Chapter 17: Clay Sculpture
As Deidara began to wade into the river, feeling the slightly cold water, Kurotsuchi watched him with a hint of confusion. He started searching the riverbed.
Kurotsuchi was quick to guess what Deidara was thinking and prepared to join him in the water to help.
However, Deidara stopped her, saying, "You don't need to get your hands dirty. I can do this alone; just watch from the side."
Kurotsuchi felt a little frustrated but obediently waited nearby.
Before long, Deidara unearthed a clump of clay from the riverbed, about the size of a basketball. He found a flat spot on the shore and broke the clay apart, placing the pieces there.
Kurotsuchi noticed that some of the clay was still dry, and the pieces were uniform and fine without any impurities.
Deidara then scooped some water from the river and mixed it with the clay, not minding getting his hands dirty as he stirred the mixture.
Before long, it became a large lump of soft clay. Instead of shaping it right away, Deidara began to pound the clay from different angles until it felt slightly firmer.
At this point, Deidara started to mold it. His hands moved rapidly, and a humanoid figure gradually began to take shape.
Through kneading, poking, and carving, the form of a girl emerged. Kurotsuchi didn't need to look closely to know that Deidara was sculpting her likeness.
Once he set the clay figure down, Deidara picked up a sturdy branch from the dry grass and started to carve carefully.
Kurotsuchi watched him, captivated by his focus, dedication, and seriousness that made her lose herself in the moment.
When Kurotsuchi came back to her senses, the clay figure was nearly complete, with only the eyes left uncarved. Deidara placed the figure down, smiled at Kurotsuchi, and walked to the riverbank to thoroughly wash his hands, ensuring no dirt remained.
After confirming his hands were clean, he came back to Kurotsuchi and said, "Close your eyes."
Kurotsuchi's face flushed red instantly. Deidara sensed her thoughts and gently tapped her forehead, saying, "What are you thinking? It's not that. Just close your eyes obediently."
It wasn't surprising that Kurotsuchi thought too much; a boy asking a girl to close her eyes could imply he wanted to kiss her. In their mature world, Kurotsuchi had feelings for Deidara that went beyond friendship or sibling affection, so her reaction was normal.
Once she heard it wasn't that, Kurotsuchi felt a bit shy, worrying that her earlier behavior might have made Deidara think she was a bad girl.
"Alright, stop overthinking," Deidara said, ruffling her hair. "Hurry and close your eyes; otherwise, I won't be able to carve the clay properly."
Kurotsuchi quickly shut her eyes. Although she knew it wasn't a kiss, there was still a peculiar sensation.
In the dark, Kurotsuchi felt a pair of hands covering her eyes, gently exploring. The eyelids are sensitive and delicate, and the slightly rough sensation of his fingers sent shivers to her heart.
That incredible feeling made Kurotsuchi wish the moment could last forever. However, a short while later, Deidara removed his hands and said, "Alright, you can open your eyes now."
With some disappointment, Kurotsuchi opened her eyes to see Deidara concentrating intensely as he held the clay figure, now bearing no eyes, while using the branch to carve it.
Deidara felt his second chakra stirring within him. Instead of suppressing it, he guided it, letting it flow through his hands and into the branch as well as the clay figure, swirling inside freely.
As Deidara successfully carved the eyes onto the figure, his second chakra had fully entered the clay sculpture, intertwining within it like human veins.
When Kurotsuchi looked again, it felt as if she were gazing at herself, that strange sensation deeply enchanting her.
Meanwhile, Deidara appeared somewhat weary, yet his spirit was highly invigorated.
With all his strength, he picked up a scroll, placed the sculpture inside, and sealed it, declaring, "Once it dries, you can take it out. Don't worry; it's sturdy. If I upset you, just throw that statue."
Kurotsuchi hurriedly supported Deidara, scolding, "Don't do this again. You look utterly exhausted just to make a statue. Don't go off like that again, or I'll get mad."
"And why would you throw my statue if you're angry? You should throw yours!" Kurotsuchi accepted the scroll, placing it into her ninja tool pouch, and then looked at Deidara with concern.
"Okay, stop talking. I'll help you back home," Kurotsuchi interrupted Deidara, taking charge as she led him toward his home.
After a long while, Kurotsuchi finally got Deidara home. In his slightly apologetic gaze, she helped him lay down, wiping his face and taking care of him.
Once Deidara fell into a deep slumber, Kurotsuchi finally had time to gather herself, realizing she was drenched in sweat. She took a shower in Deidara's bathroom, found a set of his clothes to change into, and washed her own along with Deidara's outer garment before going to bed.
Since there were only two rooms in Deidara's house, and one was being used for his sculptures, they had only one resting room. With Deidara asleep in one bed, Kurotsuchi didn't want to be too picky. She grabbed a blanket and lay down beside him.
Even though Kurotsuchi was aware that the clay sculpture was perfect and intricately detailed, she had no idea that this sculpture had once saved her life.
Deidara slept soundly, feeling well taken care of, and the presence of his second chakra added to his sense of comfort. Using up all his second chakra felt like it had cleansed his very soul during his recovery.
However, he realized he couldn't let it happen again, and he had to be cautious. He hadn't expected to feel so weak after exhausting all his second chakra.
Regarding the completed clay figure, Deidara had some suspicions. Just a portion of his second chakra allowed him, someone who couldn't perform genjutsu, to execute a technique like "Witness," which directly attacked one's soul. What kind of wondrous effect might it have if all his second chakra was involved?
Forget it; he wasn't one to dig too deep into mysteries. Whatever unusual abilities that sculpture might have didn't matter; after all, Kurotsuchi would protect it well.
Speaking of which, Deidara remembered being helped home by Kurotsuchi the previous day. She had wiped his face and removed his outer clothes, and then he'd fallen asleep.
So right now, beside him was... Kurotsuchi!!!
Oh no! Things might have gotten serious.
Deidara covered his eyes, glancing at the still-sleeping Kurotsuchi, particularly noticing how she wore his clothes.