If you haven't read When We Could Die Tomorrow, yet, then I would really recommend it for this chapter. It will be more fun if you do. Also this is the last chapter! Enjoy!

….

Tenzou

….

"Yamato! Not drinking tonight? If money's tight this month, I'll stand you one. Can't have you sitting around sober! Gotta enjoy youth while you've got it!"

With a half-hearted smile and a wave of my hand, I turn down Gai's enthusiastic generosity.

It's been a few days since we got back from the Land of Typhoon, but I'm still not in the mood for celebration. In the end, facing off with Sempai turned out to be a wasted effort, because I never found Kabuto. There was no sign of him at the first village I checked out. At the second village, I was nearly lynched by an angry horde of fishermen. Apparently, Kabuto had been there before me, stolen one of their boat… and burned the rest. Well, at the expense of some of my remaining chakra, I could have made another one, but when I finally convinced the lynching party that I wasn't an enemy and managed to ask some questions, I discovered that Kabuto hadn't been alone. Sempai had been right about that, after all. He had backup. And a forty minute lead. At this point, I gave up and returned to the others with my tail between my legs.

The rest of the trip was quiet. Very quiet. Everyone, excluding Sai, was exuding gloom the entire time. Sempai made an effort to convince us, and I suppose himself, that we had succeeded in carrying out the mission we were actually charged with, i.e. rescuing of the missing villagers. Actually, while one ancient old man died of heart-failure, and several people had mild injuries caused by flying debris from the explosions, Sakura seemed to think that there was no permanent damage done to most of the victims. From the village's standpoint, it was a pretty good outcome. The headman was so grateful that he scraped together the village's remaining supplies and threw a banquet for us. We tacked on the appropriate smiles, ate the food, and clapped along with the music, but none of us could really felt like we'd won a victory. Even Sempai was quieter and more absent-minded than usual.

I didn't try to talk much to him. After going so far as to tell him to pull himself together, I was finding it a little hard to look him in the eye.

So the five of us limped home, nursing various wounds and regrets, and parted on a distinctly low note.

For the past few days, I've mostly been lounging around in the safety of my own home. Since the rest of the team is in no condition to travel, I've been saddled with an unnecessary and unwelcome holiday. But I figured that however unpleasant it is to sit around with nothing to do but reflect on failure, it would still be better than running into one of my bummed-out teammates and watching them wallow in woe. In fact there have been several rings at my doorbell, and both Sempai and Sai have pushed notes under the door expressing concern for my well-being. Since I'm the only one who managed to come back in decent condition, I find this a little insulting. Sai, however, I let in for a few moments the second time he came. I've decided that he's essentially a good kid, if a bit weird. As it happens, he was no trouble at all. He more or less just looked me over, drank the cup of tea I offered him, gave me an enigmatic nod, and hobbled off about his business.

Sempai, on the other hand, I downright ignored. Enough is enough. Whatever he's decided he has to say to me, I don't want to hear it. Perhaps the downtime is a good thing, after all, because I could definitely use a break from him.

Except…

The emptiness of my refrigerator finally forced me out this evening, and to my great annoyance, I was captured by Gai and dragged into this bar. Naturally, I objected, but Gai had me in what amounted to a strangle hold, and didn't seem to notice either my words or my futile struggles. He seems to have brought me to some kind of ANBU night out. There are several people I know from ANBU here, as well as ex-members like Gai… and Sempai. He's at the far end of the bar, smiling blankly at someone I don't know. His conversant seems to be spinning a pretty long yarn, but I get the feeling Sempai is not really listening. He has the look on the face he gets when he's mulling over an idea of his own. I shift a little on my seat. I usually don't like the kind of plots Sempai hatches when he's got that look on his face…

Whatever mischief he's planning, though, I doubt he'll get far with it tonight. He seems to be drinking at a pretty fast pace. Not that I've actually seen him put anything in his mouth, of course. Gai keeps calling my attention away, which I suppose is a good thing, because what's the point of me spending my evening watching Sempai make a fool of himself? That's just the sort of thing I was trying to avoid. But still, on the several occasions that I have sneaked a peak, the level in his glass has been different. And four times now, the level has gone up instead of down. I frown into my glass of water. Five shots of whiskey. Especially while he's still recovering from nearly tapping his chakra flat. Is that really okay?

Probably not.

Gai has been talking to me on and off for most of the evening, and while I was more-or-less paying attention at first, at least enough to say the right things in the right places, I'm getting a bit tired of it. He's too high tension for me, particularly right now. I've been debating with myself about whether I should make my excuses and go. I would have done it a while ago, but I can't help but be a little concerned about Sempai. Even supposing he's drinking more than is good for him, though, what am I supposed to do about it? Risking my life on the battlefield to save Sempai's neck… that's fine. That's my prerogative. But interfering with his personal life is another thing, entirely. The last time I tried to cross that line, it didn't turn out well, now did it. Do I really want to go there again? Especially since I've been getting the feeling that Sempai has a bone to pick with me, already.

