59. Misunderstood

I followed after Sasuke as we left for the festival, eventually after making our way down the spiralling staircase we stepped out of the building and into the street. The sun was setting along the line of the horizon, painting the sky a musky pink and blue. The overhanging lanturns reflected a golden glower across the rows of shop stalls down the street. A vibrancy danced in the air as people enjoyed the festivities.

"Did you want to get something to eat first?" Sasuke's cool voice nibbled at my ear. An array of stalls passing as we walked. I slowly nodded, glancing his stoic, yet, attractive features.

"Is something the matter?" Sasuke curiously asked, picking up on my lingering gaze.

"No, you just look so much like Itachi" I mumbled.

"Hm. Itachi's my brother." Sasuke replied before shifting his gaze from me to looking around at the different stalls the festival had to offer. I peered further down the street, noticing a Sushi sign.

"Lets get Sushi" Sasuke suggested, almost as though reading my mind. His hand gripped around my wrist and he pulled me in, ducking behind the half curtain at the entrance, only to let go of my wrist once we'd sat down at the counter.

"Welcome," The Chief greeted from behind the counter, handing us each a menu. Sasuke gave a tight nod as he accepted them and placed them in the wood of table before us. I grazed over the neatly decorated menu, seeing a nice variety.

"What are you going to have?" Sasuke asked, tilting his head aside. The black of his hair falling partially over his eyes. I slid the menu over so he could see and then pointed down at what I'd chosen.

Sasuke smirked before picking up the menu, returning them and ordering. I sat quietly and waited but, I noticed Sasuke sending me the occasional glance.

"What is it?" Finally, after the third time I'd caught him I burst. Bewilderment filling me at his odd behaviour. Suddenly, the Chief placed our food down.

"Thankyou" Sasuke and I said in a slight unison. After the Chief left Sasuke answered my question.

"You're so quiet, it just isn't like you." Sasuke hesitated.

"So.. I'm usually more talkative?" I asked, feeling a tad uncomfortable. How was I supposed to know how I used to act? I still had no recollection of my memories.

"Yeah, you used to joke a lot more. You know, one time you even tried to kill me." Sasuke said, casually.

"What? I tried to kill you?" My eyes widened, why in the world would I have done tried to do that? Especially to someone who was supposed to be my friend.

Confusion swiriled at his words. He simply confirmed my question with a Hn. I turned my attention back down to my food, eatting quietly.

"Tila,"

I looked back up, worried about what he was about to say. Was he going to keep telling me about things of the past? Was he going to keep coaching me into being the person I used to be..?

"Even if you don't recover your former self, if I have to start our friendship over again.. It's going to be a real hassle, but, just know that's what I'll do.. for you." Sasuke struggled to get the words out. His cold temperament faltered for that small moment. A small twist of guilt tightens inside me as hints of pain swirl in Sasuke's eyes.

Was I really that important to him? Was that my fault?

I break away, looking down into my lap.

"It's so frustrating.. not being able to remember who I am. Who you were.."

"It's fine." Sasuke cuts me off, "There's no need to apologise Tila. You didn't deserve this." Sasuke was firm, obliterating any lingering guilt I held. "Itachi and I are going out tomorrow. Did you want to come along?"

I raised my head, giving a small smile at the idea. "Yes, if that's okay."

"Good. That saves me a lot of trouble. I was going to drag you out if you refused," Sasuke smirked, was this him being playful? Maybe Sasuke wasn't so bad after all..

__________

Soon enough we had both finished up and were walking back out on the street. A I looked around the littered twilight of starts above caught my eye. Night had fallen and the street were packed with people. The lanterns glowed, reflecting a beautifully mystical ambience.

I squinted into the crowed, noticing Hidan and Deidara, who were only a few feet away. They seemed to be arguing over something. I tugged at Sasuke's sleeve and pointed them out to him. He gave me an apprehensive look in return before sighing in defeat.

As Sasuke and I approached, Hidan and Deidara must not have noticed. Overhearing some of their conversation pulled my curiosity. "It's too dangerous, yeah? She can't go on a mission yet, she can hardly manage a simple Jutsu, un" Deidara argued, but, before Hidan could reply, Sasuke and I had reached their side.

