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Snow falls in thick quiet flakes.
He is quieter.
When they say that ANBU are silent killers, they are not wrong. He was trained to be an invisible, deadly phantom. So, that's who Tenzō is tonight.
In his white cloak and Cat's mask, he jumps from a tree branch onto a roof of a small hut without emitting a sound. Even the snow underneath his feet doesn't crunch as it normally would under a person's weight. He slides down the steep pitch, grabs at the roof's edge, and swings to the entrance door. Crouched low under the only window of this construction, he listens and concentrates on chakra coming from the inside. His targets are right where the mission scroll said they would be.
Three.
Even when he opens the door, they don't see or hear him coming.
Two.
Their cries don't escape their throats as his blade silences them forever.
One.
Because as Cat, he is a deadly phantom.
A ghost.
Mission complete.
📜
There is no snow in Konoha, when Tenzō arrives from his mission and reports directly to the Hokage.
Everything is different but the feeling inside him – it remains the same. It follows him after he takes off his gear and puts down his mask. It doesn't wash away when he gets into the showers and scrubs at his skin until it stings. He knows that it's difficult, sometimes, to shake off the jitters from a mission, but it's never been as bad as this.
His mind wanders back to the guards at the village's gates who haven't moved a muscle when he leapt above their heads, and to the tokubetsu jounin at the ANBU headquarters who has been startled by a fallen sheet of paper but not his presence. She hasn't noticed him, when he walked right past her towards the changing rooms. He opened his mouth to greet her then, but no sound came out.
Even without his mask, he is still nothing but a ghost.
Once outside, he takes to the roofs to avoid the villagers. It's late in the evening and many are leaving restaurants and ramen stalls for their homes or bars.
Tenzō doesn't go home.
He rushes above the streets towards the training grounds. He can't rest until he gets this numbness out of his system.
It irritates him.
He knows he can go to a shinobi bar, get drunk, pick a fight or find a quick fuck to unwind. The Rusty Tanto to his left is exactly the kind of place for that – it’s busy at this hour, tempting.
He leaps past it and doesn't spare it another look.
As a ghost, he is not seen nor heard. His breath doesn't move a feather if it’s held under his nose. His pulse is too slow and even to be noticed under his skin, which is as cold to the touch as a tree's bark in the cold of night.
He needs to push his body to its limits in order to shake off the decades of training and free his adrenaline. To let it flood his bloodstream with an electrifying buzz and make his heart race.
To feel alive again.
📜
Tenzō stops abruptly when he sees that his usual training ground 7 isn’t empty. He sensed the presence before but being lost in thought, allowed himself to not pay it much mind until now. He is struck with a choice – search for a different ground or stay here. He should make a sensible decision and leave. The state he is in (wound up tight, irritated) is dangerous to any shinobi of a lower rank. He should, really, be seeking out Kakashi or Yūgao for an intense sparring session, but he stands at the edge of the clearing, unmoving.
He watches as the man slowly moves through a sequence of kata, forming careful and precise lines in the night air. The grass around him is yellow and covered with fallen leaves, but in Tenzō’s mind, the image is different.
He sees snow fall in thick quiet flakes and traces of blood stain the ground. He knows it’s all in his head and shakes it, but the image doesn’t go away. Tenzō strides towards the man but stops, realizing that the other still hasn’t noticed his presence.
That’s when doubt pierces its claws into his gut, again.
Maybe—
Tenzō looks down at his gloveless hands, calloused and scarred. He tries to chase the thought away, only it persists.
—Maybe, it isn’t Cat who is a ghost.
Maybe it's him.
Tenzō shakes his head again and clenches his fists until his knuckles are white. He focuses and stops concealing his chakra signature. He should have done that right after walking out of the Hokage’s office, but the habit was so imprinted into him that he didn’t realize—
The man turns around, startled, and immediately falls into a fighting stance.
With conscious effort, Tenzō relaxes his hands and holds them palms up. It’s an attempt at not being viewed as a threat, which is ridiculous – a shinobi in their village shouldn't have to fear for their safety. Yet, here he was, scaring the shit out of—
Gai.
He recognizes the man now. A small caress of relief at seeing a familiar face is quickly swallowed by a wave of anxiety.
He doesn't want to hurt Gai.
He should leave.
