Far Beyond The Truth

Chapter 15

Meiko's fingers shivered as she kept her eyes fixed on that specific page of the Bingo book. She blinked several times, looked closer, ran through the description god knows how many times, and she still could not believe.

It was a mistake.

It had to be a mistake.

There was no way this guy in front of her could be the S-class criminal of that notorious organization.

N-no way…he doesn't seem that kind of person…but…the mouths on his hands…the clay he has… She reminded herself, even though her brain refused to consider.

She hesitantly looked back up at the blonds practicing outside, at Deidara to be specific.

"Oh c'mon you fight like a girl, un!" Deidara smirked, easily dodging yet another punch.

"Oh? News flash babe; I am a girl!"

H-how could someone so fervent be…one of them?! I-impossible!

Meiko slammed the book shut and shoved it back under the pillow. But then the voice inside her head appeared yet another time.

Can't you see that he was obviously hiding the evidence?! He was the one who killed your brother!

No! It may not be true! Not him out of all people!

Open your eyes Meiko. It is.

Meiko grunted in pain as she placed both her hands on her head trying to calm down her contradicting thoughts. Why did it have to be him, the one who could be her brother's doppelganger? It did not make any sense, why was he there with that girl then? Did she not mention he got injured while saving her? He could not be evil. Evil guys do not help others.

But then again…she could be lying as well…

The young medic froze in her place, taking into account that other possibility. Could it be that Ino was also lying?

No. They did not seem that close either. Plus he himself had said he barely even knew her. Could it be he was tricking her as well?

"Otonashi-san?"

At the unexpected sound of her name, the young medic jumped in her place, immediately looking back at the owner of the voice. The one she saw first was Deidara. He was carelessly leaning against the other side of the wall with his elbow resting on the window frame. Her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the Akatsuki. She gulped and crawled back, eyes fixed on him, until the kunoichi spoke again.

"Otonashi-san are you okay? You look pale…"

Her eyes didn't budge off the S-class criminal as he too eyed her down suspicious of the sudden, odd behavior of the petite. Ino arched a blond eyebrow with her eyes going back and forth between her two companions. When she opened her mouth to say something, the young medic finally spoke.

"A-all good. Just have so much in mind."

Saying that, Meiko blinked several times then got up, avoiding any eye contact with both. When she had finally left the room, the blonds standing outside, once watching the girl leave, looked at each other then shrugged. Ino was the first to walk away from the room, while Deidara remained for few seconds contemplating the room door left open. He took a couple of steps backwards, then allowed himself to look away.

"There! It's all fixed and clean. We didn't need the waterworks." The little boy exclaimed, finishing up bandaging his friend's scratched knee.

Said girl held the lollipop away in favor of getting a better view of her injury. She turned her leg both ways to check it out, a little smile lifted her lips when she saw it was decently taken care of.

"Tsk tsk, that's the least you can do baka! This was your entire fault." She retorted, sticking the candy stick back in her mouth.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and stood up, giving his body a quick stretch.

"It wouldn't have happened if you weren't such a crybaby." The boy replied, carelessly disappearing inside the room next to theirs. At the mockery –insult- the girl just received, she furrowed her eyebrows and looked away, the sound of her huff rebounding between the four walls of her companion's bedroom. It wasn't until she heard the faint footsteps of his that she spoke again.

"Pffft. It's not proper to leave a lady alone in the fog like that."

"Lady eh?" The girl looked back at him, right after the boy had crouched down facing her. "..show me your butt, lady."

Ino fell backwards at the task her friend had just demanded. Her blush grew bigger when she met the eyes of the impassive boy sitting in front of her.

"E-ehh..?! What kind of ridiculous questions is that?" She snapped, trying to replace her shyness with anger.

She mentally face-palmed when the Nara held the blow-dryer up enough to meet her gaze.

Ino gasped for air as soon as she opened her eyes and began panting realizing she had suddenly again fallen asleep. She wiped the sweat that made its way down her temple, then, noticing it was sundown and she was still sitting in the backyard, laid back again on the grass, a bit surprised at the inaudible thump the back of her head had made after meeting the surface of an object.

