Hinata held fistfuls of Hidan's shirt on his back as he carried her out of the church and down a few streets. It was apparent he'd finally realized there was a misunderstanding, but she wasn't sure exactly what he was imagining.
She also didn't know what to say or how to act. More than that, she was terrified that Usotsuki was more than her tormentor, but Hidan's father, the one responsible for him and his brother ending up at that church. The recollections of how he'd tortured her at that school were more explicit than they'd been in weeks, leaving the girl a trembling mess.
"Tell me where you've been staying," Hidan said in a voice tenser than usual for obvious reasons.
Sure, he wasn't likely to hurt her again, but the Hyuuga still wouldn't allow herself to get an innocent person like Hira involved, so she said, "Th-The hotel. Go to the hotel."
The couple remained silent as he carried her through the back alleyways in the direction of the building she was supposed to meet Kakuzu at around two. It was awkward. It was uncomfortable.
Suddenly, some time later, Hidan bent forward so her feet would touch the ground and she could stand. Blood rushing down from her head, Hinata stumbled, shying away when he reached to steady her. The man's jaw flexed in response, but he averted his magenta glare to the end of the alley, "At least pretend you aren't scared, or else someone's gonna call the damn police saying I kidnapped you."
Hinata cringed as he tried again but allowed him to wrap an arm around her waist to support her weight. Then they walked out onto the sidewalk to cross the street to the hotel. Her hair fell over her shoulder like a curtain, and she looked downward so she wouldn't see Hidan's profile in her peripheral.
One minute felt like hours, and then they successfully entered the room. The girl pulled away, and he let her. Facing him after the awful argument they just had felt impossible, so she did the shameful thing of locking herself in the bathroom before he could even get a word out. As soon as the lock clicked, the barrier on her tears broke, and she slid down to the floor with a hand over her mouth, trying to muffle the sound so Hidan wouldn't hear.
Given his personality, she expected him to let her wallow in her despair in silence. However, she squeezed her eyes closed in dread when she heard him slide down to sit against the other side of the door.
'I was so happy he hadn't betrayed me, but…he hit me. Hidan actually hit me. On purpose.'
Getting lost in her anguished thoughts didn't help the situation, and a soft, pathetic-sounding whine escaped her lips. The girl could've slapped herself, trying to hold her breath so no more sounds would happen.
"Did you really not send that letter?"
Hinata sniffled, incapable of responding.
After a minute, Hidan spoke again, "The one I got said you realized how dangerous it was being with a guy like me and being friends with the others. It said you didn't want to get hurt like you did before, so you never wanted to see any of us again."
The girl's sniffles quieted as she opened her eyes, though the tears didn't stop. She listened as he continued.
"If it'd said anything else, I would've known it was a fake. Hinata…."
Holding her knees to her chest, she buried her face in them and forced herself to speak, "Y-Yours said you found someone else because you didn't want to ruin my future. I-It said you were all leaving Konoha and didn't want me to look for you."
A very long silence followed, neither knowing what to say. Eventually, Hidan spoke softly, "I've been cursing your fuckin' name all this time. While you've been-" He cut off, likely unable to continue the statement with a steady voice.
She didn't try to console him. She couldn't because this wasn't the first time he'd gotten violent with her during a misunderstanding. Last time, she barely managed to forgive him, but now…now she didn't know if she could.
'But I'm still so in love with him.' The fact mattered, of course, but it wasn't an absolute fix-all, especially for a problem like this.
"I know it probably doesn't mean a damn thing to you now, but I'm so fuckin' sorry, Hinata. If I could take it back, I would."
The emotional waver in the man's voice threatened to win the girl over, but she swallowed her soft side for him, mumbling sadly, "Me too."
Hinata needed some time to figure out how she felt. The situation was too serious to forgive him quickly, but she also had to respect her feelings for the man and not end things then and there just because things had gotten bad. They could always look back up. She needed to decide if she wanted to risk finding out if this would happen a third time.
