Kakuzu feels the dark and damp floor beneath him. He feels the stockades around his wrist. The cell he's in is also dark and he could barely see what's in front of him. All he could hear was the jeers of those who were his friends and comrades. He hears the metal door of his cell open. Suddenly, someone grabbed him roughly and made him sit up. Then, he removed the stockades and made his arms go forward.

The next thing Kakuzu felt was burning pain in his wrists as they branded them. He screams at the pain and his comrades just laugh at him.

All Kakuzu felt was pain, grief, and rage.

He wanted to kill them all.

Kakuzu suddenly jolted up in his bed, breathing heavily and in cold sweat. He then sighed as he unconsciously rubbed his wrists.

He had that nightmare again.

That nightmare when he was in jail in Takigakure. It's been decades since he got out. He should be over it by now. Why can't he get over it?

"Kuzu?"

Kakuzu looked at Hidan, who was next to him. He smiles lightly as he looks at his sleepy lover, his hair mused up and his eyes blinking sleepily as he sat up.

"It's nothing, Hidan." Kakuzu said as he laid down, his back to the Jashinist.

"Kuzu, what's wrong?" Hidan said, as he laid a hand on Kakuzu's arm. The older nin growled and said "Its nothing, Hidan."

He then heard Hidan growl.

"Don't you fuckin dare leave me out! Now what the fuck is wrong?"

Kakuzu was silent and he sighed. He knows that he couldn't hide anything from the zealot, no matter how much he wanted to.

"I had a nightmare."

Hidan stared at the stitched man's back, which he noticed was very stiff.

"What about?"

"When I was in jail…in Takigakure."

Hidan shifted as he lay down and hugged Kakuzu from behind. His hands clasped his stitched lovers, feeling Kakuzu grip tightened around his.

"And?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Hidan."

"Kakuzu."

"Hidan."

"Don't "Hidan" me! Tell me what's wrong."

There was a deafening silence between the two mercenaries for awhile until Hidan spoke up.

"Let me help you, Kakuzu."

Kakuzu could hear the sincerity and concern in Hidan's voice. He sighs, not wanting to continue, but at the same time wants to.

"I remember how dark it was. I remember those bastards laughing at me. They kept saying that I was a failure and a disgrace and trash. It was so cold. I waned to kill them all. I wanted all of them to be dead."

Kakuzu stopped, feeling the raise in his voice. He feels arms tighten around him and feels content with the gesture. Suddenly, Hidan turned Kakuzu around and brought his head to his chest, embracing him. Kakuzu at first was too shocked to say anything.

"Hidan…"

"Let me hold you, Kakuzu."

Kakuzu blinked from Hidan's soft tone and then smiled at the gesture. True, they are mercenaries and have had many kills, but there are times for tenderness. For love.

"You know…" Kakuzu said, "What really got me…was alone I was. I felt so alone."

Hidan's grip on him tightened.

"You're not alone anymore, Kakuzu." Hidan said quietly "Not alone anymore."

Kakuzu smiled as he leans into Hidan's warm embrace.

It's a beautiful thing to be in loved ones arms. It's a beautiful thing not to be alone.

AN: I wanted to write an emotional Kakuhidan fic. I think Kakuzu will always be haunted by his imprisonment and I wanted to write that Hidans comforts him. This story also shows how I think Kakuzu got those lines on his wrists. I don't own naruto! Reviews are loved!