A/N: The most fucking hilarious thing happened to me. I was rereading the last chapter, when I spy at the bottom of my screen, a commercial saying 'YES ON POP. 8!' and it took me to a website called '' (if this doesn't show up, don't worry, I don't want it as a link.) For those of you who don't live in CA, here's what prop. 8 proposes: to take away the right to marry between gay couples that has already been granted to them. Has anyone ever heard of irony? A yaoi story by the daughter of two lesbians! XD I almost died laughing. But seriously, NO on prop. 8! That's something we can all agree on, my dear readers.

Fuck. How in the name of all that is righteous and holy could it have PASSED?! REVOLT, DAMN IT!

"Ah, Kakuzu. Come in," Dr. Might said.

"Where's Obito?" Kakuzu asked, glancing around.

"He's decided to go back to his room. Don't leave, please. I'd like to talk to you." Kakuzu turned back around and cautiously inched into the room. "My, I don't bite. Come, have a seat," Dr. Might said jokingly, gesturing at the extra chair. Kakuzu sighed and seated himself.

"I'm sorry, I just went in for STD testing. I'll get the results next week," Kakuzu explained. "My nerves are a bit frayed."

"Ah. Do you think you might be infected?"

"No telling what shit Obito's infected with. It's best to be on the safe side."

"Oh. I suppose that's true. Well, I hope everything turns out negative."

"Arigato," Kakuzu mumbled.

"I'd like to tell you a story," Dr. Might said, taking a picture from his desk and handing it to Kakuzu. "This is my wife," he said. Kakuzu blinked down at the woman, thinking a little of how she looked like a skinnier, healthier version of his own mother.

"She's beautiful," Kakuzu said honestly.

"Thank you. I think that myself, every day. But, sadly, she left us a few years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Kakuzu said, glancing back down at the picture.

"Oh, it's quite all right. My son was only five years old. She had a few mental issues, she was bipolar and had severe depression. It wasn't her fault, of course. I admitted her to this hospital, but to a different doctor." Dr. Might smiled sadly at the memory. "She was so happy. I remember so clearly when she would talk about how well she was doing, and how she didn't need help. But then, that day came, and her doctor considered releasing her. I was so happy, I barely thought when they asked me for a second opinion. When I looked at her file, I saw only the improvements of the one I loved. I gave my consent, and she was released." Dr. Might paused, letting all of this sink in. Kakuzu was staring at the picture still, seeing the woman now in a new light. "She killed herself two weeks later."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Kakuzu said, sounding sincere about it.

"Oh no, it was really my fault. What happened has happened, and it was quite some time ago. But tell me this: should I let my guilt keep me from being who I am?" Kakuzu blinked, surprise evident in his expression.

"Of course not. That's just silly. You can't fix what happened by feeling guilty. It's best to just live in her memory, and live your life right now and make things better." Dr. Might smiled.

"I couldn't have told you anything better myself. Do you agree it's best to get over your guilt, founded or not, and just get on with life?" Kakuzu stared at the doctor.

"What do you mean?"

"If I let my guilt effect how I lived, or even how I treated my patients, that wouldn't be right, now would it? I should get on with my life. And I'm saying the same to you, Kakuzu-san," Dr. Might said firmly. Kakuzu stared in bewilderment.

"I have every right to feel guilty," he said. "I messed everything up."

"But what about my situation? I let my wife commit suicide, and ruined my son's life."

"But you didn't mean to let your wife die. You wanted to do something right," Kakuzu said resolutely. "You did your best, didn't you?"

"So did you," Dr. Might pointed out.

"No, I didn't. I could've done so much more-"

"Then again, so could I."

"I let my brother suffer-"

"I let my wife and son suffer."

"I- I'm not a good person," Kakuzu said with finality. Dr. Might chuckled.

"And you suppose I am? Kakuzu-san, just because I'm a psychiatrist doesn't make me a good person. I have my regrets and bad days, just like everyone else. What makes you think I'm better than anyone else?"

"You're not better than everyone else, you're just better than me," Kakuzu mumbled. "You have your bad days? Well my life has been bad days."

"Oh? I'm surprised. What about the day you met Hidan?"

"The day I met Hidan? How do you know about him?"

"Obito."

"Ah. The day I met Hidan was actually a fairly bad day. I met him in fifth grade in detention."

"Oh. What about the day you two decided to get together? Wasn't that something?" Kakuzu sat back looking thoughtfully at the opposite wall.

"I suppose that was a good day. . ." he mused.

"See? Not everything is bad in your life. And you don't have to feel guilty for Obito. Even if he had the most love and tender care at home, he would still wind up here sooner or later. There are problems that just can't be prevented. And personally, I think you've done a fine job, despite where he's ended up. Once things got serious, you knew to get help." Kakuze remained silent for a long minute, thinking hard.

