Chapter Two
Sasori examined a bass guitar. The neck looked like furnished wood, the rest of it pink. He grinned and picked it up. "Hey Tobi, how about this one?"
Tobi turned and walked over to Sasori. He quickly shook his head. "No way, Sasori-san! I want something different."
"We wouldn't have to be shopping for another bass if you hadn't busted it up at the show last night."
Tobi laughed. "But, Sasori-san, the crowd loved it."
Sasori nodded as he rested the bass back into its place. "I'm going to look at straps. Let me know when you find something." He barely had time to escape before Tobi called after him again.
"Sasori-san, I found it!" Tobi cheered, waving an arm to usher him over.
Sasori strolled over. "Well, let's see it."
Tobi revealed his chosen bass. Its neck was solid black, the body was also black, but also had orange stripes that swirled around the body. "Well, what do you think, Sasori-san?"
Sasori ran his fingers through his hair and smiled. "It certainly suits you, Tobi."
"So can I get it?" Tobi was nearly shaking with excitement.
"Sure Tobi…"
Once the bass was paid for, Sasori and Tobi walked out of the store into the mall. Sasori glanced over at Tobi. Much to his annoyance, Tobi was shaking again.
"Tobi, chill out."
"Sasori-san, lets go get ice cream!" Tobi cheered joyfully, pointing towards the food court.
Sasori frowned. "You've had enough sugar, I think."
"But Sasori-san!" Tobi whined. "Can we go to the toy store?"
Sasori shoved his fists into his pockets. "What am I, your babysitter?"
"Mhm!" Tobi nodded cheerfully. "Zetsu-san said for you to watch over me." He tugged on Sasori's hand. "Let's go to the toy store!"
"Let go of my hand," Sasori ordered, but it was useless. Tobi only tightened his grip and proceeded to drag Sasori into the toy store.
Deidara sat behind the counter. Business was slow at this time of day, so he enjoyed his break by molding his clay into a giraffe. He was so absorbed in making zoo animals he didn't notice Tobi and Sasori walk in.
"WOW! Sasori-san, look at all these toys!" Tobi exclaimed, finding himself in this newly found paradise. He looked around rapidly, trying to take it all in at once. His gaze turned to the counter and saw an elephant. As he reached to touch it, Deidara pushed his hand away.
"Don't touch these, un." Deidara said protectively.
"Why?" Tobi whined.
Sasori raised his eyebrow. It was him after all. He looked down at the sculptures as he listened to the defensiveness in the blonde's voice. Maybe he finally figured out what art truly was…
"My art is a BANG!" Deidara cheered. He then spoke in a serious tone. "I don't want it blowing up in my face."
Sasori shook his head. …Obviously not. Sasori was caught up in his own thoughts. What should he say? That he knew the person this blonde was reincarnated from? No, that would ruin everything. Sasori cleared his throat. "You're the person from last Thursday night."
Deidara looked up, wide-eyed. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! I swear, un!"
Sasori nodded. "It's okay." He held his hand out. "I'm Sasori."
Deidara rose and shook his hand. "I'm Deidara, un."
Tobi couldn't stand being left out. "I'm Tobi! That's me!"
Deidara grinned at him. "Nice to meet you, Tobi. " He paused. "Want to see my art bang?"
"Yeah!" Tobi exclaimed as he followed Deidara into the back of the store. He chattered happily about blowing things up and how he banged up his bass guitar the night before. He didn't bother stopping when Deidara stopped to talk to a girl.
"Ino, watch over the front desk, un."
The girl flicked her hair. "You're telling me what to do? I'll get you fired!"
Deidara continued speaking, his voice remaining calm. "You may be my boss's daughter, but from 9 to 5 I am in charge. Go watch the desk now, un."
Ino sulked and stomped to the front desk.
Sasori saw the girl approach. He decided in seconds that he did not want to be around her. He hated people like her. He walked up beside Tobi to prevent himself from strangling the girl for having such a spoiled attitude.
Deidara opened a curtain and led Sasori and Tobi into the back room. The room was empty and uninteresting; except for the various scorch marks on the grey cement floor and the random holes in the white plaster walls.
Deidara turned to Tobi and smiled. "Are you ready to see a bang?"
Tobi grinned. "Yeah! Aren't you, Sasori-san?"
Sasori kept his groan to himself. How are the future generations going to see beauty if you blow it up? "…Sure."
Deidara tossed the elephant in the air. As if on command, the elephant exploded. A few pieces of clay ricocheted and punctured the walls.
Tobi was in awe. "How did you do that?"
"It's my little secret, un."
"Can you do it again?"
Deidara paused. "Nah, I'll do more if you come back another day and buy something."
Sasori frowned. "Is that how you sell you toys?"
Deidara grinned. "No, I'm just behind on my quota."
"Toy sellers have quotas?"
Deidara stared blankly. "Well, I do."
Tobi leaned against the wall, twiddling his thumbs. "You know, this conversation Is pointless. Why don't you come to one of our shows? Our next one is Saturday."
Deidara cocked his head. "Shows? Oh, your band." He answered his own question, recalling Tobi babbling about it earlier.
"Yeah, you should totally come." Tobi pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to Deidara. "Give this to the bouncer and you can get into the show for free."
Deidara stared at the card. "Thanks. I guess I'll go, un."
Tobi beamed. "I better see you there."
Deidara watched the two walk out of the store. He glanced at the card again, which had the word "Akatsuki" inscribed in it. He shoved the card into his pocket and went back to work.
Sasori smirked inwardly as he walked out of the mall to his car. It looks like Tobi had done his work for him. He unlocked the driver side door, and looked up to see Tobi skipping. He shook his head. "Come on, Tobi. Let's get you home."