Coming to a decision, I push back my stool and rise to my feet. Sempai's sobriety or lack thereof is none of my business. No way am I going to get burned again.

"Sorry, Gai, it's been fun, but I think I'm going to head back, now." I wonder if I should start keeping a pet. That would be less lonely for me, and feeding it would make a good excuse for escaping these kinds of situations…

"Ah, hold on, Yamato!" Gai catches my arm, and for a moment, I think he's going to argue. Gai is well-meaning, but sometimes very tiresome.

It seems I'm wrong, though. He just jerks his thumb at the end of the bar. "It's a shame. But if you're really leaving, do you think you could take him home?" Following the direction of Gai's thumb, I see that Sempai has finally lost to the alcohol. He's got his elbows braced on the countertop, and is resting his forehead in his palms. His posture is expressive of either deep misery, or extreme dizziness.

Urk.

Gai releases my arm and gives me a hearty slap on the back. "Don't worry! His apartment is close by. But you know that, don't you?"

I let out a long, dismal sigh. "Yes, I know where it is." So much for playing it safe and keeping my distance.

I sidle up to Sempai's stool.

"Sempai." I get no response, so I reluctantly give his shoulder a tap. "Sempai."

Having received a grunt by way of answer, I lean down and try to get a look at his face. "Can you walk?"

His one eye rolls blearily in my direction. "Tenzou?"

"…Yeah. Gai asked me to help you get home. You look done in, Sempai."

"Yeah. Pretty much."

Well, he seems at least capable of talking. "Do you think you can stand?" I ask hopefully.

Obligingly, Sempai tries, and he more or less manages it. Ohhhh good. Because I really don't fancy trying to carry him. He is swaying a bit, though. He has to hold on to the counter to keep himself steady. With a sigh, I tell myself to be grateful that it's not worse before draping one of his arms around my neck so he can lean on me instead. Grimacing, I slip one arm around his waist and take a firm hold. "The bill?" I prompt. I kick myself as I hear the strain in my voice. It's not that I can't handle his weight, it's that this situation is bring up unwelcome memories of The Incident a couple weeks ago.

Fortunately, Sempai is probably not in a noticing frame of mind. He just fumbles around in his pocket and drops some coins on the counter. It occurs to me to wonder what happened with my bill when the two of us were acting out this farce in reverse. Did Sempai pay it? I blush a little as I start to lead him out the door. In the wake of that incident, I wasn't feeling particularly charitable to Sempai, but I guess I owe him. That can't have been cheap…

We make the short trip to Sempai's apartment in silence. The trip goes reasonably smoothly. It's nothing like as bad as when I was the drunkard. I'm supporting most of Sempai's weight as we shuffle along, and he stumbles a few times, but there's no vomiting this time. Fortunately. Although… Why is it that I'm the only one who has to look uncool? A vindictive corner of my mind would like to see Sempai suffering just a bit more.

We've arrived at Sempai's front door, and I bring us to a halt. "Keys?" I ask, but Sempai doesn't answer. The way he's flopped over my shoulder like a broken marionette with his spiky silver head lolling forward suggests to me that he's not going to.

Well. That's no problem. I don't even have to ransack his pockets in search of keys the way he did for me. I just hold a finger to the key hole, do my little trick, and the lock clicks open. There's a muffled sound by my ear, and I shoot a sharp look at Sempai. I could have sworn that was a laugh, but Sempai's head is hanging forward so far that his hair is hiding his eye, and I can't say for sure. I give him the benefit of the doubt and push the door open.

Nothing much has changed. There's the old coffee table and the sofa behind it. I stand staring for a moment. I have the feeling that if I step up into that familiar scene, it's going to be awfully hard to leave it again. But there is a limit to spinelessness, and there's sempai bearing down uncomfortably on my shoulder. With a shake of my head, I hustle sempai into the room and over to the sofa.

When I've got him sprawled on his back with his head on a pillow, I pause, kneeling on the floor, thinking of whether there's anything else I should do. He doesn't look so bad that he can't be left alone, but maybe I should at least get him a glass of water. I'm about to get up and go to the kitchen when Sempai stirs on the couch next to me. I look over and find him starting to sit up.

"Sempai!" I admonish with a frown. "You should lie down for a while."

Ignoring me, he pulls his mask down, rests his forearms on his knees, and gives me a slow smile. "It's rather cute that you always fall for these things hook, line, and sinker, Tenzou. Consider this payback for, well… a lot of things. Not least avoiding me the last few days. How is it that you'll see Sai, but not me?"

I stare at him blankly.

His smile widens a little, and he leans forward.

….

Kakashi

….