Huh…

She lifted herself up on her elbows just enough to take a look at the bag that was once her pillow. The softness of the pouch was unusual so the kunoichi immediately concluded it was not a weapon pouch. Flashbacks of the earlier battle replayed in her mind, so at knowing to whom this clay-containing pouch belonged to she looked back up again looking for a certain blond. It did not take long for her eyes to spot the Akatsuki member. He was sitting a couple of meters away at the base of a tree, watching the fiery colors of the sunset with a straight solemn face. The Yamanaka opened her mouth to speak up but he beat her in starting the conversation.

"As much as I'd love to take the credit of kicking your ass unconscious you fell asleep on your own, un. You couldn't take the fatigue." He yelled from where he was, the sides of his mouth twitching in what Ino thought was a smirk.

The leaf ninja's face dropped, disappointed at how weak she must have been even without her memory loss. Perhaps she was not a fine kunoichi to begin with. "However," the boy continued, and it wasn't until he finished his words that the girl's visage lit up again. "..it did not go to waste. You had remarkably improved, un." Deidara did not take his eyes off the natural scene he was contemplating and did not bother to spare the blonde a glance.

The fact that these words had left that arrogant artist's mouth –words that are not offensive, insulting or by any way mocking to the girl, she found them even complimenting to some extent- had caused the girl to pause in her thoughts and look at him, unable to hide the signs of disbelief plastered on her face. It did not matter; it was not like the Akatsuki member was seeing her anyways, and frantically she did not expect any more. His eyelids were half-closed, probably because he was not paying the thing any heed. It was only after he was painfully pushed back to the tree that he acknowledged the girl who had yet again carelessly threw her arms around him in a hug.

"Kami that was the nicest thing you have ever told me! Thank you so much Deidara! Regardless of what anyone including me would say, you're an awesome friend! I couldn't have done it without you!" She exclaimed, tightening her grip around him.

For the second time that day, Deidara was particularly shocked. Was training the kunoichi that big of a deal that she was thanking him so much or was she being too much grateful? Personally he did not think of it as something worth mentioning since all he did was showing her few moves and tactics. It was always flat and monotonous when Sasori showed him some moves, or commented on a way to make them more efficient. He had never felt the need to show any gratitude since it was necessary in order to carry out the mission. If he wanted to escort her back to her village smoothly, it was also necessary to make sure she knows basic fighting methods. Why did it seem kind of different with her?

Deidara's eyes slowly closed, not taking the trouble of even pushing her away. Mentioning that previous comment was the last of his potency. However he was never the kind of person that would give in no matter how weak he felt. Maybe that hug was not that uncomfortable…

Not witnessing any rejection from the blond artist, Ino pulled back to make sure he was okay only to end up giggling and feeling silly. He always pushed himself too much. It was about time he settled down and rested.

"Yoshi, let's take you back inside." She whispered, taking hold of his bandaged waist and carefully lifting him up on her shoulder. Seconds of balancing later, she turned around becoming face to face with the panorama Deidara was observing earlier.

Woah such an amazing view!

Had she not paused to contemplate that wonderful scene it wouldn't have come to her mind how close their bodies were, how soft his skin was brushing her own, and how pleasantly warm it felt to have him against her. It was only after the first thought that she felt the blush spreading on her face, followed by the excessive beating of her heart.

Oh my god, it looks just like in the movies! She internally squeaked, running around in her head like a fangirl. It did not take long for her to get smacked by her own inner.

Don't be fooled and fall for the jerk! He's so not like the ones on TV!

Realizing that her alter ego was right and that was indeed a stupid thing to think about, the kunoichi sighed through her nose and proceeded to drag her companion back indoors.

Friend…un…?

Deidara sluggishly rubbed his eyes open, waking up at the sound of glass meeting the surface of the nightstand beside him. He squinted his eyes to get a better look, realizing that it was actually a vase. He blinked a couple of times once again adjusting to the light, only to be slightly alarmed when he saw Konoha's kunoichi crouching down and waving at him.

"Ohayō, Deidara." She greeted with an authentic smile.

She did not know whether because it was morning he seemed confusingly lost or because a certain something was occupying his mind, nevertheless, she still found it cute how he furrowed his brows in perplexity as soon as he saw her.

"Ohay—"

He didn't even continue his first word for he suddenly clenched his fists and closed his eyes shut, grunting all the way in pain.

"You overdid it in yesterday's training. I can't really add anything since it was partially my fault too, but don't worry, I already told Otonashi-san to get you some analgesics."

