As was expected from team Ro, they all returned safe and sound. Tenzou sought out Kakashi immediately upon his arrival. Once discovering him, Tenzou excitedly skipped up to his captain, throwing his arms out wide and baring himself for inspection.

"Not a scratch!"

Kakashi assumed a very sceptical demeanour as he slowly walked a circle around Tenzou. He rubbed his chin, clucking his tongue. "You look a little too roughed up to not have a scratch."

As anticipated Tenzou quickly glanced down at himself. "Really? Well...we did have to travel pretty far."

With a loud sigh, Kakashi placed his hands on his hips. "Honestly. I'm gone one mission and you can't even look out for yourself."

Tenzou appeared royally confused as to how to respond. Despite his best efforts, Kakashi still had a ways to go with teaching Tenzou how to interpret dry humour and sarcasm. Especially his humour. Which...well, most people seemed to have issues deciphering. But that was their problem.

"But Senpai, the mission was a success. It was completed it in half the anticipated time."

"Well, that's because you have a team, Tenzou. You aren't taking that glory for yourself, are you?"

Kakashi could have sworn he saw smoke billowing out of Tenzou's ears. The look on his face illustrated quite clearly the desperate struggle of his brain to comprehend the situation.

"N-no..."

"Good. Because no one looks a glory hog. That being said, you and I are due for therapy in an hour. You best clean up." he chided, placing his hands on Tenzou's back and gently pushing him forward. "Off you go."

As Kakashi watched his little kouhai scamper off in absolute confusion, he took a moment to reflect on himself. A normal person would have expressed how happy he was to see Tenzou safe. They would have asked him how the mission was, nodded as he spoke, and been rightfully impressed at the good bits. But oh no, not him. Not Kakashi. He had to go right into 'Jerkoff' mode and just tease the poor kid into a stupor. A very big part of him hoped they would address this little issue at therapy.

Because...if he was honest with himself, he wanted to know what it was like to have a real moment with someone. To have a real conversation. He really, really wanted to smile at Tenzou and tell him he was glad. But instead, nonsense came out. It was always just nonsense.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The two ANBU comrades sat down across from each other, the nervous tension present in their first session still palpable. Despite Kakashi reassuring Tenzou that he was never to blame for whatever happened in therapy, he was terrified he would push his Senpai too hard again. Ami had spoken to him alone before Kakashi arrived and reminded him of how well their first conversation had went and to basically do exactly what he did the first time.

"Kakashi trusts you, Tenzou. You have NO IDEA what it took for me to get a FRACTION of that information out of him. Not only that, but you two seem to share a lot of similar experiences. I think it helps you understand him and in turn, makes him want to trust you with his feelings. Just keep acting natural."

Tenzou took a long, deep breath and exhaled as inconspicuously as he could. His captain was staring at his sandals, obviously just as nervous as he was. Well, probably FAR more nervous. This was all aimed at him, after all.

Finally, the little ANBU felt comfortable enough to speak. "Senpai. There's...well, something I want to talk to you about. But I'm afraid you're not ready."

Kakashi's eyes softened considerably at his friends concern. "Don't worry about me, Tenzou. Nothing you ask will really be easy."

It was true, and it made Tenzou sheepishly scratch his head and scoot a little farther away in his chair. "Right. Of course. It's just...you mentioned last time that you didn't think you deserved to be happy. Why is that?"

Perhaps it was the fact that Tenzou seemed to be genuinely confused as to why Kakashi felt the way he did instead of embarrassingly concerned that made the copy-nin feel the tug to answer him. Kakashi was proud, so pity was not an emotion he responded well to. But Tenzou never pitied him. He just wanted to understand, and to help.

"I..." Kakashi started, but his throat closed up on him almost as quick as he'd spoken. He felt it again; that horrible coldness. It swept a frigid path along his lower back and threatened to climb higher. He fought to control it.

"I just..." He started, but was unable to continue and shook his head in frustration. He sighed. He closed his eyes and went quite for a long time. Tenzou could tell his Senpai was really trying to answer, so he waited patiently.

"He left me with a task. It started with just one person, but...it really meant much more. For more people. I haven't upheld my end of the deal."

It seemed like that small answer took the world out of Kakashi. He almost physically deflated, his gaze falling to the ground again. He leaned to the side in his chair, his hand going to his forehead. It reminded Tenzou of how he felt if he tried to talk about Root. Like Kakashi had some kind of seal that kept him from expressing himself.

