Disclaimers: I don't own the Naruto series, nor do I make any money from fanfics. Nosirree.

A/N update, as of 03/2018: Initially created as an X'mas gift-fic challenge, before being posted here on 10 January 2006. Thanks for the reviews! Canon-wise, I doubt I'd be able to write another Deidara x TenTen fic, except to make it AU (if I do). If anything further is written as canon-compliant, the ending will not be what some of you are hoping for.

Kama here refers to a weapon resembling a sickle.
Sōshōryū is the skill involving scrolls which TenTen used against Temari, in her 1st chūnin exam.

Words in italics denote thoughts.
Spoilers for chapter 277 and 278.

Canon-compliant and manga-compliant, insofar as trying to figure out the incredibly screwed-up timeline of when certain members joined Akatsuki, which a certain manga author didn't manage to iron out and fix.

the little things

He was dead.

Sasori-danna was gone. That certainty was as vivid as coppery saltiness trickling down Deidara's chin. And what was finally acknowledged was their lie.

Art could not last, but it was the code that mattered. Living the dream, then ultimately dying for it was the sign of a true artist. Conclusions were inescapable and at this moment, a somewhat battered shinobi could not help but sigh. An old lady and a greenhorn kunoichi were evidence of that. Now, though, he had something else to prove. About little things-

Wearily rising to his feet as he staggered out of the bushes, the missing-nin was just in time to be surprised by the final group of overlooked details aiming to kill him. It wasn't the man in ludicrous green, a younger and just as ridiculous-looking version, or the arrogant lout with strange white eyes arresting his attention. Confidence, determination, satisfaction… They could not hide the last person he expected to meet here.

One whose vivid features blanched upon seeing him, obviously keeping her mouth tightly shut, and from the familiar sight of clenched jaw and impending frown… was probably biting her lower lip in order not to speak.

Why should he care about her discomfort? She was after all, an enemy. Just like the other three who were readying to attack him.

Time flies. And you're anything but the little girl I first met…

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While picking up the small parcel from the stall, he found himself unable to hide a fleeting smile. He was feeling mildly generous.

Annoying Sasori-danna was an enjoyable habit, but irritating Uchiha Itachi had been rare self-indulgence. It was so easy to accomplish, and one of the few advantages he had over someone he despised with the fires of a thousand suns. Yes, Deidara would not deny being a sore and petty loser at times, and only one person ignited a bloodthirsty desire for vengeance. Uchiha Itachi had accomplished victory over him so easily with that uniquely ugly eye, thereby determining his path with Akatsuki, and it was galling.

His revenge? He only had to buy red bean dango from that one's birthplace, and then slowly savour every mouthful in front of him without offering. Pretend to ignore how unnerving eyes did not blink, while watching with heightened intensity, barely-noticeable movements not silent enough, as fists were clenched beneath the black cloak patterned with red plumes worn by every Akatsuki member… Cruelly frustrating whimsy was blatant yet subtle at the same time.

Someday, that fool would thank him for it. For providing hateful fuel as sustenance until he died by the hands of a foolish little brother, as planned. To Deidara, idealistic nonsense reigned on both sides and in both brothers, possibly a family trait. No one was automatically entitled to justified revenge or remorseful compensation in this world, no matter how much they had suffered. In his opinion, it was pure stupidity to invest so much of your life to a task once finished, would leave one's soul drier than a corpse in the desert. That was not art which would endure the ages, and was definitely not the epitome of fleeting genius which would make an unforgettable impact upon the world.

But in a bout of unusual anger during his baiting, the Uchiha had unintentionally revealed a secret about his own experience with the Mangekyou Sharingan. And Deidara understood. Uchiha Itachi was an artist in the field of torture, and to have the chance of eventually bestowing such a gift upon one who despised you… where they had once loved and revered you to the extent of detestable jealousy… to cement irrefutable love through unforgettable hatred, even as absolution was finally attained, was-

Mutual respect had been established amidst the sweetness of bitter loathing, and the taunting had turned into wary sharing for just one occasion. Both Akatsuki members had agreed that in the meantime, the best ways to occupy oneself was made up of the little pleasures helping to motivate their missions. Such as annoying the heck out of each other, when not doing their best to ignore whatever they didn't like. All this did not reduce a certain missing-nin's burning desire to kill Uchiha Itachi one day to avenge a humiliating defeat, if a certain foolish little brother did not succeed first.

However, Deidara could not stop wondering if the details given to him by a certain former Leaf-nin were true or sufficiently comprehensive, in terms of the overall backstory. If the more-seasoned Akatsuki members were none the wiser about the thoughts and motivations of their partner-in-crime, even after sharing missions while he barely knew the guy, he was not about to wholeheartedly believe Uchiha Itachi had accidentally bared his soul to him regarding what had really happened back then in Konoha, and why.

