And here it is! The much requested for, fourth chapter of Shadows and Blood!!!! Sorry it took so long, I had other stories and maybe spent just a little too much time on another story of mine, Master of Puppets (darkish Saso/Saku fic). Well enjoy this chapter and be sure to review!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 4: Hidan meets the brothers.
Temari couldn't tell if she was lucky or unlucky. She had lost her job but gained a better one in return, well it was better in terms of money but other than that...
"Hey Temari!" Shikamaru, her new co-worked taped her gently on the should and handed her two fresh silver trays of food. "These go to table 7, one on the left to the fat lady with all the diamonds and the other to the guy." He gave her a small push forward giving her a good head start.
Temari sighed and glanced at the clock on her way to the deliver the tray, dancing around tables, other waiters and customers. It was 5pm, one hour until her shift ended.
Forcing a smile across her face she made her way as gracefully as she could muster to the tables. Catching her little stumble at the end, she set the plates down on the table perfectly, asked the standard "Is there anything else I can get you" and when no such request was made she bowed and walked off to check on her others tables. Tripping as she went.
All day long was she stumbling because one of the requirements for the female waitress outfit was high heels. It was her first time in the unusual shoe wear for high heels were often expensive and not piratical for everyday life. It was one of those frivolous things that she just couldn't waste money on.
It wouldn't have been such a bad thing if she had a little female guidance but atlas she was the only female waiter. Shikmaru told her once, while she was on dish duty, that there were other female waitresses but they quit after two days. Temari wondered with genuine curiosity what could drive them away but she knew that no matter what, she was never going to lose this job. This job alone payed for all of the rent, water and electric bills. It even helped to start pay off some of their what seemed like endless debt.
No matter what, she would never lose this job. Of course she had asked Shikamaru what could scare such girls off but he refused to say. She even asked her boss Kakuzu but he only yelled at her for thinking about pointless things when she could be working.
The rest of her work hour went by rather fast, it was a slow night for the restaurant and she didn't have much work to do. Another thing that was going for her was the lack of, in the famous words of Shikamru, "troublesome customers". The ever bothersome customers that always had a complaint or smart alec comment. At least once a day did she encounter such people.
"They may complain like heck" Kakuzu once told her as he walked by, just happening to hear her complain to Shikamaru about them. "But they are high paying customers."
"They may pay a lot for the meal but their horrible tippers" Temari mumbled as her boss walked off to his office.
'Five minutes till my shift is over.' Temari thought, glancing at the clock between strokes of her table cloth as she wiped off a table once preoccupied.
"Excuse me, new girl." A male voice called to her from the restaurant entrance. Temari sighed, knowing very well that she was the sole female waitress, yes their were female cooks and cleaners but no other waitresses. She set her cloth down and walked to the foyer(customer entrance or main entrance) of the restaurant, looking for whoever dared to make her work just minutes till her shift ended.
"Yes," She said in her fake preppy voice along with a fake matching smile. Her eyes came across the stranger and for a moment, didn't mind that she had to work a little longer. The male was young, no older than 25 with short cropped red hair, at first she thought it was her brother, Gaara but after closer inspection she could tell vast difference's between her brother and this male.
The male had reddish brown eyes that observed everything around him with bored interest, looking from on object to the next, never spending more than a few seconds or showing any mild curiosity. Except at her, his eyes examined her from top to bottom but not in any sort of vulgar or perverted manner, more like he was comparing her to something, but to what she could probably never know
"Is Kakuzu here?" The red-head male asked, staring her right in the eye. Temari pushed back a blush forcing it's way on to her face which made her even more fluttered. She could never remember a moment where someone made her feel so... light headed.
"Yes." She said sharply, not wanting to stutter. "Do you have a reservation?" She asked the key question, the Five Hearts was not the kind of restaurant where you could just walk in and expect to be served, a reservation was required each and every time.
"I'm a friend." The male said, appraising the new tapestry hanging from that walls that boss Kakuzu recently acquired.
"Do you have proof." She asked, not flinching at the sharp glare of impatience he gave her.
"Why can't you just let me in?"
"Because." She began, examining this new comer. While this guy looked like some kind of model on the outside he sure didn't have a winning personality. "I get at least five people a day, all telling me that they're real close, personal friends of Mr. Kakuzu."
