Deidara lay in the hospital bed, his breath ragged and his body hurting. It had been only three hours since the fight with Junio, and he had already awoken, feeling every ounce of pain that the older boy had inflicted on him. He winced as he got up on his elbow, holding a hand to his side and feeling the bandages. His blood had already soaked through, and although the bandages had held up until now, he could feel the sticky wetness seeping outwards.
"He's in here, Tsuchikage-sama." A female voice, probably a nurse, was talking out in the hall. Deidara looked up as the old man walked in, staring down at the boy sadly. Deidara would have gotten to his feet, if he had been able.
"Hello...Tsuchikage-sama." The man sighed, sitting at the foot of the bed. He looked quite old, as if the weight of the world were upon him. He took out his pipe, adding some sort of mixture to it before taking a puff, holding the smoke in thoughtfully before letting it go in a small stream that whirled and ebbed in front of him.
"Deidara...you..." and he looked back at the boy, who was wincing slightly. "You...did well. Very well in fact. I had no intention when I asked Tazuriko to allow you three to compete in the Chunin Exams that you would win. I thought the Exam would teach you all a lesson in friendship, camaraderie, and bravery. However, it has done much more than just that. It has taught you all of the things a good ninja needs to know." He took another puff on his pipe before continuing. "Deidara, though you won the match, I am afraid that the news is dreadful for you." Deidara felt a lump forming in the pit of his stomach. Dreadful news? What could it be?
"What do you mean, Tsuchikage-sama?" Deidara was completely intent now, so the old man continued.
"Deidara...you killed a competitor..."
"But so did he! He killed Yoko! He..." but the old man held a hand up, signaling him to silence.
"That is not the same condition, Deidara. When he killed Yoko in the preliminary rounds, he did so under the guise that it was a match. It hadn't been called, and therefore, the rules still applied. Nin die in those situations, so he did nothing wrong." Then, with a more stern look on his face, he turned to the boy. "However, in your case, it is much different. The match had been called, and you had already won. You had no need to kill Junio. If your dragon had merely stopped him, the boy would still be alive now. However, you gave it a direct order to destroy the boy. That cannot be overlooked." Deidara sat uncomfortably in the bed, his body still aching. The old man took another puff, turning to look at the door, as if expecting something.
"What will happen to me, Tsuchikage-sama?" Deidara looked up, expecting no mercy, as up to that point in life, he hadn't received much of it.
"If the Village Hidden in the Grass wishes to press charges against you, I will have no choice. I will have to relinquish control of you and give you to them. It would be in their hands at that point." He turned to look at the stricken Deidara, who hadn't thought of that outcome. "Believe me, Deidara. I wouldn't wish that. However, if I can keep my country from falling into another war, I will do anything in my power to. It isn't that I don't want you. On the contrary, you are of the most brilliant minds here in the Stone Village. The fact that the atrocity you committed was heinous enough for other villages to take notice. That is what bothers me so." Just then, a runner came to the open door, poking a head in.
"Tsuchikage-sama. You have a Jounin from the Hidden Grass at your apartment. He requests an audience with you urgently, sir!" The Tsuchikage sighed, looking over at Deidara. Deidara grimaced, looking down at his bandages. Taking a deep breath, he pulled his legs over the side of the bed, standing and squinting in agony as the wounds took a toll on him.
"Deidara...I will handle this. Please stay in bed." Deidara looked up, shaking his head.
"Tsuchikage-sama. I did what I felt was necessary and right. I will not have anyone else held accountable for my actions. I will go with you to meet the Jounin. If it is my future to leave this village, than it will be so. However, I won't be taken out of a damn hospital. Not when I can walk on my feet." He took a step to the door, crying out and crashing to the floor. Quickly, the old man helped him to his feet, and Deidara grinned up. "Um...a little help would be nice, though, un." Smiling, the Tsuchikage lifted the boy to his shoulders, holding him there. Together, they began a long march to the tower, where Deidara felt sure his time had come.
It was about ten minutes later when they had arrived, Deidara still riding on the old man's shoulders. People who had met them in the streets and in the waiting room bowed, both out of reverence to the leader of the Stone Village and awe of the winner of the Chunin Exams. The Tsuchikage smiled, nodding to a few before ascending the stairs. As they approached his room, he looked up, a kindly smile on his face. "Deidara...be brave." Deidara gulped, the knot becoming excruciating. Together, they entered the room. The first thing that entered Deidara's vision was the Hidden Grass nin who was sitting in a chair off to the side. As he noticed the two, he stood, bowing.
