AN: Wow, I must be bored...even though I do have plenty of things I COULD be doing (more like should) like studying for my test tomorrow, packing, watching that movie before I have to return it, working on The Mercenary Project...

But no...instead I choose to write fanfiction T-T How utterly pathetic. Yes...Sarah is in a vair emo mood.

Deidara eyed himself in the mirror as he combed through thick blonde weed that his hair become literally overnight. He winced as the brush struck a particularly large knot and bit his lip, tearing right through it and ripping several strands out in the process. "Damnit!" He hissed, rubbing the spot on the back of his head.

'Ugh...summer has got to be the worst season.'

He glanced behind him and glared at Itachi who was bathing behind him. 'How come his hair never frizzes?'

"Stop staring."

Deidara blinked, eyes narrowing at Itachi's naked back. "Oh don't act so modest. You don't mind the attention so long as it's Shark-face." He said, a smile running across his lips. “Watch yourself. Your mizuage is in a month and spoiled goods are worthless at auction.”

Itachi whipped his head around, frown fixed firmly in place as he glared red. "If you want to keep your tongue where it belongs, I suggest you hold it." He murmured, closing his eyes and running a towel through his wet locks, tugging a soft linen robe over his shoulders before tying a blue sash around the middle. He exhaled and snatched the brush right out of the blonde's hands, plucking the yellow hairs out before running the ridges through his own silky strands.

Scowling, Deidara tugged on his own robe and ripped the brush out of Itachi's hands. "Don't take what doesn't belong to you, Uchiha." he growled, stomping down the hallway to his room.

'Damn Uchiha...Acts like he knows everything...I swear...even his fucking name irritates me!'

Exhaling, he closed the sliding door and dropped the brush on his unmade bed and sat seiza style on the floor, tapping on the floorboards quietly. Suddenly, a slight creak met his ears and he grinned, lifting the board up and reaching his hand underneath to pull out a large damp sack from a tiny pail of water.

His fingers curled around the bundle, squeezing the contents as he loosed the drawstring.

'Good...still nice and moist down here. The water hasn't evaporated'

He closed his eyes as he rolled a ball of white clay between his palms. He then wet his fingertips with the water in the bucket and then pinched the sides of the ball, making edges. Cracks formed and he smoothed them over, slicking his fingers over the tips of the figurine as he worked.

'This is art, un. Crude and messy...unlike geishas and dancing and playing that fuckin' pipa.'

Poking his thumb into the head of his creation, he dimpled the white flesh and made an eye socket before creasing the edge over it for a brow. Nails dug into the creases and thinned them out, spreading the white clay evenly across. Smiling, he eyed his creation. The crane stood elegantly in his palm, wings spread and legs jaunty as if it had just landed. The long arched neck was about the length of his thumb and curled over to the side, looking far off to the left.

"Best form of stress relief." He whispered, cradling his creation to his chest as he began to breathe evenly. "Even beating the snot out of that bastard-Uchiha can't top this." He exhaled one last time and closed his eyes before fisting the wet clay, mashing the bird into a lump of white.

'Too bad it can't last though...otherwise it just goes unappreciated because it's always there..simply...taken for granted'

"Just like danna..."

Deidara opened the bag and placed the wet ball back into the bag, retying the strap carefully and lowering it back down into the bucket beneath the floorboards. He sat up and rubbed his clay hardened hands together, a couple of chips flaking off and falling to the floor. He sighed and stood, walking over to his wash basin to clean up the mess.

"I'll need to add more water soon."

“We got booked tonight to entertain Pein’s party.” Hidan stated, rubbing some paint onto his cheeks.

Deidara blinked.

Pein? “You mean Konan’s danna? That orange haired foreigner? Tons of weird piercings and the creepy eyes?”

Hidan sighed and checked himself in the mirror, pouting slightly before smoothing over the cream. “Yep, the very same. The event itself is supposed to be fairly classy so the bitch wants us to look and perform our best.” He snickered “More like she wants to impress that bastard…God I just hope I don’t have to fuckin' talk to him. He’s such a self-righteogous prick….it’s like he thinks he is God or something.”

