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They set a camp when the night is closing in around them. As Madara already saw his face, Kakuzu pulls his mask down to eat his ration comfortably.
The other man stares at his stitches with open curiosity, and doesn't turn his gaze away when he raises his head. The younger shinobi feels self-conscious. Since the transformation of his body those who've seen his appearance ended up dead. Sardonically he thinks that when Madara starts to lose interest in him, all he'll need to do is to show the rest of his body. If the scars on his face hold his attention so, he'll be downright fascinated by the clay masks sewn onto his back.
"Do they serve a purpose?" Madara questions. Kakuzu feels irritated by it, but answers nevertheless.
"Everything serves a purpose."
"You're very down-to-earth if you think so. Don't you do something just for the beauty of it? With no practical reason for at all?"
"I try to avoid," Kakuzu smiles at that, just slightly. Impractical things, like sense of beauty he closed up deep inside him, along with his idealism and faith in people.
"How boring," Madara sighs, but he still looks amused as he rakes his fingers through his hair. The thick locks seem unwilling to part, so he gives up, leaving them ruffled. "So what you do? Fight for money, count what you earned and lock it away?"
"Exactly."
"But what money is good for, if you don't spend it on anything you'd enjoy?"
"I enjoy earning it."
"Hmph. Whatever makes you tick, I guess," he's silent for a while, his gaze turned away from Kakuzu, into the flames of the campfire, as if he expects to find something important there. Long minutes pass by before he speaks again. "How old are you, my greedy friend?"
"Twenty-two," he sees no harm in answering, but it's something more personal than he's really comfortable sharing. Though he's curious, he doesn't ask for Madara's age. He thinks he must be at least five years his senior, if not ten. He looks young, with his smooth, white skin with the slightest of shadows under his slanted, deep, dark eyes and with his thick, long hair. He's out of his armour again, and his slim figure adds to the false image.
"So young, yet so jaded. Well, shinobi mature quickly and die at an early age."
"Not me," Kakuzu denies, before he could think better of it, "I plan to live long."
"Then you've chosen a wrong carrier," Madara laughs. He doesn't contradict him, as he doesn't want to explain that he can. He sacrificed a lot for it, but he's the chance to live a century or more.
The conversation dies there and the black haired man soon lies down to sleep. Kakuzu props his back against the trunk of a tree. His five heartbeats slow down as he slips into light slumber. He stays somewhat aware of his surroundings. Though it looks like Madara is not getting rid of him yet, he's not about to take any unnecessary risk.
Next day Kakuzu ends up telling the story of his attack on Senju Hashirama. Though the description of the fight is hardy interesting -it couldn't have lasted much more than five minutes, though seemed like an eternity for him at the time- Madara listens with rapt attention. He makes a few comments, names the jutsus the Hokage used, or tells him what he'd done in his stead. Kakuzu doesn't hide the fact that since then he's become considerably stronger, but gloss over how he changed.
He's sure it doesn't go unnoticed, but Madara seems too interested in the details he remembers about the Hokage to be bothered by it.
His short tale is soon over, but the Uchiha doesn't remind him of his threat that he either disappears from his sight of dies. He even tells Kakuzu his own first meeting with the man, when their clans clashed. The mixture of nostalgia, concept and longing in his voice is just as interesting as the description of the fight. The taller ninja wonders if the other knows how much he lets on with his emotions shining through his words. Maybe he just doesn't care - it might be a weakness for anyone else, but he hardly has anything to fear. So he listens, nods, asks questions and Madara seems satisfied with his attention.
After that they talk more. Kakuzu is not really inclined to tell stories of his past, when he was still a loyal ninja to his village, but these last few years spent as a mercenary and a head-hunter have been exciting enough to spin a few good tales.
Madara on the contrary, loves to talk about Konoha. His anger is apparent in his words, aimed at his clan and the Senjus, at the inhabitants of the village who chose Hashirama over him. The betrayal of his own bloods burns him still. While Kakuzu feels he had his revenge and never again want to even think about Takigakure, Madara still longs to pay back.
The Hokage - he brings him up him all the time. Usually just in passing, commenting what he'd have done differently in his stead, where Senju made a mistake in his opinion, degrading the other's ideas, deeds and family. Kakuzu thinks that there's more to his words than simple contempt and that makes him wonder.
