Chapter song - party 4 u by Charli XCX (Hidan pov)

Kakuzu awoke as normal and sleepily got out of bed. Today was a Saturday, which meant he didn't have to been in to work until later than normal. He went into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee, then walked out onto his apartment's balcony.

Unlike all the guys, he never bothered with cigarettes. He did his best to keep a healthy routine, keeping even caffeine consumption pretty low. Coffee from time to time did wonders for him so he sipped on it slowly, leaning back on the wall and looking over the city.

The sun was already up and the air was starting to get stuffy from the heat of the summer. He didn't finish his coffee before he headed back inside to get a bite to eat.

Today wasn't just any Saturday, though. It was the first of the month, which meant a party at Pain's house. All of the employees at Red Dawn went to the monthly house party, bringing along their girlfriends, boyfriends, and plenty of booze. It was always a riot, with thumping music and party games.

He'd been going solo for the past few months. Nobody ever complained. Yet when the night got late and people started getting a little too friendly with each other, Kakuzu always left with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Kakuzu smiled for a second, remembering a truth or dare party when Yugito... no, stop.

He snarled a frown and snapped the rubber band on his wrist.

He had to stop thinking about her.

Ping.

Hidan was sound asleep.

Ping ping.

...

A melody began blaring from Hidan's cell. He groaned and reached over, eyes still shut.

The light from his phone blinded him, bright in the dark bedroom. It was probably late but his blinds were shuttered so he could sleep in as late as he wanted.

He answered the call.

"Morning sleepy-head!" Deidara chimed.

"Fuck you."

"Awww, did I wake you up? It's past noon already, wake the hell up, hmm." Deidara responded.

Hidan laid in bed, eyes closed. "Unlike you, I ain't got shit to do today. The fuck did you wake me up for?"

"I texted you earlier, hmm. Sasori danna is invited to a house party tonight and I'm going with. You should come, too."

Hidan blinked a few times. "I don't wanna go to some dumb-ass college party."

Deidara scoffed. "It's not a college party, it's with the guys Sasori is interning for. You remember them from last week, right?"

Hidan paused. Deidara was talking about the guys from Red Dawn. He wasn't there for too long last week but it seemed like a super chill place. He'd known Deidara's boyfriend Sasori for a few months now but everyone else was still pretty unfamiliar to him.

But fuck it, he wasn't shy.

"I'm down."

9 pm rolled around, and Hidan was getting ready. Blue jeans and a tight-fitting black shirt with quarter-length sleeves. He finished gelling his hair back as he did everyday, and tucked his pendant into his shirt.

He glanced through his medicine cabinet and found his Armani cologne, spreading some on the inside of his wrists.

He was ruffling through his closet for sneakers when a horn blared outside. He hurried up, running to the door, then back-tracking to the kitchen fridge. He grabbed the six-pack inside, slammed the door shut and went out front.

Sasori's old pick-up looked out of place in front of Hidan's luxury apartment, idling loudly. Sasori revved the engine obnoxiously loudly, impatient as always. It was just a two-seater, so Hidan hopped in the back. The panel window slid open and he could hear arguing. Hidan sat against the cabin so he could hear over the rumble.

Deidara leaned over. "Ready hmm?"

"Yup."

The truck lurched and they were on their way. It was summer but the sun had mostly set, leaving warm air flowing around Hidan.

"What did you bring?" Deidara asked.

"Just some IPAs." Hidan responded.

Deidara blanched. "If you're gonna drink beer why not get beer that actually tastes good?"

"Yeah, like what?" Sasori mused.

Deidara huffed matter-of-factly. "Light beers are the best. Michelob Ultra, Shiner Light, you name it. Way better than IPA or that garbage Blue Moon that you drink."

Sasori ignored him but reached over and stole a pinch. "Oww!" Deidara yelped.

Hidan chimed in, "Nah, I know IPAs taste like shit but six of these babies will go a lot farther in getting me shit-faced, my guy."

Deidara rolled his eyes. "You just wait and see. I always drink what Konan makes, she's got a mini-bar, hmm. Her long islands will get you blacked out."

Hidan grinned. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah! Pain and Konan live in like a mini-mansion or whatever." Deidara beemed.

Hidan reached into his six-pack and grabbed his first drink of the night, popping the cap off with a chink on Sasori's bed liner. "Hey! You trying to get me pulled over?!" Sasori yelled from the driver's seat.

Hidan shrugged, taking a gulp. The warm air and cool beer felt invigorating.

