It was a cold day the following afternoon. Deidara quickly guesstimated the number of people at the small service to honor those that hadn't made it through the exam. In all, only four had died. Two had died in the first section, one had died on the mountain...and Yoko...Deidara shook his head, trying to keep himself from crying. A hand held his on the right. He looked up, smiling at Yanoi, who had tears running freely from her eyes. He sighed, watching as the Tsuchikage gave a small blessing, honoring the four Stone Village nin before they were slowly lowered into the ground. Deidara, taking the initiative, walked over to where a Chunin was scooping dirt on the grave.
"Sir...may I? Yoko...she was my teammate, un." The Chunin looked down at him, smiling kindly. Handing the shovel over, he allowed the boy to take it, standing back to watch as Deidara stood at the grave site. "Goodbye, Yoko. We'll always be a three-man cell. You know that, right, un?" Turning, he began shoveling dirt in, unaware that Bushio had come up beside him, shovel in his hand as well. The air was stifling, even though the temperature was low. Deidara glanced up, catching Bushio's eye. The boy smiled weakly, returning to the dirt pile and scooping more in.
As the last dirt was tapped lightly into place, the congregation began to meander away. In a week, all would be forgotten and life would go on. Besides, in a week, the winning Genin would duel in the arena, watched by thousands. It would be a time for celebration for the village, a time when their best would fight the best from other village's. Deidara gazed sadly at the small grave, and then looked up into the sky. His eyes slitted as rain fell on his face. That's fine...at least no one will see me crying. Yanoi gave his hand a squeeze, pecking him on the cheek before turning and walking along with everyone else. Only Deidara and Bushio remained at the site after awhile. Bushio, silent and grim, looked at the tombstone, reading it softly to himself.
"Here lies four Genin who lost their lives, doing what shinobi are meant to do. They were fast friends and loyal compatriots...shinobi all." He shook his head sadly. Shinobi were meant to show no fear, no illusion of happiness or shame. They were meant to kill and die...that was all. He couldn't believe that Yoko's life would end so fast. He thought back on all that happened between meeting her and this moment. Every thing she had done had annoyed him. Every time she said his name, he had cringed. Why? Why did he feel like he did now?
"Hey...Bushio?" He glanced down at Deidara, who was looking up at him.
"Yeah. What?" Deidara smiled slightly, looking up at the sky.
"It's almost like she's crying for us, isn't it, un?" Bushio looked up as well, feeling the rain hit his face.
"Yeah...almost." He smiled. It was nice to think that way. But he knew it was a lie. Deidara sighed.
"Well, it's time to go back, un. Goodbye Yoko. Take care, huh?" He turned, leaving the older boy standing at the grave.
"Deidara!" The blonde stopped, turning around and facing Bushio, who had walked up. Bushio, resolute, held his hand out.
"Let's make a pact, right here and now! One of us will face that guy...and whoever does it will kick his ass all over the place. Deal?" Deidara looked at his hand, and then back at him. Smiling, he reached out, taking the boy's hand. Bushio disregarded the mouth, the tongue tasting his palm.
"Right! Also, let's make a vow that one of us will win this thing. All the way, un!" Bushio grinned, nodding.
"You got it! We'll do it...for Yoko!" Deidara grinned, nodding his head in affirmation.
"Right! Now, let's go. I'm starving!" Bushio sighed, letting the boy's hand go. Suddenly, he reached down, picking Deidara up and placing him on his shoulders.
"You run too slow...and I'm hungry now!" Deidara gave a whoop as they thundered back towards town...leaving the grave and its possessions behind.
This was supposed to be short. It was sad, in a way, to kill Yoko off. I had really gotten used to bringing her character out, and now she's dead. But, I have a reason to do it! So...there! Oh, please review. If you review about ways to make this story better, then I may just make this story better. But I can't know what you guys want unless you freaking review, un! GOD!