Hidan winced as an red hot iron came closer to his skin. Orochimaru held it inches from his victim's skin, a slightly sadistic look on his face. Hidan's heart rate sky rocketed when the iron suddenly pressed into his skin. He released an awful scream that Kabuto heard from outside the torture chamber of a lab. This location was specifically for this purpose. Not long ago they got word that an immortal had joined the Akatsuki. This had, of course, perked his master's interest quite easily.
He winced when a second scream echoed around the cave. He turned to peek inside the room and found Hidan still bound to the wall. Orochimaru held the iron in the flames again, ignoring his lab rat's sobs but turned when they ceased abruptly. He pressed an ear to the boy's heart and his eyes narrowed. Kabuto worried that Hidan's immortality had been lost upon reversing the aging process, something they had been saving since the man could only use the technique once. After all, it had erased his memory so why not his abilities?
He gave a relieved sigh when Orochimaru gave his satisfactory grin. He whispered words to Hidan as the boy returned to the waking world.
"K-Kuzu-chan..." He whimpered.
"Kakuzu isn't coming for you. He only cares about money and you will just get in his way the way you are." Orochimaru hissed.
"N-Not true."
"How is this belief false?"
"I dunno..." the child mumbled, straining his brain to find the reason.
"All you have to do is give me your immortality and the pain will leave. I promise." The snake brushed a hand along Hidan's cheek then paused at the burn over his heart before scratching the mark.
"I-I don't know how!" He screamed, beginning to sob again.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue in disappointment then retreated to a counter, grabbing a needle. First he would check the blood, then he would start dissection. If all else failed, he would be sure to add him to his collection. He would need a new body eventually, after all. He returned to Hidan and, just as the needle pierced skin, a slam resonated just from outside the door. He cursed then ran for Kabuto.
"What's going on?" He demanded.
"They're here." Kabuto responded, heading for the exit.
"Damn them." He hissed before following his assistant. They would need to try again.
Hidan gasped as his heart began to fail once more. Someone had come for him, but who? His world faded to black just before Kakuzu found him.
– Begin Hidan's POV – Flashback –
I wonder where I am... It is dark and I hear running water being muffled; like a waterfall. I reached around to feel my surroundings. Something kept me from doing so though. I gave a huff and suddenly smelled something strong. It smelled... nice. I nuzzled closer to the source of warmth. It was then I recalled last night. My eyes widened and, after much straining, I managed to catch a glimpse of Kakuzu's sleeping face as he held me close, protective, and possessive. The thought brought me warmth I was unaccustomed to save the first time I had allowed this same man 'deflower' me.
Again I flushed and hurried to hide my face again. We were still naked and the thought certainly didn't help my thinking. Eventually though, I managed to drift back asleep. It felt so damn good to be loved at long last...
– End Hidan's POV – End Flashback –
Hidan awoke with a start, his cheeks feeling hot with embarrassment. He soon found out he was being held like in that memory, he gave a dreamy smile and snuggled closer to Kakuzu's stomach. The latter glanced down at his partner, propped up against the head of their own bed back at the base they were now sharing with the artists as well as Kisame and Itachi. The last two had been stunned when Kakuzu barged in, cradling the miniature Hidan with possessiveness and a look daring anyone to take his bundle.
"Mn... I love you, Kuzu-chan." Hidan purred, nuzzling his partner.
"... I love you too, Hidan." Kakuzu managed after passing the shock.
"Can I see your face now?" Hidan yawned, pulling away to rub his eyes.
He winced as pain shot up his spine. Everything that had happened the previous night came flooding back to mind and he froze. Kakuzu noticed and started to stroke Hidan's head. After awhile he realized it wasn't enough and eased the child's head up. He had discarded his hood and mask before crawling into bed, something Hidan noticed only now.
"..." Hidan was speechless, reaching up to caress the elder's stitches. He broke into a grin at the feel. "Dumbass... always hiding your most attractive feature." He pulled Kakuzu closer and got to his knees, ignoring the pain as he placed a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Then again... I feel honored to be the only one to see it aside from those corpses." He smirked a familiar smirk the curled back up into his partner's lap.
Kakuzu remained sitting in stunned silence. He took a deep, shaky breath then moved to where he was lying down next to Hidan. He had to find a way to reverse this jutsu soon. Lest he prove Sasori and Deidara's correct.
– Meanwhile –
"Sasori-danna, what is that, hm?" Deidara pointed at the vial of blood on Sasori's work table.
"Hidan's blood from that needle Orochimaru left in him. I'm going to see what went wrong." Sasori explained, eyes trained on the microscope.
"I hope you can fix it, un." Deidara encouraged gently, wrapping his arms around Sasori's shoulders before leaving him in peace to sit on their bed.
Hours pass. Deidara drifts off. Sasori continues his examination. Hidan drools. Kakuzu snores. The sun rises. Deidara shifts. Sasori...
"Wake up Deidara! I think I've found it!"
