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Chapter 4: A Clean House

Kakuzu could already see Kiyoko's potential wealth in the Akatsuki treasury. Seconds after she had entered her house, she had sealed in various scrolls her entire wealth. Already several kilometers outside the village and Kiyoko could already see the potential question. "I am unsure of how much this will get me, but who knows… Lots of my items are collectable and appreciate in value."

Kakuzu rubbed his hands together and Hidan laughed. "Good job Kiyoko-san. Kakuzu officially likes you since you have no apparent problem sharing your wealth."

Kiyoko laughed. "Yeah, no real problem. I lived by myself for so long and I rarely do anything that gives me real expense so I have plenty of money to go around."

Kakuzu smiled. "Kiyoko-san, I had contacted our Leader when you were away." Hidan looked surprised at Kakuzu and even Kiyoko looked a little startled. "What? Hidan, you were doing your stupid ritual and I thought that Kiyoko-san's abilities could be better utilized as an Akatsuki member."

Kiyoko smiled and looked rather thoughtful. "You never know I guess…"

Before Hidan or Kakuzu could comment, they were interrupted by a rather big fireball coming their way. Luckily before they could be hit, Kiyoko's hands were already busy with hand signs. "Water Style: Moisture Barrier. Earth Style: Mud Barrier!"

Water drops flew from the ground and the nearby forest into the air between Kiyoko and the fireball. Then, earth from around the area formed a mud barrier. The barrier cracked a little, but held up until the fireball dissipated. Kakuzu breathed a sigh of relief as the barrier shattered into dust. Thank goodness for that little jutsu of Kiyoko's. I'd rather not reveal my abilities to the Leaf ninjas.

Kiyoko glanced at the four ninja party following them. Kakashi, Sakura, some new shinobi that she did not recognize that bore a slight resemblance to Sasuke, and Shikamaru. Kakashi approached Kiyoko and reached out a gloved hand to stroke her hair out of her face. "Kiyoko-chan, please come home."

Kiyoko shoved Kakashi's hand away. "No… I do not want to go back." She began to walk back towards Hidan and Kakuzu when Kakashi grabbed her hand. She turned around to look at him.

"Please. You used a forbidden jutsu. If you do not willing come, we will make you come. Why would you use that jutsu anyway? Is it because of Ino?"

Kiyoko's eyes acquired a glint and at this, Kakashi dropped her hand; a fact noticed by Hidan and Kakuzu who surveyed the situation with interest. "Like I would let some anorexic Chuunin mock my ninja way. Besides Kakashi," Kakashi flinched upon noticing the lack of honorific, "I prefer not to associate myself with the Leaf Village any longer." With that, Kiyoko reached inside the jacket she had worn and pulled out a Leaf Village ninja headband. Without hesitation, she slashed through it with a kunai and Kakashi flinched. She smirked and tied the head band around her head.

"Think about what you are doing Kiyoko-chan…"

"Can you STOP calling me that! You are my enemy now!" Kakashi looked at her eyes and she almost melted when she looked into his…almost. "Hidan-san?" Hidan glanced towards her with curiosity. Kiyoko noticed his eyes and felt slightly calmer. "May I borrow your scythe?"

Hidan looked confused but nodded. She took the scythe in her hands and he was startled at how natural it seemed to be in her hands. Everyone thought she was going to attack the Leaf shinobi, but to everyone's surprise, her target was her own hair. The hair to the sides of her face was still shoulder length, but the back of her head had shorter hair now. Hidan could not help but find this impromptu haircut interesting. Almost as if on cue, a gust of wind scattered the hair throughout the battlefield and a strand blew onto Kakashi's face. He took it in his hands and looked at Kiyoko. "Why did you cut your beautiful hair Kiyoko?"

Kiyoko at first ignored Kakashi and returned Hidan his scythe with murmured thanks. She then turned towards him. "You told me a long time ago you liked girls with shoulder length hair." At this statement, Sakura gasps remembering her and Ino about Sasuke. "I grew and maintained my hair to be like this because I thought if you did, you would like me. But I now realize that we can never be together. My touch kills and I do not want you to die that way Kakashi."

Shikamaru interjected before Kakashi could mutter a single word. "With all due respect Kiyoko-san, your touch will kill everyone."

Kiyoko smiled to the Leaf ninjas' surprise. "No it does not anymore. I found someone who does not die and I am his teammate." Before the Leaf ninja could inquire further, Kiyoko walked over to Hidan, took off her gloves, and grabbed his hand. "See! Someone who does not die and he also is immortal like me. I will not be alone when you all are nothing but ashes and dust."

Kakashi could not stand it anymore. "Kiyoko! You can't just leave us!"

Kiyoko snorted, but the glint previously in her eyes faded. "What do I have to do to make you realize that I have chosen to join the Akatsuki?" The Leaf ninja gasp and Hidan and Kakuzu smirked. Kiyoko rolled her eyes and started making hand signs. "Forbidden Art: Coma State Inducement." She aimed her jutsu at Shikamaru who immediately collapsed. Before Sakura could help him, she suffered the same fate. Kakashi and the unknown ninja stood their ground.

"Sai, take Shikamaru and Sakura back to the village." Sai nodded and was about to leave when Kiyoko appeared behind Kakashi.

"Sorry Kakashi…" She used her jutsu one more time and Kakashi collapsed. Sai acquired a fighting stance, but Kiyoko looked uninterested. "If you do not fight any of us, I will let you take these three back to Tsunade."

Sai nodded and grabbed the three shinobi and disappeared. Kiyoko turned back to Kakuzu and Hidan who were grinning. "Shall we depart?"

They nodded and as they ran through the trees, Kiyoko felt a nudge at her side. Turning around, she saw a smiling Hidan. "Kiyoko-san… I would be so fucking happy if you would be my friend."

Smiling, Kiyoko nodded. "On one condition," Hidan's head tilted in confusion, "You stop calling me –san. It is far too formal."

Hidan laughed. "But stop calling me –san also Kiyoko-chan."

"It's a deal Hidan-kun."

Kakuzu smiled at the unfolding events before him. "Hey Kiyoko-chan, we'll be at base soon."

"Thanks Kakuzu-kun."

Hidan's mouth dropped. "Since when were you two friends?"

"Kiyoko-chan became my friend when she said she had no problem with money sharing."

Kiyoko smiled as Kakuzu speed up a little leaving her behind with a grumbling Hidan. She went closer to him and poked him at his arm. Before he could object, she smirked. "I cannot kill you though and besides," Hidan nodded thoughtfully at this, "we are both immortals despite whatever happens now."

Hidan smiled at her. "I'm more special than that asshole over there?"

Kiyoko smiled and said in a quiet voice, "You are certainly something special Hidan-kun…"

Her tone made Hidan feel a flurry of unfamiliar emotions as they continued towards the Akatsuki base together.