Buuu, another long wait…
Aaaaah, don't kill me! xx; I really had no time to write…school's fault. Blame school! DD:
Anyways, this still takes place during lunch, then after. Lol, seems like they have a long lunch or something…

Previously:

Sasori merely looked away, looking slightly uncomfortable.

Deidara bit his lower lip. Once again, Temari had complicated his relationship with Sasori just when it was getting better.

"Sasori-san, wait!"

Sasori ignored the blond's protests and continued storming towards the nearest entryway back into the school.

"Sasori-san! I didn't mean it like that! Honestly!" Deidara struggled to keep up with the other's speedy pace.

"Didn't mean what? That you joined that stupid club just because she asked you, and don't really like me?" Sasori snapped, whirling around.

"It-It was embarrassing! I was uncomfortable!"

"Yeah? I have two Goddamn annoying stalkers. That's not embarrassing?"

"U-Un, but…I…I just…!"

"How stupid. Idiot brat."

Deidara winced. The only way to get through to Sasori was to swallow his pride and…he flushed slightly, flicking his blue irises to glance into silver. "S-Sasori-san…I like you. You're my friend, I thought you would've realized that by now…nothing will make me change my mind, un."

The redhead's eyes glistened with suspicion and distrust, a scowl set upon his features.

Deidara noticed this. "Sasori-san! I'm telling the truth!"

"Tch." Sasori curled his lip. "Prove it."

"And how am I supposed to do that?"

"Dunno. Figure it out." Sasori flipped back around and began striding off.

'Bitch Mode' was what Deidara called the little snarky moments Sasori had when he was annoyed or the likes. Like this one. And 'Bitch Mode' was on hell of a bitch to break. Once it started, it was almost impossible to stop unless Sasori suddenly got the 'kind' idea to 'forgive.' Sort of like…the autophobia phases, only he was insulting you instead of needing you. And he chose when to snap out of it.

"Sasori-san!" Deidara hadn't the faintest idea of how to get Sasori to believe him, but he followed like an obedient puppy once again.

Sasori snorted. "You must really love my name, huh?"

Deidara's face reddened instantly. "Of course not! Stupid idiot!"

'Stupid idiot?' Heh, how mature, brat. "Tch. How stupid."

"Sasori-san!"

"Shut up, brat."

"No, you shut up!"

"Shut. Up."

"Sasori-san…" Deidara saw the redhead speed up his walk once again. "Damn you, I like you! I…really do like you!"

Sasori stopped. "…"

Deidara tried to calm the blush on his cheeks. "…Sasori-sa–"

"…Really?"

"Really!"

There was a sigh. Sasori turned around. "You're not lying?"

"I'm not lying!"

Silver eyes closed. "…Fine."

A smile began to grow on Deidara's face.

"Now."

Deidara now found himself staring into the now open ash-rose irises.

"What is this…Akasuna Club?"

"…Temari, Tenten and I…like you."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it, those two. But you?"

"Er…" Deidara faltered, biting his bottom lip.

"…!" Sasori's eyes widened.

"No!" Deidara hastily intervened, "Not really like! Like! Like, un!"

"…H…" Sasori's lip curled slightly.

"Un?"

"How stupid!"

"…!" Deidara was taken aback. "Why?"

"Tch! I'm going back to Itachi!" Sasori ignored the question, lip fully curled. "He needs to help me with my homework, anyways!"

"Damn bastard!" Deidara's anger suddenly grew, a frown appearing over his lips, "I can't understand a word you just said!"

Sasori scoffed before repeating more slowly, "He needs to help me with my homework."

"I don't understand English! Talk in Japanese!"

"You're an idiot, you know that?"

"Shut up!"

"Whatever, I'm leaving."

"…! Wait!" Deidara sprinted forward to catch up with the other, gripping a hand onto his right shoulder and spinning him around, managing to pin him to the wall. "Sasori-san!"

Sasori's eyes widened.

"Sasori-san, don't go, please!" Deidara realized how much of a child he was sounded like, and it would've struck his nerves if he weren't so intent on getting Sasori to stay.

He remembered this position. And he hated it. Sasori was fully aware that this wasn't Orochimaru, and that Deidara wasn't trying anything, but the position…it made Sasori feel weak.

There was a hostile glow marring the silver eyes. Deidara stared in shock at it for a split second before backing off a step, managing out, "I-Is something wrong?"

"…No…nothing…" It disappeared as Sasori snapped back to his senses and averted his gaze.

