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Chapter 7: Human Fox Ritual
Deidara was staring at Daisuke as if he had sprouted a second head. At this point, he figured about anything could happen. "You have got to be shitting me… you and Hidan are brothers?"
Daisuke rolled his eyes, a strange sight on a fox. "Yes, obviously back when I was a human. My life story is not one for you to hear."
"Tell me or I will tell Sumiko-chan." Deidara was totally serious and the un's were even missing from his recent sentences.
"Fine, I'll fucking tell you." The fox bowed his head in defeat and sat next to Deidara's spot under a tree. "Well, in the past, Hidan and I became Jashinists together. We felt it was… a bonding experience for us two brothers. You see, I'm ten years older than him."
"So how old are you, un?" Now that Daisuke was not pulling anything, Deidara relaxed enough for his trademark accent to lapse back into his speech.
"Thirty-five just like Sumiko-sama."
"Damn. You two are way too similar. I'm only 19, un."
"Yes I am fully aware of that fact. You are 16 years Sumiko-sama's junior. A love between you two is far too fucking awkward. I want Sumiko-sama happy, but with a kid like you?"
Deidara scoffed at the thought of him still being a kid. "Just curious, why do you refer to her as –sama? If you two were in love, shouldn't it be far more informal, un?"
Daisuke smiled sadly. "Yes, but it is hard to hold romantic feelings towards someone when you are no longer human." At this, Daisuke looks towards the Sound Village where Sumiko had departed to. "Besides, I technically serve her now and she doesn't know why I do, but appreciates it nonetheless. Making her happy is my priority."
"So, why is me liking her and potentially her liking me a problem if she is happy all the same, un?" Deidara was puzzled. Daisuke would say something, but then say something else to totally retract that statement. Total hypocrite.
"It's a problem in the fact that her feelings could get in the way and you aren't exactly quality boyfriend material… I mean look at you! When girls get past the fact you look almost look like one of them, no offense." He paused noting the look on Deidara's face and his oh so very obvious outrage. "Girls simply lose their cool over a guy like you. Frankly, I'm surprised that you are single."
Deidara's eyes were suddenly blank and steely. "They like me until they see my kekkei genkai. They call me a freak for that. Sumiko-chan is the only woman who didn't run from me upon seeing my hands and just for that, I like her." Deidara shows Daisuke his hands and Daisuke nods. "I just don't understand what she hates about art…un"
Daisuke nodded. "Well, she is reluctant because Sasori-sama left her a long time ago because he wanted his artistic needs met and he knew that the Sand Village would hold him back. No matter how much she begged and pleaded, he told her that it was for the best. After he left, she was different. I was with her when Sasori left and she was simply a sobbing mess. The final thing that made her hate art was my 'death'."
"The time when you became a fox right, un?"
"Yes. I used to tell her that my rituals to Jashin were a form of art to appease my god. She would always roll her eyes at me and tell me to hurry up and get the blood cleaned. When I sacrificed myself to Jashin's mercy so that she would live forever and forever young on top of it, she didn't understand why I suddenly would risk my life for her and give her something that rightfully belonged to me."
"So she's an immortal to the point where nothing can kill her, un?"
"Mostly. Wounds untreated that could lead to diseases would kill her after much suffering, but a broken heart can hurt her too." Daisuke looked straight into Deidara's eyes. "I will allow you two to be together if destiny wills it, but hurt her, and I will fucking murder you."
Deidara looked at the fox: harmless enough, but him being related to Hidan was quite dangerous. "Deal, un."
Sumiko was finally walking around in the Sound Village. She had enough common sense to leave her Sand Village headband with Deidara and Daisuke, but that did not stop everyone from looking at her: the newcomer and intruder. This is going to be tougher than I thought…
She did not have to travel far to attract much attention. A man with silver hair walked up to her and there was a glint in his eye. Hmm… that is the guy that Deidara said to look for. What was his name again?
The silver haired man walked up to her. "Why hello there. I don't believe we've met. I'm Kabuto Yakushi. I don't think you live in this village do you?"
Sumiko felt an unusual calm from this man. The extended his hand and she shook it. "No, I got lost. I dunno where I am." I have to alter my speech patterns. I do not want to risk a missing ninja from the Sand Village recognizing me.
Kabuto kissed the back of her hand and he smiled to see the involuntary shudder that Sumiko felt. "What is your name my dear?"
Sumiko felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Must think up another name… "Yasu. I don't have a last name. My parents are dead…" Sumiko smiled on the inside as she cried. I am so good. My thanks go to Daisuke for teaching me how to cry on command.
To her horror, Kabuto began hugging her. "Oh, my poor Yasu-san. Do you have any talents that might be useful to a ninja at all?"
Sumiko was confused as hell. One moment he feels bad for me, the next he asks about my talents. I guess this happens after working for a lunatic like Orochimaru. "I dunno. I wasn't ever a ninja."
"Hmm…" Kabuto put his hand to Sumiko's forehead, an action she quickly found thoroughly annoying. "Well, I'll bring you to Orochimaru's place. If he finds you with a particular talent, he'll keep you around. If not, maybe I can keep you."
Sumiko was working hard to keep a look of disgust out of her face. "Am I simply an object to be passed around?"
Kabuto looked shocked when he heard the slight bite in her words. "Oh no, of course not Sumiko-san. I'm sorry…"
Sumiko smiled. If it is this easy to get this idiot off track, a little extra push would not hurt. She stroked his face with one of her fingers and this makes him look at her with a certain glint in his eyes. "Kabuto-'kun', I forgive you."
Kabuto turned very red and seemed to have difficulty controlling his body. Sumiko smiled. "What's wrong Kabuto-kun?" She touched his forehead with her hand and he broke out in a sweat.
"Um, Yasu-san, I need to take you to Orochimaru's before something happens." With that, he grabbed Sumiko's hand and pulled her towards easily the largest establishment in the village.
"Before what happens Kabuto-kun?"
In a small voice that most people would not be able to hear, but then again, Sumiko was not most people he said. "Before I lose control of my body."
Sumiko had a blank look in her eyes. Oh shit… He better hurry and find Orochimaru. The sooner I get that ring, the sooner I do not have to deal with this crazed maniac.
