Hey again, and once more thanks for the follows/faves! You guys are the people that motivate me~ Speaking of which, I know I never named a pairing out for this although I clearly said slash, and the genre says romance. Itachi will give dango to anyone who can guess! It's vague, but it's there. Besides, the pairing I want to do is apparently unpopular. I don't know why. I like the pair, so I'll write about them since there is a severe lack of fanfics for them.
Training's over, and they're heading home (after Deidara grabs a bite, of course). Featuring tangled hair, and the claw brush.
"Naruto's thoughts"
Kurama's thoughts
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but I think it's beginning to own my mind :P
That I May Protect
Chapter 9: Respite
Naruto glanced back at the charred wreckage, searching for the blonde pyromaniac and hoping that he hadn't gotten caught within the explosion. While it wouldn't be too hard to run from and avoid, Naruto did not put it past Deidara to be caught within his art and be destroyed along with the landscape. He just hoped he didn't have to explain the missing-nin's death to anyone.
He breathed out a small sigh as the sculptor emerged from the carnage, unscathed. He glanced around the clearing, and spotted Neji standing on the far side of the explosion. He crossed his arms over his chest, and raised an eyebrow.
"All right. No more explosions while within the village unless you have permission. Which, at the moment, you don't," he stated none too gently. The Iwa-nin frowned, but made no argument concerning the matter.
"Fine. Spoilsport, un!" The Uzumaki chuckled lightly.
"For as long as you're under my charge within the village, I have to make sure that you don't destroy it, Deidara." A small smile entered his eyes as he watched the Akatsuki member. He couldn't remember being as comfortable as he was now within the village ever since he returned.
His eyes drifted over to the Hyuuga, who was now back beside them. The brunet breathed out a small sigh of annoyance as his eyes trailed over to Deidara.
"I see that I let my guard down there for a moment," he stated wryly. "I also see that your arsonist qualities temporarily slipped my mind," he added. The missing-nin frowned.
"It's not arson – it's art, un!" Naruto shook his head, a tiny smile upon his lips. He made no comment on the statement, however. He'd learned his lesson a long time ago about allowing the Iwa-nin to begin ranting about his passion.
Kurama merely watched the scene, looking rather amused with the entire thing. Neji glanced over at him, before his pale eyes drifted upwards to the sky. They narrowed, and he sighed once more.
"I believe it is high time I returned to the estate. Hiashi-sama will want to see how far Hinata-sama has progressed." The demon fox nodded, and motioned that he could leave. He bowed, to the redhead before lifting his hand in a half-wave, and leaping off.
"He's a respectful child – nowadays, people like him are far and few in between," Kurama stated, watching the Hyuuga go. Naruto nodded in agreement before glancing over at the long-haired blonde.
"Is there anything in particular that you want to do, or any place you want to see? It's almost time to retire, but if there's anything you want to do...that does not involve detonation or destruction of any sort." The blonde thought about it for a moment, before shrugging.
"What do you say we get something to eat, un?" he questioned. Naruto blinked. The thought of food had completely slipped his mind because he had already eaten that morning. He had no desire to eat, but that didn't necessarily mean the case was the same for Deidara.
"Ah...of course," he agreed. "Anything in particular you want?" The long-haired blonde grinned.
"Do they make bakudan here?" he questioned. Naruto's lips quirked up slightly before falling back into a neutral position.
"The non-explosive type, yes," he answered. Deidara merely rolled his eyes in response, and muttered something under his breath, Naruto did not know what was being said, but he doubted he wanted to either. He turned and began to walk, jerking his neck for Deidara to follow while simultaneously dispelling the kage bunshin that was Kurama. "Then come on and let's get some," he stated.
He was enthusiastically followed by the pyromaniac, as he fell into a light limp, favouring his left leg. Focusing on other things really did take the pain off his mind, for which he was extremely glad. Being stabbed with pure chakra was like being stabbed with a blade that had been under the fires of hell before being dipped into subzero water. It hurt.
"So...Naruto, un. What's it like to be back here after so long?" the Iwa-nin asked. Naruto shrugged. He could tell that Deidara was not exactly happy to be pent up within village walls, but from what Pein had told him, the arsonist had volunteered. For what reason was completely beyond him.
