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Unfinished Business
An ItaDei Ficidee
By: Circius
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Chapter Two:
The Bathroom
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"Heya Sasori-danna, I have to talk to you about something."
Deidara called out to the grungy apartment he shared with his current boyfriend after he arrived home much later in the evening. Dropping off his bag by the bedroom door, he wandered over to the living room, where Sasori was sitting in front of a flickering TV screen, watching another horror movie of some sort as he fiddled with the limbs of a wooden puppet.
That's what his danna did--make and fix puppets for a major theater department that was big downtown--it meant he got to work from home, and only leave when he had to go and drop his finished pieces off.
They had met in a club about half a year ago, just when Dei was finally feeling like himself again, and tried to make his way into the dating scene. Sasori had been sitting at the bar, chatting nonchalantly with some bartender he knew, when he saw the blonde being harassed by a group of lecherous looking men. The red-head had swooped in to Dei's rescue, and they had spoken for the rest of the evening, discussing art, past endeavors and successes, what they liked in bed--
They had first slept together about a week later, after a few more meetings at coffee shops and art-galleries. Sasori was sexy as hell, with his lazy-but sexy attitude and monotonous way of looking at life that reminded the blonde of a certain someone he had pined over before--
However, the red-head didn't give a shit about what Dei wanted when it came to more domestic things, such as what to watch on TV, or what to eat. Usually he was too lazy to care--other times he would just glare and let his anger simmer until his blue-eyed boyfriend let him have his way.
Such as watching horror flicks. Dei hated them, but did Sasori give a shit? No. Sometimes the blonde artist wondered whether or not he and his lover would've been better off as best friends. They could live together, deal with each other--but having sex simply added a whole new dimension to their relationship that often screwed things up.
But he was happy. He liked living with Sasori, because his danna was stable, sexy, and kind when it did suit him. It was hard to find that in a guy in this day and age.
"Hmm? About what?"
The low tenor drawled from the beaten-up couch as dark reddish eyes didn't stray from his puppet.
Dei did love sasori's eyes. Then again, he loved dark or burgundy colored eyes in general. They were the kind of eyes that were either cool as ice or burning with intensity--if not one or the other, then they smoldered.
"I got offered a long-time job, un. For six straight months."
He said as he slid next to the red-head on the couch, keeping his eyes directed away from the TV as another hapless person screamed in terror and agony. He began rubbing circles into his danna's back, slowly and soothingly--a technique he found often made the red-head relax and pause in whatever he was doing to enjoy the sensation.
Sasori only worked on the puppet for a moment longer after the rubbing started, before closing his eyes and leaning back with a groan.
"Well that's good, right? Congrats."
Dei nuzzled his head into the junction of Sasori's shoulder, inhaling the scent of sandalwood and soap as his boyfriend wrapped a comfortable arm around him, his chin resting in blonde hair as he clicked a button to mute the fuzzy sound of the television.
He was in a mood tonight. But the blonde artist knew he had to pack. How was he supposed to tell Sasori now? He already felt shitty enough as is. The puppeteer knew about him being in love with some asshole for five years--he just didn't know the asshole was Itachi Uchiha. And Dei couldn't very well go and confess he was going to leave for six months to work at this ex-love's home, could he?
Would his danna even wait sixth months for him?
"But I have to leave."
There he said it. It was out n the open. He sighed against Sasori's pale collarbone, closing his eyes as he waited for the questions to come.
"Why?"
"Because that's part of the deal, un. They're having a wedding or something, and they need me on hand. Plus, the manor is like…five-hours away by car. They didn't want me having to commute that kind of distance all the time. They've promised me my own studio and everything but…I still…"
"You don't know, because you don't want to leave for six months. I get it."
It was easier having Sasori for a boyfriend. The puppeteer understood things Dei couldn't really put to words quite easily.
"So what are we going to do about it?"