"…" Deidara shuffled embarrassedly. "…I just want you to stay. I don't feel like…I'm ready for Hidan yet…again…" He redirected his gaze into the other's confused eyes. "Can we…girl-talk?"

The ash-rose-eyed student slowly let himself drop to the ground, forced to look up at Deidara. "…Why do you always use Hidan as an excuse?"

"…Because I…"

"Just say it…say you want to talk…I'll listen…"

Deidara blinked, then looked away. "I…I want to…you wouldn't mind…if I wanted to spend some alone time with you?"

"…I sat down, didn't I?" Sasori cocked his head a bit.

Ignoring his urge to reply with a curt retort, Deidara moved to sit down next to Sasori, glancing at him for a second.

"So then…" Sasori paused. "What was it…you wanted to talk about?"

"…Un…I…really don't have anything specific…"

"Well I don't."

"Obvious–" There was a splash of something blotched on the collar of Sasori's uniform. Deidara stared at it for a while, before reaching out and grabbing the fabric.

"…! O-Oi! What are you doing?" Sasori instinctively leaned the other way, face flushing slightly.

"You've got something on your uniform! I'm just trying to see what it is!" Deidara snapped, trying to ignore the fairly good view he was getting of the shorter boy's neck and a small bit of his shoulder.

"Why the hell do you always make the biggest deal over the stupidest things?"

"I just want to help you!"

"Let–Me–Go!"

"Just let me see! I-I think it's ketchup, un!"

"That's wonderful, now let me go!"

"Hold it, just let me–!"

"It's ketchup, brat! It's not going to kill me!"

"I know that–!"

"Ketchup is nothing to practically choke me over!"

"Wait, I'm–?" Deidara weakened his hold, and in that time, Sasori managed to pull them both over to the side.

It was as if someone had just given Deidara a great push. The blond flew forward, and like a line of dominoes, crashed into Sasori and knocked him over onto the grass. And the next thing he knew, when he pushed himself up, was that he was hovering over Sasori's face…and he was plopped right down on Sasori's waist.

Sasori could feel the long blond hair tickling his crimson cheeks and face. He could feel the warm breath shakily trembling over his lips. And he was frozen, unable to move. "D…Dei…dara…"

"S…Sasori-san…" Deidara's legs unconsciously tightened against Sasori's hips.

The silver-eyed boy's lips opened in a silent gasp, the color of his face beyond red.

Temptation was back. Deidara tried to resist, but ultimately failed as he started towards the parted lips. He felt the hand that had made its way onto his shoulder during the fall strengthen its grip, though Sasori made no move to stop him.

Their lips brushed.

"…!" Deidara pulled back instantly, scrambling off Sasori. "Sasori-san, I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

"…It…I…" Sasori's words were confused and muddled, soft.

There was this emotion lacing through each sound that came from the redhead's words, but Deidara couldn't quite put his finger on it. It wasn't love – not that Deidara was actually wanting it to be love – and it wasn't quite need: it was sort of…like…nostalgia? Want? Something like that. Kinda.

"Deidara…"

Said male found himself shocked beyond words as the other was resting peacefully in his arms, face snuggled into his shoulder. "Sa…so…"

"…You're warm…"

This wasn't one of the autophobia attacks, but it was clear Sasori wasn't himself. Deidara hesitantly put his arms around Sasori as he tried to think of any possible explanation. Just when you thought you knew the guy, something else would always pop up that would send you on more fun adventures with him.

Sighing, Deidara tried to pull away.

Sasori let out a whimper.

…Okay, so it was the autophobia. Though not exactly. Something had caused…something to spring up. But the childish attitude was definitely from the autophobia. Or something happened that reminded Sasori of something when he was younger that had, in a way, some relation to whatever was causing the autophobia. And now Deidara's head hurt.

"Don't leave…"

That snapped Deidara out of his thoughts. He retightened his hold, murmuring reassuringly, "I'm not."

The shorter male curled up slightly, before leaning back to look with puppy-like eyes at the other.

Deidara blinked. Damn. He had never thought Sasori could look so…cute. Adorable. Cuddly. Fluffy. Like a kitten. He just needed the ears and tail.

"Promise?"

"Un, I'm not going anywhere." Like I can go anywhere anyways with you tagging after me like a three-year-old…

A smile graced Sasori's features, and he nestled his face back into the junction of Deidara's neck and shoulder.