"Well...to be honest, it's rather nice to be back. I mean...my friends and everyone else are here, but still. It's like I lost something. Freedom namely. I can't leave without permission now, and although I have a training grounds to my own right now, I just prefer the open land," he replied honestly.
The Iwagakure S-class nin could sympathize with him, he knew. When he had been in the Akatsuki, he had the pleasure to come and go as he pleased. It was a far cry compared to this. Although he still loved the village and would defend it with his life, he wished he could do it without being limited to the village alone.
He supposed he wouldn't have felt the same if he didn't leave the village for so long. The instinct just followed in succession of the experience. He had trained with the freedom of being able to travel around whenever he wished. He was beginning to wonder how he had once thought that he would always be within the walls of the village.
"I know, un! I don't know how you could always stay here like this! Not to mention all your friends are annoying, un!" Naruto shook his head at the response.
"You're one to talk," he retorted, a hint of playfulness within his voice. The Iwa-nin blinked.
"What's that supposed to mean, un?" he questioned. The Uzumaki shrugged.
"Nothing..."
Naruto glanced to his side as soon as they were almost at the heart of the village, and headed to his left. He was followed by the pyromaniac, who was once again looking around. It was only then that the Uzumaki noticed something about the long-haired blonde.
"Why are you wearing gloves?" he questioned, merely out of curiosity. He didn't remember seeing the artist wearing them earlier. Maybe he had just put them on. The Iwa-nin frowned at the offensive fingerless leather articles of clothing that covered his hands. He flexed his fingers outward, and stared at them for a moment as if he wanted to burn them.
"Leader-sama said I should probably wear gloves. He said that 'if I insisted on being seen as who I really am, then I should probably cover the peculiar evidence'," Deidara quoted almost mockingly. Naruto's lips twitched upwards in a slight smile at the comment.
"I'd recognize you anywhere, Deidara," the Uzumaki replied. Deidara grinned in response.
"That's the effect I'm going for, un!" he responded enthusiastically. Naruto shook his head and chuckled before entering into a restaurant. Deidara followed behind him, and Naruto sat down. Not long after, a waitress walked over to them.
Naruto barely spared her a glance, although he knew she was walking towards them. "One serving of bakudan, please," he ordered. Deidara glanced over at him, but he made no move to place an addition to his order. As the waitress walked away, he glanced back to Deidara.
"You're not going to eat, un?" he asked. Naruto shook his head, his face paling slightly at the suggestion. Deidara sighed, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're still like that? You really should eat more, un. It's not healthy if you eat this little, un. Even I know that." Naruto shook his head.
"No. I've tried before. I'm afraid that it never stays down." He sighed. "I've tried, but I just can't eat more than I've already taken. I ate well enough this morning." The Iwa-nin still looked dissatisfied, but made no more comment on the matter,
They both sat in silence, waiting for the order that had been placed. Naruto sighed softly. Time seemed to pass faster when he had been training. In the Land of Rivers, when he had been training, he could train for hours, and it would only feel like mere minutes.
The sun was already beginning to sink lower in the sky, but not enough that people would already begin to retire to their homes. Naruto's lips twitched upwards slightly before falling back into a neutral position. He did not feel like striking up a conversation to break the silence either. As a matter of fact, he greatly preferred the silence.
Soon, the waitress returned with his order. He slid it over to Deidara without the slightest bit of interest in it, although he had to admit, it smelled delicious. He watched in slight amusement as the blonde began to eat.
The Akatsuki all had their preferences, he knew, and Deidara's didn't come as much of a surprise to him. After all, he loved making bombs, so why wouldn't he love eating them as well? Naruto huffed slightly in amusement.
But the one that had surprised him the most probably had to be Itachi's. The elder of the two remaining Uchiha loved dango. The fact that the raven preferred sweet foods actually surprised Naruto more than he'd have liked to admit. But in some way, it did make a strange sort of sense. Itachi wasn't a violent person, nor was he one that would act on a whim.
