The Key To So Many Doors (Hidan Story)

Chapter 24

There was a pause right after Kakuzu spoke, the words clearly not having fully sunk in; until finally, after glancing at each other, looking utterly confused, it seemed to make sense to them both, causing them both to scream in Kakuzu's direction,

"WHAT?"

Kakuzu remained silent for a time afterwards, allowing both Hidan and Shima to let out their confusion and frustration as they bellowed bewildered questions and demands at him, not comprehending the situation in the slightest. What the hell was he talking about? What had what happened have to do with any of this? He had no right to just say that and plan on dragging her along with whatever he wanted, with whatever he thought was right. What the fucking hell was he thinking? The rant continued for another few minutes, both attempting to start sentences and getting nowhere in ending them, their confusion overwhelming it all and beginning to leave them speechless.

Clearly not enough for Kakuzu's tastes.

But a part of him had been expecting this. He'd seen this kind of reaction from Hidan before when Kakuzu came up with a plan that Hidan couldn't understand in the slightest and went against his opinion on fighting, or life, or whatever. He never stopped to think everything through in order to allow himself to understand, simply letting his mouth run off with his brain never coming into the situation—and evidently Shima could be just the same as him. And here Kakuzu had been thinking that she was at least a little more thoughtful than Hidan was. But gritting his teeth, Kakuzu clenched his fists and tried as hard as he could to keep his temper under control and to stop himself from just punching them both here and now. He needed Shima now things had turned out this way, and he couldn't just hit Hidan—his anger extended past that. Instead he closed his eyes and found that despair took over.

Could this day get any worse?

Then finally, Kakuzu snapped, and bellowing a halt to everything, they both fell silent at the fierceness in his cry, Shima raising and eyebrow at his attitude and Hidan smirking slightly at how difficult it had to be for him to not get violent right now. Though knowing that Kakuzu might just explain things now, Hidan said nothing, crossing his arms and listening as Kakuzu began, quieter than before,

"I'll tell you why you have to come with us, Shima—if you'd just let me explain."

Taking a deep breath to force his fury down, Kakuzu focused his gaze away from their faces to start simply, showing them the scroll once more,

"Like I said before—the scroll's blank now that you picked it up, Shima. Whatever power was in it is gone; and clearly it's entered you. Our mission was to come to the temple, collect the scroll and take it back for Leader so he could have the power for the Akatsuki. What he was planning to do with it, I don't know. But he wanted it. Only he can't exactly use it now that it's inside of someone—now that it's becomeyour abilities. Considering the situation that happened in the sanctuary...you've changed our mission completely, Shima."

Blinking in surprise, unsure quite what to say to that now that Kakuzu had elaborated a little more on his demand, Shima glanced down at the floor, frowning. But still not fully satisfied yet, she abruptly looked back up—but Kakuzu was ready for her. He knew she still wanted answers, and therefore went on from his earlier statement,

"We still have to take the power to Leader. That was our mission, and the mission is absolute. Considering the power hasn't disappeared or vanished into thin air; considering it can still be used, regardless of the fact it can only be used through you...we have to give it to him. And that means coming back with us to the hideout..."

"And back with us to the Akatsuki."

Now Shima was rendered utterly useless, Hidan still quiet too, both thoughtful as they reflected over this news. What had happened in the sanctuary with the scroll had been a complete surprise—even if it had been a happy one. A lot had changed in the space of an hour or two—figuring out Shima was the key had just been the start of it all. Now Kakuzu was standing there telling them that she would have to be a part of the Akatsuki, and Hidan didn't quite know what to say. He glanced over at Shima as he thought this, only to blink away his hesitation. What was he doing? The idea of parting with Shima had been one he hadn't liked at all, and knowing he would have the chance to go back and see her again had been one he'd met with enthusiasm. Currently he was being told Shima would be able to be a permanent fixture in his life—what did he have to pause about? Maybe if he talked with Leader; acted nice for once, he could get Shima working with him on missions! Their abilities were pretty suited, after all. Both with the whole reaper imagery and temple connections...it was perfect! A smile appeared on his face as he thought it all over. This was great!

Shima, however, wasn't quite so sure about it.

Yeah, she was more sure about her abilities than she'd ever been in the past. The worries and doubts about people's opinions were fading fast, and a carefree attitude had begun to take over. But things weren't over yet—Shima knew that. Things had changed so fast. A few days ago she had been living in a backwater town, doing shit missions and not being particularly happy with her life at all, hating what she could do and trying to brush it aside as best she could. Now abruptly her abilities were a good thing, something to be coveted and admired, she was the key to the temple sanctuary and for some reason, the key to the power in the scroll! Or at least, had used to exist within the scroll. Suddenly it was inside her, granting her more power than she ever could have imagined. Opening up so many different possibilities to her and letting her know that anything was possible.

It had changed her life entirely.

But how would things be if she went with them to the Akatsuki? How did she know things would be ok? Like Kakuzu had said, their mission had been about collecting the power. She didn't just want to be the result of a mission. She didn't just want to be seen as the power that their Leader wanted when she went to the hideout. Not when all this had happened and allowed her to feel freer than ever. And she had only just begun using her abilities. There was so much more for her to learn about them and understand. She would need to adapt. How would this news come across? And the Akatsuki wouldn't be expecting her, either. She would just be a random girl turning up out of nowhere, leaving them no choice but to fit her into their lives. That didn't mean they would accept her, however.

Realizing this, Shima looked up at Hidan for a second, spotting the smile on his face and the glint in his eye, freezing as she noticed it. Suddenly all the memories of their first journey to the temple came back to her; of him showing her about her abilities and then getting her to believe that she could be the key to the temple. That her abilities could be a gift for once—if she just let them be. Of how he had rushed up to her once she had finished fighting, grinning and talking about what she had done with admiration and glee. After all, she no longer cared about what people thought of her. The Akatsuki had used her abilities to begin with, and they wanted this power she possessed. So if they wanted it, they'd have to accept her, whether they fucking liked it or not. And she would have Hidan with her every step of the way. She could be around him; work on better missions, have better things to do and have a generally better life.

And her worry faded, a grin of her own flashing up onto her face.

"Alright, Kakuzu. If you're gonna be such an asshole about it."