A/N: So I'm only updating this chapter because I'm stuck in my room even though the weather is beautiful… There are many wasps in my garden…

Answer to the riddle: Fire!

I don't own Naruto, only the OCs :)

The Chapel

The worst part of the journey was the weather. Her fingers and toes stung with the bitterly cold wind and her lips were dry and chapped as she walked. Her chin tucked down into her neck and arms clasped tightly around herself in a futile attempt to conserve the very last of her body heat.

She wondered briefly how long she had been walking for. It was morning when she'd left Hidan at his home in the Hot Water village, and now as she watched the last few shreds of daylight slip away she almost wished he was still with her. At least that way she wouldn't be suffering alone. Then again, he'd probably just make things worse.

The road ahead was vast and empty, with only corn fields and distant woodlands lined with trees on the horizon. And then there was that rumbling that she kept had long since decided it was thunder, following her from just beyond the horizon. Supressing another shiver, she glanced around her current surroundings. There was really nothing that would provide her with shelter from the wind, and it was equally as hopeless in searching for somewhere to rest.

But, the night was drawing in fast and heaven knew she needed to sit down before her legs completely gave way. Hell, she didn't even know if she was still on the right track for the land of Rivers. She had a vague understanding that she'd have to cross the land of fire, all her travelling to different foster homes had left her with some knowledge of geography, though she'd never actually made this journey completely on foot and alone before.

She let out a short sigh, watching in mild fascination at the dull cloud her warm breath created as it hit the cold air. Squinting through the darkened area, she padded on silently until finally she spotted a faint glow of candle light in the distance.

Excited by her newfound hope, her pace quickened. The details became clearer as she drew closer. It looked like a very small church. More of a chapel, really.

She paused at the doorway next to an outdoor alter-like table that held the flickering tea lights. She spared a moment to wonder how they were staying alight in this wind, but the thought didn't linger as her legs wobbled in protest and exhaustion.

Inside was just as she had pictured. Dimly lit by lines of wall mounted candelabra and a grey cobblestoned floor to match the walls. Closing the door softly, she wandered down the aisle between rows of worn wooden benches, coming to a halt in front of the main Alter table. The centre piece was a very beautiful, golden glowing Menorah, with every flame strong and bright.

She smiled faintly, lifting her hands towards the warmth. No one seemed to be here, no sign of a priest or even any evening worshipers. Then again, she hadn't passed a house in hours, so she figured this was specifically for passing travellers or ninja on long distance missions.

She tore her gaze from the Alter and headed for the nearest bench, only something caught her eye before she could sit. Had she left the door open?

She frowned to herself as she mentally retraced her steps. She was sure she had closed it. Forcing herself to move, she crossed the room and pulled it shut more firmly this time, giving it an experimental shove before nodding once in satisfaction.

Behind her, something clattered to the ground, and she spun on her heel just in time to see a flicker of silver as one of two very well-decorated Chalice's roll beneath the Alter table.

Okay, that was definitely not the wind…

Mika gulped once, swallowing her fear and forcing words to her mouth. 'H-hello? Is someone there?'

When there was no reply, she continued just to be on the safe side. 'I don't mean to intrude, I wasn't sure if I could stay here?'

Again, she was only greeted with the quiet sound of the wind whistling outside and gentle crackling of the candles. For a minute, she didn't move. Rooted to the spot in rising fear, she had to remind herself to breathe as she willed her legs forward towards the front.

Picking up the Chalice cautiously, she placed it softly back in its place and turned to have one final scan of the room, only this time she wasn't alone, and he was standing with his face just inches from hers.

She yelped in horror, trying to dart backwards and colliding with the table, this time making both Chalice's tumble to the floor.

The chapel rang and echoed with his laughter as she regained her balance. He could almost see the fury bubble up from her stomach, to her throat and explode out of her mouth as she roared in frustration and made to punch him squarely in the jaw.

