Thank you to those who reviewed again.

Kiba'sPet24- I'm sorry if switching to Ai's POV confused you. If it's in first person it will most likely be Ai from now on.

Chapter Four: Step by Step

Kankuro stood with Temari in his room. He glanced up at her.

"What do you think?"

Temari cocked an eyebrow. "About what?"

"Ai-san's story. Do you think it's…" He trailed off.

Temari sighed. "You mean do I believe it?"

Kankuro nodded his face stony. "She could be playing us."

Temari turned to look out the window. "That crossed my mind. Are you thinking the same as I am?"

Kankuro smirked. "I'm pretty sure I am. She says she's never been outside but has tanned olive skin. She says she was a chore girl but her hands are soft and delicate with long nails. We don't even know if 'Ai' is her real name."

Temari nodded. "I know…but you didn't see her without the clothes like when I washed her. Her whole torso is covered with bruises, old and new. And that fear couldn't be faked."

She turned back to her brother. Kankuro sighed.

"I guess we'll have to wait and see," he muttered.

~*~

I ruffled my hair and rolled over again on my futon. Frustrated, I sat up.

How could I be so tired yet unable to sleep? I combed my fingers through my hair. It was so hot.

I couldn't remember feeling this hot where I used to sleep. The small room Temari had given me was stuffy and humid.

All the women had shared a room full of futons at Fuma's brothel. Of course, at night only half of the women slept. Half of the women had a day shift and half had a night shift. Some worked both and some, like me, didn't work in that way at all. I was the only one who didn't work for the men.

I stood and walked to the window, opening it. That was something I had never done before.

The night in Suna was beautiful. I had never seen the stars against the night sky. A cool breeze blew in and curled its fingers through my hair.

I shut my eyes and breathed in through my mouth. Feeling more relaxed I lay back down on the futon and tried to fall asleep.

~*~

My eyes sprang open in alarm. My body was covered with sweat and my heart thudded deep in my chest.

Images from my dream flickered before my eyes and I shut them again. The darkness that pressed on my eyes briefly made them disappear.

Its okay, I told myself. I'm safe…right?

I thought about the three shinobi I was currently sharing a house with. Was I safe with them?

My breathing began to slow and I opened my eyes again. It was still dark. I turned to look out my window.

I froze and caught my breath. A black silhouette was sitting on the window sill. I snapped into an upright position and opened my mouth to scream.

The figure leapt forward in a smooth movement and clasped its hand over my mouth. My body started to tremble before I could stop it.

"Sorry Himawari," the figure said quietly, "I didn't want you to wake Temari or Kankuro."

Slowly details of the figure's face came into view for me. It was Gaara. I closed my mouth behind his hand and he drew it away. Noting my shaking body he took a few steps back and sat down.

"Sorry," Gaara said again. I wondered if he actually meant it. His voice was flat like at dinner.

A breeze from outside reminded me of how exposed I was in Temari's small blue night dress. I covered my chest with my arms and sat with my legs tucked beneath me.

I glanced at the window and back to Gaara. He watched me with his light green eyes. They were making me nervous.

"I don't sleep so I thought I would make sure you're okay," Gaara said slowly.

My eyebrows shot up at the words 'don't sleep'. Gaara noted that too.

"You seemed to be having trouble sleeping," he said. "Are you alright?"

Again I wondered if he really cared what was wrong with me. The flat, bored voice was deceiving.

"You don't have to talk to me," Gaara said, standing up. He returned to the window sill and resumed his position on it.

"I'll be staying here if that's alright. Say something if you want me to leave." Gaara turned away to stare out the window.

I scowled to myself at his game. He was trying to make me speak somehow. And he was playing with my fear of men.

An idea to beat him at his game popped into my head. I opened my mouth but found my voice wasn't working.

It took me another try to find my voice. I spoke softly, trusting he had sharp shinobi hearing.

"You can stay." I said softly. Gaara's head twisted sharply.

His green eyes examined me shrewdly. I turned away and laid down on the futon, facing away from him.

I shut my eyes, something close to a smirk on my face.

~*~

Temari shoved a basket into my hands.

"You grab what you need," she told me, "since you're the one doing all the cooking."

I glanced around the grocery store, not sure of where to start. Temari shot me a reassuring smile and took my arm.

"I'll help you," she said. "What do you want to make tonight?"

"…Makizushi?" I asked quietly. Anyone a meter away wouldn't be able to hear me.

"Great!" Temari cried. She pulled me towards stalls of vegies. "You just grab what you want to make them with."

She directed me around the shop and I selected everything I needed. Some of the food there was new to me too.

I picked up a plastic packet of small red fruit and stared at them curiously.

"Have you eaten raspberries before?" Temari asked.

I shook my head, still staring at them. Temari grabbed another punnet and placed it in the basket.

"They're delicious," she told me as we stood at the counter. "Of course, none of these vegetables or fruit are grown here. We get them imported from other countries."

We exited the store and I felt the sun beat down on my skin. Temari chewed her lip.

"You'll need some new clothes," she said, "Something to protect you from the sun."

I was currently wearing the same black dress of hers again. I could feel the heat on my arms and legs. The back of my neck was dripping sweat.

People who passed me shot me strange looks. Most people were wearing light robes to cover their shoulders. Some even had bandages around their heads.

Temari took my arm, smiling sweetly all the while. "We'll drop this food back home before I take you clothes shopping," she said.

~***~

Gaara stared at the pile of paperwork. He really should have started on it by now. He could always make Kankuro do it again.

Of course, maybe that would be too cruel. Forcing his brother to read a ten page report on the import industry on fruit and vegetables would probably be pretty evil.

There was a knock on the door and Gaara nearly smirked. Hopefully this was worth postponing the report for a third time.

"Enter."

Kankuro burst through the door just as the word left Gaara's lips.

"What is it?" Gaara asked quickly, his eyes narrowing.

Kankuro straightened up and wiped his mouth, smudging the kabuki paint a bit.

"We got Fuma to talk," Kankuro stated. "And he's got some interesting stuff to say."

O.O

End of another chapter. I'll try 2 get the next 1 up as soon as possible. I'm on holidays now so I should have more time to myself!