DISCLAIMER: As much as I wish. As much as I plead. As much as I beg on my knees! I will NEVER (sadly) own Naruto.
A/N: *Le sigh* my torture has begun and the only light I have is this story and your kind reviews. But no, I must say out of everything I do, writing is the only thing that really brightens my day. But I noticed a comment saying that my story is rated M and has been more rated T. Well, all I can say is I like a good build up and didn't really want to change the rating later on. So don't blame me or anything. And I can PROMISE you on all that is SASODEI that this story will get to the point of rated M! *wink wink nudge nudge* and when I swear on SasoDei, that is like the most serious promise I can make. Unless I swear on all that is BL, but dang… what kind of promise is needed for something as serious as that? Hmph…
But yes, my torture has started… band camp from 8-11:30 and tennis from 9-11. Both of them in the morning and both of them making me a sad sore author… T-T and yes they are at the same time but I have this stupid schedule that leaves me no time to breathe and well… That is basically why this chap took so long to make, so I apologize dearly. I wish more than anyone that I didn't have a life, but it is a sad reality…
From your tired and less than likely sane but has not been proven author-!
Teiden~
DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY – 11:30 P.M.
"You got it?"
"Oh course, un."
"Alright. Then how about you repeat everything I just said." Sasori crossed his arms and looked at the blonde who didn't seem to be paying attention in the least.
"We go to where they're havin' this meeting, un. Crash it saying we're the Kyoko master leader person and listen to what they say. Find out what their plan is and if we're found out…" They both shared equal smiles of twisted amusement. "Then that's when things get real fun, un."
"You have the gist. But there is one small detail we have to add."
"What?"
"We can't be seen, especially you. The public now knows you're missing, and if anyone sees you with me, I turn into the suspected man."
"You are the suspected man!" Deidara said grinning more then ever; quite wickedly at that.
"Yes, but no one else needs to know that."
"Fine. So what, we wear disguises or something, hn? That might get tricky."
"No, that would take to long and you have to much hair to mess with. So I decided we are going to travel in style." Chuckling, Sasori disappeared behind a door that was supposed to be a closet.
Deidara was sitting on the king sized bed that was in the master bedroom of the apartment. He had been peeved at the elder last night for not giving him a proper bed and making him sleep on the couch yet again. And now his irritation was re-lit upon seeing such a huge bed that grew more taunting by the second…
"Brat!" A voice that was both rough and booming made him jump.
When he regained himself, he saw a man wearing a black cloak with a piece of cloth covering his mouth. It took a second, but the blonde recognized this hunched over figure.
"Is that…? Hiruko, un?"
"Yes. The original as it happens. And this version," a large metal tail came up from under the cloak, leaving him gaping. "Is much more deadly."
"Sweet! So how does this work? I bet we hide behind a corner or something and make the puppet do all the talking, un."
"Not exactly. I work the puppet from the inside." From under cloak, a metal demon face appeared and rose up to show Sasori sitting in the front of the puppet. "And you'll be in here also." The redhead said now standing up and using his normal velvet voice compared to the ugly form he had risen from.
"Un… Will we both fit in there?"
"There is plenty of room for the both of us along with your clay and a few… extra things. But I doubt we'll need them. Hiruko isn't my favorite for nothing." The redhead patted the top of the wood head fondly, making the younger just the tiniest bit jealous.
"I still get the final blow, un."
This was not a simple phrase, or a question. This was a fact they both agreed on. If worst came to worst, Deidara's art was more suited to finish everything off. The only problem being was that Hiruko couldn't move that fast when they needed to escape, so they may just have to hide until morning if the situation came down to it. But, the redhead hoped, it wouldn't have to come down to any of that.
"Go get whatever amount of clay you'll needing, brat. We should be leaving soon."
"Yeah yeah Danna, I'll get on it, un." The blonde bounced off the bed and started for the door, but his elbow was grabbed.
"Since when did you start calling me 'Danna', brat?"
"Well you are my senior in art, so its fitting. Besides, it only means 'master' so it shouldn't be a problem," the blonde's eyes gleamed smugly. "And you seem to be the type who likes control anyway, un." The impish grin never leaving his face, Deidara left the room with the puppeteer sporting a frown of agitation.
"Does he also know it means 'husband'…? Stupid brat."
