Binas: I am decided to skip The Painted Lady, Sokka's Master, The Beach, and The Avatar and The Firelord because I am not sure what would be even changeable enough for the plot line without ticking everyone here off for extreme OoCness (already did that once in a few other stories), or for shortness again. Besides, I can't picture Deidara swinging a sword around without some sort of problem and two of those aren't even centered around the Gaang enough for something to be worked with. I will leave them up to your imaginations, okay?
As for Deidara, he kinda wants to challenge Sparky Sparky Boom Man.
However, I have faith this will be Deidara's fun chapter...
Also my updates maybe more spread out due to some recent changes. I know it sucks on your end, but I kinda have been wanting more time with my parents secretly... -Giddly face-
Review time!
Thanatos's Scribe: I have something in the works in the back of my mind. I am not sure how to go about it though. One idea will give you guys one big mind screw, which I think I need to pull at some point.
reven228: Thanks. And I will look up Kevin Bacon when I get the chance, cause I don't know who that is.
TheMagicManWithThePlan: Thanks. I was thinking about it, but Deidara doesn't rub off as a seductive type to me. Besides, if I were to write him as such, I would need to bump this up to an M, which I don't want my parents to find if they every check out what I write. Melding is caused by the strengthening bonds, which in turn opens up some many possibilities for a bunch of things. And he is starting to have his impact, but it's happening gradually. I don't want any sudden changes that seem a bit way too jumpy.
ultima-owner: I swear Henge/Transformation Jutsu is the most unused useful Jutsu in Naruto. It has so many uses!
JaDe In NighT: With the skipping I have done, the Bloodbending is next for sure. I think Deidara may have a few nightmares after the next chapter...
Guest 1, Chapter 10, August 11: Maybe, maybe not. All depends because I am not good with romance and I don't want romance the central theme. But if he were to get attracted to someone, I think Toph would be the first one he goes for. Ironic in someway, huh?
Trivia/Did you know:
* That Techno is my most favorite/preferred genre of music?
* That there is a reference to the Dango Scene from the Three Tails arc in this chapter?
.
Deidara delivered a few light-as he-could-make punches into Sokka's gut. Sokka fell over from the force in those 'light' punches. Deidara smirked.
"Ten for me, zero for you, hm.", Deidara said.
"No need to rub it in.", Sokka said as he got up and rubbed his sore butt, "Can everyone hit like you where you're from?"
"I heard that the legendary Tsunade from the Sannin can create craters that are at least a dozen of meters wide just from raw strength.", Deidara said, "Then there's some people with the Explosion Style Kekkei Genkai who can blow stuff up from just punching, hm."
Sokka's jaw dropped as he let out a squeak. Deidara snickered at how pathetic Sokka looked.
"Don't tell me, you were at the receiving ends of those.", Sokka said.
"Nope. When I was five, I saw one person tick off a person with the Explosion Style so much that he had to be sent to the hospital for a month. As for Tsunade, I was six when I saw a bunch of blood covered, knocked out or dead shinobi being dragged back on gurneys, hm.", Deidara said.
Sokka pictured how the victims of said incidents might have looked. Definetly not a pretty picture to show to someone. He cringed at the gruesome mental image a bit.
"I don't want to know what happened to anyone else for right now, okay?", Sokka said, "Let's just check on Aang, Katara, and Toph."
Both Deidara and Sokka climbed up the short cliff. What they came to was Aang standing in the middle of a brawl between Katara and Toph with a blindfold on. Deidara had to admit, that wasn't the smartest thing to do with all the mud flying around.
"Are we taking a break?", Aang asked.
Sokka grew a sly smirk and dashed right towards Aang with a hand raised.
"SNEAK ATTACK!", Sokka shouted as he let loose a battle cry.
Aang merely waved an arm, causing Sokka to face plant into an earthen wall. Sokka fell over in pain once more. Deidara gave a disapproving look at Sokka, making the latter moan in irritation.
"Sokka, sneak attacks won't work if you scream them out.", Aang said lifting his blind fold up.
