Chapter 10: In Which Resentment
As I moved back and forth between the cat food and the bowls, I felt a certain warmth following my mannerism's, shifting around me like a jacket, holding fast to my person. It brought forth a tiny smile as I kept glancing at the cats out of the corner of my eye. For some reason, I liked having to make meals for someone again, it had been so long, the last time was when I'd prepared breakfast for my father before he went off to work.
Cats or not, company was all the same, though I was the only one making conversation. . .but I certainly couldn't hold them responsible for that, cats didn't talk after all, pity.
"There, all done!" I muttered, closing up the bag of cat food and placing it into one of the bottom cupboards near my kneecaps. "Your dinner is finished." Coming around the corner of the counter I found all the cats looking at me, some held stares that brought on an entirely different chill that crept up my back like a hand.
One by one, a bowl was placed on the ground, I kept a continuous eye on them as I did, watching their every move almost suspiciously. There was something about them, the way they moved and watched didn't seem very cat-like. . .well they didn't act like any cats I'd seen. Of course, it was a possibility that I was just thinking too much into it, maybe I wanted them to act different, to have someone to depend on, to care for. Or I was simply losing it. All were plausible.
When all the bowls were on the wood floor, I walked around the counter on final time, leaned my elbows on it, and waited for their reaction to their food.
Seeing all the food set out and waiting for him, Swirl made a mad dash towards the nearest container, nearly knocking himself out in order to dive head first into the bowl, chomping into it with pure glee that mirrored that of a child enjoying a piece of candy. He was the only one who showed such relish in his dinner; the others were slower in their approach-seeming wary of my constant watch from above-but when, at last, they stared down at their food, I found them turning up their noses in disgust as if cat food wasn't good enough for them. "Don't be picky you guys, it's the only cat food I have," there was no movement towards the bowls, my eye twitched. "Eat it, or starve," was my final response.
Balancing on tippy toe, I opened the highest cupboard and strained myself in reaching for a box of cereal; after a few failed attempts at grasping it, I pulled my empty hand back to scratch the back of my head in irritation.
Why I placed food products on the highest shelf, was a mystery to me. . .how did I even get them up there in the first place?!
Taking a deep breath, I tried once more to reach the box. "Come here, you stupid box of cereal!" I silently hissed in anger as the box was pushed back accidentally by my fingers; mentally slapping myself, I grasped the edge of the cupboard door to propel myself further but the box seemed no closer than before.
Feeling something fuzzy brush my toe, the reaching for the box was put on hold to gaze down at a reddish cat who was sitting next to my foot, peering up at me with sympathetic eyes.
"Great, sympathy from a cat, how stupid must I look right now?"
"What is it, Berry?" Those pretty eyes slowly blinked before he directed his nose-in a pointing gesture-above my head.
Turning I looked at the open cupboard, then back to him. "You….Do you want to help me?" I asked breathlessly, wondering if I'd finally lost it.
Berry nodded, a cat nodded to me. . .that wasn't normal, I'm pretty sure. But more importantly, he wanted to help me? No one ever wanted to help me. . .well, there was a first for everything.
"Ok." I could've sworn that Berry smiled at that, but it was dark in the kitchen, probably my imagination.
Why are you helping her?
If one of the members had asked Sasori this question, he would have responded that he merely wanted to know more about where they were, and to do that, he had to get close to her on a mutual level. But of course that wasn't the reason, truthfully, the puppetmaster didn't understand why he was getting close to the girl, there certainly was a part of him questioning whether they could trust her but even that didn't feel like the reason.
"Ok." She was gazing at him, shocked, she clearly didn't understand his motive either.
There was a noise of shifting cloth as she kneeled down to his level, coming to a stop a few inches from his face. "Is it ok for me to pick you up?" He truly didn't understand her caution for touching him, why would she be so worried about him? He was a cat, that didn't mean he was breakable. Now if she had chakra, he could understand that she might not be able to control it. . .but he didn't sense any chakra radiating from her person.
When he nodded, she swallowed, looking around, clearing uncomfortable. .well there was no way that she was used to cats being able to nod. He'd probably be a little weirded out if their situations were reversed. However, they were wasting time. Sasori flicked his ear in an annoyed fashion, coming to accept the waste of time since he really didn't want to go finish that cat food, he'd rather have eaten his own leg then tried that first bite.
