Disclaimer: See 1st chapter
Warning: See 1st chapter
iFanboy - Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Spooky - Thanks for reviewing. And here finally after a good while is more.
Cool guy - Thanks for leaving a review.
Guest - Thanks for reviewing. I killed off Yamato because I didn't see a reasonable or plausible chance of him escaping. It's also unlikely that there wouldn't be deaths, and Yamato was a person I was actually using (having lines and parts) that it had more meaning, I felt should I kill him off. Also this is not a story about the good guys, so him miraculously escaping would have ruined the realism.
deathbreadstick - Well I don't recall if I ever sent a reply to you, I feel like I did. I do not have a beta. As much as I would have liked one, well I'm not surprised I didn't get any kind of reply until you. But, going off if you still wanted (as I gathered your asking meant that you wanted to beta) is overly moot at this point. Because there are not too many chapters left and I'm not sure you would want to bother and I feel it's not overly worth it now, since I have quite a few chapters unbeta anyways.
I thank all who have reviewed, favorite this story and my other stories.
Chapter 26 - A Shimmering Night
Deidara wore a permanent scowl as he meandered down aisle after aisle, not really seeing the numerous titles, but to some degree keeping an eye out for something interesting. He didn't know how long he had to be here... and since he was here he'd browse, and eventually make his way over to the art section, he was sure that there would be something worth reading.
There was hardly anyone inside the library; he'd only seen three people total, not counting the librarian. Considering the amount of people he'd seen outside he would have thought there would be more but it was a nice day outside – too nice to me cooped up in a dusty library, and there was the so called festival later, perhaps people were getting ready for that?
He shrugged, hardly curious and didn't pursue that line of thought any farther, instead he quickened his pace a little as he neared the art section. Entering his desired location, a thin almost invisible smile graced his face fleetingly before he surveyed the vast selection. In a way he was a bit surprised at how well stocked this village was, seeing as it wasn't a ninja village nor a big civilian village.
After a few silent moments of searching he found numerous books on sculpting, swiftly he pulled one out and flipped it open.
He'd gotten so absorbed in his reading that he didn't notice the time crawl by nor notice Tobi come up to his side.
Tobi peered at the book his blond was so absorbed in and couldn't help the light, genuine smile grace his hidden features, Deidara and his clay.
"And here you made such a fuss about going to the library."
Deidara jolted visibly at the slightly smug voice and turned with a withering glare, he blinked though as he caught sight of several garments – they looked like garments in Tobi's folded arms. A slow nervous feeling began to creep through him and with a frown asked, not really wanting to know, "clothes?" That was why Tobi didn't want him to tag a long?
Tobi grinned brightly behind his new mask, "not just any clothes, Senpai!" He unwound his arms and shifted one garment onto his left arm so that he could hold up the other one, "Isn't it pretty? It's for the festival!"
Deidara blinked almost stupidly as he eyed the piece, it was a long blue kimono with red ribbons around the waist and arms. It had a white inner set with an embroidered purple lily at the end.
"That's a girl's kimono," he uttered almost baffled.
Tobi shifted slightly, a clear sign he was a little nervous or at least a little uncomfortable, "sorry Senpai," His tone truly apologetic, he knew how much Deidara despised being viewed as a girl, "they didn't have any men's kimono in your size." It was a little sad seeing as he had gone to all the stores housing kimonos – which was only two, and couldn't find the right size and had been forced to shift through tones of female kimonos' till he found a decent one; one that didn't blatantly shout female kimono.
"You're way too small!" Tobi sang, trying to make light of the situation.
Deidara glared darkly at his masked partner, thoroughly annoyed and even a little pissed, Tobi knew he disliked being called a girl! He also knew that he wasn't a blasted female! So why the hell – couldn't find one in your size… some of the anger drained, at least Tobi hadn't automatically gone for a girl's kimono. Only to spike a moment later, he wasn't that small! But decided it was not worth arguing about and was hardly the biggest concern.
Deidara crossed his arms, "I'm not wearing that, un!"
"B-but Senpai!" Tobi exclaimed, having expected the artist to be like this, yet had partially hoped that Deidara would just wear it; it was after all only for the festival. "You can't go in that! Everyone's going to be dressed up, you'd stick out!"
Deidara huffed, not caring the slightest bit, "So? I refuse to wear a girl's kimono!"
"It's not that girly, I got the best one I could find!" Tobi countered, mindful of his tone, least the librarian came, though Deidara didn't seem to hold that concern.
