kankuro & tenten
i am SO NORMAL ABOUT THEM hahahhahhahhah. i think they're such a silly concept for a ship ( they are just two Dudes, they are Simply Vibing ) but it works on a deep level. they both are middle children ( kankuro literally, tenten spiritually. i'm not gonna explain she's the Middle Child of team gai ) and they are both living in the shadows of their teammates/families. they're both grounded, but are good-natured and like to laugh. they make each other laugh. they recognize each other for their unique talents and skills, where others look them over. they're both obsessed with their weird hobbies and live in rooms covered in the trinkets they collect, and they both listen with their WHOLE HEARTS while the other infodumps. this relationship is very bisexual 4 bisexual. it's very catboy bf meets sword girl gf.
but it is also what it means to be looked at and recognized for what and who you are. to be really seen, for the first time. to be held and treasured. to be protected like you're worth protecting. to be accepted for all your quirks and to be told that your shortcomings don't look all that bad on you. it's purple lipstick stains and long-distance phone calls. it's treasured weekend trips where they drink in each other for every minute, every second. it's the fear of your villages going back to war with one another and ling this most precious thing. it turns the dream for peace selfish, if only the two of you can share in it.
