Really sorry for the wait, everyone…I lost track of time a lot… ＞＜
Lol, I love in the English version of vol. 30, Sasori calls Chiyo a witch. xD
Anyways, this chapter continues off from where the last one does, but the last part is the next day.

Previous:

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."

"Itachi, why the hell would you do that?" Sasori snapped, eyes narrowing down. "You want Orochimaru to get his disgusting hands on Deidara?"

"Like Deidara-kun had his 'disgusting hands' on you?" Itachi countered.

"Like I said," Sasori ground out, visibly pissed, "he didn't know what to do when I was like that. You don't even know what else to do when I get like that!"

"Even so," Itachi pulled the other back close to him, "you're mine, Sasori, not Deidara-kun's."

"I know that…" Sasori murmured back, leaning against the Uchiha. "Deidara's just my friend…that's all, I've told you countless times already…"

"He's gotten too close to you…"

"I know–" Sasori's eyes widened and he pushed back, a threatening glare taking over his features. "Itachi!"

Itachi frowned.

"I know what you're trying to do," Sasori growled, backing up further. "I'm ending this conversation right now. I'll talk with you about this later."

"Sasori–"

"You're pissing me off, Itachi."

The taller boy froze. There was that glare. It had only been used against him once before, but it was one that you really didn't want to encounter more than…zero times. Meaning, it'd be better if he didn't give you that one at all. Sasori had gotten into one of his quarrels with Pain – actually more like I'm-this-close-to-beating-the-shit-out-of-you almost-fights – and Itachi had tried to stick up for Pain…

Good Part: Sasori left Pain alone and didn't get kicked out of Akatsuki for assaulting his leader.

Bad Part: He took it out on Itachi.

"…Go get him. I'll apologize as soon as he returns." Itachi's voice was impossibly quiet, and Sasori narrowed his eyes before trusting that Itachi had said what he thought he had said, and began walking away.

––––––»»

"Come on, hurry it up!" Suigetsu snapped, pushing the blond forward.

"Suigetsu, take it easy on the kid." Karin looked back over her shoulder to see Deidara glaring dangerously at the white-haired boy. "Orochimaru won't like it if we're forced to knock him out. He wants to do the honors."

"Heh…you won't be so confident when Sasori-san comes!" Deidara retorted, clenching his fists.

"Ha!" Suigetsu laughed. "We duped Akasuna and Itachi back there! They're probably already heading back into the cafeteria!"

"Did you say…Itachi?"

Karin turned again, her face lighting up. "Sasuke!"

Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed as he ignored the girl. "Where is Itachi, Deidara-kun?"

The blond's answer was only a growl, halting his walk.

"Keep going!" Suigetsu barked, pushing Deidara again.

"Answer me." Sasuke walked alongside the ice-eyed male. "Where is Itachi?"

"Why don't you just attack him when you see him, like in lunch or other classes, or maybe even at home?" Deidara hissed.

"Because I can't attack him at home or in school," Sasuke snapped. "Now tell me where he is!"

"We ditched him and Akasuna back there," Suigetsu answered, gesturing with his head.

Sasuke snapped his head in the direction before shouting, "Itachi! Steroid-using bastard!"

Deidara stared as the Uchiha sprinted off. "You follow this guy?"

"Of course we follow Sasuke!" Karin sounded offended. "Who wouldn't?"

"That's not what I said, New Guy," Suigetsu corrected, scowling at Karin. "I said we were recruited by Sasuke."

"But I thought–" Deidara shook his head. "Forget it."

"Just keep walking."

"He gets it, Suigetsu, you idiot!"

"Shut up, hag!"

––––––»»

Sasori was running by now, eyes narrowed. Dammit Itachi…what the hell was wrong with you…?

"Itachi, you steroid-using asshole, where are you?!"

He froze, tensing his muscles as Sasuke came into view.

"Move, Akasuna!"

As Sasuke made to run past, Sasori's arm shot out and captured the Uchiha by his arm.

"Wha–?"

"You think I'd just let you do that?" Sasori growled, using the arm holding Sasuke to force him against the wall. "You're too naïve, Uchiha!"

Sasuke's lips curled into a sneer. In a flash, the position was flipped; only this time, Sasori was facing the wall.

"I think you're the naïve one, Akasuna." He smirked, pressing down on the redhead's back and forcing his face to press harder onto the bricks.

The silver-eyed teen released a small cry as his cheek was rubbed on a rough spot.

"You can't win against me, you know," Sasuke went on. "Everyone knows you've turned into a weakling since Deidara-kun came. I heard you even stopped beating up Sakura."