Deidara rolled his eyes and picked up his brush, tearing it through his hair and pulling it into a half ponytail. “And this is coming from the guy who doesn’t ever shut up about how I should convert to Jashin.” He smiled and took the paint from Hidan and making a face. “Screw Konan, I’m not wearing this, un.” He muttered, pushing the bowl off to the side as he continued to tie his hair.

“Hey, there’s a difference between worshipping God and pretending to fucking be one.” Hidan said with a scowl as he slicked back his own cowlick ridden hair. "Ugh..."

“Alright…whatever.” Deidara shrugged as he watched Hidan bite his lip and use paste to force his rebellious hair down.

"Insulting the guests behind their backs...how distasteful." Both whipped their heads around as they heard the familiar voice andapproaching footsteps, the door sliding open to reveal Itachi. The brunette scowled as both of them, his robe loosely hugging his frame as he slide it off and added “Konan wants us to wear our new kimonos."

Deidara scowled and tore his own shirt off. “Great, just add another bill onto my debt, Konan. I swear I’ll be working here till I’m in my eighties, un.” Smirking, Hidan leaned over and whispered “I doubt anyone would find you attractive at that point, Dei-chan. Even Akasuna wouldn’t want an old fuck.”

"Yeah...whatev-" Deidara’s eyes widened for a moment before he frowned, dropping the brush into his lap where it toppled onto the floor with a clatter, his hands still frozen in place.

'He's right...no one would want an old wrinkled sack of bones...and it's been so long since he left.'

Hidan raised an eyebrow, waving a hand in front of Deidara's passive face. “Are you ok?” He snapped a couple of times. "You even there, blondie?" Deidara closed his eyes and suddenly stood, shaking his head at the silver haired man, “Whatever, asshole. I’m gonna go change, un.” He bent over and snatched the brush off of the floor, his knuckles burning white from the tight grip.

Hidan blinked. “What, no make-up? I told you, the blue-haired bitch wants us all dolled up for this shin-dig.” Deidara shrugged “I’ll just put on some powder and stuff, un. I’m really not in the mood to deal with that crap.”

He sighed and slammed the door behind him, bare feet slowly shuffling along towards the door at the end of the hall. He entered his room and leaned against the wall, palm clutching his face as he bit his lower lip.

‘He wouldn’t really reject me…would he? If he came back and I had gotten old…he wouldn’t. No of course he wouldn’t. He wouldn’t have bothered becoming my danna if he didn’t.’

Deidara felt his breath catch in his thought at the thought of Sasori looking just as young and beautiful as ever, still clothed in his military uniform, returning to the house only to find Deidara with a long gray beard, hunched back and gamy legs.

'Would he just move on?' He swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

“Deidara, come back here. I was only kidding about Akasuna and all that shit. Come on...I need your help with this fucking dress!" His eyes snapped back open as he swung around, his own half-done kimono dragging on the floorboards as Hidan entered the room only halfway through putting on his kimono. His face was already swabbed white and eyes lined with charcoal, but twisted in a firm frown. “Hey, can you help me?” he asked, crossing his arms as he leaned against the door frame.

Deidara leaned forward, his bangs swinging forward to hide his face. “Of course, just give me a second.” The blonde walked over to the basin and dipped his cupped palms into the water, splashing it to his face and patting his tearing eyes with a washcloth. He groped blindly for his make-up and picked up his powder, practically flinging it to his face.

Hidan tapped his foot against the door as Deidara stood and moved to take the remaining layers from him. The blonde slide the robes over and tied the thick sash into the tradition knot at the back. Hidan smiled and turned. “So what do ya think? I’m not so sure that purple works for me, but the red and white seems to even it out.” He looked towards Deidara who was beginning to put on his own kimono and said “Come here, blondie. You scratched my back.” He lifted the black sash from the floor and hugged Deidara from behind, wrapping the length around his hips.

Deidara inhaled as Hidan tightened the black sash, holding back his thin stomach. Hidan scowled and swept a hand back through his gelled hair. “You really do need more than just powder. The kimono is too nice to just leave you so plain.”

The silver haired man smirked and parted his hair with his index and middle finger. “Move it, asshole. We’re going to make you shine tonight; Itachi will just have to settle for third best this evening.”

