Deidara did not follow Sasori into the forest, and he did not speak with him again when he returned. Deidara kept to himself, giving icy stares to Sasori whenever he was around. A day passed by before Hidan and Kakuzu came back with Fuu, ready to be sealed away into the Gedo statue. Deidara almost felt relieved at the task at hand, it would give him something to focus on for a little while.

It took two days to seal Fuu's beast into the statue, and Deidra was exhausted once more from the feat. He noticed that Sasori had strolled off towards the hidden hot spring, so Deidara went elsewhere to rest. Avoiding Sasori was his priority at the moment.

….

Pain gathered the akatsuki members together to speak with them about their next few targets. They had gathered intel on most of the remaining jinchuriki, and Pain wanted to discuss the details of these shinobi so that all members would be prepared to go up against them. For the first time in a long time, all the members of the akatsuki had gathered together.

Deidara was half listening to Pain as he droned on about the nine tailed fox and the one tailed beast. He was busy staring daggers at both Sasori and Itachi. It had been a year or two since he had seen the Uchiha, and now that he was in the same room as him, he couldn't help but remember the feeling of embarrassment he had experienced when Itachi had defeated him so easily. Patience he told himself. Now is not the time…I'll gain my revenge when the time is right, hm.

He was more concerned with the way Sasori was fidgeting next to him. He was in his usual Hiruko armor, but he was moving on the spot, as if he was nervous about something. Perhaps being close to me is making him uneasy? Hm…I really do wonder what goes on in his mind.

When Pain had finally finished his explanation to everyone, they were dismissed and sent out. He promised to speak with each team individually about their specific assignments once he had figured out which beast would be assigned to which team. Deidara gave another icy glance towards Itachi before heading out, going his separate way from the others.

Deidara wanted to go over the details of his plan to enact revenge on Itachi again, so he was looking for a quiet spot away from the others. He heard something shuffling behind him, and he whipped around to see Sasori was following him.

"What do you want?" Deidara asked in a cold tone.

"I need to speak with you, privately." Sasori said in a deep voice.

Deidara rolled his eyes at him, "Really? I thought you wanted nothing to do with me."

"Quiet, stupid. Keep walking forward and I'll explain once we're away from the others."

Deidara sighed at Sasori but kept moving forward, he was curious to hear what he had to say. He was also a little nervous, will he finally reveal to me what happened, why he left?

Once they were deep into the forest and had found a small clearing, Sasori and Deidara stopped. Deidara looked at him, waiting. Sasori emerged from underneath the Hiruko armor, setting it aside. Deidara couldn't hide the rush of emotions that swept forth as he looked upon Sasori's eternal beauty. It had been weeks since he'd seen him, and he suddenly felt like running over to hug him and take in his scent. Every time he saw him, it felt like the first time.

But Deidara clenched his fists and stood still, containing his impulses. He was still waiting for Sasori to speak.

Sasori closed his eyes slowly and said, "I want to make a request."

"Huh?"

"Please, don't get involved with Itachi. Don't attack him here. I know you want to, I saw the way you were looking at him in there." Sasori said. He was almost pleading.

Deidara felt affronted, "I was not going to attack him here with everyone around, how daft do you think I am? And besides, what do you care if I do decide to battle with him here? I thought you didn't care about me." Deidara was furious, and he didn't let Sasori respond, he was yelling at him again, unable to contain his words, "How dare you even come to me and make such a request! After you tried to kick me out of the akatsuki! How can you think that I would listen to anything you say!? I don't know why you hate me Sasori, but get it in your head that I am not leaving anytime soon! Hm!"

Sasori opened and closed his mouth a few times, as though he wasn't sure how to respond. Good, Deidara thought, I left him speechless. "I see," Sasori finally said, "If you're not planning on attacking Itachi here, then you are going to wait until you have a chance alone with him?"

"That's right," Deidara said through a tight mouth.

"Alright then," Sasori said before turning around to leave, grabbing his Hiruko armor.

Deidara was shocked by Sasori's sudden move to leave, "Hey! Where do you think you're going?!" he asked.

"We're done here," Sasori said, as if it was that simple.

"No!" Deidara cried, he hated that tears were beginning to fall from his eyes again, fast and warm. "You can't just drag me out here and say a few words and then leave! That's not fair! What the hell happened to us Sasori!?"

Sasori turned his head and looked at Deidara with sad eyes. His eyes reflected the pain that Deidara felt within himself. If he hates me, then why does he look so sad, so sorrowful?

"Well," Deidara said as more tears began to flow, "what is it?"

Sasori looked up to the sky, as if silently asking for help, and then crumpled to the floor, "I can't do this anymore," he said in a sullen voice.

"Do what?" Deidara asked.

