A/N: First off, a lot of crap has been happening for me. Some of you might know, but my cousin was killed in a car accident on the twelfth in Washington. I'm heading out there Friday. Here we are, chapter 33. It really amazes me that I've been able to keep up with this story for so long. In the past, that's been hard for me, keeping up with a story for a long time. I'm really happy with what this story has become, and how many people have read and reviewed it. Thanks to you all. As for what to expect in this chapter, it's a fight with our Jashin worshiping, foul-mouthed Hidan. I'm not too familiar with his fighting style, but I have a relatively good idea of how the fight is gonna go. Lotsa blood. I'm not gonna tell you whose blood though. Oh, and you're gonna hate him after this. Feel free to do so. He's a bastard, and shark bait.
UNSPOKEN
It was four days before the trees began to thin. Tsume lifted her eyes to the sky, watching the gray clouds crawl across the darkening blue. The western horizon was stained a deep orange and gold as the sun slowly set. As the three finally stepped from the trees, Tsume saw a massive cliff rising up from the earth, thick vines crawling over the tall, sheer surface. Around the cliff, the green grass changed to dusty earth dotted with boulders and small stones. The stone of the cliff and boulders was dark, flecks of some other material glinting in the setting sun. It was a breathtaking sight, and set Tsume's hearts pounding like a drum in her chest.
Tsume reached out and brushed her fingers over Kisame's hand. She had intended it to be a fleeting touch to gain a small amount of comfort. However, Kisame caught her hand in his, wrapping her slender fingers in his large, warm hand. He squeezed gently, whispering softly, "don't worry, Tsume. Whatever challenge Leader-sama gives you, I know that you'll be able to overcome it. Doesn't matter what it is. You'll win, no matter what."
Tsume's heart swelled at Kisame's words and his confidence in her; she returned the squeeze of his hand before letting her own fall back to her side. Then her hand rose up to grip the handle of her sword, finding some comfort in the strength and steady feel of the weapon. As they approached the cliff, Tsume reached out with her mind to the spirits of Zabuza and Haku. "Please, Zabuza-san, Haku-kun. Please give me strength in whatever my test may be. Strength both physical and emotional. I need your help. Please, help me." As the cliff drew ever closer, Tsume felt a surging of power from the sash around her waist and the sword at her back. She smiled; Zabuza and Haku were still watching over her. She thanked them with all her heart, finally coming to a halt several yards before the wall of the cliff.
Kisame turned to Tsume. "You should probably close your eyes for a moment, Tsume," he said. "You're not a member yet, so you shouldn't see how we get in."
Nodding in understanding, Tsume lowered her head and closed her eyes. She focused her senses on the wind that had suddenly sprung up, tuning out all other sounds as best she could. Her thoughts began to whirl in her head—anticipation nervousness, hesitation—they all rose up in a chaotic mess to fill her head with thoughts. She was about to start shaking when Kisame's voice broke in on her thoughts.
"Alright, Tsume," he said, "lets go."
Tsume opened her eyes and lifted her head. There was now a tall, gaping hole in the cliff wall, vines hanging down like a curtain before the dark opening. A gust of cool air rushed out, making Tsume shiver with sudden foreboding. But Tsume stepped forward without hesitation, stepping past Kisame and Itachi as she passed through the doorway. She entered into a massive, pitch-dark cavern. Currents of chilled air moved and snaked around Tsume's body, making her shiver. Tsume turned, only to find herself alone; Kisame and Itachi were gone.
UNSPOKEN
Away, hidden in the shadows, Kisame clenched his fists and ground his teeth. This was the last thing he wanted. Itachi had told him Leader-sama's test for Tsume. She would have to fight Hidan, another member of the Akatsuki. He was impossible to kill, and the most sadistic and masochistic person that Kisame had ever met. The idea of Hidan inflicting the pain and wounds on Tsume that he had inflicted on his previous opponents nearly made Kisame's blood boil. What truly angered Kisame, however, was what Leader-sama had said in the message that communicated what was going to happen upon arrival at the hideout.
"No one is to interfere with the fight, even if Tsume-san is close to death. If she cannot win, then she is not strong enough to be a member of the Akatsuki. If she is about to die, then let her die."
Kisame wanted to rip out the Leader's throat and throw his body into a pit of spikes. How dare he? How dare he say such a thing about Tsume? And to Kisame of all people! If Tsume was in any danger, did Leader-sama honestly expect him to stand by and let her die? Kisame loved Tsume!
"I really don't like this, un," Deidara's voice said from behind Kisame. Kisame turned in the dark just as Deidara appeared at his side. "I heard that Leader-sama wants to assess Tsume-chan's skills personally."
