Ashes (A Naruto Fanfic Book 6)

Chapter 30

"Deidara, look!  The nin from the Rain Village!"  I stared into the fire we had built as Itachi looked up.  "Lady Kunoichi! Play with Tobi!"

He collided with a barrier as he ran up to me.  "Sasuke... Deidara and Tobi of the Akatsuki..." 

Sasuke gave them a cursory glance. I turned the fish as Deidara approached.  "I've heard things about you."

I looked at him, noting an arm was missing.  "I'm not surprised."

He looked at the three of us.  "You choose such sullen company."

I didn't bother to look up.  "I prefer my peace."

He glanced at Tobi.  "As do I... you were familiar with Sasori?"

I shrugged.  "I suppose..."

I could feel his agitation at my lack of attention.  "I heard he nursed you back to health when you were in a pinch. You even stayed with the Akatsuki for a time..."

I pinched the fish and handed it to the boys.  "Possibly..."  He grabbed my wrist as I put one to my lips, and I met his eyes.  "You're already lacking a limb.  Let's not lose another."

Toby laughed.  "She's challenging you, Deidara-sensei!  What will you do?"

He glared at Tobi and released me.  "Shut up!"

I tilted my head.  "If memory serves, you lost your arm playing with Leaf nin as Sasori died... while capturing the One-Tails Jinchuriki no less."

He frowned as I took a bite of fish.  "And what of it?"

I chewed slowly.  "Why have you sought us out?"

He took a step back.  "I didn't..."

I stared him down.  "Liar..."

His frown deepened.  "Sasori must have cared for you deeply to do such a thing... what did you think of his art?"

I sighed.  "The ageless puppet master was admirable, to say the least."

He scoffed.  "Art should be fleeting, much like your beauty.  One day, it will be no more, but you're still a child, so..."

"A child?"

He looked me over.  "You can't be more than 12."

Tobi laughed again.  "12?  Pein-sama said she is engaged to the older one or is it the younger..."

Deidara glared at him again.  "Tobi..."

We finished, and I turned to my two Uchiha.  "I tire of this... we should go."

Deidara went to grab me but was intercepted.  "Wha-"

I looked back.  "My betrothed doesn't like when other men touch me.  You really don't value life or limb since you insist on doing so."

Itachi released him as I pulled his sleeve.  I was mildly aware when Itachi cast his genjutsu before Deidara fell to his knees.  "You..."  His explosives hit my barrier as we continued forward.  "What?"

Tobi began to dance around, taunting him.  "You can't touch them, Deidara-sensei!"

Itachi and Sasuke jumped out of the way as what looked like a centipede curled around us.  I didn't bother to move, but I looked back at Deidara as the explosive caught me.  He had the smile of a lunatic.  "Now..."  I sent electrified chankra through the explosive and waited.  "Die..."  He attempted to set it off and frowned when it failed.

I cut through his clay, unimpressed.  "No... you don't value your life at all."

He frowned, and Tobi flailed out of the way as Deidara began sticking his hand in his pouch.  "I'll show you..."

I sighed and looked at the sky. The sun was beginning to set.  "Tell me, you call these explosives art?  Sasori would complain about you all the time."

He froze.  "Yes, art is an explosion an-"

I cut him off.  "Sasori felt art should be preserved and valued... what do you think of something reoccurring?  I never got the chance to ask him..."

He blinked.  "Reoccurring?"

I nodded, watching the sky change colors.  "The sun rises and sets every day, painting the sky and landscape in different colors.  The moon waxes and wanes, casting different lights on the shadows surrounding it.  No two are ever the same... like the artist just can't get it right, yet each one is perfect in its own way."

He was baffled.  "Well..."

I met his gaze.  "Honestly... it's the perfect medium between you and Sasori... they never last, yet it always is."  I turned to leave.  "You have caught me in a good mood, Deidara... there is no guarantee that will happen again."

He was dumbfounded and shook himself.  "Who are you?"

I smiled over my shoulder as I took Itachi's hand when he came to my side.  "If you haven't figured that out already... then there is no point in me it explaining to you.  Be safe in your travels."

I heard Tobi shuffle to his side.  "Uh... Deidara-sensei... what just happened?  Weren't you going to make them go boom?"  I heard a small explosion in the distance as we continued toward the Rain.

After a time, Sasuke looked at me curiously.  "What was that?"

I chuckled.  "That, Little Brother, is me choosing when to and when not to kill someone.  Madara wanted me to kill him, knowing he abandoned Sasori and killed Gaara.  He wanted to see some of what I could do, and I won't give him the satisfaction."

He frowned.  "Will you kill him?  The blonde?"

I shrugged.  "Sasori and Gaara both knew the risks... he was doing his job, and for that, I could not fault him.  However, if he continues to fall into others' schemes and allows his emotions to control him... his life is short yet."

He scoffed.  "You are one to talk about letting emotions control you."

I smiled at him.  "This is true... but, since you are now one of them, keep this in mind... he will try to use you, Sasuke.  You are but a pawn in his schemes to move, utilize, and even sacrifice when he sees fit.  He knows we would do anything to ensure your safety. He will use that against all of us."

He looked forward.  "That won't happen..."

I sighed.  "I would hope not... but be prepared anyway."