[Nearly there! I have one more chapter planned after this. Many thanks to all that have read my story, left a review, or are watching me for updates here on FanFic! This story is shonen-ai, meaning boy/boy relationships, and I do not own "Naruto."]

Four more days in Kanoha; that's all that was left. Kankuro returned home to his tiny apartment drenched to the bone. Another novelty of the green village he would be happy to leave behind: rain. Kankuro was cold!

"Stupid r-r-rain…" At least I don't have to continue going to these stupid meetings after tomorrow.

As Suna's ambassador, Kankuro attended some preliminary meetings regarding upcoming events that would require the two villages' cooperation. They endlessly discussed diplomatic formalities as well as voted on planning committees and proposed changes to annual events. Kankuro wasn't well suited for any of it.

"I j-j-just have to p-present T-t-temari's Chunin Exam suggestions and I'm f-f-free to p-p-pack for home." Kankuro stuttered. He was addressing Crow, who he had decided to leave behind, propped up in a chair in the apartment. It felt less empty if there was someone familiar to greet him upon his return.

"I c-can't wait! Home! B-b-back where it's warm." I can't believe I'm talking to my puppets again. Oh well. It won't be for too much longer.

Kankuro shed his wet clothes and slipped into a warm shower. He stayed in the water for a long time… waiting for his shivering to stop.

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Finally warm, Kankuro emerged from the bathroom with a fluffy towel around his waist. He found his wet clothes, wrung them out, and hung them up to dry. That's when he noticed Kiba's coat. It hung there with his other things… rather out of place. Kankuro hadn't seen Kiba since having dinner together over a week ago.

Of course he had tried to return it, but upon arriving at the Inazuka Compound he was told Kiba wasn't at home. Kankuro assumed he had gone on a mission. He wasn't even allowed inside the Compound to leave the coat for Kiba when he returned, so it just hung there waiting for Kiba to remember to come back for it.

"It looks warm…" Kankuro mumbled.

So he decided to put it on again. Carefully, he threaded his bare arms through the sleeves and put up the hood. His fingers barely poked out from the fur-lined cuffs, but his chest was broader than Kiba's so he couldn't quite do up the front. Kankuro looked down at him self and chuckled; an ill-fitting over-coat and a towel, he looked ridiculous.

And then the scent started to take over: Kiba's scent. It was hard for Kankuro to describe. It was a warm and happy scent, not too strong and not overly pleasant. It had a slight muskiness that was rather dog like. Kankuro took in deep breaths of it, turning his head into the hood and collar.

"What are you looking at?" Kankuro looked over at Crow. Great, now I'm paranoid about what my puppets are thinking.

Kankuro remembered Temari scolding him for talking with his puppets as if they were alive. "You're just not around real people enough!" And it was true. Kankuro had no social skills.

Temari should be back home by now. I should probably let them know I'll be preparing to return soon.

Still clad in his ridiculous costume, Kankuro began searching for a scroll, a brush, and some ink to write a letter. His apartment was too small to leave things lying about, but that didn't mean he could remember where he had stashed everything.

Finally after a few minutes of searching he dumped the needed supplies onto the table, sat down and began composing.

Gaara and (if you are there), Temari,

Mission is almost complete. Plan to leave on Friday, should be home soon. Nothing of interest to report. Exam preparations for next year shouldn't have to start so damn early.

Temari probably wouldn't get the subtle hint behind this phrase: Please don't be absent so I have to cover for you again! Kankuro made a terrible substitute ambassador, and he knew it.

My apartment is too small.

Kankuro was tempted to say that he had hated the weather too, but thought it might make him sound too negative.

I am excited to go home.

Kankuro wanted to go over the stupid missions the Hokage had requested he assist in while he was in town, but thought better of it. He'd have plenty of time to complain about the Kanoha Academy brats and such to Temari's face later.

"I think that will do." Kankuro looked over at his puppet. "As long as you don't go tattling." Crow, of course, was faithfully silent.

But it really wasn't all bad. Kankuro remembered his dinner with Kiba. How comfortable he's been just listening to the boy chatter away during their meal and later up on the mountain. He remembered the glowing sea of lights, and remembered how his distaste for Kanoha had drastically decreased after catching a glimpse of it the way Kiba saw it.

