Finally, here's chapter 24 for you guys. I had originally planned for this to be put up yesterday, but a few things got in the way.
Long chapter! Didn't expect it to be so long…
Takes place the next day, after school.
"Pain-san!"
Pain looked up from his book and raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Deidara?"
Deidara prevented himself from saying, "May I speak with the almighty God?" as Sasori had told him to do whenever he wanted to speak with Pain. "Could I talk with you?"
"About?"
The blue-eyed of the two sighed as he sat down across from the other. "I want to know about the other members some more…"
"Why don't you just ask them?"
"Because there are some who I'd rather not try and talk to."
"Okay, fine." Pain closed the book and sat up straight, trying to look at full attention so he wouldn't get the Sasori treatment. "Who do you want to know about?"
"Everyone."
"Like I'm going to tell you about myself."
Deidara glared. "Fine then, I'll just ask Itachi-san and he'll tell me about you, since he knows about everything!"
"I swear, I'm going to find Sasori and send him to living hell after I find out what he did to make you into his clone…"
Deidara bristled, lip curling. "Don't you dare hurt Sasori-san!"
"Yeah, yeah, or you'll send me to hell personally instead."
"Shut up!" Exasperation etched itself into Deidara's voice. "Alright, then, if you won't tell me about everyone…tell me about Sasori-san."
"Sasori?"
"Un."
"You're like his exact double. What could you possibly want to know?"
"Just tell me!"
Pain rubbed his forehead, sighing. "Fine."
Deidara straightened a little, blue eyes locked eagerly on his leader.
"Sasori…I don't know if you've ever noticed this or not, but Sasori…is a natural flirt."
"Flirt?"
"I'm not sure if he himself realizes it, or even knows he's flirting, but he does. He flirts. Has he ever acted strangely around you?"
"Un, a lot of times…sometimes, he narrows his eyes and smirks at me with this weird expression, and when we lightly fought back then, he'd always let me win and then act all innocent when I told him I won. He says this odd stuff at times, too…like how he says my name. Sometimes, it's just regular, and others…he stretches it out, un."
"He's flirting with you."
Pain had just said it so casually and easily. Deidara's face heated up as he stared at the orange-haired boy. "Wh-What?!"
An eyebrow rose at the blush. "I think that he's subconsciously aware that he's good-looking, and therefore uses that to his advantage…in other words, he knows he's handsome and flirts because of it without actually knowing what he's doing."
"But he's not interested in people…"
The leader of Akatsuki paused. "True, but it's what he does. I'm not him, and I don't know him all too well, so I can only surmise…"
"Does he really hit girls?"
"Girls? Sasori hits anyone who gets in his way," Pain snorted before muttering quietly, "Including me…"
"So he does…"
"Not usually, however."
Deidara perked back up, puzzled.
"I haven't known Sasori to actually hit girls…yes, I'm aware he's not fond of them, but to hit them, to him, is like using energy. And he sees that as a waste, so he doesn't do it. Though I know he hits that Haruno girl, and Temari once, when she tried to cop a feel…" Pain hesitated at the dirty look Deidara was now shooting at the table. "…I said tried, Deidara. Meaning she didn't actually get to feel anything." When the expression didn't change, he sighed. "Are you going depressed on me?"
"No, it's just…"
"What?"
"Sasori-san…there's something wrong with him…"
Pain laughed dryly. "There're a lot of things wrong with that boy."
Deidara glared darkly. "No, I'm serious! Do you know he has autophobia?"
"Autophobia?" Pein halted his laughter.
"Un, he has it…and it's really bad…I…the thought of someone taking advantage of him is…"
"Sasori would never let anyone take advantage of him."
"You don't know how he acts!"
"What?" Gray eyes widened. "Do you know something about him that I–?"
"Pain! Hey, come on!" Konan complained as she ran in. "You said we could go to the store and–!" She stopped, blinking. "Deidara-kun?"
"Tch…and I thought I could get some peace in here…" Pain growled to himself.
