AN: Only the epilogue left now. This chapter is less descriptive that the others, I haven't been able to focus on my writing much because my deadline for a course I'm doing is coming up very quickly.
Deidara awoke to an incredible warmth. It radiated through his whole body. He had never felt this kind of warmth before, it was enough to make him smile in a state of relaxation. There was something else, he realised, the feeling of emptiness, loneliness. It was gone. Replaced by something else. The feeling of belonging. Deidara rolled over, and suddenly his eyes shot open. Sasori's face was right next to his own. Sasori still had his eyes closed so Deidara took the time to study Sasori's face with intense eyes. The older man looked extremely peaceful when he was sleep, he also seemed a lot younger than his twenty six years. Deidara's hand twitched forwards, wanting to touch the smooth looking skin on Sasori's face.
"Brat. Stop staring." Sasori warned, his eyes still closed but the clenched tighter in irritation.
"Sorry Danna un." Deidara, obviously wasn't sorry as he kept staring. "Merry Christmas un."
"Yeah." Sasori all but grunted before opening his eyes slowly.
"Not a morning person, are you un?"
"No." Sasori then pushed Deidara out of the bed. "Go make me some coffee brat."
"What the fuck?" Gaara shouted as Deidara landed on top of him, squashing the previously asleep teenager.
"It's not my fault, blame Sasori un!" Deidara cried in defense as he hastened to jump off Gaara's failing body.
"Don't swear, Gaara." Sasori reprimanded. "Get going, I want my coffee."
"Moody bastard un." Deidara mumbled as he headed downstairs.
The only person in the kitchen was Ebizou, who was standing at the stove. Deidara's mouth watered as he smelt the cooking pancakes. The plate next to Ebizou was getting dangerously high with the already cooked stack of pancakes. Deidara walked around the kitchen counter and entered into the main part of the kitchen. He dutifully began to make Sasori's coffee.
"Good morning Ebizou un." Deidara then grabbed a pancake off the leaning stack. He then dropped it back onto the counter. It was steaming hot. "Where's Chiyo?"
"She's feeling a bit tired, I offered to make breakfast instead." Ebizou replied, diligently flipping the pancakes in the frying pan.
"Oh. Do you need any help un?" Deidara was reminded of their age, it was easy to forget that both Chiyo and Ebizou were both in their eighties.
"It's fine." Ebizou watched the pancakes cooking. He was absent mindedly rubbing at his arm.
"Are you okay un?" Deidara asked worriedly. The old man was looking sickly, in pain.
"I'm healthy as a fiddle. Now get outta the kitchen you're in my way!" Ebizou made shooing motions and Deidara left quickly, now with a cup of coffee.
The family all gathered around the table. Piles of breakfast food ranging from pancakes, toast, bacon, fresh fruit and eggs sat across the table in no particular order. Everyone made grabs for their preferred food and wasted no time in eating it. Deidara helped himself to just about everything. Wanting to taste each single item of food. Deidara had noted that Hizuen, Yashamaru, Temari and Kankuro sat together, on the opposite side of the table while the rest of Deidara's family sat together. Gaara was in the middle of himself and Sasori. The thirteen year old stabbed at his food moodily.
After breakfast, they all helped clear the table away and entered into the living room with cups of hot chocolate and mountains of melting marshmallows. Presents were exchanged and Deidara glowed as Chiyo wiped away a tear at the holiday to Venice. Even Sasori seemed in a good mood despite all the material objects. Sasori gave a soft smile and nod at Deidara. He beamed happily, after all, Sasori had told him Deidara had no idea what the family were like and would only be making wild guesses as to what to get them. Deidara watched as Hizuen gave both Temari and Kankuro various gifts but simply ignored his third child. Gaara had his head turned, ignoring the scene.
"Come on, Gaara un." Deidara said, pulling up the teenager after he had finished opening Deidara's presents.
"Where are we going?" Gaara asked wearily.
"To your other present un!" Deidara reached out and grabbed Sasori, dragging the annoyed man along with them.
Deidara watched in elation as Gaara's face lit up at the site of the drum kit. Sasori looked from Deidara to Gaara and back again. Almost as if he was trying to judge which male was getting more joy out of the present. Gaara didn't hesitate to start playing. The two older males watched Gaara for ten minutes or so before heading back inside to the warmth. By lunch time, all the presents were opened and the living room was buried in a mountain of wrapping paper. Ebizou was still out in his shed, experimenting with his new tools. Yashamaru was helping set the table and Deidara hesitated to ask if they needed help. Before he could step into the kitchen, Sasori grabbed him.
"It was hard, picking a present for a millionaire. After all, you probably have everything you could want." Sasori said with amusement as he pulled Deidara back into the living room.
"You didn't have to get me anything at all un." Deidara whispered, he really hadn't expected anything.
"Tch. Isn't that a part of your contract? Gift giving, or whatever." Sasori then pushed a small wrapped present into Deidara's hands.
Deidara didn't hesitate to open it, he tore off the paper with joy then he gasped. A framed photo of the family, it was taken after Gaara and Deidara had made snowmen in the yard and decorated it with Chiyo's clothes. The old woman had come flying out of the house, rolling pin in hand. Deidara was hiding behind Sasori in horror and Gaara looked oblivious to the danger. Ebizou had taken the photo, though he wasn't intending on getting that particular shot because Chiyo was supposed to distracted inside.
"Thank you un." Deidara said softly, hastily wiping a tear away. It was the first photo he had ever owned that showed himself with a family.
"Gaara has your other present." Sasori muttered awkwardly at the overwhelmed blonde. Sasori's eyes widened as Deidara hugged him. "Get off me brat."
Lunch passed by smoothly and Deidara had never felt so full in his life. He had forced himself to try all the food from the turkey down to the pudding and even the individual sauces. Deidara felt that had to make the most of this, as it was unlikely he would ever experience a Christmas like this again. Deidara glanced around the table. Ebizou still seemed in pain but he was smiling at something Temari was saying. Kankuro had a glass of wine in his hand and was making excessive gestures at Yashamaru who just nodded politely. Chiyo was talking softly to Gaara. Hizuen was focusing on his food and Sasori found himself drawn into the conversation with Chiyo and Gaara.
Deidara had wandered upstairs after lunch. Contemplating whether to give Sasori his present yet. He was distracted by loud shouting and he rushed back down the stairs and into the living room. Hizuen and Ebizou were locked in a heated shouting match. Kankuro, Temari and even Gaara stood by each others side watching. Both Chiyo and Yashamaru were trying to interfere and Sasori watched with calculating eyes, waiting for a moment to stop the fight.
"You're a greedy old bastard Ebizou!" Hizuen declared loudly.
"Me? The only reason you even brought my Grandchildren to see us this Christmas was if I agreed to give you some of the money! We have a right to see our Grandchildren and Gaara has a right to spend Christmas with his siblings and Father!" Ebizou replied furiously.
"Really, this isn't necessary. Please, just stop fighting." Yashamaru tried to take a hold of his brother in law. Hizuen spun around and punched the younger man in the face.
"How dare you!" Chiyo exclaimed in anger, She rushed to Yashamaru's side.
"You won't see a single cent of this money Hizuen." Ebizou growled out.
"And what the hell are you going to do with it old man? You'll be dead soon." Hizuen said callously.
"Most of it will go to Gaara, who you've neglected and never provided a single thing for!"
"That bastard murdered my wife!" Hizuen glared in Gaara's direction.
"Father, that's not fair." Temari whispered, as though she were afraid to stand up to the man.
"Yeah! All your life you've told us it's Gaara fault. We believed you because we were only children. Well guess what, we're capable of making up our own minds now." Kankuro pointed a drunken finger. "I think you should shove your accusations up your fucking ass. Gaara is our little brother, not a murderer!"
"Don't defend me. It's not worth you two falling out of Father's grace too." Gaara whispered in shock at his older siblings defense.
"I want you out of my house Hizuen. I will bring Temari and Kankuro back later. Leave." Ebizou pointed a finger to the door.
"Make the most of this. It will be the last time you see your Grandchildren." Hizuen scoffed in contempt.
"They're old enough to make their ow-" Sasori was cut off by a gasp of pain.
Ebizou clutched at his chest hopelessly. It was as if he were trying to grab at an unseen pain. Ebizou's folded skin was ashen with colour, his eyes cloudy. The old man began to sink towards the floor but Yashamaru grabbed his father before Ebizou collapsed onto the ground. Everyone had fallen silent, looking at Ebizou in horror. Chiyo rushed to his side, holding onto one of his hands tightly. Sasori was already on the phone to an ambulance. Deidara stood in shock, he felt his every nerve pounding with adrenaline but he couldn't seem to move. Deidara could feel the blood rush past his ears and his heart beating so hard and fast it made him flinch. He startled as Temari pushed past him and Deidara was broken out of his stupor. Deidara began to move towards Ebizou but Sasori turned accusing eyes on him.
