Yew Berries

"Plague."
.

It's when Tobi does return without explanation, while they're walking under the sun and rain, does Deidara's mind finally catch up with his driven heart. The realization had his heart pounding.

He wanted Tobi.

The relief he felt when Tobi returned nearly knocked him off his feet. Tobi came back, but whatever they had, it wasn't enough. All of a sudden and out of nowhere, he needed more.

And that terrified him.

His horror must have showed on his face because Tobi didn't hesitate to voice his thoughts, "Uh, oh. Did you remember you left the stove on? Don't worry, we can go back and check!"

Blinking rapidly, Deidara struggled to process his words – jeez, what a bad joke – then without care, "No, let the place burn, whatever."

"Oh yeah, haha! I almost forgot you were obsessed with fire!"

"Not fire," Deidara frowned, mildly insulted, "Explosions! And it's not an obsession! It's a high regard for true beauty! Hm."

"If you say so... Hey, then if that's not bothering you, what's wrong, senpai?" Tobi asked, tone serene. A droplet of water rolled off a swirl of his mask, dripping down onto his cloak.

Kami, he couldn't believe he was thinking this, but... fuck, something about Tobi was crazy attractive.

The mask's eye hole was directed at Deidara, and a newfound paranoia had him wondering if Tobi could read his thoughts. He clammed up, walking ahead to avoid any chance of eye contact. Damn Tobi for being worthwhile, and damn himself for letting it get this far.

The sun was out, yet the rain fell with a soft pitter-patter. The drizzle wet his hair and skin, while the warmth of daylight hugged them both. It was winter, but today was warm and wet. They walked passed some pine trees, some filled with yew berries, others with pinecones. He tried to focus on his surroundings, on anything but his partner, but that wasn't an easy task when he was right there.

Deidara wasn't even sure what it was about Tobi that he yearned for. But he didn't have to know, did he? It was there, and there was no getting rid of it. Maybe it was just an outlet for the growing respect they had for each other, maybe it was how Tobi was simultaneously welcoming and exciting, or maybe Deidara latched onto the first real bond he's ever had. He couldn't pinpoint its origins, but he didn't care about that. What did matter was what he was going to do about it.

It would be a good idea to squash his feelings away, or wait for them to die off, but he didn't really mind the giddy feeling Tobi gave him. The man was dangerously beautiful. From his long, endless legs, to his crisp, confusing mind, Deidara must have found something appealing in there somewhere, to have stooped to such levels – lusting after an Uchiha.

That's what happens when you've had nothing holding you up for so long. In an act of desperation, you cling onto the nearest piece of solid trash within your reach and hope you don't float away. Deidara was just lucky that the first person to accept him wasn't a pile of rotting scraps, but someone akin to a work of art.

Tobi reminded him of the aftermaths of a bomb: the horizon broken and unrecognizable, with all of life hurled back, leaving an empty space in the centre, ripe for rebuilding and reshaping. That was what Tobi was doing, figuring out what to do with what he had left. And amidst the chaos, Tobi found structure and used the devastation to his advantage.

"Hey, you really put a whole new meaning to battle scars."

So deep in his thoughts, Deidara almost missed what he said.

"And you know senpai, when you get your arms cut off again, Kakuzu won't be here to replace them. At this rate, you'll be missing both of your legs too."

"When?" Deidara repeated, furrowing his brows together. Asshole.

"You must be really bad at protecting yourself from dismemberment then, huh. Or maybe you're just a masochist?"

"That's not how it works!" Deidara fell for his trap, hook, line, and sinker, "You've never had a limb severed from your body, hm. You don't just... imagine that kind of pain."

"Wanna bet on that?" Tobi's airy tone went sly.

Shocked, Deidara stopped walking, eyes wide, "No way! I don't believe it, hm."

But if he really took the time to think about it, he could believe it. Tobi's past was a mystery, and he was determined to hide himself, physically too. Deidara watched in avid fascination as Tobi grabbed onto his right sleeve. The man hesitated, then pulled the fabric up.

Deidara breathed out at the sight, "Shit..."

Tobi kept rolling up his sleeve, until it went up as far as it would go, the cloth taut against a well-built, white arm.

"What the hell happened?" he wondered. That clearly wasn't his flesh.

"Maybe I'll tell senpai once we're not out in the open," Tobi shrugged his sleeves back down, hiding the oddly beautiful deformation from Deidara's sight.