Sasori shrugged, appearing to still be interested in the movie as he lazily ran his fingers up Deidara's spine.
"It's your decision blondie. You could get days off to come and see me, so I don't give a shit. You know I'm usually busy anyway. You are always whining about wanting to do something besides have sex."
Deidara's head shot up, nose flaring as he glared.
"I said that all I want to do is something besides just sex! I like lazing around and everything but…do you remember the last time we just…went out?"
Sasori seemed to think for a moment, his hand stilling.
"No. But that's fine. I don't like going out much anyway."
"But Sasori-danna…"
Red eyes rolled in their sockets.
"There, see. Whining. And I was just getting in the mood too. You're cute Dei, but it get's old sometimes."
Dei got up, glaring as the TV was unmated and the volume turned up. It had been like this for a while between them.
He went to his room to start packing, thinking back…
"Itachi, could you not just give it up already? The girls like me more because I'm cuuuuter then yoooou."
Dei sing-songed, his friend rolling his eyes in exasperation as the Uchiha returned to his chemistry homework.
"You're cute. But I think for most people it gets old after a while."
Dei pouted on Itachi's over-sized bed, glaring at the back of a dark head of hair.
"So does it get old for you, Mr. I'm too Sexy for my Pants to even date the ladies, un?"
Itachi gave a low chuckle--something that for most people was an indication to the coming of Armageddon. However, the blonde artist-to-be heard it often enough--usually right before he was about to be mocked.
"Strangely enough, no, it doesn't. However, I think that's because I'm now immune to your charms."
"Immune to my charms?! Bullshit, un!"
Itachi put down his pen and turned in his swivel chair to meet Dei's be-spectacled eyes head-on as he gave an amused smirk.
"Must I recall ten minutes ago when you were begging me to help you sneak downstairs and engorged yourself on sweets?"
Dei's pout grew more pronounced as he glared back.
"No fair! You should help me too, because I don't get them at home! My father owns a Gym, remember, un! Healthy food oooonly! And none of my friends will feeeeeeed me when I ask, because they're all heartless bastards!"
"What friends?"
"There, you see, un! Heartless!"
Itachi laughed again--well, not laughed, but chuckled, in his low baritone voice that sent shivers down Dei's spine. He felt himself coloring, and whirled around to plant his face straight down into Itachi's soft pillows.
They smelled like him--of Dove soap, paper, ink, and expensive cologne. Armani, if he remembered correctly…
"When are you leaving?"
Sasori's drawl from the other room jolted him back away from his inner musings, stuffing the rest of his small closet into his suitcase.
"Tomorrow morning. I'm meeting with my employer and Konan at the house by eleven."
He waited as he heard the sound of the couch creaking from the other room as Sasori appeared in the door-way a moment later, looking disheveled as he thrust his hands in the pockets of his sweats.
"Oh really? That's early then. Don't wake me up."
Deidara moved to start collecting his paints and easels.
"I wasn't intending to."
"Good."
And suddenly, as the blonde turned around, Sasori was there, giving him a soft and slow kiss on the lips over his handfuls of stuff.
"You'll call me when we can hook up again, right?"
Dei's eyes softened, and he gave his boyfriend a peck on the cheek.
"I will."
Sasori yawned, a different look crossing over his face as he pulled his arm up in a stretch, eyes glittering as a smirk settled on his features.
"You know, since this is the last time I'm going to see you in a while…I think that we should commemorate it."
Dei couldn't arch just one eye-brow, but he pulled off a skeptical look anyway.
"Sex? Now?! I'm packing!"
The red-head took the art supplies from the blonde's hands and dumped them in the open bag waiting by the door.
"And now you're not."
A pale arm snaked around slim hips to pull the artist closer. Deidara realized that fighting was futile; so he instead opting for rolling his eyes as he wrapped his arms around a bright red-haired head, and leaned up to kiss his danna fully on the mouth, tongue slipping past chapping lips, hooking his legs around his lover's hips as Sasori groaned, catching them as they stumbled back into the wall.
