My Pain is Yours

Chapter 27: Questionable Fate

Aiko clenched her fists, bloodlust awakened. A cold, callous smirk devoid of mercy stretched across her lips, lips that were dyed crimson with blood. She allowed her tongue to run over the bitter, salty taste that left her hungering for more; an insatiable urge to kill. Aiko flexed her fingers, eyes flicking to where her opponents stood.

The kunoichi glared at them and Kakashi murmured something to Choji and Ino.

Kakuzu spoke beside Aiko, startling her, "You've all underestimated Hidan."

Heart skipping a beat, Aiko glanced sharply up at her remaining partner, the look of sheer incredulity visible in her hazel eyes. Was Kakuzu saying that just to frighten their opponents or was he speaking truthfully? She tensed, realizing that he might've been saying that just to console her too; either way, Aiko was unsure of what he meant.

Raising his hands, Kakuzu muttered, "Ah well, it doesn't much matter anyway; I'm still going to kill you and take your hearts." His jade orbs glinted maliciously, making Ino and Choji jolt, Kakashi stooping into a defensive position. Aiko jerkily stepped back, aware of Kakuzu's powers, watching as he attacked Kakashi head on with wind-enhanced fire.

She laughed darkly; that left her to deal with Ino and Choji.

As she stepped forward, however, she looked deep into Ino's terrified sapphires and stopped.

Aiko could think but one thought; Shinsei.

Everything she saw in Ino's brimming jewels reflected the way Shinsei had been when Aiko first found her. Tormented agony. Fear. Desperation. The brunette felt her heart wrench painfully; how could she execute someone with eyes such as those? Eyes mirroring Shinsei's so closely that Aiko found déjà vu washing over her in a wave of memories.

Memories from long, long ago.

Strolling calmly through the forest she had found herself in, Aiko glanced around her dreary surroundings. Rain poured from the pitiless void hanging like a threat above her head, dousing her soaked hair with bucket after bucket of chilling water. She clutched her arms, her skin so damp and cold beneath her clothes that she wanted nothing more than to be in a hotel.

A nice, warm hotel…a mere figment of her desires…something that was out of her reach…

With a sigh, Aiko remembered that she was in the middle of nowhere; that meant no hotel.

Inserting herself underneath the leafy, protective canopy of a tree, Aiko shook her head, smiling bitterly; she, who was feared as a deadly medical ninja prodigy, was sheltering beneath a tree to protect herself from the rain. She must have looked so desolate and forlorn.

"What am I going to do?" Aiko muttered, accustomed to being alone and talking to herself.

Pondering, Aiko muttered some thoughts aloud; she could go in search of a hotel, she could try and go back to Amegakure and make a home for herself there, not that she wanted to, or maybe she could impersonate someone and stay in a village for a little while. Nothing she came up with interested her.

Then, behind her, she heard the faint snap of a twig. Aiko blinked and turned around, silencing herself.

She wasn't alone.

Reaching into her holster, Aiko swiftly snatched a kunai and sat in a rapacious crouch. The pounding rain drumming around her was reverberating like a high-pitched scream, lightning shrieking across the sky. Aiko sniffed, inhaling the sharp, refreshing air that filled her head with such jagged cleanliness that it made her nostrils flare.

Aiko narrowed her eyes; she couldn't hear or smell very well and seeing was a slight problem.

Tightening her grip, Aiko allowed her jaw to twitch. Where was her little visitor? A sudden beam broke across her lips, however, when she heard the easily distinctive splashing of a puddle, a silhouette coming hazily into view. Her simper soon faded. The person running towards her was crying, tripping and falling, like a frightened child.

Aiko cautiously stepped out, continuing to hold her kunai as a precaution.

The figure dashing in her direction caught sight of Aiko and came to a halt.

Aiko raised an eyebrow, calmly inquiring, "Who are you?" Whoever it was, twisted around, as if to dash away, and the brunette's tone rose in pitch. "Hey! Don't you dare leave!" There was a sob, an audible gasp, and Aiko placed one hand on her hip. "Come here," she smoothly ordered, extending a beckoning finger. "I won't hurt you unless you give me reason to."

