*Deidara's P.O.V.*

Literally, only hours ago, I heard rumours from Kisame stating that the Oshiro family were going to be assassinated.

*Two Hours Ago*

Itachi and Kisame only just arrived at the hideout after having finishing a mission and, while I was working on some of my artwork, I could not help but overhear what they were talking about.

"..So yeah. While I was 'passing' Iwa, I could not resist listening to a little conversation between two of the Shinobi outside the gate. They said that the Oshiro family's daughter has just done something almost impossible. She is only five and she has already developed a skill in the Explosion Release." Kisame babbled.

I dropped the sculpture I was working on and literally jumped out of my seat.

"What's this about the Oshiro family and the Explosion Release?" I demanded an answer from Kisame, trying to square up to him, which was really difficult since he was a hell of a lot taller than me.

However he did look taken aback by my reaction and chuckled slightly as he towered above me, "I had a feeling you would have an interest in this. Well, the Shinobi are planning an assassination in the late hours of tonight. The child is the main target, but if they can get all three, then that's even better. After you blew up all them statues, they stated they could not really afford to have another 'artist' like you. I was going to go back and watch the assassination, but Itachi said we had to return to the hideout." he scowled and actually looked really gutted he couldn't be there. Saddo...

Immediately, I grabbed my cloak and fled the hideout.

"Hey! Deidara! Where you going?" Kisame shouted after me, but I ignored him. He knew full well where I was going.

*Now*

I, now, have not stopped running for a solid two hours. I need to get to Iwa right now. My brother, his wife and my little niece are in danger. I may not care about many things, but I am not ready to let my family go. Especially my niece, before she has even had a chance to show her potential.

But I was too late. Flames were licking up the sides of the house that the family lived in, and surrounding the house were at least ten Shinobi from the village. All of them burning up the building, my brother and his family, most likely, inside. I shook my head slowly and covered my mouth in shock. I was too late. I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain the rage that was bubbling up inside towards myself, for being too late, and the Shinobi below who were actually enjoying burning my brother's property. And that is when I picked up a sound coming from inside the ignitied building. A young child. Crying. My instant reactions told me I had to go inside, so I barged past all of the Shinobi and smashed my way through the window.

Downstairs was absolutely wrecked, but I could hear the crying, only it was coming from upstairs. I knew I had very limited time, so I jumped up through the weak and breaking floorboards to the second floor of the house. To the horrors that lay before me. My brother and his wife. He was still alive, but there were severe burns eating his skin. He will not live for much longer. She was already dead, her body was held closely in his arms, but her eyes were wide open in shock. My brother coughed up a load of blood from his lungs as he regained conciousness and opened his paler blue eyes slowly. He saw my shadow above him and looked up.

He squinted before his eyes widened, "Deidara-san." he smiled his usual cheerful, but this time bloody, smile up at me then frowned, "They are after Reika. Please. She is still alive. Hidden in the attic." he coughed again, "We did all we could. But we couldn't. Couldn't let her die. Please. Take her."

"Brother." I cried out, kneeling next to him, but I had to stand up quickly as the floorboards began to shake as the flames devoured everything.

He lay down next to his wife and coughed a final cough, "Please. Take her. Love her. Take Reika." he sighed and his head collapsed, "Take her. And destroy this place." he went lifeless.

I nodded as I closed his and his wife's eyes with the palm of my hand, "Brother, I promise to protect her." then I stood back up again, and used some of my detonating clay to break a hole into the ceiling. Quickly I clambered through, trying to maintain my balance on the weak floorboards, and looked around frantically for the child. I heard her cry out in fear in the corner of the attic. There she was, huddled in the corner, waiting to die.

"Reika-Chan. Come on. Come to your uncle." I tried to smile to cover my desperation stretching an arm towards her, but she has not seen me in ages. She does not know me, "Come on. Remember me? Uncle Deidara?"

She stopped crying but hesitated for a few seconds before she examined me closer and blue eyes widened. She quickly ran over and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, crying into my cloak. I winced slightly as I am not sure how to calm a child down. I ended up having to shush her softly as I held her in my arms. I made a promise to protect her, and I am going to keep it.

Suddenly, a crash was heard from below. Then, in a flash, the Shinobi were inside.

"Let the child go." one of them demanded, holding out his arm to me.

