I hope this chapter is enjoyable, and not too fast paced. That would be suckage.

I do not own Naruto, this is purely fan fiction, the concept is not canon and all views expressed are entirely my own unrelated to the manga and Anime x3

"Because…" Deidara replied sighing. "Not everyone thinks me of gone, and if I don't go back, they'll send someone to fetch me and take me back, yeah."

"Well you didn't have to drag me into it." She sighed.

Deidara shrugged. "Well, it might even be good for you, yeah."

'Somehow' Ino thought bitterly, 'I highly doubt that.'

"So who exactly knows that you're alive and kicking, who's also dangerous enough to intimidate you?" Ino asked casually.

They walked now, the pace slow and Deidara couldn't admit; despite her pride knocking questions, his theory had been right, she did have some interesting things to say.

"You simply wouldn't believe me if I told you." He answered. There was a slight smirk on his face, she hated it, he had discovered quickly, when she dodged or answered her questions with an indirect answer. She was as curious as he'd imagined she was, well everyone knew what curiosity killed. He was sure it was only going to be a matter of time, but now she was doing what he had stated was necessary of her.

"Please." She added. Her interest had grown, they had been moving for over half a day now but still she continued to ask questions and listen intently for him, at first she decided it was simply because gaining as much information about him as she could would be completely beneficial to what was left a shambles of her mission. It was only an hour or so later, when she hung onto his every word with admiration and attention could she truthfully admit it was because she simply wanted to know more.

Deidara liked it when she said please, he would have liked it more if she'd begged and pleaded. Weather it was knowing he was in control or because he simply liked someone to listen to him sincerely after a very long time. He could have lied to her to make his tales sound more captivating, but there was no need too, as she hung onto his every word.

She found his voice somewhat soothing, and was inwardly afraid at how comfortable she was becoming around his presence, wishing somewhat that he'd do something, anything to make her slightly more aware; simply because she was past trying to bring herself to be more aware; even for her own sake. He was just so… appealing, charming, charismatic… no that wasn't it, he was just fascinating. Everything about him, from his strange almost exotic looks, to his tales, to the way he walked and held himself, his soft but authoritative voice and his attitude.

"Anything I tell you can be used against me at any point, yeah? No promises of not saying a word to anyone will convince me otherwise, especially not from a woman's mouth, yeah? More so, a teenage girls mouth, un."

Ino pouted, angering quickly, he could have chuckled, such a predictable reaction. "You're not that much older than me." She was quick to defend herself but he countered it.

"But at 19 I was strong enough for the Akatsuki to come and recruit me, I defeated and kidnapped a Kazekage, fought Uchiha Sasuke on a somewhat equal level, convinced him I was dead by pretending to blow myself up… You would never achieve anything at 19 by staying in a village, un."

He was so proud, Ino scowled, so proud and arrogant, so sure of himself, even if he did speak the truth. "Point taken." She muttered irritably and folded her arms against her chest. It was somewhat demeaning that he didn't show as much interest in her as she did him, but in all honesty that wasn't unexpected in the least. Most people showed less interest in her than she did them.

It was probably better this way. The less he knew about her; the better it was for her, when and if, here she shuddered slightly, he let her go. Then again, perhaps it was simply because she like so many other girls in Konoha lead such an uninspiring life. "You're a medic ninja, un." He stated obviously interrupting her demeaning thoughts.

"Well I thought I made that quite apparent." She replied.

"You work at the hospital, yeah."

"Yes." She answered. "Of course."

"So what other jutsu do you use? you're not a close combat fight like your friend, un."

She hesitated, wondering whether to tell him or not, eventually, upon deciding that she had had no chance thus far to use her jutsu, and probably wouldn't, and if so he would probably just extract her from her mind quite simply anyway, decided to tell him. "I use a Mind Body Transfer Jutsu."

Deidara, stayed silent for a moment before, "The Yamanaka clan, yeah?"

She narrowed her eyes a little, they were well known, but she wasn't sure how well known outside of Fire country. "Yeah… How did you?"

"Itachi informed us of any specific clans that might possibly pose a threat, un."

"Oh." She answered, seemingly disappointed.

"But that wasn't the reason I knew." He added. She raised her head, caught in his curiosity snare once more. Noticing her attention again he shrugged. "I happen to collect information, un."

