Warning: non-explicit rape . This is darker than previous chapters
Deidara could feel the air growing cold and damp; the Sand Prison guards were taking him deep underground now. He could smell wet earthen walls close around them, recalling memories of the smell of his clay; a strong contrast from the the hot and arid desert above. But, it wasn't making Deidara feel more at home. He preferred the open sky and of course this meant that they were now in the dungeons - in the bottom levels of the Sand villages prison.
Where else, for a captured member of the Akatsuki?
The irony of it was not lost on him. So, he had attacked the Sand village from the heavens above it; but, like a fallen angel, his wings had been broken - and now he descended deep into the pit of hell beneath it.
...Damn, that was poetic. He would've had to remember to tell that one to tell Sasori; if Sasori weren't dead.
But it wasn't quite fitting. To be a fallen angel, you had to be an angel first, right? He almost laughed out loud, hit by the hilarity of the idea; really, he wanted to laugh about it with Sasori - oh no! Deidara started chuckling darkly, quietly...he had to admit was he starting to lose it a little...he mustn't get hysterical. They hadn't even done anything to him, not yet.
Breathe. Breathe deeply.
God he just wanted to rest. Just rest, he'd reached his limits. He hadn't slept or had a moments peace in days, captivity was more taxing than fighting, it was literally killing him. He would be sleeping right now, if he could. Sasori, who did not sleep, would be sitting somewhere quietly nearby, watching his back - grumbling and whittling away on his art...
He knew the Leaf-nins had separated from the escort-group long ago, before even entering the Sand Village. He'd expected the Sand-jonins would turn aggressive and start with the physical abuse as soon as they were out of sight; but that had not happened - they were very disciplined, though the guy carrying him had an intense grip.
Temari demanded quiet as they entered the village, to be as inconspicuous as possible; so in silence they went.
Deidara readily admitted to himself that he missed those Leaf shinobi, just a little. Compared to these guys, they had been quite preferable as captors.
His face was still hidden by the blanket over his head. As the escort had passed through checkpoints, no one except for a few were told who he was; his presence in the village being kept top secret. He changed hands a few times, new guards taking him. He was searched for weapons about five times. Temari went elsewhere.
After what seemed like an age, it felt like they had reached the place intended to hold him; the sound of heavy doors groaning open.
"This him?"
"It's him."
"Shackle him in the interrogation chair, the interrogators have not arrived yet. We are still waiting."
That sounded bad.
He was dumped down in a chair that was bolted down to the floor. The back of the chair was angled back somewhat. He felt his legs shackled apart by the knees and ankles to the front section. At least two people were doing it. Breathe ...this was terrifying him. Hands clamped down on his shoulders and pressed him back into the chair.
"You are guys are meant to leave, after delivering him here. That is what we were told."
"We know."
Deidara heard the footsteps of several guards leave the room, the ones who had brought him in.
At the last change of hands, he had noticed that they neglected to pass on Temari's instructions about being careful ...not that he needed that, or anything. He could get through this...
He heard the doors bolted shut.
Oh shit.
"I don't care about the instructions," an impatient voice, "I want to see who defeated Gaara," Deidara felt the blanket being pulled from over his head and shoulders. Deidara found himself blinking in harsh, artificial light.
"Damn, he's young as the kage!" the guard was surprised.
"His arms are gone, how do I strap him to this?" The other guard pinning him back against the chair was feeling his shoulders, confused. Deidara took a sharp breath as the man shoved a hand down his vest in some disbelief, grasping and checking if they were hidden there.
"They are both gone," he confirmed.
"Hah! The bird has had his wings clipped, I like that. Gaara only got one arm I think - I guess this means those leaf guys were brutal with him too."
"Good, I'm starting to like Konoha more and more. And they even left enough of him for us to punish."
"But how to secure him..." Deidara heard walking around the back of the room before returning back to the seat,"This one is designed for the neck." Now the sound of chains rattling. They were stood behind him, he couldn't see...
A thin iron manacle was clasped around Deidara's neck, what the hell? It was yanked back, ah! Was he expected to breathe like this? The end of the chain was secured behind, keeping his head painfully strained back. He gulped for breath as it seemed to tighten as much as it would go. His back felt taught and was aching already. Stay calm. Deidara realised he had a severe terror being restrained...he just hadn't known it until these last few days, when he'd been restrained for the first time.
"That looks too tight, don't strangle him...we'll get in trouble."
"I know what I'm doing." It was tightened further. Deidara tried not to react.
