Ao Shogi

"S-Sasuke-kun.. I, um, I was wondering if.. maybe, we could-"

"I don't have time. I have to go home and train more."

"Oh.. o-okay, well maybe tomorrow-"

"Training."

"The next day?.."

Sasuke turned to look at Sakura, a look of slight annoyance in his childish face. "I'm too busy for stupid girls."

Sakura stood silent in shock, staring at Sasuke with watery tea green eyes. Sasuke was a little taken back by how hard she took it, opening his mouth to try to explain, and reaching out his hand. But before he could get more than "Sakura.." out of his mouth, Sakura had already dashed in the other direction. 'Sasuke-kun hates me! He thinks I'm anoying! He'll never love me..!' She thought sadly, tears trickling down her soft, pale cheeks and flying behind her as she continued to run through the streets of Konoha. She ignored all the strange looks she got from the people around her, shutting her eyes and brushing past a few by-standers, untill she got to a less crouded part of the area.

Ever since the day she saw Sasuke, she'd been nothing but obsessed with getting him to notice her. She started trying harder, becoming smarter and as strong as she could. Were all those efforts put to waste simply because he just didn't like her? The thought just brought more tears to her eyes.

Finally, she stopped at the big red bridge, leaning over slightly to catch her breath. She'd managed to stop crying, so she wiped her tears away from her face. She found herself looking over the railing and into the clear water. She had to stand up on one of the wooden edges of the bridge to see over it, though. After a while of looking at her reflection, continuesly rubbing her eyes to try and get rid of their redness.

"That will just make it worse, yeah."

Sakura quickly whirrled around. How could there be anyone els here? When she arrived, she hadn't seen anyone remotely close to the bridge, certainly no one that looked like these two. "A- ah.. I.. I know.." She said, jumping off from the railing and leaning back against it.

"Then why were you doing it?"

Sakura didn't seem to have a straight answer for this.. "I just was.." She answered quietly, averting her eyes from the two. She'd never seen them before, who were they? Maybe from another village? The blonde had a headband on.. but it had been slashed through.

Deidara chuckled, and stepped closer to her. "What's a pretty girl like you have to cry about, anyways, mm?" He asked, knealing down infront of her and stroaking her cheek softly. Sakura blushed lightly, and lowered her head in embarrassment. "Well I.. theres.. this boy I like.. a- and-" Sakura suddenly gasped and jerked her head back. What just touched her..? Deidara slowly withdrew his hand with a small grin, the tongue slightly extended from the mouth on his palm. "Sorry about that. I couldn't seem to help myself.."

Sakura stared in amazement as the mouth closed up again, and he stood back up. What on earth was that? She wanted one! "Wow! That's really cool!" She exclaimed, a smile appearing on her soft pink lips. It felt good to smile again, to forget about Sasuke for a little while.

Sasori stepped up beside Deidara, and looked down at the girl. "You have to come with us now." He stated bluntly. Deidara coughed, and stepped infront of his partner. "What he means is.." He paused, to turn around and give him a look that asked 'What the fuck are you doing?' ".. That we could make you stronger, IF you come with us. That boy you like would notice you more, hmm."

Sakura looked up at the two of them with big green eyes, thinking about what they had just said. They would make her stronger? "If I stay here I can get strong, too.." She murmured. "But, we can make you stronger, faster." Sasori quickly added. Sakura looked down for a moment. This was a delicate situation.. she knew nothing about these men. But, if they could make her stronger, when she got back life would be alot easier on her.

Her eyes slowly wandered down Sasori's body, taking in his clothes and over all appearence. Red hair, red eyes, a completely stotic expression adorned his facial features. The blonde seemed to be a lot more happy and nice..

"Well.. I guess I could go with you.." She murmured. Deidara turned to grin at Sasori, who remained emotionless. "But.." She started to add, Both of them turned to listen to her. "Could you maybe.. teach me how to paint my nails like that?"