More mud came flying out of Katara and Toph's direction. Some mud plashed on Deidara who groaned in annoyance.
"Hungry for a mud pie?", Toph asked and kicked mud into Katara's face.
"I'll show you a mud pie!", Katara snarked back.
Katara bended a large mass of mud into Toph, sending her into the ground. She quickly got up and launched Katara into the air with a pillar of mud. Katara crashed into a nearby wall. Just before the girls could get even more vicious, Aang called out to them.
"Um guys, I thought we were suppose to be training me.", Aang said.
"Very well, pupil. I believe we had enough training for today.", Katara said before walking off to go clean herself up.
Toph stepped forward with large grin.
"While Katara goes to clean up, let's go have some fun!", Toph said and Earthbended the mud right off herself.
Aang and Sokka cheered while Deidara rolled his eyes, not amused. Sokka and Aang grabbed Deidara by the wrists and dragged him along with them as they followed Toph.
The quartet strolled down the shopping district. Sokka skimmed the hawk dispatch center with a small smile on his face.
"Look at those messenger hawks! I have been thinking about buying one. That way, I don't have to talk to people anymore, I could just send them letters!", Sokka said.
"Don't get your hopes up. Someone may kill your hawk, hm.", Deidara said.
"Do have to always rain on everyone's parade?", Sokka asked frowning a bit.
"Yup.", Deidara said and walked passed Sokka with a smirk, ticking off the young warrior off a bit.
"Nice one Golden Terror!", Toph said punching Deidara in the arm.
"Ow!", Deidara said and rubbed his arm, "What the heck was that for?"
"That's how I show my affection.", Toph said.
Deidara frowned and gave a punch back into Toph's arm. Toph stumbled a bit before regaining her balance. She shot Deidara a glare. After a few moments of glaring at each other, they both broke out into laughter, confusing Aang and Sokka.
"So what are we going to do with our last silver piece?", Aang asked, showing the final silver piece in their possession.
"We should save it.", Deidara said, "Maybe I can find something that will give some sort of pay, hm."
"I know where we can get more money without being bored to death.", Toph said and pointed across the street, "There."
Aang, Deidara, and Sokka turned to where Toph pointed. It was a scam artist with a table, three shells, some loot behind him, and some pebbles. There was a guy there trying his luck. Unfortunetly for the man, he lost and walked away crying.
"This is where you seeing people are at a huge disadvantage. Everyone gets loses because the man removes the pebbles at the last second. I can feel that with my Earthbending.", Toph said smirking.
The scam artist looked around and saw Toph. Deidara saw him smirk.
'So he's going to try to take advantage of Toph. Should I let him embarrass himself? Yeah I should.', Deidara thought.
"Hey you, young lady. Wanna play a fair little game?", The scam artist said.
"Me? How can I play? I am completely blind.", Toph said in an innocent voice as she waved her hand in front of her own face.
"You don't need to be able to see to be lucky.", The scam artist said.
Toph grabbed a hold of Deidara's arm and let him lead her to the seat to keep up the helpless and innocent blind girl act. Deidara had to admit, she could act. If he didn't know her, he would have completely fallen for the act she displayed.
Toph set their final silver piece on the table. The scam artist began to shuffle his shells at an insane speed. Sokka, Deidara, and Aang had a hard time keeping track of the shells. Toph inwardly smirked as she felt three pebbles emerge from the scam artist's sleeves. He was just trying to be soft towards her.
When the shells ceased to move, Toph selected the shell to her left. The scam artist lifted the shell to reveal a pebble.
"Flamey-o Toph!", Aang said as the scam artist placed two silver pieces on the table.
"Fancy guessing, little lady. Want to make the game more interesting?", The scam artist asked as he fiddled with a few coins.
"More interesting? How?", Toph asked.
"Throw in your friend's sword, and maybe I will bumped the winning up to twenty silver pieces.", The scam artist said eyeing Sokka's space sword.
Toph snatched Sokka's sword from Sokka. Sokka yelped in fright, fearing that he may loose his beloved sword. Deidara himself was surprised Toph would go through with this.
