Deep inside the hidden parts of Konoha was a cell room. Ninjas stood outside it, guarding the room from anyone going inside or outside. Inside the room, was Fukuko. She was pale and there were rings beneath her eyes as though she hadn't slept in a while…

I leaned against the wall, wrapping my arms over my legs, and rested my head upon my knees. Back and forth I rocked myself gently. Maybe I was hoping that I would just fall asleep and stay that way, or maybe I was hoping that my mind would just slip out of my head.

Every time I tried to clear my mind, the image of Alix laying bleeding on the ground came back. Wounds slashed across his thick fur, teeth marks dug into his neck.

I shivered and banged my head against my knees, ignoring the tears that suddenly leaked out of my eyes. I didn't know where he was, or wherever he was safe.

The next thought caused my tears to flow down my cheeks.

Deidara.

I didn't know where he was or what happened to him. He didn't come to my rescue and I couldn't hear him in any of the cells beside me.

There was only one suggestion I could think of. I had placed my safety with him, only for him to desert me. I barely noticed that my rocking pace had sped up. He just left me and Alix, all alone and in desperate need…

A sudden pain shot through my chest. I bit my lip to stop myself looking anymore pathetic than I already did.

It hurt more than any of my previous injures. It felt like a thousand kunai digging through my skin. All kunai white with the burning heat.

I clenched my fists tightly and tried to fight the pain away.

I didn't want to think. I didn't want to remember. I didn't want to feel anymore.

Was this what love is truly about? Realising the bond you share not only had the power to make you the happiest person in the world… but also the power to destroy your very being?

I didn't want to care. I didn't want to exist. I didn't want to love anymore.

I removed my headband to wipe my tears away. My tears were salty against my lips. I must have looked like a mess.

I laid upon the cold stone ground with my headband tightly held within my grip. Maybe I was just over-reacting…

Deidara will come back. He had too. If he really felt the same for me… he'll come to save me won't he? He kissed me… but… anyone could turn around and kiss another. They didn't have to have a meaning behind it.

Nausea was building up in my stomach. If he did care, he wouldn't have deserted me in the first place.

"Foolish…" I whispered, my voice cracked from emotion.

Surely if someone truly cared for someone, they would place themselves in any danger to protect them? Climb any mountain, swim any ocean, and brave against any enemy to save the one they love?

"Foolish…" I whispered again. "Just foolish…"

I was being foolish. No one did that anymore. No one cared anymore. Why would someone place themselves in danger of being caught just to save a single person would they could easily replace?

I cried out and banged my head against the wall. Warm substance tickled down the side of my head. I was foolish… Deidara never really cared. He was Akatsuki… and all they wanted me for was information. I was a machine to him. Something that could be forced into telling all the secrets it knew.

I would never be anything else.

"Make the pain stop…" I wept as a rich metallic taste entered my mouth.

My head was now spinning.

Why did I care for him then?

His laugh that always left my heart a flutter… His eagerness and over-confidence… His scent that left me in a daze… His warm touch of his arms around me… The protection I felt whenever he was around… The feeling as though, nothing could come between us.

"Foolish…"

Darkness fell over me as I collapsed onto the floor. My blood had formed a small puddle onto the floor which my hand with my headband fallen into. Maybe it would go away in time… several months locked up in the cells would cause me to lose my sanity… and hopefully my thoughts as well.

Hopefully… I could forget about him. Such wishful thinking…

The slime covered walls told her that she had reached the dudgeons once again. She no longer had her disguise on, but instead was walking around as herself.


It was the middle of the night, and she knew that one mistake could destroy her mission. However, not even the thought of death could stop her.

Fukuko crept pass the cells silently. Most of the prisoners crept back into their cells. She could sense the fear from each of them.

"Hina…" She whispered. "Does anyone know where Hina is?"

The prisoners that had not hid away pointed her into the direction. She recognised the cell because of the blood upon the floor in the one beside it.

She knelt down and pressed her hands around the bars. "Hina…"

The tall dark haired man moved suddenly, and crashed into the bars. His long pale hands reached out for her between the bars.

"Fukuko…" He whispered running his hand over his sister's face. "Is that really you?"

She nodded and placed her warm hands over his. Tears ran down her face as she saw his white face in the light of the torches.

"It's really me Ni-san…" She said.

He smiled. For a moment she could see the happy and warm face of her brother again. His eyes twinkled in the light as he tried to pull her closer to him.

"I thought you were dead…" She whispered trying to keep hold of her brother, as though afraid he would vanish if she was to let go.

"No…" he whispered back. "I'm worst then death…"

"I'll get you out of here," she said as he rubbed her endless tears away. "I promise you. I'll break you out."

"No," He said shaking his head. "You'll get caught and imprisoned just like me."

"I don't-" she begun. She was suddenly cut of by footsteps coming down the stairs. The siblings glanced up in fear.

Hina quickly pushed her away and crawled back into his cell. "Go!" he hissed. "Leave me, and save yourself!"

"I won't leave you!" She whispered back hastily. "I promise you!"

"Go…" he said again, his voice suddenly softer.

She bit her lip as fresh tears appeared. After one last look at her brother, she dashed out of the dudgeons.