The sun was slowly setting within the horizon, but for the villagers of Konoha, the day had only just begun. The shinobi were dashing from one place to another as they attempted to finish the last of the decorations, desperate to get back in time to prepare themselves in time. Two shinobi however, were standing on the side. One was dressed in an elegant black kimono with light pink Sakura petals; her now wavy hair was pulled back with a silver flower upon the band. Despite her graceful appearance, her eyes were staring nervously around almost as though they were not use to the freedom of light. This shinobi took no notice of her companion who was talking endlessly on.

Kurenai stood by me at the exit of the building, chatting away excitedly about the festival and her plans that a certain jonin would ask her to dance. I barely took in anything she had said. My mind was racing around wildly with nerves. Where would Deidara be? How would I be able to find him? Would he be in disguise? What if someone recognised him? What if I fell into a large puddle of mud?

"Hey Fukuko, are you alright?"

I snapped out of my worried thoughts and half smiled nervously. "Sure… Just… Freaking out."

Most of that was true, although I wasn't sure if I would be alright or not. As well as Deidara, I was worried about the festival itself. I had never thought about my… difference from other people, but I didn't want to miss out on any part of the festival because of it.

Kurenai laughed, "No need to worry, you look great!"

That part I wasn't too nervous about. Izumo and Kotetsu always knew what would suit me best. Even though they would never boast or brag about it, they were experts when it came to beauty and dressing. I felt confident that the dress would be only to prefect for me, and as my hand trailed through my unusually soft hair, I could tell that Kurenai did a great job too.

"So, where's your date?"

My cheeks heated up at once as I laughed nervously while rubbing the back of my head. "D-d-date?! What gives you that idea?!"

"Oh come on," Kurenai replied with a smug tone, "You have all the symptoms of the love bug!"

"It's just a first date," I muttered fiddling with the strays of my hairdo. Fortunately, I was saved by the lovey-dovey talk by a sudden distraction. Unfortunately, it happened to be one of the heaviest things around that saved me.

I was instantly knocked off my feet as a large hairy beast suddenly tackled me to the ground. With a scream of fright, I covered my face not wishing to be covered in spit as Kotetsu's and Izumo's yells followed behind it.

"ALIX! CAREFUL!!!"

"YEAH! THAT DRESS COSTED A FORTUNE!!!"

"Alix!" I screamed wrapping my arms around the large drooling, and still quite hyper, wolf, despite the boys' protests. "I was so worried about you!"

I couldn't help but tackle Kotetsu and Izumo the second I was free from the creature. "Thank you so much!"

They relaxed and laughed, rubbing the top of my head in their usual care-free manner. "Well, we thought it would be a lovely surprise for you!"

"It's the best ever!" I beamed linking my arms within theirs, "Come on Alix, the boys are taking us to the festival!"

"Not us!" Izumo cried pulling himself free. "We got to help with the events."

Kotetsu groaned. "We always get stuck with the heavy load."

I smiled faintly. I knew what that meant. They were already planning their own back on the Hokage by arranging a series of pranks around the festival's grounds. I wasn't bothered, I had Alix with me now, and as him for my eyes, I knew I was safe.

"Alright then…" I softly pouted before clapping them both upon the back. "Have fun! And I may join you later!"

"You better!" Izumo laughed, "We need someone to take the heat for us!"

I stuck out my tongue at them, knowing they would have already left. Typical, I was going to get blamed for their trickery while not joining in for even a small one! Maybe I could persuade Deidara...

Alix's barks caught my attention. His head patted against my hand; in reply I placed my hand upon the top so he could guide me along. Kurenai must have already left, properly hunting around for her date.

I could tell that the festival was going to be a magical one, even though I couldn't see it all. I could almost feel the smiles of joy and the exchanged glances that only lovers could achieve within the surroundings. Already there was a romantic mood around.

Soft music was playing, showing that the dancing had already begun. For now though, it was a simple warm up for the slow dancing that would properly happen later.

I almost jumped as when Alix and I entered the grounds. Something was falling slowly from the heavens above. I held out my hand to catch whatever it could have been. With my finger running across its delicate surface, I realised that someone had decided on falling confetti hearts.

From even the smallest of detail, the festival had been planned to be perfect, and with the nervous knot that was forming in my stomach, it was certain to be a success.

"What should we do first?" I asked Alix, who barked excitedly and half dragged me over towards one of the stalls.

"Would you like a hamburger or a hotdog Miss?"

That wolf… always was thinking about his stomach. Thankfully for him, I had brought money with me and was able to buy him a large burger, which he greedily ate while I sat upon the bench nearby. The nerves were still going wild, and I found myself debating upon the worst possible cases on what could happen.

What if Deidara doesn't come? What if he was only set out to stand me up once more? Even though I had forgiven him for that, I still was unable to forget. Would I be foolish enough to actually stay all night and wait? I would already have to be though, to even come here in the first place.

"Would the beautiful lady like an ice-cream?"