Kakuzu returned later, and Hinata found the courage to exit the bathroom since she and Hidan wouldn't be alone. To say the air was tense would be an understatement. The eldest of the trio acted as the mature one and filled the silence with the necessary questions, "What do you want to do now? We can take you home with us or leave and pretend we never found you if that's what you want."
"I-I-I want to go home…." Hinata weakly responded.
It wasn't a hard choice. Even if she and Hidan could never salvage the wreckage of their relationship, he wasn't the only person she'd grown to love. The others believed they'd been betrayed by her, too. The entire time she was locked up in that poor excuse for a school, the girl daydreamed about what life would be like with the Akatsuki family. Being with everyone made her feel more welcome than in her own family's home, and she desperately yearned for that feeling to return.
So, Hinata visited Hira one last time to thank her for all she'd done. The elderly woman didn't seem surprised to learn she was leaving. In fact, she seemed proud, promising to always have an open door should she need to return.
Then the trio got into Kakuzu's car and began driving back to Konoha. Shortly after embarking, the Hyuuga girl started feeling weaker than usual. A headache throbbed at her temples, and she shivered despite feeling hot. She was sick, likely from all the stress and lack of sleep.
One moment she was sitting in the backseat with her head resting against the window, and the next, she was waking up to Kakuzu's voice while lying across the seat, "Here. Eat this."
Shaking her head, she gingerly unclicked the seatbelt and turned so her back faced the front seats. A silence followed until an irritated sigh came. The sound of the front door being opened and closed met her ears, then the car was in motion again.
"Starving yourself won't help anyone."
Hinata ignored him, curling into herself to try and keep warm. The shirt he'd bought her was short-sleeved, leaving most of her arms bare. He'd said he wanted to get her a long-sleeved one because she obviously wanted to hide the scars across her back and the backs of her arms, but it was the middle of Summer. She'd overheat if she wore something like that. It didn't take long for her to pass out again.
The next time she woke, it was because they'd arrived. Upon stepping unsteadily out of the car, the girl's heart sank in her chest when she lay eyes on the same house they'd lived in when she left. Hidan and Kakuzu waited for her to begin following them before turning and leading the way to the front door, the former asking under his breath, "Did you warn them?"
The older of the two shook his head, "I called, but no one answered."
'Oh, God. They're going to attack me like Hidan did, right?'
Hinata wrapped her arms around her middle, eyes directed low. She wondered if she'd made the right choice, coming back here. If her relationship with everyone was as broken as the one with her maybe ex-boyfriend, this would be incredibly difficult.
"I thought you guys wouldn't be back for another two weeks. What gives?" It was Konan.
Her familiar voice tore Hinata of her concerned thoughts, and she shook anxiously as Kakuzu stepped aside so the blunette could see her. The orange-eyed woman's eyes widened, a look of complete bewilderment on her features. That's all the Hyuuga could bear seeing before she swiftly averted her gaze down, waiting to be yelled at again. A moment later, though, she yelped in surprise when Konan pulled her into a tight hug.
"I knew it! I knew something was weird about that letter!"
Pearl-colored eyes were wide with disbelief as she felt her friend shake as she cried, but she couldn't move to hug her back because she wasn't used to people coming so close anymore. Hinata was scared, and she was angry that she felt that way.
When Konan pulled back to look at her face, orange eyes widened and took in her appearance. The Hyuuga girl stepped back anxiously, unsure of what to do.
"...Do you wanna go to my room so we can be alone?" she whispered, then.
Hinata nodded, desperately wanting some space away from the men. So, Konan nodded toward the stairs, following the girl while speaking to the two guys, "Go tell everyone else not to bother us."
As soon as the door shut behind the pair, Hinata felt a million times better, and she sputtered out while crying, "I-I'm so sorry! I never sent that letter, I swear."
Her friend nodded, gently guiding her toward the ensuite, "I know, Hina. Start the bath. You can tell me what happened while you relax, okay?"
She did as instructed, watching the large tub fill with steaming water. Relaxing lavender solution formed thick bubbles. Konan entered with a pile of clothing and a big towel, "Want me to step out so you can get in? I don't mind."
