SasoDei – One Gold Doubloon
Chapter Twelve
Landing
Konan awoke with a yawn, the first of the crew members. She swung out of the hammock, her body hanging in the air for a few moments before her feet gracefully descended to the wooden floor. She looked at the sleeping blonde – she was aware of his late night training sessions with Sasori, and he was often worn out. The bluenette didn't expect him to wake up for a while now unless someone decided otherwise. The girl moved through the room without bothering any of the other crew members who were still sound asleep, and she climbed up to the main deck.
Konan breathed in the fresh morning air, giving a sigh as she cheerfully walked along the line of the ship, hearing a sudden cawing noise. She blinked and looked up, surprised to see to a single dark raven flying in the cloudless sky. The bluenette quickly scaled the ropes which led up to the Crow's Nest, the bird fluttering down to rest on the edge, "What is it, Fire Breather?"
The crow didn't shift into a human form, simply flying back into the air. Konan blinked and watched the Akatsuki member fly off, her eyes following its path. She gave a gasp as she realised that the bird was headed towards a large mass of land that was just visible over the horizon. She gave a nod, understanding the message of Itachi.
"LAND AHOY!" She jumped out of the Crow's Nest, her body descending through the air slowly, her feet landing lightly on the deck below. Konan suddenly broke into a run, knocking on the four doors of the upper deck, "LAND AHOY!" She then ran down the two stairways until she was below deck, "LAND AHOY!" The crew all gave groans of irritation at being awoken, until her message finally registered in their minds.
They quickly jumped out of their hammocks, feet landing heavily on the wooden floor before they ran past her up the stairway. Deidara gave a groan at being awoken, and he sat up slowly, not realising what all the fuss was about. "What's happening, un?"
Konan rushed over to him, giving a grin, "I've just sighted land in the distance. That means more supplies, plus the chance to walk on dry land for a while." Deidara brightened up at the prospect of walking on solid ground. "You can go back to sleep if you want."
"No way!" Deidara jumped out of the hammock, stumbling a few steps but altogether alright, "This is exciting, un!" Konan gave a knowing laugh and turned around, travelling up the stairway with the blonde quickly following behind. The crew were rushing around deck, with Sasuke and Naruto instructing them on what to do. On the very top deck of the Lightning Queen, Sakura was busy steering the large wooden wheel. It seemed to be one of the rare occasions where Sasori had decided to leave his cabin in daylight.
He stood near Sakura, studying a piece of parchment that was most likely a map. Deidara gave a chuckle at the sight of the man before he returned to following Konan, both of them quickly climbing up to the Crow's Nest. Kabuto was already up there, using a telescope to watch the landmass, "From what I can tell, it has a bustling port…" Kabuto turned to them, his malice towards the blonde completely forgotten in the excitement, "What do you think?"
He offered the telescope to Konan, who gazed through it towards the steadily growing sight, "Yes; I can see ships. The place is definitely a port town, but I can't tell how large it is." She turned to Deidara, "Go to Sasori and find out the name of the location."
The blonde nodded and quickly climbed back down the ropes, running to the highest level of the ship. As soon as he reached the area, both Sasori and Sakura looked towards him, the pinkette giving a glare. "What is it, street scum? You better have a damn good reason for being here, or else I'm going to use you for target practise." She stroked the handle of her gun, continuing to shoot him the glare.
"Calm down, Sakura." The pinkette jumped slightly at the unusual comment by the ship's navigator, "The Brat knows by now that he shouldn't bother either of us unless he has a valid reason." She looked at him, glaring at the red head slowly before turning back to the blonde, waiting for his answer.
Deidara stood up taller and cleared his throat, feeling the tension of the situation, "Konan and Kabuto told me to ask Sasori for information about the new port we're headed for, un…"
Sakura scowled before turning back to the steering wheel, continuing to keep it steady. Sasori walked over to the blonde boy, showing him the map which he held, "The port is known as Konohagakure. It is the largest port city in the world…" He turned his gaze to Sakura, "Plus it is also the birthplace of our three most-glorious captains." Sasori spoke with a monotone, so the blonde couldn't tell whether the last line was meant to be sarcastic or not.
