A/N well, I am incredibly sorry that this chapter took so ridiculously long. There is next to no excuse for that. Its true that I had some homework, and lots of soccer, but I was also very very lazy. (By the way, I'm going to upload the story I wrote for school, just so that I cna prove that I really was working on somthing :P) But anyway, so yeah, I'm sorry.
Another note, I think I'm going to change the hurt/comfort genre on this story. My original plan was going to fit into it, but this story has kind of taken a different route than I first planned, so I'm gonna change that to like drama or something.
Yet another note: the plot line has kinda of slowed down all of a sudden, and I am aware of that. Its not that I don't know what'd going to happen, because I do. Its just that these chapters keep writing themselves, and not giving me a chance to go into the master plot. But it will happen.
And now onto the story.
After this disclaimer.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or anything else associated it with it.
There, now read the story.
"Zetsu."
The name on Kisame's suddenly harsh voice sounded horribly familiar. I had heard Itachi, Deidara, and Kisame talk about him at breakfast quite often. They said he would be coming to check up on, and evaluate them because of the spy. None of them sounded very pleased with this man coming though. If that wasn't good enough to go on, Kisame's voice certainly was. It had changed drastically from the gentle tone he had been using with me. I found that a bit frightening, but his protective arms around me easily calmed my nerves.
Another thing was that I had been under the impression that Zetsu was one person; yet I had heard two voices.
"Your powers of observation are amazing," the first voice sneered obnoxiously. It was easy to hate that cruel voice. It was positively dripping with malice. It was the second voice that really set my nerves of edge. It was smoother and more polite, but there was something about it that gave me the shivers. Perhaps it was the fact that there was so much more depth behind it than the low one. You couldn't categorize it as easily.
"Do be quiet. We have more important things to deal with than what Kisame chooses to do with his whore."
My indignation spiked hugely. Kisame's whore!? I was not anything of the sort! How dare they even assume that? It made me furious, and not only that, it cut me down incredibly deep, right smack into my insecurities. Out of that gash soared fears I didn't even know that I had. Is that how Kisame saw me, as an easy lay, a girl easily taken advantage of? Was that what Itachi and Deidara thought of me: Kisame's little slut? This was horrible and ridiculous! That wasn't what I was, that wasn't how I wanted to be perceived!
Even as all my personal fears overwhelmed me, there was a part of me that kept its head above water. How could these man/men know anything about me? He was a complete stranger and I shouldn't let him warp my way of thinking. That wasn't what Kisame wanted with me; that wasn't what Deidara and Itachi thought about me. These men, this Zetsu, was just being cruel.
"She is not my whore," Kisame snarled back loudly. I felt his fists clench and winced as the hostile Kisame made its entrance. However at the same time, I was touched that it was in defense of me. I nibbled at my lip and clutched Kisame arms, which were still around me, in distress. "You have no right to accuse her, or me, of that!"
"Kisame," I murmured soothingly. I didn't want him to make matters worse for himself and the others. If the information I had gathered was correct, then Zetsu was here to judge them. If he judged them negatively then it would not bode well. I didn't want Kisame to start a fight and ruin everything for them because of me. "Shh, it's alright. Calm down."
"Do you know what he just implied, Hinata," Kisame asked in an equally quite voice, but I could here him seething underneath. I nodded my head patiently. He was still tense and angry though, even as I tried to reassure him. I sighed and gently massaged his arms with my fingers in an effort to calm him. I whispered his name in a gently and calming, but firm way.
"Kisame…"
"As touching as this scene between master and-," began the snide voice. He was abruptly cut off though as by the polite one.
"That is quite enough of that. We have business to attend to and have no interest in petty brawls." The word business sounded foreboding to me, for some reason.
"Very well. It's been fun Sharky, but we have to speak to Uchiha."
"Yes, it is actually rather urgent."
"I'll take you, yeah," Deidara suddenly offered. I started in surprise. It hadn't seemed like he had been gone for long but I supposed that time had passed quicker than I thought. It was so difficult to tell when you couldn't see the sun go down. "Follow me."
I heard retreating footsteps this time as Deidara and Zetsu walked back down the hallway. I waited until the footsteps had faded away to let out a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding. I sighed and slumped against Kisame's firm chest. His arms loosened a bit so that he held me gently instead of firmly, still protectively though. I 'looked' up at Kisame. "Who are they?"
"It was a he not a they," Kisame corrected me, as I heard a scraping. He shoved his plate farther down the table. I managed to snag it and disentangled myself from Kisame's grip. I got up and began to wash the dish. I found comfort in the normality of the job. It wasn't that the arrival of Zetsu had severely shaken me so much as just that it had sent me crashing back to earth after my silly and carefree mood. It made me remember that I was in the presence of stressful and turbulent criminals. This wasn't a vacation.
"What do you mean?"
"It's one man," Kisame explained. My brow furrowed in confusion. "He's a bit odd to describe but…I guess it's worth the effort." There was a pause as his thought of how to begin. "His body is split down the middle into two colors. One is white, while the other is black. The white side is mannered, and the black side is obnoxious. Outwardly they can seem like opposites, but they both have the same goals and emotions, they just choose to express them differently. He also green hair and these…beady yellow eyes."
"He sounds creepy," I commented softly with a shiver. I could picture him in my head. He had his flowing and billowing Akatsuki cloak just like the rest of them. To top if off I pictured him sneering and bickering with himself as though he had schizophrenia. All together it was a rather chilling picture and I didn't like it.
"There's one more thing," Kisame added. He had chuckled at my reaction and I allowed myself a small smile at the soothing sound, and then listened intently to what else he had to say on the subject of his Akatsuki associate. "He's got a sort of special bond with plants…"
I sent him a quizzical look.
"His head is covered by a Venus fly trap type thing. Oh, and he's a cannibal."