The truck's engine boomed as it got up to highway speeds. Ten minutes later, they had arrived.

Deidara wasn't kidding around. The sun had set by now but Hidan could see that the towering house was two-stories and had all of its numerous windows lit. It was on a huge lot so the music wouldn't even disturb the neighbors.

They pulled up into a long driveway that was crowded with cars. Everyone hopped out and they strode up to the front, ringing the doorbell.

"Heeey!" Konan beemed as she opened the door.

"Pizza! Pizza!" Kisame chanted as he ran up to the door behind Konan, pushing her aside. He saw Deidara, Sasori, and himself and his excited expression turned into a frown. He slung two arms around Deidara and Sasori. "Nah, just you dorks. Come on in! You too, Hidan."

Kisame drug the two unwillingly into the house while Hidan followed curiously. They entered the living room that was filled with couches, people, and red solo cups. EDM played on stereo speakers around a nice entertainment system.

He grinned. This was gonna be a good Saturday.

Hidan turned his head to Konan, holding up his beer. "Hey miss, where's the fridge at?"

She laughed. "Just call me Konan. And it's over there," she said, pointing towards the kitchen.

Deidara and Sasori were already talking busily with Kisame about football or some dumb shit, so Hidan headed for the kitchen. There was a huge jug full of red liquid on the counter, probably jungle juice. Hidan shuddered, remembering past memories with the devilish drink. Nope nope nope. Just beer for tonight. He opened the fridge door and set the beer in, grabbing his second bottle and popping it open.

He leaned back on the counter, taking a few more eager gulps. Someone walked by him and he moved out of their way, the fridge opening between them. When it closed, he was met with dark green eyes.

A crack sounded and the guy took a gulp of hard seltzer. He leaned back on the kitchen island. "So they dragged you here too, huh?"

"Uhh..." Hidan stared at him. He didn't recognize the man at first but the stitched tattoos and dark skin gave it away. It was Kakuzu. They had met once before, but Kakuzu was a very different picture here. What shocked Hidan was his face—he had only seen Kakuzu with his mask on. The stitches crossed his face from his mouth to his ears. He had a firm jawline and a very masculine appearance despite his long hair. Hidan noticed that it was drawn into a low pony rather than a knot, coming to rest on the front of Kakuzu's dark green tank top.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." His wide mouth broke out into a brilliant smile.

Hidan could feel his face heat up in embarrassment. "Dude, I seriously didn't recognize you." He tried to laugh it off. "I've only met your ugly mug once, anyway."

"Yeah, yeah. So you're here with Sasori and Deidara?" Kakuzu asked.

"Yup. They're over in the living room getting pushed around by Kisame." Hidan responded.

Kakuzu breathed out a laugh. "Sounds about right."

Hidan didn't want to go back to the living room, so he tried to think of a way to save the lingering conversation. He spotted Kakuzu's drink. "White Claw, huh? Lemme guess, you're the DD?"

Kakuzu half-glared at him. "Nah, I'm just not trying to get shit-faced is all."

Hidan hummed. "Oh yeah? And why would that be? There's some jungle juice right there if ya want some. "

Kakuzu glanced over at the red jug. "Thanks, but no thanks. Way too much fucking sugar."

At that moment, Deidara, Sasori, and Konan all paraded into the kitchen. "But Konaaan, I wanted a long island," Deidara whined.

"Too bad." Konan said. "This stuff is just as strong, you'll be fine." She poured the couple two solo cups full of the danger-liquid and they tasted it tentatively.

Sasori grimaced but Deidara lit up.

"Mmm... thanks Konan!" Bubbled Deidara.

"Hey guys, we're getting started!" Kisame yelled from the living room.

They all shuffled out of the kitchen. Hidan found a seat next to Kakuzu and Sasori and Deidara shared a bean bag on the floor.

Various other people were seated around the living room. Kisame checked his phone and then cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Aight guys, we're doing Ultimate Chicken Horse tonight." Various whoops went around the room. "Okay, okay, settle down. First, we have some newbies." Kisame raised his hand towards Hidan and Deidara. "Ladies?"

Deidara rolled his eyes. Sasori stood up. "This is my boyfriend Deidara. He attends the same art school that I do although his views on art are twisted." Deidara shot him a glare which Hidan laughed at.

Sasori continued, "and this asshole is Hidan. He's Dei's best friend. No occupation."

"Hey!" Hidan retorted.

Kisame laughed. "Oookay! Y'all probably haven't met all of us, so let's all introduce ourselves."

