Okay, I know I said I wouldn't get the next chapter up as quickly, but I lied. xD
I somehow got a lot of time to write, so here you go.
And if you don't like NaruHina, then sorry. It's going to be in here, though I don't know how much.
This takes place about two weeks later, on a weekend (Yes, it took that long for Sasori's leg to heal).

"Why aren't you with Akatsuki, un?" Deidara asked, blinking.

"We're not doing anything. Besides, like I would've known you were going to look at the ocean today at this time." Sasori felt a cool breeze ruffle his red bangs in an almost loving manner.

"Is everyone alright?"

Sasori sighed, eyes momentarily shutting. "Itachi's still pissed about letting Kimimaro get a scratch on him, but otherwise he's fine. Sasuke wasn't really much of a threat…just screamed to his brother about steroids the whole time. Pain has a bruise on his forehead from a cheap trick by Orochimaru. That's really everything. No one else had any injuries. Except Tayuya…Pain beat her up pretty badly."

"Strange…Orochimaru sounded so sure about his strength…"

"He's a fool, that's what he is. He lost that battle because he underestimated us."

"Maybe you're just too strong for him?"

A smirk curled the silver-eyed male's lips. "That's the praise I like."

"I should've known…"

"You sound so negative. Lighten up."

Deidara looked at the other in slight shock.

Sasori turned, an eyebrow raised. "What?"

"…Nothing."

The redhead gave a skeptical hmm. "Suit yourself." He sat down, letting another small gust of wind brush past him. "…What's your favorite part of the ocean?"

"I…don't know…" Deidara answered, staring out into the vast blue waters.

"Mine's the wind."

The taller student turned to the other in surprise, a small breeze drifting past.

A small smile curved at Sasori's lips as he rested his chin on top of his hands. "It's soothing, to say the least. And the fact that it'll never die down. The wind…it's sort of mysterious, right? No one knows where it started, and no one knows where it will stop." He paused, tilting his head to look at the blond. "Is that strange? It is, isn't it?"

"…!" Deidara blinked. "N-No, it's not…"

"Oh?" Sasori smirked softly, eyes lighting up. "You're interesting, you know?"

Deidara watched in puzzlement as the shorter male stood up.

"Everyone I've met," Sasori continued as he looked up into the sky, hair fluttering as a soft breeze wavered by, mingling with the calls of seagulls and the strong smell of seawater, "has always told me it was strange, liking the wind. Even Pain. 'It's just a meaningless force of nature, not even serving a purpose.' You're the first one…to say otherwise."

"…It's not meaningless, un."

"Hm?" Deidara's voice detracted Sasori from his surroundings.

"I like the wind. It can lift one's spirits when they're down, and it's important to the planet."

Sasori stared, eyes slightly wide in small shock.

"By the way…you never told me…what happened when Pain-san visited you that one time…"

"You really want to know?" Sasori looked away, voice quiet.

«––––––

"Is he your friend, Sasori?"

"No, not exactly…"

"Then what is he?"

"…"

Pain sighed. "Okay, I won't press into that matter any more. It isn't the reason I came, anyways."

"Then what is? The message?" I raised an eyebrow.

He nodded. "'Orochimaru's on the loose,' you say…what exactly did you mean?"

"He's not afraid to attack at any time. And he might just attack one member, retreat and then repeat the process. I can't read into his mind clearly this time."

"That's odd…"

"I know."

"Can you tell who he's planning to attack first?"

"Not really. There are too many possibilities; although, the one's I'd say are Hidan, Konan or Kisame."

"Not Itachi?"

"Itachi's too 'precious' to Orochimaru. He'll do anything not to hurt him, and attacking Itachi first wouldn't show anything. By going after Hidan first, he's showing us that he has brute strength that's incomparable; defeating Konan, well, let's say it would get you all fired up and you'd go straight to Orochimaru without the right mindset and, in his mind, would cost you the fight; and then for Kisame, it'd show us that stamina is no issue to them, if they're able to defeat Kisame and his inhuman stamina. But of course, this is all just a speculation from what he's tried from the past, so I'm not 100 percent certain."

"So he's aiming to scare us."

"Yes. But, by aiming for one of those three first, he'd immediately have an advantage as well. Taking out Hidan would render us useless against his power member, and we'd have a huge hole in our offense and defense. Konan, he'd take out both you and her. We'd be missing the leader and the strategist, so that'd be a huge disadvantage. And then Kisame…taking out him would only make all of us have to work together against his super-stamina member, and by the time we defeat him, if we do, we'd be all worn out and vulnerable to a surprise attack."

"Makes sense…"

"What do you suppose we do?"

"Guard those three and make sure they don't wander off alone."

I nodded, my eyes narrowing.

