This is something I always wanted to write about :D Sasori dealing with a child Deidara! This may become more than a oneshot. I may decide to add on to this in the future, but hey! Who knows. I lack conviction.

I own nothing! Nothing I say! Ask me and I'll deny everything!


Before Dawn

Thin ripples danced along the shoreline, tracing the empty beach and lapping gently at the moss laden stones. Gloomy clouds peppered the sky, drifting along with the gentle morning breeze. Birds cooed and twittered amongst themselves, springing about the dim trees that hung beyond the coastline.

A rustling within the trees sent a flurry of birds into the air. A small redheaded male turned around slowly, no longer feeling as safe upon his mossy perch. He scowled, quietly placing the puppet he had been whittling away at, upon the soft green. He glowered at the surrounding vegetation, unable to pinpoint the source of the racket.

With a start, he mumbled to himself and picked up the aforementioned puppet, carving away. A soft whine arose from the bushes, a small yellow head popping out from the leaves.

"How did you know it was me?" The much smaller blond complained, pulling stray leaves and sticks from his yellow locks. "You always ruin the fun, un."

"Brat, it's always you. I don't recall anyone else trying to spy on me." The redhead remarked absentmindedly, half-lidded eyes scanning the miniature puppet in his lap. Upon seeing no obvious mistakes, he nodded to himself and scratched a small smile into the marionette.

"Danna, what are you doing? Are you working on another puppet?" The 'brat' chirped, skipping along the rocks to the preoccupied redhead. "It is another puppet, huh. You're always so busy with your puppets, un!" The tired looking male raised his head, auburn hair falling into his eyes as he gazed upon the child.

"Why did you even ask in the first place, if you knew the answer?" He blinked slowly, chocolate, stony orbs watching the sapphire oceans dancing in the youth's eyes. The blond looked thoughtful, his grin growing as he formed a clever response.

"Oh, Zetsu taught me that! He said it was a rhe-rhit-rhetorical.. rhetorical question!" The boy seemed proud of himself, as he huffed triumphantly, folding his arms over his chest. The redhead's brows furrowed, nose crinkling as he tried not to snap at the youth.

"I don't think that's what I, or Zetsu, meant." He stated in his usual wearied tone. The redhead scratched his head, bringing his attention back to the wooden doll in his lap. "What are you doing out here, anyway?" The older male yawned. The blond boy's seemingly permanent smile faded a little, but his 'Danna' did not seem to notice.

"It's too cold and quiet back there. And I missed my Sasori no Danna, un!" The male dubbed Sasori glanced back at the blond, noting the gleam in his young partner's eyes. He clicked his tongue and grumbled, bringing the puppet and his tools to the ground.

The blond shuffled about, shyly watching his elder. "Come here." Sasori declared, patting his knee as he glared up at the boy. The blond squeaked a smile flourishing from ear to ear as he padded closer to the redhead, plopping down in Sasori's lap. "Now stay quiet and let me enjoy the dawn." Sasori muttered, resting his chin on the top of the younger male's head.

Not even a minute had passed before the blond wiggled, trying to get comfortable, but failed and huffed again—this time due to annoyance. "Un."

"Shut up, Brat." Sasori drawled, leaning back on his hands.

"But, Danna. This is boring."

"Then go back to bed, Deidara."

"But, Danna. Un." Deidara sniveled, leaning his head back to watch his elder.

"Shut up." Deidara pouted as the redhead smirked smugly. "Listen to your elders, Brat." Deidara sighed, leaning against Sasori's chest, obviously bored.

The clouds rolled along the horizon, a hint of pink and orange creeping over the sea of grey. The familiar quiet settled over the beach, the birds chirruping from their roosts among the emerald canopy. Deidara watched the waves churn alongside the soft sand. He felt his eyelids growing heavy at the peaceful morning, the even rising and falling of the older male's chest not bothering the blond in the least.

Sasori glanced at the, now, sleeping child, his mouth set in a straight line. He then peeked at the puppet resting on the sand, grunting quietly as he realized he would have to finish the puppet another time.

The pair sat quietly, one fast asleep, and the other serving as a bed. Sasori adjusted himself, still leaning on his hands. This was going to take some getting used to, he mused, crinkling his nose at the thought.

"Sleep well, Brat."


Okay, so, I'm new to this. It's like, two in the morning, so if it sucks, don't blame me me.

Who am I kidding? It's my fault! Damn me!

Please review? :3 I am but a lowly noob