They came and stood before the chair, studying him. Deidara studied them back. Two Sand nins of indiscernible rank; Okay, what. Didn't they have anyone more powerful to guard a terrorist of his calibre? He was offended! But the restraints - he could feel their effect. Aside from the choking pain, there was a faint humming to them; Deidara recognised that they were chakra binding. Perhaps that was why..
"Not having so much fun now, are you?" One of them leaned over Deidara and slapped him, hard, across the face. "We saw you up there with our Kazekage that night, everyone did!"
Deidara felt a thrill shoot through him, despite everything.
"Hm? So you saw that?" Deidara grinned widely, face stinging slightly, right across the jaw - he had two severed arms! What was a slap to him? Nothin'. "Pretty impressive display, wasn't it? What did you think, un?"
Deidara fully expected them to tell him exactly what they thought, with added violence. He showed them his best leer, preparing for a response.
The silence was deafening. He awaited their enraged reaction...but it didn't come. They looked furious, furious, but didn't make a move towards him. For a long time it seemed they stood there, it was...a little unsettling. Finally, they turned their heads to look at each other. When their eyes met, they smiled as though they had just come to an unspoken agreement...
They were smiling in a way that made Deidara's blood run cold.
"He's a lot smaller than I was expecting, he's tiny." They spoke as if he wasn't there.
"He's very easy on the eyes... if you don't count those mutilated arms." They came closer, one of them stepped back behind him, out of sight. Deidara couldn't follow him with his eyes.
"How can he still be a shinobi with no arms? Seriously! Or even a man, I mean, look how much of him's left!"
"He's only half a man now." They laughed again. All of the things he had planned to say left him, Deidara was at a loss for words. His body tightened with anger, colour rose in his face, as he took in what they were saying...thoughts he'd been fearing himself, but hadn't wanted to admit...
The guard brought his voice lower, a murmur "...but the half that's left, that's the only part that you really need, right?"
Suddenly the one behind him shoved his hands into Deidara's hair, pulling it? No, he was feeling it.
That was when Deidara realised. The shock put heart-rate through the roof, he thought it would jump out of his chest. They wanted it to be like that? Just hit me, cut me, I would know how to deal with that...
It couldn't happen. It did happen - to other people. Weak, lower people, not to him. He was untouchable. Out of reach.
It was like a bomb in his mouth going off.
"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" he snarled, animal like, whole body jolting against his restraints, they both jumped at his sudden change in behaviour. "Who do you think you are! I'LL KILL YOU! I'll will kill you! You'll be sorry you were ever born! I'll blast you to PIECES, It'll be an explosion like you could never imagine! You'll be art, and then you'll be gone, I'll watch as you turn into nothing, nothing will be LEFT! and that'll be it! You'll only last one second - not that even that! IT'S THAT QUICK! It'll be the highlight of your pathetic lives! You'll realise you were only born to be a tiny part of my masterpiece! There's no ESCAPE, not even if you ran for a hundred miles-
The one in front pulled back a fist and punched Deidara hard, rock hard, in the stomach. He would have doubled over if not for the restraints - gagging painfully, he tried to recover, unable to curl up. His eyes watered involuntarily.
"Well, your "cool" act lasted for about two seconds there Akatsuki." The guy grabbed his face, "Seems you really don't like to be touched, do you?"
Deidara panted, he had no breath. He couldn't have answered if he'd wanted to.
"...and what was all that weird shit about art and explosions? Absolutely crazy. I heard they all are."
"He's insane." Deidara didn't move as the first guy ran his hands up the sides of his face and into his hair again. He pulled Deidara's hair out of it's tie and gathered it with the rest, pulling his fingers through it, more gently this time, feeling the texture. "Insane...Beautiful, though." Gripping it tight, he brought his face in so close that Deidara could feel the mans breath on the side of his face.
"You look like a girl, Akatsuki. How old are you? Fifteen? You cant be more than sixteen.." he trailed off, a trace of something new in his voice.
Deidara was nineteen, thereabouts. Why was he asking him questions like that? Did the sick fuck just prefer to think that he was younger? He didn't have the breath to reply.
"Oh he's ignoring us now, maybe we upset him,"
Deidara felt confused as hell, he had expected torture, but not of this type. And these men, they looked so average , not like whatever kind fucked up torturer he'd imagined would work the dungeon. All the members of Akatsuki were scarier than these guys, especially himself. So why were these guys like this? Deidara had always thought that he was very sick, but why did their anger come coupled with lust? He couldn't understand it or relate to it. The way he looked? But surely he looked like a fucking mess right now. He was mutilated - his arms were ripped off, that had to be gross; or did they get off on that? They got a sexual a thrill from having him so helpless before them? This lust-fuelled malice they had, he could see it had been pent up, and they were letting it out, more and more...
