"Sasori, regarding the One Tails-" The man stopped talking. I glanced over from the table I was at working on one of the many puppets Sasori assigned me to detail to see a blonde man staring at me from the doorway.

He donned the red clouds on a black cloak, one I've seen many times on Sasori. "Who are you?" His face twisted with confusion. I just continued to stare at him.

This is my first time meeting any other members aside from the sadist puppet master.

Another potential teacher. "My name is Miyuna. I'm currently Sasori's protege." I greeted the blonde. The blonde just stared at me weirdly. "You're . . . Sasori's protege? Willingly?" He asked to make absolutely sure.

I nodded my head. He didn't look like he could comprehend it. "You're in the way." The redhead spoke in his usual cold voice.

The blonde nearly jumped at his sudden appearance. "Move. And quit bothering her. She's got work to do." He demanded, walking past the blonde. He glanced over at the puppets I've done. "So?"

I nodded, standing and laying out some of the puppets I've done. "I made sure that they were built tougher, able to withstand more attacks than normal. Just as you requested, I created many little pockets so many weapons and smoke bombs could be stored in. I followed your recipe on the poisons and made sure to coat everything in them." I informed him as he inspected one.

It's been about a month since I've started working with Sasori. And he's taught me many things. He even gave me some recipes for strong poisons, stronger than any I've seen in the Leaf.

"The shell could be more appealing, but otherwise it's nice. You've still got a long way to go though. Continue honing your skills." He told me, putting down the puppet.

I nodded, a faint smile on my face. "Yes. Thank you."

The blonde still looked relatively baffled. "I can't believe you actually took on a student." The blonde said, shaking his head.

"You're still here?" Sasori asked, not bothering to look back at him. The blondes eye twitched at that. "Stop being a nuisance Deidara. You'll get to know more of her. I want you to start teaching her." My eyes widened slightly at the red heads sudden proclamation. Even the blonde was rendered speechless.

"What?" He finally asked after a few minutes. Sasori spared him a glance. "She's a greedy one. Power hungry really. But she's willing to do anything to do so. She wants to learn from the best and she's chosen our group. Or do you not want to?" He asked, although his voice remained cold.

Deidara blinked. "Uh, no, that's fine. For you to even ask shows how much of a value she could be, yeah." Sasori nodded before looking me in the eyes.

"We'll be leaving on a mission in a few days to the Land of Wind. After we get back you'll start lessons with him, but I expect you to keep your lessons with me. You're far too early to quit working on your skills."

Excitement buzzed within me but I did my best to keep it hidden. "Yes. Thank you Sasori, Deidara." I nodded at them.

Deidara offered a small smile at me before looking at the puppet master. "I want to go over the plans for that mission. Is now a good time?" Sasori sighed loudly, as if the blonde is a big inconvenience.

Which he might be, I don't know.

"Keep working on these. When I get back we'll finish and then we'll be going to a village to do some work." He informed me before walking out with the blonde following after him.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat. I'm going to learn from another person. A smile crept on my lips.

Sasori is a pain in the ass, cold hearted and aloof. But I couldn't help but grow fond of him at the same time. He's been teaching me for a long time now, but this month we've been together nonstop has really helped in his teachings. And the only reason he's so cold is because he believes full heartedly he's the ultimate puppet.

He doesn't think he has feelings. But I think he does. Every now and then he'll be kind. Well, as kind as he can get at least.

If it wasn't for his known crimes, I would think he's secretly a nice person. But I do know his crimes and I know a bit of him as well. He's just thrown himself into his own role. Trying to convince him otherwise would be pointless.

Besides, he is a bad man. I don't mean it in a cruel way, it's just a fact. I'm a bad person as well. We do terrible things because we choose too. That's just that.

Despite my fondness for him, he sure is a slave driver. The guy doesn't ever do things for free and anytime it seems like it, it's just a ploy to get me to do something for him.

Killing people, delivering items, making poisons, puppets, train with chakra strings, it's endless really.

But it's necessary. And there's so much I'm learning. Plus, having something to do takes my mind off of the impending doom that's bound to happen when Sasuke and Itachi finally crosses paths.

Haru's been sending me reports. All they need is to get Jugo now and then they're all set. I sighed and put down the tools and laid my head on the table.

Now that Sasori has gained some trust in me, maybe I could ask him about Blood Release. He was once partners with Orochimaru. Maybe he can help me even.

The door soon opened and the said man returned. "What are you lazing around for? Get back to it." He stated. I stared at his stoic face. Should I ask him? Asking can't be too hard.

But he's Sasori of the Red Sand for crying out loud.

"Why did you turn yourself into a puppet?" I asked instead, still staring at him. Despite his ever emotionless stare, his eyes widened a fraction. "That's a sudden question." He stated.

I shrugged, crossing my arms on the table. He studied me a bit before sitting across from me and taking a tail for one of the puppets.

"I've told you that I am a fan of art, right?" It wasn't phrased like one, but I nodded nonetheless.

"Yes. You said puppetry is an artform and that's why you're the best." I said, remembering his words from one of our first encounters.

"You see I believe fine art is everlasting and should remain far, far into the future, it's beauty remaining the same. Puppets are everlasting and are works of arts that are crafted by an individual. That's why." He simply told me, attaching strings to the tail to check out it's features and how well it moves.

I see. So he did it for art? "Did you and Orochimaru share the same view? What with him transfering to another body to live longer? You were partners once, right?" I asked.