Sakura shot him a sharp look nonetheless, "Watch your tongue, Akasuna." Sasori held up his one free hand in calm but didn't speak, "Yes; it is the old home of Naruto, Sasuke and myself…"
There was a fluttering sound and a harsh cawing which drew the attention of all three pirates. On the back railing of the ship a dark raven had perched, looking at them steadily. The bird tilted its head quickly, watching them with crimson orbs. Deidara could feel its eyes staring at him, as if the bird were scrutinizing and memorising him.
"A raven…" Sakura watched it with a blank expression, slowly blinking at it with her light green eyes, "…That's a bad omen…" She continued to stare at the bird, although she was clearly talking to the blonde, still speaking in the apathetic tone, "Deidara; you stay on-board the ship."
The blonde paled and he felt his stomach drop; he had been so excited at the prospect of dry land, but now that all seemed to vanish. He opened his mouth to complain, but was silenced by a quick pinch from Sasori. The blonde looked up at the red head to find he was giving the blonde a warning glare. Deidara frowned and looked away from the two people, giving a defeated sigh, "…Yes Ma'am…"
"Good." Sakura was still staring at the raven, the bird suddenly taking flight. She seemed to snap out of whatever trance she had been in, stumbling two steps before giving a confused exclamation, "…Huh?" She frantically blinked and looked around, her eyes falling on the blonde, "Well? Get outta my sight, street rat! I can't trust you to leave the ship, so you'll be staying back with Sasuke."
Deidara hid the look of distaste that he was tempted to make, giving a slow begrudging nod, "Yes Ma'am, un." He turned and walked back down the stairs, leaving the red head and the pinkette to their duties. The blonde climbed up to the Crow's Nest, finding that Orochimaru had joined the crew members. All three sets of eyes turned to Deidara, waiting for the answer, "It's Konohagakure."
"Awesome!" Konan gave a cheer and clapped her hands, "Oh, you're going to love it, Blondie! There is so much stuff there!"
"Sakura has forbidden me from going, un…" He gave a grim expression, "She says that I have to stay on-board the ship." The bluenette blinked in surprise, before giving a frown of concern.
"…Oh…Well that's okay." She slowly nodded, "Well I've been to Konoha heaps of times!" The girl gave a sudden smile, "I can stay back with you on-board while the rest go off." She grinned at him widely and gave him a rough pat on the back, "We'll have heaps of fun!"
"Sasuke isn't going either." He gave a shrug but Konan seemed unaffected by this remark.
She roughly patted him on the back, giving a loud laugh, "It'll be awesome!" Orochimaru and Kabuto exchanged looks before they wordlessly climbed out of the Crow's Nest, leaving the two alone. The bluenette's smile immediately fell, "I'm sorry Deidara," her voice had lost its mirthful edge, "but I won't be able to stay on-board with you. I was just saying so to make sure that Orochimaru and Kabuto didn't think you would be alone and helpless. I'll try to persuade Sakura to let you go, but I can't make any promises…she is quite stubborn." Konan gave a shrug and ran a hand through her short blue hair, "…Come on."
She moved over the edge of the Crow's Nest, climbing down the ropes with ease, the blonde quickly following behind her. They moved to the upper deck, where Sakura and Sasori were still standing, discussing the patterns of the wind. When Konan interrupted, the pinkette gave a vicious sneer, until she realised that it was the bluenette. The girl gave a wide smile that freaked the blonde out. "Hey Konan! Such a pleasure to see you! What would you like?"
The bluenette gave a wide smile and pointed at the blonde, "I was just wondering why he wasn't allowed to come out to see the port – I mean I can keep an eye on him if you're worried about him running off."
Sakura blinked at Konan before giving a laugh, "Well when you put it that way-"
"Captain," Sasori took a step forward, "I don't think it would be wise to change your mind after you have already settled on a decision." Deidara and Konan both started in surprise, sending looks of shock at the red head. "The other crew members may begin to doubt your leadership."
Sasori was giving Konan a dangerous look, and they seemed to be sharing a silent conversation. Sakura didn't notice this, giving a frown in deep thought, "Hmm…Well…" She gave a sigh, "I'm sorry Konan, but Akasuna is correct. I should not go back on an order."
"Very well," Konan put her hands behind her head and gave a small laugh, "I understand! And I'm sure Deidara will get over it." She gave a playful salute and grinned widely, "Thanks anyway, Captain!"