"Okay, Senpai." Tenzou responded quietly. He gave Kakashi another few moments to collect himself before he continued. "What did he ask you to do? Was it a dying wish?"

Kakashi nearly stood up and ran. He had a thousand thoughts buzzing around his head, all of which were making it impossible for him to answer. He just felt so damn guilty. His life was a joke. He lived for nothing and no one. Obito had given everything up for that.

"Senpai..."

Kakashi opened his eyes slowly. Tenzou was sitting before him, his features betraying his concern. Kakashi could see the tension in his body language; Tenzou only ever folded his hands in his lap when he was uncomfortable. The copy-nin needed to do his best right now, but every single cell in his body screamed for him to just give up. What was the point? He was worthless anyway. What was he going to do, talk away everything he'd ever done wrong? What could that possibly do?

"Senpai. Did you hear my question?"

"Yes." Kakashi answered, his voice barely a whisper.

It was slowly dawning on Tenzou that he needed to be firm. So, firm he would try.

"Please answer it."

A deep, raspy inhale. "He asked me to protect our friend. Someone he loved."

Tenzou felt his heart clench painfully. "You weren't able to?"

"I failed." Kakashi hissed. He glanced up at Tenzou, his eyes hard. "I should have been able to. I was the strongest in our class. A jounin. What good was that? What does any of it matter if you can't protect your friends?"

Tenzou felt a deep heaviness in his chest. Oh, how he could sympathize with his captain. How he understood his pain. He'd spent what felt like a lifetime watching the people around him die, unable to do anything, waiting for his turn.

"You have to understand, Senpai. Some things are out of your control. Sometimes all you can do is watch." he answered softly, locking eyes fearlessly with his troubled captain. "No matter how much you want to help...everyone is helpless at some point."

Kakashi's eyes were wide, even a little wild. They stared at each other, both of their gazes refusing to falter. Tenzou spoke from experience; no one could deny that from his tone, his own sadness. Especially Kakashi, who knew his story. He knew how alone he'd been, how helpless. Years of helplessness.

"If your friend truly cared, he would understand. Our world is cruel. It seems like some people have bad luck in the beginning. But...it's how they choose to live the rest of their lives that matters. You chose to try and help people, and you succeeded. You gave me the chance to finally live."

Tenzou smiled at Kakashi so genuinely, with such untainted respect and affection, that Kakashi felt his throat close completely and his chest tighten to the point of physical pain.

"You're lucky, Senpai. Everyone knows you and respects you. You're very talented. You've chosen to dedicate your talent to others, instead of living for yourself. You...say you don't deserve to be happy, but I think its the opposite. You almost...owe it to your lot in life to be happy. Even if it was hard in the beginning, you can still make it right."

Silence settled in the room. Tenzou glanced away, wanting to give Kakashi time to himself. He was sort of embarrassed for rambling on so long. But it was just that...he could understand Kakashi and how he was thinking. He wanted his Senpai to see. He wanted him to live the best kind of life he could live.

When Kakashi didn't speak for a good three minutes, Tenzou decided he should try to speak to him. He wasn't sure where else to take the conversation if Kakashi didn't give him some kind of cue.

"Are you alright, Kakashi-senpai?"

A quick snort was heard from the prone body. Kakashi lifted his head, lolling it slightly to the side. "Just great."

"Ah..." Tenzou lost a bit of his nerve with the attitude emanating from his Senpai's body. To say the mokuton user had never really 'helped' anyone in his life was an understatement. He didn't know what the signs were that he was doing good job.

"Senpai...you're, ah...quite closed off all the time, right?" Tenzou ventured blindly. "Maybe you could start with opening up. There are quite a few people in ANBU who idolize you, maybe you could try being friends with them."

Kakashi stared at him blankly. "How?"

Oh. A response that wasn't completely negative.

"Uh...well...when they try to talk to you, instead of walking away, just talk back."

"Hey." Kakashi pouted. "I don't just walk away..."

Now it was Tenzou's turn to look indignant. "Yes. Yes you do, Senpai. There is this ANBU girl who also calls you Senpai, and whenever she does you just harshly tell her 'I'm not your Senpai' and walk away."

With a loud sigh, Kakashi rubbed out a kink in his neck. "That's...well, really, I shouldn't be anyone's role model. I'm just helping her out."

"Maybe let them decide that for themselves, Senpai." Tenzou responded gently.

Kakashi stared at him in mild surprise. Tenzou smiled.

