Itachi stretched gloriously, approaching Headquarters from his solo mission. He pushed open the door and headed for the meeting room. He was greeted by a sparring match between Sasori and Kisame. He rolled his eyes and sat on a rock to watch.
"C'mon, that was weak, puppet-boy!" Kisame jeered as Sasori landed a punch, nearly knocking him aside.
Sasori didn't respond verbally instead throwing a kick to his torso. His stomach cable revealed itself and wrapped around his ankle. Kisame was brought down and the puppet pressed a foot on his chest in triumph.
"Enough, all of you are wasting time." Leader appeared, Rinnegan meeting Sharingon.
"What's this mission. 'bout?" the shark asked, rolling out from under the redhead's foot and jumping to his feet.
"Well, with Orochimaru being scared off by your partner,Sasori is left with none. I found a possible candidate."
"I'd prefer being paired with Zetsu then go through a new partner." Sasori replied in his usual bored tone.
"Zetsu has his own type of assignments and besides, this shinobi has something in common with you." Leader replied, just as calm, "You will head for Iwagakure, look for explosions. The newbie goes by the name Deidara- a rogue ninja from Iwagakure. A terrorist working for whomever may hire, another prodigy."
"We're to help persuade him then, should he refuse?" Kisame questioning, looking to his partner.
"That, and to ensure nothing goes wrong." He answered, "You are to leave immediately- head for the important-looking buildings and wait for explosions."
Once the leader vanished, the three conjoined at the front door. Sasori crawled into his Hiruko, knowing that it would be easiest to convince him by intimidation. Itachi took the lead, Kisame at his side while he trailed behind. They trudged on, passing a number of settlements. After the sun set they camped out in a clearing, sitting around a fire lit by Itachi.
"So, Sasori, you excited to meet your new partner?" Kisame joked, sipping some instant ramen in a cup.
"Enthused." Sasori drawled, eying his own soup with Itachi.
They finished their small dinner soon after. Sasori volunteered to take first watch, standing and shuffling a little ways away. Itachi walked over to lie besides his partner, nuzzling him briefly once thinking Sasori wasn't looking. Upon seeing this, Sasori's thoughts began to wander, 'Another disadvantage at having a partner.', he though dryly, 'Orochimaru got far too close on many occasions. It doesn't help that I let him...' He gave a small shudder at the memory.
~Flashback~
I was minding my own business while out on a mission. I combed through the Third's hair, oblivious to the encroaching chakra of my strange partner. I flinched at the feel of something wet and warm caressing my neck. I jumped up, careful to gently set down the Kazekage before whipping around to confront the snake.
"Now what do you want? And how many times have I told you to keep yer tongue to yourself?" I snapped.
The serpent merely grinned mischievously as he moved closer. I froze when he spoke.
"Quite a bit, you have told me. As for the first question- I want you, I want your body."
He licked his lips, moving a hand to caress my face. I pulled back, only to bump into the bed and plop down on it as his lips hovered near mine. I shut my eyes, turning my head. He laughed sadistically.
"Your puppet body is fascinating. I simply must have it." His gold eyes glinted.
Before I knew it, I was on my back, being forced down by a pale hand. I had no idea what to say other than...
"RAPE!"
Yes, I remember someone having told me what rape was. I could not remember her face, but I'm sure she had blonde hair. The snake laughed, breaking my thoughts.
"Surprise."
My eyes widened as his hand trailed to my waist. 'Shit!' I squirmed more, trying to use my chakra strings and bring the Third to me. He noticed and pinned my hand, entwining our fingers so mien couldn't move. Back then, I didn't have the cable nor the blades on my back- I never found reason to build them until after.
"Get the fuck off of me!" I snarled, slightly panicked as he tugged at my pants, his tongue making its way down.
I don't know why I felt so guilty- I wanted contact after so long without it. Yet I didn't want it from him. If not from him, then who? Why did I not let Orochimaru have his way and take it as nothing more than a way of release from the buildup of sexual tension? Thoughts of that sort ran through my head as my partner, frowning, pulled away.
"Tch... Fine, but don't think I'll forget this, you hear? Nobody rejects Orochimaru! Not Jiraiya, not Itachi, and especially not you, Sasori." He hissed and I suddenly became enraged.
"Well I just fucking did! Now get out of my damned sight, bastard." I sounded like someone I knew although I didn't wonder who. (1)
~Flashback End~
Sasori sighed, glancing briefly towards the two curled around the other. Long black hair was overlaying blue and pale skin. The sun began to rise and Sasori made his way back.
