Edit: Sorry I'm editing this! This chapter wasn't beta read and I kept finding mistakes! It drove me up the wall! So here's the rewritten version of "RikikazeDeidara's story."

My labored breathing was among one of the only sounds I heard as I ran, besides the muted thuds my feet made when they hit the branches. Maybe taking the roads would have spared me a few scratches, and would have been less tiring, but this was more fun. I liked the feeling of being a bullet in the trees. It was liberating.

I pushed my self to go faster, and my hair blew out behind me as I moved.

"Shit." I swore, as a sharp branch cut into my cheek. Almost immediately a warm glow was on my cheek as I healed it, only for it to be cut open once again. "Goddamnit…" I muttered, and ignored the stinging that resided there. My face was covered in scratches that I had to keep healing, and re-healing, and it just wasn't worth it anymore.

Eventually, little droplets of rain began to splatter through the branches, and onto my face. I glanced up at the darkening sky and knew I was close to my target: Amegakure.

I jumped down from the last of the branches as I reached the end of the forest, and began running, my feet making a steady "smack, smack, smack" sound against the ground. I could see Amegakure now, its village walls just barely popping in over the horizon. I huffed, and my breathing became more escalated as I pushed to run faster. I did not want to get caught in a thunder storm before reaching the village.

The rain began to pound harder against my body, and I winced, feeling chilled to the bone. I began to slow as the village seemed to grow larger. I wasn't far, now.

Finally, I was at the gates of Ame, feeling more and more exhausted as I walked. Passing through the gates, my body wavered slightly as the exhaustion set in. The crowd of people was solid, and there was a loud roar of talking as people shared gossip, sang, worked, and bartered with each other. It would have been a pleasant sight, but I wasn't really giving any of them much more than a second glance.

As I began to walk deeper into the village, the crowd that was once so dense near the gate began to dissipate. My brow furrowed as I became confused. Weren't crowds supposed to increase as you went deeper into a village? Oh well, it wasn't of great importance anyways. The less people who saw me before I reached my destination, the better.

About a half hour later into my walk, I came across a hotel that was located on my left. I would have completely missed it, except there was a heavy aroma of food emanating from said building. I turned my head towards it and sniffed the air. My stomach growled, and I looked down at it. It was then that I remembered I hadn't had proper sustenance in about two days, but I wasn't sure that I wanted to go into the proper looking hotel, considering it was a huge distance away from my final goal.

It was the grumbling of my stomach, and the suddenly heavy rain that decided for me. I smiled, and then turned into the hotel. I was pleasantly surprised at how warm and homey it was. I stood there, entranced and enveloped by warmth until a scrawny little woman scurried up to the desk in front of me, and began calling "Ma'am! Ma'am?"

Snapping out of it, I stumbled up to the desk, and greeted her as warmly as I could. "Hello to you too! Can I interest you in a bed, weary traveler?" She said, and I nodded. Her smile widened, and she pushed forward an open book that was sitting on the counter which I had not noticed before. "All I need you to do is pay for the room, then sign here, on this line!" She pointed to the next empty space down, and I nodded, taking the pen off her desk.

"Ruka Hariza" I signed, and handed her all the money from the inside of the pocket on my shorts. "Keep the change." I mumbled, and she cried out "T-thank you!" As I walked up the stairs. I waved behind me, and continued up.

It was too bad that my money was fake, and that I wasn't Ruka Hariza.

Traitor would have probably been a more appropriate name.

The next day

My sleep was fitful and restless. I woke up, feeling a ton of soreness in my muscles, as if I had gotten run over by a heavy boulder. I groaned as I opened my eyes, and slammed my hand on the digital clock beside me, turning it around so I could see. It was… 11:07 pm, and I did need to get up if I wanted to make my appointment. I sat up, and let out a heavy, sleep ridden sigh. Throwing the covers off me, I made a move to stand up. I hissed as my feet touched the ground, the cold shock sending my skin into goosebumps.

I stood up, and padded over to my bag, which was slumped over by my shoes. Picking it up, I looked around the room, and my lip twitched. The room was extremely plain, considering it was just different shades of taupe. Ugh, it could have been so much prettier, but there was nothing I could do.

Finally, my eyes landed on a white door in which I had not noticed before: The bathroom. I frowned to myself at the thought that I might not have time to take a shower. It was enticing though... After not showering for three days, and especially since I'd been sleeping on the ground.

