Deidara's POV…
Walking into the kitchen, I retrieved my miso from the microwave. I turned, and then saw the same female standing in front of me. "What?" I said, and grabbed a pair of chopsticks from a cup on the counter. She just shook her head, and watched me eat. Her catlike, greenish yellow eyes watched me, and I felt a little unnerved as I brought the noodles to my mouth. I slurped, and her eyes landed on my ramen. I clenched the cup a little tighter in my hand, and guessed she was hungry.
"You can get some food if you want, yeah." I said, and her eyes lit up. She wasted no time, and sped over to the fridge in a blur. She was hungry; seriously, she couldn't wait to get her hands on food. I wondered when the last time she ate was. She opened the door, and it was my turn to watch her as I chewed.
It was odd. She would pick up pieces of food, sniff it, growl and put it back, or smile, and add it to the pile. Correction, it was quite was interesting. She was interesting. It wasn't only her eyes that were catlike, it was the entire way she carried herself. She was rather lithe, and quick, but easily distracted.
I slurped up the rest of my noodles, and tossed the cup in the trash, along with those thoughts. I couldn't let myself become attached again. I wouldn't. I turned around and smirked as I saw the armful of fruits she was holding. Then, she kicked the fridge door shut with her heel.
"Well?" She said. I raised an eyebrow and leaned back against the counter. "What do you mean, well, hm?" I muttered, and she scowled. "My backpack is heavy, I'm tired, and I want to eat. Can you please show me to where I'm staying?" I smirked, and said "Sure. You're lucky; you get to stay with the world's finest artist." I pushed off the counter, and walked out the kitchen. I could barely hear her light steps as she followed, saying "Oh? And who would that be?" I turned my head as I entered the hallway and said "Me, yeah."
She laughed, and said "Oh, those little sculptures are your art, eh?" Then she laughed again. I spun around and she stopped in her tracks. "You think this is funny? It's true, yeah!" How dare she belittle my art! What an ignorant, rude, girl! "It is funny, asshole. Funniest thing I've heard in a while." She giggled, and then walked past me. I began to shake with anger, as my eye shifted to try and look behind me. I would make her pay. Suddenly I heard her intake of breath, right next to my jaw. I tensed.
Then, she began walking as I spun around. Somehow, she entered the correct door, the one to my- excuse me, our, bedroom. "What the hell…?" I mumbled, frowning in her direction. She must've tracked my scent to the door… fucking animal…
I began walking leisurely to our room, trying to appear calm, when I wanted to run in and tell her not to touch anything.
She was sitting on Danna's old bed, unpacking her things. I stopped at the doorway, and watched her. She began pulling out jars and powders from her bag and then clothing. "I wasn't informed my partner was going to be female," I said, leaning against the frame, "Especially not a medical ninja." She glanced up at me, and said "That's nice, blondie." Then, she focused back on her unpacking as I fumed. God damn it, she was so infuriating… I had known her for a mere half an hour, and I already hated her more than that awful pink haired girl who had killed Danna. She had no respect for me, or my art, and it really pissed me off… she would pay; I'd make sure of it. I wasn't even sure if she could do anything special, although she was in the Akatsuki… but then again, we were desperate after losing Sasori no Danna, yeah.
I stepped into the room, and she didn't even glance up. I sat down on my bed, and reached over to my bedside table, grabbing the sketch book on it. Picking up the pencil next to it, I pushed my back up against the headboard, and flipped it open to a clean page. I removed the eyepiece I wore, and placed it on the bedside table near me. I began to sketch a new design for a bomb I could use to take her out, and it would work, I was positive.
It would be hard to figure out what type to use, especially since I didn't know what she could do. My eye slid over to the left as I glanced at her as she unpacked. I scowled, and grunted as my pencil touched the paper.
"Let me remind you," I began, "That I am at a higher position than you, and you should remember that when you speak to me, yeah." I heard her light giggle, and I turned my head to look at her. I was so tempted to just throw as many creations as I could at her, as she said "Yeah right blondie."