The one behind pulled aside the top of Deidara's vest..."'Don't touch me', you said?" and then he bit into Deidara's shoulder near the neck, long and hard, hard enough to draw blood.
He jumped at that, nearly leapt out of his skin with shock. They laughed, again. That sound, he knew he would never forget it. He thought of the teeth he'd had in his hands, they were strong as flint; used to munching on clay, if he'd had those right now he'd tear this guy's dick off. The guy beside him licked him where he had bit.
The guard in front stepped closer, towering over him. He was the one that had punched Deidara in the stomach, but otherwise had not touched him yet. For a moment Deidara thought he was going to receive another blow to the abdomen...but then the guard sat on him. Legs on either side of his own, straddling him. He was bigger and heavier, and it felt suffocating.
He put his hands up under Deidara's vest and stroked his sides.
An overpowering wave of revulsion passed over Deidara at this unwanted closeness, this was too much, he wanted to vomit.
"Un, g-get off!" he managed, but it came out so quietly.
"Oh? Why should we!" The guard shouted suddenly, erupting with anger, Deidara couldn't even turn away. "You were quite prepared to drop a bomb on us! You little shit! And I bet you don't even remember any us from that night, but we all remembered you, you fucker, for the last four day's everyone in the Sand has been talking about only two things: the return of the Kazekage, and the most painful method of death for you! This isn't even anything. You wait till the interrogator's arrive...you'll miss us by comparison..."
These guys, these fucking guys, he wanted to blow them up. They weren't worthy, but he'd do it.
They were trembling a little now, and it was with excitement. They were nothing special, but now they found themselves in a position of complete power over a member of Akatsuki.
And they found him alluring. Looking at him and touching his face and body in the way that they did; they were very interested in something they saw there. He was stripped of the impressive powers, - they just wanted what was left. Deidara remembered what Sasori had said to him long ago, when he was younger, the reason he received special attention sometimes... he was not naive anymore but was this really what people thought about doing to him, when they stared at him in that particular way?
The one touching his face and shoulders pulled aside his hair and thrust his tongue into Deidara's right ear. He yelped in shock - it was like a warm slug trying to crawl inside his head. He couldn't lean away, it couldn't be ignored, and the guy kept it there, while caressing his face.
The one sitting on him pulled back, relieving him of the weight for a moment - but then he unfastened Deidara's pants, tugging them down, putting his hands...
They mauled him in that chair, the restraints the only thing limiting their actions.
But he didn't feel it.
Deidara was overcome by a numbness, all-over. He couldn't feel the guard's touching and breathing on him, or his restraints suffocating him, or the pain in his arms. Nothing even hurt anymore, was he in shock? He stared blankly at the damp ceiling, counting the tiles...
Was this payment then... had Karma finally caught up with him? It wasn't just about the Kazekage, a whole population had watched him happy to end their lives. He never expected or contemplated that one day he might be faced on level with the people from it, with their hatred; now it was lose enough to burn him. And it was burning him. Everyone hated him so much. Everyone. A lot. So was this simply just something that had been a long time coming, something unavoidable? He had never thought of it like that...
Thoughts of Kakashi, Gai and the other leaf-nin were coming to him unbidden; he wondered where they were exactly. Would they still be in the Sand village, somewhere nearby? Kakashi had been extremely determined to keep hold of him, he'd be negotiating a release... no, that wasn't the right word. A change of custody. Not a release. Surely that's what he'd be doing. Or, had that plan failed - were the group travelling back to Konoha already? The leaf guys hated him too, they had only even kept him alive for information but...they wouldn't have done this to him, even after what he put them through. But he wasn't their prisoner now, he was the Sand's. No sand-nin would disapprove of this, not after what he'd done, they had no reason to.
He closed his eyes. It was terrifying. This intimacy. These men he loathed. He'd never been with anyone, hadn't felt like it. He still didn't now, he was an artist first. An artist first, and an artist second, and third. And then he was Akatsuki, because they needed him for his skills and no one else was good enough to fill his position - because he was an elite, completely unique in his field. There was nothing else, that was his life. He had received propositions from people, but he didn't even see those people, he was too above everything - sex always seemed like such an earthly, unsophisticated pastime somehow.
