A/N: Last chapter guys! Thanks everyone for sticking around with this story and dealing with my procrastination! I'm done writing DeiSaku for awhile, but I will be coming back to it for sure. Again, thanks! I'd love it if you stuck with some of my upcoming stories! On a side note, the epilogue should be out in about a week, since I'm more than half done with it. Self beta'd so excuse any mistakes.

Disclaimer: Sadly, Naruto belongs to Masashi

Chapter Seventeen: Finally

I didn't sleep well at all. Honestly, could you sleep knowing that when you woke up, your happily ever after would begin? Yes, that's how I looked at it. As far as I was concerned, happiness was being with Deidara without having constant threats. Yeah, I'm a sap. And yes, I'm rambling right now, but I think you get the point. Anyway, when I figured it was a decent hour for waking up, I stirred from my sleep façade.

Apparently, my fake sleeping fooled him. "Morning." He mumbled in a sleep thickened voice.

I curled into his chest and traced the seal on his left pectoral absently. "Hi." I smiled. "Is Kakashi here yet?"

A silent laugh ran through Deidara. "You're so impatient." He sighed. I fought the urge to pout, and apparently I wasn't doing a good job at it, because another silent tremor rocked through his body.

"I want to go." I defended myself. My hand stopped tracing the stitching.

"I know." He sighed. "I understand, but it will only be a few minutes or hours and then we have forever."

My insides fluttered slightly. Forever. That's a long time, isn't it? The prospect of spending the remainder of my life with Deidara only excited me more. "All the more reason to hurry up then."

Deidara sighed in frustration. "I don't get you sometimes."

I looked up at him. "Every girl wants two things in life: their prince charming and their happily ever after. A lot of girls don't even get one and I'm getting both." I expected him to scoff or even to tease me, but to my surprise he just smiled. Deidara ran his hand through my hair. It was getting longer and I'd need to cut it soon, I noted at random.

"I know." He whispered.

"Let's get up." I murmured as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Deidara groaned and sat up. "I don't trust your packing competence." I teased gently. That evoked a small smile.

"You just want to go the second Kakashi shows up." He read right through me.

"Maybe I do." I stuck out my tongue.

Deidara cocked an eyebrow. "You don't remember what I said last night, do you." He heaved himself off the bed and backed me into the wall, putting his hands on either sides of my face.

"Oh?"

"Don't stick that out at me unless you intend to use it." He repeated his 'threat' from last night.

"What are you gonna do about it?" I'll admit, I was being a shameless tease, but in my defense, Deidara was just too damn sexy when he was trying to be threatening.

Deidara's face lit up with his customary smirk. "This." His lips came down onto mine with a force that surprised even me. I liked his assault much better in the sanctuary of our bedroom where Kisame couldn't make snide remarks.

I let my arms snake around his waist in attempt to pull him closer.

Deidara chuckled against my lips. I shivered lightly. "I'm getting distracted." I murmured when I pulled back for air.

"Exactly." His smirk was back.

I pushed away from him gently. "Dick." I muttered.

"You want to see that now too?"

I growled. "You're being an ass right now."

"I'm just distracting you so you won't be so anxious." He defended himself, holding his hands up in front of him.

I rolled my eyes. "Sure you are." I sighed. "You just want to get some." I added under my breath.

"What was that? I'm not sure I caught that." I looked up at him, and from the mirth in his eyes, I could tell that he had heard exactly what I'd said.

I made a face at him which only resulted in laugher. I ignored him and tore up my surprisingly neatly packed bag to find clothes. I'd fallen asleep in my clothes from the day before.

"Hey!" Deidara protested. "I already packed that!"

I looked up at him, shrugged and went back to digging through it.

"At least let me pick, since you're ruining my packing expertise."

I sighed. "Fine. But it has to be appropriate for traveling." Last time I'd let him pick out my clothes, I'd looked pretty slutty.

Deidara grumbled to himself as he looked through the pile of clothes on the ground, it was something about me and practicality, I think. A minute later, he exclaimed a triumphant 'aha' before tossing some clothes at me.

