I'm alive? And here I thought I'd be murdered in my sleep. Or in a K-Mart (shudder).
I did something I wasn't going to do in this chapter, and that was to make up for last chapter's crappiness. Also, this was the happy feel good chapter, so I thought, well, why not?
But don't be fooled; this is NOT the end. Next chapter, the plot returns with a punch to remind us that he is still alive and well. Darn plot…
Reader Review Corner!
You guys reviewed!!! Even after that last crappy chapter!!! *overcome with tears of happiness*
Pathetically Lovely: Thank you for not mauling my worthless hide! And yes, it did end up being filler; wasn't intended to be, but, well, the best intentions and best laid plans and all that. Hope you like this better! By the way, I love your avatar piccy. Heehee.
UchihaDei13: Thank you!
Lone Silver Angel: Yeah, exactly.
: Aw, thank you so much! *blush* Your review warmed my heart!
-cHi-1000-SpRiNgS: I'm glad you liked it that much! Thank you! And I like your avatar piccy, too!
Now! On with a chapter that isn't lame!
Timeless
By Dandy Wonderous
Chapter 10: Celebrated
"Well, it's ready, un."
He stood proudly by his sculpture while Ms. Yuhi and Hinata stared at it in shock.
It was a beautiful rose about a foot and a half tall that opened in a large and lovely bloom. The stem was twisted like a vine, and there were little doves attached to them with little steel rods. The rose was painted in bright splashes of reds and pinks and, oddly, oranges.
"Deidara, it's… beautiful," Hinata managed.
"It really is, Deidara," Ms. Yuhi agreed.
He grinned broadly. "You haven't even seen the best part!"
They stared at him expectantly and he laughed. "But, it's a surprise, un."
"Not fair!" yelled both women at once.
He laughed again, throwing the cloth back over the sculpture. "We better hurry to get it to the fair building, un, otherwise we won't make the deadline."
Carefully they lifted his work on sturdy boards Sasori had put together for him, tsking when he saw them carrying it around on cardboard and saying it was sure to be destroyed. They loaded it into Deidara's car (he had told his dad he had things to do after school and would be needing it), and then stared at it while the artist beamed.
"It really is amazing, Deidara," Ms. Yuhi said again.
Hinata nodded mutely.
His smile turned embarrassed and he rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. "Thanks, un. It's really nothing, though…"
"No, it's wonderful," Hinata assured him quietly.
Deidara's cheeks tinged a light pink and he looked away; at the same time, Hinata became very interested in her shoes. Ms. Yuhi fought the urge to laugh at the two.
"Well, you better hurry. The fair building closes in twenty minutes."
He snapped back to reality. "Oh man, I better hurry, un!" He rushed around to the other side of the car and waved. "Bye, Ms. Yuhi! See you tomorrow, Hinata!"
They waved back until his yellow car tore out of sight.
"So," said Ms. Yuhi slowly once they were alone. "What do you think the surprise is?"
"I don't know," she replied, still staring in the direction the car had taken. "Maybe a butterfly or something."
Her teacher smiled slyly. "Or something special for you, perhaps?"
Hinata blushed and shook her head, eyes snapping back to her teacher. "Oh, no, surely not! I mean… I mean, Deidara and I are just friends…"
"Ah, but is that all you two want to be?"
Hinata blinked, cheeks growing redder still. "W-well, I… I mean I, uh…"
Ms. Yuhi laughed out loud. "Just think on it, Hinata." She turned to leave, waving. "Your ride's here. Have fun at the fair tomorrow!"
Hinata stared after her teacher until Neji, impatient, honked the horn. Jumping in surprise, she grabbed her bag and climbed in.
"Hinata? Is everything okay?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, everything's great."
"Hmm… This has something to do with that boy, doesn't it?"
"Um, well… Yes."
"You're going to the fair with him tomorrow night, right?"
"Y-yes…"
Neji glared out the windshield with a look that would have struck most lesser men dead. "He does anything you don't like, you tell me immediately, okay?"
"Neji, Deidara's not like that…"
"All guys are like that."
Hinata knew she shouldn't. But she couldn't resist. "Even you?"
Neji blinked in confusion, then turned to stare at her blankly. For a moment she was afraid he would get mad, but surprisingly he laughed. "Okay, I admit; I'm overreacting just a little."
"A little?" That's what Hinata wanted to say, but this time she refrained and was silent.
"Just… be careful, okay? I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."
"Neji, I…" I what? I'm sorry for ruining your life and your dream? Maybe that's what I want to say, but… "I promise I'll be careful."
He smiled at her, a rare occurrence. "Good girl."
"Ah, Deidara. Please come in."
