A/N: This is the last chapter for a while, check my twitter tacosalad98 for updates on this story and others. I want to take 2 weeks to get ahead with the handwritten version of my story since I'm only 2 chapters ahead and ultimately would have had to take another hiatus either way. I also want to participate in TodoBakuTodo week in november so I have a lot behind the scenes, I'll do my best to make the most of this break but I'm human and get distracted so I may take more time if needed. This break will be productive, I'm speaking it into existence. Please enjoy, and I'll be back before you know it!

Disclaimer: We have well established that I don't own Naruto but just in case, here I am telling you that I don't lol.

Warning: None as far as I could tell but read at your own risk and let me know if somethong needs to have a warning.

Chap Summary: Our boys try to go back to how things were before they met but can things really go back to normal?

~~~(Monday Morning)~~~

Pein has been avoiding any and every thought that has to deal with the camping trip. He has even been deflecting questions from his friends about it but the universe doesn't allow him to avoid his problems for long if at all.

'Ugh I don't want any drama today… hell I don't even want to be here right now.' He thinks to himself before realizing that his friends are looking at him and seem worried.

"Pein are you ok?" Itachi asks, glancing at Pein over his glasses.

"Yeah you've seemed out of it since you came back from your trip," yawns Kakuzu from Hidan's lap and everyone is surprised that Kakuzu even noticed since he and Kisame don't really see much of anyone.

"HE WHAT!?" Hidan said and examined Pein then looked down at Kakuzu. "You noticed something was up and decided to say fucking nothing." Kakuzu simply turned into Hidan and ignored his hysterics.

"Did something happen?" Konan said gently

"Did Madara do something?" Sasori asked straight up

"Does that fucker need to get his face fucking rearranged?" Hidan asked, smirking, taking a lot of pleasure in the thought of being able to finally be turned loose on someone.

Pein is slightly overwhelmed with the attention and questions from his friends but before he could respond, ask them to back off, run, or any one of the billions of things his brain is telling him to do; he sees Madara walking in with his little brother. 'Izuna I think?' Pein notices how withdrawn and small Madara looks, it's almost as if he's waiting for something bad to happen or for someone to attack him.

'Strange' He thinks but he wants… No, he needs to talk to his friend. He mumbles some random thing to his friends but he's sure that whatever he said didn't make any type of sense still, he walks over to the brothers without a second thought. "Good morning guys.. Um Madara I wanted to tell you… well about the other day-"

"Pein.." Izuna cuts him off in warning not to start anything but Madara puts a hand on his shoulder to get him to back down, the entire moment makes Pein uneasy but he doesn't know why or why they're being hostile.

"Pein, I don't think we should be friends anymore." Madara said feigning cold indifference but the oldest of the three still wasn't sure this would prevent anything like Izuna expected it to.

Pein's eyes went wide in shock and disbelief and he felt like he was hearing everything underwater. 'What did… what is happening right now this isn't how this is supposed to go? I can't..' Pein snaps out of it and shakes his head. "No 'Dara if….. if this is about the ki-"

"I do not want to be friends with you anymore." Madara spoke sharply, his voice slicing deep and twisting into Pein as he cut the stunned boy off. The brothers then walked past the thunderstruck boy, leaving him paralyzed in place.

As he and Izuna walk away, Madara wished so badly that one of Pein's friend would beat the fuck out of him; he's convinced it would be painless compared to the guilt and mental anguish he is currently dealing with.

Once the brothers were out of sight and after figuring out who would be best to approach, Konan walked over to Pein, despite everyone —Konan included— agreed Sasori would be the best option.

"Pein… hun are you ok?" She asked cautiously and gently placed her hand on his shoulder. Pein snapped out of it and shrugged her off.

"'M fine," the bell rang and he sighs. "Let's just get to class." Pein spares a glance at her then heads back to get his things, ignoring how bad she seemed to want to continue the conversation.

