Okay, so I figured I'd update this one a lil early since the last chapter wasn't really a chapter XD And also for that reason, I made this one somewhat longer.

Anyways, please review! If you don't, Deidara will be sad :(

Chapter 4: The Past

Normally, Sakura appreciated quiet. She scarcely had the virtue of silence, being that her friends didn't seem to know what it was. But a mute Naruto was never a good thing; he was only quiet when something was wrong. So on the morning of Day Two, while in Okawa Town Square, Sakura felt the need to ask, "Why are you acting so weird?"

Naruto jolted, dropping the bag he had been packing. "Because I always do?" he confusedly answered.

"Yeah, but this is weird for you. You're being so... nontalking."

"Good word," Naruto mused. His face fell as he somberly said, "I guess it's just the memories; this mission is reminding me about... that day."

Sakura smiled sadly, as she lowered a hand to her stomach. "Yeah, I know what you mean. It's all so similar... it's kinda freaky. I'm just waiting for it all to happen again, for him to come out screaming "Attack!"" Inwardly, Sakura sighed, because she half-hoped it would happen.

"I told you, I won't let it," Naruto stated, somewhat coldly. "There was nothing I could do last time, but there's no way I'll let it happen again!"

Sakura waited for his speech, the one which Naruto always gave, the one which they called his "promise of a lifetime speech," but oddly, it never came. This worried Sakura more than it should have, and she peered at her best friend sadly. Ever since that horrible day, a part of Naruto had been missing.

"Yeah, I know," Sakura lied, hoping that he would believe her. But he didn't seem to believe anything anymore...

Stop thinking that way! she scolded herself.

"Naruto, Sasuke's gone," she attempted to assure her friend. "He can't betray us anymore; this time, we get to betray him."

Naruto didn't respond, and Naruto didn't smile. Naruto didn't care, or maybe he didn't want to do what she had suggested. Deep down, Sakura knew the answer, and deep down, she felt the same way.

The mission had already started, but she wouldn't be able to finish it.

"Which is why we need you."

As Sakura and Naruto conversed in Okawa Town Square, another conversation was taking place in the Okawa O.R. room. Deidara still lay on the gurney, still looking crazed, and ready to kill. Shikamaru loomed over him, explaining the situation.

But to Deidara, it made no sense. "Why do you Konoha ninja have such complex plans?"

Shikamaru smirked, quipping "Hey, they tend to work."

"So let me get this straight," said Deidara, slightly smiling. "You don't really need a spy – you need an assassin, yeah?"

"We need someone to kill Sasuke, because we know that Sakura can't." That answer hit home for Deidara, and brought back the strangest memory. One from several years ago, when he had first become an Akatsuki. The first time he'd been sent to kill a traitor, to kill him in cold blood.

"And why are you so nervous?" Sasori had inquired.

Deidara, slightly embarrassed, had responded "I'm not, Danna..."

"Why are you lying, brat?"
"Danna! I'm not lying!"

Sasori was growing impatient. "Deidara, don't make me ask you ag – "

"Fine Sasori! Fine, un! ... " His voice began to weaken. "It's my first time, yeah? That can make anyone nervous."

"I don't remember being nervous," Sasori remarked irritably.

Deidara didn't retort. Instead, he asked, "Who was your first, Danna?"

Sasori didn't respond – their target had just come into the entrance. Sasori glanced at his partner, silently saying, "Do it."

But Deidara wouldn't comply – he stayed hidden, frozen to the ledge. The look on his face was rebellious – Danna couldn't make him do everything.

Sasori seemed to realize this, for he jumped down from the enclosure instead. With an impassive face, and no emotion, Sasori did the deed himself. The man was dead within an instant, before Deidara even realized how it had been killed. Sasori bent over the dead body, scrutinizing the face.

Deidara jumped down to join him, in awe of his Danna's brutality. Something about it intrigued him. "Danna, how did you do that, un?"

"Do what, brat?" he asked evenly.

"Kill him without even caring?"

Sasori looked towards Deidara. "Want me to teach you, brat?"

Yes, Danna, yes.

"You hate Sakura right?"

The question snapped Deidara from his memory; it was replaced by another memory, one of the pink-haired girl slaughtering his Danna. Deidara looked at his hands. The mouths were hidden under a web of chakra string. "Hate doesn't even describe it," he answered in a monotone.

"Well, think of this as a chance to hurt her, a chance to get her back."

That caught Deidara's attention. "By killing someone she loves." Yes, he knew that feeling. He knew it was worse than dying.

"Exactly, because she can't kill him – she may know this, but she won't admit it."
"She thinks that we're sending you as a "gift" so that the Akatsuki will accept her. Once accepted, she's supposed to kill Sasuke, because we know he won't fight back. But we also know she won't kill him, so that will be your job."

It was starting to make sense, but "How can I kill him without my hands, un?"

"Accept this mission, and you'll get them back. So, have you changed your mind?"

Deidara thought it over. "For now... yeah, I'll help." Shikamaru smirked, already knowing the bomber would. He wordlessly left the room, leaving a vividly glowing Deidara.

This may be my chance, Deidara thought estatically. To get back everything I've lost, and to get back at everyone!!

To get back at the man who had tried to kill him. To get his revenge against the organization that had abused him. To "repay" the girl who had stolen everything. To confront the best friend who had betrayed him.

"Madara should be here soon."

It can be awkward to hold group meetings when the group is situated at a table; no one can clearly see everyone else, nor immediately distinguish who is talking. And of course, there is always a fight over who gets to sit where. In Akatsuki headquarters, early on the morning of Day 2, this issue became very apparent. As the group began to discuss a very important matter, Karin and Suigestu were discussing an important matter of their own.