She nodded; well at least it was better than back hand information passed over by Itachi. It made it a little less humiliating. They weren't a weak clan by any definition, they had secret ways and jutsu just like anyone else, at least she could say she came from a ninja clan, unlike some people… a fat lot of good it did her, unless she had Shikamaru around her jutsu was absolutely useless.

"There are ways to improve on that jutsu, ways that enable you to use it one on one, un." Deidara added. He wasn't sure why he was telling her this, he didn't need her confidence building that much, and sure as anything didn't want her asking him something ridiculous like trying to teach her, not that he could anyway. Thankfully her intelligence told her this and she refrained from asking such a silly question, instead…

"How? My clan have never mentioned-"

"That's because they're forbidden techniques that probably wouldn't interest a goody little Kunoichi like yourself, yeah."

Ino's lips parted slightly, there was little she could say in response but at the same moment, knew that he knew he had caught her. She wished to know more, forbidden or not, she knew she shouldn't be tempted, and although tried to drive the thoughts away over the next hour, she remained distracted at the prospect of stronger techniques. Eventually she found herself wanting to speak up again, luckily, he never pushed her into asking him questions and only spoke if she spoke to him directly, it was better that way, she didn't need to feel stupid when she couldn't think of anything to say. "Deidara-"

"I know what you're thinking of asking, yeah. Well I would advise against it, un… I don't know any of the techniques, I couldn't tell you about them."

"Oh." Her disappointment showed, though she persisted seconds later thinking of something else "Do you know someone who does?"

He stopped walking and she almost bumped into him, slowly he turned around looking down at her, he was at least a head and a half taller than her, but that didn't stop her from staring up indignantly at him. "Even if I did, yeah, what would be the benefit of introducing you… I said they were forbidden, yeah."

"I only want to know more." She replied. "Not practice them, I'm just curious."

There was that word again. Curious. "They wouldn't like you wasting their time, un. Besides, you're only accompanying me through Fire country, yeah. Nothing more."

He started walking ago and Ino understood that as conversation over, but however much Deidara thought the conversation was over, she knew full well he knew what he'd done, planting a seed in her that only drove her to want to know more. Something she realised with slight resentment, she would never ever find out in Konoha.

The sun was sinking slowly down behind Sai as he ran into the village towards the Hokage's office. The hazy light behind him was shining upon the nooks and crevices of the mountain, streaming in filtered lines through the cloudy sky. In front of him, the night sky was already beginning to cast a darkened shadow on the houses of the Leaf village, stars peeking out and twinkling through the cloudy blanket blocking them.

Sai's half lidded eyes were fierce with concentration as he entered the main village building and sped through up towards Tsunade's office, he knew he could have just jumped up and entered her window, but she despised him doing it, he was so quiet and sullen it simply just freaked her out… especially if she had been drinking… which was likely…. more than likely in fact… no, no, certain.

He slowed down as he reached her office and knocked loudly when he reached it. A second of quickened scrambling, informed him she was hiding lottery tickets and/or Sake bottles in the third draw down of her wooden desk, which was probably overfilled with paper work.

"Come in!" She barked, and Sai slowly opened the door.

Tsunade's eye's blinked in surprise as she entered. Surely the mission hadn't gone that smoothly, that they were done and dusted in less than 24 hours… she expected it to last at least 3 days. "Sai."

"Ah," He said trying to remember what his books had taught him. Address an older peer with respect. "Good evening Tsunade-Sama." He hoped this was justified, Tsunade was Sakura's master… her temper was equally as fiery.

"What are you doing back so soon!?"

"Well…" He never had, was or would be one to mix words, and knowing either way this was going to be something she was sourly displeased with, he simply came out and nonchalantly said it. "There have been several complications and Kakashi-Sensei ordered me back to get help in the aid of Shikamaru, Naruto and Chouji."

Tsunade groaned, pulled open the third draw down and pulled out the Sake bottle, she figured she was going to need this. "What happened?"

"Akatsuki member Deidara lead Ino away into the forest, we currently have sent a tracking dog after them, but fear they are gaining more distance as time passes."

"How did this happen!?" Tsunade cried, riled up, before taking a swig of the bottle

"He seemed to have, uhhh, provoked Ino, she got angry and gave chase, it seems he had anticipated this, and laid bombs as a trap to stop us following."

"That idiot! She knows better than this, I'll see her sitting under my paperwork for three weeks after this!"