I was a good thing that I had placed the plate is the drying rack or I would have dropped it and it would have shattered into tiny little pieces. Kisame had just made a horrifying addition to my already distressing mental image and I half wished that he hadn't. I gave a little shiver of disgust and went back to the table to sit down beside Kisame. "That's terrifying," I admitted bluntly.
"Zetsu's an odd one, yeah," Deidara agreed. I jumped again. Did he have to be so quiet? I pouted up at him to display my indignation. He just gave me that light hearted chuckle and ruffled my hair. That brought to my attention that Deidara was in remarkably good spirits for having the man that they had not been looking forward to seeing arrive. He seemed almost…bubbly. Deidara was generally the somewhat more hyper of the three of them, but now he seemed slightly more so.
"Why are you in such a good mood," I asked with a lightly teasing lilt to my voice. His attitude was obviously infectious to me. I supposed that was a good thing. It was still a bit unnerving though. Perhaps it had something to do with that Hitomi girl. "Have a fun date?"
"It was not a date, yeah," Deidara retorted huffily. I giggled at his denial. I wished that I could see if he was blushing or not. He sounded more embarrassed than mad after all. "I was
just going to see her, yeah." There was a small pause as Kisame and I waited expectantly for him to continue. "And we happened to get hungry, and so went out for dinner, yeah."
"That's sweet," I murmured quietly. I couldn't help but say it; it was adorable to me after all. I didn't think that Deidara was the type to take kindly to being called 'sweet,' but it was. I couldn't get the picture of Deidara and Hitomi walking down the street holding hands and laughing. I didn't know what either of them looked like and I didn't know if they had done that, but it was cute in my head.
"It's not that sweet, yeah," Deidara replied crossly.
"It's not important, yeah," Kisame suddenly cut in brusquely. I stifled a giggle at their antics and at Deidara's irritated huff. Luckily though, it didn't slip out, because as Kisame said: we had more important things to worry about. "The problem here is Zetsu."
"Why is that even a problem, yeah," Deidara pointed out sensibly. I frowned in confusion and cocked my head to the side. It all seemed pretty problematic to me. I mean, if Zetsu did not approve, then they could get reamed. At least, that was what I had been led to believe. "All he's going to do is observe us. Now that the spy is gone, he's got nothing on us, yeah."
"I thought your partner, Tobi, was with him," I asked suddenly. It was slightly off topic, but I remembered Deidara saying that Tobi had gone to help Zetsu. So I wondered where he was. I was curious to meet Tobi, he sounded like an interesting man.
"Apparently, Tobi's still cleaning up the remnants of their last mission, yeah," Deidara replied. I nodded in understanding.
"He might still find something," Kisame pointed out, returning to the original topic. He sounded less worried now, and more reassured. I was swayed, too. When Deidara put it like that, it didn't seem like a big deal at all. It probably would be just a short term little thing. I couldn't help but settle down.
"We've had that bastard before, yeah," Deidara said in an irritated tone of voice. His annoyance was not directed at me or Kisame though; I think it was more at Zetsu. I took that to mean that Zetsu was not exactly welcome around here. "It's not a big deal. We'll just cope with him and then he'll leave, yeah."
"I guess," Kisame agreed uneasily. He didn't sound particularly reassured though. I gave him a small smile and leaned my temple against his shoulder. He sounded stressed, and that put me on edge as well. I wanted him to just relax. My mouth quirked just slightly up into a smile as I felt him relax beneath my touch.
"Well, aren't you guy's sweet, yeah," Deidara sneered rather good naturedly. He was obviously trying to get back at us for my 'sweet' comment. I rolled my sightless eyes and poked my tongue out at him. Kisame just growled threateningly. "Yeah, yeah." Deidara waved off our hostility. I heard his feet retreat towards the door. "I'm going to bed. It's late, yeah." With that, Deidara disappeared rather abruptly. As if on cue, I felt a small yawn bubble up and come out. I covered my mouth in embarrassment. Kisame chuckled at me, and stood up.
"Tired," he asked. I shrugged and nodded. I wanted to go to bed, because yes, I was tired. Yet at the same time, I wasn't quite ready to go to sleep. More accurately, I supposed, I was ready to wind down. Kisame correctly took my response to mean that I was ready to go back to the bedroom. I felt his large hand enclose around mine and gently tug me up off the bench and lead me down the hallway.
"I'm going to take a shower first," I said quietly in a slightly shy and embarrassed voice. It wasn't like I was asking or saying anything improper, and I knew that it wouldn't make most
people bat an eyelash. I supposed that it was just in my nature to be so easily perturbed by something, even something that trivial, if it had the potential to be interpreted as sexually forward. Kisame chuckled at my reaction, and grunted in acknowledgment. I felt him place a nightgown into my hand before I scurried into the bathroom.
I had discovered long ago that the bathroom was the most dangerous room in the lair. On my first time in it I had nearly killed myself. Every now and then I would still take a few spills. I was definitely getting better, though. I felt a little more confident and safe when I moved around now.
I smiled as I heard the hot water splash into the tub. I pulled the little lever so that they water was transferred to the shower head. I hadn't had a shower in about three days, and my body was feeling the effects. I felt dirty and grimy.
I stepped into the steaming water with a sigh of release. It felt so good. I just stood there for awhile to let the water rush over me. It cleaned away all the filth, and all the stress. All the worries about so many things seemed to be washed down the drain. The worry about Itachi, the worry about what the people at Konoha would think of me for worrying about him. The worry about Zetsu, and being a whore; everything was washed away by the lavender soap and shampoo that Kisame had gotten me.
After about forty long minutes, I finally grabbed the knob and turned off the warm, cleansing flow. I let myself drip dry just a bit, and then wrapped the fluffy towel around myself. I gently patted my body dry. Then I slipped on the silky nightgown, and I was suddenly struck by the irony.
