WE HAVE REACHED 100 REVIEWS! :D *Insert confetti throwing here*

You guys are AWESOME! Really, reading nice reviews literally makes my day :)

But a little note to my reviewers: it was pretty late when I replied to everyone, so if I sounded really arrogant and forgot to say thank you for the nice comments, I apologise! I'd just like to say a massive THANK YOU! just now, 'cause lack of sleep is apparently a killer for my manners T.T

HOLY SUGAR! I haven't updated for nearly three weeks! D: Sorry. I've been busy. Really. I had yet another essay to write, which I just finished last night; and a load of other stuff that I can't be bothered going into. It's pretty late right now, so if there are any errors I apologise.

On a lighter note, we got a laugh in Home Ec. a couple of days ago: since we were making vegetable stir fry and a boy in my class put a wok on his head and yelled that "The aliens are coming! We have to protect our heads!" in a high-pitched voice. It wasn't that loud though, so most people (including the teacher) didn't see/hear it. Still, hilarious stuff! XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Tap Tap Revenge, or the song 'Gives You Hell'.

Poll Update: Itachi:14, Deidara:12.

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Unfortunately, my stomach chose that precise moment to complain in the way only stomachs can. That's right, it let out a massive growl, effectively proving that I needed breakfast, whether I liked it or not.

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"See?" I exclaimed, pointing accusingly at Itachi. "The tree is telling me not to stab it! It even made my stomach growl, and you all heard that." I nodded my head knowledgably, widening my eyes dramatically. "If I use this kunai to harm that tree; I will be dramatically murdered by the…um…tree's parents! Yes, the tree's parents will smite me with their tree powers and then we will all be doomed!"

"Just throw the damn kunai, yeah."

Oh well. It was worth a try.

"Well then Deidara," I announced cheerfully, stepping around the raven-haired shinobi in front of me. "You can be the first one the trees kill!"

I snickered as he glared at me, before remembering that this was serious. They had threatened to take away my food, for the love of cheese, food!

Wow. That really put a downer on my mood.

Gulping slightly, I raised my hand, holding the dagger like I had seen kids at the Academy when they were learning. Ah, teaching little kids to kill each other at the age of 5…Happy days my friend, happy days.

I lined it up with the tree, and pulled back my hand to throw it when–

"One thing," I said, turning to face Itachi. Well, I tried to, but ended up facing thin-air because he'd decided to move from behind me. So I ended up spinning around until I located him leaning against a tree beside me with his arms crossed. (Why do I get the feeling I should have noticed that?)

"Yes?" He asked in an uninterested tone.

"If I screw this up, do I still get food?"

"That would depend on how badly you screw up."

Well, that was helpful.

Rolling my eyes, I re-aligned the kunai, before narrowing my eyes and throwing it as hard as I could at the tree. Or in the tree's general direction anyway, I never was a good aim. But I was hungry, and I didn't particularly want to miss breakfast as well as lunch (and probably dinner too, since Itachi seemed to hate all forms of food), so I tried my hardest to hit it.

Really, I tried.

I took a step forward to add more force as I launched it into the air, before somehow managing to trip over my own feet and falling flat on my face.

OWIES.

Face-planting, don't you just love it? Yep, see the thousands of little shards adorning the ground? That's what used to be my ego.

I could just see the 'EPIC FAIL' caption; and the little grey emo cloud that was now perched over my head, drenching me nicely.

Deidara started sniggering.

"Congratulations, un; you've just given a whole new meaning to the phrase 'screwing up'." He informed me, smirking.

I groaned, and slowly sat up from my delightful position of being splayed out on the grass.

"Jeez guys, don't be concerned about my well-being or anything." I grumbled sarcastically, rubbing my nose which had been smashed when I hit the ground. "I mean, I think I've broken my nose, but don't let that stop you from laughing at me."

Itachi rolled his eyes.

"You're being melodramatic."

"So what if I am?" I retorted, still sitting cross-legged on the ground. "The point is, I'm in pain, and it's your fault."