"I get to sit next to Sasuke-kun!" bellowed Karin, swiping the chair. "No way!" shouted Suigestu. "I'm not sitting between Juugo and that fish!" At being addressed, the two turned; Juugo's face remained impassive. Kisame, however, grinned. "It might not be the best idea."

"See!" Suigestu attested. "I won't try to steal Sasuke-kun from you or anything! Oh wait, that Leaf girl already did! So why don't you just – "

"Stop."

The voice was low, and came from Juugo. It spoke a thousand threats. "I'll sit next to Sasuke," he stated. "Karin, sit next to Kisame. And Suigetsu, sit between us."

"Ew!" Karin cried, casting a nasty look at Kisame. "I have to sit next to him?!" Laughter exploded from Kisame's right. A plantlike man called Zetsu was grinning like the Cheshire cat. "Look's like you're not that popular Kisame?" the black side of Zetsu cooed. "But we still like you," declared his white side, his face filling with compassion.

"All right, that's enough!"

The voice made everyone flinch. It was feminine, but powerful, and came from a blue-haired woman. "Thank you, Konan," stated Pein, his rinnegan eyes moving maliciously. The blue-haired woman nodded, contentedly sitting beside him. "Sasuke, control your associates," Pein advised to the man across from him. The sharingan wielder muttered, "Hn," but gave no affirmative response, for at that moment, Madara walked in, and all heads turned to see him. He sat at the head of the table, between a serious Pein and a brooding Sasuke.

"Thank you all for arriving so promptly," greeted Madara, as he sat down. "I believe you know why you're here – our weekly message arrived today."

Sasuke's face seemed to jump, but no one saw, minus Madara of course. He continued his practiced speech, however, pretending not to notice. "The message today was different; it seems our spy was on a mission. And on this mission, she spotted someone interesting... someone we all thought was dead..."

As Madara began his debriefing, the Konoha ninja were finishing theirs. Several bags were scattered on the ground, packed with essentials for a long trip. Konoha was four days away and Suna was nearly seven. But they weren't headed towards either village; they were headed towards the Mist.

"So we'll head towards the West Valley today, maybe a little farther if we don't meet any problems." The group nodded at Shikamaru's orders, as Deidara pretended to sulk. Sakura eyed him strangely, wondering how Shikamaru had changed Deidara's mind. Apparently, he had decided to be their spy, for without his hands, he had no chance in Suna. But without those hands, she thought perplexed, he has even less of a chance in Akatsuki. Why would they want someone who can't fight?... Shikamaru's plan isn't making sense!

But she knew it would in the long run; chances were she just didn't know the whole plan. Shikamaru was clever that way, revealing the whole story at just the right time.

"Is everybody ready?" Shikamaru asked. A round of "yes"s answered him, and the ninja were on their way. They formed a mini-parade - he and Hinata took the lead. Neji brought up the rear, scanning every direction for enemies (other than Deidara). Deidara was in front of him, standing between a beaming Kankuro and a shaky Naruto. Sakura was behind them, and Sai was on her right.

The two were holding hands, almost embracing at the fingers. Sakura's other hand was on Naruto's shoulder, futilely attempting to steady him. "It's not going to happen, Naruto," she claimed, attempting to soothe her friend. "Actually, you don't know that," bluntly stated Sai.

Sakura smacked her head, squeezing Sai's fingers harder, attempting to break them. He winced, and she felt fulfilled, as she went back to consoling her friend.

"Naruto, the chances are slim," she assured him, hoping that they were. "And worrying about it won't help - just try not to think about him."

What a hypocrite, Deidara thought, knowing full-well that her thoughts were on Sasuke. As if someone had heard him thinking, his chakra-chains suddenly tightened.

"Ouch, un," he screamed angrily. "You don't need to make them so tight!"

"I know, un," responded Kankuro. "But I'm trying to give the kid something to think about."

The statement caught Naruto's attention, and he openly scowled at Kankuro. "Hey!" he shouted annoyed. "I am not a kid!"

"Sure you aren't, shorty," Kankuro unwisely challenged. Naruto growled loudly, preparing to win this battle.

At least he's being distracted, Sakura dully thought. Now, something to distract me... she couldn't think of anything. At a loss, she chose to heal Sai, and began pumping chakra to his injured hand. "When we stop walking, I'll be able to fix it more proficiently."

If we're not attacked before then.

She couldn't help the thought from coming, but was angry when it came, because as much as she wished otherwise, she knew that Naruto was right. She and the others were in a clearing, and could be spotted far too easily. And if the wrong group happened to see them...

That thought she wouldn't allow.

So she thought of other things, or at least, that is, she tried. But nothing could erase the evident distress inside of her. Until, that is, Sai noticed it, and decided to try and heal it with a compliment.

"Your range of healing skills," Sai began, "Is nearly as wide as your forehead."

Abruptly, Sai's hand was re-broken, and Sakura's fear had vanished. Now, she was just mad, and began to take part in Naruto and Kankuro's fray.

And as he watched the scene around him, Deidara wondered what would happen next. But far more importantly, he wondered,

What are these leaf ninja on?

So, reviews?comments?hate mail? XD

and yeah sry about that last line, but when I showed this story to my friend, that was the first thing she said. lmao

so quick question - should i make the chapters this long, or as long as i've been making them? let me know what you think please! and if you have any guesses as to some of the things i've hinted, feel free to share!

--LM--