Hidan and Kakuzu

"So, like I was saying, around this time of year, particularly this exact month, it's really the best time to start planting all your vegetables. And wouldn't it be nice to have a constant supply of fresh produce? I also think it would really brighten this place up, I mean look at it, it's so dreeeary." Tobi had been talking about gardening for the last twenty minutes, Hidan barely even remembered how it started or better yet, when the guy had developed an interest for gardening in the first place. Hidan moaned loudly and put his head to the table. Tobi however didn't seem to notice his audience had stopped listening.

Hidan had woken up in a good mood that day, which was something that didn't happen as often as he'd like. It was this damn organization, he thought, a bunch of god-awful heretics that made it their mission to ruin the joy in his life as much as possible. He'd swear on that. He lifted his silver head only slightly, glaring at his partner still seated on the couch. Kakuzu, always yelling and stabbing and swearing. The greedy bastard. Why, of all people, did he have to be stuck with him. Despite his efforts, Tobi's voice filtered back in and he dropped his head back against the table with a thud.

Hidan had already showered and gotten ready for the day, hoping that by the time he had finished with everything, he'd be on to something more productive. But all that had happened so far was Tobi deciding Hidan was worth talking at for an hour. Days off like these were always the same, lie around and eat, head off to the locals and find a sacrifice, study the holy book for a good hour or two. Only problem was they had very little food, Pain had made quite a point to say that they shouldn't draw attention to themselves, and he knew the holy book inside and out and, Jashin blessed, was kind of getting sick of it. He wished he had more hobbies at times, though before he'd agreed to join the Akatsuki his primary hobbies had been killing and preaching, but that wasn't so much a hobby as it was an obligation.

He was a little hesitant to bring it up, as Kakuzu was still quietly fuming in his little corner from their regular morning argument, but he had all the intentions of following Kakuzu out whenever he chose to leave. He wouldn't be too happy about it, but Hidan wasn't exactly thrilled about it either. It just so happened that Kakuzu had special privileges the other Akatsuki members did not. Specifically, when it came to killing. He must have had arrangements with Pain because whenever their leader instructed they lay low for a while Kakuzu carried on with his pursuits. It was the money, always about the money with these people. But for Hidan, it remained the same. It was about the will of Jashin and if that meant following around that treacherous heathen to do his bidding, then so be it.

He looked up as Tobi stopped talking to him and began addressing someone else. When he saw Deidara standing there with Sasori by his side, Hidan sourly looked away. He was still mad at the kid for taking Kakuzu's side earlier that morning. Not that it had been the first time, he was beginning to suspect Deidara just liked to stir up trouble and had decided that being on Kakuzu's good side was infinitely better than being on his bad side. Hidan would have to agree, but he still didn't like that Deidara seemed to underestimate him so easily. He slumped back in his chair as Sasori and Deidara left and directed his sights to Kakuzu.

As if sensing the stare, Kakuzu slowly turned to look at Hidan, narrowing his dark eyes. "What do you want?" He said lowly. Hidan shrugged.

"Just waiting."

"For what?"

"For you to hurry up and get on with it."

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and shut his book. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean," Hidan drawled. "I'm waiting for you to head out and go money grubbing so that I can join you and maybe get a few kills in."

Kakuzu didn't speak for a moment, he merely stared over at his partner, curious as to where Hidan got the audacity to so carelessly invite himself along. It was Kakuzu's day off too and the last thing he wanted was to spend it with that loudmouth. He stood up and tucked the book back into his hip pouch. "No," he said firmly before walking back to his room.

"No? What do you mean no?" Hidan snapped. Kakuzu acted as if he hadn't heard the question as he disappeared behind the corner. With a growl, Hidan pushed his chair back and stomped off after the other. His hand caught Kakuzu's door before it closed and Kakuzu slowly turned back around, wondering if his day was going to begin with an attempted murder instead of end with one.

"Hidan…" Kakuzu said warningly. Per usual, Hidan ignored it.

"Look, I don't exactly want to spend my whole day with you either-"

"Then don't."