"I'll station someone here at all times to make sure he doesn't came and try and jump you as well. Zetsu."

"Zetsu?" I looked at Pain in confusion. "Why not Itachi?"

He looked sternly at me back, gray irises stone hard. "You should know the answer to that question, Sasori."

"…Fine." I reluctantly gave in, averting his gaze. "…Pain. When or if…he comes…Deidara comes…I don't want Zetsu in here."

Pain's eyebrow rose. "Really now. Tell me, what's so special about this 'Deidara' character?"

I faltered, not expecting such a question to be asked. Regaining my composure, I stared at my leader straight in the eye. "Pain, he was strong enough to 'defeat' me, even if he took advantage of my leg. I used strategy against him, and he still 'won'. If he can beat me, he can probably pose a threat to Orochimaru."

"Sasori, I hope you're not softening up to this kid. The last thing we need is some newcomer seeing the side of you almost no one has seen and blabbing it out to the rest of the school."

"He won't tell anyone, Pain. And…he's already seen some of it…"

"He's seen you laugh or smile?" Pain's face grew serious.

"Yes…"

"What were you thinking?" He stormed up to the edge of the bed. "Smile, laugh, Sasori. Now. Show me."

"Pain, you know…" I stiffened, "I don't laugh or smile unless I find something funny…"

"Look. You showed some random bastard your smile, and yet I, your leader, haven't seen it once." He leaned forward, his face nearing mine. "Show me it. That's an order!"

I pressed myself back against the wall, wincing. "Why are you so hellbent on seeing it?"

"I'm doing it for you, Sasori! You know what could happen to your reputation if it got out that you smiled for a non-member? People would think that you'd gone soft, and nag you about it and such!"

"I know, but like I said, he's not going to tell anyone!"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Deidara…" I narrowed my eyes at my feet. "Deidara's not like that."

He stared at me for a few moments before backing up, sighing and holding his head. "Sasori…what am I going to do with you…?"

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you were a brick wall, never letting anyone by. And yet here I find you letting this new guy through. This isn't like you."

"No one's ever willingly initiated a fight with me…"

"So you like people who stand up to you, huh…interesting. I always knew you liked it rough, but…"

"Hey."

He chuckled. "Yes, yes, my bad, Virgin-san."

"Shut it, Pain. You're a virgin too."

"How did we get into this conversation?"

"You started it."

"Mm, guess you're right. Anyways, I've got to go now. I promised Konan I'd meet her and go to the store with her."

A smirk curled at my lips. "Heh, her little lapdog, now aren't you?"

"I really wouldn't be talking."

"Tch. Watch it. I don't belong to anyone."

"Are you saying I do?"

"Pain, you rush to her needs whenever she asks."

"…Whatever, I've really got to go now."

"Bye."

"Get better soon. Konan's worried."

"I know."

"…He…told you?"

"How'd you guess?"

"Don't get too close with him, Sasori. That's all I'll advise you."

«––––––

"We just…talked about what we were going to do against Orochimaru," Sasori answered, turning back. "Who we thought he was going to go after first, what we'd do and all that."

"…He attacked Itachi-san first, right, un?"

Silver eyes widened. "How did you know that?"

"I saw Kimimaro approach him after school one day…" Deidara admitted, shifting uncomfortably under the other's gaze.

"Why didn't you help?"

"I tried to…he told me not to interfere and run off."

"You listened to him?"

"Not exactly…I protested, but he just told me to go away…I even tried to attack Kimimaro, but he told me 'You're not my enemy' and pushed me aside."

Sasori sighed. "We didn't think he'd go after Itachi first…"

"Hey! Sasori!"

"…Konan," Sasori said blandly, without even turning around.

Konan's silver eyes widened at the sight of the two, a smile once more taking over her features. "Deidara-kun! Nice to see you again!"

"What do you want?" Sasori swiveled to look at the newcomer, an uninterested look masking his face.

The female's smile dropped at the boy's attitude. "Oh, come on, Sasori."

"Tch." Silver eyes rolled.

Konan sighed, directing her attention to Deidara. "So, how's it been? Sasori hasn't been giving you the cold shoulder, has he?"

"Not…really, un," Deidara admitted sheepishly.

"Is that so…" Konan shot a glare at the redhead. "He must've warmed up to you."

Sasori sent a glower back. "Okay, I'll bite. What is it you want of me?"

"I just wanted to say hi!" Konan huffed. "…Why are you wearing green?"

"What do you mean, 'why?'" Sasori snorted, folding his arms over his chest. "I felt like it."

"Sasori-san…don't be mean to Konan, un…" Deidara mumbled, moving his gaze away from the other male.

Sasori blinked, before doing the same, narrowing his eyes. "…I got this shirt as a gift. I didn't want to be…unkind."

