Here we are on chapter 6. Cram chapter: meaning I fit a whole day into it (And failed).
Konan appears at last. :3 She...kinda acts like Szayel Aporro from Bleach did in the most recent episode (159), unfortunately. I'm going to try and change that in the future, though.
Uh, yes, this does mean that Deidara's missing his left sleeve now as well. o-o Didn't expect that, but oh well.
"Deidara!"
Said male looked away as he felt the gaping stares of his classmates as he walked into the room. Slowly, he made his way over to his seat, trying to ignore the bewildered gawk from Kisame and the slightly wide eyes of Itachi.
"Deidara, what happened?" Kisame asked, straightforward, eyeing the nasty-looking bruise splattered on the blond's left cheek and the gauze bandages scaling his whole left arm and around his right wrist.
"I…just…fell down some stairs, un…" Deidara mumbled, sitting down and looking at the ground. "Mom accidentally left her jacket at the top of them, and I wasn't looking where I was going, and I slipped."
"Then why is your sleeve torn," Itachi cut in, eyes narrowing in suspicion, "and gauze bandages all the way up your arm? It's not broken, I can tell by the way you move it, which means it isn't sprained, either."
"Un…" Deidara swallowed, hoping the black-haired boy wouldn't take off the bandages and see the five jagged scars. "M-My mom's really overprotective. She wanted me to keep them on, since I landed on it. And…she tore the sleeve off to put the bandages on, since she was in such a hurry."
"Do you feel alright?" the blue-haired student asked, quickly adding on, "I mean, you're not in pain or anything?"
"No."
"That's good."
Deidara felt eyes on him, and he looked to his right, seeing Sakura looking at him worriedly. He quickly looked away, returning his attention to Itachi.
"So…Itachi-san…how're you so good in English?"
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"Deidara-kun! Come with me!" Sakura hastily pulled the blond out of the math room.
"H-Hey! Sakura-san?" Iruka stammered, blinking.
"We'll only be a few seconds, Iruka-sensei!" the girl called back before shutting the door.
"S-Sakura, un!" Deidara protested as he was dragged out of class. "What are you doing?"
"Deidara-kun, I saw you in health," Sakura said firmly, looking at the blue-eyed male's covered arm. "All these wounds were because of him. Let me see."
"No, Sakura–"
"Let me see."
Hesitantly, Deidara began to unwind the gauze around his limb, looking away once it was fully off.
"Oh…God…" Sakura stared in horror, head shaking.
Five jagged bolts of lightning trailed down the blond's arm from a bit below the shoulder to the middle of his forearm, each one a dusky red.
"He…!" She hastily gripped the injured arm, gaining a wince from its owner. "He's a monster…!"
"Sakura, he's–"
"He damaged your stomach, right?" Without an answer, Sakura released the limb and reached out to lift the front of the boy's shirt, raising her unoccupied hand to her mouth at the sight of the large purple and blue bruise residing before her eyes.
"I'm fine, so–"
"Deidara-kun, this is serious!" she interrupted, looking into Deidara's blue eyes sternly. "We-We should go show Principal Tsunade this! I mean, look what he did to you! We could get him expelled from this school, maybe even sent to–!"
"No, Sakura! Listen to me, un!" Deidara snapped, averting his gaze when he received a shocked look. "Sakura…I'm not going to do anything about this, and you won't either."
"What?!" Sakura spluttered, blinking in bewilderment. "Deidara-kun, what–?!"
"I was the one who started the fight. Don't forget." Deidara muttered, beginning to rewrap the bandages around his arm. "I don't get, then…why he should take the blame."
"E-Excuse me?" Sakura stared dumbly. "Deidara-kun, pardon my language, but even if it was you who started the fight, he still beat the living hell out of you!"
"And I sprained his leg and probably gave him a bruised back."
"But–!"
"Enough already. You can't do anything to him unless I'm there agreeing with you. So forget about it, un." Deidara turned back to the classroom, opening the door and walking in.
