Kankuro panted heavily as he ran through the hallways not daring to look back if he was following him or not. It was a hot summer day and going outside to buy a stupid, useless and pathetic toy for him was the last thing he was going to do.
He entered an empty classroom, locked the door and gasped for air before sitting down on the cold floor.
Closing his eyes, Kankuro started to relax and enjoyed the comfortable silence… then, he felt it. He snapped his eyes open and saw the shadow hovering his frozen body. The red-haired little boy before him stared down at him like a… a…
"AAAHHHH!" Kankuro screamed in fear and hit his head on the door. "Oww~" A curse escape him as he grabbed his head in pain.
Why was it always him being the victim? Kankuro let out a groan and glared at the ground knowing that it would be useless to glare at him since he was only the second best puppet master.
His eyes twitched as he felt a hand patting his head.
"Kankuro, are you giving up?" his voice was emotionless but Kankuro knew that he was amused.
"Yeah, yeah…" Kankuro sighed tiredly and ran a hand through his brown hair. "I give up, Sa-so-ri."
Sasori nodden, took a folded paper out and gave it to him. Kankuro clicked his tongue in annoyance and snatched the paper from him before unfolding the list of toys he wanted him to buy.
He frowned slightly and gave him his cell phone telling him to win the new game he dowloaded before he walked out of the classroom. Sasori blinked, put the phone in his pocket and walked into his room.
A sweet scent of strawberry and chocolate filled his nose as someone bumped into him making him fall on his butt.
"Huh? Oh, crap! I'm so, so, so sorry!"
Sasori rubbed his head and looked up at the out stretched hand. Staring blankly at the small hand, he slowly stood up and noticed that his white t-shirt was covered in strawberry- or was it chocolate cake?
He shook his head and looked at the girl who was bitting her bottom lip while staring at his shirt in guilt. His eyes then fell on her own strawberry and chocolate covered dress.
"What happened?" Sasori asked, pointing at her dark green dress and ignored that his shirt was dirty.
Her cheeks turned red and it gave him the thought that she was embarrassed. Oh, boy was he wrong. His eyes widened slightly as he saw the red flames in her eyes.
"Those idiot siblings dumped their favorite shit on me like I was a fucking wandering trash can! If I see them again they'll beg for their lives! I mean, it's my first day here and-"
Sasori stared at her, now realizing that he've had never seen her in his life.
He would definitely remember her beautful bright pink hair, sparkling green eyes and her short temper. She was really interesting and unique... like his favorite puppets.
'She's also really pretty…' Sasori blinked and blinked and blinked a few more times.
He pushed the thought at the back of his head and thought of the two childish siblings who found their entertaiment on her.
"Hey! Are you alright?" Sakura shook his shoulders, looking at him with worried eyes.
Sasori's eyes widened and turned his head to the side trying to hide the blush that started to appear on his cheeks. "I'm fine… who are you?"
"I'm Cherry! I'd also like to know your name, first smartest puppet master," Sakura smiled softly and bowed.
"The name's Scorpion," Sasori started to walk away.
"Nice to meet you… Akasuna no Sasori," Sakura muttered, smiled and walked to the other direction missing the eyes that looked back at her.
'Who is she?' Sasori narrowed his eyes and walked in his room.
It was an annoying and boring game. Sasori was sitting on the floor, surrounded by puppets, as he pushed the replay button for the tenth time. He mentally facepalmed as he noticed that it was on easy mode.
"Stupid, Kankuro," Sasori muttered and turned it on hard mode.
Now, it was interesting and difficult. He stared blankly at the one and last heart he had. He was losing really fast… but he was not giving up so quickly.
! Bang ! Bang ! Bang ! Bang ! BANG!
"Open the damn door, Sasori! I know you're in there!"
Sasori eyes twitched as he now lost all three hearts. Game over. He've had lost the game and it was his fault. Grabbing his wooden knife, Sasori hid it behind his back and called for the person to enter.
The door was kicked open, revealing an angered looking red head.
"Sasori! I-"
Sasori pointed his wooden knife at him and twirled a red lock of his hair around his finger. "What do you want, Gaara?"
Gaara snorted, rolled his eyes and showed him a picture of a pink-haired girl. So, he knew the cute pink-haired girl? Sasori tilted his head to the side and stared blankly at him not knowing what he wanted from him.