'If I can trust anyone here, it's her. She's the first one who befriended me. …I think I'll feel better if I tell someone about what happened. At least one person.'
"N-No, that's alright."
So, the timid girl undressed, her face warm when Konan visibly reacted to the scars on her back.
She waited until she was in the bath to say anything, though, "Want something to drink? It might take the edge off." Hinata hadn't had alcohol in a long time but remembered what it felt like to drink it. The buzzed, light feeling sounded like a dream in her current state, so she nodded bashfully.
Soon, the pair passed a glass bottle of something dark and bitter back and forth while Hinata cried and told her friend everything that had happened, down to the last detail.
'I was right. I feel a little better after letting it out,' she thought.
"I completely understand why you feel the way you do, but can I say something without you getting upset?"
Hinata nodded, although she was unsure.
Konan frowned, tilting her head as she averted her eyes to her lap, "Hidan slapping you is big; I won't argue that. I'm going to have the others kick his ass."
If the mood weren't so serious, Hinata would've been amused. The tipsy feeling almost let her smile, at least.
"I think you should forgive him one last time," she quickly continued so the timid drunk girl couldn't interrupt, "His heart was broken when he got that letter, Hinata. All he's done for the past month is drink, fight, and lock himself in his room. I'd be more surprised if he didn't react like he that."
Hinata's chin quivered, eyes watery and vulnerable as she stared at Konan, "B-But he's done this before. I know he wouldn't have done it if he knew the truth, but the fact that he did it at all…. I-I don't know how to feel."
The other girl pondered before sighing, "There's no way to put this gently, so I'll just say it. I think you should ask yourself if you're really upset with Hidan or just scared that you'll have to go through what you did again with the breakup and the torture."
"By no means am I saying your feelings aren't valid! If you choose not to try and mend things with him, I definitely won't blame you. I just know how happy you made each other back then. It'd be a crime to give up on that without at least thinking about it first."
Konan told Hinata not to answer immediately, to take her time figuring out how she truly felt. When the bath had gone cold and the bubbles had faded, she climbed out, dried off, changed into the pajamas she'd been given, and climbed into bed when instructed to rest.
The Hyuuga girl slept better than she had in months, not waking up once in the almost twenty hours that she was unconscious. When she awoke next, she felt like she wasn't sick anymore. It was light outside, though she wasn't sure what time of day it was. After freshening up, she hesitated by the door to Konan's room that led to the hallway. She was desperately thirsty after having gone so long without water.
'What if I run into someone on my way to the kitchen? Did the others tell everyone that I'm back yet? Who all is even here right now?'
Tugging at her shorts in an attempt to make them cover more of her bare skin, she took a strengthening breath and stepped out. Her hands trembled, and each sound made her jump, no matter how small. As she neared the kitchen in the hallway downstairs, she froze because voices were floating toward her from the room.
"Why the hell is she sleeping so long?" That was Hidan. He sounded more earnest than last time.
Konan said next, "You saw her. She looks like she hasn't slept in a month. She has a fever, too. I'm amazed she managed to stay awake as long as she did."
"Gah, you guys are making me worry. Is she really okay, do you think?" Deidara's voice perked Hinata up, her chest warming with fondness.
"Would you be after all that?"
Konan had asked if she wanted her to tell the others what she'd learned about what happened, and the Hyuuga girl relented because it'd be easier than having to explain things herself.
"Hinata?" She jumped, a slight, scared sound passing her lips as she turned to see Kisame standing behind her.
The imposing man looked at her as though she'd come back from the dead, "You really are back," he glanced at the doorway to the kitchen nearby, "Are you hungry?"
With a warm face, she nodded, shying away when he stepped closer.
The man smoothly passed, deliberately giving her space while motioning for her to follow, "No one's going to bombard you or anything."
Left with no choice since those in the kitchen had undoubtedly heard them, she trailed behind him with her head low in hopes of not meeting anyone's eye.
"Take a seat; I'll get you something."
