~Art's Most Valuable Form~
~Act No. 6~
Representational
A whole week had passed, and Sakura lay in bed back in the same room she had stayed in since she first arrived there in Los Vegas, Nevada little over two weeks previous. There was only a couple months before she had to go back to school. It wasn't that she didn't love being apart of Akatsuki Productions, it was more that completing college was something that has been a lifelong goal on her part. How she was going to be able to go back to being normal was going to be difficult. Not only that, but it would be excruciatingly lonely. Sasuke and Naruto had both been the next designated Presidents of their company while Hinata and Ino both have so many things to do with their families and future jobs. They were all going to finish college in a few years after things got to be less chaotic.
Then there was the rest of the Akatsuki to think about. She had become relatively good friends with all of them. She could remember the times when the most amazing things happened, as well as the times when things got way to out of hand. She even thought of when Hidan had gotten completely stuck in a countless number of ropes, that he had been hanging from the ceiling, a few days ago. Tobi, Kisame, Deidara and herself had all been there to watch the whole ordeal and everyone knew that it had been Kisame's idea even though there was no exact evidence for it. The recollection made her giggle.
She's had a few performances that collaborated with Itachi's one over the past week on showing days. Even Hidan and Deidara had done a little rapping in some of them, when the audience wanted to have requests done. She could just hear the music playing when they were all singing Hall of Fame, Itachi and herself doing the actual singing while Deidara and Hidan did a competition to see who was the better rapper at the time. It ended with Itachi and herself being given the standing ovation, much to the distress of the two rappers.
Tonight was an off night, and Deidara and Hidan practically demanded that all the Akatsuki have a dinner with her to celebrate her arrival into the organization. They were all going to the infamous Ten-Tails, one of the most extravagant restaurants in all of Vegas. Apparently though, the Akatsuki went there quite frequently when they all wanted to have a meet up or celebration. Itachi, Nagato, and Sasori seemed to have the most qualms with it, but nonetheless went overruled by the majority count.
She could remember the day when her friends had found out about her acceptance into the Akatsuki. Sasuke just nodded with a small smirk, Naruto had hugged her numerous times yelling and catcalling, Ino had a huge grin before screaming excitedly, adding to the hugging fest, while Hinata giggled to herself, telling Sakura that she truly deserved it. Then they had left her, albeit very reluctantly. They all had lives that they got to live, but she knew that she would see them all again sometime soon. Ino and Sasuke seemed the most adamant about returning.
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"Okay forehead," Ino started in warning. "You can only go for one."
At that, Sakura burst out laughing, her happiness radiating off her in waves. She wiped the tears away from her eyes as she responded, "Will do." Only go for one, huh? Seems fair enough. She wanted to start laughing again after that thought.
Ino grinned, before taking Sakura into a goodbye hug. "I know you'll do great Sakura," Ino whispered genially into her best friend's ear. Her grin faded into a sad smile, as she released her. She held her hands, clutching them tightly.
Sakura gave a rueful smile back, before fully releasing her blonde friend, as she started to walk onto her private plane. She was about halfway before she turned around, and demanded, "You better call me!"
Sakura giggled softly. "I will!"
Then, Ino gave one more grin, before she flipped forward again, her hair snapping from side to side with the strutting steps of a supermodel. She watched until the Yamanaka private plane was no where in sight, simply standing there in the heat, the feeling of loss in her chest.
Luckily, her phone buzzed for a text message. She was surprised that Sasuke would even send her one, instead of calling her, but she supposed which ever was less talking was easier for him.
'Itachi will watch over you for me,' Was all the message said. She smiled ruefully before locking her phone once more. Sasuke would know that she had read it, so she simply didn't have to reply. He already knew that she missed them all.
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Sakura gave a deep sigh, the sound circling across the room. Her room was utter silence other than her own breathing along with her movement on the bedspread. She rolled onto her other side, now facing a window that overlooked a large portion of the main streets of the city. The Sun was high in the sky, and the azure sky was without a single tint of white to mar it. Just another normal day in Vegas. How this was becoming normal for her was crazy. What she was doing with Akatsuki Productions was certainly not normal. It was amazing.
She had a few hours to spare until Sasori or Deidara arrive to pick her up. She had parted from Sasori a few hours ago from their morning commute. He had simply stated that he had work to complete and left without another word. She found Sasori's behavior quite peculiar for him, even if he was impatient with his words, but actually he seemed rather anxious. Sasori didn't get anxious, he got irritated from impatience, not anxious. She didn't understand it. He's been like that since her first performance.
