Another Kankuro Love Story

40

I had nightmares the whole time I slept. They must have gotten bad because Kankuro was shaking me awake. "What?" I snapped turning over.

"Well...I think you were having a nightmare. I also thought you were staying until I went to sleep?" I blinked then touched a hand to my forehead. "Sorry. I always have nightmares. As for the staying part I accidentally fell asleep." He shrugged lying back down with the covers.

"How long did I sleep?" I asked him. "Forty-five minutes." I sighed. "Of course. Sounds right. I wish I could sleep a whole night. Anyway I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you up." I told him scooting to the edge of he bed. "No its fine." He told me grabbing my hand.

"Stay. Please?" I sighed then pulled my boots off. I left my socks and gloves on keeping them hidden as well as possible. I climbed to my old spot then crawled under the covers. My pillow still felt the same and the part of the mattress felt the same.

The pillow even had the stain from when we were coming home late from a mission and I had red paint on my cheek. We passed out almost as soon as we seen the bed. I adjusted my head so I was comfortable. I heard Kankuro breathing calmly next to me but I knew he was waiting for my reaction.

I moved so I wasn't touching him. He sighed then turned his back to me. "You know I find this situation a little more awkward then it should be." I told him turning then cuddling against him. He turned on his back to hold me. He move so I was in a more comfortable position like in the old days.

He put his hand on the curve of my side like he used to. "I miss this. I missed the bed and my pillow. I miss this village." He nodded. "Yeah I miss you too." He told me.

"We will never be the same will we?" I asked him. "Probably not. We have both changed but one thing has never changed." I stared up at him. "And what's that?" He smiled. "That I love you. I don't think that will ever change." I touched his cheek.

"Kankuro I don't think that is okay to say. If anyone seen us now we could get into trouble. Expecially Gaara. Something is clearly not wanting us together." He sat up a little. "Since when have you cared what people say?"

"Since it caused me to get tourchered. I'm sorry but when I was running around I was hard to track. You caught me in that cafe by accident. If I knew you were in the area I would have been gone in a flash. If I want to disappear I can. Someone tipped those guys off so I'm assuming someone is trying to get the message across that you and I shouldn't be together." I fully sat up then closed my eyes.

"I don't care Akemi. I'll fight anything if it means I can be with you." I swallowed thickly. "I know you would. That's why us being together isn't any good. I love you Kankuro and I'll always be here for you and I wish I could be with you. Every fiber of my being is telling me to stay with you but I know that if I stay with every minute will be endangering you." He leaned up then took my hand.

"I know but I'm willing to risk things for you. When you were gone I don't know how many times Temari or Gaara saved me from myself. I was tearing myself apart not being with you. You keep me stable and without you I'm broken. So please be with me. I'm a better man with you around. I need you I can't live without you." I let out a breath.

"Akemi please. I-I am not stable all alone. Temari and Gaara have tried reasoning with me but I can only think about how you were gone and that it was all my fault because I wasn't strong enough. I could only think about how I lost the only girl I cared for in so long." I quickly turned then put my lips to his. He seemed shocked at my action.

Then he quickly deepened the kiss.

~ the next morning~

My eyes fluttered open ten minutes before six. I sat up glancing around the still dark room. Then felt the cover slide off my bare chest. I quickly covered back up. I made sure I was covered completely then quietly slipped to the floor. I dressed into my clothes then glanced back at Kankuro. He was soundly asleep.