Kakashi lay on his stomach, limbs sprawled at whatever angle they happened to land in when he had flopped down a half hour ago. His muscles were slowly melting in to the mattress until he was sure that he 'd never be able to move again. In all the years he 'd spent on the battlefield he had never dreamed he 'd be able to feel so content ' so happy.

Fingers traced patterns on his back that he could not see but knew what they were without thinking. A gentle smile touched his lips and he sighed without opening his eyes. A pair of lips pressed a kiss to his mid back in response.

'If you get any more relaxed you 'll turn in to a puddle, ' Tenzou 's voice drifted over him.

'Maa, I apologize for nothing, ' he murmured back. Tenzou chuckled.

'I never said it was a bad thing. You deserve a little relaxation. '

The younger man 's fingers never ceased their exploration, following along the lines of the tattoo that had brought them together. Kakashi 's soul mark was larger than most people 's. The great apple tree stretched from his lower back almost to the tips of his shoulders and the branches almost wrapped around both his sides. The first time they had kissed, luscious red fruit had appeared in amongst the leaves. As apple trees were often used to represent love and generosity, Kakashi often wondered how he didn 't realize that his mark was meant for Tenzou until only a few years ago.

With a hum he turned his head and made a soft noise. He was rewarded with another kiss, this one against his exposed cheek. He dropped his face back in to the pillow and let his smile widen. Even before they had realized they were paired the two men had known each other better than anyone else. Tenzou could read his wishes in the smallest movements and sounds. Knew what he was feeling even when he wore a mask to hide his face.

When Tenzou sat back to where he had been, straddled across the backs of Kakashi 's thighs, his fingers resumed tracing the branches of the apple tree before him. Kakashi could feel the muscles twitching minutely in the legs that bracketed his own and he knew that Tenzou 's mark would be pressed up against his skin in this position. The white wolf with a lightning bolt caught between its teeth would be running towards the top of his calf. He promised himself that he would trace the mark with his tongue later.

Much later. When he felt like moving. Right now he was content to stay where he was.