This chapter is dedicated to Lauren…much love for all of you lemony thoughts, insects and pron xxx

It was a cold, empty night. The events that had happened a few hours before had left everyone shaken and silence echoed around the van. Everyone was sat in a circle in their pyjamas, huddled and shivering in their sleeping bags. No eyes connected, no lips spoke, apart from the sinister whispers of the wind rocking the van. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasori could see that Itachi's eyes were red with crying, or it could be with revenge - he could not tell. His eyes moved intently around the van, begging for someone to speak – it was his job to be quiet, everyone was usually loud and rowdy on camping trips - then again, they were all completely sober – the crate of beer cans sat untouched in the fridge as he thought.

"Why? Why…" Itachi whispered, tears welling up in his eyes.

This had been going on all night, Itachi's little outbursts. He couldn't come to terms with what had happened. It was heartbreaking.

"Revenge…Revenge…who would hate me that much?" He rocked backwards and forwards slowly, deep in thought.

Kisame, sat next to Itachi, put his arm round his hunched shoulders. "Its ok" He said softly "It's ok".

Itachi sniffed loudly. He turned so his and Kisame's eyes met briefly, before letting out a loud sigh. He lay down and stared at the ceiling.

"What will my mother do?" He sobbed. "And….Sasuke?"

Itachi buried his head in his hands and howled harder, a lump growing in his throat.

"What if they think it was MY FAULT?" he whispered, pausing for breath.

"Itachi, we know it wasn't you, I saw the murderer myself." Tobi replied. His head was bent over the knife, which was still stained with blood, and he rotated is slowly around observing it from every angle.

"But we didn't see him…" Zetsu began, but Kisame's furious eyes glaring back at him interrupted him. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Itachi, I think you had better get some sleep now…. it's been a long day."

Itachi's deep red eyes stared at him tenderly, but then he hung his head. Kisame wasn't budging though. He lay Itachi down and tucked him into his sleeping bad and tucked him in just like a child. Itachi gave a small smile just a hint of a smile before gently closing his eyes. He was out like a light.

"I think its time we all went to sleep now." Kisame reached for the light cord and pulled.

Everyone began to settle down and curl up into their sleeping bags, and Tobi wrapped the knife in the black handkerchief and placed it on the desktop next to his bed.

The darkness filled the van and the people inside it with darkness - This has been a weekend like no other Sasori thought.

"Are you still awake Sasori?"

Sasori turned over to see two blue eyes glistening in the dark and a faint smile like Deidara's. Sasori was glad that the darks hid his tinting cheeks. He began to shiver.

"Are you ok Sasori?" Deidara inquired.

"I'm…. ok. Just a little bit cold".

And what happened next made Sasori jump.

He felt Deidara's hands wrap around his waist slowly pressing against his skin. The he was aware of Deidara's body moving next to his, so he cuddled him in a spoon like shape.

"Better now?" Deidara whispered.

"Ummm... yes." He fell quiet. He felt his body tingling all over and his body began to heat up from inside.

"Night then."

Deidara was too asleep in minutes. As the rest of the Akatsuki lay snoring around him, Sasori glanced at the ceiling. His mind raced.

How can I tell you how I feel?

Right now you are torturing me…

Deidara….

How can I confess that I..I…

"I love you.." Sasori whispered softly. His eyes welled up. "I love you Deidara"

His words were lost in the darkness of the night.