The man is a friend, someone who cannot be harmed. Tenzō goes with him and Kakashi for drinks often. He is funny and kind, and different. It is a miracle, truly, that he is friends with the likes of him and Kakashi who were brought into this world for no other purpose but to kill.
He stays.
Tenzō remembers the many training sessions he had with Gai. First, behind the Cat’s mask. The man was a taijutsu master like no other in the village. While knowing personal strengths and using them in battle was at the core of ANBU training, every operative is required to train with Gai in hand-to-hand combat. Ever since they forged what the man called a handsome bond of youthful friendship, they sparred from time to time outside the official program, too.
He could handle Tenzō.
There is a smile on Gai's face when Tenzō comes closer. And he speaks warm words in greeting but they go through Tenzō like a gust of wind through a cold and empty space.
"Spar with me," his words sound far away and he doubts that they reach the man. He sees a frown replace the smile and hates himself for killing such a beautiful thing. But this is what he does – he kills.
Gai lunges forward without hesitation, and Tenzō has to jump to evade the first blow. More are thrown his way – a heel of a palm aimed at his chest, a leg to his side then abdomen. None of them connect, of course, Tenzō is too quick to dip down or bend backward and out of the way.
They circle around each other before another round of attack from Gai. The same result this time, too.
It’s irritating.
It’s not enough.
His gut twists in doubt again. Why did the man agree to this? Didn’t Gai know that it is useless to fight a ghost?
Tenzō clenches his jaw and charges first, this time. He jumps, aiming at Gai’s throat with his heel. When the man evades, Tenzō falls to the ground, sliding on the slippery grass. He finds his footing quickly and in a classic sequence throws one punch after another until Gai is forced to turn and expose his side. That’s when Tenzō finally lands a kick to throw him off balance.
Only slightly.
But the contact is solid and sends a jolt of pain through his leg. For a brief moment, a spark of excitement flashes through Tenzō’s brain.
Ghosts don’t feel pain. So, maybe, he isn’t one, after all.
He allows Gai to respond.
Their pace intensifies as they fall into a routine, attacking and dodging the other's punches. Each move is quick and powerful, and Tenzō is pleased. His mission earlier was executed clinically. As with most assassinations, it required the effort be placed into stealth not strength. Now, he has the chance to let go of the control over concealing his presence and focus on the brutal force and speed of his body.
As expected, Gai keeps up with him. It's thrilling. One wrong move on a shaky stone, and the man's foot connects to the side of his face. Tenzō finds himself on the grass again and breathes in its earthy smell. It is cool to the touch, and he sprawls his palm to feel it better. It must have rained here recently, maybe earlier today. All he can think of is how glad he is that there is no snow.
He springs up with renewed vigour and gets back into his spar with Gai.
It's sweet – the taste of iron from the cut on the inside of his cheek when the man's fist connects with his jaw.
He craves for more.
And without much thought, he allows his opponent to land another punch. To his stomach, this time.
Exhilarated (in a twisted way, he knew), Tenzō lunges forward quite recklessly and receives another blow in response. On a mission, he would have slid down to avoid it, but this, here, isn't a mission.
So, he doesn't.
The impact causes him to bend in half but it only adds to his excitement.
Out of nowhere, Gai’s leg trips him over, and in the next moment, he is lying on the ground with the man pinning him down.
"That’s enough," Gai’s voice rings in his ears and vibrates through him like thunder. Tenzō is startled by its power but not frightened. There’s still kindness in the man’s dark eyes. There always is. "Don't make me hurt my friend."
Of course, Tenzō closes his eyes in shame – Gai saw through him. His friend knows that he’s been intentionally failing to avoid the punches.
It was stupid of him; Tenzō knows that. He notices, though, how quickly his chest expands with each breath, and the pulses beating against Gai’s firm grip on his wrists. In this moment, he feels more like a human, made of flesh and blood and bone, capable of feeling pain and taste.
And guilt.
"I’m sorry," for the first time since his return, his voice sounds like his own. It's raspy from little use in the last three weeks but it's there.
Gai nods but it's clear to Tenzō that he isn't sure if his apology is sincere. Truthfully, he isn't sure himself.
He needs this.
When Gai releases his hold, Tenzō fights the urge to bring both fists to his eyes and groan. This was a mistake – he should have left and never made his friend see him like this. Maybe it isn't too late. Or maybe the bar is still open and he can go there.
