Against All Odds

Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine.

AN: OMG, I'm so sorry for not updating. Please don't think I've lost interest. But I'm gonna say this; the days are just PACKED. XD. Updates are going to be coming a LOT slower... and yes, I've written the next few chapters, but it's all about pacing the posting with the writing for me. Sorry. Next update will be at the end of next week, I think. XD.

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9: Flower Girl and Doll Boy

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"Well, what about yours?"

"Pink of course!"

"Of course."

"Or blue… I really like blue. Don't pink and blue go well together?"

"They clash. Sometimes the result is pleasing, but usually similar colors complement each other best, are the most aesthetically agreeable."

"Like yellow and pink? Or pink and red?"

"Something like that," Sasori said distantly, not really liking the girl's tone or where the conversation was going at all. Somehow though, it seemed to go that way a lot.

It was generally a pointless exercise, this question asking thing. She had just quizzed him on his favorite color, but it had started when Sakura asked him about his favorite play. After much elaboration and debate, it had somehow transformed into a questions game. Sasori decided that answering the questions was far easier than avoiding them. Play along, have a conversation. It really wasn't that bad.

"Favorite season?"

Except that they just kept coming. God, they wouldn't end, would they?

"Winter."

They have must have been traveling for three days since her two-day nap, maybe at this point, four. They had fallen into an odd, and yet strangely satisfying routine. They walked aimlessly, avoided the danger, talked when she was awake, and he processed her food while she rested. Overall, it was uneventful and, despite himself, Sasori found that he was relaxing. It wasn't as if dangerous S-class missions stressed him out, and he did enjoy the danger and killing and blood and stuff, but this was an unexpected break. And it was sort of… nice.

"I like spring," she told him. "Everything bursts into bloom."

"Only to die a few months later," he snorted.

She scowled at him. That happened at lot, too.

"What? Do you like it when everything's dead?"

He sighed impatiently, turning his head away from her and her annoying attitude. Hadn't she learned anything about him?

"I don't care much for seasons. Why do you think I lived in the desert?"

She blushed slightly, a little embarrassed.

"Okay, well why did you say winter?"

He frowned at her. Yes, that was a pretty quick reaction from a person who didn't like seasons, wasn't it? Maybe she paid closer attention than he thought.

"It's still and unchanging," he said, uncharacteristically slow and thoughtful. He nodded to her. "Until spring, of course."

She scratched her head, confused.

"What's wrong with change?"

Damn it, never mind – had she listened to him at all? He must have said it a million times – art is permanence. It lasts forever. What the hell about that concept was so damn difficult to grasp?

"Beauty lasts an eternity. We've been over this before," he muttered, but even he was proud of his control of temper. At least he didn't lash out at her or anything.

"Oh, I don't think so," Sakura replied, a slight smile on her face, as if the topic was entirely new to her. "I think watching something develop – a person, a relationship – getting to know someone, having something become new and important, well, that's beautiful." She gave him a slight bow in respect. "Your concept of art is beautiful, too, Sasori. But the world isn't art. It's a lot more."

He opened his mouth to argue immediately, then closed it. There was no point.

"I can't expect a child like you to understand," he said flatly. "I'll let it slide this once."

"Because what I said made sense?"

What the…

"Hell no," he snapped, temper control be damned. "There're too many holes in your pathetic theory. You mention that getting to know someone is a beautiful thing. Well, is losing someone a beautiful thing? Is that an astonishing, enlightening experience?"

Her entire facial expression slumped; her eyes became downcast, her mouth relaxed into a frown before twisting into the saddest of smiles.

"I'm grateful, then, that I ever knew them at all."

They had stopped walking, and Sasori reflected on her statement, his thoughts traveling, despite himself, to his parents. Was it best that he knew them? No – surely he would've been better off without them, right? They had been useful in that their deaths motivated his career, but otherwise, they didn't really matter right? Weren't they nothing to him now, part of a past that might as well not exist?

And yet, lately, he thought of them and not few and far between, but more often than he ever realized he could. Why? When Sakura asked him about them a few nights ago, he had answered, and once again, no excuse existed. It was because he wanted to. Because he felt that he had to say it, that it was a necessity. That he would… betray them if he didn't.

This cave drove him nuts. So much for relaxing.

"I'm glad I knew them" she said quietly to herself. "I'm so happy I met them. I'll bring them back. I promised."

