a subtle realization of what I'd done
occurred to my mind.
I had cut the last bond that
tied me to my village, my home.
Maybe even the last bond
that tied me to
Sakura Haruno.
I was woken up by Kisame feeding Samehada with my chakra. He meant well, but the fact that if I hadn't woken up when I did I'd be dead didn't sit well with me. So I punched him in the face hard enough to send him flying into a tree.
Obviously, I hadn't thought it through.
In seconds, Itachi's hand was wrapped around my throat and I was clawing at it to get him to release me. His Sharingan was activated and I made the mistake of looking into it. Immediately, my body went slack and I found myself paralyzed.
"Kunoichi, no matter how unpleasant you are woken up, attacking is not wise. I would advise against it."
"Eh, girl, how the hell did you do that?" Kisame shouted, butchering a few bushes on his way back to us.
"Oh, I, um, don't know?"
"Pathetic," Itachi hissed, grasping my wrist and pulling me forward. He clasped my chin in his hand and analyzed my face intently. Oh no. Oh no. Crap. He was going to recognize me and kill me and I was going to die right now. "You look familiar."
"Uh, I have very common features."
"Itachi-san, we need to reach the meeting point before Tuesday."
"Hn," he replied, dropping my head as I finally regained control of my body. Lesson learned: do not mess with Itachi Uchiha.
I didn't ask where we were going and instead grabbed my things, washed my face, ate a quick breakfast, and meekly followed behind the threatening nin. For the next two days I kept my head down, spoke only when spoken too, and healed Itachi without consequences. I wasn't sure who we were meeting, but I had a feeling they wouldn't be the type of people I was used to.
Point proven, because, upon reaching a small shelter that Kisame called 'base,' we met the foul-mouthed Hidan and the greedy Kakuzu.
I sat in front of Itachi, healing his eyes as usual, when the door to the base slammed open and two black-and-red caped figures walked in arguing. One of the men, wearing a mask, was saying something about deficits and debts. The other was cursing back about death. They didn't seem like a likely couple.
"Eh, Itachi bastard, who's the whore?"
"Of no consequence to you."
"Oh," he smirked, and I could feel his eyes leering down at me. "…so she is a whore. Save Kakuzu a turn—he needs to get laid."
"Itachi, this better be coming out of your own pocket. The Akatsuki budget does not pay for prostitutes," the masked man, who I assumed to be Kakuzu, growled.
"She is not a prostitute. She is a kunoichi."
"A kunoichi? Has Pein approved this?"
"It is of no consequence to the Akatsuki. The girl and I have a bargain."
"She's gonna fuck you, isn't she? Just keep down 'cause I'll be praying," the other shinobi said, walking down the hall.
"Does the deal involve money?" Kakuzu asked, his green eyes flashing angrily.
"No."
"See that it stays that way," he huffed, walking down the hallway after his partner.
"It would be in your best interest, kunoichi, to keep your mouth shut around those two lest you lose your life."
"Understood, Uchiha-sama. I'm done for today."
"Very well."
When Itachi didn't need me to do anything, I usually ended up sleeping. Of course, that was a big waste of time that I could use to learn new jutsu and practice with my new weapons, but the second I even reached for my swords Itachi usually flashed his Sharingan in my direction. The memo I got was not to even try.
I felt Jashin's presence wash over me and expected him to say something, but he felt distant. It was weird for him to feel so near, but seem so far away. I rubbed my arms and decided instead of taking my usual nap, I'd meditate. Crossing my legs underneath me, I relaxed my whole body and closed my eyes.
'Jashin-sama?'
'I'm busy, girl.'
He was gone again. What could an immortal god be busy with? I felt rejected, which was ridiculous. Most of the time I was begging him to leave me alone. Then again, he was the only friend I had. Trying to clear my mind, I opened my chakra paths and let the energy circle through my body. A strand of silver hair fell in my face and I brushed it away, irritated. Shorter hair was easier to take care of than this mess. Unfortunately, Jashin-sama wanted me to keep it long.
Pleasing men was not worth the trouble.
