"There is no way I'm getting on that thing!" I said indignantly, voice raised. Sasori and Deidara had been trying to get me on a massive clay bird of Deidara's making, and I was having none of it.
"Aw come on Sora, it'll be fun, un." whined Deidara, "flying is the best thing you can do, un. It's am-"
"I would have to disagree there." Sasori interrupted.
"Shh! don't tell her that, un! You'll put her off!" Deidara hushed him.
"Look, I'll get on, on one condition." I said, not wanting them to argue, I mean, it's kind of cute in a weird way, but it was holding us up.
"And that is?" questioned Sasori
"You two don't mess with me up there."
"Sure! that's fine, un." He said while jumping onto the bird. Sasori clambered on after him and offered me his hand, pulling me up.
"Thank you Sasori. At least someone around here is a man." I glared, attempting to hide how scared I was.
Deidara stood over the birds shoulders, looking excited. Sasori stood slightly behind him, looking bored. And I was clinging onto the birds back, probably looking just as frightened as I felt.
"You alright, un?" Deidara asked, turning to face me, "We're about to take off." he saluted.
"Watch out Sora, your life is about to take a very strange turn." grinned Sasori.
"Oh joy. I cant wait." I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
I hate to admit it but I am utterly terrified of heights. If I'm with someone I trust I'm normally ok, but this was slightly different. I was on a clay bird. Being controlled by someone I just met. With about two foot either side of me. And no edges.
I felt the bird shift beneath me. Letting out a squeal I snapped my eyes tight shut, but not before seeing Sasori move towards me, a chuckle trying to escape his lips. I shrugged closer to the birds back as I felt Sasori's steady hand on my shoulder. I still clung on tightly but I felt safer now; Sasori had a calming quality about him that made me feel a massive amount better - thank god or I probably would've ended up throwing myself over the edge. The feeling of the birds great wings beating beneath me was unnerving. I had never thought about how small, how insignificant, how unimportant I was up until now. It was scary.
It had been going on like this for almost four hours. Sasori standing with his steadying hand on my shoulder, stopping me from screaming out. Deidara looking elated, crouching near the birds neck. And the great creations wings, beating rhythmically, carrying us forwards. Always going on and on. I was starting to get used to this and was almost comfortable with it when the bird suddenly dropped. It stared swooping downwards in a great, sweeping spiral.
"Is here ok Sasori-Danna, un?"
"Yes, here is fine thank you. Just a little lower."
"No problem." Sasori removed his hand. I panicked.
"What? Where are you going Sasori?" I said, my voice laced with terror.
"I have some business to attend to in this village. Deidara will look after you."
"You'll be safe with me, un." He smirked. That suits him. He should do it more often I thought, but immediately scalded myself for doing so.
"See you later." Sasori said and promptly jumped off the bird. I screamed and lent over the edge, desperately searching for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly I didn't have full control of myself. I was loosing balance and I couldn't right myself. I was in a trance, unable to help myself, but needing to desperately. This is it then.. I see why I was so scared. I thought dismally, about to plunge over the edge. But then Deidara's strong arms were around me, holding me in an iron grasp.
"Don't do that, un! If you'd fallen you would've…" he let himself trail off, pulling me into the safety of his arms. I realised I was crying, sobbing lightly without even noticing. God I'm pathetic.
"Are you crying, un?" he asked, pushing me away from him slightly to see my face. I shook my head feebly, even though he could see my tears.
I felt awful, I had never been so badly shaken in my life, although I suppose it's easy to see why. I mean, emotionally I've been worse, but that was properly scary. Mind you, some good did come of it.
"Don't cry Sora. It's ok, your safe now, un." Deidara comforted me, tenderly wiping away tears with his thumb, "Come on, I want to show you something, un." he stood up taking my hand and gently pulling on it. I stood up gingerly and he carefully led me towards the head of the bird, his hand over my eyes. I probably should have felt scared, I had just nearly fallen and now I couldn't even see where I was being taken. But like Sasori, I felt safe with Deidara. Odd seeing as I hardly knew him, but he seemed confident with me, being with him was easy.
Telling me to keep my eyes closed he span me round and wrapped his arms protectively around my waist.
"You can look now Sora, un."
I opened my eyes. "Oh Deidara.. Its, its beautiful." I breathed. The sight before me was truly stunning.
We were flying over a beautiful valley. Trees lined its edges in a gorgeous, green frame. Down the centre ran a winding river, turned molten gold by the setting sun which looked huge, sitting at the other end of the valley. It was wonderful. I had never been so awed by a natural sight, and until more recently wasn't sure I ever would be. Again with Deidara, you'll hear about it later. Although, I think the circumstance had a lot to do with it.
"What's your favourite animal, un?" Deidara asked curiously.
"Horses.. Why?" I said, confused by his question.
I don't think I've mentioned yet, back in Suna, when I was about 10, I got taken to look at the Kazekage's horses. It was one of the few times we went out so it was a bit sacred. I fell in love, and I used to go down to see them a lot. I was, and still am worshipful of their immense power, and they're so beautiful. I'm just staggered by them.
"You'll see." he chuckled musically. I stood in front of him, waiting. He removed one arm, muttering something and suddenly there was a beautiful winged horse flying before us. It swooped and dived joyfully, looking for all the world like it wanted to play. It stretched out its beautiful neck in a silent neigh.
"Katsu!"
There was a huge ball of fire where the horse had been. I had seen one of Deidara's explosions before but that was nothing in comparison. It was thrilling, I didn't know if we were going to fly into it or if it would subside before we did. It put the beauty of the valley to shame.
"Wow" I sighed under my breath. I felt Deidara sit down behind me. I was suddenly scared. No longer being held I dropped down in front of him, still feeling unsafe.
"Don't worry, un." he said, as if he had read my mind, "I wont let you fall. You should get some sleep, un. The guys wont want to meet someone to tired to talk, un." he said, pulling me closer so I felt safer and more comfortable. I closed my eyes and started to drift off, but after a while I was disturbed.
"You're beautiful, un. You know that?" he muttered. I assumed he was dreaming - which scared me a little because that meant he wasn't concentrating on staying on, but still felt unusually happy. I let a small smile drift onto my almost sleeping face and sighed softly. He was quickly becoming the sweetest person I could think of.
