Rising Apostle Chapter 18

Exactly one wee had passed, and during that time, Hidan had lead his first new moon ceremony as smoothly as if he had done it his entire life. The deep, crimson ceremonial robes had added quite a bit of flare to the silver haired man as he had spent the time riling and stirring the crowds. They had even been lucky enough to happen across a lost shinobi, who fell victim to the ceremony and was now erased from existence.

Two days had passed since then, and now Hidan was once again sporting the day to day High Priest's robes. The black cloth, and dark intricate design around the sleeves and trim, with of course those stupid rings stashed away safely. However, Hidan doubted people would be very inclined to listen to him with that morbid head piece. Granted he liked it, it would be too disturbing for people to have to speak to a man wearing a deer skull over his face.

Putting the head piece away with the rings, Hidan took the giant triple bladed scythe, and placed it securely on his back, his travel bag ready for his journey. Turning out of his room, he started down the narrow hallways, knowing he was supposed to meet with Gonzo and Yoko for one last time. Yoko should be back from the mission Hidan had sent her on by now so the timing should be about right.

He paused when he spotted the largely built man waiting for him at the end of the hallway, but it seemed he was alone. Approaching, Hidan lifted his hand, which caught Gonzo's attention. Turning to face his leader, the dark brow raised and he chuckled. "What Hidan-sama, not going all out this time? I figured you'd take the ceremonial robes. You seemed you like them."

Hidan rolled is eyes deeply before punching the larger man's shoulder. Not quite the behavior of a leader, but it wasn't news that Hidan's immaturity hadn't quite vanished just because he was a leader when it came to his social ways. "Bite me. Where's Yoko? I thought she would be back by now."

Gonzo lifted his shoulders for a shrug, but the blonde woman's voice could be heard. "I'm here! Sorry I'm late. Hidan-sama, before you go, you have to meet someone."

Meet someone? That was unexpected. What had Yoko been up to?

"The mission was successful," she started. Either she was trying to get business out of the way first, or she was trying to butter him up for something.

His head tilted curiously but then he could spot what she was talking about as she stepped to the side. Standing behind her leg had been a boy. There was a small cut on his forehead, blood having run down the side of his cheek. There was no way he could have been older than seven. His eyes were as wide as dinner plates, and he was looking in Hidan's general direction, but he wasn't looking at Hidan. His eyes seemed to just be staring at empty space, lost in his own thoughts. His skin was pale, and his clothes were torn, smelling of smoke. He had dark black hair that was slightly choppy at the top, his eyes were a bright hazel.

"What...where did you find him?"

Hidan approached the boy slowly, which he didn't even seem to notice. Yoko placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, seeming to try to stir him back to their reality, which seemed to work. His inhaled sharply through his nose, his eyes blinking quickly and turning towards Hidan, who was now on one knee to get a look at him. The boy only stared back silently.

Yoko offered a small smile before sliding her arm around the boy's shoulders, also lowering herself to one knee to be on his level. "His home had been destroyed, I think by bandits. I found him with who I assume was his mother but she was dead. He was just sitting there. He wasn't crying, making noise, just...sitting there."

Yoko had always held a soft spot in her heart for children, having very strong maternal instincts. However, Hidan knew what she wanted to ask, already having the answer in his mind. The boy did seem traumatized, but Hidan was curious about his coping mannerisms. He wasn't acting the way a normal child would act after loosing a parent.

"What's your name kid?" Hidan waited for an answer, and the boy's eyes lifted to meet his own, showing that he had heard, but no answer was given. Hidan's brow furrowed slightly, but he tried to be patient. "Well kid?" Still no answer. He was about to press once more, but the boy's mouth suddenly moved.

He muttered something, and Hidan leaned in to try to hear him, but he could only make out noise. "What?" However the boy seemed to just give up, his eyes dropping down to his feet. His cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, embarrassment seeming to flood him for being unable to speak.