I picked up my katana and was about to bring it to my hair when my body froze. Struggling against the control, I edged the sharp blade closer. My nose started bleeding and I gave up. 'Fine. Have it your way.'
I opened my eyes, only to find Itachi watching me intently. The look on his face was masked curiosity and I didn't trust it one bit. He stood and took slow, confident steps toward me. I shrank back against the wall and held tightly onto my katana. Crouching down, his eyes met mine and I glanced away. Uncomfortable did not even begin to cover the situation.
"Kunoichi-"
"Itachi-san, we should train," Kisame interrupted, casually walking into the room with his monster sword perched on his shoulder. "Or are you too busy with the girl?"
"No," he replied, standing and grabbing his own katana. "Come girl. You are not allowed on your own while we are here."
I nodded and followed the two to a field not too far away. Kisame and Itachi dropped their swords and immediately began fighting. I wasn't sure if this was just their warm-up, but it was obvious that they were limiting themselves to taijutsu. Climbing up into a tree, I watched from a distance. Konoha would pay good money for this kind of information, and I was getting it for free. Bitterly, I closed my eyes, and leaned back against the bark.
The sounds of combat echoed and I could almost guess the attacks from the sound of the impacts. Kisame's moves were louder because he was denser and stronger. Itachi's were quieter because he was smaller and faster. An urge to join in snuck up on me and I had to hold onto the tree to keep myself from jumping out. If I wasn't even allowed to grab my sword in their presence, how was I supposed to be allowed to join in on their training?
Two more sets of footsteps echoed in the field and I looked down to see that Kakuzu and his partner had joined in on the training. Kakuzu and Itachi paired up on one side, while Kisame and the other shinobi were on the other. Kisame picked up Samehada and the mystery shinobi brought out a monster scythe with three blades. Something inside of me heard a gentle humming from the weapon and the urge to get closer was undeniable. I moved three trees forward and peered down at the battle taking place.
Kisame and the stranger sparred eagerly, both of their weapons meeting time and time again. I let myself examine the stranger wielding the scythe while Kisame was on defense. Mystery guy had silver hair tucked behind his ears, well-defined muscles, and dark fuchsia eyes. It seemed like the majority of the Akatsuki were good-looking men. Was it an odd coincidence?
The silver-haired man cast aside his Akatsuki cloak and stood, bare-chested, glaring at Kisame. Returning the favor, Kisame removed his own cloak and I was surprised to see that the Mist ninja was not as weird-looking as I imagined. Huh. The two continued their furious attacks and, for a moment, it seemed as though the stranger had taken the advantage. Then Samehada ripped through his ribs.
"Kisame! You fucking fish-stick I told you not to let your fucking sword rip me. Jashin-sama will be furious if I don't kill you now! He's already mad that I didn't get to kill the fucking target," the man screamed, throwing his scythe into a nearby tree and stomping on the ground.
Only one word repeated in my mind. Jashin.
Jashin.
Jashin.
Jashin.
Before I even knew I was doing it, I was next to the man and healing his wound. His head turned in almost slow motion and then his hand was around my neck, choking me. Blindly, I reached forward for the item I'd somehow missed earlier and clasped the charm in my own hand.
"Bitch, get your hands off of my sacred talisman or I'll sacrifice you to Jashin-sama right now instead of later," he growled, his grip tightening.
Gasping for air, I managed to untie my cloak and reveal my own necklace. Looking like he'd been struck by lightening, he let go of my neck and I fell to the ground.
"Who are you?" he asked.
I then noticed that everyone else had stopped fighting and were watching us.
"I'm Hana," I replied, trying to stand. "You? I never did catch your name."
"Hidan, most faithful servant of Lord Jashin-sama," he answered, grabbing my hand and pulling me up. This was surreal, but his name did sound familiar.
"Oh! You're the one who was bitching," I smiled.
"Who said that? I'll slit their throats and offer their blood to Jashin-sama!" he screamed, his eyes crazy.
"N-nobody."
"Kunoichi, you follow the same religion as him?" Itachi asked, stepping forward. He looked like he wanted to kill me even more now.
