New Year's Eve

Subtitle: The Wonderland within a Lotus

Character: Deidara

Anime: Naruto Shippuden

The sky was lit by thousands of florescent lanterns, colors flashing in every direction. The night had fallen like a black curtain, only to be illuminated by the false lights upon the deepest of darkness.

The town was in full swing for the massive celebration of New Year's happening this very night in Iwagakure. Everyone gathered in the most decorated arrays of kimono's, men and women dressing in their absolute finest. This would be a night to remember…

I had not disappointed the occasion either, dressed out completely in my finest, darkest charcoal kimono made of Chinese silk. My sterling white hair was in a loose, side-braid with pieces falling into golden eyes.

I loved festivals, especially considering I never got to relax. I was a nin of my country, a Jounin for the Village Hidden in the Stone.

And when a festival came along, I always hoped to see him…

My best friend used to adore these festivals. He'd never miss a single one and would drag me to them no matter my health. One day, he just disappeared, and I had not heard from him since.

That was over seven years ago, when I was only a Chuunin and at the age of fifteen. Now, I stood taller, prouder, curvier, and more of a ninja at the age of twenty-two.

I slide the fox mask over my face, meaning to blend in with all of the festivities. It was tradition to wear these masks.

In Iwagakure, when New Year's came around, every eligible bachelor and bachelorette donned a mask if they pleased and danced. This actually started ages ago when the very first Kage met his loved one when wearing an ANBU mask.

Love at first sight…

How impossible.

"Lady Sukiko!" A man steps forward, pulling his mask up. "It's me, Konoi."

I chuckle, pulling my mask up again. He had been chasing after me for years, but due to my health constantly fluctuating, I did not ever pursue it.

My heart belonged to another…

"Konnichiwa, Konoi. How is your night faring?"

"Wonderful now that I found you wandering about." He kisses my hand and I secretly wipe it off on the leg of my kimono. "How've you been here lately?"

Apparently the moonlight was not hitting me right for the man to see the dark circles I had from lack of sleep, nor the pale complexion that tinged my already light skin.

"Decent, I suppose." I force a smile. "Better than it has been as of late."

"Well great!" He steps closer. "You know, it's said that you must kiss someone at midnight to have a good year."

I slide my mask back on in reflex. "Yes, well, I do not want to pass my germs on to anyone this year either." A light chuckle escapes my lips, now muffled by my full face mask.

The music starts up and I get swept away by the crowd heading towards the center of the town to begin the dancing. I could hear Konoi calling after me.

"Wait! I have something to give-…" His words were drowned out as I get further away.

I break away at the moment's first notice, seeing a flower stand on the sidelines of the festivities.

Yet another ritual of the town. All the men would give their women- or who they hoped would be their woman- a flower to place in their hair. It was the first gift that our first Kage gave to his special someone. And I had a feeling that was what Konoi was trying to give to me.

I step forward, gazing at all the beautiful floral arrangements in front of me. Each stood for something different. Yellow roses were what the fathers and mothers gave their daughters, white lilies were given to the young women that were becoming of age this year, black roses were given to women who had suffered loss this last year of someone close to them, sunflowers were given to women who had just bore children or were about to give birth, daisies were given to newly-wedded women, and finally- the rarest of flowers in this barren land- lotus flowers of all sorts of colors were given to those that meant the most to a man.

I smile beneath the mask, eyes turning downcast as I head back towards the dancing. I had no wish to partake in this part of the festivities; I wanted to watch others enjoying their New Year's.

A young boy, not even in his teens yet, steps forward, begging for a dance from me. How could I refuse that? I take the boy's hand, letting him bounce me around the people as we playfully laugh to the music.

Someone steps forward, wearing a mask and gloves- of course, the traditional men's kimono as well- and offers his hand to me. I immediately notice it was not Konoi, taking the man's hand.

He pulls me close, and though normally I would feel completely uncomfortable, I relax, allowing the dance to continue on. He smelt of sulfur, a new smell to me, and danced like he wasn't quite sure what he was doing.

It was quite amusing, to say the least.

