All right finally out! WOOT! Anyway that reference I used in chapter eleven. Tenten says to Deidara "I'm sick of looking at your impassive face." I put that in there wondering if anyone noticed who said it to whom. In the anime (maybe even the manga) Deidara says those same words to Gaara, see if you can find it. Anyway it took me a while to get my ass in gear but I'm back! Enjoy, have fun, next stop chapter whatever for 'I thought I knew you!' Oh and thank you for the lovely reviews, certainly brightens my day!


Deidara jumped from tree to tree, his pace grueling to any other. His body instinctively was alerted to his surroundings but his mind wandered.

"You don't know what it's like!"

She had accused him with ferocity, with conviction in her voice and eyes. It was insane to be more attracted to a woman after she verbally rips you a new one. But he was and it had turned him on to see her like that.

To watch as she built herself up, crumbled right before his eyes and then falling into sleep. It was exhilarating to watch her, in the way that he watched one of his creations blow a tower up. Watching it be consumed by flames and covered in smoke.

She was something different, something tangible and it just made her all the more desirable. He wanted to make her lose control like that, he wanted to see her scream and punch his chest and plain outright tell him he just doesn't know.

He learned something important from that encounter: She could match him. When he accused her she retaliated. When he pushed her she pushed back. When subjected to his fury induced tempers she was calm in the face of his chaos. But most importantly she matched him, fire to fire. Toe to toe, she wouldn't bulk under his obvious strength.

She wouldn't give in even if it was the only route to safety. It made him want her all the more, it made him wonder what she'd be like in bed. Pleasing images of Tenten being both dominant and submissive flooded his mind.

He had also learned that he could hardly control himself when it comes to her. His temper was undoubtable volatile just look at what he almost done! He blew up Kagino's kitchen, followed Tenten deep into the woods. Killed fourteen men, more than likely fifteen if that guard wasn't treated.

He hit her! How much of an idiot could he be? It should of been loud and clear that she wasn't enjoying the predicament she was in.

"No! GET OFF!"

That should have made it obvious but it hadn't registered. Her voice after that did. The gasp of his name ghosting across her lips stopped him from blowing both of them up right then and there.

"Deidara-sempai! I found you Tobi is a good boy who finished his mission!" Pulled from his musings Deidara only sped up hoping (but not really) that his partner would catch up.

"Shut up Tobi I don't care, yeah." The masked man was undeterred as he caught up and tossed a black bag at him.

"Tobi brought sempai a present!" Deidara cocked a brow before unzipping the bag. He was half expecting dirt or rocks or something as unimportant. what he hadn't expected was the large glob of clay that was in there. "Tobi had some free time so he went shopping!"

Deidara opted for ignoring him and reveled in the feel of his element in his hands.

"Tobi, at least your not completely stupid." Tobi waved gaily before a bird flew straight into his mask.

"GAAHHH! Sempai help me!" Deidara leapt on ahead taking his words back the minute they were out.

"Come on, yeah!" He didn't wait for him to catch up, putting enough distance between him and his wonderful distraction in the form of a woman.

--

Upon waking there was an absence of pain that she knew was supposed to be there. In it's place though was a definite numbness, something she wasn't aware of before blacking out.

The sound of running water allowed her to, in the minimum, open her eyes. The roof was bland and nondescript, which put her in any sort of place. Finally the sound stopped and a few minutes later a door opened up.

She heard footsteps and didn't have time to decide whether to feign sleep or not.

"Are you hungry Tenten?" Said kunoichi tried to sit up but found herself unable to. Her arms felt like jelly and that didn't seem right at all.

"Yeah I am." There was the sounds of clinking items before warm arms set leaned her against his chest. "Tomi what happened?" A soup bowl appeared and Tenten grudgingly allowed him to feed her. There was a pause before he muttered softly.

"I'm sorry." Tenten didn't understand what he was talking about but she wasn't going to push the issue. "I should have killed that bastard when I had the chance." Swallowing another spoonful of the soup Tenten figured she might as well ask.

"Who the man who tried to kill me or the man that tried to kill me?" From behind she can feel Tomi tense up but didn't care. She had all the reason to be bitchy. She was practically thrown to the wolves and certainly found it a little more than unpleasant. "Where were you Tomi?"

She couldn't see his face but she was sure he wasn't wearing his mask.

"I had some things to take care of that took longer than necessary. By the time I got away you were all ready gone, I had no choice but to follow." Tenten silenced him with a bite to the hand that was SUPPOSE to be feeding her. "Ouch sorry about that. I'm sure you know the story better than I do."

Without words Tenten understood and immediately dropped the issue. He obviously had been with some important person with important information he couldn't divulge.

That's fine it's not like I want everyone to know about Deidara and me. That sounds so bad! Since when was it ever Deidara and me? Sounds like some cheesy soap opera that you have to watch after dark.

Two pills were put in front of her face stopping her inner rant perfectly.

"Take these and then we'll leave. After a few more hours of running we'll be back in Konoha." Without another word Tenten obeyed and was set down immobilized and stuck listening to Tomi pack up.

