Anime: Naruto
Pairing: ? X OC X Deidara
Summary: Deidara's life wasn't so simple back in the day either. A young girl was brought to Iwa at quite an early age and the Tsuchikage took her under his wing. While the two young ninja fight over their sensei's praise, life decides to take them both on very different pathways in life.
Author: Triggerspec
OC: Amae Seitekimoto, Hunter-san
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters. I also cannot take credit for the similarities to the plot. All credit goes to Masashi Kishimoto.
Italics = the past
A/N: For those who have not guessed who the mysterious pairing guy is, it is revealed today! :D This is thee last chapter for this story. I hope you have all enjoyed it and that you continue to have a good summer :)

Amae walked into the Mizukage's office with her head bowed down. Her hair that wasn't pulled back by the ribbons of her new headband hung in front of her eyes. Stern, steel eyes watched the ground as she walked. At the moment in time, it wasn't the real Amae walking through those doors. Mei turned to look at Amae and was saddened by the sight.

"Yoshiko-chan, why the sad look?"

"Mizukage-sama..., if you will. There is a place I need to be right now."

Inside Amae's mind was a fury of flames and blood. A flow of mesmerizing images playing out that frightful day. It's been so many years, the guilt inside of Amae finally began to bubble through her ninja barrier. Mei's eyes softened at he pleading of the younger girl.

"If it's something you need to do Yoshiko-chan, go. As long as you return to us, we are here for you. Remember this."

"Hai. Thank you Mizukage-sama."

Amae had small yet sincere smile as she turned to leave the room. It was going to be a journey, but one she must do. It was the least she could do, even after all of these years have went by.

The night air chilled Amae, but she just pulled her cloak tighter and continued to walk. This was a bad time to leave Kirigakure, the Mizukage will be leaving for the Five Kage Summit within days. She would more than likely be gone by the time Amae would return.

As the next day approached, Amae could see across the fields. What used to be a vast area of growing crops and local farmers, was now nothing more than a barren field of dirt with few bushes growing. It seems that the blood has tainted the grounds to a certain amount. Chunks of moldy wood and mossy stone were scattered throughout the area. Where the houses once stood proudly in the small village. Amae could feel herself begin to choke up as memories from so long ago began to bubble into her mind. Her feet continued to walk through the forgotten village, bringing her to a small area just before the beginning of the forest. If wandered through would lead to the vast society of Konohagakure.

At Amae's feet stood a worn down stone. The words have been washed away from the force of nature, but the flower that was carved deep in the stone's flesh was still ever so visible. What brought tears to Amae's eyes though was not the stone, not the memory of her lost mother, but a single stock of white heather. A flower placed with wishes in mind. The fact it still lived brought Amae down to her knees.

In the distance another cloaked appeared, walking up to the sobbing girl. Doubt was in his mind, it was too good to be true. After so many years, his faith grew very faint and he no longer watched the faces of passing-byers. Amae felt the presence and took a gamble.

"After so many years, you still kept your promise?"

The figure went to lay a hand on her shoulder but was pushed back by a man in a mask. Amae turned around with a gasp, vigorously wiping away tears.

"What are your intentions to Yoshiko-san?"

"Hunter-san?"

The porcelain mask stared straight at the cloaked figure.

"My apologies, Yoshiko-san. I over heard you talking with Mizukage-sama."

A small smile pulled on her lips as she bowed her head.

"Please, Hunter-san. He's an old friend."

He turned to look at the girl, "But-"

"Go!"

He flinched at the stern tone of her voice. Never has she spoken to him in such a way, but under the circumstances, he couldn't blame her. He stood straight and nodded his head.

"I won't be far. You better not try anything."

His face was masked, but the threat in his eyes made it's way to the cloak figure.

"What a coincidence, after so long, we finally meet here like this."

"Why are ya here?"

"I promised I would return, hoping I would one day meet with you again. Don't you remember that promise Amae-chan?"

She bowed her head in shame. So many years and she never came back here once. She was so caught up in her own life she never bothered to think about somebody else.

