Chapter Six: The problem with secluded lodges…

If he even thought about ripping off her wrist; which he looked confident in his ability to do so at the moment, then she would not be responsible for her actions, why was he being so damn rough? Didn't he figure breathing on her stomach was just as bad?

But she concealed the deep frustration within her and looked up with startled eyes, anticipating his next move with stale anxiety.

"Kakuzu, I'm-"she was cut off by his harsh growl and he pushed her hand away apathetically, doing up his mask again.

"Didn't your daddy ever tell you too look with your eyes and not your hands" he sighed. Irises returning to the dull shade that was emotionless Kakuzu, and his sudden nonchalant impression angered her. Why was he always just so…secluded!

Yes, she went a bit too far with her curiosity, but he always treated her like a child! As if she didn't get that enough from her father. Looking down shamefully, she hid a bruising blush that flared up in her cheeks and she concentrated on the crisp cut out of the sandwich.

"I'm sorry" she claimed and started eating silently.

Kakuzu didn't reply.

TV, magazine, drink, magazine, repeat. Ino's life was turning into a cycle of limited, boring state of vexation that drained out even her desires of being pretty, messing with her hair, changing clothes all the time, shopping and when was the last time she had been to a bar?

The last time she was, was the first time she met Kakuzu.

Oh cold, stone cold irony.

Kakuzu was having a similar pattern to her agitation, it was TV, reading, eating, going outside occasionally or even just sleeping recently.

He was a man of action, or at least more action than making breakfast. He might as well just trade places with an amateur and find the villains himself, it would be far more efficient then just avoiding them all the time.

But Kakuzu, though he would never admit it, couldn't even think of leaving Ino in the hands of anybody else.

It…bothered him to say the the least.

"Is that it then? How cute, un" Deidara chuckled as he and Sasori hid up in the trees, looking down onto the lodge, evening had fell and the sky was burnished and brazen as it glazed with a warm glow over the forest, they were concealed within the dark realms of the over head tree branches.

"Well then again, she probably wouldn't have let him go somewhere without a little charm, girls are always like that, yeah" Deidara sniggered and Sasori leaned forward eyes glinting as he studied the small building.

"Depending on where they are in the lodge, depends on what entrances are most effective" he remarked and Deidara nodded.

"I'll go have a look" he declared.

Standing up and stretching, Ino sighed.

"I'm getting in the shower Kakuzu, to pass the time" she claimed and he just grunted in reply from counting his current amounts of money on the coffee table in the lounge.

Shaking her head, wishing he would just get over it, she headed into her room, collecting towels and other toiletries before disappearing with a faint click of a lock, into the bathroom, where soon after, the sound of running water was audible.

If she takes up too much water bills, I swear to god… Kakuzu thought grimly and returned his money to his bag.

Walking over to close the curtains and turn on the lights as he noticed the sky getting darker, he heard a sudden scream and before the scream even finished, he was at the bathroom door.

"Ino?" he cried.

"Shut up old man, yeah!" came the reply and Kakuzu made no hesitation to smash the door down with a barbaric swing of his strong leg.

Standing, glowering in the remains of the broken, brittle wood around him and shooting his rough glare at the blonde haired Akatsuki who smirked cruelly as he clutched Ino to him who was frozen with fear and trying to cover herself up, water ran over her flawless skin and her blonde hair practically glowed softly in the whiteness of the room, her cerulean eyes were brimming with tears as the savage grip on her body tightened.

"Such a pretty little girl! I envy you, un" he purred sickly and ran his tanned hand down her body; she choked as he threatened to cover her breasts with gnarled hands that curled in frustration, nearing her flesh.

"You sick bastard" Kakuzu growled and dashed forward only to be stopped by Sasori leaping in front of him and threatening a violent jab of silver towards his torso, Kakuzu reeled back into a stance, grabbing his own knife and jerking it towards the puppet master who dodged and as he did so Kakuzu threw two more in the direction which embedded into Sasori's chest. He grunted and stumbled back. Kakuzu rushed to Deidara who flung a clay bird at him, it exploded making Kakuzu cover his face with his arms with a low snarl, looking up after the attack. Deidara had dragged Ino down into the living room, the bodyguard followed. Sasori had regained strength and went after him.

