Dubita che le stelle siano fuoco...
Dubita che il sole si muova...
Dubita che la verità sia mentitrice...
Ma non dubitare mai del mio amore.
- Shakespeare
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Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar
but never doubt thy love.
- Shakespeare
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Songbird
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Deidara growled in anger, throwing the invitation back at his smiling friend who stood unmoving as the piece of paper hit his chest and fluttered slowly to the floor. "You have to be out of you mind, Sasori."
The red haired artist, reached down and retrieved the invitation, a steady smirk resting on his lips as his friend continued to fume in the background. "You don't have to rustle you feathers over somthing so trivial as a girl. Everyone can see how far you've fled from sanity over this issue. You need this distraction."
"Like hell I do."
Sasori looked down at the invitation, smirking as Deidara continued to curse the event under his breath. It was always amusing to see his friend so troubled over something. Of course if Sasori hadn't know so much about the object of his friends obsession, he wouldn't be as cool as he was. "Come now, don't be like that."
"I'll be as I like and you'll do good to leave me alone, you will," Deidara hissed, taking another swing from his brandy before falling back into one of his favorite chairs to relax.
"You didn't even read it."
"I've read enough to know it's not worth my time. Now hush, I'm studying."
"Obsessing is more like it."
"Leave me in peace." The blond then returned to his messy table, filled with blueprints and old diagrams of the under-city of Venice. He was determined to find and plot the escape rout of her next disappearance and finally catch her for himself. It was all so close. If only he could pin point her next appearance.
All he really knew about her was her stage name, or whatever it was the people called her. He didn't know if it was her true birthname or something her fans stuck to her on a whim.
Sakura
"I must concur. You failed to take notice of the night's entertainment."
"Unless it's you confessing the faults of your art than you can count me absent because I don't find anything worth my time these days."
I have to find her. I have to have her. I need her...
Sasori rolled his eyes, throwing the invitation down in front of his friends work and grabbed the man by the shoulder, preventing him from throwing it away a second time. "You need to get out and do more with your life. You mother is worried and I'm still unable to convince her you're not in love with a married woman. Really, the though that a girl wasn't interested in you never crossed her mind."
"Sasori-"
"Just read the damn paper and agree to come, will you!"
Deidara, having no choice in the matter when his friend grew serious like that, complied with only a handful of foul words directed at the Hyuga princess and her stupid parties. His curses fell silent and his eyes widened when he saw what was written on the small piece of paper before him.
"Damn you Sasori, why did you not tell me of this sooner?!" he bellowed, jumping up and running upstairs to prepare himself for the gathering that would begin in an hour's time.
Sasori laughed, fanning himself with the invitation, relishing the expression on his friends face as he read the name of the singer that would be present. Of course he had pulled a few stings with the woman named Hinata to have Sakura attend such an open party. It was rare for the pink haired beauty to ever show herself at parties, and with good reason.
"I'll have the carriage prepared for us. I hear if you arrive early, you'll be granted the privilege of actually speaking with her!" Sasori called up to his friend, a wicked smile on his lips as he continued to tease the man. Of course Sakura wouldn't show up until half of the party was over, but he wasn't about to tell Deidara that. No, he was enjoying this far too much end it so soon.
A loud curse and a crash followed as the figure upstairs knocked somthing over in his haste to get dressed in time. "Don't you dare leave without me, Sasori. I won't have you falling in love with her and staling her away before I can even claim her name!"
"Don't worry my friend, there is no danger of that happening," Sasori called back, a sad gleam falling into his eyes as he reached for his favorite watch hidden deep within the pocket of his waistcoat. It was a treasured present he would always keep close to his heart, even if it was one of the cheeper brands.
In record time, Deidara was down the stairs, dressed handsomely and in a hurry to leave. He wasn't please at all when Sasori told him that by the time they reached the Hyuga estate, that party would have already started. And so, the blond was sour for the whole two hours it took for their carriage to make it to the grand estate.
"If only you had, planned on coming, we could have gotten here sooner. I bet she's already surrounded my handsome men. She might not even notice you," Sasori taunted as the neared the great palace.
Deidara said nothing, but continued to glare out his window.