They looked over to us, I gave a small wave. "Sorry to interrupt," I laughed awkwardly, which only earned me a smug look from the two.

"It's fucking fine, I was just saying that you should come on a mission with me and Sasori in a few days" Hidan explained.

"You really think she should be out on missions in this condition?" Sasuke stoic face remained unchanged.

"That's my point, yeah?" Deidara agreed.

"Sheesh, how do you expect her to get her strength back if you keep fucking babying her?!" Hidan exclaimed in frustration.

"Look! It's not that big of a deal.. let's just talk about it later?" I interjected, Sasuke pulled out of his death glare at Hidan and looked back at me.

"She's right, now isn't the time to argue."

"Where's everyone else?" I asked quickly, changing the topic was the best thing to do.

"They're sitting over by the rides, let's go, Hm." Deidara answered. In agreeance Hidan and Deidara turned and made their way through the heavy crowds, leading the way for Sasuke and I.

Eventually we made it to the end of the street, which lined a large clearing covered in grass. The forest could be seen a few yards away.

The open space was occupied with different varieties of rides ranging from ferries wheels, apple dunking, Water Jutsu slides and kissing booths, which, were spaced out across the large clearing. There were still lots of people walking around, but, because the field was more spacious than the streets, the crowds dispersed evenly.

As the boys and I walked out across the grass clearing I quickly noticed a group of familiar faces sitting together in a sort of circle. From left to right, in a clockwise motion, I saw; Kisame, Itachi, Kakuzu, Sasori and Konan, who was closest to the edge we approached from. Mostly everyone stopped chatting and looked up to greet us.

"Took your time finding her," Sasori said to Deidara, who in response to the impatience just crossed his arms and gave a Hm.

"Don't be so damn impatient, Sasori," Kakuzu said, Konan chuckled and Itachi sighed.

"Whatever, just move the fuck over Kisame" Hidan waved his hands before wiggling his way between Kisame and Konan to sit down. Sasuke walked over to Itachi, looking very unimpressed and sat down in the spare spot beside him.

"Ummm," I mumbled, looking around, trying to figure out where to go. But, I Deidara's hand push against the middle of my back.

"You can sit next to Danna and I. Hm," Deidara coaxed, guiding me down next to Sasori. He sat closely beside me, leaving Kakuzu his other side.

"So you two have already eaten?" Itachi hummed, averting his glance from Sasuke to me.

"Hn." His brother was short with him. It really was shaping up to be quite the family trait.

"The food isn't all that good, it's the rides that are the main attraction~" Konan offered.

"Yeah, no shit. I haven't been on a rollercoaster since I was fucking ten," Hidan said excitedly.

"Everything with you is a roller coaster ride," Kakuzu shot sarcastically, everyone erupted into laughter. Even Susuke and Itachi's masks broke the tiniest.

"What the fucks that supposed to mean??" Hidan asked irritably.

It means Kakuzu is the only one with enough patience to be stuck partnered with you." Sasori spelled it out for him.

"Unfortunately, you're not wrong" Kakuzu huffed a defeated sigh.

"Ah, you mother fuckers always gang up on me! Tila, fucking tell em! I'm not that bad of guy, Cmon" Hidan deadpanned.

"Err, I would but I honestly don't remember," I giggled little at the awkwardness. Sasori faintly chuckled from beside me.

"Tila, surely you must remember some times? How about the time you reverse-summonsed back into the kitchen out of no-where and Hidan fell back off his chair, you scared the pants off the guy" Kisame grinned, recalling a fond memory.

"I did that?" I laughed, imagining the look that might have been on his face.

"Or that time you electrocuted Hidan the first time you fought him.." Kakuzu added.

"That fuckin hurt," Hidan admitted.

"She used that Chidori technique you taught her Sasuke" Itachi hummed.

"Hn. So you put it to good use I see" Sasuke remarked playfully. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain pulse in my head. I clutched my forehead, lowering my head into my knees to try and stifle the hurt.