The intruder whimpered, slinking forward as if reprimanded.

Curious, Aiko tilted her head to the side as the person came into view.

Silent, Aiko stared unwaveringly as the silhouette gained features until a visible person bloomed before her. Aiko pursed her lips. It was a girl, maybe a year or two younger than she. The girl's red hair was stained near-scarlet by the heaviness of the rain, short stature deigned by her hunched shoulders. Her mouth was agape in terror at Aiko's inquisitive stare.

The strange girl was rather interesting, but her eyes intrigued Aiko the most.

They were blue; a simple shade of azure tainted by defiled innocence. Something troubled her, agony pained her, and Aiko could read it all in her eyes; she was suffering from a disclosed secret that she had to keep lest she opted for some sort of punishment.

This girl was no threat; she was suffering and needed someone to turn to.

Aiko wondered silently if the girl would come along with her, enjoying the mere thought of companionship, someone to turn to. After a moment of careful consideration, Aiko smiled gently, placing the kunai in her holster and out of view. "What is your name?"

The girl before her shirked back, eyes overflowing with tears. "A-are you going to kill me?"

Cocking her head playfully to the side, Aiko threw back her head and laughed, both hands now resting on her hips. "Why would I do something like that? You haven't given me any reason to kill you." The redhead flinched and Aiko sighed. "Come now, I was just asking about your name. Don't worry; I promise that you can trust me."

Aiko waited patiently for the girl to answer, her reply difficult to discern. "Sh-Shinsei."

Nodding perceptively, Aiko looked off into the distance, vaguely murmuring, "Well, this rain isn't very inviting. Are you alone?" She glanced back at Shinsei in time to see the redhead bob her head up and down, tears mingling with the rain. Aiko shifted her stare, abstractedly peering through the trees. "You can come with me, if you want, Shinsei."

Whirling around, Aiko looked over her shoulder at Shinsei, giving the young girl a moment to think. Was she still afraid of her? Aiko wasn't going to force Shinsei to join her, but she couldn't help but allow her compassion liberation at the sight of the girl's sad eyes; Aiko wanted to mend that sorrow, craved to assist. She continued to wait, shoes filling with water.

Finally, Shinsei spoke, voice as cracked as her vacillating lips. "W-what…is your name?"

The brunette dropped her stare, slight smile emerging, voice quieting. "Aiko."

"Aiko?"

"Yes."

There was a pause before Shinsei spoke again. "Aiko?"

"Yes?"

"I want…I want to come with you."

Warmth touched Aiko's cheeks. A hand touched hers and she turned around to see Shinsei shyly bumping up against her. No words needed to be exchanged between the two as Aiko returned the gesture. Their fingers interlocked, creating an inexpressible, inexplicable bond.

The unspoken vow of friends.

Best friends.

Looking into Ino's eyes, Aiko knew that she couldn't attack her.

Sucking in a deep breath, Aiko inhaled the heated atmosphere that was radically different from the memory that had just surged throughout her mind. Sounds filled with disbelief amid horror rammed through Aiko's ears and she was yanked back to reality in time to see Kakuzu pinning Kakashi to the ground, Ino and Choji both running forward.

Aiko gasped, hastily intervening and blocking their path.

Choji halted, Ino stopping behind him.

Neither one of the two Chunin dared to take on someone of Aiko's caliber. They could see the lethal gaze mirroring a visible threat so predatory that they wanted to flee from her sight, strived to be anywhere but where she could see them. Even where they were, standing at a safe distance, wasn't of any comfort to Ino and Choji; not when a ninja like Aiko was present.

The brunette crossed her arms, smiling cynically. "What's the matter?" she taunted. "Scared?"

She watched Choji and Ino carefully before detecting a hint of ease and unexpected, alleviated sighs. Aiko frowned and looked back at Kakuzu, able to feel that something was wrong. Her Akatsuki cloak fanned around her ankles as she did so, releasing an audible exhale upon seeing Kakuzu clutching his chest as he straddled Kakashi, a crazed look in his eye.