"…" Sasori curled his lip, turning his head as far as he could to glare venomously at the other.

"Oh?" Sasuke's eyes glinted at the trails of crimson dripping down Sasori's cheek. "Did I scratch your perfect face?" His smirk turned into a tiny grin. "I wonder if I scrape it up some more, it'll get Itachi pissed."

"Bipolar son of a…"

"What are you doing?"

Sasuke stopped his actions at the new voice, his smirk slipping off his lips. He turned, a scowl now dancing along his features. "What do you want?"

"I believe Orochimaru-sama told you to stay in the cafeteria," Kimimaro stated simply.

"Tch!" Sasuke released Sasori, turning fully to face the newcomer. "I was going after my brother! If I took him out, one of the best members of Akatsuki would be finished! Then Akasuna got in my way–"

"Orochimaru-sama's orders are absolute."

"…" Sasuke scoffed before whirling around and storming off.

Kimimaro turned to the redhead as he saw him wipe off his cheek before beginning to stride off. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get my friend, who my boyfriend allowed your friends to capture!"

"No need to get testy, Akasuna," Kimimaro replied as he tagged behind Sasori.

"Why are you following me?"

"Maybe I could be of some help."

Sasori's eyes widened as he looked back at him. "…What…?"

"If Suigetsu has captured Deidara-kun, I wouldn't mind helping at all." Kimimaro paused. "Is it him?"

Sasori nodded. His voice was wary, however, when he muttered out, "Wouldn't that be betrayal?"

"Perhaps."

"You're okay with that?"

Sasuke was glaring at him from the door. Kimimaro glared back, and Sasuke made a face before opening the door and stomping into the building.

"…Do you want to help him or not?"

Sasori looked away. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"Because Deidara-kun is my friend and you're his friend."

"…Fine…"

––––––»»

"Are you willing to spill anything yet, Deidara-kun?"

"Of course no–Nngh!" Deidara ground his teeth together as Orochimaru's fist came in contact with his face once again. Wincing, he tried to bring up his leg to kick the boy behind him.

Suigetsu sighed, easily blocking the foot with his own, tightening his grip on the newest student's hands. "Come on, just spill Akasuna's weakness already…then your stupid betrayal will be forgiven and you can go."

"I'll…never…!" Deidara strained his muscles, forcing his wrists apart.

"…!" Suigetsu struggled to keep Deidara's wrists bound, his eyes narrowing in concentration. "K-Karin! Hey, get over here!"

"What now?" Karin sniffed, rolling her eyes before focusing them back on her nails.

"Need a little help with New–!" Suigetsu's call for help was cut short as Deidara clouted his nose.

Orochimaru glided up to the blond's back. "That was a really bad move, prec–"

"Shut it, un!" Deidara hastily elbowed Orochimaru in the gut before spinning around as the other boy clutched at his stomach and cursed. "I don't want you giving me nicknames."

"…Nicknames…?" Orochimaru chuckled as he struggled to stand up straight. "But I haven't been giving you nicknames, have I? You don't consider names such as 'dear' or 'precious' nicknames…"

Deidara bristled. "Don't you–!"

"Isn't that right…brat?"

"Don't call me that!" Deidara snapped. But before he could do anything, he was grabbed from behind, sealing his movements.

"…!" Karin kept her arms wrapped tightly around the boy, over his arms so he couldn't try anything.

"Aw, you're all red…" The dark-haired teen extended a hand to caress the newest student's cheek. "Is it because of Karin? Or maybe…" A grin lit up his lips as Deidara snapped his head away from the hand. "Do I remind you of someone when I call you 'brat?'"

Deidara's fists clenched. "Don't play stupid with me–!"

Another chuckle made its way from Orochimaru's mouth as he leaned forward to Deidara's ear, whispering, "Do you like it when I call you 'brat,' shit?"

"No…"

"It reminds you of a certain someone, doesn't it?"

"No…!"

"Someone you care about so dearly you won't even spill his secrets to us…"

"I…"

"Deida–!"

Orochimaru stiffened, mimicking everyone else and looking towards the voice.

Sasori stared; stared at Deidara being held by Karin, stared at how close Orochimaru was to Deidara, stared at the blood running down Deidara's face. The redhead's face took no time in morphing into an expression of complete enragement as he raced forward. "Orochimaru!"

Fear briefly appeared in Orochimaru's eyes as they took in Sasori's form, before shock took over. He backed away from the blue-eyed teen, golden eyes wide.

And then he saw Kimimaro, running a few feet behind Sasori.

A grin curled his lips. "Kimimaro-kun! Get him!"