"Deidara…kun…" Sakura stared as the other disappeared into the room to his seat.
––––––»
"You wanna sit out, Deidara?" Anko asked, looking over the him.
"Un, well…"
"I had another kid who had to sit out as well the class just before yours. Nasty sprain he had there, in his leg. He tried to be all tough and run anyways, but it wasn't long 'til he finally succumbed. I tried to get him to go to the nurse…whoever it is, but he refused, saying he was okay. Heh, but it really was everything but okay! You should've seen that sprain! It was almost as if…something heavy was dropped on it and then dropped a few more good times!"
Deidara froze, eyes washing over in guilt.
Fortunately, the teacher didn't notice. "…You wouldn't know anything about it, would you? Since you're both pretty slammed from what I see…"
"No, un."
"Really?" Anko sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Well, you can sit out this class, just so you know."
"Thank you, Mitarashi-sensei."
"Yeah, yeah. Just get better soon, okay? I don't want to give you a bad grade because you can't participate."
"Un…"
––––––»
"Hey, I remember you!"
Deidara turned, met with a blue-haired girl. "You do, un?"
"Yeah." Konan smiled, tilting her head. "You were the one who had the guts to ask Sasori out."
"Saso…ri…" Deidara felt something pain within him, lowering his gaze to the floor.
"Hey, hey!" Konan held up her hands sympathetically. "No need for the scary face! It's okay, really!"
"Sasori-san! Is he alright, un?" Deidara burst out, catching the other off guard.
"What? Oh, uh…" Konan blinked, pausing. "I…really don't know. I haven't seen him yet today."
"Is that so…" Deidara looked away.
"You two get into a fight? From what I heard, you're both pretty…you know…"
"U…Un…"
"Really?" Konan frowned. "It looks like…he really did a number on you. You mind if I take a look?"
Uneasiness quickly seeped up onto Deidara's face, trying to decide whether to allow the girl to see his scars. Well…she is in the same group as him…
Konan solemnly unwrapped the bandages from around Deidara's wrist, inhaling as she saw the deep nail marks. "Ouch…"
Swallowing, Deidara looked away as the other redid the bandages before setting to work on his other arm.
"Oh, wow…" Konan winced as she saw the long scars, looking around to see if anyone was watching. "You must've gotten him really angry, Deidara-kun. I know how to deal with what he does, though. If you want, I could go to my locker and get you some painkillers or–"
"No thanks," Deidara responded, looking at the now shocked female. "I sprained his leg badly. If I'm in pain, it's nothing compared to his, un."
"A fair one, huh?" Konan said, bringing a finger to her lips. "We haven't had one of those in a long time. Well, if you ever need anything, you can just ask me, okay?"
"Un…sure…Konan-san?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry!" Konan laughed in embarrassment, taking the side of her blouse that had "ｺﾅﾝ! " on it and showing it to the boy. "Yes, I'm Konan, the fourth member to be accepted into Akatsuki."
"Is that how you actually write your name?"
"Nope. It's actually written like this–" The girl took out her notebook, writing down the characters "小南" in neat handwriting. "I just wrote it like that because I wanted to write it different for once."
"Mm…"
"Something wrong?"
"N-No, I was just…"
Empathy clouded Konan's irises as she patted Deidara on the shoulder. "Sasori's a strong guy, trust me. He'll be fine. Even if it's a really bad sprain, he'll get through it, I know he will: he's stubborn like that. Don't worry. I'm sure he wouldn't want your pity anyways: not to be rude or anything. It's just how he is."
"But still…" Deidara protested, cut off by a hand lightly touching his head.
"If you want, I can give you his phone number. That way, you'll always be able to check up on him."
"…He…would kill me if I ever called him, un…"
"Really?" Konan sighed, folding her arms over her chest. "He surely is an obstinate one, isn't he…"
Deidara nodded.
"What if you offer him your help? If he acts like an ass and refuses, just tell him to shut it."
"U-Un?"
