A/N: I'm really sorry for the long update. I've been sick, and well, I've had a lot of trouble with this chapter. Had to rewrite it about 3 times, and it still doesn't seem that great to me. But I'd like to thank all of the reviewers and subscribers once again :3. Thanks guys!

Okay, I feel like i'm forgetting about mentioning something... but oh well, enjoy!


Her gasps of air and heavy footsteps were all that was heard. Frantically turning around, she whimpered as the figure continued to stride towards her. It was dark, but she could make out the collar of the cloak. They were still after her. Why had she been so peaceful the last few days! This was a lot worse than she expected. As the figure came closer, she sprinted again, to no specific place. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

"Ino, un." Ino stopped and swung her head around at the voice. Through the dark, she could make out the features of Deidara. Tears began to travel down her face quickly.

"D-D-D-Deidara...I'm s-s-sorry..." She spoke through sobs. She couldn't make out his expression and hesitantly stepped forward. His features became more clear with every step and without noticing, she was standing right in front of him.

"You shouldn't be, un." Her eyes widened. Did that mean...he wasn't mad at her? Maybe she could...die more peacefully now...

"Th-Th-Thank you...!" She cried through her tears as she flung her arms around him. He didn't return the hug, but that didn't bother her too much. It didn't bother him, and that was all that really counted.

Stepping back, she looked at his face one more time. He stared back at her intensely. "I wouldn't be too happy if I were you, un!" He shouted with eagerness as the expression on his face twisted into a sinister grin.

Slowly taking in the words and actions, her eyes widened. "D-D-Deidara? Y-y-y-you're going to...?" She didn't dare finished the sentence, hoping it wouldn't hurt to say as much if she didn't say the last few words. But no, it hurt a lot more than she could've ever imagined.

"Yeah, un!" His face still held that cruel smile.

That excitement in his voice...just struck her. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. All she could do was watch as he crafted two things. As he opened his hands, she saw in one hand he had formed a spider, and in the other he had formed a snake. And then they leaped at her.

Before the bang even happened, Ino let out one scream of pure grief and pain.


The kunoichi's eyes flew open as she let out an earsplitting scream. Deidara sat in front of her, a puzzled yet...worried look on his face. Letting out a sigh of pure relief, she nearly pounced on him, but thankfully he was able to retain his sitting position. Ino buried her face into his neck. Slowly, he rubbed her back; it seemed like the right thing to do. This interaction was...different. She trembled as she sniffled lightly, but they weren't sniffles at all. Deidara heard the muffled sobs and cries and quickly pulled her off of him to get a better look at her.

As he had predicted, crystal liquid ran down her face as she quivered with her breaths. "...Dei...d-dara..."

"What's wrong, un?"

She backed away from him, unsure on what to do. That was a dream-err, nightmare. That nightmare was just devastating. The tears that fell were tears of fear. Ino had never though death could be so painful in both ways. She had rated dying too lowly, but now that was different. Dying would be tragic and she never wanted to leave life. But it was...horrible, just horrible to see that Deidara was the one delivering the death. "You...you wouldn't ever...hurt me...would you?"

Deidara tensed. "...No."

"Or...kill me?" Does she know? How did she find out!

"...No." He lied again. Why did he feel bad lying to her like this? He lied every so often and it didn't seem bad at all.

Ino let out a sigh and smiled lightly. "Okay...thanks." It was...that easy?

Maybe it was her sleep... "...Your dream, un?"

"Y-yeah..."

So it had just been a dream. She didn't have any direct assumptions. That was good. Orders were orders and he had to fulfill them. Even if they were commands, he would still enjoy it. Yes, he would have to enjoy it. He must enjoy it. Just think... having the honors of destroying someone extraordinary as Ino with his art. That, would definitely be amazing. It just had to be! He gritted his teeth, but luckily, Ino was pondering too much to notice.

Alright, that was definitely just a nightmare! I'm so stupid! I can't believe I actually asked him that! She thought. Well, she couldn't really blame herself... The Deidara in her dream had exactly the same features as the real Deidara. Especially the feelings and elation about art... But it was all a nightmare.

It was a nightmare. He wouldn't actually plan on killing you.


