Written 7/16/07, shortly after chapter 362 came out. I finally decided to share with you guys. :D

Title: A Minor Regret

Characters/Pairing: Deidara, Itachi, Tobi. ItaDei and DeiTobi.

Genre: Angst/Romance?

Rating: PG/PG-13

Word Count: 544

Warning: Manga Spoilers up until 362. ANGST. ANGSTY ANGSTY EMONESS AND ANGST.

Summary: In the wake of his destruction are those in which he left behind. Manga spoilers up until 362. Implied ItaDei/DeiTobi.

Disclaimer: It's called fan-fiction for a reason, dears 3

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With such stillness in the air the gathering twilight seemed foreboding. He had never been afraid of the dark before, nor had the silence of the forest ever disturbed him so. The fading heat, and occasional crater in the earth had once been causes for celebration or victory. It now all threatened to swallow him whole.

He could vaguely feel himself shaking, trembling and exposing the weakness he had tried hard to hide. He could tell he was crumbling and quick-- a soft smooth voice broke through his self-pitying thoughts, "Tobi?" A simple bid for his attention.

Tobi, wincing miserably, turned to face the other Akatsuki. This was not an Akatsuki member he wanted to see. He would have been happy with never seeing this Akatsuki again because this Akatsuki wasn't that Akatsuki. The newest member of the organization bit his lip, barely holding in the sudden rush of emotion.

Across from him, amongst the charred blown over trees, stood Uchiha Itachi. The previously dormant wind swept down upon them, picking up the ash, debris, and other remnants of the giant explosion that had taken away his sempai. The dust spun around them, whipping around their cloaks and dramatically and perfectly matching Tobi's chaotic emotions.

Itachi was beside him the moment the wind died down, his red eyes staring into the practical canyon behind Tobi, "Deidara?" he asked, bobbing his head towards the gaping pit in the ground. In response the orange-masked ninja made a choked sound and shook his head roughly, his trembling returning tenfold.

Turning sharigan eyes from the distraught ninja Itachi scanned the freshly wounded land. He could just imagine what kind of sick, insane pleasure Deidara had derived from causing this. The satisfaction glued to his face for finally finding something worthy for this level of devastation. It had-- a sour feeling had developed in back of the Uchiha's throat. The blond Akatsuki wasn't coming back after this explosion.

"H-he's gone," Tobi managed at last as he lifted his head in admiration and he stared across the hole in the ground. His sempai had caused it with is last dying wish, his determination and will to win. Tobi found himself respecting him all the more. Itachi stared at him, having been slightly startled at the masked-boy's sudden speech. "He yelled something about you, Itachi-san."

Knowing that he had the Uchiha's attention, Tobi continued, "De-Deidara-sempai had said that he hated you," he paused both to let his words sink in and regain his resolve. He had never told anyone that someone had hated them before, nor was he comfortable with the thought. "H-hated your eyes. B-be-because they rejected him, his artwork, showed no wonder, or appreciation, and ignored his creations completely," the masked ninja finally looked from Deidara's last mark on their world, and hoped that he had quoted him properly.

"Aa," Itachi's response was a simple grunt as he turned on his heel to meet back up with Kisame. He didn't mind that the orange-masked ninja would hate him after this; so be it. His mask, his perfect illusion did not slip as he closed his eyes and sighed. If only I could have showed you, nut-case, he thought ruefully.

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I have a feeling I'll write more for both of these pairings; even if you all hate it.