disclaimer; I do not own any part of the anime/manga Naruto or any of the characters therein.
Hello all!
I know this is my first fic on here but honestly I've written tons and I don't think this is reflective of the fact that this is a 'first fic'.
I normally hate fanfictions with OCs in them and I understand that a lot of other people do. Then again, like everyone else who writes an OC character of their own, I must protest that she isn't a stupid, mary-sue type of person. I hope that she is impartial enough for you to get an impression of the other characters (Akatsuki) through her as opposed to concentrating on her character. Obviously though, as it is written in first person (except this prologue) I can't help but developing my character and showing her thoughts and feelings. Her character isn't really strong enough to be repugnant to anyone though, which is what I'm trying to get at. Her name is Siri, hence the title 'AkatSiri' (though it's not a 'let's pair her with everyone!' type of fic - I don't think I pair her up at all).
I just remembered that there's another OC later. I wrote this before Konan's name or appearance was revealed so I wrote my own version on Pein's partner. She's not a main character as such so don't worry. She is also not very impressionable; I really only wanted this fic to get across the personalities of the Akatsuki.
Anyhow, this is the prologue; I hope you enjoy!
PROLOGUE
The rustling in the bushes was not just a hedgehog as Deidara had first thought - he knew it wasn't - but saying something about it would only invite attack. He was pretty sure that his partner, Sasori, had also realised that they were being followed by now anyway, and so they had only to wait until a convenient place to stop and ambush their pursuer. Then they could be on their way again without any trouble.
It had been a long mission (or maybe that was just because it had been so tedious, trekking over long stretches of grassland and over countless mountains - only to find that their target had already been assassinated when they finally reached their destination), and Deidara was almost looking forward to returning to the base.
It was hard to keep himself from peering over his shoulder to see who had taken an interest in them though and Deidara couldn't stop his hand from twitching slightly. His partner mostly ignored the gesture, although Deidara did see his red-headed companion briefly glance his way warningly before returning his eyes to the front, staring through the many trees blankly as if he was a robot, programmed to walk on forever through this fateful forest.
Deidara didn't find it hard to suppress a smile at that thought; it wasn't funny. Being a puppet, Sasori was too near a robot for Deidara's comfort anyway. Luckily they didn't fight so often now, but a continual silence had blanketed them instead, as if there was nothing left to say to each other. Except mission talk of course…that was essential, although Deidara didn't think it really counted.
The person who was trailing them was making their noises too obvious, almost as if they wanted to be found and caught. Were they suicidal? Deidara glared over at his partner to see if he would finally be allowed to finish the annoying form of life behind them off. There was no change in his companion's visage for a few seconds, but then his eyes widened.
The time taken for the kunai whistling through the air and Deidara ducking seemed to have been synchronised perfectly, because it missed seriously injuring him by a hair's breadth, only just scraping the side of his cheek and drawing a thin line of blood.
Time slowed.
The kunai, Deidara realised, had not come from behind them - which meant that there was more than one attacker. At least this explained the obviously bad tracking; the person who had been following them had been trying to divert their attention from the one circling around in front to ambush them.
Still, this wouldn't make it a hard battle. He was part of 'Akatsuki' after all, one of the most feared shinobi groups in history. Letting adrenaline take control of his body Deidara turned and jumped up into the trees to his left, his hands already fumbling with the clay pouches attached to his waist.
Normally he would have prepared some clay chakra bombs since he was on a mission but, so frustrated at having travelled so far for nothing, he had used them up on the unlucky village guards who had decided to question them on their departure. Now he regretted his rash decision.
Never mind. These are ninja far below our level, so I'll have time to make some more.
So thinking, Deidara began to channel his chakra into the clay, his palm-mouths chewing almost lazily as he watched his companion's hands fly deftly through the air, the blue chakra strings attaching his fingers to the wooden puppet almost invisible.
It was hardly worth the effort - making the bombs, that is - because he knew that the foolish ninja would be dead before he had finished. Sasori - the young-looking, serious puppet master he had been partnered with for almost five years now - really was a good fighter. Although Deidara would never admit it to his face, he actually rather envied his work. He appreciated just how much time and effort it must have taken to create the wooden masterpieces his senior fought with, and the fighting style itself was very difficult to master.
Sasori was described as 'senior' for, although he looked half as young, he was actually almost double Deidara's age. When they were still talking Deidara had found out that Sasori created his weapons out of real people that he had killed. It was apparent that he had done something similar for himself - an act that was based on his want for 'eternal beauty'; something which Deidara would never be able to get his head around.
