Had anyone ever noticed how welcoming fire looked? The way it seems to lick at everything and dance about. It can be so destructive, but is always terribley beautiful at the same time. Given the state, you can either warm yourself, or burn to a crisp. What a queer thing, fire is. I snapped out of my odd thoughts and sighed, the fire in the fireplace heating my cold skin. I was now wrapped in a house coat, which my new found friend Kakuzu had lent me. It was way too big for me, so my hands barely came out of the sleeves. I looked to the side to see my coffee being put beside me. Then, Kakuzu sat next to me, chuckling at my appearance I guessed.
"That is way too big for you." he commented, smiling. For some reason, I felt as if he hadn't truely smiled in along time. I hadn't either, but this actually made me grin.
"I know. I'm just a small guy in general." I answered, laughing a bit. I barely knew the guy, and he was making me feel comfortable. Usually, like I said, I never warmed up to people easily. With the exception of children. I always loved kids. I had yerned for one myself, but that would have to wait.
"I can tell." Kakuzu chuckled. "So, you staying the whole summer?" he asked. "I think Lily likes you. She's odd like that. She can tell if she likes the person or not, by just a smile or a greeting." he said softly, taking a sip of his own coffee. I could smell Amaretto in is coffee. I loved the taste of it in my coffee. I sat up, and watched him curiously.
"Yeah, I am. Deidara kind of made me, but it's not like I have anything better to do." I annouced and stood up. "Do you mind-"
"Amaretto is in the third cupboard. I didn't know if you liked it or not, so I left it out of yours." Kakuzu smiled. I nodded and got off of the couch, making my way to the cupboards. While walking there, I felt his eyes watching my every movement. For an odd reason, it did not irk me like it usually would. I smiled to myself and went on tip toes to open the third cupboard and reach the Amaretto.
"So, do you have a wife or anything? I mean, you're kids look exactly like you." I asked while taking the alcohol out, then standing back on flat feet, I turned around to look at Kakuzu. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"... Well, yes, I did. However, I can be... Kind of... Shallow and commanding, so we got a divorce. The kids like coming up in the summer with me to the cottage, so that's mostly when I see them. Christmas also, but whatever. I'm usually tied to my work, so I don't mind not having anyone." he mused, but of course, I could tell when it sounded fake. Hell, I had been doing that for two and a half years now. "How about you?"
"Ha. No, I'm gay." I scoffed and walked back over. Kakuzu raised an eyebrow, a smile making its way onto his tanned face.
"Husband then?"
"Well... I did." I said dryly, pouring a bit of Amaretto into my blue coffee mug. "He died awhile back." I finished and stirred the alcohol in with my index finger. I focused on the dark swirl that appeared in my drink, before it dissolved into the tan colour of coffee.
"Oh, I'm sorry... How long ago was that?"
"Two years." I answered, looking up to see Kakuzu's eyebrows furrowed. I laughed then, a real laugh. "Hey, don't worry about it. It was a long while ago, I'm over the biggest part of it." Too bad people forgot to meantion the after math tends to weigh on your heart.
"... Alright... Mind asking how it happened?" Kakuzu asked softly. I smiled slightly at this question. Nobody usually asked, because well... It was a weird way to die. Something off an Alanis Morsette song. The one called, Ironic.
"Nah, I'll tell you." I mused and curled up on the sofa next to my new friend. "He was part of the Uchiha family. His name was Itachi, if you will. He was always afraid to fly, so he took anything and anyway to get out of it. Mostly, he would boat it. He had to go to Belgium and he could only go on a plane-"
"Let me guess.... Plane crash."
"Nahhh." I shook my head. "Too scared, had a heart attack." I finished. "But the plane did crash, because after he was taken away, the plane went off, then crash. Malfunction. So.... Either way, he would have died..." I trailed off. I looked back and yeah, the death was a little rediculous.
"Oh my.... That's.... I'm sorry." Kakuzu said again. I shook my head and laughed.
"Nah, don't worry about it. He's in a better place." I smiled weakly. Kakuzu nodded and finished his coffee.
"That's for sure..." he trailed off. I looked away and into a room, the door glass. Through it, I saw a grand piano.
"Can I play that?" I asked, looking back. "I love piano."
"Oh..." Kakuzu frowned. "Well, of course you can... Just be careful."
