He immediately recognised Temari's voice, and a small exhale escaped him. Relief ebbed from his frame; if Temari was stepping in, Kankuro would be able to sideline the conversation and make a reasonably painless escape. Anything to put a stop to this palpable awkwardness.

Unfortunately, Gaara answered for him.

When the question was posed to him, he automatically unfolded the missive crumpled in his hand and was half way to answering, before he paused, and squinted.

"...Why do you ask?"