"So you're saying that no one could've prevented this?" he asked. "But you can't try to tell me the drugs didn't speed everything along."

"But you didn't give him a drug addiction. And once you realized what was going on, you tried to stop everything. You lay far too much blame on yourself, Kakuzu-san." Kakuzu sighed, standing up.

"It's been nice talking to you, but I'm late as it is. Arigato, Might-san," he said, bowing and turning.

"Kakuzu-san?"

"Yes?"

"How do you feel?"

"A bit better. And not as guilty," Kakuzu admitted. "Take good care of my brother?"

"The best."

Hidan was about to storm into the kitchen and demand food, when something he heard made him stop and press his ear to the door.

"How many more excuses can we get?" Mrs. Jashin was asking.

"If we tell him the truth, can he honestly disagree with us?" Mr. Jashin asked.

"He just doesn't see the real impact of it all," Mrs. Jashin sighed. "But I won't stand for my son to date a Muslim." Hidan gasped.

"True. I wish he would settle for a nice, pretty, Catholic girl."

"But as long as he has his heart set on Kakuzu-san, we're going to have to continue to say no. Why don't we just send him to a far away Christian school?"

"That sounds lovely. And of course he'll say yes, who would pass up a chance at education? I heard there's a wonderful school in America called 'Regent Law School'. They're quite strict, and their beliefs on homosexuality would surely send Hidan to the right side," Mr. Jashin sighed.

"This sounds like a very good idea." Suddenly, Hidan burst into the kitchen.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded.

"Oh, Hidan sweetie!" Mrs. Jashin cried, rushing over to him. "What ever is the matter?"

"How can you just sit there and admit you hate Kakuzu because of his religion! It's disgusting!" Hidan screamed.

"Oh, Hidan, it's only for your own good. You'll thank us sooner or later-"

"How can you say that?" Hidan screamed, pushing his mother away. In the heat of the moment, he ran to the door and outside, finding the summer rain from earlier still coming down hard. Without another thought he began to run, knowing where he was going, but not exactly why or how.

Kakuzu was, in all honesty, having a quiet evening. He was actually off that night, and laying on his couch and reading a book he got from the library. And then there came a frantic knocking at his door. Kakuzu sighed, going through a mental list of all the bills he paid as he got off the couch. Yes, he had paid all of them, what. . .? Kakuzu opened the door and stared down at Hidan. He didn't bother questioning Hidan, simply dragging him into the apartment and shutting the door behind him. He led Hidan to the bathroom, grabbing a towel and throwing it over him, rubbing the water out of Hidan's hair. "Kakuzu!" Hidan cried.

"\What the hell are you doing here?" Kakuzu asked.

"I was about to- mmf!"

"Was that your mouth?"

"Umf! Yeah, dumb ass!"

"I'm drying you off, I can't help it if your mouth was open."

"You're the one who asked the question, smart ass!"

"Keep your mouth shut, then, until I finish this." Kakuzu wrapped the towel around Hidan's shoulders. He then lead Hidan to the small table, sitting him down. "Can I get you anything? Coffee?"

"No," Hidan mumbled.

"Oh? Nothing?"'

"I know you don't have anything except for coffee, Kakuzu, so stop pretending." Kakuzu fell silent, slipping back to the table and sitting down next to Hidan. "Kakuzu, I'm sorry. I know I've said a lot of mean things to you, but. . ." Hidan trailed off, coughing awkwardly. "But I didn't mean to be mean to you. I mean, I love you man, I didn't want to hurt you, or be a burden. I guess that's why I was trying to get you to be mean back, just so I could justify myself." Kakuzu stared at Hidan.

"Oh?" he asked, not really knowing what else to say.

"Yeah. Um, you know me, I'm not good with words or emotions, or shit like that. But once I started to think about, it seemed like I wasn't doing anything for you."

"You got that right," Kakuzu mumbled.

"But you still stayed put. You never pushed me away or got mad at me. God, Kakuzu, how can I make this more clear? Even when I was pushing you away, it was only 'cause I wanted you to stay with me," Hidan almost whispered the last part, looking down. "I'm feeling really guilty. I mean, I am always asking things of you, and you're not even saying a word. I think it's about time I listened to you." Kakuzu was staring at Hidan, as if his silvery haired boyfriend had stood atop a mountain and struck him down with a lightning bolt.

"What's brought this on all of a sudden?" he asked, still not believing the maturity Hidan was showing. "Have you been talking to Konan?"

"Do you have that little faith in me?"

"Oh yes, quite. Was it Deidara being hormonal and philosophical at the same time?"

". . .it was my parents. I know the real reason they don't like you."

"Oh?" Kakuzu quirked an eyebrow, mentally going over all that had just happened. Hidan was being sweet. Sure, he could handle a blow to his self-esteem.

"Yeah. It's because you're Muslim," Hidan replies softly. Kakuzu snorted.

