WARNING- Author's note inbound, approaching at end of chapter

Disclaimer: It's been a while, but I still am no closer to ownership of Naruto.


Deep within the cavernous reaches of the Akatsuki hideout, the sounds of activity were beginning to slowly spread throughout the various rooms of the cave. As the outside world was still gripped in mist-shrouded dusk, the organization's members were rising, independently beginning their own individual morning routines.

Inside the room shared by Sakura and Konan, the two kunoichi were laying side-by-side on the bed they now shared. Sakura's head was resting on Konan's shoulder, the older woman's long, pale fingers tangling slightly through her long pink hair.

Sakura blinked sleepily, brushing a few of her silky pink locks out of her eyes. Glancing upward, a small smile graced her features as she saw the sleeping face of her lover, peacefully laying against the pillow beneath her head.

Slowly extracting herself from Konan's grasp, Sakura leaned back down to plant a light kiss on the bluenette's cheek, before turning to the rough wooden wardrobe situated in the corner of the room. Reaching inside, she withdrew a deep red sleeveless shirt, and a pair of rather tight shorts, which she proceeded to pull onto her body.

Yawning profusely, the pink-haired ninja eased the door open and slid out, careful not to disturb her lover's slumber. She began making her way down the hallway, passing Kakuzu's quarters, then Hidan's, and finally reached Deidara's door.

Hesitating slightly, Sakura turned and looked at the door. At this hour, Deidara was almost certainly still asleep. However, there was a chance he wasn't- he was one of the more likely Akatsuki members to be awake at odd hours, working on some manner of project- and what Sakura had in mind really couldn't be left any longer.

Stepping toward the polished stone door, Sakura reached her hand out toward its dull gray surface... and her hand stopped. Biting her lip, the former Leaf nin considered what she was doing- Deidara had already made it perfectly clear that he had absolutely no intentions of welcoming her.

But if she couldn't at least make an effort for him to accept her, it would be a very uncomfortable existence living here.

Holding her breath, she rapped lightly on the door.

For a few seconds, there was no response. However, just as she turned away from the door, a voice sounded from inside the room.

"Yeah, un?"

Sakura swallowed, hoping it hadn't been audible to the blonde bomber. "Deidara...? It's me. Sakura."

Silence. Then...

"What do you want, un?" The tone of voice was certainly not a happy one, but there was no overt hostility to be detected either, which Sakura took as an encouraging sign.

"I was hoping... we could have a discussion."

After a short pause, Deidara replied. "Alright, un. Door's unlocked."

Sakura gripped the heavy door and levered it open, stepping through into the room beyond.


Back in Konan and Sakura's room, Konan was beginning to stir. Sitting up, she rubbed the sleep out of her eye, she looked around, then, realized that someone was missing from the room.

Shrugging, the blue-haired woman slid a large,loose-fitting black shirt on over the navy pants and form-fitting black top she had worn to sleep. Walking to the door, she stepped through, shutting it behind her.

Setting off in the same direction that Sakura had only moments before, Konan arrived at the Akatsuki's "sitting room", as it was affectionately referred to by the other members.

Stepping inside, she was greeted by the only other occupant presently in the room- Tobi, seated on the floor, flipping through a comic book.

"Oh, hello Konan! Did you have a good sleep?"

Konan smiled. "Yes, Tobi, I did. Yourself?"

Tobi set down the comic, not realizing that he had the book close onto his page. "Oh, Tobi didn't sleep last night. Kisame challenged Tobi not to sleep at all, and Tobi is always up for a challenge!"

Konan sighed and shook her head, turning away from Tobi to search for the television remote. "Tobi, you know that's not healthy."

The masked ninja shrugged. "Oh well. Tobi doesn't win a lot of bets with Kisame, so..." Turning with a frown, Konan wondered why Tobi's voice had trailed off- only to see him slumped over the comic book, snoring softly.

Smiling to herself, Konan removed a blanket from the couch beside her and tucked it over Tobi's prone body. Settling back on the couch, she sighed contently. Then, finally alone with her thoughts, she began to ponder...

"Hmm... I wonder where Sakura is?"


Stepping inside Deidara's room, Sakura stopped short, unable to hide her astonishment at what the former Stone ninja was working on. Sitting in the corner of his room was a life-size clay sculpture. Although only just began, the mass of clay was clearly taking on a human form, and even as Sakura watched, Deidara began chipping away pieces from the area that would become the figure's head.

"So... what is it that you wanted, un?"

Sakura shook herself, tearing her attention away from the in-progress sculpture. Perching herself cross-legged on the artist's bed, she tried to form a response.

"Ah... well, I suppose I just wanted to... sort of clear the air between us."

A short, bark-like laugh erupted out of Deidara's mouth, and he didn't bother turning from his work. "I can assure you, it's going to be more difficult that that, un."

Sakura cast her eyes downward at the carpet. "I know that. I know I killed your partner, and I know there's really no reason that you should forgive me for it. But... whether either of us like it or not, I'm here to stay. So, I just want to make things as easy for both of us as I can."

Deidara lifted his hands from the lump of clay, and Sakura could see the hand that was clutching the chisel he had been working with was shaking slightly. "What you have to understand, un..." Sakura looked questioningly at him.

Deidara turned, looking at Sakura with the eye he didn't keep hidden beneath his blonde hair. "Sasori and I disagreed in many matters. Art, life, style, ninjutsu. There were times when I was tired of dealing with him.

"But, despite that, he was my teacher, and he was my friend. When you killed him, you took away the closest thing to a real family member I had. So forgive me if I can't just brush it off my shoulder and forget."

Sakura nodded, guilt piercing her heart. "I know. And I am sorry. I don't expect it to make any difference by telling you that it wasn't personal, because I know that's not an excuse. But-" she said, seeing that Deidara's interest was waning- "I'm not asking you to like me. All I ask is that you accept me, and try to let me bring myself back to your good books."

Deidara turned back to his sculpture and began chipping away more small pieces of clay. For a few moments, no one spoke. Sakura bowed her head.

"Fine, un."

The pink-haired ninja's head shot up. "Excuse me?"

Deidara turned back to her. "I can do that, un. I may not trust you, but... I trust Konan. She's a good judge of people, and if she considers you worth knowing, than I can at least hope you can prove it to me as well, un."

Sakura felt a lump rise in her throat. "Thank you... Deidara. I'll try my best to live up to your faith in me." The blonde simply nodded. Recognizing the dismissal, Sakura bowed and turned toward the door.

With one hand hovering over the doorknob, she paused and looked back one last time. "What is that statue going to be, when you've completed it?"

Deidara didn't turn, but his shoulders straightened a bit as she spoke. "Sasori. A piece of art that will never fade, but will remain on this earth, eternal. He would have liked it."

Sakura simply stood for a few seconds, then smiled warmly. "I'm sure he would have."

And, turning, the doorknob, she exited the room.


Author's Note (as promised)

Mother of god, it has been FOREVER since I've written. I don't know if any of my old followers read these stories anymore, or even use this website at all, but... on the off chance they do, I am back.

For the last while (and by while, I mean... dear god, almost 2 years), my interest in writing fanfiction has become virtually nonexistent. However, as of the last few days, my interest has returned. I can't say why, or how it happened, but i can safely assume that yes, I will be continuing my writing, for the foreseeable future.

I've taken some time to look over my old stories, and have more or less established where I was at. There will no doubt be a slight inconsistency in my writing style, but I hope to keep my standard high, for the sake of those who are kind enough to read my work.

/author's note

As usual, feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated.