Stage Twenty Six: Awkward…

I spent my nights curled up in Itachi's bed; sometimes I slept. Other times, I couldn't bring myself to do it. He confirmed that the girl really was Umi, who went by Yahara now. It kind of explained why she didn't look to happy to see me in Suna. She had spent her life avoiding death, whereas I have spent mine creating it.

That particular night he wasn't there. He was assigned a mission with Kisame, and had to leave me behind at the mercy of the other members. I wasn't too worried about me; it was Yahara who would take the worst of it. Hidan wasn't really a threat anymore, and Sasori… well, he was harmless.

There was a knock at the shoji that startled me out of my reverie. I pushed myself off the bed and walked to the door. It slid open silently save for the whoosh of the air it moved.

I was startled to see Deidara standing before the door. He cautiously looked up at me. "You're still dressed," he pointed out.

"What do you want?" I demanded. "I don't really care much for small talk.

"I have orders to watch over you from Leader-sama. Itachi is away, and he thinks you can not be trusted alone."

I shifted weight to the other foot. "He is right to think that. I wouldn't stay much longer if left alone. Why did he send you?"

He regarded the question for a moment, choosing the best way to answer it. "I volunteered," was his reply.

I was startled, to say the least. No one else in the Akatsuki would volunteer to be responsible for me once Itachi had laid claim to me. Kisame was gone; otherwise he would have done it out of respect, so it was a surprise to know that Deidara chose to, instead of being forced.

"Consider it payback for the hair."

"Payback," I inquired. "Now, tell me, how is this payback?"

"I'm the one keeping you here against your will."

"And you think you can stop me?" I asked.

"Un," he smirked at me, "though, I'd rather you stay because you enjoy it."

I sighed. "Not only are you obsessive, you're also arrogant."

"We've been over this," he stated. "I'm not obsessive."

"Right; just over the top," I finished.

"Un," he sighed.

He linked his arm through mine tightly, and escorted me away from Itachi's home after leaving a note that stated my situation of being 'entertained,' by Deidara. That being left on the kitchen table, we left together into the night to pass through the streets at no more than a slow walk.

He kept the conversation light and easy, talking to me about past assignments and his home, and in turn, asking about my experiences. The night was warm, the stars were shining bright enough for us to see our way, and the streets were empty. He had begun to express his views on art and how they differed from his partner when we arrived at his front door. He unlocked it swiftly and invited me inside.

"Hmm," he sighed, "Welcome home, Tsuki."

I stepped inside and heard him shut the door behind us. Lights flickered on, illuminating the entry way that I had only seen in darkness. He kept the style traditional Japanese simplicity. It was clean and elegant.

I felt his hand on my shoulder; a touch that was feather light and lasted only the tiniest fraction of a moment. It was gone before I could even confirm that it was there. He shed his cloak as he walked past me, once more exposing his gracefully lean build. He looked back at me as he sauntered to a halt. "Well, are you just going to stand there, hmm?"

"Where exactly do you want me to go?" I shrugged, emphasizing my point.

"He blinked at me for a moment. "I know that sleeping with Itachi is a conditional thing, so I was going to show you to your room. We do have spare bedrooms, you know that, right?" He arched his eyebrow. "Or, if you'd rather, you can stay with me." A smile broadened upon his face, lighting his features. "I don't mind, either way. I'm tired, and I imagine you are as well."

"I guess no one's told you yet. I don't really sleep much."

He shrugged. "You were sleeping the other night when I had to run something over to Itachi."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What did you bring to him?"

He turned back to the hallway, guiding me into the living room. "His mission papers, Orders for where he was going and what he would be doing with Kisame."

"Why couldn't Kisame take the papers?"

"Again, it was something I volunteered for," he answered, followed by a sigh. He sat down on the sofa, patting the cushion next to him.

"You seem to do that a lot." I complied and sat with him, leaning against the padded back.

"Well, yeah," he answered, resting his leg on his knee. "I'm curious. Your relationship with him is a strange one, ne? He has laid claim to you, but doesn't keep you around if you don't want to be here, he doesn't show possessiveness around the others, and he doesn't seem to have any romantic interest in you at all. You sleep beside him, yet there's nothing there. I want to know what's up."

"That really isn't for you to know," I stated, "but if you must, then I should tell you that it is a façade. Itachi isn't a lover, as much as everyone is led to believe."

"I didn't think so," Deidara answered with reverence. "Do you mind telling me about the relationship? My man doesn't just take to women for no reason. It's unlike him."

"It's-" I began, then stopped. "I guess we're-" I started again.

His eyes brightened in anticipation. "Hmm?" he hummed, urging me to go forth.

"I suppose he's like an older brother," I sighed. "I have known him, I guess, for around ten years. He took care of me, after my parents were killed. I like to think that I was closer to him than Sasuke ever was, but that goes a little too far. I couldn't fathom their relationship. I don't remember most of what happened back then."

"Un," he sighed, mulling everything over. "Did he tell you all this?"

"I know what you're thinking, and I had the same thoughts, too. He did tell me all of this, but was moment when I remembered what he had said, and so much more. It was triggered by a sound that had nothing to do with what he told me."

"Interesting," he muttered. "So there's nothing other than a family-esque bond?"

"Yes," I answered, looking down.

"Then why did you survive the Uchiha massacre?" he asked, truly curious. "He killed his own mother…" His voice trailed off into silence.

"I left him before the massacre. I was seduced by Orochimaru's lies, promised the world, and the chance to prove myself."

He nodded and reclined back. "That's an interesting tale. Why lie about it, hn?"

