A/N: I must say, I really enjoyed writing this chapter. It felt really good, and was constantly on my mind. ^^
So, I hope you will think of it well, and well... enjoy. :D
Her breathing was cloudy, thick and warm. Even so, her body felt immobilized, frozen and fatally cold. Daringly, she twisted her head, catching a glimpse of the frightening smirk on the blond criminal's face. Deidara let out another light laugh as he caught sight of her horrified eyes. Her arms shook; in fact, her whole body quivered with fear. Both stood still, the blade still lightly pressed against Ino's throat as the eerie, earsplitting silence droned on.
She forced herself to speak. "W-why...?" Her lips croaked, her voice shaky. "It was...only one, small thing..."
"To you, it may have been, un. Things are different with the organization and I." He breathed onto her skin, causing her to shudder even more.
The Yamanaka squeezed her eyes shut. "Please, don't hurt me..." Her voice was pleading, begging...displaying her true self; frail.
But Deidara had already seen that side of her. He simply shook his head. "That's a little too late now, un."
"Don't..." She whimpered.
"Hmm, I wonder...is this how you would've acted a small while ago...?" He asked, mostly to himself.
Ino didn't know what he was talking about. "What do you mean...?"
He calmly let his eyelids fall over his eyes. "Ah, that's right; I forgot to tell you, un." He shook his head, disapproving to himself, eyes still closed and continued on. "You see... You were going to die sometime, un. We had planned it."
Her cerulean eyes widened. "...W-what...?"
She could feel Deidara shrug. "After we had captured you, we decided that we'd murder you, un."
"...F-for what reason...? Did you guys know...this whole time...? No, t-that doesn't make sense... Why?" It was the second time she had asked that last word, but before she had not gotten a direct answer to it.
"Heh, you can be quite slow to catch on sometimes... But, well, we were not aware of your secret, obviously." His eyebrows sloped just the tiniest bit. "You were a mere tool to us. Once you had carried out what you were supposed to, we were going to kill you, un."
As simple as that. Were the words that rung in Ino's head to describe his tone. "...You knew?" She whispered, referring to their deadly plan for her.
Another shrug. "Obviously." Still quite slow to catch on, hm? The thoughts echoed inside his head.
Ino began to shift uncomfortably and not because of their still, secure, threatening position. His arm remained secure around her, as she began to bite her lip, drawing blood. Her feet shuffled against the stone floor as she fought against the urge to let the tears stream.
She didn't want to ask anything else, yet she had to know. "Wh-who? Who was gonna kill me?"
"Me, un."
Ino cringed. It was bad to ask that. The response just hurt her more. Apart of her pleaded that the kunai lying against her throat would not go any further, incising her, but also, another portion of her yearned to get it over with. Quickly, swiftly...not too painfully. But that was impossible considering how much grief, desolation and melancholy she was in.
Once again, the kunoichi forced herself to spit more words out. "What will you do...after?"
"I'd prefer if we just waited for Hatafuri-sama to recover, but...I'm going to abduct another Yamanaka. One who can invade others' minds, un." The words were partially taunting, but also a deep, low snarl resided for her.
Dad... He was the only one she knew of that could actually use the technique, but for sure, there were much more.
Deidara continued on. "And then, we'll plot the same thing that we were scheming for you." Ino stiffened, much more than she had been at that moment. That meant...they were going to plan to kill...one of her clan members...? "I think I'll search at the Yamanaka Flower Shop." He simpered.
...No! NO! DAD! Holy shit, they were going to kill her dad! They were going to kill her DAD! And who knew who else Deidara would explode on the way there? Mom? Shika? Choji? Sakura? Who would get in the way? Who would survive? ...She felt terrible. There she was, hearing the whole idea, but unable to do anything. Standing there, allowing arms to bind her...the kunai was still at her neck too. Also, the tension was too strong for her; she could corrupt in any moment. The Yamanaka said nothing, she remained completely silent.
"No response, un?" He raised the kunai so that it was touching her jaw also.