She missed of course, which only served to anger her further. 'HIDAN. What. The hell. Are you. Doing here?' She seethed.

'I told you! I'm heading the same way as you!' He answered honestly in between laughs.

'So you were following me the whole time?!'

'No, actually I left about two hours after you'd gone. You're just so damn slow that I caught you up in no time.'

He dodged the silver cup that was thrown carelessly at his shoulder, holding up his hands defensively. 'Hey, didn't you ever hear there's no violence in a church? Crazy bitch.'

'Didn't you ever hear there's no swearing in a church? You idiot. Were you trying to give me a heart attack?!'

'Oh come on, it was funny.'

'Was not.' She huffed, glowering as she shoved past him, settling herself down on a bench and closing her eyes as she allowed her aching body to finally relax, even if it was forced.

'You'll get over it. We should get some sleep anyway, long journey ahead of us tomorrow, especially at your pace!'

She opened one eye suspiciously. 'So you're not going to go on without me?'

'Nah, long journeys are boring as fuck on your own, and you're so easy to wind up it'll keep me entertained the whole way there.'

'Why you… You… You bastard!'

He stared at her for a moment, before throwing his head back as he howling once again with laughter.

She let out a long sigh as she slapped a hand to her face. This was going to be a long night.

'What are you thinking about?' Curious golden eyes blinked up at magenta as they ran side-by-side.

Hidan smirked at the memory as it dissipated in his mind while he answered. 'That chapel in the land of fire.'

She frowned as she replied. 'Why were you thinking of that?'

The Jashinist couldn't hide his pleased expression at her knowing instantly what he was referring to as he spoke again. 'Because we'll be passing there in about half an hour.'

'What? How long have we been travelling for?' Her eyebrows knitted together further as she tried to figure out the distance they had covered. 'Have we passed Konaha?'

'Not yet, we're about three miles South from there.'

'Oh. We got here fast!'

Hidan raised an eyebrow and threw her an unimpressed sideways glance. 'Are you fucking kidding me? We've been travelling non-stop all day! Even Kakuzu wouldn't run for this long if there was a guaranteed pot of gold at the end, seriously!'

'Oh. Sorry…' She mumbled, automatically slowing her pace.

Her companion made a noise of distaste. 'Whatever. So when are you gonna spill the beans?'

'Maybe we should find a hotel?'

'Yeah, yeah. Ignore me for now, but I will get it out of you, even if it kills me…' He smirked again, this time at the irony of his statement, though Mika didn't understand that reference just yet.

Hidan wasn't exactly sure of how to tell her he couldn't die, but he was sure as hell looking forward to watching her reaction. He liked her the best when she was angry, though there was also something he loved about the way shock and fear painted her feminine features. He liked her insecurities and how, more often than not, she found herself seeking comfort from him, whether that was intentional or not. How she pretended to hate him, but then failed to hide her amusement at his terrible jokes and admittedly bad habits.

His eyes trailed over her as she slowed to a halt in front of him, muttering to herself about locating the nearest hotel where they wouldn't be recognised. He stared at her hair again. The Akatsuki member really did prefer her natural colour. The red dye just seemed to sap all the brightness from her golden irises, and her skin was far too pale to pull off such a colour. No, black suited her much better.

'Hidan, are you even listening?'

'I think you should change your hair back to black.'

She paused, momentarily thrown by the random choice of topic before she reminded herself that this was Hidan, and he wasn't exactly well known for his attention span. 'Why are you so obsessed with that?! Just drop it already… There should be an inn around this corner.' She nodded her head toward a sign tucked away at the side of the road and slightly obscured by leaves.

'Fine. Let's go.'

********** Several hours later **********

She had been drifting in and out of consciousness all night, but it was only now that she decided to give up completely, just as the early morning birds began to sing.

