Disclaimer: I only own this story – Kishimoto owns Naruto and everything within it

A/N: School's back. Yay...

Sorry about the lateness of the chapter. I try to update weekly but I have failed by about what, 2 days?And then couldn't get internet on Sunday. And it turns out that I DO have a life. A life doomed to be full of schoolwork, more schoolwork, deadlines, exams and more schoolwork. Anyone wanna trade?

I've just thought/realised, I would prefer to draw SasoDei, rather than write. Because images are often much more powerful. But in a way, I like fanfiction better as: 1) I am much better at it, 2) Sometimes, words are more beautiful than pictures, 3) I don't feel as bad reading lemons as opposed to seeing it, 4) The use of adjectives is more descriptive than pictures, 5) Everything plays like a film when I read it, 6) Sometimes I feel as if I'm actually there and 7) You just can't really beat good, old fanfiction. Thanks to everyone out there who writes. :)

Oh and I know this is kinda late, but there was a very subtle piece of (the beginning of) important plot back in chapter 5. It's actually in here too.It is going to be used soon. Can you guess what it is? This chapter is about 500 words longer than the usual to make up for the lateness. There's a lot of POV changing and weirdness here. Beware.

Warnings: This chapter contains profanity, definite shonen-ai, blood, cutting...etc


SASUKE POV

I sit up in my bed, hands clapped over my mouth to hold back the scream that threatens to burst out. I jam my hands so tightly against my mouth that I can taste the metallic tang of blood. I am drenched in cold sweat, the sheets twisted and half fallen off the bed. I slowly remove my hands. Closing my eyes, I fall back on to the pillow, feeling my heartbeat slow again.

It was that dream again. No, it was a memory. A horrible memory. I shudder. Memories like that should not even exist. And yet, they plague me every now and then. It's a wonder I haven't already gone out of my mind. Freezing, I hear the door creak open and soft footfalls treading towards me. I relax, recognising the not so subtle movements. I don't bother opening my eyes.

"Are you awake Sasuke?" asks Naruto meekly.

I tip my head forward in a slight nod. I crack my eyes open and turn my head to stare at him, standing next to my bed looking glum.

"I'm sorry I knocked you unconscious," says Naruto, hanging his head. "I didn't get to say so earlier 'cause you were still asleep."

I say nothing; the scenes flash through my subconscious. The argument. The hot red rage. The drops of blood. The kiss. The swift punch. I beckon him to come closer lazily with my index finger. He hops on to the bed, leaning in slightly to frown at me.

"I don't know what I said or exactly what I did, but whatever it was, I'm really sorry," apologises Naruto. He adds, "Really, really, really sorry."

Still I say nothing. I moisten my lips, watching as his eyes follow the motion of my tongue.

"What did I say?" asks Naruto suddenly, eyes moving back up to stare me in the eye. "Was it really bad?"

I hesitate before answering, "Stuff about my family."

"Oh," says Naruto, realisation dawning on his face. "Oh shit. I'm so sorry, seriously. I didn't mean anything. Really, really, really, really, rea- "

He is cut off as I sling my arms around his neck and pull him down roughly. He squeaks as he loses his balance, ending up almost touching noses, supporting himself with his hands placed on both sides of my head. He stares at me, almost as if studying my soul and I can't help but feel like I'm drowning in those fathomless blue pools. He was just so innocent. I wonder if this was really the boy who had punched me unconscious before.

"You talk too much," I murmur.

Tugging him down gently, I capture his lips in a soft kiss. For some reason, they taste like citrus. I feel him smile into it and I pull him closer. He responds, deepening the kiss and smiling even wider into it.

He breaks off, seemingly unable to control the smile which has now spread so wide it looks as if his face might crack. He straddles me, light blue pyjamas rustling against the twisted bed sheets. He swallows the smile before diving back in to steal another kiss, this time heated and almost desperate. I yank him down without warning and he collapses on to me without breaking the kiss. He threads his fingers through my hair and the kiss becomes wilder, frantic. It's as if he thinks I'll disappear. Within an instant, I flip him over so that I'm the one on top. He looks mildly surprised at the new arrangement, but it doesn't stop him eagerly dragging me down to continue our frenzied kissing. And I oblige.

