"He could have died tonight," Sasori said softly, menacingly. If looks could kill, Deidara would have died. Twice. The puppeteer turned his head to look at Hidan. "If it wasn't for you,"

"Ah, nooooo," Hidan protested, walking forward with the tub and setting it down on the table. "If I didn't do anything, Itachi definitely would've,"

Sasori said nothing for a beat.

"You and Itachi are both the same," he sneered. "You've both grown weak. And for what? For this brat of a blonde who wouldn't give two of his own hairs to save either of your lives,"

"How do the fuck do you know that?" Hidan countered, even though he knew Sasori was most probably right. But his reaction was natural, seeing as he had a deep crush on Deidara and always felt helpless around him like some baby. It would feel somehow wrong to agree that Deidara was a heartless son of a bitch.

Sasori snorted.

"You and I both know the answer to that. I was his partner, and he had me killed like a common enemy. What makes you think he won't do the same to you?"

Because I treat him nicer?

"He will," Sasori's gaze intensified. Hidan felt foolish for a moment, like Sasori was his mum and he was scolding Hidan. He looked back down at Deidara's unconscious state. "So why are helping him wash up? When you know he won't ever return the favour,"

"Sasori, he's not as bad as you think," Hidan replied, sounding serious. But Sasori just laughed.

"He's a jerk. Trust me, Hidan. He went into this situation a jerk, and he's gonna wake up a jerk,"

Hidan would have punched him if he could. But Sasori was a ghost.

"And don't you dare help him like this," Sasoria added. "You and I, after all, have some history. Help him," he nodded at Deidara. "And rest assured, you will never talk to me again,"

And with that, he vanished.

God-fucking-dammit. Hidan looked helplessly at the spot Sasori had just occupied, then at Deidara, then at his tub of water. Even though it looked like a simple situation, he felt like a mess. He now felt inclined to listen to Sasori…because, after all, the guy was murdered and accused of something he didn't actually do at the time, and he and Sasori did…

Hidan shook his head. "Arghhh," he said aloud. He looked at Deidara. But how would he feel if he wakes up and…

You know, he probably won't notice. Hidan bit his lip, which went white. But…

Hidan walked over to the blonde nin and bent over him. Would it kill Sasori if I just…

He ran his fingers lightly over Kakuzu's fine stitches. The wound was completely closed up now, but there was still some fresh blood getting out. Hidan looked around the room for a bandage. In the end, he took off the wide piece of white fabric he used as a belt around his pants and wrapped it around Deidara's neck carefully, supporting the Iwa nin's head with one hand. After making sure the bandage was neat and firmly wrapped, Hidan sat silently with half his butt on Deidara's bed.

Sorry, Deidara he said to himself. And for the first time in a long time, Hidan felt truly sad.

He left the room.

Deidara's eyes fluttered.

"Itachi,"

Itachi walked into the Lair, looking like he'd just walked out of a spa, not out of a fight. Kisame raised an eyebrow.

"Did you kill him this time?" he asked, putting a strong emphasis on the last two words. Itachi thought he couldn't tell, but Kisame totally knew that Itachi stalled every time he had the opportunity to kill his little brother.

Itachi looked at him but didn't say anything. He put a knife on the island in the kitchen. It had been wiped clean, but it previously had blood on it.

"Dude," Hidan said, looking up from his sandwich. "That's my knife,"

"Eat your sandwich," Kakuzu growled. Hidan shrugged and turned back to his breakfast. Itachi had fought Sasuke for long enough to feed his younger brother's avid need for, well, a fight, but the most important thing on Itachi's mind at the moment was…

Deidara.

Itachi pushed the name from his mind. This was just wrong. He poured himself a cup of milk and walked inside, trying to act nonchalant when his stomach was actually feeling pretty heavy and downtrodden. He'd let Deidara do it to him again.

"You have a younger brother," Deidara had once said. "Why don't you try looking after him instead?"

Honestly, Itachi still didn't know the answer to that question. He still felt more protective of Deidara than his own brother, someone whom he shared parents with, someone who had come from the same flesh and blood…

Itachi was grateful he didn't have to walk past Deidara's room to be in his own. He sat down in his chair and let his messy thoughts run amok.

What is it that makes me succumb so easily to him? Do I like him?

Itachi's grip around the glass of milk tightened.

No, that's not it. I don't…feel that way…but…

"Hey,"

Itachi was snapped out of his thoughts. Standing in his doorway was none other than Hidan.

"Just wanted to let you know, he's alright,"

Itachi nodded slowly. If someone had to understand how Itachi felt, it was probably Hidan, albeit in a different way. Hidan so obviously liked Deidara, but Itachi just felt…protective.

"Why'd you do it?"

Itachi looked from his milk to Hidan. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Hidan cleared his throat. "He… y'know…Sasori,"

Itachi smiled a little. "I don't know Hidan. I don't know,"

Hidan nodded as if he understood completely. He probably did.

"Sasori told me not to help Deidara clean up," Hidan continued. "Um…do you mind?"

Itachi looked at Hidan in disbelief. "You listened?"

"W-well," Hidan scratched the back of his head in frustration. "I had to. I just felt obliged to. And—,"

And you look so awkward I want to throw up Itachi thought. He got up and handed his empty milk glass to Hidan, who took it obediently.

Fuck you, wash your own glass, the old Hidan would definitely have said. The two exchanged a meaningful glance before Itachi headed towards Deidara's room, wondering if Sasori would, too, pay him a visit… and also why he did what he did whenever it came to Deidara.