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Sasori gazed out the window, his expression blank, but his eyes filled with frustrated sorrow and stress. His arms uncrossed themselves, letting his right hand rake through his bloody locks. In all understanding of the word, he was anxious. He was restless and wanted to have a distraction. His footing changed from foot to foot, uncomfortable in either stance. He growled at himself, his anxiousness becoming vivid irritation.
He was going to leave tonight. He simply couldn't stand it anymore. He was leaving and that was final. There was nothing left for him here for a while. He had to leave. He didn't want to remain here any longer. A month maybe until he comes back, and until then he was going to a headfirst dive into the world of art once more. He knew though, however that it wasn't his desire for creation that drove him over the edge and into the deep waters of restlessness. No, it was something else entirely.
She was becoming something, and he was breaking. He was shattering, piece by torn piece. She was something. Something that was driving him mad. He didn't know why, and for the life of him he couldn't figure it out. He was halfway considering asking Deidara for help, but he knew that he would just get a snide remark at first for being the one to ask for something so stupidly.
He had been this way since he had first heard her sing with Deidara that day, just a mere week ago. He didn't know what happened to him, but his urge to draw her became all but unbearable. He had never, not in his entire life felt something so strong, perhaps other than another thing...
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Reluctantly, Sakura followed the flow of the music, waiting for one of the boys to start the beginning of it. She questioned just which one it would be. She doubted that it would be Itachi, for he hadn't been the one to pick the song. She doubted Sasori would either, since that just wasn't his personality. It would either be Hidan or Deidara, whom both seemed to have the traits to rap with her.
"Oh, so sexy y'all!"
So it was Deidara. Sakura grinned at the sound of it without turning around. Itachi quirked a brow at her then at Deidara, before retiring to the back of the stage to where Hidan and Sasori were.
Then her voice wafted around the empty theatre house, her eyes closing and the lights shining now on her form. She shook her head on the 'I don't know's, and feeling pretty spunky after her last line in the chorus.
"I don't know, where you're going
Or when you're coming home
I left the keys under the mat to our front door
For one more chance to hold you close
I don't know, where you're going
Just get your ass back home."
She turned around as Deidara started his part, a smile plastered on her face in elation. He grinned back at her, and they started to circle one another as he went along with the music.
"We both knew this type of life didn't come with instructions
So I'm trying to do my best to make something out of nothing
And sometimes it gets downright shitty in fact.
When you call and I don't even know what city I'm at
Or what day of the week in the middle of the month
In a year I don't recall
It's like my life's on repeat and the last time we spoke
I told you I wouldn't be long,
That was last November, now December's almost gone
I'd apologize but I don't realize what I'm doing wrong."
She walked closer to him, and he started to twirl her with the sound of the beat. It only felt like it was her and Deidara. Just the world of music and themselves.
"I don't know, where you're going
Or when you're coming home
I left the keys under the mat to our front door
For one more chance to hold you close
I don't know, where you're going
Just get your ass back home."
Deidara started up again, truly in his element as well. Well, she supposed that there was more to Deidara Iwa than meets the eye.
"And you've been nothing but amazing
And I never take that for granted
Half of these birds would have flew the coop
But you, you truly understand it
And the fact you stood beside me,
Every time you heard some bogusness
You deserve a standing o 'cause they'd a just been over it
Let 'em talk, let 'em talk, let 'em talk, let 'em talk
Like we don't hear what they saying
Let 'em walk, let 'em walk, let 'em walk, let 'em walk
We'll just drive by and keep waving
Cause you and I above all that
Just let them wallow in it
Now they all choked up, yuck
Cause they be swallowing it."
She felt like she was on cloud nine again, but Deidara was different from Itachi. He had the dance moves of a famous rapper, and it created the image that he was Travie McCoy. Her part started up again, and she sang with more passion and emotion that she felt like she was in her own little Wonderland.
"I don't know, where you're going
Or when you're coming home
I left the keys under the mat to our front door
For one more chance to hold you close
I don't know, where you're going
Just get your ass back home."
They started to break apart from each other. He spoke slower and with more passion.
"No one hold me down like you do sweetheart
You keep doing that, I keep doing this
We'll be alright in the end
Trust that
We put the us in trust, baby
Aww, let's go."
