Tsukai looked over Tobi with a worried frown, shaking her head now and then and making soft clicking sounds with her tongue at points. Eventually she took a blood sample and after analysing the results her frown deepened; not exactly encouraging but at least, I thought, she didn't look like it was hopeless. I meanwhile stood helpless in the corner, watching as Tsukai poked and prodded at his prone form. Deidara lingered near the bedside, eyeing his partner with mild interest but otherwise calm and collected as usual. I was afraid. Terrified even. I couldn't even consider Tobi's death as an option; he was too young to die.
"Well?" I whispered, needing to hear something other than the ticking of the alarm clock on the chest of drawers. "Can you help him?" She didn't answer for a while, opting to complete her examination before giving a verdict. I understood her reasons. I'd do the same were I in her place. I wouldn't want to give someone false hope only for them to be let down in the end, but neither would I want to tell them it was a lost cause and make them suffer unnecessarily. Endless minutes piled on top of one another and I started to bite my nails out of impatience, not caring about the countless years I'd spent trying to rid myself of the habit.
"It's definitely poison, but not one I've ever encountered." My heart sank with an almost audible thump. I chewed my cheeks as she spoke waiting with bated breath for her to say whether that was as big a problem as it sounded. "However, it's not a particularly strong draught nor one I should have trouble with getting an antidote for. It's a simple concoction; quite poorly made actually. I could probably have an anti-venom made in under an hour. What troubles me is the attack itself. Poisoned candy floss isn't a common occurrence and as far as I'm aware, Tobi is the only one to fall victim to such a ploy. Hmmm... " she trailed off, tapping the side of her head gently with her index finger. Thank goodness!
"I've two theories. The most likely is that someone knows members of the Akatsuki are here and poisoned the candy in an attempt to... Well that speaks for itself really. My second is less plausible; someone in the village has a grudge against Shinobi. It's unlikely because such individuals are renowned for their rash and illogical tactics; this was a subtle approach and unlikely to be used by non-Ninja personnel. In any case, investigative skills aren't my forte; I'll make the cure and administer it to Tobi while you dig around and see what you can come up with."
Deidara snorted suddenly, scaring the life out of me. "Stupid Tobi, un! Only he could be tricked so easily. And as for the digging around, I have to admit I'm not the best at reconnaissance work either. We'll probably just hit a dead end, un." Did that mean he wasn't going to bother trying? That he was just going to stand idly by and let whoever did this get away with it? What kind of a partner was he?!
Maybe I could help... Should I? There was a huge resounding 'NO!' from deep within me. It was wrong to help a bunch of murderers no matter what the reason. Insane. I knew all the things it was; the problem was, logic meant little to me any more. Where was logic when I was escaping a few days ago?
"I can help... " I whispered. My intelligence work wasn't great but it was adequate. More than enough to solve this mystery. As a matter of fact, most pieces of the puzzle had already slotted into place. If what Tsukai had said about the poison being poorly created was true then it was actually more likely to have been an unskilled civilian. Even Genin had enough knowledge to make a half decent poison... No, if it had been a Ninja then Tobi would have been dead already. The fact that we were dealing with the food industry made it additionally probable since they would have some idea of the kinds of substances that could kill a person. I doubted a candy floss vendor would know enough to be on par with a Ninja, but perhaps they would know enough enough to pull this kind of stunt off. But surely someone would have noticed the vendor tampering with the sweets. He couldn't have poisoned the whole batch because then there would have been hundreds of people fainting in the streets and like Tsukai said Tobi was the only incident we'd come across. It had been exceedingly busy at the time, so the chances that no one noticed was just too coincidental. That lead me to the suspicions I'd started to have about the village as a whole... the way everyone had kept glaring at Tobi and me... something had told me we were extremely unwelcome... All that in mind, I narrowed it down to two options; either the whole village had a problem with Akatsuki or the whole village had a problem with Ninja. Those were just hypotheses though. I couldn't be sure without some background knowledge on the village's history for verification. If either of my guesses were right then we'd never know who it was that poisoned Tobi – I knew from experience that a village would protect their own if they shared a common goal or view.