His mind was still numb when Tobi asked, "Pein told me he spoke to you, one on one! Wow! Is that true?"

Deidara's thoughts jerked to a different direction, "Yeah, hm. He implied you were going to be a bit more open. Is he expecting me to know who you are, now?"

"That's right," Tobi made a show of looking at his nails, despite the gloves, in a stance of nonchalance, "But I have to ask... Now that it's not a big secret anymore, which Tobi would you like to see, senpai?"

"Whatever you feel like. I don't really care, hm," Deidara answered easily. Really, he didn't. Tobi could act however he wanted to. Deidara was accustomed to both personalities now.

In the back of his mind, his thoughts whispered to him.

Sometimes he missed not knowing. Some days he wished Tobi was his idiot, annoying partner.

But he couldn't think like that. There was no changing the past. Things were different now; he had to see Tobi from a new angle and in a new light

He eyed the side of Tobi's head, where the thin fabric hugged his jaw. He hadn't missed how Tobi was seeking Deidara's validation for the umpteenth time. It had his skin prickling. There was no more denying the heady rush he got from the notion of a full-blooded, ripe Uchiha starving for his approval. This was a good change, for once. It was about time he had a Sharingan gaze up at him with unfaltering admiration.

Maybe it was this attention that triggered his sudden appeal for his partner. But yet, he could still recall the times when he'd remember a soft pair of pale lips as he fell asleep, before he even knew of the red eye. Or before then, when he'd catch himself staring at Tobi for a few moments too long, imagining gloved hands gripping his skin, and – .

He breathed in deeply.

On some level, he'd... he'd always been attracted to Tobi.

"You haven't asked about my disappearance," Tobi cut in, reverting to whoever was under the mask, "That's unlike you."

Now that he was hyperaware of him, that deep, mellow voice made him want to curl in on himself. Deidara looked to the side, "I figured it out already."

"You've always been more perceptive than what others give you credit for."

"Those who underestimate me quickly learn to regret it, hm," Deidara settled his gaze on Tobi, "Since you brought it up, confirm my theories, hm. What was the fate of Sasuke Uchiha?"

The rain felt more like a heavy mist, pouring in trillions of sheer drops that carried with the breeze. Deidara noticed this right before Tobi replied, "He's alive and of use."

"Not for long. If I see him, he will die by my hands, hm," he let out into the open, daring Tobi to refute him.

Tobi sounded pleased, "You can do to him what you wish after he's served his purpose."

"That's not up for you to decide," Deidara stopped walking. Why did he find Tobi hot again? Kami, he was still annoying, "I thought you gave up on your foolish plan, hm."

"Itachi's death was abrupt, in all of its predictability. It was a reminder," he paused, "Itachi was not one who could be manipulated, but his brother... Sasuke Uchiha's powers had awakened upon Itachi's death, and his mind shattered. I'll shape him into what I want."

"You're sickening."

But he still wanted him.

Deidara didn't need a reflective surface to see the disgust in his expression. He was angry at himself. He was disappointed in Tobi for giving in.

Tobi's gloved hand twitched, "I understand your desire to defeat the boy, but he would be more valuable used as a subjugated puppet."

A brief memory of Sasori had Deidara swallow hard. Tobi was more of a puppeteer than his former partner had ever been.

The Uchiha continued, "His entire being is broken, so his eyes have awakened. I'm rebuilding him with stones of unadulterated hate. Still, my indecision of the plan plagues me. Maybe I will follow it through, maybe I will not. But I won't leave a perfect weapon to rot in the aftermaths of a battlefield because there are no more enemies to slay. If he is of no use to me now, he will be later."

Deidara breathed in deeply, then exhaled, "Okay, fine, whatever, hm. I won't search for him, but if we cross paths..."

He was growing too lenient. If he wasn't careful, sooner or later, he'd be pliant like his own clay.

Itachi had died too soon.

Tobi didn't have a chance to warn Deidara before he chased after the boy. He had to grab Sasuke before those Konoha brats and Hatake got their hands on him. With Sasuke at his fingertips, he was ready to find another route to further secure his position in any future endeavours. Unfortunately, with all of Sasuke's strength, the boy was still simply an angry child. It would be some time before he reached the strength needed to even consider facing Pein or securing well-protected jinchuuriki.

Things were wrapping up quickly, and he had yet to decide the fate of the world. To think the future was all in his hands, a mere human... The world truly was meaningless.

