Chapter 6


That night at dinner, Sasori's behaviour was as strange as ever. Throughout the meal, he absolutely refused to look Deidara in the eyes. As Deidara trudged miserably back to his room, his head ran through all the possible explanations. Maybe there are problems with his staff? But he hadn't seen any signs of friction between Sasori and his staff. Maybe he's upset about something? But Sasori would never open up about his emotions. The blonde was officially lost.

"Keep stressing like that and those wrinkles will stick forever." Kisame, who had joined Deidara in the walk back to the guest chambers, prodded at the blondes' brow, "What're you so worked up about, anyway?"

"It's nothing. I'm fine, hm."

"Yeah, obviously." Kisame sighed and rolled his eyes, "I'll be next door so if you need anything, holla."

"I will. Thank you, hm." Deidara smiled, touched by Kisame's concern. But after Kisame closed the door to his room, Deidara slipped back out into the hallway. Deidara wondered down a different corridor, discovering a large door just where he'd guessed the master bedroom would be. But as he raised his hand to knock, he overheard a conversation inside.

"Don't make me repeat myself. I will never sign off on the destruction of that orphanage."

"Your Grace, I understand that you have a deep attachment to that orphanage. And I am aware that your objection is not solely for personal reasons. Nevertheless, I think that you need to put all emotional considerations aside and make the choice that you must do in your role as prince."

The door swung open just as Deidara was trying to figure out the meaning of the exchange, "Oh!"

"Deidara?" Sasori spotted him immediately from his position inside the room.

"Your Highness. Please, excuse me." The departing attendant bowed before running off down the hall. Sasori approached the door. Suddenly, Deidara found himself the one avoiding eye contact.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"I'm sorry. It was never my intention to eavesdrop, hm." Deidara hung his head in apology, and Sasori sighed, "You've been acting so strange, I wanted to talk to you, just the two of us, hm." He looked up at Sasori pleadingly, only to find the red-head gazing back at him. Sasori's face was a mess of conflicting emotions, almost as if he had too much on his mind to bear, "Sasori, please."

Out of nowhere, Sasori placed both hands on the door behind Deidara. Startled, Deidara took a step back only to bump into the door. Sasori ran his hands down from the door to the blondes' shoulder, grasping them, "You don't need to worry about me, Deidara. You didn't need to come here and see me."

"What're you talking about, hm?" Pinned between the door and Sasori, Deidara's heart beat uncontrollably fast as the redhead drew closer.

"I am your fiancée, I am not your lover nor am I your friend." Sasori broke his gaze again, his brow deeply furrowed, "So I ask you never to meddle in my affairs again."

"Sasori, why won't you look at me, hm?" Sasori trembled at the question. Deidara knew Sasori was frantically trying to build wall after wall to keep the two apart. But Deidara still couldn't figure out why, "If you truly want me out of your life, then look me in the eyes and say it, hm." Sasori exhaled sharply and finally raised his head. His brown eyes met blue, and this time, he didn't look away, "I came here because I wanted to help you, Sasori. So if something's troubling you, I want you to tell me, hm."

The deep sadness in Sasori's eyes was back – the same look Deidara had seen for a fleeting moment when they parted at the palace. Or maybe it had been there all along, "It's no concern of yours." Removing his hands from Deidara's shoulders, Sasori turned to walk away. Deidara's last glimpse of Sasori's face seemed to confirm what Deidara believed: Sasori wanted him gone.

It was done, then.

Deidara's body slumped forward in sadness, making his way back to the guest chamber. But before he could reach it, Deidara spotted the attendant whom Sasori had argued with.

"You there! Please, a moment, hm!"

"Your Highness, can I be of service?" Shocked, the attendant turned to face Deidara, his mouth agape.

"There is something I want to ask you, hm."

"I am just a lowly attendant, Your Highness."

"The conversation you were having with Sasori earlier, about the demolition of an orphanage- I want you to tell me everything, hm." The attendants eyes widened at the blondes request, but he made no attempt to stop himself form blurting out the plans.

They wanted to demolish the orphanage in order to build a holiday villa. When the attendant finished explaining the situation, Deidara was speechless.

