HEY YA'LL!

Sorry for how long it took me to update this. School honestly just...kicked my mind into a totally different gear. But, it's coming to an end soon, and I got some inspiration on how to continue this fic, so here I go. Just a warning, I kinda took this in a direction that makes some stuff in chapter 1 not really make sense. BUT, just ignore that :D When you read it, you'll see why I did it.

Enjoy! :D

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kakashi and Tenzou continued their slow, steady dance into each others lives amongst the amused support of their teammates. Genma's teasing whittled down to a measly three or four jabs a week, much to Tenzou's relief. It hadn't helped that Kakashi conveniently forgot to tell Tenzou that the sound barrier on their rooms had been dropped AFTER he'd spent almost a week screaming Kakashi's name in unrestrained ecstasy. The mokuton user was certain he'd never miss Genma imitating what he sounded like in the throes of passion with the most contorted, slightly disturbing imitation of his sex face to complete the picture. Part of him was suspicious that Genma was envious of the action his comrades were getting, but he felt bringing it up would only make the situation worse.

"OI. Tenzou, is your ass still sore or something? I've never seen you move so slowly."

Jab three and it was only the middle of the week? Genma must be particularity cranky.

"I twisted my ankle on the last mission, thanks so much for your concern on my recovery." The mokuton user deadpanned.

"Your mission into Kakashi's pants? HAHA, alright, alright! That was the last one, I swear." Genma laughed at Tenzou's beyond unamused expression. The two were doing a bit of light sparring in between a mission debrief and a random ANBU meeting they'd all been called to. It had been a strangely busy week, as they'd just gotten back from a three day mission when they'd received another one. Normally ANBU gave their shinobi some time to rest, but the world seemed to be in particular turmoil as of late.

Tenzou had to admit, the life of an ANBU was a little darker then he'd anticipated. Obviously, being a shinobi was a serious calling and required a strong head and heart for dirty jobs civilians would gasp in horror hearing about. However, since their undercover mission, the team had done nothing but assassinations. It had only been a month of particularly grim assignments, and Tenzou was already filled with the strange urge to pray every night for the salvation of his immortal soul. He felt like he was being specially arranged in a hand basket set to be lobbed straight into the dark abyss of hell. He'd almost had to kill a child the other week, but they'd managed to work around it at the last minute.

Despite the doom and gloom of their missions, Tenzou had never been happier in his life. He loved his team, he loved ANBU. Kakashi...he was an entire other entity. The copy-nin made him feel so many things he could never manage to arrange them all in his head. He'd taken to going with the flow and just enjoying their time together, which was plentiful to say the least. Kakashi had been sent on a couple of solo missions, but other than that, the team stayed as one unit. Surprisingly, nothing bad had happened to Tenzou since their initial issue with Danzo. He could tell Kakashi had been on edge for the first couple of weeks, but everyone seemed to forget about it once it was clear there was no issue.

Tenzou and Genma finished sparring with no further sexual jabs from the senbon wielder. Just as they were done, they got a brief appearance from Kakashi with the affirmative that their meeting was starting. ANBU rarely had large meetings like this, so whenever they happened, they were a big deal. Everyone was present in full gear, including their masks. The black ops arranged themselves in rows, kneeling with one fist on the ground and one arm folded over their knees, head down. In no time, the Hokage appeared before them and took his seat before the assembly.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice." He started casually.

The room replied with a curt nod from all.

"You may relax; it might be long meeting."

Everyone stood smoothly at the same time, and although the Hokage told them to relax, they stood curtly at attention.

"As I'm sure you've all noticed, missions have been on the rise lately. That is because Stone and Sand are fighting again, and both of them have been commissioning us as backup. Obviously, this is going to become an issue sooner rather than later, and eventually we will have to pick sides. My wish is to choose neither and keep the peace between both countries. Unfortunately, the funds we've been getting from the increase in missions has been key in rebuilding Konoha after the war. Technically, we can't afford to deny both of them. We're in a tight spot."

