AN: Thank you to the reviewers and YenGirl who seems to be making her way through this. This story doesn't seem to get much love from readers, so I am happy when people take the time to ready such a silly, happy fic

Chapter 18

As Gai lay on his bed, clutching his pillow he let all of his tears and over-whelming emotions out. Some shinobi said it was weak to cry. In his youth Kakashi had always been one of them. But Gai had felt differently. Being able to face his emotions, and embrace them head-on, that was a different kind of bravery. He would not lie to himself or deny his emotions.

He was upset. He felt like his heart was breaking. He couldn't deny that or hold back tears on some miss-guided pride. He wasn't Kakashi, and he had a different view on things. So if he allowed himself to just feel and to be himself, rather than closing himself off, who was really the stronger shinobi?

Gai sighed. Kakashi…

Gai had often found him hard to understand; somehow he knew that he was one of the few who saw through the charade of the mask and the aloofness, to the man hidden inside.

Yet sometimes he wondered if he knew Kakashi at all…

It was with that thought that Gai did something he hadn't considered doing since he was a teenager. Looking at his clock, he realised that if he was quick he would still make some of the later closing stores.

There was one thing he hadn't tried yet, which surprised him considering how obvious it was; to get a better of Kakashi he needed to find and read Icha Icha. After all Kakashi spent so much time reading it, it had to hold some clues. And it would be a distraction to get him through the night at any rate.

"What the hell do you want?"

The brown haired chuunin folded in arms and tried to lean against the door frame, but misjudged and stumbled. Brilliant, Kakashi thought, he is drunk.

"Hm, would it be presumptuous if I say you," Kotetsu gave a look that was probably supposed to look smouldering. It just looked like a dodgy leer.

"Yes. Yes it would. Goodnight Hagane-san." Kakashi moved to shut the door, but Kotetsu suddenly lunged forwards.

"Wait! Just let me in for a minute. A minute is all I need!"

Kakashi knew he should have pushed the chuunin back out and left it at that. But what he had just said had certainly set the man up for a witty come back, and Kakashi just couldn't resist… plus Kakashi's mischievous and curious side was niggling at him.

He quirked an eyebrow instead, dry humour getting the better of him. "Indeed? Then quite frankly you fall short, Hagane. Anyone would be disappointed."

Realising how it sounded, the inebriated man began stuttering, "No! Not that! I last MUCH longer, I promise. I mean one minute is all I need to charm you."

Kakashi laughed. He laughed hard. Was this guy for real? He knew he was drunk but… he must have a death wish or something. Did he not realise just who he was trying to 'charm' by turning up unannounced and uninvited on their door step late into the night?

Kotetsu, obviously going with the laughing as if it was the desired effects of his words, started leaning forwards towards Kakashi, as if to kiss him. Kakashi calming slightly and glancing up in time to realise what was happening. The chuunins lips were glistening where he had licked them, and he had his eyes closed tightly: an easy target. Kakashi simply sidestepped, holding the door open, and let the drunken chuunin lean forwards into thin air, causing him to stumble and fall face first onto the floor.

Again, Kakashi burst into laughter. "I must say, you were right about your charms, Hagane. In no time at all you have managed to find yourself in my apartment."

"OW! My nose!"

When the chuunin didn't rise, Kakashi realised he may have gone too far. He looked around the street. The chuunin was being quite loud, and Kakashi didn't want any gossip over this. He had his anti-social jonin reputation to maintain after all. Besides, he did feel a bit guilty. He hadn't meant to hurt the chuunin… too much… he really hoped he hadn't broken the man's nose. Oh shit…

Kakashi sighed, defeated by guilt, having made his decision. "Well, I suppose you had better come in. C'mon up, I need to shut the door. And you're getting blood on my carpet."