As he stands from the grass, pointedly refusing Gai's assistance, Tenzō notices his body's instincts kick in again. He feels his chakra curl into itself somewhere deep inside him. His heartbeat and body temperature drop steadily, too.
He hates it.
"Tenzō," Gai calls out to him but he continues to walk towards the gates of the training ground and out on the street.
It doesn't take long for the other man to fall into step beside him. Tenzō isn't sure why he does but says nothing. Gai is unusually quiet (yet another thing that Tenzō hates at the moment, he didn't mean to upset the jounin), but this changes when the direction they are heading to becomes clear.
"This isn't a good idea."
Tenzō huffs at the warning and pushes the man aside when he stands in his way. The bar is just across the street and is buzzing with life inside – it's a perfect place for him right now (around people, with access to alcohol and maybe a willing drunk).
"Leave me alone," he didn't mean to sound so harsh but doesn't waver when Gai looks at him.
"I can't, in good conscience, leave a friend alone in distress."
"I'm not in distress, Gai," Tenzō shakes his head and huffs out a frustrated breath. "I'm wound up after a difficult mission and need to take the edge off."
Still, the jounin doesn't budge. His eyes are serious when he places a hand on Tenzō's arm.
"If you walk like that into a shinobi bar, it won't end well."
"What do you suggest?" again, Tenzō doesn't want to sound bitter, but the words come out like that anyway, despite the low volume. His body begins to feel numb again, and his mind continues to rush through thoughts, seeking a solution. It feels like his cold skin is nothing but a cage, containing a beast that can’t find a way out.
"Let me help you."
"We just tried it," he scoffs at the proposition and brushes off Gai's hand. "You won't give me what I need."
"Hurting yourself is not the answer, you know that."
"Hurting?" Frustration doesn't manage to reflect in his tone, when he speaks. His voice sounds flat and distant. "I wasn't hurting. I was feeling."
Tenzō turns around with a scoff but is surprised by a gentle hand on his arm again. He fights the instinct to evade as there is no malicious intent in Gai's chakra – there never is. Soon, the man walks close to him and surprises him again by laying his head on Tenzō’s shoulder.
"I can make you feel, if you permit."
He knows what Gai is proposing and a part of him is thrilled. Another part of him suspects that Gai is a gentle lover and this is just not what he needs right now.
"Don't be ridiculous," he finally gets out of the embrace and steps to the side. "If it's so important to you, I won't go to the bar. I'll go home and take a hot shower, and—"
"You know that this won't be enough."
"Nothing is enough," really, he meant to scream this out but no emotion can escape him now. His voice is quiet and even, and he doesn't even breathe. As he looks back at the man, Tenzō sees snow fall in thick quiet flakes. He knows it isn't there but— What if he isn't there either?
Gai is in his personal space in a fraction of a second, holding him by the side of his neck. He doesn't respond – imaginary snow is making his vision blurry. Only when the jounin smashes their lips together, Tenzō stops thinking, focusing on the warmth of the contact instead.
"Accept me," there is a plea in Gai's eyes when Tenzō looks up. It is clouded by determination, but it's there.
"Make me scream," he whispers just before another hard kiss sends a wave of heat spreading through his body.
Maybe Gai is exactly what he needs right now.
📜
It takes them longer than Tenzō would have liked to get to the jounin's house. Still, it is closer than his own place, so he didn't argue when Gai pulled them in that direction.
On the way there, they had to stop when Tenzō noticed himself slip back into the ready for combat state. Every time, Gai was there with a heated embrace or a bite to his ear. Behind the closed for the night ramen stand, Tenzō was pinned to the wall for a prolonged kiss. Not once did Gai release a hold on his hand, always making sure that they were connected in some way; so that Tenzō doesn't lose touch with his warmth.
It's helping.
Now, with his back against the wooden door and the jounin's hands roaming under his vest, Tenzō releases something finally resembling a strangled moan. Eager fingers tug at the collar of his shirt and soon Gai's mouth sucks at his neck. Hot lips graze at his skin, travelling up to his ear to place a small kiss behind it.
He feels it.
His body responds to it.
It doesn't take them much longer to find the way inside.