"K-Kakuzu!" Aiko exclaimed, eyes widening. "What's wrong?"

Gripping the fabric of his shirt, Kakuzu began to tremble, convulsing as Kakashi lifted his head, Sharingan victorious. Aiko couldn't believe her eyes; what was wrong with Kakuzu? She went to take a step towards her comrade, concerned, but stopped when Kakashi effortlessly threw Kakuzu off to the side, ripping the threads that Kakuzu had utilized to bind him out.

Aiko gaped at Kakuzu as his flaccid body slammed against the ground.

"Kakuzu…!" Aiko whispered in disbelief, hand clapping over her mouth.

Her eyes then flashed, hearing movement behind her as Ino and Choji both made moves toward Kakashi. Aiko spun around immediately, adorning her fingers with shuriken and throwing them at Ino and Choji as a pretense to their inevitable mêlée. She rushed in at them, unhesitant, and slammed her fist into Choji, knocking him over backwards. She then turned to Ino, reluctantly hammering the blond in the stomach with her foot.

Ino went tumbling back with a cry and Choji rolled away. Aiko whirled around to face Kakashi, but he was already at her back. Dread flooded her eyes, realizing that her reaction was delayed. She couldn't manage enough hand signs for a substation.

"Too late," Kakashi mocked, Sharingan revived. "You won't lay another finger on them."

Her mouth fell open to display her mixture of shock and horror. "Oh no!"

A hard fist jammed into her ribs and Aiko fell backwards with a scream.

Throwing her arms in front of her face in an act of self-defense, Aiko prepared to be pitilessly pummeled, eyes snapping shut to avoid being sucked into a genjutsu. How could she have been so careless? Aiko cursed herself for not being fast enough, body automatically compressing, muscles storing chakra for a counterattack, pausing in her movements.

She waited and nothing happened.

Then, she heard a rough growl distorted with strife.

Aiko guardedly pried her eyes open.

Above her was Kakashi, squirming against tight bonds of thread, Ino and Choji trapped in the same threads behind her. Leaping back, she relocated some ways away and jerked her head up to look at their unprecedented captor; Kakuzu. Relief washed over her, flooding her doubts with audacity and raising her spirits. Kakuzu really was something else.

The missing Waterfalls ninja glanced jadedly at Aiko, voice hoarse. "Aiko! Come here! Now!"

Doing as she was bid, Aiko instantly darted to Kakuzu, landing deftly by his side in a crouch. She stood, straightening up and grinning thankfully. "Thank Jashin, Kakuzu, you're all right." He didn't say anything in return. She frowned, perplexed. Something didn't feel right; Kakuzu was avoiding her searchingly tense eyes. "Kakuzu?"

He shook his head, voice a deep, terse growl, "You really are insensible; there are more of them coming."

Tossing her gaze around herself, Aiko focused her chakra, realizing that Kakuzu was right. She spun back around, however, when Ino screamed helplessly as she and Choji were jerked forward, directly in Kakuzu's attack range along with Kakashi. Aiko's lips pressed into a thin line, eyes alight as Kakuzu summoned his chakra, ready to destroy them.

Before Kakuzu was allowed the chance to perform his jutsu, however, there was a yell.

"Art of the hurricane vortex!"

Water mingling dangerously with wind apprehended Kakuzu, securing Ino, Choji, and Kakashi. Aiko released a small cry, shielding her eyes instinctively and dropping to her knees behind Kakuzu to avoid receiving any damage. When the barrage subsided, she gradually rose to her feet, gritting her teeth. The reinforcements had arrived.

There were four of them; a girl accompanied by three males.

Kakuzu managed a terse chuckle. "Well, well, what do we have here?"

Growling at her opponents, Aiko barred her teeth. There was still no sign of Hidan and she was becoming unhealthily anxious. Willing her anger away so that she would not be blinded by the pure rage threatening to consume her, Aiko closed her eyes and licked her lips, allowing her teeth to sink into her tender lower lip.

She had promised to help Kakuzu.

Once she did, she would be able to aid Hidan.

Then it would be all over.

