It's been about three weeks since I started traveling with Kakuzu. I'm gradually getting healthier and stronger, if anything I feel better. I'm not near as sickly looking as before, but my ribs are slightly protruding still, but not near much as before. I'm still too skinny according to Kakuzu, he must like women with some meat on their bones, just not too much.

By now, I knew him pretty well and knew his personality down to a T. He has to be the greediest and stingiest man I've ever seen when it comes to money. No wonder he complained so much about a simple cup of tea when I didn't want to drink it.

I also found out the hard way during this time not to touch his money, but that was a total accident at the time. I searched through the bag where I thought my clothes were, but that was where he just stashed a wad of cash from a bounty he collected unfortunately. He scared the hell out of me by pinning me to the wall and threatening me; I tried to explain but he wouldn't listen until after his temper cooled down. That's another thing; he has a VERY short fuse.

We also haven't bathed together since that first day thank goodness, but we still have to share a bed, which isn't a big deal now. He hasn't tried anything and so far I think I trust him. He does like to pick on me a lot; his excuse is my facial expressions are priceless and needs a laugh, even though I'm the one who ends up with the short end of the stick.

All in all, it's not bad hanging around with him as I thought it would be. He provides food, clothing, and shelter for me, gives me some privacy, he hasn't tried anything sexual yet, and doesn't beat me. I have opened up a lot more but that's about it. The thing that still has me going is that I haven't thought about wanting to die this whole time. Did he really make that big of a difference for me?

We were walking down yet another road while I was pondering all this. "What's on your mind?" "It's nothing." "You've been spacing out for a while now so don't tell me it's nothing." I glanced at him with a frown, "I'll tell you later." "Alright, I expect an answer at the next inn." He can be so bossy sometimes! We took a little break and sat on a low stone wall alongside this path until a man and woman approached us.

"Kakuzu, long time no see." Kakuzu stood up and shook the man's hand, "It's been a while Atsuo." "How's the bounty business been going?" "About the same. What about you?" The man called Atsuo shrugged, "Business had been a little slow for my liking and am in the process of making my restaurant much more luxurious." "Not a bad idea, but I bet that costs quite a bit." Atsuo chuckled, "Still the miser I see, by the way, let me introduce you to my pet." I flinched when he said that, made me think of that bastard Keizo. "Her name is Miaka. She's my own personal slave. Greet the man Miaka."

She bowed her head, "Please to meet you Mr. Kakuzu." "Likewise." Atsuo pointed at me and I raised an eyebrow, "Oh, I see you have one too." He's making me sound like a thing. "Introduce us Kakuzu, where are your manners?" Kakuzu beckoned me over with a smirk; he's up to something now, I can see it.

"Atsuo, this is Hitomi." "She's cute but a little undernourished don't you think?" "That's the way she was treated until I purchased her." "Never thought I'd see the day when you spent money on a woman. Does she perform well?" I stared at Kakuzu and muttered, "Yeah does she perform well Kakuzu? I wouldn't know."

Atsuo stared at me in shock, "She talks back?" "Sometimes." It's like I'm not even here! "Miaka does anything I tell her without any disrespect, let me show you." "That isn't necessary Atsuo." "I insist. Miaka, be a dear and suck my finger." I made a face of disgust when she did what he told her and mouthed out at Kakuzu, 'what the hell?'

I can tell he was smiling under the mask the bastard; at least he was getting a kick out of this. "That's enough dear. Will yours do something I request Kakuzu?" Oh no! Kakuzu simply shrugged, "She might, why don't you ask her to do something." Atsuo held a finger out to me, "How about you suck it this time?"

I didn't budge and Kakuzu was eagerly waiting to see what I'd do. I stared at Atsuo's finger and then him before letting him having it, "What the hell is wrong with you? I'm not sucking your damn finger!" I stomped off and sat back down on the wall with a scowl. Kakuzu barely choked back a laugh as Atsuo stood there appalled at what just happened.