"Tsuchikage-sama. Thank you for meeting me." Eying Deidara levelly, he sat down once more.
"What is it I can do for you...er..."
"It is Mezuma, sir. Yes. Well...it appears we have a problem on our hands." The Tsuchikage allowed Deidara to slip off, sitting in a chair opposite the nin while the Tsuchikage took his position behind the desk.
"You may proceed, Mezuma-san. What is the nature of your business?" The Grass nin shifted uncomfortably, and then sighed.
"It appears that you have a criminal in your midst, Tsuchikage-sama. A valuable and sacred artifact was stolen not more than three weeks ago. It is believed that it was being transported here, to be used for some purpose." The Tsuchikage looked questioningly at Deidara, who shrugged.
"A sacred artifact you say? What artifact is that?" The Grass nin took a breath before continuing.
"It is a rare and sacred sword. The Twin Dragon Blade. On it is inscribed a seal, allowing the bearer to call it at will. It is very precious to the village, and its theft has many a grass nin at a loss. If I may be able to look around, see if I may perchance find the traitor, I would be most gratified." The Tsuchikage took a puff on his pipe, smoking thoughtfully.
"Hmm...What did the thief happen to look like?" The man shook his head.
"I don't know. All that is known is that he will have the blade on him. He will also have accomplices, two of them. That is all the witnesses saw as the three fled the storage building. Please, do I have your permission, Tsuchikage-sama?" The old man puffed once more, than stood, shaking his head.
"No, you do not, Mezuma-san. You do not have my permission." The man stood, incredulous.
"But, Tsuchikage-sama, I must be allowed to search. This may cause a war between our two villages if the thief is not found." The old man sighed, a smile on his lips.
"I believe that thief has already met with an untimely end, Mezuma-san. Please do not be aroused as such. I believe that the boy here can explain." He motioned to Deidara, who stood shakily, bowing to the grass nin.
"This...boy?" The nin sat, listening to Deidara's tale.
It was coming on to night when Deidara finished. Mezuma nodded slowly, understanding written on his face.
"Hmm...I see. So, this Junio Mezanuchi used the blade in the Chunin exams. What did he mean to do? Did he have a purpose?" He glanced at the kage, who shrugged.
"I do not know if he had a purpose or not. However, I am sure that his heart was as dark as the night. He was a corrupted child, and Deidara here has put paid to him." The grass nin nodded, turning and bowing to the boy.
"You have the Village's undying gratitude, young man."
"But...but I broke the sword! I destroyed it! Doesn't that mean anything, un?" Deidara couldn't believe that he was free just yet. He had destroyed the only thing that Junio was connected to.
"Well, the sword is important. However, it is better destroyed than in the hands of someone who would use it against our village or a neighboring one. As I said before, you have our undying gratitude." He bowed once more, turning to the old man behind the desk. "I will tell my superiors of this. They will be most gratified. Thank you, Tsuchikage-sama. Oh, the other two involved in this. Are they...?" The Tsuchikage sighed.
"No, they are quite alive. They are being treated for wounds in our hospital. You may take them if you will." The man nodded, bowing to them both before exiting.
"But, Tsuchikage-sama. I don't believe that Aprilio or Maey wanted to have anything to do with this, un. I don't think..."
"Deidara, listen to me. If they are interrogated, and the truth comes out, they may be allowed to be set free. If this Junio boy was indeed the real criminal, than his punishment has already come about, and there is no need to punish anyone else further." Getting up, the Tsuchikage went to a dresser, opening it and rummaging around. Soon, he found what he was looking for. "I believe this may come in handy, Deidara." He tossed a small bag to the boy, who caught it deftly. Deidara opened it, staring down unbelieving at the sum of money the Tsuchikage had just given him. "That is a present from me. Take it and go. I believe the festival still goes on. I also heard that Bushio is..."
"That Bushio is what, Tsuchikage-sama?" At the door, Bushio stood, leaning against the doorframe, a large bandage wrapped around his head. The old man smiled, nodding at them both to depart. Without another word, they left, walking down the hall towards the stairs.
"Hey...I heard about the fight. Good job." The older boy punched Deidara lightly on the arm, enough to make him flinch.
"Hey, watch it. It feels like I went ten rounds with that guy instead of just an hour, un." Bushio laughed lightly, putting a hand up to his head.
"Well, at least it's over now, hm?" Deidara grinned, nodding.
"Hey! Let's go get some food, un! I'm starving!"
"Hahaha! Always food with you. Alright, but you're buying. I have no money. So, what's it going to be?" The boy's answer wasn't long in coming.
