Chapter 21 - New Years Eve

It's been about a few days since my Christmas Concert. It went well so that's good. My children had gone with me again and seemed to enjoy it as well. Most likely because of the heated building since it had snowed the night before. Currently I was standing in front of my oven making a cobbler, it was New Years and I wanted to take my children to see the fireworks display in the city. I was sure Deidara would love it, though for Sasori I would hope he would enjoy the other event in the city.

Pulling the cobbler out and packing it away in a container that will keep it warm, I went about setting up some more things to eat while we were in the city. Putting my children's favorite drinks in containers and in the bag, I set it on the counter before heading to get ready. My children knew I had a surprise for them so they were already getting ready, I had told them to dress for the cold. Of which they weren't happy about but this was something I wanted to share with them as I knew this wasn't an everyday event. Plus I couldn't miss it.

The call came shortly after Christmas, gave me hardly any time to plan. In doing so I completely skipped over my birthday but I didn't really care. With this I came up with the plan to take my children into the city. To be honest I was worried something was going to happen. The police had yet to find Felicia and my family… well ex-family, had yet to call me again since Pein hung up on them back in November. To be honest with my past birthday I had almost expected them to call and make the day seem darker than it was. Hopefully my children don't ask about that day.

Sure I was a little upset on that day but it past and I wasn't about to bring it up. I am sure I was able to keep my mood from my children. I was able to spend the day with them so that was the best gift I could get.

Putting on my winter coat and boots I braided my hair and tied it into a bun so it could easily put in a hat. Picking out a hat that I thought went with the coat I went about tying a scarf around my neck as I started down the stairs. I had a large car waiting for us outside for us so I hoped my children didn't take too long getting ready. Seeing as they were all about ready I went to the kitchen to pick up the bag of goodies and drinks for when we set up a place for the show.

The last one to show up was Kisame who was performing the henge just like Zetsu and Kakuzu did. Smiling at them all I lead them to the car and allowed them to choose their own seating. And to my surprise I didn't even need to tell them about buckling. Even Hidan buckled, which I smiled again and got in, buckling myself. "Where to ma'am."

"The Eastern Fireworks and Beyond Still Showcase."

At fireworks Deidara perked up from his slouch and Sasori frowned. Closing the shutter between the driver and myself and my children. I relaxed and shifted the hat on my head before turning on the heater. One thing about having light hair is that they hold no warmth, myself and Hidan was no exception to that, glancing at Hidan I saw he was a little more bundled up than the rest so I directed the heater in the direction of my kids, can't have them getting sick on me. It was a silent car ride for about 3 minutes until Sasori spoke. It was around when we got to the edge of my property when he spoke. Now my property was only this big because of the ice on the pavement making the driver ease his way across with the large car."What are we going to see in this cold weather?"

For a moment I realized that Sasori was from the Desert, which meant he was used to warm and hot temperatures during the day and only a chill at night. But that was only from before he turned into a puppet. Thankfully he was getting used to the temperature here and he was properly bundled up for the snow and cold air.

"Danna didn't you hear her, its a fireworks show, un!"

"Shut up brat I wasn't asking you." Sasori growled and I sighed.

"I'm taking you all to see the New Year's Fireworks show and the Showcase of Sculptures done by the up and coming artists of the city. While I'm judging the sculptures I was hoping you'd enjoy food and drinks while watching the show and listen to the band play."

Sasori perked up at the sculpture bit but then looked a little confused. "Judging?"

This got everyone attention. "You're not joining us?"

"I'm a judge for this years final's round. And my sculpture I made last year is being displayed since it won the first place ribbon. Remember that call a few days ago? That was them asking for my opinion for the showcase."

It was silent as they took in the information. Konan was the next to speak.

"Will we be able to see you're display?"

I smiled and nodded. "Of course."

-XxX-

After arriving to the central plaza where the fireworks would be shot from and where the sculptures would be displayed, me and my children got out of the car to head into the VIP area. Security stopped us though when they saw my children. Turning to them I smiled. "11 for the fireworks display and the showcase in the semi-heated seating."

