Woo finally made it to chapter 10 :D Emikonks- yeah Kakashi is a genious on the battlefield but kinda dumb about other things heehee.

Chapter 10

A shadow fell over Kakashi as he pushed himself onto his knees. He looked up to see Kotetsu stood above him. He had a cheeky smile on his face, as he bent forwards slightly and said, "It's not everyday I catch the great copy ninja in such a difficult position. Here, allow me to lend a hand."

Kakashi stuttered like a fool. The last time Kotetsu had said those exact words- yestday actually- had been in a very different situation. The mental images raced through his mind and Kakashi had to mentally will his lower regions not to react.

Kotetsu merely laughed, knowing just the effect those words would have, and held out a hand to help the copy ninja up. Kakashi took it, feeling its firm warmth. Kakashi could stop himself from blushing when he finally stop. Their hands lingered longer than it should, until Kakashi realised what he was doing and whipped it back, the little of his face that could be said bright red.

Both men could feel the eager eyes of Izumo on them. Kotetsu was alright with this, hitting on others in front of his friend all the time, but it unnerved the reserved copy ninja. Then he was literally shaken from his thoughts by Gai's strong arm patting his back a little too vigorously.

"Another victory for me, rival!" he boomed, not realising just what he was interrupting- which Kakashi was extremely grateful for.

"Well done, Gai," Kakashi said. "You win the bet. Just please... no more curry."

Gai laughed but didn't agree, which he knew would annoy Kakashi. It was hard to get under Kakashi's skin, so when the opportunity presented itself you had to take it. He kept his hand on Kakashi's shouler in a comraderie way.

"Yeah, congrats, Maito-san," Kotetsu said. "Hey, Hatake fancy a drink tonight to console you on your loss?"

Kakashi froze, wide eyed. He didn't expect such an up front invitation, so soon, in front of Gai. In fact he hadn't really expeccted anything. No one appraoched him, he was the copy ninja! He read porn in public, he shouldn't be fazed by this guy. He really wished Gai wasn't here to witness this, he had a 'hip' and 'cool' reputation to maintain.

Kakashi felt Gai's grip on his shoulder tighten. He assumed he also was shocked at Kotetsu's offer.

"Erm," he began, hating how awkward this was. "I can't tonight-"

"He's going out with me tonight," Gai said simply, his hand still on Kakashi's shoulder and his usually loud voice calm for once.

"Yeah, Gai is claiming his spoils of war," Kakashi joked. "He won the bet and gets to eat whereever he wants."

"Oh yeah, the eternal rival thing," Kotetsu said.

"Ow!" Kakashi pulled back from Gai's grip, that had become tighter still, his fingers digging into Kakashi. Realising what he had done without realising, he apologised profusely.

"It's OK, Gai," Kakashi said waving a hand. "Seriously don't call it a 'thing' i front of Gai. In case the jump suit and insanely early jogs didn't give it away, Gai takes his rivalry and training very seriously."

"I can see that," Kotetsu said, noticing the evils he was getting from the green beast. Kakashi, being stood slightly in front of him, hadn't noticed it seemed. "Well, another time then, Hatake. I hope we bump into each other again soon."

Kakashi couldn't help but scowl- bump into each other... was that some sort of innuendo... hmm it was hard to be sure.

Kotetsu laughed. "Don't look so suspicious. All I'm saying is, you weren't the worst person to meet in a dark alley..."

Kakashi's face blushed red again, mortified. Bloodu chunin, he was doing this on purpose to get a rise from him. Shit, he needed to recover, to say something witty back or sarcastic back before Gai suspected anything. Although at this rate, surely half of Konoha would know soon enough.

"Unfortunately for you the path of life doesn't include many alleys." Yeah that would do. Surely that was biting enough.

"The path of what?"

Ah... then again maybe Kotetsu hadn't heard that particular excuse for his lateness before. SO that wouldn't make any bloody sense... great.

"He's busy, OK?" Gai said, not being at all like his usual self. Kakashi actually blinked stupidly at him. Admittedly Gai was always rather strict with his training schedule but this seemed rather out of character. "And you're delaying our training."

Kotetsu however, took all this in his stride. "Ah, we wouldn't want that now, would we? See you around, Maito-san, Hatake."

Gai didn't like how familiar the chunin was being with his rival. He didn't like it one bit. He needed to get them out of there, now.

"Kakashi, we are late for my taijutsu practice at the training grounds."

Kakashi nodded, still slightly dazed. "Right." It seemed to Kakashi that Gai really was annoyed his training was being delayed.

Soon after the bright sun was bearing down on them in the training grounds, promising another humid day. Kakashi held some pads while Gai practised his punches. Something they had done many times before, yet today it felt different to Kakashi somehow. Gai seemed a little off, and to be honest Kakashi wasn't really feeling himself either.

When they had finished and sat under the shade of a tree, side by side, Gai dared to ask. He knew Kakashi liked his privacy, but the question was burned into his mnd, he had to say something.

"Rival... what was that all about earlier... with Kotetsu?"

Kakashi, as usual when it came to anything intimate about himself, froze up. "It was nothing."

Gai expected this typical Kakashi anwer, but it was frustrating all the same. "It looked like something to me."

"You're wrong."

Kakashi had rolled onto his side by this point, so Gai couldn't get a proper look at his. Kakashi was stretched out in what seemed like a casual, even playful, manner, but Gai was sued to reading his rival by now, and he could see the slight tensing of his muscles that gave him away.

Gai however, was not one to brood. Whatever was going on, Kakashi wouldn't tell him. Gai had the impression that there was another type of rival entirely on the horizen. But it didn't matter: he was seeing Gai tonight. And the green beast was not one to waste an opportunity. He would need to turn this victory meal into a date, to woo his rival, and he knew just the girls to help him do it.