Tenzou sighed dramatically and rubbed his aching temples.

"Kakashi-sempai. I CAN'T do that."

His ex-captain merely waved his opinion off, as if he knew nothing of his own physical capacities.

"Come on, Tenz-"

"-YAMATO."

Sigh. "Yamato. You'll be doing me a big favour."

"If I had a dollar for every favour I did for you..."

"You would really only have, what...fifty dollars? What's fifty dollars?"

"Senpai..."

Kakashi slung a casual arm around Tenzou's shoulders and stared into his slightly embarrassed eyes with a seriousness that did not suit the situation.

"Look. I realize I often ask a lot from you-"

Tenzou shot him an incredulous look.

"-But it's because I trust you. There aren't many people in this village as capable and dependable as you, Ten-err. Yamato."

Tenzou felt himself, very frustratingly, begin to melt slightly into Kakashi's familiar embrace. As annoying as it was, Kakashi's compliments meant a lot to him. His captain had been a big part of his growth as a shinobi and he had never forgotten it. Whenever Kakashi began to annoy him, he would always be taken back to a time in ANBU when he'd been so impressed by his senpai's leadership and skills that he forgot why he was angry in the first place. It was like he was under some kind of crazy star struck genjutsu.

"Senpai –I KNOW you're only saying that so I'll do what you want."

Kakashi's eye smile beamed at him happily.

"That doesn't mean it isn't true."

God damnit.

"FINE. This is the LAST time."

Kakashi rustled his hair playfully and stepped away.

"Thank you, Tenzou."

"YAMATO."

Kakashi sighed. "Maa... they're both code names –what does it matter?"

"It's an order from the Hokage, Kakashi-senpai."

"Yes..." Kakashi started, shooting Tenzou a look that was almost sultry. "And you always follow orders, don't you?"

Tenzou felt himself stiffen at that. He had no idea if his superior's comment was supposed to be an insult, or...or what.

"Of course I do." He answered confidently, his chin lifting slightly in his stubbornness.

Kakashi ducked his head in amusement; Tenzou could tell he was smiling under his mask.

"I know it's a little late to tell you this, Yamato; but it's good to see you again."

The comment caught Tenzou completely off guard; Kakashi rarely said endearing things to him, and he definitely never called him Yamato without a fight.

"I guess, sometimes, you don't realize what you had until it comes back to you." He continued with a wink.

"U-uh..." Tenzou stammered, utterly floored, as his cheeks began to brighten. "Thank you, Senpai..."

Kakashi merely bowed slightly and then disappeared with a poof.

Tenzou stood there for a moment longer, berating himself internally for the weird giddy feeling he got at the unusual compliment.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooo

"I'm sorry, Yamato. I didn't consider you before I asked."

Tenzou found himself gaping at Kakashi for the second time in two days. His superior has asked if he could do a double 'shift' with Naruto, and the mokuton user had answered he would gladly do it if Kakashi wouldn't mind having a corpse on his hands.

"Really, Senpai, this is just getting-"

"-I'm sorry."

Tenzou had frozen at the apologize. He still wasn't sure how to react.

"Ah...well, It's...understandable, I guess..." The mokuton user offered, suddenly significantly less annoyed.

"Well. You're right; if I keep taking advantage of you, you won't be around for very long."

Tenzou grinned triumphantly. "So, you admit to frequently taking advantage of me, eh, Senpai?"

"Yes." Kakashi answered simply, but not proudly.

Once again, Tenzou found himself confused and unable to respond.

"...Oh..."

"I'm not trying to be cruel." His Senpai explained. "I meant what I said; you're reliable. It's easier to fall back on you then to try and get others to do it."

Tenzou was suddenly gripped with how rare of an occasion this was. He should, as was the topic of the conversation, take advantage of it to really settle the matter once and for all.

"But it is cruel to knowingly push someone when it could be avoided, isn't it?"

"Not if they can handle it; which you can. You always can."