Still, he's honestly more interested when Madara mentions his own jutsus. Kakuzu recently acquired a heart that now enables him to use fire techniques as well. It'd be great, to get some tips from the very master of this element. He of course doesn't say so - he's not about to reveal his secrets. If Madara gets bored or annoyed with him, his only chance of survival is in surprise.
Despite his plan, it's not long before he has to expose some of his abilities.
When they're attacked, Kakuzu can't tell at first if the target is Madara or himself. Takigakure have sent a few ninja hunters after him, and he's also became notorious in certain circles. He has a high reward on his head, he knows well - he's regularly checking the Bingo books after all. He never saw an official bounty on the Uchiha, but if someone could defeat him, he'd surely earn a fortune and the reputation of a hero. He smirks under his mask. Hero-candidates die young. Very few, like himself survives the great, brainless acts.
The three ninjas are well prepared, much more so than the last group who tried to defeat him. They close in on him and Madara backs away, with an amused smile on his face. Kakuzu prepares himself for the fight - he's alone in this from the look of it.
They are strong, but no match for him. He doesn't even have to let his hearts out of his body.
He crouches down next to the motionless corpses at his feet when the fight is over. Methodically he searches them, looking for anything valuable, be it money, or information. He thinks through the combat and assesses what Madara knows of him now. He used earth, wind and fire techniques, and showed his threads. His jacket is still on, so the secret of his hearts are probably safe. He wishes he'd know more water type ninjutsus - that would come handy against his companion, it ever comes to that...
Madara catches the tip of a thread as he's about to pull them back in under his skin. Kakuzu hasn't been paying attention and only now realizes he stepped up so close to him. He silently berates himself - he really can't afford to let his guard down in this man's presence.
The Uchiha twines the thin tentacle around his fingers and tugs on it. From anyone else the gesture might seem playful, but from him it puts Kakuzu on the edge. He stands up quickly, getting some feeling of security - false as he knows it to be - from his height. He eyes Madara warily as he raises the thread to inspect it thoughtfully.
"So they are good for more than simple decoration on your face," he muses. "Are they all over your body?" When he receives no answer he draws his brows together in annoyance. "Show me," he commands.
Kakuzu doesn't react at first. He tries to come to the best solution. He wonders if it was watching him fight, or if it's the stench of death now - blood, sweat mingling with other, even less pleasant body fluids that a body no longer holds back when the heart stops beating and burned human flesh - but Madara seems wild, deadlier than ever. He's winded up himself - after all he's just over a relatively taxing combat, one where he couldn't afford to hold back. There's blood on his hands still, the dying screams of his enemies in his ears. He's inclined to continue to fight, his pulse still running fast, adrenaline high in his veins. He longs to raise his fist and smash in the shorter man's face for his impudent order, leaving just a mass of broken bones in its wake.
It's the cool, analytical part of his mind which stills his hands, telling him that if he lets his killing instinct take over, it will be the last deed of his life. So he steps back, and commands his thread to retreat, pulling it out from Madara's grip.
"I said, show me," Madara repeats. His power is once again tangible around him, setting on the back of Kakuzu's tongue like heavy smoke, making the hair on his arms stand up.
"No," he shakes his head despite this. That's a threshold he's not willing to pass.
"Kakuzu," the Uchiha drags his name out mockingly. He steps even closer, and the masked man finds it hard not to back down. But he manages to hold his ground, even when the other is so close that they are practically chest-to-chest. Madara has to tip his head back to keep looking him in the eye, but it doesn't seem to bother him. "I thought you wanted companion, Kakuzu. Then why don't you do as I told you?"
"Companion, yes. But not a master, Madara-sama."
This time he's prepared for the attack and notices the swing of the blade in time. He jumps back, quickly forming the hand signs for his protective earth technique. The sword catches him on the shoulder and slides down on his hardened skin, tearing his coat, but making no other damage. His opponent smirks - he's seen this ability during Kakuzu's fight with the three ninja hunters, so obviously not surprised by it.
"I'm happy to cut you out of your clothes, if that's what it takes. It'd be faster if you'd do as I told, but either way, I'll get what I want."
"Why are so adamant on this?" the taller shinobi asks. A sword he can protect himself against, even if it's wielded by the legendary Uchiha Madara, but he knows the other man has dirtier tricks up his sleeve. If only half of the stories he heard during his search are true, no one below the level of Hashirama Senju stands a chance. Kakuzu, strong as he's become, is not on that level, will never be.