Only a little over a month ago I had been feeling the silky white cloth of a wedding dress slide over my body. I had felt like shivering and crying then. It had been a symbol of limitation, but this wasn't. When this soft nightgown touched me, I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't a symbol of oppression, but of caring and kindness. Kisame had gotten it to be nice, to give me something I actually enjoyed wearing, rather than men's clothes. Not that Itachi's clothes weren't comfortable.
I yawned as I carefully hung back up the towel. I walked carefully to the door, and came out quietly. I went to the wardrobe and found my brush on top of it. I slowly combed out my wet hair. I could hear Kisame's breaths as he lay on the bed, most likely watching me. There was something in them, some hidden emotion or thought that I couldn't quiet place. He always had that of course. There was always something that was constantly running through his brain and emotions that set me just a little on edge; no matter how comfortable I was with him. This was something else though. I let out an almost silent sigh. I waited patiently for him to tell me what was on his mind as I finished with my hair and placed my brush back.
"Hinata," Kisame began, somewhat cautiously. I gave a small questioning hum as I padded over to the bed and crawled and to his side. He sounded unsure of himself, and I wanted to know what was bothering him. There was a bit more of silence, before Kisame continued. "Do you want to go back; back to Konoha?"
The question caught me almost completely off guard. That was an inquiry I myself wasn't even sure I could answer. I felt obliged to go back to Konoha, and to want to. And I really did miss my family and friends… but to leave? To leave Itachi and Deidara would be hard, but to leave Kisame sounded down right torturous. I didn't know what came over me when I thought about not being with him again, but it made my heart twist to the point where I thought it would stop beating. And I had no idea why! I wasn't sure what he had done or what had happened to make me feel this way, but I couldn't help it.
I had to go back though didn't I?
"I'd be a traitor if I didn't," I replied in almost a whimper. In truth, that was probably the only thing that kept me back. I couldn't stay with a criminal organization by choice; that would make me one of them, or at least as bad as them. They were dangerous too; I would always have to watch my back with criminals. Though in reality perhaps they were no worse than my own family with always having to be on your guard. My family; my family would disown me, my father would beat me, and my friends would hate me. I wouldn't be able to become the heiress I had struggled so hard to be. I would truly be the failure everyone had already thought me to be. Could I do that?
"Yes… it would."
Could I do that for something as insubstantial as a feeling I couldn't place. I could go on and on describing all the side effects of the feeling in my gut when it came to Kisame, but I had done that before. It hadn't helped me at all; it had only run my head around in a circle. A circle that was well worn with all of the times that I run it, and gotten no where.
"I don't want to talk about it, Kisame," I murmured finally. I just wanted to slip into bed and go to sleep. I was the hostage wasn't I? I shouldn't have any say in the matter. It wasn't supposed to be my choice. I would stay with the Akatsuki until my ransom was paid, or I was 'rescued.' I couldn't really call it rescue because that implied that they were taking me away from something bad, and I didn't count this as bad. I may want to stay, but it didn't matter. It wasn't my choice. I felt dumb, stupid, and useless when I thought it, but I wanted other people to make this decision for me.
"Sorry I brought it up, it's not really important," Kisame said sincerely. I felt him lightly take my arm and pull me into a gentle embrace. It was brief, and I soon slipped out of his arms and leaned against the fluffy pillows. I gave a miniscule smile and nodded my thanks. It was amazing how much his simple statement and deep voice could calm me. It's not important, he had said. I believed it, too. I was not scheduled to be saved anytime soon, any way.
I sighed and crawled under the covers with a new resolution. No more would I worry about where I needed to be and who I needed to stay with. My traitorous heart said to stay here, while my cruel and reasonable mind said that I had to go back. So it was a battle between my heart and my mind, as it so often was. That meant that it was not my battle though. I could stay out of it. I could let them decide, while I lived me life. I smiled then. Not because I was particularly happy, but because I was pleased and comforted with my plan.
I yawned and moved to lay closer to Kisame. It had been a little colder recently and Kisame always radiated warmth. Also, the sudden threat of not seeing him again was making me crave his gentle sense of security. It made me long for his respectful and exciting touch. And I got just that.
I was a bit surprised to feel that he was shirtless as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. I hadn't noticed it in my previous distress, but now I felt his rippling muscles and scarred, yet soft skin against mine very acutely. My first instinct was to wrench myself away from such an intimate and sexually arousing position, but common sense swiftly over rode that. It may be intimate, but it was not sexually arousing. I was sure that I would be in many more positions that were worse than this; so I just gave another small yawn and snuggled into his warmth, closing my eyes comfortably.
It wasn't long before I drifted into a peaceful and stress free sleep.
I woke up in bliss that morning. It was exactly how I enjoyed waking up, no, perhaps not enjoyed, probably loved. I was warm and cozy, but not too hot that I was uncomfortable. I hadn't been woken up; I had just been allowed to wake up naturally and on my own. And best of all was waking up in Kisame's arms. I couldn't help but giggle a bit at that though; it was so cheesy, but it was true. I loved being able to wake up comfortably nestled against him, sheltered and safe in his hold.
My giggle must have roused Kisame, because he began to stir sleepily. I smiled a bit and untangled myself from his arms as I sat up. I carefully rubbed the sleep from my eyes with a yawn. I seemed to yawn a lot, I noticed absentmindedly. I turned to face the slowly waking Kisame with a gentle curve to my lips.
"Good morning," I greeted him quietly. He made a small grunt of tired confusion, and I giggled. I heard the bed creak as he finally sat up groggily. His muscles and bones cracked and popped as he stretched, which prompted me to do the same. I let out a contented sigh as I felt my muscle stretch and loosen.