Tenzō doesn't spare a glance at the place, getting rid of his sandals and vest quickly while being pulled by the man to what he hopes is the bedroom. He discards Gai's top as soon as they break their kiss and allows him to return the gesture. When the man reaches up to remove his happuri to make way for his tight undershirt, Tenzō asks him to leave it be for now.
He doesn't tell Gai that the plate feels a lot like the porcelain ANBU mask he wears on missions. Having it on now allows him to associate it with the burning sensations of the man's touch instead of the dreadful cold of the snow. Soon, he will forget about the ghost and take it off but not yet. It’s cool against his cheeks but it won’t be for long.
His hands are eager to explore every inch of Gai's body. Defined muscles flex under his touch, and he pauses to slowly trace over the man's chest, feeling the wildly beating heart inside. Tenzō leans forward to place a kiss to it as his own heart responds with a faint flutter.
Gai's skin is salty, and he starves to taste more. As he gives in to the craving and traces a tongue over a nipple, the man's hands tighten on his shoulders but don't push him away. So, he continues his exploration.
He breathes in hungrily and enjoys how Gai’s chest hair tickles his nose. Both of them got an excellent workout earlier on the training ground, and even though the sweat aired off while they walked, the scent remained just to drive Tenzō wild with desire.
For a brief moment, his training kicks in again and he wonders if this, right here, is just an illusion, inflicted upon him by some twisted genjutsu. Reading him like an open book, Gai holds him firmly under his chin and draws him into a kiss. His eyes flutter closed as he focuses on the sensation. Ghosts can’t feel the softness of full lips, can’t taste the sweet, teasing invitation.
Tenzō feels it.
He responds to it.
His tongue finds its way inside the other man’s mouth again – the flavour drives him mad as he presses his tongue flat against Gai’s, gliding over it. He takes his time kissing the man, forgetting about everything else, just enjoying the feeling of arousal it brings him. His muscles contract when Gai’s hand slides under his undershirt to trace over his abdomen then circle around to his back. The waves of desire travel up to raise the hairs on his nape and then down to his groin. Gai pulls him close and Tenzō moans, realizing how hard both of them are.
They get rid of their pants and underwear in a rush, leaving the wrappings around their ankles. No one has the patience to remove them.
Tenzō doesn't know what exactly drives him at that moment – his desire for the man or the wish to get rid of the ghost and snow. He doesn't dwell on it much, though – for as long as he feels the touches, the kisses, the pain and pleasure, he is human. He is alive.
He wants more.
Gai makes him feel feverish and sexy but it is not enough. Irritatingly so.
To make the images of snow dissipate completely, he needs to burn.
Tenzō pulls Gai to the foot of the bed and pushes him to sit on the edge then climbs onto his lap. The man's body is hot to the touch, and the heat soothes the restlessness inside him. Just a bit. Gai's hands sneak under the material of his undershirt to make circles on his back, spreading the warmth further. Tenzō hears a short huff of disapproval at the barrier between them but decides to ignore it. He craves to feel more of Gai's skin also but has no patience for taking his shirt off.
Tenzou raises on his knees to kiss Gai instead, raking fingers through his thick, silky hair. Many times before he wondered what it would feel like to mess up these dark and always so perfectly styled locks. They are marvellous to the touch. Everything about Gai is wonderful to his touch. So, Tenzō explores and memorizes every curve.
The man hums when Tenzō takes him in his hand and gives him a few deliberate strokes. He wants to ride his partner into oblivion, become a breathless mess as Gai stretches the deepest parts of him.
He tries to communicate his eagerness to continue by tugging Gai's bottom lip, and the man responds by kneading the muscles of his hips. Tenzō opens himself to the man’s fingers. They are warm and slick already, by some miracle. Perhaps, Gai managed to grab something from his nightstand before Tenzō pulled him towards the bed. He doesn’t care. He is happy that he doesn’t need to wait longer than necessary.
Gai sucks on the side of his neck and Tenzō moans, tilting his head just so as a sign of encouragement. His neck has always been very sensitive and, normally, he wouldn’t allow his bed partners anywhere near it. Today, though, he revels in the feeling of a hot tongue soothing the mark that, he is sure, already shows there. He wants it to stay there for weeks. Hidden from everyone else's view, it will be a reminder to himself that his body bleeds and bruises unlike that of a ghost.
