Welcome to Intern at the Akatsuki Concert Hall: Sasori Route.

For the newcomers, a lot has happened in the main posting Intern at the Akatsuki Concert hall, so without reading that you might be a bit lost.

For those not interested in reading the work that this stemmed from here is a quick summary:

Sumire is a college student with a traumatic past, orphaned at an early age, a runaway teen, an abusive, much older ex-boyfriend. She finally had settled into an apartment with her friend Haruno Sakura and was excited to obtain a bachelor's in Intermedia Arts. She joined the Akatsuki Stage Crew at Konoha University as an intern and spent a lot of time getting to know the members. Seemingly out of nowhere, Sakura closed the lease for their apartment to move in with her boyfriend Sasuke and Sumire was about to be thrown out onto the street. After an emotionally distressing evening, Sumire admitted her situation to the Akatsuki.

In this world, Sasori helped her first.

Thanks for giving a click. I hope you enjoy it.

XClay

Sumire had her knees pulled to her chest, and she was biting back tears. She could still hear him in the other room, cursing and throwing things. The front door was only a few feet away, but the idea of leaving didn't cross her mind. She remained frozen in fear, her arms wrapped around her knees, her eyes still glancing to the closed door where the sounds of anger were coming from.

When it finally did open he stepped out quietly, his eyes were on her, his eyebrows knitted in a harsh glare. He saw her tears and grit his teeth.

"You're still crying?" he roared it.

She hid her face and curled up tighter.

"I was coming out here to talk to you, but you're still crying?"

The door slammed behind him, and he disappeared again. The angry curses returned full-blown, along with constant crashes of her things onto the wooden floor.

He came out again.

"Enough!"

He quickly stomped across the room to her and forced her roughly to her feet, by her upper arm.

"I'm sorry…" she wept using her other arm to hide the tears that wouldn't stop.

He shook her roughly.

"You know I hate it when you cry, you make me so fucking angry when you cry."

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, hoping the pain would stop her tears, but they kept falling.

"Why do you keep making me angry? Do you like upsetting me?"

His fist was tightening by his side. She just crumpled, she knew what was coming.

6 Years Later…

"Koizumi." No, anyone but him.

Sumire turned around and faced the red-haired man that was slightly taller than her. He looked irritated, which had become a regular expression on his face since she had joined the crew. She tried to blink away the tears.

"Is it true?" he spoke again.

"Yes." She responded, unable to keep looking at him. I don't want to keep talking about it.

He sighed while crossing his arms over his chest.

"If no one else offers I have a spare room." He said, "At least until you can find a place you can afford."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Did he just offer to let me move in?

"Oh no, I couldn't impose upon you like that."

He made a quick "che" sound and glared at her:

"I'm not offering again, either take it or leave it."

She felt her cheeks redden. It must take a lot to even offer like this…

"Are you sure?"

"What would I gain from lying?"

"Thank you."

"Did you say by Tuesday?"

"Yes."

"That's only three days Koizumi. Do you have everything packed?"

"…no…"

His eye narrowed at her, and she became self-conscious. Fresh tears appeared at the edges of her eyes.

"I'm sorry…"

He sighed:

"Enough."

"I'll try to pack quickly…" He always makes me feel this way, like an idiot. Why did I just agree to live with this jerk?

She felt a hand on the back of her head and his presence near. He gently pulled her head to his chest.

"Enough." He said again, even softer than before. I hate it when she cries.

She didn't move. The warmth of his chest against her cheek calmed her. She didn't want to move.

"Sasori-sama." She said weakly.

His hand dropped, and he let out yet another sigh. He stepped away from her and reached into his pocket.

"I'm texting you my address. You can come over in the morning and start bringing your things."

She nodded.

"Thank you. Really."

"I'm calling you a taxi."

"…you don't have to."

"It's late. You're not walking home."

He ignored her weak protests as he called for a taxi. He walked with her to the parking lot. Sumire stared at him out the window as he waited until the car pulled away. I suppose he is kind is his own way.

X

Sasori returned to the concert hall where the rest of the men were still gathered in the foyer. He stopped and looked over them all.

"She's moving in with me. I sent her home in a taxi."

The tension grew, but Sasori did not look concerned.

"I suppose we've had enough for one evening. We can start striking the sets on Friday." Nagato said.

"Let's get a fucking drink," Hidan said to Kakuzu.

The taller man nodded.

The Following Morning

Sumire shoved the last of her clothing into the small duffel bag, happy that she didn't have that much clothing, to begin with. She had awoken with a bit of energy, more than she expected to. The idea of a space that she was welcomed in was comforting. She surveyed the rest of the room. The furniture was here when we moved in, Sakura had brought most of the appliances and taken them with her when she moved, Sumire really only had her clothes and her toiletries. I have to make a couple of trips, but I should be fine. Sasori-sama isn't too far. One train, one bus. She slung the duffel bag over her shoulder and decided to take the trip with a light load first. She sent Sasori a text that she was on her way and left the apartment.

Forty-five minutes later she thought she had found it. The apartment building was large and had sliding doors that needed a key code to let herself in. She returned to looking at the text. His room number was 207. So the second floor, room 7. She scanned the machine for the button to that room, once she found it, she pressed her finger to it and waited, expecting to hear his voice asking who she was. Instead, she heard a ping, and the front doors slid open. I guess since he already knows I'm coming he doesn't have to check that it's me. She entered through the doors and meandered through the building until she found the room. After gently rapping her knuckles on the door she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. It opened slowly, revealing Sasori in a dark brown tank top and loose pants of the same color. He was wiping his eye as though he had just woken.

"Did I wake you up?" she asked.

He didn't answer. Instead, he turned away from her, leaving the door open behind him. She entered slowly, removing her shoes at the entrance.

"Pardon the intrusion." She said, her face coloring as she entered.

The room had a warm, woody scent. It was pleasant, but it was unexpected. She set her duffel bag down at the entrance and stepped up onto the wooden floor in her socks. To her right was a small kitchen with a dividing wall, the opening of which faced out into a western-style living room. He had a couch, a wooden table, and a small bookshelf all seated atop a flat, pale pink carpet. All of his furniture was various shades of brown. To the right was what looked like the door to a bathroom with a shower while to the left was a short hallway with three doors. Two facing the opposite of each other and one at the end. No pictures, nothing. I didn't really decorate my apartment either, but it just seems so one-tone. As her eyes scanned over the space, she noticed him staring at her.

"Yes?" she asked.

He grunted in response, but he seemed to think of something and said:

"This will be your room." He motioned to the door nearest to them.

He walked to the room facing the opposite of hers. He disappeared behind the door and shut it behind himself.

I guess that's it for today. She went back to her duffel bag and carried it to the room that was now hers. Inside was a bed, a small desk, a dresser, and bookshelf. This is more than I had back in my apartment room. She set her duffel bag down and slowly unpacked her clothing. She knew she had to go back to get more of her stuff, but she would have to keep bothering him. Instead, she stood there, staring at the few things she had. I didn't bring my laptop either. She sighed and organized her drawer.

"Koizumi."

She jumped and spun around.

"I'll leave the spare key by the door. Come and go as you please, just try not to make a racket every time you do." He said.

"Oh, thank you."

Sasori returned to his room. Is he hung over? Then again he's usually grumpy. Why am I doing this again? Or right, so I don't end up on the street. She finished up with that, pushed the duffel bag under the full-sized bed and decided to go back to get the next set of things.

Sasori laid out across his king sized bed with the back of his hands in front of his face. The light was exacerbating his migraine. He had too much to drink last night after Sumire had left. He was angry at her for not saying anything earlier, he was angry that he had to get up so early to let her into his apartment, he was angry that he had such a massive headache. He heard her leave and he let himself drift off to sleep. He awoke a few hours later, still feeling irritated and exhausted. As he sat up, he noticed a familiar scent coming from down the hall. He stood slowly and went to investigate. In the kitchen he found Sumire. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and she had a white apron on. Her back was turned to him. He leaned against the wall and watched her as she chopped up what looked like tofu and scooped it into a medium-sized pot. Once she was done with that, she stirred the contents, then placed the lid on top. She shifted over to the rice cooker he left on his counter and scooped out some fresh rice into her hands. She began expertly shaping the rice into the traditional triangle shape. She set the completed rice ball onto a plate where a few others were already placed. She looks very natural.