"What's wrong? un." Deidara asked, voice laced with worry from beside me.

"It hurts," I struggled to speak, squeezing my eyes shut tightly. Lowering my head further down. An arm wraps itself around my shoulder, Deidara was pulling me into his closely to chest.

I gasped for air as another ache shot through. Static rippled, replacing the blankness of my mind. Behind my tightly shut eyes a vision appears. But, as quickly as it had come, it had left.

A small handful of blue lightning..

"I think she needs some quiet time. I'll take her for a small walk" Sasori proposed from beside me. I was carefully pulled away from Deidara. It was like my body had moved on it's own, though..

What was that?

I opened my eyes to see Sasori was linking arms with me..

"How'd you stand me up?" I asked, curiously. The beige of Sasori's eyes merely grazed my face.

"Chakra strings." His voice was calm.

"Don't take too long Sasori," Konan called after us as we started walking of in the direction of the forest. Sasori strode beside me, arm still linked to mine as we slowly made our way closer the edge of the trees.

"Thanks Sasori, I've noticed.. whenever someone mentions my past I get these bad headaches," I explained to him.

"I had a feeling that was the case, but, no one listens so I thought it'd be better to just remove you from that situation," Sasori's softly explained. A small ripple of comfort runs through me.

There was something about Sasori that just made me feel so safe, so secure. I didn't know what it was, but, it was a feeling like no other.. He finally let go of my arm and we both walked together into the thickness of the trees.

The deep green lush that surrounded me soothed my mind, the still silence of the forest was something I'd yearned for. I didn't know why, but for some reason the forest was putting my mind at ease. Sasori and I stepped out into another clearing to reveal a large lake that ran for as far as my eyes could see.

"This is a pleasant spot" Sasori hummed, standing by my side. The twilight above reflected across the water surface, making it sparkle like there was stars in the lake. It was beyond beautiful. We stared silently for a while. Out of no where my mind ached again, I gasped, clutched my head tightly.

"Why!? Why won't it stop!" I tremble, the pain unexpected, as intense. It pierced like a needle though skin.

"Come here, Tila" Sasori's calm voice caught me, his arms envelop me. Tears run down the curve of my cheek hotly, the pain subsiding for now..

But, as Sasori's held me, a different pain bloomed from deep place in my chest.

I silently stood there, huddled to Sasori, waiting for the pain to pass.

It didn't.

I slowly pulled away, peering up, only to be met by those alluring, calm beige eyes.

As I stared into them.. realisation hit me. Sasori was already in love.. What was I doing?? In a panic I quickly pulled away from Sasori's grip.

"What's wrong Tila?" Sasori asked, apprehension crossing his face.

"I have to go," I stammered. Before Sasori had a chance to reply I broke out into a run. Deep into the forest I went, my mind blurred with confusion. But, I kept running, unsure of where I was even going.

Then, I broke through the line of trees and into the grass clearing. I stopped, panting frantically.

"Til, what're you doing un?" Deidara's called out to me as he ran over from where the group was sitting.

"It's nothing I just.. can you please take me home?" I asked, still trembling at the knees. Deidara's clear blue orbs seemed to glint an understanding. He yelled out to the others to let them know I was going to have an early night and then set off with me back towards the streets.

Deidara held my hand tight as he led me through the crowds. He let go as we walked back up the staircase. The walk back had been silent until we finally reached my room.

"What happened back there, un?" Deidara finally asked, following me over to my bed and sitting beside me.

"I can't explain Deidara, it's just too confusing. Please.. can we not talk about it?" I nibbled at my bottom lip anxiously.

"Sure Til, lay down and relax. Maybe you just need a good head massage. Hm?" Deidara hummed. "You're too nice sometimes, you know?" I couldn't help but to break into a tiny smile.

Deidara readjusted himself so that he was sitting cross legged at the head of my bed, I lay my head down into his lap and closed my eyes. I felt him play gently with my hair, hands smoothly running through the strands. So soothing, I slowly started to fall asleep.