I drew a chibi Deidara. It's cute. :3 But I can't draw an actual picture of Deidara. D: I also had an obsessed fangirl dream where I kidnapp him. O-o I have nothing more to say...My brain is dead...x-x Oh and I need to give you guys a heads up. Because I have planned my future chapters for this story to be a little...intense...the rating for this story will most likely change...I don't know...And because this story is partly sided with the Konoha's point of veiw, this chapter will mostly be about...well, Team Kakashi. So yeah. But we'll get back to Deidara soon enough. Because we all love him. You know you do. Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this story. :3

The Truth Hurts

"Hey look!" said Naruto. "I can see Suna!"

The group of shinobi had been flying on Mika's sparrow for a while. They finally reached Suna.

"Ok," said Mika to the bird. "You can land here."

"Very well."

The bird started to descend down towards the sand. She landed gently on the earth. After Team Kakashi and the escortee got off, the bird disappeared in a barrage of smoke.

Michiko looked at the walls bordering Suna. She scowled a little. "This is the place where I am supposed to reside? It looks horrible! There are no trees anywhere!"

"Hey!" said Mikashi. "Suna is a beautiful desert village. It may not have many trees, but it's still wonderful anyway!"

Michiko looked at Mika with sort of a glare. "Do you know who you're talking to?"

"No and I don't care! Those who talk badly about something that has to do with Kazekage Gaara will never gain my respect!"

The escortee looked at Mika. Then she got an evil glint in her eye. She smiled. "Am I sensing some...love for the Kazekage of Suna Mikashi-san?"

Mika blushed. "What gave you that idea?"

"Oh nothing. Now let's get going inside the village. This matter cannot wait."

The six people walked into Suna after greeting the shinobi gaurding the border. They went inside.

-----------------

Inside the village were many houses made of what looked like a sturdy and powerful adobe substance. Mika had never been here.

"Wow! Their houses are so cool!"

"Hey look!" said Naruto. "That's the Kazekage mansion!"

Mika looked in that direction and gasped with awe. The mansion was huge. It was sorta round, but magnificent nonetheless.

"Come on!" said the snowy girl. "Let's go over there! We do have to see the Kazekage after all!"

She started running towards the mansion. Naruto laughed and said "Wait for me Mika-chan!"

Michiko sighed. "I don't want to run. A girl like me shouldn't over exert herself."

"Don't worry," said Yamato. "Let those two run. They like being active. We'll walk."

"Why is Mika-chan so eager to see Kazekage Gaara?" Sai asked Sakura.

The pink haired girl smiled. Then she whispered to Sai, "Well, Mika has a crush on Gaara."

"She does?"

"Yes, for a long time now. Ever since the first time we took the Chuunin Exams. That's when I found out about the whole thing. But don't tell her please."

"I won't."

Sai felt a little disappointed, but he didn't know why...

-------------------

After reaching the mansion, the six walked inside to be greeted by Temari.

"Oh, hey Naruto!"

"Uh...who are you again?"

"You seriously don't remember who I am?!"

"Naruto-kun..." said Mika. "That's Temari!" She bonked him on the head.

"Mika-chan that hurts!"

"Baka."

Temari smiled. "Hi Mikashi."

"Hey Temari. How's it going?"

"Pretty good."

"I heard that you and Kankuro are Jounin. That's awesome. I became one too."

"Why wouldn't you? You're an Uchiha and a great ninja."

"Thanks."

"So where's the escortee?"

"Over here."

Mikashi went towards the door. Yamato and the others were still walking in. "Man you guys are slow...Yamato-taichou, we need Michiko."

"Ok Michiko," said Yamato. "I guess you have to go with Mikashi."

"Fine."

Michiko walked somewhat arrogantly into the mansion. She was greeted by Temari. "Hey there. You must be the young lady we were told about."

"Yes. And I assume you are the Kazekage's sister?"

"Yes."

"He has a brother too am I right?"

"Yup. We're known as the Sand Siblings."

"Yes...of course...Well then, shall we go to the Kazekage's office? This matter that I need to discuss with him is very important."