All what the boy could give as a response to the guilty blonde was another pained grunt, while the girl only scratched the back of her neck sheepishly knowing he wasn't looking.

Shrugging letting the subject go, Ino turned back to her vase, examining her earlier arrangement then disputed it, grabbing the flower to put it on top of the one next to it.

"It looked nice the way it was, un."

The artist's words surprised the leaf ninja so the flower she held fell back in its original place.

She looked back to the blond who had his arms crossed behind his head contemplating her flower arrangement.

"I've always loved Ikebana. For what I was able to remember, I even have a flower shop back home." She muttered, a soft smile forming on her face.

Deidara twitched after hearing the word 'remember'. He never let his slight unease show on his features so he just listened calmly.

"What I'm making at the moment is a 'get better soon' bouquet!" A quiet giggle escaped her lips, which took Deidara aback seeing how genuine and sincere the girl was with what she was talking about. He turned back to the flowers, his own visage softening as well.

"Thanks, un. It does look nice."

It was more than joy for her to actually receive an acceptance and more importantly, gratitude from the egoistic blond. It was what she had ever wanted from him to start that new friendship of theirs. She honestly did not know why, but she really wanted to be friends with him.

"You know," She started again. "..there is far more depth to Ikebana than simply placing flowers in a vase or container. It is Art, a respected discipline that merges nature and humanity in perfect harmony."

That was more than enough to catch that guy's attention and the girl knew it. What's another way of attracting an artist other than by Art itself?

"Art, eh? What do you know about Art, un? What's so special about collecting a bunch of flowers and sticking them together? It's pretty, but I wouldn't call it Art, un."

Truth be told, the way Deidara ridiculed and demeaned flower arrangement did not bother the kunoichi at all. In fact, she was waiting for that moment. The moment they get to have a real, useful discussion.

"Well, I don't know what hardships your Art has, but this art form places the focal point of the design on alternative plant parts, such as the leaves or stems, rather than the blooms; something that not many people can pull. As with many artistic styles, Ikebana also places emphasis on geometrical aesthetics, such as lines, shapes, patterns and curves. Although there are a specific set of rules that are followed when assembling an Ikebana style bouquet, the creator manages to convey their intentions through the arrangement's use of color, patterns, natural form, and more. And that, reflects one's own artistic views. This kind of design—" Noticing she was babbling too much, she coughed and shut her mouth for a bit, surprised to see Deidara actually considering what she had just said.

"You're not getting me. I acknowledge the effort and hard work put into it. And it's unquestionably pleasant. But it's not Artistic, un; it has nothing to do with the beauty of a single moment."

The kunoichi tilted her head to the side and sat on the edge of the bed, her look shooting the confusion that begged Deidara to elaborate on what he had just said. Good thing he was not slow. Or maybe he wanted her to ask about it herself so he gets the chance to talk about his Art. It did not matter anyway.

"How do you view Art, un? Is it fleeting or should it be everlasting?"

The boy laid back comfortably shifting his gaze back to the cloudless sky. He already knew the girl's answer. As a florist, she has to make sure the flowers remain in good condition for as long as they can. None would love or buy from her shop should she stick with her Art and make it fleeting.

"Hmm, if Art were permanent for everyone to see all the time, it would take its entire beauty and charm since it would no longer be regarded as special but on the contrary, it would become mundane. It depends how fleeting it should be. If it were too short-lived, none would have the time to appreciate its beauty. If it stayed for a little while, one can get the chance to stare, touch and smell the roses, to miss it when the spring is over, to look forward to it when the spring is almost back. It would be very sad for me if it were permanently gone in a flash, so I guess a better way to describe it would be temporary."

Ino went so deep in her thoughts that she did not notice she was looking down playing with her fingers. She looked up to see Deidara only to find him stunned. That bewildered face was not an everyday thing so she couldn't help but to giggle.

"That's not the reason I love Ikebana though. Well it is, but not the main one. Ikebana is kind of regarded as a type of meditation for me, as silence is generally mandatory throughout the process. During this time, the florist is to reflect upon his or her connection to and relationship with nature, gaining a respect and insight that is often overlooked or forgotten," She paused a bit as a hint of accusation, which Deidara did not even become aware of. The kunoichi continued. "..I love how it is a spiritual practice in which the artist connects with nature and the earth, as well as with themselves. And that's what Art is all about, mimesis, expression, communication of emotion… Fleeting or not, it does not matter. It's all about the process. Don't you love it when you're making your sculptures, the time during which you're molding the clay, carefully carving the details, etc etc..?"

