A/N I can hardly believe it's been more than a year since I updated this! Still - here we are! I had such a block about this chapter that hopefully now it's done things will move smoothly again, though perhaps not particularly swiftly as I now have an 8-month-old baby!

Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed and for adding my stories to your favourites - every time it's happened I've thought 'I must update my stories!' and eventually it happened... Hope it's worth the wait.

Almost unbelievably, they made the rest of the journey with no further mishaps, and by the time they pulled into Edinburgh station Hidan was revived enough to get his bike from the cycle carriage himself, and then zoom off up an incredibly steep ramp at breakneck speed. Then after a quick stop at their hotel to drop off their bags, they set off for the gallery, a five minute walk away.

And when they reached it, even Kakuzu had to admit the proposed Akatsuki Edinburgh was a fantastic space. It needed a lot of work, but that wasn't a problem. Deidara was enchanted by it, and Hidan was getting caught up in his enthusiasm, too. He was looking happy now; he seemed full of beans. Incredible, really - Kakuzu would've thought he'd be whacked after losing so much blood, and part of him wanted to make lie him down, cosset him, contain that hyperactive energy - but he seemed to have a fantastic capacity for recovery, and perhaps, after all, he knew his body best. Kakuzu knew somehow that if he wanted Hidan on a leash, it would have to be a long one - long enough, in fact, that he wouldn't notice the difference...

Leaving the artists and Hidan to explore, Kakuzu hunted down the building's owner and laid the groundwork for intimidating him into reducing the rent. Konan had not specifically asked him to do this, but he didn't see how it could do any harm. Actually, the guy seemed relieved to be dealing with a businessman, rather than some flaky artist. He told Kakuzu it was a pleasure to do business with him and they parted with a feeling of mutual satisfaction.

After that, and a quick tour of the building to see exactly how much needed doing before the place would be ready to open, there wasn't very much that he could do before the morning so he headed back to the exhibition space to see if Sasori might be ready to leave as well. Hidan and Deidara had been in full flow when he'd left them - drinking milkshakes and working out the possibilities of some bizarre performance piece that Kakuzu suspected would involve unacceptable amounts of blood, nudity and explosives - but Sasori's work wasn't site specific. He only needed to approve the look of the place and get a feel for how much work he'd need to produce. Kakuzu wondered if he'd feel like going back for an early drink in the hotel bar.

He was feeling a sudden need for the company of an older guy, or at least - because Sasori couldn't really be well described as older - somebody cultured, articulate and intelligent. Restful company, anyway. And as soon as he put his head round the door he could almost see the craving for the same thing emanating from Sasori. He was pressing his fingertips to his temples as though he had the mother of all headaches, and watching with dismay as Hidan and Deidara used Hidan's strawberry milkshake to simulate horrible anaemic blood. He nodded mutely in response to Kakuzu's suggestion that they leave them to it.

Restful company, Kakuzu had said to himself. Well, usually that wouldn't have been far off the mark, he was sure. But he couldn't help but notice almost immediately that Sasori seemed more than a little irritable this evening. They sat together at the bar, Kakuzu drinking Ardbeg 10-year-old, Sasori drinking Glenmorangie. Each thought the other's choice in equal measures unoriginal and pretentious, and both insisted that they just happened to feel like drinking whisky - it wasn't just because they were in Scotland. Sasori even went so far as to pedantically point out that the Ardbeg distillery was now owned by Glenmorangie, but this was a mistake in a conversation with an investment banker, as Kakuzu took vindictive pleasure in informing him that Glenmorangie was owned by two of the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits companies in the world... and one of them French, as well. They both brooded for a moment, slightly less pleased with each other's company than they'd expected.

"I don't think you're doing Hidan any good, you know," Sasori said suddenly, nursing his whisky. "You let him get away with too much. He knows he can do whatever he likes, and no matter what you might say, you always end up backing him up and giving him what he wants."

"Sounds rather nice..." Kakuzu mused, swirling his glass and watching intently as a miniature whirlpool developed, leaning one elbow on the bar.

"But my point is that it's not 'rather nice', Kakuzu, it's you becoming a besotted old man, letting a pretty kid take advantage of you in a way that's ultimately damaging to him as well because it allows him to continue his hedonistic sado-masochistic lifestyle without any consideration at all for the consequences."

Kakuzu paused to make sure had Sasori talked himself out before attempting to reply. He ate a cashew nut, took a small sip of his drink and considered. "Well, I'd rather that he felt comfortable enough around me to do what he needs to do." He paused, looking calmly at Sasori. "Rather than letting it all boil up so that it happens when there's no-one around to take care of the fall-out."

