Kakuzu sighed in aggravation once Atari finished explaining the wedding ceremony. It, like the other rituals, involved a form of self-mutilation as well. Atari had pulled up his shirt, revealing a scar in the shape of a Jashinist's symbol which he claimed was in the same location as Suki's. Both couples in the religion would be branded with said symbol in a spot different from any other couples in the religion. Before that ceremony, however, Kakuzu would have to request permission from Hidan's family, as Deidara had said.
"When Suki gets home, he'll be able to take you to our community and point out any close friends or family." He paused, looking around for his shirt. After a minute he gave up with a shrug and returned to lecturing Kakuzu. "Make sure you don't tell him why though. Save him for last since he is Hidan's ex."
"Don't tell me you're jealous of Hidan? Does Suki still love him?" Kakuzu inquired.
"I don't know but I don't want to risk it. He's mine now." Atari stroked the scar near his navel. "Your marrying Hidan would be advantageous for me. Especially if he later finds I'm the one that encouraged it."
"So he still doesn't trust you?" Kakuzu laughed dryly. "Figures."
"Oi." He slapped the other man's face, halfheartedly. "That's not entirely the case. I still feel like I need to prove myself to him is all..."
"Damn... since when did you become a love-struck chick?" Kakuzu joked.
"After I left your stingy, sorry ass." Atari smirked back.
"Touché, slut, touché."
"I AM NOT A SLUT!"
"Who's not a slut?" Suki stood in the doorway, a curious expression on his face.
"Hey babe..." Atari looked down, recalling he was shirtless and smiled apologetically. "It's not what it looks like...?"
"How many times have I advised you not to act like you weren't up to something when no one is questioning what you've been up to?" Kakuzu sighed, "It just makes you the guilty one."
"Did I ask for your advice, bastard?" Atari snapped.
"Is anyone going to tell me what Kakuzu is doing in our house without Hidan?" Suki exhaled.
"He wants to learn more about our religion." Atari recovered, putting on a happy face. "Why don't you take him to meet them, dear?"
"Very well... but not now. It's too late. We'll go tomorrow..." Suki replied, heading to his husband's side. "You can sleep in a guest room. They're all marked accordingly."
"You act different when Hidan isn't around..." Kakuzu noted.
"So what?" The blond huffed moodily.
"Tomorrow morning, Kakuzu." Atari chuckled. "You might want to call Hidan and let him know..."
–
The next morning, Kakuzu awoke early than usual to a cold bed. He was surprised at how quickly he had gotten used to sharing a bed again. Kakuzu headed downstairs, surprised to find Suki, Atari, and Haruko were already awake. They all sat on the floor in the Jashinist symbol, one person at each point of the triangle. They seemed to be praying so Kakuzu kept quite, observing their actions. Atari was the first to rise and their guest immediately noticed blood, dripping from a wound on his arm. Suki and then Haruko followed Atari's rising, also bleeding onto the floor.
"Oh... Kakuzu... We didn't think you'd be awake at such an hour." Atari chuckled nervously, hiding his arm.
"I had trouble sleeping. The bed was too cold..." He murmured, stepping to the side as Haruko headed to her personal bathroom. "I have to say... your religion seems somewhat... interesting..." Kakuzu mused, following the couple to their kitchen.
"Are you ready to meet the others?" Atari inquired once he had washed off the blood; his wound was already healed.
"Are you coming with?"
"Yeah. Haruko too. We needed to visit the church anyways." Suki explained, drying his hand.
They drove to the Akatsuki and parked their cars in the bar's parking lot. Atari explained that the Akatsuki was a friend of their religion which had their community in the nearby hotel-like building. Pain, after hiring Hidan, had bought the building specially for his religion's followers and any other special people that may need to stay there. They presented their pendents and then went to the desk where a teenaged girl sat, texting. She immediately closed the phone upon their approach.
"Welcome, Suki-san, Atari-san." She greeted them, pulling out a book for sign-ins. "What brings you here?" She glanced at Kakuzu. "Converting?"
"Perhaps..." Atari smirked. "We can tell you Haruko is here for her lesson." He signed his family in accordingly, including 'guest'.
"Her mentor is in room 210." She smiled, "Anyone else you need to see?"
"Is the high priest here today?" Suki inquired.
The woman nodded and Suki smiled at her before taking them to another room. A group of people sat at tables, eating. Some wore ragged clothes and others wore crimson cloaks like Atari and Suki. Haruko wore, like a few other young ones, a gray cloak. She hurried over to a table were some sat and nodded in greeting. She waved to her fathers and they waved back before returning to scanning the restaurant area. They led Kakuzu to where food was being handed out and decided to eat what was offered.
"Be sure to donate before leaving, Kakuzu." Suki said once they reached a table. "It helps our members whom have nothing." He motioned to a woman breastfeeding an infant. "That woman's husband has killed two of her children already... His day of sacrifice is fast approaching..."
