Chapter 3, Shared Moment

"I think this is a good spot," Deidara remarked.

He haphazardly took off his Akatsuki cloak before throwing it onto the dirt floor. Promptly, he threw himself down with a harsh sit. The spot wasn't fancy. It was merely a bushed area, covered with branches and flora. Deidara sighed and said, "We'll rest here for tonight, hm."

"Oh, thank goodness!" Tobi replied. He crouched next to his partner and looked skyward. "It's really late- I thought we'd never stop!"

Tobi was right, by the time the two of them found a place to rest, it was the early morning. They were able to make up for some lost time. Deidara insisted they traveled a few more kilometers east. Their target destination was the Land of Fire. Rakki's Ramen costed them some sleep, but as long as they got to their destination on time, Deidara didn't seem to mind. He seemed a bit more relaxed since earlier, but Tobi could tell he was still a bit tense.

Tobi looked at his partner and frowned. "You asked me something earlier. You asked, what's gotten into me, but what's gotten into you?"

The question was sudden, and it threw Deidara off. He widened his eyes before he looked toward the floor. "What's that supposed to mean?" he retorted.

Tobi decided to get comfortable and he took a proper seat. He looked at Deidara before he said, "you've been… odd, this trip. Why?"

"Why?" Deidara parroted. "Because- we can't mess this up, that's why, hm."

"Mess it up?" Tobi asked. "How would we mess this up by going to get ramen?"

Deidara grunted in response. He quietly barked at his partner. "This isn't about the ramen, Tobi. Drop the ramen crap."

"Then what's it about-? Tell me!" Tobi pleaded, his tone almost playful.

"Dammit- it's about time. Don't remember a few months ago, Tobi? The bounty mission from a few months ago? The one before that?"

"I mean… yes." Tobi replied. He was about to open his mouth and say something smart, but Deidara cut him off.

"It's about that. It's about fucking up," Deidara retorted. He pointed a finger at Tobi and continued. "You. It's about you."

"Me?!" Tobi whined. He held up both hands in surrender as he spoke.

"Yes!" Deidara groaned. "Get it now? It's you. Deadlines don't mean anything, do they? Hm, if Sasori was here…"

Tobi was quick to cut Deidara off. "Well, this isn't about Sasori!"

"You're right- it's not," said Deidara. "But, Sasori wouldn't dawdle around and make an ass out of himself, would he? Hm."

Tobi let out a whiny sigh. He looked down at his hands and started to play with them. The tension between the two of them seemed irreparable, tonight. Tobi didn't have much to say in response. What was there to say?

It was Deidara who broke the silence to continue his scold. "I'm tired… alright? I'm tired of getting in trouble because you're incapable."

"Incapable?" Tobi replied. "That's a bit harsh!"

"Well, it's true! The Akatsuki is hurting for funds right now- we can't just leave it all to Kakuzu!" Deidara spat. He threw his arms in the air in bewilderment. "Are you hearing yourself, hm?"

Tobi let out a sigh before turning away from Deidara. It was almost as if he was hiding himself from him. "Whatever… fine," Tobi said in defeat.

Deidara gave the man a hard stare before he shook his head and scoffed. He turned his back to Tobi to take off the clay bags from his hip. Throwing the bags on the floor, he moved them in such a way to use them as a pillow. Deidara adjusted himself to lay down. Camping like this was always uncomfortable, Deidara hated it especially...

Countless minutes passed after the argument. Tobi was still sitting upright, and as far as he knew, Deidara was asleep. He passed the time by thinking. He thought about the past, present and future. As resentful as he was, he was also hopeful. Still, something was distracting him from his thoughts and sleep. It was Deidara. Tobi knew it was best to distance himself from most things. It was best to not be too hung up and clung. He needed to put his own motives first. Despite this, he was starting to see Deidara as some sort of comrade. Maybe, just maybe… they could be friends?

Tobi pondered the idea for a little while. On the rare occasion where they did get along, they seemed friendly. But was it friendly enough to form a friendship? It was an odd notion to Tobi. The man had trust issues, but he was sure Deidara wouldn't betray him. His company was nice! He even felt endeared by Deidara's habit of blowing up, emotionally speaking.

The masked man peered over at Deidara. All he could see was his back, but Tobi wanted to know if Deidara was sleeping alright. Leaning over slight, Tobi looked over Deidara's shoulder, but much to his surprise, the blonde interrupted him.

"Why are you awake, hm?"

Tobi was taken aback, and replied, "I couldn't sleep!"

Deidara stretched and rolled onto his back. He let out a halfhearted yawn and glanced over at his partner. He raised an eyebrow and simply asked, "why?"

Tobi blinked and hesitated to respond.

Deidara spoke for him, "you should really sleep, hm. We're already going to be sleep deprived as is."

"You're right, yeah. You're not asleep either, Partner," Tobi said. He crossed his arms and looked down at Deidara pompously.

Deidara brushed him off and shook his head. "I can't sleep either."

"Now, why's that?"

"Stress," was Deidara's answer. His tone was simple and casual.

"...Are you worried about getting in trouble?" Tobi asked.

Deidara shut his eyes and answered, "I'm stressed about a lot of things… but yeah, that's the primary, hm."

"You don't have any faith in me, do you?" Tobi whined. He gave Deidara a pouting look, even with the mask on.

"Damn right I don't, hm," Deidara said, being rather direct.

Tobi placed his palms onto the floor and sighed. He looked up and at the treeline, and he said begrudgingly, "listen, Deidara! I'm sorry- okay! I'll actually try on this mission, I promise you, I promise!"

"Enough with the whining- holy shit," Deidara said. He sat up and looked directly at Tobi. "I don't want to hear any more of that- okay? Just actually do your job and stop moaning! Hm."

Tobi quickly turned to him and protested, "no! Why are you being so rude?! Cut it out! It's driving me nuts!"

"You're driving me nuts!" Deidara barked. "Just- shut up and go to bed!"

"No! I'm not going to bed angry! You're not either!" Tobi pleaded. "Look, we'll do this mission just fine, we'll bring the bounty and it'll be all good! I promise that! Calm down!"

"Tch-..." Deidara was ready to continue arguing, but he stopped himself. This was a waste of time to begin with. He also took the time to notice Tobi's sincerity. He didn't want to admit it, but he has been a jerk.

Slowly, Deidara laid back down. He was silent for a moment but he murmured, "...sorry, Tobi."

The apology brought Tobi to a mild surprise. He looked over at Deidara wordlessly.

Deidara spoke again, "you have to promise me, okay? You have to promise not to mess this up. I don't know how many times Pein's gonna let us slip up."

"...Right," Tobi quietly replied.

"Thanks," Deidara said, before trying to get comfortable once again. He let out a groan, his distaste for the sleeping arrangement was made rather evident. The blonde whispered a crude, "hate this shit…"

This caused Tobi to let out a chuckle, and he replied, "wow! What a mood-whiplash! Deidara's mad at the dirt now, but at least he's not mad at me!"

Deidara hid his grin from Tobi. It was a grin of mild annoyance and endearment. "..Shut up and go to bed."

Tobi felt pleased with Deidara's attitude. Maybe Deidara took his words to heart, for once. "Okie-Dokie, Deidara…! I'll see ya tomorrow, mmk?"

"Yeah- see you. Goodnight, hm."

Tobi laid down on his back and placed his palms onto his stomach. He shut his eyes and mumbled, "nighty-night!"