Sorry that it took me this long to get this chapter out I had alot of homework that had piled up (grrrrrrr!), then I ended up needing to research alot for this chapter so all in all it took a while to write.
"A mission?" Kumiko bounced in her seat, "What kind of mission!"
"Calm down Kumiko," ordered Pein, "It's only a small one, since it's your first we didn't want to send on a major mission."
"What exactly will we be doing, un?" asked Deidara
"Well, there are a group of people that have set up camp dangerously close to one of our bases," Pein explained, "I need you to eliminate them."
"Which base?" asked Deidara.
"The one in the land of rice patties," Pein replied, "Close to the land of fire's border."
"Oh, that one!" Deidara said.
Kumiko burst out laughing. She laughed so hard her chair almost tipped over.
"Uh… what's so funny, Kumiko, my girl?" asked Deidara hesitantly.
Kumiko bit her lip to control herself the replied, "Who names their country 'The Land of rice Patties'? It sounds so silly!"
"You've never heard of the land of rice patties?" questioned Deidara.
"I failed social studies five years in a row, I only know the five great nations." frowned Kumiko, picking her chair up and sitting back down.
"So," inquired Kumiko, "Who exactly is this group?"
"The leaders are named Raisu and Patte-" Pein began but was interrupted by Kumiko's laughter, "What is it this time, Kumiko?"
This time Kumiko's chair completely tipped over and her robe slipped down revealing her bright pink underwear. Kumiko was laughing so hard she barely seemed to notice, but Deidara sure did. He looked away, trying to hide his blush.
"Uh, Kumiko?" asked a very confused Deidara.
"Raisu and Patte! Don't you get it? Raisupate (it means rice patty in Japanese)!" answered Kumiko trying to sit up while roaring with laughter.
Deidara cracked a smile, then started to snicker. He would've continued if he hadn't received a glare from Pein, telling him to be quiet. Deidara cleared his throat and turned to Kumiko.
Pein at stared Kumiko, "Kumiko, this is your first mission you need to calm down, or else."
The girl conceded, biting her lip nervously, "I'm sorry Pein-kun."
"So we just need to eliminate them, un?" Deidara turned back to Pein.
"On second thought, I'll revoke that mission, it seems you two might not be able to handle it," Pein paused, as if thinking something over, "Well, I guess I could send you to gather in-tell on Orochimaru's whereabouts... yes, that would be best."
"Orochimaru?" Kumiko asked.
"He's an ex-Akatsuki member." Deidara explained.
"Yes, it seems that just before Sasori passed, he gave info regarding Orochimaru to a leaf shinobi. I'd like you to follow them discreetly and remember, there is a time limit; You must be at the Tenshi bridge in the village hidden in the grass two days from now at noon. If you're not there on time you fail the mission." Pein told the two Akatsuki.
"All-righty!" Kumiko exclaimed, "Let's do this!"
Kumiko gave a valiant fist pump then left the room. Deidara stood and prepared to leave but was stopped by Pein.
"Watch her closely." He ordered.
A little while later...
The trees whispered as they walked and the cloudy skies above let little sunlight escape, overall, the aura outside was tense. It was as if everything was waiting for something to happen. Soon that something was visible, skipping down the path, marling at every little thing she passed. Kumiko. A bird, a flower, a wild cat; nothing escaped the view of her curious blue eyes. Any time anything moved, Kumiko saw.
A leaf fell from a nearby tree and Kumiko scurried to catch it. She reached it just in time and waved it in the air proudly showing Deidara, who was not far behind.
"Look, Dei-chan!" she beamed.
"Haha, nice catch, un." he replied patting her on the head.
"Have you ever been to the village hidden in the grass, Dei-chan?" she asked, cocking her head in interest.
"Can't say I have, Ku." he replied.
"Ku?" Kumiko furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Well, you need a nickname- and since you said you don't want to be called Kumi-chan- I needed to come up with something different," Deidara explained, "So from now on, I'll be calling you Ku."
"Oh, okay!" a smile spread across her face.
Deidara diverted his gaze, his face beat red, "Let's get going Ku, we have to get there on time or else fail the mission, so we may have to run to get there."
"Oh." Kumiko glanced at her feet.
"What's up, Ku?" Deidara asked, halting mid-stride.
"It's just," she looked up at Deidara, her face flushed with embarrassment, "I-I can't run very well."
Damn she's cute! Deidara thought scratching his head and staring at the sky.
"Hey, Ku," Deidara said, smiling down at her, "Have you ever flown?"
"Eh? Flown?" asked Kumiko.
"Yep." grinned Deidara.
"Are you messing with me, Dei-chan?"
"What?" Deidara threw his arms up defensively, "No! Well, I guess the better question would be; are you afraid of heights, mmmm?"
Up in the sky...
"Dei-chan!" Kumiko squealed with delight, not even minding the great heights they soared at, "You're creation is- is beautiful, even before it blows up!"
"Thanks, but you should see it when it explodes!"
"I will, someday." Kumiko smiled assuringly.
"By the way," asked Deidara, "What are you abilities anyways, Ku?"
"Ummmmmmmmmm...," Kumiko hesitated, "... You'll see!"
"Aw, c'mon Ku! You know about my abilities already, that's unfair!" Deidara whined.
"My abilities are... complicated. You have to see them to understand, Dei-chan." Kumiko explained.
"Fine, if you're going to be that way, mmmm."
Deidara adjusted his hands and the bird veered sharply to the right. Kumiko screamed holding Deidara's mid-riff tightly. The bird landed; Deidara hopped off but was set off balance by the Kumiko still attached to his back. He fell flat on his face and was pressed against the ground by the weight of Kumiko.
"Ger' off me, Ku!" he grumbled through a mouth full of dirt.
"Don't you ever do that again you dumbass! I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" Kumiko pounded Deidara, tears brimming her eyes and her pigtails shaking furiously.
Deidara was pounded into the ground a few feet, and after a few moments Kumiko stopped, "Dei-chan?" she asked tentively.
"Ugh.." Deidara's moan was her only response.
"Ohmigosh! Dei-chan are you okay!" Kumiko panicked and peeled Deidara out of the ground, shaking him.
Deidara was pale and bruised but he was alright. Kumiko hugged him, repeatedly muttering "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Deidara muttered after a little bit, "I'm sorry for doing that with no warning, it's my fault, I should have warned you."
He stroked Kumiko's hair as she cried.
"My Nana," Kumiko whispered through sobs, "She-she fell of of our pet bird on the way back from a mission, I-I thought you were going to fall. I didn't want you to-to diebefore I got to kn-know you better, Dei-chan!"
"It's fine," Deidara reassured her, "You're alive, I'm alive, were both fine. You don't have to cry."
Kumiko's sobs subsided after a while and she drifted off to sleep with her head on Deidara's lap. Deidara continued to stroke her head, he didn't move from his spot while Kumiko slept.
So there you go, Kumiko and Deidara are headed out for Kumiko's first mission! Will it be a complete disaster? Will Kumiko's powers be revealed? Find out whenever I post the next chapter! XD