Deidara's Story:

Clay Hearts Molded

Chapter 1: Fates Entwined

Deidara awoke, having been jolted from his restless sleep by a knock on the door. Yawning, he stretched, getting into a sitting position on the bed as he rolled a hand over his face. Yanoi was still sleeping peacefully next to him, and he smiled, kissing her cheek lightly as another knock resounded through the apartment. Annoyed, Deidara stood, walking to the door and opening it.

"What do you want?" A young kunoichi stood in the doorway, a letter at her side. However, she was too busy staring at Deidara, who had neglected to remember to put any sort of clothing on before getting out of bed.

"Um...er...um..." The poor girl could hardly speak as Deidara realized his mistake. Looking down at himself in a half-stupor of lazy tiredness, he smiled awkwardly. Closing the door for a moment, he went to the bed, throwing on his clothes from the previous night. Cinching his belt up tighter, he once again answered the door, smiling at the girl.

"Sorry. Now, what do you want, un?" The girl said nothing, merely extending the letter out while bowing. Deidara quickly took it, smirking with amusement as the girl, red-faced, turned and ran down the hallway, muttering to herself. "What...never seen a guy naked before, un?" He smiled again, closing the door and walking back to the bed. Deidara glanced over at Yanoi, who was making small noises in her sleep, before taking a kunai from the bedpost and cutting the letter open. A small piece of paper fell out from the rip in the side. Deidara quickly put aside the envelope, opening the stamped letter. Of course, it was blank. As much as the Tsuchikage trusted everyone in the village, he was still overly dramatic when it came to security.

"Err...you make this old, you old fart!" Placing both hands on the letter, he sighed, willing a small amount of his chakra into the paper. In an instant, words began springing to life on the sheet, and he sighed once more as he held it up, reading it.

Deidara...

A mission has arisen that needs your personal touch. It is only a B-Rank, therefore you will be going solo on this. I hope that you don't find this to be a vacation...but do have fun, hm?

Tsuchikage

So, that was it. The Tsuchikage was sending him on a vacation, eh? Just a B-Rank. Deidara had done so many A and S-Rank missions in the past year that his head spun. However, each time he completed a mission, his portfolio would get heavier. If one thing helped him more than his art...it was his ego.

"Hmm...I wonder what kind of mission the old man has me on this time, un?" Getting up, he stretched, going to the dresser in the corner and slipping out of his regular clothes for his loose fitting mission outfit. The baggier pants suited him. Plus, as an added bonus, the blue pants and white shirt brought out his eyes. He smiled at himself as he tightened his belt around his middle, bringing out his ocular enhancement device and strapping it on. He took a quick glance at the back, smiling at the small insignia of the Tsuchikage that had been placed in the back. It had been his present for completing the Jounin Exam...more appropriately, for surviving the Jounin Exam.

"Deidara-kun...where are you going?" He glanced over at the bed, where Yanoi was sitting up on an elbow, watching him.

"Mission, dear one. Don't worry, it's only a B-Rank. Please, stay in bed and get some rest, un. I am sure you and your squad will have a mission soon." Going over to where Yanoi half-lay, he sat down, kissing her fondly before getting back up. "This should be easy. I'll be back before you know it." Walking to the door, he smiled, waving at her as she pouted.

"Well...just don't take too long, hm? You know how I worry." Deidara nodded, giving her a last goodbye before silently exiting the room. As he made his way up the stairs to the Tsuchikage's meeting room, he fondled the letter in his hand. Thinking about the past only brought up painful memories, and as such, he refused to ever think of them. His was a past that was better forgotten anyways. Best to look towards the future. One couldn't change the past, but you could manipulate the future, and for him, it seemed bright.

It was a mere minute later that Deidara jauntily strode into the Tsuchikage's office, smiling at the old man behind the desk as he took a seat opposite him. "So, what is it now, old man?" The Tsuchikage smiled, taking a puff on the pipe that was already lit and in his mouth.

"Seems that we have a mission that could use your talents, boy." Deidara grimaced. The referral to him as a youth seemed to nag at him all the time.

"Please don't call me that, old man. You know how I hate it." The Tsuchikage smiled once again, taking a thoughtful puff on the pipe.

"Then don't call me old man, huh? You know that I don't hate it...but it doesn't seem right." Deidara smiled, nodding his head slightly.

"As you say, Tsuchikage-sama. So, what is the mission, un?" The old man leaned down, picking up a folder off the floor and bringing it to the desk.

"A man...a very influential man in this region, has been formally engaged to a young woman. However, he doesn't have the bodyguards necessary for the trip to bring her to his palace on the far edges of the Stone Country. Though her father has seen to it to hire guards for her, she thought it best to hire...more experienced help. That is where you come in, Deidara-kun. She is willing to pay well, and the man who is marrying her has promised to double that when you get there. As you know, the Village takes in the first percentage of the pay, and the rest is distributed to the shinobi taking on the mission. However, since this is only a B-Rank mission, I figure that you yourself will be able to deal with any common threats that she may run into on her path through the Stone Country. So...is this feasible for you, Deidara-kun?" Deidara sat back, stroking his chin. The money would be handy. In fact, he had already thought about the ring and ceremony that marrying Yanoi would take. The ring was expensive, and the ceremony...well, he already had the Tsuchikage's word that he would personally marry them. However...it was a great deal of money.

"Hmm...just a B-Rank, huh? Well, I guess I'll do it. If it pays as much as you say it will, than it will be worth the time and effort, un. Sure, I'll do it!" Getting up, he bowed low to the man behind the desk, who gave him a curt nod.