"ANBU are smart. They can make good decisions if they need to. For you to be so well thought of, everyone can't be wrong, can they?"

It took Kakashi another moment of looking surprised at Tenzou's sharpness before he literally shrugged it off. With a tiny little huff, he crossed his arms over his chest.

"They don't know me at all. They only know what they see."

"What's wrong with that...?" Tenzou asked with genuine curiosity.

Kakashi balked. "...Well...they...don't have a proper basis for their assessment of me."

A little blink from Tenzou.

"...What should they use then?"

It was so clear that Tenzou could not follow Kakashi's reasoning in the slightest that the copy-nin's cheeks tinged pink slightly in embarrassment.

"Well. Other things besides my performance as an ANBU."

"But, you don't tell them about yourself. So how could they?"

Kakashi struggled to try and turn the conversation around. "If I told them about me, they would significantly lessen their opinions. I was already judged as 'friend-killer' before."

A little frown from Tenzou before he answered. "From my own experience, that came from the confusion of knowing too little about you, Senpai. The reason your nick-name came about was because people didn't understand what really happened. If you talked to people more, they would."

It looked like a small gasket had just blown in Kakashi's head from the slightly frazzled look on his face. With a scoff, he stood straight again, waving off his own confusion. "It doesn't matter, Tenzou. Friendship isn't necessary to do my job."

Kakashi regretted what he said almost instantly when he saw the look that came upon his little friends face.

"No, Kakashi-senpai. But it may be necessary for you to be happy. And that is the point of these therapy sessions, right? To find out why you have been acting so cold. Maybe you need some people to warm you up."

A little, barely audible, strangled sound found its way out of Kakashi's throat. He seemed to be cornered, and obviously did not enjoy it. He pulled his legs up, hugged them to his chest, and put his head down.

"I'm done."

Tenzou's eyes widened in slight terror. Oh God, he'd broken his Senpai.

"Kakashi-senpai..." he tried, standing and taking a step towards him. Kakashi did nothing. Tenzou was afraid to approach further, but maybe he needed to. He took another small step and watched as Kakashi actually closed up more, hugging his legs closer to himself.

Tenzou stopped. He bit his lip. Had he said too much?

A little cough from behind him got his attention. Tenzou glanced to the doorway to see Ami gesture for him to come to her. He turned, with a glance back at his prone Senpai, who was completely consumed in his own turmoil again. Tenzou frowned, hoping he hadn't been too forceful with him, and quietly padded over to the ANBU therapist.

Ami leaned in close so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Very well done, Tenzou. I can tell you have also been through a lot, haven't you?"

He blushed and nodded.

"You're just the kind of friend he needs, and don't you forget it. He might need a while to himself after this, but know that you did a great job."

With a bright smile and a firm handshake, Ami sent Tenzou on his way. She didn't hurry him when he stopped to check on his Senpai once again, who was sitting in the exact same position he had been when he left.

Tenzou was starting to doubt this therapy business was going to help Kakashi. Even if they talked about it, he needed to believe it. He needed to believe he was good, that he'd done good, and that he could do more good. That the death of his friend was not his fault. No one could do that but Kakashi.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

As Tenzou had expected, a couple of days went by with no sign of Kakashi. His Senpai had appeared to their teammates to cool their increasing worry of him and confusion with the situation, but Tenzou did not have the pleasure of his company. He understood, however. Tenzou had been privy to information Kakashi had kept to himself for years. His Senpai probably felt exposed, maybe even embarrassed. Tenzou resigned himself to leave his friend to his own devices, to go at his own speed.

The one thing that did worry Tenzou about the entire process was that the farther Kakashi went 'down the rabbit hole', the more dedicated he had to become to coming out the other side. Tenzou was concerned as to how Kakashi would be affected by his therapy, if he would get worse before he got better. Because if he got worse...he had to get better.

After some light training with his teammates Tenzou headed to his little ANBU apartment. He had chosen to take up residence at the base as he still wasn't ready to really 'join the village'. He knew no one in Konoha other than his ANBU teammates, who had lives of their own and were quite a bit older than him. The only one he could ever see himself interacting with was Kakashi, but his captain showed no signs of interacting with anyone outside of ANBU anyway. As far as Tenzou knew, he was the only person in team Ro who lived at the ANBU base, but it hadn't bothered him yet. Even Kakashi had his own apartment away from headquarters.

He turned the last corner that lead to his humble abode and fished inside of his uniform pants for his keys.