Part of me prayed Deidara and Tsukai wouldn't hear my offer– it was the same part that was screaming in my skull, telling me I was insane. I started to sweat, dreading the moment when they'd ask for my help. When they did there'd be no going back; I wouldn't refuse. I should, but I wouldn't. I'd officially be a traitor. Willingly helping a dangerous band of missing Nin definitely came under the term 'turncoat'. What was I supposed to do though? Whatever else he was, Tobi was my friend – one of the few I had left anyway. I had to try to avenge him even if it was a doomed attempt. Even if he was going to be okay. It's what I would do were he one of my friends from back home. CURSE YOUR NOBILITY AND DAMN YOUR MORALS!, the non-crazy part of me screeched.
"Can you, un?" Deidara quizzed, dubiously. Usually I'd smack him upside the head for that, but today he was lucky. Tobi was more important than a silly squabble with Deidara. Tsukai was examining me with polite curiosity, thinking through my words carefully – probably wondering why I'd bother in the first place. One thing I'd learned about Tsukai in the short three days I'd known her was that she was extraordinarily perceptive. She was able to read my mood and my emotions 99% of the time, a disturbing fact that I intended to remedy as soon as possible. I turned my eyes away from her, not wanting her to read the horror with which I took this decision. It was a dreadful choice to make. I was sacrificing a lot to help the very people I was supposed to hate and I was mortified by the thought that I could inadvertently destroy everyone I'd ever held dear by doing so. But despite that I was prepared to do it anyway. What kind of person does that make me, I wonder?
"Yeah. I..." I hesitated one last time before spilling my guts in a rush, feeling a surge of disgust as I did so. So desperate to destroy the world! "I think I almost have the answer all ready. I just need some more information and I think I know where to get it. Will you help me, Deidara? Please?" I begged, quietly. I'm even begging that pathetic excuse for a terrorist. Is there any level I won't stoop to?
He sighed and scrutinised me with something akin to suspicion in his clear blue eyes. I met his gaze with a hard, determined stare of my own and tried to smother the excitement that curled in my stomach. I found that I wanted to reach over and touch his face, to hold it between my hands and claim him as my own; a notion that terrified me beyond all reason. When he spoke I shivered, noting to myself that this was starting to get ridiculous. I didn't want to feel that way about him.
"If this is another stupid plan to escape, un, then I'll do more than throw a couple of bombs at you." he threatened. His voice was so dangerously low that I was reminded of his rank involuntarily. And I'm in love with that?! I gasped at my own thought and mentally slapped myself. No I'm damn well not! This is stopping right NOW!
"It's not. All I need is to speak to the chief of this village and maybe read some of the village records. That's about it." His answering glare told me he didn't believe me. With an exasperated shake of my head I raised my hand and held it across my chest. "You have my word that I won't try to get away while we're out. I promise I'll do exactly as you say until we find out the truth. Satisfied?"
He hadn't missed the key points of my oath and smiled knowingly as I lowered my hand. "Almost. I couldn't help but notice that your promise is limited to the immediate future only, un." He seemed amused but I could hear irritation buried in the undercurrents of his voice. I had a feeling his patience with my un-cooperativeness was wearing thin. "Well I'm warning you, un. Try escaping again and I'll break one of your legs – both if you really annoy me, un."
I gulped. I really wanted to say something brave and cheeky, like 'I'd like to see you try it, pal!' or somewhere along those lines. However there was something about the look in his eyes – a glint of pure menace – that made me think twice. "And I can't help but notice your promise is indefinite."
He shrugged and made towards the door, holding it open and motioning for me to go first. I nodded and left, casting a last fearful glance at the prone boy on the bed before committing myself to the task I'd set. As we descended the stairs I opened my mind to all the possibilities and allowed every detail my surroundings to bury themselves in my mind and arrange themselves in order of significance. The hotel manager scowled at us from behind the counter as we exited into the darkening streets, a fact I filed away in the archives I'd been composing since Tsukai had arrived. It served only to reaffirm the conclusion I'd come to.
