🌊✨Over Again✨🌊

🍙✨Chapter Seven✨🍙

I slid down the smooth rock wall and into the near-boiling water. It reminded me of my many ventures with Ero-sennin, which gave me a warm feeling inside and out.

Deidara plopped down next to me, groaning in relief when the hot water immediately relaxed his sore muscles. He sighed as he dropped down so the water came to his nose. His blonde hair fanned out around him, which was weird since I was used to his normal hairstyle. The towel sat on his head soaking up the steamy air.

I sighed in relief when my tense muscles relaxed. I gently pulled out the hair band holding my hair, the soft strands lightly dipped in the water.

Ahh, this was the life.

I couldn't help but feel someone's stare on me however, and I peeked my eyes open and peered through my eyelashes.

Sure enough, a white haired man with long red streaks on his face was side-eyeing me.

My heart constricted painfully in my chest.

I felt tears sting the back of my eyes. My stomach filled with lead. The water suddenly felt like it was squeezing me with such force that I thought I would die. I bit my tongue hard to keep from crying out.

His eyes shifted from me to Deidara. He seemed to be thinking of something important, as his pupils held that glint of seriousness that I knew so well.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Out of my peripheral vision, I saw him pull out a pen. He wrote something on his arm, before biting his finger and reaching behind a rock.

I knew from past experience that he would summon a frog and show it the note on his arm, then he would wash it off in the water. Most likely he was planning to make contact with us, and sent a note back to Konoha that if he didn't send a message in a day or so, to dispatch backup.

Sure enough, he did exactly as I remember, light black swirled in the water above his arm.

I slid my hand near Deidara and tapped his arm. I saw his eyes lightly open, before closing again. He tapped twice on my arm in understand.

Possible enemy nearby, be aware.

A few minutes later, Deidara stood up and wrapped the towel around his waist.

"Oi, come on, you promised you'd buy me dango if I went to the stupid hot springs with you, un," He called as he chopped the top of my head.

He stepped out of the pool as I stood also, mimicking his actions.

"Ne ne, I'm always treating you! I'm running low on funds, y'know?" I sighed as we walked towards the small wooden building together, "Fine, but next time I want ramen! Extra large too!" I smiled greedily as I poked him in the side a few times.

He lazily slapped my hand away. "Kami, do you ever get tired of ramen? We've had it almost every night," he sighed in exasperation. "Whatever, un. But keep it at a large. I'm not made of money."

-+-

I sat at a four-person booth with Deidara. The small shop was filled with light chatter and the sweet smell of tea. Deidara bit another dango ball off the stick, sliding it into his mouth.

I sighed as I munched on the red bean paste daifuku. The sweet Mochi filled my mouth and soothed my tired soul.

"Un, should we be worried about that guy from earlier?" Deidara questioned as he swallowed another sip of oolong tea.