Silver eyes widened as Sasori felt arms coil themselves around him: one around his middle, binding his arms, the other across his neck. He was so close…!

The black-haired male laughed. "Good."

Sasori struggled violently, teeth clenched.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he hissed softly, eyes narrowing down. "Damn you, I knew I couldn't–!"

"Just hold on and wait for once, Akasuna," Kimimaro murmured, quickly moving the arm around Sasori's neck so he could slip a hand over his mouth. "Just play along."

"Kimimaro!" Deidara watched in horror as Sasori stopped his fighting and fell limp. "What are you–?"

"You have no right to talk to my finest warrior, Deidara-kun." Orochimaru promptly struck his offender across the face.

Kimimaro felt the male in his grasp bristle dangerously. "Calm down, Akasuna. Just a few more seconds."

Deidara's lip curled as Orochimaru grabbed his chin and forced him to look into his eyes.

"What'll you do now, dear?" Orochimaru purred, brushing his thumb over Deidara's lips before bringing it back down to his chin before Deidara could bite it. "Your precious Sasori-kun is caught, you're caught, and there's no one here to help."

"Just give up." Karin sighed, bored with her 'job.'

"Yeah, come on, New Guy," Suigetsu piped up, fed up with just waiting. "It's getting old."

Sasori was at boiling point; Kimimaro could tell. He saw his leader open his mouth to speak again, and at that moment, he weakened his hold and whispered, "I'll deal with Orochimaru-sama…you take those two."

He didn't need more than a split second to break his way free of the white-haired student's arms.

Karin noticed first, her ruby eyes widening. "Akasuna–!"

"What?!" Orochimaru released Deidara's chin on a reflex. He whipped around, shocked. "Kimimaro-kun?!"

"Forgive me, Orochimaru-sama." Kimimaro looked away. "He broke free while I was distracted…it's entirely my fault."

"Dammit…" Orochimaru breathed, turning to take care of the problem.

"Wait!"

He turned back around, golden eyes furious. "What, Kimimaro-kun?"

"I saw Uchiha Itachi back there. I want to go and try and–"

"Fight him."

"Yes."

"Alright, fine, whatever!"

"I'll make sure to defeat him."

"Fine."

"Do you want me to bring him back–?"

"Yes, fine! Do what you want!"

Kimimaro nodded before running off.

Orochimaru turned, his eyes widening once more.

Both Karin and Suigetsu were beaten already, on all fours on the ground.

"Run off like the bastard you are," Sasori snarled, standing in front of Deidara, "or I'll do the same to you as I did your little lackeys."

"Tch…" Orochimaru grimaced slightly at the scene. He swallowed, and began striding forward, past the two members of Akatsuki and on.

"Suigetsu-kun! Karin-kun! Come on, let's go…" he ground out, fighting to control himself.

"Damn…" Karin swore as she picked herself up, glaring at Suigetsu as he did the same. "How did you get beaten so easily?!"

"I could ask the same to you, hag!" Suigetsu countered, and, without waiting for a reply, sped off as best he could to catch up to Orochimaru.

"Hey!" the girl exclaimed before following suit. "I'm going to mutilate that son of a…!"

Sasori glared at Karin's back until she reached the corner and disappeared. With the danger out of the way, he redirected his attention to the blond.

"Hey, brat…" He gently helped the other into a kneeling position.

Deidara smiled lightly as he saw Sasori's rare caring expression. "Sasori-san…you're not hurt, are you?"

The shorter boy scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Why the hell are you asking me that?"

"Heh." Deidara chuckled. "Because I know I'm fine."

A smirk graced Sasori's lips. "You don't look it, shit."

"Whatever you say…" Deidara then paused, and put his hand into his pocket.

Sasori watched in curiosity as the glass bird was pulled out.

"Un, it's not damaged…" Deidara visibly relaxed after he saw the bird was unscathed.

"Why do you care if it's damaged or not?" Sasori tilted his head, looking over the gift he had given to Deidara. "You can always buy a new one. It's not that important."

"It is to me."

Ash-rose eyes widened.

However, Sasori didn't have much time to think over the other's statement, as another voice broke in:

"You might want to clean your face, Deidara-kun."

Deidara looked up to see Kimimaro looking down at him. "U-Un…"

Kimimaro blinked before continuing, "I'll explain…I was working together with Akasuna…"

"Sasori-san?" Deidara shifted his surprised gaze to Sasori.

"…Yeah," Sasori replied.

"That's why I was holding him 'hostage,'" Kimimaro explained. "It was our plan to rescue you…" His eyes caught sight of Sasori trying to wipe off some of the blood on Deidara's chin. "Here. Use this."