"Fine." The male growled, shoving his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of carbord paper, no bigger than the palm of one's hand. Temari took the paper from the male and inspected the orate design on it's surface, a red cloud with white lines in a pure black sky. It was the real deal, Kakuzu gave his friends and close acquaintances this paper so that they could enter his restaurant and leave as they please.
"Welcome friend of Mr. Kakuzu." Temari never thought that she would ever say that phrase, not even when Shikamaru taught it to her on the first day of the job. Temari beckoned him to follow her as she lead him to the tables set aside for special cases or people.
"Here you are." Temari said as she set down a menu at a small two chair table. "Is there anything you would like to drink?"
"Just bring me a cup of green tea and tell Kakuzu that Sasori is here." The male, or Sasori said as he slouched down into the plush chair, one arm draped over the tall back.
"Thank you." Temari murmured and hastily made her way to the kitchen where Shikamaru was currently sleeping, sprawled out across a small chair used for short breaks.
"Hey!" Temari snapped, smacking her hand across the back of the boys head. "Wake up!"
"Troublesome woman," Shikamaru yawned, rubbing his head. "What's the deal?"
"Go get the boss, a friend of his is here." Temari said, short and to the point. Shikamaru blinked, as if to stay "say what?". Temari scowled as she poured hot water into a fine china cup and as she placed the tea bog in it. "You heard me, now go get the boss!!!" For motivation she gave him a quick kick to the legs, he reluctantly got up, whining the whole time.
Temari finished making the tea and as she moved to take it back out another waiter came into the large kitchen.
"Hey did I hear right?" Genma asked, a senior waiter whose seniority allowed him to wear his trademark bandanna. "Is one of boss's friends here?"
"Yeah," Temari said shortly, it was against her work ethics to make a customer wait. "Some guy named Sasori."
"Sasori..." Genma said, as she shoved past him. "Oh yeah, Sasori, yea you better get that to him fast he doesn't like to wait."
Temari shook off his comment with a lazy wave of her hand for she was already halfway there. Sasori watched her ass she made her way over, clearly seeing her struggle not to trip in the uncomfortable shoe wear.
"Here you are and Mr. Kakuzu should be here any moment." Temari turned to leave when the red head called her back.
"Are you the new waitress?" He asked casually, taking a small sip of his tea.
"Yes" Temari replied, her voice straining to not be short of smart alecly, Kakuzu would fire her for sure if she spoke rashly to his friends.
"You certainly seem different from the others." Sasori said slowly, starring into his tea cup placidly.
"Thank you." Temari said somewhat sincerely, she had always taken pride in her individuality.
"The others just couldn't handle them..." He contemplated vaguely Temari once again thought about the countless waitresses who were hired only two quite two days later. Was this "them" the reason why they quit so quickly? Finally as she was about to ask who "them" was Kakuzu walked into the room, Shikamaru in tow.
"Sasori," Her boss greeted, taking the seat opposite of his friend. "Just visiting?"
"Yes and no, I have an art exhibition not far from here and I thought I'd have a cup of tea before going over," He stopped casting a sideways glance to Temari and Shikamaru.
"Get going." Kakuzu barked at them. The two employees quickly scatted off, Shikmaru back to the kitchens for his shift ended an hour after hers as she bee-lined to the employees rooms which doubled as the changing rooms. In almost no time at all she was out of her white long sleeve blouse with a black vest and long, lose fitting slacks. Most of all she was glade to be out of those atrocious high heels and back in her old familiar sneakers.
Temari pulled on her baggy blue pants and light pink hoodie. She knew it didn't match well but when you're on a serious budget, matching clothes are not your top priority though it was the reason why Kakuzu made her leave the restaurant though the back door and not through the main entrance like everybody else.
She pulled her hoodie close against her as she was meet with a blast of chilly desert night air, the sky painted an array of pastel colors as the sun set into the distance horizon. Not wanting to linger in the back alley where she currently standing she quickly jogged down, eyes darting for any hidden threats or potential predators.
It was ironic considering her greatest predator lied not in the shadows of a dumpster or waited patiently to ambush her unexpectedly. No, her predictor was waiting for her at the end of the alley, leaning against his black Ferrari.
"You..." She growled.
"Hey baby," Hidan smirked in return, "I was wondering what that slave driver was going to free you."
"What do you want." Her asked, her voice as cold as ice.
"Ouch," Hidan said, acting deeply hurt. "Is it a crime that I came to take my girlfriend home?" He put extra emphasis on girlfriend.
"I'm not your girlfriend," She said bluntly and walked right past him.
