Chapter 18.

After they made it to the city, they began to see people walking around. Kakuzu kept an eye on Hazel but she paid the others no mind. The child is fascinated with the familiar cars and buildings instead. This is an exciting turn of events for her yet what is exciting and familiar for Hazel, is confusing and alien for the shinobi. These people are just… different to him, like Hazel. Although, now that he's here Kakuzu does notice some similarities with the Cloud Village. Yet besides that what really floored him was spotting the occasional civilian that could have hailed from his own village. These individuals would have easily passed as locals unlike the child he's stuck with. He had initially jumped to the conclusion that they were from his continent and almost ditched the city until the lack of chakra alerted him that they too, are foreign. Uncomfortable is an understatement for the mercenary.

'Every last one of them should be dead yet here they stand. Quite alive for chakraless husks. This is unnatural.' Kakuzu is aware of the irony in that statement. He has no right to call anyone unnatural but these people are in his opinion.

"Kakuzu, what look?" Hazel cut in.

"-Hotel. Look for a hotel. Do you understand?" Hazel smirked.

"This English, I can."

"I'll leave you to it then." Kakuzu assumes ryo won't work around here and he wouldn't have paid for a room in the first place. They'll just sneak into the hotel like he always does. FINDING the hotel would have been an issue but with the girl here to translate it should be simple enough. As Hazel scanned the signs, she noticed a theme and eventually spotted a stand of post cards set up outside of a shop.

"*Gasp* Kakuzu! This is Anchorage! We in Alaska!" Kakuzu can gather that she had named a location.

"You know where we are?" She beamed at him as she skipped backwards down the sidewalk.

"Yes!"

"Where is your home then?" That killed her mood. She stopped skipping and leaned against a light post.

"Far…Hazel home far. Don't know, know…know start?" She can't convey what she wants to say. Hazel is trying to tell him she may understand the jist of where they are at, but she can't navigate them.

"What nonsense are you spouting, child? Know start, know start…. - "Kakuzu had to repeat the words a couple of times before he could piece them together.

"-Ah, we are far away still. Lost but not lost? -" Hazel's smile is rueful. She didn't respond but for once, Kakuzu doesn't see an issue.

"- We aren't truly lost; you know enough. Find the hotel. I must rest. After that we will get a map tomorrow and take you home." To Hazel's utter surprise, she understood that.

'Hell yea! Making some progress with this language! Alright, I can read the map and he'll keep us alive-'

"Hotel, map, home… This good. I like!" She hopped and clapped. It drew a bit of attention to the pair, but her mannerisms actually help their cover. Father and daughter enjoying a day in the city. Nothing suspicious and surely no one is a murderous, rogue shinobi bounty hunter traveling with his captive.

"Well then Hazel, get back to your search."

"Will do!"

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An hour later.

After a fair amount of searching another car passed the duo while crossing the street. The music inside the vehicle is so painfully loud that the body of the sedan is shaking. You can even hear the speakers and car's bumpers rattling. Kakuzu flinched again but kept his hands far away from his hidden weapon pouch this time. Hazel has noticed him fighting to stay calm and decided she will try to help the shinobi since the girl understands what he's going through better than anyone. He may have been a total asshole to her but that doesn't mean she has to be.

"That car, Kakuzu. Car"

"I remember. They are loud."

"Very!"

"Do you see a hotel?"

"No. I look, no hotel. Hazel ask?" Kakuzu considered this. He has almost no comprehension of her language since he was so focused on teaching Hazel his own. She can pull a fast one and he'd be none the wiser. He must keep her in line. Kakuzu took a couple steps to Hazel and leaned over to whisper in her ear. He realizes that no one hear can translate what they are saying anyhow but he wants to make sure they aren't overheard. Just in case.

"Yes, remember no help." Her happy demeanor slipped.

"No help, well… Help- hotel help. Yes?" Kakuzu gazed deep into her eyes to see if she is lying.

"Correct, help with the hotel. Nothing else or I will make you watch." Hazel hated watching her father's mouth spit such awful threats. Her father is supposed to be a good man and a safe person for her. A source of comfort…

'The opposite of Kakuzu... I'll see Dad soon. Just a little longer.' Hazel reminded herself.

"Ok Kakuzu. No more help."

Hazel and Kakuzu continued walking to search for assistance. Hazel found an elderly man and woman clearly out on a date. She is unsettled by Kakuzu's earlier threats, but he assured her that they will be left unharmed so long as she behaves. He hasn't lied yet so Hazel went ahead and approached the pair. It had been an incredibly long time since she has been able to REALLY talk to anyone and the anticipation is killing her. The two could see she is approaching and waited to see what the girl wanted from them.

"Hello! I'm sorry but can you help us?" The two smiled and the lady answered.

"Well I hope so, let's see! What do you two need?" The adults tried to steer the conversation to Kakuzu but Hazel stole their attention back.

"He can't speak English so I have to translate for him. Sorry!" The old man is visibly apologetic.

"Oh! Oh no I'm the one who should be sorry, dear! "He nodded at Kakuzu with a sheepish smile to let him know he's sorry without having to say it. Hazel's muscles solidified into steel as he did.