Deidara was still silently listening, reliving the moments during which he was practicing his Art. That being done, an automatic smile lifted his lips.

"Sō da na," He admitted, locking his fingers together then stretching his arms. "…but I still absolutely fancy the beauty of that single fleeting moment of explosion, un!" He exclaimed with a thumb up. The instantaneous change of his gentle features to those of wickedness and mischief were both expected and unexpected that Ino couldn't help but to laugh.

Was I really expecting him to change for a second? She thought, her laugh extending even more.

At her unpredicted outburst, the artist paused for a couple of seconds, before finally giving in laughing along with her.

He did not remember the time he genuinely laughed like that.

"Ohayō gozaimasu." The greeting coming from the blue-haired medic was so sharp that it caused both blonds to end the moment they shared to look at her, whose eyes not even bothering to spare either shinobis a glance. Instead, she just placed the tray which contained Deidara's breakfast on the nightstand, all set to leave afterwards.

"Otonashi-san..?"

Meiko absentmindedly turned around, nervous look written all over her face. When her eyes accidently met Deidara's, the kid let out a soft gasp and looked away. That baffled the guy and grew him suspicious even more.

"Sh-shitsureishimasu." The young medic politely excused herself and left the room, right after bowing of course.

Once again, the blonds were left dumbfounded. Furthermore, despite that the kunoichi chose to ignore it, the Akatsuki member did not. Deliberations regarding what could have happened did not leave his mind.

"Hai."

Deidara wondered who the girl was addressing to, until a batch of noodles forcefully entered his mouth as he turned around.

Insert a coughing fit.

"Oh yeah. Let's all take advantage of Deidara's injury and do whatever the fuck we want, un." The sincere, wide smile the male blond had flashed could have been easily mistaken to a heartfelt one had that last week the kunoichi had spent with the Akatsuki not taught her about his demeanor. So she just patted his shoulder assuredly, which he immediately shooed away.

"Oh c'mon Dei, we both know you can't do that yourself without spilling some on you." Saying that she reached with her chopsticks next to his mouth, he looked away rejecting her again.

"Don't call me Dei. Will you let me try, un?"

"Well since we became kinda friends I thought—"

Sighing through her nose and setting the chopsticks in the bowl, she placed the soup container on his lap then crossed her arms awaiting his failure.

Deidara chose to disregard what the leaf ninja had just said for he was not sure what relationship they shared himself. Staring at the bowl and grinning with pride, he made sure the noodles were well-caught between the wooden sticks and closed his eyes, slowly lifting his hand to his face.

Huh?

The missing nin was confused when he did not feel any noodles enter his mouth but instead, the flavorless taste of wood hit him hard. He gradually opened an eye, peeking at his hand until he took a little jump back in his place, seeing how the noodles and the drops of soup were all over his bandages and blanket.

Cough

Deidara froze in his place, not daring to look back at Ino who –he was positively sure- wore an 'I-told-you-so' frown on her face.

Turning his gaze back at a snail's pace, Deidara dropped the troubled look in favor of the guilty 'ehehehe-my-bad' one and laughed, scratching the back of his neck.

"W-woops, un…"

The bomber had already prepared himself for a rebuke, however he was once again shocked by receiving the complete opposite. He did not know what was happening anymore.

"You just never listen do you Dei."

Said-man remained silent, his face expression giving away what he was thinking about. Ino had already begun cleaning the beige stain left on the perfectly white sheet. The man did not have the time to digest the situation so when the girl had reached his bandaged stomach, he quietly gasped and stared at her, meticulously rubbing his abdomen.

Why, un?!

Indeed, he could not get it. He could only attribute it to the girl's foolishness and excessive benevolence. Yet he knew it was way more complicated than that. Honestly, he did not blame her. If anything, he gave her credit for still trying. He merely kept denying it. He knew it. And he will still reject it. He could not allow himself to waste his time considering such things.

"Don't call me Dei, un." He whispered.

Ino did not even finish her work and Deidara shoved her hand away, moving to the side to get down.

