Hidan's P.O.V.
Ponytail shook his head at my attempt to again follow Hinata. I shot him a look that should have killed him. He shrugged.
"You need a plan," he said sternly, "you can't just rush off. We should talk with Lady Tsunadae."
"They are goin' to kill her. For that… To get a hold of Naruto. Holder of the Kyuubi. They know that they can bait him with her!" I yelled.
I had never been this angry, but Hinata's own ally would allow her to die. I could kill this kid.
"Well, luckily, Tsunadae was smart enough to expect this…" he said.
"Shikamaru, what the hell do you have planned?" called Naruto.
Hinata's P.O.V.
I woke in the middle of a cave. I recognized Kisame and Konan.
"Hidan was… repaired," Konan said, "You should thank Kakuzu."
I turned to see my previous attacker. I took a step back, and then remembered the two behind me. I don't want this… I want Hidan… I've never been selfish, how did this happen? Kakuzu's fist hit me sending me back. I rolled to my feet, fully defensive. My shoulder throbbed from the slices of Kisame's sword. I felt blood run down my arm.
When I heard my blood hit the ground, I charged Kakuzu. I dodged right as he attacked, spinning and hitting him with the gentle fist. He staggered and I launched into the Eight Trigram 64 Palms. Kisame kicked my from behind, sending me into a recovered Kakuzu. He caught me by the throat, squeezing and causing me to cough.
"Who's that?" said a boy behind Kakuzu.
Kakuzu threw me to the ground. I looked again to the boy. He had orange-ish hair. Next to him stood a boy with dark hair and dark eyes.
"S-Sasuke… you… are with the…" My voice fell.
"Juugo, we've got our orders," he said, "Hinata, you have no idea of what your role here is."
With that, they left. I moved to follow but Kakuzu kicked me towards the opposite wall. With that I saw just how much trouble I was in. I suddenly wished Hidan hadn't followed me, because he would die.
"Kakuzu, let me in!"
Hidan's P.O.V.
Kakuzu looked at me as though I had five arms.
"I'm back. You have what I wanted from the village."
He was dumbstruck. Konan was behind him.
"We are short handed. Welcome back. If you betray us this time, we kill her," Konan said.
"I live for her, not that damned village. And I now know the village," I continued, "Fucking bitches thought they ruled me."
"Hidan.." her voice stopped as Kakuzu went to kick her.
My body tensed. Konan watched my body language.
"Well, let's present the girl to Pein. Hidan, you come with me. Kakuzu, hand him the girl," she said.
Kakuzu threw Hinata at me.
"Hinata, are you…"
"You followed me," she said.
"We belong to the Akatsuki," I apologized.
For now. I will figure this out. I remembered Tsunadae's orders: Neutralize the enemy and save Hinata. How did this go so wrong?
It was when Pein decided Hinata belonged to him and the Akatsuki that I spoke.
"I want her to be my partner," I said.
"You have a partner," he replied.
"I came back," I said steadily, "to stay with her."
He held my gaze, glancing at Konan. She shrugged, "I'd just agree. He'll get his way eventually."
"After all, Kakuzu just about killed her," Pein noticed.
My heart broke as I watched Hinata struggle to stand. Pein smirked slightly.
"Bring in Kakuzu," he told Konan.
"Don't. Pein, I swear if you let him near her-"
"I could kill her right now. Shut your mouth," he snapped.
Hinata stood still. Her eyes filled with fear. What the hell have I done? What does Kakuzu have to do with this? Why Hinata? My mind raced, my blood raced. My breath was short. I would die for Hinata, even here. If she could escape, I would die.
"Should I finish her?" Kakuzu asked.