What. The. Fuck.

Ino thought as she was man handled down the corridor after choking from the sickly sweet burning smell that was the result of an exploding pigeon or something. Her heart was pounding in her ears heavily, painfully.

Of all the goddamn situations, she had to be in the fucking shower.

A grit of her teeth as she had stumbled, whilst been clutched by Blondie. They were once again dodging Kakuzu, the person who was supposed to be her body guard.

But she was grateful, more than she could say because he was damn well GOING FOR IT. When he fought, he FOUGHT.

If not for the situation, she would be cheering him on, but now, her body was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and water from the shower that had turned cold on her body, despite the pulsating heat that rushed through the shivering off her spine that rested against the chest of an Akatsuki.

But it was removed as a blow forced the young blonde off her and sprawling onto the floor, then he was joined by the puppet who quickly got up, but, whilst simultaneously Kakuzu performed a strange trick with smoke which made them disappear and land somewhere in the wood.

Ino scrambled away from the body guard as soon as her knees hit soft, cool moss and the night air impacted against her body harshly.

Hiding behind a tree she covered herself desperately. What the hell was going on, how did they get here?!

Kakuzu said nothing and looked away in respect, then as she stood shivering and biting back tears, some material dropped onto her shoulder and she pulled it across, realising it was his shirt and large band he would wear on his hips.

Putting them on without hesitation, the shirt was very large and long, seemed appropriate considering the man's size and if she tightened the belt it made a somewhat effective skirt, she was covered from the top of her shoulders to mid way down her thighs. That was good enough for her.

Coming from behind the tree silently he glanced up, his skin looked even darker as the moonlight braced against his back, casting shadows on the thick, ugly wires that messed up in stitches.

"Thanks" she muttered, voice rasped.

Shivering against the air, he was breathing a little harder beneath the hardened exterior and she had the sudden desire to reach out a comforting hand, after everything he had done, he deserved a bit of reassurance, comfort and praise.

As she gulped and reached a moonlit pale hand out to his shoulder, he turned around and stared her down. She yelped and stumbled back; he grabbed her arms and held her closer.

Not even processing anything right there and then, she was only aware of her heartbeat holding a baseball bat and whacking it across her ears.

"Why can't they just leave you alone? You haven't done anything wrong. You don't deserve it"

He growled and she listened silently, he calmed himself and moved away, eyes darkening.

After what seemed ages, she went to him and before he could react, she embraced him around his back. Holding her soft, warm body close and despite his usual stature, he felt himself weaken and after a few minutes of standing rigidly, pretending he didn't care, he tentatively wound his own arms around her, holding her closer and taking a deep breath, taking in the sweet scent from her hair and feeling creamy skin beneath loose clothing.

They stood like that until they remembered what had happened.

But that wasn't for a while.

"You morons, you lost them?" Itachi growled at Sasori and Deidara, both looking shameful and yet stubborn to admit their mistakes.

"Fuck you Itachi, have you been up against Kakuzu, yeah?" Deidara snarled back, Itachi rolled his eyes in that annoying way people go when they are annoyed.

Kisame shook his head with a very weary grin.

"This is getting ridiculous, let's just say we killed the girl! Leader wouldn't take time trying to find out!"

"Foolish morons, all of you, you really think he would let this surpass?" claimed the elder Uchiha once more and they all looked away, silently agreeing.

"Look, let's leave it a while, if they become a problem, then we can deal with it, I don't have the patience to keep up this worthless task" Sasori decided and Deidara nodded enthusiastically.

"That sound completely logical, un"

"I suppose, what do you think Itachi?" asked Kisame.

"I don't care" was the reply.

A/N: SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE! Quite a short chapter but I fit in a lot of drama and some intimacy so forgive me?

It's amusing going back over this, if any of you have read my story "Mint Leaves and Blue Thorns", the hugging and the mask removing is really similar, ahaha.

I fucking love Kisame. My actual darling.

LAW09

To Clumsy0132: I'm glad you liked it! Fight scenes aren't really my thing so I'm glad you thought it went well! And indeed, poor Ino D: Thank you so much for your continuous reviews!

To DarkerMoon2488: Oh, how wonderful! I'm so glad you liked it, thank you so much for the lovely review! Of course, I will not stop! :D