The first few seconds of the kiss are not too bad, even though Tenzou is just sitting there like a block of wood. Well, he may not be bringing the desperate passion of last time to the table, but in exchange, he tastes infinitely better.

But then Tenzou's brain catches up with events, and things take an unexpected turn. I find myself slammed violently into the back of my couch so hard that the back of my head strikes the wall behind.

Gingerly, I begin to extricate myself from the scattered cushions. All the while, I'm keeping an eye on Tenzou, who has somehow ended up on the far side of the coffee table. His expression is a masterpiece, a study in shock and dismay. It's definitely a sight worth seeing, but on the other hand, this reaction is not quite what I was reckoning on.

"Sorry, Tenzou." Cautiously, I raise a hand in a consolatory gesture, "I didn't mean to…"

Tenzou doesn't let me finish. Taking a hasty step back, he says in a not quite controlled voice. "You're drunk, Sempai. Drink plenty of fluids, and try to get some sleep. Now if you don't mind, I'll be going." He turns on his heel and makes a B-line for the door.

Immediate action is required.

Lunging across the table, myself, I catch hold of Tenzou's arm. He shakes me off briskly and shoots a glare at me with a furrowed brow and a rather dangerous look in his eyes. "That's enough, Sempai. Go sleep it off."

"Tenzou." I finally get a grip on him and spin him around. "I'm not drunk. That was an act."

"Don't be ridiculous, Sempai. Now I think you should focus on not doing anything else that you'll regret. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about." Tenzou's voice is calm and businesslike now, if a bit bitter, but he's avoiding my eyes and he's still trying to pry my fingers off his shoulders.

"Come on, Tenzou, think. Did you taste any alcohol on me just now?"

Tenzou finally turns to stare at me, aghast. His expression clearly says, "Sempai…! What are you trying to make me remember?!"

Clearly he's not prepared to believe me, so I suck in a breath and breathe it out directly in his face. "See?"

Tenzou continues to glower at me for a few moments, before the truth finally seems to sink in. Then, as he thinks about it a little more, his expression goes ominously blank. Quietly, he says, "Sempai… Did you say, pay-back? Did you perhaps say something about hooks, lines, and sinkers?"

Tenzou has gone stiff as a statue. I sigh and, since he doesn't seem to be going anywhere at the moment, I release one of his shoulders so I can scratch the back of my head. I wince as I run across the bump that's coming up under my hair.

This is not unfolding quite as I envisioned. True, I meant to cause Tenzou a little trouble: to get back at him for destroying my piece of mind. Having forced me to care, much against my wishes, he then proceeds to nearly get himself killed. Then he shoot his mouth off at me when I try to stop him from running off into a potentially dangerous situation, although I have to admit I wasn't completely rational when I gave that order. And then avoids me. In favor of Sai, of all people. Really, I have a bone to pick with Tenzou. Also, to be honest, I enjoyed watching poor Tenzou grit his teeth and drag my supposedly drunk ass home out of an overblown sense of duty.

But well, my main purpose was to get Tenzou alone and show him that I've changed my mind. That I'm withdrawing my rejection of two weeks ago. And frankly, I'd expected Tenzou to be pleased. Perhaps even overjoyed.

No amount of joy is in evidence. In fact, Tenzou is wearing an expression rather like you'd expect to find on an undead creature. At length, he tilts his head back a bit and glares at me from under hooded eyes. Now he looks like a zombie who has awakened to the desire for blood. "Sempai… Are you saying you deliberately kissed me… as a prank? Don't you think that's going a bit far?" I groan inwardly, but before I can set him straight, he goes on. "Let's be plain. I love you, and however much you'd like to avoid the idea, you're perfectly aware of it. So, frankly, if you ever take it into your head to do such a callous thing again, I'll bite your tongue off and watch you bleed to death. With pleasure."

I stare at, Tenzou, dumbfounded. He's a remarkable creature. Who else can simultaneously confess his love and threaten gruesome murder, all while making that kind of face?

….

Tenzou

….

Sometimes… I really have to wonder what goes on in Sempai's head. He does realize what he's done, right?

I feel like we've been here before, many times, but I swear this is the last time I will be yanked around by this man.

Besides, this time, he's really outdone himself. To make use of someone's besetting weakness like that… Alright, as a matter of fact I can imagine Sempai doing that, but not to a colleague… Well, except, perhaps for Gai…

But Gai seems to enjoy it, for some benighted reason, and I don't!

Frankly, I'm a bit disillusioned. I'd really thought better of Sempai.

He's simply been watching me seethe for a while, rather with the expression of someone observing the behavior of a rare species in captivity, but now he unexpectedly reaches out a hand and touches my cheek. My heart leaps into my throat, but I'll be damned if I'm going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me riled. I suppress the instinct to flinch away, ignore the prickling of hair on the back of my neck, and try not to let anything show in my expression. I think I wind up over-compensating, a bit, so my expression has probably gone from dour to ghastly, but that can't be helped. His fingers slip down my cheek, and curl under my chin. He tips my face up a bit.