"Good morning Sasuke-san! Breakfast is in- " Shizune stops, looking embarrassed at walking in so suddenly.

I give Naruto one last quick kiss before reluctantly sitting up and moving off. Naruto sits up, shaking his head, with his hair in messy disarray and a wild grin on his face. For a second, I'm worried that his condition has kicked in, but he still seems normal – albeit significantly happier. He beams at me, pleased and confident that he has been forgiven. I allow myself a small smile and look back to the door. Shizune coughs awkwardly.

"I'll expect you both at breakfast in ten minutes." She gives us a wobbly smile before rushing off.

"Ten minutes?!" exclaims Naruto as what she had said clicks into place. "I still have to get dressed! Argh!"

He quickly hugs me and runs out the door. I turn around and begin to tidy my bed a little. I bend down to pull the fallen sheets off the floor and shake them out. Hearing fast approaching footsteps, I straighten back up and look to the door. Naruto is peering in, a sheepish grin on his face.

"I'm guessing we're still going steady then?" he asks hopefully.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "No, the fervent kissing just a second ago meant absolutely nothing."

He face falls and he looks horrified. I sigh. "I was being sarcastic you idiot."

"Oh," realises Naruto. He smiles impishly at me. "I knew that."

Then he turns and leaves for the second time. I shake my head, a smirk sneaking across my face. Naruto really had become like family, even able to distract me from my problems. I stop, my blood running cold. Itachi wouldn't dare to touch Naruto, would he? I wonder if he would do that, even if only to spite me. Grabbing the sheets, I pull them so hard that the entire thing flies up towards me. Gritting my teeth, I silently promise Itachi that if he ever hurts or injures Naruto in any way, he will die the instant I get within range.


SASORI POV

"Who's that?" I indicate to the bored looking girl standing in the cafeteria doorway.

Deidara glances up from his plate and shrugs. "I have no idea, un. She can't be a patient. This is a guy's only ward. Imagine having girls in here when Naruto's DID butts in. Utter chaos, un."

I silently agree, still staring at the girl. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a strange hairstyle; four bunches of stiff hair and a short fringe. I imagine the amount of hairspray she uses must add up to quite a lot. She is wearing blue crop top, partially obscured by a thick, light purple, midriff revealing jacket, sleeves pushed up past her elbows. Her outfit is completed with a light denim miniskirt and a pair of purple Ugg boots, tassels swinging whenever she shifts. She is holding a white plastic bag with a cylindrical shape inside.

Itachi walks over to her, holding a dirty plate. Talking with her for a couple of minutes, he seems satisfied with her excuse for being there and leaves. Calling him back, she holds up the plastic bag and I strain to hear what she says. Unfortunately, Naruto has decided at this moment to stand up and holler at Itachi to come and clean up, earning him a dark glare from Sasuke. Itachi points at Gaara and the girl nods curtly.

And conveniently, Gaara just happens to be sitting at the table next to us, trying to stare a fork down. He glances up when the shadow passes over him. His black outlined eyes narrow.

"Temari," he says acknowledging her.

"Um, hi Gaara," she answers, bored look deserting her and replaced with slight apprehension.

"Did you bring it?" he asks, glaring up at her.

She swallows suddenly looking nervous. "Yeah, it's in the jar."

She dumps the plastic bag on his table and he stares at it suspiciously. Then slowly, he reaches into it and pulls out...a jar of sand. His suspicious expression relaxes a little and he unscrews the top. Gaara scoops up a handful of the sand and lets it pour back into the jar through his fingers. He looks content.

"I'll be leaving now," says Temari hesitantly. She doesn't seem to know whether to just go or wait for Gaara to reply.

"I don't like her hair," whispers Deidara. "It's too spiky, un."

"Looking at your rather sleek hair, I have to say that I'm not surprised you don't like it," I retort.