"Geez, what are you doing in the cafeteria, Pain?" Konan questioned, hands on her hips as she walked over. "Isn't this where Sasori and Deidara-kun study after school?"
"Sasori-san went home already…"
"Really?" Konan blinked before returning her gaze to Pain. "Well, anyways, Pain. Let's get going already!"
The leader sighed, picking up the novel and handing it to Deidara. "This is Sasori's…he left it here without noticing. You wouldn't mind bringing it to him, would you?"
"Un…I don't know where he lives…" Deidara mumbled, but accepted the book.
"I can tell you."
"Or better yet, we'll show you!" Konan grinned, grabbing Pain's arm and marching towards the exit. "Come on, Deidara-kun! This way!"
"A-Alright…" Blue eyes blinked before the boy hesitantly followed.
––––––»
"Here we are!" Konan practically sang, pointing at the house in front of them. "Right there, Deidara-kun!"
Deidara nodded. "Thanks…"
Konan smiled and waved as she started off. "Bye bye!"
"Oi, Konan," Pain protested, glancing back at Deidara making his way to the door. He then turned to look at the girl, eyes narrowing at her elated expression. "…You seem overly happy about this."
Muffled laughter was his answer, the smile morphing into a smirk.
"…! Konan!"
"Oh, come on, Pain! It's just a bit of fun! I'm not expecting them to actually do anything!"
"Even so…" Pain looked back at the newest student once more.
Deidara slowly walked toward the door, fingers unconsciously tightening around the novel. Mentally, he told himself to calm down. He was only dropping off a book, right?
"Knock him out and bring him to me."
He winced. That was why he was feeling so badly. He questioned himself again why he had chosen to do Orochimaru's bidding. Oh, right. Because he had been trapped in the classroom with that stupid psychopath with Kimimaro right outside the door, who would do anything stupid Orochimaru told him to do. If Deidara had refused, he would have to fight Orochimaru, or get molested by him, and Orochimaru would call for Kimimaro to attack Naruto and the others. Who really stood no chance against Kimimaro…
The door stared at him, and he knocked on it, albeit tentatively. "S-Sasori-san?"
After a few seconds, Sasori opened the door, blinking. He bit his tongue as the question of, "How the hell did you find my house?" threatened to come out. Konan probably told him, most likely. "Deidara?"
"Sasori-san, you left your…book at school." Deidara held out the book.
"Oh…thanks…" Sasori yawned, retrieving the novel. "You want to come in? I'm alone, currently."
"Um, i-is it–?"
"Just get in here." The redhead reached out and dragged him into the house.
––––––»
"How long are you going to be alone in here?"
"I dunno. Few hours more, I think?"
"Is it always like this?"
"Not always. Just for today."
"Un…" Deidara leaned back against the foot of the couch, shifting slightly, the orders of what he was supposed to do buzzing through his mind like angry wasps.
"…Deidara…do you want anything? To drink, I mean…"
"Sasori-san, I…" Deidara paused. "…I would, un."
Sasori nodded before standing up and walking away.
He returned a few moments later. "I didn't know what you liked…so instead…I just…brought you…some…"
Deidara looked over just in time to see the glass crash to the floor and Sasori stumble, plummeting down towards the ground.
"Sasori-san!"
The taller of the two shot forward, leaping at the last second and just catching the other. Deidara pressed his chin into Sasori's back right as his spine crashed into the wall. He winced from the pain, but ignored it, instead sitting up. "Sasori-san…!"
Sasori blinked, eyes barely open, head pressed against the other's chest.
"Dammit…" Deidara moved the other between his legs, then trying to sit him up to look him straight in the eye. A harsh flame shivered up his back, and he stopped his actions, panting quietly. "Sasori-san…"
"Deidara…" Sasori mumbled, relaxing into the other's hold. "…I'm…so damn…tired…"
"That's what this is about…?" A relieved smile grew upon Deidara's face. "I thought you were mortally sick…you stupid bastard…"
Sasori didn't respond.
