"Damn it all," a soft voice hissed as a clatter of metal thudded to the hard floor. The Ex-nin held his side, the stinging pain from bumping his hip into the table intolerable. He held his breath. Had anyone heard him? Moments ticked by, and yet a peaceful silence had overcome the room. He sighed, relaxing his posture from a combative stance to a sleeker, cat-like one. Careful not to knock anything else over, he eased his way to the other side of the room.
He had barely settled himself between two couch pillows when something made him jump.
"What the Hell are you doing?" an irritable voice called.
Fuck . . . Busted. . .
"S-Sasori-Danna?" Deidara asked. He dreaded the reply.
"Yes." His voice was cold.
Deidara strained his eyes to find his master in the dim light. When he did, his body automatically slunk to a submissive pose, his liquid-blue eyes holding slight fear.
"I'll ask again: What are you doing?" Sasori growled, his maroon eyes smoldering.
"I couldn't sleep, un, Sasori-Dana, and --"
"You know better. Do you want to be in fucking trouble, Brat?"
Deidara was silent.
"Well?"
". . . No, Danna," Deidara murmured in defeat.
Sasori scowled. "That's what I thought. Now, if the leader finds out --"
"Finds out what?" a slightly metallic voice chimed. The leader was standing in the doorframe of the room, looking quite dissatisfied.
Speak of the Devil, Sasori and Deidara both thought.
"Uhh . . . You see, Leader-Sama, we. . ." Sasori trailed off. "We. . ."
"It's my fault, un, Leader-Sama." Deidara interrupted. He gave a nervous glance at Sasori, who was both shocked and pleased at his outburst. He turned back to the leader. "I'm sorry, un. I couldn't sleep. I thought being out here would make me drowsy, un."
"What the Hell, Deidara? You know what we're doing tomorrow. I specifically told everyone to stay low and out of the way of everyone else. You've not only disturbed me, but Sasori as well. I want you to make up for it. Greatly."
Deidara looked at his feet, his hair hiding the regret on his face.
Sasori couldn't help but pity the blond. "Actually, Leader-Sama, I was already awake," he lied. "I think his punishment should be lightened, if not lifted."
The Leader mulled it over. "Fine, Sasori. Deidara, you're lucky Sasori stuck up for you. Next time you won't be as lucky. Go to sleep, the both of you. Lord knows you'll need it for tomorrow."
Deidara's expression brightened, as he haphazardly scuffled out of the leader's sight and into his room, knocking over yet another object. Something wooden, by the sound of it.
"Damnit, un!"
Sasori lightly chuckled.
You may be a brat, Deidara, but you're my brat.