Chapter Fourteen
What A Waste Of Time
The next day; It doesn't work, we kill a young Genin under cover of darkness and take it back to the workshop the next day. Sasori paused as he looked into the innocent dead eyes of the child, and I thought he would quit, but he shook it off and carried on. We laid the body out and tried to fill it with the strongest Chakras we had, just to see what would happen. But the body dried out and became useless. We ended up burying it out in the desert, hidden. In a grave with no name. But we put a stone there as a headstone, carved out the words 'I'm Sorry' Onto the stone. Then using pebbles I made a copy of the sand symbol over the grave. At least the girl died with dignity.
Over the course of the week we try it on two more bodies, both young boys. Sasori tries to build a puppet as he send chakra running through thier veins, trying in vain to fuse them together. But it doesn't work. As I walk home one night I see a missing sign of the girl we killed first, her parents are pleading whoever has her to bring her back. I also see her name, Suji. That's the same as mine... It helps that I am a puppet, or I am sure I would start crying with guilt and shame. We bury the two boys next to Suji, and I carve her name onto the stone, so it now says 'I'm Sorry, Suji' It's probably the least we can do.
Over the next month Sasori thinks that maybe the Genin we tested on weren't strong enough to work with. We slaughter a Chunin and carry thier body back with us, Then try again, but sure enough, It doesn't work. The body becomes brittle and unfit to work with at all.
Over the next few months, The number of graves swells to Fourty Two. Fourty Two dead people, and nothing to show for it. And it is getting a lot harder to get new bodies, a permanant watch has been established around the peremiter of the Sand Village. Everyone tring to get through is questioned and if they arouse suspicion they are searched for weapons. Luckily Sasori only has to say he is going to his workshop, and they let him through. Sasori certainly commands a lot of respect among the fighters, 'Sasori Of The Red Sand' They call him, because his puppets dyed the sand red with the blood of attackers. And he only needs to say I am his assistant and I am let through with Sasori, followed by the occasional wolf whistle from the more cheery guards. I'm lucky I don't get embarressed, but Sasori always works up a flush.
We get our bodies now from travellers we see approaching the village or leaving it. We set small traps up so we know when someone is nearby and let them go if they don't posess chakra of any sort. We snare a further nine Genin, Four Chunin and even a Jounin who tried to help his Squad but got caught. Me and Sasori try out differant ways of making Human Puppets, but nothing works. I can see Sasori getting more frustrated with every passing day, he really needs this to work soon. The longer this takes, the more chance there is we will get caught. I notice a new look about him, the lonliness in his eyes has given away to an anger. His eyes are cold and seem to cut through you, but I stay by his side. Not out of loyalty, but because I was ordered.
The streets are now littered with Missing posters of the Fifty Plus people we have killed, and people go about nervously. Afraid they are next to be killed, but most of them are safe. We try to take people who won't be as easily missed as others, but the panic is still as big. Foolish weak hearted humans.
That night I walk into the puppet core, I think today was hard on Sasori. I don't think he slept well recently and is probably scared of being discovered. I can see it in his eyes and body movements. He is afraid. I walk down the corridoor to my room, and Chiyo is waiting for me in the hall.
"Suji." She says, I stop in front of her,
"Yes Lady Chiyo? Did you need something?" She sighs,
"I know what you've been up to." I let a troubled expression play across my face, and talk to her in a confused voice,
"I don't know what you mean." She folds her arms and looks me up and down.
"I know you've been making Human Puppets with Sasori. Or at least trying to." I fake an uneasy laugh,
"No, I haven't. What proof do you have to suggest that anyway?" Something inside her sparks,
"I know it was you! And Sasori hasn't been himself lately. I'm not too old to be messed about with." I realise she knows, and nothing will convince her we are innocent. I let my expression drop.
"Fine then. Yes, we have been trying to make human puppets. Me and Sasori." She looks long into my emotionless eyes,
"Why do you do it for him? It can't be because you care about him. You're just an emotionless thing that doesn't feel." I grit my teeth,
"That may be so. And it is right, I don't care about Sasori. I'm only doing it because of you. Because you asked me to become his friend. It's not like I have any feelings for him." She nods knowingly, and even smiles a little. A smile of contempt. I ask her, "What are you even going to do about it? Turn us in?" I smirk at her, "Betray your own grandson? Betray Sasori?" She returns my smirk and lifts her hand up,
"I'll leave that part to you." And she points behind me. I turn my back on her and look to where she is pointing, leaving myself open to attack. I see what she is pointing at, and it makes my body freeze.
No...
Before me, is a fifteen year old boy with wide brown eyes and hair the colour of fire. He is beautiful, and even though you don't call boys that, that is what he is. His mouth is slightly agape and his hands are by his side, shaking lightly. It is Sasori. Tears roll from his eyes silently and he stares at me with a pleading look.