Chapter 37:::Dreamy Situation

Nami stared down at Kankurou's sleeping face, glad that he was okay. When she and the rest arrived in Suna, they were told that Kankurou had gone after Gaara's kidnappers and was poisoned. He had been on the brink of death and would have died if it wasn't for Sakura, who had become Tsunade's apprentice over the last two and a half years, and she used her medical skills to draw out the poison using and operation Tsunade taught her how to perform. She then, along with two of the Suna medical-nin, went to one of the greenhouses of Suna to collect herbs to make an antidote for future poisonings and to get rid of the rest of the poison in Kankurou's system, which Kankurou drank earlier.

By now it was late and everyone was in his or her hotel rooms, sleeping. Nami had made an excuse to Sakura, her roommate, about forgetting something, which was a lie, she just wanted to check on Kankurou. She was already wearing her pajamas, having changed before the thought of visiting Kankurou crossed her mind, and they consisted of shorts and a t-shirt and had the picture of a sleeping kitten on it, a gift from Ino.

She only stared at him for a moment longer before sitting on the chair next to his hospital bed, letting out a soft sigh. I don't even know why I came here. She crossed her arms and looked away. Only a second passed before she glanced at him again, which turned into a stare. She got up and looked at him closely. He looks so different. Maybe it's because I haven't seen him in a year, that he's sleeping, or he's not wearing any war paint...probably all three. He looks...cute. She didn't realize she was leaning closer until she was inches from him and his eyes opened somewhat. Her face turned red and she jumped back, sitting back down, looking innocent. He opened his eyes and squinted.

"...What are you doing?"

"Nothing!" She squeaked quietly.

Kankurou smirked and sat up, wincing as he did. Nami leaned forward, putting a hand on his chest. "You shouldn't be sitting up, actually you should be asleep." She pushed him back into a laying position.

He looked outside, seeing how late it was, and closed his eyes.

…

He opened his eyes and looked at her. "So should you." He sat up again and looked at her hand, then her. "What are you doing here?"

"I..." She blushed and pulled her hand off his bare chest, sitting back down. "I..no reason."

He raised an eyebrow. "So you have no explanation as to why you were about to kiss me?"

She glared, more annoyed with the fact that her blush wouldn't go away than at the statement, although to smirk annoyed her too. "I wasn't going to kiss you." She crossed her arms and tried to hide her beet red face. "I was just...looking at your face. I've never seen you with out your make-up on."

He grinned. "Surprised I'm so handsome?"

She nodded; blush disappearing. "Yep, I thought that you wore the make-up to cover your face, but now I guess it makes you feel pretty." She smirked and pinched his cheek.

Kankurou grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand down. "Did you wait till I woke up just so you could annoy me?"

She scooted her chair closer and placed her chin on her palm and elbow on the bed. "No, but that doesn't stop me. It's fun, and I don't care if you hate me." She closed her eyes and smiled.

Kankurou stared at her and then looked down to where his hand was still grasping her wrist and hand. "I don't hate you, you're just very annoying."

She opened her eyes. "Well I really like you and I like annoying you, but you're very stupid."

He narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"How could you go after two Akatsuki members by yourself? If Gaara couldn't defeat them, what made you think you could?"

Kankurou glared. "He's my brother, I couldn't just let him be kidnapped!"

Nami stood and slammed her hands down on the side of the bed and leaned closer. "Well you should have thought about the people who would have cared if you died, like your sister or me!"

"What, because you wouldn't be able to annoy me any more?" He asked, though his glare softened somewhat.

She stared at him intently. "No, because I would miss you too much."

He stared back just as intently; his heart started beating faster. "Why?"

"Because...I really like you." She tried to smile, but instead she just blushed.

Kankurou continued to stare before he grabbed the back of her head and covered her lips with his. Nami's eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. Her eyes slowly closed and she returned the kiss, placing a hand on his cheek, while the other was on the bed next to them, holding herself up.

She broke away to breath and opened her eyes halfway. "Kankurou-"

He didn't let her continue as he captured her lips in a second kiss, warmth filling his chest. He closed his eyes and let one hand trail to her neck and the other to the small of her back, under her shirt. He leaned back, breaking the kiss and smiled, opening his eyes, but then frowned.

He was still laying down and the sun was up. He sat up painfully and looked around, the room was empty. It was...a dream?

"You should not be sitting up mister!" Said a happy, but stern voice.

Kankurou looked up as Nami entered the room, she was holding a cup in her hand that was probably filled with more medicine. "Sakura told me to give this to you while she packed." She said handing him the cup.

He drank, with her helping him hold up the cup. When he finished she put the cup on the table next to him and smiled. "I also came to say goodbye, we're probably leaving after Pakkun gets back and I promise I'll do all I can to bring your brother back." She held up a fist.

Kankurou stared at her before smiling. "Thank you, Nami."

She suddenly stopped smiling and leaned in so her face was only a couple inches away from his, head tilted to the side. "I think that's the first time you've used my name, you must be growing up." She blinked a couple of time, still staring, and smiled. "You look very different without your make-up, better I think."

His face began to heat up at the close proximity. "You already told me that."

She leaned back and frowned. "I did? When?"

"Last night...you did come and see me, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, but you weren't up long enough to talk to me. After you asked what I was doing here and I told you to go back to sleep...you went back to sleep. Another first, you did as I asked."

Kankurou looked down. So it was a dream. "So, why were you here?" He asked, hoping to have the same reaction as in the dream.

She waved a hand in an air of nonchalance. "Decided to check on you, make sure you were okay. I was worried, but only a bit."

"Why?"

She placed her hands on her hips. "Well you might not like me, but I like you enough to be worried if you die or not. Once I decide I want to be friends with someone, they're stuck with me forever, but most of the time they return the friendship. Wow, another first for you."

Kankurou winced. "I was having a bad day that day, you shouldn't take what I said serious."

"Oh, I never take what you say seriously." She said.

Kankurou glared. "I see you haven't changed much."

She rolled her eyes. "Well darn, and I thought I grew my hair out for a reason."

He looked her up and down, blushing the tiniest bit, eyes finally stopping at her waist length hair. "Why did you grow it out?"

She picked up a piece and looked at it. "Something about looking prettier with long hair."

He raised an eyebrow. "You still care about what other people think of your appearance?"

She glared. "No, but Sakura said it would make me more womanly or something." She blushed, looking defensive. "I'm allowed to care about how I look for my own benefit!" She turned away and started to leave.

"I don't think you have to change anything."

Nami stopped and turned her head. Kankurou was smiling again. A smile broke out across her face. "Thanks...I hope I see you soon." She didn't know what else to say, so she waved her hand and left.

Kankurou sighed and laid back down. "Me too."

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