A/N: Sorry for the really long one guys, just couldn't settle on a cutoff point any earlier.
I also have a couple musical suggestions that suit our two gentlemen, Itachi and Hidan.
Interestingly enough, these two songs are off the same album and I just can't help but think they are kind of perfect for these guys. Itachi all regretful and somber in his affections and Hidan very flashy and chaotic.
Itachi: Absentee by Thank You, Scientist
"Waiting for someone to show me, but I won't hold my breath
Nothing left, no control, only pictures of someone I used to know
And I gave it all away, and I can't take it back"
Hidan: Feed The Horses by Thank You, Scientist
"You're feeling like you're going down
Your sinking ship is big enough for two
Tell me you're alone, I will be the one who's there for you
So come on, a little closer
I'll take you from Burden Avenue
And I won't be your burden ever, no"
We made our way through the crowd and Kisame told me to speak up if I saw anything I wanted to do or eat. There was nothing I didn't want to try. We literally ate our way up the packed, festive streets, stopping to try all sorts of food and games along the way.
I had to practically beg Kakuzu to take me over to a game that involved tossing a ball into a sea of fish bowls. If the ball managed to land in one, you got to keep the fish. Simple enough, right?
Well boy howdy, was it not.
Kakuzu was quickly becoming irritated as he shelled out yet another coin for yet another try.
"What do you need a fish for? We've already got Kisame," he grumbled as he dropped some money into the hand of a rather terrified looking wisp of a man running the game. Kakuzu had an interesting effect on people.
The man was trembling as he dropped another ball into my little hand with a quiet, "good luck, Miss." I'm sure he meant it, the sooner I won, the sooner we'd leave.
"True, but this one won't gossip as much… and besides, it's not for me," I said, giving Kakuzu a chiding look before carefully lining up my shot, tongue peaking from the corner of my mouth.
It hit the rim and bounced to the ground. Again.
Another miss. I, for one, am shocked.
I pouted and gave Kakuzu a look somewhere between apologetic and expectant, eyes flickering between his coin purse and the shaking man once more. I smiled, holding my hand out.
He frowned. "No. That's it. You're terrible at this."
"Well how the heck am I supposed to get better if I can't keep trying?" I whined, hanging on his arm. He scowled, eventually looking away from me at the fish.
"Which one do you want?" he asked begrudgingly.
There were a bazillion different colors, but I did have my eye on one in particular. It was a grouchy looking fish, not colorful at all, black and gray and it's mouth blubbed like it was muttering angrily to itself. It's eyes were beady and had an iridescence that shifted between green and red depending on the lighting.
"That one," I said, pointing at the grumpy little guy.
Kakuzu looked at the other fish, all orange and red and speckled and happy looking, then to the one I picked.
"You want that one?" he asked, giving me a look.
"Yes," I said, giving him an extra pleading pout.
"How idiotic..." he muttered before addressing the frail man who clearly wanted us to be done with his booth. "How much for that fish?" Kakuzu asked with disdain, not quite believing those words were coming out of his mouth.
"Y-you can't just buy a fish, you have to w-win it, s-sir," he stammered.
Kakuzu seemed to growl somewhere deep in his chest. That was the wrong answer.
The man cowered under the violent gaze of Kakuzu and I quickly took it upon myself to intervene, my tiny hands finding one of Kakuzu's.
"Well you could always win it for me then?" I asked sweetly, squeezing his hand.
He cocked a brow at me. "Go pull that shit on Hidan or Deidara. Just who the hell do you think I am, Izumi? "
"Someone with better coordination than me?" I asked hopefully, continuing to squeeze and ignoring the first half of his comment. I smiled up at him as big as I could.
He scoffed and practically threw his money at the puddle of a man.
"Give me a fucking ball," he demanded, receiving one very readily despite his lack of manners.
He threw it.
I cringed as I watched it bounce right into the bowl... and then right back out.
"Uh oh…" I whispered, taking a step away from Kakuzu. It was obvious that the shape of the fish bowls were meant to make a loser out of everyone. Surely this would not go over well.
The slow, deliberate turn of Kakuzu's head shifting to regard the carney would have made anyone shudder, and shudder he did.
"What kind of fucking scam is this?!" Kakuzu snapped. The vein in his forehead had its own freaking lifeforce.
I could hear Hidan cackling nearby. He was looking over and watching the scene unfold from an adjacent booth where a few of the guys were testing their strength and absolutely destroying some sort of contraption meant to gauge one's physical prowess. The carney looked to be sobbing.
I scowled, feeling like I ought to go over there and put the kibosh on their version of fun, but I had my own situation to deal with. The Kakuzu situation.
Hey if you ever learn an instrument, that's a rad band name.
I idly wondered who else would join my band and what we'd all play. It dawned on me that Deidara could play three kazoos at once and this was a very niche mental image that I enjoyed more than I should have.
Kakuzu seeming like he might commit a murder snapped me back to attention.
The carney was stuttering and trying to appease him. "O-oh… well would y-you look at th-that," he said, making no sudden movements, slowly picking the ball up and dropping it into one of the fish bowls with a pink little guppy in it. "N-no scam, sir. Y-you did it. Hoorayy…?" He offered a dithery smile and a weak clap.
Kakuzu's eyes narrowed.
The man looked confused, he thought he'd placated the giant, but it was clear that was not the case. I shook my head, grabbing his attention and pointing to the left discreetly.
The poor guy seemed so bewildered. He shakily picked up the ball again and I nodded vigorously at him. He moved it to the left, hovering over a different bowl. I shook my head, pointing even further. He moved it even more left and looked at me again. I smiled broadly and gave him a thumbs up.
He dropped it into the bowl.
"There. I won," Kakuzu said curtly.
"Indeed you d-did, sir!" He said, bagging up the little grumper of a fish as quickly as humanly possible and shoving it into Kakuzu's hands. "M-many thanks for playing!"
Kakuzu gave the man a stern look. "Pathetic…" he muttered, turning and pushing the bag at me.
I took it with a smile, raising it in front of my face to get a better look. He was even grumpier up close and I squealed with delight.
"Thank you, Kakuzuuu," I sang, hugging his arm.
