Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Naturally. If I would, it would be named Gaara...


Chapter Two – Deal


"I don't think, I want to be in there." Kankuro motioned at my car. "I refuse."

I clenched my jaw. "It's perfectly fine. Everyone uses cars to get somewhere. It's the most popular thing in this world next to alcohol and money." And maybe I should let the fact slide for now, that my eyes weren't that good. Didn't want him to become more ruffled than it was good for him.

These guys should consider themselves lucky, because they ran into me and not another random being. Their silent glaring and easily triggered short temper wouldn't get them anywhere soon. And with looking like some freaky cosplayers, the chances were even slimmer to non-existent.

Speaking of non-existent, I had the opportunity to get a clear view on Gaara's face and the eye brows were in fact missing. The skin was completely smooth. It seemed like he had no facial hair whatsoever. No small hairs - that were maybe to light to be discovered - none.

"I don't think it will fit in?" Kankuro's next attempt of talking himself out of it confused me at first until I saw, what he was pointing at. The gourd on Gaara's back.

Ah, bless him for being clueless. "No problem." I flashed him a sovereign grin as I walked over to the trunk and opened it. He peeked inside when he sided up with me.

Then I realized Gaara was also next to me. He also seemed not comfortable with the idea of riding a car and leaving his gourd in a trunk, out of reach for an indefinite amount of time.

"It's alright. Really." I sighed highly frustrated. I really didn't want to think of camping out in the middle of nowhere just because them.

Kankuro shot me warning look. "I better get these back in one piece." And then he casually dropped his scrolls into the trunk.

Gaara loosened the straps on his gourd and I heard a soft thud as it landed on the ground. I was positive it was extremely heavy, so I reached my hands out in order to help him getting it inside. I just acted on pure instinct and regretted a second later.

He gave me the most evil eye I ever received in my entire life - for real - so I quickly pulled back. Man, he was sensitive about that thing. I watched him lifting it inside the trunk and carefully placing it down and suddenly I couldn't resist the urge to ask.

"So, what's in it anyway?" I managed to sound as casual as possible.

"Sand." His curt reply. Figured.

Nonetheless, I was truly amazed that I was able to get an answer out of him anyway, despite that it was just one word.

A mischievous smile formed on my lips, wondering if I could strike up an actual conversation. "Weird. Care to clarify?"

"No." It was nothing more but a single grunt. Still amused, I reminded myself not to get so pushy. It surely wouldn't work with Gaara.

Then we got in and the issue of who was sitting where resolved itself. Kankuro claimed the passenger seat as his, because Gaara had silently volunteered to sit in the back. Inwardly I laughed at myself slightly embarrassed; Gaara really didn't want to be anywhere near me. My shoulders involuntarily slid down realizing the true meaning. Damn.

"So, how does this thing work?" The answer to Kankuro's question came right away as I started the engine and hit the road. He was stunned and I chuckled.

"Amazing!" He exclaimed happily and turned his head to see how Gaara was doing. I checked the rear mirror to see for myself and was surprised that the redhead had chosen to sit in the middle of the back seat, with the result that my eyes met his in the rear mirror.

I tensed when he didn't even blink. I quickly resumed paying more attention to the road ahead, because I didn't want to be held responsible for killing the Kazekage in a car crash, because I was too occupied with goggling at him.

Soon we reached the city I lived in and Kankuro gaped at the view. "Sure is different from home." He muttered, his wide eyes taking in everything there was.

My gaze flickered over to him, when we progressed through the big city. "It's just steel and concrete. Nothing more." I sounded somewhat displeased, because aside from the fact that I grew up here with my uncle, I really held no affection for this city.

"You don't like living here?" The puppeteer inquired, catching my drift.

"I could take it or leave it. But my business is established here. And there are certain memories linked to this place. So, I guess that makes it my home after all." I said absent-mindly, my eyes focused on the street ahead. I had just rambled on without noticing and felt uncomfortable, about how much it actually did give away.

Silence ensued once more, and I was glad when we finally reached my street and I parked the car on the driveway next to the very stuffed trashcans. I winced, the smell was almost unbearable, as I got off the car. Kankuro's eyes were wide and he covered his nose and mouth with both hands.

I grinned sheepishly and didn't fail to see, that the awful smell even triggered a reaction from the redhead. His narrowed eyes were nothing short of a silent glowing rebuke.

"The garbage disposal has become very sloppy." I shrugged and was on the first step towards my door, when I heard Gaara grunt.