"Good morning to you, too," Kisame finally replied; it was the automatic response. I nodded and slipped off of the bed gingerly. I winced as the cold hard wood floor came in contact with my previously toasty feet. None the less though, I padded over to the wardrobe to grab some clothes and then made my way into the bathroom. I closed the door behind me before I set about, rather lazily, doing what I had to do to get ready for the day.
Kisame and I went about our quick morning regime with me finishing first as usual. I leaned against the door frame patiently as I heard him come out of the bathroom and start towards me. "Can I make breakfast," I asked imploringly as he came close enough. It had been my goal to cook for the three of them, and with the success of the meal yesterday, my urge had grown. I didn't see any reason for them not to let me either. None of them particularly enjoyed the chore, and, no offense to them, but they weren't the best cooks. Not that I thought I was, but at least I would enjoy the job.
"By all means," Kisame allowed my instantly. I smiled and nodded happily. He took my hand gently, and led me down the hallway. We were the first to arrive and I eagerly set to work preparing breakfast. My first thought was that I would do something with fish, but then I remembered that Kisame didn't eat fish. I think it had something to do with his appearance, because that was the only thing that Kisame kept so adamantly from me.
So I settled for pancakes and fruit. The fruit was on the edge of going bad, so I wasn't going to let them waste it. I didn't know if Zetsu was going to eat with me, Kisame, and Deidara, but I made enough for him just in case. Deidara came in just as I finished and we all settled down for breakfast.
"How long exactly do you think Zetsu will be here," I asked as I nibbled on a pancake. I was eager to continue my training, but I doubted that they would teach the hostage to fight while Zetsu was observing them.
"A couple of weeks, yeah," Deidara said. He didn't sound like he cared much, but after hearing him last night, I figured he probably didn't.
"It shouldn't be long," Kisame added, through bites of his food. I could hear him eating it hungrily and eagerly, and that pleased me. He didn't sound particularly worried either. Their uncaring attitude soothed my easily. If they weren't anxious then neither was I.
We finished the breakfast and I began to clear the dishes. Deidara and Kisame also stood up to help me and together the plates and utensils were cleaned quickly. I found my nerves had
wound down and I was feeling calm again. It was much too soon though, and I felt myself set back on edge as Zetsu came into the kitchen.
"The whore is gonna have to scram," said the dark side immediately. I heard a growl of disapproval from Kisame, and a grunt of displeasure from Deidara, as I winced at the harsh tone and language, and recoiled away from him. I couldn't wait until this obnoxious man left. He was disrupting everything.
"Yes, I have something of importance to discuss with the two of you, and you're hostage will not be allowed to witness it," the lighter side agreed, though he put it much more eloquently. I shifted around comfortably. I wasn't used to being told to leave when they discussed things. But then again, I didn't want to be in the same room as this man for longer than necessary, so I was more than happy to leave.
"I'll go tend to Itachi," I murmured meekly as I grabbed a tray of food and inched towards the door. I wanted to be out of there, but I really did not like the way that Zetsu was standing there and that I would have to slip past the cannibal to leave. I nibbled my lip as I crawled closer. I heard the slight step to the side as Zetsu moved over. I wasted no time in seizing the opportunity and dashed out of the room and down the hallway.
I finally turned the corner and slowed down as soon I stopped feeling Zetsu's eyes boring into the back of my neck. I didn't know exactly what it was, but that man freaked me out. There was something wrong with him. Well that was obvious, but there was something off setting. It was the way he seemed so deceiving. Sort of like Deidara, but worse.
I wondered myself in circles about it for awhile, until I finally came to Itachi's room and pushed the door open.
"How are you feeling," I asked as I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. I padded over to his bed and perched on the edge of it. I placed the new tray on his lap and sighed as my foot touched the last tray. He had apparently pushed it to the ground when he was done. He had eaten it I discovered, and that pleased me.
"I feel fine," Itachi replied stoically. I sighed and put the new tray on the ground beside the old one, though a little ways away so that I wouldn't accidentally step on it. I wasn't exactly sure how to go about asking Itachi if I could change his bandages. I didn't doubt his ability, and most likely, his desire, to incapacitate me when I tried to help him. I could tighten his bonds and forcefully change them, but I didn't like forcing anyone, especially someone that would seek revenge afterwards. Plus it would be difficult to wrap the bandages around him if I could not get at his back.
"I need to change your bandages, Itachi," I informed him carefully as I slowly turned to face him. I sat beside him on the bed again and braced myself for his wrath. This was by far the worst part of being a medic: always having to deal with the people who were too tough for treatment.
"Fine."
I froze in shock. Had he just accepted it? Was he really going to let me treat him, just like that? My brow furrowed in confusion and suspicion. Was this a trick? Was he manipulating me? Could I trust him? I didn't think so. I'm afraid to say that I doubted Itachi and his intentions. I was worried that he was just using me to get out of the bed. However, I was worried that I didn't have a choice. I had said that I would untie him if he promised. There was nothing I could do if he decided to break that promise.
"You swear that you'll stay in bed and do as I saw so that you'll get better,"I asked warily, though hopefully. I hoped that he would promise this so that he could be untied. Perhaps
it would be a pride thing. If he made this deal, it was like he was staying in bed by his choice, rather than by force.
"I swear that I will give you free reign over me and my health and do what you say for a total of two weeks. After that, I get to do what I want," Itachi replied as we haggled. I considered his offer. It was very tempting. To have him do what ever I wanted for two weeks so that I could heal him was just what I needed. I was just slightly worried that two weeks would not be enough. I worried that perhaps he would not be completely healed. But I would have to take that risk. I could ask no more of Itachi.
