Underneath the Mistletoe: Ino and Kankuro

Well here it is; my Christmas oneshot. I realize that this is very much a crack pairing, but I read the cutest oneshot by sharingank, and I couldn't resist trying my hand at writing it. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I liked writing it, and if anyone wants me to write another chapter, I will be happy to do so.

Ino had to face the fact, as she took a moment to observe herself, that she was turning into some weird, cleaning-obsessed housewife. A housewife with a great figure, but a housewife nonetheless. Not that she never went on any missions, but when she was at home it was always clean, clean, clean.

Although today she wasn't exactly cleaning. She was putting up all the Christmas decorations in their apartment; those little candles shaped like snowmen, the snow globe that played 'Santa Claus is coming to town', hanging wreaths on the doors, and lights and ornaments on the tree.

Her husband (she still couldn't completely believe that they were married. This was going to be their first Christmas together as husband and wife) was coming home from a two-week-long mission tomorrow night and she wanted to surprise him.

Ino hummed 'All I want for Christmas is you' as she got out the step-stool and began to hand up sprigs of mistletoe in the doorways. She had long ago found out that it was his favorite Christmas tradition, and she made a point to kiss him underneath it many times during the holiday season. She was so lost in thought, recalling past make out sessions under the mistletoe, that she didn't hear the front door open behind her.

"Mistletoe, huh?" inquired a familiar voice.

Ino was so startled that she jumped, and would have fallen off the stool had Kankuro not been there, quick as a flash, to catch her.

"Geeze E, you need to be more careful. You could have broken your neck."

E. Only he had ever called her that. She used to joke that it was because he was too lazy to say her whole name, short as it was. He had started using that nickname the first week they started dating, back in their Genin days, right after Sasuke left to join Orochimaru. Although Ino gave up on her childhood crush before Sakura did, it still broke her heart when she realized that he wasn't coming back. But Kankuro was there to pick up the pieces and comfort her. Even more then that; they had had a connection, a spark, chemistry, whatever you want to call it, from day one.

"It's your fault I fell." Ino said stubbornly, sticking out her tongue childishly as Kankuro set her down safely, although he didn't remove his arms from around her waist. "I thought you weren't coming home till tomorrow night." She finished.

"We finished early, and that brother of mine gave me the rest of the week off," the puppet master replied with a shrug. "Miss me much?"

"Not at all" Ino said. She had, very much.

"Your eyes say different." He chuckled as he leaned in and captured her lips with his. Kankuro's kisses were always gentle, no matter how sharp his tongue was. He was never rough or demanding, but slow and careful; as though Ino's mouth was something fragile. And although he would never nibble her lip or push his tongue inside her mouth forcefully, his kisses were the most passionate she had ever experienced. By the time he withdrew, it was guaranteed that she would be flushed and breathless.

This kiss was particularly long, and both participants were breathing heavily by the time they broke apart. Neither was left with any doubt that they would be in the bedroom soon.

Kankuro pulled her closer and began to kiss the side of her neck, just as gently as her kissed her lips.

"Merry Christmas E."

Well, there it is. Yep. So, review and let me know if you want another chapter. Happy holidays everybody!