Months passed, uneventful. On the twins' tenth month, Kakuzu had ceased the missions for they had raised a fair amount. Granted he wanted more profit on the side however the dad of his children made this an impossibility. He sat at his desk, working around Moku on mission reports to send to the leader. How he always got stuck with the paper work, he never bothered to learn. Moku was playing with a rag doll, which his father had to stitch back together many times, while trying to stay on Kakuzu's lap.
Hidan had left Kakuzu in order to take Shikari over to Deidara and Sasori's hideout. Their twins had been born two months previous. It irked Deidara that his children were born so close to Hametsuki's birthday. They had given birth to two girls, Aoi and Akane. Already Phox was beginning to regret giving the potion to the Akatsuki for she had been placed in charge of explaining puberty to four girls. The woman came to Kakuzu's thoughts as he looked over her mission report and then appeared behind him.
"Kakuzu." He jumped slightly, dropping his writing utensil but keeping hold of his son.
"Where the hell did you come from?" He grumbled, turning to face her. Moku watched her apprehensively before burying his face in his father's cloak.
"... I wish to speak with you about... the Gomi incident..." She stuttered.
"Out." He growled.
"Kakuzu! This is important. We need that information." She hissed.
"What information? He's dead and for good reason."
"Hidan might have gotten something from him."
"Phox, that incident was almost eighteen months ago. Why bring it back up now?"
"Turns out they're still out there. We had thought your killing one of their members had scared them off." She sighed, "Looks like they were just better preparing."
"So you want to interrogate Hidan?" She gave a nod and Kakuzu stood to put Moku in bed. "Your funeral."
–
"Hidan, may I ask you something?" Phox had waited, as Kakuzu requested, for the following morning to ambush Hidan on his way to the kitchen.
"Fuck off bitch, I'm busy." He huffed, brushing past her.
"I need you to tell me about that concubine incident." Hidan stopped cold and turned to her, his face slightly pale.
"I don't remember anything..." He frowned.
She rolled her eyes then grabbed his arm, pulling him to the living room where Itachi waited. Hidan scowled as he was forced to sit down. Phox whispered something to Itachi and the genjutsu began. He recreated the night and Phox left the room to give them privacy. She bumped into Kakuzu whom was about to go in after Hidan.
"You're going to give him nightmares." He growled.
"He's a big boy. He can manage." She replied coolly.
They stood there for awhile, impatient for news. Kakuzu was sent to the nursery after awhile to tend to Shikari. Then, Itachi stuck his head into the hallway, smiling. Phox rose a brow and followed him in.
"I remember." Hidan was grinning. "Kakuzu came just in time! I'm still pure for Kakuzu."
"Good for you but what of Gomi?" Phox drawled.
"Tch. Buzz-fucking-kill." Hidan scoffed but continued, "He said Kakuzu would be good to join their organization and that's when he took me to the bedroom. His shitty organization is located in Takigakure. That's all I found out 'cept there's like only four 'skilled' shinobi."
"Thank you, Hidan." Phox dipped her head and then left with Itachi in tow.
–
A month later, Zetsu arrived at the immortal family's cave. Pain had finally decided what they would do about their rivals. Naturally, the immortals would be called upon. This resulted in finding a suitable babysitter. In the end, they decided to send them to Itachi and Kisame since they were more experienced with children. So, the immortal duo left their children and started their first official mission together since the 'accident'.
"To your home village then, Kuzu?" Hidan inquired once the silence had proven to be too much.
"Yes, Hidan." He sighed, already missing that silence. He had not gotten much sleep the previous night dues to Shikari's constant crying. "But don't mention it or we'll be out before you can say Moku twice."
"Ha-ha." Hidan rolled his eyes and went silent.
Kakuzu appreciated the quiet and slowed so he would not hear complaints later. It also gave him the chance to admire the younger. As the sun went down, Hidan asked for an inn for the night. Naturally, Kakuzu refused and Hidan grumbled but trailed him through a homely village. They continued to travel, the smaller purposefully exhaling through his mouth to show his partner how cold it was. It was rather annoying for the miser. Being partnered with Hidan for so long, however, bred tolerance.
"Hidan... come here." He started to unbutton his robe and handed it over. "Wear it if you're so damn cold, baby."
"Don't call me a fucking baby, prick." He snapped, hurriedly pulling on the garment.
"Next time maybe you should consider a different state of dress." Kakuzu drawled, pulling Hidan with him.
"You're just jealous."
"Whatever you say, bitch."
–
They arrived at the edge of Takigakure just after the sun rose. Hidan panted, dragging his feet and hanging onto Kakuzu. The man had made them travel faster once the sun was completely down. Hidan collapsed on the ground to catch his breath.
"You know... I haven't been... out and about... since I gave birth to fucking twins." He seethed.