But it was supposed to like two mediums coming together right? When he combined his chakra with his clay, it made art, the creation of something. But this was ...ugly. He'd take any other torture over this, anything. He'd prefer to imagine being cut with knives.
He trembled violently, couldn't stop it. Tried to go somewhere else in his mind, high up, somewhere they couldn't reach him...
"...Shaking like a leaf in the wind," one of them chuckled against him."Seems our little bomber is afraid then".
"Crazy that this is the guy who beat Gaara. But he's cute when he's subdued... I almost feel bad doing this, except I know how evil he is."
"Yeah. That face is deceiving, he's a demon inside."
Deidara was no longer even aware of what he men were doing anymore, he felt so dizzy and detached, like this wasn't real. They continued for a time, the room growing silent except for the ragged breathing of the three of them.
"...oi, don't do that, or they'll know."
"I wasn't going to!"
"Psh."
"Fine, wouldn't want to catch some disease from him anyway...my wife would murder me."
"Yeah I'd have brought protection if I knew we'd be getting him."
"You know he get's around. Look at him. Probably what Akatsuki keep him for..." After a while they became silent again and continued what they were doing to him.
Just stop.
I can't handle it.
Finally, they froze. They seemed to be listening. Voices were raised outside the thick doors...Deidara found himself trying to listen over his own heavy breath and racing thoughts.
"Shit, there are people coming!"
"Not for another four hours I thought?"
"Well, someone's coming now!"
"Fuck, move!"
The guards leapt away from Deidara as fast as if he had electrocuted them. The chair was readjusted. The guard who had sat on him hurriedly pulled up and re-fastened Deidara's pants, then fixed his own. There was rapping on the door, then the sounds of bolts being opened from the other side.
"Open up your side, the Kazekage is here," a voice barked.
"The Kazekage's come all the way down here!?"
"Shit, do I look alright?"
"Tuck in your vest...do I look alright?
" Yeah. What about him?"
"He was already beat up before we got him, they won't notice..."
"I mean, what if he talks?"
"He won't...and who'll they believe, us or him...come on."
They unbolted the doors and pulled them open, allowing the new figures to enter...
There was Gaara, Gaara looking fully recovered and imposing in his Kazekage robes as he walked in, Kankuro and Temari were with him. Kakashi, Gai, Sakura and Neji were with them. Was he seeing things...Deidara tried to focus, the room was coming back together.
There was a jonin who walked in alongside Temari, apologising to her. Deidara caught parts of what he was saying ' ...I told them the north side...sixth section...instructions were misunderstood...ah, there he is."'
"Explain what went wrong later."
An awkward moment as they stopped inside the room. He could see that they sensed the tension; anyone could have felt it, you didn't need heightened senses or shinobi training- it hung thick and obvious in the air.
Gaara looked at Deidara. Holy shit stop trembling. Earlier, Deidara would have returned his look with a determined gaze; but instead he could only look at him blankly, he was still in a state where his body wasn't doing what he wanted it to. Gaara, this guy he had fought before, this guy he had helped to kill...it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, Gaara's face was expressionless.
"What's wrong with him?"
"He must be fearing your punishment, Kazekage-sama,"
They donned completely different persona's for their Kazekage. These guys, they knew enough that Deidara was proud, that he wouldn't say anything. And they were right, Deidara had no intention of telling anyone about it - not ever. What had just happened was too disgusting, too humiliating...to have others know that he had been so weak as to have that happen... for people to have seen him like that... he glanced over at them.
They had composed themselves completely. Were they practised at...this? A new worry came. What if he were left alone with them again? The idea was making him sick. But even if he said something... would anyone believe him? He was terrorist scum, the number one enemy... or would they even care if they did know? But he'd never let them know.
"You."
"Kazekage-sama?"
"Why is there blood on your lip, and a bite mark on his shoulder?" In their haste, Deidara's shirt had been left askew, revealing the angry mark.
"I bit my lip, and...that mark was already there."
"No it wasn't!" Sakura's indignant voice was like an alarm going off, "He's lying! Kakashi-sensei...?"
"I know, Sakura. But wait..." Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder.
The guard was staring at them, stunned, "How dare you-"
"These are my friends, don't speak to them in a disrespectful manner." Interrupted Gaara. " I think that you lied to me just now. And I think there are other signs in here that would show you are lying to me..." Gaara swept his eyes over the guards.
"N-no Kazekage-sama...well yes, but...he is the one who kidnapped you isn't he-?" He caught himself, fearing that bringing up Gaara's defeat would be an insult to his Kazekage, "No, What I mean is! Isn't he the enemy? This section is reserved for the worst criminals, who's crimes measure the greatest, usually we can..."