"So it is somehow my fault that you tripped over your own feet, despite the fact that I am standing a good distance away from you?" He drawled, sarcasm dripping from his words and leaving a charred black patch on the ground where it fell. Hey, who knew sarcasm was acidic?

"You're catching on, weasel." I replied in my usual cheerful tone. "You should have learned by now that I am not responsible for anything that happens. Ever."

"How mature." He remarked dryly, still leaning against the tree.

I ignored the last remark, and stood up to search for the kunai which I had thankfully managed to throw before I fell over. If I hadn't, I could have ended up with a knife through my chest. Yeah, ouch. Although it would have been even worse if it was poisoned… I absently began to wonder about the possibility that this was planned; that the kunai was poisoned and this whole thing was actually an elaborate attempt to kill me.

Meh.

After around a minute of my half-assed attempt, I located it lying snugly in the grass, a few feet from the tree. That's right; it didn't even hit the tree. It just fell, rather pathetically, onto the ground.

Stifling a yawn, I picked it up and strolled the few feet back, before offering it back to Itachi.

"You don't wish to make another attempt?" He asked me, taking the dagger. "Perhaps you could redeem yourself."

"Well according to my gym teacher, I couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo." I concluded, rubbing my nose slightly. "So can I have food now? My stomach may start digesting itself soon."

"Here, un."

I spun around just in time to see Deidara chucking a rice ball in my direction. Miraculously, I managed to catch it; and sat down next to the blonde. I bit into it, and cringed slightly at the lack of flavour. Still, I decided to make the most of it and chow down before they changed their minds.

I chewed slowly, contemplating my current situation as seriously as I could manage.

"While we're all gathered round like this," I said thoughtfully, "You guys could answer some questions for me."

Deidara regarded me warily.

"What kind of questions, hm?"

"Just things that I should know." I replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "Like why you kidnapped me for example."

The blonde shot a glance at Itachi, and they shared a silent conversation which I imagine went something like:

'Should we tell her, un?'

'I don't see why not.'

'Okay then, but it's you who gets the blame if this goes wrong.'

'Your maturity is both admiral and astounding.'

'Up yours Uchiha, un.'

My imaginary conversation drew to a close when Deidara turned back to me.

"We had reason to believe you had information on Orochimaru." He said carefully, as if he would spontaneously combust if he said something wrong. Hey, for all I knew, that could've been true.

"Who's Orochimaru?" I asked immediately, narrowing my eyes. "And why would I have information on him?"

"He's an ex-member, hm." The blonde informed me.

"And he left before I joined." He quickly added, anticipating my next question. "We soon found out you didn't, though."

"You couldn't know though," I replied sharply. "You only asked me a couple of times."

"Well, we…erm…" His voice trailed off, and he shot a desperate glance at the Uchiha. Okay, something was up here. From what I could see, Deidara was so not the kind of guy to use the desperate-glance. It must have been bad.

"We checked your memories while you were asleep." The kitten-killer told me smoothly.

"You did what?" I asked as quietly as I could, in as deadly a tone as I could muster.

"Using an advanced ninjutsu technique, we skimmed through your memories searching for any involving Orochimaru or his associates. When none were found, it was decided that you were telling the truth." He explained calmly.

"So what you're telling me is that you invaded my mind, with complete disregard to my privacy, so you could watch my life story?" I hissed angrily, slowly standing up and beginning to formulate a plan to re-obtain the kunai and stab both of them repeatedly with it. Obviously, there was no way it would have worked, but cut me some slack, I was angry.

"We skimmed through, looking at nothing in detail. All this technique allows the user to see are blurs of colour, with the subject they are searching for standing out if it is found. It allows nothing else."

"Well then, if I don't know anything then why am I here?" I snapped, my voice a little harsher than I had intended.

"Because three people are required to participate in the Chunin Exams."

"Why are you participating?" I asked, still retaining eye-contact with Itachi. "I have a right to know! If you want me to co-operate, then I want a complete and truthful explanation."

Deidara took over from there, explaining about the Akatsuki's goals and such-like. They alternated in explaining things, each taking turns like good little children do.

