Geez, it's been long. xX;; Sorry for the wait.
This is kind of a filler chapter…unfortunately.
It's during same day as the end of the last one.

Previous:

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…

"Sasori-san!" Deidara ran through the hallway. Said redhead soon came into view, and Deidara skidded to a stop. "Sasori-san, I–!"

Sasori turned.

Deidara stared.

Glasses. Sasori was wearing glasses. And not the big, dorky ones that would make someone look like a nerd. Or the weird ones like movie stars wore that were all pink and glittery. They were black. And narrow, framing those ash-rose eyes perfectly.

"A…"

"What?" Sasori tilted his head, turning towards Deidara fully.

"A-Are those…yours?" Deidara averted his gaze, his face reddening slightly.

Sasori blinked in confusion before realizing what the other was indicating. "You mean the glasses? No, they're Itachi's."

"Itachi-san has glasses?"

"Yeah, his vision isn't perfect. He usually wears these when he's reading or whatnot. He lost them a while ago at my house, so when I found them I decided to return them…when I feel like it." Sasori scowled before smirking. "You like them?"

"U-Un…" Deidara stole a glance at the redhead. "Very much…"

"Are you sucking up to me again?" Sasori turned back to his locker.

"No…" Deidara faced the shorter boy despite his scarlet cheeks. "I really do like them…" He hesitated before asking, "Why are you wearing them? Isn't it hard to see with them on?"

The silver-eyed male snorted. "It's hell to see with these on."

"Then why…?"

"I have no idea." Sasori's hand brushed over a few books in the locker before selecting one and pulling it out. "Grandma said I look good in them, so maybe that's the reason."

He cares more about his appearance than I thought… "Well…I-I think–"

"Akasuna!"

Sasori looked over towards the voice, and was soon blinded by a flash of light.

Deidara held up an arm to shield his vision before lowering it to see Temari pump her fist in the air.

"Score!" The girl cheered, grabbing the picture and abruptly planting a kiss on its shiny surface. "Dumbfounded plus glasses! All right!"

"Ah…" Sasori stared before completely snapping, lip curling as he snarled, "Will you stop stalking me and taking my picture at every damn chance you have?"

Temari merely laughed – which somehow sounded like a cackle – and grabbed onto Deidara's arm. "Come on, Deidara, let's go! We need an Akasuna Meeting!"

"What–?" Sasori stiffened, "Who gave you permission to–?!"

"Alright, that's enough," Pain growled, storming up and yanking Deidara from Temari's grasp. "No more harassing my members, got it?"

"Man…!" Temari sighed, backing up and then stomping away, "Stupid Leader Pain pops up outta nowhere and ruins my fun…"

"Stop harassing Sasori and leave Deidara alone!" Pain called after her before glancing at Sasori. "And you. Fix your face. It's scaring me." He paused, and then did a double take. "…Are those Itachi's?"

Sasori made a small face before looking away with a curt hmph.

Pein glared. "You're such a brat, you know?"

Instantly, Sasori looked back. "What'd you say, asswipe?"

"You heard me, you little shit."

"Screw you, asshole."

"I thought you didn't think of me in such a way?"

"You know what I mean!"

"Sasori, just shut up and give Itachi's glasses back to him."

"I don't see where the hell that comes from, but I'm not giving them back until I feel like it."

"Why the hell not?"

"Because I'm angry at him."

"Well…then…just take them off."

"Why?"

"Because you look…"

"Look what? Handsome?"

Pain sighed. "Fine, I'll admit you look nice with them on, but still…"

A smug look crawled its way onto Sasori's face. "Oh, I see. You want me to take off Itachi's glasses because you like them on me, and you're afraid that you're going to fall for me if I keep them on, so therefore you'd be cheating on Konan!"

"…What?" Pain's expression was pure confusion. "…There are so many things wrong with that accusation I'm not even going to attempt to respond to it."

"Yeah, well, you know it's true, Pain."

"Stop flirting, Sasori."

"Flir–?" Sasori bristled. "I'm not flirting! Especially not with you!"

"You do it subconsciously. To everyone."

Ash-rose eyes glowered darkly. "Come on, Deidara. We're getting out of here." Sasori abruptly grabbed Deidara's wrist and began stomping off.

"Wha–Wait, Sasori-san!" Deidara protested as he was once again dragged off behind the redhead.

"Don't let Itachi see you two," Pain called, smirking as Sasori shot him a death glare laced with poison.

"Where are we going?"

"Itachi."

"Why?"

"To have him apologize."