"…Sasori-san?" A blush quickly hazed over Deidara's face. "Sasori-san, you…you did not fall asleep on me…!"
The silver-eyed teen moved a little, bending his legs.
He still smells so nice… The flush darkened. Tenderly, Deidara put his arms around the other, swallowing, afraid he would wake him up and get yelled at and attacked. He felt Sasori stiffen at the contact, and he winced, readying himself for the blow. The tensed muscles slowly relaxed, and Deidara blinked. A small smile dragged across his face, and he tightened his hold, pressing his cheek into red hair.
A short purring noise rumbled from Sasori as he shifted slightly, mumbling an inaudible word.
Deidara felt a tingling sensation come over his body. Sasori's body heat and bittersweet scent flooded all over him, and he held onto the other's form a just a bit tighter, resisting a laugh when the ash-rose-eyed boy let out a quiet mew. All memories of his reason of coming to the redhead's house in the first place were wiped clean, and Deidara just savored the moment, Orochimaru and his group never once coming to his mind.
He wanted this moment to last, forever; he didn't want it to end. He didn't want it to be fleeting…he didn't want Sasori to be fleeting. And…for some reason…now…he didn't want himself to be fleeting. He wanted to be…eternal. He wanted Sasori to be eternal…
But, like all good moments, or at least for Deidara, something just had to come up to ruin it. And for this particular moment…
He's going to kill me if he wakes up.
Conflict waged war within Deidara's mind. If I try and move him, he might wake up, and if I don't move him, he'll wake up anyways…I'm screwed either way… Taking a deep breath, he slowly moved one of his arms down, slipping it beneath Sasori's legs.
A sigh broke Deidara's lips as he successfully had the other bridal style in his arms, still asleep. "Now…where do I put him?" He walked softly across the room, looking around. Finally deciding on the couch, he slowly made his way over to it, setting Sasori's unconscious body on it. His eyes widened. Oh, shit.
Sasori's arms were wrapped tightly around Deidara's waist.
Shit… Deidara hissed in his head, trying to stay calm and detach the limbs from his body carefully. Let go, let go, let go…! He breathed in relief once he got the hands unhooked, eyes shutting. Thank Go–
"Deidara…what were you doing?"
He froze, eyes opening slowly to the red but furious face of Sasori. "S…Sasori-san…! I–! It's not what it looked–Seemed like, un!"
The redhead's face didn't change.
Deidara looked in terror at the other for a split second before sighing and looking away. "I'm sorry. I don't know if you'll believe me or not, but I am."
"I want you out of here."
"Un…" Deidara nodded, turning and walking away towards the door.
Sasori's eyes narrowed, as he was once more alone. Suddenly, he sprang up and raced towards the door.
"Deidara!"
Said boy turned, eyes wide.
"I…" Sasori faltered, looking towards the ground before returning his gaze to the blond. "I want to know what happened! I overreacted, so…don't leave…come back…"
"But…" Deidara didn't move. He felt a thorn embed itself into his heart as he saw the almost pleading look on Sasori's face, desperation flickering in his irises.
"…Please…"
Deidara looked in sympathy at Sasori's almost miserable expression. "O-Okay…I'm coming back…"
Sasori's face lit up to en extent, mouth opening in a small smile like a young kid's as he saw the other running back.
Deidara felt his face redden at the sight, afraid that Sasori would see his embarrassment. He reached the house, and fortunately, his flush wasn't noticed.
"Come on, we can talk right here on the couch." Sasori took Deidara's hand and lead him into the building, practically jumping onto the sofa once he reached it.
The redness on Deidara's cheeks deepened, not only at his hand being held, but the childish behavior.
"Well? What happened?" The childish demeanor was slowly fading away.
"Uh, well…" Deidara fidgeted slightly as he sat down. "You…fell. I caught you, and you kinda…made it between my legs–" His eyes widened as Sasori crawled over and sat down in the mentioned place.
"Like this?" he asked, cocking his head.
