It had been a week since Deidara had come into their home, well, not necessarily into the home. He lived a few minutes away from their residence. Hiro would not let him stay in their guest room for reasons only Akahana would know.

So much had changed, yet it felt like nothing at all. Deidara never mentioned her suicide attempt, in fact, he pretended as if he had never even met her. He came over in the mornings, made sure she ate, helped with household chores, and left in the evening. He hardly even spared her more than a few words. Akahana couldn't help but wonder if she was some kind of a disease to him, as if he might catch the depression that filled her mind just by being near her.

She, of course, wanted nothing more than to speak to him, but the young girl was awful with words and didn't know what she could possibly say. 'Hey. I know you remember me. I was the girl who tried to throw herself over that cliff?' No. She simply couldn't do that.

"Akahana, un?" A voice spoke very close to her.

Jumping a little, she refocused her eyes on the blondes face, "Deidara. I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."

He smiled at her so sweetly it was almost heart breaking, "Its fine. You worry me when you do that kind of thing, yeah."

"How often do I space out like that?"

"At least once a day," He replied, looking slightly perplexed, "Do you not notice the time passing, un?"

Slowly, the abused girl shook her head, "No. It's a sub-conscious thing. My mind shuts out everything besides the thought I'm focusing on. Usually, it's because I'm trying to solve some sort of inner dilemma. It's easier without the outside distraction."

That gorgeous smile reappeared on his lips, "I see, hm."

"What are you smiling about?" She questioned, raising an eyebrow.

He stood from the stool he had been resting on, "Nothing, un. That's just the longest sentence you have ever said to me."

Without meaning to, Akahana felt her cheeks flush with color. Had he been keeping track of their, very short, conversations? "Oh."

"No, no, no." He said in a sing-song voice, touching his fingertips to her pink cheek, "Don't go back to relying on one word answers, un."

If possible, the woman's cheeks flushed even darker and she wondered how he hadn't noticed her obvious embarrassment, "Okay, Deidara. I'll try. It's more difficult than you think."

His blue eyes searched her face carefully as they let a comfortable silence fall over them. Akahana couldn't help but be very aware of his fingers still on her cheek and how beautiful he was this close. Just as she was about to look away from him, Deidara announced happily, "We are going to the park!"

"W-what?" She stuttered.

"I've been here over a week and you haven't left the house once, un. It's a crime. You need to go outside, yeah."

Annoyed, she crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't think so."

Deidara laughed and shrugged slightly, "It doesn't matter, un. I'm in charge while your fiancé is gone. So, get ready, yeah." Akahana stared at him; he couldn't be serious right now. Was this boy really going to make her go to the park, even though she clearly had no desire to?

His expectant eyes met hers eagerly and Akahana sighed deeply. Yes. He was going to make her go. "Fine. I'll be right back."

He grinned devilishly, "I'll be right here, yeah."

Rolling her beautiful green eyes she stood up and left the kitchen. Walking upstairs she wondered what he had seen while he had been searching so deeply in her eyes. Had he noticed the pain that strangled her heart? Could he tell that she still wanted to throw herself into darkness? No. Of course he couldn't. In fact, Akahana doubted he knew that she was still broken. He couldn't know that she was still trapped. Deidara probably thought her life was perfect, wonderful even. He had never seen Hiro's true colors, so he could never understand.

~.~

Deidara watched as the tiny woman left the kitchen and let out a soft sigh while running a hand through his hair that was not tied up. He wanted so much to ask her why she had tried to end her life. Her fiancé was pleasant enough, she had a great home and all the things she could need. So there must be something wrong, there had to be some deep secret inside her.

The blonde had no idea how to ask her though, so he pushed his concern to the back of his mind. He was doing all he could to try and keep her happy, but it was so damn hard. Deidara did not know anything about the woman. Suggesting the trip to the park was an attempt to get her outside, where he hoped she would reveal something about herself that he could use for future reference.

"Deidara." Her lovely voice complained as she walked back into the room, "I really don't want to leave."

He smiled a little and shook his head, "Too bad, un. You have to go, but you really don't need that jacket. Its warm out, yeah."

Akahana clutched the fabric closer to her, "I want it. I'm always cold and I would feel better if it was with me."

"Okay, un." Deidara replied, finding this slightly odd, "Keep it then."

He picked up his keys off the kitchen counter and walked out to the entry way, the raven haired girl trailing behind him hesitantly. The blonde man threw the door open and took a step outside, breathing the air in deeply, then he bounced down the front steps. "Seriously, un. You'll love this park, if you've never been there. You're never too old to swing, yeah!"

"Deidara…" Her voice sounded oddly far away.

"Yeah, un?" He turned around to see her still standing in the doorway, as if she was afraid to take another step. "Akahana, come on. It's okay, hm."

Her cheeks tinted red as she stuttered out softly, "I know. I just haven't been outside since we met."

"That was last week, yeah." He replied, perplexed.

She shook her head and spoke even softer than before, "No. When we really first met."

"Oh." Deidara said lightly. What else could he say?

Akahana nodded her head and looked at the ground, "This is a bad idea."

~.~

There was a long moment of silence and she was just about to turn around and walk back inside when something unexpected happened. The woman felt her eyes widen as Deidara's hand clasped her own. How had he even gotten to her so quickly? She had not even noticed him move. Her emerald eyes met his cyan ones and he smiled lightly, "It's okay, yeah. I'll be with you the whole time."

For some reason, Akahana was very comforted by this statement. Slowly, she nodded her head and took a step out of the house, "Alright."

"Good!" He grinned wider and tugged her behind him as he walked, "To the park we go, un!"

Akahana shook her head and, a smile touching her lips, she couldn't help but think, 'What a strange man you are, Deidara. Your positivity is so contagious.'