Something at the corner of his eye made him grind to a halt, his head shooting up.

To his utter astonishment, Kakashi was leaning against his door, apparently consumed by a book he was reading. Tenzou slowly continued his path to his place, staring at Kakashi in surprise. His captain had never even been to his apartment on a regular day, let alone appearing spontaneously when he was in such a sensitive state.

"Senpai..." Tenzou greeted softly, a smile on his face. "What can I do for you?"

Kakashi closed his book, stuffed it into his back pouch, then casually glanced up at Tenzou. "Can't a captain see how his underling is doing?"

"Of course, Senpai. I'm glad to see you." Tenzou responded easily, taking out his keys. "Would you, ah...like to come in?"

Kakashi shrugged in response. Tenzou wasn't sure if that was a yes or not, so he simply unlocked his door and opened it, stepping inside and keeping it open for his friend. Kakashi slowly took a step in, hands stuffed into his pockets. Tenzou closed the door after him.

He was suddenly irrationally nervous.

Tenzou had never had anyone in his space before, let alone the person he respected the most in the world. He found himself having strange thoughts like what Kakashi thought of his place, what he thought of him living so far from everyone else in the village. What he wanted to do now.

"Ah...can I...get you a drink? Maybe tea?" Tenzou stammered, blushing at his awkwardness. Kakashi smiled down at him pleasantly.

"Sure."

Tenzou flew to the kitchen, desperate for something to do. The thought of entertaining someone in his house had never occurred to him.

Kakashi leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Tenzou with a deep sadness weighing on his chest. His little kouhai buzzed around his sparse kitchen. When he opened his cupboard, he only had two cups in it. Two plates. Two bowls. The extra of everything was probably just backup in case one broke.

Tenzou had no one, just like Kakashi.

The copy-nin spun on his heel and took in the rest of his friends apartment. It was even more barren than his. Not a single picture, no decorations. He had a bed, a desk, a bookshelf and a closet. Kakashi at least had his picture of his old team, some momentous from his father. A bedspread that wasn't grey. A plant or two. He even had some civilian clothing from when he was younger. He hadn't worn them in years, but at least he had them. He would bet every dime in his bank account that the only clothes in Tenzou's closet were ANBU issued.

Kakashi heard something behind him and turned his attention back to Tenzou. His friend walked up to him and held a steaming cup of tea out for him to take, a large, nervous smile on his face.

"Here you go."

The ache in Kakashi's gut intensified.

He was alone, but with a smile on his face. Tenzou had just as much reason as Kakashi to be cold and closed off, but he wasn't.

Gently, slowly, Kakashi took his cup. The smile he sent back to Tenzou was genuine but sad. He couldn't mask how he felt this time. "Thank you."

Tenzou looked concerned but voiced none of it. He wrung his hangs together nervously, his eyes darting around his small apartment. "Ahhh...would you...like to sit?" he offered, pointing to the only object that was sitable -his bed.

Kakashi didn't respond, merely turned and helped himself. He sat gracefully, the bed barely sinking under his weight. Damn ANBU and their hard beds.

Tenzou meekly took a seat beside him, his hands resting between his legs. He looked like he wasn't sure what to say. Kakashi could have helped him out and made conversation, but Tenzou was far too adorable right now for him to ruin it.

"So..." Tenzou began, turning to his captain. "How have you bee-Ah!"

The mokuton user froze, a blush bursting over his cheeks.

Kakashi was casually sipping his tea, his mask down around his neck, as if he took it off all the time. Blinking, he turned to Tenzou. "What is it?"

"Uhhhhh...you..." he pointed to his own face, unsure of what to say.

Kakashi feigned ignorance. "Oh? My mask? Well, I can't drink with it on."

The blush on Tenzou's face intensified. "You...don't care if I see your face?"

With a shrug, Kakashi took a sip of his tea. "It's not really a big deal."

"Oh." Tenzou responded, looking no less confused or flustered. "Then, why do you wear it?"

Kakashi blew on his tea. "I look more mysterious this way."

"...Uh..."

"Enough about me." Kakashi cut in firmly. He placed his cup on the ground at his feet and turned to face his friend. "I'm done talking about myself."

Tenzou tried his hardest not to get distracted by how attractive Kakashi was, but the combination of seeing his face and having him in his apartment was making him increasingly skittish. "Of course, I understand. What...ah...do you wanna talk about?"

"You." Kakashi breathed, his gaze penetrating.