Once out in the fresh air, I found thinking far easier. I paused in the middle of the road, a finger tapping against my lips as I considered our options. Now that I was thinking clearly I realised how futile speaking to the village leader would be. If my hunch was right (which I was certain it was) then that meant I could expect to glean little information from there. Whether it be a vendetta against Akatsuki or Ninja in general, he wouldn't want to speak with me, who kind of fell into both categories. That just left the local library, assuming there was one. I could check out the local records for any occurrences involving Ninja of any sort – a raid or a war or something – that would give the villagers cause to target Tobi and myself. Fail in that we'd have to use a more persuasive method to extract knowledge from the leader. That was a last resort that I hoped would be unnecessary.
"Right, I think I know where we need to go. Do you know where the library is?" I asked, rubbing my temples. He didn't answer and I started to get frustrated. My temper was fragile today and I didn't need him bugging me. "Dei? Dei?! I'm talking to you, you kamikaze freak show!" I spun on my heel to give him a good scolding, and perhaps a fist in the face but when I turned I found him right next to me. And when I say right next to me I mean right next to me – barely inches away from me in fact. He was staring at me with a mixture of interest and amusement. His face was so devastating, so gorgeous...
I forgot how to breathe. I forgot how to move. I forgot how to hate him. Had I ever hated him? How could I hate someone whose eyes were just so beautiful? Who was so gorgeous it should be a sin? My legs refused to obey me when I tried to back up and my heart thudded painfully in my chest... I saw confusion light his expression; I wondered what I looked like that could bewilder him so. Without thinking I reached out and placed my hand on the side of his face, unable to control the yearning for some form of closeness with him.
As my skin made contact with his I felt the familiar jolt of heat and electricity tingling beneath my fingertips. His skin was soft, warm and irresistible. I wanted to be closer to him, so close that we were one and the same being. It was a desire that had the potential to tear me to pieces. It only lasted for a few brief seconds before he flinched away. I might've tried to pull him back but I was afraid. Not of him, but of myself. Of what I was becoming. What sane person would want to be close to a deadly criminal? What the hell was wrong with me?!
And just like that his personality changed; he was cold... his usual bright and cheery demeanour transforming into a distant iciness. It was as if I'd done something that had offended him greatly and I didn't blame him if that were the case. I was even freaking myself out! He pointed up the street and started to walk away without me , meaning for me to follow but not so much as grunting an invite to that effect. The resentment in his eyes had been unmistakable. I swallowed hard past the lump in my throat, feeling cold sweat run down the side of my face. He didn't slow, or turn around to see where I was and I was glad. I was trembling, terror sweeping through me in dark, agonising waves , crippling my capacity to go after him.
Reluctantly I heaved myself out of my stupor and, ignoring the promise he'd made to break my legs if I fled again, I turned tail and flew in the opposite direction. I didn't have a plan; I didn't have a clue where I was going. But I wasn't going back. Not willingly at least. For my own sake I had to believe that. I had to believe I wasn't so intoxicated by this... this monster that I had lost sight of who I was and what I wanted and what was right.
The darkness was pressing in on all sides, closing the streets in a capsule of black so thick that I could almost feel it choking me. The cold wind bit at my cheeks and nose and the sound of my harsh breathing was terrifying in the barren aloneness of the now deserted village. Worst of all I was filled with an aching longing that threatened to engulf me. He'd be after me soon. And furious no doubt. Broken legs, here I come...
I came to a dead end but even that didn't stop me from running. I dashed straight up the grimy concrete of the obstructing building and kept going across the rooftops like an eerie shadow, silent and fast. When the roofs ran out I hopped into the trees, jumping from branch to branch like a bat out of hell. The pale moonlight filtered down through the canopy of leaves, becoming a greenish glow that turned my skin an unsettling hue and lit my path as my sprinting ate up more miles. I ran long into the night, never stopping to rest, knowing that if I let up for even a second he'd be on me quicker than you could say 'snap'.
