Chapter 7.
Hazel couldn't believe how long they hiked. The small scratches on her legs stung from salt within her own sweat. It had to have been hours yet the man before her appeared to have no intention of stopping. He didn't even pause for breakfast. He merely snagged some fruit from a passing tree, handed her a few, then continued walking without a word. She yearned to ask where they were heading and just how long he intended to walk for. But there is no chance of the two having such a detailed conversation. She considered trying to show him what she wished to ask through charades. Yet there is no way she could feasibly achieve that and the last thing she wants to do is anger this man. Not only did he kill someone- But he has struck her, made her wear said dead man's vest, and then proceeded to use fear tactics and intimidation to keep her in a near constant state of panic. She may be naive but only a moron would continue to poke the proverbial bear. Her eyes traveled down towards the vest. The slightly torn leather almost made her throw up all over again. Just knowing where this came from upset her deeply. The only reassurance she could give herself is the fact she never once asked for this and that, never once, was she given a choice either. She examined the killer hiking ahead. It's blatantly obvious that he holds incredible power. It's also clear that he is totally aware of this. The way he composes himself screams 'I will not hesitate.' It's a very predatory way of holding oneself that Hazel's conscience-mind didn't fully understand. Yet her instincts are screaming for her to be careful… To fear him.
'Well he still hasn't killed me. He's kept me fed me too. I can work with this, right…?' The last time she was left alone in this forest was less than pleasant. She has no survival skills while this beast of a man looks like he could take down a rhino for dinner. She's horrified by what he did but she has no other options with the hand she's been dealt. Cooperation is her only move in her mind.
'Crap, I've been reduced to a damsel in distress waiting for a hero. As if that's not bad enough, I have no choice but to rely on my kidnapper for help. What happened to all of those plans I made during horror movie night? I could strategize then, why can't I now?' Her mom had warned her once- 'Watching a serial killer murder someone in a movie is completely different than experiencing it in real life.'Hazel use to think those people were so stupid for dying and yet here she is…no better than them. Her head lolled back as she groaned.
'You were right mom…. I look like a moron.'
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
It'll take them another day to make it to Shukuba so Kakuzu found another campsite for the two of them. This night, they are staying underneath a tree. The roots are uplifted and exposed enough for the two to slip underneath. The only problem is, it's cramped. The space is tall enough for Hazel to crawl through on all fours but Kakuzu had to army crawl on his stomach in order to slip inside. It isn't great but even Hazel felt much safer within the roots. Also, thanks to the lack of space, their combined body heat made the area quite warm. With their stomachs filled with foraged fruit and nuts, Hazel found herself quite content….
Except for the fact he's staring right at her.
Hazel's eyes drifted to just about anywhere but his gaze. As if she isn't already on edge, being examined so intently left her nerves fried. Kakuzu recognized her discomfort but he is busy thinking about how he was going to teach her to speak. (He also just didn't care.) Kakuzu realizes that she can't read their books. So, will he be forced to read them to her? What types of books should he steal?
'I need something concise and obvious. Something a complete moron can grasp. I can't really graspp what her personal intellectual level is at this time. But I can assume from the device it's most likely a higher level. Although… her actions do say otherwise… Picture books should be a good place to start either way.' While Kakuzu kept planning, Hazel tried to find something to ease the tension he was creating. His stare is digging deeper and deeper and it's making her skin crawl.
'Why is he staring at me like thaaaattt? What does he want?' She felt sweat pouring from the back of her neck. Her teeth began chewing up the inside of her lip. She has no clue how to handle his scrutiny- so she panicked.
"Um, Hi?" Immediate facepalm.
'WHY DID I SAY THAT!?' Hazel internally berated herself as Kakuzu lifted a single brow.
'What is she doing?' The brat just said something to him but then she smacked herself…? Why? His focus switched to trying to decipher what just occurred as Hazel finally halted her spastic pity party in order to regroup.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT! He probably thinks I'm crazy. Damnit! I really don't want to talk but I started this. 'Probably should follow through with it.'
"H-h-hello?"Hazel waved a hand. She didn't consider if he could understand the gesture but lucky for them, it's universal. Kakuzu took this all in and figured it was about as good of a start as any.
"Hello." Hazel's shoulders tensed and a blush bloomed across her nose and cheeks. Even though she started the conversation she really hadn't expected him to respond.
"H-hello?" The girl mimicked. Kakuzu nodded and was a bit relieved by her interest. Hazel saw his confirmation before she whispered the word a few more times. She was hoping to etch it into her memory.
"Hello…. Uh, Helloooo! Ah- crap what now? Ummmmm OH! Hello! Hazel! -" She placed a hand on her chest and repeated her name.