'I've got to hurry this up. I'm putting them in so much danger and they don't deserve it-' . If she screws up it'll be their demise. She can't have any more lives weighing down her conscience. The damn thing is already too heavy.

"-It's our fault really! The two of us just got here and we need to find a hotel. I've been looking all over and I can't see any. Do you know where one is?"

"Oh, that's easy! You're actually really close to a Hilton. You need to go down this road a couple of miles until you spot the eye center. Then, just before the Lowe's, you need to take a right. After that you can't miss it. Nathaniel and I were just taking a walk so if you want, we can tag along with you?" The elderly woman responded. Hazel almost screamed at her to stay away but she managed to keep smiling

"No, thank you. That's easy enough! Ya'll have a great day!" The couple were a bit confused, but they didn't push her and left after giving Hazel and Kakuzu their own farewells. When they were far enough away Hazel relayed the info she had received. Or well tried to.

"This way. Hotel, there." She pointed down the street and asked him to follow. Kakuzu did but not before he checked the couple one last time to make sure she didn't rat him out. The two she spoke with earlier appear unfazed and calm.

'Hazel kept it together then? Huh, she gave a very good performance, too. Hazel appeared almost completely at ease. Even to me. Interesting, she might be good at deception.' Just when he thought she had no skills… Hazel is unaware of Kakuzu's scrutiny. The child kept her gaze forward as they walked straight down the street. A wondering eye, a questioning step, any wrong move and Hazel will essentially sentence the elderly couple to death. Seeing Kakuzu walk away from them gave her the validation she was desperately looking for yet she won't relax until he's away from them. It couldn't have been much more than half an hour before Hazel spotted the eye center. After she saw the center Hazel caught sight of the Lowe's the lady spoke about. They had wondered into a particularly dense region of Anchorage and Hazel can sense Kakuzu's tense aura radiate from him. So could the other people on the sidewalk. Everyone they passed would steer clear of the shinobi and his 'daughter'. Some went as far as to cross the street to avoid him but soon enough Hazel found the Hilton.

"Kakuzuuuuu! There!" Kakuzu looked at the building she was pointing at. It's tall and large, it didn't look like an inn to him but she is wiser than he is…this time.

'It's sad, I have to rely on my captive to direct us to safety. Not one of my prouder moments.' The rogue will never speak of this to anyone. He will keep it a secret till the day he inevitably dies. The two of them entered the extravagant lobby. Kakuzu noticed Hazel was about to approach the front desk. Thinking fast, he redirected her to follow a large family heading for the ground floor rooms.

"No Kakuzu, we- "He shushed her.

"Hazel, shut up. My money won't work." Hazel got the jist of what was happening.

"Ok." Kakuzu and Hazel slipped passed the lobby into the ground floor hallway. The family before them soon entered their room but Hazel and Kakuzu went further. When he felt they were far enough away from the eyes of onlookers he then tuned his hearing to listen for voices. It is silent where they are so he suspected the hotel doesn't have too many rooms booked. When he approached a random room's door to pick the lock a new issue arose.

"Hazel, what is this?" He pointed at this metal panel where the lock was supposed to be. There is a glowing strip lining the top of it but not much else. Hazel tapped it and then tried to make a shape with her fingers to show him he needs a card. He can't discern what she is referencing from such a vague hand sign.

"What is that supposed to tell me? - "He grumbled. Kakuzu checked to ensure there were no cameras pointed at them before he called upon the threads within himself. The strands slithered into the opposite crack of the door where the joints are located. Hazel can hear each pin holding the door hinge fall onto the ground inside the room.

"Don't know word. Soooorrrrrryyyy!" She maliciously whispered. Kakuzu removed all three pins and from there he simply slid the door to the side to let them in. Hazel scurried inside and after Kakuzu entered the room he replaced the door and the pins. Its evening time so they should be left undisturbed for the night. A huge relief for them both. Kakuzu felt safe enough to release the transformation jutsu as Hazel squealed with delight.

"Bed! Oh my God how I've missed you!" She flung herself onto one of the queen-sized mattresses and snuggled it. Not only does the girl get a bed she also gets her own.

"-A bed! With comforters AND pillows! AND A TV HOLY SHIT- Kakuzu! Look!" The remote was left on the night stand between the beds. Hazel grabbed it and turned on the TV for Kakuzu to see. It's only a news channel yet Kakuzu is impressed.

'Incredible.' Television is something they have where he is from too but it's extremely uncommon. For them to have such intricate devices in a mere hotel room is quite fascinating for the mercenary. The two of them watched the news even though Kakuzu had no chance of understanding what they said. Meanwhile, the two removed their coats and shoes so they could dry them off by the heater. Hazel was going to put her coat ON the grids of the heater before Kakuzu stopped her. After they had settled in the room, Hazel remembered there is a shower and she wants to take advantage of it. Kakuzu warned her not to touch anything since they need to leave this place the way they entered it. Hazel didn't mind, shampoo would be nice but the hot water is really what she is after so that wasn't a problem. The child found herself standing directly under the shower head as steaming water drenched her. It actually left her crying tears of joy. She had missed this stuff. Yet of course, Hazel misses her family most. She thought about trying to call them with her phone, but that thing died ages ago.