"Pretending I don't like you or care for you…it isn't working…" Sasori said from the ground. He placed his head in his hands. Deidara relaxed his tense shoulders, and sat down on the ground with Sasori, a few feet away. "Deidara…I thought if I could distance myself from you, that all my problems would be solved."

"What problems?" Deidara asked with narrowed eyes.

"Do you remember what I told you a while ago? That love is one's true weakness?" Deidara nodded and Sasori continued, "Well, I tried to escape from that weakness. I had felt the pain from love as a child when my parents died and granny lied to me. I didn't ever want to feel that pain again, so I shut myself out from the world, and forced myself not to feel. I became a puppet, making myself indestructible. I was sure that my heart would be kept safe, since I had locked it away long ago. And then I met you," He gave Deidara a glance and a sad, small smile. Deidara blinked twice and Sasori continued, "When I first met you, I thought you were nothing but a brat, and I even made that prediction that you would die young. But then you and I got to know each other. There was always something about you that interested me. Maybe it was the way you looked at me, so young and naive but with daring, bold eyes. Or maybe it was that you were a fellow artist, passionate about your own art form. Whatever it was, you had gotten to me, gotten under my skin. The way you questioned me, you were so curious…no one had ever asked about my past before, or bothered to know about who I was underneath my puppet mask. I couldn't deny to myself that I was attracted to you from the moment I saw you, and it unnerved me the way you openly asked about my deepest secrets, the things that I easily kept hidden from others. I tried to ignore your questions, but you broke me down. I enjoyed talking about these things with you, and no matter how hard I tried to keep you at bay, you were always able to break through to me, and then I would open up to you. So I stopped trying to push you away for a little while, and I just let things happen…I never thought I would fall for you as hard as I did…I thought maybe if I could fool around with you, that I would get you out of my system…but it had the opposite effect. I fell pretty hard for you Deidara, and before I could stop it, I was in love with you," Sasori explained everything in an even tone, speaking slowly and choosing his words carefully. He looked at Deidara, waiting for a response.

Deidara didn't know what to say at first. He scooted closer to Sasori and said, "you love me?"

"Yes." Sasori said. Deidara's heart thumped wildly in his chest.

"I still don't understand…why did you leave me alone in the land hidden in the waterfall? Why did you ask Pain if I could leave the akatsuki?"

"Because I was scared," Sasori explained, "I had shut out love for so long, I never thought anyone would get through to me the way you did, and it scared me. When you told me about your plan to use a suicide bomb to kill off Itachi…I felt upset. I was upset because I care about you, and I don't ever want to lose you. That's why I left you that morning, I wanted to get away from you because I thought you were my weakness…I always thought of love as a weakness. If I could push you away again, then maybe you would stop loving me, and we could get back to being platonic teammates. But I realize now that it doesn't work like that. Seeing you so angry at me hurt, but I could deal with it…but seeing you cry just now, that hurt my heart. I just don't know what to do Deidara."

"When I told you I loved you that night…you didn't say anything back…" Deidara was thinking aloud.

"As I said, it scared me. I never thought you could love me, but you did…and then I thought of losing you…I asked Pain to kick you out of the akatsuki as a preventative measure. I thought if you left our organization, that you would forget about your revenge on Itachi, and you'd be safe. Then you could live a full life with someone else, and you'd be happy." Sasori gave Deidara another sad smile.

Deidara had inched his way closer to Sasori while Sasori spoke, and now they were sitting side by side. Deidara grabbed Sasori's hand, holding it in his own for reassurance. "You must think I'm a coward," Sasori said.

"No, I don't think that," Deidara said, "I just think you're a little foolish."

"Foolish?!" Sasori was taken aback.

Deidara smiled, "Yes, foolish. Foolish to think that I would be happy with anyone else but you." Deidara looked into Sasori's eyes. Sasori's eyes grew soft as he realized the meaning behind Deidara's words.

Deidara grabbed Sasori's cheek, rubbing it softly with his thumb, "You don't have to worry about me using that jutsu, or ever dying. As long as I have you by my side, I promise I'll never die. Just promise me that you won't die either," Deidara told him.

Sasori nodded, unable to speak another word. He seemed bewildered by Deidara's calm, and caring manner. Deidara leaned in and kissed the stunned Sasori lightly on his lips, breathing in his familiar scent and ruffling up his red hair a little. When they parted, Sasori asked, "You aren't mad at me?"

"I was…and I was hurt when you left. But I understand now. I'm not mad anymore." Deidara said before giving him another kiss. "Are you still scared to be with me?"

Sasori squeezed Deidara's hand, "No, I don't think so. The only thought that scares me is of you dying and leaving me behind. I won't stop loving you, even after you're gone."

"I feel the same way about you," Deidara said, "You don't have to be scared, just let me in and I'll make sure that you are always happy." He lifted Sasori's hand up and kissed it.

