Hey guys! It's been a ridiculous amount of time since this story went on hiatus… but I suddenly got the urge to write for it again, after all this time. Now, for chapter 12. Hidan and Mia should really go and get to know their new home, but Hidan, as always, has 'other' ideas. As usual, I'm so appreciative of anyone who reviews this! I apologise for any typos. Please enjoy.

Chapter 12- 'Settling down'?

When Mia woke up, sunlight was streaming through the open window. She and Hidan were lying, wrapped around each other, on a futon on the floor. She figured it was still very early- the birds were singing their dawn chorus, in full swing. Yawning and stretching like a cat, Mia rolled out of Hidan's vice-like grip and sat up.

Hidan grunted and mumbled something unintelligible in his sleep. Semi-conscious, he seemed to notice the now empty space in his arms, and proceeded to hug himself instead, still mumbling. Mia giggled. Hidan was hilarious when he slept. His face looked so innocent and childish.

As she sat there, gradually waking up, Mia noticed the serene atmosphere, thinking, Is this really what we want? Well, is this really what's best for Hidan? I sure hope so. Sometime soon, I'm definitely going to get some information out of that old geezer about my clan, at least.

"Nnnn…" Hidan slurred. It looked like he was waking up. His eyes briefly flickered open before he reached out and grabbed the nearest thing he could, which was Mia's wrist.

"Hidan, you nearly gave me a heart attack," she sighed, yanking her wrist away.

"Fu…Fuck off…"

"Well, that was rude."

Hidan snorted. Mia grinned; he was certainly awake now. With that, Hidan yawned himself awake and sat up next to her, his hair a mess from the night's sleep. He never slept with any clothes on; Mia drank up the image of a shirtless Hidan in front of her. As if he could feel her eyes on him, he smirked to himself, and took hold of Mia's face in his hand.

"Why did you wake me up so early? Look Mia, I'm tired. I want to sleep." He yawned again.

"I couldn't help waking up at this time! Think of it as an opportunity to do more in the daytime."

He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Liar. Stop doing all those crappy fake smiles. Admit it, you're just trying to cheer me up."

"So narcissistic…"

"And you like it."

Stop doing that! Those smiles make me melt.

Mia reached out towards him and placed her hands on his chest, returning the favour. The pad of his thumb stroked her face, and soon he was kissing her. The way he was doing it, Mia wondered if this was like his morning 'pick me up'. Even thinking those words made her want to laugh. He darted his tongue into her mouth. Normally this would have shocked her, but she was used to his ways by now. As they stopped for breath, Hidan shuffled closer towards her and tugged at her clothes.

"What, you want to do that now?" she asked dubiously.

Hidan didn't respond in words. Instead, he settled with lifting her up- almost like she was a feather- and placing her in his lap, so she was straddling him. Mia felt what was under his trouser and shuffled nervously. He wanted to, alright.

"You just have a way of seducing me, and you don't even realise it," he said in a low voice. "You're just a little brat, and yet you…"

Again, he placed his lips on hers- just once- and started to dash small, scorching kisses on her neck, her cheeks, her collarbone, all while his hands roamed over her body.

Then that idea came to her again. She reached behind his head, and went to lace her fingers into his hair and tug it-

"Uh-uh, no," he interrupted, suddenly grabbing her arms, freezing her. "I don't want to lose control just yet, little madam."

"You-"

He held her arms down firmly, while moulding his mouth deliciously into hers. As things continued to progress, Mia's mind buzzed with happiness.

"You know," Mia supplied as they were curled up in bed once again, "we should probably go and see the locals at some point today."

"Yeah… No."

"Don't be like that! This is for your benefit!"

He grinned. "I know, I know. But you know what? I'd rather just do what I've been doing for the past few months."

"What's that?"

He swallowed and shifted, almost as if he were feeling awkward. Mia snorted internally- that would never happen. Or would it?

"Well," he muttered, "I've been travelling around without the Akatsuki bastards knowing where I am, and I've been hanging about with you."

Mia's voice softened automatically. "So… Have I eased your boredom? Even a little?"

He must have seen the look on her face, because Hidan scowled and kissed her lips with a surprising softness. "Mia, stop being so insecure. This has gone way beyond the point where you're here just to 'ease my boredom'."

She sniffed. "Well, what the hell am I here for? Because I'm so confused right now, it's unreal."

"For the love of Jashin, what do I have to say to get you to stay happy? I've let you stick around for this long, and that must mean something, right? You're here for good, so stop nagging." He frowned after a long pause. "Hey, Mia… You're not saying anything. Say something."

She couldn't control the small giggles escaping her. "I'm sorry," she said in between giggles. "You just…" Her laughter faded. "You sounded… Well, you still sounded you, but it was gentler. You sound gentler when you talk to me."

He raised his eyebrows. "That was gentle. You are out of your mind." Hidan pouted and looked away, pretending to be very interested in the ceiling. "That's all you'll get out of me, in that case."

"Okay." Satisfied, Mia sighed and began to get out of bed. Her hips ached like hell. Damn Hidan's 'bedroom' manner. As she turned to stand up, Hidan hurried and grabbed a hold of her wrist, stopping her. Mia's heart did a backflip.

Hidan flushed scarlet. "Listen, Mia, I really do lo-"

And then, there was a knock at the door. Without waiting for an answer, Keigo burst in, breathless.

"What the fuck?" Hidan growled, bright red. He leapt out of bed and backed Keigo into a corner. Keigo yelled like a frightened child and ducked out of the way.

"Oh… Hi, Keigo," Mia said, trying to sound welcoming while Hidan fumed in the corner.

"Hi, Mia… Hidan." He nodded in Hidan's general direction. "I'm just here to tell you: you've been summoned by the village elder, Mr Hayashikan. He says he wants to talk to you both right now."

Oh, great. Okay. That's fine, but he interrupted something important.

As they walked, holding hands tightly, towards Mr Hayashikan's home, Mia's mind was in utter confusion, flustered beyond belief. What had Hidan been about to say before Keigo interrupted them? 'I lo-'… Well, there wasn't much else that it could have been. But still, she would have to hear it properly for it to be true.

Hidan cleared his throat. "So, you can stop giving me that look, Mia."

She would have to wait until later. Hidan's face was crimson. She'd wait until he had gotten over the embarrassment, and until she had gotten over the shock of what he had been about to say.