Dear Ashley,
She slowly looked to the other chair and was surprised to see Cylo sitting there, rolling his head around."You're awake!" the sheltered teenager exclaimed, "how're you feeling?"I'm ok.. just a bit sore ... how long have you been here"He looked from her to the closed curtain and back, "I've been in and out. This visit, no more than a half hour.""wait... how long have I been out of it?""Massive trauma to the brain and internal bleeding," he explained, looking up as if quoting exactly what he had heard. "A few days, I think."she blinked once as the curtain parted and sakura came in holding a new iv bag. She paused inside the curtain for a moment, wincing when they made eye contact. "Sorry about that, you were going out of control." Sakura explained, crossing the small area and replacing the empty bag with a new looked over at Cylo " has Hidan been here... at all?""Hidan?" Cylo rhetorically asked, "uh, once for a short time, why?"Its alright Sakura san.." she gave her a small smile " I was just wondering if he had been in to see me... I'm not surprised that he stayed a few minutes.."Sakura nodded and sped out with a slight wave, talking as she left, forgetting to close the curtain behind her. "I'm glad to see you're awake. We're going to do some tests before you're free to go."She saw Hidan standing at the far end of the hall, but felt her stomach twist when he started to walk towards her with his eyes on the closed her eyes as he drew closer. giving the illusion she was inhaled deeply as he walked to her bedside, glancing at the machines behind her and confusing wires attached to her. "Sakura said she was awake." Hidan mumbled. Cylo leaned over to get a better look at her, blinking in confusion.
"She has been in and out of it like that for a while." the boy lied.
"I see," Hidan started, moving closer to Hideki and leaning over her to place a kiss on her forehead, "let me know when she's back."Her eyes fluttered open " Hidan..."Fear and surprise flickered over Hidan's expression as he jumped in the air, letting out a shriek. Cylo pursed his lips and clenched his chest in attempt to hide a rolled her eyes and sat up, only to start coughing violentlyHidan jumped forward and quickly bent over to her, knocking into a machine on the opposite side of the bed with the weapon on his back. Cylo began to laugh harder when the machine began to beep a few seconds, she was lying on her back as her breathing returned to normal. The machine that was knocked, continued to make noise and Hidan flushed when a nurse came rushing in. The nurse took one look at the machine, plugged a cord back in, shook her head at Hidan and smiled and raised her hand and softly stroked his cheekCylo completed his giggle fit and slid from the chair, leaving word that he was going to be right back before vanishing behind the curtain he closed on his way out. Hidan looked down at Hideki, completely ignoring the young boy.
"You're such a pain in the ass." he said through a faint smile.She smiled and touched his hand " sorry Hidan"
He gave the silent machine a mocking look before looking back down at her.
"I guess being a pain is out of your control," he teased.
Hidan inhaled and held it for a moment before letting it go. "Why did you do what you did?"
".. because I don't want you to be locked up in maximum security.,... I can get you out of some situations.. but not all.. I know that those six years under ground were hell... believe me I understand..."
Hidan sighed and nodded in silent understanding.
It fucking sucked.. I wanted to die..."
Cylo returned with a slip of paper, slipping past the curtain and handing Hideki the paper. "It basically says that you're free to go." he explained. Hidan's expression brightened slightly as he offered his hand to her.
She took a hold of his hand with a soft smile" I want to go home"
Hidan hoisted her up and out of bed and Cylo smiled. "I have something else to show you." the boy told her.
"What is it Cylo?"
Cylo beamed as he took Hideki's other hand and led them to Delarr's room. Before the door even had time to completely open, Delarr came running out, giving hugs in greeting. "Hideki!" he shrieked as he gave her a hug.
She grinned and wrapped her arms around the child. " why hello Delarr"
"Mind if I leave him with you for a while? I'm needed back at home." Cylo asked and Delarr looked up at Hideki with excited, wide, beady eyes.
"Sure no problem"
Hidan opened his mouth to protest but Cylo was already leaving. Delarr looked up at Hideki. "Can we go to your place?"
She looked at Hidan. " well Hidan?"
He sighed and shrugged. "I guess so." Delarr followed Hidan's answer with a silent cheer.
Hideki placed a soft kiss against Hidan's cheek but at that exact moment he turned and the kiss landed on his lips. She blushed and looked to the side.
"Ewww!" the boy complained when Hidan returned the kiss.
She laughed softly and nuzzled against him " I missed you Hidan "Her eyes closed and she exhaled softly
Hidan kissed her forehead and gave the boy an almost annoyed look that was misinterpreted as an apologetic look. "Me too." Delarr rubbed his nose and blinked at them.
Hideki smiled and looked at Hidan and then to Delarr.
In less than an hour they were back at the small house, hideki was caring Delarr who had grown tired of walking.
