AN: Oh my gosh, this chapter is much longer than the others, between this and a job application I wrote today, I am knackered! So tired... but I was determined to get this chapter up before I turn in...so please enjoy.

Chapter 8

Kakashi headed straight for the shower as soon as he arrived home. What the hell was wrong with him? Why had he let Kotetsu of all people do that? Ergh it would take ages to live this down. He had no illusions that the chunin would keep his mouth shut. Kakashi had often heard him bragging to anyone who would listen in the village- and Kakashi never did. And now he had earned a part in one of Kotetsu's tales. If he was lucky no would believe him.

After his shower Kakashi sat in his mask and towel, reading. Except the reading wasn't helping, his mind kept wandering. Cooking, cooking would work right. Except he just made a mess and burnt the noodles. Wow he really had become quite pathetic. Why the hell did Gai and Sakura have to bring that yaoi into his day, anyway? Everything was fine until he had bumped into Gai.

Meanwhile, outside his window, Ino knelt as she watched the copy nin. If it wasn't for the amazing view if the jonin in nothing but a mask and towel, she would have been bored and given up by now. So far he had showered, read and cooked. Man, maybe Sakura was right and he really didn't have any hobbies besides reading those pervy books. Eww.

Still with only a few hours to go til sunset, she may as well wait it out. Or sneak off to grab a bite and come back. She hoped Gai picked out something nice. Maybe a rose. Red was cliche, but maybe a white one would suit Kakashi, to match his hair. Ino nodded to herself approvingly. She really should consider becoming a match maker full time, if her career as a shinobi didn't work out for some reason.

Izumo and Genma both had a day off, on what was evidently one of the hottest days of the year. They sat at a table on the outdoor decking of a bar, each enjoying a cold beer and some bar snacks. Genma was checking out some of the female civilians a couple of tables over. He gave Izumo a look, and then cleared his throat, senbon twirling between his lips.

"Phew, that S rank mission sure took it out of me, can't believe they sent me in alone- nothing I can't handle though," he said, leaning back and yawning, as if it was no big deal.

Izumo rolled his eyes. Not this routine again, he thought. Where the hell is Kotetsu anyway? He is the one who usually goes along with Genma's bullshit.

He suddenly realised that Genma's eyes were boring into him, ordering him to take his cue.

Izumo sighed. "Yeah, whatever you say Gen," he placated. "The leaf is lucky to have you." Inside he cringed. The girls giggled and whispered to each other; just because they weren't shinobi doesn't mean they were stupid and would fall for Genma's shit. They must have to put up with idiot shinobi like Genma all the time, he thought.

It was then that they were finally interrupted by the final member of their little gathering. Kotetsu casually slumped into a chair next to Genma and was grinning from ear to ear, like the cat who got the cream.

Genma was intrigued, the girls already forgotten. He raised an eyebrow questioningly.

Izumo sighed again. "What happened?"

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know?" Kotetsu teased. "Sorry but I don't kiss and tell- not that there was any actually kissing involved, sorta skipped that part." He gave them both a lecherous grin and waved the waitress over and ordered a beer.

Genma was practically on the edge of his seat with anticipation; he was notorious for being one of Konoha's worst gossips. Izumo swore he could hear some whining when Kotetsu sat back sipped his beer, adding nothing else to his nugget of information.

Izumo though was calm and merely sipped his beer with a small smile on his face. Those two were so predictable, they had been through this scene a dozen times already. Izumo would pretend he wan't going to reveal anyone and would merely tease them for a bit, and Genma would grumble and beg and make demands until Kotetsu finally gave in on the condition they wouldn't tell anyone- which they always did.

Kotetsu actually loved the attention and being the centre of a scandal, so Izumo was pretty sure that even if they just ignored him and didn't give him the satisfaction of looking interested he would still blurt it all out in the end. The man couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it, and he loved causing a bit of mischief in the village.

"Aw, come on!" said Genma.

"Sorry, it really would be ungentlemanly of me."

"You a gentleman? Hah! Now seriously, come on!"

"No can do, my friend."

"Just a hint?"

Kotetsu stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "Well, he is kind of unique so any kind of hint might be too much-"

"Oh it's a 'he' then?!"

Kotetsu gave them a smirk, obviously proud of his latest conquest. That had Izumo's attention. Unlike Izumo, who stuck purely to male partners, Kotetsu and Genma would take what they could get, male or female. The two were constantly competing over their conquests.

