#lonelyantics

Kakashi knew he’d finally gotten on Tenzou’s nerves when Tenzou stuttered in the middle of giving his report.  Of course, speaking in front the village’s top ninjas meant everyone at the table had a fair amount of observational skills, so even if Tenzou recovered smoothly, his slip up had been noticed, fully and quite ruthlessly.

“Is there something wrong with the numbers, Tenzou?” someone asked.  “You didn’t look too happy about it.”

“No.  Everything’s fine,” Tenzou said blandly, and this time didn’t react when Kakashi’s foot grazed his ankle again.  “Something unrelated just crossed my mind.”

“Ah, well.  Can’t blame you, but hang in there, Tenzou,” Kakashi said, all innocence.  “Meeting’s almost over.”

There were a few chuckles from the board, and Tenzou’s forced smile.  Kakashi was surprised he didn’t just make Kakashi’s chair sink back into the floorboards.  The entire building was made from wood after all—Tenzou could literally have the room at his command if he wanted it, could make the floor sprout roots to tie Kakashi’s feet together, or maybe make Kakashi’s chair poke him in uncomfortable places.  Then again, sending Kohana’s Hokage tumbling to the floor in front of Kohana’s most dangerous ninjas didn’t seem like something Tenzou would do.

Tenzou sat back down, finishing his report without another mistake.  He leaned in his chair, eyes on the next speaker, so casual and relaxed Kakashi almost didn’t expect him to cross his ankles around Kakashi’s own. 

Tenzou’s gaze lowered, just for a second, one dimple at the corner of his mouth before it disappeared, and he looked attentive once again.  His ankles stayed where they were, gently locked around Kakashi’s right foot.