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The last thing Tsunade does after reading the conditions of the enemy jutsu is to laugh. Kakashi isn't amused; actually he's skeptical about the whole thing.
He thought that the attack he received in battle was just a different type of poison, but after careful analysis and incredibly fast Tsunade determines that it is actually a deadly activation jutsu. And what is worse, that all the conditions that the little letter says are true.
His enemy was foolish and trusting. And she, too, was too horny and terribly in love with Kakashi of the Sharingan to properly think of a confrontation with him.
A long-term deadly jutsu was a poor option against an elite jounin. Before Kakashi could understand anything about the powder the woman sprayed on his face or the little note in his pocket, Kakashi had pierced her chest.
So, after a little dizziness and Tsunade's check on his chakra system, the words in the warning note make sense. It's really a deadly jutsu.
— This is completely serious — Tsunade says. — That woman was crazy.
And Tsunade laughs again, because she finds something funny in every word or situation or Kakashi's stunned face that expresses nothing but indifference. Or at least in the best of terms. It is something that could also be called denial.
— Even if the user is dead now the activation of the jutsu still stands because her chakra is in your system, Kakashi. There's nothing you can do but obey what the scroll says or... well, you'll die.
The rest of the doctors in the small hospital room nod in agreement. They haven't laughed, nor have they discussed anything other than medical technicalities, but it seems to Kakashi that he can hear them talking very loudly. Even the nurses in the hallway are doing it. Oh, and also the ANBU guards who follow Tsunade, even though they're hidden in the wall.
— Mnh, if there's no other solution I guess I'll do it.
Kakashi sneers at the scroll and wonders what his enemy was thinking. Charming Kakashi with something so incredibly foolish in such a dangerous situation was the worst plan of all. And if Kakashi could, he would once again use chidori to eliminate her. Or he might as well stop breathing when her poison powder fell on top of him.
— I'm sure it will work out if you do — Tsunade looks up. — It's a deadly jutsu, but the cure is simple and absolutely dumb, boy. You can't die for this.
Kakashi knows that he shouldn't die for this. But Kakashi also shouldn't do something as ridiculous as this even if it's to survive.
Perhaps, if it had been a couple of years ago, he would have refused to participate in something so absurd, but currently he can't help but look at the scroll again. Surviving to protect Konoha is a priority for a ninja.
Even if...
The scroll opens on the desk and Kakashi rereads the two lines the woman wrote that she intended to seduce and blackmail him with. That if only Kakashi had been another man, or if only Kakashi wasn't so much quicker to kill than he was to talk.
— The jutsu breaks if you kiss someone on the lips in less than twenty four hours —Tsunade repeats. It's not necessary, but Tsunade repeats — And you arrived four hours ago, so you have exactly twenty hours to solve it.
The doctors shudder. Kakashi too, and he can feel the ANBU slipping between the walls as the nurses in the hallway shriek.
— Nothing that the famous and coveted Kakashi Hatake can't solve, right? — Tsunade's smile is mischievous — Just do it quickly so we can all sleep peacefully.
It seems to Kakashi that this is too hasty and hopeful a demand, but anything that suggests that Kakashi, who has even lived in a mask since he was a child, could approach another human being in such a way is a hopeful idea.
— Mnh, if I still have twenty four hours, I guess I'll take my time.
He comfortably tucks the scroll into his vest and then slips his hands into his pockets, sighing in resignation as Tsunade's gaze turns judicious and annoyed.
The last thing the medical center needs is one of their best shinobi at risk of dying. But Kakashi is on his right.
He supposes.
— Why?
Or probably. Just maybe.
— It will be my first kiss.
It's all the justification he's willing to say out loud, if only because Tsunade is a medical professional and also the Hokage.
Fortunately, she doesn't say anything. But the rest of the people gasp in shock, as if they can't believe that the most withdrawn and silent man in Konoha hadn't kissed anyone in his life.
From his point of view, it shouldn't be a surprise.
— Well, just don't forget you only have twenty hours, Kakashi. Choose who you will do it with before the jutsu kills you.
— Okay —Kakashi shrugs, —Although, if possible, Hokage-sama, could we keep this a secret?
