In the last two days, he has been researching. Energy and effort for the sake of revenge is undoubtedly substantial. But pride is what keeps him level-headed when achieving his goal.
News of Orochimaru's death is something he wishes to dismiss, but he cannot fend off that nagging feeling of being doubted, and second guessed.
He was prepared to return and remove Orochimaru from earth's existence. Perhaps that goal subconsciously fed into his desire for Rin's presence?
Regardless, that creepy bastard is dead. Itachi is dead. And he is angry. He wanted his revenge, but someone has taken it from his grasp and he will find Sasuke Uchiha and he will destroy every ounce of him.
"Deidara?"
The voice is mellow and familiar.
Rin is striding towards him.
She is looking bright, as healthy as he has ever seen her, but beneath that glow is a solemn look of despair hidden by traces of forced composure and content.
"Look what the cat dragged in," he smirks.
She resigns to that very forced smile she puts on when dread befalls.
"Nice to see you too," she answers frostily.
When she is sitting beside him, there is a benign look to her expression.
"What is it? Are we leaving?" he asks.
"Not yet," she hesitates briefly, "there is something I'd like to say."
"Another one of your women issues?"
She ignores the comment.
"Tobi," she continues, and his interest suddenly piques, "look out for him won't you?"
He does not register the uneasy look she gives him. His incredulous stare bypasses the answers he would have retrieved in relation to her solemn demeanour.
"What? You think I'm his mother or something?"
But Rin only smiles, as if she can read through such meaning and it has given her the answer she needs.
"Hey Deidara, your artwork," she points to the tiny sculptures on the grass beside him, "always a masterpiece I'm grateful for."
The comment is random, yet he feels an odd level of significance that binds to those words. When he looks to her in surprise, she takes his hand with a chillingly expressive look.
The emotions translate to the physical feelings of repose, like he is drifting in and out of a tranquilising state. But the memories of such experience is brief.
A soft musical sound, the neighing of a horse and his conscious opens to reality.
The oak tree he sits beneath is oddly surreal, as if something is happening but he cannot pinpoint it. Perhaps he dozed off? He is still figuring out why he is sitting here in the first place.
"I should find Tobi and await instructions," he mutters.
But damn, he has things to do. Vengeance does not last long in the shinobi world - not unless he fancies other ninjas taking a slice of his revenge.
He is lucky, Tobi as a partner gives him the freedom to lead.
And with just the two of them all these months since their partnering, he can easily attain his goals in addition to that of his Akatsuki duties.