Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Akatsuki or any of the characters/concepts featured. All characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

'Danna, ah! More, hm!~'

'I know Dei! I-I know!~'

'Please, un! M-more, faster-ah! P-please, hm!~'

'Aa…Ngh! Dei!~'

'…Danna, hm! A-ah!~'

'Dei!~'

'Danna!~'

Sasori's eyes snapped opened immediately and he shot bolt upright in bed, his brown eyes wide and dark-ringed and his auburn hair all over the place. He looked like someone who had drunk a little too much coffee. The redhead reached up and groggily rubbed his eyes with his hands. The hell was that? He made a weird face and looked down. His eyes grew wider. You had to be fucking kidding! Oh, hell no! He grimaced. So that was what happened when you had a dream about…hold on. Oh, fuck! He did not just…with the brat…and then…

He twitched uncontrollably, all the colour draining from his face. This wasn't happening. He was still asleep. Yes, he was still dreaming. There was no way this could get any worse-

'Sasori Akasuna! You better get up quick young man or you'll be late for school, and you have no excuses this time!'

The scorpion winced at the painfully loud voice of his grandmother and glanced at the clock. Shit! He only had twenty minutes! The young Alpha sprang out of bed and ran towards the bathroom to have a shower, before tripping and face-planting the carpet. He let out a tired groan.

Not the best start to the day…

'Mornin' Deidara.'

The blonde stopped painting but did not turn to face the orange haired boy. 'Morning…' he murmured sadly.

Pein frowned as the sculptor began his work again. His brush strokes were painfully slow and it didn't seem as though his heart was in it, which was unusual for Deidara. The blonde had even been sure to arrive early at school so that he could hone his skills, this time by painting some scenery. Normally art always cheered him up but this time it didn't seem to be working. The older male sensed his friend's sorrow and placed an awkward hand on the Deidara's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

'Is something wrong?' he asked, trying to sound sympathetic. Emotions weren't his strong point, but a decent person would at least try to find out the problem.

Deidara sighed and shook his head sullenly. He didn't feel like telling anyone what was bothering him 1) because he still wasn't entirely sure what the problem was and 2) because it more than likely involved a certain red headed Alpha. But unfortunately for him, Pein had already guessed what was troubling his friend.

'It's that Alpha boyfriend of yours isn't it?' he asked, already sure he knew the answer.

Deidara was silent for a moment and then turned to face the orange-haired boy. Where his eyes once shone a brilliant blue, they now seemed to have become slightly duller in hue and his lips didn't show his usual chirpy smile. Instead they were set in a thin straight line. Pein frowned, but the frown transformed into a grin when he had an idea. Relationship advice! And who better to give it than him, the school heartthrob?

'Alright, I think I know the problem…' the Omega whispered naughtily.

'You do, hm?'

'You need to ask him out on a date.'

Deidara gave Pein a bored look. He really wasn't in the mood for this. 'He's not my boyfriend and even if he was I wouldn't be the one doing the asking, un.'

'It's just one date, and I think it well help. I'm always right about these things.'

'Don't you have some girl to pester, hm?'

'Konan's the only one for me.'

'The day you get a date with her is the day I renounce my art, hm.'

Pein scowled; slightly offended that Deidara would doubt his skills when it came to females. 'For your information, I'm her hero. Anyway, we're getting off topic; you've got to go on a date with Red.'

The blonde shot Pein a warning look and promptly refused to do any such thing, which naturally started an argument.

Sasori walked steadily through the hallways, casually ignoring any harsh stares he got. He knew he probably looked a complete mess – he had got ready in about five minutes for crying out loud- but if there was one thing he was good at it was keeping his dignity. He rounded a corner and headed towards the art room, intent on getting some work done. Creating another puppet was sure to calm his mind; it would help rid him of his earlier not-so-innocent thoughts involving a certain blonde peasant. Thoughts of them naked and him on top of…

He shook his head and pushed the image away. No. Not going to happen. He paused just before he reached the open door of the art classroom and raised an eyebrow. The yellow light from inside the room was shining out of the door and casting two shadows on the floor of the hallway. One was undoubtedly Deidara but the other he didn't recognise, save to say they were slightly shorter than the sculptor. He leaned forward just outside the room and listened to the muffled voices. An argument?

'I said no, un!'

'But it's just one date; it's no big deal!'

'It is a big deal, hm!'

The redhead frowned. Date? Someone was…asking Deidara on a date? He clenched his jaw and his hands became fists as the voices escalated. Blinded by inner fury he went to charge into the room, when he stopped himself. He blinked. Was he angry? Why? Why did this make him angry? He didn't know, and not knowing only made things worse. Without lingering on the subject any further, he moved out of his hiding place to stand on the threshold of the art room.