"Very well, Deidara-kun. Please be safe...and try not to flirt too much, hm?" Deidara smiled. He had been known to talk to many a lady on his trips. However, he had never dared do anything away from home. Sooner or later in the Stone Country, word got back to those who one wished it wouldn't. Yanoi would've had his guts strewn around the four corners of the country before she allowed him anyone else. It suited him fine, as well. No one but Yanoi was meant for him, and vice-versa.

"Hello. Is this the shinobi accompanying us?" A man's voice from behind made Deidara retract, turning and smiling at the stranger at the door.

"Yes...yes I am, un. Who might you be?" The man saluted, bowing.

"I am Chief Advisor Yodae, also the head guard of the contingent. Pleased to meet you. Come! I will tell you of the mission as we walk." Deidara nodded, turning and smiling at the Tsuchikage.

"Well, Tsuchikage-sama. Until we meet again, un!" Turning, he walked towards the door, followed closely by Yodae, who brought up the rear.

"Pleasant vacation, Deidara-kun. Enjoy it...much work awaits when you get back." The Tsuchikage smiled, turning to look out the window as he took another puff on the pipe, expelling the smoke from his nose and savoring the taste.

"So, where is everyone?" Deidara looked around as the two made their way towards the gate. Children ran by, some waving at him as they dashed to and fro. He smiled, waving back as the tongues in his hands lolled out.

"The princess and her guard are still back at her father's mansion. I was sent to retrieve you. We felt safer bringing a shinobi along for the entire trip, instead of meeting you here." Deidara nodded, looking up at the noon-day sun as it beat down from above.

"So...this princess. She's engaged to somebody on the other side of the country. Explain that, un." The man sighed, watching the path in front of him as they began a long march up the road towards their destination.

"The man she is engaged to is a wealthy land baron. He owns almost half of the Stone Country, and her father owns a little more than an eighth. It didn't always happen like that, though. It was only recently that her father found a mine of precious gems, almost literally in their backyard. She was taken out of school and brought up at home, by nurses, nannies, and the like. Her father became quite wealthy, buying up huge portions of land. Soon, he encompassed a swathe, big enough that the other man grew aware of it. So, in order to bring peace to the land, the man made a deal with the girl's father. When she became of age, they would be married, bringing together two wealthy families and inciting peace within the region. Her father readily agreed. He hopes that, by uniting his daughter with the other, that he will become more powerful, and eventually be able to have influence higher up." Inwardly, Deidara scoffed. Of course, what would any powerful person want but more power?

"So, does the girl agree to it?" The man shrugged, still looking straight ahead.

"I don't know. She's been locked in her room for a while now. Her father is getting her ready for the ceremony, and so she hasn't really been seen. We assume that she wants what is good for her family, and this union would certainly benefit everyone involved." Deidara nodded, again staring up into the sun. It benefited everyone involved on the outside, but inside, did it really benefit her? Not that he cared. This was a mission, and therefore, he didn't get involved in the internal affairs part of it.

"Interesting. So, this girl is getting married to this man, and then the union will join two powerful families. Simple enough to understand, un." The guard nodded, looking over at him.

"Right. But certain factions don't want that to happen. Dangerous factions. In fact, there is a terrorist faction within the Stone Country right now. They only bring disorder and chaos. Nothing they do is for the good of anyone but themselves, though they claim to bring peace and tranquility to those that are bent under the lash of tyranny. Hn! Rebel scum if you ask me." Deidara nodded slowly. He had heard of the bands of marauders. The Red Hand. That was the name they went by. They were usually followed by discord and destruction. Several times, his unit had been sent out to deal with them. However, they used guerrilla tactics, never attacking anywhere more than once, and always disappearing before any ever found them.

"So, I need to protect her from bandits and whatnot, correct?" The man again nodded, eying the road up ahead.

"Yes, that is correct. It should be fairly simple. I have heard of your tremendous exploits, how you complete missions fast and accurately. It was the Tsuchikage-sama himself that suggested you for this job." Deidara smiled to himself. The old man sure knew how to get him reviews.

"Very good. Now, how far will it be to the palace?" Looking up into the sky, Yodae began calculating to himself.

"Hm. Should be close to sundown when we spot it. Then, it is another two hours in the dark. I hope that won't be a problem to you." Deidara smiled, tapping his enhancement.

"No problem at all. This allows me to see in the dark as well as seeing targets from afar." The man smiled, turning to look at the path once more. Deidara sighed, wishing that he could just create his masterpiece and ride his bird to their destination. However, he knew not how Yodae would take the flight, so he would rather chance walking than scaring the life out of the man. He sighed once more, looking at his hands at his side. His right hand began drooling slightly as his left panted up at him. Noticing this, Yodae glanced questioningly at him.

"Those hands...tell me, how did you come by them?" Deidara shrugged, sticking them into his pockets.

"I don't really know, to tell the truth. I suppose I was born with them, un." The man nodded, looking up the road once more.

"Strange thing to be born with." Deidara grimaced. The fool! He would never know how much his hands helped him in his art...with his missions...with his life! He could never understand.

"So...when does the wedding take place?" Scratching his chin, Yodae shrugged.

"When the princess gets there, and when the man is good and ready to wed her. I suppose it could be a while, but I doubt that. He'll want to marry her as soon as possible, I imagine." Deidara nodded. Waiting any period of time in these circumstances only left room for error and misjudgment. Best to get things over with fast and accurately than try to wait them out. Again he wished that he could summon his creation. If only the man next to him wasn't so...earthbound. It would be much easier. He looked back into the sky. The sun had only moved to the West scantily, almost undetectable.

"I'll be back, Yanoi. When I return..." he said to himself, thinking of what actions he would take when he got back home to Iwagakure. Of course, much to his nature, he would probably just wing it.

But it didn't hurt to think about doing something...did it?

Next Time: Deidara begins his long trip to the mansion with Yodae. However, the Red Hand have begun to move in the region. Next Chapter: Freedom Fighters of Injustice!