"Don't act like you're stupid! Everyone already met The Walking Doll!" Gaara said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Putting the wooden knife down, Sasori grabbed a doll and looked at him. "Why do you have a picture of her? Is it normal to think that you've turned into a love sick stalker?"
Gaara blushed and glared at him.
'Oh, wow,' Sasori faked a surprised look and chuckled as Gaara stormed out of his room. 'Hmm, interesting. I wonder if the other's fell for her too.'
Then an idea popped in his head.
He nodded, left his room and searched for the pinkett. Who will she choose? Cherry must be really special to Gaara and the other's.
"Hey, Sasori!" Kankuro waved at him and held a wooden puppet in his other hand.
Sasori stared blankly at the puppet before looking at his confused face. "Do you know a pink-haired girl?"
Kankuro's eyes widened in surprise and the toy slipped out of his hand. The toy fell on the ground and Sasori didn't bother to look if it was broken. He doesn't care about the toy anymore…
"Pink-haired girl? You mean, The Walking Doll Cherry? Yes, I do know, Sakura-chan" Kankuro crossed his arms. "Why?"
Sasori shrugged and ignored the pain in his chest. "Her name's Sakura? How do you know?"
"I told her my real name…"
"Oh, I see. Well, does she know Gaara and Temari too?"
"She know me, Gaara, Temari and you, Sasori,"
"Okay, can I ask you something?"
Kankuro let out an annoyed sigh. "What do you want to know?"
"Do you love her?"
"…"
"…"
W-what?! N-no!"
Sasori watched how his face turned red.
'Wow, she even got Kankuro wrapped around her finger too,' He couldn't held the chuckle back as Kankuro glared at him before walking away.
The hallway was now quiet. He was alone… with the toy, he wasn't interested anymore, on the ground.
"Scorpion-san!" Sakura smiled and approached him. "What are you doing?"
Sasori picked the puppet up and stared at her. What was so spezial about her? Was it her pink hair? Her green eyes?
"Call me Sasori, Sakura-san," Sakura blinked and noddded.
"Can I ask you something, Sasori-sama?"
"If it's a difficult question then no,"
A giggle escape her. Sasori tried to hide his smile but failed.
"I only want to know…" Sakura blushed, looking at the ground. "D-do you like me too?"
Moment of silence.
Sasori's eyes widened and a blush crept up his cheeks. 'Wait! Why am I blushing?!' He shook his head and ran away.
Sakura looked surprised as he suddenly ran away. He doesn't like her. Blinking her tears back, Sakura bit her bottom lip and calmed her racing heart down. What was she thinking? It was obvious that he was not interested in a pink-haired freak like her. Maybe he's already taken…
"You're so stupid, Sakura," Sakura groaned quietly and walked to the library. "Books will help you to clear your mind,"
"Sakura!" Gaara smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
A sigh escape her as she pushed him away.
"As much as I want to punch you and Temari-chan," Sakura glared at the girl who calmly looked at her. "I'd like to learn instead of wasting my times on you morrons!"
Temari took something out of her pocket and gave it to her. Sakura narrowed her eyes as she took the stuffed small bunny.
"I'm sorry for dropping my cake on your dress, Sakura. I'll leave you alone…" Temari said and bowed.
Rolling her eyes, Sakura ignored them and left.
"Really, Tem-nee? You really think she'll forgive you because of that useless bunny," Gaara sneered coldly.
"She already forgave me since I offered her my help after I accidentaly bumped into her with my cake," Temari rolled her eyes and waved him off. "The problem is… will she forgive you?"
Gaara cursed loudly and ran to the kitched leaving his smirking older sister alone.
Stuffing her hands in her pocket, Temari turned around and sighed. "You can come out now,"
A few minutes passed as someone stepped out of the corner.
"Temari… why do you like her? She just got here and you don't know anything about her,"
"You'll know when you spend a few hourse with her. I mean, I'd like to work with her,"
Sasori frowed at this and walked to the library deciding to find out what was so interesting in her. He was as as smart as Temari but it will probably take him more than a few hours to know her completely. She was just a girl like other girls.
"I have enough time till the sun starts to set," Sasori said to himself as he pushed the doors of the library open. "It won't be that hard."
"Sasori-sama? What are you doing here?" Sakura asked, looking up from her book.
"I want to know what's so special about you. It's weird to see Gaara showing feelings to a stranger," Sasori bluntly said and sat down next to her.
She gave him a blank look before starting to read another book.
'Have I said something wrong?' Sasori stared at her as he placed a hand on his chest. 'And why does my heart hurt again?'