"I'm so sorry," Sasori said, "I caused you a great deal of pain…I never intended to, I just thought it was the only thing I could do."

"Well, your plan almost worked," Deidara admitted, "I was pretty mad at you. But you had one flaw in your plan, you assumed that I would stop loving you. I'll never stop loving you Sasori."

Sasori looked upon Deidara with such tenderness and love in his eyes, it reminded Deidara of that night when they watched fireworks. There was a gleam in Sasori's eyes, as if he was trying to cry. Sasori leaned forward and pressed his lips against Deidara's, kissing him passionately, never daring to let go. The force of his kiss knocked Deidara down to the ground, with Sasori on top of him. They rolled in the grass, kissing each other and feeling each other up with their hands.

They laid in their lip-locked embrace for some time, making up for all the kisses they had missed out on in the last few weeks. Sasori pushed Deidara's shirt up so he could kiss his stomach. Deidara giggled a little, he was a bit ticklish on his stomach. Sasori lifted up, "oh, you're ticklish here?" he asked with a mischievous grin. He bent over and blew a raspberry on Deidara's belly. Deidara kicked up his feet and laughed madly, he let out an unattractive snort.

"Gah! Stop!" He yelled.

"Mmm, I did miss teasing you. It's so much fun watching you're reactions, you're so cute." Sasori said before leaning in to kiss Deidara's stomach. Deidara clenched his muscles, preparing for another raspberry. Sasori placed a soft, delicate kiss on his belly button.

Deidara sat up and kissed Sasori on the lips again, pushing his tongue into his mouth. "I missed you," he said between kisses. Then he pushed Sasori down on the grass and grabbed his pants, pulling them down.

"Oh!" Sasori cried as Deidara pulled down his underwear, "you're quite impatient."

"Impatient? I waited weeks for this," Deidara said before running his tongue up along Sasori's length. Sasori moaned. Deidara smiled to himself as he stuck Sasori's erect member in his mouth, moving up and down slowly.

"Mmm," Sasori said, biting down on his lip, "Turn on your side Deidara, that way I can pleasure you too."

Deidara turned his body so that his own pelvis was in Sasori's face. He continued to give Sasori a blowjob as Sasori undid his pants and pulled them down quickly, revealing Deidara's erection. Deidara felt the hairs on his neck raise in pleasure as Sasori's mouth encompassed his penis. They both pleasured each other passionately, burning with desire for each other. Deidara felt excited by the fact that they were doing this in the middle of the forest. It felt so raw, dirty and risky- anyone could walk in on them at any moment. They felt wild out there, going down on each other zealously in the dirt.

They both came together, moaning deeply as the tingling sensation coursed throughout their bodies. Deidara panted hard, still feeling quite excited. "Wow," Sasori said, laughing, "I didn't expect that."

"I couldn't help myself," Deidara said. He turned his body around and laid next to Sasori, looking at him, "when you told me you love me, it made me excited. It turned me on," Deidara said before giving a nervous laugh.

Sasori held Deidara's chin with his thumb and pointer finger, "once you start doing something sexy like that, I can't hold back either." He kissed Deidara on the mouth, then moved over to kiss his cheek before pulling back again. "I have a hard time controlling myself around you," he told him.

"Really?" Deidara said, raising an eyebrow, "Well, you don't have to hold back your impulses anymore with me."

Sasori gave him a naughty, playful smile, "if I do that, then we'll be going at it all the time. Are you sure you can handle all that? I might leave you sore or bruised…sometimes I feel like getting a little rough with you might be fun…and if I let my impulses take over, there's no telling what might happen."

Deidara bit his lip, "I would like that," he said seductively, "I want to get rough with you too. I love feeling your body on top of mine…inside of me."

"Mmm," Sasori said cuddling close to him, "you've been warned." He then turned Deidara over roughly. "get on your hands and knees," he ordered, "and if I do hurt you, you better tell me," he added in a nicer tone. Deidara complied, doubting that Sasori could hurt him.

Sasori scratched down Deidara's bare back with his nails, leaving marks. "Unf!" Deidara cried, not expecting this. His pupils grew wide with dilation and his penis throbbed, starting to get erect again. Then Sasori slapped his ass, hard. "Ah!" Deidara yelled, his member pulsated once more.

"Does that hurt?" Sasori asked. He had wrapped his arms around Deidara's waist. Deidara shook his head, pleading for Sasori to continue. Sasori grabbed Deidara's penis and began to stroke it. His other hand pulled back and held onto Deidara's ass, clenching it hard, digging in his nails.

Then Sasori placed a finger inside of Deidara, opening him up a little. Deidara groaned with pleasure as Sasori's hand began to rub faster on his penis, stroking it masterfully. Sasori placed another finger inside of Deidara, and Deidara groaned, wanting more.