Finally Yoko answered. "His name is Junichi. I finally just had to have him write it down." So the boy could write, and he obviously knew how to speak, but Hidan supposed the trauma perhaps had just shaken his tongue. Who could say. Whatever the cause, Hidan reached out and placed his hand on Junichi's shoulder near Yoko's hand. Once more their eyes met and he gave the boy's shoulder a squeeze.

"It'll be alright." He offered him a confident smirk, which caused Junichi's eyes to grow curious. "You stay here with us, Yoko here will take good care of you." This kid was young. Unlike Hidan, who had arrived at twelve, this kid could simply be raised at a late stage to be what a Jashinist is made of. Obviously Yoko had the same idea, so trying to find another seven year old in the ranks to watch them kill each other wasn't on the top of Hidan's priority list.

"Take him to a room, get him settled in, and I'll leave the rest to you Yoko. When I come back, I can spend some time with him myself. Will you cover basics with him in the meantime?"

Yoko offered a soft smile, moving to stand up, but kept her arm around Junichi. "Of course I will." She was always impressed by how Hidan was to the new members. Unlike Taromaru, Hidan was always interested in spending time with the new members. He wanted them to learn, he wanted to make sure for his own eyes that they were interested, and devout. Taromaru generally leaved that task totally up to the mentors, hearing everything through the grape vine and occasionally having an encounter. Hidan made it a point to track them down on his own accord.

Finally moving to stand up himself, Hidan stretched his arms over his head and sighed. "Okay, well you do that, and as for me, I am officially gone. I'll be back in time for the next ceremony but if anything happens and you need me, send out your summon." As much as Hidan disliked Yoko's favorite ape, the creature could track and could track quickly. Upon seeing it, Hidan would know at once an emergency was afoot. Giving their final goodbyes, Hidan turned away from the cave entrance and made his leave from the land of wind.

His journey's had taken him many places, and slowly Hidan found himself at the edge of rice country after having quite a few encounters with the public. Unfortunately out of many that had meet the raw end of his sacrifices, only two had been converted. However, he had to look at the bright side. Two men were now enlightened. So he had to be proud of that at least.

Feeling ready to stop for the evening, Hidan sighed and went to find a nice quiet spot to settle, but and not so nice and quiet noise assaulted his ears. It sounded damn near to an explosion, but not quiet. His head snapped to the direction of the noise and he could spy dark smoke rising only perhaps a half of a mile from where he stood. Now he knew. A battle was happening. Feeling alarmed and curious, Hidan turned his body towards the commotion and raced for the high cliff to look in on the action, perhaps make an entrance himself.

Pausing at the edge of the rocks, he peered down and was absolutely astounded. The near to explosion was all coming from the jutsu of a single man. Hidan watched as near to seven, eight, possibly ten opponents were dropping like flies as they were engulfed by a sea of flames. Flames that were being fanned and enlarged by a second sea of wind. Hidan's eyes trailed to the side, having to literally take a few steps backwards just because of how hot the great flames were. He followed the attack, but was even more shocked to see what was creating the attack.

Monsters. Giant black beasts that were made of some unknown substance. It looked like jet black slime, but it was too solid to be liquid...what they were made of he couldn't tell. There were two of them however. One creating the wind, one creating the fire. They stood there, totally focused on their task at hand. White masks with strange markings were covering their faces, and standing between them was a man. He too was not moving, but it looked like he didn't have to.

Perhaps these were his summons? Hidan crouched down, one to keep from being spotted, and two, the flames were starting to hurt his face. The rocks below him were also hot, but not enough to make Hidan want to move away any further. He couldn't see the man very well due to how large the monsters were. Damnit if they would only move.

It seemed like ages before the wind and fire finally stopped, the monsters finally moving closer to the man, but then Hidan witnessed something else that made his eyes widen is disbelief. The monsters suddenly moved as fast as lightening itself, literally seeming to wiggle and shrink to be sucked inside of the man's back, which Hidan could now see, the skin had been ripped and pulled open.

