More Than This: A Deidara Fanfic

Part 4: Substitution Chapter 20

I pull away from the kiss to see Sasori.

I stand and awkwardly clear my throat. "I should change..." Hidan exits, followed by Sasori.

I plop onto the bed and rub my temples. What did I get myself into? And what was I doing? It's not like I had actual feelings for Hidan...right? It's always been Deidara so what was I doing? I sigh. This was getting very complicated.

Days had passed and neither Deidara nor Hidan had spoken much to me and I tried with every ounce of me to avoid Sasori. Itachi was out on a mission so I couldn't rant my problems to him and Kisame wasn't exactly -how do I put this- confiding material. My birthday was in a few days and with all this...confusion, I had no idea what I was planning on doing. I had to grab them alone. Literally grab. I gripped Deidara's wrist and pulled him outside the base.

He turns to me, a bewildered expression on his face. "Nioki?"

I flash him a friendly smile. "Can we talk?"

He laughs softly. "Do I have a choice?"

I shake my head. "Not really." We took a giant step. An actual conversation. "Look..." I release his wrist and awkwardly look at my feet, "I know things aren't exactly great between us but despite everything that has happened, I still consider both you and Tukiko my friends."

He crosses his arms. "Where is this going?" He inquires with a slight frown.

"My birthday is on the 22nd and I want you to come...well and Tukiko."

He stays silent for a moment before nodding. "Yeah I will be there."

I shake my head. "No...I-I need you to promise...please. Promise you will be there, no matter what."

He puts his hands on my shoulders. "I promise. No matter what, I will be there."

Without thinking, I reach out and wrap my arms around him in a warm bear hug. He hugs me back and then we back away, both blushing. "Well...i um...better go make dinner." I hastily walk back into the base.

"Nioki, what is this?" Many members had walked into the kitchen to find a well put together meal all around. I found it kind of funny when some of them found themselves drooling.

Everybody had come into the kitchen for dinner and I take the apron off, neatly hanging it on a hook in the kitchen by the door. "I just thought I would show my appreciation to you guys for, well, everything. You guys have become an important part in my life and without you guys in it, I'm not complete. You guys were with me with all the bumps in the road and helped me through the ups and downs." I flash a broad smile at them, my eyes gleaming with pride. I looked around at each of them. They all felt like family but there was one problem. I still didnt know where Hidan and Deidara stood.

~The 21st~

I looked around the base in awe. "Guys...this is...amazing. Thank you so much." The decorations around the base were set up for my birthday-which was tomorrow. There was streamer everywhere and in the living room was a huge banner with 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIOKI!' and gallons were tied in bunches and the floor was littered with confetti and balloons as well. (There were more decorations than that but it would take too long to describe.) The whole base made me speechless. "You guys did all of this for...me?" I was unbelieving. There was just no way that they did this just for me.

Everybody smiles and accumulates around me. "Of course! We want you to have a very special birthday." I go around, handing out hugs to everyone, even, surprisingly, Kakuzu and Pein. Zetsu, however, refused. There was a slight pang in my chest as I realize, but to no surprise, that Deidara wasn't here. Of course he was with Tukiko...the day before my birthday...instead of helping with MY party. I couldn't help but feel selfish. After everything he did to me and how he hurt me and he still chooses Tukiko. It was enraging how thoughtless he was. I sit on the couch with a sigh.