Counting the Stars [SasoDei Fanfic]

Radiance

Sasori POV

The crackling fire grew brighter with every gust of wind that blew in through the cave entrance. Its dancing flames threw sparks of gold into the vast darkness. Pulling the slumbering bomber closer to my side, I sighed and closed my eyes. "Just weeks ago I wished for him to be dead," I thought shamefully, tilting my head towards his and nuzzling my face into his lush blond locks.

Several hours passed in silence with the occasional snore from Deidara. I tilted my head back and watched as the sun slowly broke through the horizon. Its brightness tinted the cave walls a pleasant yellow and the fire slowly died down, leaving a steaming pile of embers.

Deidara shifted in his sleep, rested his head onto my lap and yawned. He stretched his arms and looked up at me with half lidded eyes. "Good morning, Sasori no Danna."

"Hn." I stood up, leaving the blond lying on the barren ground. I heard him groan but ignored it. "Let's go. I don't want to keep them waiting."

"Keep who waiting?" Deidara asked confused, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"The stinking Uchiha," I grimaced, remembering our deal from a while back. But then again, owing some cash was better than killing the blond. "He's a nice kid," I whispered to the sun.

~~~

"Took you long enough."

The sharingan flashed a violent red until its wielder replied with a near silent apology. His partner, looking slightly uncomfortable with the tension, shifted his stance and turned his head to the side, avoiding all eye contact. Itachi stared into blank brown orbs, searching for some emotion, but found none.

"It seems you ran into some... trouble..." Itachi chose his words carefully, hoping to engage the puppet in a petty conversation, but also trying avoiding a troublesome quarrel.

"It was his fault," Sasori sneered, passing the blame onto his partner who gawked but failed to give a smart response.

Itachi let out a low chuckle and shifted his gaze to the Akatsuki's newest recruit. Despite his missing cloak and minor injuries, the younger man looked alive and well. "I believe you owe me something." The Uchiha held out a hand, earning a threatening glare from the redhead.

"I owe you nothing." Sasori tossed a few golden coins in the air, which the Sharingan user caught with ease. The puppeteer turned away and motioned for his partner to follow. "It's always your fault."

"What's my fault, un?" Deidara snapped in an annoyed tone.

Sasori remained silent for several moments until he replied, "Everything."

Kisame watched confusedly at the retreating figures and eyed his acquaintance with suspicion. "What's going on between you two?"

"Just a little gambling to lighten the mood," Itachi said dreamily and turned in the opposite direction, leaving the puppet master to figure things out on his own.

~~~

Itachi POV

"This is becoming rather entertaining," I thought to myself. "Who knew the emotionless puppet could have a soft side..."

*flashback two weeks*

"This brat is different."

"Why do you say so?" I eyed the wooden form sitting next to my feet. Sasori took his time in replying, removing himself from his wooden shell to stretch his nimble limbs.

"His attitude and the way he defies me. It's almost as if he isn't afraid..." Sasori said in a low tone. "It's been so long since anyone has had such high disregard towards me."

I smirked at the statement and decided to tease the emotionless man. "Maybe he's going through a rebellious stage. It happens quite often these days."

He adjusted his position so that his head turned towards me in a menacing manner. "Don't joke with me, Uchiha. That brat angers me to no ends. One day I will see to his demise. 'Art is transient' my ass. I'll be sure to show him the meaning of his lowly form of art, and eternal beauty shall be engraved into his fleeting soul."

Widening my eyes at his harshness, I wondered what the redhead had in store for his new partner. "He can't possibly be worse than Orochimaru, now can he?"

"At least the snake respected my beliefs."

"The young are daring. He'll come to his senses." I removed my straw hat to capture the full glory of the lowering of the sun. It's warming rays descended slowly past the mountainous horizon, illuminating the forested region below.

"It isn't just his art. His attitude... it's just so... different." Sasori took a seat next to me on the large boulder, overlooking the wooded area where the golden rays performed their final dance.

I gave him a sideways glance and questioned, "How so?"

Sasori stared into the fiery sunset and replied with a passion I would not soon forget.

"His eyes shine bright even in the darkest depths; his smile reaches not only his eyes, but others as well... And his being reflects all light back towards me, blinding me with an intensity I've never witnessed before."

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So this was Sasori's first experience with Deidara and holy, I didn't expect this chapter to be deep at all... And of course I had to have some Itachi in the story XP

Hope you enjoyed it! ❤️

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