He pulled out of my grip after a moment. "Knock it off."
"Fine. But hey, I got you something," I said, holding the fish out for him. "His name is Lucky."
He deadpanned, the vein making it's second debut.
"Izumi… are you telling me all of that... was just for me… to win a fucking fish… for myself?" he asked dangerously.
I scrunched my face at him disapprovingly. "Well I helped, you know," I said, hand on hip.
I continued holding the bag out expectantly.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with this?" he asked, not taking it.
"I thought it would be nice for you to have a little friend, geez." I held it out even more.
"Tch… I don't want it." He folded his arms.
"Come on! You guys look exactly the same!" I cried, gesturing between his upsetti spaghetti face and the fish's.
"What?" he bellowed with a very severe tone. That was apparently not what he wanted to hear...
Lucky blubbed. He was a good fish.
"I'm just saying… you're both all cute and cranky…" I muttered with a pout, lowering the bag to my side.
"Fine. Have it your way," Kakuzu said with an edge.
I felt the bag tug from my fingers, spindly black tendrils quickly wrapping around it and tearing it away from me. There was a moment of tension before the bag burst, water splashing to the ground, causing me to jump back with a yelp.
I watched in horror as poor little Lucky was promptly secured by the creepy threads and sucked into Kakuzu's body from an opening in his wrist.
"What the heck!" I hissed, gaping at his arm like I could will the fish back out with my disgust alone. It stitched itself back up like nothing had even happened. I half expected for it to let out a little burp.
I launched myself at him, trying to pry his wrist back open with enough effort to make my face go red, but he just stared down at me coolly, mildly entertained.
"What's wrong? I thought you wanted me to have a friend. Now he's with me forever." Kakuzu said, He knew that was not what I meant.
Hidan's voice was thick with amusement as he piped up from behind us, dropping a giant stuffed octopus on my head. "What the fuck did I just watch? You collecting fucking fish hearts now, Kakuzu?"
"It's my fetish," he replied, cold and serious.
I was seriously grossed out and mad but I couldn't help myself from laughing at that. Kakuzu humor was rare and short-lived, it needed to be appreciated to its fullest during such elusive instances.
I noticed the carney had passed out and was slumped against the table. Poor guy, must have seen the whole thing.
So much for a low profile.
"That's not funny, Kakuzu," I reprimanded, still laughing a little.
"This is how I've stayed alive as long as I have, are you saying you want me to die, Izumi?" he questioned with a pointed glare. Oh, he was being all feisty now.
"I don't think the fish heart is going to help," I tutted, grappling with the octopus stuffy and now a unicorn as well as Deidara showed up and shoved it at me with a grin. Sasori added a massive stuffed gyoza with a little smiley face on it and Kisame was behind me, fitting my face with a pair of glasses made entirely of crazy, bendy straws.
I was drowning in plushies, bewildered and thanking them all profusely.
Itachi appeared quietly at my side, plucking them from me one by one and cautiously storing them in a scroll.
I gave him a thankful look and he nodded with a small smile.
"So what'd you win her, Kakuzu?" Kisame asked.
I cut in before he could answer. "We're done talking about it," I said sternly, giving Kakuzu the stink eye. He seemed to get some enjoyment out of it.
Hidan started laughing and whispered what happened to Kisame who also devolved into hysterics.
So glad they all think it's hilarious. Psychos. The whole lot of them.
Kisame eventually settled and started leading us again.
I could see the bookshop they were talking about in the distance. It was huge, it must have been absolutely filled to the brim with all sorts of books. I was getting more and more excited as we got closer.
Before we got there though, there was one stand in particular that piqued my interest.
I skipped to catch up to Hidan and grabbed his hand, inwardly justifying the affection as seemingly platonic considering I'd done the same with Kisame and Kakuzu.
Suuuure.
"What's up, sweetheart?" He asked, squeezing my hand back with a knowing little smile.
"Can we do that?" I asked, popping onto my tippy toes and pointing to a small, run down looking tent with one boy occupying it, a child. He sat at a small, round table covered in a velvet cloth. Upon it was nothing but the boy's slightly dirty hands, a deck of cards, and several large crystals scattered about.
"That? Even though we've already clearly established that I'm psychic?" Hidan whined, taking great offense.
I gave him a pout.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine, whatever you want, it's your fucking birthday," he said, starting to pull me behind him in that direction.
"I'm taking Izumi over to this fucking thing, we'll catch up," he called out to the others, all scattered within the vicinity.
Kakuzu grunted and said he would go to secure lodging. I could see Itachi stop and say something to Kisame before breaking away from the group to come over.
Hidan glared at him on his approach. "Nah, you can fuck off, I can handle babysitting for a little," he said, sneering.
He thinks he's the one babysitting… that's cute.
Itachi stared at him, blank and dismissive.
He spoke to me. "My apologies for being overbearing. I have orders to make sure I'm with you at all times in case of… an emergency," he said, his stare flickering between my face and my hand in Hidan's.
In case of the blood curse. I understood. So that's why he'd been watching me so intently.
"Ugh, of course you fucking do…" Hidan grumbled, and pushed through the crowd with me in tow behind him. Itachi followed a few paces behind.
The sea seemed to part for Hidan, even in a thick crowd. Even without his massive weapon glinting ominously on his back, he was still inherently commanding enough for people to just somehow know to stay out of his way.
"You know this stuff is bullshit, right?" Hidan asked as we made our way over.
"Coming from a fellow psychic? Color me confused, I thought you ought to have more faith, Hidan," I teased.
"Tch… or maybe I'm actually a fraud and that's how I fucking know this little punk is too."
"Oh good lord, it's just a little boy, would it kill you to be nice for a few minutes?"
"Mhm, you figured out my weakness. That's the one thing that can actually kill me."
"You know what? Suddenly everything makes so much sense," I mused.
He smirked and squeezed my hand.
I squeezed back. "Please be nice."
"It's probably just some street urchin kid trying to make a buck," he protested.
"All the more reason," I pointed out as we reached the modest shop.
The little boy barely acknowledged us. He didn't look up at all, but he did speak.
"Sit," he directed.