"You guys live all the way out here?" Delarr asked, squirming in Hideki's arms.
Yes we do. now stop squirming so much"
They approached the house and Delarr jumped from her arms in time to be greeted by Kimiko at the door. Hidan and Hideki joined the energetic boy, passing several civilians along the way.
She hugged her mother tightly " oh mama I missed you..."
Kimiko hugged her daughter and nodded once before releasing her and allowing them into the house, where Hidan sat on the
Couch and Hideki lied her head in his lap with a soft sigh.
Delarr walked around the small living room, plopping himself in front of the couch.
Hideki soon fell asleep resting against him, still a bit tired.
Delarr was offered some snacks from Kimiko and happily accepted. Kimiko kept the boy amused for a few hours as it approached dinner time.
"Hey, we're gonna eat." Delarr said, shaking Hideki's shoulder.
She yawned and opened her eyes Hm...oh ok.."
There was a sudden knock on the door, abrupt and hurried. Delarr looked past the two immortals, at the door. There was a second knock and Kimiko went to answer it.
Hideki sat up with a slight cough and Hidan shifted to stand as the door opened.
She looked over at the door and tried too see who was there
"Are you ready to go?" a fimiliar voice asked as Naruto stepped into the home with his old orange and black clothes he used to wear everywhere. "Your hospital incident put us behind and now even fewer people are able to come.
"
"Naruto!" Delarr called excitedly.
She bit her lip and looked down to the ground. " Imp sorry..."
"We're about to eat, but we can go after!" Delarr explained as he followed Kimiko to the kitchen, through the open-concept home. Naruto looked at Hideki with an eyebrow raised.
I'm sorry that the cursed seal activated..."She clenched her fists
Naruto inhaled softly with a nod, "it was out of your control. Don't worry about it."
"Where are we going?" Delarr asked through a mouthful of ramen. Naruto's eyes flicked to the bowl that sat in the boy's hands. Delarr walked around the kitchen island and sat on a stool.
Hideki walked into the kitchen as well and sat down
Naruto inhaled softly with a nod, "it was out of your control. Don't worry about it."
"Where are we going?" Delarr asked through a mouthful of ramen. Naruto's eyes flicked to the bowl that sat in the boy's hands. Delarr walked around the kitchen island and sat on a stool.
Hideki got a water bottle out of the fridge and sat down at the bar taking a drink.
"You're not coming." Hidan said bluntly and Delarr's actions froze in mid-bite.
"What?" the boy asked.
" Delarr, it's too dangerous"
Smitty™ says:
"I can take care of myself," he insisted, "that's not fair!"
" Listen to me Delarr, we're going after Orochimaru, I dont want you to come with us.."
Delarr eyes glistened and he looked hurt as he stared at Hideki.
"You don't want me to...?" he questioned.
" Delarr, listen we need everyone we can have, to stay behind and protect the village.."
He remained still with the exception of a sudden twitch in his left eyebrow. Naruto leaned his weight against the wall behind him and Hidan crossed his arms, Kimiko made sure to stay out of this and in the kitchen.
Hideki sighed and sat her water bottle down. " Delarr, it's to dangerous for you to come"
"I'm going!" Delarr argued.
"No!" everyone else countered at the same time. Delarr finished chewing what he had in his mouth and swallowed, putting the bowl down and crossing his arms over his middle, mirroring Hidan.
Hideki couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Even if you convince them, I will not let you go." Naruto finished.
Delarr glared at his hokage.
Hideki looked at the young boy " Delarr, Cylo would be upset if you left him her by him self.."
The boy opened his mouth to protest but stopped and lowered his head, slowly making his way to the door.
"You can stay here if you'd like." Kimiko offered.
Hideki looked at Delarr " I'm only trying to look out for your safety."
Delarr nodded his head slowly without looking at anything other than the floor and with a huff, he was out the door.
"You're great with kids." Hidan teased and Naruto's eyes landed on Hideki.
" I don't know why.." she murmured softly.
"He's just a kid. And he likes you." Naruto offered and Kimiko looked up at Naruto in silent surprise
She laughed softly and nodded some " Guess your right.."
"We leaving?" Hidan asked, now standing beside Hideki.
With a nod she looked at Hidan and swallowed around the fear that was building in her throat. " Yeah...guess it's time.."
Naruto pushed from the wall and walked swiftly to the door, opening it and letting the other two immortals pass outdoors.
She walked quietly next to Hidan, pushing back the fear she felt building in her throat as they walked farther away from the village.
"Just us three?" Hidan questioned and Naruto shook his head.
"Lee, Neji and Ten-Ten are the other team we are going to meet up with."
"Is it such a good idea for the Hokage to be going on a mission?" Hidan probed.
Hideki rolled her eyes " Hidan, you know how stubborn he is.. it's a lost cause trying to make him stay behind."
