A/N: Okay so just a minor point that I realise I haven't mentioned.

I keep referring to Tobi as a teenager, thats because he's 18 in this, Akira is 20 and Deidara is 23.

So yeah, Tobi is the youngest in my version :)

As ever, enjoy :D


Tobi's voice was a constant, but Akira couldn't help but smile at his enthusiastic and over-the-top animated stories. She glanced behind her to where Deidara was following, surprisingly calmly. On further inspection she spotted his angry-looking balled fists and slight crease lines above his closed eyes. Unbeknown to her, Deidara was only holding his fury in for her sake, as she was clearly enjoying the company and the time away from the base.

It had not taken them long to convince Pein that her vacation was much needed, especially after a certain blue-haired Akatsuki member had piped up in agreement. He had allowed it on the condition that Tobi and Deidara accompanied her.

So here they were, making their way through the trees on route to the Waterfall village, the closest thing Akira had known to a real home.

Something Tobi had said caused a giggle to escape the green-haired girl's lips, and Deidara couldn't help but notice how young she looked when she laughed. His expression softened and he dared to dip into their bubbling conversation.

'I mean it's not everyday you get this sort of holiday with friends! Tobi is delighted to be able to share this journey with you Akira-san!'

Her laugh rang out through the trees once more as she turned to look at the orange-faced teenager. 'Please, just call me Akira! Akira-san is so formal,' She turned back suddenly and caught Deidara watching her. Their eyes met for a brief moment but the gaze was disturbed by a shout from ahead.

'Look Akira-chan! There is a stream up ahead… Deidara Senpai! Can we stop for a snack, oh pleeeeease!' Tobi danced excitedly on the spot, looking fit to burst.

'How can you still have so much energy… We've been walking all day,' The blonde huffed, but agreed anyway. They sat themselves down by the trickling water and Akira pulled her hair up into a loose bun. She cupped her hands in the cool stream and the rubbed her face lightly, sighing at the refreshing motion.

Deidara once again found himself watching her, intrigued by the way the sun lit up her crystal blue eyes as the rays slipped through the branches overhead.

The serenity was broken by an irritating splashing noise as his Akatsuki partner galloped through the water like an unrestrained colt. He resisted the over-powering urge to drown the pesky teen, and focused his attention on rolling a small blob of clay between his fingers.

'So… How does it work?'

He looked up startled by the sudden attention. Blue eyes met blue, and for a moment he had to think about what she had asked. She flicked her gaze toward his hand where the clay was still being squashed.

'Oh that… You're not the only one with a Kekkei Genkai, yeah,' he smirked. He unravelled his fingers and revealed his palm to the inquisitive girl. Akira stared in wonder as a lengthy pink tongue emerged from a line in the centre of his palm and she gasped in surprise.

'What… How…?' She leaned in to get a better view and the corners of the usually concealed hand-mouth flicked up. She blinked in disbelief. 'It grinned at me!'

He chuckled at her mystified expression and withdrew his hand as he stood up to leave. 'That scroll I stole from my village, the one with the forbidden kinjutsu?' She nodded once as Tobi joined them. He was listening quietly for once, probably just as intrigued as Akira was. 'It allows you to be able to mould your chakra with certain substances, yeah. In this instance, it's detonating clay. Impressive, yeah?'

'Tobi thinks it's pretty weird–' He clamped his mouth shut abruptly when he noticed the unimpressed glare he was receiving from Deidara.

'It's very handy, I'll give you that,' Akira winked, clearly proud of her hand pun.

He rolled his eyes and scowled sarcastically. 'Oh yeah, like I haven't heard that one before…' Deidara's voice trailed off and he stopped walking. On her right, Tobi mirrored his action and she followed their gaze to the clearing ahead.

Three middle-aged, burly-looking outlaws stood before them, blocking their path.

'Well, well. Look at what we have here, boys.' The first one stirred, smirking callously, a wicked glint in his eyes.

The second sneered as he regarded them with dark, onyx eyes. 'Weary travellers…'

'Aye, and look at what they got with them,' The last one's eyes fixed greedily on Akira. His milky white hair falling threateningly over his eyes.

'Low-life's,' she growled under her breath.

'Ooo, the girl's got a bark. You wanna come over hear and say that again?'

Deidara stepped in front of her defensively. 'Call yourself a man, threatening a girl like that, yeah?' He ground out, giving the pale-haired thug a death glare.

Before Akira had realised what was happening, the trio had split off and two raging battles had begun on either side of her. She glanced to her left to see Deidara flitting between the trees on a large clay dragonfly as he sent three small swan-like bombs spiralling toward his opponent. To her right, Tobi was prancing about childishly in a mean effort to avoid the enemy shuriken, somehow demonstrating surprising skill.

Anxiety gripped her as she realised the third man was missing, and she began to retrace her steps into the foliage for cover. Suddenly, a rogue kunai sliced through the air past her ear and another pierced her right shoulder. She gasped, more out of shock, and yanked the offending weapon out from her flesh.

Without being able to help herself, she winced at the pain causing her steps to falter. Seizing his chance, the third bandit made a grab for the retreating figure. Akira picked up her pace to escape into the safety of the bushes, but she was too slow.

He thrust a hand against her weakened shoulder and kneed her hard in the stomach. She dropped to the floor and her arm hung limp at her side, dislocated.

He pushed down hard against her wrists and straddled his helpless victim, pinning her to the floor. Akira squirmed beneath him, desperately trying to free herself. Not that it would make much difference, she knew better than anyone that her skills as a ninja didn't stray far from her Genjutsu, and without her beloved whistle, nestled securely in her pocket, she was as good as dead.

Stupid girl, she cursed herself. Why didn't she bring it out as soon as the bandits appeared. Stupid, useless girl.

'Not such the big talker without your friends, are you girly?' She recoiled from the foul stench of his sadistic, toothless grin and began to wriggle harder. Her good arm slipped free and her hand scrabbled to reach her pocket.

'Not so fast!' He slammed a chakra-filled palm onto her chest, causing her to gasp for breath. A silent tear slipped from her eye and her thrashing slowed. She squeezed her eyes closed and tried to get a hold of herself.

'What the–' A loud explosion sounded above her and the man began to scream. The burden was abruptly lifted from her waist as everything went silent. Her breath came in short, sharp, rasping pants and a high-pitched buzzing was ricocheting around her eardrums.

Her eyes snapped open to see the remains of the perverted bandit strewn across the grass alongside her. Deidara, who was crouching by her side, dipped his head as he scooped her up from the ground. Her head slumped against his chest, unable to support the weight any longer and she let her eyelids slide closed. She listened to the stable rhythm of his heartbeat as she tried to steady her own.

It began to dawn on her that the blast was from one of Deidara's bombs and was also the cause of her sudden lack of hearing. Akira felt herself slowly drift into unconsciousness, finally feeling safe enough to do so.


A/N: Thanks for reading! Please feel free to R&R, helps a lot :) x