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "That isn't art. He was a fool and a traitor." I blinked.

There was . . . some hate in his tone. Sasori showing emotion and in his voice too? Wow. "What's with the questions?" He demanded, putting down the tail. I sighed and sat up a bit.

"Orochimaru experimented on all of his followers. I'm no exception." I started. Sasori wasn't surprised, probably even expecting it. "I chose to allow it, so I'm not complaining about it. I knew what staying with him would entail. But the last experiment he did on me kind of affected my . . . mind. A lot more than the others even."

None of the experiments were happy. All of them screwed with my mind but I was strong enough to get through it.

But this last one, this god damn Blood Release. I-I don't know if I can handle it.

"What was it? An old style? Amphibian abilities? The Curse Mark?" He asked. Curse Mark, huh? I'd rather have it back. I fought with Orochimaru every step of the way to get rid of mine.

But I'd rather have the damn hindrance than this. "No. It's Blood Release." To this his eyebrows shot up.

"He managed to finally do it? And for you, a child, to survive." He mused. Irritation bubbled in me but I held my tongue.

After thinking for a bit, he turned his attention back to me. "So you're having trouble with your mind. Random violent thoughts? Sudden blood lust?" He knows about it. About the feeling. Maybe Orochimaru discussed it with him before. Then he might know about the voice. And that hallucination I had when it was first embedded in me.

He won't believe you. I stilled a bit before scowling at the table. He won't. And he won't care. Your his weapon. I grind my teeth and closed my eyes, willing the voice to go away.

"I see. There may be some notes he left behind. You're having a hard time learning how to control it. We'll see if the notes can help, but it's best to learn from someone who has that Kekkei Genkai." He stated.

Huh? "Kabuto said there aren't any left with it."

Sasori scoffed at that. "There are some. Not a lot. I can have one of my men search for one." Wow. That's nice. What's the catch this time?

I stared at him, waiting for the ridiculous thing he wants me to do in return. "Stop staring and get back to work." He demanded, working on another limb. What the? No catch? Is he sick? No, he's a puppet. He can't get sick.

This is the same Sasori who took out an entire nation. He's known to kill ruthlessly and without hesitation.

Hell! He even told me he took out the Third Kazekage! Just to make a strong puppet!

I shook my head and began to continue working on the puppet. Every now and then I'd steal glances at him. A ruthless killer who doesn't take any consideration for others.

He continued to work, full attention on the limb. A small smile slipped onto my face.

Not such a puppet now, are you?

~

The notes that Orochimaru left behind were copies of what he had me study. But Sasori told me that he sent someone to find the others with it. Until then, I just stayed here and continued my training.

Deidara and I have only had two conversations but that's because Sasori doesn't want him to train me till after this mission in the Land of Wind. Doesn't want; 'the moron to be distracted' or something along those lines.

I told Sasori that I might check in on Sasuke. He demanded to know where. Haru had told me he and Sasuke would be at one of the abandoned bases for a while. With Suigetsu and Karin of course.

But they're taking a break so they could wait for my information on Itachi and make plans based off the information. And there is the fact that I may visit them. The only reason Sasuke stopped. I heard he was upset about stopping, but Haru wore him down.

Naturally, I told Sasori the location of the base, not wanting to keep unnecessary secrets. Besides, he won't do anything. It's precaution.

In case I do stay, Sasori told me to train by the base he'll be returning to. They should be back soon. Maybe another hour.

I'm currently out in the forest, doing my regular training. I don't want to be rusty. I kept on jabbing the air when I felt the ground tremble slightly.

What the? What was that? It wasn't natural. But I don't sense anyone around. Hm

I kneeled down and laid my hand on the ground. Squinting a bit, I see there's no chakra running through it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before sticking my nose in the air.

It's faint. But there's chakra. And it smells and feels . . . familiar. Like . . . my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. No.

This can't be right.

I quickly made my way towards the familiar scents and realize it's close to Sasori's base. No, it's right on top of it. Why?

My body tingles at the feel of the familiar chakra and the scent only got stronger the closer I got.

There's no mistake. I had stopped running and was now jogging. Naruto. Sakura, Kakashi-Sensei. They're here.

Naruto and Kakashi-Sensei's had left chasing after Deidara's chakra, but Sakura's was left behind with another. And of course it's Sasori's. The same man who had me kill plenty of people. Sasori who killed thousands without a thought.

And he's with Sakura.

An image of the girl popped in my mind. And that made me start running again. Kakashi-Sensei is with Naruto. They should be fine.

But Sakura, Sakura!

I ran even faster. I can't Flash Step there. No, She'd see me and that'd ruin a lot of things for me. And Sasori would be pissed. What do I do? Sasori has been helping me. But he'll kill her. I can't let that happen. No. She's not dying!

As I ran, I discovered the entrance to the small base is destroyed. I peeked around the edge and sucked in a breath.

Sakura stood there. Taller then when I last saw her. Grown. Short pink hair, determined green eyes, and a lot more chakra then when i last saw her. 

The image of her when I last saw her burned into my mind. Like it always has.

Her crying. Crying and begging me to return. And I had promised knowing I wouldn't.

I lied to her. 

And here she is.

Right in front of me.

Okay, before you get all riled up, I still haven't decided the ship. The X just came with the photo because I borrowed it. I do not own any of these photos and this is not a declaration of it turning into a miyuxsakura because I still haven't decided on where to take it.