Appreciation

Reintroduction

"I..."

I walked closer to Deidara, as I watch his expression. Does he remember? Is it all coming back? I have to know.

"Have i...been here before?" Deidara asked, crossing his arms as he looks around. His eyes glitter as he looks at the waterfall, which is now beginning to glow due to the sundown, causing the atmosphere to be comfortably dark. The fireflies aren't here but I figured the waterfall could be a significant reminder too right?

"Do you remember anything?" I asked, sounding hopeful. I watched as Deidara looked around, before finally meeting eyes with me. He shook his head no and lets out a sigh. He looks disappointed with himself. "Oh Deidara, don't feel down..." I said as I stepped closer to him. I reached my hand out only to be slapped away by Deidara, the rough hit of his hand stings on my skin. I looked at Deidara who has now turned away, no longer wanting to face me. A few seconds later I hear light whimpers and soft sobs from him; he was crying.

"Why did you reanimated me..."

I looked up at him, who now has his head down, drops of tears falling. My heart was filled with guilt as I saw Deidara wipe his tears, he continues, letting out soft sobs.

"Deidara..." I said as I reached out my hand, longing to hold his. Surprisingly he didn't fight back, as my hand reached for his, I felt the traces of his skin against mine. Seeing that he didn't try to push me away, my first instinct was to grab his hand, but I didn't. I won't do it, not if he feels uncomfortable. My hand moved to his back instead, slowly rubbing his back as a sign of reassurance and support.

"I'm...sorry..." Deidara said wiping his tears, he turned to face me but his head was still down, keeping his gaze low. "Don't need to apologize...Deidara..." I said as I tried to sound as soft and comforting as I can be, I stepped away and gave space to Deidara, who now has started to look back at the waterfall. He looked back at me, his eyes watery from his previous cries.

"Who are you...Tobi?" He asked as he tilted his head. I looked back at him, my hand starches my neck awkwardly. "You just said my name.." I said as Deidara turns red, most likely feeling embarrassed. "That's not what I meant but... never mind..." Deidara said as he let out an awkward chuckle, before pointing towards the waterfall. "I'm going to..yeah.." Deidara said as he walked towards the waterfall.

I watched as he sat down in front of the waterfall, his hands swiftly move to take off his shoes, the rocks around him gently shuffled as he places his shoes beside him, dipping his feet into the water.

I walked towards Deidara and sat down next to him, I watched as his finger traces the water, leaving little circular ripples. I watched as his sad eyes turn to look at me, stealing glances. I knew he wanted to say something.

"What is it?" I asked as I turned to look at him. He looked up at me, puppy eyes on full display. He shook his head no before he looked away as if trying to avoid saying anything. I looked back at the waterfall, thinking of how I can convince him that he was my lover in the past.

Maybe I was wrong, Deidara's memory isn't just missing puzzle pieces, they're a group of puzzle pieces that have gone missing. The picture completely incomprehensible, that's why these memories aren't coming back to him. There must be a way, any way at all.

"Have I seen your face before?" Deidara asked out of the blue, without turning to face him I nodded. Somehow I forgot he still doesn't know what I look like. "I showed it to you here.." I said, letting out a light chuckle. I watched as the fireflies slowly come out, their brightness slowly fills up the dark, making the scene more beautiful than it already is.

His hand slowly reaches for my mask, holding the sides of it. "I don't remember this mask, It doesn't look familiar.." he said as his hand traces the sides of the mask. "Well i don't remember a lot of things in general.." He said as pulls back his hand. "I got it long after your death.." I said as I pushed my mask up.

I closed my eyes as I took my mask off, revealing my face for the second time. I watched as Deidara's eyes shoot wide open. As I felt the breeze of the cold wind hit my skin, I watched as Deidara's face froze.

"What is it?" I asked as I looked at him. Deidara snap out of his daydream and shook his head no. "Nothing, it's just that I haven't seen you before..."

"Oh, you have multiple times... every time we are alone on missions since it's just you...I have no problem with taking off my mask..." I said as i took off my gloves, revealing my very sweaty palms. My hands reach into the water, in a swift motion, I dripped my hand into the flowing water, wetting my hands.

"Tell me more..." Deidara begged, as he holds onto my purple cloak. I chuckled and turned to look at him, drying off my hands. "We would mostly camp out, we'd go to Inns too sometimes but-" All of a sudden flashbacks of what we did in the Inns crossed my mind.

The mission plans, the alcohol, the teasing, the fighting, the pinning down one another, the sex, the morning after, the feeling of Deidara's soft skin against mine as the sun shines bright.

"Tobi?" Deidara called out, snapping me out of my daydream. I looked at him as he tilted his head curiously, it's adorable. "Tell me more.." he begged, his voice low and pleading. I smiled as I leaned in closer, Deidara noticed this and slightly backed away. But I stopped before I got too close and to his face, just like nostalgia predicts, I once again reintroduced my true self.

"My real name is Obito, Deidara..."