Her brows knitted together, and she started to reach back for him, but soon the last few lines reached her lips, and she grinned brightly, and spun away from him spunkily, while he just grinned in return. They danced on their own, becoming one with what they heard.
"I don't care what you're after
As long as I'm the one, no
I don't care why you're leaving
You'll miss me when you're gone."
"I don't know, where you're going
Or when you're coming home
I left the keys under the mat to our front door
For one more chance to hold you close
I don't know, where you're going
Just get your ass back home."
The final line was over, and the music was ended and gone. She breathed heavily, and pulled a lose piece of hair behind her ear. Hidan catcalled, seemingly impressed. Itachi smiled at her. While Sasori simply gave an incline of his chin in acknowledgment.
In all truth, Sasori was amazed. It didn't happen very often, no, actually it was a complete anomaly. He really was a mixture of shock and amazed. He had no idea that she could sing, but now that he could recall things, they made sense. She had that persona and breathing intake of a singer, although he had taken the breathing intake as athleticism, it was also true.
Then suddenly something happened to him. He felt out of breath at simply seeing her there. He hadn't noticed that his heart was racing. He felt the adrenaline rush through his veins, and nervousness rushed through his system. Thing was though, he hadn't a clue why.
He then felt a strong sensation of need. He needed to draw. He simply needed to. He wanted to catch her features as she smiled happily in their direction, whether it be at Itachi or... Himself. He wanted her to look at him, and she had. Since when did this happen? Since when did he care?She was a minor friend at best, considered mostly an acquaintance. He did rather enjoy her company at times, albeit he would never tell anyone such.
He had been entranced by her performance. Far more mesmerized than he was in most things. In all actuality he was almost in a state like he was when he was creating his artwork while he had been watching her. He hadn't cared much of Deidara's part, but she had the aesthetics of an angel in her most perfect element on that stage.
Sakura giggled, and switched the mic to off, before running like a schoolgirl toward the other three. Deidara seemed rather appalled that she had up and left him alone in the upper corner of the stage, and he followed behind her a few paces.
"Well that was a bit rude, un," Deidara said annoyedly, as he crossed his arms, just meeting up with the rest of the group.
Too happy to do anything else, she simply grinned at him, her eyes widen in enjoyment. Deidara quirked a brow at her in amusement, before shaking his head.
Hidan seemed to be barely able to control his next words as he announced excitedly,"That was fucking awesome!"
"Thanks man, yeah," Deidara replied, satisfied that he actually enjoyed it.
Hidan's head snapped towards Deidara, and his features contorted into a deep scowl as he spat to the blonde, "Not you, damn it!" Then he turned to Sakura, a smile on his face, "I meant her."
Deidara scoffed, before mumbling to himself, "Of course."
"Well done, Sakura," Itachi complimented.
"Does no one want to say that I did at least decent, yeah?" Deidara asked miserably, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.
Sakura giggled at his response, "Oh please Dei, you did great. It was awesome to get to sing with you."
That seemed to lighten him up, as he rubbed her head like a brother would. "Dei, eh? Haven't been called that in years, yeah."
Sasori took in the conversation in silence, mainly watching through lazy lidded eyes in partial boredom. No one seemed to even notice his existence after the girl had given him a barely comprehensible glance after her performance. It was rather annoying in some ways, however he had become accustomed to being unnoticed while in a larger group of people. He wanted her to at least look at him though, after that, he would leave to quench his desire to sketch.
"Well, what else did you have in store for me today?" Sakura asked curiously.
At that Deidara's grin widened considerably. "Oh trust me, un. You'll see. Your gonna love it, yeah!"
"Whatever it is, I bet I'll love it," Sakura said truthfully.
"What the fuck are you going to do?" Hidan inquired confusedly. "If Sakura's involved then imma go too."
Deidara stared at Hidan irritatedly. "Why would I even allow you to go, yeah?"
At that, Hidan met Deidara's stare with a piercing glare, "Because, I want to fucking go if Sakura's going."
Sakura gazed from Deidara and Hidan in distress. She didn't mind having him along. He certainly made things interesting, if a person wanted to call it that. Apparently he liked her well enough, even though they barely knew each other.
"Me, as well," Itachi suddenly announced out of nowhere.
Deidara stared at Itachi in disbelief. "Seriously, un?" He simply got a nod in response.
"Yeah," Sakura said in realization, a smile on her lips. "We should all go along. I think it would be fun."
