School's almost over where I am. :D So I'll most likely get more time to write because of that.
Oh, and to clear up any confusions, Sasori wipes his thumb on his own pants, not Deidara's…didn't word that too well.

Previous:

And then it happened.

Ash-rose met with blue.

There was a step.

"Deidara…"

He felt his breath catch in his throat, never once unlocking gazes with the silver irises.

"…Sasori-san…"

The redhead stepped forward again. "D…Deidara…"

Deidara opened his mouth to speak, but no words made it past his lips. He could only stare, and stand still.

"…!" Sasori caught sight of the other's lips and froze before rushing over, wiping his thumb against the corner of Deidara's mouth and rubbing his thumb on his pants. "Y-You didn't get sick, did you? Are you feeling alright?"

"I-I'm fine…" Deidara lied, "I'm just…shaken…" His eyes widened as a pair of arms encircled his torso tightly.

"I'm sorry…" Sasori whispered, feeling the long blond locks mingling with his fingers. "I didn't want him to…he knows I hate affection in front of others…but he did it to spite you, I know he did…I…I never thought…he'd go so far…"

"S-Sasori-san…"

Sasori's eyes narrowed and he moved his irises to look away. "…Don't misunderstand…I…I'm not doing this out of affection or love…it's just…you needed it."

The coldness that melded with the other's voice went straight to Deidara's being, causing his whole body to freeze.

Sasori noticed and gave a comforting squeeze. "Did I hurt you? I didn't mean it…"

"Y-Yes…that hurt me…a lot…please…Sasori-san, leave…" Deidara never thought he'd ever say anything like that…telling Sasori to leave him…

"'Leave?'" Sasori felt a tremor shudder up his body. "No…no, I'm not…"

"Are you being a hypocrite?" Deidara tried to prevent a tint of disgust from entering his words. "What if Itachi-san comes out and sees this? I…I don't want you to get in trouble…!"

"Itachi listens to me…if I tell him what's going on, he won't mind…he might get a bit testy, but that's all…"

He sounds so sure… "Sasori-san, I…"

The ash-rose-eyed of the two gasped softly as he felt himself being hugged back. "Wh-What the hell are you doing? I can't cover for you if Itachi comes out and sees this, you stupid shit! Besides, I've already told you I…I don't like you…this way…!"

"Sasori-san, you…you really don't?"

"No! No I don't!"

"Then…" Deidara hesitated. "I…suppose you wouldn't mind if…"

"If what?"

Deidara felt his stomach flip. "Sasori-san, I…I went out with Sakura when the year began…and since…since you really don't seem to care…I was thinking…of going back to her…since I broke up with her…" Am I really, though? Going back…it wouldn't be fair, because I don't…

"…!" Silver eyes widened. Sasori's body stiffened at once, feeling like countless needles had pierced it.

Pain sped up the newest student's back all of a sudden as Sasori repositioned his arms on Deidara's shoulders and smashed him into the wall. Blue eyes met with silver, and Deidara couldn't identify the emotion residing within the ash-rose depths: enragement, horror, disbelief…all of them?

"The bitch?!"

Deidara flinched at the desperate voice.

"Are you screwing with me? Are you? You…you went out with her?! The bitch?!"

"Sasori-san, I–!"

"No! I won't allow it! You're not going to go out with her again!"

"I–!"

"I'll kill her! I'll kill her if she even so much as touches you!"

Deidara stared at him, lost for words.

Pants softly made their way from Sasori's mouth, irises softening down as he moved one of his arms, gently brushing the blond cascade of hair covering the other's left eye to behind his ear. "I'll kill her…anyone…who touches you…who isn't worthy…"

"…Sasori…san…" A blush faintly appeared on Deidara's face as the redhead's hand came to rest on his cheek. "Don't…"

For a split second, Sasori's eyes widened, as he realized what he had just said and how he had made it sound. He softly skimmed his thumb over the soft skin, mumbling out, "You…are far too beautiful to be single…find someone…someone worthy of you…so no one unworthy can ever deface you…"

"We…" The crimson decorating Deidara's cheeks darkened. "We never did anything…she only clung to me…I never…we…never kissed…" Deidara moved his irises to look sheepishly into the other pair. "…You were my first, un…"

Sasori could only stare. Not only did he hate remembering that past event –which was, undoubtedly, Pain's fault, not Sasori's – but now he got news that he had stolen Deidara's first kiss as well. His hand migrated to Deidara's shoulder. That was just plain brilliant. "Y-You're lying…there's no way…what about at your old school?"

