"What's wrong with you?" Ino asked her lifelong friend, who simply let out a sigh. Choji let out a laugh.
"He's stressed out because Gaara and Kankuro are coming into town." At that, Ino started laughing.
"You don't want to see your brother-in-laws?" She smirked. "Are you scared of them?" He sighed again.
"They could both easily kill me, if that's what you're asking." Ino rolled her eyes at his response. "Gaara isn't bad. I mean, he's awkward sometimes, but that's about it. Kankuro, in the other hand... He likes to see me suffer."
"You're just being over dramatic!" Ino replied.
"I am not-" Shikamaru was cut off when he was put in a choke hold by the very man they were talking about.
"Sup bro? Whatcha talkin about?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes. The stench that came from this man was unbearable. He had just travelled three days from the desert, but shit, he smelled bad.
"Hello, Kankuro. Please release me." It took a moment, but Kankuro finally obliged and let go of his neck. "We were just talking about how excited I am to have you two visit."
"Aw, you missed me? I mean, I don't blame you." He took in a deep breath. "Ah, its good to be back! Where's my sister?" Kankuro was on his own at the moment, which reminded Shikamaru that Kakashi and Gaara had a meeting.
"She's at home. Said she wanted to clean before you two got here, which makes no sense because that place can never get dirty. That woman is obsessed with it being clean."
"She's always been like that." Kankuro spoke. "Even now, when she visits she will come over and clean our house. She has some serious issues."
"You can't really blame her for not being lazy," Ino looked to Shikamaru. "Or gross..." She then looked at Kankuro.
"Right... well, I'm going to head to the house. I need a shower. You coming, Nara?" Shikamaru nodded.
The walk back to the house was quiet. It wasn't necessarily a comfortable silence, either. Shikamaru could tell that there was something bother Kankuro, but he wasn't sure what it was. He didn't want to ask either, he didn't think they were close enough friends for that.
"Shikamaru," Kankuro started. He wasn't really one for talking about feelings and such. None of the sand siblings really were. It just wasn't how they grew up, not really what they were used to. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know, I mean I'm really bad at words. You should know, it runs in the family. But anyway, I've been thinking.. You and Temari have been married for awhile now and I think that means you're pretty serious about her.. What I'm trying to get at is I think we should try to get to know each other better. I mean, if ya wanna. It's just we're going to be spending a lot of time together what with birthdays, holidays, random visits.. And all of that fun stuff." He paused. He knew he was rambling. "Also, Temari told me that if I didn't start being nice to you she was going to kick my ass. So what do you say?"
Shikamaru didn't speak for a moment. He didn't really know what to say. So he just started laughing. He was laughing hard. These sand nin really kept surprising him. He never thought Kankuro would be asking him to be his friend, even if Temari forced him to. He could tell that Kankuro was getting mad at his reaction. "I'm sorry, really I am.. I just never thought you'd ever be the one to ask to be my friend. I like you, Kankuro, I really do. And sure, we can be friends."
Kankuro forgot his anger for a second, and laughed with his new brother. Of course, he had to seal the deal with a punch to Shikamaru's arm, who sent one back to him.
AN: I just feel like there needs to be more Shikamaru and Kankuro being bros, ya know? Maybe that's just me... Anyway, thanks for the reviews on the last chapter! Let me know what you think of this one. Also, if I haven't got to your request yet, I'm sorry. I just feel like I need to make those better since people are asking for them. I'm working on it though! :)