According to them, I was first kidnapped because they thought I had information on an ex-member named Orochimaru. They then used a memory-jutsu (which apparently doesn't allow looking through memories in detail) to find out that I didn't have any information, like I had told them. Leader then decided I would be of use (for reasons they apparently 'had not been informed of', or simply wouldn't tell me); and so decided to send me with Deidara and Itachi to spy at the Chunin Exams since three members are required in a team, and because it was decided it would be easier for me to simply sever my bonds with Konoha and leave afterwards. Then I was to gather the rest of my belongings and return to the Akatsuki base with them. I still had no idea why would be of any use to Pein though; as I completely lacked in ninja skills, ninja knowledge, and just about everything else to do with being a ninja. I didn't have any information that would be of use to them either. This was also one of the things Itachi and Deidara apparently 'had not been informed of'.

The whole explanation took longer than I had expected (the Akatsuki's goals are very detailed), and so I was left on my own for a few minutes while they cleared the campsite (packing sleeping bags, eliminating evidence of the camp-fire, etc.). I got bored watching them, so I resorted to playing Tap Tap Revenge on my ipod until they were done. Ah, I love that game! But as I finished playing 'Gives You Hell'; the unthinkable happened.

I died a little inside as I saw the message on the screen.

'Less than 20% of battery power left.'

A couple of seconds later, it clicked off.

Well, that was a short 20%.

Yeah, but the battery-power-measuring-thing was always a bit unreliable.

True.

Sighing, I carefully placed it into my rucksack, silently vowing to re-unite it with its charger as soon as possible.

Walking without music or conversation is very, very boring indeed.

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"Aw come on Dei, play with me!" I whined, tugging on his sleeve." I'm bored!"

"I know a good game." He said, glaring at me and pulling his arm away. "It's called taking a long walk off a short cliff, un."

I pouted and walked off, informing Deidara that he sucked.

After a little while of even more incredible boredom, I found a stick. But this was no ordinary stick, oh no, because this was an Epic Stick! It was long, but not too long, just a perfect length actually. And since I am easily amused, I decided to use my easily-amused skills to amuse myself with ease. (Try saying that five times fast!)

Grasping it like a sword, I decided to play some imaginative games like I did when I was a child.

"Hey guys!" I walked over to them, giving them my biggest smile. "Wanna play make-believe?"

I was met with two incredulous looks which clearly asked 'Do we look like idiots?'

"Oh, come on!" I exclaimed, spreading my arms wide for dramatic emphasis. "We can travel to foreign lands, slay magical creatures, conquer great kingdoms!"

"No way, un."

Itachi didn't even answer; he just gave me a withering look and then continued walking.

Rolling my eyes at them, I decided to play on my own.

"Fine then! I'll do it all on my own!" I skipped happily on ahead, declaring that: "You guys don't know what you're missing!"

Unfortunately, I wasn't paying enough attention, and ended up walking into a tree. Either that, or I was attacked by it because I let my guard down. (Since I was playing make-believe, the latter applied.)

Jumping backwards, I waved my Stick-Sword around a little before holding it against the tree's throat.

"I will smite thee, evile beast!" I declared in my Elizabethan-style voice*.

The tree stayed silent, glaring at me defiantly.

"Thou is hereby charged with the crime of attacking me." I announced in a loud, clear tone. "How dost thou plead? Guilty, or not guilty?"

When I was again met with no response, I pulled my hand back, tapping the tree lightly with my Stick-Sword (since I am not a nature-hater like some people…). In my world though, I had just stabbed it mercilessly.

"HAHA! Who's laughing now, hm?" I began to use my evil-mastermind laugh, which I saved for special occasions like this. "HM?"

My fun was ruined when Mr. BGWITMM yet again grabbed my collar and began to drag me away, complaining that at this rate the exams would be over by the time we got there.

"But-but," My eyes started to well-up with fake tears. "The tree!"

As usual, I was met with no sympathy whatsoever.