"Cause I'm curious. You should feel honoured, my friend. It's not many things that catch my interest."
He translates this in himself, coming to the conclusion that Madara simply can't take no as an answer. He's probably used to it, invincible as he's rumoured to be, to always get what he wants immediately. Kakuzu on the other hand doesn't like to give anything freely, and have no desire to uncover his body at all.
The steel of the blade flash up again and Madara is on him like a whirlwind. Kakuzu blocks and ducks and wonders if it's a good idea to counterattack. What's the point where there'll be no turning back? When will his defiance cost him his life? It's hard to keep a cool head and not release his power. That's what the other man probably wants - after all, he's still only using his taijutsu.
He runs halfway up a tree and jumps down behind the Uchiha's back with a somersault. He crosses his arms momentarily in front of him, opening the stitches and launches them, grabbing and trying to tear the sword from the other's hands. Madara lets it go immediately, but there's already another weapon in his hand. The scythe bears down and cuts the threads. Kakuzu hisses in anger and pain as one of his limbs falls to the ground. He pulls his other hand back quickly. He grits his teeth as Madara laughs.
"So you chose this? Shall I cut you up to pieces?"
"No," he shakes his head. Dignity costs him less than his life. He doesn't want to bow before Madara, but something like this isn't worth dying for. A bit awkward, as he has to do it one handed, he starts to unbutton his jacket. Black eyes watch him with cruel amusement as he shrugs out of it then grabs his shirt and pulls it up and off as well.
He feels self-conscious, and curses the day he had this moronic idea to find this man. He knew there'll be a risk - but he wasn't prepared for humbling himself so. He's never shown his new body to anyone, and is very unhappy to do so now, and for the most dangerous person possible. His mouth opens to a snarl behind his mask, but he keeps his frame as relaxed as he can as he goes and picks his mutilated hand from the ground.
Threads reach out from the stump as he pushes flesh against flesh. A minute or two, and the limb is once again connected to his body, the threads under his skin twining together, mending the damage. He moves his fingers experimentally. Save for the lingering pain it's as good as new.
Madara watches with his head tilted to the side, his locks falling in front of his face. His mouth is open slightly, showing sharp white teeth in what could be called a smile, if it'd hold any joy. Like this it's more just a sadistic grimace.
"Satisfied?" Kakuzu asks him, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.
"Not quite," Madara's voice is amused as he shakes his head, making the young shinobi feel as if he's a circus freak, putting up a show. "What are those masks on your back?"
"Decoration," he barks. The Uchiha's eyes flash meanly at him and he steps up to circle Kakuzu.
"They look quite painful for decoration," he drawls. "No wonder you weren't lying down when sleeping. I could just tear them off for you," three of his fingers touch Kakuzu's back and slide to the edge of the clay tiger head. The fire mask.
"Don't bother," he turns to face Madara so he can't eff around with his hearts. "I'm used to them."
"Hmm," that slender hand rises again, to scrape nails against the scar running on his shoulder down till his collarbone. His fingertips are cool and smooth, and goosebumps rise on Kakuzu's skin in their wake. He picks at the stitches with interest, but with a cold and slightly revolted expression as a child would poke some bizarre looking bug on the ground with a stick. Kakuzu longs to break his slender wrist for it. Still he endures his inspection, because he suspects that he'll just drag it out longer if he tries to resist.
"You're a strange man, Kakuzu, and I'm sure you haven't revealed all your secrets yet," Madara says at last. "Maybe I won't get bored with you so easily as I thought."
He turns and walks away as if nothing happened. The ex-Takigakure ninja looks at his retreating back as he puts his shirt and jacket back on. He could disappear now - he's pretty sure the Uchiha won't look for him. He got what he came for - he found this fabled man, got to see how he's like and even survived the experience. Why would he remain with him any longer?
He guesses it's curiosity - or it might be masochism, though he's never been guilty of that before - as he goes after the slim figure.
Kakuzu stands still as if mesmerized as Madara steps up to him. He can feel his chakra swirling, all but burning his skin, thick and heavy, threatening, yet alluring. It's drawing him in, like a magnet. He wants to reach out, grab it to claim it as his own even if he knows that's impossible. The Uchiha's slender figure doesn't look fragile - in fact he seems to loom above the younger man somehow.
He's now so close that Kakuzu can feel his warm breath on his face. He touches his stomach with his long fingers, and the young shinobi realizes that he's naked, though the black haired man is fully dressed in his armour. He shivers.