~~~(Two Weeks Later)~~~

It's been two weeks, two agonizingly lonely weeks, since Madara stopped being friends with Pein; and neither boy has been taking the changes well. Madara only comes out of his room to eat, go to school, or work on his and his parents' cars when he's in the mood. But Pein… Pein's family is really worried about him because he eats less than before, which was never enough in the first place, he doesn't sleep or talk much now either. They only have each other so they're all out of their minds with worry so they have a secret house meeting while Pein is out dropping off a batch of essays to the nearby college.

"Alright guys what are we going to do? It's been two weeks we can't let Pein keep going on like this, I've probably slept as much as he has at this point." Kakuzu sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose in slight irritation. "Hidan and Itachi are driving Kisame and I fucking nuts, don't get me wrong we're worried too but I am fucking exhausted so start fucking brainstorming." He sits and crosses his arms, trying and failing to hide his annoyance.

"I don't know, hmm.. here's a crazy idea but maaybe talking to him would work," Deidara offers sarcastically as he works on his homework, "Unless that's just waaay too radical for you all, un."

Sasori rolls his eyes and mumbles something about him being a smartass. "That is a good idea but if we aren't smart about it he'll start avoiding us too… well more than he is now."

"Aargh! I hate this," Itachi slams his fist back against the wall he's leaning on "What did that asshole Madara fucking say to him anyway!? I should've fucking known, any uncle of mine would be bad fucking news but no I ignored my gut feeling and now Pein is hurt." He storms out of the house after that, no one goes after him, they understand that he just needs a moment alone to calm down.

"I think, and bear with me, this may be a terrible exhaustion fueled idea but hear me out completely; but I think Kakuzu should talk to him. Kakuzu is level- headed, honest, and with the lack of sleep he'll be a better listener than usual." Kisame tries and knows he'll be shut down for his outlandish idea but is surprised when he receives support instead.

"You're right Kisame," Konan says as everyone agrees. "Exhausted Kakuzu is the best listener, normally he'll just tune everyone out, especially Hidan. The fact that he noticed the situation and called a house meeting… I agree and everyone else does too, right?"

"I fucking hate all of you, I'm cutting takeout and snacks out of the budget for the next two months." He grumbles after everyone decides that he's the only person that has a shot at helping Pein.

"Fucking brats making me do shit when I'm this fucking…" He mumbles as he stands and stretches then lets out a huge yawn. "Whatever I guess since everyone has decided then I'll be in my room waiting so you idiots better not make him suspicious if he runs I'm not chasing him, you'll only get one shot." He glares at them and they get that he means that if he can't talk to Pein this time, there won't be another opportunity.

He leaves and Hidan swallows the lump in his throat. "Fuck he's fine as hell when he's annoyed and tired, but he's right. Even though he cares, he won't try to talk about this again even if he doesn't sleep ever again then he really will cut the budget like he said. And surely, we won't get another chance to corner Pein to talk to him."

"Why is that, un? Kaku-nii can't just let things go just like that." Deidara says questioningly, raising an eyebrow.

"The fuck he can't," Hidan cackles then shakes his head "Don't get me wrong Kakuzu cares about all of us a fuckton. You should know that by now, but he doesn't like it when people beat around the bush or avoid him when he deigns to take the time to help and Pein is the master of avoiding help. So let's not do anything stupid to fuck thigs up, yeah?" Hidan says and makes himself scarce for the rest of the day but despite his warnings Deidara and Konan end up being as unnatural as possible when they notice Pein coming back.

Instead of cooking like she usually would at this time, she was waiting with Deidara while he pretended to get her help on his homework as they both were basically overflowing with nervous energy and that's how they were when Pein walked back in the house. "Oh! Um… heeey Pein, how did your deliveries go?" Deidara drawls awkwardly and impossibly more unnaturally than ever.

"Yeah no, I'm not doing this," he gestures to them vaguely, "with you two. I'm going to my room now, see ya." Pein says disappearing up the stairs and the two youngest in the house chase after him.

"Wait! No please don't go, we were just…" Konan began, floundering for an excuse.

"Fuck fuck fuck, Hidan and Itachi are going to kill us for sure, Konan!" Deidara cried already in hysterics.

"Leave me alone!" Pein slams the door and Hidan comes out of the study room across the hall, hearing the commotion.