I eyes held them out wearily to inspect them. Of course Deidara had been able to find an outfit that was both practical and… minimal. I sighed and pulled on the tight spandex shorts—the ones I normally wore under my medic's skirt—and the pick, stomach exposing tube top. "Great. Now I look fat."

"You never look fat."

Oh, he was good. But not good enough. "I'm fucking pregnant. Of course I look fat."

"That's completely different," Deidara said in what I assumed he considered a reassuring voice. "You look pregnant, not fat."

"Is there a difference?" I glared at him. I sighed in frustration and delved back into my pack. I came out with a loosely fitting peasant blouse. That was better. I pulled it on over the tube top.

Deidara pouted. "That's not fair."

"I looked like a pregnant hooker." I scowled. I ran my fingers through my pink tresses, attempting to finger comb it. I was positive it looked like crap. I sighed and gave up when I felt I'd at least gotten most of the tangles out.

"Then I guess pregnant hookers are sexy." He grinned belatedly.

"Oh yeah. Everyone wants sloppy seconds."

Deidara frowned. "You could never be sloppy seconds." I raised an eyebrow. "Because no one else is ever going to have you." He explained protectively.

I smiled. "Yes, I know. I love you, too. Now I have to finish packing this back up. Kakashi is almost here." I stuffed all of my clothes back into the bag and slung it over my shoulder. Deidara picked up his own bag. "Is that all?"

He shook his head. "There's one more in the living room."

I sighed and straightened out my shirt with my hands. "What is it?" I questioned.

Deidara grinned at that. "Oh, just some stuff we're stealing from Itachi and Kisame."

I blinked. I was hoping that meant the juicer in the kitchen. He rolled his eyes like he knew what I was thinking.

"It's not perverted, stupid."

I sighed in relief. "Good."

"Morning Sakura."

I snapped my head up at the familiar voice. "Kakashi! You're on time for once." I grinned widely. He was crouched awkwardly on the mouth of the room's solitary window.

Kakashi's visible eye creased in his customary smile. "Wouldn't want to keep you waiting. Knowing you, you're extremely anxious. Ready to go?" he asked.

I glanced at Deidara. "Just about, I think. Deidara has something in the living room."

Deidara kissed my forehead. "Let's go then." He turned and left the room, obviously expecting me to follow.

I glanced at Kakashi. "Are you gonna come in or not?"

He laughed and hopped lithely into the room.

I wondered what Kakshi thought of my whole ordeal. "Kakashi, do you… do you think I'm screwing up or doing the right thing?" I asked quietly, voicing my thoughtsss as I led him down the hallway.

"I think it's right if you're listening to your own feelings. It's a rare thing to find happiness when you hold this career."

As always, Kakashi had an answer that surprised me. I bobbed my head. "Thank you." I murmured.

"Anytime Sakura." Kakashi replied with all the affection he still held for me from the days when I was still a Genin under his instruction.

When we reached the living room, I was unsurprised to find that Itachi, Kisame, and Tobi were waiting to say goodbye to me. I smiled warmly.

"Guess this is good bye Pinkie." Kisame chuckled. He slapped me on the back.

Itachi simply gave me a slight smile and a nod. That was to be expected.

"Sakura-Chan!" Tobi wailed. He sounded as if he were in tears. "Don't go Sakura-Chan! Who will play cards with Tobi?"

"I'm sure we'll see each other again, Tobi." I sighed. "Bye, everyone." For me, this was not a bitter departure. No, not at all. Deidara was standing at the door, holding his own small travel pack as well as a larger, mystery duffel bag. "You're not going to tell what's in it." I said when I reached his side. It wasn't a question.

"Hell no."

I chuckled. "Let's go." I urged. I started off, but Deidara grabbed my arm.

"I figured we might as well fly. It would be easier and quicker." He smiled at me with a look in his eyes that I could only describe with 'adoration'.

"For me." I frowned. "You'll waste all your chakra getting the three of us there."

"Oh, I'll be fine. Trust me." He gave me a cocky grin and rubbed his hand up and down my arm once before letting me go.