I eventually decided that I could take ten minutes out of my precious time to take one. If I was late, then I was late.

/

"Arigato!" I called as I pushed out of the double doors and into the rain. Walking out into the street, I began to replay the instructions I had received, on the night I became a traitor.

Four days ago…

"But… But.. Tsuchikage-Sama!" I complained. I had been assigned border patrol once again, and this time I wasn't keeping quiet. "Listen, Riki-San, I do understand you feel as though you can do more than what you've been assigned, but I will not put my village in jeopardy, especially not after recent events. You are a Black Opt, isn't that enough?" He said pleadingly.

No, I thought, especially not since you only made me Captain of a team to keep an eye on me. "Please, Tsuchikage-S-" "Dismissed." He growled, and I sighed. Making the hand sign for transport, I left the building, and transported outside the tower.

It was total B.S. that I was on probation because of the faults of my parents. I was allowed only a five mile radius from the village and if I strayed, even accidentally from that, I would be severely punished.

My talents as an Anbu Black Opt were underestimated, underused, and underappreciated. Okay, sure, I passed out a few times during battle, but that was only because my weakling teammates relied on me for the jutsu that I could only use twice within a strict amount of time, and if I was forced to use more than that, I could pass out. They knew this, and made me do it anyways. They were useless.

Looking up at the sky through my mask, I noticed a short building close to where I was standing, and began to push chakra into my legs. I crouched close to the ground, and then let the chakra build up in my legs. I sprung up, and onto the building, landing with a smashing sound against the tin roof. I began to sprint on the roof, jumped to the next, and broke out into a run. I laughed, care-free and joyful as the wind swept through my hair.

Finally, I reached the house closest to the gate of Iwagakure, and jumped down. My team was already crouched outside, going over the patrol plans. I walked up to them, and squatted down beside them, squeezing into the circle.

"Ohayo." I greeted, and got several scattered Good mornings back. I was about to begin speaking, when one of my subordinates spoke. I looked up at him, and frowned.

"Senpai," He started, "Why do you choose to travel by foot instead of transport? It always makes you late, and it's unintelligent when you can save more physical strength that way. I thought such a level headed woman like yourself would know that. You seem to not be thinking correctly. I wonder if the Tsuchikage was in his right mind when he appointed you as leader. I, personally, don't think he was." He said, and I could hear the sneer in his voice. This said subordinate fought over team lead against me, and when he lost, he turned nasty.

"Because," I spat, "traveling by foot installs discipline in yourself, and it keeps you from turning into a fat, lazy, pig." Laughs erupted from the group, and he growled. He was about to say something, but I interrupted violently.

"And if you ever, ever," I lurched forward, wrapped my gloved hand around his throat, and slammed him against the gate wall. He gasped, and began clawing at my arm. "insult the Tsuchikage, or question my authority again," I clenched my hand tighter against his throat, and he coughed up blood. "I will not hesitate to snap your fucking neck." I released him, letting his gasping body drop to the ground.

I turned around to face my team, who were completely silent.

"Now," I said in the sweetest voice I could muster, "Let's go over those border patrol plans."

/

"SCATTER!" I shouted, and several black streaks shot into the air, me being one of them. I landed with a heavy thump on a branch, crouched, and then shot off again. I began jumping from branch to branch, until I finally reached the five mile radius.

See, our border patrol went like this. Black Opt One would run one mile in a circle, around the village. Black Opt Two ran two miles, one mile away from Black Opt One, and Black Opt Three, ectetera, all the way to five, which was me. I would continue running around, and around, in the tedious circle until night patrol came to relieve us. There was almost never any action on border patrol, just a lot of running.

Underestimated, underused, and underappreciated ran through my mind. I gritted my teeth, and pushed the thoughts away.

After about 3 hours of border patrol, my wireless radio went off. It was loud, frantic, and static-y.

"…Opt 4…I'v…counter…emy… HELP… akat…ki…"

Pressing the button on the collar around my neck, I yelled into the microphone "BLACK OPT FOUR. CAN YOU READ ME?" My heart began to pound when he didn't respond, and adrenaline pumped through my blood. I stopped my repetitive jumping circle by landing on a branch. This was not good.

