Hey!

Yay, ten chapters edited now!
I don't really have much of an opinion on this chapter; to me it's neither good nor bad. Neutral then.
Interesting to see what you think though. ;)

Read and enjoy!

-edited-

Biting her lip, Ino settled for a small, 'Thank-you,' before turning back around to face the wind and jumping out to her freedom. It took less than three seconds for her to be out of Deidara's sight.

Sasori…dont hurt him for this. Please, dont hurt him.

chapter ten:

Fight.

With it being Spring, a certain amount of rain was expected in Konoha – but considering that it hadn't rained for at least a week Ino thought of it as terribly bad luck that it should start on the night she had chosen to run away. She felt particularly vulnerable because she was running through Konoha's deep forest and desperately hoped that it wouldn't develop into a thunderstorm. Even so she began to head towards where she thought a road was in case lighting struck.

Of all the nights…I dont even have any spare clothes! Ino regretted having to leave in such a rush as she pulled her mother's thick cloak around her tighter. I'm probably going to catch a cold now.

It was at least an hour before Ino reached the nearest road and by that time it was tipping it down. Her hair (that which wasn't in a ponytail) was plastered to her face and her teeth were chattering. The road was littered with puddles and Ino concentrated on avoiding them, already wet enough and not wanting to drown her feet anymore. Avoiding thinking about where she was going and whence she had come seemed like a good idea to Ino and so she hung her head and focused all her energy on keeping warm. It was easier said than done.

'If I forget everything then I feel so alone. Is it worth it? To leave everything behind is so much harder than I thought,' Ino sighed. 'I wonder if this is what Sasuke felt like.'

Ino continued her lonely journey with a sad face. The rain, although not really needed, hid her tears from the non-existent observers. 'There really is nothing quite like loneliness.'

'No I didn't!'

Sakura awoke to the loud, defensively spoken words with an inward groan. I was having a nice sleep as well...Yeah! Who woke us?!

'Be quiet! Try to remember that we still have one kunoichi under our care, Deidara.'

Deidara...Isnt he that blonde akatsuki mem– Oh! It suddenly dawned on Sakura where she was and what had happened previously. How she had come to be lying in a bed rather than on the hard kitchen floor she wasn't quite sure though and, sneaking a quick peek at her right hand, Sakura saw that someone had sealed up the hole. Ino I assume. At least, I hope.

Deciding to eavesdrop on the enemies' conversation, Sakura made sure her breathing was steady and her chakra under control. At first Sakura was confused by their words but soon she understood enough to make out that Ino had escaped, leaving her on her own. That bitch! Inner Sakura shouted angrily and it took some effort to calm herself again. Hoping the two other occupants of the room hadn't noticed her momentary lapse of control Sakura remained calm as she listened in to the rest of their conversation.

'Well I knew there was an attachment with her but I didn't think it was that strong. To endanger our mission and indeed the whole organisation by-'

'I did not let her go, yeah. She was gone when I came in here - I've already told you that - and so if you don't believe me then you can just go to hell, Sasori-no-danna, yeah. It's not like I care. You're long due there anyway, hm.'

There was a silence after this outburst but, apart from worrying whether she had been discovered, Sakura didn't make much of it. Idle banter between enemies was something that was normally ignored, with the exception of that which disclosed vital information with it as well. As it was, Sakura couldn't care less if Sasori did go to hell. I think I actually agree with that Deidara guy on this one, Sakura laughed to herself mentally. Hearing soft footfalls Sakura tensed before she realised that they were walking away from her. She relaxed again as they stopped and a barely audible sigh was heard.

'I don't know what to do with this one. If I go after her and leave you here then I'll be coming back expecting to find that you and pinkie have both eloped - and if I send you after her and guard the Kyuubi brat's friend then I doubt you'll come back.'

'That's both untrue and unfair,' Deidara muttered in defence although he didn't sound all too convincing to Sakura. Well I'm certainly not going to elope with him. And what's the deal with 'Pinkie'?!

'No - I think that is most definitely fair and at least partly true. Even if you do come back you will come empty handed, regardless of having confronted her or not.'

'Now we're back onto whether I let her go or not, yeah - I'm not dumb Danna, hm.'

An awkward pause followed.

'Well at least let me prove that I'm telling the truth, hm. I know where my loyalties lie and that is definitely not with some blonde-haired, emotionally unstable, scantily dressed slut.'

