Chapter 25: And I don't wanna wait another day

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A/N: Wish 'em luck! (They're gonna need it…)

My utterly wonderful Beta for this (and all my other stories) is Marina. And trust me folks, she's AWESOME. ^.^

I do not own Naruto. I only own my own creativity (Though my mother would have you believe that is actually hers… Don't believe everything you hear, folks)

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Dear Diary,

I can't really believe it, but… Minato-sensei actually replied to me today! I honestly could not be happier right now. And I feel so encouraged! And empowered. I feel empowered, Diary.

K.

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Lunch was a lot more comfortable than breakfast was, I can tell you that! I think we've both finally accepted the fact that this is who we are. This is who we love. And everyone else can just go suck it.

But as we exit the restaurant again, we get our own sick little dose of reality served right here on our doorstep. I doubt I'll ever be able to understand how Lee can be so energetic all the time, he's even worse than Gai ever was! But there he is, jumping up and down right in front of us. Blabbering on about what challenge we're going to do today. Honestly, I can think of a few. But none of those would be innocent enough to do with an audience around. Especially not an audience that's definitely underage. So I keep quiet, let Gai handle the matter. Only to suddenly interrupt him mid-sentence as a thought hits me, "Say, Gai? That thing we were talking about earlier, about getting the gang back together for something… You know what I mean right?"

For a moment, Gai looks quizzical, and I nod at his young protégé. Following my gesture, his eyes light up, "Ah, yes my rival! I remember now! Is this something your youthful mind would like to do now?!"

My mouth twitches at his obviously fake enthusiasm, but the kid seems to buy it, "Yes, Gai. I would. But only if you're a hundred percent with me on this, I don't want to be hasty here."

"Yes, yes. Haste makes waste and all that…" His enthusiastic demeanor has slipped away, and Gai seriously ponders my question for a minute before addressing his student once more, tone serious now, "Lee, go fetch Neji, Tenten and Sakura. Then bring them…" He looks at me, "Where will we do this, Kakashi?"

"Eh… I'd rather it'd be somewhere a little familiar, but…"

"Not too public, is what you mean?"

"Yeah…" I rub the back of my head, feeling more than a little uncomfortable. Telling the kids about 'us' in some restaurant could have huge repercussions, but doing it at one of our apartments… Well, Sakura would have my head.

Gai seems to understand my hesitation, a soft smile on his face. It´s the smile that has always been reserved for me, and I finally understand why. It´s because he loves me. Gai loves me like I love him and that´s really all that matters. Something about my newly found determination must´ve showed, because Gai nods at me before turning back to his charge, "My apartment. You three have been there before, and I am certain that Sakura will find it acceptable as well," As Lee nods, running away while shouting some nonsense that he's undoubtedly picked up from his sensei, Gai mutters, "I hope…"

Swallowing nervously, I can only agree. Gai gently pulls me along, across the street and up the stairs to his apartment. As he opens the door, he throws me a worried look, "Tenten will be here also, Kakashi. She and Sakura get along, right?"

I follow him inside, my voice soft, "I'm not sure, Gai. I honestly don't really know who Sakura gets along with anymore these days. She and Ino seem to have made up, but other than that…"

"Right…" He sheds his shoes and flack vest, and I do the same, "But they are both girls, right? So they should –"

"From what I know about girls, they mostly hate each other's guts, Gai…" I worry the inside of my lip, fiddling with my fingers, "Although admittedly, yours may be a little harder to hate than mine…"

He laughs, turning into his kitchen to get us both something to drink, "I am tempted to grab the sake, Kakashi…" Turning back to me, there is a slightly embarrassed smile on his face.

For only a moment, I consider the concealed question, but then I nod, "Do it."

XXX

As Gai opens the door, I pull up my mask before peeking out of the living room. Lee seems over-enthusiastic as always, Neji is wearing a slight frown, and Tenten is trying to talk Sakura down. This is clearly not starting out so well...