Ino had been quite silent for a bit, for some odd reason. She had already gotten over her dream, hadn't she? Staring at the fish in the pond, she closed her eyes and tried to relax. They were going to one of the bases in a bit...

"Ino, you should wash that blood off your hair, un." Deidara remarked angrily, the sight of her red-streaked ponytail driving the situation back into his head.

She reached up to to feel her hair, narrowing her eyes, "What? What do you-" But her fingers felt the stiff, rough areas on her hair. Her...hair...was dirty with blood! "Ew! My hair!" She yelled hastily, scooping water up to wash her ponytail.

Deidara sighed and shook his head. She had not caught on. "Wanna tell me why you were fighting?"

"Huh?" She blinked, before realizing what he meant. "...I-I...had no choice! What else was I supposed to do?"

"You could've tried to escape. I told you not to get involved in combat, un."

She shook her head, "It's not that big of a deal...So what are we doing now?"

Deidara watched as she cleansed the last of the stains out of her hair. Drip, drip. "I think we should capture one more before heading back to one of the bases, un."

Ino groaned but changed the topic, "Can we...stay here for a little longer?"

He cocked an eyebrow, "What for?"

"Well...just cause." She dunked her hand inside the pond, letting the clear water splash around. Deidara said nothing and it really bothered her, but he didn't get up, most likely meaning that they were going to stay just like she requested. She took a glimpse at him, and predictably, he took out some clay and started making something else. She looked back at the pond, staring at the tiny droplets of water that flew around as she swished her hand in different directions. Bang. Boom. She didn't bother lifting her head and looking. The criminal was probably enjoying himself quite well with his dangerous explosive artwork.

Ino wasn't exactly sure on how Deidara felt about her. Besides, it'd take a miracle to get him to actually be captivated by her. But she knew, she just knew, that she was...attracted to him. No way would he be interested in her. Growling, she violently shook her hand that was still in the water, causing wild splashes. Deidara, why do you make me feel this way about you!

"What the hell are you doing, un?" Deidara called at her, her strained face was standing out quite strongly, not to mention the noisy water waves. "Is this why you wanted to stay here, un? To cause destruction to the fish?"

"Huh?" She glanced down at the fish, who had retreated to the farthest point of the pond away from her. "Oh...oops..."

Deidara sighed, a little frustrated for some reason that he couldn't quite make out. He glanced at Ino, who had stood up and began walking away. "Where are you going, un?"

"For a walk." Silently, she left.


Ino squealed as the sound of someone landing took place. She spun around, only to sigh as Deidara stood there. "You were gone for a while, un."

"Not that long..." She muttered.

"Two hours." He stated.

She wondered. "Oh..." Well, that's your fault. You shouldn't have let me be gone for that long.

"That dream, un. It's still bothering you." His eyebrows bound.

"...Yeah." Denying it would be idiotic.

"You wanted to be alone for that reason...?" He questioned, referring to the long, long walk she had just taken.

"No." And that was the truth. But that didn't mean that she couldn't hide the reason why she wanted alone time; to think about Deidara. She wanted to think about him, to muse about him, as much as she could without having any possibility of being caught by him. "I'm not going to tell you why. It's personal." She quickly added

Why would she need a two hourstroll to ponder about whatever it was? It hadn't been the dream, so what was it? "Hmm, just tell me already, un."

"Ugh, I already said no. But...um, there's something I will tell you." There was something else that she wanted to tell him... Not her feelings. Hell no.

"What is it?" He asked expectantly.

That would have to wait. "Let's talk about it later. C'mon, let's go catch this person." She sighed, walking ahead from Deidara back to the opening.

Deidara cursed under his breath.


"Heh. For a weak, old man, you're pretty fast, un!" Deidara commented forcefully, as he fired another clay bomb at the old man. Ino had to agree with Deidara; the old dude was very quick. He had managed to escape all of Deidara's explosions! But...it was...disturbing. Just watching Deidara, a young male, who was attacking this innocent, old man. The blonde female bit her lower lip. Apart of her wanted to look away, but the bothering sight was so capturing.