Deidara spoke uncertainly, as his eyes trailed the seats in the theatre, "I suppose, un. I planned this all for you anyways."
"Then it's fucking settled," Hidan declared, gazing arrogantly at Deidara. "We all go."
After a final sigh from the infamous Bomb Master, he sighed resolutely, "Fine, yeah."
Afterwards, they had mostly all parted ways from the auditorium. Deidara said that he would pick up Sasori and Sakura at their hotel later that evening around seven. Itachi had a few business hours until that time, while Hidan was in the gym on one of the lower levels of the theatre house. That only left Sasori and Sakura in the auditorium, although Sakura hadn't even known that Sasori had been around. He seemed to have left without a trace after they had made the final arrangements in what they were doing later that night.
Sasori had been in his dressing room for nearly a half hour after everything was settled, painting a new piece in his newest 'collection' of sorts. He was inevitably at number four with his little pictures of her. It was becoming an annoyance to him now. He had yet to make one that he deemed worthy of the honor of perfection. How he couldn't seem to capture her was greatly agitating, and yet he couldn't stop the yearning.
Finally, unable to remain calm, he placed his sketchbook on his dresser to dry, before leaving the room. He walked along the grand corridors as he had many times, until he found the backstage portion of the theatre house. He hadn't been expecting that she would be simply sitting on the very edges of the black stage, sprawled across the floor, and gazing up at the mural in the highest point of the raptors. Her long strands were spread across the floor, creating great contrast in the two colors. Her hands were in her lap in perfect serenity. The purity of the white dress she wore only created her features to be as angelic as humanly possible.
Sasori stopped dead in his tracks, and a rush of emotions that he had locked away long ago seemed to consume his being. He didn't understand. What was happening to him? What was this girl doing to him? Although his expression remained nothing but impassiveness, his eyes were obviously betraying everything.
Believing that he was finally calm enough, he spoke offhandedly to answer her unasked question that he knew she was pondering over, "Hades, Zeus, and Poseidon."
Sakura jumped, quickly getting into a sitting position as he feet were draped over the rounded edge of the stage. Her heart raced from being startled. She turned to Sasori incredulously, before she gave a sigh of relief that it was only him, "Goodness Sasori, you scared me."
He barely even gave any indication that he cared about that. He walked up to her though, his arms hanging loosely at his sides as he gazed down at her, his posture perfected.
"It was created by a famous artist," He explained.
"Which one?" Sakura decided to ask, now searching up at the mural as if it would giver her some kind of answer.
"First Kaze." Sasori answered. "An alias that he had used. No one knew his actual name."
"That's sad," Sakura mumbled to herself, entranced by the lifelike Gods that were cascaded along the ceiling.
Curious to her response he asked, "How so?"
"No one can, or more so could truly value his work then if he went unnoticed," Sakura answered, looking back at Sasori, by this point. There was a small frown as she replied.
Sasori shook his head, before his gazed bore into hers. His voice wasn't impatient like normal, but simply explanatory and soft as if he moderately liked the topic of choice, "That isn't true at all. Some of the most great graffiti artists go completely unknown to the world by other than a name or alias."
"Then no one can fully appreciate the abilities of the person," Sakura stated.
Sasori was taken aback slightly. "Oh? Then elaborate."
"They don't get to have praise to themselves directly, as well as criticism in it's varying forms," Sakura answered, feeling very sure of herself.
"Very good." He nodded curtly. "However they can get reviews indirectly as well if their famous enough."
Sakura sighed in defeat, it was obvious that she would never beat Sasori at a game of information, let alone one on art. At least he seemed to find her point of view on the matter a little intriguing to continue the small conversation.
"I give up," Sakura admitted. "Your always correct anyway."
"You thought we were debating," Sasori deadpanned with a slight scowl.
Sakura spoke incredulously, "I thought-"
"What you thought was incorrect," Sasori interjected sourly. He had actually enjoyed her thoughts, but after the 'I give up' that wreaked it for him.
A silence ensued, and Sakura hung her head in sadness. She should not have said that, she supposed. It seemed as if he had been testing her knowledge though, trying to evaluate what she knew. Obviously she had been completely wrong, and instead it was a small conversation and he simply wanted to know just what she thought.
She would have no idea if he had left, for the steps he created were as light as air, with not a sound to be heard. She really wished she had the ninja-like grace that all of Akatsuki members seemed to have. Wait! Akatsuki Productions. She had completely forgotten! She hadn't answered Itachi's request yet!
