A/N: Hey, this story was super fun to write and from the both of us, we wanna say thanks for reading and loving it. We're super happy with how much love this story received.

The feeling of a wine jug falling out of his hand and the sound of it hitting the ground scared Komushi awake. His eyes snapped open and he sat up quick, breathing a little heavily as he clutched his chest from the sudden spook. The quick movement made him nauseous and a headache started to form. He had no idea what time it was but he was pretty sure he slept the whole day away. "Ugh," he groaned, feeling a wave of nausea hit him hard. It made him gag and he was sure he was about to vomit.

"Did you drink yourself to sleep last night?" Sasori asked from the doorway, spooking Komushi a little more.

"Hmm," Komushi grunted. He pressed the balls of his palms into his temples. "Of course," he snapped.

Sasori sighed, setting a mug of coffee down next to his best friend as he took a seat on the bed. "Take this." He pressed a cold glass of water into Komushi's hand and some pills.

Komushi looked at the glass for a moment before taking the pills and downing the water quickly. "Thanks," he gasped when he pulled the glass from his lips. He did not look at Sasori for a bit but when he finally did, he saw that Sasori was watching him. "So..."

"You left me," Sasori said.

"I wasn't going to help you kill that baby."

"We've done it so many times before. What made this time different?" Sasori fought hard to keep the growl out of his voice but it came through a little bit.

Komushi glared hard at Sasori. His tongue ran the full row of his lower teeth. "What made her different," he snorted. His lip curled into a snarl as he looked at him. "We know her!" He took a deep breath, downing the rest of his water. "I...care about her!" he sighed, putting the cup down a little too hard.

Sasori's head snapped up to him. "I care about her, too," he snapped, almost immediately regretting the confession.

"You have a shitty way of showing it," Komushi scoffed.

"I was trying to keep her!" Sasori growled. "That baby will...would have ruined everything!"

"I would have taken it! You could have given it away to literally anyone! You're just a selfish piece of shit!" Komushi's voice started to rise. He shook his head, grabbing the cup of coffee. His throat felt tight as he downed the hot liquid.

"You probably can't get it through your rock of a skull but the baby being born and alive in general would have caused too many problems!" Sasori said. "Problems within my family that I don't need to deal with."

"If you paid better attention to her she wouldn't have gotten pregnant in the first place!" Komushi sucked his teeth hard. "And even if she still had the baby, you could have told your mother it was stillborn!"

"Oh, yeah, you really think that would have worked?" Sasori asked, feigning a small voice of hope. He smacked Komushi on the back of the head. "With Gaara being the father, just saying it was stillborn would have gotten me in even more trouble than killing it," he said. "He would have tried to keep it or do something to keep it around often. It would have been too obvious to everyone who the child's parents are."

Komushi rolled his eyes, clicking his teeth again. "Whatever." He sipped his coffee again. "It's going to live and you lose. So what are you going to do now?"

Sasori stayed quiet for a moment, looking down. "Actually...that's why I came over here," he started. "I figured since you're my best friend I should tell only you..." He looked up at him. "I'm leaving the city."

The shatter of the coffee mug on the ground echoed but Komushi could not hear it over the buzz in his ears. His mouth clicked shut. He took a moment to collect himself and then nodded. He flicked his foot, feeling coffee on his skin. "I...yeah, that makes sense," he sighed. "What are you going to tell your parents?"

"Nothing," Sasori sighed, looking down again. "I'm going to disappear..."

"Are you sure that's wise? Just leaving on your own?"

"I'm leaving with Kenzou and his...whatever they are," he shook his head.

"Yeah, what are they?" Komushi muttered.

"Who knows? But I guess I'll find out when I spend time with them." Komushi nodded again. He bit his lip and the tears started to well. "Don't," Sasori shook his head. "Don't do this."

Komushi sniffled, wiping his nose. "I'm not," he waved his hand, turning his head away. "I...damn...this will be good for you," he nodded. "This will be good for you." He leaned in and pulled Sasori into a tight hug. Sasori returned the hug. They stayed like that for a long moment before pulling apart. "When are you leaving?"