"You think my hair is sleek?" asks Deidara looking momentary stunned.

"No, I didn't. I, uh..." I scowl, unable to think of anything that would rhyme with sleek. One that would make sense of course. Meek hair? Chic hair? Hell no.

"Ha! Sasori no danna said my hair was sleek, un!" crows Deidara.

I try to keep my face from feeling as if it were on fire. I contemplate throwing the glass of water in it. "Be quiet you brat."

Deidara laughs and I'm sure everyone is staring at us. I sink in my seat. Temari turns to us with a puzzled expression.

"Do I know you?" she asks, scrutinizing my face. "I think I've seen you before."

"I don't know you," I reply, staring at her hair. My eyes flicker down to her chest before I drag them back up to stare her in the eye defiantly.

She watches me closely and suddenly snaps her fingers and says triumphantly, "I do know you! Your grandmother is Chiyo-san right?"

I start, surprised she knew Chiyo. She really didn't seem like a person who would hang around elderly people. Definitely not, I think, casting a glance over her attire. I nod.

"I saw a picture of you in her house when our caretaker paid her a visit along with us," explains Temari. "Baki-san said that she was apparently sole owner of a large fortune. He also said that's she's a respected elder, meaning he had to drag us along."

I nod as it seems like we are talking about the same Chiyo. Then I say, "I don't live with her."

"I can kinda guess. Her house doesn't really look like a place for you," she replies, almost scornfully.

I glare coldly at her.

"So I guess you're the sole heir now? Since your parents are dead," says Temari offhandedly. "You'll be pretty rich then."

I can't hear her. I switched off the moment she said parents. My vision is pulsing again, sliding in and out of focus. Snatches of words echo through my head while disjointed images whirl past. I can't see properly anymore. Something completely different plays through my head.

Flash!

There is silence. I am dizzy from pain.

My arm is throbbing, the sting screaming up and slamming into my pain receptors. I hold my breath as the first crimson drop falls with a soft plat onto the white tiled floor. The pain is pulsing up and down. I can feel it in every cubic centimetre of my body. It screams at me to tear at the cut oozing red, anything to disrupt the agonizing sting.

I grit my teeth and lean back against the wall as another wave of pain rips its way into my brain. The throbbing is excruciating, I can feel it in the back of my eyes and my entire torso. But worse still, I can feel it in every millimetre of the slash, slowly dripping blood.

It trickles down my elbow, winding around, leaving a trail of shimmering crimson, glistening in the bright bathroom light. The razor blade lays forgotten on the floor, a thin strip of evidence on the sharp edge. I shudder as another thud shakes the wall. I hold my arm up to the light, trying to concentrate of the soothing sight.

A scream echoes up to my ears followed by a resounding slap and the sound of a body hitting the floor. A cold tremor runs down my back, making my blood run cold. I hear an angry snarl and pleading, desperate pleading. I press my hands against my ears, unable to block the words, the anger. I press them so hard that my ears hurtWetness trickles from my arm and down my cheek. I hear an angry tirade of rage, half sobbing. I want to scream.

Instead I grab the razor blade again and press it deep into my flesh, dragging it across. Blood spurts up, covering the silver. My fingers slip as I try to remove it. I throw it away, afraid that I have gone too far. It clatters on the tiled floor, splattering deep red blood in thin streaks.

The blood is flowing down my arm, faster than I have ever seen. Fear knots inside my stomach as I watch with horror. There's too much blood. So much. And then the feeling's gone. The familiar numb feeling envelops me and I don't care anymore. Everything is okay again. Let me bleed. Nobody cares and it's not hurting anyone but me. Why should anyone care?

And the pain is beautiful. It agonizes, throbbing out of control. It takes over everything. There's nothing but the sting. I shudder as it travels to every inch of my body, a roaring in my ears blocking the noise from downstairs. It's deep. It hurts. It comforts.

I am vaguely aware of the crimson pool in front of me, ripples spreading across the surface with every drop that disappears into it. There was a lot. There's too much. Too much red. My eyes start to hurt from the vivid colour. I realise that it's my life that's dripping out of my arm so easily.