"But he already–"

"'I'm sorry I allowed Orochimaru's members to capture you because you had your dirty hands on my boyfriend' is not an apology, Deidara."

"I guess you're right…but I can live with it. after all…I really don't have any right to embrace you, even if it–"

"You have every right to embrace me if I go into that state."

"But…"

"Look. I give you permission to hug me if I go into that state."

"Itachi-san–"

"Itachi does not rule what I permit and don't permit. Besides, I might ask you to anyways…"

"Sasori-san, but–"

"Deidara." Sasori's voice was getting an infuriated tinge to it. He swiveled around to face the taller boy. "I am giving you my permission. If Itachi ever gives you grief about it, tell me, and I'll deal with it. Do I need to repeat myself again to get it through to you?"

"…What if you're…?"

"In that state?" Sasori sighed before smiling slightly. "I think I'd want to protect you, even when like that."

Deidara's cheeks heated to a red. "I…" He glanced at the redhead's face. "I-I think you should take off your–Itachi-san's glasses…we're close to a wall, and…"

"Really?" Sasori removed the glasses and tilted his head at the wall. "Huh. You're right. Heh, maybe I should put them back on and run into the wall and break them just to get back at Itachi."

"Sasori-san, no!"

"Tch. Yeah, yeah, I know, I could get hurt. And I most certainly don't want to worry you, Grandma."

Deidara glared. "If you hate being cared for so much, then I'll stop. Go run into a wall or whatever, un." He promptly strode past the other.

"I know you don't mean that, brat." Sasori smirked. "You won't be able to uphold that claim for more than an hour."

"…" Deidara kept silent, doing his best to ignore Sasori.

Still smirking, Sasori opened his mouth to blurt out another witty remark as he tailed after the blond, but an exclamation of "Sasori-san!" paused the both of them.

The redhead turned, a bored expression crawling onto his face at the sight of Temari's brother. "What, Kankurou?"

"I was wondering if you'd be able to stay after and help me with my puppetry again." Kankurou said. "There's this one thing I can't get…"

Sasori cocked his head. "Sorry, I'm booked for after school."

A troubled look arose on the brunette's face. "…Is there any time you're…?"

"I'm busy every day after school."

"I-I could get Temari to stop following you–!"

"I'm busy."

Kankurou sighed, acknowledging the irked tone in Sasori's voice. "Fine…"

Deidara moved towards Sasori a bit. "You…"

"It was a one-time thing only," Sasori assured, in a tone that was saying, "And it won't happen again."

"Yes, but Sasori-san's amazing with puppetry and carving. You really should see him working." Kankurou glanced at said teen in admiration. "He's incredible with his hands."

"…!" Deidara flushed and whirled around, storming off.

"Wh–Deidara!" Sasori started after Deidara, noticing the scarlet fog that had hazed up his cheeks.

"Wait." Kankurou caught a hold of Sasori's arm. "Are…you sure you're not…?"

"I'm never going to be free after school, kid; does that register in your small mind?" Sasori hissed, glaring balefully, poison stinging each of his words. "Release me now, and don't ever touch me again!"

Kankurou backed up immediately, eyes wide.

At once, Sasori ran after the blue-eyed male, speeding up his pace as he saw Deidara lean clumsily against the wall.

Deidara pressed his hand over his mouth harder, wrapping his other arm around his stomach and clutching his fingers into his shirt.

"…He didn't mean it in that way, Deidara." Sasori made his way to Deidara's side. "He meant as in my skills."

"B-Bad images…" Deidara managed out, his voice shaky. "Really…bad images…"

"…" Sasori moved closer to Deidara's side, "Anything I can do to make the images go away?"

Deidara tried to keep himself from swallowing in embarrassment as he felt Sasori's hand come to rest warmly on his shoulder. He looked at him from the corners of his eyes, reddening more as he saw Sasori rest his chin on the back of his hand, staring at Deidara with questioning eyes.

"Want me to go beat him up?"

"…No, I trust you…but still…"

"Then what's wrong?"

"I…" Deidara bit his lip, not knowing how to answer.

"…Does this help?"

Blue eyes widened as Sasori tugged Deidara into an embrace. "…Sa…"

"…Are the bad images going away?"

"U…Un…"

"That's good." Sasori pulled back and smirked. "Besides, I'm sure you're more incredible with your hands than he is."

It was as if someone came and drizzled red paint all over Deidara's face. And it didn't help when Sasori leaned in and whispered in Deidara's ear, with his lips so close they were brushing it, "Get your mind out of the gutter," before turning around and walking off.