"Tonight...Kenzou wasn't going to leave for another week apparently but after he let her go...I had a long, long time to think about it...and then we had a long conversation and he said it would be best to leave tonight."

Komushi nodded again. "I suppose he is wise enough to trust for a decision like this..."

"I don't know when or if I'll be back," he said to Komushi.

"What do you want me to do with your shop?"

"Give it to my father. Tell him he can keep it or sell it." He ran a hand through his hair. "And...you know the birds can always find me," he smirked a little.

"I obviously won't tell anyone where you went off to," Komushi started, "but...what do you want me to say? Because it's going to come up."

"Use your imagination," Sasori told him. "I don't care what you say as long as no one can find me."

"I understand," he nodded. He leaned back and laid down on the bed, letting out a long, loud groan. "My best friend is leaving, Kankuro's got a girl now, Shira hates me!" He moaned dramatically. "This is going to be rough." He covered his eyes with his arm for added effect then relaxed. "But I guess personal growth for your best friend is good." He cracked a smirk.

"Yeah..." Sasori said, a small smile appearing on his lips. "I suppose it is."

"You're not going to try and go see her before you leave, are you?" Komushi asked with genuine curiosity. "Let her know that she doesn't need to live in fear of being taken again? Give her some closure?"

"I don't think going to see her would be the best idea when I'm doing this to try and forget about her."

"Talk about a bad break up," Komushi snorted. "Want me to tell her if I see her?"

"No," Sasori shook his head. "Only you need to know."

Komushi nodded and sighed again. "Want to get a drink or...churros before you go?"

Sasori paused for a moment. "Why not both?" he shrugged. "I'm not leaving until tonight. I think we have time to get churros and then a drink."

Komushi curled up, grinning widely. "Let's go then!"

Together, they stood up. Sasori let Komushi deal with his small hangover before they left for the coffee shop. There was a normal late-afternoon crowd in the streets and as they walked, Sasori thought about whether or not he was going to miss the busyness of the city. He was never one for crowds despite living in the city his entire life. Maybe being with a small group of people out in the middle of nowhere was exactly what he needed.

Komushi looked over at him, noticing the lost-in-space look on his face. "Think you're going to miss this place?" he asked as if reading Sasori's mind.

"Not sure," Sasori hummed. "Maybe I'll miss the coffee shop. The Night Market. Can't say there's much else about this place I would really miss."

"What about me?" Komushi pouted.

"Let's not ask stupid questions," Sasori smirked at him.

The 'of course' hung silently in the air and Komushi rolled his eyes, returning the smirk. "It's nice to hear once in a while, you know," he teased as they walked up to the coffee shop. It was strange to think this would the last time he and his best friend would do this for...possibly forever. His heart sank a little as they ordered their usual and found their favorite spot. "Damn, even doing this is going to be dull alone," he mused out loud with a laugh.

"Well, maybe you'll finally find a woman who will do this with you," Sasori hummed. "Or a man," he added with a shrug. "Can't rule that out."

"You're the only man for me," Komushi grinned.

"Ugh," Sasori groaned, rolling his eyes.

"Mm, but maybe you are right," Komushi sighed. "Who knows, maybe you could be coming back here for a wedding," he winked.

"Now that would be interesting," Sasori smirked as their order was called out. He stood up to go get it and was taking in everyone's face as he passed them. Faces he was used to seeing along with some new ones. He thought about people who ran to this city to escape their past. How interesting this all would be. He grabbed the order and made his way back to the table, once again getting lost in thought as he sat down.

Komushi let him reflect for a few minutes as he took the first churro. "Maybe you'll meet someone, too," he finally said after a while.

Sasori came back, blinking away his own trance and shaking his head a little. "What?" he asked.

"Maybe you'll meet someone, too," Komushi repeated.

"I thought that's what you said. I was giving you a chance to change it."

"I'm serious."

