In the Hidden Clouds

Chapter 13: Tamima versus Akatsuki

"What's wrong young one," Sasori asked the girl that was crying. Although he was an Akatsuki, sometimes it felt good to help people rather than hurt, although, it was even more fun to hurt them. The girl was leaning against a tree holding a picture of a younger girl who bore a striking resemblance. Probably a sibling, mumbled beneath his breath.

"My sister," the girl said between sobs, "she passed away. She was the only family I had." Sasori placed his hand on the girl's shoulder to comfort her.

"I'm sorry," he said, "it must hurt quite bit."

"Yeah," the girl said, "would probably hurt a lot more if she actually existed." There was a flurry of movement and the next thing Sasori knew; he was slamming hard into the tree across the road, unable to move his body. He glanced over at the girl, who was pulling a Kumo (Cloud) headband from out of her satchel and tying it around her forehead. Interesting girl, Sasori thought, to be able to so perfectly mask her intentions, even from an Akatsuki like me, and to place this seal on my body, his eyes turned to the left in an attempt to see the seal mark, she's completely shut down my ability to fight, not bad.

"Not bad…yeah," Deidara said, "to be able to take down Sasori in two movements, you're no ordinary shinobi…yeah."

"I'm a member of Kumogakure's (Hidden Cloud's) elite Nobunaga family," Tamima said, "Nobunaga Tamima, and you're members of the Akatsuki organization, and are on the S-class wanted list. I'll capture you or kill you, even if it costs me my life."

"Bold words," Deidara said, turning to look back at Sasori, "and you can certainly back them up…yeah." Deidara turned back to Tamima and started. There was something different about the girl he couldn't place. "Hmmm, what are you…the left!" Deidara dodged right as Tamima appeared from the left. Deidara glanced back at where Tamima had been before and saw that she was still there, and charging him. Kage Bunshin…yeah, Deidara mused. He didn't even have to try against this girl. Drawing two kunai, he threw them at Tamima and the Kage Bunshin, and hit both. Deidara's smile disappeared quickly as both Tamima and the Kage Bunshin melted. A quick sniff told Deidara that they were made of paint. "Interesting…yeah."

Deidara and looked at Tamima, who stood propped against a tree, the same tree where she'd been before. "If you haven't noticed," Tamima said, holding a paint brush in each hand, "I'm able to use paints as a weapon. And you, judging by the symbol on your forehead protector, are Deidara of Iwagakure (Hidden Stone). I've read about you, a shinobi who uses clay as a weapon. You won't beat me."

"A fellow artist…yeah," Deidara said, "but you've already lost." Tamima felt something crawling up her back, she turned to see a giant clay spider, "to late," Deidara said. He detonated the clay spider as it rested on Tamima's shoulder. The smoke cleared and Deidara frowned. Tamima's body was missing a huge section, but there were no innards. Another Paint Bunshin, Deidara muttered, she's good at that…yeah. There was a flash of movement to Deidara's left, and he turned.

"Not fast enough," Tamima yelled, and swung with her paint brushes, drawing the symbols for "seal" on Deidara's left arm, "Seal!" Deidara grunted as his left arm became useless. "You're good, though," Tamima said, letting an arrogant smile creep across her face, "I wasn't able to place a permanent seal, and had to settle for that one instead."

"Yeah…" Deidara reached into his right satchel and pulled out some clay, forming it into a swan figure, "but you're not immortal either." The swan took off at high speed, charging straight at Tamima. Tamima moved her brush around and a Fuma Shuriken appeared. Using her chakra, Tamima propelled it at the swan. It impacted and the swan detonated, "checkmate," Deidara said. Another swan came from Tamima's left and nailed her. The smoke cleared only to reveal Deidara had just hit another Paint Bunshin, "oh Hell," was all Deidara could yell before Tamima sealed his other arm. "You've never been fighting this battle to begin with, have you," Deidara said.

"Nope," Tamima said, shaking her head, "and I've yet to actually make a move other than that kick I gave to that guy over there." She pointed over at Sasori, "I've been off to the side ever since." Deidara smiled. It'd been a long time since he'd met another ninja that used art as a weapon. He was beginning to like this kid.

"Well," Deidara said, "our objective was in town, but I don't think we'll be getting by you today."

"You won't get in at all," Tamima said, "look." She pointed back at the village walls. Deidara looked and noticed another Paint Bunshin, as well as a massive drawing of the symbols for "barrier" painted on the gates. "That does more than lock the doors," Tamima said, "it has created a barrier capable of stopping anyone from entering or leaving the village. Next time, I think I may have to fight you in person." The two Paint Bunshins melted.

"That girl," Sasori said as he got up, the seal on his neck having worn off, "we can't take her lightly. Those seals are masterfully designed, if she hits us with one of her 'permanent' seals, we'll be through." Deidara looked down at the Paint Bunshin in front of him and thought about that, and he could only think of one thing to say…

"Yeah…."