~Maél is mé tó féran~

Kakuzu was a man not known for many things. His stature would tower over most men and his fighting skill was seen as unholy, but very few would live to tell the tale. His eyes we're cold, unmoving, and he was a man of so few words. Never one to join in conversation unless it held vault to him. Growing up in a war torn world had changed him in many ways, but Kakuzu never wanted to remember such pathetic things. There was nothing to gain from the past, only what the future holds can only be uncertain.

He kept his eyes on the figure. Watching as their chest moved up and down from every breath. He lives. He thought with disappointment.

As a man never to tend to others, seeing the blind shinobi grow from a weak child to someone who could make his people proud. Unfortunately, the nomads met their fate by both their hands in a bloody massacre. He could remember their blood coloring the golden sands and the screams echoing for miles where no one could hear. The boy had a killer instinct and the way he moved with the curved blades seemed as if he were dancing.

Kakuzu looked to the curved blade that lay by his side. There was a set that Saif would use on many of their missions, but after his battle with Madara Uchiha, one was lost. The stupid boy was reckless. He has always been reckless.

Saif was not afraid of the tall shinobi. He may not want to anger him, but fear was not in his bones. From first glance, he looked to be normal sand dweller. Dressed in robes that swayed against the hot wind and sand. His skin so tan that the sun touched. Kakuzu was intrigued at first by the small child until he looked upon his eyes.

...

"What is you name child? " His rough voice asked.

"Depends if your name is death." The child spoke.

He was so close to death that the buzzards circled around him. Kakuzu would have left him there to die. But what would be the fun in that?

..

Saif was a handful as he grew into a young man. Like any child, he asked plenty of questions which annoyed Kakuzu. The God's saw plenty of humor with the traveling pair. From one nation crossing borders and finding bounties, Kakuzu has seen growth within Saif. The way he fought without the use of sight. It wasn't much of a secret that Saif uses his feet to see. Never has Kakuzu seen such a technique used from shinobi. The desert nomads blessed him, yet they saw Saif as worthless.

Do not be sentimental about the boy. Kakuzu sighed feeling his neck and limbs pop.

Crossing his arms over his chest, the night was humid and the fire low. No need to have unwanted visitors. At least not ones that have no bounty. He closed his eyes with ears listening to the life of the forest surrounding them. Crickets we're heard from a distance. An owl staring with it's big eyes down upon the two men. Opening his eyes once more, Kakuzu could not see far beyond the darkness. His eyes we're set know something moving close. Out from the bushes, a snout emerged. It was nothing more than a badger.

Kakuzu stared at the creature and it stared back once it made it's face more visible. The badger was scared beyond reason and ran as if it's life depended on it. Kakuzu scuffed itching the need to fight. He has not had a good spar in such a long time. If Saif wasn't so brash, they would have a spar. The boy needed a lesson in his actions.

Saif laid just a few feet away covered in a blanket. His chest rising from every breath. This was not like Kakuzu to care. He was annoyed easily by small things. He rather be alone for the most part, but Saif had his uses. Able to sense through the soles of his feet, Kakuzu saw promise. He has never seen a shinobi use such tactics. He often wondered if Saif could be sold for such a high price to some Lord.

He reached for something within his pouch. A bounty book of shinobi with a price set out for their body. Red X's marking over their faces expect for a few. Madara Uchiha was a handsome prize alongside Hashirama Senju. Tobirama (the other Senju) was within the book. Each man had a hefty bounty that Kakuzu wanted.


"Above us is the stars. It is the realm of the Gods, my little saqr."

Humming. It was soft like the silk of a blanket wrapped around a crying child. He felt safe within this voice that he hears when he does not feel strong enough.

He heard the sound of her soft voice humming to the tune of a lullaby. It was smooth, sweet, and it was a genuine hum that a mother would sing to a son. Breathing in slow breathes of air, he could feel his chest throbbing in pain. The battle between Tobirama Senju and himself had truly taken it's toll on his body. His chakras levels felt depleted, but after a decent meal his strength will return.

Opening his eyes to the darkness of the world, he sat up slowly while the pain only increased. Placing his fingers to the ground he could sense he was not alone. He clenched his fist not turning his head towards the man that saved him from death.

"Once more I save your life." His deep voice spoke.

Saif could hear the venomous tone with his voice. Kakuzu grew tired of having to constantly save him when all he had to do was leave him to die. Saif knew the man was using him for his talent- if one could call it such.

"And yet, you keep me alive." Saif could feel the strings tighten around his neck the moment his words left his mouth. The very breath being knocked right out of him. Burning as the Strong's tightenes, he could feel the bloodlust seeping off this monstrous shadow that stood on the other side.

"Killing you would be simple. It would be too easy, but your use to me would go wasted. You are wasting your time on this bounty. I will not continue to wait for you to mess things up once more. I will take another high bounty to get us through two winters. Madara Uchiha has the highest price on his head and you can only wound him. Do I have to interfere again?" He was growing impatient. His hold on the blind shinobi growing tighter as his rage was building.

Saif coughed. He tried to breath, but he could not struggle against his hold. He knew this man was strong and had a purpose. His bounty was slowly being taken from him. Each day Saif fails, their money becomes less. That is what the purpose is. Saif cared not for the money, but for the promise of sight.

Kakuzu let him go and retracted his strings back into his body. Saif placed his hand around his burning neck. Teeth clenched and anger boiled in his blood.

"I was born blind. I should have died in the desert as a child, but the Gods have brought me to you. To serve you. I was born for this. Madara Uchiha will feel my blade through his skin." Saif said as he tried to get up from his resting place.

Kakuzu watched cautiously as the blind shinobi stood on shaky legs. His body covered with bloody bandages. He could see the determination within his stance. His chakra coursed through his veins. His foot struck the ground feeling every living being surrounding them. This was the reason he has kept Saif alive. Such wonders this shinobi has shown.

"Prove me wrong, Saif."