"Done," I agreed finally. I began to undo the ropes that bound him, carefully. There was no going back now; I just had to hope that an Uchiha's personal pride was as strong as a Hyuuga's. When I was finished untying him, I tugged on the ropes and heard the snake like slither as they slid out from around him. I piled the rope against the wall and grabbed my medical supplies off of the bedside table. I took a deep breath and turned to face Itachi squarely.
"I need to change your bandages," I repeated as I crawled onto the bed and sat beside him. "If you have a shirt on, can you take it off," I asked as I began to unroll the bandages. With a satisfied nod, I heard the ruffling of various fabrics as he removed his shirt. This was one of those times that I was glad that I was blind; if I saw Itachi shirtless I was sure that I would blush into flames. Since I couldn't see him though, and I was being a medic, I could resist the natural embarrassment. "Now lie down, please." He lay down and I set to work.
I unwrapped the dirty and soiled bandages and let the wound air out as I inspected them. They were saturated with less blood than I had originally thought they would be. There didn't seem to be any pus either. After gleaning all the information I could off of the wrappings, I balled them up and set them aside. Then I moved to sit directly beside and almost hovering over Itachi.
I built up chakra into my fingertips and began to probe his wound. It was healing nicely and, considering the extensive damage, rather quickly. If things progressed as they were, then I was confident that in two weeks time he would be just fine.
After that, it only took about twenty minutes to carefully clean and bandage the injury again. Satisfied with my work, I picked up Itachi's food and laid it on his lap. I perched next to him as he ate and leaned against the head board. I wasn't quite ready to go back to the kitchen just yet. I was worried that Zetsu was still there, and I didn't want to run into him when he came back either.
"I assume that Zetsu is speaking with Kisame and Deidara," Itachi said as he quietly consumed his food. I was relieved that he was not going to harass me for hanging around. I nodded as I played with my finger absentmindedly. "He'll only be here for two weeks. After that, he's leaving to go make sure that Tobi has cleaned up every thing adequately," Itachi assured me stoically. There was no emotion in his voice, but I still gave a small, relieved smile and nodded. Even though that was all information that I already knew.
"Itachi," I began uncertainly after a bit of silence. I heard the slight slither of his hair over his shoulder as he looked to me. I chewed on my lip nervously as I contemplated how I was going to continue. I had never talked to Itachi about something personal, even though I did trust him. But I also respected Itachi, and looked up at him. Feared him, too. I dearly wanted Itachi to think highly of me as well, but first I needed to know something about how he thought of me. "Do you see me as Kisame's ….whore?"
There was a silence in which I faced away from him, and I couldn't even hear him eating his food.
"Zetsu called you that didn't he," Itachi stated after the pause. I pressed my lips together and bowed my head. I nodded shamefacedly. I heard Itachi sigh, possibly in exasperation. I sucked on the corner of my upper lip. "Zetsu has never met you. His opinion is irrelevant." I nodded. When Itachi put it like that, I realized how foolish it was to let Zetsu sway my self esteem like that. "And to answer your question; no, not I, or anyone else thinks that you are Kisame's prostitute."
"Thank you," I smiled gratefully. I felt a little ashamed of being bugged by such a taunting little name calling, but it had really hurt. It had cut down to a fear I had never even been aware of. But now I saw the stupidity of it and I was put back at ease.
"Now take back the tray to the kitchen," Itachi ordered shoving the tray towards me. "I promised to let you heal me, not to be your therapist." I smiled and nodded. I picked up the tray and arranged everything on it so that it would be easier to carry. Then I got up and padded to the door.
"Don't get out of bed," I ordered as I left. And I'm serious about that, I added silently in my head. He had cooperated perfectly with the bandages, and hoped that he would do what I said now as well. I soon decided that there was no point in worrying about it, because even if he did get up there was no way that I could stop him. So, I just sighed and padded down the hallway.
"I should hurry back," Zetsu's dark voice slithered down the hallway, I was about to turn into. I gave a tiny gasp and took a quick step back, pressing against the wall. Apparently, Zetsu had finished talking with Kisame and Deidara and was now leaving the kitchen. I should have stayed hidden in Itachi's room. I wished I could go a different way, but I only knew one way into the kitchen, and unfortunately that was past Zetsu.
"I can't. I've got to stay here and finish my mission," snapped the light, and just slightly more polite voice. I frowned in confusion. Was he arguing with himself? I had heard him cut himself off, and reprimand him self. But here he was, completely alone, and simply arguing with himself. My curiosity was piqued and, against my better judgment, I listened in.
"I damn know that, but the longer I leave that brat in charge, the more things that are going to get fucked up!"
"Tobi will do fine. I won't be here too long, and afterwards I may return."
I supposed that Zetsu had a confliction of interests. He didn't seem too focused on this one either. That seemed like good news to me. If he wasn't going to try too hard to pin something on the three Akatsuki currently residing here, then they were less likely to get into trouble. Everything seemed to be working out well after all.
"Eh?I think I found a mole! What do you think you're doing wench?"
It took me a second to figure out why Zetsu's reply didn't seem to fit in with the conversation they were having. Then with a horrible twisting shock in my stomach I realized that it was because his comment had been directed at me. I gasped and fell back from the mass that had seemed to appear in front of me.
It was then that I immediately ducked my head in shame. I had been caught eavesdropping. I bit my lip and recoiled in fear from the no doubt very angry and annoyed Akatsuki.
"Why are you hiding? Are you afraid of me," asked Zetsu. I considered shaking my head furiously, but then I figured that he would easily call my bluff. So I bit my lip, and nodded slowly, painfully. I heard Zetsu sigh, as well as scoff. It was confusing trying to listen to the sounds of two men coming from one.