"You've done enough, Deidara." Sasori said coldly, "I think it's time for you to leave."
"But...I want to hel-"
"Now." Sasori looked away, his attention back to his phone.
Deidara watched the family crowed around Ebizou regretfully before turning around and heading up stairs. Deidara could hardly remember gathering his belongings, only just remembering to grab the drawing that was intended for Sasori. Deidara threw everything into the backseat of his car without care. The only thing he sat down softly was the photo frame. Deidara took a deep breath and turned to look at the house once more. The door opened at Gaara came out, clutching something to his chest. Deidara kept quite as the teenager came over to him. Gaara removed his hands from his chest and passed something to Deidara. He took the small ball of fur and eyed it curiously. A small grey and white kitten looked up at him with baby blue eyes and mewled.
"Her name is Kazoku." Gaara said with little emotion. "Goodbye, Deidara."
"Gaara, wait." Deidara shifted the kitten to one hand and opened his car. After a few moments of searching, Deidara pulled out a piece of paper and awkwardly wrote his address on it. "I'm sorry, for everything un."
"So am I." Gaara took the paper and shoved it in his pocket before returning inside.
"I guess It's just you and me Kazoku." Deidara scratched under the kittens chin softly.
Deidara unlocked his apartment with difficulty. Kazoku struggled in the grip of one hand. He ended up kicking open the door the rest of the way. It swung back fast and revealed Deidara's near empty apartment. He showed no emotion as he entered the apartment and closed the door. Kazoku was finally freed, he placed the small kitten on the ground and she didn't hesitate to start exploring. Kazoku sniffed at the floor before moving on further. Deidara left the apartment to bring in his belongings and the items he bought for Kazoku. It took him three trips because he had bought a large scratching post that took both hands to carry and a fair bit of grunting. Deidara left the scratching post that had five different levels in the middle of the almost empty living room. After setting up a litter box and a bowl of fresh water, a bowl of milk and bowl of biscuits, Deidara attempted to find the kitten who had seemed to have disappeared.
There was no sign of the kitten. Deidara retreated to his bedroom. The bed still wasn't made from the last time he stayed here. Without hesitation, Deidara swallowed four of his sleeping pills and fell onto the bed. Swells of emotion began to rise in Deidara, as he laid on the bed all his thoughts were coming back to him. Deidara didn't like it. Instinctively he curled into a ball. Deidara hadn't realised he was crying but by now it was too late to stop it. Sobs of pain wracked his body. It only ended when he was taken by sleep. Deidara wasn't sure what woke him at first, he opened his eyes with confusion. After a few moments, the sound of a knocking door registered in his mind and he sat up. Kazu fell off his chest and mewled in protest. Deidara almost smiled at seeing the kitten. He scooped Kazoku up and stumbled out of his bedroom. Deidara pulled open the door and stared blearily at the man standing at his door.
"Sasori un." Deidara stated tiredly, his lips twitched upwards slightly as seeing Sasori. "Is Ebizou okay? I called the hospital...but I'm not family so they wouldn't tell me anything un."
"He's fine." Sasori said shortly. "A minor heart attack. He asked me to come and collect his money."
"You know, as I didn't stay until the time stated in the contract I don't have to pay you un." Deidara then turned and headed back into the apartment. "Come in un."
"This place is huge." Sasori closed the door behind and stared at the large empty space.
"Yeah." Deidara murmured softly. "I know you blame me for Ebizou's heart attack, but this morning he seemed like he was in pain. He said he was fine and I didn't think to mention it...I'm sorry un."
"Whatever." Sasori replied flippantly. "Just hurry up and write the damn cheque."
Deidara quickly scrawled across the cheque and handed it to Sasori. "Please, wait here for a minute un." Deidara looked around for the rolled up drawing. After a minute he located it and passed it to Sasori. "Merry Christmas un."
"Goodbye." Sasori then left without a second glance.
Deidara wasn't sure why tears were once again streaming down his face. Watching Sasori leave and close the door was once of the most painful things he had felt. He didn't move for fifteen minutes. The thing that made him move again was another knock on the door. Deidara hastliy wiped the tears from his face and went to open the door. Deidara's eyes widened. Sasori was back at the door, looking at Deidara with an unreadable expression. The drawing was clutched in one hand. Sasori then stepped forward and placed his free hand behind Deidara's neck. Deidara just looked at Sasori with surprise. Sasori then pulled Deidara's head down slightly and crashed their lips together.
Kakozu means family