Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and TV Tokyo. Also, the plot for this story was based off an animated movie called Strange Magic that I saw on Netflix once, although of course it's filled with my own little twists.

Sasori

"Brat, that's your brother, right?"

"Yeah. He looks a lot different than the last time I saw him, un."

"I've heard that he's pretty loud and hyper."

"Normally, he is. Right now he just looks kind of depressed, un."

"Maybe he just misses you, brat. You are his elder brother."

"I guess, un..."

"Why don't you go see him?"

"Wh-what, un!?"

"Find out what's going on, brat. I'm still as curious as you as to why they haven't come yet. But don't even think about running off, or I'll break your wrists."

"U-un..."

Sasori watched as Deidara slowly moved forward, fluttering off of the large branch where they stood. He began to approach the ground, and Sasori moved closer to the trunk as he watched. The blond touched ground, and quickly glanced back as the redhead took off to closer to the border. He landed in a tree where he had a clear view of the blond's brother, but he couldn't easily be spotted by just looking around.

The king didn't particularly know why he was doing this, he couldn't imagine allowing any of is previous prisoners such a chance to escape. Of course Sasori would hunt him down and return him to the Dark Forest, but he for some reason had faith that the feminine prince would not run. He didn't know why, but he could just feel it in his gut. Even if he did run though, Sasori wasn't sure if he could keep his word of breaking the brat's wrists.

The younger blonde, Naruto if he remembered correctly, looked up at a small snap, and Sasori couldn't help but chuckle at the look on both of the boys' faces. The younger tried to speak but could create no words as the elder approach. He ran to Deidara's arms, and Sasori found himself confused at the sight of the family. He had never really had a truly affectionate family. In fact, the redhead didn't think his family was happy and loving at all. He couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy.

The two burst into chatter immediately, although the king was too far away to overhear the words that were shared as the two went back and forth. Deidara seemed to be asking something, and Sasori wondered if it was about the whole love potion issue. He certainly hoped it was, as he wanted to know what was going on. He couldn't imagine the Fairy Kingdom choosing the potion over the heir. The two seemed to talk for a minute, before Deidara's body language grew a bit more reserved. Sasori scowled as the younger seemed to grow more angered, and a wave of protectiveness washed over him.

He saw Deidara look back, pointing his finger to Sasori's location. Sasori's arms crossed over his chest as the younger blond followed the gaze, and the king's eyes narrowed when the second pair of ocean blue eyes met his own. They matched Deidara's, yet they didn't hold the same fire, the same spark that the brat's did. It was difficult to explain, but it was just there; that's all there really was to it. Without it, it just wasn't Deidara.

Deidara looked away from him after a moment, before enveloping his brother in a hug. The younger shakily returned it, and Sasori knew this was his time to step in. He stepped off the branch and into the air, his wings carrying him down to his brat and his brat's brother. He reached out to wrap his finger's around Deidara's wrist, gently pulling it in order to get the prince's attention.

"Come on, brat. It's time to go."

Deidara looked back once more to glance at Sasori, and then finally pulled away from his younger brother. Naruto just stared in astonishment, watching as Deidara moved to the redhead's side. The king did not release his wrist, and instead held onto his in a possessive manner. He couldn't let the hyperactive kid get any ideas, no one was taking his brat away. At least not yet. He needed to trade him for the potion, was the lie Sasori always informed himself.

"Nii-san, this is..."

"Sasori Akasuna. I must be taking this brat now, if you'll excuse us."

"No, you can't just take him, dattebayo. He belongs here, not in your stupid forest. Guards, come quickly! Guards!"

"Naruto, please. Remember what I told you. Go tell Otousan, un."

"No, I'm not going to let him take you again!"

"Naru, please. Just go, un."

Naruto shook his head stubbornly, and Sasori couldn't help but scoff. This was the reason he was glad to be alone, he didn't have to deal with annoying family members. Well, there was Chiyo but Sasori tended to pretend they weren't related. It was easier that way, and less of a headache for the redhead. She was only his grandmother when he felt like it, which was only once or twice a week.

Sasori huffed as Naruto clung to Deidara, and he could hear people getting closer. Thinking quickly, the redhead reached into his pocket and pulled out two pill bottles he kept on him at all times. Opening the first, he took out one and grabbed the younger prince, forcing it into his mouth. He could hear sounds of horror from Deidara, and a strong guilt rose in the redhead's chest. He didn't like the sound the blond made when he had forced his brother to take poison, and he took note to only do so when absolutely necessary.

"Danna, w-what did you do, un?"

"Don't worry. It's not deadly, it'll just paralyse him for a couple days. I'm leaving the antidote too so he'll recover faster."

Sasori placed the antidote bottle down on the collapsed boy's chest and turned back to his brat, ushering him into the forest. Deidara seemed slightly distracted, and the king sighed before lifting the blond into his arms like a groom would his bride. He stretched out his wings and immediately took to the skies, carrying the prince back to his castle. Yet still, Deidara remained silent for at least a couple minutes before he seemed to snap out of his daze.

"Naruto will be okay, right, un?"

"As I said before, he'll just be paralysed for a bit and I left the antidote right there."

"Danna, when can I go home, un?"

"When the potion is returned," he replied quickly. He didn't really understand it, but he was beginning to enjoy the brat's company. The thought of him being gone was strange, and he could feel a dull ache in his heart from just thinking about it. That was fair, wasn't it? After all, he had gotten so used to having the brat around annoying him all the time. But then again, maybe for once Sasori would get some quiet.

"So, why aren't they coming, brat?"

"They can't find the potion. Someone stole it during the chaos when your kingdom attacked, and the person is keeping it hidden."

"So, looks like you'll be stuck here for another while."