"My gourd."

I rolled my eyes. It was no question, there was no 'please' attached to it, it was a plain command. Yet once more, he kept it very short. He really did not intend to waste his time with too many words. I turned around with darkened eyes.

"Of course, milord." I replied tauntingly as I sauntered back and opened the trunk rather violently. He ignored my behavior all the way, grabbing his equipment and putting it back on.

Kankuro retrieved his scrolls as well, fully aware of my tension. "Thanks."

I blinked at him. He offered a smile. "You're welcome." I said, wishing his younger brother had the same manners.

We entered the house and I got greeted with the musky scent I liked so much. The old house was my refuge, my sanctuary. No one ever disturbed my being in these walls, which would be able to tell hundreds of stories of the people that had lived in here. I was no exception. This was where I lived since I was six years old.

I knew every corner, every crack in the ceiling and walls, every creak of the wooden floor.

And of course, I knew every single object, which had never been moved. It was vital for me to have the locations memorized because of my eyesight, which even got worse with the fading light.

"Home sweet home." I announced, putting the keys on the cabinet in the entrance hall. Kankuro dropped his scrolls next to the furniture and let his gaze wander around the place.

I really wasn't sure, what to do next. Normally I would just settle in the living room and watch some TV since it was my self-proclaimed day off. But with these two in tow….

My stomach interrupted my trail of thoughts. "Uh…." My eye twitched. Food! I needed food right now. I had forgotten how hungry I was after walking through the woods longer than I had planned because of the Sand shinobis.

"Hey, why don't you just sit down and I see if I have anything edible. You must be hungry too, right?"

Kankuro appreciated my suggestion. "Yeah, I could use a bite." Gaara deadpanned. How various.

I retreated through the opposite door from the one we came in into the kitchen. I quickly rummaged through the cupboards and raided the fridge. Surprisingly, well not really, I found just enough stuff to assemble some sandwiches. Well, it was better than nothing. I really had no idea, what preferences they had when it came to food, so I just made a bunch of different toppings.

I could be various, unlike others in this house.

I entered the living room, juggling a huge platter in one hand and plates in the other to see that nothing had changed about them since I left. They still stood in there, but closer to the window, facing the ledge.

"What's wrong?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"It moved." Kankuro concluded with a puzzled voice. Gaara seemed interested in, well whatever they were looking at, as well.

I awkwardly placed everything down on the low table in the middle of the room, happy that I managed the task without dropping anything. I flexed my arms and sighed.

"What moved…" I was unnerved, but immediately knew what they were so curious about.

"Carnivorous Plant." I remarked dryly and jostled myself between the two guys. I had it for a long time and thanks to my care, it prospered splendidly.

"Carnivorous." Gaara repeated slightly intrigued.

Was he serious? That attracted his attention? Cruddy green stuff? I nearly collapsed. Okay, so it wasn't just some common plant, even for this world. I might as well could give him a performance why it was named that way and also because he seemed interested, which seemed rare for him in the first place.

"This one's a Venus flytrap, but there are several other types named after their appearances, different methods of trapping their prey and then eating it." I explained, while I was searching for said prey across the room.

"It…eats?" Kankuro sounded amused, apparently not believing a single world. "What does it eat? Most likely not humans, eh?"

"You kidding me? Of course not! But anyway, don't touch it!"

You know how it is when you would tell little children to not eat sand or pick their noses, right? And how they would proceed to do it anyway, mainly because you told them not to do so and it just multiplied their curiosity and urge?

So, when I heard Kankuro yelp out in surprise, rather than pain I guess, because I knew it just really didn't hurt that badly, I didn't even had to turn around to know what just happened. I ignored him and resumed my search for something to feed to my Venus flytrap.

There, itsy bitsy spider! Gotcha! I knew, they kept invading this house, you just had to look closely to spot one. I took the tiny black fella in my palm, almost feeling sympathetic for him as I returned to stand in between the siblings.

Kankuro had his index finger in his mouth, still surprised that he just endured his first bite by plant.

"It bit me." He mumbled, pouting.

Thanks, Captain Obvious. "I told you not to touch it, didn't I? Besides, I would be surprised if it even hurt." I snapped at him and he pulled his finger out of his mouth, accompanied by the distinctive suckling noises. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Gaara examining my open palm.