"Oh he was definitely all man," Kotetsu had a dreamy look on his features now. "You'll never guess who so don't bother trying."

"Argh come on, just tell us already!"

"I really don't think he would want me to tell- especially to you Genma."

"So we know him then?!" Waves of excitement were radiating off the tokubetsu jonin. So much so it was like hanging out with an academy girl sometimes. "It's not Iruka, is it? I thought he said he wouldn't go anywhere near you again?"

This irked Kotetsu. "No, it isn't Iruka," he snapped.

Izumo was getting fed up with this back and forth conversation and he decided to put a stop to it and sate his curiosity.

"Don't bother Gen, he's making it up. If something actually happened he would have told us by now."

"What? I am not! It happened all, right, on the way here, in the alley a couple of blocks back."

"Really? Seems a bit too convenient too me, mystery romance in an alley that gives you an excuse for being late. Come on, who do we know who would throw themselves at you in an alley just out the blue?"

"It wasn't like that! He was- OK, OK, if I tell you, you can't tell anyone."

Izumo and Genma shared a victory smile. Finally.

"It was Kakashi."

Silence. The other two men looked at each other and then burst out laughing.

"Hatake? Yeah, right! You total bullshitter!"

"Hey it's true! Why don't you believe me?"

When the laughter subsided Izumo said, "Well, he's straight for one thing."

"And he wouldn't go anywhere near the likes of a pervert like you!" Genma added happily.

"I'm a pervert? What about all of those dirty books he reads? In public too!"

"Ah, so you're saying he preyed on you then?"

"No! I seduced him!"

Again, more laughter.

"No seriously! He came running blindly down the alley with this hard on, ran straight into me! So then I- well, you know, I offered my services..."

The laughter had stopped now, and they were watching him seriously. Kotetsu had been known to stretch the truth a here and there, and tell the odd fib to get a rise out of his friends, but he could never lie with such... detail. Especially concerning an elite jonin who could snap them in two if he so wished.

"Oh shit, are you serious?" Genma asked.

Kotetsu nodded, smug again. "I gave him a hand and then he was on his way."

"Tell us everything," Izumo demanded.

"Did he take the mask off?"

"No, I saw his problem and he tried to turn away, but of course I took a gamble and then... it paid off." Kotetsu had a dreamy look again. "Mmm he made the nicest sounds."

"And did he return the- ah- favour?"

Kotetsu frowned. "No, but he seemed kind of in shock. I think he might be kinda shy behind that mask and aloof act."

"Wow, Kotetsu," Izumo said. "I admit it I'm jealous, Hatake's hot and you got a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Who said that it was a one-time thing?"

"Kotetsu, this is Hatake we're talking about. Hatake."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"He is an elite jonin, anti-social and probably not desperate." Seeing Kotetsu's rage at his words, his friends laughed.

"I've seduced him once, I can do it again."

"You're going to let him fuck you?" Genma asked. "That's not normally you're style."

"No I'm going to fuck him. He was totally into it earlier, I could tell."

"Hah! There is no way in hell that Hatake would let you top him." Izumo teased.

"How would you know?!"

"Well... he is stronger than you, taller than you, older than you... and did I mention anti-social?"

"It's not all about rank and appearance, you know," Kotetsu grumbled. "With the right approach, he would be eating out of the palm of my hand."

"As if!"

Genma put up a hand to silence them. "Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, Hagane?"

The spiky haired man smiled mischievously. "What did you have in mind?"

"I bet you one hundred Ryo that you can't seduce him and he kicks your ass."

"Oooh interesting," Izumo smirked, rubbing his hands together.

"OK then, I accept. But you on top of the money, if I win, you also have to give up chewing senbon for a whole week."

Izumo laughed. "Excellent."

"Deal. Mission get into the Hatake's pants is on!"

All three men raised their glasses, each certain of their own stake- "Kanpai!"

Sunset had arrived, bringing with it a burnt orange glow and promising a cool respite after the harrowing heat of the day. Most were using the time to relax and unwind, but one man dressed in a green jumpsuit skipped along happily, holding a wrapped present in his hands. He had a huge grin on his face, also could hardly contain his nervousness, excitement and anticipation for the delivery of this gift.

He met his accomplices just round the corner from his rival's home. Sakura, who still looked a little off her game, his wonderful student, and Hinata were already waiting for him.