Timidly smiling, May curled her hands around the light body, bringing him up to lean against her chest.
Back when Sasori had traded his body for that of a puppet, he gave up the sensation of touch without a second thought. Because of his young age at the time, Sasori didn't mind the loss and didn't realize how craveable touch can actually be, especially if it's returned after a long period of time. Now, in this flesh suit-bestowed onto him once again-he could feel the tremble going along his spine, brushing across his body in a heated rush as May continued to hold onto him with the touch of a feather. Human or puppet, Sasori didn't like reactions such as these, especially when they were issued around the girl who he was still sure he didn't fully trust. True, without a chakra signature, she seemed harmless, but, experienced ninja could conceal their chakra for extended amounts of time.
May turned to face the sink, giving the puppetmaster a good look of the shadowed cupboard that held numerous boxes of other box articles. Making sure that she had a good hold, the girl pushed him up towards the highest shelf, going onto her tiptoes so that he could step onto the platform with ease. Sasori was sure, after looking down, even in his human form, he wouldn't have been able to reach the shelf since he was shorter than her.
Taking a small step forward, one of May's feet-carefully hidden in socks-slid under her on the slick wood floor. With a crash May landed on her butt, hitting her head on the way down with a thump. Watching her fall, Sasori rapidly turned to make sure she was alright.
"You ok?" He meowed. . .then suddenly felt silly; the puppetmaster found the other Akatsuki members staring at him from the other side of the counter. They were calmly ignored as he kept a constant watch on the girl who remained on the floor, massaging her throbbing forehead.
Seeing her shoulders trembling, Sasori paniced, bending to look closer over the edge of the platform of the cupboard, he couldn't see well from up here. . .was she hurt bad? There was no scent of blood but maybe she'd broken a bone on something! He had to get down there and hel-
May tilted her head to look up at him, she was smiling, laughing to the puppetmasters shock and concern.
"I'm. . .fine!" She said in between laughs, rubbing an eye that beheld a tiny tear clutching to the eyelash.
Sasori knelt there in surprise, was she laughing because she was hurt or that it was so stupid that it was funny? He rolled his eyes, negatively disagreeing with himself that he'd been concerned for the idiot who was still smiling up at him stupidly. The girl reminded him of Hidan who had always smiled and laughed when he injured himself purposefully or accidentally. But she wasn't Hidan, and she shouldn't be worrying him like that! Goodness, she could have. . no, he wasn't worrying, he shouldn't be worrying!
Sighing, Sasori turned to face the back of the dark cupboard, swiftly spotting the cereal box that loomed above him in an intimidating way. Scoffing at the feeling, he pawed at the box, shifting it forward a bit before rounding behind it to push the box to the edge and allowing it to land on the counter.
Getting over her giggles, May carefully stood up-rubbing her aching head-and shoved her hands towards him in a welcoming way; catching the invitation, Sasori jumped into those waiting arms, feeling a strange sensation of safety as she wrapped her arms around him. She hugged him to her neck, rubbing a cheek across his back.
"Thank you for being so brave. Fighting that box must've been difficult, Sir Berry." Sasori shivered at the words whispered in his ear, a light laugh following it; the puppetmaster couldn't stop the smile that appeared and he kindly brushed against her.
"Hey, Sasori, you shouldn't get so fucking comfortable with the bitch!" Hearing the distasteful language dirtying the air, Sasori looked down to find Hidan coming around the edge of the counter, peering up at them with angry eyes. Feeling the heated gaze of hatred, May followed the puppetmaster's gaze, chuckling at the bristling kitten.
"Silence, Hidan. Don't act jealous cause she likes me more." Sasori called down with a smug smile before rubbing back against the warmth of the girls neck.
It took a few seconds for the words of the puppetmaster to sink into the jashinist; Hidan growled in a feral way, his eyes widening in rage.
"You bastard! You shut up! Who the hell said I wanted to be around that bitch?! Are you out of your mind?!" The fur on the back of Hidan's back rose with each word, spiking in various directions along with his vicious anger.
