50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 3 - A Cold Night

"Jeez, Ino, within a couple of hours you really make yourself at home." Shikamaru stretched his arms above his head as we walked down to the waiting area.

"What's that supposed to mean, Shika?" I looked angrily at him.

"He means that we could hear you arguing with the Kazekage in there. Did you forget you're in the presence of a kage?" Choji jumped in and I closed my eyes and smiled.

"I just wanted to get my point by and it worked for us. He didn't seem to mind it anyways." I opened my eyes and looked at Shikamaru then at Choji before looking up and laughing. "You should be happy. We each get our own room!"

"Ah, jeez. You are so troublesome, Ino." Shikamaru shook his head and Choji quickly responded to him.

"Hey, she's right. We don't have to wait on each other. I don't want to have to share my food with you guys."

At the moment my stomach rumbled. Ah, with all that was going on I never got to eat.

"Is there anywhere nearby for food?" I whined and my sensai looked back at us.

"Well when our guides come, we can ask them. How's that sound for you guys?" he smiled at us and turned forward as we entered the room.

"Sounds great!" Choji responded as happily as ever.

We all stood around in the room as we waited around for our guides to come. As people entered they stared at each of us. Some had questioning expressions while others judged us with every step. Eventually it became dark outside and cooler. Goosebumps raised my flesh and I wrapped my arms around myself. I heard Shikamaru chuckle slightly. I frowned at him then looked ahead as we heard footsteps coming.

"Well look who we have here." Kankuro spoke with a smirk on his mouth.

"Long time no see." Shikamaru replied as he looked at both Kankuro and Temari.

"Sorry it took so long, we were caught up." Temari spoke to Shikamaru then glanced at the rest of us. She happen to do a second glance at me, from what I could tell she was judging my outfit like everyone else in this town.

"You can follow us, your rooms are here in this building but are located in separate floors," She turned to face towards the stairs and looked back at us. "It will be right this way."

We all began to follow her and Kankuro and I stuck more towards the back of the crowd. Shikamaru and Choji walked ahead of Asuma and behind Temari and her brother. Asuma walked in front of me a couple steps ahead. I began to feel exhaustion hit my body and my hunger grew restless.

"Gaara? What are you doing walking around?" I looked up as I saw Temari talking to her brother. He looked at us, but I could tell his attention was on me as we made eye contact. He then moved his eyes to her.

"I came to make sure our guests were comfortable."

"We were just on our way to their rooms. Don't worry about this, Kankuro and I have this." She smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know, but after today's events I want to be sure." He turned ahead and began to walk insisting that we follow.

Temari looked at Kankuro and he shrugged his shoulders. They began to follow him and so did we. We went up two flights of stairs then stopped. Temari and Kankuro turned to face us and Gaara slowly mimicked them. He watched them as they spoke to us.