Chapter 4
The next day, the weather was just as terrible, if not worse. The rain pounded against the window as winds whipped through the trees. Thunder roared and lightning cracked across the sky, leaving Sasori and Deidara stuck inside the Inn for the day. It was a real waste, but Sasori wasn't exactly keen on going out and getting water logged again. Though, maybe it would be worth it to escape this awkward atmosphere they've created.
Yesterday's incident was still making him seeth, though not for the reasons one might think. How could he have been so careless? To leave such an important picture in his cloak and forget it was even there. He must have been distracted when he last looked at it and simply forgot to put it back in his scroll pack. The Puppet Master looks over at his partner, Deidara simply laying on the bed staring at the ceiling while absently toying with a small ball of clay. He looked bored out of his mind, and Sasori didn't blame him. The rain really put a hold on his search and it's not like Deidara had any plans other than tagging along with Sasori.
Even still, he knew the other was going to start asking questions sooner or later, but Sasori wasn't ready to start giving any answers. There were too many 'what if' factors that Sasori just didn't want to happen. Deidara had a big mouth sometimes. Being just a few months shy of turning nineteen, if he remembers correctly, it meant that the youngest member of the Akatsuki had a tendency to overshare without even realizing it. Especially if he's bragging about his 'art'. Ask the right kind of questions while he's on his high horse and he'd spill anything to another Akatsuki member, and lord knows Sasori doesn't want any of the others to know about Mayumi. Konan knowing was more than enough for him.
"Danna?" The bomber finally spoke up, eyes still staring up at the ceiling.
Sasori sighed. "I don't wanna talk about it."
"But why not, hm?" Deidara sat up on the bed, finally looking at his partner in confusion. "You have no problem bragging about all your kills, all the puppets you've made, the reputation you made for yourself, so why is this-"
"Because all of that stuff is common knowledge if you know where to look and who to ask. This… this more personal. And I'm not in the mood to talk about it. Besides, it's none of your business anyway." Sasori started to sound irritated again. Deidara's questions were already picking at his nerves.
"You said she's someone important to you, so why isn't she here, hm? What, did you just abandon her back in the Sand village so you could go on with your creepy human puppet experiments?"
That was it. That one accusation is what finally made the Puppet Master snap. "Will you shut up!" Sasori watched as Deidara shrank back, clearly surprised that he'd actually yelled at him for once. "Despite what you may think, Deidara, you don't know a damn thing about me! All you know is what I've allowed you to know and that's it!" A loud crack of thunder sounded from outside, as if nature itself was mirroring Sasori's emotions. "I'm not as emotionless as you think, Deidara! Being a puppet didn't change the fact that I still have feelings, and right now I'm feeling pretty pissed that you'd have the fucking gall to insinuate that I abandoned her!" He stopped, running a hand through his hair and leaning back against the chair he sat in. This wasn't helping. None of this was helping. But Sasori just couldn't leave it at that. "I never abandoned her… I couldn't."
Deidara sat on the bed in a state of shock. That's twice now that Sasori's stoic personality cracked, and in less than a day. This 'Mayumi' girl must be a really sore topic for his partner if he's getting this worked up over Deidara seeing a picture and asking a few questions. But the bigger question is why was this such a sore subject? If Sasori didn't abandon her then what could have happened between the two that's causing his partner to have such a defensive reaction to Deidara finding out about her mere existence?
"Danna," he starts out slowly, trying not to make the Puppeteer any angrier, "I didn't mean to be rude, but what am I supposed to think? You're right when you say I don't know anything about you, so why don't you tell me, hm? We're supposed to be partners, right? We've been working together for two years now and, as much as I don't understand and find it kinda creepy, I really respect your art, hm." He watches Sasori closely. Trying to look out for any kind of body language that could tell him if he's about to be attacked or just ignored. So far, Sasori was eerily still. As if the Puppet Master was frozen in time. Guess that's what happens when you don't need to breath. There's no subtle movements, only intentional ones.
Sasori stayed quiet, really thinking this over. He wasn't ready for this. This was something just far too personal to share with some kid he's been planning on ditching the second he finds Mayumi. But, that's not what she would want. "You know, if she were here right now… she'd be so excited to get to know you."
"Huh?" Deidara looks at Sasori in confusion. "What do you mean, hm?"
"Mayumi was always loud and easily excitable, she'd be so interested in your art it's kind of funny to think about. I was always quiet, reclusive, barely liked interacting with people. But her? God, she was the complete opposite. She got along with everyone, loved being outside, and would do anything to put a smile on your face. She could've been with anyone in the Sand, but instead she chose to stay near me." Sasori pulled out the photo again. That smile of hers was contagious. "I really don't know what she saw in me."
"Danna…" Deidara took a chance and stood up from the bed, walking over slowly to stand beside Sasori. He looked down at the picture again, seeing just how happy the two looked. "What happened to her, hm?"
Sasori visibly flinched at the question, not wanting to think about the answer yet knowing this conversation will just keep coming up again until he gave it. He sighed heavily, placing the old photo onto the table before he accidentally ends up crushing it in his hand. "If I tell you… you have to swear to never repeat this to anyone. Understand?" He looks to his partner who's now taken the chair across from him. The blonde gives him a firm nod and Sasori steels himself for what he's about to say. It's been a long time since these words left his mouth, and they never got easier to say.
"She died."