UNSPOKEN
Tsume's entire body was tensed, and her hand itched to grip the handle of her sword. But she forced herself to remain still, clenching her hands into fists at her sides. Abruptly, Tsume heard the sound of stone grating against stone, and whirled around in time so see the doors slam shut behind her plunging her into shadows. In an instant, Tsume had swung her sword from her back to hold it steady before her, knees bent and body tensed.
"What the fuck is this?" a scorning voice suddenly said from the darkness. "She's a fuckin' kid! What the fuck is Leader thinking?! She doesn't stand a fuckin' chance!"
Tsume's eyes narrowed, her pride flaring. "My name is Tsume!" she called into the shadows. "Show yourself, whoever you are!"
There was a stream of muttered curses, and then a figure appeared, not a yard away from Tsume. "Name's Hidan," the figure muttered angrily. The first thing that Tsume noticed about the man was his eyes, large and the irises a pale purple in color. They looked out from a pale face that would have been beautiful had it not been marred by an expression of angry annoyance. His pale, silver hair was slicked back, hanging an inch or so above his shoulders. The next thing that caught Tsume's attention was Hidan's weapon, which he held in his right hand as he gazed sourly at Tsume. It was a straight-handled red scythe with three curved blades, the edges glinting wickedly in the darkness. A long chain was attached to the end, leading to a three-foot spike held it Hidan's left hand. Tsume's hand tightened on her own sword.
"Where are Kisame and Itachi-san?" Tsume asked, taking an unconscious step away from Hidan. She had just met him, and already she disliked him.
"Red-eyes and Fish-freak? How the fuck should I know?!" Hidan snapped.
Tsume's eyes narrowed. "Take that back," she said, her voice a thin veil over her anger. "It wold be in your best interest not to insult them."
A wicked smile curved Hidan's lips and shown in his eyes. He lifted his scythe and rested it on his shoulder. "Mm? And why would I do that? You don't fucking scare me, bitch. From what I've heard, you're Fish-freak's little slut. Tell me, is his body as as ugly as his face? You'd be the one to know, seeing as he's probably fucked—"
Hidan never got to finish his sentence, as Tsume's sword swung forward in a swift arc, the blade stopping millimeters from the side of Hidan's neck. Tsume stood tall and proud, holding her massive sword steady with a single hand. "If you ever say something like that again, I will slice you into a hundred tiny pieces. I will not be insulted like that, nor will allow you to speak of Kisame that way. Show him some respect, or I will kill you."
Hidan was taken aback by the sudden fire that flared to bright life in Tsume's amber eyes, but he quickly recovered. He stabbed his spike into the ground beside him, his free hand coming up to rest on the razor edge of Tsume's sword. He let out a hiss of pleasure as he ran his hand along the blade, his blood flowing easily as flesh was sliced. Hidan gazed at Tsume with lidded yes, a psychotic grin curving his lips. "Fucking slut," he sneered, "you can't kill me. I'm fucking immortal!"
UNSPOKEN
Kisame was shaking with rage; all he wanted in that moment was to rip Hidan open and feed the pale-haired man his own innards. How dare Hidan insult Tsume like that?! How dare he?! If Hidan survived the battle, Kisame was going to kill him.
UNSPOKEN
Below, Hidan had freed his spike from the ground, and now let it drag behind him as he walked the length of Tsume's sword. He stopped when he was mere inches away from Tsume. Her face was calm, but her amber eyes blazed at him. Hidan reached out and touched Tsume's face, staining her pale skin with his blood. "Mm, you're pretty. You'll make a fine sacrifice for Jashin-sama."
"Don't you dare underestimate me," Tsume growled. Her voice had changed, becoming more guttural and animal-like. Her eyes flickered with a strange, pale blue light, while the curse mark on her neck began to shimmer and spread, moving outward like water droplets across a tilted sheet of glass. Recognition entered Hidan's eyes, but just as he was about to speak, a wickedly clawed hand lashed out, cutting deep grooves in the bare skin of his chest exposed by his open cloak. The chain that held his Jashin medallion was severed, and the necklace was sent flying. Before Hidan could even glance at the wound, he was forced to leap back as Tsume shifted her position and swung her sword. Hidan landed in a crouch several yards away. Tsume narrowed eyes which now shown with blue light. The curse mark had spread, adding to her strength as well as turning her nails into razor-sharp claws. "It's dangerous to underestimate me. Most of those who have are dead."
UNSPOKEN
A/N: HEY, LET'S ALL KILL HIDAN!! I'm sorry that this is so short. I'm gonna be spending a lot of time on writing the fight between Hidan and Tsume.