Tenzou couldn't help but be touched. He suddenly wondered with frustration if that was the point; Kakashi was a sly character and knew how to move people to his bidding.

"Are you buttering me up?" He sighed, becoming annoyed again.

Kakashi looked strangely bothered by his question.

"No, Tenzou. I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."

The mokuton user was amazed to see Kakashi actually look frustrated. Perhaps...he was actually being earnest. Suddenly, Tenzou felt horrible.

"I...sorry, Senpai. It's just..."

"It's fine." Kakashi interrupted shortly. "I've obviously done this to myself. I assure you, though, that you can believe what I say from now on. Although, I never lie. I may say what I say for a reason, but it is never a lie."

When Kakashi walked away, Tenzou could only stare. It wasn't like he didn't ACTUALLY trust his Senpai...if he didn't trust him, he wouldn't respect him. It's just that...he was never really serious. He had mostly offhandedly complimented Tenzou for the majority of their working relationship, with most of his sincere compliments lumped together in his very early ANBU days when he needed them the most. Kakashi had seemed to get a thrill from picking on him, although as his ex-captain had mentioned, it was never to a degree that Tenzou couldn't handle.

Perhaps Tenzou had merely been assuming Kakashi was picking on him based on their previous relationship. Maybe that wasn't fair, since quite a bit of time had gone by since they'd worked together.

Although, so far their relationship had almost been the same; except that they were technically of equal ranking, with Kakashi the more experienced shinobi and technically still his Senpai. However, they were both jounin captains, so maybe that was the main factor changing their dynamic.

Tenzou sighed loudly and tried to forget about it. Kakashi had always confused him, as much as he impressed him. This was really just more of the same.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

After their training session Naruto wandered off, slightly broken and so ravenously hungry that Tenzou had rambled some excuse so he wouldn't be the one stuck feeding him. Kakashi had, naturally, disappeared as soon as their training was over.

Tenzou wandered the markets in search of his own lunch, pointedly ignoring the ramen stand where he was sure Naruto would gravitate to, hoping for a handout.

"Oi."

Tenzou turned at the sound, smiling lightly when he saw who it was. "Ah. Where did you run off to, Kakashi-senpai? Didn't feel like footing a small fortune for Naruto's lunch bill?"

Kakashi actually looked slightly horrified thinking about it. "Maa...he's already cost me a fortune. I was thinking about lunch, though." He added casually, falling into step with his kouhai.

"What do you say? I'll treat you."

Tenzou laughed and grinned. "You're offering to buy me lunch? How can I possibly resist that."

Kakashi wilted slightly. "Oi...I'm not that bad."

Tenzou shot him an incredulous look.

Kakashi wilted further.

"I'm not..."

"Alright...you're not THAT bad." He admitted with a small smile. "But, you can't blame me for teasing you when I get the chance, can you, Senpai?"

Kakashi was silent, but it looked like he was grinning faintly beneath his mask.

"No. I can't."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Kakashi took them to a surprisingly tasty lunch spot that Tenzou had never seen before. His food consisted of a heaping of vegetables ramen would never deliver, and the mokuton user was beyond satisfied.

"This is great, Senpai!"

Kakashi flashed him his eye smile. "Glad you like it."

Tenzou continued to eat his meal, but suddenly remembered a question he wanted to ask his superior. He turned to his companion with his inquirey.

"Kakashi-senpai, would Na-..."

Tenzou flushed brilliantly and almost dropped his chopsticks.

Kakashi's mask was down. His Senpai glanced at him with a raised eyebrow, as if he didn't notice or care that his entire face was revealed.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"...Ah...Senpai...your..." Tenzou jabbed a finger at his own chin as a substitute for his lost words.

Kakashi touched his cheek gingerly, then seemed to realize what Tenzou meant and shrugged.

"Well, you don't expect me to eat with it on, do you?"

"Well, no, but..."

"Don't stare." Kakashi purred, leaning in with a fiercely predatory grin. "It's rude to stare."

