Hi everyone! I'm dreadfully sorry for such a late update... I'm not very prompt. Haha well enjoy.

~Mekana

I lay in bed, unable to get back to sleep, and stared at the plain rock ceiling.

"They're really not the home decorators, here." I sighed and rolled over, "Wonder where Sasori's at. I bet he's found something fun to do." I heard voices outside my room and sneaked over to lean my ear against the cold wooden door to listen in.

"Come on, Itachi. Just apologize to her." I heard Kisame say.

"I don't see why I should apologize to her. She's the one that brought up my brother."

'Oh, so he's blaming me.' I thought slightly irritated.

"Come on, just apologize. She didn't know it would offend you. And besides I know you're totally into a girl that can take you down."

"No, I'm not apologizing to that bitch until she apologizes to me."

'A bitch? Me, a bitch… that's it." I threw myself out of my room and tackled him to the floor. "So, I'm a bitch, huh?" I took out my sword and pierced through his cloak cutting the skin atop his chest.

"Yes, you are, Bitch." He glared at me; the black dots on his crimson eyes began to spin, "Magenkyo."

I stared at him, 'What's the Magenkyo?' His eyes spun for a moment longer and then they stopped and his expression showed slight confusion. I smirked, 'Whatever it was didn't work out as planned.'

"That was a pretty neat eye trick you got there, Uchiha. How'd you do it?"

"What? My Magenkyo, why isn't it working?"

"Was it supposed to do something?"

"Yes, it was supposed to kill you." Itachi snarled. I stood up and chuckled.

"Well, I guess I'm immune to it." I turned away from the two men, "By the way. There's no way you're getting an apology out of me."

I walked down the hall a little ways and hid around the corner watching Itachi pick himself up.

"I've never had a girl pin me down before." He said to Kisame.

"Hehe, is that a smile I see?" Kisame said referring to the slight smirk on Itachi's face.

"Shut it, fish boy."

I skipped happily down the hall in no particular direction. I found myself passing by the kitchen where a guy with a white mask and goggles was counting money and a creepy looking guy with dark skin and grey hair chanting loudly over a dead pigeon. I poked my head in the doorway.

"Hey, guys. Have you seen Sasori?" They both pointed to the right without looking up.

"He's in his room." The money dude said.

"And where's that?"

Worship man sighed over my interruption, "Fourth room from the end of the hall. Now be quiet."

I left and skipped down the hall. I stopped in front of his room and slid the door open.

"Sasori?" I poked my head in and looked at the cluttered room. The open closet to my right held several puppets and sprawled out on the bed was the shirtless redhead himself. Now that I think of it, I've never seen him shirtless forget even without a cloak. I sneaked over to the edge of the bed to get a closer look. I could feel my heartbeat speeding up and my cheeks were burning red.

I knelt down beside his bed and poked my eyes over the edge. He looked gorgeous. He was so peaceful with his eyes closed and a slight smile spread on his lips.

'What's he thinking of?' I wondered. My eyes trailed down his neck to his chest. What I saw was unexpected. His chest was completely carved by his own hands to perfection. A scroll was placed where his heart would be.

"So this is what's left of the human Sasori." I moved my fingers over his chest and let my hand rest gently on the scroll. His heart was in there and somehow I was the one who brought it out. I could only imagine it beating against my hand.

"What are you doing, Caddi?" Sasori's hand had grabbed mine. His emerald eyes were staring me down and the smile on his face was gone.

"Um, I-I'm sorry. I was looking for you and well, the door was open so I thought I'd come in."

"That's not what I meant." He said harshly.

"My curiosity got the better of me. I'm sorry; I didn't know it would offend you. You're so beautiful. I never knew a puppet could be so soft and lifelike."

"You're not afraid?" his tone softened and he let go of my wrist.

"Why would I be afraid?"

"I'm a monster. Anyone else would be afraid of me."

I sat next to him and placed my hand on his cheek, "You're no more a monster than I am, Sasori." He smiled and gently took my hand in his.

"Come, there's something I want to show you."

The two of us walked out of the Akatsuki and through the forest. We strolled hand in hand for about a half a mile before Sasori stopped.

"Ok stop." He said and stood in front of me.

I looked around at the clearing we stood in. I was met with a beautiful lake. All around us were cherry blossom trees and swans swam in the water.

"Wow, Sasori! It's beautiful here." My star struck eyes gazed at the sight and then turned to Sasori.

"I thought you'd like it. I'd come here whenever I needed a break from the Akatsuki. It's nice to have a peaceful place to think." An amused smile was relevant on his face and he went to sit at the edge of the lake. I sat next to him and gently leaned my head on his shoulder and he placed his arm around me. We watched the morning sun rise and the mildew covering the grass sparkle like millions of diamonds sprinkled on he ground.

I closed my eyes and sang softly out of pure relaxation and bliss. I noticed the longer I sang, the more relaxed Sasori, himself, became.

Sasori let out a slight gruff and moved causing me to open my eyes, "Caddi?" He whispered.

"Hm?" I turned my head only to be met with his lips against mine. I stared into his emerald eyes until they closed and mine did as well. I never imagined a puppet to feel so soft and lifelike. Sasori kissed me gently and caringly and wrapped my arms around his neck entangling my finger in his delicate fiery hair. I felt him smirk and his tongue traced my lower lip. I granted him access and after satisfying battle, he pulled away.

He held me in his arms and rested his head on top of mine.

"I'm sorry." He said confusing me. I gave him a questioning look, "For earlier. I was just afraid I'd lose you."

"Why would you lose me?"

"I thought if you saw how I really am you'd be afraid and leave me."

I took his head in my hands, "I'd never leave you because of how you look. You could look hideous, I'd still love you."