"No one cared. I had a few girls who liked me…but they were just stupid and I hated them…a couple guys, too, but they just…un, I didn't like them at all."

"…So I was…truly your first, huh…"

"Un…"

"I'm…sorry I can't say the same for you."

"No…it's fine, it…it's not that big of a deal, un…"

"Ha…" A bitter laugh made its way past Sasori's lips as he turned away, eyes narrowing and smirk growing to add to his vexed appearance. "…It's too bad, though…Grandma always said that if two people stole each other's first kiss…they'd be destined to be together forever…" He looked back, grip tightening a little at the stunned look he received. "If only you'd come just a few months earlier…we could've gotten you someone worthy…"

He can't be meaning… Deidara didn't know what to feel, too say, or even to do. That is, until he saw the other's face morph into an almost…depressed state.

"Did you…really go out with her? For real?"

"…I told you already…"

"No you didn't!"

"I di…no…I don't think what we were doing…could be considered 'dating.'"

"Are you lying to me?"

"No."

"How can I be sure?"

"Want me to go find her and bring her here to tell you herself? Fine, I'll–"

"No! No, don't go!" Sasori clasped both of his hands on the blond's left one, holding on tightly. "I'll listen to your story! I will! You'll tell me it from the beginning, right? Right?"

Why hadn't he seen this coming when it had started? Oh, right. Because Sasori kept wavering back and forth between it. He should've stopped before it got too bad…and definitely not told him about Sakura…

"Don't leave me…!"

Once again, that one statement snapped Deidara out of his thoughts. He turned to the other, seeing the scared, vulnerable look on his face. "I'm not…I won't."

"You promise?" Sasori's voice was begging desperately. "I-I won't let you go!"

"I'm not leaving you."

"Sit down then!" The redhead's hands tightened their hold. "Show me…!"

Deidara complied, then looked up to see the shorter boy's face calm a little. "See? I'm not going anywhere." His eyes widened as Sasori was suddenly in his lap, snuggling his head into the blond's shoulder.

"Don't go…"

"…I'm not…"

There was silence for a while, the only movement being Sasori moving his head to the top of the newest student's shoulder, turning to press his nose into blond locks.

"…Do you…hate me?"

Deidara blinked. "Wh-Why do you think that, un?"

"Because." Sasori shifted slightly. "You…aren't…holding me…" He looked straight into Deidara's eyes. "You usually…"

"…!" Deidara willed himself to stare back at someone not himself, and swallowed. "I'm sorry…" And he quickly did just what he had been expected to.

A purr rumbled from Sasori's throat as he pressed against Deidara further.

He's so cute… Deidara reddened a little, instinctively lifting one hand to thread his fingers into Sasori's hair.

Sasori gave a mew in response, causing the other to freeze.

I…shouldn't be doing this…he's not…

Sensing the tense atmosphere appear again, the redhead opened his eyes and drew back. "…I-Is something wrong? Can I help?"

"Un…" Deidara shook his head, pulling Sasori back against his chest. "I'm just…thinking…"

"…Okay…"

Deidara pushed his nose into the other's shoulder, eyes narrowing down. Enough with the 'not doing this.' He…needed to focus more on how to prevent this from happening again. What happened to make him change? The walking away, yeah, of course, but what else? Sasori had definitely wavered during the conversation not too long ago…what had Deidara done to make him quaver on the borderline? There was a small wiggle of awkwardness, and Deidara tightened his hold before continuing his thoughts. Sasori had mentioned in the start that Deidara had looked…sick, was it? Maybe that was one. Being hurt. Next…telling him to leave…was that one? Well, anyways…hugging him back made him start complaining and all…so that was one. And telling him about Sakura…that was definitely one, as shown before with Tobi…only this time, it was real, so the reaction was more violent…and–

"…You can let go of me now."

"…!" Deidara was freed from his hypnosis-like thoughts. Hastily, he unlocked his arms and pushed his hands into the grass next to his body, looking away. "S-Sorry."

Sasori said nothing as he crawled off Deidara and rested himself against the wall, next to the blond.

"…Sasori-san, I–"

"It was my fault. Don't worry. I'm sorry for suddenly doing that to you."

