How've you all been? Rather quick update, but I think this is it for a while (Updating really fast, that is). School's approaching again, and I won't have as much time to write. But I'll try to write as much as I can (And for Genesis as well if you read it, once this stupid writer's block goes away...), so don't worry too much. xD
Oh, did I mention I lied about the violence thing? Yeah, there's gonna be more violence. Not in this chapter, but in the future.
Takes place about two days after the previous chapter. After school.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"How many Goddamn times can you ask that in a week? You asked me that just yesterday; I don't think there's going to be much difference."

Deidara looked down, shifting slightly in his chair, sitting backwards on it. "…Sorry, un."

A look of surprise flashed on Sasori's face. He faced away. "I can move my leg a bit, but not much. Other than having to stay in this same pose day and night, I'm fine."

The newest student looked back up, blinking. "When do you think you'll be able to get up and walk again?"

"Whenever this leg says I can." Sasori sighed, turning his head so he could see the other teen. "…Hopefully sometime soon."

"…Konan was really worried about you."

"She worries about everyone. Except Hidan." The redhead tilted his head. "Speaking of him, has the idiot done anything mentally ill while I've been confined to this bed?"

"The day we got back from the weekend, he chased after a mouse in the kitchen…nothing out of the 'ordinary' besides that, though, un."

"A mouse?" A red eyebrow rose.

"That's how I reacted. But yeah, a mouse." Deidara placed his arms on the back of the chair, resting his chin on them after. "…Do you want me to help you sit up?"

"…I wouldn't have anything against you…if you did…"

Deidara nodded, standing up. He put one arm under the other student's back, sitting him up and then placing his other arm on the shorter teen's chest and moving him backwards so he could lean against the wall. "Is that good?"

Sasori nodded. "You…will lay me back down before you leave, right?"

"If that's what you want." Deidara went back to his chair, positioning himself as he was before. "So, like I was saying before, Hidan was chasing this mouse around the kitchen…when he finally got the stupid thing, he tried to make Kakuzu-san eat it."

"Sounds thrilling. So what's going on in science?"

"We're learning about steroids."

"Stero–What?" Sasori blinked in disbelief, expression screwing up into one of confusion and disgust. "Those things Itachi's little brother is obsessed with?"

"Yeah," the blond snorted, eyes narrowing. "But you don't have to sit next to him while we learn about them."

Right then, Sasori had that rare urge to laugh. He quickly put a hand over his mouth as he turned away, trying to stifle the action, but only succeeding in making it sound like a deformed cough.

Deidara blinked. "Sasori-san?"

Sasori turned back, hand slowly sliding down to reveal a tiny smile, silver irises having a sort of happy shimmer in them. "…Sorry…just the thought of having to sit next to that nut and having him shout nonsense at every word Morino says is rather–" He paused, bringing his hand back up and laughing faintly, "–Kinda funny."

The blue-eyed boy could only stare, eyes widening. His laugh…he's laughing…smiling…

A sympathetic look crawled its way onto Sasori's face as he lowered his hand all the way back down, laughter subsiding. "You have my pity."

Deidara was going to miss that laugh. "I thought you didn't like pity."

"Just because I don't like receiving it doesn't mean I can't give it, idiot."

Usually, Deidara would've taken offense from a statement like that. And he would've this time, too, if it weren't for that small smile still staining Sasori's features and that amused ring to his voice.

"So what are you learning about? What types of steroids?"

The newest student had to pause to think. "…The ones used in reproduction, un."

"Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone?"

"Un, those."

"Is he giving you a test?"

"Sort of…more like a mini-quiz, un. On which ones go with which gender."

"That's easy."

Blue eyes blinked. "Maybe for you, Sasori-san, but–"

"You can use the letters from progesterone to spell out estrogen, so you can immediately group those two together. And if you remember that females have two X chromosomes and males have one X chromosome then–"

"Sasori-san!"

Sasori stopped, amusement dusting his face at the puzzled face of Deidara. "Is that too…scientific for you? Fine then. You can just remember that testosterone sounds like testicle, which only a male–"

"Sasori-san!"

He raised an eyebrow, cocking his head at the other's red face.

"What…do you want me to say then?" he asked. "E and P come before T, like F comes before M?"

Deidara paused. "That works, un."

"You're kidding me, right?" An amused smirk took over Sasori's features. "That's such a baby way of remembering."

A half pout took over Deidara's face. "I don't like thinking of reproduction."