Sasori's eyes widened. What was with her? There was something very strange about her look, something so determined and broken at the same time – an incredible juxtaposition of feelings blended into one. He never saw that with Deidara who displayed only simple emotions, never saw that with Itachi who gave no emotions at all, never saw it with his subordinates who could merely gaze at Hiruko in fear. But this girl, this Haruno Sakura, expressed her heart entirely to the world; he could see every emotion, every feeling, but he couldn't know what it was until he saw it himself. It changed. It merged. It affected him.

It was confusing.

"This was a horrible topic," he said, unsettled with her sadness. "Let's start a new one, okay?"

Her mouth hung slightly in surprise as if what he had just done was a kind thing, and then she smiled. If he had guts, he knew they'd be swirling uncomfortably in his stomach. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Okay!" she said brightly. "Um… favorite food?"

There was an awkward silence. Shocked, she covered her mouth.

"Oh, uh… sorry," she said. "I… damn, well, I can't believe I just said that. It was pretty insensitive, so let's –"

"Sweets."

"Huh?"

He glared at her.

"Do you ever pay attention to me?" he asked, rolling his eyes. "I said I like sweets. When I was a child, my grandmother would buy me candy when I was upset. I've always had a preference towards sweet food."

She laughed.

"That's ironic."

"Pray tell."

"You're usually so sour. And rotten."

He felt an eyebrow twitch. Did he really deserve that comment? Yeah, probably but –

"I'm joking."

"Of course you are –" he began, but then he stopped. She was laughing, laughing hard but not unpleasantly, as if she was really having fun. And for the oddest of reasons, he didn't feel so mad anymore. Actually he felt kind of – no! No, of course he was still pissed off. He deserved it, no he had earned it!

"Will you please shut up?" he asked, and she continued to smile at him.

"Since you requested so nicely, I guess so, Sasori," Sakura said. She put a hand on his shoulder. "That was classic. When you get so mad, you look like you're not really used to it. You're more used to being calm and all, so when you get annoyed… I don't know how to explain it. It's just so funny." She covered her mouth. "Oops! Sorry, I promised I'd be quiet, but I broke it."

"I expected as much," he grumbled, but he felt a little unnerved. She didn't utilize language sophisticatedly per say, but she had a way with words.

"Hey, hey," she complained. "I'm an honest person."

Despite himself, he smiled slightly, too. Yeah, he could believe that much. She was an honest person – maybe the worst quality for a ninja, but somehow, he had begun to like that part about her. He appreciated it more than he ever thought he would.

"So you lived with your grandmother after you parents died?"

"Yes."

"That must have been so difficult," she said quietly, a little unsure. "I'm… sorry."

"It's not your fault," Sasori said flatly. "Anyway, ninja lose their parents and teammates all the time."

"But you still miss them, don't you?"

Had she told him that a week earlier, he would have immediately told her "no." But somehow, this cave and Sakura had changed him. He hesitated.

"If you don't want to talk about it, let's not," Sakura said quickly. "Sorry if that's a sensitive spot."

He nodded distractedly. Sensitive, huh? Tell him about it.

"What kind of books do you like to read?"

"Good ones?" he replied, a little unsure. Now, she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, I really expected you to read bad literature." But, she lost focus after that, and suddenly, she too, was paying more attention to their never ending journey than to their conversation. God damn it, why was it so awkward? He didn't like all the talking, but now the silence was so… uncomfortable…

"Well, you've suffered, too, haven't you?" Sasori asked uncertainly, and mentally kicked himself for sounding so timid. Since when was he timid? But then again, since when did he ask so many unnecessary things?

"No," Sakura said sadly as if he wasn't acting strange at all. "No… I haven't lost anyone really precious to me, but…" She stopped walking, and Sasori stopped with her. Shaking, she continued, "I… I promised that I'd bring them back! They don't have to be gone forever! I was… I was just so close to being near them! Just… if I didn't get lost in here, I would've been able to see them. But, I'm so pathetic! I get stuck in this cave! I broke all my promises, and once again…"

She was crying. Not hard, and it was completely against herself, but…

"Oh, shut up. You're not completely pathetic."

"No, I am," she whispered. "I'm the weakest link."