Hidan was still fast asleep and snoring lightly beside her as she sat up, cautious not to wake him. She showered and dressed quickly, pausing once more in front of the mirror before she left the bathroom. She tugged on a red strand of hair. Maybe she should change it back? After all, the whole point of dying it was to disguise herself, but if people in the River country hadn't put two and two together by now, it was only a matter of time until the flyer from the bar she'd worked at was matched up to the wanted posters.

She sighed and re-entered the main room of the inn, where the Jashinist was now sat upright and staring at her expectantly.

'…What?' She snapped, frowning.

'You know what.'

'No, I don't.' She feigned innocence, but he knew her game all too well.

Pulling out a piece of folded paper from his cloak pocket that she didn't realise he had, he began to read aloud. 'Missing. Mikazuki Naya, beloved daughter of the Chief of Tanigakure, Katashi Arato. It is–'

'H-hey! Hidan, give that here!' She snatched at thin air as the page was torn out of her reach.

'Not until you tell me what it's about!'

Mika cursed as the Akatsuki member stood at his full height, holding the paper up too high for her to stretch to, and continued reading.

'It is of utmost importance that she be returned home as soon as possible. Willing to pay handsomely for her retur–ngh!' Hidan grunted as Mika tackled him with everything she had, effectively knocking the poster from his hands as he struggled with her flailing limbs.

'Alright, alright! Chill out, woman!' He protested, holding her arms together while she smirked at the simple fact that, this time, at least she wasn't being pinned to the floor too.

He rolled his eyes and released her, sitting with his legs out in front of him as he leaned against the bed. She sat up too, legs and arms crossed defiantly as they stared each other out.

Finally, she let out a small breath of frustration and squeezed her eyes shut. She knew she owed him an explanation, but she didn't exactly have to enjoy it.

'It was four years ago. I was seventeen with only a few months left in that God-forsaken village prison until I turned eighteen…' Hidan knew she was referring to the orphanage, and that they needed to be eighteen before the orphans were officially deemed old enough to take care of themselves, though she'd never told him in so many words. He'd long since figured it out, and she knew it. 'Then one day, old Chief High-and-Mighty came in asking about an adoption ''for the good of the village'', and said he needed someone of an older age. I was the oldest there at the time, so I was chosen.'

She gritted her teeth together before opening her mouth to continue, vaguely noting that Hidan was being uncharacteristically quiet as he listened to the tale he'd been so eager to hear. 'I was only with them for about four months, they were pleasant enough, but then just after I turned eighteen I overheard a conversation between Katashi and his wife, Hana. They were saying–'

Her words were abruptly halted when a hand was slapped across her mouth and another curled around the back of her neck. It took her a moment to register that it was Hidan, who was now crouched behind her slightly. She was about to start complaining when he lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered in his calmest Hidan voice, 'Shh, listen!'

Her eyebrows scrunched together, but she found herself complying. She was about to stretch her chakra outwards when the hand over her mouth tightened. 'Not with chakra. Just listen…'

Mika shrugged out of his hold and he let her, satisfied that she wasn't about to start mouthing off when he saw her tilt her head, straining to hear whatever it was.

Seconds ticked by, and Mika started to wonder if he was just messing with her, but then she heard it. It was subtle, but definite, and right outside the hotel room. Shallow breathing, shuffling of feet and the ever-so-slight clanging of metal. Ninja!

Before she even had a chance to widen her eyes, the wooden door was kicked in violently, and a team of four had darted through the doorway, poised for attack. Hidan, clearly experienced in this sort of thing, swung his scythe almost immediately in one great swoop around the room before grabbing her roughly by the forearm and leaping backwards and out the window.

The glass shattered on impact, Hidan taking the brunt of the fall and charging off for the forest the second their feet hit the floor, Mika hot on his heels.

A/N: Let me know what your guesses are! You didn't think Mika's story would come out that easily did you?

Today's question: Half of all American's live within 50 miles of what?

Riddle: Why is six afraid of seven?

As always, no cheating on the answers! :) See you next time.