I crouched on all fours, with one hand pressed against the button, and began to bark out orders to my team. "Black Opts One and Two, I need you to run back to the village and get back up. If I'm right, we're going to need it. Black Opt Three, I need you to keep circling the village. Make sure no one gets by you. I'll check out what happened to Black Opt Four. Do you understand me?" Three simultaneous Hai!'s came, and I let go of the button.

I shut my eyes, and began making the hand sign for my jutsu. Rat-monkey-dog-ox-turtle-tiger… I felt the waves of chakra sonar erupt from my body, and the pictures began to come back to me. Solid things were white; the space between black, and chakra was blue. I began jumping from branch to branch, trying to feel out where the enemy was.

Suddenly, I was aware of two chakra signatures not far ahead, actually, with their backs faced to me.

Then, as a wave of sonar hit the shorter of the pair, he spun around, and with lightning fast speed, he was right in front of me.

I opened my eyes, only to find them staring into a pair of red sharingans.

"Shit!" I spat, as my world turned black and white.

Suddenly, I was standing, chained on top of what looked like the face of a tree trunk. My body's movements were extremely restricted, and when I looked up, I saw the negative form of Uchiha Itachi.

"What do you want, Akatsuki swine?" I snarled, and he took a step forward. "Keiyoutada Rikikaze." He started, "I am aware that you are the last of your clan whom has not had their Kekkei Genkai removed by Iwagakure." I sneered at him. "Well no shit, Sherlock. What of it?" I spat out the last sentence.

I did not want to be here, trapped and vulnerable, especially since the Tsuchikage would definitely find out, and use it as an excuse to revoke me of my ninja status. That was something I definitely did not need right now.

"The Akatsuki are interested in you. Your unique Kekkei Genkai, on top of your Anbu status makes you legible to join our ranks. Think of the opportunity we are presenting you with. It would be such a shame, for you, a kunoichi of such status to be wasted on border patrol. If you wish to take us up on this offer, you are expected in Amegakure in four days. Go to the middle of the village made from pipes and search out the tallest building there. Be there by 1:00, or be forced."

His words had an impact on me like no one else's did.

"Yes."

Then, I was released from the genjutsu.

The present…

I stood at the base of the tower, staring up the length of it. Oh yeah, it was definitely the tallest building in Amegakure. Droplets of rain began to hit my face, snapping me out of my trance. My lip twitched, and I leveled out my face. Staring at the multicolor washed out pipes, I tried to gather up enough courage to go inside.

Finally, as the rain changed from droplets to a light drizzle, I stepped forward, turned the handle and walked inside.

Standing in what looked like a very sophisticated mudroom was who I assumed to be Pein, Amegakure's leader. I looked up from his feet, up to his eyes. When I got there, I gasped in shock. His eyes were grey/purple, with a beautiful ripple pattern on the inside. It was the Rinnengan…

I had to force myself to look away from his eyes, because not only did I feel fear stricken, but mesmerized as well… As if I was being pulled in, and I wouldn't be able to stop myself from entering the void. When I finally did look away, Pein began to speak. His deep voice intimidated me, and I could tell he had a lot of power.

"Hello. I assume you are the new member Itachi and Kisame recruited for me?" I tilted my head when he said "Kisame," because I had no idea who that was. The only one I remembered was Itachi.

"You probably only remember Itachi, I presume." Wow, he was good.

"Welcome to the Akatsuki. Do you wish to be called Rikikaze-San, or Keiyoutada-San?" He asked, his face without emotion.

"Riki is fine, Leader-Sama…" I avoided his eyes, and instead stared at all his piercings. Ew…

"Allow me to show you where you will be staying." He said, and the turned to the right side of the dark hallway/room, and to a door I hadn't noticed. He opened the door and began walking up the stairs. I followed him, and he began explaining to me where everything was located.

"The medical ward is on the second floor. I understand you're a medical ninja, so feel free to use what ever is in there for your benefit. Konan's room is the third floor. Go ahead and talk to her if you have any complaints. The fourth floor is the treasury, and you may only enter there with the Akatsuki's treasurer. The fifth floor is the rest of the rooms for the Akatsuki members. There is a kitchen there too, so you don't need to leave to cook. The sixth floor is a greenery, owned by Zetsu, and you may enter only with his explicit permission. My room and office are on the top floor. You may not enter any other floor except the ones just described. Do we understand each other?" He said, and I replied back with a sharp "Hai!"

