(Sweat drops) I have exams TOMORROW because I live in Australia (but I have American spell check on my laptop.) I'm ok now, thanks HinaWeasel… But maybe not for long… This is just something I wrote during my self elected study break, so it maybe a little short.

I heard the noise of people moving around outside and looked up in alarm. But it was Sasuke's familiar voice, which wafted through the many holes in the building. "Do you think Niisan is up yet?"

"Probably." I heard Kakuzu reply sounding disinterested.

Sasuke ran down the hall, but quickly turned when he saw me in the dining area. He sat down next to me. The first thing I noticed was that he had an Akatsuki-print bandanna tied around his upper arm.

"What's this?" I asked, poking it.

He shrugged, "Kakuzu san said it was something about safety… People sure acted strange when they saw it."

I heard Kakuzu shuffle in and sit next to Kisame. I looked to him questioningly.

"The people in this village believe in Leader sama as though he were a god. Anyone wearing these colours is regarded highly, even feared. Most of the anti-Akatsuki extremists have been removed from this village, so overall I thought it would be safer if he was acknowledged as a child under our protection." He explained.

Well, Sasuke had had the main idea. I nodded slightly to show my understanding.

"So, what did you do today?" I asked, curious.

"I enrolled Sasuke in the local ninja acadamy and bought some building supplies. I also ordered more food supplies."

"Yeah." Sasuke agreed. "We went and looked at the school. It's really different from Konoha."

"So, when are you going to go back to school?" I asked, hoping it wouldn't be too soon. I didn't want to let him out of my sight just yet.

"Tomorrow." Kakuzu answered bluntly.

I mentally blanched. Tomorrow? "But, he doesn't know the town that well. What if-" But my protests were cut short by Kakuzu.

"The sooner he starts the better. You can pick him up and drop him off for the first few weeks if you really must. But you'll be rostered on patrolling the base as soon as you're suitably healthy again."

"Oh come on." Kisame put in, "Give 'im a break."

Kakuzu promptly ignored Kisame and and walked around to sit behind me. 'See?' Kisame mouthed at me, grinning.

"I can heal your bruises some more today. You should be able to wear clothes without too much discomfort tomorrow." He explained, bringing his hands up.

I laid my chopsticks (ohashi) on the table and waited for him to begin.

The pain deadened and the sensitivity of my wounds vanished as his chakra spread across my back.

I noticed that Sasuke was staring intently at Kakuzu as he worked. "What are you thinking about Sasu chan?" I asked.

He actually blushed. "I was just thinking how useful it'd be if I could heal you too. If I became a really good medic nin like Kakuzu san, I wouldn't have to worry about you dying." He mumbled quietly.

But he did have something to worry about. Though, I wasn't about to enlighten him to my terminal disease just yet.

"Well, I have plenty of free time over the next year. If you work hard, it would be worth my time teaching you." Kakuzu said as he dropped his hands from my back.

I sighed in relief and gave Sasuke a genuine smile.

I was touched actually.

But Kisame inadvertently ruined the moment, considering I could practically smell the surprise emanating from him.

Kakuzu didn't really seem bothered, but Sasuke was excited. "Look Kakuzu sensei! You helped my brother to smile!"

Kakuzu just shook his head and exited the room.

"So, Sasu chan, you're going to be working hard for the next year. I hear schooling in the water country is much tougher than Konoha." Sasuke looked a bit worried when I said that.

"Don't worry, here's not nearly as bad as Kirigakure. I had to kill my own classmates just to make genin." Kisame looked away glumly.

So Kisame and I were in the same boat. He'd had to kill classmates; I'd had to kill family.

Sasuke seemed to realise my thoughts were also unhappy. He leaned into me, wrapping a small arm around my waist. I hugged his shoulders back.

Now I know I can't be morbidly depressed all of the time.

Yeah, Kakuzu is being too nice isn't he? Don't like it? Go write your own! XP