"Hey! Where are you going!" He yelled, chasing after her.
"The bus station." Temari said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"It's a half a mile to the nearest stop." Hidan panted slightly as he walked in step beside her.
"So?"
"I'm saying it's too far to walk, especially since it's getting dark out."
"You care because?" Temari picked up her pace, hoping that his loser would give up on her and leave her alone.
"Hey now, don't be so spunky, baby." Hidan smirked, wrapping his warp tightly around her shoulders. "Admit it, you need me to protect you." He grinned seductively down at her, Temari scowled and looked away. She tried vainly to pull away but Hidna's hold was too strong for her to break.
"Let's go on a date" He gave her shoulders a squeeze as he lead her down the street
"Over my dead body." She growled right back
"So where's Hidan?" Sasori asks casually, leaning back into his chair, one leg crossed over the other in a masculine fashion.
"You know the new girl right? The new waitress?"
"Yes, she seems adequate." Sasori remembered the brisk service he got from her and with a twinge he remembered the last waitress of Kakuzu's to serve him, five minutes for one cup of coffee. Needless to say that girl never worked another day.
"She's also Hidan's latest fancy."
"Hidan and his girlfriends... it disgusts me." Sasori's mouth curled into a frown, he was very familiar with Hidan's many girlfriends. He still hasn't forgiven him about 6 girls ago when he and his latest "fancy", as Kakuzu called it, had the gall to make love on one of his works of art.
"This one is different." Kakuzu added, he too knew Sasori's pain, Hidan had at least 10 flings, all with different girls, on the tables in his restaurant and he had to burn every single one of them. "She's not like the usual whores or sluts he picks up."
"Not to say that I didn't enjoy our little talk but I must be going, I do like to keep others waiting."
"Don't worry about paying," Kakuzu said, getting up from the table. "I'll tell Hidan about the meeting later."
"Remember," Sasori repeated. "Pein-sama wants everyone to be at the meeting, no worming your way out with an excuse."
"I understand." Kakuzu said blankly and with that Sasori left as fast as he came.
"This is so stupid." Hidan whined
"Shut up will you," Temari scowled, pursing her lips as she led Hidan through her gang, criminal and rapist infested neighborhood and for once she was glad that Hidan was will her. Many of the usual scum that resided in along the streets her would have given her much grief if he didn't scare them all way. Not that she was dependent on having someone protect her. She knew very well how to take care of herself, pepper spay in her bag, A knife in the band of her pants, another in the sole of her shoe and lastly a mini tazer in the pocket of her hoodie.
"Do you seriously live here." Hidan bared his teeth at a shady guy who happened to pass by just a little too close for comfort.
"Yeah, what's it to ya." Temari sighed with relief as her building came into view, the sun had set long ago and the only light source were street lambs, half of which were badly busted up but still struggled to give off little wisps of light.
"Let's just ditch this whole thing and find a nice quiet place," Hidan suggested, trying to sway her into turning around and leaving.
"We made a deal," Temari kicked open the door to the run down building, nodding at the hight watchman who glared at Hidan until they vanished behind the staircase. "I'll do on a date with you only after-"
"I meet your brothers." Hidan finished for her. His mouth was a thin line, he just knew he was in for a "fun" time.
"Now come on," Temari flew up the stairs, far ahead of Hidan. "I live on the fifth floor."
"You have got to be craping me"
(five floors and a minute later)
"And why did we not take the elavator?" Hidan panted, staring at the elevator door not ten feet down from Temari's front door."
"It's broken." She banged her fist viciously on the door and screamed. "Kankuro you lazy bum! Open the door before I knock it down!"
"Jeez la wheez Temari!" Kankuro shouted from behind the door, the repetitive clicks of multiple locks coming undone meet Temari's ears as she shifted impatiently from foot to foot, trying to think of a way to explain this guy standing behind her. Seconds later before she could think something up Kankuro slammed the door open.
"Why do you have to yell all the time jeez, can't a guy get some peace around here?" He glared shortly at Temari until a certain male shifting from behind her caught his attention. "Who-" He stared dumbly at Hidan, his brain short-circuited at the sight of the male.
"Kankuro..." Temari began hesitantly. "Meet my... um... oh forget it, meet my boyfriend."
Hidan was scared, for the first time in his life he was truly scared. Even when he was shot five times in a drive by shooting near Kakuzu's restaurant was he scared. Not when he went bungee jumping further west and the rope snapped, he didn't even bat an eyelash as his head collided with the ground after a 50ft drop. The only moment were he was even remotely scared was when he and his girlfriend at the time had a fling in Kakuzu's restaurant. In the after math of Kakuzu's rage he ended up the hospital for months.