He looked at the other guard for some backup. The other guy just traitorously stared at him. His face said 'you left a bite mark, so you fucking handle it'.
Gaaraa swept his gaze to him too, "Tell me immediately."
"Ahh, uhh, Kazakage-sama. Usually we are told do whatever we like... in this section...that is the normal custom."
"That was the old Kazekage's way. My rules are different. I know the change-over is quite recent, but it should be in effect."
Gaaraa looked over at one of his sand-jonin guys, "There is to be no severe handling of any prisoner unless it's been signed-off."
"But in this case..."
"No exceptions."
Gaara spoke to Kakashi. "As we have already discussed, you can take him; I trust you completely. You can leave here through one of our tunnels, it ends near the city wall. Someone will lead you. I apologise for this, and for any effect that it it could have on your investigations. It is our mistake. I'll deal with these two guards here and see that they are disciplined." He motioned for Temari and Kankuro. Whatever they had been thinking, they did not show or say. They stood grimly on either-side of Gaara, arms folded.
"Ah, but Kazekage-sama, you see-"
"Thankyou Gaara..." there was relief in Sakura's voice.
Gaara and the guards continued to speak. Deidara's head was spinning. He was getting out. Those guys wouldn't be touching him again, so why did he continue to tremble? Maybe the message hadn't gotten through to his body yet. His skin was covered in sweat, his breathing still restricted by the thing on his neck.
"Deidara?"
Someone was addressing him by name, it felt like forever since he'd last been called by it. Kakashi was bending next to him now, looking at his face in concern. "Look at me, Deidara. Can you answer me?" Deidara looked at him, but his voice refusing to come. Gai joined Kakashi. Neji and Sakura hovered nearby, watching.
"He's in shock," Kakashi informed Gai.
There was a flurry of irate discussion between Temari, Kankuro, the guards and other sand jonin. 'What did you do...He's damaged...bad for Leaf-Sand relations... idiots'.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Gai worked on releasing the manacle around his neck. It was a relief when it was snapped free, but his neck seized up immediately when he leaned forward.
"Let me - this won't hurt," Kakashi put his hands around the base of Deidara's neck; he flinched, but Kakashi just ran thumbs firmly over pressure points to ease it. It was what Deidara would have done if only he'd had his hands, so he tolerated the gesture.
Gai released his legs. "Come on kid."
They pulled him out of the chair to stand on unsteady feet. Kid? Gai was clearly mistaken; but insulting as it was, Deidara was in no condition to argue. Kakashi tipped his head and studied his eyes as if he was trying to find something;he seemed anxious. Did he really look that bad? He felt in a daze, unable to say or do anything of his own volition, just allowed them re-tie his legs and place the blanket back over him.
"Do you think he'll tell our interrogators anything willfully?"
"No, he's far too stubborn that."
"I was thinking the same. Mind-techniques, however..."
"They'll certainly try. I expect that he would be particularly susceptible to it."
Kakashi looked down at Deidara, sleeping near them, his hair mostly obscuring his face. He was snoring softly and muttering "un," at brief intervals every now and then. It was not surprising that he even made that sound in his sleep.
"How old would you say he is?" asked Gai.
"Hmm." This information would be in the files but he didn't have them to hand, Kakashi prioritised remembering the Akatsuki's known skills. "I would estimate seventeen or eighteen. Why?"
"He seems too young to be part of Akatsuki."
"Itachi was thirteen when he joined."
"Ah of course, but I mean -"
"- But he is very immature, compared to the other Akatsuki that we've met."
"Yes." Gai stoked at the fire thoughtfully. Their students slept too, none of them stirred once.
"Gai, you can't think of it that way. He's not your student," said Kakashi, seeing where this was going. "He is the enemy, you can't get attached. We were pulling out all the stops to kill him, the other day."
"I know. But we've been looking after him for a while - and then it was us who let the Sand have him, and now he's like that...
"Gai..."
"...and he's got that," Gai clenched his fist, "Awful handicap with his arms. Both arms...I know it was necessary Kakashi, but, it does remind me of when Lee was told that he'd never be able fight again."
"But Lee isn't a ruthless terrorist. This one, if he were able, he'd kill us. He nearly leveled the whole Sand village... you know that. And it's now only by luck that he is even currently alive."
"I agree with everything you are saying. It is still difficult, however."