Bear with it, Tenzou! I don't know what he's playing at, but I won't let him win!

He leans in, and for a moment, I think he's going for a second kiss, but then he veers a little to the side and rests his cheek against mine. His arms come up to circle my neck, and one of his large, cool hands cradles the back of my head.

I continue to stand stiff as a board. Really. Where is Sempai going with this?! If this is another joke, then when we finally get to the punch line… Well, let's just say that he'll be getting off lightly if I translate that expression into literal action. If, on the other hand, this is his way of admitting he's stepped out of bounds and apologizing… Then I wish he'd pick a less heartrending method.

"Listen carefully to me, Tenzou," Sempai says, right in my ear. I can feel the warmth of his breath tingling over my skin. "I seem to have made this much more complicated than it needed to be. I'm sorry about that."

Ah-ha. An apology it is. OK. Well, thanks, but I've had enough, then. I start trying to shrug him off, but he hangs on tighter. "Hold on, Tenzou. Look. Forget the prank, please. In hindsight, it wasn't such a good idea. But I swear to you, the kiss was serious."

I freeze. I have to think about that for a moment. After all, I can only think of one way of interpreting that statement, but on the other hand, how many times have I been duped by Sempai? I decide to play it safe.

"…Meaning…?"

Sempai laughs a little, and squeezes me, if possible, even tighter. "Tenzou, you have a very suspicious mind. I never quite realized just how twisted your personality is…"

I consider retorting that this is at least partially Sempai's fault. Instead, I stick to the point. "Meaning?"

"Meaning that I love you. Is that clear enough? Should I put it in writing and sign my name?"

This time I really do shrug him off, because I want to see his face. Somewhat disturbingly, he's smiling, which in the past has usually meant that he's appreciating a joke at my expense. However… This time, my instinct is really telling me that he's serious. So let's play along for a bit and see how it goes. "Forget writing, Sempai. I'd like it in blood, please."

Obligingly, Sempai lifts his hand to his mouth and prepares to bite down. Hastily I snatch his hand out of the way. "The was a joke, Sempai. Obviously."

He cocks his head at me. "Are you sure? It seems to me like if I don't do something drastic you won't believe me.

I sigh, and rub my chin, thinking. This evening has taken up a ridiculous amount of energy. And I just wanted to stay quietly at home…

"I believe you, rationally." I say, after collecting my thoughts. After all, what would be the point of his lying about something like this? "But you haven't forgotten, have you, that you flat-out rejected me just a couple weeks ago. Or that you've known for about the past decade that I was holding a torch for you, and you never gave me an ounce of encouragement until a few minutes ago. Ten years of habit aren't so easy to shake off."

"Time, eh." Sempai is not smiling anymore. He's wearing an abstracted expression. I suppose he's thinking that time is something we don't necessarily have. Ours is a dangerous profession. It's such a common thing that I've almost forgotten about it, but Sempai almost died (again) just a few days ago. If I hadn't disobeyed orders and saved his ass, then, well. That would have been that.

Life without Sempai. Not a nice thought. However, while Sempai has been walling himself off from affection, I've been dealing with that kind of fear almost since I met him, and I'm not inclined to be sympathetic.

"Sempai, you'd better not be thinking gloomy things about the possibility of me dying. Thinking like that just leads to idiotic orders like the one you tried to give me on the last mission, and idiotic policies like the one that buried you in isolation and ruined my love-life for the last ten years." Taking my courage in my hands I say, "Sempai, I won't date you until you grow a pair."

Sempai looks a little taken aback, but then his face eases into a grin. "Is it just me, Tenzou, or have you suddenly gotten awfully self-confident? I'll grant you that I've been trying to avoid making close ties, but how do you know that, if I'd wanted to fall in love with someone ten years ago, I would have picked you?"

Gooood question. But maybe the habits of ten years aren't so hard to shake off, after all. Because looking back, I really do think he would have picked me. In fact, I'm sure of it. Cautiously, I take a step forward and lay my hands on his shoulders. Sempai looks a little surprised for a moment, but when my lips meet his, he responds with all the enthusiasm I could have wished for. When the kiss finally ends, I choose to linger for a while in the gentle, reassuring warmth of Sempai's arms.

Well. Even if we do die tomorrow, what of it? Living will have been worth it.

...

The end! Frankly when I started writing this chapter according to the plan I came up with three years ago, or whatever, I couldn't help wondering... Is Kakashi really the kind of devious idiot who would pull this kind of stunt? So then I went back and watched the first few Naruto episodes. Yep. I now see what I was thinking. What an ass.

Hope you enjoyed the fic!