But Hidan had never in his life found anything so frighting as Temari's brothers.
"Name." The one boy with messy dark brown hair demanded, his tone like that of an interrogator. For a moment Hidan felt complied to answer completely when his pride kicked in. There was know way he was going to let some punk younger than him pushed him around.
"Up yours" Hidan snidely answered, making a arrogant face at the purple makeup wearing boy.
"Why you!-" Kankuro growled as he tensed to jump from his seat on the couch, he was stopped mid jump by Gaara. The passive boy held back the more aggressive Kankuro. Hidan didn't know whether to be glad or scared that the younger brother had interrupted, Temari had told him that Gaara was prone to demonic behavior.
Speaking of Temari... what was taking her so long?! The moment she walked in with him and introduced him to her brothers she speed off to the kitchen, spouting off nonsense about tea. She has been gone for ten minutes, leaving him alone with bad cop and scary cop.
Gaara glared at Hidan, the older male swore he saw a legion of demonic spirits fly from the boy and circle the air about like waiting vultures.
"You guys trying to kill me?" Hidan griped the sides of his chair, the hair on the back of his neck standing on end. He was quickly regretting to agree to Temari's terms. He cursed mentally in his head as he gathered his wits. He could take girlyboy-Kankuro (he calls him that because of Kankuro's purple paint)- easily in a fight, he was rash and let his anger control him. Gaara on the other hand... Hidan could feel the waves of killer intent radiating of from the red headed boy, Hidan growled at the icy cold glare the boy shot at him with is light jade eyes.
Thinking of jade eyes where the heck was Temari???
"Listen you little punks." He hissed, tuning the tide of their conversation. "I'm only here so I can score a date with your beloved sister, it's been ages since I found someone who likes to play hard to get."
"So our sister is just a toy to you?" Kankuro tensed under Gaara's hand, still holding him back. Kankuro knew it, this guy just wanted to bang his sister, well over his dead body or better yet Hidan's dead body.
"More like a object of entertainment." Hidan grinned, he was making a risky move, pulling on this guys strings to get a rise out of him but theres no way these kids would intimidate him any more. He had flipped the bird and spat in deaths face way too many times to feel threatened by sister complex punks.
"You sicko," Kankuro hissed outraged, this time Gaara removed his hold over him and Kankuro jumped forward, grabbing Hidan by the collar and shoving him painfully further into his chair.
"First your sister tries to kill me and now you two, is your entire family one cracked up gang?" Pain erupted from Hidan's face as Kankuro punched him square in the jaw repeatedly.
"Shut." Kankuro landed another hit on Hidan's gut. "Up about." Another punch to the chin, "My family!" Kankuro heaved Hidan up into the air and threw him against the wall. Gaara walked over and whispered so quietly that Hidan could barely heard the boys words, he did however hear their vicious intent as clear as day.
"Temari may have failed to kill you but we wont."
"Well crap" Hidan laughed, Kankuro shifted his hold on the man to a choke hold, squeezing the life out of him. Hidan continued to laugh as Kankuro squeezed tighter and tighter.
"Tea's ready!" Temari sang in a cheery sing song voice, Hidan gasped for air as Kankuro released his hold and slowly backed away, ready to beat the crap out of him if he so much as twitched. "What happened here?" Temari asked in a sincerely fake note of surprise as she looked from her brother standing over Hidan like a pair of wolves over their caught prey. Waiting paitently to tear their sharp fangs into it's soft flesh.
"Nothin'" Kanuro grinned goofily as he smiled at his sister, "Just some good natured male bounding."
Hidan took his chance as Kankuro and Gaara turned their attention onto Temari to side step away, he sneaked around the two brothers and edged towards Temari who made a face at him. When Hidan was far enough away from the two psychotic punks and close enough to Temari had grabbed her arm and made a mad dash to the door.
"We'll be leaving now!" Hidan laughed from the doorway, "Nice meeting you and don't worry about your sister," He smirked smugly. "She's in good hands." With that he slammed the door shut behind him.
"Think we scared him?" Kankuro turned to his brother. He wasn't too worried, Temari knew karate and if needed she could break that guys arms in less than a second.
"Yes." Gaara said simply as he turned on the TV to watch the evening news.
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