Counting the Stars [SasoDei Fanfic]

So Close to Forever

"I'd say that that was a successful mission, hm." Deidara glanced at the one-tail jinchuuriki and smirked. "'Twas easier than I thought it'd be."

"Don't get cocky, brat. They get more difficult as the number of tails increase."

"Well, we've already completed half of our quota. Now we only need to capture one more and we're done with the kidnapping and we can get back to demonstrating our art." The blond stretched out his arms in a ridiculously flamboyant manner and spread them wide, symbolizing a pathetically displayed explosion.

Sasori scoffed, glad that Hiruko hid his telltale smirk. "Dare you call that rubbish of yours art?"

"Danna~"

"Stop your whining. Someone's following us."

Deidara's stance changed drastically. His shoulders stiffened and his jaw clenched. The blond man reached a hand into the pouches which hung at his waist and prepared for battle.

Suddenly, eight shinobi revealed themselves and surrounded the two Akatsuki. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the old hag," Sasori drawled.

"You know that one?" Deidara frowned and nudged his chin towards the elderly lady who presumably was from Suna.

Sasori ignored his partner and continued: "Grandmother, did you decide to come out of retirement? Is the funding for the elderly not enough? Or did you just want to see your dearest grandson once more?" Disgust dripped from every word that left his mouth.

The woman pursed her lips and her eyes clouded over. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Instead, the spiky haired blond started shouting.

"GIVE GAARA BACK YOU ASSHOLES!"

"Oh, was that his name? We didn't bother to ask." Deidara mocked. He commanded his clay bird to drop the kazekage who landed on the ground with a dull thump. "What good would a dead body do? We were just going to dispose of him for ya, hm." He strode over to the lifeless body and casually kicked the head. It rolled to the side, but no reaction came from the young leader of the Sand. Naruto let out an animalistic growl as Deidara placed his right foot heavily onto his friend's bloodless cheek. "Come and get him if you wanna carry some dead weight."

Naruto snapped and lounged for the bomber. Sasori flicked his wrist, two fingers protruded from the long sleeve of his cloak: the index and the pinkie. Deidara frowned at his partner's choice of formation but didn't question it. The clay creature scooped the kazekage lazily into its mouth as its owner hopped gently onto its back. Giant wings sprang into action as Deidara soared into the sky, examining the battle that unfurled below him.

"Tch, better dump this crap quickly if I wanna see more action, hm."

And the further he soared, the less he worried.

~~~

It was dusk. The sun was dimming past the horizon and the air smelled of charred earth. Dry lifeless twigs snapped beneath his feet as he made his way carefully across the rugged battlefield. Small fires crackled from the aftermath of an intense and deadly brawl.

Arms, legs, torsos, and heads lolled on the barren earth. But unlike those from a usual fight, these were hard and stiff. They were made lifeless. They were made to be manipulated. There was no blood, no gore. Only shards of hardened wood and worn down metal tools.

The man quickened his pace, his breath caught in his throat. He tripped and fell. A scroll. Sasori's favourite scroll - the Third Kazekage. Blue orbs widened and brimmed with tears, fearing the worst.

He scrambled to his feet and ran in circles, searching for a clue to where the one person he cared for was. After a futile search, the man collapsed and sobbed.

"I'm... right here... you idiot," a weak raspy voice sounded a little ways to his right.

The blond turned, his eyes wide with disbelief, as he stared at what was left of his companion. The puppeteer's body was missing from waist down, along with the lower portion of his left arm. Tears streamed down Deidara's face.

"DANNA!~~~"

"Shut up and let me enjoy my last moments will ya?"

His shoulders slumped in defeat as he dragged his body towards the charred remains of his friend. "You don't need to go y'know, hm."

"Heh... It's best if I do."

They sat in silence and watched their final sunset together peacefully, as if it was any other day where they would fool around and continue with their mission. It felt like everything would be alright. But it wasn't - his redheaded companion was slowly fading away.

The yellow haze disappeared and was replaced by a velvety blanket of stars, the one they spent hours watching together.

"But what'll I do without you?"

"You'll be fine," Sasori attempted to comfort the latter. "And anyways, I'll be right there, watching over you." He waved his right hand towards the sky, signalling at the stars above them.

Tears streaked the Iwa nin's face as he gritted his teeth, remembering the days he spent with his fellow artist. "I thought only the dying have flashbacks..." he thought to himself dryly.

His hand clasped around the cold stiff fingers of the dying man as he stuffed his face into the mess of red hair. "I'm pathetic," Sasori sighed.

"No." Deidara sniffed and turned to face the older man. "You never were. Ever since I met you, I idolized you. I aspired to be like you. Every time I needed a role model, you'd be there. Every time I needed a shoulder to cry on, you'd be there (well, most of the time). And if I ever lost track of my emotions, you'd be there for me."

Sasori was taken aback by the confession he just heard and gave a faint smile. "At least I did something worthwhile." He chuckled and closed his eyes.

"DANNA! DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE ME!"

"I'll be there to welcome you with open arms once you're ready."

"DANNA!"

"But don't you dare come visit too soon."

The younger man sniffled and let his tears stream down his face, forgetting the rules of a shinobi.

Sasori looked into the entrancing azure eyes one last time as he drew in his final breath.

"And thank you, for teaching me how to love again."

~~~

Time waltzed to your rhythm,
A tune, undeniably yours

You played and she danced
You played and she skipped
You paused, but she continued on.

She played and you strode
She played and you laughed
She paused, but you laid still.

Twas the final beat
As you fell asleep.

_____________________________

I apologize for the late update :(

But if you've read this far, I must thank you for your support. :)

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