"Thanks Hideki." Naruto said sarcastically, drawing out the end of her name as they passed a few citizens walking in the opposite direction.
"No problem blondie"
Naruto inhaled slowly and took a deep breath. "Don't start with me... please."
She swallowed once before nodding "Sorry...Didn't mean to offend you..."
The Hokage shook his head slowly. "A lot has been going on. I'm a little on edge..."
She nodded once " That's understandable."
Poor little Hokage having troubles?" Hidan teased, clearly having something against him. "Is it boyfriend issues with the Uchiha or having responsibility for the first time in your life?" Naruto visibly tried calming himself down.
" Hidan... watch it.." Hideki looked at the Hokage and rubbed the back of her neck. " Sorry about him"
"What the hell is your problem?" Naruto growled.
"You!" Hidan vented, "if it wasn't for your stupid missions, we would have found Hideki ages ago!"
She blinked once and looked at Naruto " What dose Hidan mean by that.."
"It wasn't an easy decision. Other things needed to be done." Naruto said.
" So I had to spent three years in a fucking cell?"
Naruto stopped walking and turned to face Hideki, an erupting volcano behind his eyes. "You leaving Akatsuki didn't help. I helped your friends and look where it put my country!"
Hidan pursed his lips in temporary thought.
She took a single step back her stance becoming defensive as she watched Naruto's anger rise." S...sorry..
I was out of line.."
Naruto tensed in anger. "He sent us on other missions with higher priority while you sat in the cell. This little fucker had his head so far up his ass .."
Hidan was interrupted by a red chakra blast in the chest from Naruto's open palm, sending the immortal flying backwards.
Hideki let out a startled cry and rushed over to help Hidan up." Are you ok..."
Hidan gasped and choked as he stood, picking up his scythe that was on the ground behind him as he glared at the Hokage.
"You raise a weapon against me?" the blond rhetorically questioned.
Hideki was looking fearfully at the Hokage. " Somethings not right about him..."
"No shit." Hidan spat, swinging his scythe around with one hand. Naruto glared back, faint reddness steaming from him.
"We're at war and my hospitality helped start it!" Naruto screamed in rage, "then you dare question me and insult me?"
Hidan looked around, seeing nobody in sight on the path in front of or behind them.
Hideki shivered slightly " That chakra.."
The treeline behind Naruto rustled as the wind picked up, blowing dirt from the ground.
"Come into my village, ask for my help, demand my protection..." the Hokage's voice gradually became more coarse and deep.
"Then use Sasori to kill me after he was saved?" Naruto's eye teeth started expanding and becoming sharper, his eyes dilated in red.
"Sasori tried to kill you? That's fucking bullshit! When?" Hidan shouted.
"After... we saved him from the fatal wound..." Naruto explained before suddenly bolting towards Hidan and landing a fist on his neck. Hidan didn't even have enough time to flinch, it was that fast. Hidan choked and fell backwards and Naruto eyed Hideki.
She was frozen in fear, her eyes wide as she eyed him, without thinking she took a small step back.
Naruto growled as the redness around him grew more visible.
She froze once more, and stared at him as tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Fucking prick..." Hidan cursed, attempting to sit up, but Naruto blasted him in the head with a red Rassengan, sending him spiraling into the ground.
Hideki whimpered and scrambled backwards and fell to her knees next to Hidan.
"I will not..." Naruto began but turned around at a sound, to the tree line to see a teal light swirl between the trees.
Hideki gently held Hidan against her, tears rolling down her cheeks as she healed what she could of the damage that had been caused by the red chakra.'
"NO MORE KILLING!" a young voice screamed, the teal swirl expanded towards Naruto and wrapped around him, revealing ninja wire beneath it. Naruto pushed from the ground in a rage but collapsed suddenly, the red chakra taking over the teal and following it back to the tree line, causing an ear piercing scream before vanishing completely.
Hideki let out a startled cry knowing the voice. " No Delarr!"
Naruto went limp immediately after hitting the ground and Hidan flipped off the Hokage.
Hideki took off to the tree line, the smell of singed flesh causing her to wince when she came across a small quivering mass. " Delarr..." she croaked, falling to her knees.
"I did it..." he rasped with a small grin on his face, his hands burnt and steaming.
She moved his head into her lap and a few tears slipped down her cheeks as she saw how bad the damage was.
His eyebrows pinched in pain and he flinched at the touch.
"I didn't... release it... in time..." he explained between heavy breaths, "it was... too much at once..."
" Shhh... stop talking" Her hands became surrounded in a light green glowing chakra and she held them over his body, trying to heal the wounds.
"Orochimaru's doing." Hidan observed as he emerged from behind a row of trees and Delarr shook his head slowly.
"No... this guy was nicer..."
" Kabuto" she muttered