The guard looked over his list before he asked for a name they would be under. Giving my first name he nodded and waved over a usher who took us over to where we would be sitting during the show. Setting up the heater for this area I set about to get the stuff ready for my children to eat while I was judging.

-XxX-

While I sat in my seat near the other judges I held in my chosen words as they criticize many artists. I gave my input as well but I wasn't as harsh as some of them. Turning to glance at where my children were I saw they were enjoying the music and food. So far no one had started anything so that was good.

Sasori was analyzing all the artworks from his spot but made no move to get up to get near them. Deidara was sitting and twitching every so often, my guess was that he was waiting for the fireworks display. Itachi was barely looking around as he ate something sweet from the food I made. Kisame was drinking his favorite soda pop as he boredly watched the light fall of snow. Hidan was eating the cobbler and downing the hot apple cider. Kakuzu was counting some coins and I could see him occasionally look around for something, might be looking for something of value? Zetsu was shifting in discomfort from how many people were around him, but he looked like he could handle a little more before he would have to get some alone time. Obito was reading a book he brought with him, where he got it I was not sure but he seemed more interested in the book than the art pieces. Pein was talking to Konan, what about, I wasn't sure.

Turning back to the judging I gave my input once more as we saw more and more of the sculptures. When the judging was done I sat back in my chair with the other judges, we talked about how the totals added up before we reach a decision. Seeing as we held the group of peoples attention for the judging and the announcement, I stayed silent as the head judge talked about how good each entry was good, I saw Sasori scoff silently and I smiled in his direction in of which he turned his head away with a slight scowl.

Turning my attention to the judging just in time to see the winner be giving a reward, he was walking down the judge line to shake their hands. When he got to me I shook his hand, of which he turned red.

Sighing through my nose I had to wonder why everyone turned red around me. I mean it's not like they were attracted to me right? I can handle the flirting from others but seriously, why would anyone be interested in me? Other than with the intent of getting money that I have or family power. Not that I have an family power, if I ever did it's new to me.

"And this concludes our Beyond Still Showcase. Stick around and watch the fireworks with us as we listen to music and serve hot drinks. Thank you to all who participated in this event. And we hope to see you next year for the next showcase. Special thanks for our very own talented artist from last year to be our special judge: Rei Matsuhara. See you all next year!"

Sighing out loud I walked away from the judging booth and went to sit in the VIP area with my children. Konan handed me a cup of hot cider which I smiled as I held it in my cold hands. Sipping it I sat in silence as we waited for the last of the showcase. Sasori was looking at my art piece. It was of a wooden statue, a woman hold a small child. It was life size of a normal 5'7 woman and a small toddler looking to be 2 or 3. The wooden frame was detailed with a floral design on the toddler and a sun and moon on the woman. I had spend weeks detailing it to look as life like as I could. It was a heartwarming design where it looked like a mother was giving her child warmth from the cold that surrounded them.

"Do you like it Sasori?" I asked when I saw Sasori look at the artwork once more.

He sighed and turned a lazy look at me. "It's rather detailed."

"It'd be better if it had some explosive color, un. After all art is an explosion, un."

I sighed as both artist started to bicker back and forth. Though it was toned down compared to how they fought in the show. It was like they didn't want to cause a scene. I smiled slightly at the fact that they are seeming to try to fit in my world. Pein sighed and turned to me as Deidara got a little louder. Luckily we had VIP seating, so no one was really around.

"Well then let's ask Rei, un! Surely she knows True Art! After all she is a world famous artist here, un."

"Sure brat. She will surely know true mean of art."

I blinked.

Seeing smooth brown and sky blue eyes turn to me I sighed. I knew one day I was going to be asked this. I cleared my throat as I started to sip my hot cider. "You want to know my views on Art?"