"Why? You're not the one having the kid, you know."

"I know that!" Red seeped onto deidara's cheeks. "It's not very…it's just…"

"Alright, I get it." A small sigh flew from Sasori's mouth. "What about math?"

"Oh, right!" Deidara turned around and unzipped his backpack, pulling out a packet. "We finished the algebra unit, and Sensei gave us this packet to finish. It's just basically a small packet of multiplying large numbers, since so many people had problems with it."

"Great," Sasori sighed, taking the two papers and glaring at them. "Dammit, I hate that man…do you have a pencil?"

The newest student held out a pencil, watching as Sasori took it and immediately gaining a look of distain on his face. "What's wrong, un?"

"…I'm not too good at this, okay?"

"Un?" Deidara stood up, walking over to the bed and sitting down next to the redhead, looking at the first problem. 80 • 45.

"Aren't we allowed to use a calculator on this crap?"

"Nope. Besides, this is one of the more easy problems."

"Hah?" Sasori looked at the other like he had a lightning rod sticking out of his forehead.

"Can you multiply 8 and 45?"

Sasori hesitated for a second. "…360?"

"Right, and just add a zero to the end of that, since the problem wasn't 8 • 45, but 80 • 45."

Sasori blinked, writing down the number 3600 for the first question before asking, "Then how do you do the next one?"

98 • 23

"98 times 2, un."

"196."

"Add a zero to the end of that. 1960. 98 times 3."

"294."

"Add 1960 and 294 together, un."

"…2254?"

"Un!" Deidara smiled, tilting his head. "See? Easy!"

The silver-eyed teen tilted his head in understanding, a bewildered look spreading over his features. "…Number 14…"

"Hm?" Deidara looked at the problem. 39.5 • 7. "The decimal is just there to confuse you…you can just really think of it as 395 • 7. Which is 2,965, but since there's a decimal, then you just put the decimal before the 5. 296.5, un."

"And you can do this every time?" Sasori sounded doubtful.

"Pretty much…I think."

"Really…"

"Oi! Redhead! New guy told me you were–!" Hidan waltzed in, smirking until he saw the scene on the bed. "Whoa! Blondie!"

Sasori made a silent groan. "What are you doing here, Hidan? It's not like you to stay after school, not to mention you haven't visited me once since I've been confined in this place."

"Which is exactly why I'm visiting now, duh!" Hidan stuck out his tongue before transforming his features into a sly smile. "But…"

I know that look on his face…what is he going to do? The redhead narrowed his eyes, seeing Deidara turn to him, as he wanted.

"Sasori-san?" Deidara tilted his head, averting his attention from the newcomer.

Hidan grinned, mouthing out, "I didn't expect you to go mushy-mushy over our cute little blondie! Aww, tough little Sasowi going all hearts and flowers!" He pressed the fingers on his hands together before joining them to make it look like they were kissing. "'I love you redhead!' 'I love you too, blondie!' Aww, muah, muah, muah!"

Deidara saw the expression on Sasori's face grow furious, like an about-to-erupt volcano. Blinking, he turned around.

Hidan acted quickly, clasping his hands behind his back and turning his attention skyward, whistling an innocent tune.

"If I weren't chained to this Goddamn bed, Hidan, your insides would be decorating this room," Sasori seethed, clenching a fist.

"Ooh, scary!" The silver-haired boy held up his hands in mock fright. "What should I do?"

Confused, the newest student turned back to the injured male. "Sasori-san? What's going on?"

Hidan quickly made his hands kiss again.

Sasori let his head smack back into the wall, covering his eyes with his left hand. "Get. Out. Now."

"Hidan. Stop harassing Sasori and let's go already."

The purple-eyed student turned, face lighting up. "Kakuzu!"

"You're here too, Kakuzu?" A red eyebrow rose.

"Someone has to look over him," Kakuzu replied, indicating Hidan, who was now hanging on him. "By the way…who's your 'friend?'"

Grinning, Hidan purred out, "He's redhead's l-o-v-e–!" He was cut off as the stuffed bear Konan had given Sasori as a get well gift smacked him in the face.

"He's the new kid. Don't you remember him?"

"Oh, so this is how low you've sunken!" Hidan exclaimed, detaching himself from Kakuzu. "Throwing stuffed bears! Uh-huh, real scary!" He lifted a hand to his mouth in fake terror. "Oh no! Kakuzu save me! Big bad Sasori's gonna throw a Care Bear at me! Oh no–!" Itachi's mini basketball was next to crash into his mouth.