"You're so fucking hot Dei--"
And the blonde felt the memories come rushing back at him again--
'You're so fucking hot 'Tachi--'
He murmured as he pinned the Uchiha, giggling in his state of drunkenness as dark eyes flashed in surprise. Dei placed his hands on either side of his friend's face, pressing against the wall above the top of the bed as he leaned in to kiss him again, to taste those god-made lips again, as pale fingers tightened on the taunt muscles of his thigh through the dark fabric of his school slacks while the other hand gripped him by the uniform's collar; dragging him close again, smirking sinfully all the while.
And Dei pulled away, even as Sasori's large hands steadied themselves on his waist--obviously surprised by his boyfriend's antics as the blonde detangled their limbs, suddenly nervous.
"Hey, what's up with--"
Dei slowly removed his danna's hands away from his waist as he leaned close to peck Sasori on the lips.
"I really have to finish packing though--and I'm leaving early tomorrow. How about I just give you an IOU one full night of hot and steamy sex with me however you want it, un?"
Red eyes rolled as Sasori stared at his lover for a time that was too long to be comfortable.
"Is there something you're not telling me? You seem…off."
"No. Nothing at all Sasori-danna."
He replied, going to his luggage to organize his supplies as his boyfriend shrugged and left the room.
The moment he shut the door behind him, Dei buried his face in his palms. He hadn't had memories like that in over six months--especially not when he was kissing his boyfriend!
How the hell was he supposed to survive living within close proximity of the man he had been head-over-heels in love with for five years?
To be frank, he thought the next morning as he loaded his bags into the cab Konan had hired for the two of them, he was simply accepting the only job in the entire world that required him to work in his own personal hell.
--
"You know, for being hell, it sure is beautiful."
Konan looked up from her fourth bag of chips in twenty minutes, eyes skeptical.
"What in the name of hell are you talking about Dei?"
"Oh…nothing."
The artist sighed as he looked out the window, the cab having entered his old home-town a few minutes prior--he was once more subjugated to the sights of beautiful old buildings and large verandas--the ancient drug store he used to get his cigs at; his decrepit, useless high-school.
Familiar faces still walked the roads of Konoha, laughing and chatting amongst themselves as the car then pulled another turn and came to large, wrought-iron gates that stood as the main barrier preventing anyone from entering the Uchiha estate.
The driver rolled down the window to the speaker phone that asked in a gravelly voice,
"State your name and business."
Dei chuckled to himself as he remembered being in high-school, driving home with Itachi, the time when he had leaned over the driver's seat and shouted,
"YO, IT'S DEI AND ITACHI, UN, AND WE'RE HERE TO RAID THE UCHIHA KITCHENS!"
The gates had still let them in.
But that was probably because the camera had recognized Itachi promptly beating the shit out of him as he laughed at his own words.
"Um, well, I got two people here that say they're on business."
The middle-aged can-driver said, jerking a thumb towards the back.
The gates opened.
As they entered the oh-so familiar courtyard, Dei suddenly felt his heart start beating faster and his breaths coming in much shorter pants.
He was hyperventilating, and he hadn't even stepped outside.
"I can't do this. Seriously Konan, I can't."
When she had her only piercing below her bottom lip in, his agent's growling at him always became much more menacing then the average scowl.
"Stop being a crybaby and get over yourself. You can fucking do this, and you will or so help me I will fucking kill you with this chip bag."
She warned, waving the empty bag in front of his face as he gulped. He could possibly take his best-friend in a fight, but he knew her threats weren't idle. Thinking of threats, h realized that he had been sleeping from about the moment he had gotten into the car, and he had yet to ask her the big question that had been bugging him the entire night previous.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and the first thing he caught sight of was…green.
"WELCOME TO THE UCHIHA HOUSE HOLD! YOSH!"