Hiruzen let the information sink in before he continued. "I've called a council meeting, so the decision will be made tonight. However, this mainly affects ANBU, since all the missions will be commissioned to you. Secrecy is of the utmost importance, and that is what you specialize in. We do not wish to incur the wrath of either Stone or Sand. If we decide to help one, the other must not know."

Tenzou felt dread building in his gut. He was too young to really remember the last war, but he'd seen the affects of it well enough. Kakashi was a prime example; his whole life had been ruined. His Senpai was still quite secretive about his painful past, but what he had told Tenzou was that the war took the lives of his team, Sensei and father. That was all Tenzou really needed to know.

No one wanted another war, especially because of the disputes of other countries.

"This is top secret information, although I doubt I need to stress that in ANBU." The Hokage laughed, continuing casually. "You will be informed of our decision as soon as it happens. If we choose to accept missions from either Sand or Stone, you must remember the sensitivity of the situation. Are there any questions or concerns?"

The room was laden in thick silence. Most of the people there had fought in the last war; they couldn't be very excited.

"Alright. Dismissed."

Tenzou waited for his team to file out and they disappeared together. Without verbally agreeing on it, they all appeared in Kakashi and Tenzou's room, as silent as when they'd left the meeting. Genma was, naturally, the first to speak.

"Shit."

Light sighs were all the affirmation he'd receive. Tenzou gazed worriedly at Kakashi, but his face was a stone mask. He'd have to talk to him tonight.

"I'm sorry, everyone." Tenzou murmured lightly, gaining confused look from his teammates.

"Whatever for? You will have to take part in this mess as well, young friend." Gai answered.

"Yes, I know. But...I don't remember the war. I was too little to fight. I don't think Hiruzen-sama would get us into a situation that would lead to another war, but...if it did happen, it would be my first. Unlike you guys." he added softly, flicking his eyes around the room to his friends.

Gai shrugged with a loud, obviously aggravated sigh. "This seems to be the world of the shinobi; war."

Suddenly, Kakashi stood. Heads snapped up to him, but he paid no mind. Silent and smooth as a ghost, he walked out of the room. Tenzou's heart spasmed for him so violently he actually felt nauseous. The mokuton user's mind scrambled for the best course of action, but he knew in his gut that he had to leave his Senpai to himself. He would check up on him later if he didn't return.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tenzou had waited for Kakashi in their room for three hours before he decided he couldn't handle it anymore. If his Senpai didn't want his company, he would leave. Simple as that.

He left the ANBU headquarters heading to the only place he knew for sure Kakashi frequented on a regular basis: the memorial.

Sure enough, he found his Senpai standing over a grave, his shoulders slouched and his head bowed. Tenzou felt terrible interrupting him, but what kind of lover would he be if he didn't check on him? Making no effort to mask his footprints, he slowly advanced on Kakashi from behind. The copy-nin let Tenzou approach, moving not a muscle. The mokuton user stood shoulder to shoulder with his captain for a few moments before he spoke.

"Do you need me?"

Kakashi smiled and glanced at Tenzou with shining eyes. "I'm fine. Just talking."

The mokuton user doubted Kakashi was fine. He took a step closer so their sides and shoulders touched. "I'll stay by the tree until you're done."

A gentle head shake answered him. "I don't know how long I'll be here. I'll meet you back at the base."

Tenzou easily would have napped by the tree for however long Kakashi needed, but he knew his Senpai wanted to be alone. With a smile, nod, and gentle touch to his elbow, Tenzou turned and started to walk away. He felt something yank him back and squawked elegantly as he stumbled. A quick glance up showed him it was Kakashi, who was now smiling in amused affection.

"Thanks." his captain whispered, warmth ringing his eyes. Tenzou, overcome with a surge of emotion, leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Kakashi's. They stood like that, their eyes closed, their bodies close, for a long moment. Slowly, Tenzou pulled away, but he felt Kakashi step forward and place a soft kiss against his lips through his mask. For some reason, it really got to Tenzou when Kakashi did that. This was the least appropriate time for being intimate, however, so he merely smiled brightly at his Senpai and left him to his ghosts.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The next day, news came that they decided to decline any further requests from Stone and focus on commissioning Sand. There was another ANBU meeting briefing them on the details of the arrangement and how they were expected to go about their missions. Clearly, no one could know they were from Konoha. They would be issued new uniforms that would not tie them to the village.