"-Hazel! Gosh, I sound like an idiot! …H-hellooo? - "She pointed at him and thankfully he got the gist of that dumpster fire. Kakuzu took a moment to consider if he should give her his real name. But unfortunately, the two of them will probably be traveling together for some time. He had no interest in keeping a cover for that long and so he went ahead.
"Kakuzu. Hello, Hazel." Hazel's jaw dropped. They are talking.
"K-Kakusu! He-llooo Kakusu." Kakuzu almost cringed.
"Ka-ku-zu. My 'name' is Kakuzu." She winced.
"Sorry, Kakuzu!" He didn't understand the first word she used but he assumed it was an apology. Kakuzu kept pushing the conversation in the hopes that this could prove fruitful. A chance has appeared, and he wanted to use this opportunity to its fullest. He slipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve the mysterious device.
"Name?" He pointed at the phone, yet Hazel is a bit lost.
"N-namue?" Kakuzu huffed. He knew how to get his question across but he dreaded how childish this process is already.
"Hazel, Kakuzu- "He pointed at the object. "-Name?"
"Oh that!"
"Ohthat?" Hazel smacked both of her hands across her mouth and profusely shook her head.
"No! Oh no sorry!...Name, phone!" Kakuzu rolled his eyes.
"Phone?" Hazel replied with a tense smile.
"Yes, phone." Kakuzu slipped the 'phone' back into his pocket. He saw her eyes longingly stare at her missing possession, but she remained quiet.
'Good, good. I can take this even further.' He tapped the tree's base above them with the back of his knuckle.
"Name?"
"Tree!" She chirped but her smile dropped when he shook his head.
"No, its name is tree." Hazel is mildly annoyed. Although she figured out what he was trying to accomplish.
"Tree?"
"Yes…Tree" He confirmed. Hazel surveyed the tree surrounding them. She realized he's going to try to teach her how to speak his language. Now she just has to stick with her plan, cooperation.
"Kakuzu?"
"-Yes?" The girl pulled at the top she wore.
"Name?"
"Vest." Hazel's face is determined, she finally found something she could help herself with. If she can learn how to speak to him. Maybe then she can figure out what exactly she's dealing with. This, this right here is how she'll fight.
"Vest- "She pointed towards the piece of clothing covering her legs. "-Kakuzu, name?" He answered her.
"Pants."
'Well... So, it begins.' He silently remarked. He knew this was the beginning of a long journey for them.
-But he could have never predicted how true that sentiment was.
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
The pair went on and on for about an hour before she finally succumbed to sleep. They had to repeat some words a few times but so far, he isn't too irritated. Kakuzu figured it shouldn't be too torturous of an experience should she stay driven. He found himself interested too, at times. Even he couldn't resist the temptation to pick up a few words. At dawn, Hazel woke up a little more comforted after the talk they had. It further confirmed her theory that he, in fact, doesn't want her dead. So, if he wants her alive then they have the same agenda. The past still haunts her mind, whispering 'what if's' into her ear. But she shoved those thoughts into the farthest pit of her skull and tried to push on. Using their new 'game' to distract herself from the very real danger his existence presents. It is a great way to pass time while hiking, too.
"Name?"
"Rock."
"Uuuuuummmmm, name?" Kakuzu looked at what she was pointing at now.
"Cloud."
"Oooooohhhhhhh… hmmmmmmmm…" While Hazel contemplated what to ask next. Kakuzu thought about where they'll travel towards after Shukuba.
'We'll camp outside the village and I'll leave during the night, after that. What is next? -'
"Kakuzu! Kakuzu! Name?" He quickly assessed.
"Branch."
"Aaahhh." She nodded sagely before going back and reflecting over what she's learned. He could hear her whisper the countless names they reviewed. Messing up many of them but he could tell she is trying.
'I have already decided that finding her people is my top priority and teaching her is the key. I suppose I'll have to- 'He pinched the bridge of his nose with a hidden scowl. What he was about to do is going to cut down his income GREATLY. It is something he never considered a possibility but-
'-There is no other option. Bounty hunting for shinobi is too dangerous and I can't risk losing an opportunity this promising. So, I will retrieve our supplies and then down grade to simple, safer miscellaneous missions. I must still make an income. I can't give that up, even with her around.' Kakuzu isn't excited about taking a financial hit like this but sometimes a little risk is necessary in order to make a Ryo.
"-Kkaaaakkkkkkuuuuusssuuuuuuu!?" A vein visibly popped up from his temple. He couldn't understand how she kept messing up his name.
"Ka-ku-ZU." Hazel squeaked.
"Ka-Ka-Kakuzu? N-name?"
"Kill me…"
"Kill me?" Kakuzu rubbed at his temples.
"-Dammit- "She tilted her head back at him with a furrowed brow. Hazel didn't realize what happened.
"Kill me, dammit?" Kakuzu groaned.
8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888