A jostle of movement stripped Tobi away from his thoughts. Deidara was asleep next to him, his head just inches away from Tobi's thigh. He looked down to see Deidara's head look up. It was too dark to accurately read his expression, for his Sharingan didn't allow that, so Tobi asked, "Dreams wake you?"

Deidara rested his head back down on the hard ground. The lack of answer told him all he needed to know. Instead, the artist replied with, "Why don't you ever sleep?"

"I don't need to."

"Of course you do. Everyone needs to sleep, hm," Deidara said. Tobi heard him jostle around, looking to get comfortable.

"Do you remember when I mentioned I'd gotten into an accident?" at his soft grunt, Tobi continued, "I used to work for Konoha. It was my last mission for those puling swine. Half of my body was crushed by a boulder. The damage was... I should have died that day."

A distant memory of pain, blood, and sorrow had him closing his eyes.

He finished off, "I woke up in darkness, to this unnatural white creature and an angry, forgotten Uchiha. Before they died, they gave me my purpose. That old man created Zetsu, then replaced my missing limbs and organs with a self-healing, organic material."

"The same stuff Zetsu is made of?" he asked, voice filled with sleep.

"Yes, essentially. Like Zetsu, I don't need to perform any human functions, and the infused DNA heals any injury at a remarkable rate."

Madara created an imperishable weapon out of him. The man lost to his human body, so he created a perfect vessel to continue his dreams.

Deidara let out a soft noise, "You're hard to kill."

"Mm," he agreed. Then he realized something with Deidara's words, "That Uchiha who brought me back..."

"What about him?"

"He wasn't so dull to let me go freely before his death. I knew the inner workings of his mind better than anyone else ever had," Tobi said. Not even Hashirama was privy to the real depths of Madara's burning hatred, "I was his to use. And us Uchiha are possessive, proud little creatures, aren't we?"

"Yeah," Deidara agreed, "You guys are, hm."

"He wouldn't have let his pet wander off into the wild without a leash of some sort, or a... tag."

"Do you think he put a seal on you?"

Tobi wouldn't put it past him, "He did things to my body before I awoke. It's highly likely."

"Were you the one to kill him?" Deidara yawned.

He wished he did, "No. Ultimately, he killed himself."

There shared a moment of silence, each in their own thoughts. When he glanced down at his partner, he could see crystal blue eyes wide open. Deidara was still without his scope, and the eye it covered had finally grown accustomed to nearsightedness. Now Tobi had not one gem to stare into, but two. They were so brilliant, not even the midnight darkness hid their depth.

Tobi rested his hand on Deidara's shoulder, "Sleep."

•

The next day had them falling back into their own routine, except Tobi didn't bother pretending to be a fool, now that the act was over.

Sasuke and his team set out to capture the eight-tails. It was a test in strength and capability. He needed to push Sasuke. Tobi told himself that even if he didn't create the ten-tails, there would be nothing wrong with dominating the power of such a demon. And if Sasuke failed, it would simply be another piece lost.

He breathed in deeply, his sight forcefully averted from his partner.

It was apparent as day. Power made one hungry, famished, and desperate for more. It was affecting his rationale; he wasn't thinking objectively any longer. How could he trust himself to make the right decision, when his mind thirsted for strength? His heart, vengeance? His soul, love? Which did he listen to?

Tobi was distracted from his thoughts when he sensed the chakra remains of a battle ahead of them. Deidara noticed something was amiss shortly after. They glanced at each other once before taking off to investigate. It wasn't strange to come across the wastes of a fight, but ever since the Akastuki became active, it was their responsibility to be aware of their surroundings.

They approached a shinobi-made clearing, trees and grass burnt away from a variety of jutsu, to see it void of anything living.

"This stench... it reeks here, hm," Deidara's nose wrinkled up. He glanced at Tobi briefly before narrowing his eyes, "Hold on, do you even have a sense of smell?"

"What do you take me for? A beast? I'm not that mutated," Tobi pointed out. It was unfamiliar, having such a Tobi conversation as this Tobi, "It's the smell of burning flesh. I thought you'd be used to it, given your kekkei genkai."

"I know what burning flesh smells like, hm," he looked like he was ready to roll his eyes, "That doesn't mean I have to like it. Besides, with my skills, there never really are any bodies left to stench up the place, hm."

While wanting to retort, he had to hold himself back. There was something amiss, "The bodies, where are they?"