Lost in thought, Deidara almost missed the disruption of the air currents behind him and jumped to the side just in time to miss the sharp sword that cut through the air where he had been crouching before. As he landed on another branch several meters away Deidara traced the sword back to it's owner who was now crouching where he had been a moment before. The other ninja stood and Deidara followed his example.
His palm-mouths had finished injecting chakra into the clay and now they spat the small lumps out into his palms. Eyeing his opponent carefully Deidara readied himself for more dodging; it was more convenient this way - at least until he had finished creating his attack.
The one holding the glinting sword didn't look like anything particularly special, just another bog-standard ninja. Judging from the lack of a headband Deidara assumed that either his attacker was a missing-nin or was trying to keep their town a secret. Neither was out of breath but they continued to stand still, not wishing to attack as they took the other in with their eyes.
'Akatsuki no Deidara.' It was a somewhat soulless voice that issued from the slim mouth, but Deidara was used to that kind of tone from his partner. Perversely the lack of emotion behind the words emphasised the fact that who he was fighting with was human. He was so used to having ninjas throw themselves at him in fury and desperation that seeing an enemy who hid their emotions was refreshing.
'Who are you, yeah?' He didn't let on his revelation though, keeping his face full of contempt; it always helped him to stay alert. His opponent smiled thinly, hoping to unnerve the blonde bomb-maker.
'I'll tell you before you die,' he replied softly, watching Deidara's reaction. It appeared that there was none, although inside Deidara was surprised. Most people would have either refused him their identity outright or told him straight away; 'Ahahahaha, well I'll tell you since you're gonna' die!'. This response however suggested that his opponent was not confident enough to know if he was going to win yet or not.
'I promise,' his adversary added, winking conspiratorially. Perhaps he had said that to confuse him. The clay birds had finished being moulded though and it was time for action.
With Sasori's fight completely forgotten Deidara launched into his own private battle, his mouth forming a grin as he clasped his hands together and watched the bright explosion that followed. It wasn't enough to kill his attacker - but somehow Deidara had expected that.
'What, is that all ya' got?' The words were so quietly whispered into his ear that Deidara jumped, pulling a kunai from his weapons pouch to counter the fierce swipe of the glinting sword. Knowing that the kunai wouldn't be able to stand out for much longer Deidara used the extra time to push away from his opponent, flying backwards to land on another branch. Losing his balance he let himself fall to the ground as two shruiken flew over his head. He landed on his feet.
Pinpointing the position of the thin-lipped man Deidara threw his second bird, a much faster one than the last one, and began to pursue his prey. He had to commend his attacker on his speed and agility, for he managed to avoid the bird quite effectively for longer than most would have but, just as the bird got close enough to kill him should Deidara detonate the bomb, a new opposition appeared.
A blow to the head shattered Deidara's concentration but was not quite hard enough to knock him out.
'Kus-' Deidara began to swear, but realised he didn't really have time as an iron mace appeared into his line of sight. The wind felt familiar as he flew backwards through the air once more, skidding to a stop several meters away, next to a small bush. He didn't know where his weapon had disappeared to, but he didn't want to risk detonating it in case it had fallen to the ground somewhere near.
His eyes slated, Deidara examined his new enemy. He didn't look as sophisticated as his friend had, but he also looked stronger; his body more muscular and his face duller. There wasn't time to continue his examination further however because the mace-wielding foe lurched forward and charged at Deidara, swinging his weapon menacingly.
This kind of attack was what Deidara was used to dealing with - blind fury - and he allowed himself a small grin as he dodged the swipe of the heavily spiked metal and directed his body mass at his adversary's legs. The impact was enough to unbalance his foe but not to knock him over, and so Deidara jumped out of the way of the counterattack and pulled a kunai from his weapons pouch. His opponent may be stronger than he was, but at least he had the upper hand speed-wise.
'Oi, teme, you think you can beat me with that puny little knife?' The laugh that followed the large man's speech was as gruff as his voice had been. Deidara frowned; this man was disgusting. Then, taking advantage of the man's drop of guard, Deidara closed the gap between them and drew his arm back, the dark metal of the kunai he was holding glittering in the sunlight that penetrated the thick branches. His opponent's smile had disappeared.
'Yeah, I do. Hm.' Deidara swung his arm down in a smooth arc, the sharp point of his weapon heading straight for his enemy's heart. Then he froze.