Kakashi became distant from his team and unfortunately, distant from Tenzou as well. It hurt to be shut out, but mostly, Tenzou was worried about his Senpai. He started staying out all night and not returning until morning when they had training. When Tenzou asked him where he'd been, Kakashi just smiled and touched his face and told him it was nothing. When Tenzou asked him what was wrong, Kakashi just said he needed to be alone. When Tenzou told him he was getting really worried, Kakashi merely laughed lightly and assured him he was worrying for nothing.

But Kakashi was a lot more transparent then he thought he was. The copy-nin was obviously worrying himself sick about being involved in another war, and what those implications could mean for his team.

Seeing as his last one hadn't fared so well.

A week into Kakashi's silent treatment Tenzou really began to feel it. He would wake up in the middle of the night with a deep longing in his gut. He had a hard time sleeping because he was wondering what Kakashi could possibly be doing for so long by himself. By the end of the week, he found himself crawling into Kakashi's bed and falling asleep amongst the diminishing smell of his skin against the sheets. It was starting to drive him mad.

Finally, at the beginning of week two, Tenzou snapped. Kakashi showed up for training in the morning as he always did, so Tenzou made quick work of snatching him up and dragging him into an empty hallway. The limp way in which Kakashi allowed himself to be lead gave Tenzou the impression Kakashi had been expecting this confrontation and for some reason, that made him angrier.

When the mokuton user was sure they were alone, he spun the older jounin around and glared daggers at him.

"Kakashi-senpai, this is getting ridiculous. I'm really...REALLY trying to be understanding, but you're not being fair."

"I know..." Kakashi murmured, his slightly drooping eyes the only indication that he even heard what Tenzou said.

The brunette had to fight not to claw his own eyes out.

"WHAT do you know?" He hissed.

"I know you're trying to be understanding."

Tenzou stared. "Okay..." he grated, trying his best to reign in his temper. "So WHY are you making this so hard for me? We're supposed to be...I mean, okay, forget all of that. We're friends, aren't we? No, this is insane. We're way more than friends, so why don't you talk to me? I can tell you're suffering, and I want to help. Not just that, you have barely spoken to me in over a week. How can you think that that's okay?"

Kakashi's shoulders slouched, and slowly, his emotionless facade melted until there was genuine warmth and guilt in his eyes. He stepped forward and gently, almost hesitantly, reached out and clasped Tenzou's hand.

"I'm sorry, Tenzou. I really am. But this is the only way I know how to...deal. There's nothing you can do."

The tone in Kakashi's voice singed Tenzou's last string of patience far more than his utterly inane words managed, despite how infuriating they were. He glared, practically gnashing his teeth together, and tossed Kakashi's hand away with venom.

"REALLY? There's nothing I can do? This is all you know? No SHIT, Kakashi. Everyone only knows what they know; a child can tell you that. The POINT of having friends, of having...me, is that we're here for you so that you HAVE other options. You're shutting me out on purpose and you don't even have the fucking balls to tell me to my face!"

Kakashi practically jumped back, a soft 'thud' filling the sizzling air as his chest armor slapped against the wall behind him. He obviously was not expecting Tenzou to lash out, which just made the younger man even angrier. Did Kakashi expect him to hang around and twiddle his thumbs while he totally ignored him?

A moment of intense silent passed, filled only by Tenzou's heavy breathing. Kakashi looked like he was deciding on what to say, as if Tenzou was a rabid wild animal, which really wasn't that inaccurate in that instant.

"Tenzou..." he started calmly, his eyes locked with his kouhai's. "I didn't mean...I know what I'm doing is wrong. I know you're here for me, and everyone else. You mean a lot to me; you must know that. More then...anyone, really..."