Besides the stray, bloody kunai sunken into several branches, there wasn't a trace of nin. He crouched down beside a kunai and pulled it out of the ground. There was a speck of blood on the edge, and it was dark and crusted. He wiped the weapon clean against the fabric on his wrist and pocketed it.

"It's been at least six hours. We should find the bodies. They might have been dragged off nearby," Tobi looked up, only to find Deidara watching him with blank eyes.

His expression was unreadable, and Tobi felt something sensitive crawl up his spine. Deidara didn't respond or react for a few minutes to long, so Tobi had to repeat himself for the first time in a long time, saying his name, "Deidara, we need to find the bodies."

Tobi could see the instant reality returned to Deidara. Unfocused eyes quivered when Deidara snapped out of wherever he was and nodded, "...Yeah, hm. Scout West, I'll go East."

He disappeared in a flurry. Tobi stared at the spot where he last stood for a few moments before beginning the hunt.

That was peculiar. He'd expected Deidara to suggest searching for any survivors instead, because that was what they usually did. But something was off about the situation – and about Deidara, though he would worry about that later. Why hadn't the odour dissipated, if the battle happened hours ago, and the bodies were gone? Were they dragged away recently? By whom? Discovered corpses were hauled off when there was something to take or to hide.

It was Deidara who returned to him ten minutes later, with news.

"I found them, hm," he looked troubled, "Or what's left of them."

He followed his partner as he was led to a ravine. A steady stream coursing around jagged rocks lay at the bottom, and with it flowed red, grainy ash. From here, he could tell the carcasses had been tossed in a haste. Then it wasn't about hiding the bodies. Whoever found them must have grabbed what they needed and discarded the rest.

Not that there was much left to discard. A few torsos and limbs, wound sites all remnants of fire, were scattered about. It wasn't pretty to look at.

Deidara looked sick, but Tobi wasn't fooled. There was a spark of light in his eyes that gave him away.

"They're all missing their heads, hm," he commented.

Tobi grimaced behind his mask, "Konoha nin. ANBU."

They jumped down from the edge of the ravine to get a closer look. It reeked.

Tobi didn't like something about this odour. He didn't trust it. It was off...

"They were burned from the inside out, hm," Deidara blinked, holding onto a severed arm like it was something he did everyday. He brought it closer to his eyes, "There isn't any tearing. Their limbs look blown off, but they didn't explode, hm."

"Poison," he grunted, "Let's go."

Deidara dropped the arm he was holding and glared at it. If not for their situation, Tobi would have found the look of betrayal that glossed over his features to be incredibly cute. The bomber had always looked down on poisons - they were too slow - ever since Sasori had applied his own artistic philosophes into them.

They left in a hurry, and the entire time his mind was whirring. He could withstand poison, but could Deidara? Surely he didn't inhale enough, just the residue.

"How do you feel?" Tobi asked, when they were a good distance away. He checked for any outward signs: dilating or constricting pupils, shortness of breath, his pallor, or any trembling.

Deidara rubbed his fingertips together, likely checking to make sure he could still feel them, "Nothing immediate, hm. I should be okay. You?"

Tobi, still cautious, nodded, "The mask blocked most of it out."

And the Senju DNA would protect him.

He'd have to keep an eye on Deidara for the next few hours.

Poison...

It would explain why the smell wouldn't disappear in the clearing, despite the bodies being removed. The gas must have clung to the trees and earth. Poison wasn't a weapon used often anymore. It was too tricky, and the art took years of practice. Especially with a toxin that potent. It had to have been a chakra-infused venom.

They - whoever they were – attacked shinobi from Konoha. Targeted them and left with their heads.

Was there an ally in this? Or a threat?

•

Much later, the sun was setting over the horizon, bathing everything in golden light. The rainclouds had dispersed, and both of them had quickly dried up. But now that the sun was gone, winter's cold air bit at their skin. They were sitting in front of a campfire again, each lost in their own thoughts. Deidara had survived the day without any signs of illness emerging. But he seemed off. His features were drawn into a tight, closed off expression. He was quiet. His gaze wasn't really there.

The artist seemed so forlorn, lost in thought, ever since his return from leaving for Itachi.

Tobi grabbed a rock and tossed it at him.

Deidara caught it, reflexively, but only seemed to notice he did a few moments after. He stared owlishly at the stone, then glared at him, "What? Hm."

"What are you thinking about, senpai?" the artificial version of him asked.

He didn't reply immediately. His blue eyes were dark – intense – contrasting with the soft tone of his voice when he said, "Nothing important."