Groans went around the audience.

Hidan watched as everyone introduced themselves. He knew Kisame, Pain, Konan, and Kakuzu, but there were a few people that he was unfamiliar with. Madara was a stoic man with long spiky black hair, and appeared a few years older than everyone else. Zetsu had short hair dyed green, and continually mumbled to himself. Nagato sat near Pain and had medium-length red hair. Sasori whispered to Hidan that he was another big name in the tattoo industry. Hidan wasn't too surprised, only Red Dawn employees and their close friends were invited to this bash, and almost everyone had tattooed sleeves or large pieces on their bodies.

If anything, Hidan and Deidara stuck out like kids, not a tattoo in sight.

The night went on, and as the games progressed, the drinks disappeared.

Hidan groggily squinted at his watch.

"1...3? 3:30." He said.

Hidan lolled his head around on the couch. He was totally sloshed. They'd been having so much fun up until this point, but everybody was tired and heading home now. A few people were already passed out on the floor. He looked around for that familiar head of blonde hair but didn't see anything.

"Hey."

Hidan flopped his head towards the voice.

"Are you okay?" Kakuzu sounded concerned.

"Uhhh...where is Deidara?" Hidan responded.

"Bro, they left like an hour ago. It's late." Kakuzu said.

Hidan felt his head spin and he shut his eyes.

"Hey hey hey, don't pass out on me. Where do you live? I'll take you home."

Hidan opened his eyes. Shutting them made the spinning worse. "Uhh..."

Kakuzu pushed him. "Dude, come on, I wanna go home. Where do you live?"

This was all too much. Hidan was way too drunk, he could barely think straight.

A moment later, the room started spinning around him, but somehow different this time. When the lights faded he realized he was outside, nestled in strong arms against a warm chest. He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes again. He could hear a voice but it faded as he fell asleep...

Kakuzu stared at the road ahead as he drove home the next morning. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and he drove with the music turned down low. He was stuck in thought.

He had woken up that morning to see Hidan fast asleep on the couch. The blanket he had thrown on him was on the floor, and Hidan was twisted into a position that couldn't have been comfortable. Kakuzu hadn't been sure how to wake him up, so he snuck out to the gym instead.

Now he was on his way back home to face Hidan, freshly showered and wide-awake.

A drug store came into view and Kakuzu pulled over. He blinked. What was he doing?

He got out, keys jingling as he shut the car door. He was in and out of the store, carrying out a sack with some Gatorade and pain meds.

He was just doing the kid a favor. Yeah. That's all.

Since last night, Hidan had been making rounds in Kakuzu's head. He'd never thought of a guy like that, but after seeing Hidan blush when he teased him... well, he wasn't sure what to think anymore.

He pulled up to his apartment, hopped up three flights of stairs, and opened the door quietly.

Hidan was sitting up on the couch, blanket in his lap and looking at his phone. He glanced over at Kakuzu.

"There..," his voice croaked and he coughed, "there you are. I was wondering were you went."

Kakuzu walked over to his kitchen counter and set the sack down. "I just went to the gym down the street. I picked some stuff up for you."

He walked over to Hidan and sat down on the chair opposite the couch. He handed Hidan the drink and meds. Hidan paused for a moment, looking at them, then washed some down quickly.

"Whew...thanks. I feel like shit." Hidan said.

Kakuzu laughed softly. "You look like shit, too."

Hidan smirked. "That was some party. Deidara was blowing my phone up this morning and woke me up, dumbass. Was wondering where I was."

"Yeah?" Kakuzu said.

"Yeah. He's basically like an alarm clock, always calling me and shit." Hidan laughed to himself. "You should've heard his voice when I told him I crashed here."

"Why?"

Hidan looked over with an eyebrow raised, but smiled awkwardly and averted his gaze. "Nah... you wouldn't do something like that."

Kakuzu was quiet for a moment before it clicked.

"I tried to give you a ride home last night but you passed out. So I brought you here and dumped you on the couch. That's it. Nothing else happened."

Hidan smiled softly.

"Ok."

Kakuzu stood up. "Want some breakfast? It'll help your stomach settle down."

Hidan smiled. "Yeah, that sounds great."

He stood up as well, but paled and hit the couch again. "Uhh... maybe I'll just lie here for a while. This hangover is kicking my ass."

Kakuzu laughed. "Sure, whatever."

They chatted for a while, enjoying each other's company as Kakuzu made pancakes. Not typical for him, but Hidan could use the carbs.

