First off, I'm really sorry about the 4/5 month wait. ;; I've been so busy with school it's not even funny. (I've even still got stuff to do!)
They've been giving us projects and tests and the likes as if we have no life other than school. I have like 3 projects to do as of right now, two from the same class. u-u;
Anyways, I hope you know that I'm not dead and I'm still trying to write.

Previous:

"Sometimes…I wish I were something like a puppet…you know, something that couldn't feel…" Sasori looked over his shoulder and smirked.

Ice eyes widened. Deidara stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Sasori's shoulders, pressing his nose into the side of his head. "Why…?"

"Idiot," Sasori chuckled softly and relaxed back into Deidara's hold. "Because then I wouldn't have to feel any pain, obviously…"

"You're the idiot, un…" Deidara gently nuzzled the red locks. "Because I'll take your pain away any day…"

Tobi watched from afar, before running off.

"…And so yeah, seriously." Hidan made a face. "I hate that thing!"

"Must you tell me of your hate for Kurenai's rabbit every single day?" Kakuzu grumbled.

"Yes, because I hate it more than shit, and–" Hidan's eyes looked upwards for a brief moment, and his face brightened. "Hey! Deidara-chan! Redhead!"

Deidara frowned at the nickname he was forced to endure every time he saw the violet-eyed boy while Sasori merely scowled.

"Oh, good. Akasuna." Kakuzu's green eyes locked with Sasori's silver as he and Deidara sat down. "Maybe you can divert his mind off of Kurenai's rabbit."

"You're relying on me, Kakuzu?" Sasori scoffed, glancing at Hidan. "He's yours. Not my responsibility."

"I would've thought you of all people would be fed up with his pointless talk enough to try and stop him."

Hidan took offense at Kakuzu's comment. "Oi, Kakuzu! That's a lot of bullshit you're saying about me! I thought you loved me!"

"Shut up, Hidan."

"Goddamn you Kakuzu!"

A sigh broke the newest student's lips. Here we go again…

"Ah!"

He blinked, seeing Hidan staring at him in disgust.

"What the hell are you eating, Deidara-chan?!"

"…" Deidara looked down at the vegetable in his hand before looking back to Hidan and replying, "A carrot?"

"Ugh, sick!" Hidan stuck out his tongue, backing up in his seat a bit. "That's disgusting, Deidara-chan! Eating some pagan carrot!"

"…Pagan carrot, un?"

"Just ignore him." Sasori frowned. "He's just being the usual idiot he is."

"Why?!"

"Why what?"

"Why are you eating that disgusting piece of shit?!"

Silver eyes rolled before a smirk curled Sasori's lips. He narrowed his eyes, shooting his hand out while Deidara was distracted and stealing the lollipop that had been lying defenselessly on the table.

"Because–Sasori-san!" Deidara snapped as he saw his candy disappear into Sasori's clutches. Seeing the defiant expression on the redhead's face, he bristled. "Give it–!" Sasori popped the lollipop into his mouth and gave Deidara a smug look.

"Sasori, don't steal from Deidara-kun." Itachi glanced at Sasori.

"I'm not stealing," Sasori argued as Deidara sighed. "I'm just taking what he lets me."

"It's fine, Itachi," Deidara muttered. "He can have it."

"Don't encourage, him," Itachi replied, looking at the redhead for a second. "He'll continue this until you tell him no."

"Wha–Itachi!" Sasori glared.

"I've already told him no. It didn't work."

"You have to be more forceful."

"I've tried!"

"He's going to keep mooching off of you, Deidara-kun. Just refuse. Otherwise it'll never stop. It's in his personality."

"You mean like a dog."

Sasori's face reddened in humiliation as he tried to sink down, burying his face halfway into his arms.

Deidara grinned before lowering himself down to Sasori's level. "Aw, come on, Sasori-san, I was just kidding, un!"

Sasori merely let out a soft "Tch!" and turned away.

"Sasori-san…" Deidara sighed before smirking and grabbing the lollipop stick between his thumb and forefinger.

"…!" Sasori's eyes widened as the candy was stolen right out of his mouth. He stared incredulously at Deidara as the blond held the lollipop in front of himself, grinning smugly in triumph.

"Give it back!" he snapped, making move for the sweet, "Give it back, Deidara, you little shit!"

"No way! It's rightfully mine, anyways!" Deidara laughed, holding it away from Sasori's hands.

"You're not going to eat it now!" Sasori argued, lunging forward but stopped by Deidara's hand on his collarbone. "Give…it…back!"