Tobi didn't believe a word of it, but he wouldn't push. It wasn't his business, as much as he'd like it to be. He'd have pried if it was anybody else. He's changed a lot for Deidara. Leaning back against a fallen tree, Tobi offered, "If you ever need an ear, I've got two."

"...Thanks, hm," Deidara side-eyed him.

They fell into a comfortable silence.

Was he still thinking about Itachi and Sasuke?

"Hey, senpai?"

"Yeah?"

Tobi looked at him – really looked at him – for a long moment. He asked, "Are you happy? Right now?"

Deidara's expression crinkled, folded in on itself, almost like he was in pain, before he closed himself off further. Tobi's heart sank. His partner looked away, avoiding eye contact, and stared into the shadows behind the trees. When he spoke, he was almost whispering, "I thought I was. Fuck. Fuck."

"Senpai?" Tobi asked, nervous. He didn't like where this was going.

"I need – I need to – ," Deidara struggled with his words, then abruptly stood to his feet, "Don't follow me."

And he disappeared.

Tobi breathed out through his nose.

A lone Sharingan glowed brightly as it tracked the movements of Deidara's chakra. He went further and further away, until Tobi couldn't sense him anymore. Kami. Was this it? Was that a goodbye?

Tobi scrambled to rationalize his thoughts. He was panicking. What was he supposed to do?

No... no. Deidara was heading towards the river. He wanted to be alone.

Tobi sat back down numbly – and a bit awkwardly – not realizing he had stood to his feet.

He'd come back.

Deidara had to calm down. He was overreacting.

He shouldn't have run off. What was he doing? He couldn't believe he was freaking out because he was scared of his own thoughts!

Kami, so what if he had feelings? So what?!

It was just a hunch, but he had an inkling that he was falling for Tobi.

It wasn't just lust.

"Fuck," he breathed out, swears only every leaving his mouth since he left.

He dropped down and knelt against the river's edge. Mud went flying at his abrupt movement, caking his knees. He hardly noticed. Deidara cupped his hands full with frigid water and splashed his face with the liquid ice.

If he was being honest, he didn't expect anything to come out of this. They shared something, but Tobi didn't seem like the kind of shinobi who would invest time in a mundane thing like feelings – romantic feelings. And to be fair, neither did Deidara. Both of their hearts were driven to achieve power, not shit you'd read in a fantasy novel.

Hell, wouldn't it be nice if they did, if they could. Was that what he was missing? Would his art improve if he experienced something so... divergent in his life?

Holy fuck. That was it. That was what he needed.

How banal had he been all this time, unable to direct his attention, his love and passion, towards something that had so much potential!

God, what would his art be like, if he was bone-deep happy?

Could he get that from Tobi? Deidara wondered.

No.

The man was unattainable, the embodiment of perfection. Even with the mess that he was inside, everything about him had a place and a reason. It was always precise and methodical with him. Tobi was a plotter. He had goals – driven ones. He was exactly like Deidara had been before Itachi's death. Tobi wouldn't want emotional attachments to interfere with his plans.

Yet, Tobi did seem to be fond of him. He made Deidara feel special. It was like Deidara wormed his way into that little crevice of whatever humanity Tobi had left. Emotion was a good thing, but Tobi was a stubborn fool, and he'd refuse anything more.

Tobi said it himself; Deidara was holding him back. He didn't want to feel sentiment. The Uchiha was under the impression that he had to erase his identity and sense of person to be successful.

Deidara didn't think Tobi would be okay with anything beyond friendship. His partner had to draw a line somewhere.

But Tobi cared about him. There was no denying it.

Deidara appreciated that. A lot.

In their line of work, there wasn't room for attachment. And after meeting the other Tobi, the whole Tobi, Deidara could confidently say there weren't many who found their way into that fragile heart. But he had. It wasn't enough, but that meant something.

He'd just... take what he could get. The feelings would fade away eventually.

Besides, he had other things to worry about.

Like Sasuke.

•

When he returned to the campsite an hour later, Tobi was sitting where he'd left him. The fire had died to mere embers, providing just enough light for him to recognize the additional presence of the Akatsuki spy.

He heard part of their conversation as he approached.

"He's beginning the hunt for the eight-tails."

"They have a tracker in their little rag-tag group. It shouldn't be long now."

Tobi's tone was clipped, "My patience is wearing thin."

Deidara stepped into the clearing, though he didn't doubt the both of them knew he'd been coming, "Zetsu."