Deidara and Pein broke off their dispute as they noticed someone standing in the doorway. Both boys looked over at the entrance to see a young boy with red hair and even redder cheeks, standing just outside. He looked royally pissed off. Deidara already new who this was and he immediately focused his attention on his painting again, not wanting to talk.

But instead of speaking, the scorpion simply strode up to him and Pein, making a point of standing directly between the two, facing the orange-haired boy with his back to Deidara. His calm demeanour had all but disappeared and was replaced by a cold and deadly exterior. Pein blinked in surprise.

'What do you think you're doing?' murmured the redhead. His voice was deathly quiet and the shadow cast by his crimson hair seemed to grow slightly darker as he spoke, shielding his eyes from view. Pein raised an eyebrow. Then he smirked when he realised who this was: Red. What fun could he have here?

'I'm asking Blondie out,' he stated simply.

Deidara's eyes widened and he gave Pein a 'what the fuck is wrong with you?' look over Sasori's shoulder. The orange-haired boy winked subtly at Deidara, signalling for him to remain quiet and watch the show.

Sasori twitched noticeably at the Omega's answer. His brown eyes narrowed. 'I forbid it.' he whispered.

'Why?' asked Pein, smiling smugly.

'The reason doesn't matter. I forbid it.'

'Actually, the reason does matter. You can't tell me who I can and can't ask out. Besides, it's not as if he's taken is it?' taunted Pein. Boy, was he enjoying himself; Red didn't have a clue that he was only Deidara's friend, nothing more. Pein was as straight as a steel ruler.

The scorpion remained silent, then after a long pause he spoke. 'Just leave.' he muttered.

Pein chuckled and raised his hands in surrender, backing away slowly. He knew there was no point in pushing it; this guy seemed adamant not to say anything meaningful. Deidara stared at Pein with wide sapphire eyes as he walked out of the room, no doubt to look for Konan. As soon as he disappeared, Sasori relaxed and took a deep breath. The red head straightened up, a superior smirk on his lips. He didn't know why but seeing that guy leave made him feel good. Really good.

'Danna, hm?'

The Alpha slowly turned to the blonde, his face impassive. 'What, peasant?'

Deidara gulped. 'You do know that was Pein, hm?'

'His name doesn't matter to me; he won't bother you anymore.'

The Omega shrank back in fear at the harsh tone. 'He wasn't bothering me that time, hm. He's my friend...' he whispered.

Sasori ignored him and turned his attention to the younger boy's painting. He blinked. The image spread across the canvas was that of a snowy scene. The trees were bare and held nothing but icicles, while the lake appeared to be made from solid ice and young children were playing on its frozen surface. But what caught his eye was the fact that in the far corner of the painting stood a young boy with scruffy blonde hair and a pleading expression. He wore nothing but rags and a tattered coat. Brown eyes lingered on the figure of the street child for quite some time.

Deidara watched his Danna's expression, silently begging inside his mind that it would jog a memory. But the redhead simply pulled himself away from the image. Nothing. No epiphany, no sudden realisation. Just nothing.

Sasori frowned at the blonde, not liking the unhappy expression. Then a small smile tugged at his lips. He didn't know the cause of the upset but perhaps he could cure it…

'How about we start that painting, brat?'

Deidara discarded his disappointment and grinned. He nodded eagerly and immediately set to work setting up another canvas. Sasori smiled softly and watched as the boy began to collect various shades of paint from the back of the room, only to succeed in painting himself.

'Shit, un!' he hissed, trying desperately to get the paint out of his shirt.

The redhead chuckled to himself.

Deidara pouted. 'It's not funny Danna, hm!'

'…Yes it is.'

'Hey, shut up, un!'

Two golden eyes scanned the pages of math equations, while their owner tried to make sense of what his friend was saying.

'…And then you simply multiply the opposite side of the equation by the same amount to cancel out the two sums.'

'…Itachi?'

'Hm?'

'Could you repeat that?'

The Uchiha sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The two Alphas had come to the library to help each other with any work that needed to be done, just as usual. But he couldn't see what was so difficult to understand; Zetsu should be brilliant at math since he got straight A's in every other subject! Reluctantly, the raven opened his mouth to repeat his explanation but was rudely interrupted by something heavy landing on the table in front of him. He blinked and read the title: Complex Mathematics.

The two boys looked up to have their vision blocked by an orange swirly mask. Itachi narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw in annoyance. 'Tobi.'

'Hey Itachi-san! Long time, no see! And this must be Zetsu! Tobi heard you were having trouble with math so he got you a book to help!' chirped the boy. He pulled out a chair and joined the two Alphas at the table.

'You know him, Itachi?' Zetsu asked.

The raven sighed, 'Unfortunately, yes. He is my-'

'Tobi is Itachi-san's cousin!' cried the Omega, getting several annoyed glares from the other students.