"We have reached the bedrooms." He said, gesturing to the door.

" You will share a room with your new partner, Deidara. I hope you are able to fit in well with the Akatsuki." And with that, he opened the door, and I grabbed hold of it. He started up the stairs, and I cried after him, "Thank you!" He stopped, turned his head, nodded, then continued up the stairs.

Deidara's POV

I yawned as I walked into the kitchen, and began rooting around in the pantry. I was pushing aside cans and boxes of food, when I found what I lived off of; Instant miso-ramen.

Grabbing the plastic cup, I pulled it out of the pantry, and turned around. Kicking the door shut with my heel, I pulled a kunai out of my holster and stabbed a couple holes in the top. When I finished I put the cup in the microwave, and set it for two minutes. Then, I leaned back against the counter across from the microwave and grabbed some clay from my pouch. I played with it as I stared at the little spinning cup through the glass, while watching the little numbers count down.

Suddenly, my ears perked as I heard the door to the floor open. I tensed up, and on reflex, my skin on my palms parted, teeth pushed past the folds, and began chewing the clay. Then, unbelievably, I heard a female cry out "Thank you!" I much as I wanted to stay and eat my miso, I knew I'd have to go check it out, yeah.

I walked out cautiously, kunai in front of me in one hand, while I shaped a bomb with the other. There, standing by the doorway, was a girl, around my age, and on her arm was a red, Anbu Black Opts tattoo.

"Who are you, yeah?" I asked, and gave her a once over.

Her clothing was fairly simple, a light blue half shirt, with black silk ribbons zig zagging across it, tightening the shirt at certain areas. At the top of her shirt, the black ribbon connected to both her arms, and the ribbons were tied around her arms and ended at her palms. Her shorts were kind of like camel pants, baggy, then tight at the end, with more ribbons crossing them. Her dark brown hair was tied up, and her skin was oddly pale for a ninja. She was right-handed, as her kunai holster was on her right leg, and her thigh high boots were light blue, the same as her shirt. All in all, she was average, nothing special.

"Me? I'm Keiyoutada Rikikaze. You're… Deidara of Iwagakure, aren't you?" She replied, and she looked absolutely calm as she said it. I edged toward her and said "How'd you know that, hm?" She smirked at me and said "I've seen your file." I smirked back, and then threw my kunai at her. She back flipped out into the hallway, and slammed the door shut as more kunai were flung into it. I slammed open then door and stepped out into the hallway. "Why are you here?" I called, and got no answer. Then, I heard a footstep or a noise near the top of the stairs, and threw small, little ball like beetles up there.

They exploded, and I heard a giggle come from behind me. I spun around, and there she was, wiggling her fingers at me. I scowled and flung more of my creations at her. She dodged by running up the walls, and onto the ceiling, and before I could react, she jumped down on top of my shoulders, and flipped me on to my back. Then, she quickly sat on my stomach and pinned my arms.

My head was spinning, and all I could think of was how fast she was.

"Why are you fighting me? That's no way to start a partnership." She said, smirking.

"Get the hell off of me." I growled, as the room stopped spinning, and she laughed. "Aw, why, so you can throw those cute little bombs at me again? I don't think so." I sighed, pushed my hands up against her wrists, and bit her.

"HOLY SHIT!" She screamed, and jumped back off of me. I smirked, and stood up. "What the fuck are those?" She exclaimed, and I chuckled. "Only the greatest weapons mankind has ever seen, yeah." I said, proudly showing her the mouths on my hands. "That is so weird, but interesting at the same time…" She tilted her head, and said "Their teeth are so white… How long do you spend brushing them per night?" I was about to answer when I realized she was kidding. I frowned, and said "Oh that was real funny, yeah. It was almost as funny when you screamed like a little academy student who just saw a mouse, un." Her smile turned into a frown, and I walked back inside, picking up my kunai, and heading back into the kitchen.

I could tell that this was going to be a lot of fun, yeah.

(A/N): That is the last description of my character that I will ever give. It felt so sueish… Oh well. This is the re-write of the first chapter to this story. I like it a lot better than what I had. A lot of people liked the bickering between the two, so I'm going to keep that a constant aspect of the story. I hope Deidara is more in character. So what'd you think?