"I will do it for forty silver pieces.", Toph said.
"Forty it is then.", The scam artist said with a smug look as he placed a bag with said amount on the table.
Once more the shells went flying across the table at insane speeds. Even fast than the last time. Toph felt each pebble being removed from the game. She used some subtle movements and made one of the pebbles stay behind. When the shells came to a halt, Toph choose the middle shell.
"Sorry miss, but-", The scam artist said and became shocked when he saw the pebble still there.
"I WON!", Toph shouted and grabbed the bag of money.
Sokka quickly snatched his sword and along with Aang and Toph, ran away from the stunned scam artist. Deidara smirked.
'Maybe just one little game wouldn't hurt...', Deidara thought as his smirk became more smug looking.
"Hey, would it be alright if I played a game, hm?", Deidara asked.
The scam artist recovered a bit and smirked. Maybe he would have better luck with the odd looking young boy.
"Have a seat.", The scam artist said.
Deidara sat down on the mat Indian Style. He shuffled through his pouch and pulled out a small pre-made finch and sat it on the table.
"I'd like to bet this against fifteen gold pieces.", Deidara said.
"I never seen a bird like this before. I love the fine details and it seems very authentic and original. Are you sure it's worth fifteen gold pieces?", The scam artist said as he smirked slightly.
"Oh don't worry about that until after the game, hm.", Deidara said as he gave a smirk of his own.
'You have no idea what's coming!', Deidara thought.
After the scam artist placed a small bag of fifteen gold pieces on the table, the shells went flying for a third time. Deidara didn't even bother to pay attention to the shells, he knew by the placement of the bird, he would get his prize any ways. Once the shells stopped, Deidara pointed at a random shell. The scam artist lifted it up to reveal nothing.
"Sorry young lad, but you lost.", The scam artist said.
"Bummer! And that was my best piece of work yet!", Deidara said in faux sadness.
Deidara walked away and once he was a good distance away, he made a hand sign.
"Katsu.", Deidara whispered.
The bird exploded right in the scam artist's face, causing him to cry out in horror. The bag containing the fifteen gold pieces went flying in the air, and landed in Deidara's hand. Deidara smirked and dashed back to camp quickly before the smoke cleared. He even let out a jerkish laugh at the scam artist's agony.
"Sucker, hm!", Deidara taunted.
By the time Deidara returned to camp, he saw everyone eating. They were all surprised to see Deidara return with a bag of money. Well, Katara was more annoyed than surprised.
"Let me guess, you also cheated.", Katara said.
"Nope.", Deidara said with a smirk.
Everyone gave Deidara looks, confusing the terrorist bomber.
"What, hm?", Deidara asked.
"What did you do?", Katara asked sternly.
"I betted my art against fifteen gold pieces.", Deidara said.
"Did it happen to explode by any chance?", Katara pressed further.
"Um... No?", Deidara lied.
Toph snickered in the background. Deidara could tell that she knew he was lying, but was not going to reveal it.
"What's so funny, Toph?", Katara asked.
"I am just surprised he didn't blow the cheater up. I expected him to do that.", Toph said, going along with Deidara's lie.
Katara gave a stern look towards Deidara.
"If I find out you were lying, I will make sure you are the next one to clean up after Appa with your bare hands.", Katara warned, "And it will be fresh."
Deidara cringed as he gained a slight green tint to his face. He didn't like the idea of having his palm mouths touch something so disgusting. In fact, he was down right disgusted. He didn't want to taste crap anytime soon. Deidara nodded rapidly, showing he understood. Katara walked away.
However, the days went on, Aang, Sokka, and Toph continued to do their scams. Some of which were pretty simple with others being hard. Some of which were either silly or down right insane. Ranging from pretending to be run over to changing the rolled number on some long bricks. There was even a test your strength game, which Toph beaten with ease with her Earthbending.
Deidara however, found a more entertaining way to make money, but it was rather risky...
"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE STREET RAT!", A soldier shouted.