"Shut up, Hidan," Kakuzu called over from the eating area, practically ready to cave in his partner's face.
Eye twitching, Hidan rounded the corner with a spitting growl. "Fuck off Kakuzu, your time of telling me what to do is done and over! You've got no power over me as a cat, hell, you can't even keep up your fierce composure in that kitty body!" Teeth bared, the jashinist looked back at May.
None of the other Akatsuki seemed truly interested in the dispute between Sasori and Hidan, whenever the group had come together in the ninja world, the jashinist had always been picking fights, sometimes for fun but most of the time because a member had managed to piss him off. Hidan being angry was perfectly normal, he was just the kind of guy who angered easily. Though, some were curious as to whether May planned on stepping in.
May was one of those people who caught anger a mile away, she saw it now even if it was just a cat, he held that firm denying look of a bad attitude. Keeping her gaze on the white furry face, May brought her lips to Sasori's ear, whispering breathlessly into it. At first, the puppetmaster held a look of disagreement-not liking the girls words at all-but when he cast a glance, finding firmness in those marble-like eyes, he gave a nod of permission to her next move.
The jashinist watched indignantly as Sasori was carefully placed on the floor, glaring at the red cat with venomous pupils or reproach. That damn heathen deserved to be sacrificed in the most painful way possible. . .hell, they were all heathens!
Claws came unsheathed from their holds, stretching themselves between Hidan's pads as he opened his mouth to bare his teeth at the puppetmaster; he was about five seconds away from streaking across to meet the other and rake his claws down, up and any other way when he noticed May making a small move his way. That shifting of her leg in his direction was all that mattered, making her an instant threat to his existence; purple eyes flashed to her-directing the anger onto a new being-sparks flew from his pupils.
To Hidan's displeasure, he found her pupils calmly blank. He hated those eyes of hers, the way she looked at him as if looking through him. . .not noticing him when she'd practically plastered her chest against that damn puppetmaster. He loathed both of them.
Narrowing her eyes to that of slits, May took another step in his direction, not giving a thought to his unbalanced demeanor.
As she neared him, the jashinist came to the conclusion that he'd pissed her off too and she probably was going to kick him; tensing he readied himself for that blunt impact that was surely about to hit him full force. That blow never came, instead, May shot down, catching Hidan up in her arms and brought him up to her neck in the same fashion she'd done with Sasori.
Watching from below, said puppetmaster huffed-trying to ignore the knot of unhappiness-padding over to stare at his bowl of half-eaten food. "Unhappiness?" Sasori found it irritating, he hadn't dealt with emotions for more than thirty years and now he was being flooded with them-old and new-all because of May. Having a puppet body had been so much easier than what he was currently going through mentally and emotionally.
He took a bite in confusion, ignoring the suspicious look Deidara was sending his way.
The shock hadn't even passed through his veins yet when Hidan tried wrestling away from May. Any sensible person would have let go but instead, her hands tightened around him as she shoved her face into his fur, feeling his rapid heartbeat.
"Let go of me, you stupid bitch!" He yowled in her ear, digging needle-like claws into her shoulder. Instead of acting negatively towards him, the girl began running her hands down in his back in a soothing manner.
"I know, you don't like me very much, Ice." She whispered in his ear. "I understand very well. You aren't the first and you won't be the last. But, please, try and hang in there until I get you guys back to your rightful owners, ok?" Her breath brushed over part of his face, the words making him look back at her. Anger met calm as they stared at each other until, at last, his anger melted away.
Seeing the change overcome his face, she smiled. "See, everything will be ok. I promise." Satisfied that his tantrum was behind them, May leaned forward, giving him a kiss on the nose. Not been expecting the sudden contact, Hidan reeled back from her-almost falling-turned away with a blush and glared at the ground with an intense stare.
Petting him on the head, May placed the white cat on the floor; Hidan just stood there for a second, still processing what the hell had just gone down, before timidly sitting and bringing a paw up to his nose in a shocked thoughtful way.
When May straightened up, she exhaled a breath she'd been holding and looked at the clock on the over. It was nearing ten at night. "Wow, time sure flew by today!"