"Nope."

"You little–!"

Hidan laughed at the two before Kakuzu elbowed the side of his head.

Another smirk was painted on Deidara's lips as Sasori tried for the candy again and again, each time foiled by Deidara holding it farther and farther away. He was forced to lean to the side as Sasori grew bold and placed a hand on his thigh to gain more distance.

"Sasori–" Itachi muttered, but it was unheard as the redhead growled yet again, "Give it…!"

Deidara laughed again, moving his arm slightly so that it wouldn't hit Kisame. Suddenly, the smirk dripped off his face, as he met with Sakura's green eyes. He frowned and glared slightly at her, receiving a somewhat guilty look in return. Ignoring it, Deidara brought the lollipop back and slipped it into Sasori's mouth, grinning again.

"…" Sasori blinked as the sweet flavor once again flooded his mouth, his hand still on Deidara's thigh.

"Happy?" Deidara tilted his head.

Growling, Sasori retreated back into his seat. "Don't do that again, brat. Ever."

A laugh was his only answer.

Konan was looking around, trying to conceal a worried expression. Where is he?

"Aww, that's so sweet!" Hidan mocked, sneering at the two. "You're so special, Deidara-chan! Redhead forgives you for taking his candy!"

"It's not his," Deidara argued, resting his cheek on his hand.

Sasori let out a tch. "You gave it to me–"

"You stole it from me."

"It doesn't matter," Itachi cut in.

The expression on Deidara's face became smug once again, and he bit back the response of, "Jealous?"

However, Sasori caught the glimpse Deidara threw at Itachi, and his eyes narrowed. But instead of pointing it out, he merely turned a blind eye to it. "…Did you tell her?"

"Tell who?" Deidara cocked his head in confusion. "Sasori-san, I–" Realization hit him, and fell silent.

"Well?" Sasori focused his gaze on the other.

"…She asked me if it was the same guy from before. I told her it wasn't, and she warned me not to get in any more fights. I'm…kinda 'grounded' and I don't know what she'll do if I come home beat up again."

"But then–"

"Yeah, I know."

"…What are you going to do?"

"I'll gladly get in trouble with her…if it meant protecting you, un."

Sasori reddened and turned away. "…Idiot."

"Maybe." A small smile made its way across Deidara's lips. The smile quickly faded, however, when an arm wrapped itself around Sasori's middle and pulled him back.

"You seem to be forgetting something," Itachi said, eyes flashing red.

"Itachi." Sasori glared.

"Sasori–"

"Now, Itachi."

Reluctantly, Itachi let go.

"Deidara–" Sasori looked to Deidara expectantly, but halted himself when he saw him talking with Kisame. All he needed to hear were the words Kisame no danna and he returned his line of vision to Itachi.

Why does he call him danna? he thought, unconsciously grinding his teeth together. I'm the one who teaches him. If he calls anyone Danna, it should be… He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"Hey."

He paused before answering, "Yeah?"

Deidara looked around the table. "Where's that…amusing thing you said would be here?"

"Pain!"

A smirk made its way onto Sasori's face, and Deidara looked up, blinking.

"Pain, what happened?" Konan asked worriedly as she ran up to him. "Who did this?"

When she got no answer, she followed Pain's piercing glare.

"Sasori!"

"He made me get…molested by Orochimaru," Sasori argued before grumbling, "At least his wounds will heal…"

"That's a nice look for you!" Hidan snorted, grinning at the bruises dotting Pain's face. "Should keep it more often, fucking leader!"

"Hidan!" Konan snapped before lightly touching one of the bruises. As she squinted her eyes – while Pain rolled his – she saw a small scar on his cheek. Instantly her gaze shot to Sasori again and she mustered up a dark glower.

Sasori sighed in response and merely lifted up his hand, the back facing the girl. "Not my fault."

Konan's teeth ground together as Pain sat down. "Obviously it's your fault!"

"I didn't mean to scratch him," Sasori countered, lowering his hand. "It was an accident."

"Oh, that's right, just like when you tore apart Deidara-kun's arm."

At this Sasori visibly stiffened, his features growing infuriated.

"Sasori-san…" Deidara would've put his hand on the redhead's shoulder, but Itachi was right there and… "You know I don't hold that against you anymore."

"Konan, that's enough," Pain finally spoke up, waving her off. "I'm fine."

"But Pain–"

"And leave Sasori alone. I did owe him one for having him meet Orochimaru alone."

Konan shot Sasori one last glare before going back to her seat.

"Alright, now, I have some news."