A low chuckle followed this angry outburst but it was most definitely not from Sakura. She was, in fact, fairly appalled by the speech - both by the language and by the content. However angry she was at Ino for leaving her on her own at the mercy of two dangerous S-class criminals she wouldn't have been as harsh had she been venting her frustration. Perhaps what he had said was true in part, but Sakura hoped that he had good reason to be so violent in his speech. Then again I don't really know what Ino did to him so I can hardly judge.

'Hmm. Well maybe we can give you a second chance then Deidara. But, as I'm cynical and like to assume the worst, you will be followed and watched by Zetsu.'

'What?' The reaction was immediate and by the tone of it the suggestion was obviously not welcome. 'You can't get him involved, yeah - he'll spread the word so quickly that we'll both be the laughing stock of the entire organisation! Imagine the shame of having lost a kunoichi! Are you mad, Danna, yeah?'

This time the sigh was more audible.

'No I am not mad Deidara. I am also not the one that 'lost' her, nor the one that will take the blame for it. Zetsu reports straight to Pein-sama and so the rest of the organisation will only know if our leader sees it fit for them to hear of it. Be that the case, please remember exactly where your loyalties lie.'

Sakura heard Deidara huff in frustration before exiting the room. Left alone with Sasori she waited for him to follow suit. But actually, will he want to leave me unguarded? With the thought of freedom slowly slipping away Sakura silently despaired before being jolted back to the present by Sasori's faintly hollow voice.

'With a bit of practice you could make a good spy. Unfortunately that practice is sorely lacking and fairly hard to miss.'

Sakura stiffened, realising that with the absence of his partner he must be talking to her. Several replies ran through her head but she remained silent, not wanting to play along with her enemy; for all she knew this could be some weird type of interrogation.

The same soft footfalls she had heard earlier sounded again but this time they came towards her and stopped at the foot of the bed. Grudgingly turning her head and propping herself up so that she could see him properly, Sakura told herself sternly that that was the only politeness she was going to offer him.

'Ah - we've decided to act more civilly this time, yes?' With it being a rhetorical question anyway Sakura gained no joy from refusing to reply. 'Good, that should make things easier then. I don't think we got further than exchanging pleasantries last time you were awake but, getting straight to the task at hand, we need you to tell us where your friend the Kyuubi kid resides.'

Sakura, resisting the urge to fly across the length of the bed and slap him for calling Naruto that, remained still with her mouth firmly closed. I'm definitely not going to give any information away to our enemies. I'm a Konohagakure kunoichi and I'm proud of it - therefore I will act like one and keep my mouth shut. Yeah, we'll show him!

Frowning at her silence Sasori continued in a more obliging tone,
'Do you want a bribe for the information then? Money? Weapons? Or I suppose I could always do torture if that's what you're in to.' After a pause he added, 'If you're anything like your friend however then I'll let Deidara handle you - I don't like the mushy stuff myself.'

Sakura blanched a little, taken aback by the business-like air he had given the whole thing; as if he had done it often. Of course she didn't want a bribe - she was merely a fair, honest kunoichi doing her job.

'Would you really give me weapons?' She ventured a moment later however, wondering if they would seriously be that stupid.

Raising an eyebrow at her broken silence Sasori shrugged. 'I wouldn't be anywhere near you when I did, if that's what you meant to ask.'

Defeated, Sakura turned her head away loftily in an attempt to finish their conversation.

'This isn't the place to practice your airs and graces, Sakura.' Sasori told her dryly, shocking her with the use of her proper name. Before she could react properly though the door opened and she snapped her head up to see the blonde haired Akatsuki member she remembered seeing with Ino in the kitchen. Deidara

'When can I go, or are we just waiting until she dies of a cold?' He asked impatiently, motioning towards the open window. Somehow they must have both missed it start raining for now it was tipping it down and Sakura guessed at there soon being thunder and lightning.

'Ah, well now you mention it…' Sasori replied jokingly to be met with a blank look from his partner. Not finding it funny, Sakura found herself wondering where Ino was and whether she was, indeed, dying of a cold. She should be able to look after herself but I certainly wouldn't want to be out there if I was her - better to find some shelter as soon as possible.

'I told Zetsu to come quickly because it was urgent. You can go when he comes.'

'I've actually been here for quite a while,' A new voice sounded from the roof, causing Sakura to start and then recoil in horror when she saw the source of the voice. A head with a venus-fly trap surrounding it was merged into the roof with one half being white and the other black. His white half had spoken before and now his black half added, 'I've just been trying to work out what the urgency was for.'

Sakura had seen the golden eyed villain before in the bingo book - but coming face to face with someone and seeing their picture is another matter entirely. His teeth were also sharper than she had thought them to be (although she had hardly studied his photograph much) and he looked altogether far too animalistic to be human. Or perhaps he looked more like a plant than an animal. Either way, Sakura didn't find it hard to believe why he had joined a freak organisation such as Akatsuki.

