Shino knew that Kankurou was a busy man (as was he), but it was rare that they were able to spent occasions like birthdays together. Which made this one all the more important. Elaborate scheme already set in place with the assistance from Kiba and the Kazekage, Kankurou was none the wiser to Shino's arrival in Sunagakure. He'd let himself into Kankurou's home already knowing the puppeteer wouldn't be there and set about preparing for his beloved's arrival.
he REALLY should’ve seen it coming-- he had played a much similar scheme on shino’s own birthday, to not even acknowledge that the favour could’ve been returned one day was totally his fault. the pupeteer’d been so busy on the past couple days, he’d totally FORGOTTEN what date had been crawling up. it was only until his sibs brought it up, had congratulated him for his birthday, that he’d remembered.
he should’ve had an inkling the moment tem had offered to cover for him, giving him more time for himself on this special day. he should’ve noticed it when gaara had avoided all subjects concerning konoha during the upcoming days ( & in turn, distracting him from the nature of the surprise ). but it was better that he hadn’t-- for the absolute bliss & joy that emerged the moment he came home & spotted his boyfriend ( the very same one he hadn’t seen in MONTHS ) inside his house wouldn’t have been as large otherwise. all plans he’d been making for himself on his walk home were INSTANTLY discarded as his pace sped up, lips breaking into a grin as his arms wrapped around his lover in an almost suffocating embrace, unable to stop the laughter that bubbled up from inside him. ❝ pfft-- ha ha ! ! ah man, i guess i’m HOME ! ❞