It was all Tenzou could do not to gulp. "...Me?"

"Yes. Are you happy?"

The answer came easily to Tenzou. He smiled sweetly. "I'm the happiest I've ever been."

Kakashi shook his head, his gaze never leaving his friends. "That wasn't a yes or a no. Are you happy?"

"Oh. Uh..." Now Tenzou took a second to think about it. "Well. I have a team, which I like. I have freedom, although...maybe not as much as the villagers. But, it's more than I've ever known. I have all my lovely books to read, and I really like Hiruzen-sama, and you, Kakashi-Senpai. Yes, I'm happy." he concluded, looking satisfied. "There isn't really anything else I know that's better."

Kakashi's eyes seemed to become heavy. He gazed at Tenzou with an intensity that the mokuton user didn't understand.

"But there is so much more, Tenzou." Kakashi began. "There's a whole other world in Konoha. You could join a regular team, have a real home to come to, have friends you can be with outside of missions."

Tenzou glanced down, the conversation going into territory he was uncomfortable with. "I know. I...have an idea of what it's like. But I don't belong out there."

"You belong in here?" Kakashi asked, gesturing in a small circle. "In this empty apartment?"

Tenzou kind of half shrugged, but the way he clasped his hands together betrayed his nervousness. "I belong in ANBU. It's what I'm good at."

The bed sagged slightly as Kakashi shifted closer to Tenzou. "You've never thought about anything more?"

Tenzou shook his head, his gaze averted to the mattress.

A loud, unexpected sigh from Kakashi had Tenzou looking back at his Senpai again. Kakashi had pulled his knees up to his chest much in the same way as he'd done in their last therapy session. He rests his arms on his knees and gently placed his chin on them. He looked ahead, into some unknown abyss.

"I have. I've been thinking about more a lot lately. I want to see what more is like. These last few days I've seen what it could be like, and I'm tired of making excuses."

Tenzou's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe it. Had their sessions actually helped his Senpai? He felt his heart suddenly inflate to twice its size. The idea of Kakashi improving, even a little, made him so happy he nearly teared up.

"That's great, Senpai!" Tenzou whispered with obvious excitement. "I think more is good for you."

Kakashi slowly turned his head. There was something in his eyes that Tenzou could not decipher, but it made a little shiver creep its way down his spine.

"I think so, too. But I don't want it, at the same time. I want anything other than that."

It was a little bit of a risk, as he didn't know how Kakashi would respond, but Tenzou was compelled to move closer to him. With two little wiggles, he scooted closer to his Senpai on the bed. He almost burst into flames when he realized how close that put the two of them, but it was too late now.

"Don't be afraid. You're brave, Kakashi-Senpai. When something needs to be done, you do it, right? You never make excuses. Do that for yourself, too."

Kakashi merely watched Tenzou for a moment. "It's like your my personal cheer squad."

Tenzou's entire face ignited brighter than the setting sun. He whipped his head around, far too embarrassed to look at his friend any longer. "W-well..." he stammered, but realized he had absolutely nothing to say for himself that wouldn't make him more embarrassed.

Kakashi gently placed a finger under Tenzou's chin and tilted his head up. Obediently Tenzou's eyes followed suit. The two ninja looked at each other, Kakashi's gaze smouldering, Tenzou's mesmerized.

"I didn't mean that in a negative way."

The mokuton user found he could not hold eye contact with Kakashi when he was the way he was, so he quickly glanced down again. "Okay..."

Kakashi was not deterred by Tenzou's bashfulness in the slightest. "Why do you have so much faith in me?"

The question was worded with such soft, genuine curiosity and confusion that Tenzou forgot how embarrassed he was with himself and looked up. Kakashi's eyes were positively glowing, as if he'd wondered what he'd asked for a long time and just had the resolve to ask it now.

"Why shouldn't I? I've seen what you can do." he responded plainly, uncertain as to whether this was the kind of answer his mysterious captain was looking for. "You seem to think...you're a bad person. How can a bad person be selfless enough to risk their lives to help me? It doesn't make sense, Senpai."

Kakashi remained silent, but there were waves of intense energy flowing from his body. It felt like they were ripping the words from Tenzou, as if he was being hypnotized.

"I mean...I remember, waking up in that cold room strapped to a chair...and then you were there. I thought I was going to be turned into a mindless puppet. I would have been. We were confronted by dozens of ninja and you didn't abandon me. I don't understand how it gets better than that."