'Deidara-' Sasori started but was cut off by his partner before he could continue.

'Sasori-no-danna unfairly blames me for one of the kunoichi we were holding hostage's escape and doesn't think I can be trusted. So he called you to follow me around in the rain as I search for her, hm.'

'I admit we were hoping for something more. . enjoyable.' Zetsu replied, disheartened.

'You'll be happy to know then that the girl we're looking for is now more harm than good to us. Feel free to do what you want with her when you find her,' Sasori replied informatively. It seemed to Sakura as if he was trying to make up for the blandness of the mission, although she didn't herself see it as much of an incentive. Zetsu appeared to disagree with her however for his eyes glinted and he bowed, as well as one can while protruding from the ceiling anyway, in thanks.

'So be it. Let's go.'

With that Deidara bowed respectively to his partner before jumping out of the window into the now-dark night. When Sakura looked back up to the roof Zetsu's head had disappeared and she wondered what technique he used to be able to merge his body with his surroundings. A pretty useful one if you think about it. Why couldn't I have been gifted with something like that? Although I doubt I would have been able to put up with his physical traits for long. I bet that Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) doesn't help his social life any either!

Even her internal bitching couldn't dispel the harsh reality of her situation though and, although she tried to stop it, she felt a silent tear run down her face. Her head was lowered so that she could stare at the sheets instead of Sasori but she still hated herself for showing such weakness in front of him.

It's fine really though. I'm needed for information so they aren't going to get rid of me just yet. Unlike Ino. Sasori said that she was more harm than good to them. Even though she left me here I still hope they don't find her. Please, Kami-sama, don't let them find her.

More tears were falling unbidden from her eyes and as Sakura raised a hand to wipe them away she saw that Sasori had retreated to the other side of the room and was now sitting on Ino's mother's make-up table's stool. Guessing that he was probably uncomfortable with her crying she took note of the information and stored it in the back of her mind before turning her eyes to the window. The rain was still pouring down heavily and Ino's face flashed before her eyes. The rain will hide her scent.

'Run, Ino, run,' Sakura breathed out loud before closing her eyes and letting herself fall back down onto the bed, oblivious to Sasori's raised eyebrow as he read her lips and followed her movement with his eyes.

Kusou.

Valiantly continuing her journey down the road, Ino fruitlessly tried to stop her shoulders from shaking. She stumbled and tripped several times but whenever she fell down she forced herself to rise again and continue. There has to be some sort of civilisation soon. Too tired to think properly, Ino couldn't remember where the road went or how long it was supposed to take. Sure enough though, soon two large closed gates came into view and Ino's heart jumped for joy. Forcing herself to hurry, not even thinking about what would happen when she reached her destination, she ended up falling over even more frequently.

Now so drenched, battered and bruised that she felt more like part of the well-travelled road than a Konohagakure kunoichi, Ino took one last stumbling step and fell to a crouch before the gates. Focusing on the ground and trying to steady her breathing, Ino hoped that they had a nice, warm place for her to stay in this town. Judging by the gates, which towered very high above her, Ino assumed that this place was very large. It looks somehow familiar though…she thought, puzzled.

Hearing the 'whish' of the air parting Ino pulled back slightly in a vain attempt to protect herself. It appeared that the energy was wasted however for it was not an attack that awaited her. Instead one of the wall guards landed expertly in front of her and Ino saw, as she glanced up at the man, that he was wearing a Konohagakure headband - just like her own.

'Who are you and what is your purpose here?' The guard snapped somewhat wearily and Ino had to feel sorry for him that his shift had to be in this weather. Not trusting herself to speak properly, Ino merely lifted a shaking finger and pointed to the ninja headband that she wore around her neck. At once the guard relaxed and he bent down to help her up.

'Rough mission then?' He asked and Ino wearily nodded her head, trying not to think about how she had just wasted so much time only to travel in a big circle back to her starting place. 'Terrible weather tonight,' he commented but this time Ino didn't reply. Instead she collapsed onto the guard as her eyes welcomed the all-enveloping darkness.

With the trees already passing by at an alarming rate Deidara quickened his pace once more, knowing that Zetsu was travelling along through the ground at the same speed. He couldn't feel Ino's chakra anywhere although it was straining him to run so fast and search for chakra at the same time. Not knowing who they were looking for Zetsu could offer no help in this matter and Deidara swore in frustration as he slipped on a particularly wet branch and fell to the ground. Landing in a crouch he rested there for a minute and watched the water dripping off his nose and chin splash into a shallow puddle in the mud.