I looked up from my lonely spot in the direction of the voice in surprise. Alix was alerted and growled from his place beside him, meaning it had to be only one person.

"Deidara?" I asked unsure. By the slight change within his voice, he must have took on a disguise.

"Would I be taking that as a yes hmm?"

I smiled faintly as he took the seat next to me, carefully avoiding Alix by the sound of his growls. I placed my hand upon the top of the wolf's head to silence him while Deidara took hold of mine and lifted it so he could place an ice-cream cone into my grip.

"So what were you thinking just then?" He asked curiously. "You look rather down hmm,"

"I thought you wouldn't come…" I admitted, taking a lick of the ice-cream. It was as cold as snow in winter, yet had the sweet taste of banana.

He chuckled, "Give a man some time to prepare un."

"Prepare what?" I said, now curious myself.

"You'll know later," He said now helping himself to his own ice-cream as I felt him shiver slightly. "Brain freeze un."

I giggled - something that I rarely did – which actually caught me off guard. I flushed slightly, hoping he didn't notice, and also hoping that it wouldn't melt my ice-cream.

"Oh… bother."

"What is it?" I asked still licking upon my ice-cream.

"It fell off hmm," He said with a disappointed tone. "Then Alix nicked it…"

I laughed and was about to offer to buy him another when he gently took hold of my hand and lifted me back upon my feet.

"All well," He sighed, properly letting Alix finished the cone too by the sudden crunching that followed. "Shall we explore the stalls then?"

"Sure," I said delightfully taking hold of his hand when the last of my ice-cream was tossed towards Alix.

Deidara lead me all around the grounds for properly a full hour. I was able to pick out the most popular games from the amount of cheerful chatter around them of friends getting together. Those I avoided, carefully pulling Deidara away if he was to start heading towards one. I didn't want to be stuck within a crowd, it would only cause me to feel more nervous then I already was. All the stalls, from what I could hear, were of games and contests. I figured I'll have to be right at one point in my life. Sometimes… one small difference from others can cause more problems then thought off.

He properly caught on, for he begun to head into a direction were the voices were less of. I grew weary of the sudden changes around. Even the confetti had stopped and the music was now only a distance voice. We were heading towards the outskirts of the village, so the rather haunting sound of owls hoots and Alix's panting started to frighten me.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked clinging to his arm.

"It's a surprise hmm," He said in his usual cocky voice. "You're going to love it!"

I hope I would. I was still worried about falling in a muddy puddle – Kotetsu and Izumo would kill me.

I was suddenly startled when Deidara pulled his hands free and placed them upon my ears. I begun to panic but when I felt his warm body close to mine, guiding me onwards, I slowly relaxed once more.

"Now…" He said pulling me to a gentle stop and slowly removing his hands. "What do you think?"

I didn't know what to say. All at once I had been transported from a crowded festival, an eerie forest, to… I didn't know how to describe. I could hear the soft flutter of small wings flying around as we almost swam within the midnight fresh air. This… was magic. I could almost see the stars in the sky, like the millions of fireflies that would be flying around in the air. The wet dew of the grass slowly pressed against my sandals, showing the delicate and untouched state it was in. Soft lapping of water told me there we were properly near a lake. I could feel the moonlight's reflection floating upon the small ripples within the water.

"It's… wonderful." I whispered, almost frightened that I would break the harmony if I spoke or moved.

"I knew you would love it hmm," Deidara said slowly wrapping his arms around me from behind, a small tickle near neck as he spoke into my ear. "I couldn't let you stay with those other villagers with uneasy hmm, while you could be having a fantastic time here."

It touched me then, on just how much he noticed. Could he have been able to pick up my displeasure that quickly? Or did he somehow know it would happen?

"Would you like to see some art?"

I sighed. So much for the quick noticing… "I would… if I could see."

"You don't need to see to know its art un!" Deidara said carefully moving me along till I felt the material of a blanket by my toes. "You just need to understand what it really is."

I sat down upon the blanket with Deidara now back to being beside me. "Ok… what do you think art is then?"

"Art," Deidara explained. "Is that single fleeting moment of explosion."

I wasn't too sure I would agree with that. Explosions did hurt and cause trouble… So I couldn't understand how it would have made art. After all, when someone says art, doesn't paintings and statues usually come to mind?

My confusion must have shown for Deidara added more to help.

"Well," He said with a small poke on my nose. "You can never truly appreciate something until its gone."

"Oh…" My eyes fluttered in the cold air slightly as I now understand. "I think I get it now…"

"Good hmm," He said in delight. "Now, I can show you my art!"

Before I could even open my mouth to persuade him not to blow up the beautiful surroundings, I almost jumped once more when I had a loud bang within the sky above.

"What was that?" I whispered clinging tighter.

"Art." Deidara said in a proud voice.

It was clear that he was enjoying himself, so not wishing to ruin it so him and sighed and closed my eyes again trying to place together what was happening. On the other side of Deidara, a small flutter of wings would take to the sky and just as I grew to enjoy the sound, the loud explosion would could, my mind just picturing the small lights of colour it would have bursted into only for them to finish instantly as well.