Riki's POV…
I was going to make myself as comfortable as possible, whether he liked it or not. I would make sure to never let anyone ever underestimate me ever again. I was done pretending to be sweet and innocent, letting myself get walked all over… I would make sure no one ever viewed me as weak. He could hate me, or whatever, I didn't care. Besides…Pissing him off was a lot of fun.
Finishing unpacking, I walked into what I supposed the closet was, and flipped on the light. It was dim in the closet and smelled somewhat of laundry detergent and earth. My eyes ran over the shelves and racks, trying to figure out what I needed. I spotted the hangers and reached for them, draping the hooks onto my forearm. Right as my hand touched the light switch again, I spotted an Akatsuki mantle and a few clothes hanging in the far corner. They weren't hung very neatly, meaning some were half-off the hangers, others were wrinkled, or ripped, and were dark colors. I guessed that they were Deidara's, considering some of the scorch marks on them, especially near the ends of the sleeves. Well, at least I knew I could hang all my clothes without having to fight for closet space…
I flicked off the switch, and headed back to my bed. I threw all the hangers down on top of my clothing and picked up two of my poisons and antidotes, one in each hand. I couldn't afford to let them break on my skin, especially when some of them caused extreme pain and boils and such which was why I only handled two at a time. I was careful not to stir up the bubbling liquids inside when I turned on my knees, facing the shelf above my bed. It was when I finished that I noticed the walls were red and my sheets were black and white. Cute.
I glanced down at the fruit on my bed, turned, sat, and began eating slowly. Everything was fresh and sweet and I savored it all. In The Hidden Stone, I only got to eat fresh and crisp foods when ever my missions were successful, as with all Anbu. I was supposed to live off of food pills until then. I didn't think it made much sense, but I was glad I wouldn't have to live like that anymore. I finished my fruit and sighed in content. I looked around slowly as he sketched and raised an eyebrow at the paint.
"Did you paint the walls?" I asked, eyeing him as he sketched. "Mhm." He grunted and I nodded. That explained the messy brush strokes, splatters, and dried paint droplets. I guess it was what he would call, being artistic and creative. Now I was all for being creative, and artistic, but I was also all for busting balls too.
I smirked as I thought of new ways to insult his art, or painting, or whatever. This would be fun.
"You kinda suck at it, you know." I started. His one piercing blue eye was glaring at me, and I smirked. "Aw, you act so upset about it, when you know it's the truth." It was amusing, as his scowl deepened as he grew angrier. "Shut up, yeah." He said, beginning to shake with anger, and I snickered. I was really pushing it now, as his eyes narrowed, and he growled. "Or what, Girlie-Chan?" I said, almost cracking up at his expression. Then, surprisingly, he smirked at me, in the most devious way, and said "Or this, yeah."
I gasped as something was suddenly wrapped around my body. I looked down, and my eyes widened. Some sort of clay centipede had me completely tied. How could I have missed that? He must've snuck it out of his hand when I was turned, and was waiting for me to push him. It was his plan all along. What a smart, devious, completely infuriating bastard!
Struggling against the thing, I slowly fought against it to push my hands towards each other. "Ah, ah, ah." He said, making a hand sign as he grinned. "You move one more inch and I'll blow you up, un." I snarled as I thought. Perhaps… perhaps my Kekkei Genkai was needed.
I sneered at him as chakra built up and began to cloak my body. "You may want to untie me." I said, as the swirling blue mass encircled my body. His eyes widened, his scowl deepened, and his hands were twitching. He was really itching to make it explode, but I think he wanted to see what I could do. "Stop it or I'll-" "Wind style! Poison Bullet Jutsu!" I cried, cutting him off. Then I released the chakra, screaming as my chakra began to drain.
Deidara flipped out of the way, as the bullets ripped from my body, tore through the clay, and released me. There was a swooshing sound, and then a sharp dart sound as the bullets flew. A large crash sounded as they hit the wall. Holes bore through the stone, as dust and small rocks rained down upon his bed. My head fell forward as I began panting slightly. I knew I wouldn't last much longer.