In a matter of moments, he had a bird larger than any I'd seen before waiting in front of us. He must have started making it before Kakashi and I came out into the living room. I sighed and gave into his demands. I hopped up onto the bird. Deidara settled himself in front of me. Kakashi looked up at me questioningly. "I'm assuming you're sitting in the back?" It was more of a question for Deidara.

"Yeah." He laughed. As soon as Kakashi was secure, Deidara took off. It startled me, but I managed not to make any noises. That's something to be proud of, I guess.

Most of the flight was uneventful. Kakashi and I chatted about what had been happening in Konoha, and I told him that nothing exciting had been going on here. I consulted him for baby names, and at one point, an overly aggressive hawk came a bit too close for Deidara's liking. And mine, considering he'd gone for a swipe at my head. I'm somewhat happy and somewhat mournful to say that some meat-eating animal will find a nice, roasted hawk for dinner, courtesy of Deidara.

There was only one interesting conversation that took place over the duration of the flight. Kakashi had asked Deidara how exactly he was getting out of Akatsuki:

"Hey, Deidara, what the hell do you plan on doing about Akatsuki. I doubt they're going to let you just walk away from their whole organization."

"It's actually pretty simple." Deidara laughed. "Pein considered this mission an attempt to capture the Kyuubi. Itachi and Kisame are going to help out and vouch for my death during a fight with a recovery team. A dead man isn't any use to Akatsuki. Tobi pinky promised to keep his mouth shut, so he's covered as well."

"And if they discover you're still alive?" Kakashi had pressed.

"Pein'll be mad, but he'll just make me work for the organization again. Nothing major."

I'd recognized the lie beneath his words. I could tell that Deidara knew that if Pein found out, he'd be dead, which probably meant me as well. I'd shuddered, but we both knew we were taking risks to be together.

When we touched down in a small clearing in the woods, I hopped off immediately. "Which way is it?" I asked eagerly.

Deidara smirked and slid off the bird. When Kakashi hit ground, Deidara let the bird disappear with a small 'poof'. He covered my eyes with one hand and led me slowly through what I assumed were trees. I could hear Kakashi trailing behind us lazily.

It was a short walk—maybe five minutes long until Deidara came to stop. I almost continued forward. "Ready?" he whispered.

"Yes." I bit my lip in anticipation.

Deidara lifted his hands away from my eyes. I took in the sight before me. It was a quaint little two-story cottage, as I'd expected. It had ivy growing up the side, a few steps leading up to a big porch, yellow paint and white shutters. There was a small unkempt garden in the front of the house. I'd sure have a lot of fun taking care of that. All that was missing was the white picket fence. I made a mental note to tell Deidara that.

"It's perfect." I murmured to him.

A triumphant grin spread across Deidara's face. He swept me up in a hug. "Welcome home. Finally." He hummed in my ear. Those words gave me the most wonderful feeling.

He ushered me inside, and I gave Kakashi a welcoming to come in. He just shook his head. "I'll see you around Sakura." He called out to me.

"Wait!" I ran up to him and attacked him with a farewell hug. "Bye Kakashi. Be sure to write."

He smiled, wriggled free of my hold, waved, and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

I sauntered back to the house and into Deidara waiting arms. "So what's in the bag?"

He laughed. "It's actually just some appliances and supplies."

I frowned. "Well that's anti climactic."

That earned a hearty laugh. Deidara grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. "This is our room." He informed me.

I eyed the big bed in the center of the spacious room. I glanced up at Deidara's face. He was studying me. I winked. I bounded over to the bed and sat down. To my surprise, no dust flew up from my motion. The house must have been cleaned recently. I sighed happily and lay back against the sheets. A moment later, I felt the bed indent where Deidara lay next to me. I curled up against him. "It doesn't feel very broken in." I whispered.

That was too great of a hint, I know, but I wasn't in the mood to think of a comment any wittier.

"We can fix that." He whispered back.

"Let's."

He rolled over me and we proceeded to break in the bed for the remainder of the first day of the rest of our lives.