AN: Do not own Naruto. Let me know if you spot any mistakes. Fair warning though, if you can flame me, then I can laugh myself silly over them. : P
A smug smirk claimed Deidara's face as he felt the explosions begin in his stomach. The shocked looks on the faces of the Konoha nins as they quickly retreated caused his smirk to widen. He flashed back to his first explosion.
He had been playing with his father's equiptment and had accidentally set off a pile of explosive tags. A flash of light, a wave of pain, and then darkness ensued. He had first woken up with a small girl leaning over him. She had long black curls that fell riotously past her waist and large blue-violet eyes that stood out brilliantly against her pale skin. She wore a puffy black dress that had a butterfly on the skirt and was without shoes. As Deidara sat up, the girl leaned back and regarded him.
"Who are you?"
The girl blinked at Deidara and then smiled a blinding smile of joy. Deidara furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Her smile softened and she pointed towards a pinprick of light. When he stared at her, she pointed more firmly before standing and running quickly in the opposite direction. Left without further direction, Deidara stood and headed towards the light. As he passed the edge, pain and light overwhelmed him again and he woke up in the hospital. For weeks afterward, he reassured himself that it had only been a dream.
But it hadn't. Over the years he had seen her regularly, always right after he had nearly died. She never spoke, just pointed, and she never changed. Always young, graceful, and quick to disappear.
The now-familiar blast of light and pain interrupted Deidara's musing. When he next opened his eyes, it was dark. He sat up and looked around. The little girl was standing not far away, just out of touching range. This time it was Deidara who smiled and stood up. The girl's smile was the only natural response as she offered him her hand, leading instead of directing.
"It's time to go now."
And the shadow of wings lay over them both as they walked away from the light.