"Show me your secrets," he whispers and Kakuzu is unable to deny that he's any left. His threads part, opening up his chest, showing all his five hearts beating rapidly in excitement. Madara laughs as he reaches inside to grab one - his original one - and tears it out.
Kakuzu can't do more than to stare at him with horrified fascination as he raises the pulsing organ to his mouth and bites into it. Blood pours down on his chin, tainting the white skin...
He jolts awake suddenly, his pulse loud in his own ears. His glance falls on Madara, who's lying in a safe distance on the ground. Kakuzu stifles a groan of frustration and lets his head fall back against the trunk of the tree. Damn it to hell.
Three nights passed since their little clash and he keeps dreaming about Madara. To make it worse they're getting increasingly bizarre with each occasion. He can't deny his fascination with the man, but this is really over the top. He has to get a grip on himself, or this can end very ugly.
He doesn't sleep any more, just waits for the dawn. When Madara wakes he stretches gracefully as a cat and makes his customary - and vain - attempt to tidy his messy hair with his fingers. When he catches Kakuzu looking, he smirks at him and ducks his head coquettishly, making his thick locks fall in front of his eyes.
Caught, the ex-Takigakure ninja returns the gaze. Heat blooms on his face, though he doesn't have anything to be ashamed about. Madara acts as if he knows a secret of him, but there's no secret, at least not any about him watching the shorter man. It's the most natural thing that he's curious - even for someone like him, the Uchiha is the strangest creature he'll ever meet. So he reassures himself that he can't possibly know anything that Kakuzu doesn't want him to know - like that he have five hearts, or that he started to have these disturbing dreams about him.
He starts to get to know the other man a bit. It's not like as if he's having a teammate again - he doesn't make the mistake to think they're equals, or that they'll ever be even close to that - but still, he's not alone... there's someone to talk to and listen to.
Madara is usually cold, collected and has a dry, cruel wit. He's also smart, with a contemptuous outlook on pretty much everything. This suits Kakuzu, as it fits well what he thinks of the world and humanity.
Contrary to his opinion on others, the Uchiha thinks very highly of himself. The taller man is smart enough not to make any comment on this - anyhow, the other has the basis to be proud of his abilities. After all, save for one man, there's hardly anyone who's as powerful as him.
It's that man, Senju Hashirama who makes him change his tone. Madara is obsessed with him, there's no other word for it. If he mentions him - and that happens surprisingly often - he's bound to get carried away and talk about him a lot. Mostly with contempt, but Kakuzu believes he hears longing in his voice as well. He doesn't know what to think of it. He's never been so passionate about anyone in his life. Back in Takigakure he was expected to think with a clear head all the time. Since his transformation he makes a point of being cynical and unmoved. There's very few things, like money, he's willing to trust. Young as he still is, he knows all about betrayal.
He tries to imagine, based Madara's words, how his relationship with the Hokage must have been. He soon concludes that he lacks either the imagination or the emotions to picture it, so he just listens to and watches the other man, with his dark eyes ablaze, his pale face flushed, his hair a mess, as he keeps running his fingers through it in aggravation.
He likes watching him like this, Kakuzu has to admit to himself. So passionate, so deadly, so... fascinating.
He drags his eyes away and frowns. He doesn't understand his own feelings towards his companion. He thinks it's probably the power the Uchiha radiates that makes him so enchanted by him. What else could it be?
Madara smirks every time he catches Kakuzu watching him. The younger shinobi refuses to be embarrassed, but still, he tries to turn his gaze away whenever he can before the other notices. It's not because he's ashamed, he just doesn't need scornful glances and cruel smiles.
At nights when they stop to rest and Madara takes off his armour, it gets harder to keep his eyes averted. His slim figure, the white skin of his flat stomach that shows for a second when his shirt is dragged up, the way his hair is momentarily pulled out his face, just to fall back heavily again, moves something in Kakuzu that he doesn't really have a word for.
He's angry with himself for it - despite what he claimed at their first meeting, there's so much he could learn from Madara, be it a fire technique or something less straightforward, like information about Konoha, tips against very powerful enemies or knowledge on the famous Uchiha clan. It doesn't make any sense, there's nothing he can gain from it, no practical reason why he shouldkeep staring at him, so he decides to stop it.
Despite his resolve, he dreams about him again.
TBC…
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