Uncertainty started to shake Kakashi's gaze and it caused Tenzou's temper to diminish slightly.

"What I meant is that..." the copy-nin started, but he seemed to lose his words and trailed off. His hesitation made Tenzou so nervous he felt his palms dampening. He didn't understand what was so horrible that he had to isolate himself. They hadn't even had a mission yet!

Suddenly, Kakashi's entire demeanour changed. He glanced up at Tenzou and his uncertainty was gone.

"I think we should call this whole thing off."

Tenzou blinked slowly.

"What?"

"You and I...we should keep it platonic. Our missions could get complicated, and far more bloody. We can't afford distractions, and we can't afford to be side tracked. Wars...Tenzou, they aren't-"

"We are NOT at war, Kakashi!" Tenzou shouted, his voice cracking. Embarrassed, he swallowed once and continued. "Is that what this is about? We're SECRETLY aiding in a CONFLICT. This is not the World War you went through."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed, and if Tenzou wasn't so wound up, he would probably have been slightly scared.

"This is exactly how it started."

Tenzou's throat instantly closed up. The hard way Kakashi was looking at him tore up his insides. This couldn't be happening.

"Kakashi..." he started, and was frustrated with how small his voice sounded. "You can't be serious."

With no hesitation, not even a blink, Kakashi answered him.

"Dead serious."

A wave of dizziness hit Tenzou so hard he stumbled backwards. He cried out and squeezed his eyes shut, but a flurry of visions swarmed him like a hive of bees. He couldn't hear, couldn't see, his mind was in complete turmoil for just a few seconds before he could finally rip his eyes open.

"Tenzou!" he heard Kakashi shouting. Blinking furiously, he tried to speak, but only a croak came out. He realized that he was being held, that Kakashi had both of his arms. What the hell? He must have completely lost his balance.

"Tenzou, answer me..." Kakashi repeated, his eyes so wide Tenzou took pity on him and tried to speak again.

"...Uh...wow..."

A sigh of relief escaped his Senpai's lips. "Are you alright?"

"Umm...uh...yah, I uh...I think so..." was the only answer Tenzou could provide. "I have no idea what just happened..."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "Can you stand?"

"Umm..." Tenzou tried to get up, but instantly the wave of dizziness returned. He groaned. "No. No, definitely not."

Kakashi gently lowered the mokuton user until he was laying on the ground, then stood definitively. He seemed...odd. Like he understood what was going on.

"I'm going to get the Hokage." he stated before spinning on his heel. Tenzou yelped and dove forward, grabbing Kakashi's wrist before he could stalk away.

"Wow, Senpai! Don't you think that's a little extreme? I think a medic-nin will be fine."

Kakashi merely glanced down at him, his expression unchanged. "You almost fainted and you can't stand; the Hokage will do."

Suddenly, anger flashed red and hot through Tenzou's chest. He felt his rage cloud his vision. His grip on Kakashi's wrist tightened so much he knew he must be hurting him, and he yanked down with all of his might, so that Kakashi stumbled down to one knee beside him.

"You..." he growled, his eyes flashing. "You can't DO that! You can't...you can't just DUMP me like yesterday's trash and then act SO concerned for my well-being that you insist on bothering the HOKAGE because I got a little dizzy!"

Kakashi's response was to pry his wrist from Tenzou's vice-like grip, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "I did not dump you, Tenzou. My decision is what is best for the team, for the village, and for the both of us. What I decided does not remove my right to be concerned about you. My feelings haven't changed."

"Oh, fuck off." Tenzou snarled, twisting around so his back was to Kakashi. His dizziness had gone away, but blind rage had replaced it. Kakashi was acting like he'd just decided to give Tenzou a new haircut, and not completely end a relationship they had spent months building that had NO kinks in it at all. Kakashi had been the first human being Tenzou had ever opened up to, and now he was cutting all their ties like they'd been nothing.

By the time he had wobbled to his knees, he was alone in the hallway. Kakashi had simply stood up and gone to get the Hokage, effectively ending their entire conversation.