Passing by training grounds as he headed deeper into the forest away from Konoha, a lone girl was obviously fiercely struggling to find at least one of those. He paused, maybe because he was bored, or maybe because he had recognised a struggling artist with a potentially similar vein of art. Her ideas needed more creativity, and she was missing half her targets scattered around the boundaries. She was skillful, but skill was insufficient, when it came to technique creations. Since she was attempting to create and define her own special technique, she would need to be much better than this. An artist whose sketches were inadequately planned would never come up with any works worth noting or lasting. Stepping into the clearing, the missing-nin began to gather up scattered shuriken, kunai, kama and so forth, while ignoring her shouts of anger.

Sauntering to the center where she stood and stealthily palming a small ball of clay, using minimal chakra to adhere each weapon to it, he decided to act on the continued feeling of kindness, to ensure such uselessness would be used up. Emptying his compassion for the day would result in him not wanting to share the dango with Itachi, thereby annoying his source of irritation, and allowing him to bask in long-missed irritation.

The sphere exploded.

An awed gasp was pleasing to his ears, as she saw how every bulls-eye was squarely pierced with her implements. And the line of chakra from each weapon connecting to curled fingers… this method was a combination of his and Sasori's art.

'How did you do that?'

Shrugging, he turned to leave.

'At least let me know your name!'

This child displayed the behaviour of a cute, prickly and rather expressive hedgehog. Her eyes were an edible shade of brown, and anything but dull. How much more endearing would she be, when she smiled? Glancing back, he pushed the hat higher up, so she could not miss his amusement.

'You'll have one from this artist, un… when you're capable of receiving it, un.'

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Staring at the four engaged in combat, TenTen did not know whom she was more concerned for. She was vaguely aware that something should be done, but she didn't know what it should be.

Her feet could have been two lumps of brick iron, her arms were heavy, the contents of her stomach were as co-operative as wildly churning butter, and her mind was swirling from glimpsing unique blue that bordered on icy waters of distant lands, especially the kunai between his lips. No. This was counterproductive to the basics learnt at the academy. One should not be side-tracked with emotion in battle... But she couldn't help it.

Not when she had missed him, ever since the first time they had met. She had wondered if she had encountered a demigod of battles. Neji reminded her of this man, but there had always been a marked difference in many small areas. And today, she was being forced to clearly confront contrasts between the two.

With the passage of time, the Hyūga prodigy had remained as cool as ever, though bitterness displayed during the chuunin exams had mellowed drastically. He was still somewhat sensitive over certain issues, but at least he was starting to be more communicative on personal manner… ever since losing to Uzumaki Naruto, then spending more time socialising with Lee and Hinata.

But he was never able to take your place. Your skill and agility - You remain totally at ease and dangerously confident, even when fighting my team mates in your current condition. Always slipping beneath my ability to comprehend your personality, which can be cold and then warm in turn. So much and so little revealed simultaneously… like that day, not too long after I had turned fifteen.

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For passing the Chūnin exams, newly promoted shinobi were always given two days off.

TenTen had opted to go alone to a festival for welcoming the bloom of spring, two towns away. Putting aside duty, missions and everybody else she knew, the heady sense of complete freedom was liberating. Strolling past vendors selling everything –from rainbow whirling paper pinwheels to sticky candy to barbequed eel on skewers– was almost childhood nostalgia. The hustle and bustle as children ran around holding balloons in various shapes of wrongly-coloured animals, their merry laughter accompanied by raucous cries of peddlers hawking many stalls of wares, adults singing snatches of folk songs or discussing the best picnic spots, delicious aroma of takoyaki and yakisoba being prepared and served piping-hot… and the unexpected but distinctively familiar tinkle of bells hanging from a hat, as two strangers in black and red cloaks walked past-

Whirling around, she began to follow the duo while keeping a comfortable distance. Not more than twenty paces had gone by before they halted, the taller one speaking quietly to the shorter and much stouter companion. Eventually the other shuffled away, and the remaining individual turned around, pushing up the hat with a recognised gesture. Blue met brown, followed by a seemingly sensual smile rousing a sensation of fluttering butterflies in her stomach. What she could not appreciate back then as a ten-year-old, now she could… too much.

'Are you finally ready for my name, un?' A hint of roguish teasing lingered in a lazy drawl, as deeply soothing as an unexplored pool beneath a tranquil waterfall.

Swallowing hard and fingering the few scrolls in her weapons pouch, she could only nod.

'Then prove it. Un.'

Nodding again and trying to look more confident than she felt, she crooked a finger and strode past him. Without looking back and hearing no footsteps, she knew he was following. Little hairs prickled at the nape of her neck, and she was suddenly acutely aware of being female under his unwavering gaze… even more so than being around Neji.

In a clearing surrounded by cherry trees, they faced each other. She would show him the improvements made to the scrolls utilising Sōshōryū. He would be impressed, even if she might not defeat him. Body language had never been more important.

Amidst a scattering of cherry blossoms and maiming dance of weapons, the extent of his taijutsu prowess was revealed, as he emerged unscathed. The hitai-ate was removed and tucked away before she could see which village he came from. His hat though, lay on the ground, bells severed.

And his name on her lips was sweet victory, as TenTen boldly asked for one more favour to prolong an encounter that she did not want to end.

'Deidara-kun… I want to see your art.'