While the blonde gathered his needed items, the redhead checked himself for the supplies they also may need. His twin cutlasses were tucked away neatly in the front where he would be sitting. The storage compartment that held his major fire power was sealed perfectly with no way opening besides his own command. He also had two hand guns for the brat, he at least should know how to work a simple model, or at least the elder hoped. Now of course, all of these things were for if they were forced out of Hiruko. Though, that wasn't likely in the first place because this certain puppet had more tricks than a stripper in a whore house. But it was always good to be prepared.
"I think I have all I need, most of the things I'll be using have already be prepared in advanced. We ready to go Danna?" The younger reentered the room with two pouches connected to his pants, seemingly weighed down with wet clay.
Patting the two pouches, Deidara noticed the elder staring. "What?"
"You never did explain how you managed to turn your sculptures into bombs."
"Oh, that's easy. There are some privileges as to being the mayor's son after all, and some of those privileges aren't very legal, un." He laughed. "I found a supplier that sold tiny bombs, about the size of a needle's head. They have about as much fire power as a firework, but when I mixed about a hundred of them into each bag of clay, and add gun powder… Its quite a result, un."
"You also said something… a word?" The other inquired further.
"Hn. There are two types of bombs I use with a certain type of clay. My clay is special you see, un. As soon as it dries, it condenses and takes form."
"That explains why you use your hand mouths, to keep it moist."
"Yup, and then there are two types of bombs I use. Some of them are pressure sensors that react once the clay dries and condenses, that's why I have to be quick. But the night we went to Itazura's… I used a different kind, un. They react to whatever word I set them on once the clay condenses. They're still pressurized, but this way, I can control them more accordingly, un."
"I see. So your hand mouths are needed either way and are very useful in this case. Plus you figured out a use for them that is convenient when using your resources. I must say I'm impressed Deidara, it seems you can think when needed. Even if it's about your petty and useless art."
"Ha! Yeah right, Danna! My art is petty? This coming from a narrow-minded man who believes in eternity, un." He rolled his eyes. "Only fools rely on the forever."
"What?" The redhead's fingers twitched and Hiruko's tail rose to his throat. "I do not rely on ever lasting time as it is, I create it. All my art will last and will be remembered because it will always be there. You are the fool Deidara. What if I killed you right now? Would you consider your life art?"
Even with the tail dripping with an unknown poison, the blonde felt brave and showed his devious smile again. "I don't know about that, un. But I will say, if you did kill me, I'd have to many regrets of not killing Itazura, of not torturing the man that raped me, and for not showing you what my art is really worth, un. And I would not be a happy ghost if I died at this exact moment." He lightly pushed away the tail and went to stand inside the puppet behind Sasori. Though, shockingly, bravely and stupidly; he wrapped his arms around the elder's waist and propped his head up on his shoulder by his thick locks. "Besides, you would miss me to much, un."
The puppeteer glared. "Don't joke, brat. Why would I believe in ghosts?"
Only finding it slightly odd that Sasori didn't tell him to let him go, he smirked. "You're the one that that thinks things can last forever. Then what's so hard about believing in a never dieing spirit that has nothing better to do then bug his Danna, hn~?"
A low growl similar to a dog's came from the other's throat then, making the blonde let go. No matter how much fun it was to mess with the senior artist, there was a limit to everything thing… including life. Which made his art right!
"Have you forgotten? It is because of you that I was dragged into this, so could you for once think a little more seriously?"
This did get the little brat to shut it possibly with guilt, even though Sasori knew it was he that got the blonde into the twisted plot, but he only wanted some quiet to think…
"Lets go."
"Un."
They both sat down and Hiruko shut, trapping the both of them in the enclosed space. It was silent, and Deidara could barely tell the piece of crap wood was moving. There wasn't much light, and there seemed to be no comfortable position that the blonde could decide on. So it didn't take long for boredom to take over.
"Do we even know where this place is?"
"Cherry gave me all the information she had, you shouldn't concern yourself."
"Un… So what do we say if someone talks to us?"
"Would you-"
"Sasori?" Two similar voices from outside of the puppet caught their ears.
"Who is it?" The younger started to peer over the elder's shoulder, causing a frustrated look to spread over the redhead.
"Its just the hags."