"Did you hear, both the Uchiha sons were interested in her? (The eldest more so than poor Sasuke.) Who would have thought that Itachi, of all people, would be interested in someone like her. I don't think he'll have to try very hard to gain her attention."
Deidara turned and glared hatefully at his friend as the carriage pulled up the driveway. Before the door was fully opened, the young blond man was out of the carriage and trotting towards the entrance of the large house, leaving Sasori to laugh himself silly in the background.
He wasn't about to stand for any more of his friend's teasing.
The first hour he spent wandering around the room, trying to avoid the ladies who sought his attention and spot a head of pink in a sea of satin and jewels. He didn't have any luck and was rather annoyed when Hinata, the hostess of the party, explained to him that their singer had not yet arrived and was not due to arrive until the eleventh hour.
"Have I ever told you I hated you, Sasori?"
"Once or twice."
"I hate you."
Sasori snickered and fought to hold his excitement when he spotted something that would add to his enjoyment. "Oh look, it's Itachi, let's call him over."
"What are you thinking? You can't-" Deidara shut up and adapted a serious expression, faking boredom as the Uchiha heir approached the small group. "Hello Itachi."
"Hello, Deidara, Sasori. I am please to see you two both in good health." Though he was addressing both young men, his black eyes were fixated on the blond. it was close to common knowledge that the blond was loosing health over something.
"As it is you, Itachi. Are you looking forward to tonight's entertainment? I heard we were having a local singer. Maybe you've heard of her. Her name is Sakura." Deidara and Sasori watched with mixed emotions as Itachi flinched and looked away, the faintest of blushes powering his cheeks. Sasori was amused with the reaction, while Deidara was close to being enraged.
"Yes, she is quite famous around these parts. I am looking forward to hearing her sing tonight. It is rare to see her anywhere other than the streets, even though she is gifted enough for the finest opera halls. I would like to know how our hostess was able to acquire such talent. If possible I would like to duplicate the effects for a gathering of my own."
Itachi, aside from his good looks and money, was also well known for his lack of conversation and interest. For him to speak more than two sentences about something and then show some interest in it, was something new to the world. Deidara was having a hard time controlling his anger and quickly excused himself before he did something rash he would soon forget.
And so, the young artist wandered for half of the night, waiting for her to show. Almost an hour later than what was planned, Hinata announced the arrival of the pale skinned siren, only a few minuets before the clock announced midnight.
The room grew hushed as a white skinned figure made her way towards the small stage in front of the orchestra. Like the first time he witnessed her, the violins began their tune before her voice filled the air. Unlike the first time he witnessed her, she sang with power and authority, captivating the room with her words.
Weathered towers rising high
Clouds of gray haunting the sky
Acid rain pouring down on me
Drowning out the angel's pleas
Screams don't carry far
With Voices wearing down
Dreams lost in the dark
Swallowed up in sound
Scream from the bowls of barren rooms
Carry it out from these empty tombs
Death silences the strong of heart
But it doesn't tear my voice apart
If Deidara hadn't been so caught up in her song and it's demanding attention, he would have seen Itachi facing the singer with an expression much like his own. Want and longing reflecting in his eyes as he and a great many others watched her sing. Truly, there wasn't a man in the room that wouldn't have minded being in her company after the song had ended, this included Itachi, of course.
Deidara probably would have guessed that Itachi would be captivated by his siren, and he wouldn't have been surprised to hear if Sasori was as captivated in the moment as well. That was expected. What he wouldn't expect, was the sadness and heartache that bled from his friend's eyes in two twin streams of tears as he watched Sakura sing.
Jealousy, so wicked green
Robbed me of my loved king
Hands to wings that fly away
A loving wife you've betrayed
Set free
Your Ecstasy
I'm Caught dead
With death wed
How shallow is the grave
that betrays life for song
Bought and sold as a slave
Mortality my wrong
She was radiant on that stage. The formal gown dyed in a deep red clung to her figure till it reached her knees before billowing out to sparkled in the gleam of a thousand lights. Her hair was piled high upon her head, held in place by a hundred or so small diamond pins. A few loose curls fell out to tickle her face as she swayed into her song. One gloved hand clutched her stomach as the other played with the air around her.