Out of the corner of his eye, Tenzou could see Kakashi's chest heaving as if he was breathing very quickly and deeply. His words seemed to be affecting his captain, but his expression hadn't changed. The only indication that he could hear what Tenzou was saying was the dilation of his pupils and the slight flare of his nostrils.

"I really..." Kakashi began, his breath short. "...made a difference with you. Didn't I?"

"Yes. You saved me." was Tenzou's tiny reply.

"Do you like me as a person, Tenzou?" the copy-nin asked, no pity or desperation in his voice, just a kind of thick curiosity. "Or...do you just respect me for what I did?"

"I respect you more than anyone, Kakashi-Senpai." Tenzou breathed. His embarrassed blush intensified as he realized he needed to answer the rest of the posed question. "I...like you, yes. You're really...hard to understand, but, as long as I don't take your aloofness personally, it's alright. I uh...I wish you wouldn't...uh...tease me so much..." he stuttered, his gaze flickering down again.

Kakashi laughed lightly and Tenzou couldn't help but glance back up at him. His smile was one of the most pleasant things Tenzou had ever seen. He found himself completely mesmerized by the mirth in his captains eyes, highlighted throughout all of his features, visible to him for the first time.

"I don't think that's going to happen. It's too much fun."

Tenzou was far too lost in the moment to feel even slightly indignant that his captain outright refused to make his life easier. Instead, he found a question tugging at his own lips. He would normally never, ever consider asking, but Kakashi was being so open with him...

"Do...you like me, Senpai?"

All mirth instantly evaporated from Kakashi's face. For one fleeting second, Tenzou was horrified Kakashi was going to say something devastating. However, his worries were put to rest as soon as they arose, as the look in Kakashi's eyes could only be described as predatory. It was what Tenzou imagined an animal looked like when it had prey in its sights.

"Close your eyes." Kakashi breathed gently, far more gently than his gaze conveyed he was feeling.

At first Tenzou hesitated. He didn't understand what was going on, but it was like someone had grabbed his arms and forcibly held him in place. Every muscle and nerve in his body was on fire yet he was rooted to the spot. He took a deep breath and did as he was told. Something in his stomach twisted in a way that made his throat constrict.

Slowly, Kakashi ran his hands through Tenzou's long, silky hair. He dragged his nails along his scalp and felt Tenzou shiver, yet dutifully keep his eyes closed. Clenching his fist, he gripped Tenzou's hair, pulling back slowly to tilt his kouhai's head up. The way Tenzou arched his back ever so slightly told the copy-nin he consented. Kakashi dipped his head, closed his own eyes and placed a firm, but chaste kiss to Tenzou's soft lips.

A sharp inhale of breath and Tenzou responded instinctively. It was like someone lit a fire in his stomach that raced up his spine. Nothing that he'd ever felt compared to this. There was electricity in his veins, his heart was beating a mile a minute. His Senpai was kissing him, the one person in the world he could ever imagine wanting.

Their lips stayed locked together, magnetized, until finally Kakashi pulled away with a light, airy sigh. He could never have imagined something so sweet. He felt like he could devour Tenzou in a second. He itched to embrace him.

Tenzou's eyes fluttered open. At some point, he had gripped the front of Kakashi's top, bunching the fabric in his fists. Kakashi smiled at him and he, still in a daze, sheepishly smiled back.

"You're ok?" Kakashi asked gently.

Tenzou nodded. He seemed embarrassed now, but the smile on his face betrayed his excitement. Kakashi curled an arm around Tenzou's shoulders and pulled him to his chest. He heard the smallest, fainest squeak come from his friend, but no resistance. Slowly, he laid down on the bed, bringing Tenzou with him. In response, Tenzou slowly, tentatively curled against the side of Kakashi's body, laying his head on his arm. He'd never felt so warm in his life. He could feel the strength of Kakashi's body next to his. It radiated a soothing energy, yet was hard and resisting at the same time. The body of someone who could trace the shadows and take you out before you could blink.

"Tenzou."

The younger shinobi glanced up and found his lips captured again. He closed his eyes, basking in his Senpai. He had no idea anything like this could exist.

When they finally broke apart, Tenzou seemed to remember something.

"Is that a yes?"

Kakashi's response was to smile in amusement and gently tussle Tenzou's hair.

"Yes."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

D'AWWWWWWW. I wuv them. CAN'T YOU JUST SEE IT HAPPENING? I swear I've never loved fillers so much ever.