"Oh my gosh, that's right! Itachi asked me to be apart of Akatsuki Productions!" Sakura blurted loudly, the remembrance startling her.
"He what?"
She turned around once again to find Sasori staring at her though lowered lids. She gazed at him uncertainly as she got to her feet. Obviously Itachi hadn't spoke to many about her becoming apart of the organization if Sasori himself hadn't even known.
"Itachi-" Sakura started, before she was interrupted.
"I know what you said," Sasori snapped irritably. "I remember everything that's ever happened to me."
Sakura went back into a stunned silence, and her mouth slightly agape for a loss of words. Her pink brows knitted together. Then she saw it. The confusion, frustration, anger, the yearning. How she could see all these emotions in his eyes was a feat in itself, but she just didn't get why. She especially didn't understand the yearning. What could he possibly want?
"Sasori-"
"I shall see you later."
His voice was soft, and filled with unspoken sorrow of pass times. She wanted to reach out to him, but her feet were planted firmly in place. She watched his retreating back quickly leaving her behind. She almost felt like breaking out into tears. Her arms stretched out to him as if she could stop him with that one hand, but he was already leaving. The mere sound of his voice in such a tone caused her such heartbreak. It was something she's never felt before. Something that wanted him to come back.
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Sasori snapped out of his trance. At most, a few seconds had passed since he started on that memory of a few days ago. He had left because something had overwhelmed him. Something filled with so much emotion that she just couldn't stay any longer. In some ways he liked the idea of her staying with them, however he felt as if the torn wall around himself was breaking, shattering into microscopic pieces. He didn't want that to happen.
Now, whenever he simply gazed at her his heart would race, and anxiousness was the only thing he could really feel. It became even worse after her first performance.
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Two days had passed since the night with Deidara, Itachi, and Hidan. Deidara had taken her to the outskirts of the city, and to a secluded area, as they lit off fireworks of varying sizes. Some would shoot off high into the sky, lighting up the night even brighter than any other lights in Vegas. She and Itachi had talked over her answer, and she had profusely said yes numerous times. When the other two had found out they were both rather astonished, but went back to their normal selves, practically overjoyed that she would stay with them. Sasori hadn't come with them, and he had refused to say why the following day.
She had walked into the theatre house with Deidara at her side, he had said that Sasori was already there waiting for them along with the rest of the group. She was to get her contract in order, than meet the rest of the members. She also had her first performance that night a few hours later. People were already starting to arrive onto the premises for the showing later that night, and Deidara and herself simply waltzed onto the area getting a few fangirls following them. They both ended up scrambling inside just in time to slam the doors behind them. So much for shadow walking, she supposed.
Deidara took them up the grand staircase before the went down one of the grand halls on the right hand side. The walls were a beauteous golden with intricate designs along every wall, and paintings were scattered across the walls. The corridor was long, and Sakura began to wonder if Sasori had made any of these paintings for they all seemed to have the perfection of a master. However she had been too lost in a trance to even ask until it was too late, for Deidara had stopped at a wooden door. She was met with the faces of Konan Blue, Itachi, Yahiko Dawn, and Nagato Ame. Itachi beaconed them over, his face in the 'all business' expression that he had during meetings. She almost childishly pouted at him had it not been for the blank expression on the owner of Akatsuki Productions seeming to look at her with those eyes that made her blood run cold.
Deidara seemed to notice her distress, and whispered to her with a grin, "Hey, you got this, un."
She was grateful for Deidara being there, but she still wished that Sasori was with her too. His calm and composed demeanor around her would calm the extensive nerves she held. She knew though that he had something wrong. He was so distraught last time she saw him. It was saddening for her to see him look at her like he had. She wanted so badly to know why, but somehow she knew that he didn't even have a proper answer for her. He seemed just as confused as she had. Still, she wished with all her heart that she could at least know just what had caused his emotions to be practically cut off from the rest of the world. However, he would probably just be even more enraged at her if she did ask. She just didn't know what to do anymore. Even so, she wanted him at her side as she stood here. Both him and Deidara had become friends with her, no matter how much Sasori probably mentally denied it.
They did the contract papers as fast as possible, the natural giddiness of Yahiko, the support of Deidara, and the small ensuring smiles from Konan helping her as she went along with the impassiveness of Itachi and Nagato. They were all business and that just created anxiety on her part, no matter how much future elation she was soon to have. Soon they were finished, and Sakura sighed in pure relief, while Itachi cracked a small smile before returning to his business persona.