I stumble up and grab a roll of toilet paper like a drunken man. I collapse and slide to the floor, eyes half closed. I feel so sleepy. I could just fall asleep here. Right now...

I shake my head and try to unravel the toilet paper, wrapping it around and around and around. Soon the blood flow has been stopped. I blink away the black spots and fear overtakes me as I stare at the sheer amount of blood

"Danna, hey danna," calls Deidara's voice. It's so distant. Everything zooms back into painful focus.

Deidara is staring at me with a curious expression. "You still there, un?"

He sounds like he's underwater. I almost chuckle. Deidara underwater. Everything I can see is blurring again. I see Temari gaping, Gaara ignoring us, Deidara's anxious face and I feel like I myself am underwater. All the shapes are woozy, bending and swirling around.

"Hey, danna, seriously, are you okay?" asks Deidara in a concerned voice. "You look like you're about to collapse, un."

I moan as a desperate scream echoes in the background. I hear the steady plit plat of blood. It's driving me crazy. Crazy. Insane. Unstable. I list the words for why I'm in this hellhole. Suicidal. Cutter. Blood. I laugh, wild and out of control.

"Danna? Stop it. Don't joke around. I mean it, un," says Deidara, frightened tone creeping into his voice.

Deidara is getting blurrier. His facial features are moving around his face. I laugh crazily, feeling perfectly fine. Except for the screams echoing louder and louder. I whimper, "Make it stop!"

"Make what stop?" asks Deidara swiftly. "What? Tell me Sasori!"

I laugh hysterically again. He called me Sasori…I wince as tiny black dots appear out the side of my vision and fly at my head. They grow steadily larger and larger. I want to scream again. The sounds are getting louder. The dripping blood, the screams. It hurts my ears and makes my jaw clench. There is a shadow pain shoots through my arm. A phantom. It throbs faintly and I stare down at it, expecting to see blood. I can barely see anything through the black dots anymore. They're too big. Feeling dizzy, I try to swat them away weakly. They keep clouding my vision, making certain areas disappear. I can only see parts of Deidara's face. His eyes are so blue. And hazy. His face is hazy…

"Deidara," I rasp, reaching out to the table to steady myself. "You have blue eyes."

"I know I do, un," says Deidara, sounding confused. "Listen, are you feeling okay?"

"I feel dizzy," I say as everything lurches. I wince as a particular black dot covers more of Deidara's face. "And more than half your face is gone."

"My face?" frowns Deidara. "I think you need to lie down, un."

"Deidara," I call faintly. I hear frantic talking. I frown. It sounds like Deidara's voice.

"Danna? Danna?" asks Deidara, panic creeping into his voice.

"Deidara," I repeat, feeling dizzy. "I think you're pretty."

All the background sounds are becoming distant. Why can't I hear anymore? I try to call out, but I can't open my mouth. The floor suddenly looks very close. Deidara tips sideways, along with the table and chairs. Actually, so does the whole cafeteria. Out of the corner of my eye, I see feet. I think I'm about to collapse. I feel a sharp jolt of pain in my shoulder and the last of my vision disappears.


There is talking. I register that someone is talking. It sounds vaguely familiar. It is arguing. It hurts.

"Shut up," I say hoarsely. Opening my eyes, I hear a sharp intake of breath and the quick footfalls of a rushing person. Deidara's face enters my vision, a few strands of blonde hair tickling my cheek.

"Danna? Are you okay?" asks Deidara concernedly. He peers in my eyes. "How are you feeling, un?"

I blink, looking around my surroundings. I am in my horribly white room and it appears that I am in my bed. I look up at Deidara who is still staring at me intently. I find his blue eyes somewhat soothing. They were so blue…

"Is he awake?" asks another voice. The smell of jasmine enters the room. Shizune glances at me and quickly writes something down on her clipboard. "Would you like anything Sasori-san? How are you feeling?"

"Dead," I reply. I feel stiff and weak, as if I haven't moved for days. "How long?"