The blue-haired girl couldn't stop from laughing, earning herself a dirty look.

"What?" Sasori snapped.

"You…" Konan managed out between laughs, trying to calm down, "you said that Pain is my lapdog?" She laughed again. "You're practically Deidara-kun's pet puppy!"

"U-Un?" Deidara turned back to stare at the girl. "N-No, he's not, un!"

"Why you–!"

Konan's laughter had subsided to small chuckles. "Well, anyways, Pain called a meeting, so I came to get you." She began to jog off. "You better come soon, Sasori, or Pain will get angry!"

Sasori glared at the departing girl.

"Sasori-san…"

He turned, his glare dissipating into air.

"You have to go, right?" Deidara stole a glance at him. "Are you…going to be free later today?"

"…Meet me in the park at two." Sasori blinked and tilted his head.

"O…Okay!" Deidara nodded hastily.

Before he student left, Deidara could've sworn he had seen Sasori give a tiny smile.

––––––»

Deidara ran towards the grassy field, the hood of his light blue hoodie flying behind him. He slowed down, looking around for any sign of a green shirt. Eyes lighting up as he saw it, they quickly dimmed down, as the wearer didn't have red hair, and his pants were white instead of a darker jade. He sighed, cursing in his mind. Until he heard the all-too-familiar voice that was laced with silk: or rather, silk that had been thrown into a vat of poison and left there for three weeks.

"You're pathetic."

The blond guessed that Sasori was picking on some random guy who had rubbed him the wrong way. Either that or he was just pissed. Without another thought, he ran towards where he had heard the voice, eyes widening as he saw the redhead come into view a couple minutes later. Quickly, he hid behind a tree, looking around it to see what was happening. Surprise and confusion flooded his body as he saw. That's…!

Hinata gasped as Sasori approached, lavender eyes wide.

"What's wrong? Come on, girl, you're really starting to piss me off with all your timidness. It's pathetic," Sasori scoffed, eyes sparking.

"Wh-What do you want?" Hinata stammered, backing up. "I-I didn't d-do anything to you, so…!"

"God, your stammering really turns me off!" Sasori's eyes rolled as he stopped, placing his hands on his hips.

The girl swallowed nervously, fear apparent in her pearl irises.

"Can't you ever speak without that Goddamn stuttering? It's more annoying than shit, and you need to stop. Idiot."

Deidara's eyes narrowed. He was about to jump in and stop the other boy, but a yell halted him.

"Hey! You! Stop picking on Hinata!"

Sasori turned, silver irises glinting. "Oh, it's you."

Naruto sprinted past the silver-eyed teen, standing with his arms spread in front of Hinata. "I won't let you do anything to her, you bastard!"

"N-Naruto-kun!" The blue-haired girl exclaimed, blushing deeply.

"You really think you're a match for me, brat?" A red eyebrow rose. "That's really sort of amusing."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, his body tensing.

"Saso–Asswipe!" Deidara interrupted, running around the tree and catching himself before he blurted out the other's name. "Leave them alone!"

"…So you're here too, huh?" Sasori turned again, pure amusement dusted onto his features. "You stupid shit."

"Leave them alone," Deidara repeated, glaring.

"Heh." A chuckle fluttered from Sasori's mouth as he walked towards the taller boy. "Well, since you demanded so nicely, I guess I could do you a favor. Seeing as I wouldn't want another sprained leg, right?"

Guilt instantly reappeared on Deidara's face as he averted the other's gaze.

"…I'm only giving you this because I'm not in the mood to fight with you, Deidara. Don't expect for me to follow your command at any other point, got it?" Sasori informed quietly once he was next to Deidara. "Think of it as good luck."

"And think of me not beating your face in right now your good luck, Sasori-san," Deidara muttered back.

A small laugh escaped the shorter boy as he elbowed the other in the back. "Nice try, Deidara."

Deidara glowered as Sasori strode away, eyes widening at a gasp from Naruto.

"He…! He…!" Nauto gaped once the Deidara had turned around. "He laughed! D-Deidara-kun, you made Sasori laugh!"

"Tch. Stupid jackass…probably to provoke me…" Deidara grumbled: wincing as he tenderly rubbed the spot on his back. "Ouch…"

"B-But you don't know how weird that is! I mean, Sasori and laughing, it just doesn't–!" Naruto was cut off at a gasp from Hinata. "Ah! Hinata? Hi-Hinata! What's wrong? Hinata?"

Deidara blinked at the scene, before swiveling around to leave. "Well, good luck with her, Naruto, un."

"Wha–?!" Naruto looked up from the fainted Hinata with wide eyes. "Hey! Deidara-kun! Deidara-kun! What did you mean by that? Hey!"