She was shaking too much. Too unbearable just to stand there. Abruptly, she struggled with his grip, attempting to break free. Deidara was too strong for her, his grip remained as she continued to squirm. Ino could feel his grip loosen just the tiniest bit, but not enough.
However, enough for her to make one short movement. Taking her elbow, she pushed it into his abdomen with as much force as she had, causing him to let out a grunt and release her. Slowly, she took shaky steps back, stepping away from him with caution. He narrowed his eyes, but his expression gradually formed into a smirk. Something soft pressed against her ankle and she looked down to see a clay slug slowly sliding onto her. Screaming, she swung her leg around, attempting to throw it off. It was no use, and she squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the worst.
And it exploded.
Right there, on her leg. Ino's body was thrown back from the force, slamming into the wall as she let out a cry from both impacts. Falling roughly onto her bottom, she whimpered as her foot, ankle and shin smouldered with immense affliction. Lifting her head, she saw Deidara standing right there in front of her, arms crossed with a sly grin on his face. The kunoichi stumbled when getting up, however, she managed to by placing her hand on the wall.
She wasn't sure why she was being so...not bothered. Right in front of her was a criminal who had just admitted to planning on killing her, and was proceeding with that. So why? Why wasn't she scrambling away? Why did she look him straight in the eye? Why did she feel so...loose?
Both blonds stood there, mere inches away from one another, however did not do anything. Ino's eyes were apologetic and beseeching, begging him to stop. She stared into his icy blue eyes, her eyes igniting into Deidara's. Once again, it was silent; no sound was made. Until Deidara took his hand, quickly grasped her throat and smashed her back into the wall. Ino yelped, coughing from his rough clutch and whimpering with pain. She tried her best to get out, slapping his arm as hard as she could, but he just tightened his grip on her smooth neck everytime she did so.
Everything began to get blurry; she couldn't see the expression on his face anymore. Automatically, her leg whipped out, trying to connect with any part of his body, but she kicked nothing but the eerie air. The blond female started to gasp, still weakly slapping his arm but doing no damage at all. She couldn't see how Deidara was reacting either...
The grip was hard, strong and too much for her. Her nails dug into his arm, getting stronger with every passing moment. Eventually, they tore through his cloak, pushing into his skin next. She could feel blood leak down onto her hands...it wasn't her blood, was it? No way... It was his. He winced from the stinging in his arm. Gazing at Ino, he saw her eyelids were concealing half of her eyes; was she losing consciousness? She let out choked gasps, her nails still digging into him.
His hand released her neck, as she let out a loud cough and another gasp. Deidara watched as her hands crawled to her throat, rubbing wherever ached and breathing heavily. Was that it? Was he going to let her go? Hell no. Eagerly, he dug through the pouches hanging from his waist, retrieving the amount of clay needed into his hands. He wasn't sure what he would make, but it would have to be good. Had to be worth it. Ino looked up weakly, her vision still muffled and her stance utterly weak.
She felt like crying as she heard the mouths on his palms began to chew. She had to do something. But...what could she do? Shintenshin? No. Shinrashin? No. Maybe...she could think more clearly if she felt better. Taking her hand, she propped it onto her forehead, focusing her chakra into her palm. There wasn't much time to do this, but at least something would be recovered.
Deidara watched as the emerald chakra began to flow out of her hand. He recalled her mentioning that to him before. But even if she was trying to use medical ninjutsu, it'd be a complete waste. His fingers wrapped around the pieces of clay that had just emerged from the mouths on his hands, and began to knead. Something that would scare her...? Hm, perhaps. Or maybe something conveying...
Ino watched as he threw a white figure behind him, though it was too quick for her to register. She leaned against the wall, seated on her bottom with bruises. With one handseal, the unclear sculpture was immediately surrounded by puffy fogs. As the shady clouds began to clear, she was able to see what it was. A...boar. Pig.
