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Kakashi paced behind the therapists door as if he was waiting to be interrogated by the enemy and his actual, physical doom could potentially be near. If he was honest with himself, he would rather have a thousand needles mercilessly stabbed into every inch of his body than go through a single session of therapy.

Finally, he heard the rattling of a lock. He perked up like a dog and stared hard at the door as it slowly opened to reveal a very refreshed looking ANBU rookie. Behind her was a thin woman with short, purple hair and far too bubbly bright blue eyes.

"Now remember, Nibibia. What is your automatic response going to be the next time someone makes you angry?"

The young ANBU smiled brightly. "I'm going to take three deep breaths."

"Yes! Wonderful. And you will not...?"

"I will not puncture their pupils with the tip of my shuriken."

"Okay. Yes, that's specific, but yes. No physical harm of any kind. Just breathing."

"Got it, Ami-san! You're such a big help, thanks!"

The two hugged, shook hands, and the ANBU woman walked away whistling pleasantly to herself.

Kakashi whipped his head around and stared down the open window behind him. He still had time.

"Hatake Kakashi...?"

Damn!

Hesitation is doom.

Slowly, he turned back around to face the therapist. She was smiling. He levelled her with his most bored, half lidded, give-zero-fucks expression.

"Maa."

She simply glanced down at her clipboard and put a check mark next to his name. "Please, come in."

Kakashi glanced down the hallway. He looked back to the therapist. Then back down the hallway.

She sighed.

"Hatake-san...these are mandatory sessions."

He blinked slowly. "Huh. You sure?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Yes. I'm sure. I've been working here for six years."

"Really? I've never seen you around."

"Hatake-san...will you please just get in the room? Your sessions is an hour no matter how long we stand in the hallway."

Kakashi shrugged with a light sigh and slowly shuffled past the already frustrated psychiatrist. She rolled her eyes heavily and shut the door behind them.

"Okay!" she breathed, as if trying to erase her initial impression of him and get down to business. She sat down into a large, leather chair directly across from Kakashi and flipped open his file.

"So, I see from the notes the Hokage sent me that this is actually pretty serious. You're a very respected Captain around here, Hatake-san, and I will do my best to show you the respect you deserve while we figure out what's going on."

That actually had Kakashi sitting straighter in his chair. He had to admit, he was expecting her to be a complete self-righteous idiot. Now that she seemed genuine, he felt a little bad about giving her such a hard time.

"Okay." He responded.

She smiled and pulled out a fresh pad of paper. "Alright. Let's get on with this, shall we? From what I understand, you had a bit of an episode and lashed out at a colleague, correct?"

Kakashi felt his shoulders slumping. This was going to be terrible, no matter how nice the therapist. "Yes..."

"Furthermore, you seemed to seriously regret your actions and insinuated that you had no control over yourself?"

Kakashi sighed. "Yes."

"Okay. This incident...was it initiated by a 'different' Kakashi?"

The jounin blinked slowly. "Huh?"

"What I mean to say is...do you think there might be another personality who attacked your friend, and not necessarily you?"

Kakashi's eyes widened ever so slightly. Holy crapmonkey. Did she think he had multiple personalities? This chick was under the impression that he was 100%, AAA Grade, No Preservatives added BAT SHIT CRAZY.

"No..." he answered as slowly and clearly as he could. "No. There is no other Kakashi."

"Hmm." Was her only response. She glanced down at his folder and began chewing absently on the back of her pen. Kakashi stared in mortified silence.

This could seriously not be happening to him right now.

"Alright. Right before you attacked him, and I mean just before, what was it that he said to you?"

With a deep, cleansing breath, Kakashi managed to will himself to cooperate. He had made up his mind that he would try and resolve his issues for the sake of his friends. Specifically, Tenzou. He owed the poor kid at least that much.

And really, if he was honest with himself, free lunch for a year was probably called for as well.

"He told me if I needed anything that I could go to him."

The therapist raised a very judgemental eyebrow. "And how did you feel about that?"

What the fuck is it with people and asking me how I feel? I don't know, how do YOU feel? How do you feel when you eat lunch? How did you feel yesterday at 5 o'clock?

"It made me angry."

