A/N: So I have a new favorite song. Thunder by Boys Like Girls. That's officially Deidara and Sakura's love song (the acoustic version) –less than three- go listen to it! It's freaking amazing! Okay. So this chapter has a longer length; instead of the usual 2000-ish words, it's like 3000. That's my Christmakwanzukka present to you all.
Disclaimer: -eye twitch- do you think I'd kill off all my favorite characters?!
Chapter Eleven: Thunder
Itachi grinned. "Now."
He took me by the elbow and dragged me from the room.
I didn't even have time to take a deep breath or prepare myself any farther.
A painfully slow recording of the tradition march was playing. Of course, no one was here on looking except for Tobi.
I wondered where he'd come from and where he'd been.
But then I saw Deidara.
He was standing next to Kisame, hands in pockets, a shy smirk on his face. I could have sworn that there was a tint of pink too.
I suddenly felt a nearly tangible agony, realizing how slow the march was. The aisle was too long; the music too slow.
I tugged eagerly against Itachi's hold, wanting to move faster, but he held me in rhythm.
I wondered why we had to go through the motions of this if no one was here to see.
Finally, millenniums later, we reached the altar of sorts. That being that it was a short bookshelf covered with a table cloth.
I grinned at it.
I looked up to meet Deidara's gaze. It seemed almost dazed, like he couldn't believe all this was actually happening. I probably had a similar look on my face as well.
Kisame went through the motions of the speech, telling us which parts to repeat.
Finally, he got to the good part.
"Sakura Haruno, do you hereby take Deidara—through sickness and pain, through good and bad—to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." I murmured. A light blush rose on my cheeks. It was really happening. It really was; I was in love, and marrying that person that I was in love with. Who could ask for more? I certainly couldn't.
"Deidara, do you hereby take Sakura Haruno—through sickness and pain, through good and bad—to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." he grinned widely, triumphantly.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Deidara and I both grinned, knowing what came next.
"You may kiss the bride." Kisame flashed one of his wide, almost intimidating, grins.
And the next thing I knew, Deidara had me dipped back into a kiss that held enough passion to destroy the world.
I heard Itachi chuckle softly somewhere in the background, but I didn't care; I had Deidara now, and nothing could take him away from me.
"I love you." he murmured.
"I love you more." I grinned.
"I'd have to disagree with that." He smirked, kissing my neck.
"We'll settle this later," I promised, a devious grin on my face.
"Yaaay!" Tobi cheered.
I bit my lip to hold back a laugh.
Deidara wasn't quite as successful as I was; a loud laugh escaped his lips.
I clapped my hand over my mouth to quiet him, giving him a stern look.
Sure, Tobi was… a little mushy in the head… but it wasn't necessary to laugh about it.
"'Grats." Kisame grinned.
"Jealous?" Deidara teased.
Itachi answered that one for him. "No."
Kisame chuckled quietly.
"Shall we go celebrate?" I grinned. "Settle this 'who loves who more' thing?"
"Ah ah ah." Kisame grinned again. "You still have an after party. I groaned.
"You're kidding me! There's no one here!"
"You calling me no one Pinky?" he growled playfully.
"No. But preachers don't count." I stuck my tongue out at him.
He stuck his tongue out right back.
"That's enough you two." Deidara chuckled. He wrapped an arm around my waist. "We'll celebrate later." he whispered against my neck.
"We better."
Turns out, the 'after party' was just like any other normal wedding; shoving cake in each other's faces. Wriggling a garter off my thigh. Sharing a dance. Only difference was that there were only three guests. All S-ranked criminals. I nearly chuckled to myself in the irony; here I was, marrying an S-ranked criminal against the will of my village, practically begging the world for spite.
I wondered suddenly, what was going to happen to me. Obviously, my village wouldn't accept this. And obviously, I was still loyal to them and forever would be.
I couldn't run off with Deidara, living the life of a criminal with him.
I was stuck between a rock and a hard place here.
Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go
Whoa (whoa, whoa, whoa)
Today in the blink of an eye I'm holding on to something and I do not know why
I tried
I tried to read between the linesI tried to look in your eyes
I want a simple explanation
For what I'm feeling inside
I gotta find a way out
Maybe there's a way out
Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said
Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
And bring on the thunder
Today is a winding road
Tell me where to start and tell me something I don't know
Whoa (whoa, whoa, whoa)
Today I'm on my own
I can't move a muscle and I can't pick up the phone
I don't know (I don't know, I don't know, I don't know)
And now I'm itching for the tall grass
And longing for the breeze
I need to step outside
Just to see if I can breathe
I gotta find a way out
Maybe theres a way out
Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said
Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
Yeah I'm walking on a tightrope
I'm wrapped up in vines
I think we'll make it out
But you just gotta give me time
Strike me down with lightning
Let me feel you in my veins
I wanna let you know how much I feel your pain
Today is a winding road that's taking me to places that I didn't want to go
Whoa
Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder, and I said
Your eyes are the brightest of all the colors
I don't wanna ever love another
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
And bring on the thunder, and I said
Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer
Do you know you're unlike any other?