"Fugu!" Bushio let out an exasperated sigh, giving way to laughter as both boys exited the tower in high hopes and good spirit.
It was the next day when Deidara found himself, along with everyone else who had participated in the Chunin Exams, minus Aprilio and Maey, in the stadium once more. The Tsuchikage stood before them, a long line of Chunin head-bands in a row next to him.
"First, I wish to congratulate you all. Even if a head-band isn't yours today, I have no doubt in my mind that the next time you try, you will succeed. However, only a select few of you willingly deserve these, and now, I will bestow upon you the head-band you so rightly earned!" Turning, he picked the first up. "Deko...please step forward!" The boy held his left side gingerly, his lost arm still cursing him. He walked up, trying hard not to stumble or trip. The Tsuchikage smiled. "You, my boy, have displayed a great deal of courage. Not only did you fight when all odds seemed against you, but you fought for something you believed in. Family. That in itself makes you truly worthy to own one of these!" He reached down, pulling off the head-band that the boy wore and fastening on the other. Deko smiled, looking up at the old man as he nodded to him.
"Way to go, big brother!" Por ran forward, hugging him. Deko winced slightly, but returned the hug. A hand on his other shoulder made him turn. Tazuriko looked down, winking as he removed his own arm and held it out in front of him.
"I think I can solve the arm problem, Deko." Deko smiled, nodding as a tear ran down his eye.
"Next, Bushio. Please stand forward!" Bushio took a step, walking to the Tsuchikage and stopping. "Bushio, in the face of adversity, one may find friendship. When faced with fighting a friend, one must keep into account the fact that after the fight, a friendship may be lost...or strengthened. At times, one must fight their friends, and perhaps lose. However, one must also realize that friendship and the comrades that one keeps close are all that a ninja have. Therefore, you truly deserve this head-band. Wear it with pride!" He knelt down, stripping the boy of his head-band and fastening on the Chunin one. The boy smiled up at him, bowing.
"Thank you, Tsuchikage-sama." His family began cheering in the crowd, and he smiled up at them, waving.
"Last. Deidara, please step forward." The blond boy walked forward, smiling up as the old man addressed the crowd. "At all times, a ninja must be vigilant. One must never drop their guard when faced with a foe of enormous power, anger, hatred, or greed. When the time comes, every one of us will see what this means. You, my boy, have seen first hand what hatred and anger can do to a person. It clouds the mind and sullies good judgment. To be the victor of the conflict between good and evil is irrelevant. To be on the side that truly means the most to you isn't. If you believe in what is right and good, than evil has no chance of extinguishing the flames of justice." He turned, kneeling down. "Deidara, you have been like a son to me. You have learned and grown so much in the past year. I have barely known you, and you surpassed any expectation that I had in the beginning. I am proud of you." He stood, taking a head-band. "Therefore, in honor of your win yesterday, and your incredible fighting skills, I award you this Chunin head-band. Wear it with honor and pride!" He knelt down once more, undoing the Genin head-band around Deidara's forehead and fastening the Chunin head-band on in its place. He stood, turning to address the crowd.
"You good people have all witnessed the end of the Chunin Exams. Those here that have not passed are still worthy of adoration and admiration. They fought well, and they all acted like true ninja. Now, let us remember them for what they really are!" He turned, smiling as he brought his hands together, clapping slowly. All around the arena, the spectators were doing the same, until the shouts and roars became almost violent. Deidara and Bushio stood together, smiling up at the crowd.
"For Yoko?" Deidara glanced up at the boy, smiling wide.
"For Yoko, un!" They lifted their hands, waving at the cheering crowd as feet thrummed the ground and hands clapped. The sun began to slowly sink into the west, casting the horizon and the scenario in crimson red. As Deidara watched it sink, he smiled. His trials in the Village Hidden in the Stone were over. He was now a Chunin at the age of ten. Next stop...who could tell.
A/N: Thank you all for sticking through this with me! It has been an adventure! My next arc, Deidara's Story: Clay Hearts Molded, is up for your viewing pleasure! If you like, please read it.
A big thank you to Transient Shadow and Kamikaze Hakkeshu, who kept me to task on this story. I am sure they will continue to do so on my next!
I recommend reading Transient Shadow's story. Whereas mine is supposed to be more fanfiction than history, hers seems to be more towards the actual history of Deidara. If you want something more believable with far better detail, I suggest reading her story. You will be pleasantly surprised!
And, in the words of a movie's space captain...Never give up! Never Surrender!