"Y-Yeah…" Deidara swallowed, "Except more like this–" He hesitantly reached up and pulled the other's body closer, pressing the side of his head to his chest. "And then…I kinda…put my arms around you and did this…" He mimicked what had happened earlier, feeling his heart skip a beat.
Sasori's face was now red as well. "What next, brat?"
"You were asleep, so I tried to pick you up and put you on the couch…"
Ash-rose eyes looked up in curiosity.
Deidara paused, slowly moving until he had the other in his arms bridal style once again. "S-Sasori-san, I can't do this, un!"
"Why not?" Sasori tilted his head, a faint blush still splashed over his face.
"Because! C-Can't I just explain what happened? I don't want to…I can't–!"
Sasori reached up, turning the other's face by his cheek to look him straight in the eye. He leaned upwards, mouth just a few centimeters from touching Deidara's, and whispered, "…You can…"
Blue eyes stared into silver. Deidara gave into temptation, slowly bringing his head down. He could feel the other's warm, soft breath caress his lips, his mind fogging up, as he got lost in the deep pools of silver. His fingers drew together around the fabric of the white pants and white shirt, making Sasori's body press against his chest harder.
Sasori blushed darkly, moving backwards. He watched as Deidara paused in confusion. Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Deidara's neck, pulling himself forward to meet him mouth to mouth.
Just as lips were about to touch lips, the vroom of a car sounded.
Sasori's eyes widened as he pulled back. "Shit…"
"What's wro–?"
"Hide behind the couch; now."
Deidara nodded, gently setting the shorter boy down and leaping over the back of the couch.
"Sasori! I'm home!" Chiyo came in, smiling until she saw the boy's heated face. "…Did something happen?"
"No, nothing…" Sasori responded, smiling back weakly. "I just flipped the wrong channel on the TV…"
Chiyo sighed. "That's why I hate having you watch TV…so many corrupting things on there…" She made her way across the room into the kitchen.
"Go!" Sasori hissed, watching his grandmother through the corners of his eyes.
"Un!" Deidara nodded, rushing towards the still open door and out it.
"Sasori? Were those footsteps I heard?"
"No, Grandma! TV again!" Sasori's eyes narrowed, face still flushed.
What the hell is going on…?
––––––»
"Hmm…so you've gone and messed up, dear?"
"Yes…I'm sorry, un."
"Was he that tricky?"
"Yes."
Orochimaru sighed. "…You walk with him to school, right?"
"Un…"
"Try and get him then. The order is still the same, though…knock him out and bring him to me."
"…"
"Is something the matter?"
"…You still haven't answered me…what you're going to do with him when I bring him to you."
Orochimaru chuckled, reaching out. "You needn't worry, precious…I shall not harm your darling…" Much.
Deidara prevented himself from wincing as he felt the cold hand cradle his face, the thumb brushing over his lips. "You better not hurt him."
"I already said I wouldn't, didn't I?" Orochimaru smiled reassuringly, slipping silk into his voice to cover the lie. "I would never hurt someone so beautiful."
The newest student turned his head to look away, eyes narrowed.
"Oh, Deidara-kun, I know it's hard hurting one you care about…" And one so annoyingly in my way… "But I assure you, I'll return him to you immediately after I'm…finished with him. I promise. And he'll be even better than before."
"That's impossible…Sasori-san is already perfect."
"Ah, yes, yes…of course." He's about as perfect as a two-year-old trying to ice skate in a contest… "Then I'll return him to you at once. You have my word."
Would he still want to come back to me then? Deidara bit his lip, realization flooding his mind. "But…"
"…You don't want to do this? But your friends…"
"Sasori-san…Sasori-san is…more–"
"Kimimaro-kun!"