"Well, what happens when you're not around to take care of the fall-out, Kakuzu? You're fifteen years older than him, for one thing!"

"Well? What of it? You're nearly fifteen years older than your little boy-toy."

Sasori seethed quietly as Kakuzu chuckled. "That's beside the point." he said irritably. "Deidara doesn't lean on me like a third fucking leg!"

Kakuzu chuckled again. "I wouldn't be so sure of that," he murmured. "But, in any case, I lead a very healthy lifestyle, I don't think I need have any fears for my longevity. Hidan, on the other hand, won't even look a vegetable in the face... I wouldn't necessarily put my money on him as the last one standing..."

"Well, you encourage that! You enable that! Ahh!" Sasori put his glass down on the bar with a firm clink. "I thought at first you were going to be a steadying influence on him. But all you're doing is creating a safe arena for him to run wild in as much as he likes. And it's not safe in the long run! What are you going to do when you've got a middle-aged, anaemic, diabetic alcoholic on your hands instead a charming capricious kid? Because you'll have created that!"

Kakuzu had tried not to laugh, but once he started, he couldn't stop. "You worry too much, Sasori," he said finally, wiping away tears of mirth. "You underestimate Hidan. He's his own man, and that's why I let him 'get away with everything', as you put it. Who am I to tell him what to do? He's got to find his own way. But I am here for him, when he needs me, and I hope he continues to need me, because, well, I like having him around." He chuckled mirthlessly. "But really, Sasori, I've known him about a week! Don't you think you're moving us a little fast?"

"I can see where this is going," Sasori replied darkly. "I've never seen you click with anyone like you do with Hidan. You know it's true."

"Then why the hell are you trying to warn me off him?" Kakuzu drained the rest of his whisky, relishing the peaty burn as it went down.

"Tch," tutted Sasori irritably. "You're deliberately missing the point! Just like you always do! I really don't know why I bother, sometimes!"

"Neither do I, old friend, neither do I," replied Kakuzu urbanely, winding him up even further. "Do me a favour, and let me work this one out for myself..."

He put his glass down, empty now. "I'm going to wander down and see how they're getting on," he said. "Maybe take Hidan out for some dinner - I imagine that perhaps you'd prefer we went our separate ways tonight..."

"Well, I don't make any promises about keeping my temper, otherwise," Sasori replied. "Dealing with Hidan takes more patience than I have... though I have to admit, not professionally - deal with him as a model, and I'm fine. But socially... I'd rather not have to, to be frank..."

"Sure," said Kakuzu. He didn't mind. Sasori was an odd prickly bastard, but he suspected that he was fonder of Hidan than he'd let on. Leaving him at the bar, he made his way out through reception and into the street, and started walking briskly in the direction of the gallery. He wasn't sure why, but he suddenly had an odd feeling that he should check up on Hidan. Maybe it was his medical training subconsciously reasserting itself - after all, it seemed to good to be true that Hidan's little blood-letting stunt should have no consequences other than a a bit of dizziness straight afterwards.

He found Hidan and Deidara not far from the gallery, and it was a good thing he'd come out to meet them, because Hidan was leaning against the wall, obviously not in a good state, and Deidara was trying rather ineffectually to get him moving again. He hung back a moment, taking stock of the situation.

"Lean on me, un," Deidara was saying encouragingly. "Come on, Hidan, we've got to get you back, man, un?"

"I'm too fucking heavy for you, Dei," Hidan murmured, sliding down the wall and squatting disconsolately at its base, leaning his head back against the stones. "Give me a minute, yeah? I'll be fine." He shut his eyes.

Deidara looked down at him desperately. How was he ever to get him to his feet again? He knew what Hidan was like - giving him 'a minute' was more than likely to end up with Hidan going to sleep and remaining asleep for the next twelve hours. He got out his phone. "I'm going to call Kakuzu," he said.

"No!" said Hidan, making a surprisingly swift grab for the phone, and succeeding in getting a hold on it, though not able to wrest it entirely from Deidara's grip. "No! Dei! Don't do that!"

In the shadows, Kakuzu's heart melted. Hidan was so obstinately independent and yet so bad at taking care of himself. He strode over to them. "It's OK, Deidara," he said quietly. "I'll take care of him from here. I rather thought this might happen..."

He squatted in front of Hidan and took his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze, then tilted his face up so he could look into his eyes. "You're not dizzy?" he asked, "Not feeling nauseous? Any headache?"