Too…much…green…The artist in him was suddenly having a conniption fit, and his sane side was also on vacation as the hyperventilation kicked in again. He screamed.
"HOLY SHI--"
"--it I LOVE your spandex!"
Konan complimented, cutting the blonde off and shooting him a glare. The young man that stood before them gave a ten-thousand dollar watt smile that showed every single one of his teeth. Every. single. One.
"I am ROCK LEE! Second in command of the HIRED SECURITY for the upcoming WEDDING OF YOUTHFUL JOY, YOSH!"
The green-kid was new. He remembered the old man that used to be head of security--a kinda ancient dude with a huge wart on his nose--but one who, even at his age, could deliver a severely painful ass-kicking; something Dei had learned the hard way. But now, with this newbie replacing the presumably retired old man--the artist's head was already hurting from the volume.
Konan pulled him out of the car and into the too-bright sun, in front of the impressive Uchiha manor as it literally glittered in the afternoon light.
"Right. Well, this is the artist Deidara, and I'm his agent, Konan, of the Dawn Agency branch of Akatsuki Industries, headed by Pein-sama, a major driving force behind--"
"Our bags are in the trunk."
Dei interrupted, and the boy's face lit up in joy.
"YOSH! I WILL GET THE BAGS AND CARRY THEM SINGLE-HANDEDLY TO YOUR ROOM WITH ALL OF MY YOUTHFUL VIGOR!"
Konan and the blonde stared as Lee did, indeed pick up every heavy suitcase in the trunk, shoulder them on his back, and jog into he manor as though they were all lighter then feathers.
"That's his Job Konan. To make sure I'm not a terrorist and take my bags from the trunk, where he will then do a thorough checking for bombs and other weapons before he puts them in my room."
Dei rattled off, trying to explain the odd behavior. The only reason he was used to it was because he had come here almost every day after school that one term.
"Uh-huh. Well, this place is definitely off the fucking charts. I mean, why doesn't Pein have a place this nice? Akatsuki is filthy rich!"
"No idea…but you know…speaking of Pein, Konan, I've been meaning to ask you a question.
He took a deep breath.
"Are you…by any chance…um…pregn--"
"OH MY GOD!"
The same piercing scream from the night before interrupted his statement again, and he wondered what the hell Haruko's problem was.
"IT'S YOU! You're HERE! I almost DON'T believe it it's SOOOO exciting!"
She gushed, her hands fluttering in front o her face like butterflies. This morning the Mesotomi heiress was wearing a form-fitting blue summer dress that matched the hue of her big, over-bright eyes.
Well, she was a nine out of ten in utter gorgeousness--Dei would give Itachi that. Being quite gay and a very good artist, he considered himself to be extremely good at judging beauty in a woman. However, he still thought Konan was prettier then the bimbo, as he now referred to his old friend's fiancée in his mind.
Then again, he was a smidge bit biased as he was enveloped in a floral scented hug.
"Why…um…thank you Miss Mesotomi. It's wonderful to be back where I grew up. You look lovely today, if I might say so myself."
He grinned, refusing to meet his Agent's eyes as she shot him one of her 'reading your mind' looks that said,
'Lie. You're practically sweating because you're so nervous. And you definitely don't think she's lovely. Your face screams /I am repulsed by the Female Sex. Do you not see my gorgeous hair?/'
"Oh thankyousooomuch!"
She giggled, turning a little bit pink.
"I actually just arrived myself, and I got it on good authority from the maid that keeps my Itachi-pooh's bedroom that he's actually out today, so I was going to head on back home--but this is wonderful! I can give you the grand tour!"
Itachi-pooh? Dei thought to himself. What the hell kind of drug was this crazy chick on? And didn't she know that Itachi's old, grandmotherly maid was often tipped by him when he wanted her to tell anyone that asked that he wasn't home?
Oh wait. He had forgotten that was a secret from…that night.
That game.