"What the fuck did you two DO? ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS ACT NATURAL! But no, for some god fucked reason it's ALWAYS you two, how the hell can it be possible!? You were never like this when we were on the streets god, I didn't fucking raise you two to be nosy fucking IDIOTS-" Hidan yells but stops feeling a strong steady hand on his shoulder then whirls around to give whoever it is a piece of his mind too but immediately deflates seeing Kakuzu and Kisame.

"Settle down Hidan, don't yell at them anymore." Kisame said and it brought Hidan's attention to Deidara and Konan looking much smaller than they should.

"Didn't I tell you to stop fucking talking to them like that!?" He smacks Hidan upside the head and scolds him, "Kisame, Sasori, and I can handle them, they're just kids. And so were you when you used to take care of them, so don't be so hard on them. You did as best as you knew how and they aren't bad kids so don't yell at them as if they are. Now you go talk to them and express yourself properly, and you two please go do your chores and homework after. Kisame, please make sure Hidan apologizes?" Kakuzu sighs and stretches.

"Of course Kakuzu. Come on you three let's go talk this out, yeah?" Kisame says, leading them down to the living room.

"Fine, un." Deidara pouts, he hates it when Hidan gets this mad at them.

"Whatever." Hidan mumbles, still a little frustrated with them but guilty.

"Okay I guess, sorry Kaku-nii." Konan says softly and follows the boys.

"No harm done kiddos, go on and talk it out." He calls after them then once they're out of earshot Kakuzu knocks on Pein's door.

"Go away Konan and Deidara! I don't want to fucking talk to you two, so fucking buzz off." Pein huffs exasperated

"Pein, it's Kakuzu, please open the door. I don't care if you're in a shitty mood but you know we don't speak to each other that way. Also whether you want to or not, we are going to talk about this or I'm just cutting wifi out of the budget until you snap out of whatever this is." He says smirking a bit hearing Pein scrambling to open the door.

"NO PLEASE DON'T! I know Hidan is a caveman but I'll die if-" He stops short after seeing Kakuzu's smug smirking face. "You're terrible, come in." Pein pouts and walks in his room allowing Kakuzu to follow him in.

"Eh maybe but it always works so I think I'll stick with whatever gets me through the door." He shrugs and sits on Pein's bed after closing the door behind him. "Nothing you say to me will leave this room unless you say something to everyone else or give me permission to tell them, so speak."

"Well I got an A+ on my history exam… oh and I made 300 dollars in essays this week. Honestly, that's the most interesting thing that has happened to me." Pein says pointedly ignoring what he knows Kakuzu wants him to talk about and sits at his desk typing up another assignment for someone.

"Hm that's good, actually it's good to hear. Maybe you and Hidan can handle the takeout and the snack budgets from now on, I'd love to save my money. I'd be happy to help you with the math too,obviously since Hidan struggles with math." Kakuzu mumbles and stretches across Pein's bed. "That's what the others put on the table to get me in here."

"Ok Kakuzu, two budget threats in two minutes is too much. I know what you want me to talk about and I really don't want to but I don't get why they made you come." Pein turns to look at him.

"Secret house meeting, everyone's worried… well Itachi is pissed but it was Deidara's idea that someone finally talk to you, Kisame's that it be me, and Hidan's constant whining that won't let me sleep so it's either you talk to me or you can take my threats as promises." He sits up blankly staring at the younger man, "Because I will walk out of this room and stop paying for extra shit at the expense of my sleep if you want to continue to waste our time. You know that I care about everyone of you guys but I won't beg you to let me help with whatever the fuck has you so upset that you aren't eating or sleeping. Nowlast chance, fucking speak or I'll leave." Kakuzu glares coldly and crosses his arms.

Pein looks at him and can see that there's no way that Kakuzu isn't serious he also knows he won't deal with it if it has to be someone else then sighs heavily, "Alright Kaku-nii… well it's about the camping trip, it was fun and all but it didn't really go as planned." He pulled his legs into his swivel chair to hug them close to his body. "Madara… he um, he kissed me while we were eating s'mores. I was really confused at first and I was gonna tell him we could just pretend it never happened but it did and now I don't know how to feel about him anymore."