Deidara, disguised as a random poverty stricken child via a Transformation Jutsu, dashed through the town. He 'accidentally' bumped into people, and when ever he did so, he snatched a coin or two from their pouches. While not a lot, it was enough to make his thieving unknown for the most part. And the funny part, the people he 'bumped' into were the scam artists that littered the town.
Deidara grinned as he tripped the guard that was chasing him. He blew a raspberry before kicking some dirt into the face of the soldier and jumping away. Once he was a safe distance away he laughed. This was one of his many successfully heists. The only one he was truly proud of was when stole the Kinjutsu. It was excruciatingly painful once he used it but it was worth said pain and more. While he preferred blowing things up, but he was certain the others would not approve of him being part of a demolition squad or something like that.
Deidara returned to the camp to see Toph counting money with Aang and Sokka sitting around. Katara was just about ready to scold them. Katara spotted Deidara and saw him with a small bag dangling from his clay pouches. She frowned and faced everyone.
"These scams and thefts need to stop right now! Something bad will happen if you don't!", Katara snapped.
"I wills top when I feel like it, hm.", Deidara said.
"Will you lighten up and stop being a sourpuss, Sugar Queen?", Toph asked and tossed a small rectangular coin at Katara.
Katara caught the coin and glared. She tossed it at Toph's feet in anger.
"Oh I am so sorry! You think I need to be more like you?! Like some wild, misbehaved child?", Katara snapped as Sokka snatched the coin Katara threw on the ground.
Deidara gave Sokka a 'really' look. Sokka shrugged with a grin.
"Duh! You may then see how great we have it! We are traveling the world making easy money! Having fun! And NO parents to tell us what we can and can't do!", Toph said as she leaned on a rock.
"I see this is because of your parents.", Katara said.
"Whatever.", Toph said.
"They were controlling what you could and couldn't do, so that's why you ran away. Now, you act like they don't even exist at all. You must feel guilty.", Katara said.
"I do pretend that.", Toph said.
"I don't think so. You must miss them, but can't bring yourself to admitting that.", Katara snapped.
"I ran away to help Aang!", Toph defended.
Deidara lowered his eyelids. The drama that was brought around seemed like it came from a cheesy film that sends people a guilt trip.
"Can we stop the drama? I think we get the point...", Deidara said with a yawn.
"No!", Katara snapped at Deidara, "You guys don't get it. Deidara, you are no better. You get rather careless and reckless when you are not on a leash. We already got a third-eyed freak after us!"
"Speaking of the third-eyed freak. I think I have a name for him. What about 'Sparky Sparky Boom Man'?", Sokka said.
Everyone stared at Sokka. Deidara frowned and was first to break the silence.
"Seriously?", Deidara asked.
"Just think about it.", Sokka said.
"The more I do, the more ridiculous I find it to be, hm.", Deidara said, "Besides, what would that make me?"
"Uh...", Sokka pondered before coming up with a name, "Ah! I got it! You would be 'Baby Boom Boom'!"
A deadly silence roamed over everyone as Deidara's eye twitched.
"Sokka...", Deidara snarled.
Sokka gulped and immediately ran away, seeing the darkening look on the terrorist's face.
"YOU'RE DEAD!", Deidara screamed and threw a bunch of clay spiders at Sokka.
As soon as the clay spiders went off, Sokka was sent flying. Sokka landed at the bottom of the shallow cliff with several burns and bruises. Nothing too hard for Katara to fix.
"Ow...", Sokka moaned in pain.
Everyone else looked at Deidara and took a few steps back, not wanting the same fate to fall on them. Toph decided to walk off, using the distraction to her advantage. Once she was a desirable distance away, she made an earth tent and rested in it.
Later that early afternoon...
Katara watched as Deidara exchanged a few blows with Aang. Since Deidara was denied of sparring with Sokka after blowing him up, Aang was the next best choice. Deidara had to admit, Aang was an exceptional dodger. Aang managed to evade majority of his punches with spiral yet versatile movements.