Tsunade's sigh is deep and heavy, but she nods and motions for him to leave, as if they both can't hear the nurses starting running down the hall in all directions in a hurry.
Of course, no one besides Tsunade keeps the secret and information leaks into Konoha faster than the plague.
"Who will be Kakashi Hatake's first kiss?" And there's such a commotion that venues around Konoha close down and parks empty out. Counting down the hours is said out loud and someone even hangs a huge clock over the entrance to the Hokage Tower, as creepy as a sign of death.
When Kakashi arrives at his apartment two hours later, there is a huge line of women starting at his door, so long that neither Kakashi nor anyone else could count.
The women are made up, dressed in their best clothes and they greet Kakashi flirtatiously. He doesn't recognize any of them. Also, he is suspicious of all of them, and the first in line in front of his apartment sighs and clasps her hands together devoutly.
— Kakashi-sama, please choose me to be your first kiss!
Kakashi thinks it's silly out of place. Not even Jiraiya could have thought of writing something so inappropriate and he shudders with contempt. Behind, the other women begin to say similar things.
— Kiss Me!
— Please, choose me!
— I want to be your first kiss, Kakashi-sama!
None of the women are particularly ugly, not that Kakashi really cares about something as superficial as each one's appearance, but even then he makes a point of seriously considering them as candidates for freeing him from the jutsu.
They all seem to have made a lot of effort to come and it seems like they could accept whatever Kakashi said without asking.
And yet Kakashi can't imagine himself kissing any of them. It's not about how they look, it's about...
Well, it's still about Kakashi's first kiss.
And if he's honest, he'd rather do it with someone he'd at least once seen than some stranger waiting in line outside his door.
Beneath the second floor balcony there is also a giant group of people resigned to not being chosen by him, or maybe just waiting for an answer that will increase the gossip.
Kakashi knows he needs to say something and shrugs as he walks between the woman and the wall.
— Mmh, I'd rather do it with someone I know, but thanks.
Kakashi narrows his eyes to smile and quickly walks into his apartment.
The women in the hallway cry and plead, but the people below the balcony scatter like insects, eager to spread the new information.
Exactly ten minutes later, his rear window is opened and the security seals are breached.
Kakashi doesn't care because there is only one person in the world who knows his room seals and Kakashi takes his novel down to see Gai, taking it back up when he realizes he didn't come alone.
— Kakashi, is it true what everyone says? — Genma is the first to speak, overtaking Gai when he stops to reactivate the security of his apartment.
— Did you really fall for such a silly jutsu? I thought you were a genius, Hatake — Ebisu groans afterward, beginning to walk Genma across his room as if they were actually friends.
Only Gai is really welcome in his house and Kakashi watches as Gai finally runs from the kitchen window into the bedroom, waving his hands in front of him. — Rival! The terrible news of your situation has reached my ears, so I came immediately to make sure everything is alright!
Kakashi doesn't respond to any of the three, but completely ignores Genma and Ebisu as if they weren't there, and instead sighs when Gai hurriedly touches him in a completely friendly and usual act, beginning to check his joints and counting his fingers as if it hadn't been an incredibly fast battle.
The woman had been slow. She said something about love and intimacy, giving him her scroll and throwing the poisonous powder at him. A second later, Kakashi had split her in two with the chidori.
— Maa, I'm fine — Kakashi says, but he doesn't let go of Gai's hands and stretches out on his couch as Gai kneels on the floor to count his toes. — It's just that stupid jutsu.
— So what everyone says is true, Rival? — Gai's voice sounds genuinely worried.
Behind, Ebisu and Genma laugh.
— You're lucky, Kakashi, that jutsu must be an excellent excuse to have whoever you want — Genma sighs.
Beside him, Ebisu adjusts his glasses — I don't understand why good things always happen to the luckiest.
Kakashi believes that they are wrong in everything they say. He definitely doesn't feel lucky, and he doesn't think that being about to die is any kind of lucky for anyone either.
Gai doesn't listen to his teammates either and keeps looking into his eyes with concern, his fingers touching his feet over and over as if he's still not sure that he still has all the fingers.
— I'm sorry to hear that's true, Rival. A deadly jutsu is worrying.