"Forgive me, Yoshi-niisan."

"They call me, Yakushi Kabuto these days."

Kabuto..., that name sounds familiar somehow. It finally clicked as she remember travelling through Konoha at one point in time.

"Ya, yer partner's with that Sannin, Orochimaru."

"You're well informed and still have that accent of yours. But, Orochimaru isn't of this world anymore. Though I guess you could say he lives on within me." He held up his arm which was covered with white scales. "I have finally surpassed the man that held me back."

Amae became slightly frightened at appearance of her childhood saviour. As his hood feel back, messy silver hair blew in the cold breeze. He wore the same round glasses and his black eyes glimmered with something that Amae could never figure out.

"Amae-chan..., I still can't believe after so many years... Come with me!"

His tone was entangled with the moment of excitement

"What?"

"Come with me, and we will show the world how powerful we could be. We will make sure that nothing like what happened to us will happen to any other village!"

"Kabuto-niisan..., I'm..., I'm not that strong... I can't protect anyone."

Kabuto stepped forward, grasping Amae's trembling hand. With the contact her eyes shot up to meet his with shock on her face.

"Amae-chan, it'll be just like when we were kids. I will protect you with my life. And with Orochimaru's powers, I'm invincible."

"But, you left me Kabuto-niisan. You left me just as my father did, and as..., as..."

"I won't go and die like those fools."

Amae thought about it, and she thought very hard. The feeling she felt being around Kabuto again. It wasn't the same, he wasn't the same person she idolized so many years ago.
"I'm sorry Kabuto-niisan."

She moved, wrapping her arms around his neck. Kabuto just went rigid and the contact. The only contact he ever received was the cold touch of his experiments. But, this feeling that tugged on his insides, it, it was something he was unaware of.

"But, I have people who are waitin' fer me, Kabuto-niisan. I promised them as well that I would return. Also, I have something I need to do myself."

She pulled away and searched Kabuto's face for any sign of emotion. His face was cold and masked.

"Next time we meet, Amae-chan. I will try again. Every time, I will try again, I won't give up until I have you."

Amae smiled before she walked away, leaving Kabuto to stand at the grave alone. Baka girl. Just you wait, I will have you one day. Whether you like it or not. With a small chuckle and a smile he vanished out of thin air like a leaf on the wind. The wind that blew pulled back the hood Amae once wore. Her roots of a bright honeydew green grew throughout her hair. A body landed not far behind her and began to walk beside her.

"What kind of girl are you?"

She peeked over at the dressed up shinobi, "What do you mean Hunter-san?"

"You have capture the hearts of the most dangerous of people, and you sit around like they are normal people."

"But, in the end, they are just normal people. No matter what paths a shinobi should take, they should keep friends close t'their hearts. Ya lose yer sense of life and of love if ya do not. And without those, ya become weak. "If one does not feel love, one won't feel fear, without fear one will not push t' survive and be stricken down." That's what my father taught me before he left."

The hunter-nin just watched the girl as they walked. He couldn't remember her being so, strong when they first met.

"Truly and amazing woman, Yoshiko-san."

Amae smiled at the man and together they walked down the pathway to Kirigakure.

"By the way, what's this thing you have to do?"

Amae stared ahead her smile had vanished as an image a shadowy figure with glowing red eyes took over her mind. One very much similar to the one she saw when Deidara first left her. 'All Uchiha's are they same..., cruel and untrustworthy creatures!'

"I'm going to kill Uchiha Sasuke."

Hunter-san just glanced over a little dumbfounded at the small girls dream. Sasuke was a well known enemy, but he was powerful, much to powerful for her.

Miles down the road something took over the hunter-nin. I've already broken 2 rules, what's 1 more? He thought as he moved his gloved hand into Amae's. The girl jumped at the contact and after a few seconds of looking at the conjoined palms she accepted it.

"I will help you no matter the costs."

Hand in hand the two shinobi walked.

A/N I thought a happy-ish ending was called for since so many horrible things keep happening to Amae. :)