"Sure. We better go before the council comes. They can be a bit...annoying..."

So everyone walked away towards the office of the Kazekage.

----------------------

Gaara was in there doing some work while pretending to listen to Kankuro blabble on and on. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," said the red head.

"Hey Gaara," said Temari. "The young lady from the Fire Country is here. And so is Naruto's team."

"Tell them to come in."

Temari motioned with her hand for them to come in. Yamato walked inside first, followed by Michiko, Sakura, Sai, Naruto, and finally Mikashi. When the white haired girl saw Gaara, she blushed and somewhat hid behind Naruto. He smiled.

Heh. Mika-chan still likes Gaara.

Mikashi tried hard not to be embarrased, but she thought the Kazekage looked even more handsome than he did three years ago.

He's grown...And not just in hieght either...He's even more of a looker now...Oh Panda-kun...If only I could tell you how I feel about you...

"Hello Kazekage," said Michiko. "I'm glad to have finally met you. And I must say, you're more handsome than I imagined."

Gaara just looked at her. "Thank you. Now what is your buisness here?"

"Well, I'd feel more comfortable if the shinobi team of Konoha weren't here. It is to be discussed only with you and the council."

"I don't like to discuss things with the council because they never let me decide on anything. So Temari and Kankuro are the council for now in this moment in time."

Gaara got up and walked to Yamato. "My apologies, but you must leave."

"That's ok. We need to head back to Konoha anyway."

"It is almost sunset. You should spend the night here. But for now, Kankuro will show you to a spare room."

Kankuro groaned. He walked over to Yamato's team and said "Follow me. And Temari, you better tell me what happens."

"I will. Don't worry."

The puppet master showed the Konoha's through the mansion and to a spare waiting room.

--------------

About fifteen minutes had passed since Kankuro left the Konohas in the waiting room. Mika and Naruto were very bored. They sighed in unison.

"Man," said Naruto. "I want to know what Michiko is talking to Gaara about-ttebayo..."

"I want to know too..."

"Why Mika-chan?"

"Because I like to be updated on the current news."

"Oh."

"Well," said Yamato. "We will know if we are allowed to know. This matter is between Michiko and the Kazekage after all. It is not for us to hear."

Sai heard some thunder outside. He looked out the window and saw that the sky was becoming grey. A dark grey. "Looks like it's gonna rain hard. Does it rain in Suna?"

"Not from what I know," said Naruto.

"That's strange...In desert areas...there is hardly any rain," said Sakura.

"This just means we are gonna have to stay here," Yamato said. "There is no use in going back to Konoha when it's raining."

"Yamato-taichou is right," said Mika. She stood up. "It's a good idea to stay here for the rest of the day."

Naruto gave her a devious smile. "Mika-chan, you know what I think? I think you just want to stay here to be around Gaara a little bit longer."

The girl flushed. "N-No I don't!"

"Then why is your face pink?"

"Because!"

"Naruto-kun," said Sakura. "Leave Mika alone. Or I'll make you."

The blonde shuddered. He remembered Sakura's immmense strength. "Ok S-Sakura-chan."

Naruto's stomach growled.

"Man...I'm hungry...I wonder if Gaara has any ramen?"

"Is that all you eat?" asked Sakura.

"Basically."

Temari came though the door, along with Kankuro. Naruto's stomach roared. He blushed in embarrassment. Kankuro laughed at the blonde's face and Temari merely smiled.

"Looks like you guys are hungy."

"Heh heh...yeah."

"Well, it is time for dinner. Why don't you guys wait a little bit longer? We'll get dinner started and you'll be our guests."

"That sounds great," said Mika.

"Now Kankuro."

"Yeah sis?"

"Go tell the chefs to make some food. And hurry up because I'm hungry too."

"It's your fault for being on that stupid diet Temari..."

"Just go!"

"Ok ok! Sheesh..."

And so the young man walked out of the room, grumbling.

"So..." said Mika. "I don't mean to be rude...but...what was the conversation about?"

Temari looked a little nervous at her. "Mikashi...um...I'd rather tell you after dinner. Okay?"

"Oh. Ok then."