"Because you're just like all the other pathetic bitches," he snarled back. I gasped and shrank away from his fury. I was afraid, and suddenly felt bad at the same time. No doubt Zetsu had been persecuted all his life because of his appearance. And here I was: doing that exact thing. Sure it was his fault for being harsh to me, but it was probably only because others had always been so harsh to him. Once again, I was being prejudice.
It was strange how the perceptions I had of myself changed since I had been with the Akatsuki. I used to think that I was one of the least judgmental people in the world. I had been put down all my life, so I didn't have the heart to put down others, but here it seemed that I would always jump to conclusions.
I had been afraid of Kisame even after he had saved me from Itachi. I had thought of Itachi as the cruel older brother who had driven Sasuke insane, before I had even met him. I had tried to hit Deidara, when all he had down was be there when I ran around the corner. And here I was now, afraid and hating Zetsu, based in the first impression he had left.
"I wonder: what does Kisame of all people see so precious about you," he mused. I gritted my teeth, because there it was again, that demoting reference to Kisame's appearance. What was so horrible about it? Originally I had thought that perhaps it was just a mole on his nose or something, but surely it was more than that…
"You're probably just as disgusted with him as you are terrified of me," Zetsu continued as he took a threatening step forward.
Emotions were just building up inside of me. Yes, I felt guilty about being so judgmental, but then again he was accusing me of this. It was like he didn't realize that I couldn't see them. He thought that I hated him and Kisame based purely on how they looked. The frustration was mounting exponentially.
"I'm blind!" I finally cried out. I had thought that was apparent, but I guess not. I just couldn't take the cruel comments anymore. I felt tears sting my eyes as I gritted my teeth and continued in a quieter voice. "I can't see either of you…"
"That means nothing," Zetsu spat back. I gasped and took a step back away from him. He was so scary to me. I tried not to jump to conclusions about him, or to be prejudice, but he was not making it easy on me. I felt my jaw tighten with emotion.
"Did you expect sympathy," inquired the light side politely. I wasn't fooled though. Beneath his seemingly courteous questions and comments, he was mocking me. That broke the string for me. I had already jumped to a conclusion. I had immediately thought that there was good in everyone, and that the only reason some one was mean was because of the way they had grown up. I had barely even considered the possibility that maybe he enjoyed being cruel. Somehow, from an Akatsuki, that seemed so much more likely.
But by calling him an Akatsuki I was generalizing him, and that was judgmental…
"Zetsu, stop harassing Hinata, yeah," Deidara's voice suddenly rang out in the hallway, and we both turned in surprise; Zetsu's annoyed, mine relieved. Deidara's voice was joking and light, but there was firmness in it that spoke clearly of his intent to make Zetsu leave me alone. My savior, I thought gratefully.
"We have other business to attend to," Zetsu replied primly after a pause as I heard him turn on his heel. He obviously did not approve of being interrupted and shunted off so brusquely. He was trying to make it look like he was the bigger person here. Who was leaving because of his own choice, not because someone told him off. I heard an irritated growl from the darker side as well, as he set off down the hallway.
"We're wasting our time here anyway."
Now that the terrifying threat was leaving, I managed to straighten myself to my full height. I bit my lip as I listened to him turn a corner and heard his soft foot steps fade away. I had discovered something though.
I had to harden up. I had to realize that not everyone had a good side they were willing to show me. Or even that they had a good side at all. I was being naïve, and it had to stop. I couldn't afford to be the pathetic little girl that I had been in Konoha, here in the Akatsuki. I had to grow up.
"Sorry about him, yeah," Deidara said as I felt him walk towards me until we were beside each other. I just gave him a small, understanding smile and nodded. "He's rather difficult to get along with, yeah."
"Yes, he is," I agreed quietly, thoughtfully. I was only now emerging from my thoughts of how I was too soft. Deidara grumbled in response. Then I turned and padded silently down the hallway, Deidara trailing behind me, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, Deidara spoke up.
"Hitomi wants to meet you, yeah," he stated simply. It was a loaded sentence though, I could tell. I stopped, and faced toward Deidara, giving him my full attention. I cocked my head at him curiously. "I told her about you, and I think you guys would get along, yeah."
He sounded so happy when he talked about Hitomi, I thought to myself. Deidara had always struck my as somewhat moody. He was upbeat sure, but he always had this unsatisfied and almost scornful air about him. Yet when he spoke of this girl, he sounded so peaceful, and joyous.
"I'd love to meet her," I exclaimed, my face cracking into a grin. I wanted to know this girl that made Deidara so happy.
"Great, yeah! You'll love her," he assured me. It didn't seem to occur to either of us that technically I was a hostage, and so wasn't supposed to be allowed out. In actuality, I didn't think that I would really meet this girl. It just seemed too normal. I was a captive in an Akatsuki's lair! Going out to meet a guy friend's new girlfriend didn't seem to fit in to the situation very well, somehow.
I grinned up at Deidara though, and I had a feeling that Deidara was doing the same. Hitomi was a lucky girl, I thought; to have a guy so in love with her. I couldn't seem to be able to suppress, the jealous feelings that rose in my chest.
At first I thought the jealousy was because Deidara was supposed to be mine. I thought that I had become a bit possessive of the three men that I lived with. It didn't take me long though, to decide that it was not because I wanted Deidara. It was because I wanted someone that was to me, like Deidara was to Hitomi. I had never had a lover, not even a boyfriend; and only recently had I gotten my first kiss. It had been from Kisame. I bit my lip as I wondered if Kisame and I had…a relationship. I wasn't sure; I don't think either of us was.
"She's something else, yeah," Deidara was continuing to gush. I jerked myself out of my thoughts, and petty jealousy, to pay attention to what Deidara was saying again. "She doesn't even mind these!"
