The Day Ame Cried (Sequel to The Rain-Dancer's Last Dance)

The First Smile

The corners of Kōri's mouth twitched upwards as she watched Deidara and Sasori bicker about art. It was one of the most entertaining things about living with the Akatsuki. That, and Kakuzu and Hidan's clashing. Although any argument between the Zombie Twins would usually end up with bloodshed, so Kōri really didn't stick around for those arguments.

Kōri was currently amusing herself with some of Deidara's clay as the two artists verbally battled about their views of art. Deidara had let Kōri have some, after she expressed interest in Deidara's type of art. On another note, Sasori was also teaching Kōri how to make her own puppet. She was learning all sorts of things about puppetry, and in all honesty, it was a very interesting concept to her. Meanwhile, Deidara took this as a challenge, and was instilling upon Kōri all that he knew about his kind of art. He wanted to have Kōri on his side during their arguments, to have a supporter for his view on art.

It didn't really work out for the blonde bomber, as Kōri tended to avoid any involvement in arguments. She didn't want to upset anyone, and she was sure to cause some conflict in her relationships with the two artists if she were to choose a side.

So she didn't choose a side.

And she made that clear to the two artistic members of the Akatsuki. She explained that she'd rather not be involved in their arguments, and told them why. She expressed to them her discomfort at being a pawn in an argument, and in the end, both Sasori and Deidara promised to Kōri that they would no longer use her as a way to prove that their view of art was better than the others.

Kōri's ears perked up as she heard the door to the Akatsuki's hideout open and shut. She held her breath in anticipation, and-

"I'M FUCKING BACK, BITCHES!"

Kōri's face brightened considerably, and she gently set the half-made clay butterfly on the table by Deidara as she moved to stand. She made her way out of the living room, and then rushed quietly over to her & Sasori's room.

Once in their shared room, she walked over to the chest with items belonging to her. She opened it, and grabbed one old black scroll, and another scroll that was plain white. She closed the chest and walked back out of the room.

'You're excited, aren't you?'  Ame asked Kōri, slightly amused.

"Yeah... I am." Kōri whispered back to the element, as she walked down the hall, a little pep in her step as she did so. She made her way to the kitchen, where she knew that Hidan would be. Upon walking into the kitchen she saw Hidan trying to raid the fridge. Setting the scrolls down on the counter, the corners of her mouth twitched up in amusement.

Then she noted that Hidan was covered in dried blood and dirt.

"Hidan-sama, you're dirty from your mission... Do... Do you want to take a shower while I make you something to eat?" Kōri suggested shyly, shuffling her feet. "It's fine if you don't want to though, I'm not trying to force you to do anything."

Hidan closed the door of the fridge and turned back to Kōri, grinning.

"Woman, I'd do next to ANYTHING for your cooking. I don't know how you fucking do it, but your cooking tastes like my grandmother's. And that's a HUGE compliment." Hidan said, ruffling Kōri's hair as he exited, pausing as he saw the scrolls on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, did you finish that scroll on Jashinism?" He asked her. Kōri's eyes glittered and she nodded excitedly.

"Yes, Hidan-sama. I also did that writing about how I saw the Commandments, like you suggested that I do." She rocked on her heels in her excitement, waiting for Hidan's response.

Hidan's grin got wider, and he ruffled her hair again.

"Damn, Kōri, you've got some dedication to Lord Jashin's way! That's fucking great, y'know! I'll make a full-fledged Jashinist outta you yet, just you fucking wait!" Hidan crowed out as he made his way down the hall towards his room.

And with that praise, Kōri was frozen in her spot in the kitchen, face flushed, and a small smile on her face.

Her first smile in years.

Hidan had unknowingly caused Kōri to smile again.

And had he known?

He would've held Kōri close, and vowed to be the one to make her smile even more.

Hidan would've wanted her to smile forever.

Hidan would've wanted her to be happy forever.

But such happiness never lasts.

- - -

"Who are you? How do you know the Akatsuki?"

"Why are you wearing Sasori of the Red Sand's Akatsuki ring on your necklace?"

"What is your connection to the Akatsuki?"

"Who is the Rain-Dancer to the Akatsuki?"

"...Why won't you talk to us?"