"What's the matter, Sasori-sama?" Sakura looked at him in concern.
"Nothing, I'm only tired,"
"Then, why don't you go in your room and rest?"
"No," Sasori shook his head. "I don't want to leave you."
"H-huh? What do you mean?" Sakura blushed.
"I still need to know what you've done to Gaara that makes him act out of character,"
Sakura's eyes turned blank as she clenched her fists. What made her fall for him again? Sakura had forgotten the reason…
"Hey, Sasori..."
"Yes, Sakura-san?"
"You're an idiot," said Sakura coldly, closed the book and opened another one.
Sasori hung his head low and felt like as if someone stabbed him in his heart. She was angry and he doesn't know why.
What was wrong with him? Sasori grabbed his head. Why was he so clueless even though he always knew the answer right away? Was it because of her? She looked so calm but he knew that she was controling her anger.
He was acting out of character too.
Instead of playing with his puppets, he was trying to find out who this mysterious girl was. He was wasting his time.
"This is all your fault, Sakura," Sasori whispered but the pinkett still heard him clearly.
Sakura grittet her teeth and stood up. "What the hell is your problem, Sasori?! What have I done to you?!"
Sasori froze in shock as he saw her tears. It was not her fault… It was his fault. He made her cry and he hated himself for making her cry.
"I hate you!" Sakura cried and ran away.
It was like as if time had stopped. She hated him. Hate. A sob escape him, Sasori touched his cheek and looked down at his fingers. He was crying. Does it mean he had lost his chance of asking her to be his partner?
No. He can't let it happen, he still had a lot of time. But how will he get to know her when she was going to avoid him at all cost?
"I…" Sasori wiped his tears and ran after the pinkett. "I don't want her to hate me!" His mind traveled back to the pinkett. Her smile, her laugh, the sparkle in her eyes and then…
"I hate you!"
He grabbed his head in pain and bumped into someone. She can't hate him! She just can't. Everybody's loved him... love. What was love? He doesn't know
"Sasori?" It was Temari's voice.
Sasori ignored her as more tears started to stream down his cheeks. Why can't he stop crying? Why does he not care if she saw him like this? He was not weak but he someone felt so small and breakable.
"You finally found out why everyone's so interested in her, right?" Temari smiled a small smile, took his hand and pulled him up.
"I-i can't…"
"What? What's the matter, Scorpion? Losing your poison that fast?"
"N-no!" Sasori shook his head, pushed her away and ran off to find the pinkett. "I can't… I can't lose her!"
Temari smiled and took his cell phone out. "Hi, Sakura-chan, would you like to play a game with me, Kankuro and Gaara? I'd be verry happy if you meet us at the backyard. See you there in five minutes,"
She turned around and was met with two smirking faces.
Temari stared blankly at them before walking to the backyard. It was a waste of time but someone just need to help…
"The game's on! I'll win Sakura's sweet heart~"
"Oh yeah? I've never lost a game, Kankuro-nii,"
"She doesn't want a boy with no eyebrows as a boyfriend! Who do you think will win the game, Temari?!"
"… It's definitely not one of you two. At the end, she will choose who's worth being with her,"
"Yeah, and it's not you,"
"Tch, we'll see about that," Temari scoffed, smirking evily.
o~O~o
Sasori panted and leaned against a tree wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
It was damn hot.
He was now guilty for sending Kankuro outside in this torturing heat… and the puppet store of his grandmother was not really near the gallery. Sitting down, Sasori sighed tiredly and closed his eyes.
Splash!
He jumped in surprise as cold water hit his face. Sasori glared at the grinning Gaara who grabbed his hand dragging him to the backyard.
"What are you doing?" Sasori hissed, notcing that Gaara was only wearing red swimming trunk.
"What does it look like?" Gaara scoffed and rolled his eyes. "We've decided to welcome Sakura with a pool party! Don't worry, Chiyo-baa already knew about it."
Great, this was his chance to apologize to the pinkett. Wait a second… He was goinig to see Sakura in her b-bathing suit… A dark blush appeared on his cheeks.
"I-i can't come," Sasori pulled his hand back.
Gaara stopped running and looked at him before nodding in agreement. "You're right… you can't swim in those clothes!"
In a blink of an eye, Sasori clothes were replaced by a white trunk. His face paled as he some of the other prodigy childrend stared at them.
Gaara snickered at his face and continued to drag him to the pool. He and the others will regret it.