"Oh?"
"Sasori?" Nana Gem started. "Is Deidara in there also?" Nana Ha finished.
"Yup!"
"Unfortunately... This became our solution I guess you could say."
It was an peculiar thing this puppet. When the blonde looked over Sasori's shoulder and straight ahead, he could see outside like he really was the puppet. And as much as he thought the puppet was a hideous and useless piece of shit that should be burned, he did think it was kinda cool that he could see the two old woman as if it was out of his own eyes.
"I guess," said one of the old woman, him not being sure which one was which. "Well then I would suggest not talking at once. It looks like you have split personalities and that would not make a good impression in the least."
"Agreed," Sasori answered far to quickly. "Deidara, you're not aloud to talk for the rest of the night until we're in the clear."
Definitely to quickly… "But-"
"Shut it! Not another word! We're leaving."
Sasori's fingers started to twitch again, making that the end of the discussion. But Deidara hated this quiet. Usually when there was not a sound to be heard, he was distracted by the hollowness, so he never really noticed it. Though, now that he was stuck in a cramped space with the only person he had left in the world, he suddenly couldn't stand it. Ever since that night at Itazura's, even though he didn't notice it at first, there had been a different feeling that was fighting everything else inside. He couldn't recall ever taking notice to this odd and new sensation before, possibly because it was so light and warm that it could never possibly beat the heavy cold that lay on his heart. But he liked this feeling and the strange things it did to him, the only problem being was… it only appeared when he was around the elder.
Though he thought it completely out of the ordinary that it only showed its head when he was near Sasori, it was also convenient. He had been staying with the other for what now, three or four days? And it wasn't like he had any other place to go. So it did show up often, and the longer it stayed the more… addicting it was.
And it was driving him pleasurably mad.
"Sasori no Danna, don't you think we stand out? In a crowd I mean, un."
"Didn't I tell you not to speak?"
"Can anyone hear us?"
"Not unless I let them."
"Then don't."
Sighing, the elder made a motion with his fingers that looked like he was about to snap, but no sound came. "What?"
"I asked if we would stick out in a crowd, un."
"Brat, I work with a giant talking fish and a man that is held together by stitches. I think we will be fine."
"There's more suicide hotline operators, hn? Who would of guessed, and here I thought I was special."
"Hmph, in a city this big, there's bound to be more cowards like you that want to kill themselves. You just happened to turn into my regular by misfortune."
"A… Regular?"
"Its someone who repeatedly calls your line. My co-workers also have regulars, I think their names are Itachi and Hidan."
"Wait..." Deidara blinked, not fond of coincidence at all. "Itachi Uchiha and... Hidan Yagukura, un?"
"You know them?"
"They were my brothers friends, and I think both of them go to the community college that's within the city limits, un. They were definitely… different, I'll give them that."
"From what I heard, they certainly have character."
"That's a good way to put it." The younger chuckled. "Do you think-"
"Quiet, I see the building… You can't say anything while we're inside. If you have to tell me something you remember or such, get my attention first. Got it?"
"Un." Nodding solemnly, he knew he would abide.
A few seconds passed and they stopped, and a voice that was unknown and deep beat down against the wood.
"Where do you think you're going gramps?"
"Watch your tongue you sniveling little underling," Sasori spoke calmly while focusing on how to move the tail. It came up from under the cloak and started to move around a large man's bald head; pointing right in between his eyes. "I am the master of they Kyoko. So do not take me so lightly when you're just as replaceable as a glass."
"Now, now." A new man that was taller and had a calm expression on appeared in the doorway. "We never expected the master of Kyoko group to come to our little gathering. You rarely ever return any of our invitations and if you ever do come, you send someone else. Would you mind coming this way dear sir?" The man stepped aside, showing the way in. Sasori made the puppet move slow, mostly because a new, dull man appeared to led the way down the dim hall that was almost impossible to see. The building they had entered was dirty itself and must have been abandoned years ago. It was on the darkest side of town and looked like it could fall apart at the slightest touch.
"In here." The bland and very boring man that had led them to a new door; opened it to show a new room that was lit by small lamps that were connected to the cracking wall. A large round table with three men and a woman sitting around it, Sasori easily identifying them.
