Oh my god, I don't even know what to say. Thank you to all of you who've been waiting and sending me messages about updates. Even if you've only read it and haven't sent me anything, thank you and I hope you're really rockin' in this world we live in now. This story is written in my head, and now I just have to get it down in words. Please don't hesitate to reach out with your comments or even just to say hi. Here's chapter 13!
Snuck in a quick reference to my favorite Kakuhida AUs haha! Can you name them?
Chapter Text
The four decided splitting up would be best when it came to staying anonymous. Kisame and Mei planned to walk over the large bridge connecting the outskirts to the main city, and Kakuzu and Hidan would catch the train in.
Kakuzu frowned at the back of Hidan's head as the pair walked down the stone walkways to the station. What sounded like a passable idea in the moment, to wear disguises, now made Kakuzu second guess himself completely. Hidan was dressed in Kakuzu's dark red sweater, a pair of his old jeans, and a sports cap he snagged, despite Kakuzu's threats, from a kiosk a few blocks back. His old clothes were tad too large for Hidan, and Kakuzu thought it made the muscled man look almost like a teenager.
"Ah, well, all the better to stay inco-nicholas," Hidan responded.
" Inconspicuous ." Kakuzu growled.
" Gesundheit, Kakuzu . Anyway what I'm trying to say is it's good for stayin' under the radar,'' Hidan stretched and interlaced his fingers behind his head, "God, I'm hungry, we couldn't of stopped at a grocery store or something on the way here?"
"Do you even comprehend what we're doing?"
"I comprehend that your ass looks great in those sweatpants. The mask is a little much though." Hidan jogged to Kakuzu's side and hooked their arms together. For as angry and stressed as Kakuzu was in the moment, the contact felt good, almost reassuring, but he shrugged the man's arm off.
"Aw, come on, Kuzu! Relax. We're practically invisible, remember? But I gotta admit, I feel a bit like Bonnie and Cylde."
Kakuzu's face was as emotionally comprehensible as a stone.
"Okay, okay… Velma and Louis?"
Kakuzu's eye twitched.
"Mickey and Mallory? Or maybe we're-" Hidan didn't get to finish before Kakuzu shoved him into a nearby ally-way and pushed him against the damp stone wall.
"What the hell! Will you chill, old man?" Hidan spat.
"We're criminals!" Kakuzu's voice was a harsh whisper, "Sneaking around the outskirts of a city, and you have the audacity to make jokes!"
"Will you just relax!" Hidan argued.
"This entire town would pay to watch you rot in a cell and you're acting like an immature little punk."
Hidan rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I know! Will you just let go of me?" Hidan said, but Kakuzu tightened his grip.
"You listen to me and you listen good, Hidan. We both know what's going to happen if we let that fucker Danzo do whatever the hell he wants to whoever he wants. I'm not going to let him screw up your life or mine, or anyone else at that damn Asylum anymore. So get it together and stop acting like a brat." Kakuzu's tone was threatening but his eyes shone with worry and fear.
Hidan frowned and Kakuzu let go of his arm.
"Alright. Alright. I'll be good I promise." Hidan gave Kakuzu's face a pat before he snuck back onto the street.
Kakuzu took in a breath, and followed Hidan out of the alley.
The station was crowded, but this wasn't unusual in any way. They were traveling into one the largest cities in the country and, in Kakuzu's words, one of the most crime-ridden.
"That'll be fifty-nine ryō." The ticket seller smacked the top of the register with her fat arm and it clanked open. She breathed impatiently against the dirty window of the ticket booth and through the fogged glass her face was amphibious. Hidan snarled as Kakuzu handed her the money.
"She looked like a frog, but at least the tickets were cheap. They must be hurting if two go for only sixty yen." he said stepping into the train, but gagged once the smell of the train cab finally hit him. It was thick with the smell of cigarettes and sweat, and the people on the train looked just as rancid as it smelled. Old fabric patches littered the seats, rusted with years of mold, spit, and probably blood.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me."
"Suck it up. This train was the cheapest and will get us to the city just as fast as the others. No sense in wasting money."