"Well guys, it seems it's nearing the end of the day." She turned and walked into her living room where almost all of the kittens were sitting in front of the fire. Hidan followed behind her in a slow manner, coming to sit by Kakuzu who stared when the jashinist was silent. "So you guys stay out here by the fire and you should stay warm, I'm gonna hop off to bed." A smile was sent in their given direction as she rounded the couch and dashed up the staircase.
The water that splattered down from the shower nozzle was pleasantly warm as it poured onto my head where it persistently cascaded down my back and chest; giving a slow turn, the water beat down my back, bringing up a hiss of pain as it came into contact with the bruise I'd received from the other night at the party.
The bruise wasn't the only part that was hurting, due to all the physical stuff I'd been doing these past few days, it was starting to take a toll on my body, making each part tremble with strain from disuse. I'd never been one of those frantic athletes, it just wasn't my thing, and I had a thing for not running unless I had to. To explain the reason for my lack of physical activities, it probably was because of laziness though that didn't sound right. In actuality I just didn't like to be bothered by the thought of exercise.
Grunting in pain, I stretched my arm back behind my head in order to rub the bar of soap across the nape of the neck then rubbing it down across my chest, relishing the feel it brought at the simple touches. Being unmarried and not having a boyfriend wasn't a total bother when I had all this time to myself.
Putting the soap away I stepped under the spray, rubbing away the suds of soap, shampoo, and conditioner, watching as it sloshed down my face to splatter and disappear into the water down the drain. It was a normal process, watching the suds leave as if they'd gotten tired of lying against my hair and skin.
As if not wanting to be left out, the band aid around my hand fell off into the water, curling itself around the top of the drain in a restrained way; ignoring it, I instead peered at the cut I'd gotten from the ice, it was thin and had stopped bleeding but still looked fresh. . .probably would be needing a new band-aid if it started dripping again.
The calming pitter patter of the shower water ceased when I turned the nozzle, opened the glass door, and stepped out onto the tiny rug that I'd laid out. Laying aside the thought of getting ready, I wiped down the shower doors, eradicating the water droplets that had assembled on the misty glass; leaving the doors vibrant and clean.
Satisfied with the doors, I went over to the mirror, proceeding in brushing through my tangled hair with the sympathy of a rock. The brush pulled and yanked at the long strands while they slowly dried. Truthfully, I disliked having long hair but it was too much a hassle to just cut it so it stayed long were it forever grew towards the floor.
"There." I proclaimed at the straight hair that was already starting to curl around the edges, it was still dripping but there was no hair dryer in sight since I never blow dried my hair, I hated doing the act for some reason. It was another one of those things that, if done, I'd look prettier, but it was a bother.
Noticing the pain in my back I turned slowly and looked over my shoulder to see the long, wide black and purple bruise in the middle of my back, it hurt it even more as I pulled up my underwear and hooked the bra on.
"Good lord, this is going to be a hassle. Please God, don't let these kittens be the end of me." The silent prayer continued as the striped black and white pajama pants were pulled on and became silent when the black t-shirt was delicately placed on my upper body.
Popping some of the joints in and out of place, along with the fingers, I flipped the light off and left the bathroom, entering straight into my connected bedroom.
"Care to explain what that all was about, Sasori?" Sitting with the poise of a statue, Pain kept his ringed eyes on the puppetmaster. A few of the other Akatsuki members turned their head to await an answer from the red cat who had distanced himself from the group, lying in the middle of the carpet instead of near the fireplace with the others.
Swallowing, Sasori turned to watch Pain make his way over to him, staring into his eyes the entire time trying to come up with the right words to say his inner thoughts to the leader. ". . .I was hoping to get close to her so that I can figure out more about this place." This was the reply after a second of hesitance.
"Tch, Ssssuuuurrrrreeem un!" The puppetmaster turned to look at Deidara who had sat up once more to glare at his partner. "That's a good excuse Sasori!" An ear flicked in annoyance at the blonde's disbelief in his words.
"It's not an excuse, Deidara. I was right about how foolish you are. You can't even see how I'm using her." The red cat stretched leisurely. "I'm starting to think you're sinking down to Tobi's level. . .I didn't even think that that was possible." Sasori yawned ignoring the death glare created by the seething blonde.