Deidara exhaled as he looked upon the spacious house glowing under the light of several lanterns hung around the grounds. No moon graced the skies, but the stars gave him enough light to make his way through the rough path over to the grand mansion.

'Let's hope Konan won't notice me coming in so late.'

The door slid open and Deidara froze, his entire face caught in the well lit room and shadowed by the person blocking his entrance. The man in the doorway chuckled and bowed low, his head catching the light.

"Ah, the beauty that graces this home. You look wonderful tonight, Deidara-san. Are you planning on gracing us with a dance?" the tall pale man in a dragon mask inquired as Deidara relaxed and eyed the mass of moving bodies from the porch outside of the building.

Sweeping his bangs back he squinted at the figure before whispering, "Hoshigaki-san?"

Kisame straightened his mask and lifted it up, revealing a sharp-toothed smirk to the geisha. "So are you going to dance as well? You're all dolled up for something." The blonde glanced down at himself, taking in the flattering blue robe and laughed, removing his pipa from his sleeve. "Sorry, Hoshigaki-san. It's just the usual set up with a different dance and song, un."

Kisame sighed and pulled his mask back over his face. "That's too bad. I was hoping to be the only one watching Uchiha-san but once again he is the one thrust into the limelight." The albino laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Just promise me to keep that little secret away from Konan, ok? By the way, how are you feeling?"

Deidara almost rolled his eyes. 'I'd hardly call what you two have a secret.' "Much better, un. But I'd rather not be here still..."

Kisame chuckled, his throaty voice muffled slightly from his mask. "I know what you mean...Well I'd best go pay my respects to my host before the show starts." Deidara nodded and said "Yeah, and I'm already late as it is. The others left without me because I was taking so long. I blame Hidan for encouraging me." They exchanged curt bows and Kisame made his exit into the crowd of masked guests, Deidara following suit.

The rectangular room was packed with people, some sitting down with their masks laid down and already drinking, their red cheeks pulled high as they laughed and chattered while those who remained standing talked animatedly behind their masks. Finding a couple of empty seats, he made his way towards the back of the room.

Deidara set the pipa down slowly as he took his seat besides a man wearing a large dog mask. He offered the man a light smile as the other guests around them kindly beckoned the newest member of their party with drinks which he politely refused. The blonde swept a hand through his hair and sighed, his eyes barely catching the swirl of colors glinting off the numerous masks all adorned by the closest friends and assocites of one of the biggest economical players in all of Japan.

A bright orange mask flittered past his gaze and Deidara blinked. Turning his neck around, he saw a tall man garbed completely in black with an oval shaped mask staring directly at him. The man stood there for a moment before immersing smoothly back in with the other masks, disappearing from the geisha's sight.

The blonde bit his lip as he took the pipa in his lap and bounced off a few chords, his gaze turning to the other side of the room where most of the people were gathered around the host of the celebration.

Pein, a tall spiky haired ginger, stood at the front of the room with a slender blue-haired woman sitting seiza style to his right. A frown was fixed tight to her face as her fingers shifted over the paper flower knotted in her hair. Deidara smirked at the grinning man laughing at the front of the room.

'What a faker...it's so obvious that it's a dye job...What a foreign flirt.'

Deidara rolled his eyes as Pein straightened the flower for her, laughing at the deepening frown on her pale face. Smirking, he took her hand and kissed it enough so to make even Konan's cheeks tint pink. Sighing, Konan slipped a hand into her kimono and pulled out a new piece of paper, her long nails pressing down and folding it into a triangle.

She bit her lip, smudging the paint a tad as she produced a small white lily. Pein smirked and plucked the flower from her hand, raising it into the air for all of his guests to see.

"Ah, Deidara, have you met Kakuzu-san yet?"

The blonde whipped his head around to see Hidan pouring some sake for a broad green eyed man wearing nothing but a black scarf around his nose and mouth for a mask. "Apparently, he and Pein went to school together and met up in England." Deidara fought back a chuckle, recognizing the look in Hidan's purple irises.

'Uh oh...another victim for Hidan...'

Kakuzu shifted in his seat and bowed his head in Deidara's direction. A gruff "Pleased to meet you, un." Was uttered while Hidan snickered silently next to him. "And what do you do for a living, Kakuzu-san?" He said, shooting a sharp glare to Hidan before returning his gaze up to the tanned man sitting stiffly across from him.

