So they went down and they sat on the pier.
He said, "I bet you got a boyfriend, but I don't care.
I've got no one to send a letter to...
Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?"
"As reluctant as I am to admit this, you certainly have an eye for secret spots," Kankuro teased as he leaned across the railing of the bridge, staring down into the water below. Just as Tenten said, she had woken Kankuro up after exactly an hour, tea completely forgotten, and, despite his protests, had dragged him to a quiet, secluded bridge. The view of the river and the sun setting on the horizon was spectacular from the spot where they had rested for the past four hours, talking about anything and everything that was on their minds.
"Yeah, I found this spot a few years back," Tenten replied absently, winding a strand of her chocolate-brown hair around her fingers as she gazed out at the sky, colored fiery orange by the setting sun. "I usually don't come here, though, unless I really need to get away. It's pretty relaxing, you know?"
"Man, tell me about it." Kankuro smirked, stretching out contentedly and focusing his gaze on Tenten. He'd never admit it, but this shinobi was surprised at how much she had managed to change his opinion of her. If anyone had asked him what he thought of Tenten before today, he would have shrugged the question off, simply stating that she was a weapons chick who had been completely blown away (no pun intended, har har har) by his sister a few years ago.
But now... as he listened to another crazy anecdote about Tenten's hectic team, her dark eyes glittering with laughter, he realized that within the past four hours, he had begun to see this girl in a new light. Not only was she full of hilarious stories, she was an amazing listener, had an awesome sense of humor, and was surprisingly easy to talk to... not to mention, with her hair down, she was easily prettier than any of the ladies Kankuro had... attempted to date back in Suna. And for Kankuro to give her such a summary, he knew she must be something special.
"Um, Kankuro?"
The shinobi started, realizing that he had been staring at Tenten for the past five minutes, completely zoned out, with what must have been a somewhat-soppy look on his usually sarcastic face. She was now staring back, a half-amused, half-impatient look falling over her.
"Sorry bout that, Tenten." Attempting to regain some dignity, he ran a hand through his brown hair and grinned at her. "Now, uh... what was the question?"
Tenten rolled her eyes, but failed to suppress the giggle she had been trying to stifle. "God, Kankuro, are you always this empty-headed?" she teased, her brown eyes glittering as she fought back a blush.
Kankuro scoffed, rolling his eyes right back at her and shoving her playfully. She shoved him back, resulting in a wrestling match that quickly turned into a tickling match. After a few insane minutes, Kankuro sat victoriously on top of Tenten despite her protests. Both were laughing so hard, they fought to catch their breath.
"Man, who knew a Konoha kunoichi could be so awesome?" Kankuro asked, half-seriously. Rolling off of Tenten, he sat cross-legged in front of her, smirking. She flicked his leg, but smiled and mimicked him, taking a spot right in front of him. Kankuro grinned back, nervously running a hand through his hair as he finally got to what he had been meaning to ask her for hours. "Eh... mind if I ask you something?"
"Fire away, hot shot," she replied, fixing the ribbon in her hair. Kankuro watched her for a few seconds, still surprised by how pretty she had grown. After a while, he cleared his throat.
"I was just wonderin'... can I have your address?"
Tenten froze, ribbon still in hand and hair still loose. She lifted her eyes to him, shining with curiosity and suspicion. "What do you need my address for?" she asked, her voice radiating the same feelings her eyes held. Kankuro laughed at the tone of her voice and held his hands up in front of him.
"Don't worry, hun, I'm not a creeper," he chuckled,clearly amused. Tenten relaxed slightly and continued to fix her hair, tying it back up into its usual two buns. "It's just... you know the war taking place between Suna and Iwa, right?"
Tenten nodded, never taking her eyes off of his face.
"Well, I'm joinin' the Suna ranks as a general," he said, his voice filled with pride. Tenten's eyes widened and she nodded, impressed. "And y'know, all the other guys will have their girlfriends to send letters back to, right? Now, I know you probably have a boyfriend," he said quickly as Tenten opened her mouth to speak, "but I was just wondering if... I could send a couple letters back to you? Y'know, just so I don't look like a loner or somethin' inaccurate like that." The blush spreading across his cheeks contradicted his suave tone.
