Two Loves, One Fate (Itachi & Sasuke Uchiha)

№.43 :: Konoha's Request

Chapter Forty-Three

          The Wind Country

The blazing sun sat perched high in the clear sky, beating its heating rays onto the desert below. Two figures walked slowly across the sandy horizon, their sights set on infiltrating the walls of Sunakagure. A soft breeze raked through the desert, the bells on their straw hats chiming with the rhythm of the wind. Their cloaks flapped with their movement; a sudden, weary silence weighed down on them. They were both troubled by the same thought, and their silence was confirmation enough.

Deidara glanced at his partner, his piercing eye taking in the puppet Sasori confined himself in. The blonde converted his gaze back onto their target, the gates of the Sand Village looming off in the distance. His gaze remained focused on the village they were about to attack, but his mind wandered off, his thoughts fixated on Serenity. He'd sent the Snow Queen a warning about the Akatsuki's intentions, yet he continued to worry. Serenity wasn't the type of person to ignore a situation as drastic as this, but would she heed the warning? Deidara had pleaded his case in the note, but if she decided to ignore his plea, there would be dire consequences for everyone.

"Sasori-sama, do you think Serenity will interfere, hmm?" He broke the silence, seeking comfort from the wiser of the two. Sasori glanced at him, his beady eyes absorbing the desperation written across Deidara's features.

"You and I already know the answer to your question. Serenity is a stubborn woman. Did you already forget the trouble she gave us when Itachi and Kisame were supposed to capture the Nine-Tails? She'll fight for whatever cause, as long as she believes deeply in it." Sasori looked away from Deidara, not wanting to witness the look of distraught that fell over his partner's face.

Deidara solely felt responsible for any danger Serenity now faced — Pain would make her suffer if she were to interfere in their plans.

The brightened sun cast long shadows along the sandy horizon as it began to descend along the sky. Nightfall would approach within an hour or so, and Deidara would have to infiltrate the Sand Village on his own. Completely Pain's order would be difficult for him — it wasn't going to be an easy feat to defeat and kidnap the Kazekage. Deidara suddenly grew tired, tired of all these missions and tired of seeing those he cared for suffer, and die. Serenity could easily lose her life if she were to fight Pain, and Deidara refused to let that happen.

'Would Itachi protect her?' The question suddenly popped into the blonde's mind, and hope filled him. Itachi was loyal to Pain and the Akatsuki, but his love for Serenity would surely be enough protection. Even Deidara feared Itachi's wrath if Serenity were harmed. "Sasori-sama, would Pain really hurt Serenity, hmm? He knows how much she means to Itachi-sama, yeah."

Sasori clearly looked annoyed by all of Deidara's questions, but he knew the source was the blonde's concern for the kunoichi Queen. "Yes, I think Pain would harm Serenity if she interferes, but I'm not sure he's willing to lose Itachi. Itachi has been watching her in secret for the last three years. Do you think Pain doesn't know that? Itachi would defend Serenity with his life."

His partner's words filled Deidara with relief, yet he couldn't stop the nagging fear that continued to eat within him. Serenity was protected from Pain, but for how long? What if Pain defeated Itachi? More questions flowed through Deidara's mind, but he didn't have the chance to linger over his problems. His electric blue gaze fell on the gates of Sunakagure, and he realized that his part of the mission was finally upon him. A small frown pulled at his lips and he quickly came to a stop, his hand already reaching for the clay in his pouch. Sasori watched him carefully, a serious glint hardening his beady eyes.