Nervously swallowing, I watch as the kids take off their shoes, shifting a little uncomfortably on Gai's oversized couch. Lee's almost-yelling voice drifts back to me, inquiring as to the nature of this sudden request, but Gai is holding down the fort for now. Taking a deep breath, I try to still my trembling hands, but it's not working so well. Lee's incessant questioning is getting on my nerves, and as Sakura also starts to sound more and more demanding, I realize that the battle will soon be over now. Gai will crack under this pressure and I am going to die. Wait, that might be exaggerating things a little, but I sure as hell will never again redeem myself in Sakura's eyes. Oh, why did I ever agree to this?

As Gai tries to usher the teens into the living room, I can't take it anymore. Jumping up, my voice sounds about an octave too high as I offer to get everyone a drink. Of course, I won't be having anything, the mask sort of prevents that, but still. If it's down to either keeping some small part of my sanity by keeping it on, or not keeling over from thirst, I'll go with sanity.

Rushing into the kitchen, I get them the promised drinks. My hands are trembling so bad that I spill about a glass' worth of apple juice, but it can't be helped, I guess. What the hell was Gai thinking? Why would he do this to me? Doesn't he love me? Is he trying to push me over the edge? Is this whole thing a sick joke? Maybe I'm in a coma and this is my mind trying to explain to me all the reasons why loving Gai is wrong. That has to be it. My life has turned into a living hell in mere minutes. This can't be real. Please god, don't let this be real…

"Kakashi, calm down," Gai's tone is soft, barely more than a whisper as he closes the door to the kitchen behind him, "Everything will be alright, my love. I promise. I am here too, am I not?"

Nodding mutely, I let my head drop, my hands resting on the edge of the counter. Sighing, I try my best to calm down, startled as strong arms suddenly wrap around me. Only barely holding back a girly squeak, I whimper softly instead. My voice coming out like the most humiliating pout ever as I whisper my lover's name.

"Kakashi," He breathes in my ear, "I told you to calm down. I love you, and nothing anyone says or does will ever change that. We will do this, my love, and we will do it together," Softly, his lips caress my neck and I cannot suppress a quiet moan. His lips just feel too good. Tilting my head a little, I all but beg him to continue, but Gai chuckles lightly, lifting his head to whisper in my ear once more, "Kakashi… I hate that damned mask…"

Almost chuckling, I bring my hands up, fingers curling around the edge of the mask. As I pull the fabric down, I shake my head just a little as I fold the mask around my neck. Turning towards my love, my lips finds his in a gentle kiss. My hands cup his ass through the thin fabric of his jumpsuit just as his hands cup my own backside. A soft moan escapes my throat and I press my body tighter against Gai's.

"Oh, my god – I'm so sorry!"

Startled, we pull away from each other. My eye wide as I stare at the girl standing in the doorway. Tenten has pressed her fingers against her lips, a bright blush on her cheeks but a sparkle in her eyes, "I'm sorry, sensei… I'll leave you alone now," Turning on her heels, the girl all but flees back to the living room, a slight chuckle emanating from her throat as she walks away.

I blink, stare at Gai, then blink again, "I… Think we better follow her…"

"Yes…" His voice is a little gruff, his eyes about as focused as my own probably is. Swallowing, Gai picks up the tray with the glasses as I pull up my mask. Thank god it hides my burning cheeks – Gai does not have that luxury. I almost pity him for that.

Following him to the living room, I am surprised to find no-one snickering. No huddled up disgusted faces. No nothing. Just Lee trying to convince Neji and Sakura to come training with him tomorrow morning, and Tenten quietly flipping through this month's 'Weapons of the shinobi trade'. It's… Odd, to say the least.