Shaking his head, he at the same time felt extremely relieved. The maid being tipped off meant that Itachi would hopefully be out or holed up somewhere, and not making an appearance. Better yet, she might even be telling the truth, and he could not even be home at all!
There would be no confrontation!
He beamed at Haruko as she led them up the stairs and to the front doors.
"I would love a tour Miss Mesotomi."
He murmured suavely, winking towards Konan who groaned, rubbing at her stomach.
"You know, I actually don't feel so hot again…I think those stupid chips messed up my stomach….Do you mind if I take a breather?"
Deidara liked they way she had the civility to not curse like a sailor when anyone else but him or Pein was around.
"Oh no! Do you need to go to the bathroom Miss Konan?!"
Haruko fluttered over the other woman worriedly. Dei was surprised Koko hadn't already punched the other blonde in the face for her frivolities.
But no, that was only his imagination speaking. He would so love to see his best friend punch the other blonde in the face…
"Um, yes…if…you…could please direct me to the nearest bathroom--"
"Oh yes it's--"
"--Up the left stairs, on the right hall, four doors down to your left."
Dei said in harmony with the heiress without even thinking about it--but the moment he realized he had, he turned red as both women looked at him oddly.
"I'm sorry, it's just that, well, the few times I was here for the project, I always had to pee, and I always got lost until I memorized the route…I made a little song and dance ya know, un? Up the left staaaaairs, to the right haaaalll, and four doors doooown to your left!"
He sang, and Haruko clapped her hands in appreciation.
"Oh! That is clever! You are cute, funny, and smart Deidara! I'm so glad you'll be here for the next few months!"
Konan had already dashed up the stairs, as Haruko whirled into her memorized 'tour-guide' mode, even though Dei already knew the manor inside and out. He could walk the place backwards, blindfolded, and he would still have an idea of where he was.
So, in favor of listening to the woman ramble, he let himself be led from room to room as he recalled the memory of how he really learned the path to the bathroom.
"--but 'Tachi, I hafta goooo! I can't focus on English when I have to piiiiisss!"
Itachi gave him an amused look from the desk where they had been doing their homework in relative peace--or at least, as much peace as they could have when they were together.
"I just asked if you couldn't just go there yourself--are you saying you don't know the way to the bathroom?"
Dei glared, nose flaring.
"Like hell I do, un! Your place is a labyrinth of hall-ways and rooms and crap. And what if that scary-ass security guard finds me again? He kicked my ass last time, un!"
Itachi looked thoughtful.
"Yes, he was speaking to my father about you the other day. He said he had never seen a teenager of your age fight like that. He mentioned something about you breaking his arm…?"
"Seriously Uchiha, my father owns a fucking gym, un! Of course I can fight damn well! Now take me to the bathroom!"
"Are you five, and can't go anywhere without me holding your hand?"
"I don't know where it IS, UN!"
Deidara was all but dancing, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
"It's up the stairs in the foyer, down the right hall, and four doors down on your left."
Deidara's glare intensified.
"The hell, un? I can't fucking think when I hafta go! There's no way I'll remember that!"
Itachi ignored him.
"PLEASE ITACHI! I'm begging you here, un!"
He fell to his knees, still wriggling.
Itachi continued to ignore him in favor of scratching on his papers.
"You're a sadist, you know that, un? You'd enjoy me dying in a spasm on the floor, wouldn't you? I HATE YOU, UN! YOU SADIST!"
And without further adieu, the dark-haired boy put his pen down.
There was a long, pregnant silence.
But just as Dei was about to open his mouth again and ask what the hell was going on, the Uchiha scooped him up and threw him over strong, muscular shoulders.
Dei had known Itachi had a personal trainer for all of his Asian martial arts and crap, and he knew he was tiny and light for his age--but even so, he was un-prepared for the show of strength as he was literally carried out of the second study and towards the bathroom as he screamed like a girl, beating the Uchiha's back with his fists.