"Tax collector."

'Ah, no wonder Hidan's after his blood. Well he should just give up. This guy is as likely to convert to Jashin as I am to become an artist...'

"The amazing talent of the beautiful dark rose of Japan." Pein announced, gesturing towards the silent blue-haired woman as she finished making a neat stack of paper animals and flowers. Konan bowed her head and accepted the grand appreciative applause before she turned to face Itachi on her right, nodding once. The brunette remained silent and stood, hands clasped together in his sleeves as he walked into the center of the congregation, his gaze never once flickering over to Kisame under Konan's watch.

Everyone went silent, faces flickering up to the towering figure as he made his way out onto the makeshift stage. Deidara exhaled and gave one last nod to Kakuzu before picking up his instrument. 'Here we go...'

His fingers stroked the strings, setting a nice low tempo as Itachi began to sway to the beat, his long draping kimono seeming to barely cling to his slim body as he moved.

Suddenly, Deidara's gaze caught an unmasked man behind Itachi and the crowd walking up to the head of the room. He tapped Pein's shoulder lightly and the ginger-haired man inclined his head, the stranger whispering a few quick words into his ears. Also watching the two carefully, Konan gnawed her lower lip, dark eyes never leaving his face as it dipped into a slight frown.

Hitting the wrong chord, Deidara turned his attention back to a now angry Itachi who caught both fans and spread them, twisting them once more before flinging the back into the air, his message obvious.

'Focus on the task at hand!'

Hands still running across the strings, the blonde nodded once but his gaze wandered to the audience who watched Itachi with wide amazed eyes through their festive masks.

All except one for orange mask which was staring right at him.

Deidara blinked, missing another note in the process, which produced a small scowl from Itachi before he went back to continuing to dance as if nothing had happened. The blonde swallowed and also returned to his craft, striking each note carefully as Itachi continued to flutter across the floor like a swan: elegant, yet intimidating as all hell.

'I'm so dead when we get back to the house. I'll get an earful from Konan, but Uchiha will never let me hear the end of this!'

Suddenly, the song ended with a low chord and the brunette swept into a low bow, his sleeves draping over his hands as the audience clapped and exchanged compliments for the stoic dancing geisha. Itachi scowled at Deidara as everyone settled back down in their seats and the food was served by Pein's servants. The orange haired man lifted his sake cup and toasted to a glorious victory in the war in which everyone cheered and drank. Deidara eyed his platter and alcohol before scooting both aside and exhaling deeply, eyes closing as his fingers absently plucking at the pipa strings.

"I'm impressed." Deidara stiffened as he felt a warm body slide into the space next to him "You play beautifully. A true instrumental artist." a slightly high-pitched man's voice cooed into his ear.

The blonde opened his eyes again. "Thank you very much, si-" He stopped, breath caught in his chest as he stared into the same ridiculous swirled mask as before, which upclose, he could see had only one eyehole cut out. The man chuckled, his short spiky hair wafting lightly in the open summer breeze that swept through the house, the outside scent carrying with it the man's own personal smell of...was that gunpowder?

Deidara watched as the dark haired man laughed and lifted the edge of his mask for a moment to drink his sake. "I've always wanted to learn how to play one actually...but I lacked the talent and practice." He sighed contently and placed the empty cup down on the floor, his hand reaching up and running over the pipa strings. Deidara felt a shiver run up his spine as he scooted his knee away from the man's side.

'Let's get this over with as quickly as possible.'

He smiled at the man, plucking lightly at his collar. "I'm going to be honest to you, un. I hate playing this thing." Deidara lamented, tucking his legs under him and sweeping his robes out of the way as he cradled the pipa. The man chuckled and leaned forward "And why is that? Such a beautiful art form should be cherished and admired...especially by the artist"

Deidara felt his fingers twitch.

'Art form?'

The masked man leaned back and tilted his head back "I have to say I'm curious to know as to why the artist hates his art." He said with a click of his tongue. The blonde's smile fell and his grip loosened around the neck of his instrument as the man placed his hand over the pipa and plucked a few chords. Biting his tongue, he said. "I really don't know why, un..."