"No," Hidan mumbled, trying to avoid his eyes. "Just so tired, man..."

"OK," said Kakuzu. "That's good." He pulled Hidan's right arm over his shoulder and stood up, placing an arm firmly around his waist. "Let's get you to bed," he murmured. "You don't have to do anything except behave yourself and let me take care of things."

"OK, Kakuzu, OK," Hidan agreed in a rather muffled voice against his shoulder. He was just too tired to resist anymore.

Kakuzu hitched him a little higher, grasping his arm firmly just below the elbow. Really, it would've been easier just to carry him, but he didn't want to attract more attention than was inevitable. Deidara hovered uselessly at his side, and Kakuzu said, slightly irritably, "Run along, Deidara, I got this. Go and distract Sasori. He'll never let me hear the end of it if he sees this..."

"OK, un, if you're sure..." Deidara looked more than a little relieved and set off swiftly towards the hotel.

Following more sedately, Kakuzu steered Hidan gently through the steep streets. The weight didn't really bother him too much, but he was a little concerned at the image they must present. Well, couldn't be helped. Kakuzu set his features to impassive and ignored the stares they received.

By the time they were through reception and in the lift, Hidan was all but asleep. Kakuzu leant against the lift wall and held him loosely against him, his head tucked into his shoulder. He rested his chin on top of Hidan's head. Hidan made a sleepy murmur and put his arms around Kakuzu, burrowing his face deeper into the crook of Kakuzu's neck. His breathing tickled, but Kakuzu was a disciplined man. And anyway, not particularly ticklish. It was nice, he had to confess, holding Hidan like this, and Hidan so quiet and peaceful. He tightened his hold on him very slightly, gripping the wrist of his right hand with his left to make a strong circle around him.

The lift reached their floor, and the doors opened. The corridor was deserted. "Hey," whispered Kakuzu. "Up for a bit more walking?"

"Le's stay here," Hidan murmured back, not opening his eyes.

"Can't do that, sweetheart." The endearment slipped accidentally, but just so naturally, and Kakuzu rather guiltily hoped Hidan hadn't noticed. He manoeuvred him into the corridor, then shifted his grip. "Hold on tight," he said, and picked Hidan up, cradling his head against his chest, his other arm under his knees. Hidan wound an arm around his neck. It was a lot easier than on Saturday night, when Hidan had been totally asleep and very floppy. And naked. And there'd been a lot of stairs. This was nothing. Kakuzu supposed years of solitary lunchtimes in the gym must have paid off. He extracted Hidan's key from his pocket and balanced him against the doorframe as he opened the door. Kicking it shut behind him, he laid Hidan on the bed, where he immediately rolled over and pulled the covers over himself. Kakuzu unrolled him and took his shoes off. They were leather, but they fastened with velcro straps, and had little patent details... To Kakuzu they seemed like a hybrid between trainers and what he thought of as real shoes. They made him laugh, they seemed so very Hidan. He noticed as he put them neatly on the floor that they were Gucci.

He sat on the bed next to Hidan, and wondered whether he ought to undress him completely, or whether he'd want to get up in an hour or so for some supper. He looked at his watch. It might be better to keep him in bed for the rest of the evening, get him something from Room Service a bit later. He undid Hidan's trousers and eased them off him. Hidan helpfully - if semi-consciously - raised up his pelvis a little, bringing a little smile to Kakuzu's lips. Then he unbuttoned his shirt, but left that on. He unbuttoned the cuffs so they wouldn't chafe his wrists. He peeled his socks off. Hidan had nice feet... a lot smaller than Kakuzu's... smaller in proportion, not just because Hidan was smaller.

Kakuzu covered him back up, and sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting gently on Hidan's thigh. It was just so easy to be nice to him when he was feeling low, or if he was hurt or tired. Or off his face... It concerned Kakuzu a bit. It didn't quite seem like a healthy basis for a relationship. Perhaps Sasori had a point...

Kakuzu repositioned himself so that he could lean again the wall, next to Hidan's head, and shut his eyes for a moment. Sasori does not have a point, he told himself sternly. The thing is; you haven't been in a relationship for years, you've lost touch with how to be intimate with anyone. You're probably lucky Hidan does have this vulnerable side, because it lets you in. If he was always so cocky and confident as he is in the day, you probably wouldn't have the courage to touch even him. He's so beautiful. So young, and successful and beautiful.

