The group woke early the next morning without having been disturbed during the night. Itachi had already devised a simple plan to get across the sand village quickly and without rousing too much negative attention. He asked Deidara to create one of his giant birds big enough to carry the five of them. Deidara did so easily. The bird had to be enormous and would of course be noticed as it flew over the village but Itachi hoped it would be dismissed as a freakish natural phenomenon by the villagers and that they wouldn't try to attack it since it was simply flying over them.
The group got on and took off. They were flying high and couldn't make out the details of the villagers beneath although it was clear that many were stopping in their tracks as the giant bird flew over them. The group relaxed quickly as it seemed the villagers were reacting exactly in the way Itachi had hoped. They started talking and laughing at how easily they had managed to trick a whole village.
"This trip has been very amusing so far" said Kisame smiling mischievously. "Itachi got hit with a sand ball, we tricked a whole village with a two minute operation but best of all, we got to see pretty-lady Deidara blow his face off!"
Deidara felt his mood quickly switch from happiness to anger and lost focus on his bird for a second. Although it was just a second it was enough the make the bird lurch violently. This sent Tobi flying off the edge shrieking in fright.
The bird was so big and high up that the villagers hadn't even noticed there was a group riding on it until Tobi flew off. The bird dived down and caught him but this made the other four members riding it also visible to the town below. Panic struck and the alarm was instantly raised.
Arrows started flying from all around but the group was well protected by the bird. Many arrows sunk themselves into its clay body without affecting the flight trajectory in the slightest. They had almost reached the final wall when the bird was struck by something big. The group never got to identify what it was but whatever it was it blew off half the bird's right wing. A panicked Deidara was doing all he could to keep the bird in flight but this was impossible with half a wing missing. The wall was approaching fast and it would be a close call if they made it over. Deidara was making the bird beat its remaining wings furiously, trying to retain as much altitude as he possibly could as the wall grew closer and closer.
The group felt a giant thud as their bird hit the wall hard. However it was only the wings, which were in a downstroke at the moment, which had hit it. The impact ripped both of them clean off and sent the body of the bird flying a few hundred meters forward. The group jumped off immediately and broke into a run noticing that a large group of guards was leaving the Sand Village in pursuit.
"Don't worry guys. I have a plan, just keep running." Smirked Deidara.
As the group of guards ran past the fallen carcass of the clay bird towards the running Akatsuki, the giant remains of the clay bird exploded. Sprays of clay, blood and flesh made their way all the way to where to where the group was running. They all paused to look back and see if they were still being chased.
The giant explosion seemed to have taken out all of their pursuers. The group resumed their run knowing they would be safe for a while since the village would have no idea of the direction they took and would also be very cautious after losing so many troops. However they also knew that word of their presence would be sent to the neighbouring villages and they would have to double their precautions as they approached the Leaf Village.
The village was near the edge of the desert and they ran until they reached the woods that marked the end of the Country of Wind and their entry into the Country Of Fire where they would find the Leaf Village. As they entered the forest they noticed a big hawk flying at an incredible speed in the same direction they were taking.
"The Sand Village is sending out warnings very quickly. This one seems to be headed towards the Leaf Village. We will have to be extremely cautious from now on." said Itachi.
The group set up camp far away from the path. Itachi organised the watches by pairs to be more alert. He made sure either himself or Sasori would always be awake since he had the sharingan and if it was absolutely necessary Sasori could use his rinnegan eye. Itachi and Kisame took the first watch as the rest of the group fell into much needed sleep.