Noticing the kunoichi's defensive position, Kakuzu shook his head. He had faith in his own abilities and trusted that Aiko would be able to tend to Hidan on her own, not that he believed his partner was truly in need of any help. Despite his idiocy, Hidan wasn't as stupid as he seemed; Kakuzu knew that, and was convinced his partner possessed enough sense to protect himself in a battle against someone like Shikamaru.

That is, until he heard the blast in the distance, which made Aiko flinch beside him.

Aiko's eyes instantly darted to where the noise had come from; the direction Hidan went in.

Was he going to be okay? Oh Jashin, she didn't want to know what was happening.

When Kakuzu looked at Aiko, she was mouthing the name, 'Hidan'. He lowered his eyes before briefly allowing them to rake over his new opponents. He could take them on. Easily. Kakuzu looked back at Aiko, alarm ringing through her petrified emeralds; he could feel her chakra rate spiking at precarious, lethal levels. Kakuzu slowly opened his mouth behind his mask.

"Go to him."

Aiko jumped and spun around. "Huh? But Kakuzu…I…I promised that I would help you!"

Kakuzu twitched, voice growing angrier. "I said to go! I don't need your help!"

Offended by his livid tone, Aiko warily turned around, not looking back until realization pulsed through her; this was just like the last time. He was only using those harsh commands to put her wherever she was most needed; wherever she was safest. Aiko turned back to object, to argue that Hidan could wait a while longer, but Kakuzu had already anticipated this.

"Don't," Kakuzu snarled. "I'm fine; I can handle this on my own."

Aiko winced, teeth catching her lower lip. "But…but Kakuzu!"

Angrily, Kakuzu roared, "Just go!" This time Aiko heeded his word, knowing that she wasn't getting anywhere. But just as she was taking off, Kakuzu spoke one last time. "Listen," he growled in a soft monotone, "I don't care what the hell you do, just hurry up and bring that immortal bastard back so I can kill him." Aiko kept her back to him, utterly silent.

Aiko swallowed hard, hand clutching her chest as she whispered, "Of course."

Kakuzu softly added, "And don't forget to being yourself back; I think I've gotten used to having you around—even your annoying ass of a boyfriend." A wavering smile pressed against Aiko's lips, making her eyes water; she didn't dare turn around. Kakuzu snorted. "Everything will be all right, stop getting so upset; you're a fine kunoichi despite your love interest."

This unlatched the doors holding Aiko's tears in check. She quickly wiped at her eyes.

"Thank you."

Glowering, Kakuzu rolled his eyes and shook his head, watching as Aiko gave him one last smile before disappearing into the trees. He quickly shifted his gaze back to his prey. The blond boy marred with scratches began to approach him, eyes defiant. Kakuzu lifted a long eyebrow, "Are you challenging me? You're already disheveled, what's the point?"

The blond scoffed. "Hey! Don't you disrespect me!"

"Naruto," Kakashi said firmly, "attack with Tenzo and don't lose your head."

"Got it Kakashi-sensei," Naruto quickly retorted.

Kakuzu shook his head, glaring. Kakashi returned his glower, eyes narrowing as he snapped orders to the pink-haired girl and the black-haired boy who had just arrived, "Sakura! Sai! I want you to follow the girl who just ran towards the forest and help Shikamaru; we'll be fine here." Sakura and Sai nodded dismissively before vanishing.

Beneath his mask, Kakuzu was scowling, "You're all fools; that girl is beyond you."

Kakashi focused his gaze irately on Kakuzu. "I think they'll surprise you."

Kakuzu sneered, "Nothing surprises me anymore."

The missing Waterfalls ninja closed his eyes. And when Aiko returns with that idiot, I'll be ready.


Hidan!

Hidan!

Hidan!

Racing through the trees, tearing the leaves from her face and allowing branches to slap scratches across her cheeks, Aiko ripped through the scenery from tree bough to tree bough. She wanted to see Hidan, wanted to be with him; all she could think about was Hidan. As she went, she collected chakra in all areas of her body building up her power.

If anything happened to him, whoever was responsible would pay.

They would pay in a price of blood.