Kakashi nods in agreement.
Genma and Ebisu shake their heads, but step back to the window as the ruckus outside grows and they are given a quieter moment.
— Hmm, it doesn't matter. Maybe I shouldn't even try to stop it.
Gai's hands on his feet tense, and he goes back to counting his fingers one last time before sitting down next to Kakashi. The old pillows sink under his weight and wooden backrest squeaks, but after so many years of teasing each other it's a sound he's gotten used to. The place on the right of the couch is Gai's place.
— Kakashi, even if the conditions of the jutsu are so particularly specific and demanding, you must try it. This is not worth dying for.
Reasons worth dying for are unpredictable when you're a shinobi, but Kakashi doesn't contradict him. Gai may be right. He had only known that woman for a few brief seconds before annihilating her. On the other hand, she had been obsessed with him for many years.
And he doesn't know how different the women outside his apartment might be from the woman who attacked him. Mnh. Kakashi hadn't seen any.
— Maa, we'll see.
Kakashi's novel comes back up, but Gai does what Gai does best and cuts him off, jumping in front of him and grabbing Icha-Icha from his hand.
There is a pout filled with frustration at the loss of his book, but Gai's expression is even more worrying and Kakashi sighs.
— Rival, this is not the time to start reading, time is running out! You can't give up!
Actually, Kakashi might just give up. He would have, just a couple of years ago, when Rin's blood was fresh on his fingers and the sharingan ached every night. Everyone would have been better off without him. It was his destiny after all.
Now, Kakashi is sure that Gai will cry if he dies. And thinking about his sad face makes him not want to die, because if he does, who is going to do all that nonsense that Gai calls challenges?
— Okay, I just... I still have time, Gai. Just relax.
And Gai doesn't relax, of course. It's one of the reasons why Gai is so trustworthy while irritating many people around him. He is not a man who leaves things halfway or who postpones them out of laziness or cowardice. When Maito Gai thinks of something, he does it. And when Maito Gai thinks that Kakashi Hatake has to do something for his own good, well…
Kakashi does too.
— But, Rival... — Gai kneels again, though he doesn't touch his feet. On this occasion, his hands touch his knees. — If you don't do it quickly, maybe that jutsu will go ahead, or maybe the woman was wrong at the time, or...
— I'll do it before the time runs out, Gai — Kakashi says — I promise.
Gai bites his own lower lip to keep from making another speech. Gai blindly believes in other people and that is also one of his greatest abilities and his greatest weaknesses at the same time.
Kakashi goes so far as to touch Gai's abdomen with his foot just to try to lighten things up and annoy him, bending his little fingers and catching a piece of green spandex between his thumb as Gai's hands touch his ankles.
— Well — Gai looks at him again — I trust you will do it.
But even then neither of them is sure of that.
However, Gai settles for now and sits back down next to him, as hyperactive as ever. Only his anxiety is now mixed with worry. Kakashi can't have just let Gai get attached to him and then abandoned him.
But Kakashi can't kiss any of the women outside either.
He wonders if he'll figure it out before he dies, but there's no point in thinking about it when there are still eighteen hours left on the clock.
The noise of voices in the hallway outside his door grows much louder and they both stare there for a moment, as Genma and Ebisu peek through the curtains.
— If I were you, Kakashi, I would have kissed all of them — Ebisu speaks and narrows his eyes — I would have told them that the jutsu wouldn't work with just one.
— Ugh, you're creepy — Genma's reply is quick, also true, only Genma and Ebisu are close friends for many reasons. Among them, the lack of morality — I would have kissed that one, the one in the blue dress.
— Oh yes, she is very pretty.
Kakashi rolls his eyes and regret over what he has to do turns to stress. Also, his stomach is hurting again because of the jutsu mark and he feels dizzy. He really doesn't want any of this.
— Hey, do you think if I transform into Kakashi I can make one of them kiss me?
— I think they will discover you and then the crowd will beat you up.
Kakashi can't take so many nonsense anymore and sneaks off to the kitchen when Gai stands up to scold his teammates. Icha-Icha goes with him, and when he jumps out the window he thinks of absolutely everything except the person he's going to kiss.