---------------------

Naruto stuffed his mouth with so much food, that his cheeks reminded Mika of a chipmunk's. She laughed mentally. Sakura saw how much Mika was eating too and couldn't understand how she stood so thin. Sai only ate a little. He wasn't very hungry and he felt sort of strange eating in a place he has never been before. Yamato and Temari sweatdropped while looking at Naruto and Mika engorge themselves with the delicious food.

"How does she keep her figure?" Temari asked Yamato.

"I don't know...I barely met her yesterday..."

After everyone finished eating, Mika forced Naruto and the rest of the Konohas to help clean the dishes. "We are in their home you know!" she would tell them. "It's only fair for us to repay them back for their generosity! Now chop chop into the kitchen!"

Yamato retorted. "Mikashi, please. I'm pretty sure that--"

"Yamato-taichou, where are your manners? We need to wash the dishes!"

The capatin gave his 'scary' face that haunted Naruto so much. The blonde shuddered and hid behind Sakura who only stared at him and sighed.

"You know Mikashi, if I have to, I will control people with--"

"Yeah yeah I know. Fear. Sai already told me about that. And stop scaring poor Naruto-kun with that face. Your haunting stare doesn't affect me. I've seen far worse faces than yours. And just for future refrence, I control people with anger. Yamato-taichou, I know you are our team leader and I respect you because you are a friend of my Uncle Kashi, but please...don't EVER get me angry."

"Listen to her Yamato-taichou!" yelped Naruto. "Sh-she's scary when she's angry! Almost as much as Sakura-chan!"

Sakura glared at Naruto who hid behind a chair.

Temari and Kankuro stared in a confused way. They didn't know how in the world these five became top shinobi despite their goofy behavior...

"Um...ok," said Temari. "Well, thanks for helping us with the dishes. In return, I'll tell you about the conversation between Michiko and us Sand Siblings. I asked both Gaara and her for permission and they said yes. So please, sit down."

They were all in the living room of the mansion. Naruto and the others listened quietly to what Temari and Kankuro had to say.

"Well, you know how Konoha and Suna are allies right? Well, in order to continue this bond, one of your neighboring villages sent the wealthy landlord's daughter to Suna..."

"And," continued Kankuro. "That village has many resources we in Suna do not. They got permission from your Hokage to transport their goods to us since we live in the desert and don't have that many resources. But in order for that village to do this...well...the landlord wants money from us and the only way to do that, from what our council has decided, was for him to send his daughter out here...and..." he was afraid to say anything more because Mika was in the room. Temari felt his concerm so she said it for him.

"...marry Gaara."

At that moment, Mika's heart stopped. Naruto and Sakura looked at her with sympathy.

"Wh...what?"

Temari looked sympathetic too. "Well...Michiko is here to marry Gaara when she comes of age and when he comes of age. So by the time they are both eighteen, they'll be wed. And even though my brother hardly knows her, he has agreed to marry her for the sake of his village. And...well, that's what the conversation was about. Right now, Gaara is talking with the council about it. And so far from what I heard, it's positive that they agree on this choice."

"But what's more," said Kankuro. "Is that the council also wants members from Gaara's family to continue the Kazekage line. So...it has been decided that once he and Michiko are wed...they are to have at least one child because he or she will become the next in line for the title Kazekage when they are strong enough shinobi."

Mika was speechless. She didn't know what to say.

"Th...they are going to be wed...and have children...? B-but...It's an arranged marriage. Surely Gaara won't be happy with--"

"Uh Mika?" said Kankuro. "From what I have seen...Michiko seems to be getting through to Gaara's emotions...so...I don't think he'll be lonely anymore...I think he'll be quite happy with her..."

Temari glared at her brother. That glare basically sent a message to him mentally saying, Idiot! You weren't supposed to say that in front of Mikashi!

The snowy haired girl looked down. Her fists were balled up on her lap and she was trying to hold back her tears. She sighed and took a deep breath and said "Temari...do you know if I can talk to the Kazekage?"

"Yes Mikashi. You can talk to him. He should be outside now."

"Thank you."

Mika got up and went outside. Sai watched her leave.