Hinata nervously sat a few seats down from where the others were, who weren't really trying to hide the fact that they were staring. It was Hidan, Deidara, Konan, and Sasori.
"Hey, it's so nice to see you! We've missed you a lot, y'know?" Deidara said warmly. Konan had obviously warned them not to suddenly get too close because he'd usually go straight for a hug.
Hoping she appeared calmer than she was, the girl tried to smile, though her statement was entirely true, "I-I've missed you all, as well."
Her eyes accidentally locked onto Hidan's, and they both swiftly looked away.
Sasori spoke, avoiding an awkward silence, "Did you tell anyone else you're back? Like Itachi's brother?"
'Oh, God. How will they react? Sasuke, Naruto, Tenten, Sakura, and the others.' She shook her head.
Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening and swiftly slamming closed came, and everyone turned to look toward the doorway. Seconds later, Itachi came through, breathing hard with his long hair falling out of its loose ponytail.
His dark eyes quickly scanned the room before landing on her, and then he was hurrying her way, "Hinata!"
"Don't, Itachi-!"
For some reason, Hinata wasn't afraid of the Uchiha man. In fact, she got to her feet and threw her arms around his middle when he hugged her tightly to him. Tears welled in her eyes, a few falling, but she didn't break into sobs. It was like her older brother was holding her or something. It felt only reassuring and comfortable.
"I came as soon as I heard! I'm sorry it took so long. I was in Iwa."
"Itachi…." The hug reminded her of the night the others thought Hidan had hurt her, and Itachi showed up to save her, going as far as punching the silver-haired man.
A full week passed, full of reunions and slowly allowing the awkward tension to fade. Hinata visited Tenten first, which was a wonderfully tearful reunion. Then, she met all the other friends she'd missed. To her surprise, but not much, Sasuke and Sakura began dating right before graduation. Naruto was supportive, which was also unexpected.
By the time two weeks had passed since Hinata's return to Konoha, the only strained relationship was between her and Hidan. The pair avoided one another like the plague.
Hinata was lost. She had no clue what to do. Each time they came close to speaking or even being within a few feet of one another, he'd look at her with those gorgeous magenta eyes she'd fallen in love with, only to see complete discomfort. Then, she'd find an excuse to leave. Hidan did the same. A few times, he even entered a room, saw she was there, and immediately turned around to leave without a word.
In other news, Hinata learned that Orochimaru's old position had been filled. The Kunshu gang's new leader hadn't been identified yet, but it was obvious that they were back in business around February, getting bolder as time passed. Because of this, Akatsuki was also back in action.
Daily, pairs of members would roam the streets or do side jobs, all while keeping an eye out for clues. The hope was that if they could get rid of another one of the gang's leaders, the underlings would feel too discouraged to try a third time.
"Do you think it'd be okay for me to help, too? I'd like to get out of the house a little more. I'm running out of things to do," Hinata asked Yahiko, who was typing away on his laptop in the family room of the house, Konan at his side watching TV.
The orange-haired man shared a look with his girlfriend before nodding with his usual, stoic expression, "Very well. Tomorrow morning, you'll start running a route. You should leave around nine and return once you're finished," he glanced at Konan again, "She'll get you some instructions before you leave tomorrow."
The Hyuuga girl thanked him before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Since she was the only one who didn't participate in gang-related activities, she took it upon herself to cook and clean to not feel a complete burden to those around her.
'I wonder if I'll be working alone or with a partner. Everyone's paired up already, minus Tobi, but they forbade him from coming anywhere near me, so it wouldn't be him.'
A few days after her return, the dark-haired man made a loud, insensitive comment when he glimpsed the scars on the back of her arms. After that, he wasn't allowed to be alone with her, not that the situation had ever occurred before then.
The following day, Hinata was almost trembling with anxiety and excitement at finally having a real task to focus on. Konan had sent a mapped route to the girl's phone earlier, and now it was time to go downstairs and leave. Upon descending the stairs, however, the Hyuuga froze when she saw Hidan leaning against the wall by the front door, a glare on his face and his arms crossed.
'I'm going to kill Konan.'