Nagato then escorted them to the stage, where the rest of the members stood in a semicircle awaiting their arrival. Nearly all of them were chatting aimlessly, but as they all were coming into hearing distance she could hear the loud cursing of Hidan, and the childish yelping of Tobi, as well as the deep laughter of Kisame. She could imagine Sasori in the background, staring at them like they were all idiots, as he wanted nothing more than to depart. She giggled softly at the thought.
What she saw though was not what she expected. Kakuzu was holding back a kicking and loudly cursing Hidan, while Tobi stood behind the annoyed and lengthy Sasori, as Tobi was shaking in his boots, and Kisame was in between the two groups howling with laughter. Zetsu remained in the background, watching everything with a slight quirk in his brow. Sakura's brows flew up in amusement at the scene.
"Enough," Nagato demanded, the power of great authority in his tone.
At that, Kakuzu released Hidan who fell onto the stage floor, face first from the vast amount of momentum. He growled at Kakuzu, glaring up at him before he was back on his feet in the blink of an eye. Sasori merely turned, the annoyance displayed greatly in his brows, and Tobi stood straight, the fear gone at the sudden arrival of the leader. Kisame grinned at Itachi who nodded in response as if he knew something about what was going to happen.
"I presume you know a few of them personally," Nagato assumed, as he turned to Sakura, who nodded once. "Would you like to do the honors or would you like myself to do them?"
"You can," Sakura answered.
"You all were all called here to meet the newest member of the Akatsuki, Sakura Haruno of Konoha, Washington. Some of you may know her already, and I would hope that you treat her as one of our own. She shall be working as a part of our music act, and perhaps even assist in any others if so desired."
Sakura then met Sasori's eyes. They seemed normal, but as if he was trying to forget something terrible. She gave him a withering look, as Nagato ended his introductions. Then Nagato simply left the area, leaving the rest of the members to do what they wanted.
"Sakura is so pretty!" Tobi squealed as he ran up to her.
The girl in question blushed profusely, barely anyone has ever said that before to her. "R-really? You think so?"
He nodded briskly, taking her hands in his. "Sakura is very, very, very pretty."
"W-well thank you," Sakura stammered.
The next few hours passed by quickly. She got to actually meet the rest of them personally. Kakuzu seemed to like her, Yahiko treated her as if she was his sister, Tobi seemed to love her, Kisame obviously thought that she was a great new addition, Zetsu was courteous and smiled at her, and Konan apparently thought that they were going to be good friends being that they were the only females in the whole organization.
So now, as Itachi's performance was next, that also meant that hers was next, as well. Deidara was in her dressing room with her, so was Konan. Sakura was excitedly nervous at the moment, barely able to remain in her seat any longer. The butterflies in her stomach were unbearable, and she just wanted to get onto her feet.
Konan had given her a spaghetti-strapped red dress to wear, the top was satin with jewels and sequence lining the sides, and the bottom was poofy with different shades and tints of scarlet that ended a little past her knees. It reminded her of Sasori's hair color. Her own hair was straightened even more than it naturally was, descending a couple inches longer than usual. Thankfully she didn't have to put too much make-up on other than the requirement everyone had.
"Calm down," Konan told her, shaking her head with a smile. "You'll do great."
She gave Konan a thankful smile, but still she wasn't so reassured yet.
"It's true, un," Deidara added in. "I don't know what your so worried about."
Feeling jumpy, she drummed her fingers along the armrest. "I don't know? First time jitters I guess."
"It's not even your first time going on stage with Itachi, un," Deidara chuckled with great amusement. It was rather interesting to see one of his now best friends act so unlike herself.
He checked the clock, and jumped worriedly. "It's time, un!"
The three all scrambled out of the dressing room, and down the hallways, rushing madly, and into the backstage area. She spotted Itachi on the other side, along with Hidan, both in tuxes, although Hidan's was open to halfway down his chest. They were both nestled into the shadows of the left wing, barely even identifiable. The five of them watched Sasori work his magic, creating a sculpture of random items that were supplied by the audience. The interesting part of it all was the fact that it was huge and was really clear to everyone. It was a six-foot statue of the Eiffel Tower that was downtown a few miles from here. She shall never understand how he could do something with such simplicity. Really, what he could do was amazing.
