Another Kankuro Love Story

Heading Home?

I finished packing and was ready to go when I heard a knock on the door. I sighed and walked to the door and opened it. "Naruto. Come in." I smiled at him but he kept his eyes down toward the ground. Not a smile in sight. "Are you okay?" I asked him closing the door. "I failed to bring him home. Once again I failed." He started shaking I knew he was wanting to cry. I pulled him into a hug. "Look Naruto it isn't your fault I promise. Orochimaru is good at keeping what he wants. Even I would struggle against him." I hugged him tighter knowing he was crying.

"Well you know he isn't dead. That is good." I wasn't good in these situations. "Yeah." He croaked out tightening his grip on me. When did he get so tall. He was literally bending over to put his face into my shoulder. "I am not a person for pep talks sorry. I hate to bring this up now but by now you've learned the Akatsuki are after you Naruto. So I wanted to know if you would come stay at my village for a little bit. I can keep you safe I know how they work and I can think around their plans. You have an hour to think it over meet me at the gates leaving the village." He stood and looked at me.

"Okay. I'll think about it. I'll meet you there with my answer. Thanks Akemi." He then kissed me on the cheek and ran off. I closed the door and my hand flew to my cheek and I knew my face was a little red. "You seem to be popular with the boys of this village." It was the woman who gave me the new jutsu's when I was here and the tattoo. "Yeah I guess so. What brings you here? May I ask." She sat on the bed. "I just wanted to talk to you about some decisions you'll have be making. First off let's talk about how the Hokage won't let you train." I sat down by her.

"Okay." I looked at the floor. "You should do as she says. Otherwise you'll die to early." I wanted to cry all over again. "I know. I know she is doing what's best for me." The woman patted my shoulder. "Good Akemi. Second I think your heart needs tending to. You are neglecting it. It wants for you to be around Kankuro and be happy. Not leave him and be free because you will be causing it to go cold once more. You can't let that happen.  Third you are neglecting you sword. I know you have been banned from training right now but if you don't practice with it then you'll grow dull in the sword art." I nodded.

"Okay I understand." I then opened my eyes to see Kankuro looking at me questioningly. "Don't look at me like that Kankuro. Now I have something to do." He shrugged. "Okay." I pulled him closer to me and hugged him. "I'm sorry. I haven't been giving you the attention you deserve. I've been neglecting you sorry Kankuro. You've been here for me all this time and I've been blind." He looked at me. "Your not sick are you?" I giggled and shook my head. "No I'm not. I just wanted you to know I'm sorry and I appreciate all you have done for me. I Don't say it enough though." He smiled.

"Yeah me too." He said and I looked confused but let it slide. "Yeah. I've decided to take the offer you gave me earlier and I'll stay in the village. I realize my heart needs more attention then my stupid 'need to be free'." He looked confused this time. "What do you mean? You heart needs more attention." I shouldn't have said anything. (Have you ever said the wrong thing and wish you could take it back? If you say no you're lying because I do that all the time.)

"What I mean is I've been listening to the voice I've kept buried for so long. The one that's says people don't understand me I am not good enough to be in a stable society. The one that says I can't be with you because we are diffrent. So diffrent if I don't fix it now it'll drive a wedge between us. I've tried to avoid a difficult road but I realized that the difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations. That is you and Temari Gaara Naruto Shikamaru Lee Neji Sakura Ino and so forth. It took awhile but I see it now. Freedom is a state of mind you and the village you're my freedom it took over two years to figure this out. So thanks for being my freedom and beautiful destination." I pulled him down and kissed him

He pulled me as close as he could with out crushing me. "Your welcome Akemi. To be honest I never seen myself with a girlfriend or hope for a future outside of ninja work. You are my beautiful destination too. I don't ever want to loose you. Promise me you won't leave me until the bitter end?" I but my forehead of his and laced my fingers in his hair. "I can't promise because my life will always be crazy but I won't keep fighting for me and you until I am dead. I don't want this to end I am finally happy and it will go crashing down for me eventually because nothing can ever go right for me." He sighed and wrapped his arms around my waist they had been on my face and I didn't even notice.

"Okay I guess the can work...for now... I love you Akemi." I didn't expect that I smiled. "I love you Kankuro." We kissed once more it was gentle and warm it felt like we were scared one of us was going to disappear or something. I had to pull away. "We have to go." He sighed and pulled back and nodded. "I don't want to though." I took his hand and led him to outside and he started walking. When we made it to the gate Naruto was waiting for is. "Hey." He greeted a little blush on his face. "Hey Naruto. Have you made your decision?" He nodded. "I'm sorry I can't go with you. Your really nice and all. I am just not ready to leave here. Sorry. I can't just throw my life away to go hide like a coward. Please forgive me." I smiled at him and gave him a hug.

"I understand you made a wise decision. Just remember if you ever have trouble with the Akatsuki getting to close or something come to me I can protect you." He nodded against my shoulder.

"I'm sorry about Saskue. Maybe one of these years he will come around." He stiffened slightly. "Yeah. Maybe I can't give up. I don't care if it kills me." I nodded. "Don't because at this point you are probably the only thing that can save him from Orochimaru and himself. I am believeing in you Naruto and I am believeing that you will be Hokage. Gaara has the jump on you already show 'em up a bit. And stop growing at this rate everyone will me taller then me. You and Gaara are exposed to stay short forever so I don't have to reach up to ruffle you hair. I'll have to put a rock on your head won't I?" He laughed and scratched the back of his head.

"Sorry no promises. Face it you are ment to be short." I narrowed my eyes at him and ruffled his already messy hair. "Bye Akemi. I'll see you around." I nodded and we left for our village.

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End of chapter