Tenzou turned so red he thought he might pass out. He jerked his head away instinctively, but was shaken at how expressive Kakashi's face was. He was...well. He was handsome, in a strangely delicate way that was hard to describe. Although delicate was the last word you would ever use to describe Kakashi, especially while he looked at you like THAT.

Tenzou found himself getting more embarrassed the more he thought about it. He couldn't believe he was just...staring straight at him, maskless, after YEARS of not showing Tenzou what he looked like. He had ample opportunity, so why now? Was it in tandem with the other strange things he'd said and done over the last week? Tenzou decided to find out. This wasn't normal for his ex-captain.

"Kakashi-senpai...are you alright?"

The copy-nin cranked an eyebrow up at him. "Why do you ask?"

Tenzou's uncertainty made his response almost a whisper. "You've...you just haven't been acting like yourself."

The look Kakashi gave him sent strong shivers down Tenzou's spine that almost made him physically convulse. His gaze was...mischievous and wondrous at the same time.

"What if this IS me?"

Tenzou felt his jaw drop slightly, but felt a strange numbness everywhere else.

"What..?"

"How many people do you think really know me, Tenzou?"

The mokuton user was so mesmerized by their conversation he didn't even bat an eyelash at the public use of his old code name.

"I...assumed very few. I know you're private, but..."

"Very few is right. You are not included in that small number."

Kakashi leaned in slightly before Tenzou could respond to his statement.

"Yet."

Once again, Yamato was so surprised he couldn't formulate words. He could tell he must have had a comical look on his face, because his Senpai was smirking at him. This was the first time Tenzou had ever actually seen what he looked like when he smirked, despite the fact that he had aimed his half smile at Tenzou probably hundreds of times. He felt blood flood his face when he realized he found Kakashi very attractive at the moment.

"I...don't understand where this is coming from." He breathed, the words gusting out of his mouth before he lost them again.

Kakashi was actually quiet at that, the gentle seriousness in his features even more alarmingly appealing to Tenzou.

"I'd like us to get to know each other better. I trust you, and I frequently depend on you. I enjoy your company. Our relationship...before." He seemed to correct himself before he said ANBU. "...didn't give us the opportunity to really become friends. You're the kind of person I want to be friends with."

Tenzou felt warmth fill his chest. He agreed whole heartedly with Kakashi; he enjoyed his Senpai's company, and deep down, he always wanted to be closer with him. His captain had just seemed...so far away, so above him, that he had deemed it impossible.

A soft smile spread across Tenzou's features. "That sounds great, Kakashi-senpai."

Relief seemed to flood the copy-nin's countenance as he smiled back.

"Great. I was starting to worry I'd frustrated you too much for that."

Tenzou laughed and dispelled Kakashi's worries with a wave of his hand.

"I'm willing to look past that. Maybe with a few more lunches to sweeten the deal..."

Kakashi's smile actually widened at the turn in conversation. Tenzou found a bit of his breath leave him at how warm and sincere the feared copy-nin looked when you could actually see his smile.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, kouhai."

"Ha...well, friends buy each other meal's to make up for their shortcomings, don't they?"

Kakashi flashed him a toothy grin.

"Aren't friends supposed to forgive each other for their shortcomings unconditionally?"

"Ah...so THAT'S why you want to be friends; a free unconditional pass to your antics."

Kakashi laughed at that, and Tenzou amazed himself at his wittiness despite the fact that his mind felt like it was miles away. This was the most surreal conversation he had ever had.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Naruto continued to improve under the two ANBU captain's guidance, and Tenzou had to admit he was impressed by his perseverance. He also couldn't believe the incredible mass of chakra that the young blond teen possessed. It took all of Tenzou's energy just to monitor him all day, and he was used to expending mass amounts of energy. The mokuton didn't come cheap.

When Kakashi deemed their training session over (slightly earlier than usual, Tenzou noted) Naruto collapsed into a pile of limbs and torn fabric. The two jounin wandered over to him slowly and knelt beside his motionless form.