"Our 'fucking twins' are the reason we have to get this over with. They are at a sensitive age. They don't like strangers much either..." Kakuzu explained. "I just want to get back to them soon... after all... Once Pain gives the order, we won't see them for Jashin knows how long."
"Did you just use my lord's name?" Hidan gasped, that seeming to be the only thing that registered in his warped brain... what's left of it.
"Technically, though I'm not too proud of it, he's my lord too thanks to you." He offered his hand to pull him up.
"Tch. Doesn't mean you have to be as devout as me." Hidan scoffed, letting the stronger pull him to his feet.
"Won't make the mistake again." He laughed jokingly.
They veiled their faces in a simple disguise and walked to the waterfall. Hidan, whom had never been to Takigakure, was confused when his partner went straight through the wall of water. Then, his tan hand stuck out, parting the falls enough for Hidan to squeeze in without getting soaked. He slicked his hair back regardless, just in case it had messed up the perfectly placed locks. Kakuzu groaned and told him to put his hood back on which received a scowl.
"Fuck that. I'll get hood hair." He wrinkled his nose at the thought. "'Sides, nobody'll know me. Never been here before, remember?"
"Hidan..."
"Also, won't two cloaked men kinda freak the bastards out?"
"Hidan. Please stop making sense..."
He sniffed as though offended but fell silent, following Kakuzu into the village. Just as guards came into sight, he pulled him into a secret passage. He lit a torch and lead him through it until they reached a little hut in a hollowed section of the cavern. He was going to pass it but Hidan held him back.
"What's that?"
"A house." Kakuzu scoffed.
"For who?" Hidan rolled his eyes.
"... Me." He replied quietly, forcing Hidan to follow him again.
"W-Wait." He stuttered, tripping after him. "Can we check it out?"
"We'll stay there if we need to." He replied.
Hidan nodded and was freed from Kakuzu's grasp. They finally arrived at the end of the tunnel and Kakuzu extinguished the torch before they hit the light of day. Takigakure was fairly busy when they appeared, rushing from one store to another. Kakuzu ignored the activity, searching for something. He stopped at a bank, earning a scowl from Hidan. He walked up to the teller and whispered something in his ear. The man's eyes went wide and he gave a slight bow before hurrying over to a large door.
"Right this way, Kazuhiro-sama." The man said as the grand door swung open.
"Come, Hidan." Kakuzu instructed, pulling a grumble from his partner.
"Bossy bastard..."
He went along, regardless of his 'mistreatment' and entered the odd room, jumping when the door slammed close. He sat on one of the loveseats with Kakuzu. Moments later, they were joined by another man with a thug-like appearance.
"Ginji-san." Kakuzu stood to shake his hand.
"Kakuzu-sama." He returned before slouching in a seat of his own adjacent to their loveseat. "To what do I owe your visit now? You've been pulling out quite a bit of money. Very unlike you."
"I'm not here to discuss my reasons for anything. Only for information." Kakuzu said in a warning tone.
"You know me, Kakuzu." He smirked, holding out his hand.
"Tell me about any new organizations in the village." He huffed, slapping a pouch of money in the man's open palm.
"There is only one. Rather unprofessional though." He laughed, lighting a cigar. "Gave me their location and other stuff you wouldn't dream of lending me, friend or foe."
"What is their location?" Kakuzu demanded.
"File's on my desk in the office." He motioned to a door and Kakuzu stood up.
"Stay put and keep quiet, Hidan." He fixed his eye on his partner, whom was swatting at the smoke, covering his nose.
"Fuck you." He snapped, coughing a bit before covering his nose again.
"Not now, damnit." He huffed, slamming the office door behind him.
"... So..." Ginji eyed the smaller. "'Hidan', was it?"
"What the fuck's'it to ya?" He drawled.
"Just making idle conversation..." He shrugged with a somewhat playful smirk. "How long does he plan on keeping you?"
"Excuse me?" Hidan frowned, "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"How long have you been partnered with Kakuzu?" Ginji mused.
"A few years..."
"He must trust you to some extent..."
"He probably trusts you more." Hidan scoffed, "You get to care for his money."
"So you two are more then fuck buddies." Ginji grinned.
"How can you te—I mean... shit..."
"The fact you're getting jealous." He snickered. "But hey, I'll tell you a secret." He got up and sat next to him. "He probably trusts me with his money 'cause that's how he raised me."
"What?" Hidan's eyes widened.
"Yep. He found me when I was little and made me guard his money. If anything happened to it... I would get beaten." He lifted his shirt to show an old scar. "Once I turned eighteen, he left me in the village and I decided I might as well make a living of what he taught me." He sighed. "Never thought he'd find anything he values more then money. But how should I know? He never shares any of his personal life. Only financial life."
