Gina stood, looking around for some place to set the baby. After awhile she decided on one of the empty boxes lying around. She placed a pillow on the bottom and covered it with a blanket. Once it was as good as it was going to get she placed the infant in the makeshift bed and then hurried upstairs. She needed to speak to Hidan. She tried the door to find it locked.
She growled then headed for down the hall, pulling a step stool under the attic entrance. She entered her brother's bedroom, ignoring the books scattered on the floor. She poked the lump on the bed until Jyru began to stir, glaring up at her.
"I need the key to dad's room." She grumbled.
"Why?" He mumbled sleepily.
"I'm babysitting a runt of Hidan's." She watched her brother bolt up.
"He has a kid?" He exclaimed.
"No, he is taking care of a kid." Gina corrected. "I need his help."
"Fine then. Key's on my table." He grumbled, flopping back down on the bed.
"... Why do you still have all these books lying around?" Gina mused. "Haven't you told father the truth yet?"
"Out, Gina." He growled just as she found the key.
She rolled her eyes and then headed back down. The ladder to the attic vanished in a flash and she went to her father's room again. She unlocked the door and saw two lumps on the bed. She tripped a little on a cloak lying around. It surprised her since her father was usually a very tidy person but she did not dwell on the reasoning. She prodded Hidan's head which was turned towards Kakuzu. After awhile, the male had not woken. She sighed and gripped the blanket, starting to pull it off.
Hidan groaned, starting to squirm a little. Gina grumbled and then yanked the covers back. She immediately regretted it.
"OH EWWW! MY YOUTHFUL EYES!" She cried, waking both nude males from their slumber.
"Gina...? What the fuck are you doing up at this hour?" Hidan yawned.
"How the hell did you get in? I locked the damn door." Kakuzu panicked, gathering the covers back to cover himself.
"I unlocked it with Jyru's key..." She flushed, trying to recover from her shock. "Um... can I borrow Hidan?"
"What for?" Hidan yawned.
"No, he's mine." Kakuzu mumbled, pulling him back down to his side. "We're trying to sleep."
"And some other things..." Gina puffed.
"Oi, piss off you pissant." Hidan snapped. "If it's about Eiji, ask Haruko."
"Who's Eiji?" Kakuzu inquired.
"That cop's kid. I promised his mom I'd watch him while she's recovering from her injuries."
"Oh... what do you need, Gina?" Kakuzu looked to his daughter, sitting up on his elbows.
"Um... a few things." She replied.
"You know there's a fucking nursery up here, right?" Hidan yawned, snuggling closer to Kakuzu.
"Um... I forgot about that. Does it still have the cradle?"
"Of course it does."
"Okay, then it's settled. Get out." Kakuzu grumbled, pulling his blanket over their heads.
Gina rolled her eyes and left, locking the door behind her before her brother or the servants made the same mistake—although Phox would probably love it. She hurried back downstairs, sighing when she heard Eiji crying. She lifted him out of the box and bounced him for a bit, trying to get him to stop. He eventually did and she headed back upstairs for the nursery—Hidan's old room. She did not know how she could have forgotten about the nursery. She thought it might have had something to do with Haruko's sudden cold shoulder.
She inhaled sharply, shaking the thought away and opened the nursery. The cradle was pressed against the wall. Once Eiji was settled, she started to look around for other things they may or may not need. She pushed the bed against the far wall, pausing when she saw a box underneath. A Jashinist symbol was painted on the cover. Hidan must have forgotten it.
She picked it up and considered prying open the lid. After awhile of self debating, she set the box on a table and removed the lid. Inside the box were a few photos, a lighter, and a pocket knife. There were also a few pieces of paper with Japanese verses from the Jashinist bible, she assumed. One photo caught her eye and she plucked it from the box. It was a picture taken at an amusement park of sorts. A very young girl, around five, between two other kids. A girl with long blonde hair and a boy with white hair.
She pocketed the photo and put the box back under the bed. She was going to go see Deidara.
–
Gina walked to town, arriving at Akatsuki just as the sun rose. A car pulled up in the parking lot and out got Kisame and Itachi. She hurried over to them, asking them if they knew where Deidara was after introducing herself. Deidara and Sasori lived in an apartment nearby and she ran over after thanking Kisame and Itachi. She knocked on their door and a disgruntled redhead opened the door.
"Um... did I come at a bad time?" She inquired.
"Did you see what time it is?" He grumbled.
"I just wanna talk to Deidara..." She explained. "I have something of Hidan's I wanted to ask him about."
"Lemme see it." He held out his hand and she handed over the photo. "Ah... this is the brat here. He looked real pretty when he was young."
"Who?"