"Well done, Naruto." Kakashi beamed.

"...Mmmnrggg..."

"You're improving very fast." Yamato offered, attempting to unfold his temporary subordinate.

"...Not fast 'nough." Naruto mumbled, sitting up with hesitance. "I haven't gotten it yet. It's annoying."

"Don't focus on that. Just keep your mind on your end goal; that's all that matters."

Naruto gazed up at Kakashi when he spoke, but his eyes seemed glazed over.

"Kay."

Kakashi seemed to consider his student for a moment before he spoke.

"Don't think about it anymore for today. Go home, and I'll come by later to bring you dinner."

It made Yamato question the actual level of Naruto's exhaustion at his lightning fast reaction to the subject of food.

"REALLY? Sweet! Thanks, Kakasensei!"

The jinchuuriki was up and bounding away almost immediately after. Tenzou and Kakashi watched him go with their arms crossed and amused smiles on their faces.

"Well. That was easy."

"Naruto is a simple soul." Kakashi mused.

"That about sums it up."

Kakashi turned to Tenzou suddenly, his expression softer, but more serious.

"How are you feeling?"

Tenzou quickly reigned in the bemused look on his face at his ex-captain's concern. Right...they were friends now. This was normal.

"I'm fine, Senpai. Ah...thank you for asking."

For some reason, there was a loaded moment between the two of them as Tenzou earnestly thanked his ANBU captain. They both coloured faintly and looked away.

Kakakshi coughed and shifted his weight. "Well, I have some mission reports to fill in that I've been avoiding for about a week. Because I've still been so exhausted and all."

Tenzou snorted lightly, but his expression was filled with amusement. "Right."

"I was planning on wandering the market for some new shuriken after I bring Naruto his dinner. Care to join me?"

Tenzou definitely enjoyed their new dynamic a hell of a lot more than the old one. He couldn't help the bright smile that lit up his wide eyes.

"Sounds like a plan to me, Senpai."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tenzou's temporary apartment was actually strangely close to Kakashi's. He didn't know if Tsunade did that on purpose so he could easily communicate with his now co-captain, or if it was pure coincidence. Either way, it was definitely convenient. It cut down Kakashi's lateness by about an hour.

He sensed his Senpai approach before he saw him pop down from the roof, hanging upside down outside of his window.

"Yo!"

Tenzou waved casually and sprung out of the window just as Kakashi pulled himself up onto the roof.

"Good evening, Kakashi-senpai. How's Naruto fairing?"

"He was snoring like a banshee when I got to him." He commented simply.

Tenzou laughed, still amazed that Kakashi could manage to look bored while cracking a joke.

"Sounds like Naruto. Where did you want to go tonight?"

"Maa..." Kakashi shrugged. "I was just planning on wandering."

Tenzou allowed himself to be delighted at the fact that Kakashi had gone out of his way to seek his company just for the sake of it. Actually, if he was honest with himself, the whole situation made him a little giddy. Possibly...TOO giddy, but he wasn't going to think about that.

"I know this one great place near the dumpling stand..."

"Ah. Hotu's Weapon Shop?"

"Yup. He's great."

"Hmm...I've never been."

"Shall we?"

Kakashi beamed a genuine eye smile his companions way, and the two ninja were off in a flash.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A few hours went by in which Kakashi and Tenzou flitted in and out of shops. Their pace was slow and their conversation was fluent, to the point where they barely paid attention to where they were. It was almost three weapon stores down the road when Yamato realized Kakashi hadn't bought a single thing, and had barely looked. When he brought it up, Kakashi actually turned slightly pink and said he needed something specific and would come back another day. Tenzou definitely wasn't complaining, so he simply nodded and changed the subject.

"So, Kakashi-senpai..." Tenzou started, toying with a strange looking pot in an outdoor display. "What did you get up to when you left ANBU?"