Where is she, yeah? I've been running for two hours, continually widening the circle around Konoha, and I still can't find her. Kusou; I wish I knew which direction she was headed in. But surely she will have to stop for a rest, hm - for shelter? Where's the nearest town from here? Where would she go?

The puddle parted to allow a bi-coloured face accompanied with dripping green hair to emerge. Deidara, not expecting the sudden and slightly scary apparition, reacted by jumping in surprise and then pulled back, trying to hide his fear as the golden eyes narrowed at him.

'You're getting weaker. Is it this girl?'

Glaring back, Deidara stood up so that he had an even bigger height advantage over Zetsu.

'I'm not getting weaker, yeah,' he snapped, his hands straying dangerously to the clay pouches attached to his waist; 'You just caught me off guard, hmm.'

Zetsu materialised fully from the ground because, let's face it, having to look up to someone when your head is half-submerged in water isn't a pleasant experience. Deidara tensed, expecting a fight.

'You should never be off-guard - but, more importantly, why did you stop? I don't feel any other chakra presences near.'

'Nothing, yeah.' Deidara didn't feel a great liking for the cannibalistic Akatsuki spy and so tried to keep his speech to a minimum.

'You're lost. Yes, we should be heading towards civilisation.' Zetsu paused. 'If she has any sense then that's where she would be heading.'

Hmph-ing because Zetsu had beaten him to the suggestion, Deidara shrugged; 'I don't know my way around here very well.'

'I do.' The answer was short and, after a brief glance up at the still-falling rain, Zetsu grimaced and motioned for Deidara to follow him. Pulling a face at his companion's back Deidara grudgingly obeyed the slight hand gesture and after travelling about a mile they reached the main road leading into and away from Konohagakure.

Making to jump down into the road Deidara felt himself grabbed roughly from behind and fell back to land hard on the branch which his assailant was standing on. Looking up in surprise to be met with a harsh glare and a turned back, Deidara remembered that travelling along the road would be an act of pure stupidity. Better to travel a few trees into the forest to avoid being immediately seen. Why did I forget that?

Pushing himself up into a standing position, Deidara followed after the black cloaked man in front of him. Now that they were travelling more slowly and with less risk of slipping he allowed himself to think some more.

I am weaker, even if I won't admit it. Is Zetsu right, hmm? Is it 'this girl'? Why should it be? I've heard tales of love making people stronger, not weaker. Then again - this isn't love, is it? It was a stupid mutual attraction, not love. Why am I so desperate to find her then? Why am I so desperate to know that she's okay? Surely not just because she's pretty, hmm. I'm not quite that shallow I don't think.

Deidara clenched his hands behind him as Zetsu upped the pace.

Kusou. Is he doing this to distract me from my thoughts? Tch, probably. But if he's with me and he's been given permission to kill Ino when we find her then the best thing to do would be to make sure that we don't find her. Damn you Sasori-no-danna - this is all your fault. She wouldn't tell on us, I'm sure. Although…perhaps that's just me being hopeful. She probably doesn't feel the same way as me. Why should she? I- Deidara stopped abruptly, realising that Zetsu was no longer in sight.

Oh damn it all to hell - where's that bastard got to now, yeah? Glaring around him; left, right, in front, behind, above and below; Deidara hissed in frustration. Did I lose him?

A kunai whistled through the air and Deidara ducked just in time, turning and throwing one back simultaneously before looking to see who his target was. Both weapons having been dodged successfully, the two black cloaked men faced each other warily.

'What the hell do you think you're doing Zetsu, yeah?' Deidara growled, his eyes narrowed and distrusting.

'Just testing,' was the equally growled reply. He was calmer than Deidara though. When he received no reply except for a continued, hateful glare however, Zetsu smiled. It was a predatory smile.

'Of course if you want to fight us, then I have no objection. Nor I.'

Tempted, Deidara hesitated. I don't really know his skills or abilities so accepting would be insensible. However he is seriously pissing me off and it would give Ino more time to run away. Hmm. What to do, what to do?

Closing his eyes and turning his back to Zetsu, Deidara relaxed his position. Sensing that Zetsu had relaxed as well he allowed himself a small smirk before somersaulting into the air and using the skills he had used on Ino when he'd first met her, taught to him by 'an Uchiha'.

Idiot, yeah.

finito! :)

Well? Excellent? Terrible?
It'd be good to hear what you thought of this chapter; feedback really helps me and criticism is always welcome. :)

love,
~WfCP xxx

-edited-