"A few hours, un," Deidara tells me as Shizune leaves, still jotting something down on the clipboard. "Actually, you missed breakfast and a therapy session, un."

I grunt in reply. Talking takes too much effort. Deidara sits on the bed and leans over me. He grabs my chin and tilts my head, turning it from side to side. I growl, too tired to resist, but still unhappy about this kind of treatment.

"Open up," he commands.

Grumbling a little, I grudgingly open my mouth and he examines it. I snap my mouth shut before croaking, "Who made you the expert?"

Deidara says nothing, instead handing me a plastic cup of water. No more glass then, I think wryly.

"Drink," he orders when I keep my lips glued together. He presses it against them until I unwillingly take a sip. The cool liquid feels good trickling down my dry throat.

He places the cup back on the top of the drawer. He stares at me and awkward silence takes over.

"What happened?" asks Deidara finally.

"I don't know," I whisper, feeling tired again. My skin prickles as I remember the echoing scream. It's so vivid that I'm almost sure I can hear it now. I cringe.

Instantly Deidara is alert. "What's wrong? What's happening un?"

I shake my head, stifling a squeak as Deidara leans in even closer. I push my head deeper into the pillow in an attempt to keep some distance between us.

Deidara looks frustrated. "Why won't you tell me, un?"

I glare at him. I ask him roughly, "Why do you need to know?!"

Deidara suddenly looks furious. "Because I want to help!"

I open and close my mouth. I have nothing to say. I should've expected this answer and I suspect I secretly did. But why haven't I got anything to say back?

"Why?" I finally say, confused.

Deidara sighs exasperatedly. "Because I'm your friend."

I am in momentary shock. I stare at him, wondering if he just acknowledged friendship. Recovering, I ask, "Why friend?"

Deidara shrugs. "I don't know." Then he adds, "You did say I was pretty just before you passed out."

I gape at him. "What?"

Deidara grins in a Cheshire cat kind of way. Like the cat who's just caught a very big canary.

"You're lying." I say, not able to believe I had said that. Aloud at least. My minds chants 'Deidara is pretty.' I scowl.

"It has to be one of the nicest things you've ever said to me, un," comments Deidara. "Really quite unlike you, danna."

"Shut up," I say irritably, knowing that I was never going to live this down. "I was already half-unconscious, brat."

"Oh, I guess that means it was a fairly honest remark, un," says Deidara indifferently. "Considering how it would be a little difficult to lie when only half-aware of what you might say."

"Water," I say in a rather feeble reply.

He smirks and hands me back the cup. I drain the glass, relishing each cool drop that goes down and prevents the impending questions from being asked. I hand it back to him reluctantly and brace myself from the inevitable torrent. Surprisingly, it doesn't come. He merely cocks his head at my expecting expression.

"Do you want something else, un?" asks Deidara curiously. I shake my head.

A tiny voice whispers you in my head but I angrily brush it away. Deidara is a friend, I tell myself. Only a friend…and now I feel sad because he is only a friend. Why can't I agree on something with myself?

"I think you'll be in bed for the rest of the day. The nurses will want to keep a close eye on you for a while, un," Deidara says cheerfully. He stands up and I find myself wishing he would stay.

Think friend. Think friend. Only a friend…

"So I guess I'll see you later, danna," says Deidara, giving me a small wave before heading to the door. He suddenly stops and turns his head a little in my direction. I can't see his expression.

"What?" I ask, wondering if he was actually going to leave.

He looks up and I'm surprised to see a slight crimson tinge on his cheeks and a hesitant smile; he almost looks embarrassed. "Do you like me, un?"

I freeze. What do I say, what do I say, what do I say, what do I say…

I don't know what to say. Or what not to say. I bite the inside of my cheek. I should say no. But something is nagging me around the chest area, vaguely over my heart.

The door suddenly opens and Shizune is standing there looking flushed. Deidara jumps back looking flustered.

"Deidara-san, Suzume-san is here and she wants to see you," says Shizune, slightly out of breath. "I think she's taking you out and you need to hurry."