Hidan was dumbfounded.
"This is an actual shit-hole, you know that right? You couldn't have paid the extra hundred ryo for a decent fucking train?"
"Don't make a scene. Like I said, there's no point. Plus no one will find us here." Kakuzu stopped at one of the train cabins in the back and the rusted door screamed as he slid it open. He gestured Hidan inside.
"Cheapskate," Hidan muttered.
"You're lucky I didn't make you walk over the bridge in the rain," Kakuzu said as he slid the squealing metal door closed.
"Yeah I'm really lucky to be sitting on these sticky seats that more people have fucked on then I can count."
"Well considering you can barely speak properly, I doubt you can count very high."
Hidan muttered back curses under his breath, but inside he was secretly relieved Kakuzu's nerves were finally settling down. He missed this playfully-cruel banter the two used to spit back and forth at each other during his therapy sessions.
The train left the station and Hidan leaned back against the ragged cushion, closing his eyes.
"Don't get too comfortable. We'll be there soon."
"Yeah, yeah. I hear you," Hidan said and drifted off.
Hidan thought back to just a few hours ago when he was alone in Kakuzu's room, phone in hand, to call Konan.
He ran his hand along the messy sheets of Kakuzu's bed, noticing the broken frame and sunken mattress.
With all of the pent up anger the older man had, Hidan wasn't surprised at the state of the home at all. If you could call it a home . He let the phone drop to the floor and crawled into bed, shuffling the covers up over him and clutching a pillow to his face.
He told Kakuzu he'd call Konan, and that she could give them a safe place to think, and maybe even help them, but truthfully he just wanted to be alone.
"Give me a break," Hidan mumbled into the pillow. Thoughts and memories of his past flooded his mind from the moment he'd woken up that morning in Kakuzu's arms. He thought about Fuu too. He thought of her alone with no one to play with or talk to. She was mentally ill, yes, but she was at least capable of caring for herself. It seemed to Hidan like it was more of a matter of if she wanted to or not.
'And Kakuzu trusts me,' Hidan was overwhelmed with his feelings for Kakuzu. The sound of his deep baritone voice, his stupid one word answers, and the feeling of the man's hands on him, running along his chest… thighs… through his hair… against his lips… Hidan groaned.
Kakuzu was so broken and emotionally starved that he latched onto the first person who could actually understand what he was going through. Why everyone thought the old geezer was a mystery was ridiculous. It didn't take some genius psychologist to see Kakuzu was a loyal man, but so fucked by the world that he closed himself off to everything and everyone.
'Except for Fuu. He never let her go,' he thought.
In another life, maybe Kakuzu and Hidan could have been together. In a life full of domesticity, stupid arguments, and lots of sex, but this wasn't that life. If Kakuzu were to choose him he'd lose Fuu forever. He'd lose the last person he loved.
Hidan picked up the phone and punched in Konan's number. It rang.
"Hello?" Her voice was still as nonchalant as Hidan remembered.
"Hey."
"Oh my god."
"I miss you," Hidan blurted out, suddenly holding back tears. Konan's voice turned to a worried whisper.
"Where are you? What the hell is going on? You're all over the news again and I'm being swamped by these idiots-"
"I remember." There was silence over the line and Hidan held his breath.
"Hidan, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Konan was whispering over the phone through tears, "I tried to fix everything, but-"
"Konan, there was nothing you could've done. You did everything you could."
"But that damn woman! She took you away when we were so young and I'm sorry I let her!" Konan sobbed, "Where are you?"
"I t doesn't matter where I am right now," Hidan bit the inside of his cheek.
"What? Why? Hidan, where are you?"
"Konan, please I just- I want-" Hidan closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "I need your help."
"What do you mean?"
"It's Kakuzu."
"Doctor Taki? Is he with you? Are you okay?"
"I'm alright. But I need you to help get Kakuzu to his niece."
"His what?"
"Her name's Fuu and she lives at Amegakure. I need you to get her and Kakuzu out of this whole fucking thing."
"Hidan, what are you saying? I'm trying to process all this."
