[This is it! Many thanks for all the support. I look forward to moving on to my next story soon. If you have any suggestions for future stories, feel free to message me or leave a review! This story is shonen-ai, meaning boy/boy relationships, and I do not own "Naruto."]

"Kankuro….?"

"He's coming around Kiba, just be patient."

Kankuro still had his eyes closed, but he could hear two people talking softly nearby. Ouch…. His head hurt.

"You sure it's just a concussion?" Kiba sounded doubtful.

"He'll be fine, he just needs rest." The other voice said. Kankuro thought it sounded like a woman. Kankuro thought he better open his eyes and figure out what was going on.

"Ugh….?" That sounded so undignified.

"Kankuro?" Kiba's voice again. He was sitting on one side of the tiny bed in Kankuro's apartment. And not for the first time, Sakura was there on the other side looking all business with her hair tied up and a concerned expression on her face.

"What the…?" Kankuro was having trouble putting two and two together.

"You hit your head, Kankuro. And you slept in your wet clothes. You have a slight fever and a minor concussion. Jeez, I thought you were going to be more careful!" Sakura explained.

"What time is it?" Kankuro tried to look around. He stopped quickly as his headache worsened, the room seeming to spin.

"It's almost noon." Kiba said. "You're pretty lucky Akamaru and I stopped by this morning. Why didn't you get help, you… you…"

"It's alright Kiba. You stay here with him. He is NOT to get out of bed until I come back. Got that?" Sakura gave both young men stern looks as she got up to leave.

"Got it." Kiba looked back down at Kankuro.

Kankuro was still trying to make sense of everything. He started feeling embarrassed. I hope I don't have to go to the hospital. Oh, Hell. What's Kiba doing here, I don't want him seeing me looking so stupid…

"Do you need anything?" Kiba asked, concern in his voice.

Kankuro just looked up at the other ninja rather stunned by the question. There was Kiba, bare shoulders, large beautiful eyes, sitting next to him in bed looking perfectly dashing and a little angry. "Uh… no."

"What happened?" Kiba looked more stern now than worried.

"Uh…. I hit my head." Kankuro's cheeks burned. He was such a useless ninja. His head hurt, his throat felt hot, and the rush of emotions coursing through him made him very uncomfortable.

"Why were you all wet?" Kiba asked again, this time with a small blush of his own.

It was then that Kankuro reasized he wasn't cold or wet anymore. He was in dry clothes. He was tucked in to his bed. How the heck did I get here?

"Uh… Kiba? What happened?" Kankuro tried to get up.

Kiba pushed hard on Kankuro's chest, keeping him in place. "Don't. Sakura said stay put." He fussed over the bed sheets, pulling them up to Kankuro's chin and smoothing them out. "And if I knew what happened I wouldn't be asking you, now would I?"

Kankuro tried to ignore how hot his face felt. "It was raining. I got all wet on my way home so I went to take a shower. I think I must have slipped. I don't remember much else. How did I get here?"

And then, suddenly Kankuro knew. Kiba came that morning. He'd gone to the door… and woke up in his own bed… in new clothes… Damn it Kiba!

"Akamaru went and caught Sakura after you fell down. We were just lucky we'd both just got back from a mission together." Kiba didn't meet Kankuro's eyes. "I helped you into bed."

"Uh… thanks." And that was about all Kankuro could come up with to say.

"Why the hell didn't you call for help?" Kiba looked a little angry again.

"Call who? I don't know anyone here. And besides, I'm alright." Kankuro tried to get up again, only to be pushed back flat on the bed by Kiba.

"You're such an idiot sometimes, you know that right?"

Kankuro decided not to answer that. It stung, but he couldn't say it wasn't true. A few moments passed, neither of the boys looked at eachother.

"Sooo… Why is Raven sitting at the table?" Kiba didn't sound angry anymore.

"What? Oh, you mean… Crow…" Kankuro felt embarrassed again. He wasn't going to answer that one either. "Where's Akamaru?" Kankuro decided to change the subject. Better not let Kiba think I'm that lonely…

"He's outside. Probably chasing crickets again." Kiba's voice was back to normal again. Kankuro saw a hint of a smile, and felt smug at his success in changing topics.

"Arf! Arf"

"Oh, Sakura's back!" Kiba gently got up from the bed and turned around, cheeks flushed. A moment later Sakura and the Fifth Hokage entered.

"Wait just a minute! I'm not THAT hurt!" Kankuro's head still hurt but only a little and he wasn't nearly as dizzy as before.

Tsunade just waved her hand for silence then brought it down on Kankuro's forehead and closed her eyes for a moment. "Good work Sakura, you're right he'll be just fine. Thank you for coming to get me, however. I'd hate to have Suna's Ambassador injured while staying in our village." Her tone was both harsh and a little motherly.