Zetsu gave Itachi a confused look. 'I didn't know you had a cousin…'

'I would prefer not to talk about it,' muttered the weasel. He stood up and began packing away his things in the hope of making a quick getaway.

Tobi hung his head in fake disappointment. 'Aaaawww! Don't be like that Itachi-san! You know it was an accident! I just wanted to help! We're still family and-'

'You are not part of my family. Not anymore. Not after what you did. I'm sorry but…you're an Omega.' whispered Itachi, walking straight past the orange-masked boy and leaving the library.

Tobi watched him go and sighed. Zetsu sat staring at him for a while, unsure what to make of the situation, and then he smiled warmly at the Omega. He couldn't judge him. Besides whatever the boy had done, it couldn't have been too serious because Itachi was known to be a little touchy, and it wasn't in Zetsu's nature to shun anyone.

'Tobi?'

The boy looked up.

Zetsu handed him the maths book. 'Will…you show me how to do this?' He asked, knowing it would cheer the Omega up. Tobi squealed happily and nodded. He shuffled his chair over to Zetsu and began to chatter away excitedly about sums and numbers. Zetsu couldn't help smiling at him; this guy was – in his opinion, at least – a much better tutor than Itachi. Who would have thought it? Someone as lively and cheerful as Tobi being related to someone a stoic and distant as Itachi?

Itachi paced hurriedly down the hallway, eager to put as much distance between himself and his cousin as possible. He rounded a corner and entered his main class room. It was still early so the room was empty, which was good since the weasel really didn't want company at the moment. He sat down alone at the back of the class and stared absentmindedly out of the window.

It wasn't that he hated Tobi, it was just that he preferred it if he didn't have to look at him. Or listen to him. Or be in the same room as him. Actually, come to think of it, he did dislike the kid.

Itachi sighed and ran a pale hand through his long, silky dark hair. But who wouldn't after what he did? Raiding the Uchiha family fortune to give money to a group of selfish, barbaric, sadistic, unlawful Omegas? And for what? To be the good guy? To be the hero?

The Alpha clenched his teeth in anger. And how did they repay his cousin's generosity? They…they...

Itachi buried his face in his hands, not wanting to dwell on it. He didn't know what to think anymore. Why was everything so difficult? Was it actually Tobi's fault? Of course it was. Wasn't it? Ugh!

'Hey, nerd!'

Brilliant. Just brilliant. This was all he needed. "What?" whispered the raven, turning his back on the shark.

'You changed your mind about hanging out with me? Y'know, maybe catch a movie after school or…'

The boy trailed off when he heard a quiet sniffling coming from the young Alpha. His grin vanished and he frowned.

'You okay?' he asked, tentatively making his way through the chairs towards the boy. Itachi had now sort of curled up on his seat, hugging his legs to his chest and hiding his face, not wanting anyone to see him like this, least of all an Omega. He was supposed to be an Alpha! Strong and superior! Not a stressed-out nervous wreck!

'Hey, you okay?' repeated the shark, carefully sitting in the seat next to the raven. His voice had become gentle and he actually sounded concerned.

Itachi shook his head, his face still buried in his knees. His voice was muffled by his clothing. 'No, but I don't expect you to understand…'

Kisame sighed and smiled half-heartedly. Typical Itachi. Warily, he reached out to wrap one arm around the boy in an effort to comfort him, feeling that was the best thing to do. At first Itachi moved away from the gesture and gave several muffled protests of 'no' and 'leave me alone' and 'don't touch me'. But his actions didn't support his words; if he really wanted to escape the shark's help, he would have done more than shuffle away a few inches. Eventually though, he gave in and allowed the Omega to soothe him. At home his parents often ignored him and rarely gave him any solace so he found himself enjoying the attention, if only a little.

Kisame continued to hold the younger boy until the latter managed to speak. The Uchiha gulped and looked up to face the Omega. His face was deathly pallid and his eyes a little red. '…Thank you.' he murmured.

Kisame smiled at him, revealing his sharp teeth. 'I know what your problem is; you need a break.'

'…A what?'

The shark laughed heartily and held out a hand to help the boy up, and was surprised when he felt the soft, slender hand gratefully accept his own. 'How about that movie after school, eh? It'll help you un-wind; you look stressed.'

Itachi was quiet for a moment, considering the proposal. Perhaps Kisame was right for once. He did need a rest…

'…Alright.' he said, sounding a little unsure.

'Cool! It's a date!'

Itachi gave him a warning glare and the shark recoiled. He laughed nervously. 'Okay, okay it's not a date.'

The weasel gave him a suspicious look before making his way to class, leaving Kisame alone.

The Omega chuckled mischievously to himself. 'It's not a date…yet.'

*Gasp* What did the Omegas do to Tobi to make Itachi hate them so much?!

Anyway, here's the second chapter guys! I hope you liked it! :)

As usual, review if you would like me to continue this story and I appreciate you reading my work. :D