All I could think about while I flew like the devil himself were at my heels was of my strange fascination with Deidara. With all the facts I had it was clear what it was. Let's review: the heated spark when we touched; the way my legs turned to jelly when I looked into his eyes; the whole face touching thing back there. It was obvious. I found him attractive. That's all it was. And there was no shame in that because being honest, he was good looking. I'd dare any girl to look me in the eye and say that he wasn't. Just a little bit.
Dawn had started to break before I slowed to a halt. I fell to my knees, exhausted and panting, bracing myself against the trunk of the tree I was perched in. I was hungry. And weak. I doubted I could fight Deidara off if he turned up now. Using the last of my strength I clambered to the uppermost branch and collapsed there in a heap, still gasping for air. With the last of my chakra I composed as good a barrier as I was able, sagging as the energy left me but feeling safer all the same.
The sun glowed warm and orange. It was magnificent... it made me feel nostalgic. I could remember the days where my Grandfather and I would wake early in the morning, to train before breakfast. He used to love training me before he died; said it was good to pass on some of his secrets on to the next generation. Every morning he would collect me before dawn and together we'd spar and he'd teach me new Jutsu. Then, drained and starving we'd rest by the waterfall and watch as the beautiful orange sphere peaked over the horizon. I missed him terribly. He had been such a great Ninja; it was unthinkable that he could be killed on a mission, just like that. That was over 10 years ago now...
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"Ooof!" I gasped as I was caught unaware once again. Grandpa was old but man was he tough! That last kick had knocked the wind out of me. I fell to my knees, holding my gut and trying to coax some air back in to my lungs. "G-Gramps! That one actually hurt, you know!" I complained.
He chuckled, his wizened voice reminding me of nights spent by an open fire drinking warm milk and laughing about unimportant little things. I glanced at him. He stood tall and strong, a pillar of confidence in spite of his years. There was nothing about his posture that could label him an old man. His head was covered with white and black cloth bearing the Hidden Waterfall emblem but I knew, beneath the covering, he was as bald as a newborn baby. His face had a slightly greyed tinge – the only result of his ageing that showed – and his eyes were the same colour as mine. Warm, golden honey. His mouth was fixed in a smile I'd come to recognise as strictly for me. It was his special smile. The smile that told me he loved me and was proud of me, no matter what I did.
"Ah, Mizuko. You know how to make your old Grandpa laugh. Do you think a real enemy would have held back?" he asked light-heartedly. I smiled my special smile and shook my head a fraction before changing my mind.
"But a real enemy wouldn't attack an eight year old, would they?" I replied, smug, sure that for once I'd out-witted him. To my surprise he burst out laughing.
"How little you know, Mizu-hime." he chortled. I beamed at the sound of my own personal nickname. It had been Grandpa that named me – after the water itself, he said, because he could see I was just like the water. Free, beautiful and above all strong. As I grew older he saw that his judgement had been completely right and so he gave me the title Water Princess – a reminder of both my affinity for water and the fact that I was his little princess. At least that's what he told me.
"They would?" I questioned, shocked that an adult would do such a thing. Gramps patted my head and picked me up, putting me on his shoulders as we made for our usual spot by the waterfall.
"Of course! And when you become a Ninja, you would too if it was necessary. Never forget, Mizuko: in the world of the Shinobi there are no men, women or children. There are only those who will help the mission, those who don't affect the mission and those who will hinder the mission. Anything else is irrelevant."
"I see." I muttered. The idea upset me a bit; I vowed then and there that I'd never attack someone who was innocent or helpless, no matter how much of a hindrance they might be.
He must have heard the disapproval in my tone because he continued in a softer, almost apologetic manner. "No need to worry about that just now. Each Ninja makes his own rules. The Ninja Code is just guidelines that worked for someone else." Comforted, I fell silent and settled to watch the sun rise, enjoying the company of my Grandfather more than I enjoyed the company of any child my own age.