He was oddly ethereal and intimidating for a child at maybe eleven or twelve years old. Both his hair and eyes were a very pale lavender and his skin was so untouched by sun it was practically translucent.
I promptly sat without question, taking note of Itachi just behind and to my side and Hidan at the other.
The boy began expertly shuffling a deck of worn, but intricately detailed cards. Rearranging the crystals on the table, he fanned the cards across the velvet tablecloth in a fluid sweeping motion.
"You're nervous," the boy said. It wasn't really a question but I felt like I was supposed to answer for it.
"Is it that obvious?" I asked with a wince.
"It is," he answered my rhetorical question. He was certainly lacking in social skills. I wondered what kind of life he lived. He spoke in a manner very different from most children his age.
"I've never done this before and you're…. weirdly intimidating if I'm being perfectly honest," I said with a dithery laugh.
"I know," he said blankly.
I wasn't sure which part he was saying that to.
He was all done setting up, his pale gaze settling on me. "You have something important on your mind. Something that worries you. You're looking for answers."
"Wow... um, yeah actually. You kinda nailed it," I said, becoming increasingly more intrigued by whatever little journey we were about to embark on.
Hidan scoffed and muttered under his breath. "Give me a fucking break with this vague ass shit…probably fucking says that to everyone."
I shot him a look and returned my attention to the boy who seemed unbothered by the remark.
"Is this going to, like… tell me my future?" I asked, feeling dumb.
"It will hint at what could be. The most likely path. But paths can always change…" he explained matter-of-factly. "Think hard on what has been bothering you. The thing you have questions about. You don't need to tell me what it is, just keep it in the front of your mind… then draw a card." He gestured to the deck spread across the table.
"Okay…" I said, focusing hard on the thing that had encompassed many of my thoughts lately.
Orochimaru.
What his intentions were with me… and if he was … my father.
It felt weird to even think it. I hadn't even told anyone about my internal suspicions surrounding him because I could hardly come to terms with the question in my mind, let alone vocalizing the gut-wrenching thought.
I hovered my hand over the cards.
"You draw whichever one draws you," the boy encouraged quietly.
I hesitated before pulling one from the middle, slowly sliding it out and away from it's buddies.
The kid was like a human sedative. He was just so eerily calm when he spoke. He actually reminded me of Sasori a bit.
"This card will tell us something about the immediate future… you can flip it over," he said.
I breathed in through my nose as I revealed it. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous. Hidan was probably right in that this kid was likely full of beans, but I couldn't help but feel jittery about it.
The card displayed a woman clad in intricate robes, some high-ranking member of the clergy. Scrawled across the bottom in fanciful text it read "The High Priestess".
I looked at the boy who appraised it with an interested look.
"Is this… a good or bad card to get?" I asked hesitantly.
"Neither. As is true with many of these cards. It's all up to interpretation. The High Priestess represents secrets and hidden circumstances… they are standing in the way of what you seek to understand."
Oddly accurate.
"Okay, weird… so does this mean I'll actually puzzle some of it out soon?" I asked.
He stared at me and I struggled to maintain eye contact under his blank, steadfast gaze.
Finally he spoke. "This does make me think you will uncover some of these secrets… though the opposite could be true. Mysteries could become even more shrouded."
"That's a fucking cop out answer." Hidan said what I was thinking, admittedly.
"It is the only one I have. The cards are simply a portent, they do not definitively tell the future," the boy replied calmly, staring at the cards.
He digressed. "The next card you draw will show a glimpse further out," the boy said, waiting for me to choose again. My gaze lingered on the face of the priestess.
She looked so calm and sure of herself. It seemed like a load of biscuits to me. How could she when she knew all these secrets were standing in her way? Maybe she knew she would figure it out… I wished I were as confident.
Sighing, I drew another card, flipping it over to reveal an odd image that struck a dour tone somewhere deep inside me.
Eight swords stuck out of the ground with a figure in the middle of them, cloth bindings wrapping around their torso, tying their arms to their sides and continuing up the body to wrap around the neck and even further to cover the eyes as well.
The boy looked at it with knitted brows.
I frowned. "Sooo, I know you said most of the cards aren't really good or bad, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this one is distinctly bad," I said, staring at the card with a defeated expression.
He hummed pensively. "It's the Eight of Swords… I'll admit, it's more ominous than not."
"What's it mean?" I asked, wanting to know but at the same time, not really.
"You may find yourself helpless in the hands of others… others who care little for you."
Hidan snorted from behind. "That's how you know this is bullshit. Everyone besides this fucking idiot," Hidan gestured vaguely to Itachi, "is fucking crazy about this girl. She's in good hands, kid, I assure you."
Oh, Hidan. So rude, yet so sweet.
The boy actually looked at Hidan, acknowledging him for the first time. He was unfettered and cold in his response.
"Perhaps you're right. For now, anyway," he said, returning his attention to me.
"You're a little shithead, aren't you?" Hidan grumbled.
Itachi was busy glaring at Hidan in a very disapproving way, looking to be deep in thought, perhaps sussing out what Hidan knew to make a comment like that. I would have to scold Hidan later.
Remarks like that were drama-juice and I didn't need anyone guzzling it.
"Sorry for my friend," I apologized to the boy quietly.
"It's alright. Not everyone is capable of expanding their minds enough to appreciate the art of tarot reading," he replied.
"This little fucking shit," Hidan murmured incredulously from behind me.
The boy continued on, expertly ignoring Hidan at his leisure. It was really quite impressive. Hidan tended to get most people's goats. Now it seemed like his goat was getting gotten.
"The next card you draw will be the last. It will reveal a future even further out. Make sure you keep focusing on the subject you seek answers about. Keep it in your mind's eye," the boy said.
I nodded, more nervous than ever, given my previous draw.
I pulled a card from the edge and flipped it over.
"Hm," the boy hummed in approval. "Strength. Now I would say this is a good one."
The card depicted a young woman clad in white, flowers adorning her hair. There was a lion at her side. With a smile on her face, she stroked it's mane, calming the beast.
I thought back to when Sasori had only just referred to me as a lion tamer not even an hour ago. The hairs on my arms and neck raised like goose flesh.
