kakashi lied, pushing Naruto down like a naughty dog.

"I knew there was something wrong with you the other day! You should have said so!" She exclaimed.

"I'm fine, really." The Jonin reiterated, now holding Naruto at arm's length. "Come on let's get this training done." He said with gusto, grabbing a stunned Jinchuriki by the arm and dragging him towards the training grounds.

"Now who wants to get training over with?" Naruto sneered. Kakashi's eye crinkled as he smiled at them over his shoulder. Sasuke rolled his eyes, following behind with his arms folded.

"Who won Shogi?" Kakashi asked, suddenly remembering their last conversation.

"Kiba." Naruto pouted, his bottom lip sticking out farther than he would have thought possible. The man chuckled, letting go of Naruto's arm as they reached the place they had been standing when he had almost fell apart a few days earlier. "Iruka Sensei found out about it and we all got in trouble." He continued. Kakashi felt the happiness and the slight fluttering in his heart turn in to a painful tightness at the mention of Iruka's name.

"Ah…" He said softly, wanting to ask about it but not wanting to know at the same time.

"Yeah he came over to help me put up a shelf yesterday and I let it slip by accident. He took all my candy as punishment."

"He took everyone's candy! I told you to shut your mouth around adults!" Sasuke corrected loudly, an uncharacteristic outburst for him.

"Wait… he helped you put up a shelf?" Kakashi asked, his heart thumping loudly.

"Yeah…." Naruto answered slowly, confused that that was the bit of the story his Sensei was concerned about.

"Are you okay Sensei? You're looking pale again." Sakura asked from somewhere outside his tunnel vision focused on Naruto.

"Fine. Was he meant to help you the night before? The night of the Shogi tournament." He pressed, hope flickering in the pit of his stomach.

"No… He said he would come over Thursday after he finished at the academy and he did. He never said anything about Wednesday…"

"Oh…" Kakashi said quietly, the small flame in his stomach burning out and being replaced with a sickly feeling. "What was he like? Was he happy?" He asked against his better judgement.

"Well yeah… I mean he seemed normal. Why?"

Kakashi felt like screaming. His heart hurt all over again and his mind reeled at the fact that Iruka was getting around town with a smile on his face while he had been crying like an infant over his loss.

"What's the matter Sensei?" Naruto and Sakura chorused together.

"Nothing… I'm fine. Let's just get this training over with."

OoOoOoOo

Iruka sighed at the knock on his door. He was too busy to deal with Naruto at that moment. He had a lot of papers to grade and lesson plans to make up for the week ahead before he could go out and enjoy himself at the bar.

He stood, stretching as he searched his mind for an excuse because he knew 'I'm busy' wouldn't cut it when it came to the blonde boy. Too many times had he graded papers over Naruto's head as he snoozed away on his big brother's lap.

It's not that I don't want to see you, I just have a lot on my mind kiddo.

He rehearsed as he reached for the doorknob.

"Oh… hey." He exclaimed in surprise as he looked a washed out Kakashi up and down. "I wasn't expecting you home."

"This isn't my home! I don't have a home thanks to you!" He shouted. Iruka blushed as some people walking along the corridor stopped to watch the tiff.

"Come inside if you're going to shout." He hissed, pulling the Jonin by the arm and flashing the curious bystanders something between an apologetic look and a warning glare.

"I don't have a home." Kakashi repeated, softer this time. Sadness ebbing away at his anger. "This was my home." He whispered, gesturing around the room. He hadn't intended to yell, but it felt right in the moment.

"This is still your home." Iruka reassured, not letting go of his arm.

"If you are so keen on insisting that then I think I should repeat Tenzou's earlier question. Are you leaving?" Kakashi snapped. "Because where you are is not my home."

Iruka's grip tightened, knowing that if he wanted the Jonin could overpower him at any moment.

"Do you want me to leave Kakashi?" He asked, his eyes locking on to the one eye his partner had exposed. Kakashi floundered, he was losing himself in those brown eyes but at the same time the hand on his arm grounded him. He felt like his mind was being torn in two.