Another three hours later, Kakashi needs to eat. He has been hiding in the woods, escaping from crowds that include tracker ninjas who cleverly chase him down.
Apparently putting his vest on his head doesn't do any good and in less than fifteen minutes there's a new line of women next to his bench at Ichiraku Ramen, shouting confused pleas.
The woman at the front of the line is a different woman than the one in his apartment, and also, a woman that Kakashi unfortunately knows.
— Well, captain, it's just as you asked. We all know you! — His old squadmate Root smirks.
When Kakashi fought for Danzo and Root, he never paid attention to the people who made up his team. The girl had the Rat mask, but Kakashi doesn't know more than that about that woman.
Behind, it is exactly the same; the waitress at his favorite restaurant, an old classmate from the academy, a captain in the regular ANBU and... what is clearly Kiba's mom.
— Well, brat, are you going to choose someone yes or no? — Tsume yells, slamming a hand on the wall.
And even if the other women are more docile, they agree with her. It seems that they have been considering the matter meticulously, almost strategically, in a way that Kakashi is cornered and forced to answer.
He definitely isn't going to kiss Tsume-san, but Kakashi realizes almost disappointingly that he can't kiss the other women either.
It's not that his fellow ninjas and his civilian acquaintances have any flaws. They are pretty, if he could describe them, and valuable. But Kakashi barely knows the names of a few.
And he's not sure that's enough to give someone his first kiss just because they've seen each other every time he goes to the supermarket or because they've killed together on a secret mission. It's...
Kakashi still can't do it.
— Maa, actually I meant something else, Rat-San — Kakashi raises his hands in innocence and smiles with his little eye — I'd rather do it with someone who had done something for me.
Again the crowd is filled with commotion and the line of women is disordered. Teuchi looks scared, but Ayame laughs and opens the back door for Kakashi to escape with an extra ramen.
Twelve hours are left for his death when Kakashi breaks the seals of Gai's apartment, discreetly entering his house so as not to be seen by the women of the Hyuga clan who have been chasing him for more than two blocks.
The chakra inhibitors in Gai's building are quite skilled, and furthermore, Gai's own locks are the best in all of Konoha.
It was probably part of a challenge they had in their teens, but Kakashi isn't too sure. The only thing he remembers is using Gai's apartment security shield to hide from his fellow ANBU whenever he wanted to be alone.
Also, Gai's apartment was warmer in the winter and there was always food. Kakashi took advantage of that. But Gai didn't seem angry so theoretically Kakashi didn't take advantage, he just used those resources whenever he wanted.
Luckily there's no one besides Gai inside and Kakashi reactivates the house's security, thanking him for getting there before those Hyuga women found out.
— Rival? — Gai's voice is wide and thick, resonant, and the inner walls of the hallway vibrate as his footsteps hurriedly approach from the room. — I'm so happy to see you; I was so worried when you disappeared!
And it doesn't matter if it's only been three hours, Gai anxiously touches him again. Kakashi thinks that by this point Gai is much more capable than he is at reciting his medical history.
It's kind of silly, and something that scares the nurses when they have a medical evaluation, but Kakashi lets Gai fill out his family and medical forms every time. Also, he is the one who answers the doctors' questions about his symptoms when he gets sick. And he has an amazing ability to recite the story of each scar.
Not least of all, he knows exactly how many eyelashes Kakashi has.
— Did you escape to follow the noble and utterly challenging path of your blossoming spring, Rival? — Gai says, and stops touching him — Did you finally break the jutsu?
Obviously, Gai reads his denial.
Kakashi's nonchalance is unfazed, but Gai seems sadder, more desperate, and more anxious. His eyes look at the clock and it seems that he may vomit in despair even if there are still twelve hours left.
— I only went out to eat and meditate, but I will solve it soon.
His eye closes in a wink, or blink, and he walks to Gai's room to sit on his bed and get the novel out of him.
There isn't a crowd of women outside, and the Hyugas will never find him here, which is already so much better than his own apartment.
— But… Rival, you should have at least thought of someone by now! — Gai prowls around the base of his own bed, almost like an intruder before sitting a few inches from him — The rumors that my ears have been victims say that you have given a chance to the candidates you already know. It is true?
