The group of strange ninja was brought back to the grassy village, escorted by Smoke shinobi. The gray-clad men poofed into smoke and drifted away in the wind.

Deidara carried the tired girls to the base on the back of his clay birds, and Sakana watched the town disappear over the horizon, it's small buildings and houses shrinking as their journey home progressed. She gazed down at the patterned fields and let out a low sigh.

"Is everything alright, Sakana-chan?" Zena's soft voice asked and the white-haired girl was drawn out of her thoughts.

The brunette's large, pale yellow eyes were concerned and caring. Sakana nodded, "Just... thinking about everything that's happened these past few days." she admitted, a sheepish grin spreading across her face.

Zena nodded, "It's a lot... And it leaves a lot of questions... Namely, why?"

She had effortlessly taken the words from the redhead's mouth. Sakana nodded again, mute.

"Perhaps that's something you can pray for," Zena suggested hopefully. "Maybe your God will give you answers."

Maybe. Sakana scoffed internally. She didn't have reason to doubt Jashin, he was a god.

The Jashinist didn't voice her thoughts and let the rest of the windy ride to their home pass in silence. It was nearly dusk as they landed on the road close to the base, and Deidara's clay birds once again flew into the air and exploded.

Sasori made a noise of disapproval. "Brat, those damn things could very well attract enemy ninja."

Deidara waved off Sasori's complaint, "It's alright, Danna. They'll just assume they're fireworks."

Sasori didn't say anything, but turned and led the twins toward the hideout, leaving the other three ninjas standing awkwardly in the middle of the path.

Sakana

Hours later, I sat in the training room, 90 minutes into a droning lesson about the importance of properly wielding a katana from a very patient weasel.

My eyes slid over to Kisame pleadingly. He shook his head fractionally and I felt my shoulders sag.

When I asked the pair to help me learn to use my sword, I was expecting some physical demonstrations, something I could tirelessly practice on.

"Sakana," Itachi's stern voice came, rising in volume. "You aren't listening."

"I am too!" I argued, totally not having heard what he had been saying for the last hour.

"Repeat my last statement, then."

I frowned, "Ehhh..."

Itachi's red eyes narrowed. "Ten laps, young lady."

I stood up, my legs sore from the other eleven sets he had already made me do. I groaned, straining, and took off at jog around the dimly lit training room.

The stench of sweat invaded my senses, and I couldn't tell if it was from myself or the well-used gym. Nevertheless, I ran, eventually completing my task and collapsing back into my previous spot on the floor, gasping for breath.

"You'll read this book and report its contents to me in three days," Itachi said, and I knew that inside his deep and broody exterior, he was enjoying the torture he was inflicting on me.

I deflated, and Kisame's voice cut in. "Don't worry, kid. We'll do some basic stances tomorrow as well."

I whooped lowly as Itachi quickly and quietly left the room, leaving the big blue shark man and me alone.

"He's so harsh," I complained as Kisame helped me stand up. My limbs felt like jelly.

"He's training you." Kisame corrected me. "Sure, he's working you hard, but he knows you have the potential to be a great kunoichi." He patted me on the head followed his partner from the training room. "After your chores, tomorrow. Meet me here."

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, waving the large man off. Letting out a deep breath, I stretched my burning muscles, ignoring their protests.

After what felt like an eternity later, I finally stalked into my bedroom and collapsed on my bed next to Hidan.

He wrinkled his nose. "You fucking stink, dude."

I sneered, "Fuck you."

"Not until you shower," He teased.

I felt my eyes practically roll out of my head. "You wish."

I felt him shrug, then nudge me. "Seriously, you're fucking rank."

"So sorry that damn weasel made me run every time he bored me," I grumbled.

Hidan laughed. "The Uchiha's working you, eh?"

I mumbled some violent threat under my breath and forced myself to get up from the bed and gather the necessary items required for a much-needed shower, ignoring Hidan's lewd comments and eventual anger at my refusal to acknowledge him.

I stuck my tongue out at him before leaving the room and hastily locking myself in the bathroom.

After the madness of the last few days, I deserved a few minutes to sit under the hot spray and collect my thoughts and feelings.

Afterward, I swore to myself, I'd figure out what Hidan and I could do about a well-needed sacrifice.