"I AM NOT LIKE THAT IDI-"
"Calm down, Deidara. We already had one anger breakout today, no need to increase that number." One glare from leader and Deidara quieted but he kept that continuous glare on his old partner. On the list of anger-prone members, the blonde was high, but the Akatsuki leader was still betting that the jashinist might still snap again today since he was very prone to overreacting. From the corner of Pain's eye, he watched Hidan muttering in his dark emo corner, an unpleasant aura radiated from his trembling form.
Never having been good at calming down, Deidara lied down, biting his lip silently, trying to refrain himself from doing anything rash. Recognizing his partner's anger from afar, Sasori sighed; the blonde had always been easily angered and had managed on many accounts to anger the puppetmaster a few times due to his lack of patience.
Clearly dense to the situation of the blonde's anger, Tobi bounced over, lying right next to his partner. "Isn't this great, senpai! Sasori says you're just like Tobi! Now there are two of Tobi's, isn't that just wonderful!?" Tobi flinched at the death glare turned on him but he didn't shy away from the terrorist.
"Shut. Up. You artless fool! I am not like you and will never be or want to be!"not like you and will never be or want to be!" Tobi hung his head for a second before quickly chuckling with his squeaky laugh.
"You say that now, Senpai!" He received a cuff over the head.
"I said shut it, un!"
twenty minutes later:
With the silence of a ninja, Sasori stood up from his corner and padded away from the group, as silent as a shadow. He stalked, unseen, past Tobi and Deidara who were quietly bickering, and a sleeping Kakuzu. Itachi, Kisame, and Pain were staring into the fire, commenting once in awhile, clearly not planning on sleeping anytime soon but they paid him no mind. Hidan had become quiet in his corner but if one listened quietly, the jashinist would curse ever once in awhile, still angry from before.
Passing past the litter box that May had set down awhile ago, Sasori quickened his pace when he smelled that its freshness had been soiled a few times already. Coming to the bottom of the staircase, the puppetmaster stilled, listening for anyone who had followed him in curiosity.
After a few seconds of hearing nothing, Sasori went to move forward when he suddenly stiffened, his nose twitching at the scent and muttered curse words.
"Stupid, stupid! Such a stupid bitch. Why the hell am I going? Oh, Jashin help me." If the curse words hadn't been enough, the mention of Jashin was what proved the newcomer, making Sasori sigh in disapproval. Why did bad luck seem to follow him around today? He cast a look up the stairs if he darted up right now he could be up there in-
"Sasori!?" The puppetmaster rolled his eyes, turning to face Hidan who had angrily whispered his name in shock.
"Be quiet or you'll call the others over." Reddish eyes narrowed. "What are you doing over here. . .using the box?" Sasori pointed his tail towards the litter box with a hint of mild disgust.
Hidan wrinkled his nose as if it repulsed him just as much. "Jashin, no! If I did, you'd hear about it for usre, you heathen." The jashinist shook his head before eyeing Sasori.
"Is everyone a heathen to you?"
"Of course!"
"Then shut up about it. if everyone is then we all know it, and you know it." Sasori sighed. "Now, why are you over here?" Hidan tensed before looking at the ground, he clearly hadn't been expecting anyone over here, if he had he'd have had his reason set in stone.
". . .Are you going upstairs to see May?" Hidan scoffed.
"Why would I want to see that bitch?" Irked at the cats irritating language, Sasori hopped up the first step.
"Her name is May, which you should learn. And if I could, I would personally wash your mouth out for your rude language." Rolling his eyes, Hidan smirked finding the others words funny.
"I can call her whatever I wish, Puppetmaster. Why are you here?" It was a demand that half made the puppetmaster not want to answer, but the last thing he wanted was for the idiotic jashinist to make a stink.
"Technically, I asked you first, but since I'm the mature one here. . .I'm going up to stay in May's room. It is much better than being around people who won't shut up and you cursing in the corner like some insufferable child."