"Well, since you already got your show, I think I might just let him go. What do you think?" I shoved my hand, complete with little spider, into his face. The redhead did not flinch once. I should give him credit for that, but admittedly, it was just a really cute little spider, clearly not enough to scare the wits out of a phlegmatic Kazekage.

"I think it's enough." His dark sounding voice commanded.

I must confess that I didn't really know what he meant. That Kankuro had his finger shoved into the plant's opening in the first place or only the point that I was about to kill an innocent spider or the entire situation?

He must have realized my confusion at his randomness, for he sighed. "I think I understand the nature of this plant quite well. Therefore, no further demonstration is acquired."

Oh, was he getting annoyed? Because of me? Hopefully, because of Kankuro. I gulped. "Alright. I got it." He studied me over my still raised hand, so I quickly lowered it to chest level. The spider was still present on my palm, so I proceeded to release him. "There you go little one. But, you should thank this gentleman for your life."

I knelt down to let the little creature off my hand and he swiftly scurried between Gaara's feet and away. I waved after him and wiped an imaginary tear away, then stood back up.

"Why do you actually let these insects roam free in your house?" Kankuro complained wailing, motioning into the direction the spider just had ran off to.

I rubbed my forehead. "First off, it's an arachnid, not an insect. There's a difference. Second, they're everywhere anyway. So who am I to throw him out of the window and separate him from his friends. I'm not that heartless." I explained to him in a childlike voice.

"But, you were about to kill him." Gaara stated bluntly, thus shamelessly ruining my effort.

You know what? I liked him better, when he was killer who didn't stuck his tiny nose into others business and simply minded his own.

Kankuro gazed at his brother with a proud expression. "Yeah. What he said." He pointed his thump at the redhead, awaiting my reaction.

I gaped at Gaara's quick-wittedness. "Touché." I solemnly admitted my defeat.

Okay, I've reconsidered. I liked Gaara the way he was now. It would be interesting to learn more about him. The input from the manga, let's be honest, wasn't enough. He was too much of a fascinating character to let this chance pass.

"Alright. Chow time." The awkwardness of this whole almost-killing-then-saving-a-spider-issue was getting on my nerve when I remembered what I was originally about to do, before these two sand clowns had interrupted me.

The puppeteer clapped his hands, having no objections and plunked down next to me on the couch. Until now I had been oblivious to the fact, that the Kazekage had his gourd still attached to his back. He must have noticed the inconvenience of sitting down with it as well, so he got rid of it and settled it next to him at the last remaining option to sit.

The wing chair was big, let me tell you. And as he sat down, I couldn't help but grin. He looked like a child in this oversized furniture. Though that was exactly what made it so comfortable to sit in the first place.

Meanwhile, Kankuro scrutinized the sandwiches suspiciously. I cleared my throat, because again I had stared at the redhead with too much abandon. I seriously had to watch myself. Because I knew that he knew as well. This was embarrassing.

"I'm not sure, you what you like, so I tried to make a bit everything I had. And you don't have to be polite and eat it, if it taste bad for you, just spit it out and try the next one, alright? You with me so far?" I spoke somewhat fast, not really realizing it for it was my normal pace anyway. I randomly grabbed a Pastrami sandwich and began to chew, secretly watching my company.

They had listened slightly puzzled. Not the first time today, so I let it slid. But, since Kankuro seemed weirded out, I put my food down. "Okay. What is it?"

"I just wondered what that all is."

"Is it that different from what you usually eat?" Man, either he was picky or plain dense. Didn't I just tell, what they should do with the food?

"Actually yeah." Just go ahead and eat for god's sake. Gaara once more was awfully quiet.

"It tastes quite alright. Don't worry. It' just white bread and cheese with ketchup, roast beef, pork, cucumber." With each mentioned topping, my finger pointed at the matching sandwich. Yeah, cucumber. It tastes good and my uncle had often made those, and I had taken a liking to it.

Kankuro nodded and finally settled on the one with roast beef. Thank God. He poked it, after he had put it on his plate. "It won't attack you." I giggled from the side. He grunted and then started tentatively nibbling on it. From his expression I could tell, it wasn't too bad.

I sighed in relief, peeking over to the redhead. He had taken the cucumber sandwich and raised it to his mouth. For a second it just had remained in front of it. Then I suddenly knew what he was doing. I hardly managed to swallow my laughter.

He must have noticed, because his eyes met mine and he demonstratively took a bite. I knew it was weird, but I found it rather endearing, that he had just sniffed it before he went to eat it.


