On The Road With Time

by affiliation

Seventeen years ago, a forbidden memory repressing jutsu was used to resurrect Rin in a deadly binding contract. At present day, under orders from her master and in exchange for her memories, she allies with the criminal organisation, Akatsuki to secretly spy on them for intel. But her duties come to a standstill when she falls for an enigmatic member of her team.

12. Disregard

They suspend their journey at the next town's busy restaurant. Rin, meanwhile, has surreptitiously disappeared to replenish her medical supplies.

"What would you like?"

The voice breaks his muse.

"Huh? Oh right," he shakes his thoughts and gives his order.

Only seconds later and realisation hits that the waitress is sitting opposite him and uncomfortably close to Tobi.

"And what about you?" she looks to Tobi, who is slowly shifting away from her several inches at a time.

"Um…"

Perhaps Deidara is being thoughtless, cruel even, but he decides to sit and watch the event unfold.

"Sorry, I didn't get your order," she laughs.

Why is the sight pissing him off?

"Um just tea will do," Tobi answers uneasily.

"Are you sure? You're not hungry?"

She dismisses Tobi's apprehensiveness and leans forward to whisper in his ear.

Without warning, Deidara slams his fist against the wooden table.

"Shouldn't you be sending in my order?" he says angrily.

And she laughs in defence, that same fucking irritating laugh.

"Of course," she answers sweetly.

The waitress takes her time, an obvious disregard to the explosive aura that lingers on Deidara's end.

"Thanks," Tobi mumbles.

"I was hungry and she wouldn't let it go, hm!"

Either he is too conspicuous or Tobi has the uncanny ability to read people, but he seems to be surveying Deidara with meticulous intensity.

"Do you get this often?" Deidara asks.

"Eh, I don't like it," he replies dismissively.

"Well she is annoying, flirting with you."

"You don't like her flirting with me?"

At the question, the blood shade transpires.

"That's not what I said," he answers furiously.

x

The arrival of the bill signifies a new interesting experience for Tobi, and perhaps a prologue to a whole host of alien-like emotions for Deidara.

As he stretches a hand to collect the paper, the waitress ignores him and passes it to Tobi.

"Here you are sweetheart."

Sweetheart?

He turns to Tobi, who is busy scrunching up the bill with too much aggression before throwing it onto the table.

Deidara makes a grab for it, but inexplicably, Tobi decides to do the exact same.

Hesitation.

Then, with lightning speed, Deidara retracts his hand.

"Senpai, I'll take that," Tobi says quickly.

Wonder what's written on that bill.