Naruto waited patiently as the blonde ate, not wanting to disturb his meal. Silently he wondered why the Iwa-nin had volunteered to be stationed with him in Konoha, instead of with his normal partner in who knows where.
Perhaps Deidara had gotten himself caught in another argument with the redhead. Naruto wouldn't put it past either of them. Their arguments, particularly Deidara's, were always placed forward with a surprising amount of passion, even for the rather laid-back Sasori.
But Naruto would think that Deidara valued his freedom just as much as the blonde himself did. He knew that if he were to be within the walls of a village for an indeterminate amount of time, if he had the choice, he would not be obliged to that option.
Deidara soon finished his meal, and glanced up at the Uzumaki, who still seemed to be lost within his thoughts. The long-haired blonde waved a hand in front of his face. When that failed to get his attention, he frowned. He stood up, and leaned across the table slightly before reaching out with a leather-clad hand, and tapping Naruto on the forehead with a slender digit.
"...hm?" Naruto glanced up at Deidara, who sighed, and sat back down.
"I think we're really going to get a blonde Itachi, un," he stated. "You're so unresponsive. Please tell me you aren't going to sprout that Sharingan, un," he joked dryly. Naruto rolled his eyes, before glancing at the empty plate.
"Are you finished?" The missing-nin nodded, and stood up once more. Naruto stood up as well, before shooting a glance at the blonde.
"Is there anything in particular that you want to do right now?" he questioned. The Iwagakure shinobi nodded, and stretched.
"Actually, if we could head over to your place or something...that is, if I'm staying there, un. I need to wash up." He glanced down at himself, before his eyes drifted once more to Naruto. "Speaking of which, where am I staying anyway, un?" Naruto shrugged.
"You can stay with me, if you want," he stated. The Iwa-nin nodded in assent. Naruto, jerked his neck for Deidara to follow him, before paying for the meal, and walking out of the restaurant. Deidara frowned.
"You didn't eat anything – you should have let me pay, un," he stated. Naruto shook his head in disagreement.
"Actually, since you're technically here as a guest, it's only right for me to pay," he voiced. Deidara frowned, but brought up the subject no longer.
They began to walk in the direction of Naruto's small apartment complex. Naruto sighed. "I apologize – the place I own isn't large as well, and since I only returned yesterday, I can't really say that it's been in the best shape."
"No problem, un. I've handled worse when travelling with Sasori-no-Danna, un. Since he doesn't need any sleep, its usually not too big a deal with him, but I still need my rest. The places he chooses to rest in are some of the worst, un." Naruto blinked.
"Ah...speaking of Sasori-san, did you two have an argument or anything?" he questioned. Deidara grinned, and snapped his fingers as if something had just come to his remembrance. Naruto waited silently for his response.
"Actually, the opposite, un. Well...we sort of did, I guess," Deidara replied thoughtfully. "We were arguing about whose art was better – I still think mine is, by the way, un – but I brought up the point you told me. You remember, right, un? You said that some moments last forever, right? I told that to Sasori-no-Danna, and he actually said you made a good point, un. So to be honest, we've actually formed some sort of mutual agreement, un."
Naruto chuckled. He hadn't expected that, but he'd be lying if he said it didn't amuse him. It did, because he'd never had expected Deidara to remember such a point, much less bring it up as an argument to the puppeteer.
"Ah...That's good. Pein-sama told me you volunteered to be stationed here. Why?" he questioned. Deidara turned to stare at him for a few moments, before facing forward once more.
"Why not, un?" he asked. There wasn't much Naruto could say to that.
He couldn't help but feel like the Akatsuki memeber had some sort of reason behind it, didn't he? Deidara was impressively intelligent, although probably not as much as some others Naruto could name. The blonde would not act on a whim.
He thought through this, even as he ascended the stairs that led to his flat. He could vaguely hear Deidara behind him and paid not much mind, knowing that the Iwa-nin would follow him. After what seemed like more of those moments of forever, he finally made it to the door of his complex.
Opening it, he stepped in, and allowed Deidara to follow. He tugged his shoes off, resolving to not leave the flat for a while, and entered the house. He turned, and glanced at Deidara, who was just setting his own shoes aside as well, and walking into the flat barefoot.