"Yes. I was recently recruited."
"Are you a true follower or a pretender?" Hidan said, reaching for his scythe.
"True follower!" I squeaked.
"How?" Itachi questioned, moving even closer, his voice colder than usual.
"I died and he brought me back. I don't know how."
"Jashin-sama is all powerful. Why would he bring a girl like you back to life?"
"'Cause he's a pervert," I whispered.
"I'll kill you!" Hidan screamed, apparently having heard me. The scythe was in his hands quicker than I could have seen and it arched through the air, aimed at my head. I had no time to duck and could only watch in horror as it hit my neck with precision.
That wasn't even the bad part. The worst thing was, I could still see my body as my head flew through the air and landed in Kakuzu's hands. I had been beheaded and was still alive. It defied all logic.
"Hidan, if you had thought it through, your attack was nothing but a waste of time," Kakuzu drawled, carrying my head back to my body.
"She called Jashin-sama a pervert. She deserved it, Kakuzu!" Hidan shouted, waving his scythe in the air.
"Maybe he doesn't act like it around you, but he is!" I said. It was so weird talking when I could see my body a foot away just sitting there. "Uh, so how do I get reattached?"
"I have experience in this matter," Kakuzu said matter-of-factly. "We shall simply sew your head back onto your neck."
"Is that possible? How does it work?"
"Didn't Jashin-sama explain it to you?" Hidan asked, looking both peeved and worried.
"No, he neglected to tell me the facts of death."
"Then it apparently is up to Hidan to explain them," Kisame spoke.
"Why do I have to tell her about how to worship Jashin-sama properly?"
'Because I told you to,' Jashin-sama echoed in our minds.
"I mean, of course I'd love to teach her all about killing and maiming and shedding blood for Jashin-sama!"
"Did we miss something?" Kisame asked.
"Jashin-sama told him to," I smiled, sticking my tongue out at Hidan.
"Bitch! Don't you dare disrespect our great lord that way."
"Have a little independent thought, Hidan."
"I am the most faithful servant of Jashin-sama because he is more important to me than anything else in the whole world!" Hidan screamed, his face turning bright red.
"Why don't you just marry him?" I smirked, feeling weird as Kakuzu stitches my body back to my head.
"You are the most sacrilegious, unappreciative girl I have ever met. I honestly don't know why Jashin-sama granted you this gift."
"Neither do I," I said, deciding that pissing off the one person who could help me understand what I was now was a bad idea. "Hidan, will you help me?"
"I don't have a choice, girl. But if Jashin-sama wishes it, who am I to deny him?"
"Done," Kakuzu commented.
I gingerly moved my head from side to side and tested out my hands. My fingers moved normally. Kakuzu commented on the cost of thread, then stood and left. Kisame followed shortly and Hidan went after, muttering about a 'major prayer session.' I was left alone with Itachi.
"Kunoichi, did I tell you to heal Hidan?"
"No, but I did it without thinking."
"He would have healed naturally. It was a waste of chakra to do so. Do not make the same mistake."
"Okay, but…"
"Yes?"
"What's gonna happen now?"
"You will learn what you need during the day and finish healing my eyes at night. When you are done, you will leave."
"I understand, Uchiha-sama."
"Kunoichi?"
"Yes?"
"Neglect to tell me something of importance again and I will kill you."
"Understood," I said, the cool tendril of fear making its way up my back. I didn't think it was possible to feel safe around Itachi Uchiha.
As I followed the Sharingan master,
my mind was mysteriously blank
and I wondered if maybe the dark god
who I both thanked and feared
had had a hand in this fate.
Rayne Says: Duh, duh, duh! And so Sakura met Hidan. To answer a question posed earlier: Sakura did not realize she wouldn't really die because it's how the mind works. Knowing something and believing in it are two different things. Now Sakura believes she is immortal and will not fear death. Also, I've realized that when I started this I was kind of making Hana an OC, so I'm trying to get back to Sakura. Review and I'll put an Itachi shirtless scene in the next chapter.