He talked to Tenten of the training she had spent the rest of the day doing- it seemed she had been caught by Lee and badgered into a dual. Occasionally Sakura would freak out and moan "ewwww!" to herself and shake her head. No one dared ask- she wouldn't have explained anyway.

Finally Ino appeared.

"Well?" the blond asked. "Did you bring- oh no. Gai-sensei, what is that?"

She pointed to the item in Gai's hands. It was a present, wrapped in bright green paper with yellow polka dots and an insanely huge ribbon with pink and orange stripes. It was utterly ghastly. Ino hadn't even realised they had such awful wrapping paper and ribbons at her shop. If she had she would have burned them.

"This is a most youthful and heartfelt gift, wrapped in the colours of passion and-"

Ino rubbed her temples. "Please- just don't. Don't explain."

"Erm, Gai-sensei," Hinata said. "What flowers did you choose?"

"That, my dear Hinata, is a surprise."

"Oh no..." Sakura mumbled.

"Gai-sensei, this had better be something... conventional."

"Who wants conventional? It is a symbol if my ardent and-"

"Ok, OK, Gai-sensei, let's just get this over with."

"I agree," said Sakura. "Oh, Ino-pig, what did you find from your- oh my gosh! You've changed clothes!"

"Wha- oh yeah-"

"You cheater! You gave up!"

"So what, he didn't do anything interesting anyway! He just read for a bit and-"

"So in other words, you FAILED!"

"I didn't you stupid-"

"Girls!" Tenten shouted and banged their heads together. They immediately parted, rubbing their heads and growling. "Focus please. I do want to get home tonight."

"Fine. No need to be such a bi-"

"Now, now young ones, no need for such unyouthful language. You don't hear me and my rival speaking to each other like that." Gai wagged a finger at them all.

Ino, Sakura and Tenten rolled their eyes. Hinata chuckled quietly.

"Anyway," Tenten said. "Why is Gai-sensei sending this as a secret admirer? Surely we want Kakashi-sensei to know it's him?"

"Because it's more romantic this way. Everyone knows that. We need to build this idea in Kakashi's head slowly. If he just jumps in there and asks him out Kakashi-sensei might just say no, considering they have been best friends so many years. We need to shine Gai-sensei in a romantic light and sweep Kakashi-sensei off his feet. So we are in it for the long game!"

Gai-sensei was hanging on the girl's every word. Tenten felt uneasy. "But isn't honesty the best policy?"

"Chill out Tenten, it'll be fine. Do you not know anything about dating? What could go wrong? If anyone we are being tactical."

"If you say so..."

Just as Kakashi had finally got his mind off the incidents from the day with a good old vampire movie, he heard a knock on his door.

"What now?" he groaned to himself. When the knock came again, louder this time, he paused his film and heaved a great sigh. He glanced at the window longingly and considered escaping through it.

"I know you're in there!" A female voice called.

He opened the door and watched Ino suspiciously. "Yes?"

"Special delivery!" The girl beamed at him.

"What?"

"Here," she passed him a gift wrapped in what could only be defined as scary and offensive to the eyes. Kakashi arched an eyebrow as he read the tag. A secret admirer, eh? Who the hell could that be? Was this some sort of practical joke?

With that thought he scanned the area for Sakura. He couldn't see her but...

"Well, Kakashi-sensei?"

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"Not in front of you."

The girl pouted.

"Good day, Ino-chan."

And with that he shut the door on her. "How rude, sensei!" he heard Ino shout.

He headed back into his living room with the gift. It felt every and the thing inside moved around. Alone, he untied the scary, bright bow and ripped the paper off one side. Reaching inside the side of the box he had opened, he quickly pulled his hand back out with a yelp.

His fingers had been pricked. What on earth... he placed the box down on the table to unwrapped the rest of the paper kneeling in front of it and then slid the object out by the vase.

A cactus.

A rather large, prickly, green cactus.

This was too weird to be a joke. Who would want to give him a cactus? Why would they want to give him a cactus?

From your secret admirer.

Maybe he really did have one. But who? He couldn't think of anyone- certainly no woman would give him a cactus of all things. And then it hit him- Kotetsu?

Would he really...?

Could that little fumble earlier have actually meant something to him. He didn't didn't seem like the kind of guy to do something like this, but Kakashi didn't know him very well to be honest.

And if it was Kotetsu- and he couldn't think of anyone else it could be- how did he feel about him?