Despite his confidence and assurance, there was a side of Kakuzu that was deeply private and shy. He hadn't let anyone touch him emotionally for years. Now, everything seemed to be touching him. Even old friends with whom he thought he was on a totally comfortable footing were affecting him strangely at the moment. Sasori and Deidara - even Konan had moved him strangely with her dilemma of a love affair. He felt like just the proximity of Hidan was peeling his comfortable shell off him. No - more than that. The first dose of Hidan he'd had, just seeing his face on that card, it had opened him out - exposed him to the world again, with all its possibilities for mockery and pain.

Opening his eyes again, he smoothed Hidan's hair back off his forehead, then got up and walked over to the window. He found himself looking at the setting sun, going down over Edinburgh Castle, bathing the building in pinkish orange light. It was strangely beautiful, though it wasn't really an elegant building. It was impressive - huge and shapeless. Kakuzu ran his hand over his jaw. He needed a shave. He felt the faint bumps of the scars that ran along parallel to his jawline - barely visible these days. They were a relic from a violent incident during his time on A&E as a house surgeon. He remembered being wheeled into theatre and knowing everyone, and though they'd sent him straight into plastics, wishing helplessly there was some way he could do the job himself. No-one was better at that kind of job than Kakuzu. Several plastic surgeons had said he was wasted on heart surgery, but - there you are - that was what had fascinated him. Perhaps if he'd gone into plastics he'd still be a surgeon now. Much less chance of people dying on you there...

He turned back to Hidan, knowing that he really ought to check those wounds. He sat down beside him again, and carefully unwrapped the bandages. The right had closed up nicely. Kakuzu made sure it was properly clean, and bandaged it up again. Then he moved around to the other side of the bed and turned his attention to Hidan's left wrist. He had a bad feeling about this. He should have checked it out earlier. There was a dark stain seeping through the bandage, and that must've happened in the last hour or so, because Kakuzu had given him a superficial check over before he left him at the gallery.

Very carefully, he unwound the bandage. Yes, the wound had reopened. It must have been hurting quite a lot, probably throbbing with a dull ache with sharper pain every time he moved it... Kakuzu should never have trusted him not to move it. It was probably dealing with the pain that had so exhausted him.

Given where the injury was, and given that it was excitable hyperactive Hidan he was dealing with, Kakuzu resigned himself to the fact that stitches were necessary. And while proper procedure would probably mean taking him to hospital, Kakuzu was going to do it himself, here. He had everything necessary, except, of course, an anaesthetist. But Hidan was deeply asleep, and it was only going to take three or four... And Kakuzu had always been very quick.

He got out his one of his finest surgical needles - this was a delicate area. He decided it wasn't necessary to stitch Hidan up in two layers - the wound was clean and he hadn't cut through the vein.

Hidan's eyes fluttered open as soon as the needle touched his skin. "Ouch, man," he murmured sleepily. "What the fuck?"

"Ssh," said Kakuzu, carrying on.

Hidan opened his eyes wider and craned his head forward to look at what Kakuzu was doing. "Oi oi oi!" he protested blearily, "What the fuck do you think you're doing? Fucking stop it! Get that away from me!"

"It needs to be done," Kakuzu replied - quietly, imperturbably.

"Owww!" Hidan screamed as the needle pierced his skin. He tried to snatch his wrist away, but Kakuzu saw what he was up to and gripped it tight.

"Settle down, Hidan," he said, sighing. "Don't make me tie you up..." It really wasn't making it any easier, having to restrain Hidan at the time as stitching him up.

Hidan had gone a bit white at the sight of the needle pulling through his skin. He let his head fall back onto the pillow with a flop. "That's fucking grim," he murmured, and Kakuzu thought he might behave - if just through lack of energy - but he was just as bad with the second stitch. Kakuzu growled with irritation.

"Do you want me to take you to hospital?" he said impatiently. "We'd probably have to sit in A&E for about eight hours..."

"No!" Hidan whined. "That would fucking suck, man. I don't need to go to hospital!"

"No, you don't - not if you let me do this." Kakuzu was firm. "It's nearly done. Just be good and keep still, and you won't have to worry about it anymore. OK?"

"Okay!" Hidan spat sulkily.

"Good." Kakuzu went back to work. Hidan hissed and winced and moaned and complained, but he kept still. Kakuzu put in five stitches for good measure, then swabbed the wound clean and covered it up again. He wouldn't put it past Hidan to worry at the stitches if they itched... He had a fleeting image of him in the sort of conical collar vets used to stop animals biting at their wounds and smirked. Maybe he should just get Hidan a collar and lead...