"I SAID I HATE YOU, UN! YOU PUT ME THE FUCK DOWN RIGHT NOW, UN!"
"No. This is to help you remember. The bathroom is up the stairs,"
And the raven carried his flailing body up the stairs.
"Down the right hall,"
With a sudden turn that made his head spin, he saw the red-painted walls of the right hall a moment before his ass got acquainted with the freezing cold marble tile of the bathroom as Itachi dumped him on it. He looked up and met darkly humored eyes that were matched with a thoroughly satisfied smirk.
"And four doors down to your left. Got it now?"
The blonde leaned forwards, rubbing his aching ass.
"That hurt, un."
"Like you said,"
Itachi threw over his shoulder as he walked back out.
"I am a sadist."
"AND I SAID I HATE YOU, UN!"
He had pouted for the rest of the day while Itachi continually seemed especially entertained by his own private joke.
"And this is the dining room, across from which is Itachi-pooh's study."
Haruko announced with a flourish, and Deidara recognized the unchanged table where he and his former friend had sat for hours, doing homework, harassing each other, and generally being stupid teenagers. Or at least, as stupid as Itachi could get as a teenager.
But he was jolted out of his musings as he suddenly saw a familiar face, and his heart stopped.
Holy shit. It was--
"Haruko-chan! It is so wonderful to see you again so soon! I though you were going to the Harunos for the weekend?! But you're right on time, because Itachi has just finished all of the work he needs to do today, so you can spend some quality time together and--oh my."
Mikoto. He calmed himself, realizing that he had simply mistook her face--Sasuke took after her more then Itachi did anyway, but still, he had never met anyone with eyes like the Matriarch of the Uchiha family other then her sons.
She had seemingly frozen upon seeing the blonde standing there--but before she could find something polite to say to him, another voice interrupted, floating out the study where its owner probably sat, doing paperwork if Deidara had any guess to it.
"Actually mother,"
He knew that voice. It was different yes, but still very similar to what it once was--it now had an underlying timbre belying to the sound of it.
He couldn't help closing his eyes for the moment as he finally heard it again--he wanted to savor the sound of that voice. He could listen to it forever--
He blinked up just as Itachi Uchiha strode out from his study, looking proud, purposeful--
And drop, curl into a corner and die sexy.
The Uchiha heir had grown not only a few more inches, but into what used to by a much smaller and slender frame. He was still much thinner then the average man, but every ounce of his new-found shape was rippling muscle. Sasori's eyes were a pale imitation of the raven's, who's gaze glittered like lakes of garnet, framed by long lashes and an aquiline nose--his hair was still as long as it had been before, pulled back into his loose, trademark ponytail.
He was dressed in a simple black button down with matching black slacks; upon seeing the blonde, slanted eyes widened more then a fraction, and those perfectly sinful lips parted as he tried to grasp onto the words he was about to say.
Their eyes locked for what seemed to be eternity for Deidara as Itachi finally seemed capable of forming words.
"Dei--dara?"
The blonde could've died right there at the sound of his name being said by him. He could've died right there more blissfully happy as anything.
The artist swallowed his saliva almost inaudibly, feeling his Adam's apple bob in his throat. Itachi's eyes flicked to it momentarily at the movement before moving to trail over every single contour of the blonde's body--avidly interested as they found his own blue gaze again.
Of course, no one had just seen the Uchiha's stare and sudden emotion flickering throught he depths of his eyes. He was too quick. Too clever.
He found himself enthralled by those dark eyes that invited him to come closer--that dared him to move closer.
But he looked away.
He couldn't stare into Itachi's eyes for long.
He didn't want to have the other man remember everything that had happened--he didn't want to see the hatred there. The anger there.
Like it had been before.
"I…I…"
He scrambled for words--but just as it had been in their high-school English class, Itachi was been there for him, supplying him as easily as oxygen.