I tried to brush it off. "Well that's a joke. Look at me, I haven't been strong a day in my life," I laughed, trying to shake the odd, anxious feeling.
He shook his head. "It's not physical strength. It represents the kind of strength that's superior because of it's clever application. Strength of mind and cleverness are far more useful than brute force. So perhaps you do fall into a bad situation… but there are always ways out, if one is clever enough. It looks like the fates think you might be."
"But the future can change. Paths can change," I reminded, though it was more of a question.
"That's right," he said, nodding.
While it was admittedly vague, it also gave me a lot to think about. A lot to worry about. I did not like that second card.
The boy gathered up the cards and began shuffling them again.
I looked to Hidan. "Can I have some money?" I asked, standing and tapping on the little jar on the table that had some coins in it.
"You actually want to pay for that horseshit?" he balked.
"I would like to pay for the service just rendered to me, yes," I said pointedly, my empty hand out and waiting, the other on my hip.
Hidan glared at it. I knew he wasn't like Kakuzu, he really didn't give a flying fart about money, so that wasn't why he didn't want to pay the kid. He genuinely thought I was getting swindled somehow.
"Stop being so rude," I said, glaring back.
"I'm rude? The kid's a dick," Hidan crossed his arms, clearly making no move to pay the boy.
My hand was suddenly filled with coins.
"Hopefully that's enough," Itachi said, dropping one last coin into my palm.
"Thank you, Itachi. Nice to see someone has manners," I said, very much over-exaggerated to make my point.
"Un-fucking-believeable…" Hidan muttered, redirecting his glare at Itachi who was not looking at him.
I dropped the coins into the jar and thanked the boy.
"I'd like to read your friends. I'll do it free of charge. They seem interesting," The boy said bluntly, eyeing Hidan and Itachi.
"Oh, fun! What do you guys say, you wanna do it?" I asked, whipping around and staring up at them all bright-eyed and hopeful.
Itachi shifted uncomfortably.
Hidan scoffed but sat down with a smirk, much to my surprise, plopping into the chair in a way that had me shocked he didn't break it.
"Sure. Let's see him try his bullshit on me."
The boy smiled for the first time since we'd arrived. He spread the cards out and rearranged the crystals once more.
"Think of something important to you, something you want clarification ab-"
"Yeah yeah yeah, I know the fucking schtick. I got it," Hidan cut him off, tapping his temple and grabbing a card, flipping it over and slapping it onto the table.
Always so aggressive…
The boy looked at it, seemingly enjoying the surprise of a card he hadn't expected.
"The Lovers". It was written in script beneath two skeletons holding each other in an embrace.
"Shit yeah, I got skeletons about to fuck," Hidan said, obviously pleased with his card. "Does that mean I win?"
"Very interesting. The Lovers represents a deeply felt mutual attraction. Love and intense affection, however long it lasts. This is surprising."
I was hoping my face wasn't showing that I was as flushed as I felt. I was seriously beginning to think this kid was the real deal. Everything seemed to make a bit too much sense. Surely that card was about Hidan and I.
"Tch, what's so surprising about it?" Hidan asked.
"'Mutual'. It means someone returns your affections. I'm simply having a hard time picturing anyone reciprocating such feelings with you."
"Why you little fuck," Hidan ground out and instinctively reached behind his shoulder but his scythe was stored in a scroll for the time being. He only found me there, my hands pressing down on his shoulders to keep him in place.
I knew as soon as I heard the comment that Hidan wouldn't take it well and I had already prepared to calm him down. I, myself, was trying to keep from laughing too hard, even Itachi looked surprisingly amused at the boy's lackadaisical insult to Hidan.
The boy smiled. "It's a good card, regardless of my opinions. Though it is only indicative of the near future. The next card will show us further out."
Hidan rolled his eyes and sneered at the kid before grabbing another and slapping it down.
A lone figure. A man pierced by six swords.
"How interesting you both got sword cards on your second pull," the boy said with more inflection as he seemingly became more invested. He looked between Hidan and me.
"Yeah, fucking neat," Hidan said, feigning interest, and not well.
"This is a card of loss," the boy said sharply, trying to impart on him the severity of it.
"Pft, maybe for you. I could get stabbed six thousand times and I'd still live to see tomorrow."
"That seems highly unlikely. Regardless though, it's not that type of loss. Not blood loss or loss of life. It's the loss of a battle, an internal one. You're fighting some mental battle, at war in your head, and you're going to lose," the boy said, keenly taking in Hidan's souring reaction.
"Fuck you I am," Hidan spat much more viciously than I expcted. His emotion spiked and I had to put some serious effort into keeping him seated. I squeezed his shoulders, reminding him to keep his cool.
The boy had hit a nerve, that much was clear. Itachi and I exchanged a look, both of us seemingly trying to figure out exactly what nerve it was.
"That's fucking stupid. This whole thing is fucking stupid." Hidan continued on, the vein in his forehead becoming increasingly more prominent as he did so.
It was obvious that Hidan was suddenly no longer having fun. My hands rubbed across his shoulders, thumbs pressing and sliding, giving him somewhat of a mock massage. I needed him to relax.
"Come on, what are you getting all worked up for if you don't believe in this stuff? It's just for fun, Hidan," I reminded, a little worried about his quickly growing anger. He seemed to soften under my touch. Itachi was keeping a wary eye on him as well.
"Yeah. Whatever. One more, right?" he asked impatiently, already grabbing at another. Two cards came, however.
"Oh, they're stuck together. How intriguing. You better draw them both then," The boy directed.
"Fine," Hidan said, flipping them both over.
"Oh my…" the boy said, staring at the cards with an intensity. Hidan looked annoyed that the boy was withholding the meaning at his leisure but was also too proud to ask for it.
The first card depicted a tower on fire, bodies falling from the top of it. It was calamity and destruction.
The second card depicted a skeletal hand holding a wand, a bright light shining out from behind it.
The boy hummed looking at them.
"You gonna fucking tell me what the shit this is or what?" Hidan broke down and asked impatiently.
"I think they're two possible outcomes… perhaps you're just as likely to go down either path, it is far from decided."
"Fucking cool, what are they?" He asked. We needed to work on his social graces.