Tenzō groans. He knows that he shouldn’t be so impatient but can’t help himself. The feeling of long fingers moving in and out of him is divine, but the mere thought of snow makes him tremble with fear. He doesn’t want to have his chakra curl in itself again. Not today. Not until the next mission. His heartbeat is finally thumping warmly in his chest. He can’t lose that.
He doesn’t let Gai prepare him thoroughly, having pushed the man down on the mattress. There is no protest, just a disapproving look from his partner, which is quickly transformed into something else as Tenzō lowers his hips to take the man inside his body.
It stings.
Even though, Tenzō doesn’t stop his dissent. This is exactly what he wanted from Gai, and this is only the beginning. His breath catches in his throat and he almost pauses but stubbornly decides to continue. Gai doesn’t say anything and lets him take control of this moment, gliding hands on his thighs in soothing motions. The pain spreads in ripples as Tenzō begins slow and shallow movements up and down.
Soon, he is able to take more of the man’s length and quickens the pace. The jounin strokes him in return, somewhat distracting him from the traces of earlier discomfort. It helps. It grounds him. Gai whispers encouragements that resonate with his core in ways he has never experienced before. He wants the man’s attention on him, be seen. He wants to hear the little praises, reassurances.
He wants to know that he is not a ghost.
"Stay with me," Gai pushes up from the bed into a sitting position, pulling out of Tenzō in the process and kissing away his groans of protest. "Focus on this and let go of your thoughts."
"I—I'm," out of nowhere, a wave of shame comes crashing down on him, chilling him to the bone. Then, it swells back up in a form of ugly blooming anger, and Tenzō has a sudden urge to push the man away and then do something—anything; run away or break a piece of furniture. He knows he is being selfish, and a brat, but he just can’t get rid of this irritation inside him. He wants it out of his system immediately. And nothing he does helps.
Gai's tongue forces its way into Tenzō mouth, and he moans again. There is a firm hand on the back of his neck to keep him in place but he doesn't mind it. He welcomes it. He parts his lips wider to allow the muscle to plunge further inside and remembers the man's words. He focuses on this; this sensation and nothing else.
He feels himself being cradled by strong arms. Gai flips their position and pushes them both further up to the centre of the bed. With his knees, he spreads Tenzō’s legs and pushes them both even higher. Tenzou watches him do this, appreciating the look of determination on the man's face. Gai takes one of Tenzō’s legs and raises it up to rest on his shoulder, then positions himself before pushing in. He kisses the inside of Tenzō’s calf and holds it firmly to navigate his movements in and out of Tenzō’s body. Not once does he divert his dark eyes away from Tenzō's, and Tenzō is held captive by the emotion in his gaze.
The pain is there, still, as Gai is thick and hard, and Tenzō can't remember the last time he was on the receiving end, nor the last time he had sex even. It's been a long while, and it was foolish of him to not allow his partner to prepare him, but what’s done is done. It will only get better from there. It has to.
Tenzō raises on his elbows for leverage to meet Gai’s thrusts and add more intensity to them. He winces at a jolt of pain but welcomes it as another reminder of being human because only a human is stupid enough to—
“So stubborn,” he is surprised as Gai mutters a curse and withdraws. Tenzō is about to protest when his partner shoots him a look that forces him to snap his mouth shut. “Stop focusing on the pain. Focus on the pleasure.” To accentuate his point, he takes himself and Tenzō in his hand and gives them both a few slow strokes. "Do you feel how hard I am with the passion you evoke in me?"
He does. The sensation is as soothing as it is arousing. He misses having the man inside but admits to be enjoying this. Gai gives him a sweet kiss and prompts him to relax back into the pillows.
"Which thought persists the most?" Gai's serious tone in contrast to the gentle nuzzling holds him captive.
"That I'm a ghost," the truth escapes him even before he realizes it. His heart clenches at the caring gaze the guy gives him.
"A ghost can't sense nor be sensed," Tenzō shivers at Gai's murmured words followed by nibbles along the shell of his ear. Gai nuzzles his hair and takes a deep breath. "I smell sandalwood from your shampoo and a distinct aroma of your desire. What do you smell?"