Naruto immediately headed over to his bedroom. He motioned for Deidara to follow him, and once he entered into his bedroom, pointed out a door on his right. "The bathroom's over there," he stated, sitting down on the bed.
Deidara nodded, and entered into the bathroom. Naruto watched his back until the door closed before sighing and lying down on the bed. His eyes drifted over to the mask Deidara had given him, and he reached over to pick it up.
He eyed it for a moment, before lowering it down by his side. He stared blankly at the roof for a moment, listening to the sound of running water. He sighed. It vaguely reminded him of the rushing waterfall of Takigakure or the seemingly ceaseless rain of Amegakure.
It only made him feel more nostalgic that he already was. He knew that he hadn't spoken to Tsunade about it yet, but he doubted that she would allow him to run free after having just returned. He could watch the village just as well from the outside as he could on the inside...right?
Besides – perhaps he could be some help with the Akatsuki in locating the main laboratory of Seiatsu. At least then he'd have a little more space to wander, even if not by much. He didn't understand why exactly – he loved the village as much as he always had – but he seemed to ache for freedom ever since he had returned.
He mused further. Tsunade had given her assent with the presence of Deidara – a notorious missing-nin. But what would she do once the situation had been resolved? Seiatsu was a common enemy between both of their groups, but that didn't necessarily mean everything would be fine with both groups after the situation was resolved.
Deidara had promised not to cause any trouble, and Naruto knew that he should have more confidence in the Iwa missing-nin, but he couldn't help but wonder. His instincts were already tugging at him, so why shouldn't they be troubling Deidara as well? After all, he had been independent for longer than the Uzumaki.
Naruto sighed. So many problems. Sometimes he missed the days where he would not think so far ahead, or contemplate on all the current situations that were at hand. When he didn't bother to think of such things, the less he would be worried. He quickly banished that thought. If he didn't, then he'd be worse off when the situation actually took place.
He glanced out the window. Slowly, but surely, the sun was dropping from its position in the sky, its beams painting a pale orange carefully over the forget-me-not blue sky. Naruto's eyes narrowed slowly as he watched the peaceful scene.
He blinked, and turned to face the bathroom door as Deidara walked out with a towel tied around his waist, his damp hair undone and cascading over his shoulders. Naruto had never actually seen Deidara with his hair down, but he had to admit that the blonde looked striking with his hair untied.
The long-haired blonde ran a hand though his hair and winced slightly as his finger caught on a small snarl. He pulled through it gently, careful to not damage the golden locks, before sighing, and walking over to sit on the edge of the bed.
He frowned, and sighed. "Do you have a hairbrush, Naruto, un?" he questioned. The blonde stared at him for a moment, before his lips twitched slightly.
"I have something, but it isn't exactly a hairbrush," he replied. Deidara shrugged.
"Can I borrow it, un?" he asked. Naruto shrugged, as a familiar red chakra seeped into his hand. His nails grew elongated, and he held up his hand for the Iwa-nin to see. Deidara blinked. Naruto shrugged.
"Sorry, but I never really had much need for a hairbrush back then, so I never kept one with me. If you want, I can brush your hair for you." The artist frowned his disapproval, and Naruto sighed. "I can be gentle, you know."
Finally, after a moment's hesitation, the sculptor nodded in agreement, and turned his back to the Uzumaki. Naruto reached for the long blonde hair with his normal hand, and lifted a portion of it, before taking his clawed hand and running his nails carefully through the missing-nin's hair.
He quickly met a small snarl, and picked at it with a single long nail, patiently untangling it throughout the movement while making sure he didn't tug on Deidara's hair. After the snarl fell undone, he continued to brush softly through the portion of the Iwa-nin's hair that was held apart from the rest by his hand.
He continued his ministrations, careful to not pull as he combed through separate portions of the sculptor's hair. He hummed softly to himself as he worked, his eyes drifting over to the window once more as he gazed at the pastel shades of the sky.
His gaze drifted back to the sun-kissed strands of hair that his claws were brushing though. Almost done...he wondered how Deidara could manage his hair all the time. Being sent on missions among many other things was sure to take it's toll, right? Somehow, Deidara still found the time to give his hair the attention it merited.