Kakashi did understand what Gai meant. When they had entered the interrogation room, Kakashi had been struck by Deidara's appearance; he'd had one of the most awful, stricken looks on his face that Kakashi had ever seen. He looked so far from that laughing, menacing flying-terror that had thrown missiles and idle threats down at them from his high vantage point...he looked very young and afraid at that moment. It was impossible not to feel some sympathy; even the Akatsuki it seemed, were only human.
They had entered the Sand Village, but had no choice but to wait to speak to Gaara. The team received a warm welcome, but there were many matters that needed seeing to; Temari and Kankuro were busy, and they wanted to know everything they could about what happened with Gaara, and with Chiyo and the Akatsuki they had fought.
All the while, Kakashi had thought about retrieving Deidara. It was important to Konoha that they obtain information on Akatsuki; it was paramount. But Deidara was so hated in the Sand village, things could have easily gotten out of hand... if Deidara were to be killed, then Kakashi would have felt accountable for his death as he had been the one to hand custody of him over to the Sand village. If anything had happened, then Kakashi would be the one with the blame, the one having to explain to Tsunade what had gone wrong. Gai had been burdening those same feelings of responsibility, maybe even worse, with his usual Gai-intensity.
To complicate things, Kakashi was also concerned about Sakura who had become upset after Deidara was taken - inappropriately so - and Kakashi knew it wasn't just about the possible loss of information. She became too easily attached, Deidara was not some small animal she had bandaged up and cleaned the blood from like an injured cat or bird, he was their enemy, Kakashi had had to sternly remind her of it.
He'd had to remind himself too.
The roles had completely reversed, a few days ago, they had all worried about what Akatsuki were going to do Gaara, but now they worried about what the Sand village were going to do to Deidara.
Gaara had then asked for them himself, wanting to thank them for his rescue. He was very formal with them, being the Kazekage and speaking like one; but his level of gratitude and affection towards them was highly apparent. Free from Shukaku, he was completely different. He was less troubled and more relaxed in both body and mind...was that something, at least, to thank Akatsuki for? When Kakashi spoke of leaving with Deidara, there had not even been argument, Gaara agreed to it readily, "I trust you". Temari and Kankuro were not happy with the decision, but it wasn't their choice to make and they knew it.
Gaara had gone with them to the dungeons, it was necessary that Gaara be there in person; because he was not to be released otherwise. However, the prison was found to be badly managed - taking some time to even locate him.
And that was when Kakashi had seen him...like that.
Kakashi had already noticed Deidara's (very obvious) inferiority complex and his intense shame of showing weakness during their initial capture of him in the forest. It had been ridiculous, almost sad to watch. He had actually expected a much more dignified response from a member of the Akatsuki, mostly based off his previous interactions with Itachi and Kisame; though it seemed Akatsuki recruited all sorts of personalities. In what he supposed was Deidara's normal state, he had reminded Kakashi somewhat of Naruto - with a firey attitude, he was quick to lose composure and strongly over-react to everything, and loudly, - but of course, he had a completely different set of morals to Naruto.
As a long range fighter, Deidara had been completely at a loss for what to do when faced with close physical encounters, fast but otherwise helpless without his techniques and flying creations. Initially Deidara had tried to appear uncaring, but his behaviour had quickly become hysterical as he was tied up and gagged.
Kakashi remembered how constrained Deidara had been when they saw him in the interrogation room...and now Deidara seemed completely detached and unlike himself; Kakashi had a good idea what those two guards had been doing to him to rattle him so deeply.
It was shocking that it had been allowed to happen, especially after so much reassurance. But placed in a position of complete dominance over an elite - it seemed the guards had become carried away - unable to resist taking advantage of someone powerful, who, under ordinary circumstances, would have been considered deadly and off-limits.
His more naive students still seemed unsure of what had transpired.
Naruto, Lee and Tenten had not been present when they went to the interrogation room, instead spending more time in the upper world of the Sand village. They were rejoined with them to exit together through the hidden tunnel. They had all noticed Deidara's stark change in demeanour. "Is he drugged?" Tenten had whispered to Neji and Sakura, confused.
"I don't know..." Sakura had whispered back. Kakashi couldn't tell if Deidara might have been drugged, either, to be honest. He looked so out of it. Kakashi had had a look at his pupils, they appeared to focus correctly but seemed completely vacant...
Even Naruto had shown concern. He was happy and easygoing once more, with Gaara restored. He asked Kakashi as they walked, "Sensei, so what's wrong with him? Did they torture him or something?"
