I should've done this from the start of the series…but…Sighs, I'm an idiot. I think I should start copyrighting my stories from now on. As I said in the first chapter, the only thing I own are my two OCs and the plot along with its contents (such as quotes). So yeah.
© 2011
I don't think I've told any of my reviewers or anyone this, but one of my biggest pet peeve is copying. So that's the reason why I've started copyrighting. For the people who are, you know who you are, so stop it. Technically last chapter was the end, but this is an Epilogue. So have fun reading.
Clouds of grey scattered the dark skies. I looked up at the trees. Even they seemed dead. The flowers seemed to have subsided and colors drained, just like everyone's face in the Akatsuki. My soul felt darker than the jet black flowing spaghetti strapped dress I wore that stopped at my knees, revealing my black high heels. The grey stone etched with Akasuna no Sasori and the date of his birth and death was sitting in front of a tree facing the long forest. We were in the forest of the Akatsuki base, the same one when I had that talk with Deidara. I clutched the red rose I held dearly in my hands. The sharp thorns penetrated my fingers and crimson blood oozed out. I closed my eyes in sorrow, the blood reminded me of his hair. The hair I would never be able to run my fingers through. I felt a soft hand rest on my shoulder. I looked to the left, only to see Zetsu.
"Hoshi, don't worry. He's in a better place right now." Zetsu reassured me.
I stared at his golden eyes. They were full of sadness for Sasori, but pity and sympathy for me. I managed a weak smile, touching his hand with my hand.
"Thanks Zetsu-san."
He smiled at me and left my side, standing next to a tree near Tobi. I still stared at the grave, eyes lifeless, like the time I was a puppet. Why did Sasori have to die like that? It wasn't fair. Someone clearing their throat interrupted my thinking. I looked towards the man. It was Leader-sama, and he stood in front of the grave, wearing a black tuxedo.
"Attention my fellow Akatsuki members," he gathered everyone's attention, "As you all know, this is Akasuna no Sasori's funeral. I just wanted to say that he was a brilliant man. He was intelligent and very useful to the Akatsuki. I trust that we all respected him and his power. He was indeed one of our strongest."
I drowned out Leader-sama's voice. I didn't feel like listening to his mini-lecture. So instead, I looked at all the members. All the members were in tuxedos except for Konan and I. Konan had wore a dress similar to my own, the only difference being that it was without straps and she had on black bracelets. My accessories consisted of the leather choker necklace and one plain leather armlet that was much like my choker, except for the cross, on my right forearm. A lot of the members looked solemn. Some of them were tense and stiff. So…even Sasori's death had affected them all. I glanced over at Deidara, his usual bright blue eyes were now dull and dark. Even Hidan's energy had died down to nothing and Itachi looked more serious than ever, his frown deepening by the second. When Leader-sama's lecture was over, he had asked if any of the members wanted to give a word of their own. I learned some very…interesting stories including them and Sasori. Soon every member went, every member but me. Now it was my turn. I walked over and stood in front of the grave. I bit my lip so hard that I could taste the blood that came out. My hands clutched the rose tightly.
Everyone was surprised when I could speak, "Sasori…was a good friend. He was beyond intelligent and a good conversationalist. Despite his flaws, such as being impatient and ill-tempered, in my opinion, he was the best man that ever lived. It was a shame that he had to die at just 35 years old. I blame myself for not being able to save Sasori. If only life hadn't had been so cruel, maybe he would still be here with us. But a part of him is, he is still here, in our hearts and memories. I beg of you all to never forget him, or what a great man he was, because a man never truly dies until he is forgotten. That is all I wish to say." I finished.
I looked over at the members, some of their expressions had softened, some were in gloom and depression. I turned to Sasori's tomb stone and laid the rose in front of it. Then I brought my index and middle finger to my lips, pecked it, and placed it on the rose's ever soft petal. The rose was fake of course, for it would never die. A token of my appreciation and admiration for Sasori's eternal art. And it was also a reminder for me, that when that rose dies, that will be the day when I stop loving the great Puppet Master, Akasuna no Sasori. I went back to my spot, listening to Leader-sama's closing remarks on Sasori. Soon when he had ended, the funeral ended. Some stayed behind though, such as Deidara, Hidan, Zetsu, Konan, and of course, me. When time passed by, more and more people left. After awhile, it was just me and Deidara, talking about Sasori, but when the sun fell, he too left. I had crawled next to the grave, leaning on it as I touched the rose's petals ever so gently.
"What're you still doing here?" a silky voice broke the silence of the night.
My eyes broadened, wondering if I was in a Genjutsu or not. I whipped around, sure enough, nothing was there. Great, I'm going insane yet again. Though my heart still fell, even though it knew that what had happened couldn't be true. My eyes half closed and I leaned back on the tombstone. I sighed deeply.
"Well?" I felt his hot breath on my neck.
With a startled gasp, I turned around again. Sure enough, it was Akasuna no Sasori himself. His lips just a fingernail away from mine. A small "eep!" came out of my mouth and I accidentally fell backwards. Wincing from the hard ground, I rubbed the back of my head, muttering a slight "ow". When I opened my eyes, his hand was outstretched. I hesitantly grabbed it and he pulled me upwards. I stared in awe at his dreamy chocolate brown eyes, his messy maroon hair, and that small smirk on his lips. So I did the only thing I could think to do.