"Komushi," Sasori sighed. "I'm not looking—"

"Just because you aren't looking doesn't mean it can't happen," Komushi cut him off. "I know this is a poor example to give you but Azumi came here as a slave and ended up with Gaara. She wasn't looking and it happened." Sasori rolled his eyes hard at the example. "What I'm saying is that it can happen. And, honestly, as your best friend, I hope it does."

Sasori stared down at his coffee, stirring his churro around in it. He did not know what to say to that. He was pretty certain with what he had done in life, he was never going to be allowed that kind of happiness. And he was not sure he needed it. However, he knew Komushi only meant the best for him. "Thanks," he said with a soft fond smile. "You'll be the first to know if I do."

"Um, I better be," Komushi scoffed. "And I better be your best man."

"Well, considering I only have one best friend, it would have to be you."

"Good. Don't come back here with another best friend or I'll have to do something about it."

Sasori stared at him for a few seconds. "Alright," he chuckled. "I won't." On top of not looking for a relationship, he was also not looking for friends. Komushi had nothing to worry about.

They fell into a short comfortable silence before Komushi started again. "So...you're going to travel with Kenzou..." He sipped his coffee. "That's going to be a wile ride."

"Or very boring. Kenzou's an old man and so is his...band?"

"Gang?"

"Whatever they are, they're old. And I'm pretty grateful that he doesn't...perspire as much anymore."

"You think he has enough of that stuff Azumi made for him to last?" Komushi chuckled.

"I'm sure I could recreate it if I really needed to. But...she really nailed that one." He grimaced just thinking of how Kenzou used to smell.

"I know you can," Komushi chuckled. "It just won't be as good."

"Yeah, yeah," Sasori rolled his eyes. "Quit hyping her up. She's not even here," he smirked.

"Admittedly, I will miss her," Komushi hummed. "I would ask her if she could make me one more cologne before she leaves but—"

"Best not to risk it," Sasori shook his head. "Her family will probably kill you."

"Yeah, I don't want to go anywhere near them. Is there any of her stuff left at the shop?" Komushi asked.

"Uh, actually there might be," he said, thinking about it some more. "We could always stop by there before we head to the bar."

"Ooh, yes," he grinned. "I know she didn't make more than one of my personal one but she did teach me how to make it so maybe I can recreate it myself."

"Did you just pick up a new hobby?" Sasori teased.

"I might have," Komushi chuckled. "You know what, I'm going to raid your stores, too," he smirked. "This could be fun."

"You could open a shop," Sasori half-joked. "Get my father to let you keep the shop."

"Just give me your shop," Komushi pouted teasingly.

"You're going to ruin the image of the shop," Sasori sighed.

"I'm not going to ruin the shop's image or your image," Komushi rolled his eyes. "I've worked in there with you before. I can figure out how to do everything. I'm not an idiot." Sasori sipped his coffee, having no comments. "Just give me the shop. I'll run it the same way you always have. We're best friends and everyone knows we are so they'd trust me."

"Who are you going to get to run it with you?"

"Don't worry about that. I can find someone if I can't handle it alone."

Sasori stared hard at him for a long while before sighing heavily. "Fine," he said. "You can have the shop." He sipped his coffee again. "It might be easier anyway," he muttered. "You wouldn't have to explain anything to my parents about where I am and why I've given it up."

"See? A win-win situation!" Komushi grinned.

"We still have to stop by. I'll show you my books I guess and—"

Komushi held his hand up to stop him then flipped it over. "Just give me the keys. I've literally done everything."

Sasori chuckled softly, nodding. He reached into his pocket and fished out his ring of keys. He took one set off and handed him the rest. "Here." He dropped the keys into Komushi's waiting hand.

"I promise I'll take good care of it," Komushi grinned. "Like I said, I'll do everything the same."

"I'm trusting you," Sasori told him, eating another churro.

"As you should."

They finished their churros and coffee and stood up to exit the shop. "I suppose there are a few things from there I should take with me," Sasori hummed as they made their way to his shop.