"Well, The Tower represents a spectacular ambition that ends with disastrous results. The other is the Ace of Wands. Ace cards are significant. It means something remarkable will happen. Something involving growth, a drastic change. Perhaps in you, maybe someone close to you. It's not necessarily good or bad, just change."
Hidan was focused intently on The Tower card. I'm not sure he realized how intensely he was scowling at it.
"I don't like doing even number card readings. You should draw one more. Maybe it will tell us how this resolves."
Wordlessly, Hidan snatched another and slammed it down.
"The fuck is it?" He asked immediately, no longer caring to keep up the appearance that he wasn't buying it.
The boy frowned. "It's The Wheel of Fortune. It just means the outcome is uncertain, which only confirms my suspicions that you are split between two fates. You should be careful."
Hidan leaned towards him. "I think you should fucking be careful with the shit that comes out of that bratty mouth of yours." He stood up quickly, taking care to knock the table over, sending all the cards scattering to the ground.
"Hidan, that's enough!" I cried, horrified at his behavior toward the child. I immediately took to apologizing profusely, bending down to help pick up the cards.
Itachi caught my wrist, pulling me back up.
He looked pointedly at Hidan. "You thought it was a good idea to have her down in the dirt picking up cards after she just got this new yukata?" Itachi asked, heavily implying Hidan's idiocy as he quickly gathered the cards up himself.
I hadn't even thought about getting dirty. I guess it was a good thing Itachi did.
"She didn't have to fucking do anything. I'm sure the kid could have picked them up himself," Hidan defended.
"In what reality was Izumi not going to attempt to help? Do you not know her at all?" Itachi's voice was calm and calculated. I knew this was not going to go over well. It was very unlike Itachi to engage with Hidan like this and I braced for the explosion.
"Oh, I fucking know her… and I fucking know about you too," Hidan spat with a knowing edge and a malicious smile. "You're really going to fucking go there with me? Question how I've fucking treated her? Don't make me laugh, Uchiha."
"Stop, both of you!" I shouted with my hands out, stepping in between them, the distance of which was gradually diminishing as Hidan took a step toward Itachi. I did not want to see what would happen if they closed the gap.
Hidan was looking smug, glaring at Itachi. Itachi returned it with a cold, slate stare, his mouth set in a taut line. I knew this would happen, it was one of the reasons I didn't want to tell Hidan to begin with.
"Can we please just all calm down…?" I asked, at my wit's end.
Hidan chuffed. "Whatever. I'm done here anyway. Gonna go meet up with Kakuzu."
That was odd... Hidan never willingly wanted to hang out with Kakuzu. He did seem more than a little upset by his reading and his tiff with Itachi was just icing on the cake. Hidan looked stern and sour as we prepared to leave.
"What? You don't want to see the bookstore?" I asked, a little disappointed.
"Nah, I better not. Sorry to leave you with him," He said, looking distant, like he was focused intently on something else. I could practically hear the intensity of Itachi's glare on Hidan, but Hidan wasn't paying him any mind.
I didn't want him to go, but I also didn't like seeing him like this. It was surprising and worrying all at once, how hard he seemed to be taking it. I wondered what he was thinking of when he was drawing cards… if it was us.
I didn't want to be so self-absorbed to assume that, but based on the first card, it didn't seem too ridiculous.
If that were the case, then maybe he was upset that he thought the cards meant things wouldn't work out between us. When we had time to be alone I would have to reassure him.
"Alright well, we'll see you later then," I said, hesitantly. I couldn't keep the concern out of my voice.
"Yeah," he said, sounding distracted before heading off. I wanted to soothe and comfort him but it just wasn't possible at the moment. Especially not while we were being discreet about our romantic involvement.
I swivelled around to the boy once more, apologizing yet again.
The boy smiled lightly as Itachi handed him the deck. "It's okay," he said. "He is not the first non-believer upset by the things predicted here at this table."
The boy began shuffling again and looked at Itachi expectantly.
"And you?"
"I'll pass. Thank you," Itachi said.
"You all have been curious reads. I'd very much like to try you. It's at no cost," the boy reminded.
"I'm already well aware of my fate. I have no need for the cards."
Now that's an odd thing to say.
I stared at him. What did that mean?
"I only read in odd numbers. How about you draw just one."
The kid was persistent.
"Only one doesn't sound too bad," I said, curious myself to see what he would get.
He sighed, looking at me like he was frustrated that I seemed to want him to as well. As if that forced his hand or something. The boy spread the cards out and looked up at him hopefully. I looked at him hopefully too.
He breathed out through his nose, begrudgingly moving to draw a card. He didn't take the effort to sit but he bent down and flipped a card over.
"You really are an interesting lot…" the boy said, regarding the card and Itachi curiously.
"The Hanged Man," the boy started, holding the card up. An illustration of a man hanging upside down. His face held a solemn expression, suggesting he ended up there of his own accord. "It's a card of self-sacrifice. The martyr."
Interesting.
Itachi was the opposite of Hidan. Very much unflustered, in fact he looked like that was exactly as he expected. It worried me.
It worried me a lot.
"Well… if we're all done here. I think Kisame is waiting for us at the bookstore," Itachi said, motioning to leave. I followed after thanking the boy. He smiled and asked me to bring more friends for him to read.
Yes, because this went so well.
Itachi and I made our way through the crowd toward the bookstore. I kept staring at him to see if he, too, was having any reaction toward his reading, but he seemed like his normal self.
His normal self but in a yukata. He looked supremely cute in it and I wasn't the only one to notice. A lot of women and even some men let their eyes linger on him as we made our way through the crowd.
"Do I have something on my face?" Itachi asked suddenly, casting a look down at me and I snapped away like I wasn't obviously gaping at him.
Just a bunch of beautiful.
"No!" I shot out too quickly.
"You didn't even look," he noted, stepping out of foot traffic and pulling me out as well. He stared down at me and I stared back.
"Oh. I thought you asked because I was looking at you," I said, laughing at my own foolishness.
"You were looking at me?"
Freaking beans. Way to give yourself away.
I cringed. "Well, only for a second. I thought I saw a… spider… on your… shoulder."
Literally the worst liar.