"No, that's not it," Deidara mumbled as Sasori turned his unreadable gaze onto him. "I…want to know more about it. More about your 'state.' Like…what triggers it, and–"

"It's triggered by high amounts of emotion, stress and the likes." Sasori paused, flicking his irises away. "…Or so Itachi has told me."

…He's not telling me everything…he's keeping more secrets and pushing me away… "But I thought…you knew a lot about the human mind…"

"…Yes, but…I haven't been able to analyze my state, as I'm not 'conscious' when it comes…" Sasori explained, "So I can only use what Itachi has told me."

You're not telling me everything. "U-Un…"

I don't like that look on his face. Sasori's eyes were inspecting, searching for the right emotion. It's…untrusting…wanting more…knowing…dissatisfied…he knows that I'm hiding things from him…he's gotten too close to me, and knows me too well…maybe–

"…Apologize…to you…"

"What?" Sasori blinked, seeing the other looking straight at him when his eyes refocused.

Deidara tilted his head. "I said…that Sakura wanted to apologize to you, un."

Sasori bristled at once. "What? She wants me to forgive her after all that hell she put me through?!"

"No, she just…wanted me to tell you…"

"Tch! Well tell her to keep her damn apology! I don't need one from her."

"But, Sasori-san, I mean, she–"

"A whole week, brat," Sasori hissed, leaning in closer, "a whole Goddamn week of stupid bastards coming up to me and trying to pry into information that was none of their business, until that Yamanaka girl came! A whole week of her taunting me, over and over!"

He was trembling. Deidara could see that the memories were flooding back into his mind, breaking him down from the inside out. "Sasori-san…you're…"

"Don't touch me…" Sasori swallowed, attempting to retreat backwards, "I-I don't–!"

"You need it," Deidara reached forward and managed to get his hand on the redhead's shoulder. "It's like what you did earlier…I…am not doing this out of love or affection…I'm doing this because…you need it…" And he had Sasori in an embrace once again.

It's just out of friendship…right?

The shorter boy was still shivering, even when within the warm comfort of Deidara's arms. "S…top…"

"What else did she do? Did she hurt you…any other way? Anything else…said…?"

"Stop…" Sasori managed out weakly, feebly raising his arms and clasping his hands on the ice-eyed student's sides. "It-It hurts…!"

He's going to change again! Deidara stiffened. Put down 'touchy subjects' on the checklist. I've got to–!

"Sasori!"

Deidara's blood ran cold.

"…!"

Sasori turned at the new voice, seeming to get some of his senses back.

Crimson eyes narrowed. "What did I tell you?"

"Itachi!" Sasori wriggled himself free and ran to the Uchiha. "Don't–!"

"I warned you, Deidara-kun," Itachi growled, slipping an arm around the shorter teen's middle as he approached, "that if you ever tried anything with him–"

Fear streaked within Deidara's eyes and he could only sit there, immobilized as Itachi advanced. "I…"

"–You'd be taught," Itachi finished. Suddenly, he paused, turning to the redhead, and then snapping his attention back to Deidara. "He's trembling. What did you do to him?"

"N-Nothing, un! I…!" Deidara bit his bottom lip, "I only–!"

"You hurt him. And you were giving him attention he clearly didn't want," Itachi seethed, releasing Sasori before making his way towards Deidara even quicker. "Wouldn't that be considered molestation? Are we conspiring with Orochimaru now? Pain will be overjoyed to hear this news."

"N-No…I–" Deidara's voice was weak as he stared straight up at Itachi. Now he knew how Sakura felt when he had confronted her. He knew he could easily fight Itachi, but…

"I wonder what your punishment will be–"

"Itachi."

Itachi broke off, turning to Sasori.

"Don't…" Sasori muttered, "hurt him."

"But Sasori…" Itachi protested, gripping Deidara's shoulder and yanking him up before thrusting him harshly against the wall. "He hurt–"

"Let him go." At the sight of Itachi's hand tightening its grasp, Sasori narrowed his eyes. "Now."

Hesitantly, Itachi obeyed, backing away from Deidara. "Are you…?"

"…More or less." A sigh blew from Sasori's mouth. "Don't blame him, Itachi. It was my fault. I changed on him, and he had no idea of what to do. He was only trying to comfort me, because I was probably acting scared and all."

"You changed for him again…?" Itachi's voice was unreadable. "How–?"