"Oh, right. The kid who asked you out." Kakuzu crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring a cursing Hidan. "I didn't think you'd actually accept his proposal, however…especially since–"

"I didn't," Sasori interrupted. "It was just some foolish prank from the idiot brigade. They thought using the new kid would be successful."

"So what's he doing?"

"Helping me in math."

"Math?" Kakuzu almost snorted. "You're supposed to be a dumbass in history not math. Akasuna no Sasori, the science genius, right?"

"Heh, right, and you're Kakuzu the prodigy in history and Hidan the group idiot. What's your point?"

"This guy's smart in math, then?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"I don't know why you're giving me lip today, Akasuna. Are you in a bad mood?"

"Someone in my own group calling me by my ridiculous nickname: how stupid."

"I don't have time for your meaningless blather."

"I could say the same to you."

Deidara could feel the electricity in the air between the two members.

"You." Kakuzu turned to the blond. "Are you or are you not good in math?"

Deidara felt Sasori stiffen next to him. "I…have no obligation to answer that, un."

The masked teen twitched in annoyance. "Sasori, what did you do to this kid?"

"Nothing," Sasori snorted. "He acted on his own. He has quite the mouth, you know. And you wouldn't want to get on his bad side."

"You should know, of course."

Sasori's eyes narrowed, voice low. "You will leave this instant and take that thing with you. Do you hear me?"

"Hey, that's not nice!" Hidan complained, pouting a little.

"Come on, Hidan." Kakuzu took a hold of the silver-haired boy's arm, dragging him out. "I think it's time to leave the asshole alone."

Deidara watched as the duo left the room, turning to the other when they were gone. "Sasori-san…do you not get along with Kakuzu-san?"

"Tch. He has a grudge against me for not liking his boyfriend," Sasori spat, returning his attention to the math papers.

"Boyfriend?" Deidara paused, an expression of alarm creeping up onto his features. "No way…Hidan?"

A nod was his answer.

"Kakuzu-san and…Hidan–?"

"What's with all the politeness towards Kakuzu?"

Deidara stopped talking, surprised at Sasori's sharp interruption.

Sasori looked away. "Is he special to you or something?"

"N-No, not exactly…"

"Then what's your reason?"

"…I just don't know him too well…so…"

"Kakuzu. Call him Kakuzu."

"Un, okay…"

"Then…let's get back to–"

"Why hello, darling Sasori-kun."

The shorter student froze, eyes widening.

"…!" Deidara turned to the entryway, swallowing at the sight of Orochimaru.

"I'm deeply sorry for what Tayuya did to you; I never meant for you to be hurt." Orochimaru smirked as he walked in.

"You're a liar," Sasori hissed, lip curling. "I know all about how you praised that bitch for what she did."

"Is that what you heard?" Orochimaru paused.

"It's what Deidara saw."

"Deidara-kun?" The gold-eyed student turned his line of vision to the other on the bed for a split second. "Well then, how can we be so sure he isn't lying, hmm?"

"What?!" Deidara clenched his fists. "I wouldn't ever lie to Sasori-san! Or anyone for that matter, un!"

"Hmm?" A black eyebrow rose. "Well, believe what you will, darlings. This isn't the reason I came, so I'll let it slither on by this time."

"Then what is the reason?" Sasori snapped, anger searing in his words. "To try and ra–?!"

"Now, now, dear, don't use that word." An eerie smile lit up Orochimaru's lips. "It doesn't fit your pretty face."

Deidara's teeth ground together. "What do you want, un?"

"Hasty, aren't we? Oh well, I guess it can't be helped." Orochimaru placed his hands on his hips. "I just wanted to come and tell you, precious, that Akatsuki is in grave danger without you."

"What did you say?!"

"I'm only saying the truth, dear. You're the one who gives us the most trouble, you know? With you out of the picture, everyone else…doesn't stand a chance. We have Tayuya to counter the brash, raw power of Hidan, not to mention even his mouth; Kimimaro to parry the graceful, yet deadly, attacks of Uchiha Itachi; Kidomaru to oppose the tricky Konan; Sakon and Ukon to match against Kakuzu, master of intimidation; Jirobo for the never-ending stamina warrior, Kisame; Sasuke to render the fast-moving Zetsu useless; and of course, Pein is nothing to me."

"I wouldn't underestimate everyone so easily," Sasori snarled. "They're not as weak as you take them!"