She nodded sagely as she scribbled down his response. "What about it made you angry? Be specific. Does this friend annoy you in general?"

"No. I enjoy his company."

"Do you not want his support?"

Kakashi paused. It was against his very nature to be so honest with someone. There was no way he was starting now with this random chick who, lets be real, gave no fucks about him.

"I was hoping he would tell me he'd get me some ramen. It would have been a lot more helpful. I don't really need him for much else."

She stared in shock, her pen frozen on the paper. "Wait. So, you were angered by his words because he offered his support as a friend and not to buy you lunch?"

Kakashi looked at her like she was the stupidest person he'd ever seen. "Uh...yah? He usually does my laundry, so why not buy me lunch? He's supposed to know what I want without me saying it."

They stared at each other.

Kakashi smiled pleasantly. "Did you want more details?"

"Uh..." Ami looked down at her paper like she wasn't sure if she should write on it. "I have a feeling that isn't quite right."

Kakashi shook his head slowly. "How are we ever going to get anywhere if we don't have trust?"

She glared at him. "We won't get anywhere, Hatake-san, if you aren't honest with me."

The jounin blinked innocently. "But Ami-san...I was honest."

The therapist took a deep breath through her nose and flipped through his file without a word. After a few seconds, she pulled out a sheet of paper and read through it quickly. "Hiruzen-sama supplied me with PLENTY of reading material on you and your relationship with this young ANBU shinobi just in case you were not...'tempted to cooperate'."

Kakashi did not outwardly react, but inside he shook a fist at Hiruzen.

When she was done, she stuffed it back into his file none-too-gently and glanced up at him with somewhat pursed lips. "It says in your file that you and 'Tenzou-san' have worked together flawlessly for the last two years. None of your teammates reported any overt or suspected abuse. Actually, it's to the contrary. Hokage-sama is under the impression that you two trust each other a great deal."

Kakashi's eyes returned to their normal, half-lidded state.

Damn you, Hiruzen. Is this why you gave me two weeks vacation? To dig up dirt?

"Okay."

She exhaled loudly. "So. It's our first session, and within the first fifteen minutes, you lied."

Kakashi shrugged. "I have issues."

Ami stared blankly at him.

He smiled.

She rubbed her temples in long, broad circles. "Okay. Well. At least you admitted that. Now, Hatake-san, can we please get back on track?"

Kakashi slouched down in his chair, raised his arms into the air and rested them behind his head. He grinned. "Certainly."

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Tenzou whipped the last of his kunai without even looking at it. The weapon spun wickedly fast and sank into its target located behind his head at a 65 degree angle. He sighed lightly to himself and started to collect his things from the training area.

It had been just over two weeks since he'd seen his Senpai, and he was dying to know how he was doing and what was going on.

He'd had a meeting with Hiruzen the next morning as he was instructed. The Hokage had been incredibly kind to him, as usual. He assured him that Kakashi's actions were not personal in the slightest. On the contrary, his captain had been so thoroughly disgusted and ashamed of himself that he'd barely been able to explain his actions.

"As I'm sure you will understand with your background, Kakashi has been through a lot. He simply needs to sort some things out. As soon as you can, you two should speak to clear the air. I'm sure it would mean a lot to the both of you."

Tenzou believed Hiruzen, but there was just something...kind of gently prodding him in the heart every time he thought of Kakashi that was slowly starting to wear on him. It was like a dull piercing feeling. When he was honest with himself, he couldn't help but take it personally. Maybe there was just something...irritating about him that had set Kakashi off.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he wandered down a completely different hallway on his way to the locker room. Once he realized he was going in the wrong direction, he had no idea where he'd actually wandered to. It was a section of the headquarters he'd never been before. How very un-shinobi like of him to be unaware of his surroundings.

Suddenly, he could hear muffled talking from behind one of the doors. He had a moment of panic where he realized maybe he wasn't supposed to be there, but it was too late. The door was opening.

"Honestly, these therapy sessions are for YOUR benefit, Hatake-san. What do you honestly gain from yanking me around for an hour?"

"I just can't imagine what you're talking about, Ami."

"Ami-SAN, if you please."

"But, aren't we supposed to get comfortable with each other? To share our feelings?"