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"Gramps..." I whispered, a familiar stabbing in my chest flaring as I spoke the word.
A sigh from somewhere far below drew my attention and made me freeze in fear. I didn't dare look down, and even if I'd wanted to I doubted I could convince my stiffened muscles to do it. I was shocked that I hadn't sensed it before – the chakra, burning as bright as a bonfire on the forest floor below. As a trained Ninja it should have been obvious. I knew shouldn't have stopped!
"Thank god! I thought you'd never stop, un!" The familiar tone sent shivers down my spine, but not for the reasons it should have. Anger defrosted my bones within seconds; anger and disbelief. How dare he captivate me so? And how dare he follow me? A quick glance down confirmed it, not that I had reason to doubt what I'd heard. Deidara was there, clutching his knees and panting slightly, looking up into the tree where I sat too fatigued to start running again. Dammit! What is he, Superman or something?! He couldn't possibly have caught up with me already!
I glared at him and I saw him smirk. He straightened up and waved, probably just to provoke me in the hopes I'd lower my guard and release the barrier. If that was his plan then it had failed the instant he thought of it – no way I was letting go of my Jutsu! Not for anything! "Hey, un! You promised you wouldn't run away! Come on down before I come up there and drag you down, un." He said it in a playful way, despite the fact he was deadly serious about it. The rage intensified, fuelled by the fact that he found this whole situation funny.
"Bite me!" I snarled. Folding my arms and looking very much like a sulking child. I reached up and picked a large ripe nut from the tree, weighing it in my hands before I hurled it at his big stupid head. My aim is terrible so it would have missed anyway but Deidara side stepped it lazily, wearing that infuriating smug look that made me want to rip his damn head off.
"I mean it, Mizuko. Don't forget what I said back at the hotel, un." he said in a dangerously low voice, speaking to me as if I were little more than a disobedient brat.
"I haven't and that's why I won't come down." I retorted. I stuck my tongue out at him but to my surprise all he did was laugh. Where were the furious growls, the enraged insults? Where was the sharp, pointy object directed and thrown at my person?
"That was very mature, un." He walked up the side of the tree trunk as he spoke, stopping when he reached the branch I was sitting on and planking himself on the end of it – far enough away that my barrier didn't hinder him but close enough that he could grab me if I gave him an opening. "Besides, un, if you come back without too much fuss I won't have to break your legs now will I?"
"Humph! And I'm supposed to believe that?" I spat sourly, already knowing the battle was lost. I didn't have the power to resist and my barrier wouldn't last forever. I just wanted to make it as difficult as I could for him.
"Yeah, actually." he grinned, revelling in my obvious lack of choice. Looked like we both knew the direction this argument was headed. I let out a growl and he laughed again. Then abruptly his face became serious and his eyes took on a repentant sheen. "I'm sorry, un. I know I scared you back there. I was just surprised, that's all. Forgive me?"
"That's all right." I grunted, my wrath fading marginally in the light of his unexpected apology. He seemed sincere and I guess that caught me off guard. With each passing moment my antagonism slipped into calm forgiveness, until I eventually I couldn't stay mad at him. "It was myself I was frightened of." I sighed after a while. He raised an eyebrow and I tried to explain what I'd meant. "I mean, back there when I... you know. I gave myself quite a shock. I didn't mean to... I just... I'm sorry." I was blushing and I prayed he wouldn't read too much into it. After all there wasn't much to it. It wasn't my fault he looked good.
He was quiet for a while. I wanted to look up and gauge his reaction but didn't risk it, in case he thought I was nuts. When he spoke it was soft and understanding, but teasing. "Nah. It's fine. I didn't expect it and that's why I acted the way I did, un. I was actually expecting you to punch me or something! Let's just call it even, 'kay, un?"