Tenten laughed at that last comment, then nodded, her buns bobbing. "Three things, Kankuro," she said, smirking. "One- no, I do not have a boyfriend, though I don't see how that would be shocking in any way. Two- it'd be awesome if you sent some letters. I might even reply, if you're lucky." Kankuro huffed at that, but Tenten ignored him and continued. "And three- I'm surprised you don't have a girlfriend back in the Sand village, Mr. Confident."
"Oh, please," Kankuro replied, wiping his shoulder in a cocky manner. "I'm way too good for those girls. They don't deserve this much man in their lives."
Tenten pretended to gag, earning her a playful punch from Kankuro. "And I deserve that much... man?" she teased, contorting her face so she looked completely grossed out.
"I guess you're the lucky one here," Kankuro replied as he brushed off that last comment with a wave of his hand. "But, uh, if ya wanna write your address down, that'd help me just a bit."
"Right." Fumbling in her pockets, Tenten cried victoriously when she recovered a slip of paper. She pulled a pencil from another pocket and quickly scribbled down her address.
"There ya go, hot shot," she said, handing him the paper. He read it and smiled, quickly stuffing the paper away.
"Thanks, Tenten," he smirked, struggling to rise to his feet. "I owe ya one."
"Oh, really?" Tenten held out an impatient hand. Rolling his eyes, Kankuro pulled her to her feet with more force than necessary. "And how do you you plan to repay me?"
Kankuro shrugged, thinking hard. "Well, I definitely don't have any money," he started, and Tenten sighed, placing her hands on her hips.
"Well, you don't have to pay me back with anything material," replied Tenten, her voice full of hinting. Kankuro, of course, failed to realize what she was getting at and instead stared at her blankly.
"Eh... how am I supposed to repay you, then?" Kankuro scratched his head, confused. Tenten sighed heavily and took a step towards him.
"You really are dense, aren't you?" she asked teasingly, her face inches away from his. Before Kankuro could retort, her lips were pressing against his, her arms around his neck.
Her kiss was like nothing he had ever experienced. Sure, Kankuro had kissed many a girl, and some were excellent at the job. But Tenten... Her kiss was both passionate and gentle, loving and teasing, wanting and giving. The power of such a simple kiss froze Kankuro solid for a few seconds, unable to respond. After a while, he gave in and returned the kiss, slinking his arms around Tenten's waist and pulling her closer to him, so close they were nearly one.
"Do you really have to go to war now?" Tenten sighed once they reluctantly broke apart. Kankuro shook his head seriously and threw her an apologetic look. She tried to smile back, but quickly buried her head in Kankuro's chest. Despite her attempts to suppress it, he could feel her shaking against him, tears escaping from her eyes.
I hate you, you know," Tenten half-laughed, her voice muffled by the fabric of Kankuro's jumpsuit. "Never in my life have I cried for a boyfriend, not even ones that I'd dated for a long time. And then you come along. I've only really known you for hours."
"Hey, it'll be okay," Kankuro chuckled as Tenten lifted her head and wiped a tear away. "I'll be back in September, probably. The war shouldn't last long. Only six months, and you get all the Kankuro you want."
"Oh, and that's supposed to cheer me up?" Tenten smiled through her tears as Kankuro pretended to be offended. "I will miss you, though. Promise to write often?"
"As often as I can," he replied, kissing her forehead. "I mean, I AM a war general, babe. We don't get much free time."
"Right." Kankuro smiled and squeezed Tenten one more time before dropping his arms to his side.
"Man, it's dark out. I better be going before Gaara and Temari throw a hissy fit. Now those can get pretty nasty... especially with Gaara." He shuddered slightly.
"Sounds like fun," Tenten smirked, letting go of the puppet master reluctantly. "I guess I'll... see you in six months, then."
"I guess so." Kankuro's face fell slightly as he kissed Tenten once more. "I'll write as soon as I get there, okay? I'll miss you... well, when I'm not too busy killing people that is," Kankuro added quickly, mentally cursing himself for letting a weak side of him show.
"Bye, Kankuro," Tenten laughed. Her smile let Kankuro know that she appreciated The shinobi returned her smile sadly as he turned away and began walking towards the road. When he reached the end of the bridge, he allowed himself to turn for one last glance of her, staring out across the water, moonlight glittering in her blue eyes. He sighed happily, then turned back and continued on his way, shaking his head as a smirk grew across his painted face.
"Man... I really AM crazy."