AN: Hello. OK so I have been rubbish at updating this one. But the good news, today I fell in love with this fic again. And I wrote another chapter! Not only that but I made a chapter by chapter plan for the rest of this. If I can keep myself focussed on this fic, I should have it finished before Christmas. My problem is my attention waivers…. So that's where you guys come in, if you are still reading. Please badger me. Annoy me. Remind me that I said I would finish this soon. Nag me as much as you want, I really do need it or I get distracted by my other fics, work and life. This fic shouldn't be as long as my others so I can see the end ahead…

And as promised, I will start writing my GaiKaka mpreg (full of cuteness papa Gai and Mama Kakashi moments!) I just won't let myself start another fic. I also keep being asked to start my AU university SasukeKakashi fic…

Chapter 14

"Me?" Kakashi said, completely stumped. "Why me?" He thought back to recent missions in his teaching career. Nope, nothing he or Sakura had done in the past few weeks warranted any special treatment… and he certainly didn't deserve any credit for losing Sasuke to Orochimaru. That only left Naruto…

"Did Jiraiya contact you?"

Gai resisted the urge to slap his own face in exasperation. Wasn't Kakashi supposed to be a genius?

"Let's forget about our students for now," Gai paused here as he could have sworn he heard and indignant huff and a mumbled 'ungrateful' coming from outside the window. Must be his imagination. "I want to talk about you. Just you," Gai finished smoothly.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed in suspicion, as if Gai had an ulterior motive. "If this is about sparring-"

"Kakashi," Gai cut him off, trying to keep patient with his love. He couldn't help but raise his voice a little to prevent Kakashi jumping to conclusions once again. "I like you."

Kakashi's visible eye widened. Silence fell between them, interrupted only when the waiter came with their selection of starters. Kakashi watched the table, as if there nothing more interesting in the world than its dark wood.

"Oh no, you never just blurt it out like that!" Ino whispered. The girls had moved into the garden of the restaurant, hidden from view of the window where their sensei's sat, but not from the other diners who watched them curiously as they sipped cocktails. "Classic mistake."

"Oh, how the hell would you know?" Tenten snapped. "You've never confessed to anyone successfully.

"Only because they confess to me."

"Ha! Yeah right!"

"It's true!"

"Who were they then?"

"That's none of your business- I don't kiss and tell!"

"See!" Tenten said triumphantly.

"You wouldn't know them anyway, they were civilian boys."

"Oh, of course."

"Will you two knock it off already? We're missing the good bit!" Sakura said, whacking them on the head.

The waiter wished the two men a good meal and left again. Kakashi was gazing at the table still, barely aware of his surroundings- not like Kakashi at all.

"Er, Kakashi?" Gai said, moving his hand towards Kakashi's as if to hold it. Kakashi suddenly sprang back to life, and grabbed a bowl of the nearest food before Gai's hand could make contact. The silver haired man heaved most of the contents onto his own plate and started wolfing it down.

"Mmm, this is good, Gai, thanks."

"But- it's beef in a sweet plum sauce. I thought you didn't like sweet things?"

"Wha- oh yeah right." Kakashi hastily grabbed something else and proceeded to shovel that onto his plate instead.

"Kakashi," Gai folded his arms now. "You heard what I said, right? I like you."

"I like you too, Gai. You're a great friend."

Gai seemed to deflate a little at that. This was it. He could pretend that that's what he had meant, or he could take the risk and push ahead. He thought to his conversation with the girls, when he had discovered his true feelings. He thought back to the first time he met the famous son of Hatake Sakumo. He thought back to when he rescued an unconscious Kakashi from Itachi.

Decision made, he grabbed Kakashi's wrist that held the chopsticks, and waited patiently for the slightly younger man to make eye contact with him.

"No, Kakashi. Not as a friend. I-" Gai wavered only for a second. "I love you. Recently I have come to realise that I always have. And I am almost certain I always will. It's only ever been you."

Kakashi was frozen, despite Gai's warm grip on his wrist. The silence hung between them once again, but this time it was different. There was no more anticipation on Gai's part. In fact, despite Kakashi's stunned silence, Gai felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from him. He had said it. He had done what he set out to do. Now it was up to Kakashi.

Kakashi though felt as if there were not enough air in the room. He turned very pink and he could feel sweat beading on the back of his neck.

Gai was in love with him? He couldn't be. This must be a mistake. Why on earth would Gai be in love with him? For a start, he was a man. Also Kakashi was not boyfriend material, for anyone, be it man or woman. Gai must have been confusing their rivalry and friendship with something else.

Yet, now that he was analysing the situation, Gai had been acting strange recently… could it be… was it all for him?

Kakashi closed his eyes, wishing he could anywhere else but here, and with anyone else but Gai. The silver jonin had never been one to tackle his feelings head on.

"Gai… you're confused-"

Without meaning to, Gai tightened his grip. "Don't even go there, Kakashi. I just poured my heart out to you. You at least owe me an honest response. Don't you dare try to deflect my feelings."

"Gai you don't understand… I don't deserve this. Nor did I seek it."

"Life doesn't always go as we plan. You should know that better than anyone. You may not have sought my love but… but you have my heart all the same."

Kakashi tried not to cringe. Gai really could spout some cheesy lines… but he supposed if he were a woman he would find them terribly romantic and sweet… it was the thought of stuff they said in icha Icha before they have- oh kami don't think about that!

Kakashi didn't know what to do, whether to fight or flee. "But why… why me?"

Gai sighed and let go of Kakashi's hand. "Love can't always be rationalised, Kakashi. I love you for who you are. All your insecurities, all your quirks, all your imperfections- I love them too. I love all of you. Even the walls you build and hide behind. For years now I have loved nothing more than breaking them down to get to the real you. That is my greatest pleasure.

"But enough of me and my feelings… the question is, do you have feelings for me too?"