If Neji's slightly creepy politeness made Deidara in any way uncomfortable, he didn't show it. He smiled pleasantly and waltzed past the sentinel, saying simply, "Okay, sure. Don't mind if I do, un."
Hinata was standing in the entry, wearing jeans, a bright red blouse, and an apologetic expression. "I'm really sorry about all this," she whispered, "but Father insisted that he meet you."
"Don't worry, Hinata, un," he whispered back. "I won't embarrass you too much."
"N-no, that's not what I meant at all-" but she was cut off by her father's appearance on the stairs.
Hiashi Hyuga looked as stern as ever in his business suit. He was purposely stopped halfway down the staircase so as to better overshadow the boy. His expression was grim and judgmental. "So you're the boy who wants to take my daughter away from me?"
"No sir," said Deidara politely. "I only want her to have a good time."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed, and he amended his statement. "You know, cotton candy and rides, un. Sir."
Hiashi finished descending the stairs and proved that, even on level ground, he was still taller than Deidara and could stare him down. "I'm sure you will, young man. But don't have too much fun; the Hyuga's are a very… influential family, you know. I have many friends in the police… and many others whose methods are just as effective."
Translation: We'll take care of you permanently. Hinata desperately wanted to hide under something, like a couch or a moving bus.
"You have nothing to worry about, un, sir," Deidara assured him, with the good sense to look mildly intimidated. "I'll take good care of her."
Hiashi eyed him for a moment longer, then nodded and turned his scrutinizing eyes on his daughter. "Have a good time, Hinata."
She nodded. "I will. Thank you, Father."
"Hmm," was all he said before returning to his study.
Neji moved from where he had been guarding the door. "Have fun, Hinata," he said, giving Deidara one last warning look.
Deidara only smiled back amicably and led a very apologetic and mortified Hinata to the car.
"Man, what is with your family, hmm?" he said once they were driving away. "It's like they're the mafia or something, un."
"Yeah, well…" Hinata cleared her throat nervously.
He blushed. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it like that, un. I just meant-"
"It's okay. I know they're intimidating. They do it on purpose." She swallowed. "They just want to protect me."
"I understand," he assured her. "It's not your fault your father and cousin get their point across with death threats, un."
She smiled a little. "It's not a threat, you know," she teased. Well, half teased.
"Didn't think it for a second."
Soon they were at the fairground. Hinata noticed several people she knew filing through the gate: Sakura, Ino, Shino, Kiba, Naruto, and Sasuke, among others. It looked like everyone wanted to spend their Friday night here.
They got out of the car and went to the gate together. Hinata was about to ask for a ticket when Deidara stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Two tickets, un."
"Deidara," she began to protest.
He only smirked at her and paid for both tickets. "Come on, creepy rich stalker girl, let's go."
Inside the gate it was very crowded and very noisy. People of all ages milled around the stalls, eating and laughing and shouting. Music floated from a big pavilion, complimented by the dings of the game booths. Screaming from the rides permeated the air, somehow making one more excited to ride rather than scared.
Hinata looked around wide-eyed, unsure what to do first. Then she noticed Deidara's eyes wandering to the big fair building, where the crafts and other such things were judged and displayed. She smiled and pointed at it. "Let's go there first."
He grinned thankfully, eyes mixed with excitement and apprehension. She understood; he was putting himself out there for the first time, something she would always be too scared to do. "If you're sure, un."
"Of course. That's why we're here."
He laughed and started off, grabbing her wrist as he did. "Come on, then, un!"
She blushed and felt her pulse quicken. Don't get too worked up; he's just doing this to keep from getting separated.
They hurried inside and bypassed the fruits and vegetables, the many 4H projects protesting smoking and promoting bullet proof vests for police dogs, the quilts and embroidery, until they got to where the paintings and drawings were. From there, Deidara took a deep breath and turned onto the next aisle, where the sculptures sat on neat tables, displaying bright ribbons of rank, blue, red, and yellow. Hinata noticed that there was not just one first place; several had them, based on what they were judged. She wondered who the overall winner was, or if there even was one.
Deidara was scanning the rows, his face slowly metamorphosing from excitement to confusion and then, finally, disappointment. Hinata had been momentarily distracted by an impressive sculpture of a small dog and didn't notice.
Until Deidara's grip on her wrist tightened, viselike.
She blinked in surprise. "Deidara, what's…" Then she saw his face and fell silent.
"It's… not here."
"Huh?" She scanned the aisle quickly. It was true; it wasn't among the sculptures. "But… But you turned it in before the deadline, right?"
"Yeah, I did, un…" His face had again transformed, from disappointment to something tragic Hinata didn't care to name. "Where is it?"
"There must be some mistake," she began quickly, pulling from his grip with some difficulty and moving down the aisle. "Maybe there's another row, or…"
"It's not here," he repeated blankly.