Sumire couldn't help but feel that someone was watching her. Why doesn't he just make his presence known? Why does he have to lurk? She had completed her second trip quickly and since it was nearing lunch time she figured she could cook something for him. She remembered that light food was best for a hangover, so after changing into some thinner clothes, a light blue blouse, and a loose white skirt, she had started cooking. Sumire huffed and stirred the miso soup again. It's pretty much ready, she thought and turned to face the man staring at her.

"Sasori-sama, I've made some food. Please eat."

He said nothing but approached her. He stood beside her, picked up a rice ball, and took a bite. She returned to her soup, hoping that he didn't hate it, and began to serve the soup into two small bowls.

"We can eat at the table." He said.

She placed the two bowls, the plate with the rice balls, and a small stack of napkins on a single tray as he casually went to the dark brown table in the middle of the living room. She followed him and set it down. He seated himself on the floor with his back against the couch, still holding his rice ball. She sat beside him and began to eat. He picked up the bowl and swallowed a few mouthfuls of the liquid, his eyes were closed as he ate.

Sumire ate as quietly as possible, but his silence was making her incredibly self-conscious. It's not disgusting, because he's eating it, but does he like it maybe?

"Is it okay?"

"It's fine."

Her lips pouted, and she lifted her own bowl to her mouth.

Sasori opened one eye, but he already knew what her expression was before he saw it. She was pouting. She wanted a compliment. This girl, really.

He gulped down the last of the soup, releasing a loud sigh, then held the empty bowl out to her.

"Seconds." He said.

She seemed startled, then her face colored and she took his bowl. She rushed off to the kitchen to get him a second serving. He smirked slightly. She's so simple.

As Sumire ladled more soup into his bowl she realized, I'm not his fucking servant, why I am getting him seconds? She returned with his now full bowl then set it down on the tray and glared at him. He stared back at her with his bored expression, one arm draped along the couch.

Sasori saw the anger on her face, then she huffed and plopped herself down beside him. She's so simple yet so fickle. He lifted the bowl and attempted to take another drink, but the liquid was far hotter this time. He flinched and coughed, putting his hand against his mouth, the other placing the bowl back on the tray.

"It's really hot, what are you doing?" she scolded.

She grabbed a few napkins from the tray and blotted at the hot liquid that dripped from his chin. She huffed again:

"Please be careful."

His slightly widened eyes stared at her as she dabbed at his lips. His hand had moved away but was still mid-air. Sumire hadn't realized what she was doing, she had moved reflexively. It was when she met his gaze that she realized how close she was to him. She blushed deeply and pulled away from him. He watched her for a few more moments before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and grabbing another rice ball.

They ate the rest in silence. Sasori didn't eat much, she noticed. Maybe it's because of his hangover? She gathered the bowls on the tray standing over it as she did so. He glanced at her as she did this and his eyebrows rose. She had bent over enough that he could see up her skirt. Dark blue with white spots. She straightened and walked away from him. He placed his hand over his face to hide the color that had risen to his cheeks, simultaneously shutting his eyes. This whole arrangement may have not been a good idea.

"Sasori-sama. I'm going to go get the last of my things. I can do the dishes when I get back." She called from the kitchen.

He let his head fall back onto the couch.

"Are you alright?"

His eyes snapped open, and he looked at her, she was now standing at the edge of the couch, having come closer because he did not answer. His face is red, is he getting sick?

"I'm fine." He answered, hunching forward.

"Okay, I'll be back."

"Ah."

Sumire turned away from him and started to head out. I hope he's alright. Maybe I'll get him some medicine on the way back?