— Mnh, yes, something like that — Kakashi stretches his body on Gai's bed, not minding kicking Gai a bit in the process — But I regretted it and gave them a new order. I'll do it with someone who has done something for me.
Gai grits his teeth. He's not mad at Kakashi, and he's definitely not mad at his decision. Gai is unsettled by the idea that someone important is at risk of dying.
And it's that desperation that makes him realize that Kakashi really has done something to earn an important place in Gai's life. Now, he believes that Gai could really need him, beyond his partner in battle, he could need him in simple things like the friend who accompanies him to the supermarket on the weekend and chooses the most convenient shampoo for him, or the helper who cuts the vegetables when Gai wants to prepare curry on a special date, or the brave man who takes the cockroaches out of the bathtub in the middle of the night.
The silly and strangely significant things.
— B-But… — Gai hyperventilates, crawling on the mattress to try to see his face even with Icha-Icha in the middle — They seem willing to do it and save your life.
Kakashi shakes his head, frowning. — They don't care about my life, Gai. They just want to be the woman who Kakashi Hatake gave his first kiss to.
His eye sharpens and he looks ready to fight, but Gai nods. Gai is not stupid. And the demands of the crowd are absolutely brazen.
— I know! — Gai kneels on the mattress, next to him — But it doesn't matter, Kakashi. Let them say it! Pick one and let her say whatever she wants after that, and brag to everyone that she kissed you, as long as it saves you!
Gai's face is full of sadness and security in equal parts. And he can already imagine him thanking whatever woman it is for saving his life, even if Kakashi doesn't even say her name again, Gai will thank her.
— Maa, but...
The pain in his abdomen increases and he closes his to suppress a groan, pretending that he is thinking and turning the pages of Icha-Icha thoughtfully.
Gai leans in again, perhaps ready to take the book from him and insist, but the sound of a window opening distracts them.
And the only people who know Gai's house security seals besides Kakashi, Ebisu, and Genma, are trustworthy shinobi as well.
— Gai, are you here? — Asuma's hoarse voice reverberated in the corridor — Did you hear all those things about Kakashi?
Gai quickly moves away, and Kakashi sits on the edge of the mattress.
Asuma and Kurenai's faces peek out from the hallway a moment later.
— Ah, Kakashi, you're here too — Kurenai says, smiling and waving her hand in a friendly way. — Are you okay? Is everything they say outside true?
His two friends walk over, smiling at Gai and sitting next to him on the bed until Gai is the only one left standing.
— Maa, unfortunately it's true.
Neither Asuma nor Kurenai scoff, they just sigh and give him looks full of affection and evaluation. Asuma is rather nonchalant and relaxes when he meets his eyes, but Kurenai is emotional. Also, she has that weird motherly attitude.
— I'm so sorry Kakashi. An enemy shouldn't have done such an intimate deadly jutsu.
— I'm sure she was completely crazy — Asuma seconded the idea, nodding to himself.
Kakashi doesn't say that he didn't even give her a chance to speak. However, he assumes that only Gai understands that. They have fought many times together and Gai could just sell or give away that information and he would be a formidable foe.
And still the foolish man prefers to use that information to let Kakashi win in their challenges at every birthday, Christmas and festival.
— Mnh, it's not really important. I'll figure it out.
Asuma shrugs, but Kurenai looks to Gai for a true answer about his condition. Asking Kakashi how Kakashi is is always a lie. Ask Gai how Kakashi is, it's the truth.
— It's still complicated, the crowd has gone crazy and now everyone is chasing my Rival, coveting the priceless tenderness of his first kiss. But Kakashi will definitely do it before the time is up!
Kurenai looks at him like Kakashi is a kid who scraped his knees. Asuma arches his eyebrows.
— Why are you taking so long? Just pick whoever. This is a mission.
Kurenai gives Asuma a discreet punch to make him shut up.
— I understand that it is difficult for you to get close to another person intimately, but you must put your health as a priority.
Gai nods in agreement with Kurenai, and looks at Kakashi with those sad, desperate eyes.