"Why hasn't she gone to the police?" Kakuzu mused.
"He is one of them..." Atari murmured darkly. "Besides, what would the police do?" He sighed. "To them, we are a troublesome cult. They'd sooner take us than those whom have wronged us."
"... I see."
"Oi, Suki!" A female approached their table with a tray and Suki slid to make room. "It's been ages. Haven't seen you since your wedding. How is Hidan?"
"Oh... I've only met with him recently on his birthday." Suki replied. "He's been working hard lately."
"What a shame. I was hoping he could take me back out for old times' sake."
"That sounds like it would be fun but I doubt Pain or his psychiatrist would let him."
"Hah! That bitch actually made him look? She must have been something."
"Yeah. Scary as shit." Suki laughed.
"You're just jealous 'cause he's not living with you." She giggled.
"Nah. Why should I be jealous? I got a hunky husband and a lovely daughter." He patted Atari's back as the man began to choke at what his husband had said.
"Hunky my ass." Kakuzu chuckled under his breath.
"Fuck you and your ass!" Atari snapped, catching the insult.
"Already did. Wasn't a nice place." Suki and the woman exchanged a startled look and Atari began to laugh at his ex's come back.
"Idiots." Suki sighed, slapping his forehead.
"So who are you?" The girl asked Kakuzu.
"Atari's ex boyfriend, Hidan's current boyfriend... and psychologist." Suki explained, making the woman's jaw drop slightly.
"No wonder he hasn't come asking for help in covering up a murder yet..."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kakuzu frowned at her.
"Hidan kills anyone he doesn't like. Most of us only kill when we have to. Others kill people that have wronged others. Atari is the latter, I am the former..." Suki explained.
"We love him anyways though." The woman sighed. "He tires his father quite a bit with all his sudden breakdowns."
"He has a father?" Kakuzu sat up straighter.
"Everyone has a father, Kakuzu." Atari mocked, earning a glare.
"The high priest took him and Deidara in... he's like their father." Suki explained.
"Will I get to meet him today?"
"If you value your life, I wouldn't advise it..." The woman murmured before being called away.
"Sure. We'll go now." Suki replied, ignoring her and interrupting Kakuzu's question.
Kakuzu followed Atari and Suki up to the top floor of the building. A room was settled at the back of the large church commune. They went to the door and knocked. Kakuzu was surprised when Sasori opened it; Sasori slightly more so. However no questions were asked and the trio followed the redhead inside. A woman rested on a couch, silver unkempt hair hiding her face. They bypassed her with indifference and went to another room where an old man rested in his bed.
"Sir, we have brought a man in that wishes to talk to you. We'll wait in our rooms..." Suki dipped his head and then left Kakuzu with only Sasori and the priest.
"Approach, stranger and state your business, Sasori can-"
"I'm staying." The redhead smirked at Kakuzu. "Kakuzu won't mind."
Kakuzu ignored the bartender and went to the bedside. The man looked at him with dark eyes. A chill went down his spine but he shrugged it off as the fan pulling in cold air.
"My name is Kakuzu and I currently have your son in my home."
"You as well?" The man sighed. "As long as you don't also plan on marrying him..."
"Er..."
"How is it that Deidara can live with both you and Sasori?" The man groaned.
"Actually, sir, I believe he is referring to Hidan..." Sasori corrected.
"Oh... Oh?" The man sat up and gave Kakuzu a hard look. "What makes you think I will marry him off to a heathen such as yourself? Hidan is the holy reincarnation of our lord Jashin. He must remain pure."
"That's bullshit..." Kakuzu scoffed, making Sasori slap himself in the face.
"I beg your pardon?" The man guffawed. "You have balls to mock our beliefs." He glanced at Sasori. "If you can get Deidara to come home and visit me before my death, I shall consider your requests."He looked to Kakuzu. "You still need to ask Haruko and Suki for Hidan's hand. Then you may return and ask me."
Sasori dipped his head and then Kakuzu followed. The man nodded in return then settled back down in his bed. Kakuzu followed Sasori outside and to the Akatsuki. Atari and Suki were heading inside when they arrived. Zetsu was stationed at the bar, a bored look on his face as he cleaned the counter. It was slow during the morning hours since people had to work. Kakuzu was lucky he had no appointments for the day—except Zetsu. However the man rarely showed as much as he used to.
Sasori joined him behind the counter, already dressed for work. Atari and Suki approached the bar upon spotting Kakuzu. Atari looked at him in question but he was ignored as Kakuzu ordered a drink. He then turned to Suki.
"Suki. I am going to marry Hidan." Suki blinked at Kakuzu's sudden declaration while Zetsu dropped the glass he had been preparing.
"I told you to ask him last." Atari hissed.
