Chained Angel (Deidara Story) Chapter 1

Chapter 17

Deidara wasn’t quite sure what was going on.

A moment ago he had been sitting on his bed, wondering whether to go with Sasori’s plan and leave tomorrow or stay and help Angel, when the next thing he knew he was being dragged out of his room, along with Sasori, and being told to leave. At first it hit him quite hard, seeing the serious expression on her face, and could do nothing but nod along as Angel told him of how Bokun thought it would be best if they left tonight, considering the village not liking them and the fact that it would be quicker to leave during the night as there were less people.

Sasori was suspicious that this was a true fact, but merely an excuse, but he trusted Angel, in a sort of left-handed kind of way, and so left things where they were for the moment. Whatever would help to stop this build up of tension—of suspicion—and let everything breathe. If they spent some time away, but remaining in the area, then if any of the riddles and information on the runes began to make sense, they might be able to come back with a little less opposition in terms of hiding things from them and being all mysterious about everything to do with the house.

At least then one of them could check up on Angel.

But it was an idea he’d think about later, as Angel continued dragging them both through the corridors, knowing exactly where she was going and her mind set on the destination. Deidara was too shocked and overwhelmed with so many different emotions running through his head that had been there for so long to think about strange circumstances or what would happen later. All he could think about was that Angel was telling him to leave. And being quite forceful about it. And as such he merely trudged on, in a deep trance that was ultimately making him act like a zombie throughout the entire process.

But eventually she halted in the entrance hall, nodding towards the doors and gesturing for them to leave through them. It was only then that both of them managed to realise what was really going on. Deidara’s trance had gone completely, and though Sasori had been considering several things, they had just been in the background of his subconscious. It was only now that they were fully coming to the surface. Sasori thanked her, albeit reluctantly, trying to postpone leaving as much as possible. But Angel wouldn’t listen, and kept on pushing that they leave.

“Good luck with your research. I hope you find what you’re looking for, in the end.” She continued, firm in her idea that they’d be leaving soon, but trying to hide—to smother—her hesitation to allow them to do so.

“Well, it’s gonna be hard. We might have to—” Deidara cut in, only for Angel to shake her head, and put this fact down by replying,

“If you haven’t found the exact details you’re looking for after spending hours in there for days, do you really think coming back will do anything more?”

Blinking in surprise at all her protests to them remaining here for a minute longer, Deidara looked down in confusion and sadness, not understanding what she was doing and hating that fact. Sasori, at this point, held back the urge to state they’d still be in the area, somehow knowing that she’d push them ever further away from the town for a reason unknown. With how they were leaving, both Deidara and Sasori now knew she wanted to put as much distance between them as possible, but not because of bad feeling. Their suspicions—their instincts—were flaring up, and it made them want to stay. Before it might have caused them to do so, but with Angel so set on their rapid departure, they practically had no choice in the matter.

“Come on. You should head off now. The sooner the better, right?” She said almost bitterly.

Falling into silence, Deidara looked over at her after her words and as she looked up, his gaze didn’t move away. Sadness was all that filled her eyes, but there was a determination that was added to it, one that was hiding the truth of what was going on with their leaving and her concrete resolve of making them do it. They stayed that way for a few minutes, almost in an attempt to make their thoughts known, but without the words to do so. Instead it brought about the eeriness of the house back in full force, and a regret that they knew they’d feel--and feel the rest of their lives—once they left the building and went on without each other.

Something they felt that they might not be able to do.

Then Angel broke their gaze first, looking over at Sasori, knowing if she looked back into his eyes to see the emotion there, she’d just try and make them stay a little longer. And she couldn’t do that. Not when them leaving now was the only chance she had of keeping them safe. At least they’d be alive, even though she knew she’d be upset; incredibly so.

Especially with everything that was going to happen afterwards....

Then finally, with the pace of a snail, Sasori and Deidara turned, slowly walking away and through the doors, something Angel opened for them, much quieter than they themselves had done when they had first arrived. Another memory brought up by the simplest things to swim around in Deidara’s head. Sasori forced himself to shake off everything that was happening in his head, and continued on, saying a quick goodbye and starting forward. Deidara couldn’t say goodbye. Saying goodbye would confirm it. Not to mention there was nothing he could say that would reveal how much he was going to miss her. How much he cared for her in the first place. So he had to let it go. Even though he would have given up anything to stay with her.

Walking fully through the doors now, Deidara had to say something. He didn’t halt, but merely turned to look at her over his shoulder, and said regretfully,

“I wish I could’ve stayed longer, Angel, un.”

Before looking forward to the path ahead of him. By this time, neither of them could bring themselves to look back, and left Angel standing behind them in the entrance hall, alone. Staring at the floor in despair, hating everything and wishing it would disappear, wanting to embrace her near future with passion, now having nothing to lose and nothing wanting her to keep going. It didn’t matter anymore. They were safe. That was what mattered. Things would be better now, and she’d be free. Bokun wouldn’t be able to do anything else to her anymore.

But she wouldn’t be with him.

Overwhelmed with grief, her head hung low as her gaze remained firmly on the floor as she waited for them to leave. Her arms reflexively wrapped around herself, wanting comfort, wanting warmth—while lacking both—but never having felt more alone in her life. Willing her chakra into existence half-heartedly, the doors slowly and silently closing on the image of Deidara and Sasori, Angel unable to do anything but whisper in return to his statement,

“I wish you could’ve too, Dei-kun. Goodbye.”

With that, she quickly unwrapped her arms from her body and pressed them to her mouth, just in case either of them would hear her sobs of unhappiness and turn back. She tried to smother them, to stop that from happening, but they wouldn’t stop. Her eyes were clamped shut and her body wracked with sobs of agony and despair. With tears streaming down her face, the doors finally slammed silently shut, and she uncovered her mouth.

Unleashing one last cry of pure anguish into the silent air.