"Oii, where do you think you're going?" She called, noticing he was undoing the bandages around his body.

"To shower, un? I stink." Was his simple reply. Ino held him by the wrist to stop him.

"With that scar? Nuh-uh I don't think so. It'll be too troublesome."

Deidara rolled his eyes. "I know how to shower myself un. Been in worse situations before," He retorted, pulling the bandages away with his other hand and wincing at his stomach's contact with air. "…unless…you wanted to help me do so?"

Ino did not quite get it until the artist's smirk reached his ears, it was also then that the girl pulled back in embarrassment.

"Wh-what are you—"

"Or is it that you want to do so together?" At that the girl sunk in her chair. "…I mean it would only be fair since you have already seen me naked so I also have the right to—"

Ino jumped from her chair and tried to shut him up.

"I-It's not like it was on purpose b-baka!"

"You were standing there even before I got up, un, oh yeah, what were you even doing? I know I'm too irresistible but contemplating a naked person without their consent is just wrong—"

Ino could literally feel her face burning. "I-I WAS ONLY LOOKING FOR YOU A-AND—w-wait…"

Noting something, the kunoichi sat down and crossed her arms, failing at seeming serious since the redness on her cheeks was still quite obvious. "…if you had already known I was standing there, why did you stand up? You could've simply disappeared and hid yourself!"

The whole room fell silent after Ino's response. The grin slowly returned to the florist's face, while Deidara only blinked, thinking about a logical explanation to Ino's unpredicted question.

"Well…" He started, pausing right after that one word. "…You can't answer a question with a question and I asked first, ha!"

Hearing those childish words leaving his mouth, the boy laughed.

"Believe it or not, this whole thing is the closest I can get to a vacation, un. I'll cherish every moment of peace I can have."

"Oh, I see," She sympathized, taking hold of the soup bowl. "Here have some peace Dei."

Before he could know it again, she had already stuffed noodles in his mouth but this time, a little bit gentler to avoid any choking.

Deidara growled.

"Don't call me Dei, un. Ugh this really sucks."

"Pfft it's not that bad it's cute! It's easier than calling you with your full name!"

"No not that, but I also don't approve of this," He then pointed at the cup. "…the noodles. They taste really weird, un."

"Yes they have the analgesics, it shouldn't be that bad though.."

Taking a small bite of the noodles herself, Ino spit the food as soon as they entered her mouth and stood up from her chair, glaring at the bowl.

"This tastes way too sour, she must have accidentally put something else in it."

The suggestion Ino had made did not reach pleased ears.

"A sedative maybe…" The boy whispered, Ino was already next to the room door.

"Go have your shower, I'll be done with new ones by the time you finish." She smiled, oblivious of what had begun to run in the Akatsuki member's mind.

"Forget about it, let's go practice outside, un."

Ino was quite surprised.

Ugh! I won't give up!

Ino grunted as she jumped several feet up in the air once again, throwing several shurikens at the targets spread all over the garden. When she landed back on the ground panting five seconds later, she looked up at the marks in hope of having some bull's eye.

Kusoo.

She lay down on the ground, contemplating the only shuriken that hit the center of her targets.

It's alright, as long as I don't give up. I can do it.

She sat up and stared at her deserted surroundings, then at the full moon brightly illuminating the sky and the clear glades. It also succeeded in lightening the room Deidara was sleeping in. Other than the huge spot on his bed, the whole place was engulfed in the entire darkness of the night. It had been long since Deidara had gone to sleep due to his fatigue; he mentioned he was feeling unusually heavy that afternoon, but the kunoichi, on the other hand, stayed for longer hours of training. The terrorist bomber did not twitch in his sleep. Not even when the door cracked open, allowing a person to slip in. She did not make any noise while warily approaching the blond resting on the bed facing her, hesitating a bit while doing so.

This is not the time to back out Meiko!

Said-girl paused in her track, startled by her own self for reprimanding her. It did not take her so much time to recover and move forward.

It's for everyone's sake. It's either now or never. She reminded herself, with a tear streaming down her cheek.

The light emanating from the open window reflected upon meeting the smooth surface of the knife the young girl was holding. When she finally stood in front of the missing nin, she gazed at his delicate features; those that matched the ones her long-lost brother once had.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered pointing the knife at his back. And then she swung it up.