That Evening

Sumire returned with the last of her things. She was tired now, after traveling back and forth so much. She had found a pharmacy on the way to his apartment and stopped to pick up a hangover remedy. The apartment was silent, so she decided it was best not to bother him. She placed the bottle on the counter, noticing that the dishes were all put away. I guess he is used to cleaning up after himself. She went to her room to finish unpacking and prep her backpack for the morning when she would return to school. Before bed, she went to the restroom. Sasori-sama keeps this place so clean, she thought upon returning to her room. She curled up under the soft blankets and went to sleep.

Morning

Sumire woke, bathed, and dressed rapidly because she was running a bit late. It would take longer to get to Konoha University from here. She moved through the apartment as quickly and quietly as she possibly could. At the front door, while sliding up her calf-length boots, she looked around one more time. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she straightened and slung her bag over her shoulder. I have somewhere safe to sleep, I wonder why I feel so comfortable just accepting his offer. I thought it would be difficult to transition, but it seems like he stays in his room a lot and he doesn't really seem angry. Somehow, he's calmer, more comfortable to be around. I guess it's... I don't know what it is, but thank you Sasori-sama. I'll have to find some way to make it up to you.

Sasori woke up feeling mildly better than yesterday. He ran his fingers through his messy red hair as he leisurely slid himself out of bed. On his way to the restroom, he noticed a small brown bottle on the counter of his kitchen. He picked it up to read the label. It's one of those store-bought hangover remedies. A smirk pulled at the edge of his lips, and he chuckled.

Later in the day

Sumire gathered up her things.

"Sumire-san?"

She looked at Hinata.

"Yes?"

"How are things? I haven't seen you in a while?" she asked in her soft voice.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just… had something I needed to take care of..." Why am I hesitating to tell her…

"That's good. I'm glad." Hinata responded with a genuinely kind smile.

"I'm happy too."

"Are you going straight home?"

"I don't have to; did you want to go somewhere?"

Her face started to gain some blush.

"Yes, I wanted to go to the mall to… pick up some things."

Sumire nodded, "Sure, I'll go with you."

Hinata smiled appreciatively, and they walked out of the classroom together.

X

At the mall, Hinata winded through store after store, obviously not looking for anything, but awkwardly pointing out things she thought were cute or interesting. Sumire played along, knowing well that it took a lot out of Hinata to admit where she really wanted to go, but after an hour Sumire felt herself growing impatient.

"Sumire-san let's go into that shoe store next!"

"Hinata!" Sumire said, stopping and placing her hands on her hips.

"I thought you knew what you were picking up? Why do we keep going from one store to another?"

Hinata's face turned beet red. Sumire felt she had an idea of where Hinata had actually intended to go. Hinata nodded and slowly led them to the second floor. She stopped in front of a decent size store. In the windows were female-bodied mannequins wearing only intricately patterned panties and bras.

"Lingerie," Sumire said aloud.

Hinata looked as though she would faint. Sumire placed her hands on Hinata's shoulders and squeezed them.

"Did Naruto put you up to this?" she asked.

Hinata shook her head vigorously.

"N-n-naruto-kun's birthday is coming up, and I wanted to s-s-s-s-urprise h-h-him."

Sumire nodded and squeezed her shoulders tighter.

"I understand, well let's get started!" Sumire hooked her arm around Hinata's and walked into the store with her.

Hinata almost passed out after they entered. Sumire picked up a light green g-string and held it up in front of her face.

"This is pointless." She said.

Hinata started to laugh. Sumire continued to lift up the strangest lingerie she could find, making silly comments, which served to successfully calm Hinata down. Just as the air around them relaxed, a worker came and asked if they needed help. Hinata became flustered again and couldn't speak.

"My friend is looking for something that isn't too revealing, with a pretty pattern, like flowers?" Sumire said and looked to Hinata.

Hinata nodded shyly.

"In any particular color?" the worker asked.

Hinata opened her mouth as though she was about to speak, but no words came out.

"Something that would match her eyes!" Sumire answered.

"Of course, I will be right back."

Sumire tried to calm Hinata again. Soon the worker returned holding a display case with a few items she had picked out.

"I brought white, nude, and black."

Hinata flushed again but looked at the set nonetheless.