Sai stayed silent as the Hokage cursed, reminded him scarily of Sakura, finally, realising it wasn't helping she gave another angry groan and snapped at him. Gather them quickly and be back in my office in fifteen minutes!"

"Yes Ma'am." He answered hurriedly leaving the office and closing the door quickly behind him.

Shikamaru stared lazily up at the ceiling of the Tavern as slow puffs of smoke, almost as lazy as him, protruded from the end of his burning cigarette. Naruto and Chouji sat opposite him, arguing over pieces of meat, Shikamaru ignored them until it was required to stop Naruto from calling Chouji the F-word. So far, so good. He exhaled and the smoke from his mouth dispersed into the air.

He turned his attention towards his two friends "The pair of you are far too troublesome when you're together."

Chouji and Naruto turned to him, the meat left unnoticed by either, until a sneaky Naruto dipped his hand in quickly and snapped it up into his mouth using his chopsticks, leaving Chouji to glare at him angrily as the blonde complained. "It's not my fault. Sakura-chan left to go on a mission with Sai and Kakashi-Sensei, I didn't have anything else to do!"

"You could have seen what Hinata was doing." Shikamaru stated.

"Why would I do that?" Naruto asked obliviously.

Shikamaru sighed and shook his head slowly. "So troublesome."

The seconds of ambiance were interrupted as a partially gloved hand moved up the ceiling hangings and Shikamaru saw Sai's writhe frame step inside. He looked around and laid his gaze upon them, before walking in a dead line towards them. Distracted once more Chouji and Naruto turned around in their seats; Naruto immediately getting excited. "Oi, Oi! Sai, you finished the mission!? Where's Sakura-chan!?"

He shook his head and stopped by their table placing both his hands down and leaning forward to speak to them in a muttered voice. "You've been summoned to Tsunade-Sama's office, for a quick briefing. Then you join me back on my mission."

"Has something happened?" Shikamaru was quick to become assertive and stand up, stubbing out the rest of his cigarette in the ashtray and throwing his body warmer around his shoulders.

Naruto stood up as well slinging his jacket around himself and following the pair out whilst Chouji crammed the last few slices of beef into his mouth; leaving enough money for the bill and a tip on the table, before joining them in a hurried step back towards the office.

This time, as urgency called, Sai didn't bother enter the building before jumping atop the rooftops to her office, with his three peers in tow.

"I think we'd better take rest, yeah." Deidara stated a few tired hours later. Ino only nodded, her mind focused too much on other things. It was dangerous to pay so little attention to him but right now… she came to a refreshing halt and let her back slump against the humongous trunk of a tree, she started to slide down it until. "No."

She blinked and turned her head at being interrupted. Deidara wasn't looking at her, but upwards, into the large branches of the trees. "Up there!?" She questioned incredulously.

"Yeah." He answered trailing off, "Branches are big enough, less likely to be seen…"

Ino started to retort but he had already marched over to her. Ino had no time to think before he wrapped his arm around her waist pulled her closer and jumped.

The cool night air whipped around Ino's face as they ascended upwards and when they landed, and he let her go, ignoring her as he went to sit idly on the branch, she found herself wondering why she felt like that should have lasted a little longer. She sat herself a little away from him and closed her eyes tiredly.

It seemed like there were more than a million thoughts running through her head, and unable to take them all in, she blanked them, trying to relax instead.

She opened her eyes blearily twenty minutes later and saw Deidara in the same position he'd been in when she'd closed her eyes, she hadn't heard him move either. She eyed him for a moment before asking him suspiciously "Aren't you going to sleep?"

He ignored her for a moment before answering her, "I'm not going to let you escape, un."

Ino opened her mouth to retort, but found she had nothing to say. In truth, her mind had been occupied on other things and the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. But now that he had mentioned it too her, the thought was more than tempting…

"See, yeah. You're not to be trusted, un."

Ino could have swore out loud. "I wasn't thinking of escaping." She snapped. "I should be, but I wasn't I was thinking of something else, my life doesn't revolve around you."

This seemed to get his attention more than her question, there was a playful smirk on his face, "Eh? You're in a mood, un. What did I do?"

"Oh nothing." She muttered, folding her arms and closing her eyes again. "If anything I should be wary of you."

She heard the rustle of him moving and decided to open her eyes a little to see what he was doing.