"I cannot believe it's been over five years Deidara."
That voice, that low, husky voice that could whisper across one's skin like velvet, that could turn even the most perfect saint into a puddle of lust, spoke his name again--
And the blonde felt himself get sick to his stomach as he searched for the words with which to reply.
"Yah, I mean, since what, high-school, un?"
His fake laugh strained him, but Haruko giggled right along, it seemed as though the entire twisted scene had already been planned out and choreographed.
"I know, I know Itachi darling, no need to thank me, but you wouldn't believe it!"
She sidled up next to the future CEO, her delicate hands fluttering up the non-existent wrinkles in his sleeve-covered forearm.
"You know that art expo I went to last night, the one that all of Daddy's higher-profile clients were talking about? It was his! And he is the most amazing artist you will ever meet, and I never knew he was so fun and witty as well, so I took the liberty of inviting him to stay with us until the wedding! I thought he would be perfect to paint out family portraits! He just needs a photo that we can pose for, and viola! He makes a painting. It's wonderful, and the night actually was sooo lovely, and I know you had work, but you should've been there darling, because…"
And suddenly, the whole plan didn't seem like such a good idea after all.
He could barely stand to be in the same room with the dark-haired man without going into half-shaped thoughts and weakening at the knees.
How the hell was he supposed to survive six months? It would be an exquisite kind of torture he hadn't thought was possible.
He zoned in again to hear Haruko finishing her speech.
"--and he was ever so sweet, so I called up Father Uchiha last night and he didn't think of it being a problem--so here we are!"
Her cheeks were apple-blossoms on her face in excitement as she fairly-well leeched herself onto Itachi's arm.
"Isn't it wonderful love?"
"Yes…wonderful."
The other man replied, almost mechanically--the raven didn't seem to be aware of anyone else in the room. Though he was no longer looking at the man, opting for his fiancée as she rambled, he still felt those eyes staring at him, analyzing him.
Possibly undressing him--but that was a little far-fetched.
But he could dream, couldn't he?
Dei had to get out of there. Now. He couldn't stand one more moment of being with the man he had been madly infatuated with--okay scratch that, the man that he was still madly infatuated with, looking at him passively while the flower on his arm bubbled over about her excitement of everything that was going on.
"You know, those chips…Konan shared some with me…and I think that they've upset my stomach as well…is it possible to take a rain-check on that tour Miss Mesotomi? I think I have to find that bathroom, un."
And without further adieu, he dashed out of the room, up the stairs, into the right hallway, and into the fourth doorway on the left, whipping past a bewildered Konan as he ran…
--
His agent had found him shortly after he had finished emptying the remnants of his breakfast into the porcelain toilet bowl, leaning against the tub after he had washed himself and brushed his teeth using a spare toothbrush from the spare box of them he had known about since he had first come over, hands covering his face as he replayed the scene over and over again in his mind.
"Dei? Are you alright?
He gave a meek,
"Yeah, un…"
"Good, because you ran past me like a blonde whirlwind and almost gave me a fucking heart-attack! I need food."
She stated as she sat down next to him, trying to lighten the mood.
He gave her a look, his slanted blue eyes showing his stress and worry. She sighed, running her fingers through her hair.
"Was it really that bad?"
He nodded mutely.
"Really really?"
He glared before finally speaking.
"Have you ever met Itachi Uchiha? The real, un-impersonate-able Itachi Uchiha, un? Have you?"
She thought for a long moment.
"No, I can't really say that I have, though you spoke about him enough that I feel like I've known him for ages. But then again…have you ever met Pein face to face?"
He paused, biting his lower lip.
"Actually…no. I can't say that I have, un."
"Then we're even."
He sighed.
"I don't think you understand. He is the most clever, sexy, and charismatic person on this entire earth--fuck Konan, he could make a saint say 'screw celibacy' and pole-dance at a strip club, un!"
She still looked skeptical.