The last time Deidara had seen her, her hair had been loose and her dress was simple, yet she shone with beauty rivaled by few. To see her adorned with such beautiful clothing and jewelry only elevated her allure so much that it became close to unreasonable. Was it truly possible for someone to be that gorgeous while remaining human? Deidara would have doubted it before he had met her, failing to find any beauty in a girl that could come close to what Sakura possessed. Maybe it was the music and the voice she sang with that made her so irresistible. Either way, she was irresistible and there were no two ways about it.
Ohhhh
Peril to the muses one through nine
My voice with them haunts all of time
I send my voice out, beyond the grave
For a witch who spells were played
My darling
Now a feathered bird at ares' side
Hear my voice, though I have died
Over the witch's mighty lies
Hear and to me, my darling fly!
And then, almost like a magic spell being broken, so many were freed only to find the stage absent of it's singer. Deidara panicked, cursing his lapses in memory as he searched the room with his eyes for her figure. He momentarially caught sight of Itachi doing the same.
Damn she was a tricky one, even more so than Sasori.
"Mr. Iwa."
That voice!
"Yes?" he asked, turning around to face whoever it was who addressed him, shocked beyond imigination to see who it was.
"I'm please to finally make your acquaintance, I've heard so much about you from my brother," Sakura said, speaking in a soft gental voice that seemed so far away from the one she used in her song only moments ago.
Deidara was a bit dumbstuck in her presence, only able to mumble a limp 'Brother?' in response.
"I forgot to tell you didn't it? I had a sister," Sasori announced, coming up behind Sakura to kiss her on the cheek and hug her dearly.
"Sasori! You-you-Sakura is your sister? How come you never told me of this? I thought you were an only child!"
Sakura blushed and looked down at the ground, a bit ashamed. Sasori glared at Deidara and pulled Sakura tighter. "She's my younger half sister from one of my father's close friends. Please don't speak so loudly."
Blushing in shame, he quickly apoligized, stumbling over his words as he did so. Sakura smiled and assured him it was okay and that she was used to it. Quick to change the subject Deidara blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"My song?"
"Y-yes. What was your song about? I am most curious. Please enlighten me."
Sakura smiled brilliantly, causing him to melt on the inside. "Canens was a queen in roman mythology who married a mighty king who a witch had fallen in love with. Canens was rumored to have one of the most lively voices in existence, and an appearance of a goddess. With such promising qualities, it was no wonder the King fell in love with her and wed her. The witch, after having her heart broken, turned the king into a woodpecker who few to Ares and sits at the god's side til this day. His queen loved him deeply and was heartbroken by his absence. Thus, Canens sang herself away till she was nothing more than a voice in the wind in hopes of reaching her husband through her song." "Amazing... I truly did feel heartache in your words as you sang, even though I also felt like it was undeserved." Sh nodded. "It's rumored that her king was an abusive husband that had many lovers behind her back. Despite that, she loved him dearly. And I suppose, in his own way and in his own time, he loved her back, though not as much." "Maybe, but when you love someone, their happiness is above your own. When you love someone truly with all your heart, you want to see them happy, even if it's not with you," Sasori butted in, speaking with a serious tone that came from experience of what he spoke of. "Anyways, it's late Sakura, and you have your health to look after. I don't want you getting sick on me again. Let's go home." The young itilian girl smiled up at her brother an nodded happily. "Yes, Sasori." The red haired doll maker turned to look over his shoulder at Deidara who was still a bit dumbstruck by Sakura's presence. "Are you coming with us or not?" Waking up from his daze, the blond nodded and trotted after the pair, lending Sakura his arm as she glided out of the home between two men who both loved her dearly. Over her head, Sasori sent Deidara a look that reminded the blond of a boy giving away his favorite toy, or a father giving away her daughter. "Sasori, this is strange. You usually never let anyone else take me home with you." "Deidara is a good and dear friend of mine. Someone I can trust anything and everything with. He will keep you safe just like I have." - - - - - - La ricchezza del mio cuore è infinita come il mare, -Shakespeare - My bounty is as boundless as the sea, - Shakespeare- - - - - One small, tiny chapter to go. REVIEW! I'm shameless, I know.Please REVIEW!
Così profondo il mio amore...
Più te ne do, più ne ho,
Perché entrambi sono infiniti.
My love as deep...
The more I give to thee, the more I have,
For both are infinite.