I scowled and clutched Reika tighter in my arms, "Never." I replied.

"Then you have left us now choi..." the Shinobi suddenly stopped speaking.

"Deidara?" another one blurted out.

I said nothing.

The Shinobi chuckled, "A rogue-nin rescuing a dangerous child. You came back for that? Ahh well, at least now we can kill you both."

I sneered, "This child is my niece. Does that surprise you?" I turned around and spotted a small window behind me. I reached into my bag and pulled out some more clay, "And here's another surprise." as the clay left my hand, I made hand signs, then ran for the window.

The explosion was enough to kill everyone in the house, but unfortunately the whole structure collapsed almost immediately. But me and Reika escaped and left without turning back.

Back at the hideout, I was hoping that I could get permission off of Leader or Konan to keep Reika, but Kisame and Itachi were first to see her.

"Who's that?" Kisame asked, pointing one of his massive fingers at Reika, who was fast asleep in my arms, scowling in disgust at her.

"My niece, Reika." I replied quickly, looking back up at him with eyes forcing him to wipe the disgust off of his sadistic face.

Kisame chuckled loudly, "Is that the child who was going to be assassinated? What a joke! What did she do that ended in her assassination attempt?"

I chose to ignore him, as he continued to ramble. That is when Itachi finally spoke up.

"Kisame, be quiet." he peered over at Reika and spoke again, "Hn. I sense her potential. Clearly tougher than she looks. I think she will be an impressive Shinobi in the future. Like my brother, Sasuke, and cousin, Hitomi." he looked away again, "I'm going out for a bit. Kisame, you stay here." and left.

I felt Reika stir in my arms, and when I looked down, she yawned, stretched her arms out and looked up at me. She giggled and grabbed the collar of my cloak, hugging me tightly, "Dei-Dei!" she called out to me.

My eyebrow twitched. I hate it when she calls me that.

Kisame snorted, before roaring with laughter, "This child is priceless...Dei-Dei. If I were Leader, I would definitely allow ya keep her. She's a laugh!"

I sighed as a slight pang of embarrassment welled up inside , "Don't call me that." I demanded, looking down at Reika, who was now wide awake and struggling to get down.

"Dei-Dei!" she shouted again, before walking off somewhere.

Kisame was leaning against the wall, howling with laughter, trying to maintain his balance. I can tell he won't let this go...

I growled under my breath before following Reika. And we both landed slap bang in front of one of the founders of the Akatsuki. At least it was Konan. She has much better understanding than Leader-sama about family issues.

She looked at me with her sunset orange eyes, before looking down at Reika again, who was standing directly in front of her, her mouth partially open.

"Who's this?" she demanded, taking a small step back as Reika tried to approach her.

"M..my niece, Konan-San." I stammered slightly.

Konan examined Reika. Reika looked back up and smiled at her, before hugging her leg. I am not sure whether Konan was impressed or not, but she asked another question with no expression change on her stone face.

"Where is she from?" she asked, "Where's her family?"

"Iwa, Konan-san. Her parents were killed last night. I am the only family she has now." I replied, not moving from the spot I was standing in.

Konan nodded once, taking in all of my rambles, "She has nowhere else to go?"

I shook my head, "I am all she has."

Konan sighed, "Then she can stay. But she is your priority. None of us need to have anything to do with her."

When Reika giggled again, I could have sworn I noticed Konan's mouth turn up at the corners, before it disappeared again, and she turned and left without another word.

Months passed, and most of the Akatsuki have taken quite an interest in Reika. They were definitely curious about her skills. And it turns out it is not just modelling Reika can do, she can also paint, sew, play simple pieces of music and do origami. (Which Konan was really impressed with) Sometimes I even get a glimpse of Konan giving Reika lessons in origami folding, well that is, before Konan slams the door on me. She hates to show her soft side to anyone. Leader-sama agreed with Konan at the fact that Reika can stay as long as I look after her. Sasori is interested in Reika as well, much to my dislike. Reika can make dolls flawlessly with strings and stitches. Sasori may have puppets, but to him, dolls are the next best thing because she is able to manipulate her creations like Sasori can his, and I am convinced he is giving her lessons as well a Konan. As for everyone else They are not particularly interested in Reika's presence and try to avoid it as much as possible.

What will the future hold for Reika I won't be able to tell.