Deidara blinked a little, feeling a little warm that Tobi had taken the time to find a decent one, but "It has a flower on it!" he gritted out, no guy's kimono had a flower!
"Well, yes," Tobi uttered slowly, "but there was a lot of worse ones and a flower isn't bad! It's pretty!"
Deidara grunted, really wanting to punch Tobi, he was a guy, guys didn't do pretty!
"Please, Dei-chan! It's only for the festival and you'd look really pretty in it." Tobi complimented, "If you wear your hair down, no one will think you're not a girl." Tobi raised a hand swiftly, to still the pissed shout 'about not being a girl and not wanting other's to think he was one', "It would be better to be in a girls kimono if other's thought you were a girl, right?"
He shifted a little closer to the silently fuming blond, "beside's I know you're not a girl and that's all that should matter."
Deidara glared angrily at the carpeted floor, his arms clenched tightly across his chest, his mind dwelling insistently on Tobi's words. He wasn't a girl and he knew that, and Tobi knew that, after all if Tobi cared about his gender he doubted they would be together.
Tobi was right, he shouldn't care what anyone else thought, it just stung his male pride to constantly be seen and believed as a freaking female but no one's opinion should matter but his own… an Tobi's.
Deidara sighed heavily, allowing the furious anger to drain out like trickling water and glanced at the slightly crumpled article in Tobi's grip, if it made Tobi happy…
Huffing, he uttered quietly, "fine."
Tobi's back straightened at the consent and he nearly exclaimed ecstatically but had the mind to keep in check least he draw in unwanted visitors such as the librarian, in fact he was slightly amazed no one had already approached telling them to be quiet or leave.
"Great!" he settled on a mild, yet ecstatic exclamation. He would have enveloped his blond in a tight embrace but since he was holding their kimonos, he refrained; he didn't want to wrinkle them up.
Deidara blinked as the kimono was practically thrusted into his face, tentatively he reached for the garment, despite agreeing to wear it didn't mean he was thrilled about it.
"We should get ready," Tobi stated once Deidara had the kimono, "the festival will be starting soon."
Deidara's eyebrow rose inquisitively, surely two hours hadn't passed already? But instead of saying anything he simply nodded.
Deidara glanced down at the kimono wondering where they were supposed to get ready.
"I booked a hotel room Senpai," Tobi informed, wisely answering the blonds silent question.
Surprise engulfed Deidara's face for a fleeting moment, before lightly shaking his head, his hair ruffling lightly with the movement and he brushed his bang out of his face. A hotel..., that made sense. It certainly didn't make sense to go back to the base, even though Tobi could teleport, with the festival starting soon, it was easier to get a hotel.
Tobi started down the aisle and Deidara followed with a quiet sigh.
"There!" Tobi chirped as he backed up a bit.
Deidara grunted a red sheen of embarrassment splashed across his cheeks. They had gotten to the hotel room Tobi had secured not too long ago and upon Tobi's insistence about getting ready; Deidara disappeared into the small, cramped bathroom and attempted to put on the kimono. Unfortunately he'd had difficulties – for the life of him he couldn't get part of the blasted thing on! And after glaring murderously at the article as if it had offended him – and to some extent it had seeing as it wouldn't corporate he'd been in the process of just throwing his arms up, snapping 'forget it!' when Tobi had knocked on the door asking what was taking him so long and he had retorted angrily 'he could take all the damned time he wanted!' he could care less about going to the festival when it started. Silence had followed his shout and he had figured that Tobi had decided to let him be only to have the door unlocked – how the hell the dumbass had done that he wasn't sure but it was a crappy door which meant a crappy lock. But why hadn't he just broken the door down? He didn't know nor did he really care what he cared about was that the dumbass had broken in! Tobi had taken one look at him and the bundled up garment and had asked with amusement and smugness ringing clear in his voice, 'need help Senpai?' He'd glared heatedly at the raven flat out refusing such a thing but Tobi had simply ignored thus and dragged him out of the bathroom and proceeded to help put the blasted kimono on.
Which is now where they were at, Tobi had just finished helping, now the blue kimono was on and Deidara crossed his arms feeling ridiculous. He'd never worn a kimono before and the fact that this one was a girl's kimono didn't help his view on the things. He didn't care for kimonos.