"If they turn the orphanage into a villa, what will happen to the children, hm?"

"These are abandoned children. No one has an obligation to raise them. Even on the streets, they might still find someone to care for them if they're lucky. But that's neither here nor there. This plan was developed by one of the realm's most powerful noblemen. And he has the support of much of the nobility. If Sasori were to lend the plan his support as the prince, the nobility would reciprocate by supporting his own agenda. If not, then-"

"This is truly despicable, hm!"

"Pardon me, Your Highness?"

"This whole plan! It's all wrong! You should support children, not throw them away. No way will I nor Sasori approve of this, hm!" Deidara frowned and stormed off from the attendant.

Too furious to sleep, Deidara was just about to slip out of the manor when Kisame spotted him. Kisame wasn't happy about it but was kind enough to hear the blonde out. The sun had not yet fully risen as Kisame and Deidara walked, side-by-side, through the town's streets.

"And here I thought you'd finally grown out of your runaway phase. You just had to go sneaking off again." Kisame shook his head and he sighed, "Didn't I tell you to call me if you needed anything?"

"I'm sorry, Kisame, hm." Deidara was only half listening to Kisame's grumbled complaints. His mind was elsewhere, processing what he's learned from Sasori's attendant. Deidara was still disgusted by Sasori's attendant, who showed not a hint of empathy as he detailed the nobility's heinous plan. He still felt the anger running hot in his veins. This is what Sasori has been fighting against.

"What do you hope to achieve by going to this orphanage?"

"I just want to see what it's like, hm."

"Well, whatever. Just so long as you don't go wandering off by yourself. Again." Kisame shrugged, perhaps knowing better than to try convincing Deidara otherwise. Kisame had stayed close to Deidara's side since.

o-o-o-o-o

Sasori awoke hearing knocking at his door. Grumbling, he pulled off the bed covers, quickly standing and pulling open the door.

"Good morning, Your Grace." An attendant stood at the door, his body bowed deeply to the prince.

"Good morning." Sasori grumbled, running a hand lazily through his hair.

"I apologise for bothering you at such an early hour, but there's been a development." The attendant had kept his gaze respectfully at the prince's feet, but chanced a quick glance as Sasori's face to gauge his reaction.

"A development?" The red-head raised an eyebrow at the attendants news.

"The princess had the royal guard both left the manor early this morning. They've gone to inspect the township, m'lord." The mention of Deidara brought a scowl to Sasori's face.

"The township?"

o-o-o-o-o

A single carriage rolled to a stop behind the orphanage. Sasori stepped out the carriage and looked around. Wringing his hands, he made his way to the orphanage's front gates. As he walked, he heard a familiar voice fill his ears, appearing to be coming from the garden.

"But after hearing her story, the beast's heart bled for the girl-"

"His heart bled? Did he die?"

"Oh, no! When your heart bleeds it actually means, um-" There in the orphanage's yard, Deidara was reading to the children, "- and that's why it's important not to fight with people. We all have to try to learn to love each other, hm."

"Okay, Deidara-sama!"

Peeping around the hedge, Sasori looked into the garden, seeing the blonde he indeed suspected of being there, "Deidara." Sasori murmured Deidara's name softly as he watched him playing with the children. Kisame seemed to notice the redhead's presence and approached him instantly.

"Sasori? What are you doing here?" Kisame asked with shock, not expecting Sasori to be there at all.

"I might ask you the same thing." Deidara glanced around the garden, looking for the direction in which Kisame disappeared off to. Yet, a particular persons red hair caught Deidara's attention.

"S-Sasori, hm?" The blonde set down his book. And upon apologising to the children, he got up and made his way to the shark and redhead.

"Good morning." Deidara found Sasori eyeing him coldly, "I believe I asked you not to meddle in my affairs." Sasori didn't seem happy to see the blonde, "The duties of a princess don't involve intervening in the business of others."

"This might not be one of my duties as a princess- " Deidara wanted to shrink away from Sasori's piercing gaze, but he held his ground, "Maybe I'm just here to return the favour to a man who has always looked out for me, hm. I'd hardly call it meddling."