So he likes it when you play with his hair…? Yeah, he's definitely like a cat… Deidara smiled slightly as he stroked the red locks – ignoring the fact that they were extremely soft – and earned himself a happy purr. I wonder what Sakura would think if she saw him like this.

Soft laughter filled Deidara ears. Then a sharp pain to his stomach.

"Ow!"

Sasori pulled back, still laughing quietly. "Hey, did that hurt?"

"Yes. That hurt." Deidara glared slightly.

"Really?"

"Yes, real–Ow!" Deidara yelped as the redhead pinched him again.

Snickers made their way from Sasori's mouth.

"Sasori-san!" Deidara snapped, quickly catching the oncoming wrist as Sasori tried to pinch him once more. "No more!"

"But–!"

"If you're just going to try and hurt me, then I'm leaving!" Deidara pushed Sasori off of him and stood up to leave.

"W-Wait! No! Don't go!" Sasori immediately had his hands wrapped around Deidara's left one, holding on tight. "I'm sorry! I really, really am! I won't do it again! Promise! I-I can make it better! See?" He pressed one of his hands to the spot he had hurt. "See? See?"

Could he really stay angry with him? Deidara inwardly sighed. It really couldn't be helped, he figured. After all, kittens were a handful to take care of, always causing trouble and the sort…especially when they figured out they had claws.

"Fine." He gave in, sitting back down. "But no trying to pinch me, got it?" Pausing, he carefully reworded his sentence. "No trying to hurt me, un."

Sasori nodded, drawing back his arms. "You don't still hurt, do you?"

"No…I don't."

"I…really am sorry about that…" Sasori's fingers dug into the ground as he looked pleadingly into blue eyes. "I…I'll cut my nails, if that's what made it hurt so much!"

And then you'll snap out of your state and chew me out all "Deidara! Why the hell are my nails cut? Didn't I tell you they're naturally sharp? You dumb brat, why won't you believe me?! I'm not some stupid girl!" Then when I try and protest otherwise, all you'll do– "No, Sasori-san, it's alright. I'm fine now, okay?"

"But I hurt you! And on purpose! I wanted to!"

That…Deidara couldn't argue with. But the look on Sasori's face made his inner conscience scream that he better damn well try.

"Come here." He held out his hand, waiting for the ash-rose-eyed student to crawl over before tugging him into a loose half-embrace. "It's all right. I'm not angry at you, un."

Silver eyes were dull and hazed over in a negative fog. "But–"

A finger was pressed to protesting lips.

"I'm not angry."

"O-Okay…"

The danger zone was approaching. Deidara could feel it. He unhooked himself from the other and stood up. "I'm going for a walk. Would you like to join me?"

Sasori nodded at once, shooting up like he had just been shot out of a cannon. He eagerly took the blond's hand as it was offered to him, allowing himself to be led.

After a while, Deidara felt the other press against him, hand compressing around his more. And he allowed him to do this, making no move to stop him. However, when a few more minutes passed, he had no choice.

"Sasori-san."

Wide silver eyes met with his.

"Stand back. Just…walk somewhat behind me."

"Why?"

"…Because…"

"You're going to leave me?"

"No. I won't." Deidara tried to slip his hand from Sasori's grasp.

"Promise me!" Sasori's grip tightened protectively.

"…" Deidara stopped walking to reach out and lightly trace his hand down the side of the redhead's face comfortingly. "I promise you…I won't leave you."

That seemed to put Sasori at ease, as he released the hand he held captive and stepped back.

Deidara nodded at him to try and make Sasori feel more relaxed, before starting to walk again.

I don't get it…why do I have to be back here? Sasori glanced almost gloomily at the other boy's back. Did I do something wrong? I did, didn't I? Then I have to– A sudden, quick shock of pain spiked within his head, and he winced, stumbling a little as he pushed one of his hands to his forehead.

"…You know, Sasori-san? Like…I dunno, some kind of drug…or we could just shoot him?"

What? Sasori found himself now leaning against the school, his mind fogged up. What's he…? "…Ngh…"

"Sasori-san?" Deidara turned, eyes widening. "Sasori-san! What's wrong?" I don't like that look he has…did I time my statement wrong? He would've figured out something was up from that alone, if I did…

"Deidara…what…were you talking about? Shooting, or…"

"…You don't remember?"

"No, otherwise I wouldn't be asking, now would I?"