She was feeling more and more guilty by the second. She had pushed him into this, and now… What would she do if his beautiful sculpture had been destroyed again?
She was still searching, he watching with the same tragic expression, when they heard a low shout (if it could even be called a shout at all) from over by the paintings.
"Deidara! And Miss Hyuga!"
Sasori came over then and stood next to his friend, looking up at him. "Hello Deidara," he repeated, as though to snap him out of the trance he had slipped into.
"Hmm? Oh, hey, Sasori."
"Hi, Sasori," Hinata greeted as well, coming over. She did her best to look cheerful and, when that failed, changed to at least being pleasant.
"What are you here for, hmm?" He said it with a dead expression.
Sasori didn't seem bothered. "I'm here to see how my woodworking did. Temari suggested I do something normal this time, though I don't see what's so wrong with my puppets."
A ghost of a smile made Deidara's lips twitch. "Maybe because they look like dead people? And are really creepy, hmm?"
The redhead folded his arms in annoyance. "I don't see anything wrong with that… Anyway, this time I made a bald eagle carving. It won first prize."
"So there are overall winners," said Hinata.
"Of course," said Sasori, slightly scornfully. "They keep them separate in the winners' area over there." He indicated it with his thumb.
"Separate?" Hinata repeated. She looked up at Deidara, and the small light of hope that now shone in his blue eyes told her he had the same thought.
"Yes," said Sasori. "You want to come look? Konan's painting is there as well."
She deflated. Surely if Deidara's sculpture was there he would have said so by now. Deidara seemed to realize that, too, because the light was extinguished. "Sure, un."
The two followed Sasori over to the winners' area, which was blocked off by a red rope. Inside were displayed all manner of things, including the best quilt, the best painting (Konan's), Deidara's sculpture, the biggest squash, the best…
Hinata's eyes snapped back to the rose, mouth falling open slightly in shock. Deidara had much the same expression.
"I… It… They… What?" was all he managed.
Sasori folded his arms and rolled his eyes. "You won, that's what."
Sure enough, there on the sculpture was the big purple ribbon that adorned the other winners.
"Deidara…" said Hinata slowly once her voice returned. "You did it."
Deidara stared at it for a long moment.
And before she knew what was happening, he had swept her up into his arms and was twirling around with her feet flying out behind them.
"Wha-Deidara!"
"We did do it, didn't we, hmm?" he asked happily, still swinging her in the crazy hug.
For a second she could only panic, then she relaxed and laughed. "No, you did it!"
"I never would have entered if it hadn't been for you, un!"
"But you're the artist!"
He laughed and set her down finally. "But you're the inspiration."
Hinata blushed wildly, speechless.
"Oh, that's right, un," he said, slapping his forehead. "I totally forgot the surprise!" He looked around for a second, but their spectacle miraculously hadn't attracted any attention. Nodding, he stepped over the rope and moved over to his sculpture. "This!"
She climbed over and crouched next to him. He was pointing at a tiny figure, placed inside the rose petals.
Her breath caught in her throat.
It was a fairy. A fairy with lavender hair and eyes and gorgeous wings in deep reds and purples…
"Is that…" she couldn't finish.
"You?" he finished for her. "Yeah, it is, un."
She didn't know what to say.
"Do you like it?"
"Deidara…" She gulped nervously. "I love it."
"I hoped you would, un." He smiled broadly, then helped her back up. "I'll let you keep it after the fair is over."
She smiled back. "I'd like that."
Looks like I get to keep one of his pieces alive forever after all.
They climbed back to the other side of the rope. Sasori watched them smugly.
"Jerk!" Deidara snapped. "You could've mentioned that, un!"
He smirked. "And where would be the fun in that?"
The blond just laughed and nudged his arm. "Good job on your not-freaky carving, un."
A scowl. "Good job on your half-assed sculpture."
"Hey, it's a work of art, un!"
"Hmph. You don't know a thing about real art."
But the two friends were in a good mood, and, after a few more minutes of playful ribbing, they parted ways with a wave.
"So what do you want to do now, hmm?"
They walked out into the twilight air and she looked around, eyes bright. "I don't know; it all looks fun."
He grinned, grabbing her hand.
Not her wrist.
Her hand.
"Let's get some cotton candy, hmm?"
Hinata had to fight to find her voice. "S-sure."
"Hey, Hinata!"
She turned to see a shock of blond running up to her. Naruto Uzumaki stood before her, holding a large pretzel and grinning ear to ear. "I didn't know you were here!"
She smiled shyly. "Oh. I saw you come in."
"Really? Why didn't you say hi?"
"Because you ran off too fast," she teased.
He laughed, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. "Oh, sorry. But there's so much to see, we were in a hurry!"