"Hmph." Sasori's eyes darted away. He had no response to that.

"I don't care if you want my help or not. These children need it, and that's what matters, hm."

"All right, princess, let's calm down." Kisame lifted his hands in a defensive manner, laughing slightly at the pair.

"Yeah, you guys need to stop fighting!" Just as Kisame took a step forward to intervene, one of the orphan kids had beat him to it.

"What?" Sasori stared at the small child, dumbfounded.

"Instead of fighting, you should try to love each other!" The child shouted, bagging on Sasori's legs to get her point across.

"L-Love each other, hm?" Deidara and Sasori stood awkwardly as the child continued to scold them.

"You're not supposed to fight!" Another child joined in, and the rest nodded in agreement.

"Yes. You're absolutely right." Sasori smiled sweetly as he ruffled the child's hair. Deidara's heart leapt at the sight of that smile. He placed a hand against his beating heart. Sasori looked away from the children in the orphanage yard, and fixed his gaze squarely on Deidara, "Oh, Deidara." The serious look on Sasori's face set Deidara's heart racing faster.

"What is it, hm?" Deidara's voice quivered slightly as he responded.

"I am sorry, and- I thank you," Sasori spoke softly, a sad smile crossing his face. Deidara gazed anxiously at Sasori, his heart beating even faster than before.

"It's okay, hm. No worries." A weak response, but it was all Deidara could manage.

Sasori and Deidara could have spent the whole day playing with the children at the orphanage. But as Kisame reminded Deidara several times, Itachi had a strict schedule, and they were expected back at the palace soon. And as wonderful as the day was, the couple was no closer to finding a way to save the orphanage.

"Do you really have to go?" The children were so sad to see them leave.

"I'm sorry, but we do, hm."

"You'll come back, right?!"

"Of course we will, hm!" Deidara knelt down to eye level and patted the head of the child he had grown particularly fond of. Deidara smiled, cupping a child's cheek before implanting a small kiss.

"We really have to get moving." Kisame grumbled, eying the time on the pocket-watch he pulling from his coat pocket.

"Kisame, Deidara. My coach is waiting out back. I'll see you to the palace." Sasori grabbed the blonde's arm, pulling him away from the children who were all simultaneously waving their farewells. The redhead shoved the blonde inside the waiting carriage, slamming the door behind him.

Inside the rumbling carriage, Deidara stole a glance at Sasori, who was seated across from him. Sasori gazed out of the window, as if in deep thought. Sasori's heart seemed more open to Deidara than it had ever been before. This could prove to be Deidara's chance to get to know the real Sasori.

"Thank you for the ride, Sasori." Kisame spoke through the uncomfortable silence.

"Don't mention it." As promised, Sasori's carriage escorted them all the way to the palace from the duchy.

"I'll escort you back to your chamber, Your Highness." Kisame said, holding out his hand for the blonde to take.

"Kisame, would you-" But before Deidara could make his appeal to Kisame, Sasori reached out and took Deidara by the hand.

"Kisame, I would like to speak to Deidara." Holding Deidara's hand in his, Sasori looked calmly towards Kisame.

"Go ahead." Kisame remained where he stood, failing to grasp the situation. Finally, the red-head had had enough of the shark's stupidity and spoke up.

"Allow me to escort Deidara to his chamber when we've finished." Sasori frowned, eyeing the man. A sudden realisation seemed to hit Kisame and he laughed.

"Ohhhhh! All right, then!" Sasori and Deidara walked away from Kisame, Sasori's strong hand still tightly wrapped around Deidara's. Sasori stopped at a secluded corner of the garden.

"I'm sorry for surprising you."

"No, don't apologise, hm. I wanted to talk to you, too."

"You did?" Sasori flashed a small smile. Seeing Sasori like this made Deidara's heart flutter. Just as Deidara looked down in embarrassment, he felt Sasori's hand caress his cheek. The soft touch turned the blondes' face bright red, "Deidara-" Sasori gently lifted Deidara's chin up until their eyes met, "Forgive me for being so cold." Sasori spoke in a soft voice, his muddy eyes still locked with blue, "I was so happy when you said that you wanted to help me. And I was happier still when you promised to protect those children. Even though sneaking off to an orphanage isn't appropriate behaviour for a princess." Sasori smiled as he retracted the memory.