"So the fucker kissed you without your consent!" Kakuzu sneers but quickly stomps the flare of pure rage down. "Sorry sorry… but he didn't try more… like try to well, you know?" He was angry and worried but had to get all of the facts before he flew off the handle, which he knows that he shouldn't do either since, with Pein it would do more harm than good.

"No! No no no nothing more than a kiss, don't worry. After he kissed me, I froze because I… I don't know but he like panicked or something and pushed me away from him then ran off. I was so shocked I didn't know what I wanted to do or what I should've been doing…" Pein explained beginning to tear up at the memories resurfacing. "I was… am? Mad, scared, confused, and maybe a little lost too… and now he doesn't want to be friends with me anymore!" He breaks off into a painful sounding sob and Kakuzu is sure that he's having flashbacks further back than two weeks ago.

Kakuzu pulled Pein close by the arm of his desk chair and tugged his arm til Pein understood what he wanted to do. The younger curled up next to his brother, in all but blood, then took a shuddery breath. "I… I was gonna tell him that we could just forget about it, pretend it never happened." Pein scrubbed at his eyes as he began to cry, "I know it's pathetic and useless to cry and whine but he was a really good friend to me and I'm pretty sure that he's a good guy and… and I don't want to lose that."

"Pein don't be too down on yourself, ok? If you need to cry you should even though it feels weak and disgusting, you'll feel better in the long run… have you given any thought as to why you feel so strongly about Madara and his absence in your life?" Kakuzu shifts to get them in a

more comfortable position.

"No not really, I just know that it hurts so bad that I'd rather let Naruto and his merry band of flying ass monkeys beat on me than continue on like this. I didn't even feel like this after my ex or… well you know who I mean, them." Pein shudders and curls up against Kakuzu closer, if that's even possible.

He tenses at the mentions of all the people who hurt Pein over the years and squeezes him tighter. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you think about them, I know it was hard to learn to deal with it all. This might be a better conversation for your therapist but you have never had positive interactions outside of the people you allow to stay by your side… at least that's what I've noticed."

"Yeah? I didn't know you were so observant… honestly I never really thought that you liked me, I'm glad you care." The orange- haired boy confesses. "And it's ok you didn't make me think about them anymore than I have since the whole ordeal."

"Of course I care, you dummy, I care about all of you and I know you know that. You guys are the only family that I've ever had. You guys are the only people that have ever given a shit about me." He blushes slightly then shakes his head. "But we're talking about you right now, and I think you need to talk to him, find out what his deal is, and fight for this friendship if that's what you want with him. It's really important that you know whether you want just a simple friendship or if you want more because that'll change things and judging from his reaction to the kiss and stuff, you might have to rethink your relationship and what you want out of it before you discuss it with him. Personally, I think there's trauma there as he reminds me of Itachi."

Kakuzu looks at Pein's wide-eyed shock and sighs, "Don't look at me like that, I'm fucking quiet and exhausted all the time but I notice things. Besides you kids trauma dump fucking constantly; Sasori, Kisame, and I had to basically become unlicensed therapists to help the others until we met you." He says pointedly, "Then we realized that we were so fucuking out of our depth and that's how the therapy budget was created, we have money set aside for you too in case your insurance stops paying for you."

"Wow thanks Kaku-nii I didn't… I'm so sorry that I thought you didn't like me even for a second but fuck, this is the most I've ever heard speak to someone." Kakuzu just laughs and falls back across the bed closing his eyes.

"It's because Hidan hasn't stopped worrying since you started acting weird and you know how he can be, I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything and you don't have to tell them anything but you should let everyone know that you're feeling better or less upset or whatever." Kakuzu scrubs his hands over his face realizing he's rambling. "Fuck, I've probably had about 4 hours or somthing of sleep in the last two weeks, fuck how am I not fucking dead yet… I think I'd prefer death at this point. God fuck I'm so tired, I'll fucking kill Hidan. If he says even one word to me I'll fucking kill him twice." He mumbles and Pein chuckles then stands up.

"Oh shut up you love him too much to kill him, get comfortable and rest awhile until your shift, ok? I appreciate you talking to me and everything, I'm sorry I was an ass so sleep here awhile." Pein moves the desk chair and brings the extra pillows to the bed then turns on his fan.

