Hi, everyone! How's it going? I actually finished this one faster (Though I feel it's crammed and not well paced…I'm so negative about myself)!
Has anyone seen the US's summary of vol. 30 of Naruto? o0; "(…) With Granny Chiyo at (Sakura's) side, she must battle Sasori, who can create golems from the undead. (…)" …So Sasori now makes things out of zombies.
This takes place after school.
Previous:
"How did your parents die……?"
Sasori's eyes widened before he roughly shoved Deidara off of him, turning away.
"S-Sasori-san?" The blond exclaimed, looking in surprise at the other.
"That's none of your business, shit!" Sasori snarled; his eyes narrowed.
Deidara stared as he recognized the same harsh pain resurfacing in the pools of silver.
As Sasori stalked off, the taller male didn't give chase.
"My dead parents."
"She told me they didn't love me…"
Deidara was furious. How dare Sakura say that to Sasori! Sasori was so…fragile around that subject!
…Or, Deidara presumed.
He was certain, however, that the autophobia cases were about Sasori's parents. Not a sibling, or a dog. His parents. So, whenever Sasori thought of his parents leaving him, he went into autophobia mode.
Where is she? he hissed in his head as he stalked around the building. School was over and Sakura was staying after for a little bit, like she always did. So where was she?
In back? Within the school? Front? Oh, yes. The entrance to the school. She was probably chatting with Ino before the blonde took her leave. Deidara paused. Well, he had nothing to lose, right?
As he reached his destination, he found his guess to be correct.
"Bye Ino! See you later!" Sakura called as her friend waved in return before disappearing into the car.
Deidara's eyes narrowed as he approached.
Jade eyes caught sight of the newest student. "Oh, Deidara-kun! Hi!"
The blue-eyed teen felt his lip start to curl. "I need to talk with you."
"What?" Sakura blinked, the smile sliding off her face at the other's angry expression. "O-Okay…" Tentatively, she followed him as he spun around and started off.
When the two had reached the secluded little nook where Deidara had first found out about Kimimaro and Juugo's relationship, he turned. "I know what you did."
"Wh-What do you mean?" Sakura did not like the look she was receiving. She backed up a step as the boy approached.
"What you did to Sasori-san."
She winced. "How–?"
"He told me."
"Deidara-kun, I can explain–!"
"Explain what?!"
Sakura's green eyes shimmered with fear. "Wh-What happened!"
"So you admit you said that to him!"
"Y-Yes–"
"How could you?" Deidara snarled angrily, fists clenching. "How could you do that to him?"
"D-Deidara-kun, please, listen–!" Sakura backed up against the wall, an expression of pure terror smeared over her face.
"What's to listen to, un? What you did was cruel!"
"P-Please! Hear me out! H-He was being mean and arrogant, s-so I just–!"
"You insulted something he didn't have? Mocked him?!"
"He called me a bitch, a-and I just retorted on instinct! Please, Deidara-kun, just–!"
"That's it? He calls you a Goddamn name, and say his parents never loved him?!"
"O-Okay, I admit that was too harsh, but–!"
"Physical scars can heal, Sakura! Emotional ones, like the ones you made, don't!"
"I–I–!"
"Do you even know what it feels like to be without your parents, not even given a chance to know them?"
"N-No, not–!"
"Then why did you do it? You…you made him doubt that his parents actually did love him!"
Sakura gasped slightly, tears glistening down her face. "I–I didn't mean for him to–!"
Deidara wrapped a hand around the other's neck, breathing shakily. "Did you tell him…anything else like that?"
"I…! I–!" Sakura swallowed, eyes closing. "I've changed, Deidara-kun! Please, believe me! Tell him I'm sorry, I-I didn't know he…!"
Deidara's arm trembled, the hostility from his glare not subsiding. Suddenly he fell down to his knees, the hand that was once around the female's neck cradling its owner's forehead. "S-Sakura…forgive me…I…I…"
"Deidara-kun…?" Sakura reopened her eyes, looking down at the boy.
"I love him…so much…when I heard that you hurt him, I…I just…!" Deidara felt something squirm inside him at his confession, making his stomach do flips. "I don't want anything to ever hurt him again…!"
"You…!" Sakura stared, wide-eyed, at the blond.
"Don't tell anyone, Sakura…please…" Deidara tilted his head upward to look at her.
Sakura didn't know what to do. Deidara…Deidara loved Sasori? He even said it!
She didn't know whether to feel angry, or jealous, confused…Deidara hadn't ever said something even close to that to her, and they had been going out! Deidara wasn't going out with Sasori…was he? No, impossible. If they were, it'd be all over the school – New guy going out with Akasuna! And that was just another thing she should mark down for her reasons of hating Sasori…but then again, maybe Deidara just wasn't right for her.