What made the situation worse was that Tenzou could feel tears stinging the sides of his eyes. His stomach was lurching nauseatingly. He felt like complete shit. He could not recall a moment in his life where he felt worse then he did right now, and it frustrated him so much it made the tears well up even faster.

Amazingly, once he managed to stand up, he felt completely fine. It made him all the more frustrated that Kakashi had insisted on getting the freaking HOKAGE, of all people. Really, what was he thinking?

When Tenzou made it back to the training grounds, Gai and Genma looked understandably confused. Unfortunately, they weren't confused for the reasons Tenzou had assumed.

"Hey, guys. Sorry for the delay."

"Dude, what happened? You look like shit." Genma commented, his expression giving Tenzou a great idea of how colossally shitty he must have looked. He tried to laugh it off, but it came out incredibly forced and fake, and merely caused his friends eyebrows to shoot up even higher on their foreheads.

"Ah, it's nothing. Let's just start training."

"Perhaps you should have a rest first, my friend." Gai suggested slowly, as if Tenzou was out of his mind. "Really, you do not look like you're in the shape to train."

Tenzou was about to insist that punching people in the face was EXACTLY what he needed right now, but he stopped himself when he saw Gai and Genma perk up at something behind him. He turned quickly,and almost groaned out loud. Kakashi was approaching them with Hiruzen in toe. This was so embarrassing.

"Ho, ho, ho, no need to be so formal." Hiruzen laughed as the three shinobi bowed low at his arrival. "I'm here on casual business. Tenzou, would you mind coming with us for a few minutes?"

The mokuton user felt his friends turn to him in surprise as he nodded. "Of course, Hokage-sama."

The three shinobi walked back to the quiet hallway in a heavy, awkward silence caused by the palpable tension between Kakashi and Tenzou. Hiruzen seemed blissfully unaware, or if he was, he was doing a fabulous job pretending not to be.

Finally, the Hokage stopped and turned to Tenzou. He suddenly looked quite serious. "So. Kakashi tells me you had a bit of an episode. Can you recall what specifically happened?"

"Ah..." Tenzou started, embarrassed that everyone was making such a big deal out of his so called 'episode'. "I just...had this rush of...images, I guess. I think that's why I almost fainted; it was too much at once and I became incredibly dizzy. I feel fine now, though."

"Hmm." Hiruzen answered, looking grave. "Can you tell me anything you saw?"

"No, it was...kind of like running past something really fast, they were all blurred together."

"Right. Well, I think it's time we had a talk that I have been putting off for a while, as I wasn't sure whether or not it was in your best interests. It has become quite obvious that it is."

Tenzou felt nervousness prickle his stomach, utterly lost as to what Hiruzen possibly had to tell him. What made him feel even worse was that Kakashi was decidely looking away from him, his expression one of open guilt. It was clear his captain knew exactly what was going on, so whatever Hiruzen had to say to him, Kakashi had been completely aware of it. Tenzou felt anger boiling in his chest at the thought of Kakashi keeping something important from him, on top of everything else.

His thoughts were cut off as he felt the Hokage press a file into his hand that he hadn't even realized he'd been holding. It was stamped with the official Hokage symbol, which meant no one was supposed to look inside of it except for him.

"That is your real, official file, Tenzou. The one in the ANBU office is a replicate, with very specific information taken out of it that exists in this file. I'm certain you remember your unfortunate run-in's with Danzo and Root when you first arrived at ANBU? Well, that is not actually the first time you have had such intimate acquaintance with the Foundation. The truth is, you are originally from there. Your code name was Kinoe, and Danzo acquired you directly from Orochimaru's lab. We have no proof, but I am certain Danzo was working with Orochimaru on his experiments, which is how he came to attain you."

Tenzou felt like he was floating, everything was so surreal. He could hardly believe the words the Hokage was telling him. But, even as his mind spun with denial, he slowly flipped open the file and saw a tiny Tenzou gazing at him from his small corner on a personal records sheet. All the information the Hokage had said was there, and as he thumbed through the pages, more and more pictures greeted him.