"I was worried. He left in such a hurry with that pained look on his face after what you did in the cafeteria. He's my friend, Itachi." Sasori's face screwed up into an uncomfortable look as he stated, "My best friend." He returned his gaze to Itachi. "I care for him, and you're going to accept that."

"…" Itachi stared for a few moments before murmuring out, "Forgive me."

Sasori was silent, only glancing at the Uchiha before looking away and fidgeting slightly.

Itachi took the cue and swept over, lightly pressing his lips to the shorter teen's forehead before holding him, whispering, "Do you wish to go back in?"

"…Not without him," Sasori responded, stealing a glance at the miserable-looking Deidara.

Deidara looked at the redhead, seeming to shrink back against the wall.

Sasori noticed the faint movement and the almost timid look in the blond's eyes.

Itachi. It's Itachi he's…afraid of. He knew right away. Casting a glance at Itachi and silencing the protesting glare with his own, he shrugged out of Itachi's embrace, making his way over to Deidara.

"Hey, come on, brat." When he saw that his words weren't helping, he softened his gaze before trying again. "Deidara, come on. You know I hate waiting."

Blue eyes came to rest on Sasori's mouth, the soft lips that had probably already been claimed countless times by someone. Someone not Deidara. He closed his eyes to the callous mirages flooding into his mind, trying desperately to stop them.

"Sasori. Let's go. It's obvious he's set on being defiant," Itachi scoffed softly. "Let him do what he wants."

"Itachi." Sasori's voice was bitter. "Lay off. He's in pain."

"Saso–"

"And it's your fault. Just give him some slack," Sasori growled before returning his attention to Deidara. "Open your eyes. It's all right now. Itachi's over there." When there was only a small wince as response, Sasori sighed.

"Are you finally giving up?" Itachi uncrossed his arms.

I…I'm afraid…I don't want to see him as someone else's…I don't want to see him not mine.

"Deidara." Sasori's voice cut through Deidara's thoughts.

And he grabbed the taller male's wrist.

Deidara's eyes shot open.

"Got you awake finally." Sasori smirked, placing his unoccupied hand on his hip. "Now let's go back in. I'm sure things have calmed down by now."

"But Sasori-sa–!" Deidara's complaint was cut short as he was yanked away from the wall.

"Itachi, let's go," Sasori said as he passed the Uchiha, still dragging Deidara behind him.

Itachi merely nodded, keeping his mouth sealed shut.

"Well, well. What do we have here?"

Sasori froze, fingers unconsciously tightening around the blue-eyed male's wrist.

Itachi spun around to come face-to-face with Suigetsu and Karin.

"Huh…" Karin blinked as Sasori turned. "What do you know? Akasuna really does care for blondie."

"What do you want?" Itachi slightly bristled at the comment, eyes narrowing.

"Orochimaru ordered us to capture New Guy for some punishment." Suigetsu's lips quirked upwards. "He feels the last one was too kind."

"What, this wasn't enough?" Sasori's lip curled as he opened the collar of Deidara's uniform, exposing the scar from the previous 'punishment.'

"Nope."

"Like we'll let you take him!"

Karin observed the situation as Suigetsu fought words against Sasori.

"This is bad," she muttered at the first chance she got. "We can't take all three. Even Kimimaro has trouble with Uchiha, and there's Akasuna here…you said Deidara would be alone!"

"Shut it, you old hag!" Suigetsu hissed back, "We can take them. Just get the new guy while I hold Akasuna and Itachi!"

"You can't hold them both!" Karin scoffed in disbelief. "And besides, you stupid bastard, have you forgotten that Deidara held his own against Akasuna?!"

"Oh, right." The purple-eyed boy grinned. "I forgot that you're pretty much useless."

"Are you two finished with your problems?" Itachi broke in before Karin could slug Suigetsu.

"Pretty much, yeah!" Suigetsu answered before rushing Itachi, shouting out, "Take this, Uchiha!"

Itachi braced himself as he saw the oncoming attacker. His eyes widened as the white-haired male suddenly took a sharp left, and he realized it had just been a trick. "Sasori!"

Sasori successfully countered one of Karin's poorly aimed punches, getting his fist to connect with her face, sending her crumpled to the ground. Itachi's warning reached his ears, and he whirled around instantly, seeing Suigetsu coming straight at him.