She looks up, flashing me – or Gai, or both of us, how the hell should I know? – a quick but warm smile before returning her attention to the magazine, pointing something out to Neji who is sitting next to her on the couch. He doesn't seem particularly interested, but glad to be rid of Lee for a moment or two. I smile under my mask, not sure if I'm only happy about the girl apparently keeping quiet, or if there's more to it. Maybe it's that Gai was kissing me just now – I really like kissing him. Sitting down on the only available chair, I cross my legs, watching as my boyfriend – wait, what did I just call him? – hands the drinks around. After that, Gai walks over to me, sitting down at my feet. Somehow, this feels… Weirdly perfect. Not that he's at my feet or anything, but the fact that he's choosing to sit so close to me. So close in fact, that our bodies are secretly touching.

Gai clears his throat, prompting the teenagers to look up. Tenten puts the magazine away, looking up at me for a moment, she clearly winks. Surprised, I'm almost tempted to point to myself as if to ask, 'Who? Me?' but I manage to contain myself.

"We have asked you all to come here today, because… Eh, because… Well, there is… You see…" Obviously unsure how to say anything beyond this point, Gai looks up at me. I swallow, glancing over at the teens for a second. Tenten smiles again, a warm and caring smile, kind of like the ones that Gai gives me but different. I take a deep breath.
Another.
One more.

"I love him. I love Gai. And he loves me. End of story."

For a few seconds, the room is quiet. But then, Sakura rises from the couch, an ominous look to her as she rests her balled fists on her hips, leaning over, "And so you gather the four of us here, just so you can tell us about your sex life? Why the hell would we be interested?!" Frowning, she looks away from us, muttering under her breath, "Bunch of perverts, the lot of you…"

Tenten opens her mouth to speak, but Neji somehow beats her to it, his tone soft and a little reproaching, "Sakura, it is a big deal that they would confide in us. You do not get the right to treat your sensei, nor mine in this fashion. In fact, I will not accept it. You will apologize to them. Right now," Clenching his teeth, the young Hyuga frowns at the pinkette, his lavender eyes harsh as he regards her with an almost threatening look.

Sakura sighs, turning back to us, "Oh, alright… I'm sorry, sensei. That came out wrong. But –"

Frowning again, she finds herself interrupted by Tenten's almost quiet giggles, "Came out… Oh dear, Sakura… That's… Oh my…"

Barely containing my own chuckles, I watch as now both girls giggle in that girlish way that I never really understood. Huddled together on the couch, they keep repeating the phrase 'came out' over and over and over until even Gai becomes a little annoyed. I can tell. Others may not, but I can always tell when Gai gets annoyed or frustrated. Maybe that's because, over the years, those feelings have mostly been aimed at me. But in any case, Lee puts an end to it. His tone remarkably serious – it's almost out of character – as he calmly announces that he's happy for us, but would rather we did not hide any longer.

Nodding, Neji adds his own voice to that, "I agree. There are already rumors about the two of you, ranging from a challenge gone wrong to…" He chuckles lightly – something I've never heard him do before, "Well, this. I would rather not see my sensei be a coward that hides his relationship from his comrades. However," Lavender eyes turn to the girls that have finally managed to calm down again, "That reaction may prove to be a prevailing one…"

"Mm-hmm," Tenten nods, "Anko is already calling dibs on the first picture that surfaces where you guys kiss…" A secret smile plays around her lips, "She may or may not be more interested in Kakashi-sensei's face than the actual kissing part though… Lady has a point there, wouldn't you agree?"

Gai chuckles, "She does. But such a picture will not surface. The mask does not come down for just anyone, Tenten…"

"Clearly," Winking, she picks up her glass to take a sip, then seemingly changes her mind, "That's almost a shame, you know…" She ponders half-aloud before setting the glass to her lips, her eyes smiling at me the whole time.

I chuckle quietly, dipping my head down just a little. It's kind of nice to hear the indirect compliment on my looks, even though she shouldn't have seen them in the first place. At my feet, Gai leans his head back, resting it on my knees as he looks up at me with a warm smile on his face. His voice is quiet, "See? Did I not tell you that everything would work out alright?"

"Hmm, yes you did," Leaning over, I cannot resist placing a soft kiss on his forehead, my arms coming around my love for a moment as I do so.