"When you made the switch of your own free will to ANBU, a jutsu Danzo placed on you to keep all of his information private activated and wiped out your memory. It seems that certain triggers cause some of those memories to come back, which is why I am telling you this now, so that your life is not in danger on a mission if anything sets them off."

Tenzou felt himself shaking his head, but he could hardly form any coherent responses to anything he was being told. He had memories of his pre-ANBU days, were they all lies? Illusions, from a jutsu?

"...Why...why did I switch?" he heard himself ask, and was surprised that THAT was the first thing he could think of asking, when he had a million questions zooming around his head.

Hiruzen grinned and slapped Kakashi on the back. "Well. Perhaps I should not give him ALL the credit, but our good friend Kakashi had a lot to do with it. He's quite influential, isn't he? Ha, but, from what I saw, you two had quite the rapport built up by the time you decided to leave Root."

Tenzou's jaw practically slid off of his face.

He...and Kakashi...

...they KNEW each other? They had a relationship?

And Kakashi DIDN'T TELL HIM?

Tenzou's eyes bounced to his ex-lover and the jounin gazed right back at him, his eyes heavy with a mixture of emotions that Tenzou was not going to bother trying to sift through. His rage came back full force, and with it, another jumbled up flurry of visions that knocked him off his feet and to his knees. He dropped the file and grasped his head as it spun like a top. He was vaguely aware of Kakashi and Hiruzen beside him, but could do nothing but curl into a ball and wait for the madness to end. Someone touched his forehead, he felt the warmth of chakra, and then everything went black.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The next time Tenzou opened his eyes, he was laying on his bed in the room he and Kakashi shared. Hesitantly, he turned his head to look beside him, and was relieved not to see Kakashi there. He was also relieved not to have any searing headaches you would think would come from basically getting mind fucked by a very potent blocking jutsu.

With a loud sigh, he closed his eyes again. He couldn't believe what a fucked up day he was having. He supposed he shouldn't be too cross with Hiruzen, as he believed the Hokage when he said that he kept his true past from him with his best interests in mind. And TECHNICALLY, that meant he should also give Kakashi the same kind of leeway, because obviously if Hiruzen thought it was in his best interests then Kakashi had to obey.

But still.

STILL.

Thinking back on their "first" few months together, so many things made sense. How Kakashi was SO taken by him so quickly, despite his obviously natural evasion of unnecessary human connections. How fast their relationship had developed. How well Kakashi could read him, could predict him. It was because he knew him, Kakashi KNEW Tenzou, had years of memories with him, and Tenzou was robbed of that. He was angry at Danzo, but he was also angry at Kakashi. Maybe if he'd told him sooner, they could have worked on getting some of his memories back. Perhaps if they were just of Kakashi, the jutsu wouldn't have such a tight hold on them. They could have shared those memories again together, instead of Kakashi keeping them to himself, and Tenzou in the dark.

Not that it mattered anymore.

Once again, tears threatened to spill from his eyes, but he fought them back with sheer willpower. He was not going to fucking cry, no damned way. Kakashi was not going to get a single tear, even if he had to wrap a wad of gauze around his eyes to prevent it.

To think...they had been so close, that Tenzou had betrayed Danzo and left the Foundation for him. There were probably other reasons he left, but if Hiruzen admitted that Kakashi had a lot to do with it, then he must have.

It made Kakashi's 'decision' to crassly end their relationship that much worse.

Thankfully, before he could stew himself into a coma, the door opened and Genma walked into the room. Upon seeing Tenzou awake, his face brightened instantly.

"Hey! Man, glad to see you up. How yah feelin'?"

"Ah...alright." Tenzou answered weakly as his friend sat on the edge of his bed. He wasn't really in the mood to talk, but he had to admit that Genma's company made him feel a little bit less like a rancid piece of shit.

"Hiruzen filled Gai and me in on everything. That's insane, man. I had no idea you were from the Foundation. Makes all that shit with Danzo make a fuckload of sense, doesnt it?"