As Deidara went in for a quick jab into Aang's gut, Aang side stepped and knocked Deidara off balance with a few blows. Deidara recovered quickly and did a low leg sweep at Aang's feet. Aang jumped out of the way and back flipped behind Deidara. Deidara realized Aang got behind him and delivered a quick reverse roundhouse kick. This caught Aang off guard, opening himself up for impact. Aang fell over into the grass.
"You need to work more on anticipating and keeping your guard up more, hm.", Deidara said squatting to Aang's current level.
Aang sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment as Katara giggled a bit. At that moment, a squawk was heard. Both boys turned up to see that Sokka came back with a hawk. Deidara face palmed. Aang, Katara, and Deidara walked up to Sokka.
"Oh Sokka! Don't tell me you bought a bird!", Katara exasperated as she face palmed, "Aren't the ones Deidara makes enough?"
Deidara raised an eyebrow at the comment. He was not sure if should be offended or not.
"This not just any old bird. It's a messenger bird!", Sokka said with a smile, "Now we can send letters all over the world! Even to Gran Gran!"
"How does it work?", Aang asked.
Deidara sighed as Sokka gave an unknowing look.
"You don't know how to use it, do you, hm?", Deidara asked.
"Pretty much...", Sokka said.
"Then why did you buy it in the first place?", Deidara asked.
"Because I wanted one... But I think I know how to work it now!", Sokka said, "Hawky, Gran Gran at the South Pole!"
Sokka pointed to the south. Hawky the hawk shook it's head, not complying to it's orders. Deidara was not amused with this.
"I think he gets it.", Sokka said.
"To me, you forgot something, hm.", Deidara said.
"What did I forget?", Sokka asked.
"The message!", Deidara said, drawing out each syllable.
Sokka blushed a bit in embarrassment. At that moment, Momo came into the picture and began hissing at Hawky. Hawky screeched back at Momo and the two began clawing, pecking, biting, and scratching at each other. Sokka was caught right in the middle of it as the two animals raced around his head.
"Hawky! Make nice! Bad Hawky!", Sokka said as he struggled to remove the fighting animals.
"A few more cuts and scrapes, you would have enough for an embarrassing album grafted on your skin.", Deidara said with a smirk.
"Shut up, Deidara, and help me!", Sokka said.
"Nah. You look better this way, hm. Besides, you could learn something from this.", Deidara said and walked away as Sokka screamed in pain from Hawky and Momo's fight.
Later at Dusk...
Sokka and Toph returned from their scamming. Aang and Deidara were sitting at a ledge with Appa behind them sleeping, drinking some tea, while Katara made dinner. Katara looked up from her cooking pot and frowned.
"Look who decided to join us. Let me guess, you two were off scamming people again.", Katara said.
"Yes we were.", Toph said.
"Then you don't think what you are doing is dangerous?", Katara asked as she approached Toph.
"No, I don't.", Toph said.
"Oh really?", Katara asked.
"I am very sure.", Toph said.
"Then what's this?", Katara said as she pulled out a sheet of paper.
Deidara got up and took a closer look at the paper. It was a wanted poster of Toph. it called her 'The Runaway'. He was surprised once more, that he didn't have a wanted poster yet. Then again, he had been transforming himself every time he went to go steal something or torment scam artists.
"I have no idea! What's with you people and forgetting that I'm BLIND!?", Toph said in annoyance as she tugged at her bottom eye lids.
"It's a wanted poster of you, Toph! Are you called 'The Runaway' now? Are you proud of it?", Katara snapped.
"Where the heck did you get that?!", Toph asked in anger.
"It doesn't matter where I got it from!", Katara said.
"You have no right to go touching my stuff!", Toph snapped.
Deidara backed away a bit, not wanting to be caught up in the drama. At the same time, Aang got up from the ledge and came closer.
"Your stuff was messy, and I decided to help by cleaning it up!", Katara said, "I happened to come across it!"
"You're lying Katara!", Toph shouted.
"Fine! I lied! But you've been so out of control lately, and I knew something was up! I knew you were hiding something and you were!", Katara said, waving the wanted poster in Toph's face.