"Oh, right, the devout Catholics with their Satanist son don't like a Muslim," he said. "Where did they even find out, anyway?"

"Well, you do sort of wear that. . .um. . ."

"Keffiyeh?"

"Um, yeah," Hidan said awkwardly, glancing at Kakuzu's keffiyeh. Kakuzu sighed again.

"The world stopped spinning today, didn't it?" he asked.

"They were talking about sending me to America," Hidan said softly. "I didn't think they were that. . .well, you know, desperate or. . ."

"I know, you keep thinking your parents don't want you around someone who's exposed to drugs, and then realize it's all some religious discrimination. I'm as shocked as you are, really," Kakuzu replied. "But you coming here, apologizing and being sensitive seems a bit more surprising to me."

"Why?" Hidan demanded, teeth beginning to chatter.

"So why come all the way here and not call me?"

". . .I don't want to live with them," Hidan admitted. Kakuzu sighed.

"You can't last two more weeks?" he asked.

"I just can't believe them. I don't want to be anywhere near them. Please, just let me stay with you," Hidan pleaded. Kakuzu blinked at him. Hidan, seeing the answer might be no, got up from his chair and sat on Kakuzu's lap, facing him and straddling his waist. Kakuzu still didn't react. "Kuzu?" Hidan asked, pressing his forehead to Kakuzu's. Kakuzu's green eyes were bloodshot enough to make them look nearly green and pink, instead of white. His keffiyeh covered his mouth, so Hidan couldn't even guess what he was thinking. "I want to be my own person, not stuck under their control. I'm eighteen, I'm a legal adult. Please?"

"You get half the rent," Kakuzu mumbled.

"What?"

"Half the rent. You stay here, you get half the rent."

"But I-"'

"Then find a job. If you want to be independent, then get a job." Though Kakuzu's words were serious, he couldn't help his hands that had slid around Hidan's waist. Hidan nuzzled his face into Kakuzu's neck, sighing contentedly.

"Sure. I'll get a job," he whispered against Kakuzu's caramel skin. Kakuzu sighed, holding Hidan tenderly.

"You're cold. Go take a shower." Kakuzu let go of Hidan.

"Take one with me?" Hidan asked. Kakuzu sighed. It would save money, anyway.

"I have to warn you, though, it's not very big," he said slowly. Hidan shrugged.

"So? I just want to take a shower with you." Hidan got off of Kakuzu and they both walked the short distance to the bathroom. "You weren't kidding," Hidan said, inspecting the shower.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he said. Hidan shrugged and slipped off his soaked shirt. Once he was out of his pants and boxers as well, he turned to Kakuzu, who was likewise unclad. Kakuzu walked past Hidan and turned on the shower, waiting for a minute until it got warm before stepping back, allowing Hidan in first. Hidan stepped in and Kakuzu closed the curtain after him as he did so as well. "Um. . .Kakuzu?" Hidan asked awkwardly.

"Hmm?"

"Where did. . .um, all those scars come from?" he asked, letting his fingers brush against Kakuzu's skin.

"What? Oh, those have been there forever. Don't tell me you never thought about them before?"

"I just never asked about them before," Hidan mumbled. Hidan was truly a worse liar than Kisame. Kakuzu rolled his eyes.

"I was in the car with Obito and my father, when we had an accident. My dad was obviously drunk. But luckily I got the worst of it, and Obito just has a scar over his eye that healed," Kakuzu explained vaguely. Hidan gulped and pressed his body to Kakuzu's. How come he never really wondered about his partner's scarred body? Had he been that inconsiderate? "Hidan?" Kakuzu asked.

"I'm sorry," Hidan mumbled against Kakuzu's firm chest.

"It's all right, Hidan," Kakuzu muttered, resting his hands lightly on Hidan's hips.

"No it isn't. You keep saying that, but if you really care about me, then you'd be even a little bit offended. How can it be all right when I said horrible things to you?" Kakuzu sighed.

"You didn't really mean any of it, did you?" he asked softly.

"No!"

"Then if you truly didn't mean to offend me, then why should I take offense?" Kakuzu asked.

"If someone else called you a crack baby, what would you do?"

"Punch them out, probably," Kakuzu replied.

"So what's different when I say it?" Kakuzu said nothing for a long moment, simply burying his nose in Hidan's soft hair. Hidan waited politely.

"Guess it just shows how much I like you," Kakuzu said, barely even audibly. Hidan felt like crying. How long had Kakuzu suffered in silence? Of course anyone poking him in a sore spot was bound to hurt, but he wouldn't tell Hidan that. For himself or for Kakuzu he didn't know, but Hidan wrapped his arms around Kakuzu's neck, pressing their mouths together in a passionate kiss. But when he thought about it, Hidan decided the gesture was for the sake of them.

A/N: review please!