I poked him.
The smirk disappeared, but then graced his features once again.
"What the Hell are you doing?" he asked.
"He…you…I…Sas-…are you really…him?" I asked softly.
"If you mean Him as in Kami-sama, sorry to disappoint but no. I am, however, Akasuna no Sasori." he grinned.
I frowned, "How can I be sure you're not a Genjutsu?"
"You can't." Sasori responded.
I smirked, "Okay okay. So, since you're so sure you're Sasori-"
"I'm not." he smirked.
"...Anyway. How'd you live? I...I saw you...you got stabbed in the heart." my eyelids felt as heavy as my heart.
He grinned, "That wasn't me."
My eyes fluttered open, "Wh-what?"
He picked up the rose that I was messing with and twirled it in his hand, "That was a spare puppet. I have many spares of myself. Do you remember the time that you turned human (1)?"
I nodded.
"I got turned human an hour after you did (2). When we were assigned that mission, when you and Deidara were getting ready for the mission to capture the Kazekage, I placed my spare inside Hiruko while I kept myself hidden with a Jutsu that allowed me to become invisible, controlling Hiruko. I suppressed my chakra to the minimum. That's why no one figured that I was there. So the puppet that actually 'died' wasn't me." he explained.
I sighed, "You always got something up your sleeve, don't you?"
He chuckled, "Of course. How could I be the Master Puppet Master if I don't?" he caressed my cheek.
I blushed slightly of his touch. Then I felt his arm snake around my waist. I leaned my head on his chest, nuzzling in his touch and scent. Finally my heart felt at ease, like it was free of its burden. I felt so peaceful, so serene, just like the setting we were in. It all felt so perfect and like the world consisted only of us. The way he touched my cheek so lovingly, the way his eyes sparkled in the moonlight, the way he held me, it was like it was meant to be. Like we were made for each other. Like he was the last piece to my incomplete puzzle.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I have somethin' else to tell you." he smiled that sweet smile that made me melt on the spot.
I didn't think that anything else could be more perfect than what came out of his lips,
"Under your spell again.
I can't say no to you.
Crave my heart and it's bleeding in your hand.
I can't say no to you.
Shouldn't let you torture me so sweetly.
Now I can't let go of this dream.
I can't breathe but I feel...
Good enough,
I feel good enough for you.
Drink up sweet decadence.
I can't say no to you,
And I've completely lost myself, and I don't mind.
I can't say no to you.
Shouldn't let you conquer me completely.
Now I can't let go of this dream.
Can't believe that I feel...
Good enough,
I feel good enough.
It's been such a long time coming, but I feel good.
And I'm still waiting for the rain to fall.
Pour real life down on me.
'Cause I can't hold on to anything this good enough.
Am I good enough for you to love me too?
So take care what you ask of me,
'cause I can't say no." (3)
As I listened, I sank more and more into his chest. Soon I could hear his soft heartbeat, it was like drums to the song he sang. When it came to a close, his smile became even more resonating than before.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
The words of my answer never came. They were never spoken. Because instead of a yes, a kiss was all it took to make him feel what I felt for him. He was surprised at first, not expecting it. But soon he eased into it. The way our lips perfectly fit into each others, I knew that he was the one. When we broke apart, we stayed like that and watched the moon with its gleaming stars, dancing with the fireflies once again.
"You taste just like your cookies (4)." he smirked.
(1) - It's when Hoshi got tackled by Tobi in "Surprise Surprise".
(2) - Only the most extremely meticulous people could tell that Sasori turned human. I've dropped hints all over the place that he's been turned into a human. A couple of examples:
A. In "Surprise Surprise" he mumbled in his sleep, "Hoshi...stay..." meaning that he was sleep talking, meaning that he was asleep, which puppets cannot do. In the end of the chapter, Sasori even stated "I must've fallen asleep".
B. In "Cookies!" he thought "Soon I wanted to taste the noodles, wondering if it would taste as good as it smelled.", puppets can't smell, only living beings can.
C. In "Zetsu's Greenhouse" Sasori thought, "Hoshi elbowed me in the stomach, hard." Keyword: hard. If he was a puppet, he wouldn't have felt that, meaning he wouldn't have known that it was hard.
These are only a few couple examples. And I don't feel like going back just to list out all of 'em. Also, congratz on those who actually noticed and realized that Sasori was human again!
(3) - In case you guys already forgot, this is the song that Hoshi sang to Sasori in the last chapter before he 'died'. If you guys couldn't guess, this is the song that Hoshi wrote for Sasori. In chapter "New Mission" she thought "My eyes instantly landed on my instruments. Maybe...I should write a song to let out my feelings." and that song was to let out all her feelings for Sasori.
(4) - Cookie Vote!
Pein: 1
Itachi: 3
Madara: 2
That is who people THOUGHT was the mystery shadow man who stole Hoshi's cookies. Sadly, they were wrong. It was Sasori! Since he was human again, he had to eat. And that was the only food that was left in the base, and he was curious to how they tasted anyway.
Anddd...this story draws to a close. Hope you all liked it! Also thank you ShyAnimeGurl44 for adding this story to your favorites.
Sayonara peepz.
¤ Mystic Shadow Demon