At least Miaka cracked a smile. Atsuo cleared his throat and changed the subject, "I need to have a word with you if I may, in private." "Alright." "Miaka go sit with Hitomi until we come back." "Yes sir." Miaka came over to sit with me and the two men walked a little ways out of hearing distance.

Kakuzu's POV

"What is it?" "I need to warn you about something." Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, "About what?" Atsuo glanced over at the girls before continuing, "I noticed your girl has blue eyes and that's a problem. There's been a rumor going around concerning a well known businessman who was supposedly ripped-off at that sex slave mansion. He wanted the blue-eyed girl, but someone beat him to the punch."

"It's not my fault I got there first. Who is this man?" "I don't know his name as of yet, and I shouldn't be telling you this because I'll get in trouble with the higher ups, but I consider you a friend and fellow businessman. I do know this much, Mr. Ishida has given him information concerning her buyer, which is you."

"That classified information!" "I know, but Mr. Ishida will do it if he gains something in return." "Tch, must've been bribed with a lot of money to give out that information." Atsuo nervously looked around in case of being overheard and lowered his voice, "Kakuzu, whatever you do, don't let that girl out of your sight if you want to keep her. This man's out for blood."

"Don't worry about me; I can take care of myself." "I know you can Kakuzu, but can you do the same for her at the same time? Will it be worth the hassle?" Kakuzu stayed silent in deep thought, should he go so far to protect one woman. He himself was unsure about that question.

My POV

Miaka and I had a nice chat for a while until they came back. She was really nice and loved the fact I was spunky and freaked Atsuo out. She kept staring at my eyes, "I can see why your family named you Hitomi." "How come?" I know she doesn't know I don't have a family, but I don't want her to feel sad for me. "You don't know why? Your name has a meaning behind it." "Yeah, I'm not from around here. I didn't know names here had certain meanings to them."

"Yes, like Miaka means beautiful red." "For your pretty red hair, that's real neat how that works. What's mine mean then?"

"Yours stands for beautiful virtue, pupil of the eye. More or less, it's usually given to girls with especially beautiful eyes like yours." I was stunned, did Kakuzu really think my eyes were beautiful or was it just coincidence? I need to ask him later. "Ok that makes sense, so what about Atsuo?" "His stands for friendly man." "He does seem nice, even though he strikes me as weird."

Miaka giggled, "That is true but he is real good to me. I don't like being put on a display scenario like earlier, but I can't complain too much. By the way, what did you mean when you mimicked Kakuzu about your performance?"

I smirked, "I was being sarcastic because I haven't slept with him and don't intend to." "Are you serious? Why buy you if not for that reason?" "He just wanted a travel companion and found me amusing I guess. I still haven't really figured it out." Miaka sighed, "You're lucky Hitomi, not having to satisfy his needs."

I laughed out loud, "I don't think he has any needs like that, he probably can't get it up anyway!" "I can't get what up Hitomi?" Oh shit! "Uh, a flag." Kakuzu was just glaring at me and Atsuo was trying to choke back a laugh while asking me, "So, how did this conversation get started Hitomi?"

"We were discussing on how to properly put a little flag up on a sand castle. Since it's so small, I was saying that Kakuzu wouldn't be able to make it stay up because his hands are too big to do it." This has to be the most bizarre and stupid cover up in history! Atsuo looked at his watch and changed the subject, "Let's go Miaka. It's time we left." "Yes sir, bye Hitomi." "I hope I see you again Miaka."

Atsuo shook hands in farewell with Kakuzu, "Hope to see you soon Kakuzu." "Likewise Atsuo, I'll keep that useful information in mind." Atsuo curtly nodded his head and left with Miaka as we turned to leave the opposite way. Kakuzu thumped my ear growling, "That was the worst excuse I've ever heard. How in the hell did you come up with that?"

I rubbed my sore ear, "I don't know, but call it payback for making me sound like some defected toy earlier." Kakuzu ignored me and got a wicked gleam in his eyes, "I don't like that look." "You shouldn't. I'm considering on demonstrating that I can get it up." I walked a few paces away nervously, "You don't have to do that." He jerked me closer, "I insist on doing so to prove you wrong." "You're freaking me out now." "Good." I'm changing the subject before this gets even weirder!

"Did you pick the name Hitomi because of my eyes?" He glanced at me then murmured, "Yes." "You really think my eyes are beautiful?" He kept walking but didn't answer me. "Kakuzu tell me." He sighed, "I do alright."

"Thanks." I ended up whispering it but I was embarrassed at the compliment. It was the first one I've ever received. "Are you blushing?" "NO!" He chuckled and we walked the rest of the way in silence until we reached the next town. We stopped at another small inn to stay for the night.

"I have to go run an errand but I'll be back before nightfall." "Alright see you then." When he left I stretched out across the pallet. What were he and Atsuo talking about earlier? It must've been important and he kept staring at me with uncertainty from time to time. Was it about me?

An hour went by and I was beyond bored. I left the room so I could go ask the innkeeper if there was anything to read. Normally I never left a room without Kakuzu but I only did it when I wanted a book. The inn's we've been stopping at usually had books but I could only borrow them and that was fine.

She showed me to a bookcase and let me take my time to pick one out. "This one." "Alright, let me go write it down." As she wrote the title down she asked, "Why are you traveling with that man?" "Why do you want to know?" She looked at me sympathetically, "You're undernourished. He's obviously not taking care of you; did he force you into staying with him?" "No it's not like that."

She laid a hand on my shoulder, "It's alright miss. I can help you, I know a gentleman who would be more than happy to take you into his care and give you employment." "No thank you, I'm not interested." I snatched the book and quickly walked back to the room; nosy lady, it's none of her business.

It was already dark outside and Kakuzu hasn't come back yet. I just finished the book and someone knocked on the door. The door unlocked and the innkeeper came in with three men. I jumped up from the pallet, "Who the hell are you guys?" "I'm sorry miss, but for your own good I can't let you stay with that man. These gentlemen will escort you to my acquaintance I told you about." "Like hell!" One of the men came towards me and I just started throwing stuff. "Calm down miss, we're the good guys." I managed to pick up the small table and hit him in the leg with it. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

The other two joined and in no time they had me hog-tied. "We're not going to hurt you." I kept struggling with all my might as they carried me down the hall. "LET ME GO!" They brought me into another room at the opposite end of the inn, "We're just trying to help you." They tossed me on a pallet, "Lock the door quickly so she can't get out."

I ran to the door and tried to open it. I was locked in, like a prisoner again. The thought pissed me off so bad I started banging on the door yelling at the top of my lungs, "LET ME OUT YOU ASSHOLES!" When no one came I admitted defeat and slumped on the floor with my knees to my chest. I hope Kakuzu hurries up and figures out where I'm at.

Wait, would he actually come for me? My thoughts were soon interrupted when the door unlocked and a man in a suit came in. "So you're the girl huh? Let's have a look." He came up to me, knelt down, and took hold of my chin to make me look at him. I slapped his hand away, "Don't touch me!" "My, my, you're a feisty one...wait a minute."

He took hold of my face again, except more roughly this time. "It's you!" "Huh?" I smacked his hand away again and moved far away from him. I don't know this guy! He chuckled, "I can't believe my luck! It appears your last owner has taken care of you so I won't have to do much as of now. Although, I am still sore at Ishida for selling you out from under me to that miser Kakuzu before I had the chance to inspect my property." How does he know about Kakuzu?

I slowly stood up, "Are you that guy I was supposed to meet that day?" "Yes I am. Allow me to introduce myself, Mr. Yutaka at your service. Well, you'll be at my service so to speak." This guy is nothing but bad news; that does not bode well.

To be continued: