So it has been a very long time since I last updated this, but I am back with some ItaDei feels and will be updating some stories! This one really is almost finished. After this chapter I think there will only be 2 chapters max, so I will try to finish this soon. Really this time... Sorry for the wait and I hope it was worth it!

...

"And why should I change my mind?" Deidara asked, slowly taking back his seat on the chair. His emotions had gotten the best of him for a moment, anger surfacing. The man in front of him was the very cause of everything that had happened to him recently. This man had made Deidara's life tumble down and fall to ruins. There was nothing left of his, in all honesty, petty life. And for what? That was the one thing Deidara still didn't know. Why had the first Fallen Angel decided he wanted Deidara here as well, part of a community Deidara hadn't known existed? So he swallowed his pride for a second and responded reserved, deciding it would be better to hear the Devil out.

Red eyes flickered through the mask again, regarding Deidara carefully. "I'm glad you ask, Deidara," he replied, nodding his head as he readied himself to finally explain his motives. "I shall first continue where I left off before. As I explained my way of running things is playing a direct part in the lives of humans. Since we live on earth, we understand humans better, and get in touch far easier. We can play our magic and make this place better. And we have been making a lot of progress already." He sounded confident, proud of the idea he had created here, and it got to Deidara. Seeing this man, sitting here across from him, someone who had been through the same thing as Deidara had, and he actually made it worthwhile. "Here my selfish side comes in play," he continued. "As you perhaps already understand I want you to help me out with my cause. Assist me and assist humans in their decision making. Your Angelic abilities will work far better than anyone else's strengths. This is why I wanted you down here and this is why I want you on my side."

Narrowing his eyes Deidara stared at the Devil for a while. This was why everything was stripped away from him? So Deidara could entertain another job where he needed to take care of humans, a species he loathed at this point. "What's in it for me?" he retorted.

"A few simple things. Life now is quite dull for you, but choose my side and your senses will sharpen. You will keep your Angelic strengths, but your senses will be brought down to a human's level. There will be more to enjoy in life," the Devil replied. "I of course offer you a place to stay down here, among others who understand who you are. Who you can identify with, and befriend if you wish. And lastly, in comparison to the Good Lord, I do not forbid love. Instead I encourage you finding someone you love, because it is an exhilarating feeling, and motivates you. It makes one happier."

The last reason sparked something inside of Deidara. Of course the man had to offer that, throw it in his face and act as if it was the greatest thing. Did this man not understand that Deidara was not out looking for love and did not need permission to love someone either. For a moment his mind flashed to Itachi, but Deidara quickly shook it off, not wanting to be reminded. "These are not things that would convince me of your cause. You know what I want." Deidara only wanted to fly.

A humourless chuckle left the Devil's lips at Deidara's reply. "Ah yes, you want your wings back. You want to be able to roam the sky again and fly as high as possible, so you can have that sweet taste of Heaven. So you can keep living in an illusion, a dream where you still belong above. Why would you still want to move up and live such a façade? What does Heaven still have to offer you?"

"Nothing," Deidara replied truthfully. There really wasn't anything left for Deidara there and he had no warm feelings towards his Lord anymore either. But still he wanted to fly up and feel Heaven. "It's not as if Heaven has anything to offer, but neither does this place. The only thing that makes me want to go back, is how beautiful it is there. The serenity of Heaven, I miss it here."

"This world can be as beautiful as Heaven, Deidara. As long as you allow your eyes to see." His tone had a tinge of sadness. Something Deidara couldn't quite place.

But the Devil's words did mean something to Deidara. Perhaps he hadn't opened his eyes to this world yet. Hadn't he come here a bitter man, not wanting to open up to anyone? He chose to be solitary and hid away in places he gave the word home, but never felt as such. Had he ever really explored earth? "I'd like to think of your offer a little longer. Are the benefits up for discussion?" A simple nod of the Devil was enough of an answer, giving Deidara permission to stand up. "You will hear from me later."

The track back out was quiet, the others disregarding him as they had done before. Here he was not special, but simply part of the group. Part of whatever this was. Did Deidara really want to belong here? In Heaven no one would look up either when he passed, but there he felt at ease. A spell created by the Lord to keep his Angels right there. On Earth the humans would look at him left and right, in awe by his beauty, a stroke to the ego he didn't need. Admitting he enjoyed the attention was a bit tough, but seeing how no one looked up anymore, didn't feel right. They didn't care if he joined or not. Didn't see him as a higher being.

