Title: His Eternal Servant
Pairings: KakuHida, PeinKonan, KisaIta
Summary: It was Jashin's will that he aid the Akatsuki. Jashin's will was absolute and Hidan never questioned his divine missions. But just what was Lord Jashin trying to tell him about his partner? The man he loved to torment until he snapped.
Warnings: AU, slash (or yaoi whatever you want to call it), Hidan-esque nudity, swearing, violence, and generally copious amounts of Hidan.
Hidan's cadaverous skin glowed with the warmth and soft light radiating from the dancing flames as he knelt, head bowed and rosary held to his lips in silent prayer. Surrounding him drawn upon the floor with the crimson blood of a goat was the symbol of his faith, the corpse now helping to fuel the flames before him. A light breeze caressed his bare body, drying the blood seeping from a wound in his chest. The metal pike which had caused the wound lay a few feet away, glowing orange in the warmth of the fire. His wound didn't seem to be causing even the slightest discomfort, he just knelt there taking no notice of the red staining his pale skin. Completely still and calm, resembling a meticulously carved marble statue.
Then slowly his lips moved, forming the quiet utterances of words in a tongue long forgotten. The sounds rolling off his tongue so naturally as if they belonged solely to Hidan. Coming from anyone else those words would not have sounded anywhere near as beautiful as they did coming from this man's throat. He spoke with care, forming each syllable perfectly. Never once faltering in his pronunciation or forgetting what came next in his well practised chant.
After nearly an hour of soft chanting Hidan came to the end of his melodic prayer and gently opened his eyes to reveal the purplish red of his irises. The rosary was lowered so that the symbol rested upon his lap. His unnaturally coloured eyes stared into the flames, gleaming with anticipation and euphoria. No one else came close to sharing the level of sheer devotion Hidan showed to his faith, never once did he miss a ritual or a prayer. But tonight was special, the moon had swollen to her full and the sky remained clear of threatening clouds. The moon and her infinite children, dusted across the dark sky, emitting their pale ethereal glows. Along with the smouldering embers on the ground they provided all the light Hidan needed for this particular ritual. The one which could only take place once a month.
Once more his pale lips parted and two words slipped off his tongue. Two simple words but filled with admiration and respect. Dripping with absolute submission and reverence. "Lord Jashin."
Instantly the flames which had almost died out erupted back into life, rising into a burning column. Within the flames stood a burning figure, whose features were shrouded. A tall and androgynous figure staring eyelessly at Hidan who had now bowed his head in reverence. The column of flame shifted and twisted, building upon the flaming figure until the figure towered over Hidan with unnatural stature.
"You have done well this past month ... little one." his voice didn't come from the fiery representation of himself but rather it emanated around the clearing were Hidan remained kneeling. The naked man vocalised a humble thanks, head never rising. It would not rise until the blazing deity expressed his permission. "As always I am pleased with your efforts, you never fail in my expectations. Never once have I had cause to doubt either your faith in me nor your capability to perform my bidding with anything less than absolute paragon." the deity paused, gazing down at his apostle. "Raise your head, little one, so I may look upon your face as I impart what is to be your next task."
Hidan raised his head as bidden, meeting the eyeless yet fiery gaze of his lord. Once upon a time there would have been many others here with him. They would have gathered together once a month for this wondrous ritual. For the night when Lord Jashin arrived before them in his divine radiance. For the night each month when their new tasks were set. "There is an organization based in the north which has come to my attention, Hidan." the first utterance of his name in this meeting and the naked male couldn't suppress the swell of pride he felt in his chest. "Among the mortals this group is known as Akatsuki, listen carefully to me little one because this will be the last task I will ever give you." Hidan's eyes widened as he gazed upwards at the featureless flaming face.
"My Lord?" the figure merely raised a hand, gesturing for Hidan's silence which he immediately gave, bowing his head briefly in apology.