"Guess so, un..."

"Come on, let's head back."

Sasori continued in the direction of his castle, carrying the silent blonde in his arms. He understood that the brat was worried for his brother, but he didn't see why he couldn't seem to fly back to the castle. The redhead told him several times that it would only paralyse him, and he left the antidote right there on his chest. It's not like they wouldn't find it, if anything they just wouldn't trust it. But still, the poison he had used couldn't physically kill him.

Soon Sasori found himself landing on the balcony in which they'd started their adventure from. He placed the prince down, but he couldn't help but notice how dead the blonde looked. To the king, it didn't make any sense. He didn't have to let the brat see his brother, but he did. Not to mention, he didn't interfere until it seemed that Deidara had pointed out his position. And all he'd done was paralyzed the kid for a day or two, plus leave the antidote so it's go away within the next couple hours.

"Brat," he barked out.

"Un?"

"I have a meeting with Gaara. Go to my room and play with some clay or whatever."

"Yes, Danna, un."

The redhead sighed as the blonde scampered down the hall, and the king turned in the opposite direction. He was heading straight towards the dining room, despite his strong dislike towards the place after recent events, to discuss the new treaty. This alliance was important to his kingdom, and many faeries had discussed the great future it would bring the Dark Forest. Sasori may have been ruthless, but he did care about his kingdom.

When he arrived at the dining room, the doors were wide open and the table was full other than his seat at the end. Still, he'd arrived directly on time meaning the others were simply early. As he entered, two servants stepped forward and the doors were closed behind them as they made their exits. The redhead took his seat at the head of the table, and he lifted his head to look at Gaara who remained at the other head.

"Sasori, you've finally decided to join us."

"I arrived at the exact minute the meeting was to begin," he replied with a slightly defensive tone.

"Yes, of course. Now, it's time to propose a new treaty contract, as the previous was argued during the prince argument."

"I understand. My terms remain the same; cheaper trade, allies provided when attacked and the sharing of information."

"I still agree to those terms," Gaara nodded. "My terms are mostly the same, although I do have a couple changes. The original terms are annual joint balls, ambassadors sent back and forth to improve both kingdoms, and shared results in weapon testing."

"I appove," Sasori agreed, "and your changes?"

"There will be no interference in wars you or I start with other countries, meaning it can not be stopped or interfered with unless the other treaty member plans to assist."

"Fine, is that all?"

"One more thing. At the three month mark, if you still possess Deidara Namikaze in the Dark Forest as a prisoner, he will be handed over to the Sand Kingdom for us to do as we please."

"Denied, the Fairy Kingdom heir is my prisoner from an issue that does not concern you."

Gaara leaned back in his chair with a frown, furrowing his forehead due to his non-existent eyebrows. Sasori couldn't help but scowl, what did the Sand Kingdom want with the brat. The Sugar Plum Fairy was his problem, and it was Sasori that kept her imprisoned and prevented her from making love potions. That had nothing to do with Suna, nor his hostage situation with the Fairy Kingdom.

"Now, Sasori, your kingdom needs this alliance. Why let that son of your enemy ruin that?"

"The brat is to remain here until the love potion is returned," Sasori replied quickly.

"You know you can't keep him here forever, that's why you came up with the three month mark. You'll have to kill him when it reaches that time anyway, so why not hand him over? Suna could be very well benefitted with his presence, and of course we could hand over any information to you."

"He would be interrogated here, why couldn't we agree to pass all the information on?"

"Sasori, I know your methods. You can crack anyone, but the interrogators in Suna are one of a kind. You would be surprised at how much they could fuck up that kid's mind in just a couple days. They could even convince him that his kingdom is bad, and become a spy for us."

"No," the redhead growled.

"I don't know about you, but this alliance isn't fun and games to me. It is serious and if it is not created, then my kingdom will just have to take yours down," the younger redhead hissed. Sasori was at odds. He needed this alliance, but he didn't want to give Deidara to Gaara, he didn't want to ship the blonde off to Suna. It made sense, right? How Gaara's interrogators worked was truly inhumane, Sasori wouldn't wish that upon anyone.

"You need this treaty," Gaara continued. "You can't let Deidara take priority over your own kingdom. Imagine what your people would think?"

"That is not the case," Sasori snapped suddenly. "I simply have my own way of interrogation that I think would work better on the brat, since I've gotten to know him pretty well by now."

"Oh, please share. We would be happy to try out whatever you think would work best."

Sasori didn't know how to reply, "His family. He's sensitive about it. You could paralyze his younger brother for a day and leave the antidote right on his chest and the brat would walk around like the kid was six feet under."

"I'll be sure to inform our interrogators. Now, the treaty? Will you sign the paper?'

Sasori had no other excuses, "I will."

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur and all Sasori seemed to be able to do was worry over Deidara. The brat could barely handle his cruelty, Suna would destroy him. The king didn't think he could handle seeing the aftermath, and it was unlikely he would be able to avoid Deidara for the rest of his life. After all, he would end up ruling the Fairy Kingdom base don what Gaara said. And even if he somehow didn't the Suna king may show Sasori the results of the interrogation. If Suna took him, they'd turn the brat into the walking dead.

How could he let them do that?

The king frowned slightly as he was finally aloud to leave the dining room and he walked quickly and confidently to a room he thought he would never willingly go to. Perhaps they didn't get along very well, and Sasori kind of low-key despised the old hag, but Sasori needed her help. Thoughts of the love potion were forgotten, and the redhead's emotions took over. He had developed some sort of liking for the brat, Sasori supposed he considered him to be a good friend or something of the sorts. But specifics weren't important.

The only thing that mattered was getting the brat back home before it was too late.