"Right." I was astounded at his ability to brush the situation off so easily. Thankful but astounded. He was different compared to... well everyone. Too impish and good-humoured to be a criminal; too inhumanely strong and cruel to be an honest man.
"So... " he started awkwardly. I could see he was looking for a conversational topic to pass time since my barrier was still in working operation. "What were you thinking about, un? When I got here?" he asked in an offhand sort of way. I eyed him dubiously. What did it matter to him what was on my mind? I remembered something I'd been meaning to ask him recently and quickly discovered a way to twist this to my advantage. I caught him smiling faintly and I guessed he had seen the spark of anticipation in my eyes. He knew I was going to ask for something in return.
"I suppose I can tell you. If you'll do something for me." I asked furtively considering each word before I gave it a voice.
"Un..." he paused, looking thoughtful. "I don't see why not. However there are certain restrictions on that request. I'm sure you can guess what they are, un." I nodded. Satisfied he continued, a note of curiosity creeping into his tone. "So what do you want me to do, un?"
"Um... I... uh... I just wondered if... if I could have a quick look at your hands... please?" I was unsure of myself because even in my own head it sounded like I was a lunatic. Deidara chuckled and shook his head wonderingly.
"That's it, un? That's all you want?"
"Uh-huh. What did you think I'd ask for?" I narrowed my eyes, daring him to come out with one of his lewd quips.
"I thought you'd ask me to let you escape, un. I'm interested... Have you given up escaping or do you just know I'd never agree to that?" he laughed.
"The second one obviously. But enough of that, let me see." I edged forward a little trying to get a better view. However he quickly folded his hands behind his head to hide them from my gaze.
"Ah-ah! You first. Tell me what you were thinking about, un." I stared at him blankly, deciding whether to lie or tell the truth. "You looked kinda down." he prompted. I made up my mind to tell the truth; what harm could it do? Grandpa was dead and it hardly mattered what I said about him now.
"I was remembering my Grandfather. He died a long time ago, on a mission in the Fire Country when I was eight. He was a superb Ninja and he always had time for me; something no one else in my family can boast. We trained together a lot and I have lots of good memories of him. I..." I hesitated, not wanting to show weakness in front of Deidara. He remained silent waiting for me to go on, completely absorbed though my ramblings couldn't have been in the least bit interesting. Exhaling I finished my sentence. "I miss him so much." I murmured miserably.
"Huh. Eleven years and you still can't get over it, un?" The words were harsh but he smiled to soften the blow, showing he meant nothing by it.
"Of course. He meant everything to me. My mother and I are... were close, but that's nothing compared to what I had with Gramps. He was proud of me no matter what I did. He always listened to me and he understood me like no one else ever has. That kind of thing is hard to let go of, even after all these years. Haven't you ever had someone like that? Tsukai, maybe?"
"Hmm... Do you know your Grandfather's name?" he asked out of the blue. I recognised it as a strategic step to avoid answering my last question and played along for his benefit.
"Unfortunately not. I'm not sure why, when I can recall everything else about him so perfectly, but his name has wiped itself from my memory. I don't think it really matters, since I usually refer to him as Grandpa or Gramps anyway. If he had a grave, I'd have checked it by now... then again maybe I wouldn't have bothered." I mused. Knowing myself like I did it was unlikely I'd have gone to his grave; I preferred to think of him how he used to be, not buried in a box 6ft under.
"I see... " Deidara sounded pensive. I watched him as he puzzled over something in his mind and started fiddling with a leave that I plucked from an overhanging branch. It was cool between my fingers and the veins traced delicate patterns over the emerald surface. I dropped it over the edge and followed it's floating journey to the grassy ground several feet below. "D'you know why he doesn't have a grave, un?" he inquired suddenly.
"He... " I paused, realising I didn't have a clue. "Hm. I guess I don't. They never found his corpse. I expect there's no point in a grave without a body. And aren't you forgetting something?"