The angel marched off, humming happily while dragging the blonde with her. As soon as they were out of hearing shot, Deidara gave a loud growl, "That bastard!" He scowled deeply, "I don't understand him! One minute he is an ally, and the next he is my enemy, un!" The blonde scowled fiercely but Konan simply petted him on the back.
"Relax, Blondie. Sasori is your ally; he must have a reason for wanting you to stay…" She frowned in deep thought, "I'll ask him at the port when I finally get him alone." Deidara gave a begrudging nod but was still obviously angry.
-x-
Deidara watched as he saw the crew walking down the gangplank, only he and Sasuke remaining onboard. The blonde had his sword at his belt, not wishing to seem defenceless. Sasuke stood in his full captain attire, watching the people leave with a sour expression.
Konoha brought back bad memories from his childhood.
Konan was no where to be found, and Sasori was apparently walking alone. Due to his tendency to remain in his room, the crew members didn't notice the new addition of a paper flower on the breast pocket of his coat. The pirates dispersed, taking the time to explore the port which was the home of most members onboard. Konoha had been the very start of the Lightning Queen's story.
Sasori walked away from the general crowd, entering a more secluded part of the town. The origami rose slowly altered into a paper butterfly that fluttered off of the red head's pocket, disappearing down a dark alleyway. A few moments later, a woman walked out of the passage, giving an effeminate giggle.
She was wearing a long elegant sky-blue dress which possessed a petticoat beneath it, so that it stuck out. Her hair was tied up in a bun with white origami flowers within the soft brown locks, and the woman's face was powdered white with her lips painted deep red. The angel's eyes remained bright orange, being the only portion of her body that she couldn't alter.
They linked arms and continued down the street, soon reaching the bustling centre of the village. Konan gave the red head a false loving smile, "Oh darling; it was such a shame that you forced me to leave our sweet child at home. May I ask why?"
Why did you force Deidara to remain behind?
Sasori gave her a charming smile, having no option but to follow with the act, "Oh sweet wench," he gave a soft chuckle, "I saw a raven; you know what an ill omen they are. Its eyes were just so hypnotic! Like fire…"
Itachi appeared and hypnotised Sakura into making him stay onboard.
"Really?" She batted her eyes at him innocently, pulling a white fan from her sash, waving it slowly, "How odd…"
Sasori nodded and looked around, something catching his eyes, "Darling…Would you care for some tea?" He gestured to the shop and she followed his gaze, her fan stilling in its movement.
"Why yes," she looked up at the red head, giving him another tender smile, "I am quite thirsty, darling." They turned and walked into the tea shop, both pretending to notice the two dark figures for the first time, "Oh! Ita and Kisame!" She didn't use the raven's entire name since this was his home village, but the public only knew Kisame by the title of the Demon Shark of the South.
The blue haired man looked up, giving a grin, "Greetings Sasori and Kona!" He didn't use her full name either as she was in disguise, "Long time no see!"
Sasori and Konan sat down at the table, and Kisame told the waitress to bring more tea. The red head turned to the Fire Breather, giving him a serious look as he let go of the brunette's arm, "Now tell me, Ita, why did you not want Deidara to come?"
Itachi watched him carefully before looking away, "I had a dream last night…" They both blinked in surprise and leaned closer, "Sasuke needed backup…And I thought that it would be a perfect opportunity to test this new Akatsuki member."
Sasori's eyes widened and he quickly stood up, "You mean Deidara is in danger?"
"Careful Red," Kisame smirked at him ironically, "your emotions are showing."
The red head stared at them slowly before clenching his teeth together, "I'm sorry but I have to go…" He turned and disappeared out the shop, headed towards the ship. Konan watched him leave, giving a soft sigh as she absentmindedly waved her fan.
"Mortals…Always in such a hurry." The waitress came around with their tea, and Konan sipped from her own cup, shaking her head, "Now then, tell me what I have missed."
-x-
Deidara and Sasuke had been lounging about on deck, both bored beyond belief. They had made little attempt at talking to one another, and they were sitting in silence when the enemy attacked.
(Sorry to leave you with a cliff hanger, but due to exams this story is going to be put on hiatus for a few weeks. I apologize for any inconvenience and any hair that you might pull out as a result of the suspense and frustration. –Woolfy)