"No, stop, I-I'll do it!" Deidara's eyes narrowed. Sasori had always told him to be strong, not a softie. But what could he do in this situation? He had been forced into an old warehouse and was currently trapped inside. He could try and run for it…no, that wouldn't work. Orochimaru was between him and the door, and if he ran, Orochimaru could catch up to him easily. Kimimaro wouldn't be any help. Help…Pain! Yes, he could agree and then go tell Pain! But…he had just asked Pain about information on the other members…and if he told him that Orochimaru had hired him to take out Sasori…Pain could get suspicious. Even if Deidara told him that he wasn't actually working for Orochimaru, Pain might ask how long Deidara had been working with Orochimaru to take out Sasori…and even if Deidara lied, Pain could see through it…and once he found out that Deidara had already 'tried to take out Sasori once before,' he might consider it betrayal. And even if he asked Sasori and Sasori told him that Deidara didn't try anything, he could still think Sasori was only trying to cover for Deidara, like he usually did…wait…Sasori! Of course, why hadn't he thought of it before? Sasori would definitely know what to do!
"Are you serious this time?"
Deidara struggled to hold back a smirk. "Yeah…I'll take him out…"
Orochimaru chuckled in triumph.
"But."
Golden eyes reopened.
"…In exchange…you let Kimimaro and Jyuugo be together, un."
A grin grew on Orochimaru's lips. "Oh?"
Green eyes widened from the outside.
"Is that all you request?"
"…You knew about them?"
"But of course. Everyone could see how they'd both just magically disappear at points."
"…You'll let them be together?"
"Yes."
"You're not lying?"
"Why, Deidara-kun! I'm insulted! Of course I'll let them be together. Promise."
"And I don't have to work for you anymore?"
"Of course."
Deidara let the smirk fully out at last. "Then I'll get him."
––––––»
The blond pounded on Sasori's door. "Sasori-san! Open up!"
Suddenly, the door swung open. Narrowed silver eyes pierced into blue. "What do you want? You're going to wake Grandma up!"
Deidara whisked the other from his house, shutting the door and dragging him behind him as he ran around to the side.
Sasori opened his mouth to ask what the hell was going on, until a pair of arms wrapped around him. "O-Oi! What are you–?"
"I'm sorry…" Deidara whispered, "I…I need your help…"
"With what?" Sasori forcefully shoved Deidara off of him, his face flushed.
"O-Orochimaru…he…he's going to hurt my friends if I don't knock you unconscious and bring you to him. I agreed to do it, and…just so I could escape him, by the way…but, I–!"
"Dammit, brat, slow down!" Sasori grumbled, leaning back against the wall of his house. "Take this slowly, got it? Now, what are you talking about?"
Deidara took in a deep breath. "I…Orochimaru came to me one day, and told me that I had to knock you unconscious and bring you to him or he'd attack my friends without them knowing." He saw Sasori nod and continued. "I agreed, because…because I didn't know what to do, but…I didn't do it, so when he found me again today, he pressured me into it again. Except, this time, I thought that you'd know what to do, so…I agreed." The strange look he was receiving unsettled him. "I-I mean…he had me in this old warehouse, and he was in between me and the door, and he had a guard stationed outside the door, so I couldn't escape without agreeing to him, un!"
"And you came to me," Sasori finished, sighing. "Why couldn't you just have told Pain?"
"I…asked him earlier today on information on the other members…I thought he might get suspicious…"
"…This is getting ridiculous."
Deidara's eyes widened.
"I hate that damn bastard. It makes me wonder how low he'll actually go," Sasori scoffed, then softening his features down and placing a hand on Deidara's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll call Pain tonight. We'll get everything sorted out."
"Un…"
"I'll tell you the plan and all on the way to school tomorrow. And perhaps then, you can elaborate on your little 'adventures.'"
"But tomorrow morning while walking to school is when–!" Deidara was cut off from a finger pressed to his lips.
Sasori smirked, drawing back his arm. "Tomorrow while walking to school."
I rushed through the end of this chapter because it was late and I was tired…so there might be some bad parts in it.
Deidara can think really fast. It's a result of having to solve equations in the blink of an eye.
Oh, but yeah. Again, I think there are some bad parts in this chapter…I rotted my brain out yesterday playing Pokémon Pearl. xP
～Arrina