Angel's Wings
Jedi Goat
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Author's Note: Okay, this is my moment of shameless self-promotion: I'm writing a new story called Shadows of Dawn and though it's primarily about OCs right now, it will very (very!) soon have Akatsuki, so I'd love it if you could go check it out :) (end shameless self-promotion) As always, enjoy the chapter ;)
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Chapter 10
The chamber was dark, alit only by a row of candles steadily flickering lower. Their feeble glow danced off the cavernous walls, magnifying shadows. A figure hunched low in a regal chair, a rumbling chuckle emanating from his throat. His hands progressively stroked the coiled beast in his lap, his own eyes glinting an animalistic amber in the gloom.
The silhouette raised his head, aware of another penetrating his lair. "Come in," he hissed, voice high and cold.
The tall form in the doorway bowed slightly before entering; light winked off his round glasses as he moved. "My lord, I have returned from the Earth country."
"Good, good." The silhouette's eyes glinted with malice. "And our experiment? I trust you took care of my little gift."
Kabuto's smile was visible in the candlelight, even as his eyes were hidden in shadow. "A success, my lord. Unfortunately, before we could test the final stages we were – ah – interrupted. The Akatsuki retrieved the experiment and virtually destroyed our lab."
The mysterious figure tensed; his hands had stopped caressing his pet, and now clenched the edges of his chair with long nails.
"What did you say?"
"It is all under control now, my lord," Kabuto continued smoothly. "I was able to secure the documentation of our experiment, and gain insight into the Akatsuki. Your plans may proceed as predicted."
"Well done," he acquiesced, eyes narrowing. "But without the experiment – how do you suggest we proceed?"
"It was unneeded," Kabuto said dismissively. "With our current strength, penetration should be easy. You of course know the path, and the Sound Village is prepared to move."
The shadow hissed. "Fool! There was a reason I chose that particular one!"
"And I know it," Kabuto echoed coldly. "I suspected you'd react as such, and I've planned accordingly. I sent four of my best tracker ninja – using the Reanimation jutsu, of course – after the Akatsuki. They should retrieve our experiment with little difficulty. Of course," Kabuto added with a grin, "if they were to fail, that's not all awaiting our old friends."
The figure sat back, apparently satisfied. "I have taught you well. Now, go, check that everything is ready."
Kabuto bowed out, still smiling. Alone, the figure mused aloud, "I must have that experiment. However," he stroked his snake thoughtfully, "this turn of events could be to our advantage. Yesss," he hissed, leaning his pale face into the light so that his eyes glinted golden like those of a predator.
"Sasori-no-danna will suffer," Orochimaru sneered.
*
"This will hurt," Sasori warned, clenching a length of white bandages. He glanced over at Hidan. "All right, pull it loose and help me bandage the wound. We've got to do it quickly before he loses too much blood."
"I got it already," Hidan grumbled, grasping the shaft embedded in Deidara's back with both hands. He had rolled back the sleeves of his robe, and now his arms were flecked with blood. He grit his teeth.
"Now!"
Hidan yanked the giant arrow back with a grunt; under Sasori's calm hand, Deidara jerked forward with a piercing scream. Hidan tossed aside the arrowhead as the deep wound, drilled through the bunched muscle of wing on his back, spewed blood.
Sasori quickly pressed bandages over the gash one-handed; Hidan helped secure them, leaving traces of blood on the pristine cloth. When the dressing was bound tight around Deidara's body, Sasori fell back, running a hand through his hair. Hidan rubbed his hands clean on his pants and sat staring down at their youngest member.
Deidara lay trembling between them, splayed on his right side. Bandages, already stained with blood, swathed his torso. His breathing was slowly returning to normal, though each rasping gasp seemed painful.
"You'll be fine now, brat," Sasori mumbled almost to himself. "Just don't try using your wings for a while. Your injury was serious, but not fatal."
Deidara gave a small nod to show he had heard. Overhead, the sun had climaxed and now began its slow downward descend. Its rays were scorching on the working Akatsuki's backs.
Hidan glanced at Sasori. "We gonna keep going?" He knew the puppet master longed to reach the Rain Village before nightfall, but with Deidara in this state, it might not be wise to push him further. If it were Hidan, he would've regained his course immediately, but then again, he was immortal. The trek so far had been hard enough on the blond; their presence back home, and Hidan's in the Land of Rice Patties, was urgent, but it wasn't worth risking their mission, was it?
He looked to his elder partner, but Deidara was struggling to a sitting position. "I can walk, un," he said earnestly, face streaked with sweat. He rubbed at the dried blood on his chin.
Sasori's face was emotionless. "If you're sure, brat." He got to his feet a bit unsteadily, left arm dangling uselessly. He winced, "Pass the bandages."
Hidan threw him the leftover dressings; Sasori carefully began to wrap his arm, his right palm glowing with healing chakra.