"It wasn't, hm?"

"Of course not." As Deidara stared into those calm, beautiful brown eyes, the sound of his heartbeat faded into the distance, "Deidara." Whispering his name, his voice low and raw, Sasori wrapped Deidara in his arms.

"S-Sasori?" Wrapped in Sasori's embrace, Deidara couldn't hide his surprise. Deidara's thoughts were scattered, and his heart beat so fast that he'd be surprised if Sasori couldn't hear it.

"Forgive me, but I need this. If only for a moment." Sasori rested his head on Deidara's shoulder, his words mere whispers in the blondes' ear. The sweetness of his voice reverberated throughout Deidara. And the warmth of Sasori's body slowly spread onto his. Sasori didn't move, and neither did Deidara. Deidara's pounding heartbeat quieted, slowly returning to normal. Slowly, Deidara wrapped his arms around Sasori's neck, Sasori instantly hugging the blonde tighter.

Sasori pulled away from the embrace first. He slowly took the blondes hand, kissing it softly.

"Let me guide you to your chamber." After their embrace, Sasori escorted Deidara back to his chamber without saying another word. Deidara nodded his thank you, watching as Sasori walked away.

-o-o-o-o-o-

"Hmph." Though Deidara's eyes pored over the documents, he couldn't keep his mind from wandering back to last night. Remembering Sasori's touch, and the warmth of his body, and the kindness of his smile- just the very thought made Deidara's heart sing. He shook off his memories of last night and returned his attention to the documents once again. Yet, he was interrupted again. This time, someone knocked briefly on the door before opening it. Itachi slowly poked his head around the gap between the door.

The raven slowly made his way over to Deidara whilst explaining his presence, "Your Highness, I have a royal proclamation that requires your signature."

"A royal proclamation, hm?" Itachi set the documents out on the desk in front of the blonde.

"Earl Haruno has been unduly harsh towards his subjects of late. Many of his subjects are abandoning their fields and leaving his earldom entirely. I'd like you to issue an official reprimand of the earl's actions."

"And doing that will solve the problem, hm?" Itachi nodded at the blondes question.

"A proclamation from the prince or princess carries the same weight as a proclamation from the King himself."

"Itachi, could I issue a proclamation on my own initiative, hm?"

"Of course you can."

"In that case, could you teach me how to write one, hm?" Itachi raised an eyebrow at the question.

"Might I ask why, my lady?"

"I wish to save an orphanage, hm." Itachi frowned slightly.

"You wish to save this orphanage as the princess of Suna?" Itachi's voice was cold as he gazed sternly at Deidara.

"Is there some reason-" Without waiting for Deidara to finish, Itachi issued his harsh response.

"Do you think this orphanage is the only orphanage facing dissolution? I'll remind you that you are the princess of this entire kingdom. If you're going to try to save one orphanage, you have to be prepared to save them all. Is that something you're prepared to do? And are you willing to face the repercussions it will bring?" Itachi's words hung heavy on Deidara's heart.

Issuing the proclamation would make enemies out of much of the nobility. Deidara remembered the cold-eyed nobles he met at the Archduke's banquet. They scared him still. But giving in to them would mean abandoning those children. And that is something he could not do. Deidara looked Itachi dead in the eyes and issued his decision.

"That's exactly what I'm prepared to do, hm." The harsh look on Itachi's face softened a bit it Deidara's words.

"At the moment, there are more than twenty orphanages in the kingdom. Motions are underway to shut five of them down. Typically, these motions are arbitrarily advanced by members of the nobility." After completing his explanation, Itachi smiled broadly, "If that is what you have decided to do, I have no objection."

"Thank you, Itachi, hm."

-o-o-o-o-o-

At the sound of the creaking door, Sasori looked up from a pile of paper on his office desk.

"Your Grace." His attendant stood in the doorway, a conflicted expression on his face.