"Hey, Tem-nee, my teams complete!" Gaara yelled and wrapped an arm around Sasori's shouler ignoring his glare.
Kankuro groaned loudly. "I can't find my female partner!"
Sasori bit his bottom lip, knowing why the pinkett wouldn't want to see them- him. It was his fault.
Temari saw the sorrow written in his eyes. "Fine, let's start with out her…"
"I-isn't this a party for Sakura-san?" Sasori asked nervously. "I-i mean, we can wait-"
"Aww~ You're really a sweetheart, Sasori-sama! I'm happy that you'd wait for me… No thank you for the others though,"
They boys turned around and blushed heavily. Temari whistled loudly and laughed before pulling the cute pinkett into a hug.
Sakura was wearing a mint green bathing with white flowers on it. She was really beautiful for her age and the three couldn't help but imagine how she would look like when she was older. They got a nosebleed and turned away from the pinkett.
Sasori shook his head and tried to push the perverted thought away.
"Are you alright, Sasori?" Sakura took a tissue out of her handbag and wiped the blood off of his nose.
'T-too close!' Sasori blushed, took the tissue from her and stepped back.
Sakura sighed, crossed her arms and walked back to the others.
"Everyone, get your guns… Sasori you're with Sakura,"
"What?! Sakura's my teammate!" Gaaa shouted angrily and glared at her as she ignored him.
"Great, looks like I'll be doing the hole work-"
"Shut up, freak!"
"Ready, set… go!"
Sakura grabbed Sasori's hand and ran with him behind a bush.
Ba-dump... Ba-dump... Ba-dump... Ba-dump...
Sasori pinched his cheeks and slammed his head against the tree. This was not the right time to freak out! He looked over at the pinkett, blushed and cursed quietly. 'I need to calm down! We're not alone, Temari and the others are near us… I can do this!' Sasori tood a deep breath and closed his eyes.
"Sasori? Why are you so red?" Sakura touched his forehead. "You're not getting a fever, are you?"
'Shit!' Sasori's blush darkened as her hands traveled down to his cheeks.
"Hot…" He slapped his mouth shut and stared at her widened eyes. He need to get away! Quick! Sakura suddenly froze with panick written in her eyes. He blinked in confusement and shook her shoulders.
"Sakura-"
"Shut up!" Sakura hissed and pushed him down on the grass. She laid her head on his chest, kept her hand on his mouth and stopped breathing.
Sasori's eyes widened and knew that his hole face was completely red. 'Tooclosetooclosetooclose!' He stiffened as he heard two voices from a far.
"Sakura-chaaaan! Where are you?"
"Can you shut up, Kankuro-nii?!"
"Jealous that Sakura-chan likes me more than you?"
"What are you talking about? I just want to win this game!"
"Yeah, yeah, and I haven't accidentaly threw my cookie ice-cream on her dress!"
"I said shut up!"
Their voices were near and if they see them like this…
'I can't take it anymore!' Sasori slapped her hand away, pushed her off of him and started to run. Sakura laid frozen on the ground and stared at him.
"Sasori?!" Gaara and Kankuro ran after him.
"Hey! Where's Sakura?!" Gaara yelled and tackled him on the ground.
"She's with… Temari,"
"My Sakura-chan alone with Temari?! I knew it! It was a trick!" Kankuro ran back to the pool with Gaara following him.
Sasori fell on his knees and touched his chest. His heart was still racing. 'W-what is this feeling?' Sasori closed his eyes.
Flashback-
"Hello, Sasori," Chiyo smiled as the little four year old Sasori entered the office. "What can I do for you?"
"… I want… this new game the adults finds interesting," Sasori sat down on the coach and played with his puppet.
"Game? What game?" Chiyo asked, confused.
"A game that makes a male and a female to smile at each other… I saw a lot of smiling couples walking hand in hand together down the street,"
"… And?"
"And I want to know what the new game is. That's all," Sasori said.
"That's all?" Chiyo chuckled, looking into his confused eyes. "Sasori, dear, don't you know what love is?"
Sasori blinked before staring down at his toy. The puppet was grey and cold. Shaking his head, Sasori broke it's arms and threw it on the wall.
Chiyo's eyes saddened at the sight.
"I don't… know nor do I want to know what love is," Sasori replied emotionless. "My parents send me to you since I'm a spezial child… I was not the normal son they wanted to have."