"Great…" Sasori grumbled, facing away from Pain.

A small smile appeared on Deidara's lips as he shrugged, replying, "At least he's amusing to look at."

Sasori visibly brightened a little at this, exhaling before turning back.

"Akatsuki will be working in pairs from now on," Pain continued, looking over the others, "and the pairs will be determined by–" He held up a small bottle of purple nail polish. "–This."

"Whoa, no fucking way!" Hidan was the first to speak up, smashing his fists into the table. "I refuse to wear any of your girly nail polish!"

"How manly of you, Pain," Sasori smirked, resting his cheek on his upraised hand, "going out and buying nail polish."

Pain, ignoring Hidan, locked eyes with Sasori and replied in a derisive tone, "Yes, Sasori, just like how manly you are, agreeing to wear it."

The smirk instantly turned into a scowl.

Deidara snorted. "You agreed to wear nail polish?"

"Shut it."

"Anyways," the leader started again, "Itachi you get this one."

"Ha!" Hidan laughed as Itachi caught his. "You get purple! What a pansy color!" A bottle of black caught his eye as it came his way, and he instantly reached out for it.

But Kakuzu was quicker.

"Goddamn you Kakuzu! I wanted that!"

"Deal with it," Kakuzu retorted, slipping the bottle in his pocket.

"Sasori."

As Sasori got his, Deidara cocked his head. "Green?"

"I guess it's Pain's attempt at being artistic." Sasori tilted his head at it.

"Oh, really?"

"Deidara!"

Said student looked up at the sound of his name and received his own. He promptly winced at seeing the color black.

Sasori took one look at it and snickered. "I guess he just favors me."

"Funny," Deidara snorted. He watched as Kisame got his – purple, like Itachi's – and Hidan last – green, like Sasori's.

Let us choose our partners. He thought, chewing on his bottom lip. Or at least who we're sitting next to…I don't want to work with one of them. His eyes landed on Hidan and Kakuzu who were bickering again.

"Alright, everyone got one?" Pain asked, rubbing one of his bruises. "Then, the pairs will be decided as following…"

Silver eyes scanned absentmindedly over the different bottles of nail polish on the table. Sasori blinked lazily as he looked a bit longer at Hidan's than all the others. Lowering his gaze to his own green bottle, he blinked again before returning to Hidan's. Green. Green. His eyes widened. Oh, hell no, Pain was not deciding by–!

"Whoever has the same color–"

"No."

"…" Pain stopped and sighed. "What now, Sasori?"

"I am not being partnered with that." Sasori pointed accusingly at Hidan. "No. Way. In. Hell."

Black. Deidara looked around. That was–He froze. Kakuzu was staring at his black bottle. A nervous grin pulled at his lips as the dark-haired male's eyes locked with his. Dammit.

"Sasori–"

"I refuse, God. Unless you want us losing because I was too busy kicking my partner's ass rather than the enemy's, I suggest you change it now."

"Ha ha, very funny, redhead, I could take you, piece of cake!"

"You wish."

"Sasori, the pairs have been set," Pain replied, disregarding the dark glare he got in return. "Unless something happens to make me change my mind, these are how it's going to stay."

"Tch!" Silver eyes landed on Kakuzu next. "Kakuzu, don't hold it against me if he doesn't come back in one piece."

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. "I could say the same to you, Akasuna."

"…! You better not–!"

"If he angers me you know I can't stop myself."

"You can stop yourself for Hidan."

"He's…unique like that."

"…Bullshit."

"Enough." Konan ran a hand through her hair, glaring the two down. "We'll see how this works and if it doesn't we'll switch."

"Tch."

"Hey, what about you three?" Hidan snapped, motioning to Pain, Zetsu and Konan.

"Zetsu'll work alone and obviously Pain and I will be another team."

Suddenly, it hit Deidara. "But Pain-san–!" When the sharp ash eyes met with his own, he argued, "You said I was to–"

"Yes, I know. It's on hold for a bit."

Itachi glanced at Kisame, his eyes narrowing. Just what had Pain told Deidara to do?

"On hold?!" Deidara's lip curled.

"Yes, Deidara. On hold."

Reluctantly, the blond gave in, fingers drawing together.

"This will take effect starting tomorrow," Pain announced. "You have some free time to do as you like before then."

}}––––––»

"You're awful." Sasori smirked down at Deidara, who growled back,

"Well forgive me for not knowing how to paint my nails, un."

"It's just like painting a picture. But I suppose you have issues with that as well." The smirk only grew as Deidara shot him a dirty look. "Here, give it to me." He knelt down and took the brush.