"Psh. I fucking well will." I grinned then, getting up and chugging the rest of my coffee. I walked quickly to the room and opened the door, walking in. Kakuzu walked after me and closed the door behind us. I ran my hand over the cool keys, the dust on the piano bench showed it hadn't been played in a long time.
"No one has played it since my wife left." he mused slightly. I showed him an apologetic glance, then sat at the bench, my hands going of the keys.
"Hmmm... Do you know Moonlight Sonata?" I asked softly. Kakuzu smiled and nodded.
"Beautiful song. Beethoven is amazing." he mused and stood closely behind me. I grinned and began to play softly and slowly. The slow tempo and the sad melody always calmed me. It stung my heart, but I loved the feeling of knowing I was human. That's how I liked to think about sadness, not wanting to make it hurt anymore than it had to. "You don't need sheet music.... Amazing...."
"I've been playing since I was six." I said softly, my eyes prickling with tears. "I never really do need sheet music anymore.... Sometimes I do..." I trailed off and the tempo picked up a bit. After a few moments, I was completely into the trance that playing piano got me in. I never did notice that Drew and Lily had came into the room also, watching in surprise as I played the lower notes, my other hand playing the high parts.
"He's amazing." I heard most likely Drew say, as I came back into reality after playing for five minutes. I grinned and switched into Bagatelle, by Beethoven, the mood was happier on this song, so I could focus on talking also.
"Thanks." I grinned and looked at them, then back at the keys.
"How long have you been playing? Would you teach me!? You're way better than my piano teacher." Drew smiled brightly.
"Don't ask him of such things, Drew-" Kakuzu began, but I cut him off, not looking back.
"Nah, it's alright. I've been playing since I was six, so eighteen years now." I answered happily. Playing piano was my all time favourite thing to do. I just felt so at home. My fingers grazed over the keys quickly. I bit my tongue, half of it sticking out of my mouth as I played. Lily sat next to me and I looked over, then back at the keys. "I would gladly teach her, Kakuzu. So, if she wants, I can come over once a day and give her some tips." I laughed and finished playing. Kakuzu looked shocked, as did Drew.
"You really would!?" Drew asked, smiling brightly. I nodded and laughed out loud.
"Of course." I grinned. Not like I had anything better to do this summer. Of course I would support the learning of piano.
"Do you want any money-"
"No." I answered Kakuzu quickly. "No money. Someone wanting to learn piano is enough for me." I grinned and slid off the piano bench, when Drew hugged me.
"Thanks so much!" Drew grinned. I smiled slightly and hugged the teen back.
"No problem..." I trailed off, then looked confused. "Wait, who's your piano teacher?"
"My mom."
"Oh..." I chuckled, that cartoon like sweat drop appearing in my imagination.
"Zing." Kakuzu laughed then. Drew looked back and laughed.
"You finally got to say it dad, told ya you would!"
"Yeah, yeah." Kakuzu rolled his eyes. "The fog is clearing up, you two. so why not go outside?" he asked. Lily and Drew both grinned, then nodded, running out of the room.
"How do you get them to do that so easily?" I asked, slightly shocked. Most children would pout or ask about it.
"The love the outdoors." Kakuzu rolled his eyes, smiling. "So it's easy to get them out of my hair if I need them to. Since I work from home, so I don't have to go back to the city until the end of summer, I need time alone." he shrugged. I laughed and nodded.
"Well, you're pretty good at it." I mused. Kakuzu smiled and nodded then.
"Pretty much... So, you're twenty-four?"
"Yeah, I am. How about you?"
"I'll be thirty in August." Kakuzu chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. I blinked, almost shocked. Kakuzu did not look that old. Not that thirty as old at all. He was pretty good looking, so- wait, what?
"Oh..." I smiled nervously. Kakuzu watched curiously and then smiled.
"I bet Deidara is wondering where you are." he laughed. I looked at the clock on the wall of the piano room.
"Oh shit. Yeah." I gulped slightly. "I'll see you, ummm..."
"Tomorrow, yeah. I'm counting on it." Kakuzu smiled gently. "Your clothes are done, I'll get them from the dryer for you." he said and walked off, moment later, he came back with a pile of neatly folded clothes. I almost felt as though I would blush when I took them, our hands touching for a second. I pulled the clothes away like Kakuzu was boiling or on fire. He gave me a skeptical look, which I returned with a smile.