Blond head cocked to one side; for a moment there was no change in a blank expression. Then there was a charming smile capable of weakening the knees, as he produced a giant eagle from clay with both hands. And for the first time, TenTen truly knew what it was to fly… in all senses of the word.

He stood behind her –close but not touching– their chakra keeping them safely stuck to back of the bird as it swooped, dived, soared and even attempted a few upside-down loops. The first time it did that, she nearly lost her balance despite his warning, and he immediately reached out to steady her. And her hands gripped his knuckles, as his arms remained encircling her waist. His laughter at her enthusiasm was immensely uplifting.

It was exhilarating and utterly absorbing, even if there had been almost no conversation.

When she finally got off his creation, radiant glow of the setting sun bathed everything in a soft rose, dusky orange creeping up to embrace deepening yellow. Pale pink lightness fell from the trees like summer rain, nature's floral jewels a barely-heard pitter-patter carpeting the ground, even as a breeze rustled the leaves into responsively murmuring but left lengthening shadows unaffected.

'If circumstances permit, we may meet again, un.'

'Promise?'

Staring at each other while an arms-length apart, silently taking in the years change had wrought, full of secrets and aware of a vast potential of possibilities, both sides did not move. A wealth of secrets lay between them, but the danger to breaching that barrier had been sensed. Yet there was a faint hope of… She wished… wanted to… Fumbling in her weapons pouch, she removed and extended the oldest and best-polished kunai, one with a leaf carved into the base of the handle.

'I'll want it back. Until then, I- You- Please keep yourself safe.'

'I have nothing to exchange for your gift, un.'

Taking a deep breath to chase away overwhelming nervousness, licking her lips and squaring her shoulders, TenTen challenged him for a daring confirmation.

The next few seconds practically crawled by. Gazing down at her, blue eyes an ocean she could willingly drown in were no longer crinkled at the corners with amusement, tanned countenance solemn and seemingly lost in musing, while pursed lips thinned into a straight line. Despite holding his stare, the hand holding out her kunai started to tremble slightly, as there was no encouraging sign.

Then the offer was taken from her right hand, while his other hand immediately pulled her closer by the left arm. Eyes closing, as unnecessary distance was eradicated- The culmination of these little things was the epitome of dreams meshing with reality, where there were no words to define chaste contact but in this unforgettable snippet of time and prolonged passionate sentiment without speaking… There was no need for such a medium to communicate the unmistakable.

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Brown met blue, as he nimbly avoided numerous kunai and fuuma shuriken she had thrown. With that exchange amid unprovoked hostility, a line had been drawn. And responses triggered were ultimately inevitable, apart from quite a few other things in the mix.

There is no way to escape easily, and in this state… Let me show you my true art, which you duly deserve, TenTen.

Landing next to his fallen steed, never taking his eyes off his three main opponents even if his actual focus was safely behind them, her kunai was vehemently spat to one side. And a finish to this farce was about to be firmly established.

Seeing scornful discarding of her weapon hurt so much more than expected. Unable to take her eyes off him, she didn't have to be a genius to read the message in his expression and vicious manner of his gesture. It would be impossible to forget venomous intensity in a darkening eye, even as her admiration and more… guilt at the sight of defiant determination scalded, mercilessly tearing at the innermost recesses of her jumbled thoughts, resulting in a strange ache within her chest.

I'm not a liar, Deidara-kun! I- I-

'We have to leave this place now!'

Despite Neji's shouted warning, the full explosion never happened because of Hatake Kakashi. However, destruction where it mattered had been accomplished. Wholly preoccupied with reviving the Kazekage, tending to the old sand-nin and checking the well-being of other comrades, no one heard an anguished whisper in place of tears that were not allowed to fall… very much like the shattering of glass about to crumble into countless shards. The raw agony of a young girl only touched barren ground, whereby delicately nurtured growth had been brutally crushed.

'W-why...'

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A few minutes later, a tired and armless missing-nin pulled himself out of the ground. Earth-element escaping techniques were extremely handy.

Damn the Copy Ninja, for getting rid of my exploding clone before it could even demonstrate its full power… But nevertheless, those fools should be sufficiently convinced of my 'death'.

This incident had taught and reconfirmed quite a few points. Standing there, ignoring the grimy and tattered state he was in, Deidara sighed as he looked towards the horizon.

These… moments were small fancies, meant solely to entertain oneself with until the time came to die. And as such, they could not be taken too seriously or significantly. Little things might add up to become important, but they had always been virtually unnoticeable to begin with. If he remembered the origins and kept them in their place without letting them gain misleading importance, there would be no trouble, such as actually harbouring illogical hope. Or remembering brown eyes that had been so deceptively pleading, yet unmistakably traitorous at the last instance… Which he could not hope to forget, but he could try.

Art was the only thing worth trusting. And a final bit of formerly treasured nonsense was tossed into a chest, locked up and thrown together with the key into the vast murkiness of his subconscious.

Now I need to find my ring. Before foolish Tobi gets there first and ends up annoying me enough into killing him… when I'm not in the least bit inclined to be nice.

Sometimes, life needed less of the little things.

FIN