Any more of this treatment and Kankuro was worried about being seen as a complete idiot. "I'm fine!" His dignity obviously hurt.

"Kankuro, I'll be writing the Kazekage to let your brother know you may be a little late in returning home. You'll need a few days of rest before you'll be ready to travel. You should be fine, but it will take time. Don't worry, no more assignments or missions for you anyway." Tsunade turned to Sakura. "Keep an eye on them."

"Yes, Master." Sakura replied.

And with that Tsunade left. Them? Kankuro wondered.

"Uh… I'll check back in tonight, okay Kankuro. No going outside, and get plenty of bedrest. Understand?" Sakura shared a look with Kiba, smiled slightly, and headed out as well.

"Great! Just great…." Kankuro felt stupid and embarrassed. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about what his brother and sister would say once they found out his plans for returning home were delayed because of something so trivial.

"Hey! My coat!" Kankuro's eyes shot open.

Kiba was taking his coat out of the closet and putting it on. "I was wondering where I'd left it."

Kankuro blushed. Well, at least I don't have to worry about that anymore. He was both relieved at not having to track Kiba down to give it back, and a little sad to not have the chance to return it properly with thanks.

"Hmmmmm…." Kiba just stood there.

"What?" Kankuro wasn't over being the reluctant patient yet.

"It smells like you." Kiba had the collar up to his nose.

Kankuro blushed again. Oh! That's right… his damn good sense of smell.

"It's a nice coat." Kankuro tried to brush the fact away.

"Thanks." Kiba blushed too. Silence crept in again, this time a little uncomfortable. A moment or two passed, neither boy knowing what to say.

"So... uh… I should be fine. You can go home now if you want." Kankuro tried to sound nonchalant about it.

Kiba came back to the bed and sat by Kankuro's side. "Really? I seem to remember Sakura saying you should get lots of bed rest. How are you going to do that and take care of yourself at the same time? I bet you're starving. What do you want for lunch?"

"Kiba… you really don't have to…" Kankuro blushed. Kiba interrupted.

"Kankuro." His angry voice was back.

"Alright, alright. Uh… food…" Kankuro started realizing how hungry he was. He'd not had dinner the night before, or breakfast. "Food sounds good."

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

Kiba turned out to be a great nurse. He wasn't a terrific cook, but Kankuro had to admit it was better than his own cooking. And of course he was great company. Kiba could talk for hours. It wasn't long before Sakrua was back to check on Kankuro for the evening. Kiba insisted on sleeping on the couch just in case since Kankuro's fever hadn't let up yet. One day turned into two, and before long it was past when Kankuro had originally planned to return home.

Kankuro hopped in the warm shower, thankful he was given the thumbs-up just hours earlier from Sakura to go back to his normal routine. He just stood there in the water for a little while. I really should start back home tomorrow. Maybe. The next day might be better though, just in case.

He wasn't sure why he didn't feel the need to head back right away. Only a few days earlier he couldn't wait to leave. Gaara had immediately replied to Tsunade's message and told Kankuro he needn't hurry back; he was more worried about Kankuro making a full recovery.

Kankuro didn't like dwelling on the thought too long. His chest felt funny when he thought about leaving, his stomach did little summersaults. So he focused on scrubbing himself down. It felt good to be clean again. Pretty soon he turned off the water, wrapped a towel around himself, and walked out to find clothes.

"Kiba?" The dog ninja was curled-up on Kankuro's bed, eyes closed.

Assuming Kiba was asleep, he tiptoed to the closet, and rummaged around searching for something warm and clean to put on.

"You'll be leaving soon, huh?"

Startled, Kankuro whipped around. Kiba was still lying there, eyes closed, but obviously not sleeping. "Uh… yes. I guess so."

"When?" Still Kiba did not open his eyes.

"I don't know. Maybe tomorrow." Kankuro felt that funny feeling in his chest again. "I could always wait a little longer though, I suppose."

"Not tomorrow, okay?" Kiba's face didn't change, but his voice sounded a little sad.

"Okay. Not tomorrow." Kankuro wasn't sure why he was agreeing so readily.

Kiba snuggled deeper into the bed covers. Kankuro felt embarrassed again all of the sudden. One more day won't hurt. Just one more day…

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

One more day turned into two. It was evening again. Kankuro and Kiba were enjoying take out from Ichiraku Ramen. Crow was set up in the corner to make room for both boys at the table. Kankuro didn't feel like putting him away yet, although most everything else was packed. Kiba was finishing another story about fighting a rogue Hidden Mist Ninja with Hinata and Shino.

"Lucky for us he forgot all about Akamaru, so we did our beast/human transformation and WHAM. He didn't know what hit him." Kiba was a great storyteller, with hand gestures and sound effects.

