Thanks to Rahab's Rehab, roxie-san, spriterx, Astromelia, Bishieluver01, and SeleneSoulwar for reviewing. You guys rock! This chapter is for yall. Enjoy!

Deidara woke up from his slumber, rubbing his eye to get rid of the encrusted salt. He yawned, looking out the window at the town. He smiled, stretching. Getting out of bed, he went to the window, pulling up on the pane and sticking his head out into the cool breeze. It was so good to be inside again, in a warm bed with food and clothes.

"Well, I guess it's time to get ready for Academy class, you guys," he said to his hands, which were closed at the moment. Going to the cupboard, he glanced around at the myriad things he had to eat. Since this was the Tsuchikage's palace, the cupboards and fridge were well stocked with food. He smiled again, taking down a bowl and pouring some plain cereal into it. Going to the fridge, he opened it, again smiling; fresh fruit and cereal with milk, which was what he needed at the moment.

"This is great, un!" He grabbed the milk carton, splashing some idly on his cereal before throwing it back into the fridge. He sat down, eating fast. He only had an hour before class was to begin, and the Tsuchikage had made it very clear that he wasn't to be late.

Finishing his breakfast, he put his dishes in the sink, grabbing some clothes on the way to the shower…the shower…the shower in his room! He loved the feeling of having a bathroom adjacent to his room, especially with running water and a toilet. The outhouse at home had been a pain in the middle of the night. He turned the faucet on, shivering as cold water hit his palm. He let it heat up as he undressed from his pajamas, staring at himself in the mirror. In a few years, he would be a lot taller…or so he hoped. He had been short at his old school, so he didn't think it would be any different at this one.

Seeing steam rise behind him, he hopped into the shower, quickly scrubbing himself clean. After a month of not taking one, a shower felt great. He had taken one yesterday before bed, but a good shower always wakes up the body, and he wanted to be at one hundred percent for class.

He hopped out about five minutes later, quickly drying himself and throwing on the clothes that they had given him. He immediately felt comfortable in the blue t-shirt and black, baggy pants. He threw on a white belt, latching it down so that his outfit gave him an hour-glass shape. He smiled at himself in the mirror. These clothes felt much better than that crappy school uniform he had worn before.

"Well, I guess I should go, un!" Grabbing the books that had been given to him by the Tsuchikage himself, he threw them into a bag, ran out the door, and was quickly on his way to the school building.

It was about ten minutes later as he approached the school. Children were running into the main building, laughing and joking with one another.

"Hey, did you hear the one about the guy from Suna?"

"No, what?"

"He only eats…Sandwiches! Get it, sandwich! HA!"

"That's a good one!"

Deidara smiled, walking towards the school. About fifty feet from the entrance, however, his courage gave out. He reverted to the old Deidara, the one who was used to being pummeled every day before school. He shrank, avoiding stares and glances as he quietly made his way towards the door.

"Hey, new guy!" Someone behind him was calling out. Deidara hoped he was talking to someone else. "Hey, I'm talking to you! You deaf?" He sighed, putting on a grin and turning. He saw the hand lash out, shutting his eyes. But nothing happened. Opening one eye a slit, he peered at his attacker. It was a boy, about his age, his fist still in the air. He had a grin on his face to. Deidara didn't know what to do.

"Wow, I was so close! Anyways, I'm Chigaru, who're you?" He put his hand down, letting it fall to his side. Deidara gulped, looking down.

"I'm…um…I'm Deidara," he said. The other boy smiled wider, sticking his hand out to shake.

"Pleased to meetcha Deidara," he said. Deidara began to put his hand out to, until the other boy grabbed it. He pulled Deidara in close, whipping his hand over. "Whoa! I didn't believe it at first. Wow!" He stared, open-mouthed at the mouths that Deidara bore on his hands. "Man, that's awesome," he said. Then, he began waving at a group of boys at the other side of grounds. "Guys! Come check this out! This kid has mouths on his hands!" The other boys looked at each other, and one turned around.