Sasori frowned, not pleased with the disturbance, "What is it?"

"His Royal Highness has issued a proclamation to the entire kingdom."

"A proclamation?" Sasori stood up and took the parchment from his attendant's outstretched hand.

"It's a pledge of royal support for the kingdom's charitable institutions, beginning with its orphanages."

"Oh, Deidara- what have you done?"

-o-o-o-o-o-

Four days had passed since Deidara issued the proclamation. A council meeting at the duchy was held yesterday, and the orphanage was spared. When the news was heard, it was like a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Never before had Deidara been so glad about anything. He smiled, turning to face Tobi, "What's next on the agenda, Tobi, hm?"

"Next is your lesson with Hidan. Although you have a little free time before then if you wish to take a walk." A wonderful idea. A walk in the palace garden never failed to clear the blondes' head. Deidara smiled at Tobi, who smiled back, seemingly pleased that he'd accepted his offer.

"Sounds like a lovely idea. See you in a little while, Tobi, hm." Tobi always had Deidara's back of late and for that he was glad. He had made a friend in Suna. Yet, Deidara failed to notice Tobi's gentle smile transform into a conflicted frown as he watched the blonde go.

Arriving at the gardens, Deidara sat on a small bench. He often came here when he had a spare moment to himself. Whenever Deidara closed his eyes, he saw Sasori as if he were right in front of him. He could still remember the feel of Sasori's embrace, and the warmth of his touch. He sighed, shaking the pleasant memories away. He turned to go back to the palace, coming face to face with a darkly clothed figure.

"Hey!" A hand clamped over his mouth from behind. Deidara tried to wiggle away, but he was pushed hard to the ground, his hands pinned behind him. A cloth was placed over his mouth and nose, making it unavoidable to breathe in whatever toxins were poured upon the damp cloth.

The world around him went slowly black and he became limp in the arms of his attacker.

Sasori sighed, running a hand through his red hair. He greatly appreciated all that the blonde had done to help the orphanages in Suna, but it definitely was a surprise that is was taken seriously by the Suna nobles and national leaders – Deidara was, after all, an Iwa. Although Iwa royalty, the passing of the proclamation still deeply shocked Sasori to no end. And here Sasori was, attempting to find the foreign princess in order to give thanks and congratulations.

He had gathered information around the castle that Deidara was outside, yet, upon his arrival to the garden, he found no trace of Deidara. There was truly nothing in the garden to indicate anyone's presence. Nothing except a folded letter, laying innocently upon the bench. Sasori frowned, noting the letter was clearly a bad sign. Picking it up, he opened it, staring in shock at the contents.

To save the princess, bring cash – old mill.

Heaving a heavy sigh, Sasori stuffed the letter in his pocket, sprinting to Itachi's accommodation in hope Deidara was safe, that this was just some joke being played. He bolted up countless steps, apologising to every maid he pushed past. And arriving at Itachi's room, he wasted no time in kicking down the door, "Itachi!" Itachi's office door flung open. Not bothering to knock, Sasori stood at the doorway breathing heavily.

"Sasori? What an unexpected pleasure. Is something wrong?" Itachi rose from his desk rapidly, afraid of something being seriously wrong.

"Deidara. Where is he?" Sasori's facial muscles were stiff, his skin ashen.

"His Highness should be studying with Master Hidan at the-"

"Itachi." Now it was Hidan's turn to stand in the doorway, a worried expression on his face.

"Hidan? Is something wrong?" Itachi sensed something wrong was definitely afoot. Itachi furrowed his brow as he studied the faces of his panicked visitors.

"Deidara was late to his lesson, so I went looking for him. But no one has seen him since he left the garden. I've looked everywhere." Hidan frowned, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.

"Everywhere?" Itachi asked, his brows knitting even closer together in confusion.

"Damn it!" Sasori turned and darted out the door before the last words were out of Hidan's mouth.

"Sasori?!" Sasori, in a full-tilt run, had already disappeared down the hallway.


Yet another cliff hanger, dun dun duuuun! Many apologies, I promise I'm not doing it on purpose~

Sorry this is so late - life has taken many unexpected turns!