The woman had blonde put up in a messy bun and was wearing a black revealing top with booty shorts. She was the leader of the Shukaku. The man on her left was straight Asian with a blue kimono type outfit, he was also smoking something from a very long pipe. He was the leader of the Sozo-ryoku. The man across from him was more stern but still edgy. He wore a torn up black cloak along with a top hat with his solid hair flowing out along his neck. He was the leader of the Kinzoku o Korosu. Lastly, the man next to him was huge and was wearing a ripped tank top to show off his muscles. This man was the leader of the Gyakusatsu.
All of them probably having more deaths on their heads than the redhead himself, he felt sickened if estimated the number of lives that were lost at the hands of all five of them.
"Ah, Kyoko-san." The leader of the Sozo-ryoku noticed him enter first. "I'm honored to finally meet you. My name is Shin, we can supply what ever medicine you need."
"I'm Bambi, all of us know you mostly keep to yourself, but if you ever want some… dancers maybe, or perhaps some playmates, I'm your gal." The blonde woman smiled and winked.
"Knowing your reputation… It seems you do find just by yourself but if you ever need some artillery, we would love to oblige. My name is Gly." This man tipped then put back on as a polite gesture.
"Thank you for offers," Sasori started. "But none of that is needed. As you said, we get by just fine by doing special hired jobs that require our… certain services." He chuckled, leaving the four in front of him a little more light hearted.
"Well now that everyone is here, lets get started." A man stepped out of the shadows, catching them all by surprise. He was tall and lean, with silver white hair that almost touched his shoulders and gold eyes that gleamed happily.
Deidara knew this man, he could see his face by looking over the redhead's shoulder. This man, he was with Itazura the night he was kidnapped, he was the handsome one. But there was something else…
Sasori also felt he knew the man, but couldn't recall anything specific. This put him on edge, and hated that he couldn't bring anything to the front of his mind immediately. So he stared intently on the man, and focused wearily.
"Its so nice that everyone could come, including you Kyoko-san. So I guess this means you have taken an interest in the situation?" The man leaned his elbows on the table and put his head in his hands; smiling vaguely all the same.
"More or less." Sasori replied. "I am more concerned if things are going to require hostility to the point of drawing attention outside of our domains. In which case, we may choose to move on as we often do."
"Ah, so its true about you and your followers... you travel all over the world, never staying in one place for to long." Bambi gave a small smile and snickered to look back to the man.
"Now why would things grow bigger than they already are?" The gold eyes blinked innocently.
"You are trying to fool use with the situation at hand. Itazura is running for governor and has already started campaigning for the fall voting. Investigations will rise, tabloids, gossip of how she runs the city. She can't get rid of all of her opponents. And who says no one will come to kill her? If she requires for our assistance as she has done in the past, it could lead to war."
Deidara had to applaud the elder for the small speech he had just given. He was trying to get them to doubt, or even better, become paranoid so they wouldn't assist in any of the matters. Clever…
"That is a very good point Kyoko-sama." Gly smiled. "What do you have to say to that? I personally think that woman is far to troublesome to be helping with such simple matters."
The man chuckled heartedly with a wild grin and lazy stare. "You all have your own reasons for being here, but never understood the full situation. Itazura is not using me, I am using her. And I would like to present my little scheme."
Hell froze over.
That one word the man had spoke, made Deidara stiffen. That word... With a small shiver of fear going up his spine, he pulled at Sasori's shirt so hard it almost made the other fly back.
"What brat?"
"That man," Deidara's eyes widen as it all came back slowly, not even wondering if the people on the outside of their shell could hear them. "I wasn't sold."
"What?"
"That man, his name is Uragirimono, and he took me away. He was the one that raped me, un."
The redhead's eyes widen slightly. "Are you sure?"
"Kyoko-sama?" A voice from outside the puppet called him back, leaving no time for Deidara to reply.
"Yes, what?" Sasori looked over to Shin who was the one that had spoken.
"Do you think we should listen to him?" The Gyakusatsu leader asked, speaking for the first time that night.
"Not all of our situations are the same, but considering that we all came here for a reason, I think we should listen to what he has to say." Was his reply.
"My my," the gold eyes of Uragirimono bat slowly. "You three, Shin, Gly and Gyakusatsu-san, remind me of the Three Men of Gotham. That should be your roll from now on." He smiled at the men who all gave him quizzical looks. "But you Kyoko-san, I like you. Witted and smart, those are good qualities that I admire."