I twirl with this man for what feel's like hours, staring from the slits in my mask to try and view the man behind the mask. No such luck.

Finally, we cease our dance and the music stops, fireworks beginning to pop up in the skies. The awe of the people around me brings another small smile to my face. I did enjoy parts of this time of year at least…

My captivator grabs my hand again, running with me through the crowds and up onto a nearby hill, pointing towards the sky. The fireworks were more visible here than any other place in the village.

This spot also held a special meaning to me. This was the place me and my best friend would always come to get away from the village. How had this man known of this place?…

We take a seat, watching the show like never before. The fireworks bedazzle the skies, snatching my attention and relaxing me almost completely. I felt safe here, as always, and all at once- I feared the memories of this hilltop.

The man was sitting right next to me. A hand was on my knee, not at all in a provocative way. He was staring upwards as well, enjoying the view just as much as I was.

The fireworks cease, our silence now deafening. It was nearly time for the ceremonial kiss, and I did not feel right partaking in it with a complete stranger.

"I'm sorry," I stand, "I must be going. Thank you…" I bow respectively, turning to leave.

I do not have a chance. The man snatches my hand, standing to face me again.

"I cannot stay," I urge, trying to leave. After my most recent sickness, I did not have the strength to fight him. "Please… I cannot bear feelings for any man, and I fear you expect more of me than is to be given… Please let me go."

"Not again."

I nearly choke. His voice reminded me of my best friend, the only man I had ever loved…

"Who are you?" I felt tears stinging my eyes.

A lotus is produced from deep within his sleeve, the headpiece littered with diamond-like jewels to accent the pink flower. He slides it into my hair, now mere inches from me.

"What are you…-"

In an instant, I was pushed into the shadow of the tree and those strong arms circle my smaller form. My mask was on the ground and lips were upon mine.

I felt dizzy, my world spinning in his kiss. Is this what love felt like? I had no idea. It made me nauseous. I had felt like I betrayed someone, yet in that same emotion I also felt blissful, no care in the world trying to subdue my subconscious.

Steadily, my eyes flicker open as the man breaks the kiss. Tears immediately begin trickling down my face.

"Are you crying because you missed me, or because you've been sick?" He smiles, staring down at me with that one bright blue eye.

"And I thought I would never see you again," I sniffle pathetically, bringing him close to me in an embrace I never again thought I'd have again. "I believed I would die and you would never again think twice of me."

"You have not left my thoughts since I ran away from this village all those years ago." He chuckles. "And you won't be leaving them again, un."

"Deidara," I whisper his name like it was no longer a curse.

"I want you to come with me, Sukiko. I am no longer of the Akatsuki and I will have to disappear for them to never find me, yeah." Deidara rips off his gloves and I see the mouths inhabiting his hands. I had not forget them…

"But they will believe me a missing-nin." I stare at the bustling village below. "I can't…"

"You will," he replies, his words cocky. "Whether I have to carry you or not."

I couldn't help but smile. No, it wasn't a great idea… No, I shouldn't do it… But oh how I wanted to go with this man. And I would go with my heart, as I always wished I could do.

"How can I say no?" I wrap my arms around his neck. Below, I could hear the countdown begin…

"Ten!"

"So you'll go?" He grins.

"Nine!"

"Yes, with all my heart, yes…"

"Eight!"

"And you won't hold me leaving against me, un?"

"Seven!"

"Never. I never want anything but to be near you…"

"Six!"

"Then let's leave. Tonight. Before anyone even knows you're gone…"

"Five!"

"And you will never leave me stranded and forgotten again?"

"Four!"

"No, Sukiko, I won't allow you out of my sight from this moment on. Now let's go!"

"Three!"

"I'm not sure I can trust you now, Deidara."

"Two!"

"Stop joking! Sukiko!"

"One!"

With a kiss and a flutter of wind, Deidara and I were gone… Never to be seen again by the people or ninjas of Iwagakure, nor the Akatsuki.

And never to be without the one person that meant the most to us.

As happily ever after as a fugitive and a sickly ninja could possibly be…