"Is there anything I can find for you miss?" the worker asked, turning her attention to Sumire.

"Oh no! I'm just here to help my-"

"Please find her some as well!" Hinata blurted.

"Huh?"

"I'll go get a few more for you to look at." The worker walked away.

"Hinata!"

"I-I-I-I-I can't be the o-only o-one buying s-something!"

"Hinata, I don't even have a boyfriend, and I have plenty of undergarments. I don't need to buy anything!"

"Please! I'll even pay for you! I j-just can't be t-the only o-one!"

Sumire sighed loudly.

"You don't have to pay for me. It's fine. I should have enough."

The worker walked out with another case of lingerie and set it down next to the case that Hinata was still in front of. Sumire joined her and looked over the various colors and patterns. Her eyes locked onto a bra that was laced in purple but the cups underneath the ornate lace were a dark red. It's so pretty. Hinata noticed Sumire's change and scanned the undergarments. The purple and red one? It's so like her. Sumire saw Hinata looking at her.

"What?"

"Do you like one?" she asked.

Sumire nodded.

"Which one has caught your attention?" the worker asked.

Sumire meekly pointed to the one she had been eyeing. The worker nodded:

"That one is certainly beautiful. Would you like to see the panties that go with it? You get a discount if you buy them together."

"Oh… sure."

The worker fished out a hipster-style panty that was of a similar design. It was an opaque dark red with ornate purple embroidery.

"Do you like it?"

Sumire nodded.

"Alright, and did you, miss, find anything you like?"

Hinata motioned towards the white bra with a simple flower pattern. The worker, in her endless patience with the two shy girls, had the same conversation with her as she had had with Sumire. They then proceeded to the register where the worker rung them both up. They walked out of the shop in silence, each holding their respective bag. They continued on this silent journey to the outside of the mall where they had to split ways to head home.

"Thank you for coming with me Sumire-san."

"Sure, Hinata. I'll see you on Wednesday."

X

Sumire, on the way back to Sasori's apartment, realized that she should replace the ingredients she used yesterday. She stopped by a small grocery store. Upon arriving back at the apartment, she slipped off her shoes and set them neatly to the side by the door. She stepped up onto the flooring of the house and entered into the kitchen. She placed the small bag with her lingerie on the counter and noticed the hangover remedy where she had left it. He didn't drink it? He doesn't need it? She began placing the perishables in the fridge.

Sasori exited from the restroom. On the way back to his room he saw Sumire placing things in the fridge and a small black bag atop the counter. He curiously peeked into the bag. He raised an eyebrow and pulled out the plastic wrapped lingerie set. He held it a foot from his face, examining the purple lace and dark red. Sumire stood and faced him.

"W-what are you doing?" she rushed over and snatched it from him, throwing it back into the bag.

Sasori watched her with his usual dreamy expression. Her emotional reactions are so obvious on her face. I should be able to entertain myself for a bit by teasing her.

"Are you trying to tell me something, Koizumi?"

"About what?" she growled rolling down the top of the bag.

"Why would you come with sexy lingerie? It's only your second day here? Have you already fallen for me?"

Sumire felt her face become red, she glared at him.

"As if."

He chuckled lightly and glanced at the small bottle.

"You realize that those things are just water, sugar, and a few everyday vitamins." He said.

"What things?" she followed his gaze, "Oh, you mean the hangover remedy? No, I didn't know that."

"Don't bother with them."

"Well sorry for being concerned." She huffed.

She got it for me because she was worried? Silly girl.

"How do you know what it's filled with?" she asked.

"My grandmother worked in pharmaceuticals."

"Oh."

Sumire sighed, her expression of disappointment becoming clear on her face. She's upset now. Sumire picked it up and read the label over again. Is she going to mope around for the rest of the day because of it? Sasori took the bottle from her hand, snapped it open, and downed the contents.

"Huh?" she looked confused.

He handed her back the empty bottle.

"Now wipe that disappointed look off your face, it's irritating."

Sumire watched his back as he disappeared behind the bathroom door. She couldn't help but giggle. He's so strange.

Sasori heard her laugh. Silly girl.