"Oh really, mom?", Toph asked sarcastically, "What are you going to do? Send me to my room?"
"I wish I could!", Katara said.
"Well you can't! You're not my mom, or their mom!", Toph said and pointed at the boys.
Deidara looked up and frowned at Toph.
"You had to bring me into this...", Deidara moaned in annoyance.
"I never said that I was!", Katara said.
"No but you sure do act like you are! You think it's your job to boss everyone around, but it isn't! You are just a kid like the rest of us! So stop acting like the adult around here and quit tell me what I can and can't do! I can do whatever I want!", Toph snapped as rage burned in her blind eyes.
"I don't act that way!", Katara shouted, "Sokka do I act like a mom?"
"Hey, I am staying out of this one!", Sokka said as he put both hands up.
"Deidara, do you think I'm like a mom?", Katara asked.
"I am not sure. The closest to a parental figure was my teacher.", Deidara said.
"Aang, what about you? Do I act like a mom?", Katara asked once more.
"Well, um...", Aang mumbled as he rubbed his sleepy eyes.
"Stop rubbing your eye and speak more clearly!", Katara snapped.
That startled Aang completely awake. He shoot straight up quickly.
"Yes m'am.", Aang said.
Toph stomped away, muttering under her breath. She was definetly not in the mood for this.
Katara was sitting on a ledge as Deidara, Aang, and Sokka spied on her from behind a large boulder. Hawky was perched on Sokka's shoulder idly.
"Hey Aang, Deidara, want to test my messenger hawk with me?", Sokka whispered as he nudged the two.
"Sure.", Aang said.
"What are you going to exactly test it on?", Deidara asked.
"I am going to send a letter to Katara and make it look like it's from Toph-", Sokka began but cut off by Deidara's smacking him upside the head, "OW! What was that for?"
"Can you not see how many things are wrong with that plan, hm?", Deidara said.
"Oh... Toph can't write...", Sokka said and hung his head in shame after realizing the problem, "What if we put in the letter that Toph told us to write it?"
"I think that might work.", Aang said.
"Again, something wrong with it.", Deidara said.
"Aw come on! Stop being a stick in the mud! What could possibly go wrong?", Sokka said, asking the fate tempting question.
"I CAN HEAR YOU THREE YOU KNOW!", Katara shouted from the ledge, ruining their chances, "YOU ALL ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!"
Katara stormed off, leaving Sokka with a pouty look. Aang blinked a bit, wondering how Katara could hear them from the distance they were at.
"Look at what you did, Deidara!", Sokka said in annoyance.
"Not my fault I wasn't being an idiot, hm.", Deidara said flatly.
"You know what, I am just going to talk to Toph, okay?", Sokka said.
Sokka walked away from the boulder, in the direction Toph was in. Aang and Deidara exchanged glances.
"Why didn't you think it would work?", Aang asked.
"Toph doesn't seem like the type to apologize without some sort of motivation.", Deidara said.
"How can you tell?", Aang asked.
"Her attitude is similar to mine, I will admit that.", Deidara said, "And also, have you seen me ever apologize once, hm?"
"Now that I think of it, no, not really...", Aang said, surprised at the fact he couldn't remember a single apology leave Deidara's lips.
"And have you ever seen Toph apologize?", Deidara asked.
"Not really...", Aang said.
"There's your problem. How can someone buy a fake apology if the 'sender' never said sorry once, hm?", Deidara said.
"Wow. Maybe Sokka should have made the note come from Katara.", Aang said.
"And get launched by a bunch of boulders for lying? Sounds like fun.", Deidara said sarcastically, "While we are at it, we might as well break our arms and lose an eye."
Aang deflated a bit in embarrassment. He once more forgot something about Toph. Toph could tell if someone was lying. And since Aang tended to be a bit crazy and unrealistic with his lies and the fact he was Toph's student, he knew he would be the first one Toph launches.
Aang saw Sokka, Toph, and Katara return from their respective directions. Both Deidara and Aang approached them in curiosity.
"Hey Toph, um...", Katara began.