The man blinked behind his mask. "Really? You don't know why you despise playing?" He said, pinching his own chin between his thumb and forefinger. "But you seem to know it well and you create such artistic melodies with it. I don't really see how-" The man trailed off, seeing the whites of the blonde's knuckles and placed a hand on Deidara's knee.

"Are you quite all right? You seem a bit tense..." He paused and looked up at the painted ceiling "Have I said something wrong?

"It's not art!"

The man blinked and looked back down at Deidara who was gripping the neck of the pipa with white knuckles. The blonde glared hard at the floor as he said "There is nothing artistic about it, un!"

For a moment, there was silence between them...but then the man snickered into his mask and lifted it up to take a swig of sake. "I'm not quite sure I understand."

Deidara almost rolled his eyes and dropped the pipa in his lap, flexing his fingers. 'I didn't expect you to. Not even Danna could.' "It's not worth explaining." He rested his jaw against his collarbone and glared up at the man to his right.

'Not now...you'll never see this guy again after tonight...keep calm'

"How about I pour you some more sake and we move on to better topics? What about the war, un? I haven't heard much news from the front." He smiled, the lips twitching at the corners as he brought the sake bottle up to the stranger's cup and filled it, his hands shaking considerably.

The masked man watched him silently for a moment before taking the filled sake glass and bursting into peels of laughter.

Deidara raised an eyebrow. "What is so amusing, un?"

The stranger sniffled and turned to face Deidara "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to laugh, but I have never seen anyone talk the way you do...Are you sure you are a geisha?" He nodded to himself when Deidara remained silent and said "You seem so much more..human.."

The blonde blinked. 'What?'

Deidara felt fingertips under his chin, lifting it up to eye-level. He fought back a glare as the older male gently turned his face to the side and used his other hand to brush away his bangs, exposing his entire face to that single glaring eye-hole. A flash of red crossed the blonde's eye and he inhaled sharply, his adam's apple lowering as he swallowed hard.

The man snickered, his voice lowering to a husky whisper "Don't be afraid." his gloved thumb brushed lightly over the painted cheek, a couple of white flakes falling away to the floor and revealing the peach-colored flesh beneath.

"To be truly honest myself, I've never enjoyed the company of geishas...and yet here I am, sitting here and talking with you because it's what I am supposed to do...I don't want to look bad in front of all these people by being rude and reject my host's generosity...but as 'beautiful' as many have claimed them to be, I've never felt that it ever went past their masks of paint."

He sighed and pushed his mask back flush against his face "I hate you artisans because they are always so distant...like they are not really there. Dolls...beautiful dolls to be admired and revered. However I've always believed that beauty...is only beautiful when it's real. Just like your pipa...to you, it's just something to please the mistress and score points from and for your employers, but you don't enjoy it. That much is obvious."

He pushed a few strands of hair back behind Deidara's ear and whispered "You are no geisha. It is as obvious as the color of your eyes. There is life, fire and such desire...such plain blatant desire in your eyes."

He breathed, the dark eye hole of his mask lining up with Deidara's own dark blue set. He leaned forward so that the edge of his mask touched Deidara's cheek, the smooth slide of cool porcelain over his skin causing the blonde to stiffen.

"There is so much more to you than a pretty face..and that is what has drawn me to you this evening." He whispered, his gunpowder scent once again gushing over Deidara's frown wrinkled face.

'Wait a minute...'

Carefully pulling his way out of the man's grasp, Deidara reached out for his abandoned cup of alcohol and took a quick swig. He shook his head at Tobi and laughed, placing a hand in front of his face. "I'm sorry, but I have a danna."

He laughed again and refilled his own cup. "Flirting with me will get you nowhere. Itachi-san however will be priced soon so I suggest placing your bid, un." He said, eyes narrowing in on the orange mask as he placed the rim back to his lips. He smirked over the ceramic and closed his eyes, sipping gently at the bitter liquid.

The man coughed and chuckled, scratching the back of his neck with a gloved hand. "Contrary to what you are probably thinking at this very moment, I am attracted to you, but I'm not a deranged pervert. I am interested in more than just your physical appearance...I already mentioned before I believe." He paused "and could you tell me exactly why you think that I would be attracted to my own nephew?"