"Yes." Kakashi had replied, giving the short answer. Despite Naruto's earlier vehemence and threats toward Deidara, he had not been pleased to hear it. Of course he wouldn't be; Naruto was not that kind of person. Kakashi thought that Lee might have guessed as he did not ask any questions; he seemed thoughtful, sad. Lee didn't like to think badly of their allies.
It was sunset when they left the desert, and dark when they reached the woods. They should not have stopped to make camp - it was both unnecessary, and risky for such an important mission - but Deidara's condition was causing upset, and he looked exhausted. For the sake of Deidara (and for group morale) Kakashi and Gai informed their students that they'd be stopping to allow the prisoner a rest.
Gai set Deidara down, and he had slowly lowered his head to the blanket, lying on his side despite his injured arm - staring ahead.
He had been easy to read before, but now he was like a closed book.
They would give him a little distance; but first Kakashi knew that he would have to speak to him. Let him know that it was acknowledged - but at the same time, reassure him that it would not be acknowledged.
He approached Deidara and knelt down. The others were gathering wood to make a small fire, as although the night was warm it was moonless and dark. They liked to have some light.
"Listen, I will only ask about this once. I don't expect you to talk about it, if you don't want to," said Kakashi, voice soft. He'd been told on several occasions that his voice had a calming effect. "But, do you want me to look at anything?... I won't tell the others - or would you prefer if Sakura...?" Deidara was completely unable to check or tend to himself.
Kakashi looked down at him. Deidara was still gazing ahead of him, face blank. He gave no indication that he had even heard Kakashi speak. He was still too shaken and exhausted; Kakashi would let him sleep.
"Hm," Deidara uttered quietly, not moving, he didn't look at Kakashi. Kakashi listened carefully. "Don't pretend to be kind to me un, any of you...I don't like it. I don't need it," his voice lacked emotion, it was as empty as his face. "I would still kill you, first chance I get."
When they had released him from the interrogation chair, he'd sensed immense relief in Deidara - although to be fair, anyone would be grateful for even their enemies save them from such a situation. But in his shock, Deidara had shown a sort of dazed dependence on them that made Kakashi feel strangely parental; right after being pulled from the interrogation chair, Deidara had actually buried his face into Kakashi's chest. Perhaps Deidara had forgotten that, simply blocked it out; something too embarrassing for him to remember. It had gone unnoticed by the others - it would have looked to them as if Deidara just could not stand straight. But Kakashi knew.
He seated himself nearby, sharpening his kunai's and reading his book, but keeping a watch on him all the while. Eventually Deidara closed his eyes, and Kakashi thought that he was falling asleep, until he heard him speak again.
"Sa-...Kakashi."
"Yes?"
"...gonna throw up, un."
Kakashi held back Deidara's hair as he went onto his knees and vomited.
"Deidara will not talk. There is little danger of him providing the enemy with information."
Akatsuki held assembly once again, but this time their numbers were two less.
"That may be right, Itachi. But everyday that a member of Akatsuki is held captive - the more we, as an organisation, lose face. Lose value. Something must be done."
"Something will be done. That is why I have called you here." The leaders eyes glimmered in the darkness. "I do not doubt Deidara's loyalty and stubbornness, but a genjutsu expert may be able to pry information from him in other ways."
"If he cannot escape before that point', said Kisame, "he will kill himself first."
"I'm sure - but as he has not already escaped or taken his life, then I must assume that he is too incapacitated to take either of these actions."
Hidan huffed. "He'll find a way. I've seen him nearly pass out from an aneurysm just 'cause he was pissed with Sasori over his art thing. Seriously - I thought he was gonna self destruct."
"I was thinking more along the lines of biting his own tongue," said Kisame.
"They would know to watch and gag for that," grumbled Kakuzu, "Such an obvious manoeuvre."
"The Leaf are soft in recent years. They go very easy on prisoners."
"You say that in front of your own Leaf partner- would you call him soft?"
"He's not Leaf anymore. Though certainly the last truly ruthless man they produced."
"I wouldn't underestimate them, Kisame," said Itachi softly.
"Yeah Kisame, stop kissing Itachi's ass," snipped Hidan.
"Tongue biting would be a boring way to go, for him," said White Zetsu. "He'd do something really fancy!"
"The PURPOSE of this meeting is to discuss the issue with recovering Deidara," The leader reminded them, patiently.
"Just forget blondie and replace him," said Hidan. "If was so amateurish to be captured, then why do we want him back?"