She looked past him to see her other friends, Sakura and Ino, Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Sasuke. The two girls smiled encouragingly, looking flush and excited. Kiba glared at Deidara, sizing him up; he was like Neji, had been protective of her for a long time. After a moment he nodded, giving her a wry smile of approval. She couldn't see Shino's expression through his ever present sunglasses and high collar, but she could sense that he was smiling, just a little.
"So, what's with you two? You on a date?"
Naruto had never been known for being tactful.
Hinata blushed. "Um, n-no, we're just-"
She was abruptly cut off by Deidara's arm, which wrapped possessively around her shoulders, pulling her against his chest. "Actually, yeah, we are, un," he said cheerfully. "I'm Deidara, and you are…?"
Naruto looked slightly taken aback for a moment, but "speechless" was something that never applied to him. "Naruto Uzumaki. Nice to meet ya!"
"Naruto!" yelled Sakura angrily. "Leave them alone!"
The hyperactive blond looked wounded. "But Sakura, I was just-"
"Come on, moron. We're gonna go ride the Zipper!"
"Stupid Sasuke… Well, see ya, Hinata!" He waved at her before turning off and running after their group of friends.
The two watched them go, and then Deidara coughed nervously and dropped his arm. "I'm sorry. Did you want to go with them?"
"N-no, I'm fine. I'd rather… I'd rather keep hanging out with you." Her heart was still pounding loudly in her ears. A date. He said this was a date…!
Deidara looked around, purposely avoiding eye contact. "Um… You wanna go ride the Farris Wheel, hmm?"
"Uh…Sure…"
So close… He's so
They were seated on the Farris Wheel, alone in the small, open car. While it was going round they couldn't look at each other, both staring out at their respective views of the fair and the city beyond it. Occasionally he would look at her and then look away, and occasionally she would sneak her own glance.
Oh, who am I kidding? I'm totally panicked! What do I do?
She glanced at him again, and froze. His blue eyes were on her this time, watching her with a thoughtful expression.
She felt the blush creeping up her cheeks, but she couldn't look away. His eyes held her mesmerized.
Finally he leaned down closer to her. "So you really liked my little surprise, hmm?"
"Yes, really. I loved it."
"Hmm. That's good, un."
The Farris Wheel stopped.
They were on the top.
Deidara leaned closer.
Hinata found herself closing the gap, eyes closed.
Lips met lips, first awkward, then curious, then natural, as though they had been made for this. Maybe they had. Hinata didn't feel like pondering the nature of lips at this moment. She just felt like… feeling.
His lips felt rough, yet smooth at the same time. Like the clay he used to craft his masterpieces.
Her lips felt like the smooth silk ribbons she once used to decorate her hair while dancing, back when dancing was fun and open, not her hidden passion.
It felt like a strange current were linking them together, here on the top of the Farris Wheel so close to the moon.
It felt like this would be forever. Timeless.
End of Chapter 10
A/N: And that's what I was unsure if I wanted to do. But I'm glad I did now; it makes the rest of the story more high stakes. Heehee.
I had an experience similar to Deidara's. A drawing I did of a raccoon when I was 11 won first prize, so it was set in a different part of the building. I freaked when I couldn't find it, then really freaked when I finally did. It's part of the reason I love raccoons so much (so maybe that's why I'm a Gaara fangirl?). I'm also a raccoon lover because of the movie Over the Hedge. Yes, I have it memorized. I really need to grow up, huh?
"Deidara! And Miss Hyuga!"
I couldn't remember (or find) what I had Sasori call her before (I don't honestly think he's addressed her at all), so I decided he would be extra polite, since they're both from rich families.
Konan's painting is there as well."
Because "Konan's origami crane" didn't sound as impressive.
Sure enough, there on the sculpture was the big purple ribbon that adorned the other winners.
Mine was purple, too. What's with the purple ribbons?
And before she knew what was happening, he had swept her up into his arms and was twirling around with her feet flying out behind them.
I don't know what crack I was on. Enjoy the fluff while you can, I suppose.
"But you're the inspiration."
*singing* You're the inspiration…
Kiba glared at Deidara, sizing him up…
Yum, Kiba… Seriously, Hinata totally could have had him! I would've jumped on that… Cough cough… Oh, also, there's a little NaruHina bashing, but since you're reading this that means you're a DeiHina fan to a large enough degree not to care.
We're gonna go ride the Zipper!"
I don't know what your version of this is called, but here the Zipper is a big yellow thing that you stand in against the walls. It spins really fast and the G-force holds you down. It's really fun, but it's possible to hurt your neck if you try to raise your head from the mat thing.
So, well, that's it! For now, anyway. The plot rears its ugly head next chapter! Oh dear…
Hoping this made up slightly for last time, this is Dandy Wonderous, signing off.