Kankuro didn't know how to put his feelings into words. He was excited to go home, but… there seemed to be something missing. His mind wandered to the coat he still had around his shoulders. He drank in the warm scent and sighed.

No more Kanoha meant no more Kiba. What if Kiba didn't come back before Kankuro went back home? Should he leave the coat behind at the Inazuka's gate, hoping Kiba got it back?

Kankuro wasn't sure it was the coat he was worried about. He'd wanted to let Kiba know how much he had enjoyed their evening together. He wanted to see Kiba. So he added another line before signing and sealing the scroll:

…but I don't mind Kanoha so much anymore.

And that about covered everything. Kankuro carefully hung Kiba's coat back up, pulled on some pajama's and crawled into bed. He'd drop the letter off to a messanger hawk tomorrow.

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"And that concludes the preliminary meeting for the suggested changes to the next Chunin Exam. All committee members please remain for further instruction."

With that Kankuro sighed with relief. Aside from whatever menial tasks the Hokage might request during the next three days he was finished with his assignment. He stood up with the rest of the attending delegates and proceeded to the door.

"I wish this weather would clear up. It's been raining all day." Said an older woman as she pulled out an umbrella.

"Awww. It's good for the crops, miss." A younger man in a chunin vest replied.

"Good for nothing at this rate. Too much rain washes out the fields." An older gentleman retorted.

Kankuro didn't own an umbrella, and would have gratefully insulted the weather along with the elderly couple, but it wouldn't do any good. So he just pulled his hat as far down on his head as he could, put his collar up and got ready to brave the rain.

"You know it's almost unnatural. This water seems to suck all the warmth and strength out of you. Best not stay in it for too long." Another ninja piped in. And with that they headed outside.

Kankuro didn't have far to go, but he could tell he was going to be drenched upon reaching his apartment again. Damn rain…

Sure enough, his fingers shook as he tried to unlock the front door making the keys rattle. He was cold again. Damn cold. Damn rain… damn everything…

Kankuro finally got inside said hello to Crow, who, of course, hadn't moved from his chair, and proceeded to the shower. Just as he turned the water on to warm up…SLIP….BANG.

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Kankuro groggily crawled out of the shower. The water was still on, but it was NOT warm. He was still wearing his soaking clothes. It took him a moment to realize he must have slipped on the tile and hit his head. He was beyond shivering. Lethargically he turned the shower off and found a towel to wrap up in. It was dark outside his window, but he didn't know if that meant it was late or just still raining.

Slowly, Kankuro made his way to the bed and crawled in. All he cared about was getting warm. Damn cold…. Damn wet…. Damn… damn… damn….

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Kankuro woke up coughing. His eyes were puffy, his throat felt hot, and the sunshine in his face did nothing for his headache. It must be morning. He starting piecing together what had happened the night before and realized sleeping in his wet clothes must have brought on more than a chill. Ouch. And his head hurt like hell.

"Arf! Arf!"

Kankuro dismissed the barking, crawling under the covers even further trying to block out sound as well as the morning light.

"Arf!"

Knock, knock, knock.

Kankuro groaned. Please don't be another stupid mission… please don't me another stupid mission.

"Arf! Arf!"

Wait, that's Akamaru… and that must mean… Kiba.

Knock, knock, knock.

Kankuro struggled to get out of bed and to the door without falling over. His head felt like a block of wood with a nail hammered into it. His balance was off, and his feet wouldn't move fast enough.

"Coming…" Kankuro managed to croak out; afraid Kiba would leave before he could get to the door.

"Yes?" Kankuro opened the door, leaning on it for support.

And there he was, giant dog, smiles, and everything. Well, everything except his coat that is. Kankuro could barely register how nice Kiba looked with bare shoulders.

"Kankuro…?" Kiba's face suddenly grew concerned. "What the hell happened to your face?"

"Ouch…" and that was about as far as Kankuro got before falling back on the floor and blacking out.

[Mwah ha ha ha ha ha. Poor Kankuro. Last chapter coming soon! Please leave a review! Many thanks.]