"T-thanks... I'll just-"
"Just give it back tomorrow, Hidan." he said. I never noticed how low his voice was.
"Oh. Thanks again." I said and stepped out of the cottage's front door. "Bye Kakuzu." I said softly and turned around, walking off quickly, yet again feeling his eyes on me. I blushed outwardly at this, glad he wouldn't be able to see. The only other time this had happened was when I first met Itachi. The way my heart was beating out of my chest was the same as now. "Goddammit..." I cursed and walked off to the cottage where I would be staying.
* * * *
"So, you met Kakuzu and his kids?" Deidara asked me, while sitting on the guest bed with me. Sasori had gone out to play poker with his friends down the road, so Deidara told me he wanted to talk about things. It had been awhile since we had had a good talk.
"Yeah..." I smiled, a little nervous to talk about it. How was it that I felt like a highschool kid again? Like I was having a silly crush on someone I barely knew. Oh right, I did have a crush on someone I barely knew, that would be it.
"What do you think about Kakuzu,un?" Deidara asked. I blinked, acting like it wasn't obvious that Kakuzu was handsome.
"What do you mean?"
"Psh. So you don't notice how good looking he is, un?" Deidara asked, glaring me down. I studdered and played with a piece of my hair, which I never bothered to slick back after the whole lake incident.
"Well... I did notice-"
"He's single, hm." Deidara added in. I huffed and shook my head.
"I know."
"You should get to know him."
"What about Itachi? There's that one problem!" I glared. Deidara frowned and almost looked as if he would slap me.
"Itachi would want you to move on! I never liked him, un! But he would never do that to you!" Deidara frowned and got off the bed. I hissed and laid back.
"It would feel like I cheated."
"...... It wouldn't."
"I think so."
"Stop being an ass, un." Deidara huffed.
"Only when ya stop being a girl." I scoffed, then smiled, as did Deidara.
"Night Hidan, yeah."
"Night Deidara." I chuckled and watched him close the door, the room draining of all light when the door locked shut. I sighed and laid on my back, looking at the ceiling. "What am I supposed to do, Itachi? How in fuck's name am I supposed to know if I'm cheating or not?" I asked, my voice weak as a tear slid down my face.
That night I dreamt of myself placing piano in a sun soaked room. It looked like the piano room at Kakuzu's cottage, but something felt different. As I played, someone sat next to me. I smiled and looked over, to see Kakuzu. We talk for awhile, but his words were weird. He said he would be right back and left the room. I blinked, but smiled and continued playing. The door opened again and it was Lily.
"Hey dad." she smiled and climbed up on the chair. Her words were audible. I stopped playing piano and looked at her.
"Hey." I smiled. Why she called me dad, I don't know, but I seemed to be alright with it.
"Daddy is outside playing soccer with Drew." she giggled. I laughed and watched her happy little face light up.
"Why don't you play too?"
"I think I will! You should come out!" she whined, but the smile none the less stayed on her young features. I shook my head and smiled brightly.
"How about after I'm done this song?" I asked. She sighed, but nodded.
"Okay, see ya soon!" she cooed and got off the bench, running off. When I thought everyone had left, I started again, but the door to the room opened again, this time, all the sunny light drained and the figure sat next to me. I frowned and gulped as they touched the keys to the lower notes. I looked over to see Itachi, as alive looking as he had before he died.
"Nice family." he commented.
"I can explain-"
"Are you happy?" he asked, interrupting me. I was taken back by this question, but nodded slowly.
"Yes.... Why do I feel guilty?"
"Because you're mine." Itachi frowned, looking at the keys. "But as much as I hate it, I can't keep you anymore... Are you ready to move on?"
"Will you be mad?"
"No... Will you be mad at yourself?" Itachi asked. I became confused at this. What kind of question was that?"
"Of course not." I answered, like I had no choice but to say those words.
"Well, then that's alright." he said, as my whole world like dream faded away, replaced by the sunny morning I had just awoke to.
"Then that's alright......" I trailed off, sitting up in bed. "That's not alright. Bull fucking shit."
Nothing much to say... Except, the songs Hidan plays, they are really nice. Both are by beethoven, so check em' out :D R&R if ya want, I love reviews, knowing if I need to fix things up or not ;)