"So, now you know," the pale half said to him, instead of a more traditional greeting. The yellow eyes were like dying fireflies in the dark, nothing like the bright, angry red of the Sharingan. The hollow gaze was ripped off of him when Zetsu turned to Tobi, "How did he take it?"

Deidara huffed, "I'm right here, hm."

"My bad," he didn't sound sorry, "Does he know who you are?"

Tobi answered, "He knows I'm Uchiha."

Deidara didn't know what to make of their interaction. It was true, he was given a good chunk of confidential information, but there was more Tobi wasn't telling him. Zetsu had to know; it was his job to know. But Deidara hated the feeling of being left out. Then again, Zetsu clearly didn't know about his and Tobi's blossoming friendship.

Black Zetsu, who had been silent since his appearance, cut in, "How much does he know?"

Deidara eyed the spy.

Zetsu really had no idea that Tobi trusted him.

.

"Enough. Keep it that way," Tobi said sharply. All these useless questions were agitating. He wasn't in the mood to be interrogated.

Likely recognizing his tone, White's grin stretched, "Sorry, boss,"

Tobi was certain Black was considering his response, analyzing it.

Good.

Going over their conversation once more in his head, he decided he was pleased with it. They'd assume Deidara wasn't informed of much, and that he wanted to keep it that way. Now they wouldn't go after Deidara if he betrayed them, or if they ever suspected.

Presuming that he was going to get rid of them, he'd have to do it before they started building their army. Hm, but if he went forward with the plan, he'd need them. Could he count on the army and enemy shinobi to kill off each other?

At his silence, White Zetsu seemed to sense he wouldn't get more out of him, so he moved his attention to Deidara, "I'm surprised you're taking his... sight so calmly. Didn't you and Itachi have bad blood?"

"Tobi isn't Itachi, hm," Deidara said this so firmly, Tobi had to supress the pleasant child he felt from running down his spine.

"Didn't Tobi used to annoy you? What's changed?"

"Nothing, hm," he frowned, "What are you trying to get at?"

Black was straightforward, "Will you remain loyal to the Akatsuki?"

"Yeah, hm," Deidara looked at him when he said it. Tobi smiled under his mask.

Then he interrupted, "Why are you still here?"

"Ah," White frowned, "I can't visit? That's harsh."

Zetsu wasn't assigned as the spy just for his abilities; they were thirsty for intel. They always had been.

"Good night," White said as Zetsu disappeared, molding back into the earth.

Deidara worked on relighting the campfire, and Tobi had to spread his senses to make sure Zetsu wasn't there, watching them. He wouldn't put it past those two. It took every last ounce of him to appear calm when Zetsu made his appearance. His timing couldn't have been more frustrating. Zetsu could read him like a book. It required extra finesse when acting around him.

Tobi inclined his head towards his partner, who was crouching low next to the source of heat and light. He had to swallow at the sight of messy blond hair and blue, blue eyes. Deidara finally looked alive. Even while sitting, Tobi couldn't feel anything below his knees, as his nerves had taken over – he'd been so afraid that had been it.

Tobi wished, with every last fibre of his being, that he didn't care about seeing the Moon's Eye Plan through to the end. But there was headway, and it was evident. The Akatsuki had nearly all the tailed-beasts at their disposal, Jiraiya was dead, Itachi finally died, Sasuke was his, Pain was his, and the rest of the world was still oblivious to what was going on. He devised the plan with the intention for it to succeed, but seeing progress, seeing the plans work, was a different matter entirely.

Tobi should have seen this coming from a mile away. He hadn't ever truly considered reversing what he'd started, had he? He'd been lying to himself this entire time. The plan would work; it had to work. There was no better way to guarantee happiness.

He could give Deidara whatever he wanted through the Moon's Eye Plan.

This just might be his way to redeem himself for his past mistakes.

Perhaps if he clarified the true nature of Tsuki no me, Deidara would see his reasoning. The man was still oblivious to the dream-world and all it entailed.

Tobi closed his eyes.

Lying to himself was pointless.

Deidara wouldn't be happy.

"Thanks, hm," Deidara said, breaking the silence.

Tobi shifted, "For what?"

"For not following me," he sighed, the breath nearly inaudible, "For understanding, hm."

Damn it all.

"You're welcome."

And a wild update appears! The writing may be rusty, and also sorry for the wait! I had to get rid of a heck of an amount of toxicity from my life.

Whiskey, apparently, isn't the way to do it.