"Awww!" The squealing sound emanating from the two girls on the sofa startles me, and I pull back. But Gai holds on to my arms, winking up at me as he nestles his body tightly against mine. I smile back, risking a glance up to see what's happening on the couch exactly. The girls are huddled up, holding each other's hands tight as they look on – apparently now all of the sudden we're cute to them or something. Neji only shakes his head a little, but a small smile is playing around his lips. While next to him, Lee is doing a fist-pump, smiling wide as he positively stares. You know… I really don't think I like the stares much…

"Very well then," Neji rises from the couch, "Thank you for letting us know and I wish you all the best, but I have a scheduled training with Lord Hiashi. I wish you all a good day," As he turns to the hallway, the young Hyuga pauses for a moment, regarding the two girls with a small frown on his face, "You would do well to remember that these are two of the most dangerous people you will ever meet. And you're already annoying them."

Suppressing a chuckle, I watch as Tenten and Sakura blink. The eldest of the two quickly lets go of her peer's hands, scooting back a little as she shoots us an apologetic look. But Sakura's thoughts seem to fly off in another direction. Frowning just a little, her gaze drifts to the two of us. My arms are still around Gai, his head still laying in my lap. But he's no longer looking up at me, his eyes instead trained on the kunoichi with the dazzling pink hair and one of the most terrifying tempers of all time – to me at least.

"Kakashi-sensei," Her tone is soft, a hint of regret laced in. Somehow it makes me a little emotional, Sakura almost sounds as if she cares about me…

"Kakashi-sensei, I'm sorry. I never meant to make you uncomfortable or anything, it's just… Ever since I started training with Lady Tsunade, I never see you anymore. You pulled away and I didn't know if that was because you were angry with me for wanting to learn from Lady Tsunade, or if it was something else. And I –"

I shake my head softly, unable to stand this, "You pulled away from me, Sakura. You never said a word about wanting to train under Lady Hokage, you never even said you were. I had to hear from some annoying Academy sensei!" Frowning, I look away, take a deep breath, "But that's in the past now. I'm not the sensei you need or deserve, she is. I just hope you'll give me another chance to see what amazing progress you're making."

"But… You are my sensei… And I did tell you about it, you know…" A slight frown reappears on the girl's face, "That day after Naruto left, I came looking for you on the training grounds. And I said I wanted to learn medical ninjutsu so I wouldn't be a waste of space anymore. And all you said was 'Sure, go ahead. Why not? It's not like there's a team 7 anymore.' Do you know how much that hurt, Kakashi-sensei? You are still my sensei, to me at least. I thought –" A soft sob interrupts her, and as I look up I see that my student, my own goddamned student, is crying. Letting go of Gai, I get up. Walking over to the couch and crouching at her feet I hesitantly place a hand on Sakura's knee.

"Sakura… I'm sorry. I don't remember saying that, but it sounds like something I would've said at the time. I never meant to hurt you, and I never meant to say that I didn't want you around anymore. I know I've been too preoccupied with the boys for most of the time team 7 was intact, but –"

"You weren't. You gave me enough. I just… After they left, it felt like you shut me out. And then today, Lee said you wanted to talk to me, and I guess I just thought that finally you wanted to see me again and I'm happy for you and I don't want to annoy you – not because you're this amazing jounin but because you're my sensei and I'm just… Happy for you…"

A small smile plays around my lips and I all but whisper, "I'm happy for me too. You know what makes me the happiest right now, Sakura? That you apparently don't hate me. I was convinced that you did but you don't, do you?"

Teary, big, green eyes turn to me, "Never. Well," She chuckles, "Maybe when you first tested us and we couldn't figure it out and you tied Naruto to that post… And you made me think that you killed Sasuke… That was pretty bad, I guess," Smiling through her tears, Sakura looks at me with a warm expression on her face, "You're my sensei. You were teaching us. I could never really hate you for anything. But…" Another chuckle shakes the girl, and her amused gaze drifts over to Gai for a second, "You two are really cute together…"