"Would it make you feel less guilty if I did?" He asks, watching Pein fuss over him, already getting comfortable as Pein watches with a smile. "I guess I could manage a short nap here, before work."

"Yes yes it would. Don't pretend that you're doing this just to make me feel better, I know that you've been too comfortable since you sat down. You have no willpower left, I could shave your head and you'd have no choice but to just let it happen." Pein laughs as he changes into house clothes, they both know Pein's right.

"Hmm whatever, you cheeky fucker. Just don't let any-" Kakuzu starts, a wave of panic rises but Pein quickly reassures him before the feeling can take hold.

"Hidan told us, I'll watch over you til you wake. You're safe here Kakuzu nii-san." Pein soothes and grabs his schoolwork then sits at his side to be close by. Kakuzu whispers a small thank you then drifts off into a peaceful sleep.

Once he's sure the older teen is definitely asleep, he texts Kisame hoping to earn Kakuzu more than a couple of hours of sleep. 'Hey Kisame, is there any way that you could take over Kakuzu's shift tonight? It's ok if you can't. I know you ought to be tired too lately so if you can't I'd just need to know what time to wake him up.'

'Of course I wouldn't mind but we are supposed to have the next few days off but you know he likes to save up his time for emergencies so we were planning to go, time is money and whatever. Last night boss said we look like shit and should at least take tonight but Kakuzu is the fucking stubborn one and wanted to push through it. So if he "misses" his shift or you "forget" to wake him there won't be any trouble.' The blue haired man replies and it's very obvious that he's exhausted and struggling to stay awake as the message is full of typos and emojis.

'Oh alright but if he gets mad when he wakes up I'm throwing you under the bus, I don't want to be on the receiving end of an angry Kakuzu' He responds, shaking his head at Kisame's antics.

'IDC IDC lol I'll survive an angry Kakuzu but if I have to work another night without sleep, I'll fuckin die.' Kisame replies chuckling, glad that the younger is feeling well enough to joke around.

'God you and Kakuzu are so fucking whipped, that's why y'all havent been getting sleep lol not because of me.' He laughs quietly as he teases the blue haired man.

'I'm glad you're feeling better but go fuck yourslef,yeah? Anyway I'm going to bed, I'll tell Itachi to leave dinner by your door. Let them know that you're better now ok? Or they'll lose their fucking minds with worry… if they haven't already.' Kisame can't help the giddy feeling at actually and finally getting some rest but also feels the weight of his own worry lift from his chest and wants the same for the others.

'Yeah yeah yeah, get some rest. I'll talk to them, night.' He chuckles and runs his hand through Kakuzu's hair then goes to the family group chat.

'Hey guys, I'm really sorry for worrying y'all and being a bitch to you guys especially Dei and Koko you didn't deserve that. Kakuzu set me straight and talked some sense into me but he's sleeping now so I'll be up here with him til he wakes up.' Everyone expresses their relief and provides offers to help or listen more or cheer him up and explain that they want to be there for him however they can. Pein can't help the grin that breaks across his face and the way some of the guilt at his recent behavior melts away.

'Don't fucking shut us out like that again, you understand me!? I… I'm.. I feel responsible, and I know it isn't my fault. I already had that conversation with Kisame but still…' And Pein can almost hear the message from the raven, he knows exactly what conversation Kisame probably had with him.

'I understand, 'Tachi. I know you just said this and you heard this from Kisa-nii but I really want you to hear it from me, nothing about this whole thing is your fault at all. When Kaku-nii wakes up, let's talk more, yeah?' Pein offers wishing he could talk to Itachi and ease his worries himself right away but he won't do anything to disturb Kakuzu's rest or betray his trust even if he doesn't completely understand either of his brothers' issues.

'Yeah… alright, food will be done soon.' Itachi replies with a little happy but relieved looking emoji

Pein smiles softly and does his work, happy to ease his family's worries if only a little but he's also aware he has to have a few more conversations and likely more than a couple lectures but if that's what it takes to get things back to normal, whatever that really is, then it's a small but worthy price to pay.