Again, another clay work shot at the oldie but he leaped out of the way, dodging the force that the detonation created. Deidara was chuckling loudly, amusement with every single sound. The old man sprung around the trees with low, cracked grunts. She winced as the old shinobi yelped when one of the explosions successfully damaged his left leg. Still, he was quite agile. As the old man winced and cringed, holding onto his leg, Ino swallowed and asked something hesitantly, "Do you want me to help you?" Her eyes trailed to Deidara.

He glanced at her, a little surprised but smirked. "How so?"

Ino fidgeted a bit. She really didn't want to help at all. Deidara was taking his time and she didn't like that at all. She just wanted the match to end so she couldn't have to feel pitiful for the victim. "W-well...Just let me use a jutsu. It might make it easier for you to attack him so we can finish it."

Deidara huffed. "Hmm, well I wanted to play around a little more...I was enjoying myself and I can handle on my own... But...if you want to, I guess."

Ino rolled her eyes, though it didn't seem like the right thing to do. "Alright." She said, forming an angular seal with her index fingers and thumbs. Holding her chakra within the seal and focusing on the oldie, she let the chakra burst. "Shinrashin no Jutsu!" Yes! She mentally commented, as she felt the grip of the oldie trying break free. With loud yells, he began to attack a nearby tree. Deidara watched, amazed at her jutsu. She could force someone into attacking something not called for.

"Impressed?" She smirked at his expression, ignoring the frustrated roars.

"A little, un. Do you get to choose what the opponent strikes?"

She slumped a bit, deflated. "No..."

Deidara laughed,"It's still quite interesting." He assured her. "Now..." A white blur flew directly at the man. "Katsu!" BANG.

Ino cringed. What she was doing was cruel...so, so cruel! Attacking a poor, old man! How could she...? She looked at Deidara, who was grinning at his way of art. You were doing it for the best! Her mind shouted at her.

With a sigh, she watched as the knocked out oldie got wrapped with a newly formed, large bird's tail.


"Well, are you going to tell me you're reasoning for that walk, un?" He asked impatiently.

Ino blinked. "What?"

Deidara arched an eyebrow. "You said we could talk about it later, un. Now is later."

"Oh, right..." She looked up at the sky, which was a orange-golden mix as the Sun set.

"Well, un?"

"...I...I have a view on art..." Ino announced meekly. She flushed with regret right after; She made it sound so...stupid.

But to her surprise, Deidara's eyes widened and that was just what she was hoping for. "Is that so, un? Tell me." She sat against a tree; something she had grew to love in the past few days. Deidara took a seat in front of her, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"I..." She began. "Well, let's see... Anything can be art..."

The blonde criminal sighed, narrowing his eyebrows again. "That's not interesting if art is everywh-"

"Let me finish!" She interrupted. "Art... is something that strives to the fullest - taking steps of trying to be the best, and eventually flourishing into the most beautiful point it could reach before withering away elegantly, slowly... and leaving something else in its place for remembrance." Ugh, I really sound like an idiot. But that was what she'd thought if she was in Deidara's perspective. Truthfully, Ino took much pride in how her philosophy had much connections to her flower work.

Deidara listened to her intently, nodding. "...That's most definitely something interesting, un." It wasn't exactly in agreement with his -destruction, detonation and erased history-, but there was still disappearance. Other feelings were held for other situations. He could...feel art, and that gave him plenty of feelings, all that made art pure bliss. But, it didn't represent Sasori's...with his damn puppets, you could expect the same, dull thing. But that didn't matter... even though her theory did have ties with his, that wasn't why he was fascinated. That theory...was different. Maybe her artistic style wasn't that great...but her approach with art was so...alluring.

Her eyes lit up, "Really...? You think so?" A smile tugged at her lips as she awaited his response.

"Yes."

"That's good. It's great to know that an artis-" Her heart lurched as something soft and moist pressed against her lips - another pair of lips. Ino could feel her heart pounding, ready to break out. Her body went limp, ready to crumble as her insides lit with a dynamic flare.

She slowly closed her wide eyes, encircling her shaking arms around Deidara's neck, pulling herself closer to him. Eagerly, she pushed her lips against his with power and Deidara could feel her mouth move harder against his. His whole mind, body, everything was being invaded with electrical sparks that flickered and tingled him. Ino's hand stroked the back of his neck, making both of their feelings even more vigorous. Hesitantly, she pulled away, taking deep breaths. Deidara, on the other hand, sat there, shocked, stunned, dazed...that type of thing. Why the hell did I...? But the thought trailed off. He was weak. Weak against his own impulses. He glanced at her; she was breathing quite hard and he couldn't make out her expression...

