Hanging by My Coat tails
Chapter Two: Lord Sasori
Uchiha Itachi stoically stood staring at the melee of bright colours as the enchanting music went straight over his head. He frowned directly at a group of women who were flirting their fans at him and giggling at his solemn expression.
He sighed. He was sick and tired of the evening already and according to Deidara it had barely begun. He scowled at Deidara, who was whirling an attractive brunette with ease along the dance floor to the Allemande that was playing. It was his fault that he was here and now he would have to stay, if only to keep face. He would look ridiculous now if he left almost upon entering Almacks.
His attention was caught far a moment, he could see his Uncle Obito getting some punch with Hatake. He would go to join them, but sheer boredom and a numbing feeling of dislike for Deidara was keeping him in his solitary position, standing there in a prime vantage point for standing alone and watching other people dance.
Suddenly he felt eyes boring into him. He casually scanned the room, pretending not to notice till he had identified the culprit.
It was a young man, who looked slightly younger than him, and wore an expression that was similar to his own, but there was a curiosity in his gaze as he stared at The Marquess.
Itachi wrinkled his nose delicately and looked away, back toward the dancing, and did not look back till he felt the man's presence right next to him.
"Itachi." he heard the man say in an amused voice.
"Sasori". Itachi said, inclining his head slightly in acknowledgement. Only these two could address each other so informal, as their ranks were of the same high standing.
"Where is this artist that you promised me? I got your message but last Thursday, and yet you still have to bring him to my seat in London." Sasori said, as he joined Itachi in watching the dancers.
"I had no idea that you were in London, old friend," Itachi said, smirking slightly. "But it is fortunate that you are here, for your elusive new prodigy is here also."
Sasori's eyebrows shot up. "I thought that we were to meet pre-arranged, for did you not say that he was opposed to joining me?"
"He is. But this is my revenge for him making me come to this nonsense," Itachi said, his voice taking a derisive dip as he glared at the unwitting Deidara, whose dance had ended and he was making his way toward the quietly talking men.
"Itachi," Deidara flashed a grin of pure mischief, wondering at his friend's smug smile." I hope you are enjoying yourself, yet I wonder that you do not dance."
Sasori looked intently at the man. Deidara's long hair shone under the lights and his bright, almost indigo eyes gleamed impishly, and his suit looked fresh and crisp, a simple black evening coat with a spotless cravat, his collar points high in keeping with fashion.
Sasori quirked an eyebrow at the man's bold manner when speaking to Itachi. They either must be very good friends or he must be extremely rude...
"Do not worry for me, my dear Deidara, but instead let me introduce you to my good friend, Lord Sasori." Itachi said smoothly.
Deidara's face, which had been full of high spirits a few moments ago, drained of all its colour.
"Ah…Yes, Lord-Yes indeed-un-am- so...un...Sasori- I mean...So Sorry, not, Sasori, un.
What was that? Of course!"
And with that rather garbled sentence, Deidara walked straight past the amused Lords and toward another group of people, who looked rather puzzled at his abrupt change in demeanour, but nevertheless greeted him cordially.
Deidara shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the embarrassment he felt clutching at his throat. He immediately flashed an amiable smile at one of the ladies in the group that he had joined. "My word, Cousin Kurenai, you get prettier every time I see you"
She giggled at the younger man. "Indeed, I do not see you that often for you to say that."
"Forgive my mistake. I will remedy it with the simple input that you look ravishing tonight."
She held out her hand. "Come; take a turn about the room with me, cousin. I have not spoken to you in a while." He took her hand courteously and bowed to the others in her group. "Excuse us." He said, and turned away from them, and walked slowly around the hall with his cousin.
Sasori watched the young blonde walk in the opposite direction with a young lady.
"What the devil is the mater with him?" He said, a curious smile flitting across his good looking features.
"Deidara, though he may not show it, is in desperate need of a Patron, and someone to fund his artwork." Itachi droned, lazily staring at his furiously blushing friend.
"Ah yes, the whole art is a Bang concept", Sasori nodded his head." I read of it in an article. It sounds expensive indeed."
"It is, especially with the amount of gunpowder he insists on using". Itachi shook his head. "However, He seems to take a disliking to asking for favours, and has some prejudice against working with you. I personally do know what it is, but have no qualms about using it to my advantage", Itachi said, noting that Deidara sent a small glare toward him and gave his customary smirk in return.
"What does this matter to me? His obvious aversion to me cannot be so strong that he is willing to sacrifice his career?" Sasori said incredulously.
"Well… He is very stubborn. He may do so. I am afraid my fun may have pushed him over the edge…"Itachi smiled again, but there was a trace of guilt in his voice. "I apologise."
Sasori sighed. "It is of no consequence, I assure you. I will ask him myself to meet so I can discuss this. Personally." He returned his piercing gaze to Deidara, intensely staring at the dark blue eyes that immediately looked away…
Later, that very same evening.
Deidara sipped at the punch that Hatake had just handed him, slightly out of breath from dancing the Sir Roger with a very energetic redhead…what was her name now? Deidara pushed her out of his mind, no matter; he did not remember half of his dancing partners.
Hatake chuckled. "You are quite popular, young sir, I applaud you."