"Don't say that-"
"They never tought me how to love," Sasori looked at her. "Why are you asking me this pathetic question? I just want to know why they are smling."
"It's because they love each other, Sasori. Loving someone's the most wonderful and natural thing in the world." Chiyo sighed.
Love? Sasori frowned slightly and stood up before heading to the door. "There was no game from the begining?"
"No, but love is like a game… an adeventurus game,"
"I see, then I'll win this game if it appears in my life," Sasori's eyes sparkled with determantion.
Chiyo smiled in amusement and nodded. "Good luck."
"I don't need luck. I'll win,"
Flashback Ends-
'Love, huh?' Sasori slowly stood up. 'Can I really win or will I fail and end up as a loser?'
"AAAHHHHH! THAT'S NOT NICE, SAKURA-CHAN!"
"Sakura and Sasori are the winner of the game and end of the story,"
"Unfair! Come on Temari"
A smile tugged his lips as he ran back to the others. He then noticed that the sun was slowly starting to set. He doesn't have much time left!
Sakura smiled brightly and waved at him. "Sasori! We won the game-"
Sasori ignored her and ran to his room before changing his clothes. He stopped and looked in the mirror. The distant red-haired little four years old boy was gone. He was staring at a livelly five years old boy who stared back at him with a surprised look.
One year… he hadn't changed till she came in his life and he wasn't going to let her go. Sasori ran outside and saw the sun going down.
'No! No! No! No! No! This can't be happening!'
He failed! He couldn't belive it. It was the first time he lost something important and let it happen. Sasori found himself standing on the wooden bridge and stared at his reflection on the water.
"Sasori-sama,"
"Sakura?" Sasori looked surprised. "How do you know that I was here?"
"... Don't you remember?" Sakura whispered and smiled a sad smile.
"What?"
"Nothing! I asked Temari where you always go to relax,"
"Oh," Sasori sighed. "I-i'm sorry for... you know,"
"It's alright,"
"No, you don't understand. I-"
"I said it's fine," Sakura smiled faintly. "If you want it or not, I'll leave this place when you've turned six,"
"Is it my fault?" Sasori asked, clenching his fists.
Sakura shook her head and let her tears fall. He'll never understand what she really meant with leaving... It was for everyone's sake. She can't put them in danger.
"Then why are you leaving so soon?"
"Family business," Sakura sniffed out.
"I understand," Sasori took her hand. "Then, let's make unforgettable memories till you leave."
Sakura's eyes widened and nodded smiling through her tears. "Does this mean you like me?"
"Stupid," Sasori blushed and pecked her cheek. "I love you,"
"Oh really?" Sakura grinned playfully.
Sasori's eyes twitched in annoyance.
"I love you too, Sasori-sama, I'll always love you,"
"You can drop the -sama,"
"Sasori... -kun. I love you, Sasori-kun,"
...
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...
"AAAHHHH!" Sasori screamed in pain and sat up.
He grabbed his head and looked around his dark room. A dream- No, a nightmare! Or was it a memorie of his childhood? He gasped for air and rubbed his eyes noticing that he cried while he was asleep.
The brown-haired boy and his blond-haired sister...
Flashback-
Sasori was so deep in thought that he bumped into someone. He apologized and helped the person to pick his-
"Puppets?" Sasori stared at the wooden puppets he was holding.
"Hey! Don't touch it, stranger!" the boy snarled and snatched it back before glaring at him. "Sakura-chan gave them to me!"
"Sakura-chan?" Sasori blinked, then remembered that the brunett was probably still at the cementary and stood up starting to run again.
"Come back here! You'll pay for-"
"Shut up, Kankuro! We're already late! Let's go!"
"B-but Temari!"
Sasori glaced behind him and caught the eyes of the boy he bumped into. The boy shot him a we-will-meet-again glare, turned around and left with his sister. A sigh escape him, Sasori continued to run ignoring the same weird feeling he had towards the boy.
'Am I sick? Why do I get this... confusing feelings that I don't know!'
Flashback Ends-
"Sakura... -chan," Sasori felt a headache coming and tried to ignore the dream. "What a weird dream... I don't even remember meeting them in my childhood."
He laid down and stared up at the ceiling.
'Is it really a dream?'
It felt so real like it was part of his life.
Closing his eyes, Sasori relaxed and thought of the pinkett. She called him an idiot even though she doesn't know who he was. An idiot. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth feeling a little bit better.
'I need to talk to Tsunade,'