"Deidara skills are unique and irreplaceable. He successfully captured the One Tails on his first attempt, and at great cost to himself. I will also remind you that you have yet to capture your own target. It is important to keep our numbers - we have also lost Sasori - to lose yet another member would severely hamper our plans."
"But yeah, but - he has lost of both his arms, right? both of them, is that true?"
"Yes but that can be resolved. Kakuzu, once we have him, you can reattach those, correct ? Zetsu has recovered the pieces in the forest, he may need some parts reconstructed however..."
"I will do it."
"Good. Zetsu, what is happening now?"
White Zetsu spoke. "It's a little confusing. It would seem that the Leaf ninjas held him, but they then turned him over to the Sand Village where he was imprisoned. The Sand have now returned custody back to the Leaf-nin , whom have recently exited the sand village with him."
"What the hell..."
"The sand nin didn't execute him? Strange." Kisame looked toward Itachi for his input.
"Very strange. And foolish of them."
"He was too annoying, I'll wager," said Hidan, "that's why he's being moved between different factions like a yo-yo!"
"We don't know why it is happening, but the reason is not of importance at this time. We must remove him from enemy hands. Itachi, Kisame?"
"We are quite distant from their current location," said Itachi, "close now on the trail of Kisame's target."
"I see. So then, Kakuzu, Hidan -"
"Ugh!"
"We are closer."
"Hm. Kakuzu, Hidan - you will intercept the leaf ninja's before they reach Konoha, and retrieve Deidara. Zetsu will meet you and give you the summoning scroll for his arms and ring."
"Done." Said Kakuzu.
"However, it will be difficult as the Kyuubi travels with the leaf team , as well as Kakashi Hatake, the copy-nin. If you are unable to rescue him...you know what to do. The Sand Village would have executed him, but I will not have him reach the Leaf Village; it is possible that their genjutsu experts may be able to force information him; so, kill him if you must ."
"Ahh, do be careful giving these two permission to do that," chuckled Kisame, smiling widely." You don't know how easily it can happen with them, the zombie-brothers, once they get going..."
"Fuck you, Kisame! - You chop off legs and it's not even for Jashin!"
"Hidan, silence. I'll kill you, I swear I will."
"Kakuzu-chan, you say that so often..."
"The meeting has ended. You will take up your new mission. Retrieve Deidara if you can, and restore his arms. Kill him otherwise. We will meet again at this time, tomorrow - or when you have him."
"Good luck," grinned Kisame, before phasing out.
Kakuzu and Hidan were the last to leave.
"Heh, I wonder how Deidara is taking it? That guy is always on edge, he's so easy to toy with."
"Poorly, I expect."
Hidan groaned. "Such a hassle...got so much to do and now the Leader's piling this extra work on us! It's always us, right? He never makes Sharkbutt and Princess Uchiha take the shitty jobs. We seriously have to freakin' pick-up and BABYSIT Deidara just because him and his dead-eyed-wooden-douche-boyfriend couldn't get their own shit together. Sasori really fucked this one up, I'm telling you. Who the hell DIES against a bunch of teenagers? But Deidara losing two arms though...that must look hilarious... I say don't restore them for a while, just leave him like that, and we'll see how he -."
"Let's just kill him."
Hidan stopped his rant, surprised. "Ohh, hey, hey! Are you serious, Kakuzu?"
"Yes. If it's easier."
"Heh, easier; just one of your words for 'cheaper'. Well anyway, that could make this interesting!" he laughed, "I've always wanted to try my technique on him, you know."
A/N Hnnngh, forced vulnerable Dei so cute.
I hope that wasn't too horrible. It is a little extended from the original. I need reviews please, I need to know I'm not alone in liking...this sorta weird thing. I'll take critiques too, and if you see any mistakes please do let me know - this has not been beta'd.
The next chapter will be very significantly changed.
*I now realise the angel and heaven/hell symbolism at the start of this chapter is of course very western and not culturally a good japanese naruto universe parallel (in the canon, Deidara even mentions Buddha) when I wrote it originally, I did not consider this. I was going to change it for this revision, but after some thought, I decided to leave it the same as I still like it.
I thought it was funny if Kakuzu would be agreeable for the whole meeting but in the end he's just going to do what he feels like doing eheh. He's like 90 years old. He'll do what he wants.
I have an extension of the dark scene that I took out long ago, LONG AGO. It might work its way in, though I'm still trying to balance it. It could end up a separate entry to not disrupt this fic. *EDIT* You know what, I'm going to stop teasing about that like an asshole and just post it on AFF or something