When Rin rejoins the following morning, the very one-sided antagonistic friction between her and Deidara still saturates the air.
Neither have spoken a word to each other so Tobi is forced to act as mediator for the three tail's capture.
"Senpai, all you need to do is blow it up," Tobi suggests eagerly.
"Have you tried capturing a tailed beast before?" Rin asks Tobi.
"Of course! I was actually involved in delegating the other team members on how and where to capture the tailed beast and-OW."
Deidara thwacks Tobi across the head.
"Quit talking bullshit," he says curtly, "I'm going to go over the plan once, so listen carefully."
x
Silence and unspoken tension permeates the surrounding air.
Cascades Lake is palpable from the neighbouring dense forest that is demarcated by a shallow rocky ridge. Bordering a paved entry way are tall wired fencing that indicates their encroachment on private land.
The pervading silence amongst Deidara's teammates is unusual. Although it is a nice change, it strikes him as suspicious, as if something is clouding their minds and they are struggling to remain focus.
He glances at Rin, who is looking slightly troubled and plainly deep in thought about something. And Tobi, who is remarkably automatic in his strides, as if he too is lost in thought.
Wonder what he's thinking?
Last night? No, bad idea, do not think of last night, this is not a good time to be thinking of last night.
The thought gets him grinning haughtily when he glances at Tobi. But not before Rin catches the entire action.
When she gazes suspiciously in his direction, he sends her a supercilious smirk that gets her staring back in bewilderment.
Her watch turns to Tobi, who is busy looking straight ahead, then back at Deidara, who is basking in the pleasure of her confusion.
When she gives up on her suspicions, he decides to stoke the fire a little more.
"Tobi, if we successfully capture the three tails without too much fuss, I'll teach you the next part to sculpturing, hm," he says.
"Really?" Tobi answers surprisingly.
"Sure, why not? It'd be interesting to see your progress," he says.
He turns to Rin, who is throwing a reproachful scowl his way.
"That's very nice of you."
"Don't get your hopes up too much though," Deidara says, "Also, you don't always have to thank me for everything you know. I offer you to do things because I think you're capable of doing them well."
Tobi seems unaware of the explicit innuendo, or at least he is pretending to be. From what Deidara deduces, his partner is not as stupid as he appears.
"Senpai, you're too nice," Tobi answers delightfully.
On Rin's end, her disdainful glower bores into Deidara.
"I think you are too nice," he says slyly, and this time Tobi seemingly catches the insinuation behind his tone.
If this obscure revelation is not displayed across Rin's features, she must be incredibly adept at hiding it.
Tobi turns from Deidara in tense silence. The quietness is perhaps a clear indicator that he is acknowledging the events of last night.
In an attempt to break the awkward silence, he gives Tobi something to do.
"Go check out the front surroundings, I'll check from the skies and if everything is clear we can just fly over," he says.
"Roger that senpai," Tobi replies.
Without further ado, Deidara makes a jump for his bird sculpture, only to be intervened by Rin.
"Wait one moment," she says quickly, "What happened between you and Tobi?"
"What?"
As if this is the time to ask stupid questions.
"You heard me," she says coldly.
"So you suspect something?" he asks slowly.
"You haven't answered my question."
"Maybe you should ask Tobi. I'm sure he's happy to reiterate his amazing tactics to you," he says sarcastically.
"I…you…"
Her stare intensifies ten folds. She shakes her head, as if trying to repudiate what she has been suspecting all along.
"You asked I'm just being honest."
Deidara shrugs indifferently.
"I…"
Then instantly, her expression is blank, almost emotionless. The pursed smile she gives hide a string of austere resentment.
"Fine," she whispers.
She turns on her heels and stalks the other way.
"Oi! Where are you going?"
"Away from you," she answers shrilly.
Then she is gone.