His arm wrapped itself around my back and pulled me closer; in a natural response I placed my hand upon the top of his shoulder with a smile, enjoying the small explosions in the background. I could now understand his point before. If the bird creature of art would have continued fluttering around, eventually I may grow bored of it, the same with the colours, but because one bird would only live for about five seconds, it never lost my interest.

"I agree…" I said softly while cuddling up against him. "This is art…"

He seemed more the delighted with my response and gently kissed the top of my head.

I don't know how long I was there with Deidara, or even how long it had been since the festival was coming to a close, but all I remember was one moment I was cuddling happily against Deidara in the most beautiful place I could even imagine, and the next I was laying within his arms, just awoken from a deep and peaceful sleep.

"I'm sorry…" I whispered for the tenth time as he carried me back towards my room in the flats. "I didn't mean to fall asleep on you like that…"

"It's alright hmm," He chuckled placing my feet back down upon the floor when we arrived. "You were just overexcited."

I nodded and took out my keys from my pocket, almost longing to fall back on top of him to sleep more.

"Oh wait…" I muttered with a yawn. "I need to take Alix back to the vet's for tonight…"

"Don't worry," Deidara said. "I'll take him back for you."

I smiled faintly. "Thanks… and Thank you again… for a great night."

"You just ask hmm, and I'll come back." He replied.

Without another word, he gently kissed me upon my lips and headed back down the corridor with Alix by his side.

I closed the door behind me as I entered and leaned against it with a small smile. So many things were slowly making sense to me now…

It's true what Deidara said, along with several others. You can never truly appreciate something until you lose it, not only in art, but in life as well. Imagine… since I had my accident, I lost everything. Not only my sight, but my memories, within which, held all my family and friends. For years I spent alone with only my confused and lost pits in my mind to keep me company. And now, here I am. Surrounded with the ones I thought I have lost, but never truly forgotten.

Having to walk down that single road of loneliness can be challenge, and many people just can't make it. But, in the end, when you reach that valley of light, you know that every step you took was worth it. It only depends on how much courage and determination someone has to make their dreams come true, for them to succeed. Without hope, the willingness to fight one for one more day fades, along with the soul and happiness.

True, I may be a total klutz and idiot at times, but I kept my hopes going. With each bruise, and every bluster, I knew I was getting closer to what I truly wanted most of all. To belong back with those I had taken for granted so long along. To let them know that it was them that kept me going, despite my amnesia.

Real happiness can never be reached, until you have lost in order to gain. As much as a difficult and tough path it is, in the end it will… is worth every lonely step, every heartbroken tear and every moment you spend staring at the night sky screaming your heart out.

After all, who know that an S rank criminal would have such a romantic and sweet side? Maybe, deep down, Deidara wasn't the bad guy he appeared to be. Could it actually be with a series of bad luck, that I had actually found the one I needed? Each moment I spent with him, I felt that I was meant to be there. Each time his arms wrapped around him, I felt that I was protected. Each time his hands linked with mine, I felt that he would never let me go again. I was growing to depend on him more and more each day… Like my own sunshine that would grow into a rainy day without him.

Kurenai was right. I had the love bug, and badly.

I shook my head, trying to remove the faint heating around my cheeks that had appeared. Yeah… A foolish love stuck child.

"It's nice to see you again Fukuko. If only you could say the same."

My heart that was all a flutter seconds before, was now frozen like ice. A shiver went down my spine. That voice… it was the very same voice… that haunted all my nightmares. It was the very last thing that I had remembered before that incident…

"Kabuto…" I whispered, my hands slowly inching to the door-handle behind my back.

"I'm honoured that you remember me," Kabuto replied. "I was hoping I wouldn't end up wasting my time coming here. Lord Orochimaru would have been disappointed if I was to show up with nothing."

Of course... Kabuto was Orochimaru's right hand man. The very same one… that had caused all my problems since that incident.

"Let him cry," I said with a feeble glare. As I turned to open my door and ran into the hallway, something had hit me in the back and as I fell to my knees, the only thing I could remember was the sound of his voice and that dark smirk…

Author's Note

Sorry it took so long to update again, but hopefully the length of this chapter will make up for that. I wanted this chapter to be perfect! Which was more work then I had thought. Anyway, I was wanted to attempt to make it more serious instead of endless jokes and stuff, so I looked back into Fukuko's past, and what it must have been like for her. Then I released, that most bits, could be connected to us. So the last few paragraphs, I was speaking properly more so from my own experience then hers. Experience in loneliness and pain to that wonderful bit of magic we call love; See? You have no idea how much I truly love you Neisan, and you'll never know all the reasons :3 there's just too damn many.

And yes, the next chapter will hold the finally last bit of her past! So if you have any questions, better ask them quickly! And now I'm off to bed, it's almost one in the morning lol!