"I don't- I don't know. I just," Hidan put his head in his hand, "Are you home?"
"I'll be home soon."
"I'm going to take him to you, and I need you to just call the police, so they can take me back."
"What?" Konan was shocked.
"I can't- this whole thing. Kakuzu thinks I didn't do it- I didn't kill all those people. He helped me remember that and, even though I didn't, no one knows."
"I knew from the start! It was that woman!"
"But no one's going to believe me. Or you, or Kakuzu, or anybody. If they want me dead or locked up then they can have me, but they can't take Fuu away from him," Hidan swallowed hard, "he's so fucking broken, Konan. He lost his whole fuckin' family, and he doesn't have anybody, but he's trying to help me, and this whole thing is a mess and-"
"Hidan, stop. You're going to pass out. Take a deep breath."
"Konan," Hidan cried into the palm of his hand, "I just want everybody to be okay."
"I know, Hidan."
"I really fucked it all up."
"It's not your fault."
Hidan rubbed his eyes and said, "Please. Will you help?"
"Hidan! You're innocent! You don't deserve-"
"Konan will you just fucking listen to me! For once!" Hidan's voice was an angry whisper not even he recognized.
The phone line was silent, and Hidan apologized.
"I'm sorry. Please… I just want this whole mess to end."
"Hidan."
"I don't see another way out of this. Fuu is such a good kid, and Kakuzu… he's not the monster the world thinks he is, and I don't wanna be the thing that makes him lose everything he has left. I don't even wanna chance it."
"I- Hidan, this isn't right."
"Please," Hidan prayed the words more than asked, "Please just help him." It took a moment but Konan finally whispered her answer.
"I will."
Hidan's breath hitched in relief and he bit his lip to stop more tears from falling.
"Thank you."
"I'm going to convince them it was just you who broke out. The story on the news only says Kakuzu left the Asylum with you the night you escaped. I have some friends who work at the news station and I can convince them that he was chasing you to take you back all along. I'm going to tell them it was Kakuzu who found you and turned you in."
"Thank you," Hidan sighed in relief, "Thank you for doing this."
The line was silent again and Hidan sucked in a breath.
"Konan?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
He heard Konan break out a soft sob over the line.
"You're going to be fine," she whispered. Hidan smiled and rolled his eyes.
"When have I not been?"
Konan laughed weakly, "I love you, too. Always. I'll see you soon."
"Yeah. See you soon."
"Hidan," Kakuzu's rough voice shook the younger man out of his trance, "wake up."
Hidan stretched and yawned.
"Huh, what's up? What's going on?"
"We're here, you idiot."
"Well howdy-do to you too."
The train was about a minute away from the station and Kakuzu was already up and ready to leave the cabin.
"Wait," Hidan said.
"What?" Kakuzu turned to him impatiently.
"I, uh, wanna tell ya something."
"You had the entire train ride to talk to me and you chose, uncharacteristically, to sleep."
"Hey, I wasn't sleeping!"
Kakuzu turned to leave but Hidan caught his wrist.
"What is it, Hidan?"
Hidan stood up suddenly and hugged Kakuzu, burying his face into the man's chest.
"I'm sorry," Hidan said.
Kakuzu rolled his eyes, "For what?"
"I don't know."
"You're ridiculous," Kakuzu said and ran his hand through Hidan's hair.
The rainy streets of the city bustled with people as the two skirted through the masses undetected. Hidan was leading them quickly through the streets and Kakuzu stayed so close behind he could tug on the other man's shirt if he wanted.
"It's right up this way." They made a turn down a wide street to a less populated area and stopped under the awning of one of the tall buildings.
"This is it," Hidan breathed, "follow me."
Dashing inside behind Hidan, Kakuzu was surprised to find that the apartment building had a large bar underneath, crowded, probably to get out the rain, with citizens, and police. In shock he grabbed Hidan by the collar back outside.
"Kakuzu! Oi! What's the deal this time!"
"Hidan, there are cops all around. We'll be recognized."