He had marched over to their apartment after training to confront the Chunin about how he had been feeling since Kakashi left. Hearing Naruto say that Iruka seemed the same had hurt him deeply. But thanks to recent events he also knew that his boyfriend was a proficient liar and him 'seeming' fine didn't necessarily mean that he was.

"Of course I don't." He answered finally. His lips trembling under his mask.

"That's all I needed to hear." Iruka breathed, leaning close. In one swift motion he had the man's mask around his neck and was kissing him passionately. He pushed him with force up against the back of the door, his hips grinding insistently at his growing arousal.

Kakashi's stuttered gasps were swallowed hungrily as the Chunin groped him through his uniform pants. One persistent hand running up his chest under his shirt and vest, expertly pinching at an erect nipple while the other kneaded his throbbing cock.

"Fuck…" The Jonin mumbled, his own hips keening towards the other's hand as he threw his head back, exposing his neck. Iruka took his chance, licking and nipping just the way he knew the other liked.

"Fuck you're hard. I've missed this." Iruka grunted as his hand slipped past the waistband of his pants to palm his boyfriend's erection.

Kakashi groaned at the contact, embarrassed to find himself on the edge so quickly.

It has been a while though…

He thought absently as he felt the familiar tingles of orgasm start in his stomach. He tried to enjoy it, desperately clinging to the ministrations of the man in front of him and pushing away the thoughts of why it had been a while.

His release started to slip away and he cried out in frustration, rutting in to Iruka's hand as the Chunin undid his fly to allow more breathing room. The cool afternoon air hitting his heated skin was all he needed to push him over the edge.

"Ugh… fuck…" He shouted, biting down on his tongue to keep from shouting the man's name as his meagre orgasm hit him abruptly. He continued to rut in to the other's hand long after the sensation had passed in the hopes that it wasn't over.

He opened his eye slowly to see Iruka grinning up at him. He swallowed hard as he dislodged himself from the other man's grip. pNot sure what to do next he stood silently, regretting every second of what had just happened.

"Welcome home." Iruka breathed seductively before stepping in to the bathroom to wash up.

He tucked himself away, feeling incredibly guilty for reasons he couldn't discern. He looked around his tiny apartment sadly. What he really wanted was to flop down on his couch, cuddle and watch his TV. But he knew he couldn't. The pathetic excuse for an orgasm he had just experienced had cemented in his mind what he had come here to do. He could have stopped Iruka's hands. But he didn't want to. He had keened in to the touch, hoping he could forgive his indiscretions and forget what he knew of his partner.

But now all hope was gone. He was highly aware that there was nothing salvageable left of their once happy lives together. He felt the tears start to well up again as the memories associated with the room flooded him. Snuggling on the couch, cooking dinner together, playing silly word games while Iruka graded papers, fucking on every surface and of course pretending they weren't a couple when Naruto came to visit. He chuckled slightly amidst the tears.

Who would have thought Minato's son would be so daft?

Iruka strolled back in to the room, wearing a clean shirt. He stopped in the doorway watching Kakashi uncertainly as he pushed up his headband and wiped at his eyes.

"What's up?" He asked, his stomach churning. Mismatched eyes looked up at him. They were filled with unguarded misery as he whispered the words.

"I can't do this anymore."

OoOoOoOo

"What even is this?" Tenzou asked himself, holding up a purple leafy plant he had purchased earlier. "Fuckin' Genma, psyching me out. Now I have no fucking food." He grumbled, dropping the vegetable amongst the others.

He had promised Kakashi dinner and thanks to the special Jonin it wasn't going to be fancy. He considered slipping back to the market a couple of hours after his encounter but thought better of it. If Genma was following him he would only serve to embarrass himself returning to buy the food he actually wanted.

He looked up at sound of shuffling coming from outside his front door. He smiled to himself as he drew near, realising from the familiar chakra signature that it was Kakashi. Pulling opened the door, his smile faded. The red rimmed eyes and forlorn look coated on his friend's face making him feel weak.

"Hey." He said softly, not sure if the Jonin could even hear him. He moved forward slowly to take the things the man was holding delicately in his arms. An odd assortment of clothes, books and other small possessions.

"I left him." He said miserably, stepping in to the apartment. Leaving Tenzou standing in the hallway with a look of disbelief plastered on his face.