When he was finished he gave a slight bow, and a small smirk was displayed on his face for the world to see. It was such a rare sight to behold even if she was friends with Sasori. He really did love his art like nothing else in this world. It was like everything else for him was completely irrelevant. Sakura felt a small pang in her chest at that thought.
The curtain fell, and Sasori stood behind it with his newest creation. The items would be given back to the owners later that night after the show. Sasori immediately turned around to walk away, and his first sight as he saw was her. He stopped for a moment a few feet in front of her. Her smile was radiant, and he could see the nervousness that came off her.
"You did great Sasori," Sakura complimented. "Your work in amazing."
He opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it and instead nodded curtly, before making his way around her, but not without a lone whisper into her ear as he passed. "Musica e arte."
Sakura straightened after she heard that whisper. She could feel the shivers that traveled down her spine. Her eyes widened slightly, and she stood there dumbstruck as to what to do or say. Deidara had already vanished from her side and was doing the announcements, so she was left alone in the right wing. She turned around quickly after she could find the movement to do so, but Sasori wasn't there.
"Musica e arte?" Sakura questioned in a whisper. "Is that supposed to mean, 'Music is art' in another language?"
Then she realized that she had better get onto the stage instead of pondering over something she could get an answer to later. She made her way onto the stage behind the curtain, as Deidara had just finished with the announcements of the final performance of the night. She watched as Itachi and Hidan followed behind her, and the curtain started to reveal the stage in it's darkest form.
She could hear the crowd starting to cheer for them. This was her time to shine, and she found her way to the front of the stage, Itachi opposite her, and Hidan and Deidara directly behind them. Music started to travel around the room and the beginning of the song Hall of Fame was just starting to play.
Itachi was first, and his deep voice contrasted greatly from the original, but it still sounded beautiful.
"Yeah, you can be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the King Kong banging on your chest."
Deidara's spotlight shined, and he played the part of a rapper valiantly.
"You could beat the world
You could beat the war
You could talk to God, go banging on his door."
Deidara and Itachi switched off lines, and they started to dance in sink with the song. She and Hidan though were still in the dark until the chorus.
"You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock (yeah)
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master
Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself."
Then light shined on them and Sakura could feel the joyousness that came with it. She did the main while Hidan did the Yeah's.
"Standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame."
"You can go the distance
You can run the mile
You can walk straight through hell with a smile," Itachi sang.
"You could be the hero
You could get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke," Deidara rapped happily.
"Yeah, do it for your people
Do it for your pride
How you ever gonna know if you never even try?"
"Do it for your country
Do it for your name
'Cause there's gonna be a day..."
Sakura started to dance with Hidan as he started to walk closer to her, and they went along together. He grinned, she smiled.
"When you're standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame."
It was at that time when Deidara and Hidan did a rap-off. They left their respective partners, and arrogantly approached one another, both thinking that they were better than one another. They went line after line from one another, while her and Itachi waltzed slowly behind them.
"Be a champion, be a champion, be a champion, be a champion
On the walls of the hall of fame."
"Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers
(Yeah)."
"Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers."
"Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers."
"Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions."
Her and Itachi broke away from each other, and they both sang the same lines, Deidara and Hidan finishing off the measures with 'yeahs'."
"Standing in the hall of fame (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah, yeah, yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame."
Itachi and herself sang the regular lines while Deidara and Hidan did the backgrounds (Parentheses). It was slower and filled with much more soul than the previous lines, while they all did the last line together.
"(You can be a champion)
You could be the greatest
(You can be a champion)
You can be the best
(You can be a champion)
You can be the King Kong banging on your chest."
"(You can be a champion)
You could beat the world
(You can be a champion)
You could beat the war
(You can be a champion)
You could talk to God, go banging on his door."
"(You can be a champion)
You can throw your hands up
(You can be a champion)
You can beat the clock(yeah)
(You can be a champion)
You can move a mountain
(You can be a champion)
You can break rocks."
"(You can be a champion)
You can be a master
(You can be a champion)
Don't wait for luck
(You can be a champion)
Dedicate yourself and you gonna find yourself
(You can be a champion)."
"Standing in the hall of fame!"
Sakura breathed heavily, and smiled brightly at her companions. The lights shining on her form, and she bowed before the standing ovation the audience gave them. Hidan and Deidara grinned at everyone, after meeting her eyes. Itachi smirked at her slightly. They all came together at a time, and bowed in usion.
