Happy Valentine's Day everyone! To honor this holiday of love I've posted a collection of one shots dedicated to different pairings of Naruto. I will update it throughout the day. I don't know how many there will be, but none of the chapters are related to each other. This will be the girls giving out their Valentines. On March 14, is White Day, so the guys will return the favor. (Fruits Baskets fans will know this holiday, for everyone else, look it up!)

I hope you enjoy!

THE PACKAGE.

"Kankuro san," a soft voice called as a gentle knock on the puppet master's door was given.

"Come in." Kankuro invited the person into his office. Kankuro was busy looking of the latest scouting reports. Being the brother of the kazekage had its perks, like being head of Suna's division of ANBU. Kankuro had recently found himself stuck with more paperwork than actual missions. 'I've got to take a week off. I'm ready to snap.'

"This came for you today." The genin who was his assistant entered the room. She was terrified of the jounin, and she placed the package on his desk leaving quickly. 'Stupid girl, if I scare her what the hell would she do against a real enemy.'

Kankuro knew he was intimidating. He enjoyed seeing the expressions of fear and hate in the people that reported to him. As long as he had that it kept way no one could get close. The one his heart had chosen was dedicated to another man, so Kankuro placed his own heart under lock and key. He would never let anyone close to it again.

He frowned as he looked at the package on his desk. One of several he had been given that day. "Stupid fuckin Valentine's Day." His office already held several red balloons, chocolates, flowers, and bears. There were plenty of women in Suna that fancied the puppet master. He was known as a passionate lover, but never dedicated to any one woman. He knew Temari would be thrilled to get all this chocolate, after he removed the nut clusters. He was also pretty sure he'd see Gaara sneaking a caramel chew from the boxes. Not that the Kazekage didn't receive his own share of valentines. 'Greedy bastard.'

He would at least open this one. Inside the box was another box. 'That's original.' He attempted to open the box , but the bright green paper would not tear. He pulled out a kunai, but the paper resisted the blade. It was then he noticed the envelope lying on the floor. There was only his name written in a beautiful calligraphy script. 'Whoever sent this paid some money to have it done.'

With the kunai he opened the envelope and pulled out the letter. The paper was heavy indicating it's cost, and the letter was also done in an elegant calligraphy. His breath stuck in his heart as he read the words.

Kankuro san,

I pray that this greeting finds you well. I think of you each night as I watch the evening sky. My heart worries you are far from your home and in danger not to return. How sad that would make me. Having felt this love in my heart for you for so long, only to have it never reach yours.

The paint you hide behind fools those around you. It intimidates and pushes them away. For me it draws me closer in to you. This paint that is meant to keep others at arms length, makes me want to be held in your arms. The paint that tries to hide a man not willing to admit his weaknesses or his need to be loved. That paint shows me man who does not want his heart broken. I want to smear it, remove it, and be with the man it covers.

I too wear a similar mask. I hide behind it everyday. I push others away too. The mask I wear doesn't cover my face, but is tied around my waist. I put it on everyday and hide behind helping others when my own life is so empty. I don't want my heart to crumble again, but for you I am willing to take this once chance. To remove my mask, to put myself in front of you with only my heart to give.

My mask is in this box. I am giving it to you. I am coming to you with only love and nothing more. Please place your thumb here to release the seal keeping the box closed.

Happy Valentine's Day.

'What the hell, she didn't sign it.' Kankuro turned the paper over to see if there was a name on the back.

His heart was racing. He could only think of one person he would want this letter to be from. Only one person that could make him willing to give away his heart. He knew it was not a possibility, but his curiosity was peaked at the contents of the package. Placing his thumb on the seal, the paper fell away from the simple cherry wood box.

'Don't get your hopes up.' His mind repeated over and over to his heart.

He opened the top and pulled out its contents. On top was a soft face towel and beside it a bar of soap. Underneath was an apron, with a Leaf Village emblem in the bottom right corner. 'This is a medic's apron.' His heart stopped. The jounin sank into his chair. Joy began to overrun him. He knew that apron. It was her apron.

He looked again at the soap and towel. The towel was luxurious and softest shade of pink. 'Delicate and rich just like her.' He thought. He held the soap to his nose, his senses over run by the smell of cherry blossoms. A smile covered his face. 'Who would have thought a sand bastard like me, could ever outdo a Uchiha.'

Placing the items back in their box, he left to ask his brother for permission to visit the Village Hidden in the Leaf.

there's chocolate here if you review, since i gave it up for Lent.