First of all: The idea to this first chapter was borrowed - with kind permission - from Omoi-ame and her story The Priest. Anything you might recognise from there is obviously not mine.
This chapter has been revised, since I could not read it through without cringing. I suppose taking the Creative writing module at university does that to you…
No characters belong to me.
Akatsuki: enter Hidan
Kakuzu grumbled as he walked, not happy in the least. Why Leader had decided to give him yet another partner was beyond him. They could just as easily let him be on his own for missions and thus save the money they would now have to spend on this new partner. Oh, and not to mention that leaving him on his own for missions would save said new partner's life too. But Hell they had not even met him yet, and the little bastard was yet to be found: it was not as if the man meant anything to the old Akatsuki member. Money did. So he was admittedly more worried about the money than the man's life. And this was why Kakuzu never had a pet when he was a child.
Anyway, not to go off on a tangent, Leader had sent Kakuzu out to find the new members and soon to be partner, along with Kisame and Itachi. Sent them out on a mission with barley any information, to the Hidden village of Rain. Which was why Kakuzu was currently in a very bad mood.
Which was why that bad mood started to rub off on the other two, as much as they tried to distance themselves from the tall and grumpy man.
Which probably was why the sky decided to open up and completely soak them in cold, heavy rain; it was out of spite, they were sure.
Which is where we find them now, running through the pouring I-would-rip-the-weather-gods-to-shreads-if-only-I-was-not-drowning rain in search for shelter.
Which, of course, they will find.
Which they all would come to wish they had not, seeing that they would find one of the most obnoxious members ever to enter Akatsuki there. Figures.
'Your subject is a high priest of Jashin. Trust me, that is all you need to know.' The description left much to be wished for but it was all Leader had told them. And when he told you something, you obeyed. When he asked you to jump, you jumped; you did not even bother to ask how high. And you kept jumping up and down until he told you to stop. No one had said that you could not curse him while doing so, though: Leader did not care about your opinion as long as you did your job. Kakuzu was therefore so busy cursing and swearing in his mind that he almost did not hear Kisame shouting his name.
Looking up, his gaze followed the blue man's outstretched arm and finger. Ah, finally shelter. It appeared to be an old church, whether it was still in use was impossible to say from the outside though. Shrugging his shoulders he walked forward to follow the others, away from the vicious rain. Whatever was inside did not matter, it was not as if they could not handle it.
They entered in what could hardly be called inviting: the floor was hard and made echoing sounds as they walked on it. The walls, made of dark grey, cold stone were filled with carved symbols, and the faint light radiating from the torch next to a door opposite the one they just entered through made shadows dance around the trio. The smell brought their minds to an old tomb, stale and heavy. It was almost ridiculous, as if they had walked right into an old horror story. Hell, it was probably warmer outside, than in this vicious gloom. It was so cliché that they could not help but roll their eyes slightly.
Looking at each other, the walked straight up to the other door and opened it. Contrary to what they would have expected, it did not make any sounds at all as it ghosted up enough for them to look inside.
The change was dramatic. In this room it was, though identical stonewalls, bright and comfortably warm. There was no doubt that this church was not as abandoned as it had seemed from the entrance.
Stepping further into the room, they all noticed that it was pretty large, had two doors at each wall beside them and an altar along the third, opposite one. A room used for ceremonies, most likely. There were no benches, but who knew how this particular religion was practised? They did not even know what deity the church was devoted to, but by the looks of it, it was not a peaceful or calm one. This brilliant deduction was made as they observed the half faded, half dried red stains around and on the altar: they had been killers long enough to recognise blood when they saw it, thank-you-very-much.
So caught up in looking around, they did not even notice the new presence behind them, watching them from one of the doorways they had not yet passed through. Not until the person spoke did they sense him, and spun around to face what could possibly be a threat. They had large bounties on their heads, after all. One of the downsides (unless you asked Kakuzu) with being S-ranked criminals.
"You lot interesting in converting? Or should I just kill you all now?"
They blinked at what they saw, but did not lower their guards. Sleek silver hair, clad in monk robes as well as a rosary - with the same symbol as the carvings on the walls and on the altar, they could not help but notice - and with intense violent eyes the man cut an intimidating figure. Not intimidating as, for example, Kakuzu, nor plain creepy as Sasori when inside that damn puppet they had never seen him without. But still intimidating. It was something about him that seemed to scream 'defy me, I dare you!'
The trio almost took a step back as a sly smirk worked its way over pale lips, even the ever so apathetic Itachi was a bit thrown off guard. Not that he showed it mind you; this is Uchiha Itachi we are talking about. But nonetheless, even he was a bit weary of the impression the man left them; he looked like a vengeful angel that just could not wait to judge them, and who just knew that they would go straight to Hell. He looked like he would gladly send them there. With a laugh. And spit after them while they were still falling. The fucker.
"Well? What's it going to be?" The man snapped them out of their thoughts, taking a few steps towards them. Kisame held up his hand in a peace-offering.
"Please, Priest-sama, we only wish to wait out the storm. We don't want any trouble." Sure, they were highly trained shinobi - and dangerous criminals on top of that - but who knew what this man was up to or what he could do? And they were, admittedly, in his territory. They preferred not to start anything before they had more information – one of the necessary survival instincts that helped you survive as a rogue shinobi. The priest tilted his head slightly to the side and stepped forward, closer to the light. They could now see him fully; with fair skin and the features such as the hair and eyes they had already noticed he looked young, maybe in his mid twenties. He was also very beautiful, features soft and delicate: the epitome of a pretty boy. Not as effeminately pretty as a certain blond terrorist bomber they worked with, though. Despite his pretty looks he looked quite masculine.
If he noticed that they observed him, he did not show it. He just snapped his fingers to get their attention.
"You got lost in the storm, huh? Well damn... guess I can't sacrifice you either; you don't look as if you would please Him in the slightest, seriously. Damn, I wish I could just throw you out, to bad the doors does not lock…" By this time he had started mumbling to himself, and they could not help but feel slightly forgotten. But he soon looked back at them again, addressing them once more. "So sure, stay for all I care, but you should probably change clothes. I really don't want to take care of you if you get sick, seriously."
"We... did not bring any spare clothes." Kisame answered, after an awkward pause, earning a surprised glance from the priest.
"You come to the Village of Rain without spare clothes? Bloody stupid, if you ask me." The man sighed. "Guess I have to lend you some, then. As I said, I don't want to take fucking care of you all, seriously. I'd probably just sacrifice you from being so damn sick of you I can't think straight, and you can't even begin to imagine how many hours of praying it takes to ask for forgiveness because of an unworthy sacrifice."
With that he turned around and left the same way he came. The trio, after a glance at each other and with the threat about sacrifices fresh in mind, followed. Not much else to do anyway.
Finally: So here is the new chapter. No major changes. The other chapters will be revised to, but I cannot say how long it is going to take.
And before you ask, there will be no pairings in this story what so ever. At least I will not write it with pairings, but fan-girls can corrupt almost anything.