"I want you to join Akatsuki, Hidan. I have deemed their cause worthy of our assistance and I wish you to be the one to aid them in their struggle. This mission will be a long one, you will keep me up to date each month with this ritual. You will still answer to me first and foremost however once you have proved yourself in the eyes of the Akatsuki leader then it will be him you appear to take your orders from. Am I clear, little one?" Hidan nodded in understanding. "Good... I know you will not fail me, Hidan. Help them get as close to realising their goal as they are destined to, you are not required to ensure their success. Akatsuki's destiny is still clouded."
Hidan's lips curled into a smirk that looked equally at home upon his handsome features as the calm serenity which formed there while he was praying."Of course, my lord. You're will is as good as done, I will not fail you." The deity inclined its head ever so slightly, remaining silent for a good few minutes as he looked over his devoted follower.
"I know that you will not, which is why I am entrusting this particular mission to you, and you alone. But listen, the ritual will not last much longer as you already know and there are still some things you must know before you depart."Hidan simply nodded, waiting for his Lord to continue, if this was to be his last ever mission in service to Jashin then he wanted to achieve his goals to the best of his abilities, any information Lord Jashin had to impart would undoubtedly be important. If not essential to the success of this final act, this final show of his absolute faith. "Hidan, in this mission you must be prepared for there will be times when you will not be able to completely follow the scriptures as you are used to."Jashin's voice lowered, tone hardening. "In recompense, as often as possible, you must sacrifice your victims to me and perform a repenting ritual at least once every two months. More likely than not whoever Akatsuki will partner you with will attempt to stop you but you must not allow them to, for your sake as well as that of your devotion to me. You know all too well the side effects of not completing these sacrifices and rituals." Hidan's eyes had widened at the mention of having to not follow the scriptures, such a thing was unforgivable! Unacceptable! And yet... Lord Jashin was the one telling him that this is what he must do. Perhaps the ultimate test of his resolution. Slowly his unusually coloured eyes softened with acceptance and he inclined his head submissively. He would do as his Lord bid.
"Of course, Lord Jashin."
The fiery figure nodded approvingly at his servant and held out one hand, palm facing upwards. "Approach me, little one."without hesitation or question Hidan rose gracefully to his feet, rosary wrapped securely around his forearm so that there was no danger of him losing it. The symbol of the Jashin faith held delicately within the wrap of his slender fingers. The deity knelt down so that their faces were the same height from the ground. "I shall show you the way."Lord Jashin whispered and pressed his fiery lips to Hidan's forehead. The man's eyes widened as he felt his flesh burning, images flashing before him, showing landmarks and indicators for the path ahead. All leading to one place, the cave by the great waterfall in the north. Akatsuki's hide out.
When the deity pulled away Hidan couldn't suppress the shudder and the pained sound which escaped his throat, the scorched skin rapidly healing over. "I understand, my Lord." Hidan said reverently, kneeling back into the centre of the bloody diagram on the ground and bowing his head. "Thank you for your faith in me... I will not let you down."
"I know you will not, my little one. There may be times I have to contact you before the full moon rite, be prepared for that and safe travels."and with that the fiery apparition disappeared, leaving behind only scorched grass and incinerated wood. Hidan stood, grinning broadly as he once again donned his travelling robes and cleaned his weapons before replacing his rosary around his pale neck. Every inch of him practically trembling with excitement. After so many long years of walking this earth this was the last thing he would ever have to do in service of Lord Jashin.
Part of him felt saddened, he had so enjoyed his time but all things must come to an end. That much he knew would always be the case. It was the way the mortal realm worked. All things come to an end: day, night, love, hatred, relationships, life, even stars could die. If this was indeed to be his last act on this Earth as Lord Jashin's messenger and apostle then he sure as hell was going to enjoy it for all it was worth.
May as well get started, it looks like there's a loong way to go before I reach this place. He chuckled mentally, slipping the now pristine metal pike into the belt of his trousers (which was hidden by his long robes) and straightening up. The moon was still high in her dark throne, the meeting with Lord Jashin had left Hidan far too energised to even contemplate stopping where he was for the night. And besides there was too much to be done, there was no time to sit around doing nothing. Not when he had Lord Jashin's divine will to follow through, not when he had been entrusted with this task.