"Indeed, it is these young Ladies who give me no peace, "he returned, flashing a suave smile at another lady across the room.
"Where is the Marquess?" Hatake inquired his eyes unconsciously following Obito as he conversed with a group of men around his age.
"Over there" said Deidara disgustedly, gesturing flippantly across the room where the Marquess was deep in conversation with Sasori…still.
He shuddered. He gazed at Lord Sasori, unconsciously noting almost every detail: the pale, serious eyes that sometimes crinkled in cynical amusement, the broad shoulders, slim hands and delicately attractive features. His lips were a perfectly straight line, slightly pouted; but it suited his serious face, somehow. Deidara tilted his head as he continued to look intently at him, but flushed and averted his gaze when their eyes met, mentally reprimanding himself for being caught gawking at the man.
And not the first time this evening, he winced, feeling the intensity of he man's gaze on the side of his head as he pretended to scan the ballroom.
"I say, Deidara, are you alright?" Kakashi peered curiously at the other man, his tone concerned.
Deidara nodded vigorously. "I assure you, I am feeling quite all right."
Hatake continued to look concerned but said nothing. He instead returned to watching Obito as he laughed uproariously at something someone had just said to him.
"I am sorry to hear of Obito's trouble at the horses", Deidara said, a smile quirking at the corners of his mouth as he changed the subject to the last topic of conversation that the two men had discussed while getting a drink.
Kakashi gave a quiet laugh. "He made a hasty bet and paid for it dearly." He continued in a lower, more confidential tone. "I am worried; however, for the added cost of living with Itachi, and now Sasuke, he should be acting more responsibly."
Deidara frowned. "Surely they should have enough money? They are, after among the most respected and highest standing in London, and perhaps England."
"Not at the rate that Obito Uchiha spends." Kakashi sighed "It is all well and good to have a good time, but he should think of the example he is setting for Itachi and Master Sasuke now also. "
"Hatake, my dear fellow, did someone put something in your punch while I was not looking?" Deidara gave a merry laugh. "What is this serious fit? Are you so concerned for Sasuke and Itachi that you are convinced that they cannot look after themselves!"
Kakashi joined in the laugh. "Yes, I cannot think what has come over me. I am acting far beyond my years when I should be acting a few years younger!"
"Damn straight". Deidara clapped the older man on the back. "Now, if I hear one more solemn word out of you this evening I shall pitch you out the window."
Kakashi's eye slit in amusement and wilfulness "I should like to see you try" he said, and indeed, there was a mild hilarity at the young, slender man of near six foot jokily threaten the older, slightly heavier man who was a few inches above six foot.
Hardwick School for Boys, Devonshire
The same time
Sasuke picked up a heavy ring off the dresser next to him. He sighed, and held it, unblinking.
Viscount of Mexborough.
He turned his head to see his cousin Neji sit down on the bed next to him.
His pale eyes met Sasuke's dark ones. "I am sorry to see you leave, cousin. Perhaps we shall meet in London."
"I am sure of that, but I will be staying in Cavendish Square." Sasuke looked away "With Uncle and Itachi."
Neji frowned. "That is not too near Mayfair. I hope to see you anyway.
A silence passed. Sasuke spoke up again, but his voice was different, showing that his mind had not been on his relocation
"It will be odd…being in London again. Without-" here Sasuke could not go on. He bent his head and threw the signet ring across the room and then bounded off the bed, impatient with his show of emotion, small though it was.
Neji said nothing, but gazed at his cousin who stood with his head bent beside the drapes staring out at the wild Devonshire coast through the one large window at the end of the dormitory that they shared.
Sasuke stood, only the wind and the waves witnessing the single tear that ran down his face as he numbly watched the waves smash onto the unyielding coast.
Mother…Father…
AC: Just as a change...Itachi is NOT an Earl; I will edit the first chapter, he is a Marquess. I will make only one other change, I shall make Obito an earl, but as Itachi's younger brother, unless Itachi dies (NOT going to happen), Sasuke is a Viscount.
Yes Kakashi was a little OOC, but this is a bit of a recurring theme that I wanted to include. Despite being carefree and dashing, Kakashi has a bit of a serious streak that he sometimes shows in the anime, and has a bit of a steadying effect on Obito.
I will be following the manga in that yes, Itachi's parents were murdered, and by him.
Sasuke and Itachi have such a cute relationship that I am not sure if I should let him find out that Itachi did it.
This is so much fun… I love making random and subtle connections with the manga; it's like playing an elusive mind game with myself. The whole art-is-a-bang concept of Deidara's, (you can find this in the Manga) and Deidara's little speech impediment when he gets nervous: Un ("Ah…Yes, Lord-Yes indeed-un-am- so...un...Sasori- I mean...So Sorry, not, Sasori, un.)…I find the whole so sorry Sasori thing so funny.
I am going to stop there. It ruins the game if I point them out.
Please, rate and review, but don't hesitate to criticise: just because I am relatively new to this doesn't mean I am not open to criticism, so if there is anything wrong (such as being the only one enjoying these "subtle" connections, jumping from idea to idea waaay too fast) please tell me that I can fix it! Thanks!