You'll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain
Oh baby bring on the pain
And listen to the thunder.
The lyrics resonating through the room made my eyes water. They struck true for me. I willed the moisture away before Deidara noticed.
"Deidara?" I asked quietly, interrupting our current dance. "What's going to happen? With us and Konoha, I mean."
He pulled me tighter. "I don't know, Sakura. I don't know."
There was too much moisture in his eyes now. I regretting bringing it up.
I stretched up to touch my lips to his. "You know I won't leave you, right?" I murmured.
"Do I?" he looked hurt now.
"Of course I won't." I smiled sadly. "No matter the consequence, I'm not leaving you again. Do you know what that would do to me?"
He returned the same, sad smile. "I have an idea."
"We'll make something work." I promised, completely changing my stance on the subject. We'd find a solution. We had to.
Tsunade and Naruto would be on my side, and they were two of the most influential people in the village. And I was sure I would have the support of most of my friends. But everyone else…
It would be tense, considering our alliance with Suna. After all, Deidara had killed their Kazekage. Could Naruto work something out with Gaara perhaps? I hoped so.
He leaned down to kiss me. "I trust you." I was suddenly lost in his kiss, my mind spinning. Nothing mattered anymore; I was connected with Deidara. I doubted I would notice if the whole of Akatsuki, plus all of Konoha, popped in. Or if someone stabbed me.
In a sick way, I was glad I'd been abducted by Akatsuki; a love like this was worth any pain or hardships that came with it. I hoped Deidara felt the same way. I felt that he did, but I couldn't be one hundred percent sure.
"How much do you love me Deidara?" I asked softly.
"More than anything." He answered instantly. "I'd give up anything to be with you; my life, my art, all the people in the world. Anything."
I smiled softly; that was the right answer. "Good." I smiled, kissing him again.
"Was there a reason you asked?" he asked, a look of worry on his face.
"Just thinking," I murmured. "Just calculating. I'm sorry. I'll stop being so cynical now."
He grinned. "Love you, Sakura."
"Love you too."
He smiled and closed the gap between our faces.
--
Kakashi halted the team just out of seeing distance of the little shack. He said he was going first to see if it was safe, but really he just wanted to confirm his suspicions.
He made sure none of his chakra was leaking before he leaped towards the house. When he was close enough to see, he stopped and took cover. He peered towards the little house. He couldn't see much through the little windows; he'd have to go closer, and possibly even take the risk of going inside the house. After all, if he was right, they wouldn't kill him, right? He hoped so.
Kakashi quickly calculated his chances, and whether or not the others could reach him in time if he was wrong. He darted towards the house with all the stealth he could muster from his anbu days.
--
"The Copy-Nin is here." Itachi stated quietly.
I sighed; the moment was over. Already. Of course it was. I knew it wouldn't last, but I'd been hoping for at least a little longer. "Where?" I asked.
"He's about to come in the door."
My eyes widened.
"What do you want us to do?" He asked. I hesitated in my answer. Of course I didn't want any harm to come to Kakashi, but if they didn't attack him, they would know where my supposed 'alliances' were.
"Don't hurt him." I sighed finally. If I was going to have to end up running away with Deidara anyways, I wasn't going to hurt my friends. Itachi nodded and went to stand near the door that Kakashi was coming in through.
The handle twisted slowly and the door was pulled open.
"Hello," Itachi nodded. Kakashi's one visible eye widened, but not in the way it would if he were surprised; it was realization. I realized that I was still in Deidara's arms. I wriggled free of them. Deidara let me go understandingly.
"So I was right." he murmured to himself, nodding.
"What, Kakashi?" I asked, though in truth, I didn't want to hear. If he'd figured it out that meant everyone must know by now. And that wasn't how I wanted them to find out. "You and Deidara?" he asked me quietly.
I nodded, fighting back the tears. Deidara enclosed me in his arms comfortingly. One of his hands was stroking my hair and the other was at the small of my back. Why did he have to be so perfect?
"Don't upset her." Deidara growled. Territorialism was kicking in; here was a man I'd known practically my whole life, whom I looked up to and had a strong bond with, and as soon as Deidara had felt we'd have some sort of a happy ending, he shows up to shove it in our faces.
Kakashi nodded. "I only came to confirm that. I had no other intentions. I don't know what to say to the squad, though. They don't know anything that's passed between me and the Hokage." At that, I gasped. So Tsunade knew. How could I not have realized that she would figure it out? I was kicking myself now. Kakashi saw the look on my face. "She only wants you to be happy." he said comfortingly.
I nodded; I believed him.
He opened his arms to me. "Next time, let us know before you run off, okay? At least give Naruto some peace of mind. He's been going crazy not knowing if you were okay."