'I could ask Kakuzu to steal a charger for me! Ah, but I doubt he'd do that today. We already broke into this room so I don't think it'd be smart to risk sneaking back out. Tomorrow we are leaving anyways so I suppose I can wait until then…. I guess… I mean I have to, really- 'She's sure Kakuzu had already thought of it too and also decided it's unwise to leave. (She's right, he had.) Hazel will tell him at least so she can feel like she did something. The girl dried off and got dressed before exiting the restroom. The shinobi is clearly deep in thought though, so Hazel waited for him to notice her. When he didn't she spoke up.

"You ok now?" Kakuzu shook his head.

"No."

'Alright, still not a good time.' Hazel remarked to herself. The man must be exhausted. She'll talk to him about the phone tomorrow instead since nothing can be accomplished tonight any ways.

"Ok. You sleep?"

"In a moment." Hazel slowly crossed the room to get into her bed. Unintentionally staring at Kakuzu the whole way there.

"You talk?" She meant 'Do you want to talk?' but messed up the sentence. Kakuzu understood her still.

"I'd rather not." He's absolutely exasperated. Cranky too, but that's his baseline mood.

"Ok. Sorry." She's not really sorry but she said it to try to smooth things over. The pair stayed silent for a bit while the TV played in the background. Hazel laid in the bed snuggled within a plethora of blankets and pillows enjoying the smooth, clean sheets brushing against her bare legs and arms. She was almost asleep before Kakuzu spoke again.

"I change my mind. Hazel, how did we get here?"

"Uh, you ran?" He shook his head.

"I did not." Hazel jumped a bit.

"What do you mean you didn't run here? Then how did we get here I thought you found it! If you didn't do this how- "The child cut herself off when she realized she was about to go on a rant before answering Kakuzu.

"-uh, I don't know. Weird."

"'Weird' indeed." Kakuzu let out a large sigh. He wanted to wait for this until she was more versed, but they can't afford to waste any more time. Kakuzu needs to get on with at least the first part of the interrogation.

"-Hazel, where were you before?"

"Huh?" Kakuzu reworded the question.

"Day one, before day one with me. Where were you?" Hazel blinked at him with a bemused look.

"At home, in bed."

"Did you see anyone strange? Anyone new?" With a touch of sass and a look that can only be read as 'are you kidding me?' she gestured at Kakuzu.

"Before Hazel, before." Hazel blew a piece of hair from her face as she laid on her back to stare at the ceiling.

"No, my people. No new people." It was a boring day just like any other to her but something had to have been different. Kakuzu realizes this but Hazel doesn't.

"Your parents are kind. Yes?" Hazel appeared a bit perturbed by his question.

"Yes." Kakuzu had to really think about how to ask this next prompt.

"They wouldn't… leave you." She shot upright and threw down both fists onto the bed.

'My parents!? Ditching ME?! MY parents!?-'

"- My mom loves. My dad loves. I love mom and dad. You don't understand." She fell straight back into bed and pouted at the ceiling. Kakuzu wasn't expecting that.

'Did she just say my parents never loved me?'

"Watch it…" He turned her head around to sneer at him before turning it back to face the wall.

"Why you little- "

'-Don't…don't do it… -'

"-*Deep, angry inhale* *Long, furious exhale* No one would want to hurt you, then?" Hazel is still mad. So instead of asking him to reword his question she stared at him until he did.

"You want a kunai in your skull you little bi- *Especially long, furious exhale*… Did anyone not like you?" Hazel got it this time.

"I- I do not know? Hazel not talk much." The mercenary found this laughable. He didn't so much as chuckle, but it is a ridiculous enough statement.

'Could have fooled me-'

"-Ok. Anything odd happen?" Hazel sighed.

"Odd?"

"Odd, or 'weird.'"

"No, sick again- but fine." Kakuzu had forgotten that detail. It had been over half a year since that day and it wasn't a particularly important thing to remember.

"Alright." He got up to take his own shower to help clear his head and clean off some of the sweat and grime. Hazel eyed him as he left.

"That's it? For real? Whatever then, I'm going to bed." As the girl tried to sleep, he entered the bathroom and stripped down. He thought the girl might have used all the hot water but she hadn't. He stepped in the shower and took a moment to think over what she had told him. The mercenary can tell when he's missing a crucial detail. He swears it's right in front of him.

'She's the only person I know that's managed to end up in both nations. No enemies or strangers near her, so if Hazel is correct then no one would have sent her off. My original theory is off the table too. At least for now. It could have explained how she ended up there, but it doesn't come close to explaining how I managed to get here like… that. Bah, this is infuriating. She's my only chance at solving this puzzle since she's the only common denominator- '

The water became ice cold.

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Author's note-

Beloved of Naruto- I am so glad you're enjoying it! I may not be a very consistent poster but I do have the story planned out so you should be hearing from me till the REAL end lol! Thank you!