"What was that all about?" he asked.

"Why was Mikashi so somber all of a sudden?" Yamato said aloud.

"Taichou..." said Naruto. "Um...since you don't know Mika-chan that well...you couldn't possibly know why she was sad...you see..."

"Mika has had a crush on Gaara for a long time," continued Sakura. "And eventually that crush turned into love and now that she's found out he's getting married...well...it crushed her fragile heart."

Yamato looked sympathetic. "But Mikashi is such a strong shinobi from what Kakashi-senpai had told me about her..."

"Yeah but...her one weakness is her emotions..." said Naruto. "That's probably her only default besides the fact that she has Hachimata sealed inside her."

"Hachimata?" asked Sai.

"Oh yes. Kakashi-senpai told me about her Bijuu, just like Jiraiya-sama told me about your Kyuubi, Naruto. But that's probably the only thing I knew about Mikashi at that time."

"It was so hard for us to tell her the truth," said Temari.

"We too know about Mikashi's feelings for Gaara. That's why we sometimes hesitated..." Kankuro said.

"Well," said Yamato. "Let's just hope she gets through this soon. A shinobi should try to keep their emotions away from their duty as a ninja..."

------------------------------

Mika walked outside and searched all over the mansion for Gaara. But she couldn't find him. That's when she heard voices. She slowly walked towards the area where it was coming from. She hid behid a wall and peeked. She saw Gaara and Michiko talking. She stood quiet and remained hidden.

"Looks like it's gonna rain Gaara-kun," said Michiko. "Do you usually get rain during this time of year?"

"Not every year," replied the redhead.

"Do you mind that we are going to be married?"

"Not really. I just don't like the idea of an arranged marriage."

"Me either. My dumb father doesn't understand. He said 'Whoever you marry Michiko must benefit our family and village. So you shouldn't mind marrying any man. You should be honored that you are helping your village.' but I think that's a bunch of bull. My father doesn't like me to cuss because he says it's unlady like. But I don't care. I'm tired of being such a pampered young lady anyway."

What a lie! thought Mika angrily. She's lying just to get Gaara on her side!

"Michiko...you are different from other girls I have met."

"Really? Why, thank you." She blushed cutely.

"It is going to rain," said Gaara as he stood up. "We should get inside."

"Okay." Michiko stood up. She saw something white from the corner of her eye, but then that thing was gone. She knew who it was. And she hated being spied on. She also didn't like that certain white thing very much. And because she was such a pampered brat, she was going to be naughty.

"Gaara-kun...there is something I would like to give you before we go inside."

The Kazekage turned around. "What is it?"

"This."

She got close to him and her lips touched his. Mika gasped and stood there frozen. She was even more surprised that Gaara didn't turn away. He returned Michiko's action by kissing her back and holding her in an embrace. Tears fell down Mika's face and she tried not to sob. After about a minute, the two broke apart, who each had a blush on their face. They walked hand in hand back to the mansion.

It started to drizzle. Mika now cried more and started to sob. She ran away from the mansion to the streets of Suna. She found a small and hidden alleyway. She sat down against the wall and cried her heart out. She was too late. She couldn't confess her feelings now. Michiko was to marry her Panda-kun. This tore the poor girl apart not only because Gaara agreed, but because he seemed to have feelings for the wealthy young lady.

"She has it all..." sobbed Mika. "She has looks, money, and status. I'm just...a mere kunoichi who isn't wealthy at all and who doesn't have any beautiful features..."

She sobbed and cried more. She put her head in her hands. She didn't care if it was now starting to rain harder and that it was getting to be very cold outside.

She didn't care about anything anymore.

------------------

Keiko smiled malevolently into her purple sphere in which she finally got to work to spy on her little sister. She chuckled at Mika's depression. The raven haired Uchiha had returned some hours ago with Konan.

"Poor child," she said in a tease. "Her first real heartbreak. Wait till she's a lot older."

"Teens and their angst," said Hidan. "It gets on my fucking nerves...They're always so moody and they blow up in your face if you try to ask them a question."

"You just described yourself Hidan," said Kakuzu.