But something was off. Suigetsu's raised fist was his right arm…to hit Sasori he would use his left since it was closer…

"…!" Sasori moved in front of Deidara immediately, catching the oncoming fist with his hand. Curling his lip at the surprised look he received, he brought up a leg and slammed his foot into Suigetsu's stomach, continuing to bring it down until his offender was pinned to the ground.

Damn…he's fast…! Suigetsu glared before smirking triumphantly. "Akasuna, I…thought you were smarter than this."

Ash-rose eyes narrowed. "What the hell are you–?"

"…Behind you, tough guy."

Sasori froze, stealing a glance at Itachi and seeing the expression that clearly read, "Forgive me." He spun around, while releasing Suigetsu in the process, and stared at the sight.

Karin had Deidara trapped, her arms crisscrossed across his torso as she stood behind him, her chin on his shoulder. A determined look stained her face as she kept her iron-like hold steady, against the blond's violent struggles to get free. Blood dribbled down her nose from where Deidara had clouted her during the time she had been trying to get him captured, her nails digging into the white fabric of his shirt.

"Heh!" She chuckled. "I thought the infamous Deidara would be better than this!"

Deidara's teeth ground together. "Let me go! Damn bitch…!"

"Deidara!" Sasori made move to dash forward, but a hand wrapped around his ankle prevented him from doing so.

"Uh-uh." Suigetsu grinned. "You're not going anywhere, Akasuna."

Silver eyes narrowed dangerously. Sasori flipped back, lip curling. Raising his untouched foot, he brought it down towards Suigetsu's face, snarling out, "Release me, now!"

Suigetsu managed to block the foot with his hand, grinning before Sasori added more force, bending the hand backwards.

"Ah!" Suigetsu released a short cry, and in turn for comforting his smarting wrist, let go of Sasori's ankle.

Taking his chance, Sasori rushed towards the other opponent.

"Why you–!" Suigetsu growled, pushing himself up to chase after the other.

"I won't let you touch him any more."

"…!" Suigetsu's eyes widened as he was pushed back down by a foot on his back. He grit his teeth and turned to glower at Itachi. Dammit, I forgot about him…!

"Suigetsu! Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" Karin exclaimed as she saw Sasori storming over her way.

"Get your hands off of him," Sasori growled as he neared, already molding one of his hands into a fist.

Karin swallowed, and Deidara could feel her shiver slightly.

"N-No way!" she snorted defiantly, despite her quivering knees. "I'm taking him to Orochimaru-san!"

"Like hell you are…" Deidara muttered, stopping his attempts at freedom as Sasori came.

"Are you going to let him go or not?" Sasori snapped, eyes flashing.

"I said no–!" Karin's sentence didn't make it all the way out of her mouth before a fist smashed into her mouth.

As the female fell away, Deidara stepped away, rubbing his arms. "Damn gi–Ow!" He whirled around to face Sasori, holding his head. "Sasori-san!"

Sasori's hand shot out and grabbed the newest student's collar as he barked out, "How the hell did you get caught by Karin?!"

Deidara glared back, countering, "How the hell did you get caught by Suigetsu?!"

They both glowered at each other venomously.

"Because I was worried about you!"

Both blue and silver eyes widened at the other's confession, and Sasori's fingers uncurled themselves from the white depths of Deidara's collar.

With a tiny flush reddening up his face, Sasori backed away, over to where Itachi was waiting.

Itachi, in turn, gave a dark glare. He protectively slid one of his arms around the shorter boy's waist.

The redhead buried his face into Itachi's shoulder to hide his blush, and began walking off as Itachi did.

A smirk slightly curled Itachi's lips as he glanced back, before it disappeared.

However, Sasori's sharp eyes caught sight of the quirk of the dark-haired male's lips. He frowned. "Itachi…you knocked out Suigetsu, right?"

"As you did Karin with only one hit."

Ash-rose eyes widened and Sasori froze.

Deidara sighed, looking away from the other two. Well…Sasori had worried about him…that was a good thing, right? And Sasori was still Sasori…

It…would be wrong to not like looking at him just because he's Itachi-san's…it wouldn't be fair to him…he's still my friend, and that won't change.

Suddenly, a hand harshly clamped down onto his shoulder.

"You're still coming to see Orochimaru, New Guy."

Suigetsu is ambidextrous in fighting. Just a random bit of info.
Oh, and Deidara isn't thinking of returning to Sakura anymore. It just flashed through his mind for a second.
Itachi, Pain's going to be angry if Sasori tells him what you did… D:

〜Arrina