"But," Hidan continued louder. "I know that you've got some sort of special deal with whatshisname that lets you go off and do whatever you please. If I go off by myself and do what I want, I'm gonna get my ass reamed." His tone shifted to something more akin to begging. "As much as I'm sure you'd like to see that, I hope you'll find it in one of your hearts to let me benefit from your perks. Seriously Kakuzu, I can't stay in this goddamn place all day."

Kakuzu continued to ignore him as he strapped a belt to his waist and pulled his cloak on. Hidan watched, waiting for him to respond, but the other seemed to have no intention of doing that. When he was finished collecting his things, he walked past Hidan and down the hall. Aggravated, Hidan turned to throw an insult. Before he could snap something back however, the taller man came to a stop and inclined his head towards his shoulder.

"Are you coming or not? And close my door."

It took Hidan a moment to collect himself but pleased that he had gotten his way after all, he obediently shut the door and followed Kakuzu as he left the hideout.

The two walked in silence, as they most often did. Every so often Hidan would turn a curious eye over to his partner, the latter never once acknowledging him. And as usual, Hidan was the first to break the comfortable quiet that had settled over them. "So, who is it you're out looking for anyways? This isn't a shinobi village."

Kakuzu slid his eyes over to his partner. He had been feeling generous when he had allowed Hidan to come with him, mostly because if Hidan didn't get his kills in now then Kakuzu would only have to hear about it later. He intended to use this against Hidan should he ever bring up how Kakuzu never helped him out, which he would, sooner rather than later. "He's not a shinobi any longer, retired ten years ago and moved here. Very valuable."

"An old man, huh? You haven't any shame, do you?" Not that Hidan was one to talk, but Hidan had good reasons for doing what he did. Kakuzu was just greedy.

"Not when it comes to profit, no." But Hidan already knew this. "How long do you plan on following me for?"

Hidan sniffed and looked around. Truth was, he didn't know. He hadn't scoped out the village and had no idea where to even begin to look for someone isolated enough to take without anyone else noticing. He figured he'd know when he saw it. "Just a bit more, I guess." He lied, and Kakuzu knew it.

"The man I'm taking in lives on the outskirts of the village, if you can refrain from making a scene you can use him for your ritual." Hidan looked over suspiciously.

"You just don't want to do the work," he accused. Though the offer was tempting, Hidan found Kakuzu's sudden kindness (if it could even be called that) concerning.

Kakuzu gave a low growl, "Is that a yes or a no?"

The silver man adjusted the scythe on his back and huffed. "Sure, I'll do it. Thanks, I guess."

"Fine. Now don't say another word until we get there, I've heard enough out of you to last me the day." Hidan bit back a retort and looked off sullenly instead. Even he knew where the limit lay.

Hidan had lost track of how many roads like this one he had walked side by side with Kakuzu. Each one was the same, bicker and silence. Hidan could count on one hand the number of times they'd had an actual conversation and even then, they never lasted very long. It was no secret that the two didn't like each other, but Hidan couldn't deny that out of everyone in the Akatsuki, he respected Kakuzu's fighting prowess the most. Had he the choice to get a different partner, he'd probably decline. Not that he'd ever let anyone know this about him, he knew without a doubt his partner didn't return the sentiment. Hidan couldn't be bothered by that though, Kakuzu didn't need anyone, and in many ways that deserved respect too.

Lost in thought, Hidan barely noticed that they'd been walking for two hours. The entire scenery had changed, they were walking up a hill that was dotted with small houses, overlooking the heart of the village. "Is that the place?" Hidan pointed to the peak of the hill where a shabby little place stood.

"Yes, and like I said, don't make a scene. He does have neighbors."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." The closer they drew to the house, the hotter Hidan's blood ran. He could do this for the rest of his life, it was that good. They walked up the steps and Hidan knocked on the door. Kakuzu stayed back, watching as his partner forced his way into the house once the door opened and slammed it behind him. The noisy animal.

Like most of his rituals, Kakuzu knew Hidan was going to take far too long to finish the job. There was no reason not to get comfortable. He sat himself on the stoop and looked over at the small village, a familiar chorus of struggle and pain drifting from the open window. That idiot, he never listened.