Something in Sasori snapped. The weakest link? Then, what the fuck was he? The rusty old link that didn't even count? Honestly, he didn't have time for this girl's troubles, especially since every single one of them were completely unfounded.

"Look," Sasori snarled, "you're really pissing me off right now. The whole time we've been here, all I can think is what a girl. And here you are, demeaning and insulting my respect with your lack of confidence which you choose to demonstrate at exactly the wrong moment." Uh, maybe that wasn't the most tactful thing to say? She still looked pretty upset.

He hesitated, shutting his eyes. Ugh, he… he didn't have time for teenage girls and their insecurities! But the crying made him really, really uncomfortable. It wasn't just the fact that she was crying, but all these strange feelings, and lack of feelings, that accompanied it. He didn't feel bad for her exactly, but there was no joy there, no happiness in seeing some brat cry. It had to be because he didn't cause it. And, he needed it to stop. Right now.

Defeated, he sighed.

"I think most people would be grateful to have you as a friend, Sakura," he said, wincing slightly, though he didn't let her see it. This was just… "You're forgiving. You're kind. The weakest link isn't you, but that you're considered the weakest link. I know that. And I know that, those thoughts… they won't always stay that way."

And, then, she stopped crying, and looked at him in amazement. What, was it that surprising that he said something nice?

Uh, yeah, actually.

"Sasori the shrink, huh?" she asked finally, smiling as if remembering some inside joke. "I think I've found a new career for you."

"Shut up." Every time he tried to help, she turned it completely against him. But he felt like something had been removed from his chest. He felt a little bit… happier. It was a strange, strange feeling.

"I won't be frustrated anymore," she said determinedly. "Here's to a new beginning."

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Naruto… Kakashi-sensei…

Sasuke-kun…

"Sakura." Something was shrugging her shoulders. "Sakura."

Groggily, she opened her eyes. She hadn't slept for that long, she definitely knew. This was making her very, very grumpy…

"Sasori?" she mumbled, as he stopped shaking her. "Do I have to wake up already?"

"That depends."

Why, oh why, did he have to be so cryptic? This was payback for all those questions… oh, she knew he hated them with all his heart…

"On what?"

"Well," he said teasingly. "I have a question for you."

Yes, this was definitely revenge.

"I don't want to hear it."

He laughed. "Actually, you might. What's cold, written on, and extremely useful? It's a bad riddle, but give it your best shot."

He woke her up for this? Oh, she would kill him…

"I couldn't care less."

"You might if you knew it was our way out."

She jerked awake immediately, and scrambled to her feet.

"What?"

He grabbed her upper-arm. "Come on."

They raced forward through the dirt path, and though she was exhausted, Sakura didn't care. A way out? Home? She forced herself to forget them, and yet never had she felt so excited… Sakura's eyes widened as she saw a stone standing out amongst the trees. An inscription had been engraved on it. Somewhat like the inscription she had seen on the gate a lifetime ago…

She pressed her hand to the cool stone, studying the elegant calligraphy. Yes, it was the same kind of text from so long ago, from another world entirely. That other world existed. A way out existed. She read the words. Or did it?

Go forward and face THE TRIALS.

"The trials?" she whispered somewhat sarcastically, somewhat completely freaked. "Sounds ominous…"

"It is ominous," Sasori corrected. "Sakura, there's a staircase."

And there was. Behind the stone, and Sakura couldn't realize how she didn't see it before, there was a staircase there, one that seemed to go on forever as if it lead to the top of a temple, though admittedly the tallest temple she had ever seen. She shivered.

"This is our best lead," Sasori smirked, obviously completely unperturbed that a terrifying staircase had magically appeared out of thin air. "Finally, it seems our wandering has paid off."

Sakura nodded, as she walked cautiously to the steps. Maybe invincible man wasn't at all horrified, but what if they were an illusion? What if some giant monster popped out? This place was just so creepy…

She placed her foot onto the steps. They stood solidly beneath her.

"Yeah," she admitted warily. "But what exactly have we bought?"

He cast an amused glance.

"Are you scared?"

She shook her head. She wouldn't let him see her fear.

"No. Let's go."

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AN: I lengthened the chapter because I felt horrible about not posting. It's filler, but it's actually one of my favorites. Their first conversation was so fun to write. :3

But the next chapter is a little harder. It was very, very tough to write, and I'm still so unhappy with the results. I can only hope for the best.