Deidara's expression becomes hard. He mutters something under his breath. He gives me a small smile and strides out the door, Shizune following after closing the door.

"In bed the whole day huh?" I muse to myself. I reach over to take out the journal, along with the puppet designs in them.


DEIDARA POV

I storm through the building, annoyed at my sister. And her engagement. Actually, probably just the engagement. But that was her fault wasn't it? I decide that I'm angry at her too. I wanted to go back to Sasori. He hadn't answered my question yet. I feel a little stupid for asking though…

Entering the reception, I glare darkly at my sister. I stop, startled. She's wearing a dress. She hasn't worn a dress since after the incident. I narrow my eyes, spitefulness at Hideo growing. She obviously wore it to look good for him. I stride up to her and frown. The dress looked expensive. Since when did she have the money for this?

"Why are you wearing a dress?" I ask her finally.

She shrugs and a slight smile appears on her face. "Hideo bought it for me."

I bite back an angry retort. Instead I say, "What do you want, un?"

"Well, since Hideo and I are getting married, he thinks it would be good to spend more time together," says Suzume. "He's taking us to the city and we're going out to a restaurant for dinner."

I stare long and hard at her. She looks so happy, but I can't help the sinking feeling in my gut. I don't like Hideo and I don't think I ever will, not even if we spend the next decade in the same house. But I don't say this to her. It would almost break her heart, having to pick between Hideo and me. I'm pretty sure she'd pick me though.

I shake my head. "I don't want to go."

"Come on Dei, it'll be fun!" she pleads with a hopeful looking face.

I shake my head stubbornly again. "I don't want to go!"

She is silent. She asks in a quiet voice, "Do you want me to marry him?"

Bewildered, I ask incredulously, "Why are you asking me, un?! You're the one getting married!"

"You're a part of this too Dei. You're my brother, you'll be part of the family too," she answers softly. "By the way you're acting, it's almost as if…"

I stare at her, a voice in my head screaming, 'say no!' I can't. I have a chance to change it but I can't. I am furious at myself.

"Where will you live? I don't think we can even fit a double bed in your room. And I don't really want you to…you know, un," I say, embarrassedly. I cringe just thinking about it.

"Hideo's got plenty of money. He told me he has a house in the richer area of town. Have you heard of the Uchiha residence? The really big property? Somewhere near there."

"Is that why you're marrying him? For the money?" I say without thinking. I freeze up, realizing what I said.

Her eyes turn hard. "Is that what you think?"

"Well…"

"How could you even think that Dei? I love him and he loves me too. I can't believe you just said that," she snaps angrily.

I hang my head, hoping she isn't too mad. "Um…sorry…"

She sighs loudly. "We're thinking of you too, Dei. Hideo and I want to send you to a good school. Somewhere where you won't get teased or bullied."

She glances meaningfully at my gloves. I unconsciously move them behind my back.

"Why don't you want to go?" Suzume asks disappointedly. "I promise we'll have fun."

Not with him there.

"My friend collapsed earlier. I don't really want to leave him…." I trail off, glancing wistfully in the direction of his room.

"Is he okay?" asks Suzume worriedly.

"He's fine now, un," I assure her. "But he's new here."

"Oh," she says. Suddenly she brightens. "Why don't we get him to come? We'll go to our new home!"

I stare at her disbelievingly. "New home? I thought it wasn't completely decided yet, un!"

She turns red. "Well it's not really."

I growl. So it looks like I never did have a choice.

"Okay, okay, I've moved all our stuff there and our old house is on auction," she admits, looking off to the side uncomfortably.

"You what?!" I screech. "You just moved everything and basically sold the fucking house?!"

"Look, I thought it would be no problem- "

"Well you thought wrong! You didn't even ask me!" I hiss.

"I'm sorry!"

I take a deep breath. I need to calm down. Badly. "Did you take Jasper?"

"Of course." Suzume looks indignant. "I wouldn't have left without him. I know what he means to you. And me."

I nod, satisfied. I suddenly become suspicious. "What about my clay models?"

"I packed them all carefully in bubble wrap and a strong box," she promises. "I haven't unpacked them yet."

I nod again, feeling the initial shock and rage disappearing. I smile fondly at the thought of seeing Jasper again. "I'll only come if Sasori can."

Her face falls for a split second before she nods and whips out her cell phone from her bag. I note that the bag is also new. I stand there, wondering what I've just done as Suzume walks to the receptionist.

I wonder about Hideo, pondering if he will be the same. Sadly remembering the house in which I grew up in, I still can't believe she's selling it. But it harbours bad memories, so I can't say I'm not happy in a way to see it gone. I can't wait to see Jasper again though. Or take Sasori and show him all my masterpieces. I start to mentally count all my best ones.

I hear Suzume put on her professional voice, all serious and mature. I turn to see her talking quickly on her cell, obviously convincing Sasori's caretaker to allow him to come. I watch the fly zoom around impatiently. I hear Suzume zip up her new (and from Hideo, I think bitterly) bag.

"It's been arranged. I know Chiyo-san as she and I often help out at community events together. And she's one of the respected elders. I never knew she had a grandson here..." says Suzume thoughtfully. "Shizune-san said she would get your friend I need to talk with the receptionist a little more."

I can scarcely believe her. I have no idea how she got it managed so quickly. Or how she even persuaded them to let a patient who had collapsed earlier in the day go out with another friend. And with the caretaker's permission only via cell phone. But I guess she still had that air of authority around her. Probably coming from having to raise me from after the incident, three years ago. She could make Jasper and me shut up with one look if she wanted.


SASORI POV

Grabbing a thin pullover, I follow Shizune hastily through the corridor. She stops and points down another.

"The reception is just around the corner," she says. "I have to go to the Recreation room now, but you can't really miss it."

I nod and she rushes off. That woman is always in a hurry. I shove my hands in my pockets and amble down, not bothering to go quickly, seeing as it was probably Grandma Chiyo.

"Hey."

I whirl around to find Neji leaning against the wall looking bored. He is watching me with those white eyes.

"What do you want?" I ask rather brusquely.

He raises an eyebrow. "Deidara missed art therapy because he wanted to be there when you woke up."

I blink. This wasn't what I expected.

"He doesn't ever miss it. He almost blew up the cafeteria in rage when it was cancelled once," continued Neji.

I say nothing.

"He likes you," says Neji simply. "A lot more than what people would consider normal. I suggest you return your own feelings too."

"What feelings?" I ask, playing dumb while ignoring my heart which had leapt upon hearing "he likes you."

"You are stupid aren't you?" says Neji disdainfully. "We all heard you say he was pretty."

I flush and he smirks. He pushes himself off the wall and strides in the opposite way I am going.

"Preferably sooner rather than later," he adds without turning around. "I don't want to be caught in the explosion when Deidara detonates from frustration."

I stare at his back numbly. My mind chants gleefully. He likes you and you like him, he likes you and you like him, he likes you and you like him...

I allow myself a small smile before continuing. I enter the large reception and am mildly surprised to see Deidara staring at hole in the wall.

"Hello."

Deidara turns around and blinks at me. "That was quick."

"Shizune-san said someone was taking me out for the rest of the day. I was assuming it was Grandma Chiyo," frowns Sasori.

"Suzume wants to take us to my new house," explains Deidara. "She thought it would be nice if you could come along."

I shrug, giving him half a smile. "Better than here."

A woman with a striking resemblance to Deidara walks towards us.

"This is my sister Suzume," Deidara says, introducing us. "Suzume, this is Sasori."


A/N: So how do you think that worked out? Think I'm finally getting to a point with the possibility of plot progression. Eek. Alliteration.

Anyway, I really don't have much to say. Except that life is still being horrible and I have a nice fat pile of schoolwork waiting.

Luck33ang3l: (blinks at the mountain of work looming high above her head with vultures waiting for her to collapse) Umm, any bids for this magnificent erm...thingie?