Don't Call Me Kitten Book 1 Of 3 *Naruto* COMPLETE

Presence Vs. Presents

                       I leave Sasori's room around midnight, having finished my sketch and thoroughly enjoyed the time secluded from everyone. My mind has calmed down and I'm thinking rationally again I believe. I need to avoid Deidara at all costs. Regardless of my feelings, he is toxic. He has been messing with my mind since I met him, so how would I ever know if he was being honest? I'll keep away from him, train harder, and get closer to the ones that are genuine.   As I make my way back to my bedroom, I listen to the silence of the base with the exception of my muffled steps. The silence isn't haunting like the quiet of my old apartment. This is more of a warm stillness, where despite the appearance of being alone, you know that behind the doors there are people, living, breathing people that care to know you. It feels almost like a home to me, even though I hadn't chosen it for myself. I sigh and realize that I'd been standing in the middle of the hallway for a few minutes now, staring at nothing. I take a step forward but falter when I smell blood, too strongly and too fresh to be from my cut. My body tenses as I slip into a defensive mode and I carefully follow the scent down the hall. I stop in front of a door and knock quietly before opening it.
                      The stench is almost overpowering in the dark room. A single candle is lit in the corner beside me and I grab it before stepping further into the room. The glow illuminates a figure in the darkness, laying on the floor with something metallic stabbed through its chest. I carefully move closer to the figure and the candlelight falls on shimmering silver hair. My grip slips on the candle as I gasp and I hurry to catch it before it falls, then place it on the floor before moving closer to Hidan. His eyes are closed and he looks almost peaceful. I sink to my knees beside him, fighting the urge to cry. Seeing him covered in blood like he was that night in Yugakure terrifies me. Hidan has always been one of those 'all-powerful' immovable forces in my eyes. Nothing could harm him or bring him down and now... But, what happened? I sniffle a little as the tears start to spill over.
                        A sudden movement draws my attention and I squeak in surprise as his hand shoots up and pulls the rod out of his chest. He coughs a little and runs a hand through his hair to fix it properly. I stare at him wide eyed, amazed that he's suddenly moving so freely. He stands and strips off his cloak and moves the rod to the far corner of the room. I sniffle again though the crying had stopped and he jolts before whirling around to face me. His eyes widen as they land on me and he walks over before crouching down in front of me.
"What are you doing, Short Stack?"
"I-I smelled blood and I followed it. Y-you were bleeding so much, and I thought..." I stutter out.
He chuckles lightly before ruffling my hair. "Baka. I'm immortal remember? I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."
"I forgot... I just- you... never mind."
"Don't be stupid, Koneko." He mutters before pulling me into a hug.
My eyes widen at the gesture, knowing that Hidan never does anything of the sort with anyone.
"H-Hidan, you're hugging me."
I feel him laugh and he pulls away. "I'm aware."
"It's weird. Why did you do it?"
"You looked like you needed it."
"It has been a rough day." I mumble, scratching my head.
"Why are you still up this late?" he asks, gently pulling me to my feet.
"As I said, it's been a rough day."
"Tell me about it then."
I sit down on the edge of his bed as he disappears through a side door, returning a moment later with a wet cloth. He sits down on the chair by his desk and begins cleaning his chest and hands, waiting patiently for him to speak. I debate keeping my mouth shut and just going back to my room, but something in me tells me that I should talk to him. So I do what I do best as of late, I begin to calmly vent about everything. I even end up going so far off topic as to tell him that I'd wanted to join the ANBU and eventually join the Interrogation Unit. I give him credit though, he hadn't interrupted me once so far and seems to be listening. Halfway through, I notice my eyes growing heavy but I ignore it, pushing through yawns to finish my sentences.
"And you... you know what else? I haven't slept properly in over a week!" I slur, wondering why everything is turning hazy and is now sideways. "Life... is hard, Hi-Hidan..."
                             My eyes peek open and I roll over in bed, burying my face in my pillow and hiding under the blanket. I know that I'm due for training with Hidan but I mutter to myself that the 'bloody Jashinist' can wait a while. I know that he'll show up anyway to drag me down to the training room. He'll have to wait for me to take a shower and eat once I decide to wake up. The door opens and I grumble my annoyance, telling whoever it is to go away.
"Wake up Short Stack."
"Go away Hidan."
"It's a little hard to go away when you're in my bedroom."
My eyes open wide at his statement and I sit up in bed. He was right, this is definitely not my room. Jashin symbols adorn the walls and there are old splatters of blood as further decoration. Hidan himself is leaning against the wall by the door, smirking at me. I rub my eyes and rake a hand through my tangled pink locks before asking how I got here.
"Do you not remember?" He asks, arching his brow.
I think back and slowly remember the events of yesterday, all the way up to my rant.
"I'm sorry for breaking into your room, ranting, then passing out in your room. But why didn't you take me to my room?"
"Too much hassle to move you. Now, go change, we have training to do."
"I'm going to be eating before we train, it's been a few days."
"Just fucking hurry."
                           After getting ready and eating, I head into the training room with all of my weapons ready to go. Hidan is waiting already, propped up against his scythe. I smile sweetly at him before reaching back to draw my swords. He shakes his head and tells me that there's no need. I tilt my head in confusion but walk toward him anyway.
"So, if I'm not using swords today, what am I using? Kunai? Shuriken?"
"Scythe."
I freeze and my eyes automatically lock onto his scythe. It moves further out of my reach.
"Still not allowed to touch it, Short Stack."
"Well, I don't have a scythe so what am I supposed to use?"
He grabs something behind his back and tosses it toward me. My first instinct is to dodge, but I make sure to catch it instead. I look down to inspect the weapon. It's a deep navy blue color with a long metal staff topped with a large curved silver and blue blade, a pointed spike behind it, and a cross like design in the center. The scythe itself is a little bit taller than I am, the perfect height and weight for me to wield. I look from the scythe to Hidan and back with wide eyes.
"This is so pretty! Where did it come from?"
"A small village between Yukagure and Otogakure."
"I meant who got it? It wasn't in the training room before." I correct, unable to tear my gaze from the scythe.
"I did. You keep trying to steal mine so I decided to find one while we were out. Besides, you can't start 'Halloween' without it, can you?"
I lightly place the scythe on the floor before crossing the space between Hidan and myself and throw my arms around his neck in a hug. I giggle as he tenses up though he'd hugged me last night without issue.
"Thank you so much, Hidan." I whisper before kissing his cheek. "See? I knew you liked me."
I laugh out loud as he makes a slight choking sound and carefully puts me back on the ground.
"N-No problem Short Stack. Now, let's get to training..."