It sat just the way it had been the last time he had seen it when they entered. It still smelled like his second home. He made his way to the backroom, his eyes quickly fell on the tank where the snakes had lived. He nodded slightly, noting that Azumi must have let them go. That was good. He turned to bound up the ladder to the second floor and heard Komushi follow after him as he grabbed a leather bag to fill with what he was going to take.

"This is going to be tough," Komushi hummed, looking around.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Sasori asked as he started to fill the bag.

"I meant being in this place without you," Komushi smirked.

Sasori rolled his eyes, grabbing a few papers from his desk that would be beneficial to him while he was gone. As he scanned the desk for more things, he found the ledger he wrote everything down in. For a moment, he debated on taking it but he figured that if he was to truly let everything go then he would have to leave the ledger. He could always get a new one. And probably would. Writing was still therapeutic no matter what he was doing in life. He pulled a few more jars and place them in the bag.

"You'll make this place your own," he finally said, feeling a wave of something unfamiliar in his chest. "Just try not to stink it up too much," he teased, turning to look at his friend. This place had been his baby. His second home for so long. It was all his. And he was giving it all up. Part of him was okay with giving it to Komushi. He knew if he ever came back, he could just have the shop back. Yet, the other part was starting to second-guess the decision to leave the city and leave all of what he worked for behind. He shook his head. He needed to leave. It was the best decision of all the ones he had been dealt with. He finished packing the bag and slung it over his shoulder, taking another look around before heading down the ladder and to the front of the shop. They stopped by the display of products that Azumi made. "She might have left the recipes somewhere in the back," Sasori said. "If you want to recreate them."

"She does seem like the kind of person who would purposefully leave things like that for people," Komushi hummed. He picked up a few oils to smell them and decide which ones he wanted for himself.

"I don't think she made any extras for Kenzou," Sasori muttered. "I'll just take a few of these and hope for the best."

They lingered in the shop a little while longer until there was really no justifiable reason to be there anymore. Leaving the shop took a lot more out of him than he thought it would. When he finally did, he sighed softly as they made their way down the street. The sun was starting to go down.

"Wanna head over to the bar?" Komushi asked him, tucking his arms behind his head.

"I've got nowhere else to go right now," Sasori nodded. They weaved through the evening crowds toward the bar. The bar was not as crowded as they expected but there were still quite a few people there. "Definitely not going to miss this place," Sasori muttered as they found their seats.

"What!" Komushi gasped. "But we've had so many great brawls here!" He laughed as the bartender walked over to them.

"We've almost died here too many times to count. I'm pretty sure that bloodstain over there is yours." Sasori jerked his chin towards a dark mark next to Komushi's chair.

"Oh, yeah, probably," Komushi laughed. "Wouldn't change it for the world, though." He ordered them a whole bottle of the best stuff.

Sasori thought for a second. "Neither would I," he mumbled softly. The bottle arrived at their table along with two chilled glasses. Komushi wasted no time in opening the bottle up and pouring the first round. He lifted his glass to Sasori. "What are we toasting to?" Sasori asked as he lifted his glass as well.

"New beginnings? Redemptions? Something sappy along those lines," Komushi chuckled.

Sasori smiled fondly and chuckled softly. "Sounds good," he said, clinking his glass with Komushi's.

"I thought I'd find you here," Kenzou's voice came up from behind them as Sasori set his glass down. Komushi refilled their glasses and felt his heart drop a little.

"It's not time to go yet, is it?" Sasori frowned.

"No, no," Kenzou shook his head with a smile. "I came to settle my tab but it's good to let you know to meet us by the west gates of the city."

"Have a drink with us, Kenzou," Komushi said.

"Well, alright," Kenzou grinned, sitting down. "Just one won't hurt." He grabbed a glass and poured himself his drink.

"That didn't take much convincing," Sasori smirked.

"Well, Sasori," he sighed, "you will soon find out that with the life I live, you cannot turn down a drink. Get them when you can for they are rare."

"I'll toast again to that," Komushi grinned, raising his glass just enough to clink it against Kenzou's and Sasori's.