I stared at the image in the mirror of my bathroom. I could see the dried blood still on my nose. Did I walk around like that the whole evening and no one even bothered to tell me? Puh. I undressed myself and turned the shower on. I definitely needed it and sighed in relief as the hot water hit my tensed muscles. Also it would give Gaara and Kankuro some time for themselves.

It seemed like they were not up to it to discuss their situation in front of me. Therefore, I decided purposefully to take my time. Also it offered me some time to think about what to do next. Really, I had still no idea how it was even possible for them to get here. Moreover, I was beyond clueless how they would get back home. Flickering light in the middle of the dessert? Flicker?

I suddenly remembered. Yesterday at night, my chandelier had flickered. No, I shoved the thought away. Coincidence. It happened sometimes. The electricity wasn't as reliable as it should be. And even if it had something to do with it, it wasn't important. But how the hell was I supposed to find a way for them to get back to Suna? My head started spinning. Maybe I should just start first with the phenomenon they had mentioned.

I mean, there's a lot of weird things in this world that people believed in. Paranormal activities existed in people's minds for a long time now. I could dig out some cases from the net. Maybe I could find a clue to what these two had encountered.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Damn! I've been staring at the tiled wall all the time while thinking, and now I got shampoo in my eyes. I quickly held my head under the water stream from above until the burning subsided. I furiously rubbed my eyes. There would be so red when I was out here.

I continued to rinse myself and then just stood there under the hot water.

How long would there be here? Days? Weeks? Months? That could get difficult. They had a lot to learn, when they wanted to stay here. I mean, they were clueless with sandwiches to begin with. And they had no clothes. Nothing. Aside the dumb gourd and the scrolls. Well, I had some clothes that might would fit, but clearly not enough.

I perked up. Tomorrow would be a busy day with a lot of shopping. My fridge was also empty. Ugh...

And I wondered how they felt about all of this. It must be terrible to be ripped out of your familiar places and thrown into an entirely different world. Well, not that different, but different enough to be thrown out of the loop. And of course I knew, that there was a war going on in the ninja world. I'm sure the Suna shinobis were worried about their home. And their sister.

My determination enhanced. I would help them with everything I could do. There's got to be a way. I couldn't even imagine what might happen in the Naruto universe without them. There were vital characters in the story. It surely would turn the world upside down, if they would be missing for too long.

I shut the shower off and dried myself. Then I studied my serious face in the mirror again, before I closed my eyes, in- and exhaling a few times. It helped to stay calm. Don't worry, just play it by ear. There's nothing else I could do. Besides, with enough money, you could definitely get somewhere in this world. It was the only language that still worked in the world. We're not totally screwed.

I opened my eyes and gave my image in the mirror the thumps up. My dimples appeared, I was smiling. I was a private investigator after all. So, it was time to get on with the job.

I dressed myself in fresh clothes, quickly dried my hair up and went to see what the boys were doing.

I found them both still in the living room, discussing. From the looks on their faces, I could venture it wasn't a pleasant topic. They both looked serious, Kankuro a bit pained.

"So, have been drawing sticks as for who's next with the shower or did you fight it out like men?" My attempt to lighten up the mood did not fail completely, for a smile tucked on the puppeteers lips. "In any case, I'm sure it would be me." He announced cheekily.

Gaara quirked his brow at him. "Oh?" Was that really amusement in his eyes about his brother? My grin widened.

"Up the stairs, first door on the left." I instructed. "Towels are in the huge drawer in the hallway and I'll get you some other clothes."

"We've decided." Gaara suddenly interrupted, yet again to me it seemed completely random.

"Come again?" I really disliked his affinity for short comments. Kankuro slumped back on the couch.

"We've considered your offer and would like to hire your services."

If he wouldn't have been so damn serious about it, it would have cracked me up. "My offer was to help you." I corrected him quietly.

"That, we cannot simply accept. I'm grateful for your generosity to have us here, but it surely will be inconvenient for you." At the end of the sentence, he seemed like almost asking. I cocked my head, and then shook it no.

"It's not. The house is big enough for all three of us. And your case is special, so I volunteer. I won't charge."

"Come on, Gaara, give it a rest." Kankuro chipped in soothingly. I was confused, then I understood what was going on.

"If this is about money, don't worry. I'm well situated. It's no problem at all. And, you said you don' t have anything to pay me anyway, right?"

"That's what we wanted to discuss with you. What else would you accept rather than money?" The Kazekage asked, I shrugged.