"PLEASE just leave, and be prepared to share ACTUAL FACTS tomorrow. If this keeps up I will report you to the Hokage."

Kakashi waved her off absently and she practically slammed the door shut behind him.

With a sigh, Kakashi began to walk speedily down the hall to get as far from the freakin therapists office as possible. As soon as he saw who was ahead of him, he stopped dead in his tracks. He felt the blood literally drain from his body and slosh around in his feet.

"Tenzou..." he rasped.

Quickly, Kakashi cleared his throat and attempted to recover himself.

The younger shinobi blushed slightly and stared at the floor, slightly shuffling his feet.

"Ah. Hi."

Kakashi watched his friend for a moment in what was definitely growing horror. His body language, the way he wouldn't meet Kakashi's gaze, and the way every muscle in his body tensed told the jounin Tenzou was afraid of him.

This was kind of his worst nightmare.

"How are you?" Kakashi asked with excruciating awkwardness. Tenzou glanced up sharply, obviously not expecting the question. That was another jab to Kakashi's gut.

"I'm...fine. Yah. I see you're in...therapy?" He asked quietly, his eyes flicking away from Kakashi again.

Kakashi's head fell almost down to his chest. Cool, now Tenzou knew he was seeing a shrink. Not only was this moment painful, it was embarrassing. He rubbed the back of his neck roughly. "Yyyyah...Hokage's orders. To be honest, I deserve it after what I did..."

They both meekly glanced up and their eyes finally met. Tenzou was surprised to see how genuine Kakashi looked. It made some of his tension melt away. Maybe...maybe Hiruzen really was right.

"...Senpai..."

"Tenzou, can we go somewhere...else to talk?" Kakashi asked with a very obvious back glance to the therapists door. The mokuton user found himself smiling at his captain's obvious hatred of his psychiatrist and their sessions.

"I'd like that."

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The two of them walked side by side in thick, loaded silence. Now that Kakashi was by his side, Tenzou had to admit he hadn't walked away from their confrontation completely unscathed. He felt insecure, a little frightened and very confused. He didn't know if he should run away or follow his Senpai to an undisclosed location and just trust he wouldn't try to kill him again.

Finally, they arrived at the rooftop of the building. Kakashi lead them to a spot where there was a perfect view of the now setting sun. The copy-nin made himself comfortable on a thick ledge and gestured for Tenzou to do the same.

"This is nice." The mokuton user commented lightly.

"Mm. It's my thinking spot."

Silence once again descended upon them. Kakashi took a very, very deep breath before he just blurted out what he wanted to say like the awkward little muffin he was.

"I'm sorry. I can't even...I don't even know how to tell you how sorry I am. I tried to think of ways, and I can't."

Tenzou stared at him with wide, surprised eyes. It actually felt like someone was punching Kakashi repeatedly right in the heart when he looked at Tenzou's innocent, confused face. Actually like someone was sucker punching him, with metal knuckles, right in the heart organ.

"I don't annoy you?" Tenzou asked quietly.

Kakashi almost threw himself over the building.

"NO." He sputtered out so fast and loud Tenzou nearly jumped out of his seat. "No, Tenzou. No. No. No. Is that what you think? I may deserve to die. Wow. Simply wow."

Tenzou looked just as flustered. "Senpai, I didn't mean to...I mean, I shouldn't have thought that. Hiruzen told me it wasn't personal but I just...I wasn't sure..."

Kakashi grasped Tenzou's shoulders and forced him to look him square in the eye. The little mokuton user had never seen so much emotion in Kakashi's expression. He blushed brilliantly.

"We're friends. I appreciate your friendship. You don't annoy me."

"...O-okay..." Tenzou responded meekly with a tiny smile.

Kakashi felt something punch him in an entire different area of his body and he quickly released his friend in embarrassment. Why the hell did he have to be so...so damn cute?

"Okay. Good." Kakashi managed to say with a genuine, gentle smile.

There was silence between them again, but awkward it was not. It was heavy, but not awkward.

"S-senpai..." Tenzou started with obvious hesitation. Kakashi glanced at him in acknowledgement. "Ah...why is it that you attacked me?"

Kakashi considered the option of throwing himself over the building again.