It was a surprise, when she opened them to see him barely inches away from her face, peering at her with amusement. In an act of shock Ino gave a shriek and backed herself away from him. He watched her with mild amusement and when he saw her left hand grip back onto nothing, he could only lean forward to grab her by her violet top to stop her from falling off the edge of the tree.

He had jumped, he knew how high they were, and it wouldn't benefit him to have her die now from falling.

Ino shrieked again realising there was nothing to grip behind her and did the only thing she could think of, and reached for the nearest thing in front of her, which happened to be Deidara's cloak. The butterflies in her stomach fluttering madly and wildly, she panted loudly gripping his cloak tighter.

As he pulled her upwards she cried at him, "What did you do that for!?"

"I can let you go again, un." He commented dryly.

"No! Getting in my face!" She sat upright again and let go of him, holding her chest, and looking relieved she looked up at him where he was still looking amused. "It's not funny!"

He chuckled. "It was pretty funny."

"You want me to push you of the edge!?" She snapped.

"You aren't strong enough, un."

She glared at him angrily as he added, "You really are in a mood tonight, yeah."

"Yeah, almost falling off 300 foot tree helped immensely." She sarcastically retorted still glaring at him, "I know you think I'm weak, I've come to deal with that, don't test my sense of humour and heart by pushing me off the edge!"

"You backed off the edge, yeah." He reminded her.

"Because you got to close to me!" Argued Ino, her annoyance rising to anger.

He shifted himself putting his hands either side of her bottom, and leaned his head in closer to hers the amused smirk growing into a rather amused teasing smile.

Ino's eyes widened and her stomach started fluttering again, a rather pink tinge colouring on her cheeks and she felt her face heat up. She could push him away but of course that would completely make her lose argument now he had decided to play that kind of game.

His face got closer to hers until it was inches away, millimetres away, in fact if he hadn't tilted his head, their noses would be touching. Then again, if he hadn't tilted his head, their lips wouldn't be close to touching either.

Deidara kept her gaze, which was shifting ever so quickly between his visible eyes and his lips that, if he inched forward just that tiny bit, would brush hers softly.

Ino had never been in this situation before, she knew very well that he was teasing her, seducing her was out of the question, whether he was irritated or just blind amused by her snapping at him she didn't know and didn't care whether to find out. She was now stuck with two decisions, to either a: push him off by his upper body, which he could very easily stop, and puller closer? Or b: take a careful lean back, where he could just lean further until they could end up in a very ridiculous situation on the branch, which could end up being more horizontal than she liked?

Then again, she didn't like to find out if he was going to move in any closer. Would it be that bad though? Ino cussed herself out, remembering her mission and what games he was playing on her. She needed to make a decision though, quickly before he…

Closer.

Shit.

Deidara enjoyed watching her squirm; it was a satisfying game to play with her… or on her more likely, but at least it shut her up, although now of course he had an obligation to finish what he started, though that depended entirely upon her actions from there on of course. It might be a bit harder to get her to trust him but at least it would confuse her mind just that little bit more…

Ino wanted to breathe a lot harder and get her breath back, a feat impossible to do in her current predicament. She shivered slightly, and she knew that he took notice of it. Just kiss him. Ha-ha, no way that just wasn't on the agenda. It would surprise him though; you'd have the upper hand if you did that. No.

She hadn't made a decision what to do and it was ticking him off, what was taking so long? He could have chuckled, he sounded almost as impatient as his old master… almost, but really he shouldn't have been enjoying it as much as he should, he discomfort was only driving him onwards and he couldn't back down in any sort of challenge (though truth be told there was not really much fight) there was also an inkling of an impulse that certainly was not edging away now he was so close to her body.

Finally Ino could stand it no longer, she couldn't push him away or back off, her mind was in too much of a scramble to do any of those things, and she was acting like a some sort of prude virgin by looking so weak, though truth be told it was the first real time a guy had hit on her intentionally with the reason of trying to hit on her (despite whatever the reason may be) but at the same time it was so stupid to let such a dangerous mind fill her head with idiocy. So instead of more ballsy options she went for the weak one.

"Dei-Deidara…"

She knew it had come out sounding more ridiculously feeble than she ever thought it would but it didn't matter now. Not now he was kissing her.

I said Mid-week, I guess it's mid-week.

:3

Wiggle.