Tenzō knows what Gai is doing and lets him continue. The words the man says in his warm tone are grounding him. As they shuffle on the bed in an embrace to allow Tenzō to breathe in more of the man’s scent, he responds.
"I smell grass and sweat from our training," he follows the smell to the depths of his lungs with every breath and places kisses to Gai's skin along the way. He sighs as Gai pushes up his undershirt and kneads the muscles of his chest, brushing over sensitive nipples, making them harden. The movements are not gentle but neither are they forceful.
"A ghost can't touch nor be touched," Gai whispers against Tenzō lips as his hand travels around his torso and locks him in another embrace. The touch is hot and deliberate, and very welcome. "My hands feel the flesh of a man, who's strong and beautiful in his form."
There is a pause and a surprising groan of disapproval that makes Tenzō frown before Gai excuses himself and shifts on the bed. He then tugs at the material of Tenzō’s undershirt and easily tears it into two. Tenzō gasps at the sudden gesture and watches in bewilderment as the man strips him of the pieces of the fabric. He feels a tiny smile form on his lips – a faint evidence of amusement, which is a surprising emotion in his state. He gasps again and throws his head back as Gai's mouth sucks roughly on one of his nipples. Soft lips are soon replaced by a hot tongue, and Tenzō feels the ripples of warmth spread through his body. His other nipple is taken hostage by two masterful fingers, and the pinching sensation is very welcome.
"Touch me and tell me what you feel," he doesn't register Gai's voice right away but as soon as he does, he rakes his fingers through Gai's hair.
"It's soft," Tenzō says, "I like how silky they are. And your lips—" he brushes them gently with a thumb and confesses: "Your kisses make me feel alive."
"I'm going to taste you now," Tenzō is captivated by the fire in Gai's eyes as he speaks. "And will savour every drop of your flavour.”
Tenzō throat goes dry at the words and he barely manages to wet his lips before Gai’s mouth is on his. There is hunger in this kiss. He opens up to let Gai’s tongue in and moans. He surrenders the remains of control as the other man kisses him deeply. It’s heavenly.
One of Gai’s hands holds Tenzō firmly by his chin while the other travels down his abdomen. Soon, the man resumes stroking him, reawakening his arousal, and then breaks the kiss to move downward on the bed. Tenzō spreads his legs to accommodate the large man between them and watches (completely mesmerized) as Gai wraps his mouth around Tenzō‘a length.
It’s warm and wet, and his abdominal muscles tighten. His arms give in and he relaxes back into the pillows. For once during this night, Tenzō can’t think about anything. He has ascended to a simple man, seeking pleasure in another man. And he loves it.
He welcomes the intrusion of Gai’s finger without any resistance. He rises his knees up to allow the man better access and is rewarded with an open-mouthed kiss to his inner thigh.
“Count my fingers,” through the haze of pleasure he hears the other man’s voice but doesn’t register the meaning behind them.
“What?”
“I want you to count my fingers out loud as I add them." Gai repeats and Tenzō nods in agreement.
“One,” there is more lubricant on the finger once Gai pushes it back in. The digit moves around to coat him from the inside, much better than earlier when Tenzō rushed things. The second finger joins it soon, and he complies with the earlier request and says: "Two."
This time, Gai moves the fingers in and out, trying to get deeper each time. Tenzō feels them massaging his prostate, and his body responds to the sensation. It is warmer now with blood flowing quicker in his veins. He releases shorter breaths, too.
He is forgetting about the ghost.
Though, the fear of it still lingers somewhere in the depths of his mind.
When Gai adds the third digit, the stretch is more noticeable. The man has big hands with long and full fingers that feel incredible inside him. They move in and out but not deep enough to reach his prostate, only bushing it just enough to tease him but not giving him the satisfaction of the full pressure he craves. He grows impatient again and allows his hips to rise from the sheets to meet Gai's mouth and then push down on his fingers.
It's better.
Not quite there, but better.
He doesn't hear any protest from the other man, so he closes his eyes and repeats the motion, over and over. Gai licks and sucks him in perfect unison as Tenzō fucks himself on his fingers. It feels good to just let go like this, so he continues until Gai's strokes in combination with curled digits inside him take Tenzō over the edge.
Gai keeps his earlier promise and doesn't let a drop spill.
Tenzō breathes hard when the other man joins him on the pillows and gives him a minute to come down from his orgasm. The night isn't over, he knows, and he is excited for what comes next.