"Of course not; I never said it'd be an easy battle, now did I? I merely said you're not going to win." Orochimaru's smirk grew. "We will have the position Akatsuki unrightfully has over the best in school. And all we need…is you, Deidara-kun."

"What?" Deidara and Sasori questioned in unison.

"You see, I'm afraid Kabuto isn't enough to hold back Sasori-kun," Orochimaru explained, trying to soften down his eyes to look hurt. "He's just way too strong. But you've already shown you can hold your own against him."

"And? What's your point, un?"

"Join us, Deidara-kun. You'll be honored. Besides, what has my precious little Sasori-kun ever done to make you so loyal to him? Last I checked, all he did was put you down, and even hurt you! Someone of such great stature and prowess shouldn't be so attached to someone like him."

"And I supposed being called 'dear' and all those other disgusting names you give people is just so much better." A forced grin appeared on Deidara's lips. "You make me sick, un."

A sigh broke from pale lips. "You really are a stubborn one…has Sasori-kun rubbed off on you that much?" He took a step forward.

Deidara bristled. "You take one more step towards Sasori-san, and you'll find yourself torn to shreds on the floor!"

"Deidara…!" The redhead's eyes widened.

"Oh?" Entertainment glimmered on Orochimaru's face. "Peculiar, darling."

"I know you're not afraid to hurt someone when they're already injured…!" Deidara hissed, eyes narrowing dangerously. "That's why you better keep your Goddamn distance!"

Orochimaru chuckled, brushing back his black bangs. "You never cease to intrigue me, Deidara-kun, dear." He turned to leave, smiling in an almost creepy manner. "I'll leave you to mull over my offer. Oh, and Sasori-kun?"

Sasori's lip curled.

"I'd watch out for my group if I were you."

And with that, the black-haired boy left, cackling ominously.

"I hate him…" Deidara growled: glowering at the spot the snake-like teen had once been.

"Hey, Deidara…"

He turned, blinking.

Sasori's eyes narrowed at nothing, eyes having a dangerous shimmer to them. "You wouldn't mind…being my message boy one more time…?"

––––––»

Hidan's ears perked. He looked over to the side, face lighting up as he saw Deidara charging down the hallway. "Hey! Hey! Deidara-chan! Hey!"

Blue eyes caught sight of the flailing teen. Deidara ran over to the two, panting once he'd gotten to them. "Ka…Kakuzu…"

"What do you want?" Kakuzu crossed his arms over his chest.

"O…Orochimaru…is going to–!" Deidara paused, features screwing up into a puzzled gaze. "Wait, why am I telling you, un?"

With that, he sprinted off again, leaving a dumbfounded Hidan and an angry Kakuzu.

Great…there's no way I'll be able to fine anyone els– Suddenly, he crashed into someone, retreating and looking up. "Sorry! I–!"

Gray eyes glared down, accompanied with a snarl. "Watch where you're running, kid."

Deidara stared, swallowing before stating out, "Y-You're Pain, right, un?"

Pain's eyes narrowed. "Who told you that?"

"Sasori-san–"

"Sasori?" The orange-haired boy's face gained an expression of surprise before clouding over in darkness. He reached out and grabbed the collar of the other's white uniform. "Where is he?"

"Didn't Konan tell you–?"

"Who gave you permission to drop the formalities with her?"

"She did! Now are you going to listen to me or not?"

Pain stood in shock of being talked to so crudely.

"Sasori-san told me to tell you…'Orochimaru's on the loose. He claims that his group has all the members needed to knock down Akatsuki to the floor.' Uhm…'before he left today, he gave a warning stating to watch out. He's currently trying to recruit Deidara, the kid I sent to tell you this message, to parry against me.' Er, and, 'it's a bad sign, I know it is.'" Deidara looked boldly into gray eyes. "That's what he said."

Pain's eyes narrowed and he released the other's uniform. "You won't join him."

"I won't, un."

"…Where is Sasori?"

"Nurse's office."

The Akatsuki leader nodded in thanks before running off.

Geez, Pain! It's about time you showed up! D: And wow, Hidan went a whole chapter without swearing out loud. o0; Odd.
When Kakuzu's not interrupting his rituals, Hidan's a totally different person to him. Just to clear up any confusion.
Shizune, during the whole thing...she was, um...meeting with Tsunade. Yeah.
...I'd really like to see Kimimaro vs. Itachi. It'd be interesting.

～Arrina