Mind Games:

It all started in a manner that, while not quite mundane, was not nearly as extraordinary as such things are usually portrayed.

As a matter of fact, Deidara had just fallen off of a rock (under circumstances which he would never admit to anyone) and hit his head. At first, everything seemed just the same. Only after getting up, brushing himself off, and making sure no one had been looking in his direction at the time did he notice the other presence in his mind.

What's going on? He thought.

That's what I want to know, the other voice said. What are you doing in my head?

Excuse me? You are in my head, un, Deidara retorted. By this point, the others were beginning to look at him strangely, so he blurted some excuse and dashed back inside to his room.

I beg to differ, this is my mind, the other voice insisted. Deidara got the impression that it was female, and couldn't figure out whether to be disturbed by that or not.

Is not, he replied.

Is too.

Is not.

I can't believe I'm arguing with a voice in my head, they both said at once.

Okay, let's try this again, the girl-voice said (thought? The terminology was confusing). I'm Ino. Who're you?

I don't see how that's any of your business, un, Deidara shot back. If I'm going insane, I'd much rather do it in private, thank you very much. Can you go away now, un?

Well…the other voice sounded a little embarrassed. I'm not really sure how I did this. I was doing a mind-transfer, and then I fell off a roof before Shikamaru could catch me. I mean, that's his job, he should have been looking, right?

Uh, sure…Deidara replied, as that seemed to be the sort of answer Ino (it felt very strange putting a name to a voice only he could hear) expected. So you can't turn it off?

Nope, Ino replied. Right now I'm in the hospital, anyway, so I don't have anything else to do. I've told you about me; who are you?

Deidara sighed. Part of him was annoyed by Ino's cavalier attitude about the whole situation, but another part didn't exactly mind having someone besides Sasori wanting to talk to him. I'm Deidara, he said.

That's a good start, Ino said, her presence in his mind fluttering cheerily. What do you like to—oh, hang on, my dad just got here, I think he'll be able to fix this.

Oh.

So, maybe we'll run into each other sometime?

Maybe, un.

The presence faded away, and Deidara fell back on his bed with a sigh. Even if they did meet again, how was he to recognize her? She could live hundreds of miles away, for all he knew. Still, something just felt right about talking to her. Maybe it was a silly whim, but he wanted to really see her.

"Hey, Deidara! Come on!"

"Coming, Sasori!" Deidara yelled back through the door. Right now he had business to take care of; hopefully Ino wouldn't mind waiting.

...

[A/N: Yes, as you have probably guessed, this is a Deidara-and-Ino-are-siblings fic. I might make a sequel later, if you like this one.]