"Well, that is out final performance of the night!" Deidara announced. "But who did you like best? Me and Hidan, or our newest member, the Blossom, Sakura Haruno and our musical prodigy Itachi?"
"Sa-ku-ra!" The audience shouted. "I-ta-chi!"
"Aww, come on, un," Deidara complained with slumped shoulders, as did Hidan. This only caused them and everyone to laugh momentarily.
At that time, the rest of the members came out, then they all bowed in perfect usion. Deidara grinned once more, before letting out a poof of smoke. "Goodnight!"
The curtain was drawn, and everyone was together for a moment, before breaking apart. She could see Sasori walking away and back into the right wing before vanishing from sight. She stared after him, becoming in a daze, before Hidan and Deidara snapped her out of it, by hugging her from both of her sides. She giggled at their antics, but blushed even more red than her dress, when they suddenly kissed both of her cheeks at time same time. After that they grinned at one another, before running off in different directions. She smiled slightly, the heat on her cheeks disappearing quickly as she rubbed them softly. Itachi nodded with a smile to her, and with a final farewell he spoke to her, "Well done, Sakura. Until tomorrow."
"Bye," She mumbled to herself, before walking slowly back to her dressing room. In her mind's eye she was reliving the past five minutes, from when Sasori had whispered into her ear, to the singing, to the cheek kisses. She smiled fondly at it all. And to think, this was going to be considered an average day for her now. That thought alone just created more happiness for her.
She hummed 'Ass Back Home' along the way, as it was suddenly stuck in her head, and walked slowly back to her dressing room, twirling at times when she saw fit. The workers smiled at her childish innocence, and liked her way of doing things. She was, for the most part, in a daze, and people walked around her, and watched as she actually stated to sing the lyrics in a softer melody.
It wasn't until she was a few feet from the door of her room that she was snapped out of her trance. Actually, she was more jolted out of her trance than anything else, because there stood Sasori, leaning against the door with his arms crossed looking at her through those lazy chocolate eyes. She blinked a few times, getting back her footing, as she stood straighter.
"Don't let me stop you," He said, referring to her dancing.
She smiled sheepishly at him. "Yeah, you can say that I've had a pretty good night, if I'm acting like that."
At that, he smirked, that smirk that made girl's swoon to him. A light blush started to tint it's way onto her cheeks. He had never legitimately smirked at her before, and goodness gracious, he was even more gorgeous when he did. "Clearly."
"So," Sakura started, unsure of herself now. "What exactly did you mean earlier?"
"Musica e arte," Sasori recited. "Music is art."
"Well," Sakura sighed, "That, certainly makes sense now."
Sasori's smirk faded, but his brow quirked slightly. "It was an easy translation change."
Sakura rubbed her neck sheepishly. "Italian, right?"
He nodded, before he unglued himself from the door. He started to walk away, but stopped slightly when Sakura suddenly called out, "Wait!"
His head turned to her in acknowledgment. "If it's a compliment you want, then granted. You've done well."
She was shocked that he would seriously say it. Even if he did think that she was a good singer she certainly hadn't had any expectations that he would do anything more than nod. He was always so unpredictable.
"Goodnight Sasori," Sakura said with a smile. "And thank you."
With that, he gave her one more glance, his heart racing even faster than before. He left without another word, and he could feel her firey emeralds watching as him as he left the area.
.
.
.
Sasori watched as the Sun started to set. The sky becoming a rainbow. After that night, he had became anxious to leave. He really didn't understand why, but it was as if he was missing something. Art, maybe, but he couldn't say for sure. He simply had to go. There was no alternative. He was going to leave sometime soon anyway. To Rome. He would leave no indication that he had left, until she finds out for herself. If she calls, he will answer, but he knew that she would be distraught, and for some odd reason that was what he would dreaded most of all.
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Art's Most Valuable Form
Author's Note:
Updated: September 1, 2013
Ok, I am so sorry that Sasori is so freaking emo, but he seriously doesn't understand what is going on with him, and why he even cares for Sakura. He won't be like that forever, trust me. A little here and there until he realizes he's actually in love with her, but not as much after the next two chapters.
This chapter was actually suppose to have the dinner with the rest of the Akatsuki, but it seriously just got way too long. I did not even come close to trying to make this chapter this long. It took me forever, and I'm glad I'm done. I will update this story for two more chapters, before updating the others. I'll start either tonight or tomorrow.
Please review! Please!
Ja-ne!
-Cassandra