"You really think so? I think you might just have it real bad."
"Have what?"
"The love bug."
He rolled his eyes.
"No shit Sherlock."
"Hey! You don't fucking say shit like that to me!"
"I just did, un."
"I'M GOING TO FUCKING STRANGLE YOUR ASS!"
"Wait, Konan, I was kidding, un--NO!"
But it was too, late, for his best-friend was hell-bent on throttling him, her hands closing around his throat as he tried holding her off, choking and gagging all the while when--
"Hello?! Are you okay up there Deidara-san?"
Mikoto's voice rang up the stairwell. Konan froze, not noticing her friend's face turning blue before she called back, saying,
"Oh, he's fine--it was just those chips, they must've expired or something--he's got a really bad case of the stomach flu!"
"Oh that's terrible! Does he want me to bake him cookies?"
"Mother, cookies will not help the situation."
"You know, when you were a baby, I used to be able to make everything better with a cookie and a kiss on your booboos!"
The awkward silence from the bottom of the stairs was deafening.
"Mother, as a child, I never had 'booboos.'"
Itachi stated, the quotation marks evident in his voice.
"You kept both me and Sasuke locked up in a padded room. We were home schooled there for all of our elementary years. My toys all had their sharp corners sanded into smooth curves, and you refused to let any object smaller then a golden retriever into my presence."
The silence continued until they heard Mikoto burst into tears.
"Why can't I just dream?! What happened to my baby boy, with his cute little smile and big black eyes as he asked me to read him more Shakespeare?! YOU DON'T SMILE ANYMORE!"
And then the sound was of footsteps, running down the hall.
Deidara could picture Itachi rubbing his temples as he murmured something to a nearby servant about getting Sasuke and a barrel of tomatoes while turning back to the stairs.
"When he does feel better, please send Deidara to my study. I'm currently busying myself at the moment with a major project, but I think that it would be necessary to go over a few rules before he settles in."
Konan and Deidara shared a look before the purple-haired woman shrugged mouthing, 'a few "rules?"'
Before the rest of the footsetpes were taken as the sign of everyone making their exit.
There was a silence between the friends.
"Well, he sounds sexy. Controlling, yes, sadistic, triple yes…but sexy."
Was all she would say on the matter before pulling Deidara to his feet and ordering him off towards the torture chambers.
Hell was going to be crazier then what he thought.
--
Oh! I almost forgot to say Thank you so much to the three following reviewers! Your reviews are what wrote this chapter, and will continue writing the next few! /bows/ --Spirit of Insanity: OMG! You are my first reviewer. For this, I hearts you. /glomps/ I was also afraid that the plot would be to over-done in other fics, but I had never really seen one of ItaDEi, and I had never tried one myself. However, besides what you see so far, the plot will actually flourish into a twisted game of lies and deceit. I really hope you enjoy it! ^^ And I'm glad you think that I'm keeping both Itachi and Deidara in character--I find it's often a struggle for me, because don't we all want to see Itachi go all mushy and crack a smile? Thanks once again! (and PS, I also love writing that inner-mind conversation. I like the new character Koko has become in this fic. I'm keeping her. ^^) --Oblivion's Schemer: My SECOND reviewer! /glomps/ You read more then one story! I HEARTS YOU AND YOUR STORY READING! And thank you very much for the compliment about my writing. It makes me feel like I have actually accomplished something in life. xDD I hoped you enjoyed this chap as much as the last! ^^ --Pachinko-Candies: My THIRD! /glomps/ You know, I feel as though this counting and glomping thing is going to get old very quickly...my arms are already sore. xD 'Nyway, I want you to know I am also extremely lazy about logging in, and I feel you as a kindred spirit. xD I have to say, writing Mikoto and Konan definitely has it's perks. I like your predictions for the plot too! Let's hope it all runs smoothly.../laughs evilly/ So yes, to you all, thank you once again! --The Circius