Deidara choked on his sake, almost sloshing some down his front and causing those clustered around him to lean in to offer their concern. He shook his head, waving them off as he answered “I’m fine. Sorry.” He cleared his air passage and swallowed hard.

"Nephew?" He rasped, whirling around to face the brunette with wide blue eyes.

The man laughed, bowing his head "Ah, sorry, I guess I never properly introduced myself. I am Uchiha Tobi, but you may call me by my first name. Now-" He turned to face Deidara again and chuckled, reaching out his hand. "May I ask for yours?"

The blonde snorted and exhaled. 'If I don't tell him, he'll just ask Konan later on' "Deidara is the name I was given, un."

Tobi hummed under his mask. "Deidara...strange name." He muttered thoughtfully, tapping a finger against his chin. "Why would a geisha be called 'mud'?" He paused again "Especially one so fair." Leaning in towards Deidara's face, he ran his hand down over the blonde's arm and chuckled. "Care to share your story with me?"

Face flushing slightly, Deidara swept back his bangs again and coughed into his palm. "It's not much of a story, un. I just liked getting dirt-” His eyes widened as clamped his lips shut and coughed again. "It really doesn't matter...trust me."

Tobi snickered “Really now? I'm sure that isn't the case.” He leaned in again and the blonde inched away, watching as the man's hand reached out for his knee "Uchiha-sa-"

Suddenly, the room went quiet again and Deidara gasped, snatching the pipa off the ground as Hidan took the stage this time. Tobi eyed the silver-haired geisha before turning back to face the blonde, "Will you be performing a dance then, Deidara-san?"

Scowling, the blonde straightened his robes and huffed "I play the pipa and pour the tea. That's all." Exhaling, he bowed his head low as his fingers pulled gently at the chords. "I have no talent for it."

At the front of the room, Hidan schooled his face into a seductive smirk before removing a long thin ribbon from his neck, dragging it slowly across his throat. Deidara struck the first string and the silver haired man began a slow paced waltz; each step exaggerated, making the whole performance more erotic than anything else.

Tobi lowered his own head "That's too bad...I would really like to see you dance." He sighed, his gaze roving over Deidara's fingers as he played. Deidara's eyes narrowed as he watched Tobi out of the corner of his vision gently start tapping his foot to the beat and begin to whistle.

Biting his lip Deidara turned away and concentrated on the tones as Hidan slowly spun, his robe following almost as a shadow and the ribbon wrapping around his arms and waist binding him. He flashed the crowd a smile before dropping to his knees, bound wrists held out in front of him like a begging child. Deidara's fingers sung the last chord and his head fell limp against his chest, short-cropped hair splaying out on his collarbone as he panted slowly, his pale torso heaving.

Clapping insued and Hidan soaked it all up like a dishrag before taking his seat next to Kakuzu whose green eyes were slightly wider than previous to Hidan's little show.

Tobi smiled and applauded Hidan as well "My my, so Itachi isn't the only center-stager here tonight." He remarked.

Hidan just flashed him a smirk and said "You bet your ass he isn't!" before downing a cup of sake and wrapping an arm around Kakuzu's neck, fingers carassing his collarbone. Deidara rolled his eyes and hissed "Foul-mouthed moron, un." as he pulled a strand of hair back.

Tobi chuckled and turned back to Deidara "and as I mentioned before, you are extremely talented yourself." He said as Deidara tucked the pipa into his robe, his eyes following the geisha's callused hands. Deidara shook his head and said “Any idiot can play if they’ve had enough practice. It’s just the same notes over and over again. There is no variation. Memorization is all you need to learn, un.” He scowled.

'Even by danna's definition...it isn't art.'

He could just tell that the man was grinning at him behind his mask. "Well then since it is so easy, would you be willing to teach me then, Deidara-senpai?"

He felt his face flush and the man chuckled, reaching over to pluck the pipa from his lap. The blonde inhaled and watched as Tobi arranged his fingers along the chords before looking back up at the blonde and nodding his head.

Nodding once, Deidara watched as he tapped his fingers over the chords experimentally, a few low notes playing gently in the laughter filled air. He snapped a little too hard on one and created an irritatingly high-pitched echo, which drew the attention of many. Tobi laughed, his voice almost breaking halfway through and handed the instrument back to Deidara “Why don’t you play for me. I always learn best through example.”

