"Took you long enough, hm,." Deidara teased.
"I'm not the one who lost his battle," Sasori snapped back. He placed Sakura, still unconscious, propped up against a nearby rock and sat down on the ground where the other Akatsuki members were.
"Why is she still alive?" Deidara asked. "I thought you'd want to add her to your collection, hmm."
"Or maybe you brought her for me?" Zetsu asked hopefully, licking his lips.
"She's not for eating, Zetsu," Sasori replied, eyeing the black and white man with utter disgust.
"That would be a waste of the human form. And.." he turned his attention to Deidara. "She will join my collection in due time. I have other plans for her."
"Whatever you say, boss." The blond responded. "Can we hurry and get to Kakuzu? I don't want this arm rotting."
Zetsu eyed it longingly. "He's held up in the Rice Country. I told him to meet us at Leader's place."
"I won't be going."
Deidara and Zetsu turned to look at their red-headed companion. "And why not? We're partners after all."
"I lost two puppets," Sasori snapped back angrily. "I'll be heading to my workshop. My grandmother…" He patted the scroll through his robes. "Will be a fine replacement for the Third. And…" Sasori signaled towards Sakura. "My plans for her to be put into action."
"Hmmph," Deidara scoffed. "Fine." He stood up and nodded at Zetsu, who then sank into the ground, "We'll be on our way."
"Good riddance," Sasori replied mockingly.
A short one but needed to transition nicely and not add a bunch of unnecessary traveling scenes.