"I wasn't cursing that loudl-hmph!" Since his voice had risen, Sasori shot his tail over to cover Hidan's mouth. Sputtering on the furry appendage, Hidan coughed, biting into the puppetmasters tail with little remorse. Flinching inwardly, Sasori only stared at the other with little emotion reminding the jashinist of the bitch's earlier gaze.
"Why are you here, Hidan? And stop raising your voice, it's annoying." Spitting out the tail with indignation, Hidan glared at the other, obviously not wanting to say anything but there was resolve in the others eye, he wasn't about to just give up.
"I'm here to go up to the bitches room! It's obvious that she took quite a liking to me and I didn't want to leave her all alone." Hidan nodded with a smug grin.
Sasori blinked, not fully believing the others words for a second he took a deep breath before continuing up the stairs like he hadn't just been talking to someone.
"Hey, Puppetmaster; wait for me!" Running after him, Hidan ran into various problems with the steep, slippery, wooden stairs. After tripping multiple times and uttering after each incident he finally caught up to Sasori, who had, with annoyance, waited fort he Jashinist at the top of the stairs.
Together-with some bickering on Hidan's end-they made it to a door that smelled strongly of May, it was all Sasori needed to know this was where she'd gone to sleep for the night.
"This has to be her room." The door was already somewhat ajar making it easy for Sasori to push it open enough for them to get through one at a time.
"Get the hell out of the way, Sasori." Pushing past the other with a hiss, Hidan bolted into the room. Sasori found it irritating that, somehow, the jashinist had made him mad, it had been his idea in the first place.
Bounding after the other, Sasori ran straight for the bed, jumping onto it without hesitance. He landed on cool sheets that lumped around the girls body in a peaceful way.
Spotting the puppetmaster, Hidan cursed.
May's eyes opened at the sound of someone landing on her covers, she shifted her head to see Berry sitting next to her head, his eyes staring into hers.
"Why does it not surprise me that you came up here?" She asked with a small laugh that more so resembled a sigh. Bringing up a hand, she brushed her fingertips across his head, she tiredly smiled at him. Sasori wasn't sure if he was just sleepy but he started to relish in the touching motion and to his shock he heard a rumble come from his throat, echoing around them.
Also hearing the sound, May smiled at the red cat while Hidan gaped at him.
Sasori was purring; he tried to stop but he couldn't with the neverending petting on his head continued.
"Wow, Puppetmaster; I guess Deidara was right after all!" The anger left the jashinist's words as he laughed, seemingly in a good mood at the moment.
Hearing Hidan, May moved her head to stare in shock.
"Well, this is a surprise, Ice. It doesn't surprise me that Berry came up, but you? I was pretty sure you showed how much you dislike me today." The shocked look quickly melted away to be replaced with a small smile as she brought her other hand up to bring a struggling Hidan over to her. Cupping the white cat in her hand, using a thumb, she patted his cheek.
"Come on you two, it's late and I'm tired." Turning onto her side she laid her head on an outstretched arm, curling Hidan and Sasori into her neck.
"Deidara was definitely right about you, Puppetmaster," Hidan muttered before realizing he had started to purr as well, he cursed himself when he snuggled into her neck, seeking out the warmth for his own. "I'm only fucking doing this for the warmth, got it Puppetmaster?" The jashinist hissed as he opened an eye to stare at Sasori who curled into May's neck as well as the top of her arm.
"Uh-huh, there was a fireplace downstairs Hidan; you're just as bad at lying as I am, you know." Sasori's breath evened till he was fast asleep while Hidan's eyes widened.
"So you were lying!" He hissed once more but shut up as May brought up her hand and petted him.
"Quiet down Ice or I'll make you lay next to my face where I can keep an eye on you." Hidan sighed and quieted down at once.
"Goodnight you two. . ." May muttered before falling asleep, Hidan listened before muttering a curse.
". . .Goodnight bitc- . . .May." Hidan closed his eyes and soon followed May and Sasori into the dream world.
Having had their conversation end, Tobi looked around.
"Hey, where is Sasori?" No one paid him any mind. "...And Hidan?" Deidara cuffed him over the head once more.
Author: Finally! I had the beginning of the chapter done last month but then Christmas came up, oh how everything gets so busy when it's the holidays! hope you guys liked the new long chapter!