He was holding something out to me, I could tell. But of course, I hadn't the slightest idea of what it was. I enjoyed how the Akatsuki didn't feel the need to baby me because of my blindness, or for any other reason for that matter. It made me feel normal, and made it so my blindness almost never got me down. I didn't like it though, when they forgot that I couldn't see what they were talking about. I shot Deidara a quizzical and slightly annoyed look. Did he had any idea how belittling that was?
"Oh, sorry, yeah," he amended hurriedly. I nodded as I accepted his apology, and motioned for him to continue. "I was talking about my hands, yeah." His voice had suddenly taken a plunge into a self conscious tone. Before he had been ridiculously chipper and happy, now he seemed so much less sure of himself. It was a bit concerning. Was he afraid that I would judge him? I didn't like that thought. I wanted Deidara to trust me.
"What's wrong with them," I asked in confusion and sympathy. I frowned softly and slightly as I reached out to grab his hand. I groped around embarrassingly in the air a bit until he offered me the appendage. I took his hand tenderly and fingered it curiously. They were smooth and soft to the touch; barely any calluses even, and certainly no scars. Were they a funny color or something; like blue. I almost laughed at the thought: a blue man?
I moved to his palms.
Suddenly, I gasped in surprise and yanked my hand away with shock and revulsion written all over my face. I gaped up at Deidara as I wiped my hand on my pant leg; I had adopted what my father would call "commoners' habits' since I had been with the Akatsuki, because everything was so informal here. He would never have approved of wiping a substance on my pant leg. Not that that really mattered to me?
I held my hand to my chest as I examined it. I had no idea what had touched me, but it was wet and warm. It had felt almost like a tongue. And it had licked me! Perhaps it was immature to be so repulsed by the thought of tongues coming out of friends' hands and touching my skin, but I wasn't even thinking about that. I just didn't like it.
"Sorry, yeah," Deidara exclaimed guiltily, for the second time. I felt him leap away from me, as I stepped back. But his voice made me freeze, physically and mentally. He sounded offended, and hurt, but not surprised. I realized then what I had done, and the realization came with a heavyweight of guilt. It was no wonder he had been almost reluctant to show me, if I was going to react like that.
And I thought he could trust me not to judge him…
"What are they," I asked softly after I had bitten my lip. I stepped forward to snag his hand again. I braced myself as I overturned his hand and then carefully brushed it with my finger. At first, I couldn't quite identify what was wrong with it. It felt a little weird, and it had weird folds, but I couldn't really understand what the problem was. It wasn't until they shifted self consciously under my touch that it dawned on me. Those odd folds were lips. I was a tongue that had licked me!
"They're mouths," Deidara explained unnecessarily; I had figured that out on my own. "I use them in my jutsu." I nodded in understanding. I didn't know what they could possibly do, but I didn't need him to elaborate, it wasn't particularly important to me.
I focused more on his mouths. I forced myself to continue to observe them. I actually found though, that the more I touched and fingered his hands, the less grotesque they became to me. There actually wasn't anything gross with them when I thought about it logically. It was just abnormal.
I had to admit to myself though; I wasn't good with physical abnormalities. They creeped me out a bit.
"I'm glad that you have Hitomi, Deidara," I said gently, as he finally tugged his hand back. I smiled up at him softly, truly meaning what I had said. It gave me a warm feeling inside when I thought about how happy they probably were together. It was rare thing to have someone so precious to you. I heard Deidara give a heartfelt sigh, though a more masculine version than girls gave.
"Me too, yeah," he agreed, a wistful smile in his voice. It was so different from the Deidara that I thought I knew. This one seemed too honest, the one I knew always had something going on in his head, which you could never be sure of. You never felt that you could trust Deidara. Even now, his sudden calm and truthfulness was setting me a little on edge.
We continued on in silence, both caught up in our own thoughts. Deidara was most likely thinking about Hitomi, while I had fallen into a somewhat depressing conversation with myself about Kisame. Would he and I ever be like Deidara and Hitomi? I wanted us to be; I could admit that to myself now. I adored the idea of being in love with Kisame. I just didn't know if it would happen…
It took only a week for the fact that Itachi was disobeying me to become apparent. I found little hints of evidence everywhere. Such as the sheets in a way that was only possible when the occupant had gotten out of bed. Or a glass of water near the window sill, which was way out of reach of the bed. I was sure that there were others that I weren't catching, due to my lack of vision. I was lucky to have caught those.
I had of course, caught them in rather unpleasant ways. I had tripped over the bed sheets and gone sprawling, much to Itachi's amusement. And I had accidently knocked the glass of water out the window and still somehow managed to soak myself.
Not to mention that Kisame had told me about Itachi's little escapades.
I suddenly yelped as the brush I was using caught a snarl in my hair. I sighed, and began to tediously work it out. That was what I got when I didn't pay attention to what I was doing. I was too busy worrying about something that I had no control of. I could only hope that Itachi would still heal, despite his disobedience.
"You alright," Kisame asked in concern as I heard him exit the bathroom and felt him place his large hand on my shoulder. I blushed, and smiled up at him. He smelled good again, and I knew he didn't have a shirt on, only his pants. After all, we were headed for bed, and that was all he ever wore to sleep. I personally preferred my nightgown.
"Mhm," I hummed in assurance. Kisame grunted softly in acknowledgment, and then leaned down to press his lips to my temple. I blushed deeply as I heard him lie down on the bed and stretch languidly. From what I knew of Kisame's habits, he was probably stretched out longwise with his hands behind his head. I blushed even harder as I thought of all that rippling muscle laid out on the bed in front of me. What was happening to me; since when did I think thoughts like that!?
I finally finished up with my hair and scurried over to sit beside Kisame. As soon as I sat down, I felt his strong arm wrap around my waist, and pulled me down next to him. I giggled and squirmed as his calloused fingers dug into my incredibly ticklish ribs. He chuckled as he tickled me a little more, and I laughed again in delight as the vibrations from his chest went through my back, which was pressed against him.