––––––»

"Shut up Sasuke and no, I'm not on steroids."

Sasuke closed his mouth, glaring as Deidara sat down. He opened his mouth to talk again.

"And I haven't been conspiring with Itachi-san either."

"I–"

"He hates me, if you haven't noticed, un."

The Uchiha paused. "…Why? Because Akasuna cares for you?"

Deidara froze. "He does not!"

"He does. Don't try to convince yourself otherwise."

"He only cares for Itachi-san."

"…True," Sasuke admitted, "he does care for my stupid brother…but he cares for you too."

Am I really having an intellectual conversation with Sasuke? Deidara raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't. You're probably just confusing care for unintentional flirting."

"Flirting is a sign of attraction."

"Not with him. He doesn't know he's doing it. And besides, he flirts unintentionally with everyone. I don't think he has feelings for everyone."

"If he flirts with everyone, so much to that it's almost common, how do you know when he's actually flirting or not?"

Deidara's eyes widened. "What…do you…?"

"I'm saying that if he flirts so much on accident, how can you tell when he's flirting for real?"

"A…Are you saying he's truly…flirting with me…?"

"Just watch him." Sasuke narrowed his eyes and turned his attention to the front of the room. "There's a difference between fake flirting and real flirting."

Since when did you become the 'Flirting God,' un? Deidara glared a little. And then it hit him: physical contact. When Sasori 'flirted' with others…he never touched them. But with Deidara…

He shook his head. No. Sasori only allowed physical contact because they were friends. It…wasn't because…

"Alright class," Ibiki interrupted. "Today we start the unit of the human mind. I'm going to ask a question and I'd like to hear your opinions on it. There is no right or wrong."

The blond swallowed. Sasori had told him that the question would be why people were selfish. He still hadn't found an answer to that…well…people being selfish…it was like something that came naturally, right? People…were selfish because…

"What is love?"

He blinked. What is love? Shouldn't it have been…?

"Love?" Ino repeated, confusion dripping from her voice. "Love is when you care for someone a lot, and trust them!"

"…Correct," Ibiki answered after a small pause.

Deidara mulled over the girl's words for a little. She was right…but somehow, it didn't seem…whole.

"I…" he spoke out finally, "I agree, un."

Ibiki turned his attention to the newest student, raising an eyebrow.

"…But," Deidara continued, feeling Ino's gaze switch to him in curiosity, "loving someone besides your family…it has to be different."

"Can you elaborate?"

"Well…" Deidara shifted slightly, feeling the class' eyes on him, "It has to be love, un. Kisses and hugs and all…they don't have to be out of love. You can hug someone out of just friendship, and kisses can just be out of lust. I believe loving someone means that you have to prove you care and love them, like protecting them from people who want to hurt them, or standing up for them when they're in a bad situation, un."

"But in those situations, the person protecting the one they supposedly love could just be standing up for them and all just to gain their trust so they could betray them more easily at the next chance."

"…!" Deidara turned to Ino. "…Un…you're right."

"However, it's because of that," the Yamanaka continued, "that you could love someone who doesn't love you back."

Deidara stared as Ino gazed back at him for a moment more before redirecting her attention to the teacher.

"But that's an entirely different subject. Back on track, you have to…see the person as an equal," Ino went on, biting her lip as she hesitated to think on how to word her thoughts. "You can't go on thinking, 'Oh, he's so much more beautiful than me, he's so perfect' and the likes, because that's just admiration. You have to understand the person, and their beliefs and thoughts to truly love them. And as they say, admiring someone is farthest from honestly understanding them."

"Wh…What do you mean?" Deidara asked.

"Well…" Ino paused again, turning to Deidara. "Let's say, hypothetically speaking, if I were to 'truly love' you, then I'd have to see you as 'Deidara-san.' If I saw you as something greater, like a God, it'd be wrong because everyone has faults. And if I see you as if you don't have any faults and you're just perfect, then who am I really seeing?"

"…!"

"You have to love someone for who they are…not who they aren't."

"Good, Yamanaka." Ibiki nodded at the girl. "And you, Deidara."

Both students nodded back.

Ibiki turned to the rest of the class. "Anyone else care to share their opinions?"

––––––»

"How did you know all that?" Deidara asked later, as he caught up to the blonde as they were heading towards lunch.

Ino laughed softly. "I've read a lot of sappy romance novels, Deidara-san."

"Un…it's strange though."

"What is?"

"Sasori-san told me that the question was 'Why are people selfish.'"

