By The Strings [Kankuro X Reader]

19~ a little white lie

Kankuro and naruto helped Gaara walk back to the village while I walked with Temari, I wasn't crying but I still felt an overwhelming sadness at the loss.

Everyone from the village stood outside of the village awaiting the return of the Kazekage. It was amazing to see this many people cared for Gaara.

We were back in the village, we followed as they carried granny first as Gaara wished.

Naruto wanted us to leave that night along with Sakura and Kakashi, but I wasn't quite ready to leave the village.

"Oo I'm still feeling quite queeze, maybe we should keep one of your medical ninjas here until I'm feeling much better." Kankuro pretended to almost fall as he glanced at Gaara.

"I agree, I would feel much better keeping Masako here until I've made a full recovery." He added giving a glance back at Kankuro.

Temari started fake coughing, "yeah, I think I'm coming down with something!" She coughed again.

I was trying my best not to laugh as Yosuke whined faking a limp, "Yosuke seems to be in no condition to leave yet either." Temari added.

"I'll send word to the Hokage immediately, I'm sure she wouldn't mind her staying until you three-" Yosuke barked, "four. Are feeling better." I could see the small smile under his mask.

We waved goodbye to the 7 shinobi of the leaf, I shook my head with a smile as I turned around to see the four liers "what am I gonna do with you guys."

Kankuro smiled widely as Temari broke out in a fit of laughter and Gaara just crossed his arms with a small smile.

"Jeez, I sure think I've caught a permanent illness," she joked coughing again.

"I knew you'd miss me again, you said it yourself." I blushed a bit at his words hopefully he wouldn't notice it.

"Gaara, you have some paperwork to do, I have to fix my puppets, and Temari, your on dinner duty tonight!" Kankuro gave his orders as he walked off towards his room.

"Temari, I can help you if you like?" I offered watching Gaara disappear into sand.

"Oh, that would be amazing!" She sighed in relief, but in reality, I just didn't want her to cook the same thing she always cooked.

We walked into the kitchen to get started, it would probably just be easier to pick something up from a restaurant and bring it here but I figure a thank-you dinner was in order, as well as a welcome home dinner.

"So, what are you thinking of making?" She questioned with stars in her eyes.

"You'll see~," I said eagerly. I planed to make my favorite dish in hopes they would enjoy it as much as I did.

"Just cut those up and season it, when you're done toss it into the pan." I smiled testing the ingredients.

The kitchen was smelling amazing, I'm sure you could smell it throughout the entire building at this point. Temari looked starved as she mixed everything together, I honestly thought she was going to start eating it right out of the pot.

"Is it done yet?" Kankuro complained trying to come into the kitchen, I threw a spoon beside his head yelling at him to get out.

It was a surprise.

After the last of it was finished cooking Temari went to get Gaara while I went to find Kankuro.

He sat at a table in his room tinkering with a puppet arm I assumed would be for Crow or Ant. "Dinners ready!" He jumped from the sudden noise shooting a glare at me.

"Fine, no dinner for you." I crossed my arms and went down to the kitchen where Gaara and Temari sat impatiently waiting for the food.

"It's very delicious," Gaara complimented enjoying his second plate meanwhile Temari was too busy shoving her 3rd in her face. I was done after my second.

Kankuro never came down for dinner, I decided to wait and see if he would so I waited as I washed all of the dishes I had used.

I went to my room to change into something more comfortable, I sat on my bed feeling tired. But I decided to be nice and make him a plate, after putting a good amount on the plate I carried it up to his room but from the corner of my eye, I could see Temari fangirling about it.

She's so weird, she still brings up the dream-like thing saying we would get married one day.

I knocked on his door not getting an answer, I let myself in. He was focused on his puppets which were still in 1000 pieces.

"I brought you dinner." He pointed at the table beside his bed, didn't even say a word.

"Thank you so much!" I mocked in his voice sitting myself on his bed.

"I'm busy." He sounded obviously annoyed with my presence.

"Jeez, you really give some mixed signals." I scoffed not liking his tone. Obviously, I didn't expect it to change but I still voiced my annoyance.

I laid back on his bed, I had nothing to do. Gaara was busy doing Hokage things while Temari was busy doing other things leaving only Kankuro for me to annoy.

I heard him putting his tools down before walking over to me, causing me to sit up.

"If you're that bored..." He leaned down inches from my face, I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks before his lips landed on mine in a passionate kiss.

It continued until I tugged at the edges of his shirt, suddenly I shot up sweating a bit, "you good? I thought you died." He joked glaring over at me.

"Jeez, you should probably go get some sleep if you're that tired." He mocked.

"Y-yeah..." I left his room with my face a deep red in shame.

"Temariiii" I cried softly outside of her room waiting for her to let me in.