"I'm stuffed… that was delicious." Kankuro pushed his empty bowl away and leaned back. It was getting late.

Kiba smiled slightly, but looked down at his bowl.

"How are they by the way? Seen them at all since you got back?" Kankuro realized that he and Kiba had spent nearly all their time together for the past few days.

"Who?" Kiba looked up.

"Hinata and Shino."

"Oh, I see them all the time. They're fine." Kiba brushed it off.

Kankuro could tell Kiba was a bad liar. First he skipped out on Hinata's party to spend the evening with me, and now he's forgotten to even train with his teammates. I wonder if I'm a bad influence on him or something?

"Well, it won't be long and you'll be back out there with them again. I'm heading home tomorrow." Kankuro felt his chest ache again. Probably heartburn.

Kiba didn't respond. He just kept looking down at his empty ramen bowl.

Kankuro didn't like the uncomfortable silence that was settling between them, so he got up, cleared the dishes away and wiped off the table. I suppose I should clean the place up a bit and finish packing.

"Do you know if you'll be coming back anytime soon?" Kiba's voice was soft.

Kankuro chest felt like it was cracking. Damn heartburn… Kiba's sad, quiet voice made him so uncomfortable some how. What was he supposed to say? "Uh… I dunno. I'm sure Temari will take over again as Ambassador. I'll be around though."

Kiba got up silently and went into the other room.

Kankuro finished cleaning up the kitchen and picked-up Crow to haul it into the bedroom where the sealing scroll was all ready packed. Kiba was in Kankuro's bedroom on his bed again, eyes open this time.

"You okay?" Kankuro didn't like the way Kiba looked. Almost like he was ill.

"Not really. I'll be okay though." Kiba didn't meet Kankuro's eyes, but instead buried his face in the bed sheets breathing deep.

"I'm going to miss this." Kankuro said aloud, not really sure how to sum up how he felt. He didn't want to leave not really. Why don't I feel like leaving?

"Kankuro?" Kiba's voice was sad and soft again.

"Yes?" Kankuro felt his cheeks go hot, his eyes burning, his chest cracking. What is wrong with me?

It was a moment before Kiba responded. His face still buried in the sheets. "I'm going to miss you too."

And that's when Kankuro lost it. Tears started pouring down his cheeks and his breathing became erratic. Small sobs started escaping him, all the while Kankuro just held up his hands in astonishment. Why the hell am I crying? Damn it Kiba!

Kiba looked up in shock. He quickly got over the surprise however and immediately started fusing. "What's wrong? Kankuro?" Kiba looked Kankuro over. "Is it your head? Are you hurt?"

Kankuro shook his head. He was losing control, that's all.

"Shhhhh." Kiba got up and embraced Kankuro. "Shhhhh. It's alright."

Kankuro pressed into the hug and just cried for a little while, both embarrassed and relieved. Kiba smelt so good.

Kiba. So strong, and funny. So easy to be with, to share things with, to live with…

…so easy to love.

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

"Bye Kankuro!" Chouji called out.

"Be careful this time, you." Sakura chimed in.

Kankuro was at Kanoha's Gate. The morning sunshine was warm against his face. It was time for him to go home, and some of his friends where there to see him off.

"Bye Shikamaru and Chouji! Thanks Sakura." Kankuro waved to them all.

"Come back soon!" Ten-Ten waved along with Lee and Hinata.

"Arf! Arf!"

"I will." Kankuro smiled back. He was coming back all right.

Kiba stood beside him as Kankuro finished his farewells. Then they both headed out the gate. Akamaru waiting obediently beside Hinata for his master.

"So you really think Gaara is going to be okay with… you know?" Kiba asked. They walked slowly, side by side.

"Trust me, he'll understand." Kankuro knew his brother well. Gaara wasn't as emotionless or scary as most people thought. It would be Temari that would be the one to worry about now.

"So next month?" Kiba pulled Kankuro off to the side of the road. They were out of earshot from the others by now.

"I'll be here." Kankuro couldn't get enough of Kiba. He drank in the moment, not caring that the others might see them holding hands.

"Here." Kiba took off his coat. "Just in case it gets cold."

"Kiba… I…"

"Take it." Kiba handed the coat over. Kankuro put it up to his face and breathed in the delicious scent.

"Thank you Kiba."

"Kankuro." Kiba looked back at the others to make sure they weren't watching and placed gave Kankuro a swift and gentle kiss.

"Goodbye Kiba." The strange feeling was back in Kankuro's chest, but this time he knew what it meant and he knew he would be back.

"G'bye Kankuro." Kiba let go of Kankuro's hand and watched him head back home. "See you soon."

[YEY! And there you have it. Please, please review. I'll get busy on my next fanfic soon. Best wishes all!]