"You look pretty, Senpai." Tobi complimented, only to receive a withering glare, though really wanting to say stunning but held back, figuring the artist wouldn't take it as the compliment he was intending. He was quite aware that Deidara wouldn't see it in a good way because he looked like a girl.
"Can we just go?" Deidara ground out, his gaze focused on the ground. Tobi was already dressed; he'd done so while Deidara had been in the bathroom attempting to put on the kimono.
"Ah," Tobi hummed having been in the process of nodding but stilled, and invaded the blonds' personal space, "wait," the raven said causing Deidara to frown farther and look up. Tobi was mostly behind him and even if he turned his head Deidara wouldn't be able to look at him so he couldn't see what Tobi was doing.
His hair shifted and then seemed to grow but simply fanned out around him, like a gust of air had swept through; Deidara immediately knew what Tobi had done.
"There!" Tobi exclaimed, holding a small red ribbon, which had previously been in Deidara's hair supporting his small ponytail on top of his head.
Great, Deidara groused inwardly, now I look even more like a girl. Irritatingly he brushed a hand through the mass of hair pushing it to the side out of his face; his headband had been removed in the bathroom so now he had nothing supporting his hair. And now that the ponytail was gone, he was finding that his hair wanted to cascade over the one side of his face but he easily fixed that. Unfortunately it left his face more visible then he was accustomed to. But it was only for the festival, he reminded himself for perhaps the twentieth time since trying to put the blasted kimono on.
"Now we can go," Tobi sang, clearly in a good mood.
At least someone was happy..., Deidara thought blandly, watching as Tobi made for the door. Tobi was dressed in a plain black kimono with a white inner set, whichaccentuated his new blue mask, his orange one would have clashed.
As they reached the outside side by side, Deidara noticed that night had descended and lights of multiple colors lit up the area that surrounded the stands of the festival. It almost looked magical. There were as expected a bunch of people strolling about, crowding around booths and standing in groups. A slice of nerves sliced through him as they approached the mass of people and found himself gripping, "I can't believe I let you talk me into this hmm!"
Tobi chuckled deeply and aware of the blonds' unease wrapped his arm around the artist's shoulders, pulling him as close as possible that still enabled them to both walk comfortably, "Just think of the fireworks, Deidara."
Deidara felt his back straighten at the use of his real and full name, even when talking in his deep, velvety voice Tobi didn't often call him Deidara. Usually he did so when he was being serious and wanted his point to fully come across or when he wanted to garner his attention when he was giving the raven a hard time.
As if I'd forgotten, Deidara inwardly groused. Instead of remarking he kept silent, the arm around his shoulders bringing back his concern and curiosity. While the arm around him wasn't the one Tobi had lost, a part of him wanted to reach over and feel Tobi's other arm. He wanted to make sure it was really fine and how he'd gotten another arm, he doubted it was the one he'd lost but perhaps it was... frankly it was just bugging him to no end that he didn't know and was amazed at his patience and will to hold off on hounding the raven.
He shook his head lightly, now was not the time to bring it up.
As they reached the throng of people, Tobi craned about for a few moments till he spotted something of interest and weaved their way through the mass of people.
Deidara couldn't keep the blatant scowl off his face as they waded through, it was so packed that people kept bumping into him and he really felt tempted to just pull out some clay and bomb them all into oblivion. But he refrained as he knew Tobi would not be thrilled if he did such a thing – granted he doubted he'd make it that far before the raven stopped him.
Finally they broke through the mass of people into a less crowded area and he could breathe properly again.
Tobi led him over to a stand and he couldn't help but sigh, the stand was making Dango, over their time as partners, every time they found a Dango stand Tobi insisted they get some. He was beginning to think that Dango was Tobi's favorite food – but knew it wasn't. Deidara made a face, what was Tobi's favorite food?
Deidara blinked out of his musing as a Dango stick was held in front of his face, and couldn't contain his light surprise, Tobi had clearly ordered while he'd been elsewhere. Taking the offered food, Deidara went about enjoying his treat as they walked, looking at all the different stands. Some held food, others games of some sort, nothing elaborate.
Deidara wondered why this village was holding a festival; usually it was in celebration of something or in memory of something. Obviously it had to be something unique to this village as he couldn't think of anything important that warranted a festival.
Tobi's squealing voice broke his musing, "want to play a game, Senpai?"
Deidara scoffed, "why the hell would I want to hm?" Games were for little kids.
Tobi shrugged and then gestured with his free arm, his Dango nowhere to be found, "there's a game right over there," it was just across from them; "you try and catch fish!"