Suddenly remembering my situation, I forced myself to jump forward. I drew a kunai out in front of me, crouching in a defensive pose, wavering in the slightest. Deidara was crouched the same, except with one hand in his clay pouch, and we waited for one another to make a move.
Just then, the door slammed open, and I spun around quickly hiding the kunai behind me, smiling at the intruder, just incase it happed to be someone of importance.
It was a man, whom seemed to be extremely tall and well built. I eyed his shirtless torso, not realizing what I would find if I looked farther up. "What the fuck?" he said, and I glanced up, gasping as I saw several holes piercing his chest. My bullets pierced him but… he…he was still alive…but how?
I looked him over, head to toe, as blood dripped from his wounds, and stained his pants. His silver hair was slicked back, and piercing magenta eyes stared down at me. "Who the fuck are you?" He said, and suddenly, my eyes were drawn to the large, triple bladed scythe on his back. "I was in the middle of my ritual, when I suddenly had some help! Jashin blondie, control your broads!"
Oh no he didn't.
Did he just associate me in actually being interested, or physically drawn to the girly ass spitfuck behind me? Oh no, no, no, no, I'd have to straighten him out. My expression grew fierce as I snarled out, "I am not his broad." "And don't call me Blondie, yeah." Deidara added. He smirked at me, ignored what Dei had said, and began to taunt. He reminded me of an academy student, for Kami's sake.
"Well what are you then? A whore?"
My anger was all I could feel as his taunting grew. The room turned red, and I crouched down once more, drawing my kunai in front of me. Calling me Deidara's broad was one thing, but calling me a whore really set me off. He pulled the scythe off his back and it cut through the air as he drew it in front of him. "Bring it on, bitch." He said, and I almost attacked, but suddenly, I stopped as a new person walked up behind him.
"Hidan, that's enough. We actually need our newest member, Keiyoutada Rikikaze."
My anger dissipated immediately, because for the first time in a long time, I was scared. I didn't know what it was, perhaps his deep voice, the long trails of stitches along his arms and neck, or maybe it was his odd green and red eyes that seemed to know all. I'd never viewed his file, or even heard of this…this tan, zombie-like…thing…
The red dissolved from my vision, and I stood straight. Hidan glared, and then pushed the scythe onto his back once more. I didn't miss the slashing sound it made as it cut the air. Then, the man began to speak again as he glared at Hidan.
"I am Kakuzu, Akatsuki treasurer. As for why you have holes in you, I assume that's a prime example of some of her Kekkei Genka-" "OH FUCK!" Hidan suddenly cried out, and collapsed to the ground. "Ow…!" he said, and the blood began to seep from his body more heavily. "What's going on, yeah?" Deidara yelled, and I smirked. "Whoops." I said, and Kakuzu kneeled down, a green glow erupting from his hands. After a moment, his dark hands lifted, and he looked up at me. His eyes…
"I can't heal him." He said, and I nodded and kneeled down. I suddenly felt compelled to heal him, as I watched Kakuzu's face.
"It's a part of my Kekkei Genkai… his body will go numb, and then the poison will dissolve his organs and muscle tissue slowly." I said coldly. Kakuzu nodded and said "He is immortal, but he will become useless to the Akatsuki unless you heal him. Then, it will be your responsibility to go and recruit a new member. Along with the punishments…" I scowled and looked down at Hidan, contemplating letting him "survive" and serving the punishments…
"Well, I guess I have to… son of a bitch…" I muttered, placing my hands up against his stomach. I really didn't want to heal this asshole, but I had no other choice. I tried to draw it out as long as I could to make him suffer. His strange purple eyes slowly rose up to look at me and I could tell he was really hurt.
He was breathing heavily and he shut his eyes. I smirked, looking at the clean holes I'd left, and began contemplating on how to make them bigger. "Rikikaze-san." Kakuzu said, snapping me out of my trance. I jerked my head up and looked at him, stuttering out "Oh, r-right." I filtered some chakra through him, feeling for the chakra artery that I could access if I needed more. Once I found it, I began letting my chakra through his body, disabling all of the toxins in his veins. The green light that was pouring from my hands began to flicker as I fought to keep it consistent.