"No way. Stop messing with us!" The other boy grinned, waving Deidara's hands in the air. Deidara felt like being anywhere but there. He hoped the boy would let go so he could dash into the school building. He felt sure that they were going to jump him.

"No, really. See!" The others glanced at the hands, and began to walk over. The other boy dropped the hand, but still held it with his. "Come on, we have to show them. They're cool, you'll like em!" Deidara smiled. He had never really had any friends before. The group of boys came over, and the kid flipped his hands over, showing them. They were amazed.

"Whoa! That's so cool!"

"Do they eat? What do you feed those things?"

"They're like…totally awesome!"

"What're they for?" Deidara didn't know what to say, but found the courage to say something.

"Umm…I can make things explode with them, un…" he said, trailing off as the boys stared.

"Really…I don't believe it!" The boy who had questioned him before said, turning around.

"Hey Raloo, if he said they do, then they do!" The boy who had caught Deidara turned to him. "Can you show us real fast?" He had a look in his eyes, so Deidara relented.

"I…I guess. But first, I'll need some clay, un," he said. The other boys looked at each other, and one dug in his pocket. He pulled out some yellow clay. It had been stained for class projects, and he didn't know if that kind would work. Deidara shrugged, taking it from him. "Ok, guys. Chow time!" He fed his hands, much to the chagrin of the others, the clay, smiling as they licked and lapped it up. Finally, when it was gone, he concentrated a small amount of chakra, or what he hoped was a small amount, into the clay. After a second or two, the hands spat the mixture back out. At this time, some of the girls had taken notice, walking over to them.

"Hey, what's going on," one of them asked. One of the boys simply said that Deidara was going to blow something up. The girls looked at each other, and watched. Deidara stood in front of everyone, much embarrassed by the whole thing.

"Ok, what do you guys want me to make, un?" He watched as they all thought about it. Then, one of the girls came forward, sparkles in her eyes.

"Can you make me a swan?" She stood, gazing at him. Deidara blushed, but smashed his hands together. He molded it for a second before showing them again. In his hands, he had a small replica of a swan. The girls cried out.

"That's so cool!"

"He's kinda handsome, to!"

"Deidara-kun is totally amazing!" Deidara blushed brighter, but handed the clay to the girl, who took it gingerly.

"Come on, show 'em what you can do, un!" He beckoned to the clay, and she gazed as the swan swung its head towards her. It began preening itself, and then took off, shooting into the sky. The girls began jabbering to each other as the boys were left speechless. Deidara waited until the swan was about two hundred feet up. Then, making some hand signs, he watched as it exploded. He smiled, glad that he had made it explode where no one would get hurt.

A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, twisting him around. "Deidara-kun, that was so cool!" The girl had his hand, and he stared down at it. Blushing again, he turned his head, mumbling thanks. She smiled, beaming at him. Suddenly, he was surrounded by children, all jabbering questions at him.

"Deidara, can you make me a gorilla? With big, hairy paws!"

"Deidara, make me a swan! I want one!"

"Deidara, can you make me a new sister? My old one is getting boring!"

"Deidara-kun, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Deidara-kun!" He was reeling, trying to cope with his new found friendships, as the bell rang. The children slowly, reluctantly, walked into the school, still talking about his exhibition. When he was the only one out on the playground, he sank to his knees, lying face up on the ground, staring into the sky. He brought one of his hands to his face.

"Why do they like you? Why is it so different here, un?" He knew they wouldn't answer, but it was always comforting to know that you could talk to someone. They had mouths, so he always made believe that they could talk. They just wouldn't…because they wanted to listen more. He smiled, and let exhaustion seep into him for a second.

"My art…it really is…a blast!"

I hope my wonderful reviewers like this one! Oh, by the way, in case you were wondering, the Tsuchikage showed him the correct hand signs...I'll mention that in the next chapter. I know you were asking yourselves that. HA! Ok, thanks for reviewing you guys!