Yeah, he's back all right. Deidara smiled slightly. Or, to be more accurate, his lips twitched upwards in an almost smile. "Orochimaru. We were talking on how to get back at him. For the…scream and…"

"Mm…" Sasori nodded slowly, prying his palm from his forehead. "I'd like to shoot him…very much…"

"Un?" Deidara blinked. "I didn't mean with a gun, Sasori-san! I meant, like…some kind of anesthetic kind of gun…sorta…"

A red eyebrow rose. "You know what an anesthetic is?"

Blood rushed rapidly to the blond's face in humiliation. "Of course I do! Stop degrading me already! I might not be too good in science like I am in math, but I'm not that stupid!"

Sasori snorted in amusement. "Like you are in English? Perhaps, then, you should get Itachi for after school lessons on that instead of me."

"What? No, Itachi would be a bad choice! I bet he'd be so boring!"

"Oh? I'm not? I'm better than him?"

"The best!"

Shock traveled up Sasori's spine.

"Well…" Deidara caught the confused and stunned look on Sasori's features. "Maybe not at English…but you're a better sensei…better than the school's, that's for sure."

"…" Sasori let the initial shock run throughout his body for a few moments more, before flooding it over with irritation, muttering out, "Suck-up."

Bristling defensively, Deidara scowled. "I am not! I'm just telling you what I think! Stupid jackass…"

"Screw that."

Deidara would've torn out his hair and screamed at the top of his lungs at how annoyingly frustrating the other was being, had he not seen the equally annoying and frustrating smirk paint itself onto Sasori's lips.

"I'm kidding. Calm down, brat."

He glared for a second, before blinking and pulling out the picture Temari had given him. "Sasori-san, you can have it…if you don't like me having it…"

Sasori took a brief look at the picture and instantly, his facial expression warped into one like someone had just placed a plate of vomit in front of him and commanded him to eat it.

"Keep it." He turned away, voice curt and sharp. "And don't show it to me again."

––––––»

"Hey, come on! How was lunch?"

"Leave me alone, Tobi."

"Deidara-senpai!"

"I need to get to English."

"I thought you hated English!"

"Who told you that?"

"Zetsu-san!"

"Zetsu stalks me?"

"No, of course not! He just said you complain a lot about it to Sasori-san and Kisame-san…well, a lot of people!"

Deidara's eyes caught sight of two other boys coming his way. Already irritated at Tobi, he turned around and hissed, "Get away. Now. Leave."

"Why?" Tobi complained, "You're starting to sound like Sasori-san, Deidara-senpai!"

"Just go!"

Tobi paused before complying, reluctantly running off.

"Deidara-kun," Kimimaro said as the newest student met him and Jyuugo halfway.

"What's wrong? Is Orochimaru giving you two grief because of what I did?"

"No."

"Kimimaro just wants to thank you," Jyuugo answered, "since he never got the chance to."

"Un? I-It wasn't anything, really…it just wasn't fair that Orochimaru wouldn't let people be together…I thought you two deserved to be." Deidara replied sheepishly.

"Even so. You did something for us, even though you're with Akatsuki, therefore doing an action that could be considered 'betrayal.'"

Deidara winced at the word. He still didn't like it.

"Kimimaro…" Jyuugo mumbled, seeing the flinch.

"Therefore," Kimimaro continued, "let me do something in return for you."

Not this again! "Ah, no, that's okay! You don't have to!"

"It's only fair. This way, I'll…be doing something to 'betray' Orochimaru-sama as you did to Akatsuki." Jade eyes glared at Jyuugo for a brief moment.

Next thing you know, Tayuya will want to do something for me… "It's alright. Really. I'm just happy he hasn't done anything."

"Deidara-kun, let me do something for you."

Like what? Deidara paused to think. It's not like I can ask him to smile for me…one, I don't really care to see him smile because I haven't seen it before and we're still kind of hostile towards each other, and two, he's not Sasori-san–

"What's going on here?"

Deidara froze, slowly turning his head to look behind him. "S…"

Speak of the damn devil…

Deidara really does have bad luck, doesn't he? Kinda reminds me of myself on some days…
I think updates will be slowing down, unfortunately. D: School and everything. Yeah, and next week, from Friday to Sunday (Night), I'll be on a band trip. So I won't have any time to write then. So I only have, uh…counting today, about 6 days to write? Minus all the time I have to spend on homework and all, that is…
The Sasori-kitten-thing-comparison came from my cat, which we got as a stray. She was really nice and sweet and all when she was still living in our garage because we weren't sure if we should/could take her in…but when we did take her in, she changed. Kinda. She started using her claws on everything after a few days, and yeah. It was…is wonderful.

〜Arrina