Her eyes started closing and she was only vaguely aware of being set onto Tomi's back. Bandages stretched across her arms and even covered her hands.

Why didn't I notice?

"How hurt am I?"

"Rest Tenten, when you wake you'll know." Cloudy was her drug induced mind as she relaxed against his armor clad back. Through a mist she saw the receptionist wave and when the buildings and trees blurred together, she slept.

--

How stupid can I be? I should have killed that rogue ninja instead of just taking his eye. I shouldn't have let him listen in on the conversation too. Damn it! I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to try anything.

Tenten shifted on his back, her weight reminding him that there were more important things to take care of. His veins pumped with the soldier pills that were circulating, adding energy where he didn't have any. From over his shoulder he heard a soft mewl knowing that it was probably voiced from pain.

He should have been there but the chance of meeting up with a Konoha informant was to opportune. The information must be delivered to the hokage and Tenten to the hospital. Tenten mewled once more and Tomi sped up. He was a blur amongst falling leaves as the sun began to set.

In his gut he felt this could end so completely off track then what was supposed to happen. It pushed all doubts to mind with every contraction of muscle, until the only thing that mattered was the weight on his back and the opened gates before him. He passed through, Izumo and Kotetsu graced him with worried expressions.

"Are you feeling--?" Tomi's head swarmed and he felt the effects of running a four day trip in two and a half. He only managed to push Tenten in Kotetsu's arms before the exhaustion over came him. He thought he hit the ground but there was no way for him to know for sure.

--

There's a strange feeling that always comes with waking up in a foreign place. It's always almost like deja vu with a trace of panic thrown in. This was true for Tenten as she woke in crisp sheets and white washed walls.

Her actions were strained making any sudden movements harder. There were loads of bandages on her torso but there was an absence of pain.

I wonder if I'm healed or just plain drugged.

She didn't know where she was but with a few deductions it didn't take much to figure out what she was in.

What is it about hospital rooms that make it so obvious you're in a hospital? Could be the white walls, floors and ceilings. It's so boring and devoid of life...something I really don't want a reminder of.

She dreamt of blue eyes and blonde hair, the tell tale signs of dream Deidara leaving her as fast as molasses drips.

He's an S-rank criminal and I can't stop thinking about him. He just tangles up my emotions and centers himself right in the middle of my world! I don't think I'll ever be free from him.

Out loud her only voiced complaint: "Dammit." A nurse walked in and was only mildly surprised to see this patient watching her.

"Glad to see you awake Miss Tenten. How are you feeling?" The question was followed by a rolling of shoulders.

"I feel great, a little sore but nothing I can't handle." The nurse scribbled on her chart and Tenten sat up. One thing was bothering her and so she voice it. "where are my teammates? Why aren't they here?" The nurse paused and chewed on the tip of her pen. The nervous habit screamed out at Tenten.

"I don't know, nobody has come to check up on you. I'm sure though there is a good reason for it." She gave a nervous laugh and Tenten felt hurt. Where was that boiling rage that she felt when fighting Deidara? She didn't know but she really rather preferred it.

The nurse noticed her expression and quickly tried to remedy the situation. "But your other teammate he's here in the hospital! I'm sure you'd like to visit him, he can't go anywhere thanks to some torn muscles." Tenten stood fully intending to go and see Tomi when the nurse faltered.

"Show me the way to him."

"Allow me to get a wheel chair." Tenten shook her head.

"I'm not crippled, just take me there." With great reluctance the nurse helped Tenten out the door. They were making there way down another hallway at the slowest pace ever.

'Why can't I walk any faster? What is this strain on my body? How badly was I hurt?'

Enough with her inner rant she voiced what she wanted to know. What Tomi hadn't wanted her to know.

"How badly was I injured?"

"Broken bones, internal bleeding...you lost a lot of blood and will be sore for a couple days. Tsunade-sama herself healed you so you should be all healed up." The nurse stopped in front of a door and gestured towards it. "I'm going to leave you here if you need an escort back..just use the call button."

Tenten used the wall for support and watched the nurse disappear around the corner. When she was alone in the white hall she twisted the knob and entered. The afternoon sun invaded the room entirely and Tenten was struck by how exhausted Tomi must have been to not wake up.

He was in standard issue hospital garb but his mask was still in place. It must have been some sort of request to not show Anbu members faces when they were out cold. Tenten dragged a chair closer to the bed before sitting down and inspecting him.

There wasn't an inch of bandages on him meaning all his injuries were internal.

Torn muscles huh? I wonder how fast he got us back to Konoha? A four day trip in what three days? Two days?

"That was stupid Tomi, now you're stuck in here with me and the only thing to look forward to is a clean bill of health. The hospital thinks we're already six feet in the grave and so they skimp out on actual food." There was silence in the room as Tomi slept on. Her voice carried her complaint to the wall and back, stuck right along with them.

"Hospitals always have that weird smell around them. The nursing staff tries to coddle you at every turn and there's just nothing to do but rot away in a bed. I hate hospitals."

"I hate hospitals too." Tenten smirked and laid her tired head down on the mattress. Tomi shifted a little to give her more room.