And around ten minutes later, Itachi killed my stick when I tried to slay another attacking-tree. He broke it neatly in half before handing it back to me; meaning that it was too short to use for anything.

I gasped, falling to my knees.

"Sticky! NOOOOO!" I wailed, holding my beloved stick in my hands. "You killed Sticky! You monster!"

Needless to say, I was ignored again.

Damn ninja.

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The rest of the day was boring. Very boring. In fact, it was so completely and utterly devoid of anything remotely interesting, that when we finally stopped for the night, I felt like my brain might spontaneously combust at any moment.

I had only survived on my extensive imagination; going from magical realms; to austere, icy lands with only small groups of civilisation. All day, I battled traitorous knights and vicious polar bears; coming a little-too-close to death on more than one occasion.

My 'conscience', however, was rather sceptical of the whole thing.

What can I say? I'm a child at heart. Actually, I'm a child anyway!

I mentally stuck my tongue out.

I think that just proves my point about your maturity.

You always seem to forget that we're the same person. If you insult me, you insult yourself.

True.

My mental conversation was rudely interrupted by a rice-ball falling into my lap.

I wrinkled my nose up in distaste.

"Don't you guys eat anything else?" I complained, taking a small bite. "This food is so bland."Bland I say!

Itachi shot me yet another disapproving glance; which by my count was the 57th time today.

"I would suggest that you stop complaining if you wish to have any food this evening, as well as retain the ability to eat." He drawled, in his favourite tone of voice. That's right– monotone!

"Who said I was complaining?" I retorted, taking another bite and trying to ignore the threat behind his words. "Maybe bland is a good thing."

"Hn."

"Oh great, we're back to the monosyllabic grunt." I exclaimed sarcastically, throwing my arms into the air. "Well Deidara, it looks like you're going to be my source of conversation from now on."

"Who says I'll talk to you, un?"

"Because we've been through this before; I'll start another random conversation if you don't, end up talking to myself when you guys ignore me; and consequently become so bored that my brain explodes." I explained cheerfully. "And then you guys would have to clean it up. Trust me– exploded brains are very messy."

"Speaking from experience, hm?" The blonde asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes and taking out his own food.

"Of course." I replied innocently, munching on my oh-so-bland dinner. "Why wouldn't I be?"

He ignored me this time; instead choosing to concentrate on eating.

Letting out a small sigh, I turned my attention to the camp-fire in front of me; staring into the flames and contemplating my situation.

It didn't look great. I had been kidnapped by a criminal organisation for information, who then decided I would apparently be of some use to them; before I would have to participate in a life-or-death exam in the village I grew up in. The village I would have to leave afterwards; possibly forever.

I found myself gazing at the fire intently, as if it held the answer to all of my problems. It was almost hypnotic, the way the bright flames moved, swaying and flickering gently; as if they were performing an intricate dance to music only they could hear. It amazed me – almost pained me – to wonder how something so beautiful could be so dangerous.

Like they say: looks can be deceiving.

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I yawned and rubbed my nose, which still twinged slightly after this morning. I had finished eating a few minutes ago, but the rice had left an unpleasant aftertaste. Really, I have never tasted onigiri as bland as that stuff in my entire life.

Then, SUDDENLY, inspiration decided to hit me over the head with the base-ball bat of life (ouch), and I remembered the bag of deliciousness I had in my rucksack.

Grinning to myself at the realisation; I pulled it over and unzipped it, before delving inside and rummaging around for a few moments until I found a blue plastic bag, with the words 'Prince's Marshmallows' written on it in white lettering. Removing it carefully, and placing it in my lap; I zipped-up my rucksack once more and pushed it to the side.

Because if there is one thing that can get rid of a bitter after-taste, it's marshmallows. More specifically the traditional pink and white kind, in a small cylinder shape. Searching around a little until I found a stick once more; I broke the end off so it formed a mini-spear type of thing. I opened the bag and speared one of the marshmallows onto it; before cautiously holding it above the flame. I had never properly toasted marshmallows before, only trying it once or twice over a cooker, but I had heard many people telling camping stories and talking about it.

