Hello everyone! Just thought I'd thank you again and then post another note at the bottom (since the second note's kinda pointless XD). Also, the questions that people have been asking (such as what's it and where is Okawa) will be answered soon, so I'm going to be evil and not answer yet hehe

Anyways... here you are!

Warnings: All the same stuff as before

Chapter 3: Nooses of Chakra

When no reaction seems appropriate, most people tend to laugh. Whether stressed, humored, or disbelieving, a laugh will often escape them. Some people laugh in church, while others laugh at funerals. And some people, such as Deidara, will laugh in the face of danger. Such people will also laugh at the most inopportune of times. On what would later be called Day One, Deidara made this mistake.

He had just been given a mission, a mission for the enemy. "There are other reasons we caught you," Shikamaru had bluntly said. "We know you're a renegade Akatsuki – we know that they kill deserters. But we also know that they're recruiting, and if they don't kill you, that they'll want you."

So of course, Deidara had laughed; he laughed his body dry. "So you want me as a spy, yeah?" he managed to choke through his glee. "You really think I'd help you!? That I'd risk my life for the enemy?"

"When everyone's your enemy, you really have no choice; but here's your ultimatum – help us, or be executed." "You have many charges against you," Kankuro pointed out. "If we bring you to Suna now, there's no doubt that you'll be murdered."

"What difference does it make?" Deidara scoffed, still slightly laughing. He felt like he'd gone crazy – he'd been saved so he could die? "I can't just crawl back to them saying "Guys, I've changed my mind." That's not how Akatsuki works, especially since they don't know I'm alive! And I don't even know where the base is, un! After two years, they must have changed it, and -" Deidara stopped his rant as he was smacked by realization. "Wait," he ordered warily, the gears grinding in his brain. "That trap you set for me was planned... which means that you expected me... why would you expect me if you thought that I was dead?"

"You knew I was alive?"

Four heads nodded slowly, confirming Deidara's fear. "But how, un? I was so careful..."

"But your fighting style is so unique – all those villages you bombed were a pretty obvious hint; they may have been small, and in the middle-of-nowhere, but when a large amount suddenly disappears, word gets around."

Deidara smirked dejectedly. "I guess I wasn't careful enough – these last two years, I've been hiding, taking missions at remote villages for money." "We figured as much," interjected Kankuro, motioning Deidara to continue. "Once paid, I'd blow up the towns," he said. "Just in case someone there had recognized me. That way, I could stay "dead," and none of you would come after me... Yeah, that worked well, didn't it, un? Now you know, and soon, so will Akatsuki. So even if you let me go, Akatsuki will come after me; they'll find me, and I'll be killed, or possibly, reinstated."

"The ladder option is more likely if you decide to help us out. We already have a spy on the inside, and he can put in a good word for your "application" – "

"But if you already have a spy, then why do you need me?"

Shikamaru shrugged, before replying, "You don't need to know that now."

"Huh," Deidara snorted. "I think you'd better tell me."

"You're not in a position to give orders - you're in a position to take them."

"Yeah? Well that's too bad, un!" Deidara growled, feeling loathsome. "I'd rather take my chances in Suna. And with these," he lifted his hands, "I think I just might make it. And even if I don't, I'll at least take some of you with me."

Wincing, Sakura asked, "Did you forget that we took your clay pouch?" Deidara refused to look at her, but she continued speaking anyway. "Without that, you're completely powerless; you're chance of escaping is next to none."

"Huh, that's what you'd think, but don't forget that I've been training, un. My clay bombs may be my best work, but I still can use other substances."

So Shikamaru was right, Sakura morbidly thought. Which means... I'll have to do it. Let the torture begin.

"Well, if that's the case, I guess we have only one option; we'll have to take those mouths away, for the protection of our squad."

Deidara didn't even flinch, but rather answered to the room, "Funny, but I know you can't. In all rights, I'm a prisoner of war. You can't mangle a POW; you can't harm my hands in any way."

"No, but we can bind them; that'll only hurt your pride."

Deidara quietly snickered. "I'd like to see you try; they can bite through any material, even these chains if I wanted. I'm just letting them rest awhile, and then I'll gladly show you."

"I'm sure they can't bite through this though," Kankuro sneered, lifting a finger. A beam of chakra shot through his nail, connecting to Deidara's hand. "A chakra string," mumbled Deidara. "Haven't seen one of those in a while... yeah, now I remember. You're that other puppeteer..."

"Took you long enough," Kankuro guffawed. "Kinda funny you forgot me since I can't seem to forget you. I'm not one to hold a grudge, but in this case, I think one's called for. I get to help take away your art skills; that's a pretty good start I think."

"What - what are you talking about?" Deidara queried, suddenly lost. Kankuro didn't respond; instead he turned to Sakura. "Your turn," he announced joyfully, before unleashing several more strings. "For what, un!?" Deidara panicked, showing a rare lapse in his surety.

Sakura was wearing a medic bag from which she took out a needle. Next, she took out a scalpel, and a small, strange pair of pliers. Placing each on a table behind her, she turned to look at Deidara.

"Don't worry. This won't hurt."

At least in the physical sense.

It had been a quiet day in the Mist Village, indifferent from most any other. The townsfolk shopped, they communicated, and towards night, they parted ways. No one there was even aware of the current happenings in Okawa. They wouldn't know until the next morning, when a letter arrived to their leader.

Their leader had been in his room, monotonously sifting through some papers. A knock sounded at his door, and shortly after, a blue-skinned man opened it. "Madara," the fish-man said. "I need to talk to you - it's important. Our Konoha agent sent this letter - our code breakers can't seem to read it."

Madara wasn't surprised. His code breakers were not that skilled; he, on the other hand, was. "Let me see it, Kisame," Madara ordered.

Madara read through it very carefully, remarking "Well, this is interesting. Summon the others here immediately - it seems we have some things to discuss."

Kisame nodded and approached the door, but before leaving, asked "What exactly?"

"Deidara," Madara answered. "It appears the key survived."

Note: this part was more of a continuation of Chapter 2 than an actual chp 3 (Sorry!) but i figured I'd tie up some loose ends while giving you more things to think about at the same time XD - don't worry, though. I have this story written out - right now, it might be kinda like Lost where each new chapter answers a question while presenting another, but everything wraps up eventually!

O yeah i almost 4got - I'm still searching for a Beta, because I 4got 2 look 4 one... oops XD - so if any1 has advice I'm more than willing to hear it! Thanks!

--LM--