"It's the only way into his thick head." Konan chuckled, placing a hand on her hip. "He's really tender at heart, though. He has his moments."
"…Thank you, Konan-san, un. I'll try what you said. If I can find him, that is."
"Then I'll see you later!" Konan smiled, running off. "Bye, Deidara-kun! Good luck!"
––––––»
"Are you sure you'll alright?" Ino asked, looking worriedly at the male.
"Un, I'm fine…" Deidara nodded, earning himself a sigh from her.
"Well, okay then…get your mom to look to see if nothing's actually sprained or broken, okay? I'm going to walk home with Sakura."
"I will." Deidara sighed, watching his friend disappear into the crowd to look for the pink-haired girl.
He looked at the ground, biting his bottom lip. Sasori hadn't been in art class, and Deidara hated to admit it, but it made the class rather…boring. Mitarashi-sensei said he had been in her class, though…did he leave early? He wasn't in lunch either…
Suddenly, when he looked up, he saw a redhead against a wall of the school some ways off.
––––––»»
"You look pretty beat up, my precious Sasori-kun," Orochimaru purred, smirking at the cornered boy. "Who was it that did this to you? I really must thank him."
"Bastard…"
"Now, now, there's no need for such language, Sasori-kun." The black-haired teen reached out and traced Sasori's jaw with a long fingernail, rewarded with a shiver. "Looks like you'll have to give up your title of 'school tough guy'…hmm, orphan?"
Sasori's eyes widened, his whole body stiffening.
"That's right, darling, let pain overcome your body…you just can't handle the truth, can you?" Orochimaru's hand slowly stroked the other boy's cheek, a chuckle vibrating from his throat as his arm was slapped away.
"You…bastard…!" Sasori seethed, anger erupting on his features. "You dare insult me–?!"
"Now, don't forget, Sasori-kun dear." Pale fingers forcefully caught the redhead's chin and tugged him halfway from the wall, snarling lips just centimeters away from Orochimaru's. "…You are no match for me in your current state."
The silver-eyed of the two glowered at the other, lip curling.
Orochimaru laughed softly, slipping his tongue from his mouth and licking Sasori's cheek, gazing in amusement as he winced and squirmed backwards against the wall.
"Oh, Sasori-kun, you never fail to amuse me," he murmured, sliding forward and pressing his knee in between Sasori's legs.
Sasori's mouth opened in a gasp, eyes widening as he tried to push himself away.
"Now, I'm going to get you back for–"
"N-No…"
"Hmm?" Orochimaru paused, head cocking.
"He…he'll…"
"He's not here, precious. Give up, okay?"
Sasori's eyes shut in defeat, grinding his teeth together.
"That's right, Sasori-kun, you–"
"Leave him alone!"
Orochimaru's head turned to the right just in time for Deidara's fist to connect with his face, flinging him backwards.
"S-Sasori-san, un…are you…alright…?" Deidara asked, turning to the redheada.
"You…!" Sasori breathed out, eyes wide.
"My, my." Orochimaru chuckled, walking back over and wiping his cheek. "You look rather beaten too, New Student-san. Don't tell me it was you who did this to my wonderful little Sasori-kun?"
"Yours?" Deidara spat, bracing himself. "It didn't look like Sasori-san was too happy about you being near him! What were you doing to him anyways?"
"Why, Deidara-kun!" The golden-eyed boy rushed forward and smashed the newest student's back into the wall. "I'm only going to repay him the favor. You see, Sasori-kun has caused me so much pain, and it's only fair that I get him back, don't you think?"
"Sasori-san has caused many people pain, un," Deidara growled coldly, glaring at the other.
"Even so…" Orochimaru backed up so he was standing in front of the ash-rose-eyed boy. "Well, how about I strike you a deal, Deidara-kun? I leave Sasori-kun alone…and you join my group, hmm?"
"What?" Deidara's eyes widened, walking a step away from the wall.
"Come on, I'd say it's a pretty good deal." Orochimaru smirked, head tilting. "How can you refuse?"