"The priest told me to ask Suki, Haruko, and Deidara first." Kakuzu shrugged.
"Ask him. Don't just tell him."
"I can hear you both, you know." Suki huffed, glaring at Kakuzu. "What makes you assume I'll say yes?"
"You seem like someone that wouldn't say no to such a request."
"I hate that you're right." He sighed. "I give permission... so long as Haruko stays in that school."
"Of course... Is Deidara here, Sasori?" Kakuzu asked the bartender.
"Yeah. In back with some new burlesque dancers. Hidan called in and said he'd join them later tonight. He's waiting for you to come back home." He replied.
"Why?"
"He said he wanted someone to stay with the kids..."
"They're not kids..." He frowned, "Why can't he just bring them here?"
"You didn't know?" Zetsu scoffed, finally handing him his beverage. "There's a 'scout' coming tonight to hire a dancer."
"You mean he's actually coming in for that? He hates those people..." Suki said.
"Why?"
"You're his psychiatrist and lover... shouldn't you know these answers?" Atari scoffed.
"I guess I'll have to ask Deidara later then..." Kakuzu sighed, heading back for his car, the glass left untouched.
–
"Damnit... your father forgot his fucking cell phone..." Hidan cursed as he paced Gina's bedroom.
"Doesn't help that Jyru actually found a date..." Gina laughed from where she was digging through her clothes for dresses. Her school dance was coming up and she planned on going, even though she did not have a date. "You looking forward to your dance?"
"No... but Kakuzu said his father might like me if I further my career and this is the first step..." He murmured, frowning at the three dresses she pulled out. "Do those even fit you?"
"Not really... I haven't gone dress shopping since..." she fell silent, her expression one of sadness.
"I understand... I haven't seen my mom since... I was six..." He paused. "I tried searching for her... after awhile I had to give up and care for Dei. Told him she died."
"I'm surprised you remember that far back..."
Hidan was silent now, clenching his fists as he became lost in a dreaded memory. Gina jumped as she heard the front door slam open and then shut. She glanced at Hidan whom had not reacted then headed upstairs to greet her father. Ginji and Phox had both been given the day off since Hidan was capable of doing most of the house work. So no one had answered the door for her father.
"Afternoon, father." She dipped her head.
"Where's Hidan?" He asked, somewhat weary.
"My room... he's gone into some sort of lapse." She was surprised when he rushed past her and then followed slowly.
"Hidan?" Kakuzu touched his lover's shoulder.
"Kuzu-chan?" He smiled but a lone tear fell from his eye. "'Bout time, fucker."
"Are you okay?"
"Of course. I gotta go now... can you give me a ride? Jyru had a date.." He laughed.
"Yeah... sure. Gina-"
"She can come. I have to go now though."
–
"You're late, Hidan." Pain growled, throwing him his outfit.
"Be glad I even showed up, Pain-in-the-ass." Hidan snapped, pulling off his clothes as his boss left.
He dressed quickly, going for his usual leather outfit. Since they were doing a burlesque, the dancers were preforming one at a time. Deidara would be going out just before him. The blond gave him a look and Hidan returned it, encouraging him. He grinned and then stepped out. Music started and Hidan glanced in the mirror once more. His hair was slicked back as it always was but for once he was starting the show with his leather coat zipped.
He heard applause and returned to the stage as Deidara made his return. He was quivering but managed to wish Hidan luck. He also pointed out the person looking to hire. He inhaled sharply, took his stance, and then, as the music began, his dance did too. He did not focus on the audience for once, not wanting to see what reaction Kakuzu might be giving. He was not even sure where the man was seated. All that mattered was that man Deidara had said was in the front row.
As he unzipped his jacket, he looked to that spot. The glare of the stage lights made it difficult but Hidan caught a glimpse before he had to return to his act. He was shocked at the man's familiar build, the brown hair, green eyes, and formal wear reminded him strongly of Kakuzu. Perhaps that is why he started to drift closer, putting on his best show as his nervousness faded. He imagined it was Kakuzu on the night they had met; when their eyes met... And then, the song had ended and Hidan had only gotten through most of his act. Like on that first day, he had not managed to remove his pants.
He ignored the applause and stopped giving attention, instead searching for his lover. Kakuzu was seated towards the back with Gina, both giving him an odd look. Only Gina joined in the uproarious applause. Hidan's heart clenched but he headed back stage, scooping up his discarded shirt and jacket. Deidara caught his eye and frowned, about to pull him aside. However, Hidan was pulled away by an excited Konan and led to Pain's office. Waiting for him was the man. Hidan was extremely shocked at how similar he was to Kakuzu.
"Hidan, meet Kazuhiro Shisan."
Thanks to: XxCatalinaxX, Kaitlin Murasaki, Insane Teddy Bear, lana3286, and Karasu Kagami and all my precious reviewers~