I AM SO SORRY. Like, seriously! Florida, then my birthday, then school started... I'm ashamed to say I had no time to write. /brick'd shot hit

\Dei\

I stood quickly.

She was there- definitely there.

An hour's distance walking. Forty-five minute run, and an half an hour on my art.

Standing up, I decided making yet another bird would be useless. Not to mention wasteful. I set to repairing my current one, and thought.

When Amaya had burst out of the room, she had said something about Tobi, hadn't she?

A spark flew in my mind. What if Tobi knew something? He's one of the clues to finding out what's going on.

I prepared myself, and used the Akatsuki's jutsu and appeared near Tobi in a holographic form.

"Tobi, un!" I shouted.

"Deidara-Sempai! What does Deidara-Sempai need from Tobi today?" He asked.

"Where were you this morning, yeah?" I asked hurriedly.

"Tobi was trying to find something to eat when Tobi heard a big BANG!" He said, probably grinning like an idiot.

I sighed, dissapointed.

"Alright, Tobi, nevermind, un," I said, releasing the jutsu.

Tobi was pretty much my only lead. That lead was crushed. So why is Amaya sitting, her arms around a tree, sleeping peacefully?

I could only wonder.

/Amaya/

"You're doing well, child," Ketai smiled to me.

I grinned like one.

"Haha, this might seem weird, Ketai, but earlier I thought I had seen your kimono fading and your hair curling. Along with the fruit tasting overly-sweet," I said, smiling to her.

"Oh, well, honey, they did. You see, we were in the sun so long that the color had started to drain from my kimono. Haha, and see, my hair is still a bit curly now. It's the heat. The fruit was probably over-ripened, I apologize. I had changed my kimono not too long ago as quickly as I could. Any more fading in that kimono, and it'll be white," She explained.

"Ohhh!" I said, smiling.

That explained it. Of course there was nothing wrong with Ketai. She's practically perfect.

"Now, we're going to work on your skills to fight the Ashan," She smiled.

"I'm ready!" I shouted, standing quickly.

She came at me quickly, her palms flat, with all the grace of a viper. Her movements smooth, silent. Her feet, light and swift. Her mind, smart and quick. She made the perfect training partner. She taught me things I would never learn fighting someone of my own status. My mind wandered for only a moment, and Ketai stuck me in the shoulder with her fingertips. My arm went numb for a moment.

She just gave me a dead arm!

I grinned.

"Oh, it's on now, Ketai," I said.

"I'm ready," She smiled gently.

My mind wandered on her again, and I was struck in the stomach.

"Oh~? What happened~? I thought it was on," She smiled.

I laughed.

Ketai was the greatest teacher. She was also a mother, a friend, and a sparring opponent.

Who could ask for more?

I rocked back on my heels, giving her the intention I was about to zip around her, and then came at her quickly. I punched. Hard.

She caught it. Easily.

I smiled.

Her eyes sharpened, and she darted around me, causing the wind to pick up considerably. Grass and petals rose into the air, and I jumped up as far as I could, out of the swirling winds. The sky met my face, and then it was back to earth again. I landed, crouched, and rather silently.

Her advanced Asturi, of course, picked this up. She landed gracefully, shooting towards me, a weapon of sorts out.

Training with Ketai was intense.

Training with Ketai was amazing.

\Dei\

The bird was finally finished, all repairs had been done. I climbed aboard, and the bird took flight. Heading towards where Amaya was, I adjusted the scope again to find her. Her arms were still laid around the trunk of the strange tree, waiting for me to come to her.

During Florida-time, I've mapped out everything that's gonna happen. There are gonna be 36 or 37 Chapters, and a Sequel.

I'm also sincerely sorry this was such a short chapter. I'm mapping out a schedule for myself so I may write for you all(: