Rain To Wash The Blood Away (Nagato x reader)

13. Readers

You waited for a moment before you settled in your seat, the corners of your lips curving upward into a smirk.

"What do you know about this scar?" you asked Hidan, leaning forward eagerly. It was an entirely different side of you, one which you weren't very proud of. But right now, you cared not for how others saw you. That meant nothing, the only ones you cared for were Nagato and Konan. Hidan eyed you with caution before he opened his mouth, pointing a finger at your scarred left hand.

"It's the Jashinist symbol, but why the fuck is it carved into your hand? Are you like me?" he asked, seeming almost hopefully. Clicking your tongue, you glared back at him.

"I spit in the face of anyone who thinks I'm a part of your pitiful religion," you growled. It changed the mood completely, Hidan leaping from his seat and attempting to attack you. Kisame stood and blocked you from view, the Jashinist yelling up at him.

"Move out of the way, you shark fuck." The man with shark-like features only chuckled, pushing Hidan back lightly.

"No fighting in the base." You guessed that was a rule and if it wasn't carried out there would be some kind of punishment, not that you wanted to know what that would be. Hidan, after cussing out Kisame for a minute, huffed and returned to his seat. Kisame doing the same a moment later.

"Anyway," you continued, "I'm not a Jashinist, I was born into a family which believed strongly in the way of Jashin. That is why I have this scar," you informed him, meeting his critical gaze.

"So they carved that into your fucking hand. What the fuck? What aren't you telling me?!" he growled, getting pissed that you were withholding information.

"Have you ever heard of what Jashinist's would refer to as 'Readers'?" you asked, hoping he had even a little bit of background about it. His magenta orbs remained on you as his eyes grew wider for a second, his finger raising to point at you again.

"You're one of them, aren't you?" he accused. Deidara, who was still sitting beside the Jashinist, seemed curious and interjected.

"A 'Reader', what the hell is that?" he asked. Your attention moved to the blonde, eyes cold as you told him.

"A 'Reader' is someone who can read how someone is going to die. In Jashinist groups they would usually nominate one child from each family to be put through pain trials to see who is worthy of Jashin's gift of reading death. Readers are the next step down from Jashin himself, below them are the immortals and then the followers who aren't yet immortalized," you told him.

"Don't forget the fact that they're possessed by fucking demons!" Hidan yelled. You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose as you sighed.

"Along with the gift of reading there is also another gift, one of life. It's strange for a god as destructive such as Jashin to give life anything, but if you become a Reader then you're also given the curse of a demon. You may use your ability to heal as many people as you wish but if your body notices a large amount of life energy used, it will loosen the restraints on the demon and let it go berserk. A Reader with a loose demon will kill every living creature it comes across, not in the name of Jashin but out of pure blood lust and hunger for flesh."

This was surprising and somewhat frightening, Deidara leaning further back into the couch out of what you could only assume was fear.

"When I was seven years old I was put through pain trials with six other children. I was the only one who survive, therefore, I was given the abilities of a 'Reader'. Do you get it now?" you asked Hidan, hoping he fully understood what you were saying. He nodded, hand moving to his chin as he hummed.

"But what about the scar? Was it a part of the trials?" You shook your head, looking down at the scar on your hand, tracing the carved skin with your finger.

"Once you become a Reader your left hand is marked with the symbol of Jashin to represent death. The other, your right, represents life. With my right hand I can heal any wound and bring anyone back from the brink of death, while my left hand can take life away if I want it too. Both hands, life and death, represent balance in the world. It is a very Jashinist way of thinking, in order for people to live and be happy there must be others who suffer and die," you explained. Hidan then pointed to the bracelet again, his magenta orbs counting the five symbols.

"And what about the bracelet? If you aren't a Jashinist anymore, why do you still have it?" It seemed like he was trying to catch you out, wanting you to come out and admit that you were actually a Jashinist. It was idiotic of him to wish for such a thing because it would never happen, you would never return to that life. Slipping the bracelet back on, you let each piece of cool metal touch your fingers.

"Each of the five pendants represent a member of my family, that is all." You stood from where you sat and tried to leave the room but Hidan was fast. He grabbed onto your wrist, your other hand moving to try and push him off. It was unfortunate that you touched his arm, your eyes becoming blank as you completed the circuit.

You saw a vision, one where Hidan's decapitated head lay in a hole. There was someone standing above him with a lighter, dropping it to light the many paper bombs that surrounded him. Then there was darkness, Hidan had been buried. And since he was immortal, you knew he would be stuck there until he would eventually die of malnutrition which seemed to be an immortal Jashinist's only weakness.

You returned to reality, everyone having their eyes on you. Deidara was standing along with Kisame who gently shook your shoulder. Hidan was trying to shake your hand off his forearm but was unable to push it away due to your strong grip. The blonde tapped your shoulder, gathering your attention.

"Did you see how he died, un?" he asked, blue eyes shining with curiosity. You nodded, lowering your head.

"I completed the circuit, so yes, I know how Hidan is going to die." The man with slicked-back silver hair looked shocked, clicking his tongue.

"Whatever, I don't believe that for a second. I'm immortal, I can't die." You turned and began walking away, badly wanting to return to your room. But before you did, you stopped and looked back at Hidan.

"I know everything about Jashinism, Hidan. And one day, you will die." He glared at your back as you left and returned to your room.

Laying down on your bed, you pulled the blankets up over your shoulders. It was warm here and you could forget what had just happened, only focusing on the things you loved and cared about.

I hope that people are enjoying the story so far, I just wanna make sure everything is making sense due to the amount of flashbacks. But the story is reliant of them because of the main Nagato x reader parts are in the past. But everything will come together better once all that is over and all information is present. Thanks for reading!