"Of course, un. After all you're a famous artist here right? So your view has to have some ground for being true, un." Deidara stated Sasori scowled at his partner before turning to me.

"Let me ask you this before I tell you my view on art. Even if you think I'm wrong know that I won't force you to change your views. I only wish for you two to think about how others feel about you trying to change their views. How does the other feel about someone else destroying what they love? Do you like it when it happens to you? Would it be unfair to do that to them if you don't like it yourself?"

Deidara frowned sadly and shifted in his seat while Sasori rubbed his arm from the cold night air. I smiled when I saw they seriously thought about my words. "As for my view of art..," this got their attention back on me. Even the other children started listening. "I feel like it's an emotion. An expression."

I saw Deidara about to speak, most likely to tell me my view was wrong when I held up my hand to my lips and in 'shhh' manner. "And before you try to tell my I'm wrong. Listen to my reasoning."

"Let's give her a chance brat." Sasori stated as he listened intently, which got a pout from his partner before he looked directly at me.

"An emotion is a beautiful thing. It's an art to perfect it. It can be both An Eternal and An Explosive creation. To create something that either has a short time span can create an emotion of awe and inspiring moods or has a longer more forever timespan can create an emotion of wonder and beauty. Both can be an emotion, both limited and unlimited arts. I'm famous because I put in emotion in my art to the point others feel it. Taking into account of the scenery and the people, I was able to make it as an artist because my art spoke to others."

I smiled at my two art lover of my children. "Take my winning design from last year." Pointing at the sculpture I made that many were still examining and taking pictures of. Sasori and Deidara looked at the wooden art. "What do you feel when you see it?"

"Warmth…" Pein stated when neither artist spoke.

"It was true the art piece was themed around warmth but what else?"

"Comfort." Kisame stated as he looked at the statue.

"Love?" Hidan asked as he rubbed the back of his head.

"All the feelings of a mother's love…" Konan stated in awe as she looked at the statue once more.

"Yes the idea of the mix of a mothers care, love, warmth and comfort. And because everyone can feel that emotion lead to my art being showcased tonight and all other nights when something of mine is showed."

I smiled at my other children who spoke. It would seem they were taking from this as well. Turning back to my artist dou I spoke again. "I won't try to change your view of art. Just remember to think of the others emotions in a way of yourself in their situation."

Both artist were silent as they seemed to think. Then turning to my art piece as they slowly went back to sipping their drinks from the cold weather. I smiled at the silence since I knew it would mean they had taken what I said to heart and were thinking it through. Soon our thoughts and the silence was broken when fireworks went off in the background. Sasori looked up at them.

"Emotion huh…"

Deidara looked up at the fireworks with a smile. Even though he looked deep in thought as he watched what would be his favorite part of the night. "Even though….it's not my ideal...it truly has beauty in its own right."

Deidara looked stunned before he looked at all the stillcases still in the area. "And….maybe...lasting art has a fine feature as well, un…"

I smiled at my two sons as they blushed looking away from me and back at their drinks. Hidan was laughing as was Kisame. While the more silent members enjoyed the scenery, I leaned back and watched the colors light up each of my children's faces. Colors of blues, reds, orange and greens showed in wonderous colors and loud apparel. A soft sigh escaped my lips as I sipped my slowly cooling cider as I smiled once more.

-XxX-xXx-XxX- Later that Night -XxX-xXx-XxX-

Walking into our home I saw most members were tired from the late hour. Waving them goodnight I entered the master bedroom. Walking over to the calendar near my bed I saw that this month was mostly free, only for the last day to be shopping for next months event. Valentine's Day…

The only issue was...did my children know anything about that holiday?

What did you think of this chapter? Sorry it took a month to finish. The next should be done sooner and before the 14th...hopefully. I had some drama come up and keep me from writing. And I recently learned how to CC Shop for my Sims 4 game so that took up a lot of my time! And I love CC shopping!

Question of the Chapter: What do you think of Rei's View of Art? And what's yours?