Converging upon the area in which she sensed the most accumulation of chakra, Aiko stopped and dropped silently from the trees, landing in a crouch. She flicked her head up and held back a gasp; there was Nara Shikamaru, standing triumphantly over a pile of smoking dirt, blood splattered everywhere. Aiko was wide-eyed.

Where was Hidan?

Remembering the sound of the detonation, Aiko rapidly assessed the situation, and, with enraged difficulty, arrived at the conclusion that Hidan was buried beneath the dirt, his tomb. She felt her chakra flame within her veins, blood boiling as she approached Shikamaru inaudibly. She drew back her fist, summoning all the chakra she could.

He was going to receive every bit of her anger.

She didn't care if it killed him.

Slamming her fist ruthlessly into Shikamaru's back, she hoped that she'd shattered his spine, but didn't have time to send death coursing through him with medical ninjutsu, before two more ninja were at her back. Aiko whipped around, sensing Sai and Sakura immediately, moving at an inhuman speed and ramming her hand into both of their stomachs.

Sakura and Sai fell unconscious beside Shikamaru.

Aiko was panting, eyes strained.

Pathetic. I ought to send them to their deaths now; why prolong the inevitable?

Thinking of death, however, instantly reminded her of Hidan; her immortal beloved. Stopping, she jerked around, eyes searching desperately. They couldn't help but settle on the ominously appropriate grave setting composed of blown up gravel. Aiko readied her fist, pulling it back as she stood at the edges, summoning all the chakra she could muster.

Twisting and gathering her strength, Aiko discharged her fist, punching the earth and sending rocks flying in every direction as she did so, creating a crater where she could hear distant shouts emitted from the pit. Aiko wasted no time in hopping into the hole, clawing at the freshly obliterated earth with desperate hands.

"Hidan!" Aiko cried out. "Oh Jashin, where are you?! Hidan!"

She heard some coughing, retching; and then some cussing.

"What the fuck?! Let me the hell out of here!"

Aiko dug faster. "Hidan! Hidan! Hidan!"

Ripping the earth apart, Aiko filled with indescribable elation as she unearthed Hidan's head. His lavender eyes were red, mouth nothing but blood. Aiko picked up the shouting head, cradling it in her arms and hugging him tight to her chest. Hidan was rendered speechless.

"I found you!" Aiko whispered. "I found you Hidan!"

Awkward as it was, Aiko lowered his head back down, Hidan immediately demanding that he be put back together. Understanding the pain he must have been sheltering, Aiko nodded and did as he bid, searching for his pieces, relocating to a different part of the forest in case Sakura, Sai, and Shikamaru woke up, and healing him with medical ninjutsu until he was complete, thankful that his lower body and legs managed to stay in one piece.

However, it still took an uncountable amount of endless hours.


"Last…piece…" Aiko was huffing as she reconnected the tissue on Hidan's hand to his wrist.

Hidan was in awe, watching as Aiko finished repairing him.

The moment his skin was one again, limb connected, Aiko collapsed on her side, convulsing and hacking from chakra strain. Hidan seized her in his arms, embracing her possessively against his chest as he drew her shaking frame between his legs, kissing her fervently. Aiko weakly turned her head, neck in pain, to answer his ardent affections.

Hidan wouldn't stop. "I…missed you…Jashin…I need you…now…"

Aiko's eyelids fluttered. "H-Hidan…I thought that you…I was afraid that you were…"

She was cut short by his demanding lips.

Lavishing Aiko with kisses, Hidan growled against her lips, "None of that matters now; I have you and we're together…Jashin damn it, I'm going to find that Nara bastard and kill him!" He held Aiko tighter, lips crashing harder into hers. He soon had her on her back, making out with her on the ground, hands securing her against his chest. "Damn…it…what about that money-whore?" Aiko flinched imperceptibly. "I…almost…forgot about…him…"

Aiko managed enough strength to pull away, leaving Hidan bewildered.

"Oh no," she whispered, eyes amplifying with tears. "Kakuzu!"

Hidan pouted, roughly caressing her cheek. "What about him?"