Deidara stared as Orochimaru extended his hand. Shakily, he raised his own to complete the deal.
"Don't do it, Deidara!"
He stopped just as his hand was about to touch Orochimaru's, withdrawing it immediately and staring in confusion at Sasori.
"Don't do it!" Sasori repeated, eyes narrowing. "His group is against us–Against the Akatsuki! If you join him you'll be against everyone: Itachi, Kisame, even Hidan–"
"You need to shut up." Orochimaru interrupted frostily, quickly reaching out and dragging his nail down the ash-rose-eyed boy's wounded left leg.
Sasori's eyes widened, a scream ripping through his throat, hands quickly shooting down to clutch at the wound. The sudden movement forced pressure onto the limb, causing it to collapse under the weight, more pain sparking up as it was slammed into the ground.
A look of horror stuck to Deidara's face as another yell rippled from the redhead's mouth as he curled up and held his hurting leg close to him, eyes tightly shut and teeth grinding together. The blond glared with intense hate at Orochimaru, snarling out, "There's no way I'll join you! I'll never join someone who takes advantage of someone else's injury, un!"
"Mm…that's too bad, now isn't it?" Orochimaru sighed, halting his attempt to near the trembling redhead at the sight of the glower from Deidara. "Well, I'll leave you alone today, but only this one time. Don't get to used to it okay, Sasori-kun?"
Deidara glared at Orochimaru as he left, before turning his attention to Sasori. Gently, he sat Sasori up, wincing at the expression of agony.
"Shit…" Sasori hissed, pressing his forehead to his knee.
"Sasori-san…I'm going to need to you flatten out your leg…" Deidara muttered, starting to undo the bandages around his left arm.
"What…?" Sasori opened his eyes, an angry expression taking over his features. "Dammit, shit! I told you before, I don't want your Goddamn pity! Leave me alone, and go–!"
"Just shut up and let me help you!"
Sasori's mouth closed. He looked away with narrowed eyes, slowly trying to put his leg down, unable to prevent a small whimper from coming out and pulling the limb back to his chest.
"What happened to the 'tough guy?'" Deidara asked quietly, taking a deep breath before tenderly taking a hold of the leg and slowly lowering it flat, trying to ignore the gasps and cries that he got in return. "…It really is…a horrible sprain, un…"
"…Why…are you helping me?" Sasori asked quietly, as Deidara wrapped the bandages around his leg.
"I said before I disliked people who took advantage of another's injury…I meant it," Deidara answered, spiraling the white cloth around the knee. "I took advantage over your leg injury when we fought, and it's because of it that you got hurt by Orochimaru. This…is the least I can do to make it up to you."
"…" Sasori gazed at the ground, refusing to look at the other.
"…There's more to you than most see, Sasori-san," Deidara mumbled, finishing up the bandaging. "Many people don't see it, but I know there's something that's making you do what you do. I won't try and force it out of you, but I just thought you had the right to know…"
"…Well…anyways…thank you…for helping me…Deidara…"
Deidara's eyes widened as he looked up at the other. Quickly, he averted his gaze. "It's…not like this is going to change anything…you're still a callous ass, un…"
Sasori kept quiet, finally turning his head to look at the one who had helped him, watching as he stood up.
"Then…I'm going to go now, Sasori-san…" the blue-eyed teen said, turning and beginning to walk off.
"…!" Sasori's eyes widened slowly as he saw the blood that was dripping from Deidara's newly opened arm wounds that were once covered by the bandages on Sasori's leg. He looked down at his appendage with narrowed eyes. Why…would he go so far…?
Another mini SasoDei moment. :3
I can tell you right now that feelings have sparked for one of them, but they're very small, nothing big. The other still dislikes the other one like hell. Maybe not that much, but he doesn't think to highly of him. Yet.
And if you're wondering about the rivalry between Orochimaru's group and Akatsuki? I...haven't thought of what it's over yet. They're not gangs though. Nope.
～Arrina