Maybe he was suited best for Sasori. From what Sakura had gathered on Deidara so far, was that he liked fair, and perhaps helping out people? He liked people that needed some help? Then, yeah, of course she wouldn't fit right with him: her problems had been solved when she had met Ino, after all.
Then…maybe, she shouldn't feel negative about this. Deidara was in love with Sasori: they had been friends, yes, and who was Sakura to try and crush love? If Deidara was truly in love with Sasori, then fine. She couldn't stop that. Her eyes softened. "Okay, Deidara-kun. I'll forget you ever said that."
"Thank you…" Deidara shakily stood up, then starting walk forward.
"W…Wait…"
He turned back around.
Sakura's face screwed up in embarrassment. "Tell me…just tell me…why it's him…why do you love Sasori…?" A little interrogation on the subject couldn't hurt…right?
"…I…" Deidara reddened a little, "Sasori-san…is my precious person…I love him, un…"
"Y-Yes…I know you…love…him…but why?"
"I-I…" Deidara faltered, "Why do you want to know? I love him, shouldn't that be enough?"
"I was just curious!" Sakura gave her best to hide her anxiety, "B-Because, you know, you two absolutely hated each other in the start! I get that you two became closer, but…but I don't get how that turned to love…!"
"You wouldn't understand! It…I…because…!"
Sakura narrowed her eyes at the ground. "Deidara-kun…it's okay…I get it…you can't tell me…that's fine…"
"He…he's so beautiful…"
She looked at him in shock.
"More than anyone else I've ever seen…" Deidara continued quietly. "I love his eyes, their silver color…his soft red hair…"
"Oh…I see…" Sakura couldn't prevent the down tone from seeping into her voice. Sasori's hair…is soft? Deidara-kun has…touched it? They've been physical already? But Sasori hates being touched…Temari-san proved that.
"He's smart and funny, sarcastic and adamant…but…more than anything…I think it's because he needs me, un."
Ah. So she had hit the bull's eye.
"He's so fragile…"
Fragile? Sasori? Sakura was puzzled.
"But now, you tell me."
"Huh?" She stared in confusion.
"About what happened." Deidara's eyes were narrowed. "About what you did to him."
"A-All of it?"
"All of it."
"Wh-Why can't you just ask him?"
"Because he's too scared! Talking about it hurts him!"
"…Just…promise me you won't get angry…"
"…I'll try not to."
Sakura swallowed, then took a deep breath. "O-Okay…back then…I was teased a lot because of my forehead."
"Your forehead?" Deidara raised an eyebrow.
"Yes…because it's so large…" The girl shook her head. "Anyways…this particular day, I was just so tired of it already. It had been going on for so long, and…and I was just sick of it. I figured that the next person to make fun of it would pay." She paused to try and read the other's face. Nothing. "S-So…I was talking to Naruto in lunch while in line, and Sasori was nearby, and I guess I was being too loud or talking too much, so he turned around and…he said…"
"He said what?" Deidara's hand twitched.
"He said…'Would you shut up? Damn bitch.'"
"…And?"
"So I just answered back…'Sasori-san, I really don't think I was bothering you, and if I was, you could've just asked,' to which he responded…" Sakura paused again. "'No thanks. Your disgusting pink hair and enormous forehead turn me off.'" At Deidara's confused face, she added on, "He wasn't like he is today, though…back then, Sasori…he was more quiet and reserved, and hated socializing. So…usually, if you tried to talk with him, you'd get a snarky remark back."
"What happened after?"
Sakura slightly, uncomfortable under Deidara's gaze. "I…l-like I said, I was so angry at people making fun of my forehead, I just…snapped. Naruto tried to retort for me, but I told him that I could handle it. I…I had heard a rumor, I don't know from who, it was just floating around, that Sasori, well…didn't have parents…so…" She saw the boy look away slightly, and swallowed again. "I said that. I-I said it so loud, that everyone in the cafeteria could hear…'At least I have my parents.'" Deidara was holding himself back, Sakura could tell. "A-And…he just stared at me while everyone gathered over. I…was feeling very confident…and happy that I had gotten him back for insulting me about my forehead, so…so I said…" She closed her eyes and turned away, voice quiet. "I said…'Did they commit suicide because they hated you so much?'"
Deidara stared.
"H-He tried to protest, but…I don't know, I guess I loved that feeling of being in control, and…'They didn't love you, you know. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone and gotten themselves killed!' Everyone, after that…Sasori was bombarded with questions like, 'You really don't have parents?' and 'Are you an orphan?' He…he just couldn't take it and he ran out…the rumor by the end of the day was…that he had gotten sick in the boys' bathroom and went home early."