Deidara blinked and slowly took the pipa into his arms.

"I am interested in more than just your physical appearance"

He folded his hands over the wooden instrument and glanced up at Tobi whose gaze was locked on his fingers. The blonde sighed and slowly began to play, this time a slow drawn out tone emerging from the pipa.

‘This was the song I first played for Danna…’

Dropping the last note, he closed his eyes and placed the pipa down on the floor. Tobi applauded and touched Deidara’s arm. “That was beautiful!” He said, picking up the pipa and settingly it in his lap. Deidara opened his eyes and watched as Tobi set his fingers and began to play, the same tune pouring out..but this time it was perfect. The blonde’s eyes widened as Tobi did not fail to miss a single note.

It was if he had somehow-

'He's been pretending to be ignorant to try and weasel his way in...what a mother fucking-'

“You liar! You could play all along, un!” He said with a flush, standing up and overturning a few drinks onto the rug. Everyone stopped their chattering to stare at the flushed blonde with his white-knuckled fists clenched hard at his sides. Tobi looked up at the geisha and said "I did not mean to offend you, senpai...but I am a fast learner. I pick up visual things very quickly." his voice thick and even, completely different from before.

"Liar!" Deidara said again, his blue eyes flashing in the dim lantern glow.

"Deidara!" Every head swung back to see Konan, who had also risen to her feet. "That's enough out of you." She scowled at the blonde and nodded towards the door. Deidara snorted and nodded back, exiting the room post-haste and flinging one last glare at Tobi's orange mask.

The blue haired woman sighed and turned to Tobi, a firm frown set on her lips. “I’m so terribly sorry. I knew I shouldn’t have brought him tonight. You see he has been rather antsy since his Danna left six months ago.” She exhaled. "He isn't one to keep personal problems separate from work."

Tobi simply nodded and began stacking the sake cups that Deidara had upturned.

“Understandable. He is worried for the man he loves. I am not surprised that he is upset. I'd imagine that it must be painful for him to be forced to paint on a pretty smile and act like he is enjoying himself and that he is happy, while worry for his lover is eating away at his inner strength and resolve. No one person could take that kind of stress for very long without snapping like that."

Konan heaved a heavy sigh and straightened her robes, smoothing all the creases as she tucked the edges underneath her folded legs. “Still, that does not excuse his behavior. He is a geisha before anything else and he knows that. He has been rude and selfish and mark my words, he will be punished for this infraction later..but in the meantime, if there is any way I can make this up to you, pleas-“

“I would like to have him play for me...and don't punish him either, honorable mistress. He may be a geisha before a lover, but he is human before even that.”

Konan blinked and swept back a loose strand of her short blue hair. “The punishment cannot be wavered off by your will alone, Uchiha-san; he has had this coming to him for a long time...but you wish to book him? Are you sure after the horrible manners he has shown you?”

Tobi grinned behind his mask and nodded “Yes. I found him to be a rather interesting young man…how old is he by the way. He seems rather young to have a Danna already.” Tobi brought a hand up to pinch his chin between the thumb and forefinger "My guess was around ninetee-"

“He’s seventeen." Konan interjected, her eyes narrowing as she eyed this strange man. "Two years older than Itachi. Akasuna-san bought his mizuage when he was fifteen and became his Danna ten months later for some reason.” She sighed. “It was actually quite a shock when Akasuna-san came to me and asked for him. Out of all my geishas, male or female, Deidara is at most, average in skill. The only thing that has kept him off the streets is his exotic appearance. After all, lots of people will pay extra for a beautiful blonde at their table.“

'Akasuna...as in Akasuna Sasori?'

“When did you buy him? How old was he?”

Konan frowned, eyes narrowing. “He was ten. I don’t know where he came from…I just paid for a kitchen boy and ended up with a pretty blonde. I decided he could possibly be more of a money-maker as a geisha and so I sent him to school with Itachi and Hidan.”

Tobi nodded and watched as she poured him a drink, which he took gratefully.

“Interesting…so when can I book him?"

Ok...this chapter took forever (and STILL manages to be crappy) so please...review?