Deidara blinked agitatedly, "A fish!" Deidara felt like punching the raven, he didn't want no freaking fish!
However Tobi took the blonds words as enthusiasm and propelled the artist towards the stand, ignoring the snapping protests.
Tobi unwound his arm from his blond's shoulders and knelt before the little pound, peering at all the swimming little fishes.
Deidara stood a little behind Tobi with his arms crossed a deep scowl in place, thoroughly annoyed. Why the hell did Tobi want to catch fish?
A women, dressed in a vibrant pink kimono shifted their way after dealing with a small child who had a bright smile in place as he carried his new fish in a small bag of water.
"Would you like to try?" While it wasn't custom for adults to play this game, there was no law against it.
Tobi glanced towards the female, unknowingly unnerving the brown haired girl with the blue mask, "Tobi would!"
Deidara sighed exasperatedly, muttering, "You can't be serious!"
Tobi completely ignored the artist's words, raising one arm from where it had been resting on his knees, "Dei-chan wants' to try to!"
"What!" Deidara shouted, visibly twitching as numerous people turned to stare at him.
Tobi took the offered little paddles and using one went about trying to get a fish on the small round white surface.
Deidara felt his mouth drop a little as Tobi gracefully got a fish onto the paddle and swept it into a bag of water in one fell swoop.
Tobi bounded up right, twirling around to face the younger male as he gestured to his newly caught fish, "look Senpai! Tobi caught one!"
Deidara just blinked, and couldn't help but wonder if Tobi was on something.
"Here," Tobi shouted, unintentionally too loud garnering sour looks from the nearby people, "your turn!"
Deidara stared blankly at the little paddle in Tobi's black glove for a few silent moments before leveling a heated glare at the raven, "no!" He refused to play such a game!
"Aw," Tobi cried, "But it's a festival, you got to at least play one game!"
Deidara's arms clenched tighter across his chest, the fucking bastard didn't say anything of the sort earlier!
"Forget it!"
Tobi sighed heavily, surveying the blonds rigid posture and knew he wasn't about to coax the artist into playing the game, "you're no fun Senpai."
Tobi handed back the second paddle to the silent female who had simply been watching the scene; she gave a quick yet bright smile and thanked him for playing.
As they continued to walk, Tobi gave his bag of fish to a small child and Deidara was grateful he didn't have to deal with no fish.
After walking in silence for a while, side by side Tobi shifted closer, and wound his arm back around the blonds' shoulders, "you should learn to loosen up, Dei."
Deidara twitched, but didn't comment.
Tobi sighed, but added, "War is about to start and there won't be much time to do something like this for a while."
Deidara felt his eyebrow rise that was why Tobi wanted to attend this festival? He grunted, acknowledging the raven's words but didn't otherwise remark.
"It won't kill you." Tobi stated his tone just a tad annoyed. He'd been through war, he knew what it was like, taking the time to enjoy oneself when you can was important. Yet he couldn't seem to impress that upon the blond.
Deidara scoffed inaudibly, festivals were not his idea of 'fun.'
Tobi swallowed the rest of his words, he didn't get why Deidara had such a hard time loosening up at least not when concerning his art.
"Want some cotton candy?" Tobi asked a few minutes later as he caught sight of the substance.
Deidara blinked as if the word was foreign and looked in the direction Tobi was, pink and blue fluffy stuff invaded his eye and with light curiosity watched as the man in the stand stuck a thick white stick into the twirling mass and pulled it out with the blue mass on top.
Tobi glanced at the silent blond and seeing the slight curiosity pulled the younger male over to the stand.
Deidara stared down at the blue mass in his hand, trying to figure out how he was supposed to eat this. Tobi chuckled lightly, "like this," he said as if reading Deidara's mind. He reached over, gloveless and pulled off some of the sticky substance. Blue eyes watched the small clump disappear under the blue mask before turning to the fluffy concoction. Following Tobi's example, he tore some off, finding it sticky and shoved it into his mouth. With a creased brow, he couldn't quite put into words what he felt. But he did know it wasn't bad, so he took another bite. A few bites later, he deemed Dango better, not to mention his favorite food, bakuden.
They strolled around for a while, just surveying the food and games. Tobi didn't play anything else nor did he try and get Deidara to.
Once the blue mass of cotton candy was gone, Deidara had his mouthed hands lick his hands in an attempt to rid of the sticky feeling left behind.