Since, apparently he wouldn't let it go, I relented. I knew, he was uncomfortable with the fact that he felt like bothering me with their presence and not having anything to return the favor. "An exchange." I stated matter-of-factly.

Kankuro looked surprised, Gaara's expression remained the same. "Like what?" He inquired a bit suspiciously.

I waved at him dismissively. I wouldn't take advantage of him. "Tell me about your world." Kankuro relaxed visibly. I mentally laughed. Did he expect I would want his scrolls or Gaara's gourd or something else inappropriate?

"Very well." The Kazekage replied. "But why?" He added, confusion evident in his voice.

"I'm just interested. And, well…" I shuffled with my feet, looking down. "Since it's unknown how much time we need to spent together, I thought it would be better, you know, to know a bit about each other."

The reaction, the redhead displayed, wasn't anticipated. His eyes widened in surprise. And there was something else in his eyes, I couldn't really decipher. "Like developing a more familiar base and building friendly relations?"

I smiled sheepishly. When he said it, it sounded just weird. But, on another note, he clearly understood my intentions. To good, for that matter I concluded. "Yeah, something like that. I just want to make sure we'll get along."

"You haven't even given us your name yet. Isn't that the first step to…get along?" Gaara remarked calmly.

I was dumbfounded. "I haven't..?" Really, I swore I did. "Ashe Scantlin." I introduced myself and walked over to him. He watched me . "But just call me Ashe." I extended my hand. His teal eyes traveled from my face down to it.

"You're supposed to shake it." I hinted muttering under my breath. Kankuro enjoyed Gaara's perplex ion, for a grin grazed his lips.

The redhead stood up. I slightly tensed, when he finally took my hand and after a firm shook that only lasted merely two seconds his touch was gone.

"Deal." I said, recovering from the excitement that had just flooded my body.

Kankuro cleared his throat suddenly from behind me. When had he walked up to me? With dazed eyes, I turned around to repeat the action I just had done with his brother. "In case you don't know yet, I'm Kankuro." He flashed me a wicked grin. Idiot, I wasn't that dense. And my ears worked just fine.

"I already know, since I heard you already mentioning your names."

"Alright. Since all this is settled, I'd like to return to the subject of me getting a shower." Kankuro remarked cheekily.

"Yeah, sure. You know what? Let's call it a night then and save the rest for tomorrow. While you both go and take a shower, I'll get your rooms ready and find you some fresh clothes."

Both appreciated my suggestion and Kankuro followed me up the stairs, where we found out, that showers here weren't really that different from the ones they knew, which spared me the trouble of much further explanation. I was glad, because I was getting pretty weary.

I quickly prepared the guestrooms, which originally were to be children's rooms only big enough to house a bed and wardrobe each. Then I went to rummage through my own wardrobe to find something that would fit both guys and after a few minutes found some stuff that was fairly neutral.

I knocked on the bathroom just in time to hear how the shower was turned off. "I'll leave the clothes right outside, okay?" I placed two slacks and a plain black and white shirt next to the door. I had just guessed the seize and was amazed I found something that should actually fit.

"Thanks." Came the muffled reply. I turned to leave for my well-earned sleep and bumped into Gaara. How the hell did he sneak up on me like that? Well, okay maybe it was the circumstance that he was a ninja and I was not and that the hallway was poorly lit. I sidestepped with a muttered excuse only to hit my head on one of the small lamps on the wall. Aargh, when the hell did it get so dark here?

I cursed under my breath, already oblivious to Gaara's presence due to the insetting pain. I clutched the right side of my face. Damn me and my bad eyes. It was that very moment Kankuro chose to emerge from the bathroom. Thank you. Or maybe not. The paint on his face was gone and a towel hung lazily around his waist.

"What's going on?" He blinked at me, then at his brother who hadn't said a single word.

I peeked at him from my uncovered eye and averted my gaze a second later. Yeah, I had seen him half-naked in the manga and with his face not covered half purple. But, this was a rare sight, for he was real. I could see every defined muscle and it made my cheeks burn. When the hell had he decided to turn to be that handsome?

"Goodnight." I swiftly declared my exit, I needed to get away.

When I closed the door of my bedroom behind me, I could catch Kankuro's muffled voice.

"Did I just do something wrong?" There was silence for a few seconds, and then I wished I had just stopped listening.

"I think she is not used to male company." Gaara's observation skills were truly frightening.

I would never leave this room again. I would simply starve and die here. End of story.