Sweat appeared on my forehead as I removed the last of it, and I tried to begin healing him. His skin and the crimson blood began coming in and out of focus, and soon, I couldn't differentiate between the two. It was all beginning to run together… my breaths began coming in short, quick gasps as I fought. I had used too much of my chakra… I couldn't finish…dark spots floated in my vision, and I fought to stay conscious. My efforts were useless as my body fell forwards, and my world became black.
Deidara's POV…
She had passed out! On top of Hidan to top it off! I smirked down at her, feeling superior, and having the urge to wake her up just so I could brag. Thinking of all the cruel things I could do to her stuff while she was passed out… if I wasn't so worried all of my work would be ruined- and by ruined, I mean thrown out the window-I would have blown up her entire side of the room.
"Deidara." Kakuzu said calmly. "Riki has done her part. I can heal him now. Please remove her body so I can get this idiot out of here." Not really wanting to, I nodded, scowled, and wrapped my fingers around her wrist, lifting her sleeping body, pulling her off. I let her go, and she slumped onto the ground. Kakuzu glared at me, giving me almost a warning look. "I know what it's like to have a dysfunctional partnership, but please, at least try to make it work, so that the goals of the Akatsuki can be completed." I didn't say a word as Kakuzu grabbed Hidan by the ankle, and dragged him out, leaving a red crimson trail on my floor. Perfect.
I glanced back down at the lump of a girl in front of me. Her body was lying awkwardly in a heap, and I thought about what Kakuzu had said about trying to at least make it work. I mean, I almost got stuck with that idiot Tobi again, and that would have been ten times worse, un.
I sighed, trying to figure out what to do. I didn't want her to think I was nice or anything, but I still had some moral left, even though I was who I was.
What a dilemma.
It would be a great laugh when she woke up, but then I'd probably get an earful, and that was just so troublesome to deal with. Women were troublesome. This was why there was one woman in the Akatsuki, and she was well under control of her emotions. Although I did admire Riki's spunk, how she wasn't afraid to look a dangerous criminal in the eye and tell him he sucked. It was brave. She was brave, and I kind of liked that about her. She wasn't some pussy chick who complained about how being a girl was so hard, and how I was so mean, and didn't care, blah, blah, blah, yeah. Now that I thought back on it, she could have been a lot worse of a partner. She could have been weak…
That Kekkei Genkai of hers was powerful besides the fact it drained all her chakra. Now that I think back on it, hadn't Kakuzu said something about those bullets only being part of her Kekkei Genkai? This means, there's more I haven't seen yet, yeah. If there was more than one part to her bloodline limit…then she was really more powerful than I'd thought. I'd underestimated her, and I regretted it now.
I decided that I'd help her out. Just once.
I picked her body up bridal style, and I noticed how light she was. Her head fell backwards, and her mouth opened slightly as she slept. I turned to her bed, and laid her down, not bothering to move her clothes and hangers. I left her uncovered. She is pretty, yeah. I thought, as I admired her features. I reached down a hand to touch her skin, and jerked back. No, wait, what was I saying, hmm? What was I doing? No, she wasn't pretty, or even okay. The only pretty thing in the Akatsuki was my art. Nothing was more beautiful than my art. She was an asshole, she was an asshole, and she was an asshole.
You haven't known her long. People change…a voice whispered in the back of my head. I growled slightly, and fended off the thoughts, knowing they were bullshit.
I plopped upon my own bed and I grabbed my sketchbook once more. I began to sketch, glancing over at her every time she shifted. It was unnerving, to be quietly sketching, and then tensing whenever she moved and made a noise. It was slightly annoying, and it got on my nerves. She pissed me off even when she wasn't trying. God damn it, I couldn't understand why I was getting so worked up about it. I just needed some healthy distraction, and sketching wasn't working.
I needed some fresh air.
Hmm, seems like someone is having problems… *singsong* Second chapter, I'm going to start writing the third now. They's gonna have them a mission :3. Beta'd by Lady Yuuki :D