"The fireworks should be starting soon," Tobi stated, breaking the small silence that had fallen after buying the cotton candy. "Go find somewhere to sit; I'll be back in a moment."
Deidara only managed to open his mouth in a protest but that was as far as he got, for as soon as Tobi finished speaking he'd already darted into the crowd and disappeared from sight.
Deidara closed his eyes as he slumped forward a bit, irritation and anger swimming through him, and he fought internally to calm down, after all this was a common occurrence and knew that Tobi wouldn't just leave him here. Heaving heavily, he relaxed and trudged off with visible agitation.
He made sure to get as far away from the crowds as possible, settling underneath a thick leafy tree on a steep hill in the wide area of the park, at least he believed it was a park. He wasn't sure, but he really didn't care.
He settled his back against the hard tree bark with his arms crossed and glared down with a scowl at the healthy grass in front of him. His ears perked as slow, even steps sounded, coming ever nearer and felt almost like thanking whatever existed out there that Tobi had only been a moment – more like a few minutes but still. He hadn't had to wait long and that was the important thing, after all Tobi was the one who wanted to come to the festival in the first place, he would have been contemplating murder if Tobi ditched him – not that the raven would and besides the fireworks were the only reason he was here and he certainly didn't mind waiting for them, really he was more ticked at being ordered and expected to do it.
The soft sounds stopped and silence stretched for a millisecond, just long enough for Deidara to contemplate perhaps it wasn't Tobi and glanced up, a frown still on his face but his gaze rested on a brown paper bag, a wonderfully, delicious smell wafting over his senses. After staring for a few seconds his eyes darted up farther to land on the brand new mask but just as he went to open his mouth to voice his puzzled curiosity Tobi shifted and was instantly sitting besides him, their knees brushing.
Tobi settled the relatively large paper bag down before him and dipped a gloved hand inside, quickly pulling out – Deidara's eyes went wide, that explained why the smell was so wonderful and smelled familiar.
"Here, Senpai!" Tobi chirped his tone just a tad smug. "I know it's your favorite!"
For in Tobi's hand was Bakudan, which was boiled eggs in surimi, Deidara's favorite food in the entire world!
Deidara took the offered food slowly, almost tentatively, as if he was imagining this, how did Tobi know what my favorite food is? Deidara vaguely thought, he'd certainly never told the raven, at least not from what he could recall, he couldn't even remember having Bakudan around Tobi.
A strange, warm fuzzy feeling enveloped him that despite never making mention of such a trivial thing, Tobi knew. It made him feel ashamed that he didn't know what Tobi's favorite food was.
"I took note that they had it when we got here, figured it'd be best to have it with the fireworks!" Tobi cheerily informed. He'd forgone the dish – as he wasn't tremendously thrilled with the stuff but had stopped and picked up some Dango. He smiled softly at the blonds' expression – he looked quite surprised yet quite happy, before pulling out one of his Dango sticks.
Deidara stared down at the food in his hands; he'd not had Bakudan in years. It wasn't often made outside of rock.
"How did you-?" Deidara blurted out with confused shock.
"Hm?" Tobi hummed with acknowledgment, suspecting it was about how he'd known that Bakudan was Deidara's favorite food before swallowing the colored ball in his mouth, "Sasori was griping about it once."
Deidara's face was hit with surprised shock and he turned with inquisitiveness, trying to think back – he knew he'd told Sasori of his favorite food, it had been in the early days when he was trying to get to know the puppet master, but he didn't see why Sasori would say anything about it.
Tobi stuffed another small colored ball in his mouth, not taking note of the blonds silent urging due to the position of his mask; he'd shifted it up just enough to uncover his mouth so that he wouldn't have to keep lifting it to eat.
Annoyed Deidara prodded the older nin's arm, asking with a slight growl, "why would he gripe about it, un?"
Lowering his arm, Tobi dropped the empty stick and dipped his hand in the small bag for another one, "He was complaining about how annoying you are; you apparently wouldn't stop pestering him when he refused to stop in rock to get some."
An 'oh,' look plastered onto Deidara's face, the memory of that time coming to him – they had been on a stealth mission and had neared rock on their way back and had asked to get some Bakuden only to be met with instant refusal and no matter how many times he'd asked Sasori had ignored him, he'd almost resorted to begging but he'd never resort to such a thing even though it would have been for his favorite food. While he could have gone in alone – it would have been suicide as it hadn't been long since he'd left and he doubted he'd get in and out without trouble, Sasori hadn't allowed him to. He wanted to get back as quickly as possible –the red heads reputation had already been tarnishing and hadn't wanted it to proceed any farther.