"Deidara. I assume you thought this blond was a girl?"
"Oh... so the boy must be Hidan but what about the little girl?"
"Probably Haruko." He answered.
"Danna...? Who is it, hm?" Deidara asked from the hallway.
"Just Kakuzu's little brat." He said. "Go back to bed, babe."
"Gina's here, un?" Deidara padded over to the door. "Let her in."
"But-"
"You honestly think I have the energy to do it twice, danna, hm?" Deidara smirked.
"Ewww, you guys too?" Gina winced at the morning incident.
"Oo, did your father and my brother do it, hm?" Deidara asked eagerly, leading her to a couch while Sasori went to the kitchen.
"I don't know." She turned red in embarrassment. "I just pulled back the covers and they were both naked."
"Oh... that's no fun, un." Deidara pouted.
"Sex isn't supposed to be fun..." Gina frowned.
"Then you haven't had sex, hm." He grinned.
"I'll have you know I'm pregnant!" She snapped and then promptly slapped a hand over her mouth.
"So? Just 'cause you're preggy doesn't mean you've made love, hm." Deidara scoffed. "Did you enjoy intercourse, hm? If not then it's not making love, un."
"Oh..." She blushed. "Um... hey, you raised Haruko, right?"
"Of course."
"... When I asked her to help me... raise my child... she freaked out and left." She frowned.
"I dunno why she would freak, un. She loves children." Deidara mused as Sasori placed a plate of breakfast in front of them.
"Perhaps you should ask Suki, Atari, or even Hidan?" The redhead suggested, joining them at the table.
"I recommend Suki, hm."
–
Hidan awoke later that morning to a cold bed. Kakuzu had left. Hidan's grumbles were interrupted by a yawn. He crawled out of bed and looked for some clothes. His bullet wound was nothing more than an angry red line now and he felt no pain. He pulled on one of Kakuzu's robes, ignoring how loose it fit. He stormed down the stairs, following his nose to the kitchen. Phox was fixing omelets for Jyru whom was sitting at the table, reading a thick textbook.
"What are you reading?" He asked, sitting at the table.
"I have my final coming up." He grumbled.
"I didn't know you went to college..."
"Psychology major..." He informed Hidan.
"Hidan! I have to go to school. I'm already late 'cause I was waiting for your lazy ass to wake up." Gina shouted as she arrived, baby in her arms. "Take Eiji. Jyru, you're going to drive me."
"Bossy much?" Jyru smirked, closing his book. "You got your shit?"
"Yep." Gina said, handing the baby to Hidan. "Let's go already."
"Hey Phox, you know where Kakuzu went?" Hidan asked.
"He's at work." She replied.
"Ah..." He frowned. "I had almost forgotten he has other clients."
"Jealous?" Phox smirked, handing him a bottle of heated milk.
"Fuck no!" He huffed.
–
Gina hurried out of the car the moment her brother had stopped the car. She looked around the crowded school yard for her friend, frowning when she did not find Haruko. She went to her first class, hoping she would get the chance to interrogate Haruko. However, the school day passed and she had not seen her. She sighed in disappointment and began to trudge home. She was almost there when she was suddenly pulled into an alley. She gasped in shock, turning to see her kidnapper.
"Hiro?" She gawked at her ex—the father of the thing inside her.
"Gi-Gi, I've been looking everywhere for you, babe." He said quietly, pulling her into a hug.
"You know where I live." She tensed.
"Yeah but that Jashinist bastard lives there. He's a murderer." He explained.
"You smell funny..." Gina frowned, trying to get free.
"Ah, that's just weed. Nothing new." He shrugged, letting her go—but only slightly. "I missed you." His whisper sent and unpleasant shiver down her spine.
"What do you want, Hiro?" She growled.
"I want you to come to my place." He replied.
"I can't. I have to go home. Father's waiting..." She lied.
"Yeah right, I saw him on his way to work. He's rarely ever home." Hiro scoffed.
"H-Hidan needs me to come home..." She struggled to keep her cool. She could see two big guys farther back in the alley. "Besides... you're drunk. My father'll ground me if I come home smelling like you."
"Since when have you cared?" He grinned, pushing her deeper into the alley.
"Please... I don't want anything to do with you..." She shivered as the two males closed in.
"You weren't really complaining the first time."
"N-No! THAT'S BECAUSE YOU DRUGGED ME, YOU BASTARD." She shouted, kneeing him in his groin.
She ran towards the exit but the grunts were faster. She hit the ground hard and they pinned her down. She cursed as they reached for her skirt.
"You stupid bitch. Now you're gonna pay."
Gina winced, shutting her eyes tight. She waited but, instead of feeling another pair of hands on her, the two pairs restraining her disappeared with a cry of pain. Gina waited until she heard footsteps approach her slowly. She rose her head, curious as to who her savior was. The figure wore a dark cloak, skin painted black and white. The savior knelt down and familiar green eyes met her brown ones.
"Haruko?" She whispered.
She closed her eyes and placed a finger to her lips. She brought Gina to her feet and started to walk deeper into the alley. Gina followed obediently to the fence. The Jashinist clambered over and motioned for Gina to do the same. Haruko took her hand once she had landed and ran. Gina stumbled all the way until they reached Haruko's home. She pulled her inside and bolted the door behind them. When Haruko turned back to face Gina, she was attacked with a hug.
"Thank you so much, Haruko-chan!" She cried.
"Gina... you are okay now?" Haruko whispered, hesitantly placing a hand on her silver head.
"I was so worried about you." She whimpered.
"You... about me?" Haruko frowned in confusion.
"You left so suddenly last night... What did I say that offended you?" Gina sniffed.
"... Nothing..." She blinked, looking around for her parents. "... You asked if I would help you raise your child..."
"But-"
"Why?"
"'Why'?" She echoed, pulling away to look at her. "... Because I want you to."
"Why?" She repeated.
"... I dunno..." Gina frowned.
Haruko closed her eyes and took in a breath. She exhaled and brought her face to Gina's. Without a word, Haruko pressed her lips on hers and then pulled away. Gina stood frozen on the spot, wide eyed. Haruko swept past her and up the stairs to her room.
"Oh hey Gina... what are you doing here?" Atari popped his head in from the living room. "Haruko is out on a ritual—she's old enough to be a full Jashinist now."
"... Really?" Gina stared at the stairs and Atari strode over to her side.
"Would you like a ride home?"
"No... Not yet. I'm waiting for Haruko to come down."
"She's back?" Atari blinked. "That was fast... Suki!" He called to his husband, walking away. "Haruko's back!"
"Three bodies." Gina whispered, surprising them.
"What happened...?"
"Nothing... she just saved me is all... They're in the nearest alley." She explained, heading upstairs.
–
Hidan was surprised to find Eiko standing in the doorway, arms out for her child. She had recovered fast, much to his relief. He led her upstairs to where Eiji was sleeping. Before she grabbed her son, she turned to Hidan and then threw her arms around him, crying. His eyelids dropped in understanding and he stroked her hair, whispering a form of prayer in Japanese. Kakuzu saw this but kept silent, slinking back into his office.
Once Eiji and Eiko had left the house, Hidan headed in the direction of the office. He was shocked when Kakuzu yanked him inside. Hidan gasped as a blade was pressed to his throat. He went still, straining to see Kakuzu's face.
"Did I surprise you?" He breathed, loosening his hold.
"WHAT THE FUCK, MAN!" Hidan shouted.
"Don't worry. I didn't plan on doing anything until our wedding." He scoffed, putting the letter opener back on his desk.
"What...?" Hidan's eyes widened.
"I got permission from you father, Deidara, and Suki. Will you marry me, Hidan?" Kakuzu asked, grabbing his hands.
"... Seriously?" Hidan choked and then smirked. "What... no ring, Kuzu?"
"Actually..." Kakuzu coughed, letting go of Hidan to fish in his pockets. "I thought this one would suit you. It's fairly simple but..." He trailed opening the crimson velvet box.
The ring was silver with a dark ruby in place of a diamond. Its band was just thick enough to inscribe the Jashinist symbol on it. Hidan blinked, grabbing the box, seeing if it was really there. Kakuzu sighed, realized what he was doing, and took the box back. He grabbed Hidan's hand and slid the ring on the proper finger.
"It's real, Hidan." He paused, grinning. "Like my love for you."
"Corny fagot..." Hidan flushed. "I love you too... but when's the wedding?"
"You assume I planned ahead? I didn't even know for sure if you were going to accept, idiot."
"Don't call me an idiot, bastard!" Hidan puffed. "How about the end of the month?"
"Rather soon, isn't it?" Kakuzu smirked.
"Our whole relationship has only been a couple of months." He returned the smirk. "Why not have it so soon?"
"Good point..." He pulled Hidan into a warm embrace. "Besides, I don't think I can wait for our honeymoon... that will probably be the longest part of our relationship."
"Pervert..." He flushed, letting himself be pulled into a passionate kiss.
Chu~ Finally got around to the proposal. Next to fix (or ruin) Kakuzu's relationship with his kids.
Thank snow days for this chapter and others that may come out today.
Thanks: Zanzibar Barker, MayAnnie777, yuke kira, and Aku yoru no sakana. My reviewers, and my dA watchers.