"Stop, you have no need to apologize.", Toph said, "I was the one being reckless and stupid. These scams are out of control and I am through with them."
Katara smiled a bit. But the next sentences that came out of her mouth shocked him and everyone.
"I wasn't going to apologize at all. I was going to say 'I want to pull a scam with you'.", Katara said.
Sokka and Aang went slack jawed with the classic white eyes. Deidara blinked in surprise with a 'what the heck' look on his face.
"What? You want to pull a scam?", Toph asked, a bit surprised herself.
"Not just any old scam. The ULTIMATE scam!", Katara said.
Those words caused Aang and Sokka to fall onto the ground unconscious. A frothy foam began to seep out of their mouths, disgusting Deidara bit. Deidara stepped away from the foaming boys.
"What do you say, Toph? One final go at it?", Katara asked, "Are you in?"
Deidara frowned, something was wrong. Horribly wrong.
"You know I am in! What's this plan of your's?", Toph said.
Katara began discussing the plans for the scam as she walked away with Toph. It involved Toph getting turned in and escaping with Metalbending. Deidara was suspicious.
'Katara would never pull a scam without a reason. It makes no sense...', Deidara thought, 'What's gotten into her?'
The next day the ultimate scam was put into action. Aang, Sokka, and Deidara waited for what seemed to be forever. Deidara began to ponder on why Katara was scamming again. The scams they pulled off before never took this long. Was this even a scam? After a few solemn minutes of pondering, Deidara got smacked across the face by what was going on. This was no scam at all.
"I don't think a scam should be taking this long.", Aang said, "Do you?"
Aang's words were exactly what was being thought over in Deidara's mind.
"I was wondering the exact same thing.", Sokka said.
"We need to check this out. I don't think there's a scam going on.", Deidara said.
"It's settled then.", Sokka said and turned to the team pets, "Alright, you two better behave. Appa's in charge."
Both Hawky and Momo screeched just to be shut up by Appa's roaring.
The trio of boys wandered through the empty and bleak town. It sure wasn't as lively right now, even the scam artists were no where in sight. They searched every alley and road within the city limits, with Aang and Sokka thinking the scam was with another vendor. Deidara was a bit suspicious of whether or not there was really a scam.
Tap! Squeak!
"Where do you think they might be?", Sokka asked.
Tap! Squeak!
"Not here obviously, hm.", Deidara said.
Tap! Squeak!
Aang perked up a bit and turned around. His face became panicked really quickly.
"Watch out guys!", Aang shouted.
Aang pushed both Deidara and Sokka out of the way and behind a fountain with Ozai's statue in it. A beam of combustive power hit right where they once stood. All three of them poked their heads out from behind the fountain in surprise.
"What the heck was that for?!", Deidara snapped looking at Aang.
"It's Sparky Sparky Boom Man!", Aang said in fright.
Deidara looked up and Sparky Sparky Boom Man. The crap really knew how to hit the ceiling fast around here. Sokka held his head a bit.
"You know, now that I think of it, that name seems a bit ridiculous! Which one of you let me think it up?", Sokka said.
"No time for that, hm! You two go find Katara and Toph, I'll deal with three eyes here.", Deidara said and got into his signature stance.
Aang and Sokka gawked at him.
"Stop gawking like goldfish! Just go! I can handle myself!", Deidara snapped and dodged a combustive beam.
Aang and Sokka ran like heck after that. Deidara landed in a combative stance as he slid on the cobble stone road. Dust particles scattered about briefly before settling again. Deidara looked up at Sparky Sparky Boom Man with a determined/cocky look. He was going to teach that wanna be a little lesson.
"Hey, your explosions are great in all, but they are really bland, hm!", Deidara called out to the mute assassin, "This is how it's done!"
Deidara dodged another combustive beam as his right hand dove into his right clay pouch. Once his palm mouth was done, a pair of clay snakes were resting in his hand. He tossed one at Sparky Sparky Boom Man, to which he dodged. Perfect. That left a slight opening, which Deidara took advantage of quickly. Deidara threw his second clay snake and prepared a hand sign. Sparky Sparky Boom Man saw the clay snake too late. Deidara made the clay snake increase in size, allowing the figurine to constrict Sparky Sparky Boom Man.