He could recall Sasori saying he could go if he was in such a hurry to die had even said he wouldn't stop him, though they both knew that Pein would be furious if Sasori had allowed him to go and died, which is why he hadn't even attempted to get in and could remember purposely pestering the other as much as possible about not getting to eat his favorite food, Bakuden as he knew that giving the red head the silent treatment would have only pleased the other. He hadn't known that Sasori had griped about it. That was unusual, unless he'd been asked how the mission had gone by another member then he could see why he'd mention it, or perhaps he'd been complaining to Pein.
Deidara shifted his gaze back to the slowly cooling food, slumping a little, his eyes drifting shut, that incident with Sasori had been years ago and yet Tobi remembered. A soft, small yet genuine smile settled on his face, and Deidara was immensely glad that Tobi couldn't currently see, as he was sure that Tobi would give him a hard time about it.
He felt like acknowledging the fact that Tobi had remembered all these years and yet… Why had he? Surely Tobi hadn't been interested then? He'd even said that at first he'd not felt much towards him so then why remember?
He thought about asking but really, what did it matter? So he chalked it up to Tobi having a good memory. His eyes opened to stare at the food, wanting to show his appreciation in some way but hoped that Tobi could simply tell that the gesture was truly appreciated.
The smell was to compelling and he could no longer ignore it, the years of lack put all his thoughts to the side and dung in with vigor.
"You picked a good spot," Tobi commented once Deidara had finished eating, the plastic bag rustling as Tobi shifted around in it and pulled out another Dango stick.
Deidara gaped, that was what, his fourth?
"You're goanna get fat, un." Deidara unintentionally voiced aloud.
Tobi lowered the stick from his mouth, he'd been about to pull the first colored ball off when the blond uttered those unappealing words, "I won't get fat," Tobi huffed out assuredly.
"Oh?" Deidara hummed in question, how could Tobi guarantee he wouldn't?
Tobi twitched ever so slightly, and if Deidara hadn't been staring fixatedly at the older nin he would have missed it, "I've had plenty over the time we've been partners and before that, and I have never gotten fat."
Deidara blinked with a furrowed brow and realized that was true, and Tobi was old he'd no doubt had tons before they'd ever met or been born. Maybe Dango was Tobi's favorite food.
"So," Deidara started slowly, as if still trying to decide to ask, "is Dango your favorite?" He was far too curious not to ask, and Tobi did know his…
"Hmm," Tobi hummed, as if he hadn't heard the question, his head tilting towards the blond even though he couldn't see. "No, it's inarizushi."
Deidara made a face, really suichi? He never would have guessed, especially with the way Tobi ate Dango. "You eat Dango a lot," he remarked, settling his chin in his palm, with his elbow planted on his knee.
"Inarizushi isn't something you just get on the go." Tobi answered to the unasked question.
Deidara bobbed his head a little in agreement; he dropped his arm as he lifted up his head and tilted his gaze upwards towards the black sky, not a cloud visible. A few stars were out, shining brightly and Deidara began to feel antsy, when were they going to start?
Deidara's mouth parted in a silent exclamation as he was suddenly propelled backwards a little till he was in the crook of Tobi's side as the raven had wrapped an arm around his shoulders. He shifted a little, pressing some of his weight into Tobi so that he wasn't leaning against the hard, rough bark of the tree behind him.
Silent moments ticked by and far too antsy Deidara decided now was a good time, he reached a hand over and touched Tobi's arm, it rested besides him having finished the small amount of Dango. Tobi jerked a little, surprised and tilted his head down, his mask back in its proper place.
Deidara glided his hand up to Tobi's black clad shoulder where his arm had been severed, trying to feel, to make sure his arm was fine.
Tobi felt the firm touch and sighed heavily, he had told the blond that he would be fine. He didn't want Deidara to needlessly worry, and yet no matter what he said... even when he had his arm back and was clearly moving it fine, it didn't seem to be enough.
Tobi wrapped his arms around the thin frame and pulled the younger male into his lap, earning a startled noise from the sudden action.
Deidara twisted his back so that his upper body was facing Tobi and prodded the new arm.
"Its fine," Tobi stated deeply with certainty.