––––––»

"Why were you going after Hinata?" Deidara asked once he had caught up with the silver-eyed boy. "I don't remember her doing anything to you."

Sasori turned around, a confused look in his eyes. "I thought you said you wanted that brat to pay more attention to her."

"…!" Deidara's eyes widened. "You did it…because I said…?"

The redhead shrugged. "You helped me when I was stuck in that bed, bringing me my homework and all, helping me with math…I thought I'd do something for you in return."

Deidara blinked in disbelief.

"Though…" Sasori hesitated. "…That was more for that idiot and that girl…" He looked back to the other. "What do you want me to do for you?"

"Wh-What?" Deidara was taken aback, retreating slightly.

"You deserve it for helping me." Sasori cocked his head. "Come on. Anything. But it can't be anything romantic, sexual, publicly humiliating, having to do with hurting myself – mentally or physically…" He counted the options off on his fingers. "Oh, or having for me to leave that stupid bitch alone. Because I won't."

"I-I don't know…" Deidara stammered nervously. "You make it sound like you want to be my slave…"

"Do you want me to be your slave for the day?"

"No!" Deidara immediately rejected, eyes narrowing.

"Then what do you want me to do?" A troubled look arose on Sasori's face. "Paint my nails a grotesque color? Buy you something you've always wanted? Cut off some of my hair and give it to you? Play a childish prank on someone?"

"I…really don't want you to do anything for me, Sasori-san…"

Ash-rose eyes widened. "You can't be serious. A lot of people in this school would kill for a chance for me to do something for them…I know, I hurt you when we fought. I'll go tell Tsunade it was my fault and transfer out of this school so–"

"Sasori-san, no!"

Sasori froze, a bewildered mask covering his features.

"If you're that hellbent on doing something for me…" Deidara sighed, looking away in embarrassment. "I've…always wanted to hear you laugh again…"

"…Laugh?" The redhead blinked, before averting his gaze. "I'm…sorry…I can't do that for you. You'd have to do something…funny, I guess…make me laugh."

"Oh…" Deidara's voice had a disappointed ring to it. "That's really all I want from you, so…"

"I'll keep that in mind." Sasori turned to leave, smirking lightly. "Bye bye."

Deidara stared dumbly for a few moments, face reddening in humiliation. "I'm not good in English, Sasori-san! But I do know that you're treating me like a kid, and–!"

His eyes widened, everything seeming to move in slow motion; the hand moving up to cover a mouth; the curve of lips moving upwards; the faint trembling of a body; the soft laughter floating in the air like it had wings.

Sasori turned slightly, hand still masking the bottom of his face, the smile still in place, amusement dancing in his ash-rose irises. "…Looks like you got your wish after all, huh?"

Deidara blinked a few times before a smile began to turn at his own lips as well. "…It seems like it, un."

The silver-eyed of the two chuckled quietly. He started to depart once again.

"W-Wait!"

"Mm?" Sasori paused, looking back.

"That's it? You called me out here for that?" The blue-eyed boy looked slightly crestfallen.

"Do you want me to stay longer?" Sasori sounded confused. "Yes, I only told you to meet me here because I wanted you to see…"

"I thought that maybe we could…talk…" Deidara glanced away for a second.

"Talk?" Sasori turned back around, eyes a little bit wider than usual.

"Un, like…likes and dislikes and stuff like that…" Deidara suddenly grew nervous. "So we could, y'know…get to know each other better?"

"Talk…" Sasori repeated, frowning with a troubled look on his face. "You mean…like girls do when they're interested in someone and seek help, or just want to gossip. A 'girl-talk.'"

Disappointment burned into Deidara's mind, hearing the distaste in the other's voice.

"Sure. I wouldn't mind trying something like that out once. Why not?"

Deidara blinked at the smug face he was presented with, complete with a raised red arch of an eyebrow, amused shards of light glinting in moonlit irises and the half-smile half-smirk pasted upon the shorter teen's lips.

"You're serious?"

"I said 'why not?' Besides, I have nothing better to do."

Deidara could tell Sasori was lying; it was apparent he had other things he wanted to do. Despite knowing that little fact, though, Deidara felt himself begin to smile.

Sasori was, after all, the person Deidara felt closest to.

That last line somehow sounds like the end of the story...hmm...and Pain sounded way too caring towards Sasori. Not the effect I wanted, but that's how it came out. xX;
Sorry if you wanted to see what happened with Orochimaru's group. I didn't like writing Sasori injured, and if I wrote the Orochimaru fights, he wouldn't be in the chapters. But Orochimaru's not going to give up soon, so I'll assure you that there'll be at least a couple fights between him and Akatsuki.
Nya. I'd like a lock of Sasori's hair... DD:

～Arrina