"No point, indeed, un." he mumbled, still lost in his own thoughts. A split second later he was back to normal and he cocked his head at me as if to display some sort of innocence; it didn't wash with me. "Forgetting, un? What would that be?" I gave him a withering glare and held my hands up palm forward as a visual memory boost. "Oh! I guess I did say I'd let you see, un."
He copied my stance, hands up and palms toward me, allowing me to see them properly. I gasped. In the middle of each hand there was what looked like a miniature mouth. At my sharp intake of air, Deidara grinned roguishly and the mouths on his palms did the same revealing rows of teeth as dazzling and white as the ones in Deidara's own mouth. I was awed at the sight of such an anomaly. So much so that without considering my actions I reached out and grabbed one of the hands, accidentally releasing my barrier in the process. I became unnaturally still, as if I'd been petrified. Glimpsing at him in horror I braced myself for the leg-breaking to begin. You stupid, thick-headed imbecile! You are one sorry excuse for a Shinobi!
He didn't move. His expression was still cheekily jovial but otherwise there was nothing out of the ordinary. It was as if the barrier had never been up in the first place. Seeing my confusion, Deidara answered the unasked query on my face.
"As long as you don't run, I don't have to hurt you, un." It was part reassurance and part threat. An odd combination for Deidara who normally made statements like that all threat.
Shrugging I went back to studying his hand with fascination. I turned it this way and that, poked at the sides of the mouth, tested the function of his hand against my own – it worked as well as mine did despite it's extra feature. I was spellbound by the hand, finding it amazing and also really cute, for reasons I can't explain. I brought it closer to my face, scrutinising it carefully, trying to absorb every detail when all of a sudden the mouth opened and...
It licked me!
A little pinkish tongue poked out from between the rows of teeth and brushed gently across my nose. I giggled and dropped it, grossed out but strangely entertained by the weirdness. Deidara was pleased with my reaction, snickering along with me.
"Eww! That was so gross!" I squealed, delighted with my new finding.
"Seems to amuse you though, doesn't it, un?"
"Yeah. That is so cool! What do you use them for?" I asked excitedly. Yeah, I know. I am the single biggest freak of nature in the whole world.
"Mostly to mould the clay I use for my bombs, but sometimes they come in use for other things like scaring the life out of people or stealing small objects without getting caught, un." he replied casually, examining his hand himself whilst he talked. I burst into laughter inexplicably and he eyed me uncertainly. I laughed uncontrollably for what felt like hours until I literally couldn't breathe, holding my side as severe cramps tore it to shreds.
"What're you laughing at, un?" Deidara asked, not comprehending what was so hilarious to me. Choking, I tried to tell him. All I got out was a few words but it was sufficient for him to get it.
"You... hands... use for... other things!" I wheezed. For a few moments the blank stare remained fixed on his face. When it clicked he treated me to a mischievous grin and shook his head slowly in mock disapproval.
"Mizuko! That was abnormally filthy minded for you, un." he snorted.
"You think? I was... always pretty... dirty minded at... home..." I gasped, still attempting to smother the giggles.
"Wouldn't have thought it, un." He glanced up at the sky and cocked an eyebrow at me. "We'd best be getting back. Tsukai'll be thinking we've been murdered or something, un"
"Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Let's go." We set off in the direction of the dingy little village again, me feeling significantly happier than I had been before I left it. After all... I wasn't dead. Officially, I had nothing to complain about. And who knew? Maybe the remainder of my life wouldn't be as bad as I thought... Yeah right!!!
For those of you who've noticed I've updated this chapter slightly. Well actually I just added a bit at the end... There's a reason for it. I've decided to finish this story here. Fear not! I plan to write a sequel eventually but in my wisdom, I've chosen to leave this plot for a while. To be quite honest it's boring me to tears and I have no time to write properly. That and the fact that this story seems to have run aground in the inspiration department. I can reveal that there will be a time skip in the plot and when the sequel starts, a substantial amount of time will have passed. If anyone wants to have a go at a sequel tell me your idea and an example of your work and I'll consider passing the reins to you.