Death, life and hatred (Naruto)

Chapter Seventeen- The acknowledgement

Fire burns....

"Puppet-san..."

The voice rang through the air with an eerie tone to it, causing Sasori to snap out of the apparent contemplative trance he had fell into whilst staring at the painting, focusing his attention on the smiling boy who peeked up at him with the seemingly glowing eyes, voice carefully bland as he spoke:

"Leader-sama is asking you to come down for dinner."

Rinnegan eyes lit up briefly with what seemed like amusement at the response, never leaving the puppet as he rose to a stand, making his way to in front of the puppet who merely stared at him with a scowl, but it was really just a rather horrible attempt at a mask to try to hide his interest. Sasori briskly turned and began to make his way to the kitchen, Shou wandering dreamily alongside him. They walked in silence, a hidden tension running high due to Sasori's suspicion and curiosity. The boy was strange, yes, but the painting more so. It was interesting to him, as he had not known anyone else to make art with the parts of humans. The act of immortalising something extracted from the human body was rather subjective taste to many and was often viewed as cruel, but the boy painted with the life liquid of humans. Perhaps the boy understood his art....

Perhaps...

"Brat."

The boy hummed in acknowledgement, eyes glancing towards him before returning to the area in front of him.

"Why do you refer to me as 'Puppet-san'?"

Shou giggled turning so his hair obscured most of his face as he grinned at Sasori, replying in a voice tinted by laughter:

"I don't know your name and you are a puppet..."

He mused over this for a few moments, before remembering that they had never actually spoken and he truly didn't wish to be refered to with such a name, so he reluctantly grunted in reply:

"Sasori."

The sound of delighted laughter rang through the silence as Shou beamed at Sasori at the response, causing the older male to scowl slightly as they continued to walk towards the lunching. But, little did he know, amusement danced among the eyes that were bearing into him, as something, something he found hilarious came from it.

And if you listen very closely- strain your ears and observe, watch carefully and focus on the laughter and the laughter alone- a hint of mockery was submerged deep, deep beneath it all.

But Sasori didn't notice why he laughed. He was oblivious.

And that made him laugh harder, for it was all so very entertaining.

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The two entered the dining room to be greeted by multiple pairs of eyes focusing on them, the tension in the air increasing faintly as they stared and stared and stared unblinkingly for what felt like hours, but in actuality was only a few seconds. Sasori stood rigid and impatient, hidden behind the facade of being emotionless, whilst Shou merely lingered there apparently uncaring of the rising tension. Pein spoke:

"Shou. You are to join us for dinner. Please keep that in mind in the future."

Shou nodded quietly, his eyes sliding shut into a smile that was only shown by the upturn of his mouth and the crinkling around his eyes, silence remaining heavy with tension as the rest of the room bristled. A brief moment passed before Pein spoke again, seeing no point in allowing the silence to drag on any longer:

"Take your seats."

At this, Sasori briskly moved to take his seat beside Orochimaru, irritation carefully contained behind a scowl that remained in place. Shou, however, remained where he was, making no move to sit down as the other members waited in confusion, unable to understand why. His eyes had opened, purple rings staring out at them indecipherabely for an uncomfortable period of incomprehension until Konan, upon grasping why advised:

"You may sit beside Kisame."

The boys smile grew slightly as he replied with a confirmative hum as he slid into the seat beside the tall male who grinned at him as he did so. And then, at last the meal could start.

For the tensions had been left to boil far too long.

And if not careful, they will burn in their own flames.

...raging destruction on those who try to control it.

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Well, I'm not overly fond on how this chapter went but I shall post it anyway. I think this story is going to go rather slow as I want there to be character development and some things to happen before Canon starts. But that will take so freaking long.