A/n: Well, here's a short chapter, which means I'll have the next one out around Friday, enjoy guys!


Chapter 2: Money Over Matter


Recap:

"Twelve-million ryo is a lot of money, for such a little girl." His voice was quizzical with underlying tones of hostility.

"Yeah," Kin raised an eyebrow at Kakuzu as she sauntered past him, "and just what are you going to do about it?"


The masked man wasn't expecting such a wise-ass answer, and was left practically speechless. His eyebrows furrowed lividly at the way she had gotten under his skin with just a few words. Kakuzu's eyes though, they were still steadily focused on the bills that shuffled blindingly through Zangei's hands. Once he was sure Kin had left the building his hand grudgingly released its relentless grip from Hidan's throat, aware of the unavoidable, obscene firestorm that would soon erupt from it.

Hidan snarled instantaneously the moment his vocals were unleashed. "Goddamn Kakuzu, what's got your fucking panties in a fucking wad?"

"You talk too much."

All of Kakuzu's attention was focused on his money as he paid no attention to the obscenity he called a 'partner'. Money was his everything, it gave his existence purpose; he lived it, and he breathed it. Its papery scent and texture was unmistakable, yet varied from bill to bill. To him, money is and will be the only dependable thing in the world.

"Ah, Kakuzu, you seem to have been losi-"

The masked man cut Zangei off as he was handed his rightful 750,000 ryo, his voice low and serious. "The girl, who was her bounty?"

"Er, a man by the name, Otsu Takezo. " the exchange master looked at him quizzically, though this wasn't the first time Kakuzu questioned who Kin's freshly slain target was. "Is there any particu-"

Hidan's partner let out a low, rigid growl as his right fist violently made contact with the wall nearest him. Damn that girl, damn her straight to Hell.

"We're going, Hidan." Kakuzu snapped as he whipped around abruptly to the door they had previously entered.


Kin's body was exhausted, and she felt it deep within her bones as they constantly screamed for rest. Though now wasn't the time to be stopping, anyone could be hot on her trail, and the bounty hunter didn't have time to become sidetracked.

She tried to adjust the money filled satchel to a comfortable position by roughly yanking on its strap, but the strip of leather decided to place itself uncomfortably in between her breasts instead. Muffled groans escaped through her closed lips as she decided it was best just to leave it where it was. Though the strap's location wasn't to her ideals, it was far better than a two hundred and seventy-six pound man weighing down her shoulders.

The sun had begun to descend from its throne in the sky, and early afternoon began to transform into late afternoon. Surely the heat of the day would recede the farther the glowing orb sunk into the horizon. But that kind of relief was hours away, as it was only beginning to sink. It'd be at least a good half a day's journey to the northern border of River Country, and at this rate, the young bounty hunter wouldn't be there until late into the night. At least the majority of her journey would be under the cover of nightfall, keeping most of the ravenous thieves at bay, or at least she hoped.

Droplets of sweat slowly trickled down the back of Kin's neck, underneath long, rusty red-brown hair as she drug her feet along the ground. A small breeze whispered in between the trunks of the forest's trees and chilled her sweat soaked body momentarily. Her eyes were beginning to lose focus as the sweltering heat's energy depleting effects were beginning to kick in. One breeze was just not enough.


"Jesus fucking Christ, old man, what the fuck's your problem?"

"Maybe if you paid attention and had some fucking intelligence in that goddamn head of yours, then maybe you'd understand that that girl is walking off with MY twelve-million ryo." Kakuzu's voice was hoarse and dangerously threatening.

Normally Hidan would've taken offense to his partner's accusations, but didn't dare let a single smartass comment slip from the depths of his throat. No one touches his money, ever, and he sure was fed up with this girl. Kakuzu was beyond infuriated and one idiotic wisecrack was sure to break all Hell loose.

The green-eyed man clenched his fists, empty or not, tight enough for the whites of his knuckles to show. His pulse pounded vigorously against the flesh of his neck due to a small shot of adrenaline flooding through his bloodstream. The heat radiating off of his forehead and cheeks became hotter the more his brain processed the situation.

There was absolutely no way that this was possible. But not matter how much he refused to believe it, some little brat had walked off with his money. This wasn't the first time that amber-eyed girl had beaten him to the kill and it infuriated him more than anything. Was he finally losing his touch?

"Jesus fuck Kakuzu, why don't you just fucking kill the bitch if she's taking all your goddamn fucking money."

An eerie quiet settled over the two Akatsuki members, and Kakuzu became seemingly calm to Hidan. Anything could be racing through his mind right now, and the amethyst-eyed man knew better than to think his partner was even the slightest bit unruffled.

"I've got a much better idea." He muttered bitterly under his breath, breaking the silence, as he executed a quick set of hand seals.

The masked man's voice sounded menacing, even if he was just talking under his breath. Though Hidan couldn't feel sorry for any soul that Kakuzu had a better plan for, as they had brought his Hell upon themselves.

"Hidan." Kakuzu began to walk away from the bounty exchange shop, briefcase in hand, leaving his shadow clone behind to find Kin's trail.

"Aren't we fucking going the wrong fucking way?" Hidan griped, "I'm not fucking walking all the fucking way back to the goddamned base."

Kakuzu ignored his obscene partner, as all he did was constantly whine and bellyache about anything and everything. It was either listen to this or hear him get worked up over his religious Jashinist bullshit. But, in retrospect too many words rolled off of Hidan's tongue, and if the masked man could have had things his way, well that amethyst-eyed atrocity would have been murdered a long, long time ago. Too bad immortality stood in his way.


A/n: - I don't have too many interesting facts today, except that "Kin" is Japanese for the color gold

-Feedback is always appreciated from you guys, and thank you to those of you already leaving reviews! You all put a smile on my face!