But they were having fun. Many of them were gathered here, sharing light conversation. In Heaven they were not this close, every Angel focused on themselves and the human they were taking care of. Nothing was shared, and therefore Deidara had never been able to talk about Itachi. Talk about that one soul he kept on losing over and over. Maybe it would've been different here. Something else to think about.

Stepping out of the cave Deidara casted a glance up at the sky. Hours had passed, but it was hardly noticeable, dark clouds still looming over earth, ready to spill more if needed. Deidara looked passed that though. Passed the pressure of the sky. Passed the memories of previous flights.

"If You want to have a say in this. If You want to make sure I make the right decision, You'd come face me. You would give me your honest opinion, instead of hiding and trusting me to make a choice fitting your idea." Blinking his bright blue eyes up at the sky Deidara waited for an answer. A sign that the Lord would come down and talk to him. Share his thoughts and show Deidara what Heaven still had to offer. "If You still have something for me. If I can still be part of Heaven, I need to know."

Deidara expected a thunderclap or a downpour, but nothing happened. Not one sign that he had been heard. Deidara knew he had been though. Knew God's high was turned to him, focused on him, challenging him to make the right decision.

The difference was just that the Devil had spoken to him, had actually taken the time to have Deidara understand. See a different side to life. The Lord had never spoken to him directly. Only a handful of Angels were allowed to do so, and Deidara had never been one of them. And then he had been cast out without ever hearing from the Lord himself. Only painful hints made it clear what He thought of Deidara up in Heaven. Why would Deidara still affiliate himself with God? With Heaven? If He would not even offer Deidara anything in return.

Lowering his head Deidara finally averted his eyes from Heaven, from the dream he had harboured for so long. The Devil was right. The only reason why Deidara really wanted his wings back, was so he could still fly up and feel like he could still touch Heaven. But even with wings, Deidara would never have been allowed back. Deidara would never be an Angel again.

Wrapping an arm around his torso, Deidara reached for the scars on his back, sliding a finger over the jagged edge. The skin was still sensitive, but it didn't hurt as much as it had before. The healing process had started and soon they would only be mere scars. A reminder to Deidara of what he once was. A bitter memory. "You can learn a thing or two from the Devil. His followers at least seem happy."

Where to go from here, Deidara didn't know. He wouldn't return to his apartment, that life now part of the past. But he didn't have anywhere else to go. Deidara could pretend his friendship with Hidan was anything significant and knock on his door, but that idea didn't seem very appealing. The man was too absorbed with hitting on women and would use Deidara to get to more. Or he would need to talk about Itachi and explain what had happened, but Deidara didn't want to make up lies to ease the man's brain. It wasn't worth it, or it was too painful to even think of that. The only thing Deidara knew was that he wanted to be away from Hell, away from Heaven, and just be neutral for now.

Passing the sharp rocks and shimmying his way through, Deidara moved away from Hell. Streets were silent, wind too harsh for humans to be out and about. His long golden long fluttered up, fanning around him like a veil. A sensation Deidara had never really acknowledged, but he could feel the hairs tickling the skin on his neck, and the wind clinging to his body. Suddenly he wondered why he hadn't put on a coat, followed by why he even felt cold. Were these the sensations humans felt?

His feet dragged him further and further into town, through busy streets and deserted alleys. But where they were taking him this time, Deidara didn't know. Maybe he would keep on walking forever, ending up in a whole other country. What kind of sights would he come across then? And would he be able to escape from curious gazes there?

Tiled streets suddenly changed into dirt roads and grassy fields, trees springing up around him, casting shadows all around. Deidara hadn't known there was a small park in this city, had never even thought of visiting. The grass seemed worn out, used too much by dogs or playing children. And yet the green colours of it all made it a far better image than the dark and grey streets around. Once his feet hit a wooden bridge, Deidara's pace faltered. In the middle of it he stood still and gazed out over a small pond. A few ducks were sitting at the waterside, heads tugged under their wings. The sight was almost peaceful under the darkened sky.

Right as Deidara started to feel comfortable, the hairs on his neck suddenly stood upright. The sound of another pair of feet coming in contact with the wooden bridge rose up. Deidara didn't need to turn around to see who it was who had joined him in the park, who had found him here out of all places. The tingle on his skin was enough of a sign, as was his racing heart. How could a complicated day turn even more complicated like this? And why did this need to happen now? Deidara wasn't ready to face him just yet, but it seemed he had no choice, because the other was already standing beside him.

"You are not the person I'd like to see now, Itachi."

...

Let me know what you thought! I will also soon update The Elven Prince and What If!

Make sure to check out my facebook page, now also with cosplay pictures! With me as Deidara too! Find the link on my profile.

Love, Dana