(A/N):

Hello everyone! I'm sorry it took so long for me to write this...-sweatdrop-...but you know, life! I'd like to thank everyone who read and/or review'd! Special plates of cookies go to Dangerous Emotions, who has review'd on every chapter! Thank you!

Fyi, I re-wrote the ending of the last chapter, because I re-read it a day later and realized that it was really bad. So, if you want to have more of an idea of what's going on, go back and read it.

By the way, did anyone notice that Deidara enjoyed falling into Hinata a bit too much?

New breaks: 1-2-1-2-1-2 means that the narraion and the time have changed.

Here's Chapter 4: Revelations

When Gaara found Deidara, he was sitting in the very lumpy, extremely uncomfortable chair they shared with his face in his hands.

He didn't even notice Gaara come in.

"Well," said Gaara, "that was interesting."

Deidara jumped a bit at Gaara's voice, then sprang up and turned on him, hostility flowing off him in waves.

Deidara growled, "Interesting? That's all you have to say?" he huffed and flopped back down, groaning, "I can't believe I ruined one of the best friendships in my life…"

Gaara sat down on their beds, "I don't think you ruined it necessarily. She'll probably forgive you… eventually, at least. I mean, you only buried your head into her chest, it's not like she's shy or anything."

Deidara looked up and glared at him with murderous intent. A chill ran down Gaara's spine.

The saying if looks could kill ran through his mind.

Of course, If looks could kill, I'd already be dead.

"Thanks Gaara. That really helps."

Gaara swept his hand over his hair, "Don't get your panties in a knot, dude. It's not that big of a deal, anyways. You just have to apologize. Hinata doesn't strike me as the type who'd hold a grudge... she's probably just really embarrassed; aren't you?"

"I guess, yeah."

A silence washed over the room as Deidara started to calm down.

Of course, that was broken when he piped up and said, "So what about you and Sakura-san, huh? Do you like her, yeah?"

Gaara blushed and stammered, "W-what? We're not talking about me right now!"

Deidara linked his hands behind his neck, closed one eye and said, "Who or what are we talking about then?"

"Your most resent fiasco, to the best of my recollection. What do you think of Hinata-san?"

Deidara closed his other eye and leaned back, "She's pretty, she's smart. She's really shy. She possibly takes up conversations with complete strangers in Starbucks, " he laughed, "Once she stops feeling uncomfortable, she starts talking. She worries a lot more than necessary over little things like time... I like that about her."

"You would," Gaara smirked, "seeing as you're always late to everything."

Deidara's eyes widened and a foot made contact with Gaara's stomach. He fell back, groaning.

"Just be glad I didn't aim for your crotch!" laughed Deidara.

Once Gaara recovered he said, "How can I make you understand, but without blurting it out..." he rubbed his chin and suddenly snapped his fingers, "Oh, right! Do you remember Ishiko?"

Deidara narrowed his eyes, "Yes... why? What does she have to do with Hinata-chan?"

Gaara put his head in his hands and groaned, "Sometimes, Deidara, you are just so thick-headed! How can you not see what's right in front of your eyes? What's so painfully obvious?"

Deidara blinked, Why is Gaara being such a spaz? What does Ishiko have to do with Hinata-chan?

Insted he replied, "Gaara, just spit it out. What are you trying to tell me?"

Gaara shook his head, "You know what? Forget it. It'll mean a lot more coming from her." He walked over to the door and paused, "I'm going to go get a soda. I'll be right back."

Gaara swept out of the room leaving a very confused Deidara behind.

When Sakura found Hinata, she was sitting cross-legged on their couch, with her nose stuck in a book, still blushing.

She sat down beside her, sighing, "You can't read Sloppy Firsts forever, Hinata."

Hinata turned to look at her, stammering, "B-but Jessica's just got Fall from Bridget a-and she's telling Marcus t-that-"

Sakura silenced her with a stern look, "Hinata, stop… if it helps, it wasn't his fault. That weird Freshman with the mask tripped him."

Hinata tucked her knees under her chin and stuttered, "I k-know it w-wasn't his fault. I-I just feel so embarrassed and I d-don't know why"

"Well, you do tend to be embarrassed when the guy you're madly in love with and who is madly in love with you falls face-first into your chest."

"M-Madly in love with… W-What?"

Sakura started shaking her head, "Hinata dear, I'd expect this kind of denseness from Ino or Shikamaru, but you? No way!"

"B-But... Deidara and I are just friends..."

Sakura stood up, putting her hands on her hips, "Hinata, when are you going to open your eyes and see what's right in front of you? These are the facts: you stay up later than you ever have before, tapping away at your laptop. Not to mention you've really racked up your phone bill. Those hour-long calls certainly weren't to home," Hinata glared suspiciously at her and Sakura said sheepishly, "you left it out on our desk, but that's beside the point. You're crazy about him! I was talking to Gaara before you showed up and he said it's the same with Deidara. He said that he's never seen Deidara so motivated to do anything the entire time he's known him. Gaara and I agree on this; you two belong together."

Hinata mumbled something along the lines of, "...He just said that so he could get into your pants... I think you fell for it..."

"Eh, what was that? Did you just call me a skank? Oh, no you didn't! It's on!"

At this point, Sakura pounced on Hinata and began tickling her, which soon evolved into a very girlie pillow fight, the kind that fuels many an adolescent boy's fantasies.

1-2-1-2-1-2

Deidara slipped out of his room, cloak sweeping behind him. The sky had turned dark hours ago and Gaara still hadn't gotten back.

He met Sasori underneath an oak tree.

"You're late," said Sasori, who was gazing at the full moon.

"Whatever, yeah," srugged Deidara. The pair began to walk.

"Trouble in paradise?" asked Sasori, turning around, eyebrows raised.

"Shut up, dono," he growled.

"Same to you brat," said Sasori coolly, shifting forward again.

They slipped into the backyard of the Akatsuki headquarters -namely, the fraternity- and walked over to an area bare of grass. They both slipped out of their cloaks. Well, Sasori slipped out of his... Deidara sort of threw it off.

"Hope you're ready to be beaten, weakling."

"Not a chance, dono. Bring it, yeah!"

With this, they started to spar.

1-2-1-2-1-2

Hinata listened to Sakura's snore and reached for Deidara's clay bird, bringing it to her side.

So Deidara really does like me...

Of course he does, you idiot! Who wouldn't like you?

I dunno. It's just nice to know that he likes me too.

Pssh. You worry too much! That's why Deidara is meant to be with you; he helps you break out of your shell.

Hinata smiled and drifted off to sleep, clutching the little clay bird even tighter.

Aishteru Deidara, I love you.

(A/N):

Gah! I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but I have to get back into my writing mojo now that spring break is over...

Anyway, enough of my excuses, I hope you like it! Reviews are appreciated,

-Arctic Ice

Next Chapter:
Who exactly is this Ishiko person? What does she have to do with Deidara? Plans for Gaara's abduction grow closer and Deidara grows more and more tense.