Later that afternoon, Kakuzu drove Hidan to his apartment. He knew it was his place from the motorcycle parked out front, but he was still surprised to see it was such a nice apartment. It was much more up-scale than Kakuzu's, not that he cared about comparing. The fenced-in security was a hassle, anyway.

Monday was uneventful. Kakuzu was booked for 2 long appointments through the afternoon, so he kept his head down and stayed busy. He couldn't find a clean new medical mask this morning so he went without, which was a bother. The sound of alt-rock music and tattoo needles buzzing filled his day.

The only interesting thing of note happened during Kakuzu's second session. As he was working, he glanced over at the reception desk and noticed something odd. Hidan was here and talking excitedly to Hinata, standing off to the side of the desk.

Why was he here? Kakuzu wasn't ready to give his client a break just yet, so he kept on working, confusion in the back of his head.

Eventually, the tattoo was done. Kakuzu walked up to the front with his client as Konan checked him out. He got a sizable tip, as per usual. The door jingled as the man walked out, and Kakuzu turned to Konan.

"What was Hidan doing here earlier?"

Konan looked up from her papers. "Huh? Oh... I don't know. He was talking to Hinata, I think she's still here somewhere."

Kakuzu turned back towards his desk. He could hear her now, chatting with Kisame. Kakuzu grabbed his wheely chair and rolled over to them, sitting down. Hinata was asking Kisame about unusual piercings and what he could do next for her.

She blushed as Kakuzu rolled up. "Hey, Kakuzu."

"Hey, Hinata. Sorry to interrupt, but Hidan was here earlier, right?"

"Yeah, why?" Hinata said.

"Well we kicked it off after that party last weekend, I was wondering why he didn't come say hi to me." Kakuzu said simply.

Kisame came over and threw an arm around Kakuzu, a shit-eating grin on his face as per usual. "Aww, does someone have a crush? I'm sure he won't be gone toooo long."

Kakuzu pushed him off. "Fuck off."

Kisame stepped back, actually surprised. He quickly grinned again, before doubling over in laughter.

"Dude, look at your face! Forget your mask at home today, buddy?"

Kakuzu stared at him, realizing that a blush had crept over his face. He scowled, "I don't have a crush on Hidan. You know I don't fuck around with dudes. You're just embarrassing me, is all."

Kisame wiped a tear from his eye and slapped Kakuzu's back. "It's okay my guy, we don't discriminate here."

He rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, what did Hidan want? I saw him talking with you earlier." Kakuzu said.

Hinata was smiling from the banter but quickly switched to a cute look of puzzlement. "Hmm... I don't remember?" She said, with a strange smile on her face.

Kisame groaned. "Oh my god. Hinata, you are the worst liar I have ever heard."

She huffed and crossed her arms, but she looked more cute than mad. "Hidan wanted some work as a client."

"A client...?" Kakuzu trailed off. Hidan didn't have any tattoos, which is why Hinata was always here. To take pictures of people for the artist's portfolios. So what did she mean by client?

Hinata straightened up. "Customer confidentiality. Sorry." She shrugged.

Kisame came over to her this time, taking his over-sized hands and balling them into fists.

"Kisame, wha...?"

"Noogie noogie noogie noogie!" Kisame shouted, grabbing her head and messing up her hair.

"OWWW! Stop!" She cried.

Kakuzu's scowl lightened up, breaking out into a smile.

Footsteps sounded and Konan appeared, pushing Kisame off Hinata. She held the poor girl's head in her arms, patting her head.

"What the hell, Kisame?" Konan glared.

Kisame puts his arms behind his head, whistling nonchalantly into the distance.

Konan glared at Kakuzu this time. "And why aren't you doing anything to stop this?" She questioned.

Hinata sniffled, feigning despair. Kisame wouldn't really hurt her, but Kakuzu knew from first-hand experience that even his play-noogies were not that pleasant.

Konan looked down at Hinata. "Okay girlie, let's go brush your hair."

"Okay..." she said softly. They started walking off, but then Hinata turned towards Kakuzu.

"Hidan wanted photos for some...model work." she said.

Kakuzu stared after her as the two girls walked off. This just left more questions in his head. Model work? What kind of model work? Is that why Hidan had such a nice apartment?

"Model work?" Kisame said. He grinned. "Looks like you snagged yourself a sexy little snowbunny, huh?"

Kakuzu playfully punched his arm, but Kisame grimaced a smile. "Dude, ease off the weights!"

A/N: Open alcoholic beverage containers in vehicles are illegal :p