"Hey–!" Deidara was cut off as Sasori grabbed his hand and started coating the remaining nails with an even coat. "I-I don't need your help!"

"You just said you don't know how," Sasori retorted. "And judging by your work so far I see it's true."

Heat rushed to Deidara's face. "I can paint just fine." Noticing the smooth green nails, he asked after a small moment of silence, "When'd you do yours?"

"Detention. Nothing else to do."

"Un…" he mumbled as Sasori took his other hand.

The two were silent after that for a few moments until Sasori finished up.

"Hey, Sasori-san…"

"Mm?"

"What's…is it bad to be paired with Kakuzu?"

"Just don't get him angry and you'll be fine." Sasori reached out and brushed the blond's bang behind his ear. "He has quite the temper."

Deidara's blush darkened. "How do I make him angry? He puts up with Hidan just fine, un."

"Don't get cocky, Deidara." Sasori frowned. "Don't be a smartass, don't be weak, and don't piss him off."

"Are you saying I can't take him?"

"…I don't know."

"What?" Deidara blinked.

"I can't read you as well as I can others…sometimes not at all." Sasori looked away. "You're different."

"But–"

"I like knowing how people are going to react, what they'll do next and such…but with you…"

"Sasori-san…whether you can read me or not, you just need to know one thing…" Blue eyes locked with silver as Deidara continued, "I'll never betray you."

"…" Sasori averted his eyes, flushing faintly. "…I'm…sorry for lying all this time."

"Lying? About what?"

"…I think you could take Kakuzu."

"Wha–Sasori-san!" Deidara stared in confusion as Sasori changed the subject completely and hastily stood back up.

"I've got to go now. I need to do something before we leave."

"But what did you mean by–?"

"Don't make me wait too long, brat."

And then he was gone, before Deidara could get an answer. He picked up his English paper that was next to him, and laid it on his lap, though his thoughts were on what Sasori had said. Lie? Sasori had been lying about something to him for a long period of time? What…?

Unbeknownst to him, Sasori had stopped a short ways after he had rounded the corner Deidara was sitting next to. Leaning against the wall, he looked blankly at the floor.

Why did I say that to him? His lips twitched. Lifting a hand to cradle his forehead, Sasori closed his eyes. And instead of black he saw yellow, blue instead of red. The heat in his face grew and he slipped his hand off his face and reopened his eyes before continuing on.

"Sasori-san…" Deidara murmured the other's name once more. He tried to think of the English counterpart to the word 'sasori' that Sasori had told him before. "Su…skor…scorpyon…?"

"Scorpion, Deidara. Scorpion!"

He looked up to see Suigetsu waving and coming his way. Putting on a disdained face he replied in embarrassment, "I…I knew that, un!" Shaking his head, he then corrected himself, "What do you want?"

"What're you reading there?" Suigetsu ignored the question, plopping down to the right of Deidara.

"I'm studying."

"Oh, my bad."

Deidara grimaced.

Suigetsu took one look at the paper before a grin spread over his features. "Aw, studying English for Akasuna, huh?"

"No," Deidara answered instantly, glaring.

"You just told me otherwise," Suigetsu countered smugly.

Scowling, Deidara turned away. "Where's your girlfriend?"

"That old hag isn't my girlfriend." Suigetsu's voice dripped irritation.

"Right."

Violet eyes started to narrow, but then a mischievous thought came to the white-haired boy's mind. An impish smile curled his lips as he answered, "Well, actually…that Akasuna isn't too bad–"

"Don't you dare!"

"But he's so fine–"

"Did Orochimaru put you up to this?!"

"Nah, that was just me liking to piss you off."

"I hate you. So much."

"Don't be like that."

"Why did you come?"

"How much do you love him?"

Ignoring the question again… Deidara's teeth ground together. "That's none of your business."

"Do you think you can pry him away from Itachi? Wouldn't that be…wrong?"

"Why do you care?"

"Just asking."

"Go away."

"Do you think he loves you back?"

"None of your business."

"Fine, fine. Geez, calm down."

"…"

"Wanna know what I think?"

"No."

"Well–"

"You're worse than Tobi, un!"

Suigetsu met Deidara's furious blue eyes and flinched back a bit. "Hey, no need to get snappy."

"Why are you here?" Deidara asked yet again.

"Look." Suigetsu sighed. "I'm not allowed to tell you that–"

"Tell me now!"

"Okay, okay! …This might make you hate me, but–"

"I already hate you."