Deidara placed his hand on her shoulder, "Are you...okay? I'm...sorry, un." No, he wasn't sorry at all. He was being greedy and liked the feeling, and so he did not regret it. But still, she was continuing panting. The blonde kunoichi stopped taking breaths and looked up, frozen this time.

"Yes." A light smile pulled at the corner of her lips.

And...she pulled him closer. Parting her lips, she placed them on his, this time sweetly and gently. Her lips were being soft and tender, the motion much more innocent and delicate. Her arm slowly crawled around his neck, stroking his long, beautiful hair. The moment was so perfect, it drowned out all of Ino's worries. Unwillingly, she curved her lips, pulling away once again to sort out her cluttered mind.

Did that...really happen? Her eyes were wide, trying to take it all in. But still, that didn't change how delighted she was. She could feel her cheeks glow a crimson color. Slowly, she lifted her head to look at Deidara, who was staring at her with an unreadable expression. She rose, inclining her head so she could hide her smile.


"Ernghm...Deidara, can we...land so I can...sleep?" Ino moaned, as the clay owl glided through the starlit sky.

The blond Akatsuki member turned around to catch a glimpse, and sure enough, her whole body was slouching, ready to collapse in any second. He scanned the area; the nearest base was still hours away. He lowered the owl and helped her down. Ino stumbled across the woods, finding a perfect tree and immediately sat against it. Deidara watched her, as she began to lightly snore a few moments after marking her property.

He sighed loudly. Deidara didn't want to kill her. He knew he had been lying to himself for the past couple of days. He knew that he was forcing himself into thinking he would find murdering her thrilling. He knew she was absolutely precious to him. But, what if his feelings strengthened?


The Yamanaka shuffled her feet in frustration. Her deep slumber was interrupted by a damn squirrel and as much as she wanted to, she couldn't go to sleep. Her eyes trailed to the dangerous criminal across from her. How she envied him; the way he was able to sleep in such a relaxed manner... Damn squirrel. Once again, she squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to fall into a soothing sleep, but no. Nothing happened.

Snarling lowly, she pushed onto her feet to stand up and began to take unbalanced, light steps into the dark trees. Owls annoyingly hooted with every tree she passed and it was getting more irritating at the moment. With a forced sigh, she recollected what had happened that day. She smiled freely, remembering her enthralling interaction with Deidara. But the smile soon disappeared... She was still lying to him, unintentionally or not. But if she hadn't lied to him, she wouldn't have been able to grow feelings for him, or be alive, for that matter. But what poked at her most was how would he react. How? To know that she was someone that had a huge purpose and accompanied him - and completely connected with him - but it turned out that she lied, still lying even after feelings developed.

Unless he thought of her as nothing.

No; he kissed her! That counted as somethng, right?

But...she didn't mean to lie. Not after every thing went in motion, that is.

In her frustrated state, she dashed back to the opening to, once again, try to get more sleep.


Ino's eyelids tickled as the Sun urged her to wake up. With a groggy groan, she slapped her hands over her eyes but still, the sunlight crept through between her fingers. Fixing her hair, she got up and glanced around the opening. The Akatsuki criminal wasn't there... bang. Ino rolled her eyes, following the rumbling noises to find Deidara. There he was, next to the loud detonations, predictably enjoying himself.

Biting her lip, she strode towards him, hoping that they could get to the base. "Can we get to a hideout now?"

Deidara whirled around, glancing at her. "Actually, I want to get this job done already. There's one more person left, un. Let's get him."

The Yamanaka groaned but hopped onto the bird. And...she decided she was going to tell him.

Maybe not now, but still, she was going to tell him soon.


A/N: Not a very good ending. Sorry! ACK.

I am so madd, cause I've been getting these constant questions bout my story and this one is crucial [to me, to be exact].

***Is their chemistry too fast, NOT considering the amount of days. Or is it steady?

Thanks so much guys, if ya answer. I'd really appreciate it if you did! :D

Reference:

-Shinrashin no Jutsu: Mind Body Disturbance Technique