Sasori stopped jerking Deidara suddenly, and grabbed a handful of his blonde hair, pulling it hard. Deidara was biting hard on his bottom lip, trying not to moan too loudly in the forest. "Mmm, your face is adorable, you brat!" Sasori said, pushing his fingers in deeper. Deidara couldn't help the groan that escaped his lips. He wanted Sasori to touch him again.

Sasori pulled hard on Deidara's hair so that Deidara's head leaned back. Sasori bent over and kissed Deidara hard on his lips. Then Sasori pulled back, biting Deidara's bottom lip. The rough, brutal force of Sasori's actions turned Deidara on, he was fully erect and hard, almost ready to orgasm again. Sasori let go of his bite on Deidara's lip and said, "you ready naughty boy?"

"Yes, give it to me," Deidara whispered back. Sasori smiled and got behind Deidara. Deidara felt a small pinch as Sasori entered him from behind, rocking back and forth gently. Then Sasori began to pick up speed, thrusting with enthusiasm. "Urgh!" Deidara cried with pleasure. Sasori placed his hands on Deidara's waist, squeezing tightly. Deidara grabbed the dirt beneath him for support as Sasori pushed in deeper, hitting his g-spot. Another scream escaped Deidara's lips, and Sasori placed a hand over Deidara's mouth. Deidara put Sasori's fingers in his mouth, sucking on them hard.

Deidara felt sticky with sweat, and dirty from rolling around the ground earlier. With the sweet taste of Sasori's fingers in his mouth and Sasori inside of him, he moaned deep in his throat. He felt Sasori buckle behind him, as he came. Sasori pulled out, releasing his fingers from Deidara's mouth and grabbing Deidara's penis in a quick movement. He rubbed Deidara's penis with one hand, and grabbed his balls with the other hand, fondling them. Deidara grunted heavily as he finished, feeling immense satisfaction from his second orgasm in just a matter of minutes. He didn't even know that it was possible for him to orgasm twice in that short amount of time.

Deidara dropped to the ground on his belly, and Sasori laid next to him, grinning a broad smile. "So?" Sasori asked, "you liked that?"

"Yes," Deidara said. He breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of sex and dirt, "I like it when you're rough with me." Sasori graced his comment with a sweet kiss. Then he laced his fingers in Deidara's hand, and they stared at each other's eyes silently, taking in each detail.

After some time, Deidara said, "Sasori?"

"Hm?"

"Don't ever leave me again,"

"I won't," Sasori said firmly, "I promise. I realize that I can't go on without you. I need your love."

Deidara smiled softly, and they held each other closer. They stayed in that clearing for as long as they dared, simply enjoying each other's presence. Deidara felt truly happy at that moment, and nothing could ever break that happiness. The road ahead was clear- as long as Sasori was by his side, he could accomplish anything, do anything. They would stand together through anything that came their way. Being with Sasori meant being home. Deidara had found a true purpose to keep on living.

…..

They returned to the akatsuki hideout a few hours later, Deidara was covered in grass stains and dirt. Sasori looked stoic in his Hiruko armor, but Deidara knew that he was hiding dirty little smiles beneath that mask. "What the hell happened to you Deidara?" Hidan asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Er-"

"The fool tripped and rolled down a hill," Sasori said in his grumbling voice.

Hidan laughed at that, "if you were more religious, then maybe you'd have better luck" he said. Kakuzu rolled his eyes.

"Enough," Pain said, "I've decided on an assignment for each pair. I'll need to speak with Sasori and Deidara in private." Still laughing, Hidan and Kakuzu left the area, leaving Deidara and Sasori alone with the leader.

"You two will go to the village hidden in the sand and capture the one tailed demon," Pain instructed, "don't rush there though, on the way there I'd like you to continue collecting funds for our organization, however you see fit. There are various villages and small towns on the way to the sand village, make sure to use your time wisely with gathering coin."

Sasori and Deidara nodded and then Pain went on to explain more about their jinchuriki target, the kazekage of the sand village. Deidara listened fully, knowing that this information was important. At the same time though, he kept thinking about everything that had just happened between himself and Sasori. He tried his best to hide the wide smile that wanted to form across his lips. And now Sasori and I are being sent on another exciting mission, we'll be able to capture this one tailed beast for sure. On the way there, it seems like we'll have plenty of opportunities for other activities as well. Despite his best efforts, a small, subtle smile played its way on his mouth. Deidara looked forward to their new mission together. Everything seemed to finally be falling perfectly into place. He had finally peeled back the last layer of Sasori's secretive wall, had finally revealed the genuine and honest Sasori. The true Sasori who loved him deeply, and fully.

….

Author's Note: Okay, so maybe I got a little carried away with the smut there? I didn't initially intend on including that dirty little sex scene, but I think it worked in well. What do you all think? I like to think that Sasori and Deidara would have some dirty, rough sex *wink wink*