"Not much besides teaching a bunch of kids how not to die." Kakashi answered casually. "I did regular jounin missions for a while, in between getting thrown pre-genin's left and right. It took a bit of time, but I finally found a group of kids I thought I could work with."

Tenzou grinned impishly. "I always knew you had a death wish."

Kakashi laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Ma...if only i'd known."

The mokuton user almost cringed when he remembered the missions he'd been on with Team 7 and how most of it had been damage control. But, all joking aside, he knew Kakashi cared deeply for his students, and that they were (he guessed minus Sasuke...) a good group of kids with a lot of potential, especially Naruto.

"Senpai..." Tenzou started, and he couldn't help but sound slightly cautious. He had always wanted to ask Kakashi this, but he didn't know if he'd actually get a straight answer.

"Why did you retire from ANBU?"

Kakashi smiled knowingly at his kouhai. "I was wondering when you would ask that."

"Ah..." Tenzou flushed slightly. "Well, I didn't want to put you off; I didn't know if it was a private reason. Although most things are private with you, Senpai."

"Yes." Kakashi started, looking slightly ashamed to Tenzou's surprise. "I like to keep to myself. But, why I left isn't really that personal. I just didn't feel like ANBU was the place for me anymore. I wanted something a little more...fulfilling. Or, maybe rewarding. It's a very cold organization."

Tenzou nodded knowingly. "Yes, it is. It's meant to be impersonal."

Kakashi looked to Yamato with an expression that was serious and searching.

"Are you happy there, Tenzou?"

The mokuton user blinked at his senpai in surprise. Even though they had been walking and talking warmly and openly, it still surprised him when Kakashi asked him something he usually didn't. It seemed like his Senpai genuinely wanted to know, too. That brought on a little shiver of warmth that made Tenzou have to look away quickly.

"Ah...well, yes. I'm very good at what I do, and I like feeling accomplished. But...I see what you mean, and why you would be happier with your team. It is...rewarding. In a completely different way."

They both fell silent after that, lost in their own thoughts. They walked the busy market streets, hands in their pockets, strolling along so close together that their shoulders touched. Neither seemed to mind, however, and neither made a move to walk farther apart.

Tenzou yawned loudly but scrambled to cover it up. "Ah, sorry, Senpai."

"Don't apologize; you look really tired."

"Yah...I usually go to bed early after training. I need a lot of sleep; maybe we should call it a night."

"Sure." Kakashi smiled. "I was thinking of a new technique to show Naruto tomorrow, so you'll need your energy."

Tenzou sighed. "Yay."

Kakashi merely grinned and shooed him away. "Goodnight, kouhai. Thanks for your company."

Tenzou couldn't help the genuinely warm smile he flashed Kakashi in return. "It was my pleasure, Senpai. I had a good time."

Kakashi's eyes seemed to twinkle as he answered.

"So did I."

They fell silent, and the moment came again where there seemed to be a thickness in the air between the two of them. Their eyes were locked and Tenzou felt a vice like grip around his limbs. It was like some invisible force was buzzing between them and drawing their bodies together.

Again, they both looked away, Tenzou murmuring his goodbye and Kakashi waving offhandedly as he gazed distantly at a ramen vendor.

On the run back to his apartment, Yamato couldn't help but think about his Senpai. He had always felt...something towards him, that he knew involved intense respect and admiration. However, he was starting to wonder if there wasn't more to it than that. Tenzou kept remembering Kakashi's face, how he'd looked when he smiled; when he laughed and when he grinned. He was so indescribably charming that Yamato just couldn't shake it. It didn't help that he had been mind bogglingly open, considerate and warm with Tenzou the whole week. It stuck in his mind like crazy glue and it was starting to drive him a little batty.

When he got home, he washed and changed as quickly as possible and dove into bed. He would just have to ignore it. Things were complicated enough in the village right now, there was no need to be weird about how good it felt to be physically close to his Senpai. Definitely no time for that.