"Please, everyone in there is a drunk who can't tell a ten from a two. Trust me." When Kakuzu frowned Hidan looked into his eyes and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Kakuzu, I promise it'll be fine."
The older man thought for a moment then nodded, skirting past Hidan who followed this time.
"This way," Hidan said, navigating them to a door at the back of the loud, darkened bar. The door opened to stairs leading to a quiet wide hallway. Once Hidan closed the door at the top of the stair silence engulfed the two, and only their footsteps could be heard as they made their way to the elevator. The elevator was older and elegantly made, and Kakuzu quite liked the style of it.
Hidan laughed nervously, "Probably older than you." His hands were starting to shake slightly and his pulse was rapid in his ears. Kakuzu sensed his nervousness.
"Most likely, yes," he said and moved close to Hidan, letting the door close. Hidan reached out to press the floor button, but Kakuzu reached for his hand, stopping him.
"What?" Hidan said.
"Hidan," Kakuzu leaned in and kissed Hidan on the lips. He felt the younger man tense up for a moment, but then relax into his touch. Hidan circled his arms behind Kakuzu's neck and leaned into him. After a few moments Hidan broke the kiss and nuzzled into Kakuzu's neck.
"You're a fucking sap," Hidan said and looked up at Kakuzu, "but I don't want this to end."
"I'm not going to let it," Kakuzu said.
"Kakuzu, I, it's just, well, I mean- I..."
"I can't get you to shut up for three minutes ever since I met you and all of a sudden you can't speak."
Hidan laughed and used that moment to roll out of Kakuzu's arms and push the elevator button. The elevator started moving up.
"I just think it's funny," Hidan said.
"And what is that?" Kakuzu asked.
"That, maybe, if you think about it, I mean, anything could happen," Hidan smiled and it made Kakuzu roll his eyes and he leaned against the elevator wall, skeptical about what he was about to hear.
"Hear me out, Kuzu. Just think about it. We're here living in this crazy mess, but maybe, and I know I'm gonna sound fuckin' crazy but-"
"You are crazy, but continue," Kakuzu snickered.
" But, in another life, imagine if it was all different."
"Are you saying you believe in reincarnation?"
"No! No, not that shit," Hidan threw his arms up, "I mean- who knows, but that's not what I'm sayin'!"
Hidan smoothed out his hair with a crooked smile.
"I'm sayin' like what if there was a whole other us ," He motioned to the two of them, "in another world, that's totally different than ours."
Kakuzu cocked a brow.
The elevator stopped.
"Imagine another life where we're the same people, but living in a completely different situation," Hidan tried to explain.
"And for example?" Kakuzu prompted.
"Like, geeze, I don't know, like in one life maybe we're, I don't know, happily married."
Kakuzu let out a snort.
"And in another maybe we're like in a rock band or something, or opera singers, or living in a fuckin' trailer park or some shit."
Kakuzu furrowed his brow. "Where are you going with this?"
"And in another life we could be fuckin' ninjas!" Hidan blurted, "You know?" Hidan kicked into the air, "Kickin' fuckin' ninja ass. But we're not. We're here, now, kissing in this elevator, running from these corrupt fucking people." Kakuzu stared at him dumbfounded.
"Ninjas?" Kakuzu said.
"Yeah, well, I'm just using an example-"
"That's ridiculous. What would we do as ninjas?"
"What? I don't fucking know!" Hidan gestured wildly, "Whatever the fuck ninja's do! Like bounty-hunt and kill people I guess, or magic ninja shit!"
"When we get out of this mess I'm going to start you on therapy again."
The elevator door opened, but before Hidan stepped out Kakuzu grabbed him one last time, "Hidan, we might not be living those worlds, or even a good one, but in this one, in this life, I care about you."
"Kakuzu, I'm fucked up. I'm beyond help." Hidan bit his lip.
"I thought I was too, but you helped me."
"Kakuzu... whatever happens I just- I want you to know that I've never felt this way about anyone and thanks", Hidan rolled his eyes, "For seeing me. You know the real me."
Hidan kissed Kakuzu and tried to say with his kiss what he couldn't with words.