My connection to God wasn't quite like Hidan's, so I didn't understand how much the bloodlust consumed his mind, but I did get a nagging feeling in my gut after a few days without prayer.

The feeling was creeping up, twisting uncomfortably in my stomach. I quickly showered, forgetting my earlier resolve to stay in until my skin wrinkled. After toweling off and dressing in some loose clothes, I tip-toed back into my bedroom, bypassing my bed and Hidan, and slipped through the open door to his room.

He didn't say anything, but I heard him shift on my mattress and then fall into place behind me.

Without a word, we prepared the open space of his floor and I cut my thumb open. I felt the anticipation of Jashin's grace build up in my stomach as I began to trace the holy symbol on the cool floor.

He mirrored me and our blood mixed made a circle large enough for the both of us to sit and pray, each of us occupying a corner of the triangle nestled inside the ichor-made circle.

I cleared my head, breathing deeply and concentrating on inhaling air to the small of my back, already drifting into a peaceful state of meditation.

Hidan began quietly murmuring his prayer, and I joined in moments later, chorusing the words.

They came naturally, having heard them so many times, often quietly muttered through the open door between the Hidan's room and mine.

"Oh, Jashin, Lord of Darkness, God of Pain. Through our suffering, grant us power. Let our strength and knowledge of pain serve you. Hail Jashin, our guide. Blessed be."

As our voiced harmonized, I felt the familiar connection to the deity, my skin shifting to inky black as he recognized our joint blood offering.

Jashin-sama, I thought. I seek the answers. Please show me. I know I'm not great about bringing you souls, but I promise I'll do better.

There was no response, but I wasn't disheartened. I murmured the prayer closing and felt my skin tingle as it faded back to its pasty pallor.

Hidan was quiet.

I looked at him and he gave me a bored stare. "That wasn't enough. He needs more."

I nodded, knowing how he felt. The prayer hadn't done much to alleviate the gnawing pain in my gut.

"Let's go." His magenta eyes captured mine as he pulled me up, I stood and followed him to my room, where he slipped into his cloak, his chest still bare.

I touched my neck, feeling the absence of a rosary.

"I want one," I mumbled, poking the silver pendant swinging around his neck.

"I'll get one for you. So shut up and get your cloak. We're getting a sacrifice."

I nodded, wondering where the hell he would find a poor soul, let alone two for sacrifice. Muting my objections, I followed him through the hallways until we turned down a route I hadn't gone before. He led me deeper into the confusing maze of a house, through hallways and down a flight of stairs, winding through the base until we reached a tall metal door.

"What's this?" I asked, as Hidan placed his palm in the center of it and it slid open, revealing a hallway with cells lining the walls.

"It's the prisoner cells. Obviously." Hidan sighed, "You're pretty but you're dumb."

I stomped on his toe and walked past him, peering into the mostly empty cages. Hidan cursed at me for stepping on his bare foot, letting out a low stream of curses that gradually grew louder as I ignored him.

"-fucking asshole, really fucking hurt you bitch-" he hissed, "can't fucking believe this SHIT-" A whimper came from the cell nearest me, and I leaned closer to get a better look.

A pair of sunken eyes stared back at me, stopping me in my tracks.

The feeling in my gut grew, blood rushing to my ears. Kill it. Kill it for me. I need it. It's mine. Give me. Mine. Mine. killkillkill. Jashin's deep, sultry voice bid me, his voice flooding my senses, his want for the man's soul, the man's suffering, growing exponentially inside of me.

I pressed my palms over my ears at the piercing hiss.

Hidan knelt beside me, pulling me back up. He mouthed something, but I kept my hands glued to my ears. His hands pried mine off. "Sakana! Snap out of it!" He commanded, his voice high in anticipation for the sacrifice. "Hold out for a moment, yeah?"

I nodded dumbly, refusing to even turn in the direction of the soul. I was sickened by my own need to slaughter a (probably innocent) person, but at the same time, the sweet touch of Jashin's grace was just out of my line of sight.

"Pl… please." The man pleaded.

"Don't bother," Hidan called out as he was working on the circle in an adjacent cell, just wide enough to fit both of us.