It was a normal sized boar, milky white just like every other sculpture of his was. The pig faced her, staring at her blankly. "Hmm, nice, isn't it?" Deidara commented on his piece of work. The boar began to pace around, letting out rough oinks and snorting every small moment. She watch it gaze around curiously. "I suppose I based it on you, un." An insult. He really meant to say that she was a pig... She glanced back at it -her?- and noticed something...
There was a difference. A difference between the living clay sculpture and a real pig. Aside from the gruffy, non-attractive snorts, the boar was...beautiful. The steps that it took while ambling around were...graceful, lovely... It's face was...complete, absolute, but no where near simple. It was gorgeous and elegant, if you compared it to any other pigs. Texture, legs, tail...everything was flawless, smooth and utterly dazzling.
Ino snarled. No way should she be marveling at something that was created to destroy her. But...how could she not? It was the only other thing there besides Deidara and Ino. "Well?" His voice made her flinch.
"W-what?"
"What do you think of it, un? The inspiration should be able to comment." Inspiration...? Oh, he had said that he had based it on her just a moment ago... Did he purposely make it beautiful? Or was that his normal pieces of work, and she had failed to notice how fantastic it actually was...?
Ugh! I gotta pay attention! This is a life or death situation here! But...she couldn't. There was more meaning to this whole thing than what was being displayed. A groan interrupted her mental conversation and so she replied...as well as she could. He didn't expect her to be able to talk, did he? Not in her condition... "I-I...don't understand..." Part of it, she meant. "W-Why would you...waste your time...making something like that?"
He cocked an eyebrow, unsure whether she was speaking of the making itself, or that it was based on her. "Are you saying you're a waste of time?"
"...I might. But...I shouldn't be. It's only based on a name." She would've shrugged but her body was sore, weak and limp.
"No, it's not, un."
She didn't want to at all, but...she did so anyway. "What...do you mean?"
"Decipher the message, un."
She couldn't think too well. Her mind was throbbing and sore, and Ino's mind process was a little hard, but she tried her best. It wasn't her name... But it was based on her... It's not only the name. It was something else. Did he purposely make the clay boar gorgeous, delicate and wonderful? Aside from the rough, hog-like snorts, that is. "Is that what you think of me?" She whispered.
"What?" He smiled wickedly.
"Am I...beautiful to you?"
A smile touched Deidara's lips before returning to its smug state. "Yeah, un." That was contradictory to what he said about her looks... Seems like he says things when he's angry. Ino felt herself shake with her gentle laugh.
"Hypocrite." She muttered with a light chuckle...ironic in their current situation.
"Well, what else does it mean?" He questioned, ignoring her small comment.
There was more to it? "...W-what?"
"What else is there to my piece of work here?" He motioned to the strolling pig, that played with a little pebble, kicking it around and letting out husky oinks.
Stay focused, Ino. This is still going to be deadly! He's still gonna kill you! She urged herself inwardly. "...I don't know."
The golden-blond sighed, proceeding to explain. "It represents you, un." He stated.
"I know that."
Deidara shook his head. "There's more. You...give out powerful words, often straightforward, un. They're quite harsh, annoying and artless, however...hmm. Despite your words and attitude," He jerked his head to the boar who was now growling and snorting at the pebble. "You're much more...so much more. Ino, you're pulchritudinous and exquisite, and that's just your appearance, un. Truthfully...when it comes to your entity, essence and character..." Her heart struck against her chest rapidly, before deflating. "You're selfish, idiotic and have no artistry at all," He shook his head in disapproval. What kind of spiel was this supposed to be? Ino could feel her eyes get wet and liquidy; this was all mean. Every word that came out of his mouth -except the beauty thing- was cruel. "But...you're also complex...obscure..." ...Was that a good thing? That she was hard to understand? "And...for some strange reason, I really like that, un." He chuckled, a little devilishly, for some strange reason. "You're unique, in a good way. You're fascinating, surprising...pleasant. I enjoy spending my time with you, un. And that's what I love about you the most, un...Not your beauty; you're characteristics."