"I was told the same thing…"

"I was preparing for the answer, too."

"Same here. But, the love question was somewhat easier for me."

"…Do you love someone?"

Ino's eyes widened at the abrupt question. "Where does that come from?"

"…You seemed really knowledgeable about love." Deidara noted, "I thought maybe, some of that knowledge came from personal experience."

A smile took over Ino's lips. "If you must insist…yes, I do currently like someone."

"Is it Sasuke?"

"No, I'm over him. All he seems to be interested in is his brother and steroids, anyways."

"Is Sakura over him?"

"Mm…" Ino hesitated. "I…believe so. Why? You want to go back to her?"

"No." Deidara tried to prevent a look of disgust from making its way onto his face.

Oh, right… Ino frowned slightly, sensing the slight tint of distaste. "How's it been going with him?"

"Sasori-san–"

"Yes?"

Deidara jumped slightly, and he turned to his left, exclaiming out a, "Sasori-san!"

Sasori smirked. "Brat."

Ino watched in puzzlement as Deidara's cheeks reddened at the name. I don't get it…why would someone like being called a name like that?

"You gave Itachi-san's glasses back?"

"No, Pain came and found me again and stole them." A bitter look soured up Sasori's expression.

"Un…"

"What?" The smirk returned to Sasori's lips. "Are you disappointed?"

"Wh–No!"

Ino tilted her head as she looked at the silver-eyed teen. So this was the Sasori Deidara was so fond of. He looked so different than what Sakura had told her and what she had seen of him ever since. His eyes appeared much calmer and gentle, and the color that Ino once thought was a putrid grayish-dirt color, as she looked more carefully, was actually a pretty ash-rose of sort. He had a soft, young appearance that was effortlessly – dare she say it? – handsome.

A frown made its way onto Sasori's lips. "…Deidara…your little female friend is checking me out."

Deidara saw the threatening scowl slowly start to form on Sasori's expression. "Sasori-san, I'm sure she wasn't…" He faltered as Sasori set his untrusting gaze on him. "…I mean…"

"…" Sasori sighed after he saw Deidara wince a bit. "…Fine. I won't hurt her."

The blonde swallowed, and hastily trotted ahead. She looked back with a smile. "Deidara-san, I'm going ahead. Sakura and the others are probably waiting at the table, so…"

"Un…"

Ino waved before running ahead and out of sight.

"…She likes someone already," Deidara mumbled when she was gone. "And she knows…that I li…that you're with Itachi-san…so you don't have to worry."

"…Deidara…"

"…I…" Deidara's face fell. He quickly shook it off and turned to the other. "S-So…you really didn't think I was a girl back then, un?"

Sasori blinked. "…We've been over this before…"

"Yes, but…"

He sighed. "I was trying to avoid this one, since I thought you'd figure it out by it being so Goddamn obvious…"

Deidara's head tilted. "What?"

Another sigh. "The girls' and boys' uniforms are different, Deidara."

"A–!" A scarlet haze draped over Deidara's cheeks as Sasori's statement slapped him across the face.

"Heh." Sasori chuckled, the tone of his voice taunting. "Forgot you weren't wearing your pretty red skirt that day?"

"Sh-Shut up!" Deidara snapped, flustered. "I-I just never got around to thinking about that!"

"Naïve, shit." Sasori elbowed Deidara. "You're so naïve."

"I said shut up!" Deidara looked away. "…And stop calling me that…'shit' and 'brat' and the likes…"

"I thought you liked it?"

"…! Who told you that?!"

"It's really obvious, looking at your expression and seeing your reaction…"

Tentatively, Deidara looked back at Sasori, seeing the troubled look and cocked head.

"You…really don't like it?"

Deidara turned fully, eyes wide. "Sasori-san…do you consider those…nicknames?"

It was Sasori's turn to turn away, a slight blush streaking across his face. "N-No, of course not! They're only to insult you, obviously! Stupid brat!"

"Wh–Sasori-san! Wait!" Deidara exclaimed as Sasori stormed off ahead all of a sudden. He started after the boy, but Sasori had already disappeared.

Dammit… Deidara ground his teeth together. He needed to go get something from his locker, and Sasori was acting like an asshole…well…a flustered asshole…he sighed. He'd be reunited with Sasori at the table anyways, so…he could afford to 'ditch' him…right?

––––––»

"Ah!" Hidan gaped as Deidara sat down, his purple eyes locking onto the bag that dropped onto the table. "You're actually eating lunch today, Deidara-chan?"