"KATSU!", Deidara shouted, causing the sculpture to explode.
Deidara then quickly made a dash in the direction Aang and Sokka went. Just as soon as he reached a 'talking' wheelbarrow, another combustion beam whizzed past. Deidara was surprised as he looked up on a roof. There stood Sparky Sparky Boom Man, covered in nasty severe burns, but still alive. Deidara's eye twitched in anger. He was forced to dive behind the wheelbarrow as another combustive beam was aimed at him. He threw both Sokka and Aang into the wheelbarrow and kicked it down the road.
"DEIDARA! YOU CRAZY JERK!", Sokka screamed as the wheelbarrow went wildly down the street, "THIS IS NOT WE PLANNED ON!"
"Whatever, it has to be better than whatever you had planned.", Deidara said, not knowing what Sokka's idea was and had no idea it was a tiny bit safer.
Deidara ran after Sparky Sparky Boom Man, who the latter was trying to blast the wild moving wheelbarrow. Deidara used this distraction to his advantage and delivered a punch to the back of Sparky Sparky Boom Man's skull. This knocked Sparky Sparky Boom Man off balance and off the roof. Sparky Sparky Boom Man looked up at Deidara and prepared to blast him again. He was stopped when his head became encased in ice.
Katara and Toph had arrived. In tow, they had a slightly battered Aang and Sokka.
"Next time, don't send us to our doom in a wheelbarrow. It's embarrassing!", Sokka said in annoyance.
"Like I care about your pride, hm. I saved your hides.", Deidara said nonchalantly.
Everyone sighed in exasperation as Sokka frowned and Toph laughed. Team Avatar began to run away from the scene as they saw the ice beginning to melt. Once they were a good distance away, Sparky Sparky Boom Man busted out of his icy encasement.
"Hey, I think I finally got it! Combustion Man! It's A LOT better than Sparky Sparky Boom Man!", Sokka said.
Deidara rolled his eyes. He could care less about what they called the Combustionbender that was chasing them.
"Good work, Sokka. Now let's get out of here before Combustion Man blows us up.", Toph said.
"See it fits so well!", Sokka said.
As another beam of combustive energy came hurdling at them, Deidara threw a clay bird at it as Toph threw a boulder.
"KATSU!", Deidara shouted, forming a hand sign.
The bird blew up right in front of Combustion Man, causing him to be knocked back as the boulder took care of the combustive beam. The boulder shattered, causing pebbles to fly everywhere. One pebble slammed into Combustion Man's third eye, causing him to be stunned. He tried to fire another blast but it was too late, Team Avatar was gone and all he got was a nasty blast in the face caused by himself.
Later at another camp...
Everyone got off Appa, content with their new camping ground for the night. Aang went to get some firewood as Sokka stretch and yawned with Hawky resting on his shoulder, proving yawning was contagious to all species of animals.
"Well I am exhausted. How about you Hawky?", Sokka said, receiving a squawk from Hawky, "Yeah. You are such a lazy bird."
Sokka took Hawky over to where Appa was and both of them snuggled against their giant furry friend.
Deidara approached Toph and Katara.
"Didn't you turn in Toph for real, hm?", Deidara asked.
Toph and Katara looked at each other then burst out laughing.
"What ever gave you that idea, Hot Fuse?", Toph asked.
"Huh?!", Deidara asked in shock.
"I guess we are good actors under the right conditions.", Katara said with a small smile.
"Wait, that was really a scam, hm!?", Deidara asked as he looked at both Katara and Toph.
"Yeah! Why would I get arrested for real by Katara?", Toph said smirking.
"Uh...", Deidara began, causing more snickers.
Deidara blushed a bit before backing off a bit. Once more, the terrorist bomber jumped to conclusions too fast with the wrong information. He went into Appa's saddle to sleep off the slight embarrassment.