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, biting down against another wave of Jashin's bloodthirsty urges. I tasted the thick bitterness of my blood and let out a low moan. "All mine."

Hidan's throat clearing brought me to my senses and I began moving mechanically, accepting the kunai he held in his outstretched palm and rounding on the starving prisoner.

"I hope your soul finds peace with Jashin," I whispered as I reached through the cell bars to grip his frail wrist. My hand easily enveloped it, wrapping around his sickly thin bone to nick open his skin. A small droplet of blood collected on the tip of the blade and I felt a smile split my face.

I tried to not look at the frightened man, but through the dim light, I could see the harsh lines of his face, starving and scared. I'm sorry, I thought as I carefully gave Hidan the kunai. He accepted the weapon gingerly, eyeing the fruits of my labor. "Not bad, kitten." He quietly said, before offering his hand to me.

I didn't spare the man another glance as I dropped my cloak at my feet, stepping into the blessed circle.

Immediately, the roaring in my veins died down to a low tug and before I knew it, I was knelt and whispering my prayer of offering.

I lifted my head and opened my eyes, watching as Hidan's tongue swiped across the tip of the blade, collecting the blood.

He pulled me to him and kissed me, sharing the taste of the man's blood between our mouths.

The taste was sweet, yet bitter. I swirled it around on my tongue and picked up the kunai that Hidan had discarded.

Upon opening my eyes, I could see the manic glee in his eyes, but there was something else in those beautiful magenta orbs.

Pride, I realized. I felt myself swelling with emotion as I slowly lifted the blade and inspected it, before plunging it into my stomach. Hidan gasped and chuckled, and I felt him prod his fingers into the new wound we shared.

It pulsed as he poked and prodded, and I almost doubled over from the pleasure.

Part of me felt sorry for the withering old man, but the voice inside of me assured his soul would rest peacefully with my God, and all things considered, death was an eternal solace for him.

I closed my eyes and prayed.

An hour after closing the ritual and leaving Hidan to dispose of the... corpse, I found myself in the training room once more. My mind felt clearer and I felt stronger, no doubt the most interesting part of Jashinism. Hidan hadn't really explained that aspect to me, or perhaps I'd been too enamored by his excitement that I'd just ignored it. Either way, it was strange, yet I felt as if I could do anything.

Itachi sat across from me, intently studying me. I had interrupted his daily 'medication' session with Kira, and as such, the Uchiha was behaving differently.

"Tell me, Sakana. How does the Kogitsune-maru feel?" Itachi asked, steepling his fingers beneath his chin.

"Uh," I began, gingerly picking up the blade from its place on my lap, "Alright?"

He shook his head fractionally. "How does it feel?" He enunciated.

"Like a sword." I snarked. "How is supposed to feel?"

"A swordsman-"

"-Woman-"

"-Must," Itachi shot me a glare, "feel the connection to their blade. It must be an extension of yourself."

I made a noise. I'd heard that before, but I'd never understood it. It felt light in my hand, but I certainly couldn't feel the blade.

"I don't get it," I sighed, and Itachi let out an irritated grunt.

"Up," he commanded, and I clambered to my feet. "Close your eyes. Breathe."

I nodded and maneuvered my limbs into Chūdan-no-kamae as Itachi had taught me, closing my eyes and breathing.

"Try to meditate, as you'd do for your rituals." He instructed.

I breathed out, low and slow. Within a few moments, I felt calmness flood over my restlessness. "Hai."

"Now concentrate on your katana."

It felt different, but not by much. I shifted the handle in my palms and slid my feet out a bit more.

"How does it feel?"

"Better."

"Hn. That's all for now." He said, stood up, and drifted past me, reaching up to pat my head. "Good job, Sakana. We'll continue tomorrow."

Sighing, I sheathed my sword and lugged it back to my room. I expected to see Hidan stretched out across my bed, but he wasn't in either of our rooms. I poked my head into the bathroom, but it was empty. I trudged back to my bed, assuming he'd been called away by Pein-sama, and that'd he be back in a few minutes, bitching up a storm.

That is, until Kakuzu barreled into my bedroom, breaking the door off its hinges in the process. "Sakana," he breathed, a slightly relieved look briefly crossing his masked face. "You need to report to Pein's office, now."