Finally, after much wiggling and a bit more tickling, we both settled down and I rested my head against his shoulder and chest. Kisame pulled himself up onto the pillows, into a more comfortable position and I followed suit, snuggling up next to him.
"Are we going to bed early," I asked curiously. I never had my time right, due to the fact that I couldn't look at clocks or the sun, but it felt to me like it was a little early for bedtime.
"Just a bit," he replied. His voice flowed nicely enough, but it sounded like he was a little uneasy. I frowned in confusion, but didn't complain. He continued with an explanation. "I
think it'd be best if you fell asleep quickly, and stayed asleep all night, okay?" I had no idea what he was getting at, but I nodded in understanding, and didn't press him for answers. Kisame hated to be pressed, it made him clam up, and spit harsh words.
"Good night, Kisame," I murmured quietly after awhile, as my eyelids drooped. I heard him mumble something tiredly into my hair as I guessed that his eyes were closed. I found that Kisame was somewhat like Kiba, in that he liked contact. He was always holding me, and touching me tenderly and gently. It had taken awhile for him to be so open with me, and he still wasn't even near completely trusting of me. But he had no qualms with physical affection.
For awhile, we both just lay there peacefully, slowly drifting in and out of a nice serene sleep. I was in such a comfortable position, and the bed was so warm. In that position, with that blissfully sleep encumbered mind, it seemed like everything in my world was just falling into place, and nothing would go wrong. I let a tired smile touch my lips.
It was gone when I heard the first scream.
I shot up with a gasp, suddenly jerked from my calm place between waking and sleep. There was a pause where all I heard was my own beating heart and shocked, labored breathing. Almost immediately, I heard the rustling of fabric as Kisame sat up and pulled me against him. He stroked my hair and back gently as I trembled in fright. He was comforting me, protecting me.
I buried my face in his chest and listened to his slow, steady heart beat. It was stable and calming, until an unexpected thought hit me. He wasn't surprised. His heartbeat wasn't erratic like mine; it was like he had been expecting that to happen; that scream. I frowned.
I opened my mouth to ask him what was happening, when another scream sounded. I yelped fearfully and clung tightly to Kisame. It was a woman's scream; of pain and terror. It rang in my ears, piercing then; even as Kisame wrapped his arm around my head, muffling the sound. It didn't stop at screams either. I could hear struggling, as well as the woman begging and sobbing.
"Kisame," I finally managed to force out of my throat, despite my violent trembling. "Who is that? What's happening to her!?" His only response was to tighten his grip around me, as though to try and protect me from what was going on. Yet he did not answer. "Kisame," I pressed tentatively.
"It's probably just some innocent girl who was too pretty for her own good, and who was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Kisame finally replied in defeat. Slowly, the pieces came together in my mind and I felt a cold hand grip my heart painfully.
"What's…happening to her," I choked out for a second time.
"Itachi," he began painfully, after an equally agonizing pause, in which I felt myself pulled closer to him. "Can only go so long without…female companionship." I buried my head in Kisame's shoulder as shudders racked my body at the next scream.
It was a slap in the face for me. It reminded me of where I was, and who I was with. I had almost forgotten. Itachi had become kind, and misunderstood in my mind. To me, he was made into something to admire, rather than the cruel criminal that he actually was. As I heard a pained moan, I felt a tear squeeze out the corner of my eye.
It was an excruciating reminder of who Itachi was. He was the man who had tried to rape me, and who was raping another girl now. He had murdered his entire clan, and killed his younger brother. Itachi was a horrific man.
"Is she blind, too," I asked quietly. Suddenly, my blindness didn't just seem like an inconvenience, or a handicap. Now it seemed like a brand. Something that marked me as
'Itachi's girl,' as Deidara had called me when I first got here. It killed my confidence, and made me feel lower than I already did. I would rather be Kisame's whore than Itachi's.
"I'm sure she is," Kisame answered quietly. I felt a surge of sympathy and empathy to the girl who was now the unwilling receiver of Itachi's attention. I couldn't possible know exactly what she was going through, but I could imagine. I had almost been there myself. I would have if it hadn't been for Kisame.
"Can't you save her," I begged as I clung tightly to him. I felt like I needed to hide from the tortured sounds, but it was impossible. I squeezed my eyes shut as I pleaded imploringly with him, my face still hidden as I curled up against him. "You saved me; why can't you save her!?"
"I have no reason to," Kisame explained sadly. His voice was pained. He knew that he was letting me down. "It's not my right to. You were a hostage, I had a reason. This is just a girl. I can't deny her from Itachi." I felt more tears streak down my face as I felt Kisame shake his head. "I'm sorry, Hinata."
"What will happen to her after he's done-" I broke off there, not able to even put into words what Itachi was doing. I had been allowed to stay. Yet that may just be because I was a hostage. Suddenly, another screech ripped through the air and my thoughts shattered. I couldn't think anymore like this.
"Hinata," Kisame began quietly. I felt an empty void form suddenly in my chest, and my tears ceased at his voice. It sent shivers down my spine and an uncomfortable, almost painful twist in my stomach and lower regions. Kisame took a deep breath as he opened his mouth to continue.
"She probably will not survive the night."
A/N and there you have it folks. My 14th chapter. I have a favor to ask of you guys though. Basically, the whole point of writing this is to entertain people, and also to make my writing better. So I need some constructive critism. I need people to tell me if they think my writing has gotten better or worse over this fic, and what I can do to make it better. (note that it did not say to be mean.)
Anyway, I love all of my reviewers, favoriters, and alerters. As well as my readers.
So please, please, please review. Beleive it or not it makes me update faster. Especially the ones that demand I get my butt in gear.
I'll see ya all next time, bye bye.