A/N: Yay! Seventh chapter! Well, I'm very pleased with how this story is turning out, and I would like to thank everyone would reviewed/favorited/alerted. xD! Well, enjoy!


Innocence

Chapter 7 – Frosting and Fireworks

Two months later….


Little droplets of snow fell lazily from the sky. The puppeteer's shock of ruby hair stood out even more fiercely in the white scenery. The tree tops were dusted with the pure substance; the snow gleaming even more brightly in the afternoon sun.

Muddy eyes darted from left to right- searching.

Hiruko lay lifelessly ahead of him; his arms and legs sinking into the snowy depths.

Sasori swiped his crimson cowlicks out of his eyes as a violent wind blew past- its force making the snowflakes that were still floating in the crisp winter air sway.

"I can't believe I let that stupid brat get out of my sight…." The red head thought as he continued to scan the winter wonderland.

It had been about three months since Deidara had entered Sasori's life. Three months of days filled with hard training and sweat- of nights filled with touches and kisses and even more sweat.

The blond let his legs dangle off the tree branch he was currently sitting on- his back pressed against the tree's firm, snow frosted trunk.

He had to let himself smile at the sight of his Danna- his red hair tottering on his head; his muddy eyes laced with displease.

After a few minutes of basking in his ultimate victory, Deidara jumped off the tree branch. His body clung to the puppeteer's- his arms and legs wrapped around him as if he were giving the blond a piggy-back ride.

Sasori fell face first into the snow- his hair looking like a blood pool in the white depths. The puppeteer turned himself around- only to have Deidara, who was currently straddling him, pin him to the ground.

"DEIDARA! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"

Blue eyes rolled, "Shhhh, Danna. You're just angry 'cause I beat you at your own game, un."

The blond wiped a few flakes of snow from the puppeteer's cheek before leaning down and planting a short, sweet kiss on his lips.

They were cold- everything was. Tasting his own lips and feeling his own fingers- he noticed they were freezing.

Sasori looked up at Deidara. His golden strands were crusted with ice; his lips a dull shade of purplish pink.

The puppeteer propped himself up on his wooden elbows- Deidara readjusting himself on his lap.

"It's freezing out here." The blond's voice was nothing but a whisper- little clouds escaping his lips as he said them.

The red head just nodded his agreement. He looked on into the various snow banks; the afternoon sun bursts reflecting off of them- casting shadows on the pure ground.

"You did well today, Deidara."

Blue eyes looked into chocolate ones- happiness as clear as the ice sickles on the tree braches.

"Thank you, Danna, un." the blond's eyes darted to the side before adding, "Do I get anything?"

A crimson eyebrow rose at the question, "What, do you want a cookie or something?"

"No…"

"Then what do you want?"

Deidara placed a porcelain finger to his lips as he thought. Various "Um"s and "Hm"'s escaping in the little clouds protruding from his lips as he breathed.

Muddy eyes rolled as the puppeteer waited.

"I know!" The blond finally exclaimed. He smiled before he spoke, "I want some cake!"

––––––»

Egg was dripping from the ceiling like rain would from the clouds. Sugar mountains scattered on the floor- the sweet powder making the tile look like chips of diamonds were stuck to them.

Deidara let the egg's yolk slide through his fingers before he slung it into the sink-pieces of shell still glued to the countertop.

The blond made a disgusted snort before picking up a piece of paper- the slimy substance on his fingers soaking in.

"Okay, so we have the milk, sugar, and eggs…. now all we need is the flour, un."

Deidara handed Sasori the bag of flour from the cupboard. The puppeteer rolled his eyes at the blond as he started to shift the powder into the bowl.

The younger boy peeked his blue eyes over the countertop- observing the red head. Deidara smiled at the sight of his Danna cooking; it was somewhat entertaining.

The blond felt a tingling sensation tickle his nostrils. He inhaled deeply before sneezing- right into the flour heap.

White smoke surrounded them- the cloud resembling the blizzard whirling outside.

As the powder settled to the ground, the puppeteer couldn't help but to burst out laughing.

Blue eyes blinked once in confusion, before joining him.

Sasori sunk to the ground- pulling the blond with him. Deidara ruffled the puppeteer's hair to rid it of the flour; a smile still plastered on his face.

It was nice to hear the red head laugh. It was such a rare occasion, which made it all the more beautiful. It was such a soft melody- like some timeless symphony composed of happiness and contentment. Yes, Deidara could live off that sound.

The blond reached his hand up to grab the can of frosting resting on the counter. He popped off the red lid- sticking his finger into it and scooping out a big, brown glob.

He took the sticky mass and wiped it onto the puppeteer's nose- the color corresponding nicely with his eyes.

Deidara grinned amusedly before licking the frosting off of Sasori's face. The puppeteer smiled before pushing the blond's lips into his. The younger boy rested a sticky hand on the red head's face- wooden arms wrapped around his body.

Chocolate shocked Sasori's tongue as he entered the blond's mouth. The pink appendages battled the fierce war of dominance before settling down into nibbles and licks.

The puppeteer pulled back slightly as he heard heavy footsteps coming their way. He pushed Deidara off of him- the flour shifting in clouds around the blond.

The younger boy was about to protest before Kakuzu walked into the room. The kitchen was a disaster area- egg splattered on the walls; various powders coating the floor.

Sunny eyes (as Deidara liked to call them) scanned the room before saying, "Sasori, Deidara- I really hope you two have the money to compensate for this gross waste of food."