Sasori nodded, sighing softly as he downed his drink. "I've got to get used to that, I suppose," he smiled fondly into his glass.

"Ah, don't worry," Kenzou smiled. "You'll get used to it quickly. It's not so bad. The life we live is very freeing."

"What exactly is it that you do?" Komushi grinned, ready to hear what he had been wondering for a while.

"Why my men and I are just nomads," Kenzou boomed. Komushi was just about to deflate in disappointment from the answer when Kenzou began to speak again. "Every so often, we come across other travelers in need of help and we always offer assistance."

"What kind of help?" Sasori asked.

"Well, they are usually under attack by bandits and by 'offer assistance' I mean we intimidate the bandits away."

"Just intimidate?" Komushi hummed.

"Sometimes it comes down to actually having to get rid of them if you know what I mean."

"You ready for that, Sasori?" Komushi teased.

"Please," Sasori rolled his eyes. "I can handle myself."

"We do favors for anyone in need for coin sometimes, too," Kenzou added. "You'll have fun learning to shepherd and to ride a horse."

"I know how to ride a horse," Sasori said.

"Then you're already off to a good start," Kenzou grinned, clapping him on the back. "You'll be fine. You have nothing to worry about with us."

"Feeling excited yet?" Komushi smirked.

"I'm just quaking," Sasori laughed. Although, in all honesty, he was starting to feel the thrum of excitement. The closer the time to leave approached, the surer he was of his choice.

"I'm glad to hear that," Kenzou grinned. He downed his whole glass quickly and placed it down on the table with two taps. "Now I must pay what I owe to the nice bartender." He stood up. "I'll see you at the gates." With that said, Kenzou disappeared into the growing crowd of the bar toward the counter.

Komushi turned around in his seat so he faced the room. He noticed the smile on Sasori's face and could not help one of his own. He looked surer than ever about the choices to leave. And that smile was what solidified it. "Anything else you want to do before you leave?" he asked.

Sasori shook his head, grabbing the bottle and refilling their glasses. "I have nothing else I can think of that would be better than this," he said. Komushi grinned and they raised their glasses to each other once more.

Once the bottle was empty, Sasori settled the last of his tab and secretly Komushi's. "Alright...I think it's time to go," he said as he started for the door. Komushi nodded, following after his best friend. He felt his chest tighten up again as they slipped out of the fully packed bar and into the cool night air. It was refreshing on the skin. They walked in silence for a few minutes on their way to the west gate. "You don't think I'm never going to see you again, do you?" Sasori smirked, catching the saddened look on Komushi's face.

"No," Komushi's voice cracked. "I know. You can't get rid of me that easily."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Sasori smirked. As they approached the gate, they saw Kenzou's men with their horses, preparing to depart. Komushi wiped his nose, his shoulders shaking a little. "Don't," Sasori hissed but there was no malice behind it. "Don't cry."

"I'm not," Komushi's voice was already thick. "Just some sand in my eye, you jerk." He started to wipe his eyes.

"You've always been a crier," Sasori muttered.

"One of us has to have emotions," Komushi sniffled.

"Ready to go, Sasori?" Kenzou asked, holding out the reins of one of the horses for him.

Sasori took a second or two to answer. "I'm ready," he nodded. Komushi let out another sniffle and Sasori turned toward him, rolling his eyes. "Come here," he grumbled with a smile as he opened his arms for a hug.

Komushi held on tight to his best friend for the last time in neither of them knew how long. They did not say anything else when they finally pulled apart. Komushi pulled himself together long enough to watch his best friend swing his leg over his horse. Kenzou called his men to order and all of them turned to file out of the village.

"Oi! Don't burn my shop down," Sasori called over his shoulder to Komushi who let out a wail the moment Sasori was through the gates.

"I won't," he hollered back through his tears. "Feel better, you big asshole," he whispered, waving goodbye until Sasori hard to turn around to steer his horse. "And good luck," he mumbled softly as he watched until their silhouettes disappeared into the desert.

A/N: Now, look out for the sequel. Because we have plans.

I'm not joking.