Sakura chanced a glance at Deidara. She couldn't tell anything by his expression, but his hands had been turned into fists. "I…changed when Ino came, though…she stood up for me when I was getting teased about my forehead again one day, and told me not to be offended by the comments and all. After Ino came…I really just toned down, and the remarks about my forehead stopped…she stood up for me and everything…"
So…this…was what Sakura did…? She had done much more than just tell Sasori his parents didn't love him…!
Despite his shock over what he had just been told, Deidara tried to steady his voice as he saw the look on the pink-haired student's face. "D-Do you like Ino, un?"
"N-No, of course not!" Sakura blurted, reddening slightly. "Ino's my friend!"
"U-Un…" Deidara faltered, "Well…I'm going to go and see if I can find him…"
"Okay…" Sakura vaguely watched as the other started to go past her. "Tell him I'm sorry, Deidara-kun…please. I truly am."
"…I don't think he'll forgive you, un."
"That's fine…I wouldn't expect him to."
"…Alright."
––––––»
Mixed thoughts were spread out in Deidara's mind as he mindlessly wandered the school. He didn't know what to think.
…
He had admitted he loved Sasori.
To Sakura.
Sasori.
He loved Sasori.
His face heated up just thinking about it. But…it was true, right? Regular, just friend friends hugged just to make one another feel better…but the hugs he had shared with Sasori were somehow…more. And regular, just friends didn't try and kiss each other…right?
Well…on the other hand…after hearing what Sakura did to Sasori…he didn't know what to feel for that as well. Angry, infuriated obviously…he knew how infuriating Sasori could be, and Deidara had hurt Sasori pretty badly as well…but what he did…was it as bad as what Sakura did? After all…Sasori had healed from the fight…and he hadn't healed from what Sakura did…
He shook his head. He was going to tell Sasori he loved him and that was the only thing that mattered right now. Yes. Deidara couldn't even begin to imagine what the redhead's reaction would be.
Sasori had cancelled the after school lesson because he said he had homework to work on. But he had said he was still going to be in the building because "Otherwise Grandma would annoy me without end about finishing it."
Deidara sighed. He wanted to find Sasori, but…at the same time, he didn't. You're contradicting yourself, Deidara…come on, get a hold of yourself…
"I…Itachi…"
He stopped, recognizing the voice, and ran over to the room it had come from, opening the slightly open door fully. "Sasori-san…?"
Sasori was pushed against the wall, arms draped lazily across the black-haired boy's shoulders, lips lost in a deep kiss. His ash-rose eyes opened at the sound of his name, stiffening while Itachi pulled away. "Deidara?"
Deidara stood dumbfounded at the scene, asking out loud, "What are you doing…? How long has this been going on?"
Itachi turned to look at Deidara, black eyes indifferent.
A look of disdain crossed Sasori's features as he muttered out, "Brilliant."
"I…I thought we…" Deidara managed out, confused.
The Uchiha turned to Sasori, irritation flashing over his irises. "You haven't been doing anything…unnecessary…behind my back, have you, Sasori?"
"Of course not." A smirk accompanied Sasori's amused tone. "How could you think that?"
"Then why did you–?!" Deidara started.
"Itachi," Sasori interrupted hastily, "could you…leave for a moment?"
Itachi nodded soundlessly, walking towards the door.
Sasori sighed after the door had closed, gazing at the other boy. "Well? What do you want?"
Deidara inwardly winced at the way the other's uniform was slightly ruffled. "How long have you been with him, un?"
"For a while. Before school started. Months," Sasori replied casually. "Is that all? If it is, I'd like it if you left so I could get back to my–"
"Why did you kiss me that one time after school?"
Outside the door, Itachi stiffened.
Sasori looked taken aback for a split second. "L-Look…I don't know what came over me that time. It was an accident, and I'd rather you forgot about it, okay?"
"I won't forget about it!" Deidara snapped, storming up to the redhead.
"I said it was an accident, you idiot," Sasori growled. "So you'd better forget about it."
"I love you."
Itachi's eyes narrowed dangerously, his lip curling slightly. His fists tightened, as if he was preventing himself from bursting into the room at any moment.
"I…" Sasori's eyes narrowed down from their initial surprise. "Deidara…I…don't love you…"
"That…" Deidara stared with wide eyes, voice trembling. "That's bullshit! You…you kissed me! You held my hand, you even let me hold you! You even…tried to kiss me afterwards…you let me…"
"I…I love Itachi…" Sasori tried to convince the other, but it only sounded like he was trying to reassure himself. "I only did all those things…because…because I…"
"You what?!" Deidara asked harshly, pain dancing in his eyes.