"Up you get, homos- we gotta hurry before my partner moves on. You know I hate to keep others waiting and don't keep me waiting." Sasori drawled.
He got the satisfaction of watching them spring apart, blushing terribly for two S-Rank criminals. Sasori rolled his eyes and started to their destination. The others followed silently, looking down and away from each other.
–
They continued on until reaching the village. They looked around for an important building and waited behind closed doors. They were anxious to meet the new member. It wasn't long before an explosion was heard and a figure appeared through opened doors before them. Sasori buried a twinge of recognition at the sight of the blonde hair and blue-grey eyes.
"Eh? Who the fuck are you, hmm?" the ninja shouted.
"So you are a guy." Kisame said out of nowhere.
"Either that or a girl with a flat chest and deep voice." Itachi added coolly.
"Of course I'm a guy, un! Now who are you?" He snapped.
"We are the Akatsuki." Sasori answered.
"Akatsuki? Don't know and don't care! Now get lost! You're keeping me from my art appreciation time!" he shouted.
'This brat is pretty rowdy... and art appreciation? Now I know why leader chose him.' Sasori though, still glaring quizzically from within Hiruko. "I have to take this brat on as my partner...? Sure, he's full of energy, but he seems like the early death type." Hiruko looked at Itachi and Kisame, Sasori still looking at Deidara.
"It's our leader's orders... his talent will be very useful..." Itachi answered.
"What do you know about my talent? Who are you anyway...?!" The kid shouted.
'Didn't we just answer that? So noisy...' Sasori thought, cleaning his throbbing ear.
"We know you're aiding the anti-government factions of neighboring nations with terrorist bombings... you're a rogue ninja... but what is your purpose...?" Kisame asked, trying not to grin, but failing slightly.
"Purpose? Don't need one. I'm just taking commissions to make explosions." He paused briefly, a smirk appearing, "Using my art, hmm?!"
'Alright, I'll bite,' Sasori thought, "Your art?"
"Like this!" He showed us the hand he had buried in the pouch at his side to reveal an abstract sculture resembling a spider, "Well? Such clean, refined lines and a form that pursues two-dimensional deformé!" His excited face looked a bit insane, admiring his art held in his hand. He looked up and continued his lecturing rant, "Hmmm?! This is art! But my art goes far beyond this as well! My pieces are versatile! While they hold shape, they are merely objects, hmmm?!"
'What is this brat talking about? That sculpture is amazing- how can he call it a mere object.' Sasori thought, annoyed with the kid's voice.
"But this thing can EXPLODE!" He really was insane, "And when it does, it makes its existence more sublime and finally comes fully into its own!"
Itachi and Kisame both held a look that plainly said, "What the fuck?" Hiruko's stayed the same, being a puppet. While Sasori's head was throbbing, he gazed at the kid in fascination. It grew as the self-proclaimed "artist" continued, raising his other free hand.
"I feel that true art lives only in that brief flash of sublimation! Hmmm?!" The Akatsuki members noticed a mouth on the hand open, its tongue lolling out as if to mock them, "True art is an EXPLOSION!!"
"...Disgusting..." -Sasori, 'True art is eternal, brat.'
"Is he done...?" -Kisame
"Who knows..." Itachi replied, emotionless, stepping towards the terrorist, "Doesn't matter, though... I'll convince him."
Sasori smirked at Deidara's expression. He seemed curious about what the Uchiha was going to do. Sharingan flickered to life with Itachi's intimidating glare. Sasori and Kisame stood by, mused by the fight the blonde had lost before it begun. He was cocky and rushed in while Itachi kept his usual calm. Sasori held back a laugh when the brat realized his end.
"That was close... you were about to blow yourself up." Kisame snickered.
"I told you he would die an early death..." Sasori trailed, glancing at him from within as he questioned when and Kisame greeted him with an answer.
The sun shone through the new hole made in the wall. He followed the blue-gray eyes to see Itachi standing there in all his glory. Kisame joined the boy in utter awe. Sasori felt a prick of sudden... jealousy...? 'How can he admire someone that made a fool of him?' the marionette thought. Deidara was indeed admiring the Uchiha, stricken by his appearance. It had been so long ago... 'Surely I have been forgotten,' he thought briefly and then shook his head, 'No, I promised Danna I wouldn't fool around... This man has made a mockery of me and my art. His jutsu is shit.' He scowled and Sasori sighed silently at the new expression of utter loathing.