Deidara glanced up to the eye holes with a thin frown, "but how?" Tobi's arm sure felt fine, it moved fine and he couldn't help but marvel such a thing.
Tobi ghosted a gloved hand over a tan cheek, "I'm immortal," he stated.
Deidara's eyes narrowed and in one swift movement a light 'smack' sounded and Tobi refrained from squealing out like he usually would when the artist dealt him harm.
"It's just how my immortality works, it's not like Hidan's, I didn't reattach the arm I lost, I..." Tobi trailed off with a hidden frown.
Deidara rose a brow in silent urging, his breath held in anticipation at finally learning of Tobi's immortality even if it was only the small tip of the ice berg.
"I got another one." Tobi finished at length. He hadn't really wanted to delve into the workings of his immortality but he trusted Deidara... and yet he just didn't feel like it was the right time to reveal everything. Doubt still lingered, Deidara may be giving him a chance but it wasn't solid.
Deidara had never said the words back... and so long as Naruto was alive... doubt would simply remain.
Deidara's frown deepened and he peered a little closer to the blue mask, to some extent trying to see Tobi's eyes, "Y-you," he stuttered, "you attached someone else's arm, hm?"
Tobi blinked before a deep chuckle seeped out, his mind going over his use of words and understood how the artist could interpret that way, "no," he corrected.
Deidara tilted his head imploringly as Tobi fell silent.
Tobi took a few moments to decide if it was a good idea to unveil this small detail, he locked gazes with the blond who was staring intently, his mouth pressed thinly and he could see genuine curiosity and the need to know. With an inward sigh he uttered finally, "I grew a new one."
Deidara jolted, his mouth falling open and high "what!" burst out. His eyes darted from the blue mask to Tobi's new arm and gazed in wonder and bubbling curiosity. He desperately wanted to know the ins and outs of Tobi's immortality, it sounded solid, far more real than Hidan's. But before he could utter anything else a sudden popping noise sounded, his head jerked up and twisted around to gaze up at the night sky just in time to see a flash of green – the fireworks had started. Inwardly he pouted and felt rather agitated, knowing that now that the fireworks had started he'd lost any chance of hearing any more... for now at least.
Sighing he shifted around and settled his back against Tobi's firm, defined chest, feeling Tobi's arms wrap around his waist pretty tightly. As soon as he was comfortable he adverted all of his attention onto the different colors of fireworks gracing the dark sky.
A small, genuine smile full of elation settled on his face and he pressed his head back a bit into the taller male behind him.
Tobi drifted his gaze away from the colorful display and angled his head till he had a nice view of the artist's face. Deidara's blue eyes were riveted intently at the sky; his mouth parted a little, his face glowing with high excitement, almost echoing the look he would get when he set of one of his own bombs. The different colors from the fireworks lit up the blonds face, and he couldn't help but marvel Deidara's beauty. Tobi tightened his hold a little more, feeling the blond jerk a little but otherwise remained focused on the display.
A small smile settled on his hidden face, feeling pleased that Deidara was happy and that it was by something he'd done. He knew that Deidara would be thrilled to see fireworks. He was glad he'd decided to put off leaving, as he had originally intended to leave shortly after giving Deidara his new cloak and seeing how happy Deidara was made the loss of time worth it.
He tore his gaze away from his blond reluctantly and settled back to watch the rest of the show, resting his chin atop blond hair.
~ End
The reason for this long delay is that I had a part that I planned on putting in, I felt it would help the story and that it should have been talked about. I had a bit of trouble deciding on where to put it and then picked the best part I could (since I wasn't going to go back and put it into a posted chapter). However when I sat down to type I always decided to progress the story rather then go an add this part, because if I added the part I would end it there and not progress the story in that sitting and I wasn't sure when I would next get to working on writing. So I kept putting it off. However I am in no mood to write this part now, and I had hoped that these past few months I'd get up the drive but I haven't so I am going to post without it.
It's not truly imperative to have this, as while it may not be written, the event still accord. So in other words this event takes place off screen. When we get to a certain event in a coming chapter I will reveal what this event that I am not writing about is. I do not want to say now as well, I don't want it to give anything away in any way.
The fishing scene, after I wrote what is here, I thought of actually getting Dei to try and catch a fish but not being able to do it due to his anger and impatience and Tobi helping him. Unfortunately as much as I liked this idea, I didn't feel like changing what I originally went with.
Posted 8/9/2015