"Look, I love Itachi, got it?" Sasori snapped, fists tightening. "I don't know why the hell these feelings for you started, but I'm telling you now, they're gone!"
"If…If I hadn't walked in on Itachi-san and you today…would you still have continued to love me in the shadows?"
Sasori's eyes widened.
"I love you, Sasori-san…!" Deidara managed out. "I…I did everything for you…I even scared the living hell out of Sakura because of what she did to you…!"
"No…no, you lie…!"
"Did you make me fall in love with you on purpose…? Just to shatter me after…?"
"No…Deidara, I…I l–"
Deidara's breath caught in his throat.
"You're my friend…I like you as a friend…my best friend…"
"But Sasori-san–"
"Deidara stop!" Sasori cut the other off, "I…I don't know what to do…!"
"Sasori-san–!"
"N-No…no, stop!" Sasori closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around his body. "I-Itachi…I need Itachi!"
The door swung open almost immediately.
Itachi's eyes flashed red as he set his gaze onto Deidara. "What did you do to him?"
"Nothing! I–!"
"Don't lie to me, Deidara-kun," Itachi warned before making his way over to the shorter student and gently asking, "Sasori, are you alright?"
Sasori instantly coiled his arms around Itachi's torso, burying his face into the Uchiha's neck. "Itachi…I don't know what to do!"
"Do you love Deidara-kun?" Deidara could've sworn he had heard a touch of anger towards Sasori in Itachi's words.
"I don't know…"
"Why did you do all of those things with him?"
"I don't know…"
"Were you aware of what you were doing?"
"I don't know! I don't know anything anymore! I…I'm just so damn confused, Itachi…!"
"…" Itachi's eyes softened down as he stroked the other's back. "It's alright, Sasori. Calm down." Suddenly, a ringing filled the area. Keeping one arm around Sasori's body, Itachi reached into his pocket and took out his cell phone. "Yes?" He blinked. "I'm busy now, Kisame, can't it…?"
Deidara pressed back against the wall near the door, having gotten there when the other two were distracted. He felt eyes on him, and he turned his head. Sasori was looking at him, wide eyes washed over in sympathy. The blue-eyed student averted his gaze, narrowing his eyes.
"…I understand. All right. I'll be there soon." Itachi sighed and closed his phone, sticking it back into his pocket. Returning his attention to Sasori, he gently informed, "I've got to go now. Kimimaro just approached Kisame and is demanding a fight."
The blond's eyes widened. Kimimaro?
Sasori looked up. "But…"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. I promise." Itachi smoothed back Sasori's bangs. "Get home soon, alright? I'll come visit you afterwards to show you I'm okay."
"O…Okay…"
Itachi nodded and released Sasori, beginning to make his way out.
"I'm trusting you, Deidara-kun, to watch over him," he muttered, pausing as he went next to Deidara. "I know you know of his 'autophobia attacks,' from that one incident on the way to school."
"…!" Deidara looked at the black-eyed teen in surprise. "H-How–?"
"Do you think I do not know how to tell if my own boyfriend has changed?" Itachi hissed at once, keeping his voice down so Sasori wouldn't hear. "I think I know him better than you, Deidara-kun, even though you've gotten unfortunately lucky."
Deidara redirected his gaze to the floor.
"Now. Like I said, I want you to watch over him. I don't know if he's actually under its effects already, but I'm not going to take any chances. You are going to make sure he doesn't do anything dangerous. But if I find out that you tried anything with him, I'll make sure that you're properly taught. Understand?"
"U-Un…" Deidara looked at Sasori again. The ash-rose-eyed male was staring at him again, though the corners of his eyes.
"Good." With that, Itachi left.
Deidara closed his eyes. This…wasn't the reaction…the scenario he had imagined. He had thought of a few, but none…none like this. Why? Why couldn't Sasori be his?
"…I'm sorry."
His eyes shot open, meeting silver. "S-Sasori…san?"
"I really am. I'm sorry," Sasori admitted, taking a step forward. "I pretended to be in that state this time…so that he would leave me here, so I could tell you I am. I never thought…you'd find out about Itachi and me…this way…"
"You know of your…?"
"Of course. Itachi's told me about it since the first time it happened."
"R-Right…"
"…I'm…not asking you to forgive me."
"…Why didn't you ever tell me? This…could've all been…"
No…it couldn't have been… "…I don't know."
"…I love you, un."
"I'm sorry."
…Don't kill me. Please. xx;
Well…does this answer a few things for you guys? Poor Dei.
Uhm, just to clarify. Sasori was working with Itachi on his history homework prior to Deidara walking in.
So is Sasori lying when he says he doesn't love Deidara? Or not?
〜Arrina