One of these unsettling dreams began with Micchi and Deidara standing in a clearing, facing each other. They did not notice me, just stood there.
As I watched, they began to fight, Deidara hurling his bombs one after another, Micchi dodging and countering with his kunai and shuriken.
I wanted to stop the fight, to intervene, but I was unable to move, my legs seeming to be rooted in that one spot. I tried to call out to them to stop, but my voice was gone.
I stood there, helpless, and I watched in horror as one of Deidara's bombs exploded inches from Micchi, blasting into him and sending him flying backwards, where he crumpled against the ground.
I screamed, horified, and this time the sound pierced through the air.
"MICCHI!!"
Still, neither of them took notice of me.
The dream-Deidara turned, leaving Micchi for dead. Micchi stirred, unnoticed by Deidara.
I heard people burst into the room, but I could not wrench myself from the dream. People were shouting my name, but I could not respond.
As I watched, Micchi struggled to arise as Deidara walked slowly away.
I was struggling, trying to move from that spot to run to Micchi, and I heard the real Deidara shout, "Hold her down, hmmm!" I felt hands trying to restrain me, but my body lashed out involuntarily, striking them away.
Dream-Micchi reached up behind his head for his giant shuriken, preparing to throw it.
I screamed again as Micchi hurled the shuriken with all his remaining strength, collapsing back against the ground as it impaled itself in Deidara's back. Deidara lurched forward, coughing up blood as he hit the ground.
I screamed louder, this time Deidara's name.
"DEIDARA!!"
They
both lay dying, and I was crying, but for whom?
I felt the real Deidara beside me, grabbing my arms, holding me still. I did not swat him away like the others.
"Emika-chan, calm down, hmmm!"
At the sound of his voice, my eyes flew open and I sat up abruptly, the dream fading. I stared at him, wide-eyed and frantic, but also slightly relieved.
My breath came in short, irregular gasps, my skin felt clammy, and I was shivering in shock.
Deidara's eyes were worried, afraid for me.
Everyone else, save Kisame and Hidan, stood around the bed. I was sure those two had left as soon as they realized it was me in trouble.
I struggled to catch my breath as the group stared at me. Once my breathing was more regular and I seemed calmer, Leader-sama spoke.
"Everyone, back to bed, she's fine." And with that, he walked off.
One by one, everyone else headed back to their rooms. As Kakuzu left, he mumbled angrily, "You owe me for slapping me across the room..."
Tobi made a big deal out of making sure I was alright, talking too loud and being overly cheerful, as usual.
"Is Emika-chan okay? Did she have a bad dream?"
"I'm fine, Tobi-kun!"
"Tobi will go back to bed, then!" He skipped away.
Deidara remained in the room with me, both of us silent. After a while, he spoke, sitting down on the bed.
"You called for Micchi... and for me, hmmm." He stated this matter-of-factly.
"Yes."
"Were we in your dream, hmmm?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it, hmmm?"
"No."
"Do you want me to leave, hmmm?" He got up, not really waiting for an answer.
I reached out, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him back down. He looked at me, obviously waiting for me to speak. When I didn't, he did.
"I'm soory, hmmm."
"Why?"
"I kissed you, hmmm." He brushed his fingertips lightly across my forehead. I blushed.
"Is that why you were having nightmares about us, hmmm?"
I could not honestly answer no, so I merely looked down at my hands, folded on top of the blanket, and he understood my silence.
"I promise I won't do it again,hmmm."
I continued to look down and blush.
"Go back to sleep, hmmm." He pushed back on my shoulders as earlier that night, but this time I lay down without a fuss.
I pulled the blankets up to my chin, shivering, suddenly cold from sweating.
Deidara got up, turning toward the door.
"Please don't leave..." I whispered.
He walked over to the door, closing it partway and turning off the light. He walked back, kneeling beside the bed and sitting back on his feet. He crossed his arms, rested them on the bed, and put his head down on top, turning his face to me.
"Sleep, hmmm. I won't leave, hmmm," He reassured me.
I
reluctantly closed my eyes, turning my face into the pillow a bit.
Something brushed against my cheek. Deidara's fingers. He reached up, brushing my bangs from my face.
My eyes flew open, and I looked at him, startled.
"My turn to play with your hair, hmmm."
He ran his fingers through the length of my hair, twirling the ends around his fingers.
"In that case," I reached out from under the covers, grabbed his ponytail, and pulled playfully. "Payback!" I smiled and he smirked.
"I guess I deserved that, hmmm?" He chuckled.
"Yes, you did!" I mock-scowled and then laughed, too late remembering my horrible nightmare. I grew serious, fearful and confused.
As I worried about this, my eyelids grew heavy. Deidara noticed this.
"Sleep, hmmm. I'll stay here, I promise, hmmm." He put his head back down on his arm, where it rested on the bed.
I closed my eyes as he resumed stroking my hair, the rythmic motion calming me, lulling me into a deep, dreamless sleep.