"Ah. I see." He looked at his shoulders, one at a time. "I seem to be safe, for now."
"Yup, just a shadow I guess," I was quick to agree with an awkward shrug.
"I only asked because it feels like I've garnered some attention," he clarified, looking around uncomfortably.
"Do people not normally look at you this much?" I asked, feeling like that couldn't be true. He was always pretty.
"No. But I am usually wearing a hat that covers most of my face."
So he was feeling exposed. So he was human.
"Oh, well duh. That explains it, then. I wouldn't worry," I assured him, my hand moving to squeeze his arm instinctively. I pulled it back like I had touched something hot as soon as I realized.
He paused for a moment but seemed to gloss over it. Thank God.
"How does that explain it?" he asked, genuinely perplexed.
I facepalmed. He was really going to make me say it, wasn't he?
"Itachi…" I began quietly, somewhat pained. He waited expectantly. "I… what are you worried about? That people recognize you, even out of your Akatsuki stuff?"
"That's the concern, yes."
"Okay. Well just trust me, that's definitely not why anyone's looking at you, alright?"
"I'm not following," he said, some frustration coming through. Itachi was a genius for all intents and purposes. He clearly did not like not understanding.
"God. Itachi. Did you not look in the mirror in the shop?" I asked, starting to feel mentally exhausted.
To be fair, this is how people feel talking to you 24/7, Izumi.
"I did. Is there something wrong with my yukata?" he asked, perplexed, looking down at himself.
I was about to lose my beans.
"No. No… ugh and you thought I was impossible…" I grumbled to myself..
"What is it that I'm missing here?" he asked almost impatiently, though I'd say his tone was beginning to edge into embarrassed territory.
I all but exploded at him. "It's because you're freaking gorgeous! Okay?!"
I had stunned him into silence with my little outburst, his mouth setting into a firm line and his eyes slightly wide.
"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to make things weird. You just… you weren't getting it," I followed up, feeling helpless like I'd done something wrong.
"I… you don't need to apologize. I'm the sorry one, I'm not usually that dense. I just haven't been out in the open like this in… in a long time," he said, eyes downcast as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Seeing Itachi struggling out of his element was absurdly endearing. He was just like a normal person for once.
I laughed, trying to lighten the mood up a bit. "It's fine, I just really don't think you need to worry. Anyone that is looking at you is doing so recreationally."
"Hm." Itachi made a noise, looking like he was processing still. "It's just been quite a number of people is all."
"Yeah… looks like you've got your pick of the litter… if you wanted to… meet a need… or whatever..." I trailed off, feeling like I probably should have shut my mouth before I even opened it.
Um. Why are you bringing that up?
"We should keep moving," I spat out hastily to vault us past my awkwardness. To my horror, Itachi did not allow this.
"Izumi…" he began, sighing and appearing to halt, searching for the right words, whatever they might have been. "We should talk about that…"
"Look, it's fine," I said, trying my absolute best to sound genuinely alright.
I actually think I did pretty good. If anything, I overdid it, sounding super super extra alright. So alright it's like I'd never known anything different. Tears? Crying? I didn't even know what those things were.
I waved it off. "I'm totally over it. Really. It was just a joke. There are a lot of beautiful women here and I… I don't know, I just thought you might be interested in something… convenient… with one of them."
I couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. I couldn't even stop it. I just kept vomiting out all these things I didn't mean, but for the sake of sounding like I'd moved past him like he wanted, I just faked my way through it.
"I mean geez, if I knew your type maybe I could help keep an eye out or something," I said with a little laugh, screaming internally.
Just kill yourself now if he actually takes you up on that.
"Izumi stop, it's fin-"
"Is it blondes? I bet you like blondes. Dark hair is so common. I saw a really pretty one who was looking at you just a couple minutes ago. I bet if we hurr-"
"Izumi…"
"No no no, don't worry, she's probably right over the-"
"Izumi," Itachi raised his voice to nearly a yell in order to cut through my incessant pandering.
I didn't like when he yelled at me. Even if I had earned it… it just struck such a terrible note. I swallowed and immediately shrunk, apologizing hurriedly under my breath with a self-loathing shake of my head.
"It's fine…" he followed up softly once he was sure I was listening. "I think at this point, let's just meet with Kisame. We're close."
I nodded, staring at the ground and twisting my fingers with my other hand.
"...Izumi?"
"Hm?"
"Are you… I've upset you," he said with realization and a knit of his brows.
"No… No, I'm alright. I'm just an idiot. Let's go see Kisame," I said, nodding too many times.
Idiot is an understatement.
I marched past him, forcing him to follow. I could see the building at the end of the street and felt confident enough to lead the way. I barrelled through the crowd. The sooner I got to Kisame, the sooner I could ensure I would stop offering to hook Itachi up with some rando.
"Hey, it's about fucking time!" Kisame was waving at us from the shop steps with several bags stuffed to the brim at his feet.
"You guys lose the religious nutjob?" he asked as we got closer.
"He's with Kakuzu," I called back. "Did you lose the art critics?"
"They wanted to get caricatures done. I'm sure they'll catch up," he said, finally able to stop shouting as we made our way up the steps to join him.
Kisame had Itachi put all the bags in the scroll that also held all the stuffed animals and refused to even let me peek.
"What was all that!?" I demanded.
"Don't worry about it," he said, waving me off.
"Kisame… I'm worried. I'm heckin' concerned. That was way too much stuff. Just tell me it wasn't all for me, at least."
He laughed. "Sure kiddo, whatever helps you sleep at night. That was an ultra plush faux fur rug and string lights and other cutesy fucking decor for my room. Obviously."
"Well I didn't see!" I defended, but he was too busy laughing obnoxiously loud. "And you know what, none of those bags looked big enough for the giant fish you promised me."
"It's on backorder," he said confidently.
"Of course it is." I rolled my eyes.
"Alright, alright, let's head in before they close," Kisame said, ushering us towards the doors.
I stepped through the double doors and just about lost my breath at the view. Bookshelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, which was so high you needed a ladder to get to the books on the top shelves. Not only this, but there were two floors.