"You flatter."
"Not at all. But here is my little side of the world. I am looking for someone, an old and dear friend of mine. I know he is in this city, and I have already sent him a little present to show him that I am here also. But he is very clever and deadly skilled and the most erratic person I've ever known. Help me find him, and I'll get rid of that blasted woman for good."
"Tch!" Bambi spat. "What makes you think you can take out that daughter of a bastard? Many have tried, none have had success."
"Yes, but I am the loin and she is the unicorn. You have nothing to worry about."
"Stop with these games!" The Gyakusatsu leader slammed his fists on the table, making it shake and almost fall to pieces at the legs.
"They are not games, they are rhymes. But we could play a game if you like! I have some dice right here, lets have Shin-san go first." Uragirimono handed the Asian man three odd dice and stood back to watch.
"I've always found games interesting." Shin smiled and rolled the dice, the white haired man looking over his shoulder.
"You got a two, that is quite something to ponder about." The mans face was blank, but his yellow eyes smiled.
"Eh? Why is that?"
"Because this means you will have some luck, but what kind? Good or bad?"
"I wouldn't mind either one!" The two men laughed, only to be interrupted by another slamming fist.
"Wait a minute!" Bambi yelled and glared at the two men. "How can he get a two with three die?"
"These die are special. Each one only has a certain amount of numbers, but no matter what you roll, you will never get more than ten. How about you go next Bambi-chan?" He gave the die to her and smiled.
"I don't know… I'm still mad at you for not getting me that new slave a few days back."
Deidara flinched inside the puppet, suddenly having the feeling he was supposed to be that slave...
"But what harm could it do?" She rolled them with the man again looking over her shoulders.
"You got eight! What a lucky girl you are."
"Why? What does it mean?"
"It can either mean heaven or a wish. Probably the best roll you can get, in my view."
"Ha! See that fella's? I'm goin' to heaven!"
"Yeah right!" The Gyakusatsu leader snarled at the woman. "You'll probably just get your wish and get that slave you wanted."
Her only reply was sticking out her tongue.
"Then how about you, give it a roll?" The white hair man placed the dice in the much larger and beefier hand with a simple smile.
"Fine! Lets see what your magic dice say for me!" He rolled, and Uragirimono gave a cat like smile for just a mere second, then it passed.
"Six, that means gold, which-"
"Ha yourself bitch! I'm going to be rich while you rot!'
Her reply was again her tongue sticking out.
"What about you Gly-san? Want to see what fate will have in store?"
"A gentleman's curiosity is never ceased." The top hat man grabbed the dice and rolled them with a sly hand.
"Oh, what a curious outcome!" The gold eyes again shinned, only more playfully this time.
"What?"
"You rolled a four. Which means either death or birth. But it could mean either because life is a cycle."
"Or it means I over used one of my servants." He sighed. "Because there is no possible way for me to die so soon in against this gun filled world. No has ever gotten the best of me and no one ever will."
"Hm. Now what about you Kyoko-san? What to see what is meant for you?"
While they had been playing their little game, neither of the two artists could take their eyes off the man before them. Deidara was filled with nothing but hate as he looked at the man who took his innocence. But Sasori was quite perplexed. He understood direly that this man, Uragirimono, was talking about him. But why was this man looking for him? And why did he call him an 'old friend' earlier...?
"Well?"
Sasori made the wood, but human looking arm, come out to grab the die and make them roll across the table. Watching them carefully the entire time as they danced to the center of the circular wood, the number being he rolled, nine.
"Ah, very nice Kyoko-san. That roll is second to only mine."
"And what exactly does it mean to you?" The redhead raised an eyebrow that was invisible to everyone except the blonde.
"Well, it can mean two things really. Just like Bambi-chan's. As it is widely known, nine is the number commonly associated with hell."
"Me connected to hell is not a misled connection." Sasori spoke in his normal smooth voice without showing any sign of emotion as usual, but this phrase almost made the blonde deflate to a certain extent.
"Ah, but it also can mean a kiss. Or if you read deeper into it, love, passion and lust. Looks like something, or someone is coming your way, Kyoko-san…"