— Maa, maa, I will — Kakashi rolls his eyes. — I just need it to be someone who doesn't bother me too much about it.
— Just pick a friend, then — Asuma nods convinced, as if Kakashi hadn't considered that possibility from the start and dismissed it as quickly as the idea of kissing a stranger.
His friends were, at best, a familiar figure. Perhaps a little less cloying than a sister, but the concept was not far off.
— How about Shizune?
— No.
— Anko?
— No.
— Tsunade-sama?
— Maybe I should just kiss Kurenai.
Asuma immediately understands the irritation and laughs, squaring his shoulders protectively and hugging his girlfriend warily.
— Well, Kakashi, if you want me to kick your ass so much, just say so.
Kakashi laughs briefly, and yet he thinks about kissing Kurenai and it seems totally wrong in every possible way.
Kurenai shakes her head at their childish and unnecessary talk, but doesn't resist when Asuma hugs her tighter, leaning down to kiss her on the lips.
Kakashi looks away, eternally uncomfortable with people's displays of romance. But also, something about seeing Asuma and Kurenai kiss makes him feel nervous, because he unexpectedly thinks Gai is too far away from him and wants him to get closer.
Or it could be that it is Kakashi who is far away from Gai.
The feeling is a mystery.
Gai goes to the kitchen to make tea, and when Kurenai and Asuma kiss again, Kakashi can't take the pressure anymore and escapes through the hallway window.
Kakashi sleeps for the next six hours. That's an old ANBU Root trick that many jounin must know, but even then no one notices and Kakashi transform himself as a bush on the edge of Konoha.
He wakes up because the pain in his abdomen from the deadly jutsu has increased, like a bomb swelling inside him.
But he also wakes up because he is hungry again, thirsty and his back hurts. The river stones are definitely not kind to his bones.
For a few moments, he almost has faith that the crowd has calmed down and dispersed after losing him for six hours. Only Kakashi has underestimated people's obsession with him, and when he arrives at the park to drink water from the public drinking fountain there is a new line of women.
— Okay, Kakashi-san, it's just like you wanted. All of us have done something for you! — The energetic medical ninja who was part of his squad in ANBU smiles.
Kakashi remembers her because she was stubborn and she was very nice to him. She always treated him first on risky missions and gave him pills without a prescription on his darkest, most miserable days.
Behind her, the other women are basically the same; random people who once or twice did him a favor.
— I gave you my place in the book store!
— I washed your clothes at the ANBU base when they knocked you out.
— I lent you a pencil at the academy.
Kakashi really doesn't want to listen to the other nonsense and leans over the public drinking fountain, drinking water through his mask and using his tongue like his pups would.
Neither is disappointed by the way he drinks, and they continue to seem anxious for him to immediately make a decision for things that shouldn't be considered as "having done something for me".
Living in society meant that people would have to get along and be kind to others from time to time, just for something called humanity, kindness, or empathy. Kakashi doesn't think any of those things are worth considering kissing any of them and is actually offended to know that all of them would benefit from some small and minor action.
It's... it's like Gai says. If someone does something for another person, they should not expect anything in return.
Kakashi doesn't want to kiss someone who doesn't understand that concept.
— Actually, I guess I didn't explain it well — Kakashi says after quenching his thirst, letting the water trickle down his chin. — I'll only do it with someone who has already seen me without the mask. You know, it's necessary for the kiss.
His friendly smile is both a performance and a taunt, and he smirks as they all start yelling and protesting, trying to get in his way before Kakashi escapes through the trees, disappearing in a quick substitution jutsu.
It's three hours from the end when Gai finds him.
Maybe, he actually expected him a bit earlier, but it's a relief to feel him break through his genjutsu barrier anyway.
The evening sun is bright and orange, the kind of dramatic sunsets that Gai loves and that make Kakashi wistful just as often. But it seems correct. Things, as long as Gai is around, seem right.
— How did you know I was here? — Kakashi looks at Gai, with his two eyes, showing the sharingan that maintains the illusion and hides him from anyone.
Or almost anyone.
— I know you very well, Rival — Gai says, although he doesn't sound happy. — This is where you used to escape before you started hiding in my apartment.