"Yeah, yeah. Is that all?" The puppeteer asked in his careless tone; the frosting-coated smile reverting back to its usual stoic demeanor.

"No. Sir Leader wants you in his chambers. Now."

Deidara raised an eyebrow before Sasori grabbed his hand and led him out of the kitchen.

"Ug, un! Danna! You do notice that we're covered in flour, right?"

"When Leader says now, he means now."

––––––»

Sir Leader's cave was as creepy as ever. The stone walls were drooling madly; the glistening drops the only source of light in the dark chamber.

Sasori and Deidara stood before the hidden man- their heads bowed.

"Deidara," The man's voice cracked eerily through the silence, "I've been watching your chakra patterns- and it seems you're getting very good."

The blond nodded his head slightly in thanks.

"Sasori," The man started, "You have done well with the boy." The puppeteer mimicked the blond in nodding his head.

"So- I have decided it is time for your first mission."

Deidara's head perked up at the mention of actually getting out of the hide out for once.

"You will be going with Sasori, of course. It's a bit on the difficult side- but I think you can handle it."

The Leader then put a cold finger under Deidara's chin- moving it up and caressing his cheek softly.

Muddy eyes darted toward the contact- stiffening slightly. The Leader's hidden eyes did not miss the reaction.

He pulled his hand back into the darkness as he continued with an amused smirk. "You will be traveling to the Hidden Mist, where you will find and kill this man."

A photo was produced through the murky depths of the cave. The puppeteer took the photo and slid it in his cloak.

"He is attempting to pull off one of the biggest diamond heists in history. The Akatsuki could benefit greatly from his death- and the gaining of those jewels. So, to put it simply, kill the man- bring me the diamonds."

Hidden eyes scanned the obscurity once more before dismissing them.

A slight glint of ivory teeth gleamed through before the Leader called after them, "Oh, and Sasori- you have frosting on your nose."

––––––»

So- after they both took showers and rushed to pack, they were on their way.

Snow crunched beneath their feet as they went forward to their destination. The sun was beginning to dim now- its dull rays fading into the white surroundings.

"I just don't understand how you got that warped idea of art in your head, Danna."

"Would you just drop it, you stupid brat?"

"Oh, someone's getting defensive, un. Maybe it's because you know I'm right?"

"No. It's because you're giving me a massive migraine."

"Hm. Sure, un."

The puppeteer sighed in contentment as he watched the sun fade away. He decided, since it was Deidara's first mission, that it was best to stay out of Hiruko for the time being. He pulled out a map, checking where they were and how far away their destination was.

"We'll make a stop in the Hidden Waterfall Village- it's only a few miles up ahead."

The blond nodded his understanding as they continued to trek through the snow.

––––––»

The village was breathtaking- to say the least.

The streets were bombarded with bright colors- songs of laughter and yells filling the air. Floats paraded through the heavy crowds. Paper-maché floated down along with the snow; rainbow flakes scattered on the streets, making the winding roads look like some huge stained glass window.

Sasori held onto Deidara's hand tightly as they made their way through the masses of people.

The puppeteer cursed himself for forgetting about the Hidden Waterfall's annual winter festival. It was so pointless- not even worth remembering, he reasoned with himself. At least the younger boy was enjoying himself. His blue orbs were wide; his porcelain skin dotted with snow flakes.

It was reaching night now- not that you could tell in the bright multi-colored lights the village was bathed in.

The scent of alcohol and was thick in the cold air. Smoke rose from passersby's lips and cigarettes.

Muddy eyes darted around- looking for a hotel of some sort. He felt a sharp tug of his hand before an explosion filled the night sky.

Deidara watched the firework weave its way through the shadows- enthralled. He pulled the puppeteer towards it.

The blond maneuvered around the various people before stopping abruptly on a snowy hill. It had a great view of the sky.

Deidara sat down- pulling the red head with him. The snow was cold and wet against his ankles.

Another firework sizzled through the stars, stopping and blasting loudly in the sky- causing the umbrage to scatter.

Blue eyes reflected every color of the explosions- greens, oranges, and purples made their way onto the shiny surface.

Sasori wasn't watching the fireworks, though. He was focusing on something much more beautiful.

Wooden arms pulled the younger boy into them- the blond basking in the warmth of the puppeteer's chest.

"Now- this is art, Danna."

The red head smiled as he pet icy, golden strands.

Fireworks continued to beam up into the sky- their blasts becoming more violent and colorful. The bursts splattered in the stars like rainbow vomit.

"I could think of something much more pretty, Deidara."

"Hn. Like what, un?"

"Like this." The blond barely heard the whisper before Sasori pressed his lips to his. The coldness did not bother the blond this time.

The snow jolted Deidara's skin as he was laid on the ground. Their tongues met in a friendly encounter- dancing gracefully instead of battling. The puppeteer worked his way under the younger boy's shirt; caressing the icy skin.

The red head pulled back- thick clouds of breath tangling between their lips. Explosions still rang through the night sky.

Sasori laid his head on Deidara's chest. The younger boy weaved his fingers through crimson hair- getting a pleasant whiff of cinnamon and oranges.

"Danna?"

"Hm?"

"You're right, un. You're much prettier than the fireworks."


A/N: Awe x3. I apologize for the lateness- my weekend was plagued with chronic headaches, and it would have been up last night- but this damn site wouldn't let me log in. Sucked massively. Anywho, review people! The last chapter only received seven reviews –sad- So, I would be absolutely overjoyed if I had seventy reviews by next chapter. You know, so it will be even. xD