I wormed out of Deidara's hold to go hug my former Sensei. "So he doesn't know?" I asked quietly.
"No. He thinks this is another plot to capture him. He feels horrid, thinking he keeps getting you captured."
I let go of Kakashi. "We're not going to let him think that much longer." I said sternly. Kakashi chuckled and nodded. "What do you think he'd do if you brought him in here?"
"He'd probably go fox and kick all of our asses."
I grimaced. It was true. I looked back at Deidara. "Can I go talk to him? Just really fast."
"Of course," Deidara nodded. He looked upset though.
I sighed and ran back to him. "Love you." I smiled and pecked him on the lips quickly. His expression already seemed lighter.
"Remember to come back, yeah." He grinned.
"Why would I forget?" I teased and elbowed him. "I'll be right back. If Naruto does throw me in a sack and drags me back to Konoha, thanks. For everything." I smiled softly before following Kakashi out of the house.
"Do you just want to talk to Naruto? Or everybody?" Kakashi asked me. There was a calculating look on his face as if he were trying the same conundrum I'd been working out since I got here. I hope he didn't come to the same answer.
"Just Naruto." I sighed. He would be a challenge alone; I didn't need anyone else to deal with. Kakashi nodded.
"Wait here." He sprung into the cover of the trees. I stopped where I was and sighed. I could feel Deidara's eyes on me. I couldn't tell where he was, but I knew he was watching me. He was taking my joke about Naruto dragging me back to Konoha too seriously. I reached up on hand and waved, so he'd know that I knew he was watching.
Then Kakashi emerged, Naruto following. As soon as he saw me, he set out—headlong sprint—towards me.
"Sakura-Chan!" he called. I smiled. The next thing I knew, I was encased in his arms.
"Can't breath." I teased. Naruto let go of me.
"Are you okay? Did they hurt you? I'm going to go kill those bastards right now." He growled.
I put a comforting hand on his arm. "Yes, no, and don't."
He gave me a funny look. "So how exactly did you get out?" he changed the subject. Of course, it was the one subject I'd wanted to avoid the longest.
"It's… complicated, Naruto." I sighed. "You may want to sit down for this."
He gave me a funny look again, but he complied.
I took a deep breath to steady myself. "I love him, Naruto. I love Deidara."
His eyes widened. His fingers twitched. And he started to glow orange.
"Calm down." I was panicking now. "Calm down." I put my hands on his shoulders. "They don't want to hurt you. They don't want to hurt me. They don't want to hurt anyone."
"Then. Why. Did. They. Take. You?" he was talking in fractured sentences. He was really angry, but he was trying to hold it back for me.
"I told you." I said softly. I sank down so my eyes were level with his. "I love him Naruto. And he loves me."
He growled loudly. "Why the fuck are you doing this to me, Sakura? Why?"
His eyes were watering; he was fighting off the tears of hurt now. I pretended not to notice. "I don't want to hurt you Naruto. You know I love you too; you're like a brother to me. Honestly. You're my best friend and always will be."
"I don't believe you." He growled and stood up, storming back toward the trees.
"Why is it Naruto that you don't give up on Sasuke when he's done every horrid thing anyone can imagine? When he's tried to destroy Konoha? When he's tried to kill you? But you give up on me when I only fall in love? What's so wrong with that?" Tears were streaming down my face now. "Why Naruto?" I whispered. I doubted he was still listening. I collapsed to the ground, broken.
I couldn't live knowing Naruto hated me. I just wanted to die.
I vaguely heard the rush of wings as Deidara rushed towards me on his bird. I didn't care anymore.
"Sakura?" he called. "Sakura? Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" I nearly laughed at the irony of it.
I was in his arms now. "Are you okay Sakura?"
I shook my head. "Just kill me." I croaked.
Deidara tightened his hold. "Never," he vowed. "I'll never hurt you."
"I know." I smiled, "I love you."
He leaned down. He kissed away the tears on my cheeks before his lips touched mine.
I pulled away suddenly, feeling a burning gaze. I looked up. Naruto was watching. He was faintly glowing orange.
"No," I whispered. I watched as he grew a first tail. And then a second. I stood and watched in horror.
Before the pain had fully reached me, Kakashi was at Naruto's side, slapping a seal on his forehead. He caught the younger man as he fell. "Sorry, Sakura." He called.
I waved. "Deidara?" once I had his attention I continued. "I'm going to go work something out with Kakashi."
He looked confused, but he nodded. "Okay." He kissed me once more before I bounded off in the direction Kakashi had gone.
"Kakashi?" I called. He was in front of me at once.
"Yes?"
"I want to work something out…" I said softly. He looked confused.
"About?"
"Deidara coming with us back to Konoha." I said softly. "I love him, but I love Konoha too."
Kakashi nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
A/N: thank you everyone who's been sticking with my story this long. You know what I really want for Christmas? REVIEWS! And to my beta: you're freaking amazing I love you :)