"It keeps the others at an arm's length."

"Are you afraid of us?" he asked.

"No, I'm not afraid of you. I was brought up by a man of equal notoriety, if not greater. It's just not something I want to deal with."

"May I ask another personal question?" he asked.

The askance of permission took me off guard. "If you want; I might not answer."

"Is there a special someone in your life?"

"The hell," I muttered. "Why do you want to know that?"

"Does there have to be a reason," he answered.

"Do you have someone special in your life?" I asked.

"Ne?" he muttered. "Tsuki, I'm a missing ninja, and an S ranked criminal. There isn't exactly a vast market out there. So, no, I do not."

"You say that like your disappointed."

"You never answered my question." He looked at me. "So tell me, hmm?"

I sighed. He answered with honestly. I was obligated to return the favour. The only person I could think of was Gaara, and he dismissed that when I saw him last. "No, I don't. Nor do I think I will any time soon."

He shifted to look at me. "Why not," he asked.

"I was taught from a young age that love is weakness. Going against that goes against something deep. On top of that, I have lost everyone I have ever loved to death, except for a sister I don't even know anymore and Itachi, who I don't even remember."

"I can understand that, un. I don't agree, but I understand. It's getting late, Tsuki. I'll take you to your room." He stood up before extending a hand to help me to my feet. I accepted his hand and rose, and felt lips press a kiss to my palm.

I pulled my hand away quickly, being startled by the foreign sensation. I looked at him, curious and asking for an explanation. He held up his hand to me, and then turned it over so I could see his palm. Surely, there was a mouth situated there.

"They infuse my chakura with clay, allowing me to create explosive sculptures." He took one of my hands in both of his, allowing me to feel, but the sensation that they were there was no more. "They do what they want sometimes. I didn't intend to kiss you."

"I'm afraid I don't understand," I answered.

"I can't expect you to." He gently smiled, softening his words. "Shall I show you to your room?"

I nodded slowly, stepping forward, following him to the spare bedroom. He slid the door open and gestured me in. "If it is not to your liking, it can be personalized. I have no other use for it. This is your room, and where you will stay when you're with me. Make yourself at home."

I stepped past him and into the side bedroom. It was smaller than his own, yet still roomy enough for me to be comfortable. There was a full bed, a night side table, a desk, and a chair. Beyond that, it was barren.

"Thank you, Deidara. When I can, I'll be sure to make this space my own."

A bright smile lit up his entire face before he departed after saying good night. I then turned to the bed, where I collapsed face down into its fluffy duvets and cool feather pillows.

I tried to resume my thoughts from Itachi's room, to no avail. I couldn't shake that evening's conversation from my mind. Something perplexed me about Deidara's demeanour. His intent was not known to me, and for some reason, that got under my skin.

Morning

My night was restless and long. Having nothing to occupy myself with inside Deidara's home, I resorted to my own thoughts, which are not forthcoming. When daylight filtered in through the window above the bed, I roused myself and wandered out into the rest of the house.

I found Deidara already awake at the kitchen table. His back was to the entry way, where I stood. I could hear the scratching of a pen on paper. He was hunched over, concentrating on what ever it was that he was writing.

"Good morning," I greeted.

He stiffened in his posture, straightening up abruptly. "Ohayou," he answered. He then whisked the scrolls into his pockets, hiding them from my sight. "Come and sit with me."

I strode to the table and took the place beside him. "You're working pretty early," I observed.

He yawned. "Un; I don't really sleep that much. I'm awake before the sun rises most days." He looked at me. "How was your night?" he inquired.

"Long, but fair," I answered. "A night to my own thoughts makes for a restless night, but overall, I cannot complain. The bed was comfortable."

"Good to know that," he smiled. "Is there anything I can do to ease your restlessness?"

I sighed. "Not really," I answered. "It's just an embedded thing. I just don't sleep when I'm alone."

"Then perhaps you shouldn't spend your nights alone," he suggested.

I smiled at him mischievously. "It doesn't work that way. I have to really trust the person in order to sleep."

"Trust them with what?" he asked. Curiosity shone in his eyes, lending me to believe he really did want to help me, not just get me into his bed. "Hmm?"

"My life," I replied. "I have to know that I'm not going to wake up to someone standing over me, preparing to slaughter me in my sleep."

"With your senses, you'd know as soon as they crossed the threshold into the house. Why do you need someone to protect you, if you're the most lethal person I have met outside this organization?"

"That's simple to answer, Deidara. There are those more lethal than I inside this organization. It's a security problem for me. I watched my parents die in the dead of night, woken from their sleep to an assailant standing before them. I was merely six years old. A fear like that doesn't just go away."

"I can't expect it to," he stated. "I want you to know that you are safe here. I won't hurt you, and I won't let anyone else come near you."

It was so hard for me to accept that from him. I have only ever trusted Itachi and Gaara with my unconscious well being willingly. There were two people out of a sea of others in which I could put my trust. "Deidara," I paused. "I don't know what to say. I-"

He took my hand in his. "Then don't say anything. You're in good hands."

"Oh yes," I mocked, "I am in good hands; hands that think for themselves and kiss girls on their own."

He blushed mildly. "Well, if you weren't so damn charming," he mumbled. "They wouldn't like you."

I took my hand back from him. "Charming," I muttered. "Is there a hot spring around here?"

He looked at me, eyebrow raised. "We're in the Land of Rivers. How can there not be a hot spring close by?"

"Well, as you are my escort," I smirked. "Would you mind taking me there after breakfast?"

His eyes widened. "Of course; though, I did forget about breakfast. Ne, what sounds good?"