"It's..." he began, completely unsure of how much to divulge. As Tenzou stared at him, his eyes trusting, searching and needing an explanation, Kakashi felt like the biggest asshole on the planet. If anyone deserved honesty from him, it was Tenzou. Once again, he reminded himself that he needed to grow the eff up.

"I have a hard time letting people in." Kakashi began. "Like you i've...pretty much lost everyone. I guess it was just too much for me, at that moment, having a friend."

Tenzou blinked once in confusion. "So...why did you attack me?"

Kakashi nearly face planted. He rubbed the back of his neck again. "Ah...Tenzou. It's hard for me to explain, that's why I'm in therapy."

When Tenzou continued to stare expectantly, Kakashi realized he wasn't going to get away with that bogus explanation. "There's something in me that's dark. I never realized it until I came face to face with Danzou and Root. Whatever it is, sometimes, it takes over. Anger and guilt...and then it's all I know. What happened between us, it's never been that bad before. You didn't deserve that. I don't really deserve your friendship."

A little knowing, ultra sweet smile crept onto Tenzou's face. He slowly snaked his hand along the stone ledge and up to Kakashi's arm, where he laid it with the confidence of Kakashi not yet pulling away from him.

"Do you remember that mission where I was ordered to steal your Sharingan?"

Kakashi blinked. He hadn't actually thought of it in forever. "Yes..."

"I attacked you with the intent to kill. You told me I was your friend, and you refused to hurt me. You even saved me. It's I who wouldn't deserve your friendship if I didn't help you in YOUR time of need."

Kakashi's jaw dropped. Tenzou was completely serious. His hand felt warm and firm on his arm. Kakashi had not made that connection AT ALL, but Tenzou clearly held the memory in very high regard. The copy-nin felt his heart swell to the point where it was almost as painful as when he felt like a shitty human being. For some reason, he felt particularly touched because he couldn't remember the last time he'd had something reciprocated like that. He simply helped people on a daily basis without thinking about it. There was no such thing as an actual reward with ninja, save the warm fuzzy feeling of serving your village.

"Tenzou..." he breathed, and received a very sure smile in response. Tenzou held out a hand to Kakashi.

"Friends?"

The ANBU captain had to admit, he was kind of going to tear up soon. Like, at least ONE manly tear was ready to fall.

He kept it together by smiling warmly and taking Tenzou's extended hand. "Yes. Friends."

They both smiled at each other as the sun set illuminated the sky. Tenzou seemed like he wanted to say something, but was unsure of himself. Kakashi prodded him. "What is it?"

"Uh..." Tenzou, looking adorably unsure of himself, held up his arms in a sort of mother bear fashion and stared at Kakashi. "Do we...do this now?"

A blink. "What exactly is that you're doing?"

Tenzou flushed bright crimson. "It's supposed to be a hug..."

Kakashi snorted loudly but stopped himself when Tenzou looked too mortified to go on. The older jounin gently raised Tenzou's arms and spread them apart. "This is a little better."

The blush deepened. "Right..."

"Where did you see this?"

"Two ANBU were doing it yesterday. Oh...then they started doing something weird with their faces. Like...like smooshing them together." He punctuated his description by clasping his hands together and rubbing them around, looking extremely concentrated as he did so.

Kakashi barely kept his shit in check. Oh my god, how precious was this?

"You mean kissing?"

Tenzou froze. His eyes widened comically. "Oh...THAT'S kissing?"

Kakashi grinned wolfishly. "Yes, Tenzou. That's kissing."

The mokuton user made a face like he smelled something rancid. "That doesn't look very appealing..."

Kakashi burst out laughing so suddenly Tenzou jerked up and nearly lost his balance.

"I'm sorry. Really sorry." Kakashi wheezed, obviously not sorry at all. "I keep forgetting how little of the world you've experienced."

Tenzou flushed once again, this time with anger. "I! Well...I've experienced a little..."

"It's alright. I mean, you're only like...13..."

The mokuton user puffed up like a blow fish. "I'm 15! Almost 16!"

Kakashi laughed lightly. "I know, Tenzou."

The two of them had a fake angry stare down before Tenzou looked away with a bashful smile.

"Fine."

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See? BETTER :D