"…Not really, un." Deidara replied, sticking his hand into the bag and pulling out a lollipop. "Just candy."

"You brought a bag of candy for lunch?" Hidan stared.

"Mm?" Deidara glanced at Hidan as he slipped the candy into his mouth. He blinked suddenly, and looked to his right. "Sasori-san?"

Sasori was gazing intently at the bag of candy. Finally realizing Deidara's attention was on him, he switched his wide-eyed gaze to Deidara, then to the lollipop between his lips, before glaring venomously.

Deidara blinked. "What?"

"…" Sasori curtly looked away, turning his back to Deidara.

"What?!"

Hidan sighed. He reached over and tapped the desperate Deidara on the shoulder and gestured for him to lean over.

"Redhead's a sucker for candy and crap food and shit like that," he muttered into Deidara's ear. "He likes it a lot. Potato chips, candy, soda…any kind of crap like that."

Oh. So that would explain the sweet-like taste Deidara had noticed after that first kiss.

"He holds a grudge on you if he sees you have a lot and don't give any to him…if you're someone he's close to, that is…"

"What do I do?"

"Duh, give him a piece! I just fucking said that!"

"U-Un…"

"He'll do anything you want, seriously. Just show him a piece and say, 'If you want it, then you have to do this,' and he'll do it. Anything. Well, maybe not anything…like I doubt he'll lick dog shit for you, but you get the idea."

Deidara sat back up straight and buried his hand back into the bag, fishing out another lollipop.

"…Sasori-san?"

Sasori turned, tilting his head as the candy was presented in front of his face.

"You want it?"

"…!" An almost elated expression appeared on Sasori's face. He paused, however, his gaze becoming wary. "…What do I have to do?"

"…?" Deidara withdrew his arm a little. "Nothing."

Hesitantly, Sasori reached for the sweet, half expecting Deidara to pull back his hand at the last second and demand something.

"Why did you think you'd have to do something?" Deidara asked as their fingers brushed and the lollipop moved to Sasori's hand.

Silver eyes averted blue. "…No reason."

"Uh-huh…"

"…Anyways…" Sasori shifted a little. "…Thanks…"

"Sure." Deidara smiled back in return.

Itachi frowned. He looped his arms around Sasori protectively, pulling him back.

"…! Itachi–!" Sasori tried to escape Itachi's grasp. "Let me go!" He shivered as he felt the Uchiha's lips caress his ear. "…I'm still angry at you…!"

Deidara blushed and turned away, immediately regretting that decision as he saw a rotten squirrel fly through the air and hit Hidan right on the face.

"Put that in my locker again, and I'll do more than just throw it at you!" Konan snapped as she came over and sat down in her seat.

Pain sighed as he arrived as well. "Hidan…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, God…" Hidan mumbled after he pried the carcass off his face. "It was just a joke…"

"You have blood smeared all over your face," Kakuzu commented.

"Oh, thanks for pointing that out, Kakuzu!" Hidan snarled, snatching up his napkin. "I honestly had no fucking idea!"

"Pain, what do we do now?" Sasori questioned, having finally broken out of Itachi's hold. "You honestly can't still think we can afford to keep doing nothing."

"No," Pain admitted, closing his eyes. "We have to fight back now."

"Over a table?" Deidara's eyebrow rose.

"No, not a table," Pain growled, shooting a glare at Sasori. Sasori merely shrugged and continued sucking on his lollipop. "Orochimaru just wants to defeat us to prove that he and his followers are stronger than us. He wants to be number one, but he can't, since we are."

"Un…"

Sasori's eyes widened. "Oh, right." He set his attention to Itachi. "Itachi, apologize."

"To Deidara-kun?" Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly. "…I already–"

"No, you gave him crap disguised as an apology."

"…" Itachi was silent for a few moments. "…I'm sorry, Deidara-kun, for letting Orochimaru get you. Even though–"

Sasori glared, cutting Itachi off abruptly.

"It's…okay…" Deidara muttered, before turning his attention to the leader as he began to speak again.

"Konan, take care of Kidomaru," Pain ordered, thanked with a nod. "And Kisame, Jirobo. Itachi…" He waited until Itachi's dark eyes were locked with his. "…Make sure Kimimaro is taken care of. Without betraying one of our own this time."

Itachi nodded. "I understand."

Deidara's eyes widened.

Weird end-off place. o0;
Uh-oh, what's Deidara going to do? D:
…Sasori and Deidara still argue about art…just…in art class. xx; I should put a scene from art in, just so it doesn't seem like they're not arguing about art ever again.

〜Arrina