"Did I succeed at making you feel?" Gai asks him, his thumb sneaking under the happuri to gently stroke the skin there. Tenzō nods in response, then turns his head to place a small kiss to the man's palm before looking at him again. He wants to say that it's okay to take off his last piece of armour but Gai shifts on the bed and claims his lips. The kiss is quickly raising the passion between them again. It is long and hungry, and Tenzō allows a moan to escape him. This is when the man stops to look him in the eyes with a heated gaze. "Then it is time to make you scream."
Yes. Yes, it is.
When Gai slides inside him this time, there is no pain. Tenzō's body is relaxed and ready, and welcomes him without resistance. It opens up even further as the man begins with slow but deliberate thrusts. He wraps his legs around Gai's hips and gasps as the move helps the man to move in deeper. It's delicious, the way he is filled and stretched. By the back of Gai's neck, he pulls him in for a deep kiss and sucks on his tongue.
He feels different.
Gai's warmth quickly pushes the lingering thoughts of the ghost away. It's like with every gasp, every outbreath, Tenzō is freed. His heart is thumping wildly in his chest, threatening to jump out of his throat. He stretches and leans his head back as the jounin sucks on the side of his neck again and again, rocking him on the bed.
He is no longer cold.
There are no traces of snow in his mind anymore.
Only Gai.
Gai.
They toss on the sheets, kissing and raising the rhythm of their movement. Tenzō's happuri begins to slide up, and he reaches to take it off but Gai stops him. The man pins his wrists on the sides of his head in the same way he did on the training ground. Tenzō feels his pulse beating against the hot palms. He sees Gai look back at him with a mischievous glint in his eyes and can't tear his gaze away.
He feels alive.
As the jounin changes the pace to quick and hard, Tenzō takes it.
He loves it.
Every firm thrust sends a wave of pleasure through his body until he is a writhing mess. Still, he can't get enough of this feeling. He is getting greedy, he knows, but can't help it. Tenzō locks his legs around Gai's back, causing him to stop moving. He is hot and hard as Tenzō rocks his hips trying to take him even deeper.
Gai releases a low sound of pleasure before groaning and withdrawing sharply. He breathes heavily for a moment before smashing their lips together in another searing kiss. In the next heartbeat, Tenzō is on all fours as the other man is driving hard into him from behind. It's rough and quick, and so very deep that he feels it in his core. He can't control the sounds coming out of his mouth – he doesn't even try. As he falls face-down onto the pillow with his bottom still raised, he can only focus on the maddening feeling of Gai penetrating him over and over, and the way his body opens up in welcome. A flicker of amusement flashes through his mind as Tenzō realizes that his happuri is long gone. It is quickly swallowed by a wave of lust when Gai grazes his teeth over Tenzō's skin and bites into his shoulder.
Tenzō pushes to meet Gai's thrusts and curves his back to allow for a wider range of motion between them. He is so out of control that his head is spinning. This is exactly what he needed to shake off the mission and return to his senses.
It's overwhelming.
His breaths are loud and shallow. It's hard to hear through them and the slaps of skin filling the room, but Tenzō registers his name and words of praise. He moans in response. When Gai's hand sprawls over his stomach, the heel of his palm sliding from the belly button down, Tenzō screams out his release. His muscles contract violently from the intensity of his orgasm, but Gai's vice grip on his hips holds him in place as the other man, too, reaches his climax.
Tenzō blackens out but not before he feels himself being laid onto his side, wiped gently but thoroughly and then covered with a blanket. He snuggles closer to the body behind him and fully relaxes when Gai embraces him.
He doesn't think of the ghost anymore.
📜
It's raining when Tenzō wakes up. He hears the gentle pitter-patter outside the window and watches the drops slide on the glass surface. As he slips out of bed, Gai doesn't open his eyes but already stirs out of his sleep. Tenzō is relieved to see that his presence in the room is noticed. His body is no longer ghost-like, it won't be for a while. He knows, though, that another tough mission will come his way one day. He will slip into the lifeless state once again for the sake of errorless execution. Such is his destiny as the village's deadly weapon - an ANBU. He is at peace with that – he is needed. And if he ever needs help, he just might seek out Gai again for another spar, and maybe something else.