Present Day
Deidara's patience wears thin. His new teammate, Tobi, has been a ceaseless annoyance since their partnering two weeks ago.
Today is no different.
"Senpai? Where are we going?"
Tobi's predecessor, Sasori, may have incessantly fired him up with his ludicrous expositions of what real art is, but Deidara had welcomed these intellectual arguments.
"That is the third time you asked me that," Deidara retorts, "We are finding more information on the three tails and that will be the last time I will tell you, hm."
"Oh that's right-"
But a shower of knives drown the rest of Tobi's words.
A two second glimpse of a sandy haired man and his vision is heavily obstructed by flying sand. As they approach, their form morphs into spinning shurikens.
Deidara counters. His exploding clay collides with the spinning weapons and engulfs them in a spectacular display of fire.
"Feel the power of my art, hm!" he shouts haughtily.
There is a rocking-like noise and a sudden sound that indicates a knife to flesh disturbance.
"Shit! Wind that cuts," he mutters.
There is now a large gash that drips red from his neck.
A second slice-like sound, and for a split second Deidara flinches in anticipation. When nothing happens, he peers at the attacker, who is lying comatose on the ground.
A woman is standing before her victim. She stares down at him for several seconds before turning her gaze to Deidara.
"Sand ninjas," he utters.
He looks to the woman, who does not appear affiliated with the sand ninjas.
"Who are you?" he asks rudely.
She smiles amiably.
"Rin," she says, and she takes a few confident strides forward.
"Don't come any closer!" he snaps aggressively.
She halts and raises her hands in resignation.
"Who are you?" he continues guardedly.
And where the hell is Tobi?
As if reading his mind, his partner suddenly calls to him.
"Senpai! Are you okay?"
There is a momentary silence, followed by an imprudent squeal that reverberates the still air.
"Senpai! Who is that? Is she an enemy?'
"Tobi! Have you been hiding the entire time?"
"I was scared!" he retorts defensively.
His gaze is transfixed on the newcomer.
When the woman pulls out a stack of first aid devices, Tobi breaks from his trance.
"Senpai! You're hurt!" he cries.
"I'm fine," Deidara lies.
He suppresses the dull ache that pulsates with escalating unease.
"I can fix that," Tobi says.
Deidara ignores him.
"Listen, I am not an enemy. I am here on order from your leader," Rin says.
She steps in with outstretched hands as a form of integrity.
Yet it is her blunt statement that trigger memories of a meeting three nights prior.
"Deidara. Tobi. Someone will be joining your team in the next few days. She is a medical ninja who appears to have information on Orochimaru. Her medical knowledge is impressive. Make good use of her whilst she is around. Kill her if she shows any signs of betrayal," the leader said.
"Wait a minute! How do you even know to trust her in the first place?" Deidara asked.
"You are in no position to question who I recruit into the Akatsuki," the leader replied coldly.
"Huh? She's part of us now?" Kisame asked interestedly.
"No, she's not. She will only be of use to ensure that we all survive our ordeals, particularly on your team, Deidara," the leader said sharply.
"Senpai, maybe you just need to amp up your survival rate," Tobi chuckled.
"Dammit Tobi, I'll kill you!"
"Tobi, stop making your senpai angry, it is important to work together and accomplish the task at hand," the leader said.
"Oh, sorry, sorry. Won't happen again."
"Anyway, this medical ninja somehow got her hands on Orochimaru's ring. Ask her for it to verify her legitimacy," the leader continued.
"This is troublesome enough why can't she be put onto another team, like with Hidan and Kakuzu or something, hm?"
"Oi, oi, don't chuck your girl problems onto us I've had enough of that," Hidan screeched.
"You never had to deal with any girl problems, Hidan, so you're not the one to talk," Kakuzu said.
"Oi Kakuzu! Whose side are you on?"
"Deidara, I assign the teams so do not question my authority," the leader said, "And you two", he turned towards Kakuzu and Hidan, "Work on your problems outside meetings next time."
"Hey, you're not the one who's stuck out in the cold rain right now. You're always calling us for meetings at the wrong time, when it's a fucking hailstorm out here and you're probably sitting on your ass in front of a cosy fireplace or something. Of course I'm going to get worked up," Hidan shouted.
"Calm down will you? You're making this meeting last longer than it already is," Kakuzu said stiffly.
"Shut the fuck up, Kakuzu, this doesn't concern you. And I'm supposed to be your partner! Give me a fucking break-"
"That's enough!" the leader interrupted pointedly, "Deidara, Tobi, keep a watchful eye on your new companion and remain on task. I still expect a tailed beast from the two of you. Meeting adjourned."
She must be that medical ninja.
"How can you prove-" he starts accusingly, but stops when she holds out the familiar looking ring.
"This?"
"How'd you get your hands on that?" he asks casually.
She encloses the ring in her palm, and within seconds, it is gone.
"That does not concern you," she answers nonchalantly, "Now, let me take a look at that wound. Ensuring your survival is my job."
An alliance huh?
Deidara is surprised at the remarkable precision of her healing. Their leader sure knew how to pick, though he is not sure where it went wrong with Tobi.