The cold sting of metal against his throat was not a nice one but it was clearly recognisable, even though he didn't feel it often. Flicking his eyes to his right he saw the thin-lipped, brown-haired man he had first fought with. Truth be told, he had forgotten about him.
'I'm from the hidden village of mist,' he introduced himself blandly, and Deidara tried very hard to suppress a smirk; did this guy think he had won? With his left hand hanging uselessly by his side, he silently formed a one-handed concentration symbol and closed his eyes.
'It was nice meeting you, yeah.' This time he didn't hide his triumphant smile as his body began to change shape, growing steadily bigger. The sword cut into his neck, but no blood was drawn. Instead, his attackers saw the solid clay that lay beneath the well moulded figure.
'Boss!' Called the gruff voice as the clay Deidara reached bursting point. His companion had already disappeared though, and when he tried to follow him he tripped in his haste. A moment later and his form was engulfed in a magnificent explosion of light. Deidara, watching from a safe distance away, was only slightly comforted by the sight; he had missed his real target. He had already prepared two more bird-shaped bombs though and a special attack that he hoped he wouldn't have to use. Now he waited.
'Ah, I didn't think you'd have run away.' The voice came from behind him and so Deidara turned to see the opponent that had managed to avoid the explosion.
'No, but you should have. Hm,' Deidara warned, knowing that his advice would be ignored. Sure enough his attacker stayed put, his stance obstinate. I'll finish this quickly then. Sasori-no-danna has probably already completed his fight.
Forming the concentration sign with both hands, everything seemed to happen so fast that, within ten seconds, it was all over.
First, his foe began to run forwards towards him, closing the gap between them at an alarming rate. Then, when they were within five meters of each other, Deidara saw what the mist nin was holding in his hand. The bird-shaped bomb that had failed to detonate because of the second, more muscular enemy, now taunted him with it's lifeless eyes, reminding Deidara of the symbol he had just formed.
'I'm Kushiya Ji-' The mist nin's speech was cut off by the sub atomic clay bombs he had breathed in exploding inside of him and he stumbled, landing at Deidara's feet as the bird he held in his hand finally reacted to it's command to detonate and exploded in a burst of light, the blast smaller than the clay figure had been, but more effective. The mist nin's head was blown apart, although it was apparent that he was going to die anyway.
The Iwagakure nin however, having not had time to fully avoid the suicidal attack, lay on the ground a few meters away, thrown there by the force of the attack, his vision blurring fast. With his body numb from the shock of being so near the explosion, Deidara knew that he must be bleeding badly. He had landed on his back and so now stared up through the trees at the small patch of blue sky that was visible through the leaves.
The sky was slowly turning red. Why had he been so stupid? Why had he forgotten about that bird? Sasori had once told him that playing with explosives was dangerous, but he had always considered himself an expert of the art.
It would be a fitting end though, wouldn't it? To die by explosion. Hm.
Deidara wondered where Sasori was. Then he thought about all the missions they had been on together, what he had learnt from them, and then back to when he had first met the puppet master. What about before that - when he was younger?
It was impossible for him to move but he tried anyway, hoping that it would help keep his eyes open a bit longer. There was something warm in his throat though and he felt as if his eyes were burning as warm liquid trickled out of them and down his face. He couldn't see the trees any longer for all the blood.
'Deidara? Oi, Deidara - pull yourself together!'
Sasori was angry with him. What have I done now, yeah? He wondered faintly, but couldn't answer the question; he had already forgotten what he had just thought. The warm fluid in his throat had risen and now he coughed on instinct. This only helped to advance the flow though and when he tried to swallow he realised he couldn't.
Am I going to choke to death? Am I going to drown?
There was fear, terrible fear, constricting his chest. It felt as if someone had lassoed his waist and was now pulling on the rope - tighter, tighter. His insides were squashed and yet they still had space to churn sickeningly. Then he felt as if he was going to throw up, but his throat silently screamed impossibility.
Deidara's mind suddenly felt disorientated, as if he was spinning through thin air, down into nothingness. He wasn't sure if he had closed his eyes or if the blood was just too thick so see through, but everything was black. Somewhere very far away he could hear someone saying something, calling something.
I don't want to drown!
He was desperate. Couldn't he create another explosion and end it quickly? Why did he feel so very far away? Everything had gone. Even the voice had faded into nothingness.
Am I…dead?
So that's the prologue finished.
This isn't the last we'll see of Deidara (most of the fic is based around him and Sasori) but I'm not giving anything else away. Ah, I'll try and upload the first real chapter soon.
Please review!!!
-solus