Burying her face in her hands to hide the terrified, contorted emotion displayed on her face, Aiko brokenly whispered, "I…I just left him to…t-to fend…f-for…h-h-himself…" Hidan could hear her voice cracking, hoping it wouldn't shatter and that Aiko wouldn't lose control over herself. He took her shoulders and pulled her into his chest, smoothing out her hair.

"He's fine, Aiko…he can handle himself…"

"A-are you sure?" She was sniffling now, voice stressed.

Hidan maintained his vice-like grip, stiffening. "Do you want to find him?"

Aiko nodded, and Hidan could feel a warm wetness against his bare shoulder. "Yes…"

Cradling Aiko in his taut, muscled arms, Hidan lifted her up, already accustomed to having his limbs back in order. Aiko threw her arms around his neck, submerging her face in his warm shoulder and taking comfort in being with him. They would never be separated again; and that would go for Kakuzu too when they found him.

"Which way?" Hidan asked, the sun setting behind them in the mountains.

Aiko pointed a quiet finger. "Towards that clearing; I'm pretty sure."

Hidan caged her tighter against his chest and they continued. Aiko felt the slight leap in his step, opening her mouth only to breathe; she was at a loss for words, beginning to worry about Kakuzu. Why hadn't he gone looking for them? Where was he? She clung tighter to Hidan resting her head between his clavicles.

There was one phrase she wanted to hear, and she whispered it continually.

"Hidan…I love you."

The silver-haired Jashinist didn't stop, smirking. "I love you more, Aiko."

Hearing those words served as a little comfort and Aiko nuzzled herself closer to Hidan. She was happy; so happy. She was safe, protected in his strong arms; arms that would hold her until the day she died—if ever. Aiko was so sure that she would never be happier, that her elation would never fade; she was certain that her life was eternally blissful.

She was about to find that it wasn't.


"Over here?"

"I think so…"

Reaching their portentous destination, Aiko took in the destruction blighting the land with such desolation that it looked although it could never and would never recover. Split trees were uprooted, strewn across the wasteland like littered garbage; monstrous trails were carved from the crumbling soil. Aiko slid out of Hidan's arms.

Everything smelled of blood.

Peering about her surroundings, Aiko realized that she and Hidan had entered out of a different place than she had made her exit. She vigilantly surveyed the barren landscape, Hidan following her and staring at the wreckage. She was at a loss for words.

"Whoa…it's pretty fucked up," Hidan muttered. "What happened, eh?"

"I don't…know…" Aiko broke off, still looking.

Silence kept the two company, and Aiko tugged her cloak tighter around herself as a breeze blew against her face; the scratches she received while tearing through the trees stung. Then, she abruptly stopped searching, finding her target. A terrified scream left her lips.

"Hidan!"

Startled by the sudden cry, Hidan whipped around, the remainder of his cloak clinging to his body as he did so. Aiko was taking off across the deserted battlefield, sprinting like a madwoman. Hidan clumsily chased after her, stumbling over misplaced rocks. "Aiko! Wait! Where are you going?"

The kunoichi didn't stop; her eyes were bulging with a set, fierce look of determination.

Or maybe it was just the clear sheen of tears magnifying her jade jewels.

Hidan watched as she fell to the ground beside a crumpled figure.

When he got closer, he rationalized Aiko's reaction.

She had found Kakuzu.

Dead.


Author's Note: I. Am. So. Sorry! School has kept me busy…too busy…so I have had no time for FanFiction other than answering reviews, reading, and reviewing…I am so sorry! Please forgive me! Although, I wasn't planning to write this chapter tonight…thankfully I have some really awesome readers out there who sent me reviews that made me excited to write this chapter!

Nine reviews for the last chapter! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I send out personal thanks to Iced Phoenix, cheeky half-demon, yoyshaia-chan, iLoveThisStory, Hurog Walker, Kakashi Forever, Tomboyhypergirl, werewolfwithaheart, and Tsuki Kariudo—Moon Hunter. I love you all so much!

I hope you all review and look forward to the next chapter!

-Aiko of the Akatsuki