"–I'm a distraction."

"Distraction?" Deidara echoed. "For what?"

"Well, uh, you see…"

Blue eyes widened.

"It's the last time he's going to, so–" The fist slamming into his face quickly cut him off.

"O-Oi!" he exclaimed.

"Why can't you just leave him alone?!" Deidara was standing up by now.

"Hey, I'm just doing what I'm told to–"

"You said this was the last time. Is he really just going to leave him alone after this?"

"That's what he told me."

"…You better be right."

And with that he ran off, forgetting his English papers.

Suigetsu watched him go, threading his fingers through his tousled hair.

"Man, he's so head over heels he's not even doing somersaults anymore…"

}}––––––»»

"Just give it up, Akasuna." Karin's expression grew weary. "I don't like playing dirty like this."

"Never…" Sasori panted, holding his left shoulder where the girl had hit him particularly hard. "I refuse to lose…to a girl…"

"What's wrong with girls?" Karin snapped. "You have a girl in your group, y'know!"

"Konan's the exception…because Pain would kill me if I ever…"

"Well I'll kill you myself if you keep badmouthing them period!" Karin warned.

"Heh." A smirk twisted Sasori's lips as he leaned back against the wall. "I'd like to see you try."

"Fine then, you asked for it!"

Sasori held up a hand and caught her oncoming fist, but wasn't fast enough to stop the knee from connecting with his gut. He coughed up blood and clutched his stomach, eyes wide.

"You bitch!"

Karin braced herself just in time for Deidara's fist to make contact with her cheek.

"Wha–?!" she spluttered as she stumbled backwards. "H-How did you–? Wh-Where's Suigetsu?!"

"He's back there," Deidara answered coldly, supporting Sasori.

Swallowing, Karin hastily began sprinting off to where Suigetsu was.

"…Deidara…"

"I'm sorry," Deidara mumbled as he slowly lowered the two of them down until Sasori was sitting. "Really…"

"I…"

"I should've followed you…I promised I'd protect you…" He gently wiped the blood from Sasori's lower lip and chin.

"Promises aren't anything, brat…they're just…pretty lies–"

"Sasori-san, don't say that…"

"It's true…"

"No it's not!"

He was in an embrace before he knew it, and he dug his fingers into Deidara's back, burying his face into his shoulder. "She…"

Deidara stroked the other's back, his other hand holding him firmly.

"She told me that…they were coming back…"

Blue eyes narrowed in sympathy. Deidara moved his hand that was stroking the shorter boy's back to his red locks, gently caressing them to calm Sasori down.

"She promised me…! And then…they never…!"

"Sasori-san…" Deidara pressed his nose into Sasori's hair, murmuring, "She lied to you to protect you…she didn't want to tell you that…"

"I don't care! She should've…told me…"

"She probably didn't know you would act so strongly about it, and–"

"They were my Goddamn parents, you stupid shit!" Sasori pulled back to glare venomously into Deidara's eyes, nails digging further into Deidara's back. "Are you saying that she thought I'd be fine with finding out on my own…?!"

"I'm saying…" Deidara reached out his arm again to brush away the stray strands of hair that had made it past Sasori's ear. "It was a lose-lose situation for her…you were young, weren't you? She couldn't have told you…but if she didn't you'd find out on your own, un…"

The air was tense. Sasori glared for a few moments more before squeezing his eyes shut in loss, muttering, "I don't care…I still hate her, her and her stupid lies…"

"Sasori-san…" Deidara pulled Sasori back to him, pressing his nose to the other's neck. "I'm…not perfect…but I won't break my promise. Not this one…never again."

"Grandma did."

"I'm not your grandmother."

Ash-rose eyes narrowed.

"…I'll protect you…I promise." Deidara returned his free hand to Sasori's hair, feeling Sasori's arms wrap around him, nails lightly pushing into his sides. "Believe me…"

Sasori remained silent, eyes half-closed, head resting on Deidara's shoulder. He was warm, and he felt…safe. Safe with Deidara.

"Sasori–"

"…I…believe you…"

He had said it so quietly that Deidara had to take a moment to realize what Sasori had said. It seemed almost unreal, and Deidara breathed in Sasori's scent, murmuring, "Do you trust me?"

It took Sasori longer this time. Finally, after several moments, he opened his mouth, nails digging just a little deeper than before, and replied,

"I trust you."

And Deidara held him tighter than he ever had before.

I promise I'll try and get the next chapter up sooner! D: I've already got it started, so it shouldn't take as long as this one. Really.

〜Arrina