The smell was pungent and odorous in the best way, musty with a light scent akin to vanilla. It was ink on paper and all things beautiful about the slow, decaying rot of pages beneath oily fingers.
I could have just stood there huffing it in. I think I did a little. A passing child glanced up at me and, looking terrified, grabbed their parent's hand.
That's fair.
"You gonna make it?" Kisame teased.
"It's just… this is amazing," I said, not feeling like that was a strong enough word.
"You look like you're gonna topple over from the high."
"Hm, give it time. I might yet. Just be ready to catch me, okay?"
"Sure thing, captain. The world is your oyster… or, at the very least, this bookstore is. Doesn't have the same ring to it though… anyway, my point is, pick out as many books as you want."
I gaped. "Seriously?"
"Deadly," he said, pulling his shades on dramatically from atop his head.
"Alright but please don't wear those in the store, you look like a creep," I admonished, looking around at the different sections, trying to plan my route.
"Keh… this is what happens when you let women read. Suddenly they have standards and opinions and it turns out poor, innocent Kisame is a creep." He pulled his sunglasses off just so I could see him roll his eyes.
I snorted. "Innocent… that's a good one, Kisame."
"Heh, yeah, I thought you'd get a kick out of it. Now, go pick out your shit, kid."
He didn't have to tell me again. I took off and Itachi made to follow but Kisame insisted on showing him some book about something called "Kama Sutra". I'd had my fill of books in other languages but was impressed Kisame was interested in such a thing.
The sections were huge and overwhelming but I managed to find a rolling cart to put my books on when my arms became too full. I was pulling novels left and right from the fiction section. Everything just sounded so darn interesting and I wanted to explore every world I could get my little gremlin hands on.
I yanked a particularly large volume off of a middle shelf. The store was so nice and quiet that the gasp of surprise wheezing out of me as someone's face appeared on the other side of the hole I'd created sounded loads louder than it should have.
It was my brother.
"Aki?! What are you doing here!?" I hissed as quietly as I could, frantically looking around to make sure we were alone.
He seemed to smile at my usage of his name. It felt different seeing him this time. It felt like I was seeing an old friend and I kept imagining his likeness as a sweet little baby.
"Shh… just give me a minute, hear me out. Who are you here with?" he asked, also looking in a thousand directions.
"Just… just Itachi and Kisame," I said, both of whom would kill me if they knew I was engaging with this guy. But I needed to talk to him. I had questions.
"Okay… can you slip away from them?"
"Wh-what? Why on earth would I want to do that?" I asked incredulously.
"Izumi… I can't stall him any longer. You need to come home with us, with me and Orochimaru-sama. I promise we'll keep you safe." He was begging.
I'd heard it all before from him, He seemed more desperate this time though.
"I… I can't do that," I whispered, "you know I can't. I'm already where I belong. How did you even find me, by the way? Your informant was killed."
He frowned. "Yeah… that was inconvenient. While he has your blood though, Orochimaru-sama is able to track your general location."
Of course he freaking can.
"So once he uses it, he can't find me again," I determined aloud.
"Izumi, I don't think you understand. This curse won't be like last time… there's a chance it will do some serious, permanent damage or… worse. If you come with me, you won't force his hand to use it."
"Stay there," I said, glossing over everything he'd just said and moving quickly but quietly around the shelf to meet him face to face.
He stared at me, completely bemused. After a moment's hesitation, I pulled him into a fierce hug, thinking about my mom handing him to me as a perfect little bundle to protect, even if it was only in a dream.
"God… you're so much bigger now…" I said, biting back tears. I wanted to see how it felt when I held him. It felt more natural than I could have imagined. I knew it was him. My brother.
"Izumi… you… remember? You remember who I am?" he asked quietly, squeezing me back with uncontested strength.
I nodded against him, the tears falling despite my best efforts.
"Come with me," I begged. He pulled back, his face contorted with wild disbelief.
"I'm serious," I said, "the Akatsuki… they're not what you think. They would help you if I asked."
He laughed without humor. "You're insane. Have you forgotten I'm here because you're the one that needs help? Hello? Does blood curse ring a bell to you?"
I shook my head. "I saw mom. I've been seeing her in my dreams. Aki, she told me to protect you. She said you're lost. Please stay with me, I know I can help you if you'd let me try. This Orochimaru… no one has anything good to say about him and he kind of... is like… cursing the living beans out of me? It's not a great first impression."
He was growing impatient and even more leary of being found out. The longer we spoke, the greater the chance someone would come looking for me and subsequently find him.
"We don't have time for this, Iz," he said impatiently. "Orochimaru is going to put the plan into motion the minute I leave here without you. I am freaking begging you to come with me. You're my sister, you may have only just remembered me but I… I've been watching you from afar my whole life. I really don't want this to happen to you. Orochimaru-sama is worried, which means it's serious, he's taking a risk."
"I'm sorry, Aki…" my heart clenched as I spoke. I wanted to give everyone what they wanted but my heart wouldn't allow me to go with him. I shook my head. "You already have my answer… let me at least ask you a question then."
He stared at me blankly, utterly defeated.
"Orochimaru… he's your father?" I asked.
"... he is."
I breathed out deeply. That was the prerequisite question. Now it was time for the real banger.
"And I'm your sister… so does that make him… my father too?"
He opened his mouth to speak but immediately snapped it shut as Kisame's voice cut through the air.
"Iz, you up here? Kiddo?"
"I'm so sorry," was all Aki said, pain truly weighing on his features before he had to disappear.
I was so beyond frustrated that I couldn't get my answer. Not only that, but I probably needed to get to Itachi like my life depended on it.
The reality that at any moment, I could potentially dissolve into a blubbering pile of bones and flesh, perhaps never to snap back, struck me hard. The panic spread through me like wildfire.
I rushed out from behind the bookshelf straight into Kisame's broad chest. It would have knocked me on my ass if he hadn't grabbed me at the last second.
"The hell you running for?" he asked, quirking his brow.
"Kisame. The cart, I need everything on it. Can you do that for me?" I asked frantically, pointing to the cart loaded with stacks of various novels.
"Sure," he said, more than a little bewildered by my rushed, frenzied state. I also wasn't typically someone to demand things, but I didn't have time to be my usual self.