While Sasori was occupied, Hidan helped haul Deidara to his feet. The blond didn't protest this time, fatigued beyond speech. He quavered, eyes half-closed and mouth twisted in pain, and Hidan allowed him to seize his arm for balance. He scooped up their remaining supplies in his other hand, setting off.
Deidara leaned heavily on him as they crossed the clearing, cloaks swishing through the tall grass. Sasori shadowed them, working to bandage his arm.
The trees rose to meet them, refreshingly cool and majestic. As they passed beneath their shadow, Deidara released him and took a couple careful steps on his own. Hidan watched his back: Deidara's creamy bloodstained wings were folded tight to his body, the right one hanging slightly open. He probably couldn't move that one, the way the arrow had pierced it, Hidan mused.
Nevertheless the blond stumbled ahead, determined, and he hurried to regain the lead. It would do no good if Deidara led them straight into a trap; rolling his eyes at the thought, Hidan left the brat to his mentor and stalked on ahead.
*
The forests in the Land of Rain spread thickly along the border. Sasori followed Hidan's bobbing shadow through the fading light, ducking low branches and avoiding grasping roots. He wouldn't admit his growing exhaustion, or his private appreciation that the younger ninja had taken the lead. In his distraction, he doubted he could find the way back to the village alone.
He cast a glance over his shoulder; Deidara trailed him, staggering along at a slow pace. Sasori was amazed the brat was still standing at all; he had lost a good amount of blood in the last couple hours, not to mention suffered a grievous wound below his right shoulder. If they weren't so urgently needed at the Akatsuki lair, they would have stopped long ago for the night.
Sasori glanced ahead once more, his eyes narrowing in frustration. Their communication was always vague, cautious in case of interception, yet he wished Konan could have better informed them in her letter. What new occurrence had the Leader request they rush back? Sasori was edgy with concern, not only for the Akatsuki, but for his partner as well.
Quiet dry coughing behind him only succeeded in irking him more. Deidara had been suffering like this off and on for the past several hours; he refused any aid, Sasori knew, because he didn't want to burden them further.
He growled under his breath. Stupid brat.
A quick look back revealed Deidara now hastily rubbing his mouth on his sleeve. Sasori narrowed his eyes suspiciously but continued to walk on.
They ambled along a winding dirt trail, their pace hurried yet not overly so. Hidan cast an occasional glance back at his traveling companions, then waiting an impatient instant for them to catch up. Sasori allowed himself to lag on purpose, forgoing his pride to keep Deidara in his line of sight. The longer they walked, the farther back the blond fell; Sasori found it hard to ignore his growing worry.
He knows his limits, he repeatedly assured himself as the evening dragged on. Deidara chose to continue, and I respect that decision. Even if it wasn't what he wanted. Then again, Sasori didn't know anymore; his thoughts concerning his partner were a muddled disorder. On one hand, he wanted to see this trek through, but another part of him suffered every painful breath Deidara took.
They stopped briefly to eat upon a cluster of boulders. The rock formation rose up in an otherwise barren clearing, creating a small but rather flat overhang beneath which the ground had eroded away into a slight ditch. Plants choked the opening to the small cavern; Sasori deduced it had once been the home to some long-gone animal.
He was grateful, however, that he hadn't had to make the decision to pause. When he and Deidara had finally trudged into the clearing they found Hidan already sitting among the rocks, unwrapping what remained of their food supplies.
When Sasori cocked an eyebrow at him he only retorted, "You were taking your time, damn it. I'm hungry and I could've eaten this whole thing before you even showed up."
Deidara soundlessly sank with his back against the cold stone, breathing hard. He folded his arms over his heaving chest with the faintest flinch of pain. He nevertheless raised his head to Hidan. "Mind sharing, un?" His lopsided grin couldn't disguise the growl of his stomach, and Sasori realized with a strange feeling of guilt that they'd skived off lunch in favor of battle.
"Give the brat something to eat," he muttered, settling beside him. "His blood sugar's low after losing so much blood."
He saw the exasperated look Deidara shot him, and resisted a smile. "Danna, I'm not a kid, un," he protested. Hidan shoved a package of rice balls in his direction and he instantly quieted. Sasori rolled his eyes.
"You're too predictable, brat."
"Am not, un," he muttered around a mouthful of food.
Sasori only smiled; on the surface, maybe he was. But he was finding the brat's mind harder to read these days, and it wasn't just him. Sasori blinked and looked away; he was used to predicting everyone's actions like the movements of his puppets. Nothing could catch him off guard, but now it was happening at an alarming rate. He was losing his touch.
Hidan reluctantly offered him a share of food as well; Sasori took it, needing the rejuvenation after the lengthy task of sealing up Deidara's wounds. After splitting the supplies three ravenous ways, they were down to little more than stamina pills. Good thing we'll be back at headquarters by tomorrow night, Sasori reflected. I'm not sure how long these two will last without food. Of course, Hidan was immortal, but the Jashinist tended to get grumpy without his nourishment.
Finished his meal, the one in question stood and stretched with a yawn. "Probably a couple hours of daylight left," Hidan noted. He shot a glance in Sasori's direction. "I know you were looking forward to your cozy bed back home, but it looks like we'll have to rough it tonight." He smirked.