"You know what you bastard!? I'm tired of you always telling me shit! So shut the hell up Kakuzu!"

"See? What did I tell you? Hidan, you are exactly like a teenager."

"Why you..."

"Must they always fight?" said Kisame to Itachi.

"They are like immature siblings who don't know when to shut up," replied the Uchiha. Then he looked at the purple sphere. He saw Mika crying and smiled. "Women are so fragile. They always let their emotions get the best of them."

"I personally don't give a damn about women," said Hidan. "They can cry all they want and it still wouldn't affect me. I find it humorous somtimes."

"Humorous? I didn't even know you knew that big word Hidan."

"KAKUZU!!! Shut the hell up already!"

Ryuu stared at the sphere. She looked at Keiko's smiling face, Itachi's evil smirk, and remembered Hidan's comment. Her eyes narrowed. All of this was bringing back bad memories to her. Memories she never wanted to remember.

"I can't believe you guys," she said in an angry tone. This caused the rest of the Akatsuki to be quiet and look at her. "You are amused by a young girl's heartbreak? What twisted fiends you are. You people make me sick."

"Calm down Ryuu," said Hidan. "Besides, we're not supposed to be sympatheic towards her. We're the bad guys remember?"

"Hidan makes a point Ryuu," said Itachi. "The Akatsuki are not supposed to feel sympathy towards enemies nor to each other. That is not our lifestyle. You should know that already."

"Shut up you weasel! Just because you have never been in love you red eyed bastard!"

Ryuu stormed out of the room and slammed the door. She walked outside and sat down on a large boulder and looked up at the night sky. It wasn't raining there.

"Geez," said Hidan. "What the hell is her probelm?"

"Tobi thinks somebody should go talk to Ryuu-chan," said Tobi. "Deidara-senpai! You are Ryuu-chan's new partner, so I think you need to talk to her!"

"Why?"

"Because then Tobi will never talk to you senpai!"

"That would be a miracle. Mm."

"Pleeeease senpai! Just go talk to her!"

"Just go Deidara," Sasori said.

"Alright! Fine."

Deidara walked out of the house and saw Ryuu sitting on a boulder by herself. She looked angry and the blonde was a little afraid to go and talk to her. But he did it anyway.

"Hey," he said as he sat down on the rock next to her. "Something seems to be bothering you."

"And?"

"I need to know."

"Why?"

"We're partners if you haven't forgotten."

"You wouldn't understand Deidara..."

"Try me. Mm."

Ryuu sighed and said "Ok. If it'll get you to stop bugging me..." There was a short pause. "The reason why I am angry that Keiko laughs at her sister Mikashi's love misfortune is because I had a huge heartbreak when I was her age. And it brought back bad memories...That's why I was so upset at everyone. They don't know how it feels to be heartbroken. It hurts more than any kind of physical pain...So much more...but you wouldn't understand that..."

"Yeah I would. Believe it or not Ryuu, I fell in love once too. The same age as that girl Mikashi. But that seems like a long time ago for me. However, the girl I liked turned out to be a lying and cheating bitch. So I hated her and her friends. I hated practiaclly everyone in my village...Those damn people...Outcasting me because I was different...Mm."

"I know what you mean. Because I was different...I was treated different..."

"What do you mean?"

"Look."

Ryuu showed Deidara the palm of her hand. Forming on it were chakra spheres. She threw them at the ground and then moved her hands in certain motions. They melted with the earth and began forming random figures like apples or insects. Those spheres gave the dirt life and form. The insects looked completely real, even though they weren't.

"And I can do this too."

Her whole hand turned into a squid's tentacle and she grew a bird's beak with a dragonfly's wings and a mokey's tail. Deidara looked at her in awe. Then everything returned to normal.

"Because I couldn't control my chakra and because I couldn't control my unstable morphing, people considered me a freak and hated me. They outcasted me...But it wasn't even my fault...I was kidnapped for an experiment in a lab along with a few other people from my village...And the one boy I thought who understood my pain...turned out to be like all the rest...and I mad sure he regretted breaking my heart...But I agree with those people...I am...a freak..." She had a sad face.

"No, you're not."