"I didn't expect to wake up in the hospital. You should stop surprising me you know." Tomi laughed a bit at that and Tenten assumed he had a nice smile with it.

"Are you feeling well?" She nodded against the mattress and quiet settled over them. A quiet that Tenten wanted to be filled with answers.

"Why did it take you so long to get to me back there? How long did it take you to get here?" She lifted her head up and waited patiently, watching him as he thinks. "Don't talk your way out of this either. I want the truth."

There was another shift and Tenten leaned back in order for Tomi to sit up. In the bright atmosphere, with the eagle mask on, Tenten couldn't imagine pining a face to him. He turned to her, carefully blank eyes and muffled voice.

"I'm sorry. This shouldn't have gone so..."

"Shitty?"

"Yes, I was meeting an informant with top secret information. It went longer than I was expecting." There was another lull and Tenten knew he was stalling. "It took me two and a half days to get to Konoha." A low whistle formed in Tenten's mouth.

No wonder his muscles are all torn up, he's been running nonstop.

"So..top secret information concerning Akatsuki or Sasuke Uchiha?" There was a visible stiffening of his shoulders and Tenten knew she hit pretty damn close.

"I found you amongst blown apart bodies, who did this to you?" Tenten stiffened and both understood that these were the issues they would be skirting.

"Is Kagino all right? He showed up and ran away." Tomi nodded, his eagle mask all the while regarding the change in subject.

"He's fine, one of his guards lived as well. The man's arm was lost in the explosion and his memory can only extend to the point of watching his men die." Tenten felt a twinge of guilt but knew it was misplaced. She wasn't the one to kill those men and she was lucky enough to save Kagino's life.

"Akatsuki's getting closer to their goal? Or was Sasuke spotted in some random place on the map?" He did the Tomi gesture but Tenten knew that one of her questions was true. "If it is Sasuke don't you think his teammates deserve to know?"

Tomi stretched the muscles in his shoulders before pulling his pouch from the night stand.

"I'm a bit thirsty and water isn't going to cut it. I think there's a vending machine on the second floor. Do you mind getting a soda for me?" He held out some coins and Tenten's eyebrows turned down. "When you come back we'll discuss this, okay?"

"You will tell me the information that you would have left me to die for." Tomi was silent and Tenten snatched the coins from his hand. Reluctantly she left without a backwards glance and made her way to the elevator, moving as fast as her muscles allowed.

The information has to concern either Akatsuki or Sasuke. Those are the hot topics going around at this point in time. I don't know if he's going to answer me but at least he sounded sorry.

She remembered another time when a man had said sorry to her..but how much faith could she put in an Akatsuki member? The elevator opened and she stepped in pushing the number two button. With a faint lurch the elevator moved up and it wasn't long before the doors were opening again.

Well time for mission: find the soda machine, this is going to be fun.

--

As soon as the door closed behind Tenten his three visitors made an appearance. The two were his teammates, decked out in Anbu gear complete with animal masks. Ibiki stood at the foot of the bed, his scarred face twisted in a grimace.

"This must have been important information that you've got." Tomi nodded from the bed but didn't bother replying. "Well, speak up we don't have all day." His two teammates agreed and Tomi could feel Tenten's chakra going up a floor.

"The information I discovered concerns Sasuke Uchiha. He was spotted at the edge of rain country with three others. Juugo, Suigetsu and a woman named Karin. The informant believes that Sasuke's motives have shifted but not in where his new interest lies."

Ibiki scratched his scarred chin, a slight tilt of his lips the only sign that something amusing was going on in his head.

"Good enough, now get out, go home and rest. We need you in top shape before this scouting mission." The three visitors vanished out the window and Tomi got to his feet. Tenten would soon discover why he chose the second floor. Pulling out an index card, Tomi scribbled down some words before standing it up against his pillow.

Then he too vanished and the room that saw him go, wouldn't be able to say a word.

--

"All right this is bullshit! First he tells me to go to the second floor and then some nurse tells me it's on the first? He better have been delusional when they brought him in or I'll be pissed." Tenten stormed down the halls, the strain in her muscles soothed by the anger in her head.

Tomi's door came to view and she flung it open ready to chuck the cream soda at his head. She froze instead, hand poised for the toss but never leaving her palm. The room was empty save for a piece of paper propped up by the pillow.

Tenten crossed the room and took the piece of paper between her fingers. On the front it read: Sorry. She flipped it over and didn't understand at first. The back read: Sasuke. Then a laugh left her and she just knew how right she was.

Bringing the paper with her, Tenten changed into her clothes and checked herself out of the hospital. They didn't give her a clean bill of health but she would rather sleep in her own bed at night.

She crossed the door to her apartment and locked it up, nice and tight. The soda was put into her fridge and Tenten noticed how bare it was getting. With a shrug of her shoulders she fell on top of her bed, too tired to strip. The index card was set on her night stand and Tenten drifted into sleep.

Her dreams were filled with nonsensical tales of romance and far away kingdoms. She never questioned why she was the princess...running away with the dark knight Deidara. She didn't question it at all...and maybe...maybe she should have.