The memory is painful, but Kakashi laughs.
— Maa, you caught me — Kakashi shrugs and looks at the sunset one more time. — You know? You could have sold my location to everyone who's looking for me.
Gai doesn't even listen to what he says and sits next to him, in the place on the right side of him that also corresponds to him in this place, like in his house, because Gai has been meddling in his life for a long time.
— I would never do it — Gai says — Even if I wanted everything to be fine, I would never sell the man of my destiny.
Gai winks even though he is very worried and settles on the stone. Minato-sensei's huge head on Hokage Mountain is awkward, but it makes him feel better.
— Mnh, then why are you here?
Gai's eyebrows furrow, but he hurriedly pulls a sheet of paper out of his vest and hands it to Kakashi in desperation.
— Here, Rival, I made a list of all the women you could kiss. They are companions you can trust, and I'm sure they won't bother you afterwards! Just... just...
The sheet of paper trembles in Gai's hand and Kakashi's shoulders sag as he sees Gai begin to cry, anguished, so utterly desperate to save his life.
And now, Kakashi also believes in the importance of his life, but only for him.
— Maa, are you saying that you were late looking for me because you were making a list of people I could feel comfortable with?
Gai nods, looking at the names and beginning to babble on all the qualities of each girl, but Kakashi isn't listening to his words, he only hears the sound of his voice, rising and falling, and how the orange hue of the sunset highlights the sandy color of his smooth skin.
Until now, they had all offered themselves because it suited them and because they wanted something in return, or they had offered a quick and disinterested response.
And only Gai carefully suggested someone else to kiss, just so he could be alive.
— You didn't have to do it, Gai, I told you I'll do it before the time runs out.
Kakashi wants to laugh and relax, only Gai holds his shoulder anxiously and then he can't.
— It must be quick, Kakashi — Gai presses his skin — It hurts, doesn't it?
In that same instant, his stomach convulses in pain, the deadly jutsu growing inside him.
— I'm sure I saw you complain, Kakashi, you can't fool your Rival — his smile turns sad — And... I don't want you to suffer.
The women in the crowd had said many things, but none had asked him how he felt. Deadly jutsus are always painful before dying, and...
— Gai — Kakashi rests on the floor — If that woman had poisoned you, who would you kiss?
Gai hesitates, the sheet of paper in his hand crumples, and they both look out into the sunset. The genjutsu of his sharingan protects the two of them now and the people in the distance look small.
— I… I don't know — Gai shrugs, nervous, and looks again at the list he wrote — But… I wouldn't have given up. And you... You can't do it either!
Kakashi nods, and then looks at Gai again because he's crying again, sniffling, as messy as ever, but even then he pushes the sheet of paper away from him so as not to stain the names with his tears.
Kakashi takes the sheet of paper, but doesn't read it at all, instead he sighs and looks at Gai. — Do you really want me to be alive so badly?"
Gai immediately shakes his head in affirmation. — I don't want to lose you, Kakashi.
The words aren't funny, but Kakashi laughs, a little, briefly, with no joke at all.
— Fine — his voice is neutral, and then he turns to carefully observe his face, — Maa, maa, were you running in the woods? — His finger points to his face — You have a leaf stuck in your eyelashes, close your eyes so I can remove it.
Gai obeys even if he continues to cry, his cheeks flushed red and tears trickling down his skin.
Kakashi lets the sun continue to point directly at Hokage Mountain, as melancholic or motivating, and the wind is warm when he suddenly feels it on his cheeks.
Gai doesn't move, and then Kakashi walks over to him and lets his breath ruffle his hair, and his hands cup his shoulders as he leans into his face.
Surprisingly, Gai is very soft, sweet as well, and Kakashi kisses him with tender slowness.
The kiss lasts long seconds, but only because he has to make sure the jutsu is undone, and because Gai reciprocates with anxiety and desire, and maybe also because the sunset is too dramatic or because Kakashi's tongue accidentally rubs Gai's teeth, and then he has to make a second less horrible attempt
The sun has dimmed as they part, and even though Kakashi doesn't put his mask back on, Gai just looks into his eyes.
— Thank you, rival.