"Everything okay?" he asked, confused.
"Where's Itachi?" I asked back quickly.
"I'm right here," his voice came from around the corner and he appeared immediately after. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh thank God," I breathed out in relief as I ran up to him.
My brain was absolutely frazzled. It had me thinking it was okay to throw my arms around him. I think I just knew it was potentially the last time I might be alive and not brain dead.
I didn't care about the rules of our professional etiquette. I just knew that this might be goodbye. Realizing that, I looked back at Kisame and ran to hug him as well.
"Whoa. Not complaining but uh… what?" Kisame said, patting the top of my head and rubbing my back. I'm sure he sensed something was wrong, despite not knowing what.
"I had a similar question," Itachi said dryly.
I felt like I was working with borrowed time at that point, and much to my dismay, my brain turned to static when I tried to determine the most important things to communicate before the curse hit me.
God, you're terrible under pressure.
I squeezed Kisame harder when he tried to peel me off him. "If something happens to me, will you tell everyone how grateful I am to have gotten to know all of you? And that I love them all?"
"What the fuck? Izumi, what's going on?" He said, graduating to a shout and actually putting in the effort to remove me from him.
"Just tell me you'll do it! Please!" I yelled, my face sour and pleading.
"Y-yeah, sure, fine," he stuttered out, completely befuddled.
"And tell Hidan that I'm sorry I didn't get to s-say goodbye. Tell him I said th-thank you for e-everything." I was starting to lose it.
"Izumi, kid, you're really freaking me out." Kisame was flustered and running a hand through his hair, exchanging a look with Itachi.
I don't know when the tears started pouring down my face but they definitely were there in full force.
"You guys take care of yourselves, o-okay? I'm really sorry it had to end like this b-but I had like... the absolute best day ever. Thank you so much." I smiled through a half-laugh, half-sob, turning from Kisame to Itachi.
"Izumi…" Itachi said calmly, though his expression belied his tone. He looked distressed, to say the least. His eyes flickering across me with a criminal amount of concern. "I need you to breathe and calm down. Tell me why you think something is going to happen to you," he requested gently.
I wasn't ready to die or become a vegetable or whatever. To not see Itachi's whisper of a smile or hear Hidan's laugh cut through a room. Kisame's jokes would be no longer. No more braiding Kakuku's hair. I'd never get to see Deidara and Sasori bicker like an old married couple.
"Itachi… I'm not ready to go," I said with an overwhelming sadness, crumbling to nothing in his arms. The only reason I was upright at all was because he was holding me there against him.
"I don't know what's going on in your head right now, but I promise you, you're not going anywhere," he assured, patting my hair against the nape of my neck.
I had no idea what Kisame was doing but it sounded like mad pacing from behind me.
"I… I'm sorry, Itachi… about everything that happened between us," I said, pulling back to see his face.
My brows knitted, head tilting to one side as I took him in for potentially the last time in my life. "I never meant for it to be a bad experience for you… but you were kind to me and I never forgot that. I still meant every word I said to you..." I said, my voice tight and my entire face leaking profusely.
I touched his face and smiled in a somber way as I considered it could be the last thing I ever did.
There was an equal chance I would make it out of this fine and I'd have to deal with a little embarrassment, but if I didn't make it, I needed to at least know that I said these things.
Throughout my little breakdown, Itachi's mask dissolved quickly as he realized the severity of whatever situation I was in. He was shaking his head at me like he wanted to refute something I was saying but my name was the only thing that came out of his mouth.
It didn't matter. I didn't need him to lie to me and make me feel better. I just needed him to listen.
"What happened, Izumi? Something happened," Itachi asked, his voice uneven and foreign sounding as he held my face in his hands.
"I've been keeping something to myself," I admitted, a pained expression painting my face.
He froze before speaking again.
"That's… okay. Just tell me what it is now and we'll figure this out," Itachi said assuredly, putting in some serious effort to maintain an even voice.
I looked down at the ground. I couldn't bear to meet his eyes.
"Orochimaru's son, Aki… he's my... my b-brother. He was just here and… he tried to get me to come with him. He said if I didn't..."
A red dot marked the floor. Then another. My brows knitted together as I saw yet another one form. Touching my index finger to my nostril, I realized it was coming from me. My nose was bleeding, and bleeding a lot.
"Are you... using your abilities?" Itachi asked.
I shook my head, meeting his curious gaze with one of horror.
"Oh God… I'm so scared, Itachi. I'm not read-" I said, a pain suddenly shooting through me so horribly that I immediately lost all balance and vision. All I could hear was a terrible noise, it was loud and shrill and shrieking.
That's... you.
Oh.
There was no concept of time or space. It only felt like my skin was ripping and I soon felt warm and sticky all over my body.
I could hear Itachi in the background pleading with me to open my eyes. He sounded desperate. It didn't sound right at all. Kisame was doing something similar, sounding equally strange.
The feeling of my flesh separating in ribbons across my body made me almost miss the sensation of my eyelids being yanked open from their clenched shut position.
Itachi was over me. My hand was clutching the collar of his robe, sullying it with blood. In my brief stint of coherent thought and vision, I could see that what I'd been feeling was accurate. My skin was indeed splitting open like seams. I was like a vessel that couldn't contain what was being poured into me.
The pain was so searing and white hot that I couldn't even comprehend anything else.
Itachi was shouting something at Kisame. Kisame nodded, a horrific look marring his features as he glanced back at me before taking off. Itachi looked down at me like he was witnessing my death. It put such a terrible look in his eyes.
Someone was coming up behind him. I needed to warn him but his mangekyo sharingan flashed to life and I was lost to it.
A/N: Alright so that was A LOT. Thank you for reading. Y'all must think I hate Izumi with how much I torture her... this poor girl :3 I assure you I do not.
And poor Hidan with whatever emotional baggage he's working through (I say, as if I don't know, mwehehe) For real though, I'm excited to give this man some proper backstory and fleshing out.
A lot of plotty plot things starting to happen here (it's like I'm actually trying to finish the damn story and not get distracted by writing only smut) so buckle up. We have a bumpy ride coming up. Thanks for the support as always, my dears :3
RIP Lucky the fish.