That was too much for her. Way too much. What was she supposed to say back? Especially while this was shot out during a killing moment? Wasn't she supposed to die...? It wasn't completely romantic but again, it was not who he was. His words were more...touching. Pleasuring. He...just speaks what he thinks. She had already inwardly clarified that. "Why...would you tell me this now?"
He thought she was beautiful. Which pleased her well enough, even sorely in her state - but he... adored her character. Never had she felt so... touched by something as that.
He chuckled. "I guess I got a little carried away, un. I'm describing you and my recent, beautiful artwork for a reason..." Deidara glanced back at the clay pig. "...It's not exactly like you, however it surely displays a brief description of you."
Ino looked down, a little flustered...however her bruises made her forget that. They ached.
The Akatsuki criminal continued on...this time with a smug smile. "Watch, un." Her gaze trailed to the clay pig as Deidara formed one handseal...and it exploded. The waves of force were different than any other explosion of his that she was ever near. Rather than being a heavy force that destroyed someone with radiated direction, they were extremely violent, pushing into tangled directions messily with twisting power. Bursting with such heavy power that made her feel like she was being pushed through the wall. And then it was over. The...pig was gone. Thankfully, it was not near her, otherwise that would've resulted in a sudden death. "Do you understand, un?"
She swallowed. "That's the reason..." It was a representation of her... He was going to blow her up, painfully, aggressively...In a way that was just shown. Violently.
Deidara laughed. "Seems you comprehend then, un."
"Don't..." She murmured fearfully, though doubtfully. "...Not in that way." She added.
He scoffed. "There's no way in killing you if it's not going to be artistic, un." The words were so open. Her heart stung as she watched him reach for the pouches of clay. Don't... She repeated mentally; Ino didn't have enough will to part her lips and speak.
Reluctantly, the battered kunoichi watched as Deidara began to form even more artworks. Her vision was hazy and everything was unclear... She couldn't even see what he was making.
"Y-you..." She forced herself to say something, though she really didn't know what she was planning to say. Just something. "I...wh..." Ino swallowed, unable to speak explicitly. She felt warm liquid run down the side of her face; sweat. Her breathing was thick, cloudy, heavy as she did not prepare for the worst.
Deidara smirked.
Her sky orbs widened with a gasp as two white blurs swooped at her. Ino shut her eyes, letting out a diabolical scream. The white blurs erupted into immense, massive forces of power that shattered around her fiercely in scattered knots of blasts.
All in the same moment, the heavy force pounded her, suffocated her, gripped her, compressed her, crushed her, throttled her and ultimately, painfully strangled her.
The thick, smokey fog did not clear up quickly. In fact, it was the opposite; slowly. An elusive silhouette laid inside of the cloudy smoke, motionlessly. Or perhaps...twitching? Deidara couldn't tell; the dark puffs were too strong to see through. He lurked forward, ready for another set of explosions if she had survived that, though he highly doubted it.
Everything was clear, roaring at him. Ino Yamanaka was probably dead. And he was the killer.
His insides twisted, with his heart tightening... Why did he feel so...degrading? To kill her...? She was just another mere person that he had murdered... willingly. Why did he feel so regretful...? Hurt...angry... corrupted.
She was dead, right? He wanted to make sure. With every step he took closer to the body, the feelings deepened, eating at him even worse than it already was. Finally, he was only a few more feet away from the laying body, and stopped himself to observe once more. The fog was still thick and opaque, however a portion of it was clearing up.
Just enough to see thick, crimson liquid coat clumps of pale, blond hair. Deidara snarled, unsure to who and forced himself another step forward. That was all he could see. Blood-streaked hair. Deidara raised his foot, about to take one more step... He clenched his teeth at the tight grip of emotional burning...
Spinning around, he took steps in the opposite direction of the clearing puffs or smoke. The pain decreased, but not enough to be calm and soothed.
However, he was definitely going to come back. It didn't matter whether she was living or dead; he'd return later to completely destroy her.
A/N: Well, there you go!
I hope you liked that. :D
--Reviews are clouds in a soft sky.