Gai cries again, so sentimental, and Kakashi throws the sheet of names down, letting the wind blow it away before laying on Minato-sensei's stone.
— Mmh, I think you didn't have anything after all.
And they both laugh, only Gai does it while crying. But Gai does a lot of things all the time while he's crying, so he's fine.
— Kakashi... we have to go to Tsunade-sama to make sure the jutsu stopped, we can't stay here!
But actually, they can stay there. The only place no one would find them is here.
— Mnh, I'm pretty sure it worked — Kakashi tries to get the book out of him, but the sunset is nice and the vermilion clouds are pretty. — Stay here with me.
— But...!
— Well, if it didn't work out and I'm going to die anyway, at least I want to do it in the place where I had my first kiss — Kakashi jokes and extends a hand to Gai, — Isn't that a good place to die?
— Ha, I think it's actually a good place to start — Gai sighs — Besides, I'll also remember this place as the place where I had my first kiss.
— Maa, maa, what a coincidence.
Gai lies down next to him, under the distant clouds that disperse. Afterwards, he takes his hand devotedly, counting his fingers, caressing them, and if Kakashi's fingers cling to Gai's hand, it's because he has tickled him.
— Kakashi... if I hadn't come, were you really going to give up?
— Mnh, I planned to go to your apartment an hour before my death — still smiling, he looks at him — Gai... if one day something similar happens to you, come to me too.
— I will do it. I promise.
The orange light turns pale, and even if the deadly jutsu really disappeared, Kakashi's stomach hurts. But it could be butterflies.
More surprising than his death, is the fact that Kakashi is alive.
The clock on the Hokage tower stands still and the crowd waits impatiently to find out how he survived.
"Who kissed Kakashi Hatake?" And the women look angry and jealous when Kakashi walks back to Gai, reading Icha-Icha.
— Well, who was she? — His old ANBU partner growls.
— I can't believe it, captain, you're really alive — Rat-San crosses her arms — At least tell us who was the woman that kissed you!
— I'm definitely going to hit her for kissing you before me! — Tsume-San stomps her feet on the floor.
There is a second where Kakashi looks at them, thinking of an answer, with a concern about everything and thinking of all the conditions that his heart asked for and none of them fulfilled.
However, the decision he made is absolutely real. It was also a correct decision.
Despite that, Gai looks away from him and stares at the floor as if he could predict what Kakashi is going to say; something sarcastic, a evasion or a lie, and keep everything a secret.
It's what Kakashi would say to escape the others and avoid more gossip. It's what everyone expects too, because honestly, his first kiss is none of anyone's business.
But Kakashi trusts Gai. Also, being Gai's Rival comes with a lot of risks.
— Mnh, I think that's going to be difficult : Kakashi hums, tucking his novel into his vest. — I don't think you'll win.
— What? — Tsume-San tenses — Is she a strong woman?
Rat-San shrieks in anguish — is she a Kunoichi?
His old subordinate frowns. — Is she a jounin?"
And simply, Kakashi points to his side — It's Gai.
The crowd is disturbed again, and there are a couple of women who even pass out.
— Maito Gai, is that true? — a random girl asks.
Gai stutters and blushes, unable to deny the information because Konoha's Noble Green Beast cannot lie.
— I cannot believe it! — Rat-San yells — You have to tell us how it was, Gai-San!
In a second, the crowd surrounds Gai in search of information and details. What's better than being chased by so many people and Kakashi jumps out of the way, taking out Icha-Icha again.
— W-wait, Kakashi, don't leave me here!
Kakashi finally finds the humor Tsunade was laughing at and gives him a wink, too, he has to make sure that after this they will leave him alone and he pauses for a moment, staring at Gai with all the love he really has for him.
— Mnh, I'll be waiting for you at your apartment, my love.
Everyone freaks out at his words, but Kakashi just looks at the way Gai blushes, looking absolutely happy that Kakashi gave him such a corny pet name.
He keeps walking after that, reading Icha-Icha and thinking about going home to rest. But maybe he wants to hear Gai's story when he comes back and maybe he could go to Gai's house to wait for him and then hold hands like immature teenagers.
And he could also say that the jutsu needs more kisses.