"You lose." Itachi drawled.
"Very well... I will keep my part of the bargain." Deidara spoke reluctantly, hanging his head in miserable defeat.
"Then come along, those explosions will have notified the villagers." Sasori grumbled.
They all left quickly. Deidara, pouting, trailed at the end of the group. They stopped a good distance from the village. Despite the brief moment of sunshine, the rainclouds from earlier returned. Itachi looked up and then around their surroundings. There was a small settlement nearby and he started for it.
"It's going to rain, we should find an inn to stay at." He explained to the others whom gave a nod and followed.
They found an inn at a decent price and asked for a room with two beds. Sasori glared with Deidara on their way to the room.
"What gives, Itachi? There's four of us."
"Can you not count, hm?" Deidara added to Sasori's comment.
"You know perfectly well what gives." Itachi replied calmly, opening the door to their room, "Kisame and I will share a bed and you two can figure who will get the bed. Most likely Deidara whilst you keep watch."
"That and we don't have enough money for two rooms. We'll be needing to talk to Leader about a purse-holder." Kisame grinned, propping his blade against a wall by the first bed.
"I think I might know someone, yeah..." Deidara seemed distracted, looking down at his hands, tracing some unseen lines. "So... what am I doing here anyways, hmm?" He looked up again, glaring.
"You are my new partner in a criminal organization known as the Akatsuki." Sasori sighed.
"I swear I've heard that name somewhere before..." Deidara frowned.
"Didn't you say you never heard of them-er, us?" Kisame laughed.
"Eh, I got a concussion a few years ago so it's possible that I might've heard it before then, un." Deidara shrugged.
"A concussion from what? One of your so-called works of art?" Sasori joked.
Deidara blushed, pouting angrily.
"What do you mean so-called, hmm? The resulting explosion was one of my best pieces, un!" He snapped defensively.
"How can you call something so short-lived art? True art is eternal and the best kind." Sasori shrugged, shuffling off to the only window.
Itachi and Kisame stood off to the side by the first bed. They decided to stay out of the soon-to-be argument.
"Bullshit! Real art is fleeting, un!" Deidara snapped, leaping for the puppet.
It was only seconds that the blade of Hiruko's tail was at his neck, quivering. The only thing that had stopped him was a gut-wrenching feeling he would deeply regret killing the kid. He glowered dangerously and Deidara gulped, feeling sweat roll down his neck.
"You got quite a foul mouth there. Next time I hear it, I might just... slip." The blade withdrew in the blink of an eye and the other fell to his knees, shivering.
Kisame laughed, drawing his partner's attention. Itachi followed his gaze and let out a flit laugh. Deidara's eyes narrowed at the sound and he whipped around, defiance plain on his face. They continued the stare-down until Itachi activated his ocular jutsu. Deidara started and his gaze broke off quickly, receiving a smug grin from Itachi and a chuckle from Kisame. Sasori sighed, rolling his eyes to return to watching the outside for possible enemies.
"You all should sleep now- we leave first thing in the morning. I'm exhausted having gone without sleep." Sasori grumbled.
"Heh, I didn't think puppets need sleep." Kisame laughed.
"Puppet?!" Deidara exclaimed, jaw dropping.
"Way to go, Kisame..."
"Come now, not like your partner wouldn't have found out eventually." Itachi defended, shedding his cloak to lie besides Kisame, whom had slipped under the covers before taking off his own cloak.
"I've been told by a friend that, before my greatest creation, I used to be in love with one, hmm...?" Deidara laughed dryly with a scoff.
The other three looked at him as though he were insane. He flushed and looked down.
"Not like it's true- he's taken advantage of my memory loss a few times, un." Deidara explained, reaching up to take off his headband. Sasori couldn't help but ogle when he let his hair out of his low ponytail. Deidara held the band in his hands, gazing down at it with a queer expression. Sasori watched him reach for a single kunai from the smaller section of the pouch holding his clay. He scratched the all-too-familiar scratch through the twin rocks engraved in the metal.
He kicked off his flip-flops and peeled back the covers to the second bed. He crawled in, placing his headband and ponytail band on the bedside table. He grabbed the extra pillow and wrapped his arms and legs around it.
"G'night, Puppet... g'night... Sasori..." He mumbled, dozing off soon after.
"Good night, brat..."
(1) Hidan