"But you know more about his past then me..." Hidan fixed his magenta eyes on the banker.
"How about we make a plan to meet. I give you some info on his past in exchange for some on his present." He shook Hidan's hand and returned to his chair just as Kakuzu returned. He passed the pair and looked back at his partner at the door.
"Hurry up, Hidan. They aren't far. We should be able to take them down in a day and make it back in time for..." He seemed to recall Ginji's presence and went quiet.
"Tch. Not even gonna rest after this shit?" Hidan groaned, getting to his feet.
"I'll consider it..."
–
"This is it? This place fucking sucks." Hidan scoffed, looking at the hovel on the outskirts of the village.
"Quiet."
Kakuzu motioned to the door just as a man stepped out. He quickly hid his short, messy blond hair with his cloak hood and began to slink off. Kakuzu's eyes narrowed in recognition and made Hidan follow the man. He headed straight for the secret passage the Akatsuki members had taken, passing the house without interest. Hidan spared a glance a look away from the target to see Kakuzu's expression. It was one of concentration so he kept his silence.
Soon, the man stopped, glancing around the room, searching. His shadows pressed themselves against a wall and continued to observe. Moments later, another blond appeared suddenly from the shadows. He was somewhat more boyish then the other and had a pale face. Now Hidan was looking on in curiosity. He saw a glint of silver around the boy's neck. The two males embraced lovingly then parted, whispering words to the other.
"Hidan... I believe that boy is-"
"I know." He interrupted. "It's Suki, one of our 'altar boys' back when we had more than two churches."
"The other one is Atari. He's in a lot of bingo books but a fellow bounty hunter..." Kakuzu frowned. "He didn't come off as the religious type."
"Neither do you, heathen." Hidan smirked playfully. "You see their relation."
Kakuzu heated a bit at the look the Jashinist gave him but shrugged it off as the two boys parted, scanning the cave. They had been discovered.
"Who goes there?" The first blond demanded.
"Your mom." Hidan mocked, stepping into their line of sight despite his partner's protest.
"That cloak... Akatsuki?" He noted, eying the red cloud pattern.
"Atari-chan, lookit his necklace! I think it's Hidan-sama." The younger gasped, elbowing his partner enthusiastically.
"What are you doing so far from the temples, Suki?" Hidan looked at Atari. "And with some heathen bastard too."
"Aren't you a hypocrite..." Kakuzu drawled, finally following him out of hiding.
"What the hell does that mean?" Hidan snapped.
"Nothing at all..." He replied coolly. "Atari, what are you doing with this Jashinist?"
"We're exchanging information." Suki's answer earned a smack from the small bounty hunter. "Shit that hurt." He whined.
"It's none of your business Kakuzu."
"You're my business when you try and mess with my mission." He growled.
"What is your mission?"
"Only if you tell us yours, fucker." Hidan said.
"Atari-chan, may I tell Hidan-sama at least?" Suki begged.
"... 'Hidan'... Wasn't he one of your priests?" Atari mused and then nodded. "Very well. We'll wait here, don't leave my line of sight though..."
"Alright Suki..." Hidan sighed once they had reached the far side of the chamber. "Why him?"
"I figured you'd ask about him." Suki giggled. "He's a heathen but he's actually kinda sweet."
"Did you manage to convert him?"
"Yep." Suki nodded. "Marriage ceremony was done by your aunt."
"Why isn't he wearing his pendent?" He asked suspiciously.
"For his mission. The group he's spying on, they're currently at war with us Jashinists."
"Why?"
"They wanted us to join them." He scoffed. "We are not to be bought, right Hidan-sama?" Hidan nodded in agreement. "They started picking us off. Had some poison that can actually kill us." Suki frowned now. "... They managed to grab a priest..."
"Which one?" Hidan dared ask. The look Suki was giving him gave a pretty good—or bad—idea of which one.
"Auntie..." Suki whispered, unsurprised with Hidan's reaction.
Kakuzu took a step forward when his partner fell to his knees. Thinking they had been tricked, he turned to Atari. However, the male was no where to be seen. Kakuzu cursed and hurried over to Hidan's side. He looked shocked, but uninjured. He frowned and straightened back up. Atari's sudden appearance startled him a moment later.
"Look, Kakuzu..." He started, "We've been rivals with benefits for awhile and I gotta give you another piece of advice. Leave Akatsuki's rival organization alone. Suki and I can handle it."
"Bullshit." Hidan choked then got to his feet with renewed strength. "I will make those bastards pay for their sins, in Jashin's name I swear."
–
Hey, Sorry for the delay. First Semester Finals coming up. \: [
Also not getting to use the e-net as much since I fixed my mom's laptop for her boyfriend to play online Poker. So, my stress relief is out the window...