Deidara looked over to me curiously.

"What're you doing, yeah?"

"Toasting a marshmallow." I replied, not taking my eyes off of the stick, which I was slowly rotating in my hand. After a few seconds the marshmallow began to turn golden, and I removed it from the flames' grasp.

Blowing on it gently, I gingerly picked it off with my fingers and put it into my mouth; closing my eyes in ecstasy as I bit into the crispy outer coating; revealing the creamy goo inside.

HOLY FUDGE-Y POP-TARTS IN PENGUIN COUNTRY!

The taste was amazing!

Swallowing, I re-opened my eyes and stared at the stick in my hand.

"Gentlemen, I think I have just discovered a whole new world of flavour," I announced, inspecting the ingredients-list on the bag of marshmallows. That was a lot of sugar... Although that would explain why it tasted so good… "Try some!" I added, holding the bag out to them.

They eyed it cautiously, as if it might explode at any minute.

"Come on, they're just marshmallows, for Pete's sake!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes at their caution.

After a few seconds, Itachi leaned over and plucked one from the bag, and inspected it closely, before taking a small bite. He chewed slowly before swallowing and eating the rest.

"Well, it's not poisoned." He informed us dryly, rubbing his index finger and thumb together; presumably to rid them of any of the sugar dusted on the marshmallows that may have found its way onto his fingertips.

"See? I told you!" I beamed at him, holding the bag out to Deidara. "Come on, I wanna see what you guys are like when you're high on sugar!"

Deidara's eye twitched and his extended hand stayed suspended in mid-air for a few seconds.

"Joke." I said, rolling my eyes once more.

Rolling his eyes right back and sighing in a mock-girly tone; he grabbed a couple and grinned when I sent him a mock-glare.

And that was how Deidara also discovered that normal marshmallows are not poisonous, are not explosive and do actually taste quite nice.

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After their initial dramatics (slightly hypocritical coming from me); they eventually ended up eating most of the packet between them. Damn ninja…

The fire had started to hypnotise me again, and I had ended up daydreaming while I was toasting the last marshmallow in the bag.

"I think your marshmallow's done." Itachi informed me in a vaguely amused tone, causing me to snap back to reality.

"Hm?" I turned my attention back to the stick in my hand, which I had been slowly rotating absently. "Holy crap!"

I pulled the end of the stick away from the fire, and began to blow on it frantically in an attempt to put out the flaming marshmallow. Thankfully, it worked, and I was left to cram the sticky, gooey mess into my mouth before it slid off and fell onto the ground. Because that, my friend, would be a waste of a marshmallow.

But jeez, it was HOT!

I waved my hands around my mouth in a desperate attempt to cool my mouth down, and fell over backwards after a few seconds. I swallowed quickly, consequently burning my throat, but starting to laugh despite it. I tried to shove myself back up with my arms, but had them collapse underneath me as I flopped onto my back, still chuckling lightly and staring up at the night's sky.

I blame the sugar personally.

Still, it was a very nice night to fall onto my back. The stars were out; lighting up the sky like a thousand miniature suns, gathered around the huge silver sphere of a moon.

I lay there for a while, silently gazing up into the expanse of indigo and silver; letting my mind drift as free as a butterfly.

My eyes slowly slid shut, and I pulled my cloak a little closer around me, before rolling onto my side and drifting off to sleep.

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* Thank you to Suezanne for telling me it was called that! :)

And if there is actually a brand of marshmallows called Prince's; I do not own and am in no way associated with them. Though as far as I know there isn't…

Okay…so I'm taking a hiatus for a week or so. There are many reasons for this, including that I have a few other things I'd like to finish. I'm also really busy this weekend, and I'm going away for a few days next week; so the next chapter will probably be late too. Except it won't be classed as late, because I've told you all here :3

Still…have I mentioned that reviews motivate me to write? Seriously, I love feedback! So please, click the pretty review button, and boost my confidence! I need to know if I'm right in saying this chapter wasn't as funny or not…

Thanks! :)