"I'm not?"

"You can give life to inanimate objects and morph yourself into anything you want. I don't consider that something strange."

"You don't?"

"No," said Deidara. "I consider that art. Mm."

Ryuu blushed a little. "But...why?"

"My art was never understood. But I considered it beautiful because nobody else could do what I was able to. Nobody else in my family had three extra mouths. I was the only one in my whole intire village to have handmouths. I also have one on my chest, but I only use that as an extreme last resort."

"You have one on your chest?"

"Yeah. But if I use it, I go out with a bang if you know what I mean. Mm."

"So you basically selfdestruct?"

"Yup. And the explosion covers a wide range too. That's how I died. I used that as my last and final work of art to kill Itachi's little brother Sasuke. But that damn Uchiha just barely escaped in the nick of time. Mm."

"How did you get those handmouths?"

"I don't know...I was born with them. But my mom and my dad thought it was strange. So they were afraid of having any more children. Even though they treated me like a normal child most of the time, they never once hugged me or gave me a highfive. So yeah. I was a freak too. Mm."

There was a pause.

"But Ryuu, you never told me you were experimented on."

"Well...it's true...You see...during the time when I was five and that blasted Orochimaru was alive...some of his minions came to Hoshigakure and began taking people for experimentation. They caught me and my family...But I really don't feel like talking about the rest tonight..."

"That's fine. You can tell me the rest some other day. Then I'll tell you about my past. Mm."

Ryuu smiled at Deidara. "You know something?"

"What?"

"I don't dislike you as much as I did before."

"That's a relief..." he said sarcastically.

"I think that if we keep getting along like this, we might even become best friends. I've never had many friends...The only friends I had were my chakra sphere creations..."

"Really? Mine were my clay creations."

Ryuu smiled warmly and Deidara returned the expression. He got some clay from his special clay pouch on his sash and began making a clay figure in his hands.

"What are you doing?"

"Making art."

After a few more minutes, Deidara opened the palm of his hand and on it was a small clay butterfly. Ryuu just looked at him. He made a handsign and the butterfly flew up a few feet away from the two. Then Deidara said "Katsu!"

The butterfly exploded, but it wasn't his regular explosion. It was a firework with many different colors. Ryuu's eyes sparkled in delight.

"Oh, that's so beautiful Deidara! I didn't know your clay creations could also become fireworks!"

"Heh. You're the first person to say my art is beautiful. Thanks for that Ryuu. Mm."

"You're welcome Deidara."

There was silence.

"Hey...um...can you teach me how to create clay figures?"

"But you don't have handmouths..."

"I know. But I can use my chakra spheres to make them alive and explode."

"So you want me to teach you?"

Ryuu nodded. "Please?"

Deidara thought for a moment and then smiled. "Ok. We'll start tommorrow."

"Thanks! And can I call you Deidara-sensei while you're teaching me?"

"Yeah. Just don't over do it like Tobi...He calls me senpai at least five times in one sentence...Mm..."

Ryuu giggled. "Ok."

"You know something Ryuu?"

"What Deidara?"

"I think we are gonna be best friends."

"Me too."

They both looked towards the bright moon in the sky, and stood there just watching it and the stars.

From the mansion, Tobi smiled and said to Sasori "I think senpai and Ryuu-chan are gonna become closer! And it's all thanks to Tobi!"

"You better not be playing matchmaker here Tobi. The Akatsuki is not the right place. Especially since Keiko is now in charge."

"Don't worry Sasori-san! Tobi will protect Deidara-senpai and Ryuu-chan!"

"Yeah...sure."

Tobi had many intensions into making sure that his senpai and Ryuu would become the best of friends. Nobody would stop him.

Not even Keiko.

This chapter took me FOUR days to write!!! Dx So consider this extra long chapter your Christmas gift people! It was kinda hard writing the heartbreaking part for Mika...I almost started crying...T-T Anyway, we'll find out more about Ryuu's past as well as Deidara's in the future chapters to come. And I think Tobi is gonna get a little bit more naughty later on. But we all love Tobi. Because he is a good boy! xD

Oh and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas!

:D