Sasori ignored him. "We'll walk for a while longer first," he remarked coldly. His eyes flickered sideways, but Deidara didn't react. Softer, he asked, "Think you can take it a bit longer, brat?"
Deidara huffed. "I already told you I'm fine, un."
"Words are only words," Sasori murmured under his breath. His partner might have heard, for his shoulders tensed slightly as he rose up on his knees. Head bowed, he did not answer, however, as he used the rock to heft himself to his feet.
Sasori stood as well, his left arm slung across his chest in a makeshift cast. A broken arm did not trouble him very much, but the damage had been done midway down his lower arm. He couldn't fix it until they returned to the lair, which would be soon, he hoped.
From the clearing, they set off down their trail once more as shadows lengthened on the ground around them and the sun slowly sank in the sky. Darkness would soon fall, and Sasori kept a closer eye on Deidara in fear that he would get lost. The blond was straggling a good distance behind him now.
They had barely gone a mile when Sasori heard Deidara coughing again. The sound was muffled at first – the blond had craftily brought his robes over his mouth, not wanting to worry him. But as his mad hacking continued for over a minute, Sasori turned back with a hint of irritation.
"Stop it, brat," he reprimanded before he noticed Deidara had stopped in the middle of the trail, nearly bent double. One hand was clamped over his mouth, the other clasping his chest.
"Are…you all right?" The question sounded awkward.
Deidara shook off his concern. "Coming, danna," he gasped, hurrying after him. He stumbled, continuing to cough. His palms went to his face, but not before Sasori's sharp eyes saw why.
As Deidara drew even with him, he swiftly grasped his wrists, pulling his hands back. Deidara's blue eye widened slightly and he tried to twist away.
"Brat-"
"I'm fine, danna!" he nearly yelled, hands flying to his mouth as he started coughing harshly again.
"No, you're not, brat," he murmured almost gently. Deidara tensed, but with surprising strength Sasori pulled his hands away. His worst suspicions were instantly confirmed; blood trickled from the edge of Deidara's mouth, and a quick glance at his palms revealed fresh red stains. Somewhere along their journey Deidara's coughs had stopped being dry. Now he was choking up blood.
"Brat…" Deidara lowered his head in shame.
"I'm sorry, danna."
Sasori ignored him, mind buzzing. Damn it, this is bad. I told him not to lose any more blood! He didn't know how long this had gone on; they should have caught it earlier and stopped before it got this bad. He had to think.
"You should sit down." His voice was firm, overriding Deidara's immediate protest. He nearly forced him down on a nearby stump and whirled to face the surrounding forest. Up ahead, Hidan's cloak was nearly out of sight.
"Hidan! Get back here!"
When the Jashinist, grumbling, returned to where they hovered, Sasori had regained some of his composure. He paced the trail, deep in thought.
"We can't go on like this," he concluded. "Deidara's only getting worse." The blond coughed quietly beside him, shaking.
"Danna…"
Sasori ignored him, turning to Hidan. "Kakuzu-san's waiting for you in the Land of Rice Patties." He knew that was the location of the Hidden Sound Village. Their undercover mission was the only thing more urgent than Leader-sama's meeting; heart thundering, Sasori wondered if it had anything to do with Orochimaru.
"I can wait," Hidan protested. "It's only a day or two more."
"If you go to the Rain Village with us, you'll only waste time in starting your mission," Sasori stated calmly. "We're still not far from the border; you can cut across now and half the travel time. You're the only one of us fit enough to do so. We'll only slow you down."
Hidan considered. "Yeah, but…" He glanced uncertainly at Deidara.
"He's my partner," Sasori said firmly. "I can handle him."
Hidan's voice dropped, his tone ironic. "Can you handle anything else?" He looked pointedly at his useless arm.
Sasori glared at him; the Jashinist, unblinking, glowered back.
"Just a couple days ago you said you wanted to be anywhere else," Sasori said, fighting to keep his voice even.
"This is different!" Hidan snarled. "I don't give a damn about you. I just don't think you should be dragging this kid anywhere when he's already half dead!"
Sasori snapped at that. "Since when do you know anything? You're always wishing your partner were dead! Besides," he seethed, "I'd willingly give my own life before anyone lays a hand on him!"
Hidan looked rather taken aback by this statement, but nonetheless angry. "Stop jumping down my throat, all right? I'm just trying to fucking help." He threw his arms in the air, turning on his heel. "All right, then, damn it, I'll leave. I hope you're happy, you goddamn prick. See if I ever try helping you again."
He spat angrily at the ground and shot over his shoulder as he retreated, "Just don't blame me for whatever the hell happens to you!"
To be continued...
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Author's Note: Okay, now before you all come after me for that ending... (grabs Sasuke as human shield) Attack him instead! Yeah! (Please?)
Apologies for the anti-Sasuke moment... It's all because I love Dei, I swear!
Please review!