The redhead looked up at the offer and blinked. He hesitantly took the cloth offered to him, before going back to trying and cleaning off the blood.

"S-Sasori-san!" Deidara complained as the cloth was rubbed over his chin and nose. "I can do it myself!"

"Just shut up and let me do it."

"No! I can–!" Deidara was cut short as Sasori decided it was a good time to clean off his lips.

"I'm going to have to take my leave now," Kimimaro informed as he watched Sasori's free hand grapple with both of Deidara's while the silver-eyed male was still cleaning the other's face. "I actually did see Uchiha Itachi coming over here when I said I was going to try and defeat him."

"Itachi?" Sasori paused, and therefore allowed Deidara to pry his hand off his mouth.

"You really have to go?" When answered with a nod, Deidara sighed. "Alright…"

Kimimaro then took his leave, leaving the same way as Orochimaru had.

Deidara watched as he exited, but when he turned around, he saw silver eyes narrowed at him. "What, un?"

"Nothing." Sasori hastily looked away.

"…" Deidara made move to stand up. "I'm going–"

"No, stay here."

Blue eyes widened.

Sasori's fingers tightened around the taller boy's wrist. "Itachi's going to…apologize for what he did…so stay here until he does."

"Itachi-san's going to apologize…?" The blond echoed.

"Yes, for letting them get you. Allowing them," Sasori muttered. "So stay here."

"U-Un…alright…"

––––––»

"Today, we'll be starting the unit on the human mind."

Human mind? Sakura idly fiddled with her pencil. What's there to learn about that?

"I'm going to ask a question, and you'll answer it. I want to see how this class thinks."

Huh… Sakura blinked, bringing the eraser to her lips before chewing on it lightly. …I wonder how we'll have a test on this…

Ibiki looked around before asking, "Why are humans selfish?"

"Eh?" Temari blurted out. "What do you mean by that?"

"What do I mean?" Ibiki repeated, raising an eyebrow. "I mean exactly that. Why people think such things like, 'This is mine, not yours,' or 'If I can't have this, no one can.'"

"Er…" Temari fell silent with the rest of the class at the question.

Ibiki scanned the room for any signs of answer. "No o–?"

"Because they're selfish, simply put."

All eyes redirected themselves to Sasori.

The redhead's eyes narrowed as he continued. "They're jealous. Why should someone else have something that they believe is rightfully theirs? If you see someone with something you want, you get jealous. It's fundamental. Everyone is selfish, no matter how altruistic a person seems, and in turn, everyone is therefore jealous."

What? Sakura stared. "W-Wait…so what you're saying is that everyone is selfish? That's not true! I know a lot of people who aren't–!"

"Are you saying that there isn't one person at all who has thought something like, 'This is mine, I wish this other person would just leave it alone,' or 'I love this person and no one else is going to touch him because he's mine and no one else's, and if they so much as look at him I'll kill them?'" Sasori snapped in return. "Loving someone and not sharing them with another who wants them is being selfish, because you're only caring about your own wants for the person and not giving a damn about the other's!"

"Are you saying that people should just share their lovers with anyone who wants them?!"

"I'm saying," Sasori hissed, "that selfishness is a part of everyone, and it cannot be changed. Asking the question of why they are selfish is like asking why someone is how they are, why you feel scared when faced with an eight-foot tall grizzly–It's natural! Sometimes being selfish is a virtue!"

Sakura gazed in shock, mouth dropping open slightly.

"Morino-sensei." Sasori turned to the teacher. "Your question has been answered. Are we going to move on?"

"Sasori. That was well thought out and supported very well," the teacher admitted. "However. It's your opinion. There may be others who see it as you do, but there are also some who don't. Sakura?"

"Y-Yes, Sensei?" Sakura perked up immediately, not being able to mask her surprise.

"Why don't you share what you think of the question?"

"But–!"

"Sasori." Itachi broke in, setting his gaze on the shorter male.

"A…Alright…fine…" Sasori mumbled, burying the lower half of his face into his folded arms, letting his chin press into the desk.

"W-Well…I think…that selfishness is not a virtue…" Sakura began, trying hopelessly to hide her anxiety. "I mean, what's so good about caring only about yourself? I think…caring for others instead of yourself is much better…"

Sasori let his eyelids droop, not even bothering to listen to the girl as she went on, ignoring everything as he always did in science.

"If I can't have him, no one can"…huh…

Sasuke and his steroids return…he needs to calm down. xP
Ah, I got like, no sleep, so I didn't get to read over this too well…sorry for any mistakes. xx;

〜Arrina