He brushed through the last partition before going over the entirety of Deidara's hair with his claws once more to make sure that the Iwa-nin's hair had been thoroughly brushed. Finally, he lowered his hand, allowing it to return to normal, and coughing slightly to signal he was done.
Deidara ran a few experimental digits through his hair, and smiled. He really hadn't expected the Uzumaki to be that gentle. As a matter of fact, it was even more than he himself was with his own hair. The snags and snarls never ceased to irritate him at times, which made management something of a pain.
Nonetheless, he was still thankful. Besides – even if those were claws and not a brush, it still felt more gentle than any brush, and he was thankful. He didn't think that he would tolerate anyone else tugging on his hair apart from himself.
He turned his body slightly to glance at the Uzumaki, and smiled gratefully at him. He then caught sight of the mask he had fashioned for the blonde upon the bed in perfect condition. He reached for it, and inspected it carefully.
"Looks like you really have been taking care of it, un," he stated, a smile on his face. A slow smile crawled over Naruto's face at the comment.
"I wouldn't have it broken," he responded. "After all, you did work hard on it – I would hate for all that work to be wasted on the first few days of usage." Deidara shook his head at that.
"I already told you, un. You don't have to be afraid of having it rough-handled. It's infused with chakra to give it strength, un." Naruto nodded slowly, his gaze drifting from the mask to the person who had made it.
"I know – I heard. But I still want to take care of it. It's the only one like it, and I'm happy that you bothered to take the time and make it." Deidara merely shrugged.
"Since it's been a relative peacetime for the past few years, I've had lots of time to hone my art, un. It wasn't a bother – just a way to pass time, un." Naruto shrugged, and glanced out the window as part of the sky slowly began to darken.
"If you say so. But just because you're reassuring me doesn't mean I'll take your words lightly." He sat up and stretched. "By the way – did you bring anything with you?" he asked. Deidara chuckled, and walked out of the room.
He returned a moment later with a few scrolls in his hands. "Oh...a few things, un. Clothing and other things I'll need. I forgot the hairbrush though, un." Naruto wondered how someone that seemed to favour his hair would forget his hairbrush.
"All right then." Deidara left three of the four scrolls on the dresser, and took one with him as he re-entered the bathroom. He appeared a moment later in a navy blue sleeveless v-neck midriff shirt with matching pants. It was much like what he wore daily, except without the mesh armour and stirrups.
His hair was still let down though, and Naruto wondered if he felt more comfortable that way. If that was so, the Uzumaki would not complain. He sat up as Deidara walked over once again, and sat down on the edge of the bed. The artist tossed the scroll alongside the others before glancing out the window.
"Where do I sleep, un?" he questioned. Naruto blinked, and thought for a moment. He didn't have any guest rooms, as he didn't entertain any guests, and this was the only bed in the entire complex. He frowned, before shrugging.
"You can sleep here. I'll take the couch." The reaction was immediate.
"No, you stay here! It's your house – I can seep on the couch, un." Naruto shook his head, and stood up.
"I'm fine. I can assure you I've probably slept in worse places than you have at times. You stay here. It's fine, I assure you." He stood up, and set the mask on the windowsill. Deidara grabbed his arm, and glanced up at him.
"No, un. You stay here." Naruto sighed.
"Look. Either you sleep here, or both of us do. I'll take the couch," he insisted, before walking out of the room. He shook his head slowly, a tiny smile curving onto his lips. Honestly...there were some things that slipped his mind until he bothered to see their significance.
Naruto allowed himself to lounge on the couch for a moment, staring in the direction of the bedroom. After a few moments, he slowly closed his eyes and shook his head. Lying down, he stared at the roof for lack of something better to do until he fell asleep.
He lifted a hand and clenched it into a slow fist. Even though he had been doing a fairly good job keeping his mind off things, he still couldn't shake off the restlessness that was stirring within his veins. It was almost like there was something within him trying to wake up, and he wasn't in the least talking about Kurama.
There was a huge lack of events in that chapter. Wow. I feel like I could write fillers for Naruto at this rate. Now where did that ninja ostrich thing go...?