Portrait
Bonus Scene
"We're here," Kankurou said as he and Michicko stopped in front of the open gates of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
Michicko sighed, "Finally! That three days seemed like forever. So we're going to see the Hokage first, right?"
Kankurou nodded, "Of course. Come on - let's go."
Michicko nodded and followed him into the village. They showed their passes to the guards on duty, then started to make their way to the Hokage's Tower.
Michicko looked around at the village as she passed, smiling appreciatively at everything, "I'm so glad Temari-san decided to have the wedding here."
Kankurou turned to look at her, "Why?"
She nodded, "I just love it here - it's so peaceful. Sometimes I even forget I'm in a ninja village."
"Hmm," Kankurou raised an eyebrow - when he was here, he was always painfully aware of the fact that this was a ninja village. Then again, that probably had a lot to do with his involvement in the invasion attempt on Konoha however many years ago.
He shrugged, "I'm just glad I get a vacation."
Michicko chuckled, "Well, I don't know how much of a vacation it'll be - I'm sure Temari-san will find things for us to do."
He rolled his eyes as they entered Hokage Tower, "Don't remind me."
They made their way upstairs, then down a long hallway to the Hokage's office. Kankurou knocked sharply and after a short pause, a stern, female voice called out, "Come in."
Kankurou opened the door and entered, Michicko following close behind. Tsunade sat up and turned her keen gaze on them, "Ah, Kankurou-san, you're here already? The wedding isn't until next week."
Kankurou bowed to her, then responded, "Temari wanted me to get here early to bring some stuff for her from home."
Tsunade nodded, "That's understandable," then turned to Michicko, narrowing her eyes inquisitively, "You look familiar."
Michicko bowed hastily, then said, "Well, I've passed through here once or twice on the way home from missions."
Tsunade nodded, eyes widening in recognition, "Right, I remember now. Michicko?"
Michicko nodded, "That's it."
Tsunade nodded and looked down at her desk, frowning, "Well, your sister didn't say you were bringing a date so we only prepared one residence. Is that okay with you, Michicko-san? You two are together, right?"
Michicko's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to correct Tsunade but seemed unable to form any words.
"No, we're not actually," Kankurou finally responded, "But it's not a problem. You don't mind rooming with me, right Michicko?"
She shook her head, "No, I don't. That's fine. I don't want you to go out of your way for me," she finished, looking earnestly at Tsunade.
Tsunade shrugged, "Well, good - that saves me a lot of trouble. Now I just need someone to show you to - "
She frowned as a knock interrupted her words. "Who is it?"
Her question was answered by a bark. She smiled, 'Perfect timing.' "Come in, Kiba."
The door opened and Kiba entered, Akamaru at his heels, "Hey Tsunade-sama. I've got that mission report for you." He stopped speaking when he realized that there were other occupants in the room, "Kankurou! Hey man, long time no see. You're here for Temari's wedding, right?"
Kankurou grinned, "Yeah, that's why I'm here. I - "
"Wave Country," Michicko muttered, watching Kiba curiously.
Kiba turned to her, "What? Sorry."
"I met you - in Wave Country, a few months ago."
Kiba cocked his head in confusion, studying her, then a grin broke over his face as he remembered, "Yeah! You were the waitress at that breakfast place I used to go to." Then he stepped back as he observed her headband, "Wait - you're really a Sand ninja? Wow. You fooled me."
Michicko's reply was stalled by someone clearing her throat. Tsunade frowned, "You three can continue this reunion on the way to the official residences. Kiba, give me that mission report, take these keys and show them to their lodgings please."
Kiba handed over the mission report, took the keys from Tsunade and bowed, "All right. Come on, you two and Akamaru!" After bowing to Tsunade, Kankurou and Michicko followed Kiba out.
They made their way out of the Hokage's office and then started in the direction of the official residences. When Michicko was sufficiently out of earshot, Kiba turned to Kankurou and said, "Hey. Is she your girlfriend?"
Kankurou shook his head, "What? No. Why does everyone keep asking that?"
"Well," Kiba said matter-of-factly, "she is here with you. So...she's not off limits, right?"
Kankurou suddenly began to feel very uncomfortable, "Off limits?"
"Yeah, I just want to know if I can ask her out."
Kankurou frowned, his discomfort growing, "Ask her out? She's only here for a week."
"So? That just makes it better."
Kankurou sighed and shook his head, "No, she's not off limits. There's nothing going on between the two of us."
Kiba turned to watch Michicko, who was a little way ahead of them with Akamaru and a grin appeared on his face, "Good."
Kankurou frowned - for some reason, he really didn't like that grin.
"Well, we're here," Kiba said as they reached the apartment. He took out the keys and opened the door, then gestured to Michicko, "Ladies first."
"Thank you very much," she responded as she passed by him and went inside. "See, Kankurou," she called from within, "that's what you call a gentleman."
Kiba grinned and followed her in and Kankurou entered last, frowning and rolling his eyes at Kiba's back.
Michiko and Kankurou dropped their bags in the middle of the large living room and looked around.
"There's only one bedroom," Michicko noted.
Kankurou shrugged, "We can alternate."
Michicko eyed him, "Or you could sleep on the couch."
Kankurou raised an eyebrow, "I think you're forgetting whose residence this really is."
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah - the Hokage's." Then she laughed at the expression on his face, "Fine - we'll alternate"
Kiba turned to them, "Well, I've got to run but I'll definitely see you two later." He turned to go, then turned back and said to Michicko, "Wait - I don't know your name."
Michicko smiled, "Shiraishi Michicko."
Kiba nodded, "I'll be sure to remember that. I'm Inuzuka Kiba, by the way and this guy here is Akamaru."
"Nice to meet you, both of you," Michicko replied, patting Akamaru on the head.
"Well, later you two," Kiba said, going out the way he came. After he left, Michicko closed the door and turned back to Kankurou.
"So, to Temari's next, right?"
A/N: So this one's a two-parter. It was supposed to be one long prequel but I don't have enough time to write the rest tonight. I'll try to have it up by Tuesday, God willing. So I know I'm supposed to be working on An Unknown Engagement but I just keep thinking about Michiko and Kankurou. After I do the second part to this, I'll try to go back to An Unknown Engagement. Thanks for reading.