Tenzou laughed and smiled up at Genma with genuine affection. "Yeah."

"So, is that why you looked like death when you came back to training this morning? Because I honestly thought someone died or something, or maybe Kakashi had finally done something REALLY stupid and you killed him off in a fit of rage."

Tenzou had to fight back tears again for the third time that day.

"You're...really not that far off..." he whispered, looking away. He heard Genma swear under his breath.

"Ah, shit. Alright, tell mamma everything. What did that knuckle head do? Honestly, I'm surprised it took him this long to fuck up. He is REALLY bad at relationships. Like...ANY relationship."

"...We're done."

Genma's mouth snapped shut.

"Sorry?"

Tenzou found saying it out loud was like a giant kunai right into his heart, through his body, and about four inches into the ground.

"He ended things. Us. Just...like that." he explained with a weak snap of his fingers.

Genma leaped off of the bed.

"WHAT!? No. Are you shitting me? WHAT? UGHHHHH. Ugh he's...he's SO stupid. UUUGHHH."

Genma pulled at his face, clutched his head, and ground his fingers into his temples like he was in legitimate pain. Tenzou stared in shock, as he definitely wasn't expecting such a strong reaction.

"Uh...I'm guessing you're as shocked as I am?"

Genma sighed harshly and slowly sat back down on the bed. "Tenzou. Listen to me, buddy. I've known Kakashi since his badass genin gear hung off his skinny, awkward, short little body. The guy is completely in love with you."

Tenzou just stared. How was that possible?

Genma continued. "When I say he's bad at relationships, that is like...pretty much the understatement of existence. And I don't just mean romantic relationships; Kakashi is bad at ALL relationships. He's had a rough time pretty much his entire life when it comes to the connections he makes. His father...well, I won't get too into it, but he died when Kakashi was super young and it really changed him. Then his team and his sensei died, and he just kept shutting himself down with every loss. You could literally see the light in his eyes die every time. He joined ANBU, at the request of his sensei, and started picking up all these crazy nick names. "Cold Hearted Kakashi", "Sharingan Kakashi", "Friend-killer Kakashi", and so on. He was IMPOSSIBLE to be friends with, because he just wouldn't let anyone near him. Gai was the only person stubborn enough to keep trying."

Tenzou laughed lightly, as that was completely believable. He felt a little of his anger ebb at hearing Kakashi's story. Then he thought about how he probably knew this already, but just didn't remember, and some of his bitterness returned.

"Anyway. I'm not trying to excuse his stupidity, because he obviously hurt you and that is not cool. I just don't want you to take it personally. What I'm trying to do is show you that Kakashi doesn't just...well, I don't think I've EVER seen him date ANYONE. He doesn't even want to be FRIENDS with people. Gai and I were mind blown with how well he responded to you. I mean, I guess he knew you from before, but that doesn't matter. He knew me and Gai, too, and let me just say how friggen frustrating getting him to let us back in was. Ugh."

Genma stood from the bed once again and affectionately ruffled Tenzou's hair. "It's not because he doesn't care, is what I'm saying. So don't beat yourself up. Don't think you're nothing."

A large, warm smile greeted Genma's words. "Thanks, Genma. I understand."

"I promise I'll 'accidentally' kick him in the balls during training."

Tenzou laughed and swatted at Genma's hand, which was still wrapped up in his messy hair. His friend flashed him a grin, waved, and turned to walk out the door. "I gotta run, but someone should be by to check up on yah. Just rest all day, you can pick training back up tomorrow."

Tenzou nodded, but Genma was already out the door. With a long sigh, Tenzou slowly lay back down, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts taking over. Everything Genma said made sense since Kakashi had already gently touched on the tragedy that was his childhood. He was still furious, but their conversation had lit a little fire of hope deep in his chest that Kakashi was just...going through some kind of weird phase, and that he'd come to his senses. Tenzou tried to think of things Kakashi could do to make up for basically breaking his heart, but had a hard time coming up with something that was anywhere even close to equivalent. It was a horrible feeling. He wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo