That morning I was confused but….happy. That's something I haven't felt for a long time. What did last night mean? Did he just want sex or was it something more than that? I wasn't going to find out yet but, I intended to later today. Nothing was really said that morning, but soon we headed to some other town for a bounty again, but Kakuzu stayed in deep thought all the way there. At least, I think he was. He looked like he was concentrating hard on something in particular.

We almost reached the town when I spotted two familiar faces. "Miaka!" "Hitomi, how are you?" Atsuo and Kakuzu shook hands in their greeting like before, "Miaka, could you stay with Hitomi for a few minutes." "Yes sir." I led Miaka to a nearby bench and we sat down to chit chat.

Kakuzu's POV

Atsuo motioned for him to follow him to the edge of the wood. "My condolences Kakuzu." "For what?" Atsuo just frowned, "I heard about what happened to your woman." "My woman?" "Well yes, she is your woman now isn't she? You two seem like you've….bonded, did something happen?"

He just averted Atsuo's questionable gaze and tried to change the subject, "So, how did you find out?" "I knew it! You got the hot's for her you dirty dog." "…" Atsuo grinned wide, "Your silence is proof enough so don't even try to deny it." "Are you going to tell me how you know about the incident or not Atsuo?"

"Alright, I'll drop that subject for the moment." He turned serious, "You found out who the man is I mentioned by now haven't you?" "Yutaka." "Yes, I had a spy tagging him when I just found out his name and regret I couldn't give you the information before you ran into him. At any rate, I know his main objective concerning Hitomi now."

"Tell me." "I've done some research and it turns out, Yutaka is a collector. He simply craves anything unique and has to have it one way or another. He has no limits when it comes to how he obtains his….manias." "That explains why he wants Hitomi so desperately." "Yes, but that's not the worst part." Atsuo pulled out a flyer, "Take a look at this." Kakuzu unfolded the piece of paper and almost tore it in half, "A wanted poster!"

Atsuo nodded, "He's even taken the audacity to mention that you're the culprit that stole her away from him while also giving out a reward for who returns her." "He made her into a bounty." "Exactly, but I do hope you won't consider trading her in for that reward Kakuzu." He didn't say anything expect stare at the paper with his accusation and physical description of her; that is a lot of money.…..

Atsuo narrowed his eyes at him, "You've lived for so many years in solitude and I would hate to see you give up something that's actually making you happy for once Kakuzu." "…..." Atsuo turned to leave but Kakuzu pulled him back, "Why are you so persistent about all this?" "Miaka. She's really likes Hitomi and almost went into a state of despair when I told her what happened. I'm doing this for you and to ease her mind of worry." "Right." He followed Atsuo back to the girls and couldn't help but stare at Hitomi. 'What am I to you?' More than just a travel companion eh, that officially appears to be the case.

My POV

Miaka found out about my incident from Atuso, but didn't stay on that topic for long thank goodness. Other than that, Miaka and I had a nice chat while they were talking business, even though she kept looking at me so sympathetically from time to time. "You and Kakuzu seem to be closer now, what happened?" Somehow she got it out of me just with that simple question. She let out a small squeal and blushed, "You must really like him now don't you?" "What?" "You were so keen on not having anything to do with him in bed, but now…is it love?"

I knew I blushed like crazy and stared at the ground, "No it's….well….I don't know!" "Don't know what Hitomi?" I glanced up at Atsuo and muttered, "It's nothing." Atsuo laughed softly and then smirked wickedly, "Hey Kakuzu?" "Yes?" "I'm curious, how did you manage to buy Hitomi before that other man?"

That got my attention. We all stared at him and waited, "It's none of your business." Atsuo cocked an eyebrow, "Is that so? Well, considering on our discussion earlier, why did Mr. Ishida sell her to you when he already had a buyer then hmmm?" Is that true? I stared at Kakuzu and he pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation, "Damn you Atsuo. Fine, you'll end up finding out anyway."

"It mostly was just good timing on my part but I paid what he wanted for her." "That's it?" "No, I also threw in some extra cash to make it worth his while." "Wait a minute!" They stared at me, "There's no way you paid that much Kakuzu the way you are with money. Besides, you didn't even hardly know me at the time to spend that much." "Let me finish!" I gave him a glare and stayed silent; he better not be lying about this. "I did pay a great sum for you, however, there is a catch….it wasn't my money that I spent." Now, the rest of us were confused as hell.

"So, whose money was it?" He glanced at me with a smirk, "I took a guards wallet when he wasn't paying attention and it was actually loaded with cash. We were already long gone before I think anyone found out." Kakuzu seemed extremely satisfied that he was so sly.

Atsuo found it hilarious, "Why am I not surprised? Only YOU would think of something like that." I on the other hand didn't know what to make of it. Atsuo choked back a laugh, "Alright, I think it's about time we head off. Ready to go Miaka?" "Yes sir." Miaka and I hugged before they left while the men shook hands again. "Don't forget to tell her Kakuzu."

Kakuzu just scowled and didn't reply. We started back to the town again, "Tell me what?" "Don't worry about it." "It sounded important so what is it?" "Drop it!" "Will you tell me later then?" "….Maybe." I left it at that as we checked in at a small inn. After we had something to eat, Kakuzu was about to leave to get his bounty, "Do NOT leave this room or open this door for anyone unless it's me understand?"

"Ok." He left and I went to take a bath. As I was soaking I couldn't help but wonder, what was Kakuzu supposed to tell me? When he comes back I better find out. After I bathed and put a clean robe on I stretched out on the pallet. 'Is it love?' Can't be….I don't love him do I? If I am, I'll just get hurt. He doesn't feel the same, even if he did, it wouldn't work out. He's a wandering bounty hunter/criminal, no way of being a wife, having a child or anything like that.

What the hell is wrong with me? I'm actually thinking about bearing his child and shit! I'm such a fool. I need to get these disturbing thoughts out of my head and read something. I searched through his bag for that book I found abandoned on a bench, but when I pulled it out, a piece of paper fell to the floor.

I just read it when I heard a knock on the door, "It's me." I let him in and when he sat down I slammed the paper on the table. "When were you planning on telling me about this?" He glanced at the paper and muttered, "Fuck." "Damn right fuck, what the hell is going on?" I was about to keep fussing but he pulled me down next to him, "I guess I have no choice." He explained everything on what's been going on so far and when he was finished I was nervous as hell. I scooted away from him and buried my face in my knees feeling melancholy. "You're going to let him take me away aren't you?"

He roughly flipped me on my back and demanded, "Why the fuck would I do that?" I stuttered, "For the bounty and…" He silenced me with a growl, "Absurd." My eyes started to water again, "No." "What is it?" "I can't." I tried to get up but he didn't let me.

The tears rolled down my cheeks and he was taken aback somewhat and loosened his grip, "I have a question for you now. What am I to you?" I stared blankly at the wall, how the tables have turned. He gave me a few minutes before getting impatient, "Well?" Might as well get this over with. I looked him straight in the eye, "You're the one person in my life that I respect and love ever since you saved me. That's why I'm ashamed that I got attached to you because I'll just get hurt."

His face was expressionless, "Who says?" I blinked a few times in confusion, "Me." "What about my input on this matter?" I looked away and stay silent. "I may not seem the type, but I do have certain desires for you that I can't explain and didn't believe to be possible." I stared back at him in shock and he continued, "What did you think last night was about anyway?"

"I don't know. I can't figure it out." He leaned closer, "You just admitted you love me, so that should give you an idea." It's actually true, I do love him. "But, does that mean…you love me too?" He just placed a gentle kiss on my forehead and whispered, "What do you think?" His action answered my question and I smiled….I actually smiled from happiness. Never thought I'd see the day.

*No, we didn't do anything in bed that night, although we did embrace each other. The next morning, I was beyond a doubt happy as can be and Kakuzu found it funny. "Why are you so giddy this morning?" There he goes again. "Nothing in particular." "Well, freshen up and get ready. We're going to the market." "Together?" "Yes, you need another kimono to wear and I need you with me to pick one out. We also need some supplies."

He was right about the kimono bit, after the blue one was ripped apart from that bastard Yutaka, I've been wearing a worn out green one he found at that same inn. "You didn't need me last time, so why now." He tried to sound aloof on the subject, "I didn't pick the last one out, I had a saleswoman do it for me." I tried not to laugh out loud, so that's why.

We soon left for the market and it was moderately busy. When we reached a kimono shop, he kept having me try on some cheap-ass ones. It's not the fact that they were cheap but they were ugly colors: sickly shade of green, salmon pink, and other's that didn't suit me. "There isn't a blue one so you'll have to pick another color." "How does this look?"

He cocked an eyebrow when I came out in a golden yellow, floral design one with a sky blue sash. From that fixed stare, he obviously liked it on me. He cleared his throat, "What's the damage?" I found the tag and showed it to him, "That's feasible." After he paid the clerk for it, he handed me a small list, "I want you to get these items for me while I get the rest." "Ok."

He reluctantly handed me some money, "Make sure to give me all the change back." I had to smirk. He pointed to a shop right behind us, "We'll meet at that dango shop in fifteen minutes. Can you manage that?" I rolled my eyes, "Have a little faith in me, I can find these three items without getting lost."

He snorted, "Right." We separated and I headed for the stand I happened to see one of the items on. At least one item on the list was for me, a brush. He only put that on there since he complained about my hair being a mess when I woke up in the mornings. I soon found all the items and bought them, not before trying out my new brush, and headed back to meet him at the dango shop. "Well well, long time no see pet." I flinched and froze solid from hearing that voice and turned around; there stood that fucking bastard Keizo and Mr. Ishida.

To be continued:

*OMG, I started to cry during their tender moment!