What intrigued Hidan the most was that no blood could be seen what so ever. The back's body seemed to spasm and shudder as though he were having a small seizure due to the monsters, but soon they were gone from sight. Only just as Hidan thought he couldn't be any more shocked, the man's skin moved on it's own, pulling itself together as tiny black strings...threads...something moved in seemingly practiced motions to sew the skin back together.

Hidan's eyes narrowed, moving closer to the edge of the rocks to see. The man's back, and his arms were covered in stitches...so they were threads. Is that what those monsters were made of too? Thousands of those tiny black threads? What was this man? Who was he?

Well...it didn't seem to matter anymore. Hidan sighed in disappointment, a disappointment more great than it should have been of course, as a blade was shoved into the strange man's back, by what looked like a frightened comrade of the now dead men. Hidan stood up fully, his brow furrowing. Well, if nothing else, Hidan could put that poor fool out of his misery. That puny sword would be nothing against his scythe he was certain. Especially if he was already shaken from watching all of his team fall as if they were nothing but insects.

Hidan moved none too quietly down the rocks, not exactly being a stealth fighter despite being a ninja. Only once again, he found himself in astonishment. He was only perhaps a few yards away from where the pair of men were, but as quickly as Hidan's eyes could even follow, perhaps faster, the swordsman was being impaled by...were those fingers?

Hidan stood with the scythe in his left hand as the swordsman fell limply to the ground, the sword clattering noisily. His eyes went to the man's blood soaked hand, the skin was dark, almost black. Not only this, but being so much closer, now Hidan could notice a pair of black rings around the man's wrist. Perhaps just birth markings. It didn't seem as though they were painted on in anyway that Hidan could tell. Hidan then watched curiously when the skin became the normal brownish colour like the rest of the man's body.

He stood staring, but then realized the man was staring back. Hidan lifted his eyes to meet the strangers. They were a mix of solid green irises, surrounded by a pinkish red where the white's should be. He looked so exotic. He couldn't see the rest of his face due to a mask that covered his entire head and nose. Hidan allowed his purple gaze to travel once more to take in what he assumed was a uniform. The pants and shirt were the same colour, and there were special looking white leggings over his shoes. Only it seemed that the shirt was made for his strange attacks.

At first Hidan had assumed the material was torn, but from the side stance the man had taken, Hidan could see the shirt was just made without a back...then it hit Hidan...this man had a very well developed, and very muscular back. His entire build seemed to be that way. Once again Hidan's eyes traveled up his body, and he noticed. The wound...should have been fatal...but it wasn't. How could this be? Was this man...like him? By Jashin he was! A pioneer in immortality. A strong one at that. What a powerhouse he was! Which such destructive, wide spread jutsu, oh the chaos he was capable of. What a Jashinist he would make!

Jumping the gun Hidan jumping the gun. He had to work to conceal his excitement but he couldn't. Before he was even aware, a wide smile was on his face, his eyes were widen, and the grip on his scythe trembled, soft giggles coming from the back of his throat.

Oddly enough the man hadn't done anything yet. He seemed baffled and perhaps slightly annoyed by Hidan judging from the scowl in his brow, but not enough to attack him. The entire time he had watched Hidan's expression twist from shock, to awe, to ecstatic, he had just stood there, uncertain how to really respond. Obviously he knew Hidan wasn't with the men that had attacked him in union, so perhaps that was why he wasn't wasting his time trying to fight him.

However, just before Hidan could bomb him with questions, the man turned away from him as if he couldn't be bothered by the likes of him. Hidan's jaw fell slack, what could have been words cutting off into a small noise of confusion. Why was he walking away!? He watched as the man picked up a black robe from the rocks, the robe being covered with red clouds. That robe...Hidan knew it from the stories that had been tossed around some of the villages. Akatsuki. Supposedly some evil, organization bent on destroying, or controlling the world. The difference being where you were, and who you asked. It seemed nobody really knew much of anything about them.

What Hidan did know, was that Akatsuki was obviously the organization that kept this man. This immortal, fuck-all shinobi. He said nothing to him however. If the man wouldn't even give him the time of day, it looked like Hidan was left with one choice. He'd follow him, find where he was going, and if it was where Hidan thought it was...he too would join Akatsuki. He could just think of it now. Akatsuki. Such a title would had already spread. Now perhaps, it could spread with little rumors of a Jashinist. Rumors were enough. He could spread the word this way! Perhaps if he stuck through it long enough, he could finally hope that the knowledge of Jashin would spread, and that way when he asked, he would find less and less answers revolving around 'No I have not heard, who is that?'

That and another point came up in his mind. He hadn't even considered the fact that being immortal meant he would someday outlive Yoko and Gonzo...all of his members...sure new members would come but...it would be lonely some days. This man would surely live as long as he did. Perhaps through Akatsuki he could get to know him. Have at least the knowledge that somewhere out there, somebody existed like him. It sounded good in his mind, but he had to admit, being ignored like this was rather annoying.

He watched the man leave him behind, but as soon as he was just barely out of sight, Hidan began to follow him at a nice, comfortable pace. The man seemed to be in no hurry what so ever, but neither was Hidan.

He was only vaguely annoyed at the walking because of how silent it was. If he were on his own, it wouldn't be so terribly because he could find ways to entertain himself within his thoughts. Only the potential for conversation was a ways off in front of him. Hidan knew that the man was aware of his presence. It also seemed that the man enjoyed keeping Hidan on his feet. Even if Hidan did zone out, every so often he would be sent diving into the ground, or off behind some form of cover due to a fire ball being thrown his way.

It blew, but at least it gave him some form of entertainment. At least until it seemed like the man had given up trying to shake Hidan. If Hidan could even call the half-assed attacks an attempt at really doing anything other than swatting at him as though he were a bothersome fly.

What annoyed him more than this was where they were. Amegakure. Rain bothered Hidan. He disliked being wet, he disliked being cold, and having his clothes cling to his body.

He followed the man, but then began slowly pulling back more so. He wanted time to at least eye his surroundings. It was the largest country Hidan had ever set foot in that was for sure. Being surrounded by wide open mountains and oceans of sand, this place felt slightly overwhelming.

Not only this...but now it looked like he would get to deal with antsy security. Of course...the leader of Amegakure, also the leader of Akatsuki was tight on security. Perfect. It seemed as though this was going to take longer than he expected, bu then again he wasn't certain what he expect. Certainly not to just walk into the country that was for sure.

He worked to conceal his temper as he was searched, questioned, searched again, and questioned some more. However, after a thorough, might as well have been, strip search, Hidan was allowed through. He knew right where he was going, and what he would be doing.

Pein; along with Konan firmly planted by his side, had welcomed Kakuzu back upon arrival before he received the news that his mission had been successful. After sending him back for some food and rest, relieving him of his normal duties as the accountant, Pein was just turning away to return to his own duties. That was of course before he noticed the intrusion of a man cloaked in thick black robes that were soaked to his skin.

He took in his appearance, the giant triple bladed scythe and the forehead protector around his neck, noting he was a shinobi. Silver slicked back hair, deep purple eyes, and a rosary around his neck. So he was a man of faith? His expression unchanged, Pein took the initiative to approach him, holding out his hand to signal for Konan to remain back for now. Her head lowered respectfully, and she remained silent.

"Might I ask why you are here? You do realize that you have in fact entered the head quarters of the Akatsuki?"

However when Hidan answered, he had to say he was taken aback, Konan's eyes briefly flashing a form of shock.

"I'm here to join the Akatsuki, why the fuck else would I have traveled here?"

Pein stared at the man. The man who obviously knew nothing of himself. He continued to move forward, standing only inches from the stranger. From here, Hidan's eyes widened just slightly. This man...had the rinnegan? Even Hidan knew about it. Hidan had always been a history fan and he had heard tales of the rinnegan, the potential one held when they had a pair. No wonder he was the leader of Akatsuki, and all of Amegakure. "We do not make it a habit to just accept whoever walks through that door. It is clear to me that you are ignorant to just who I am, and for that I will excuse your tone. However, you will not join this group unless I permit it. You will battle with one of our members. Not to the death, just so that I can assess your level personally. You are in luck that there has been a position recently opened, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Now tell me your name, and I will escort you to our training room."

Hidan listened, and would be a bold faced liar if he tried to say he wasn't the least bit intimidated. The man's stone cold expression bore right through him, and his monotone was enough to rattle his spine. Of course he would never show this and felt like he wanted to tell the man he wasn't afraid of him. Only even Hidan knew that would be foolish. "My name's Hidan...just what is it I call you exactly?"

Pein had started to turn away, but paused and turned his head to face Hidan once more. He didn't want to be rude by turning his back to him when answering a question. Powerful or no, Pein believed firmly in being a man of the people, and treating each member with respect. "I am called Pein. However members of Akatsuki refer to me simply as Leader-sama. I trust you to do the same Hidan-san. Now if you will follow me, I will summon someone for you to spare with."

Hidan's brows furrowed slightly, it seemed that aside from the act of intimidation earlier, this man wasn't interested in being rude or holding it against Hidan. Which was weird. He suppressed a snort at what he thought was a name that only a kid could be saddled with when their parents hated them, but said nothing. Wisely so. He followed Pein, but was confused when he just entered the training room. Didn't he say he was going to summon someone?

However, he was shocked when suddenly a third figure stepped into the room. Pein spoke again, stepping to the side to let them through. "Hidan-san, I would like to introduce you to Kisame Hoshigake. Kisame-san here has been one of our veteran members for quite some time now. He was one of the seven swordsmen of the mist, advanced in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and ex ANBU. I think he will be better suited to test your level if you do have what it takes to join Akatsuki."

Hidan had to tilt his head up in order to look at the man who approached him with a spring in his step, a wide smile on his face revealing rows of pointed teeth. His face was sharply angled and his skin from head to toe was a pale blue. His eyes were small and widely set, he even had gill like markings on the sides of his cheeks. Even his hair was blue and styled to a point. What was it supposed to be a fin or something to complete the shark look?

It was strange, this man seemed genuinely excited to be there. He carried a huge sword over his shoulder, the hilt was yellow with a small skull at the end of it, the rest was incredibly wide set and wrapped tightly in thick white bandages. However the end of the sword was exposed, revealing oddly purplish coloured...spines? Hidan couldn't tell.

Before he could even think to, the shark man known as Kisame spoke to him in a deep, but oddly light toned voice. "Hey there," he greeted. His tone was so...jolly as his weight shifted from one leg to the other. "So you think you're gonna join Akatsuki huh? Heh, heh. Aw this is gonna be fun. Not everyday someone grows the balls to actually come to us. So bro, let's get started then."

He pulled the large sword from his back, and almost within the same second, the large sword was heading right for Hidan. His eyes widened and he leapt backwards to avoid being hit. It only barely worked as he could feel the wind from the weapon assaulting his robes. He held the scythe tightly before moving to strike out towards the swordsman.

However, even at Hidan's level, he was not match for just how fast this man could move. Upon dodging, and trading blow for blow, Hidan found that he was slowly being forced in all directions, laughter bubbling up form the swordsman as he seemed to very well realize that he was dealing overwhelming blows towards Hidan. Then Hidan realized it. This man was playing with him. He wasn't even taking the fight seriously at all!

It was somehow insulting. Was he mocking him? "You son of a bitch!" he finally yelled. Who did this bastard think he was?

However the laughter only seemed to grow. "Oh badass, we got a badass over here!" He sounded as though he was just having a terrific time.

Hidan couldn't help but get angry. Dicking around, having a fucking party, and Hidan could barely keep up. All while the Leader was watching with a keen stare.

Suddenly as Hidan turned around, a large gush of water knocked him off of his feet, of course disappearing into the floor. He rolled slightly, turning his head in time to see Kisame's smiling face standing a few feet away from him, laughing loudly. So he really did take this all as just one big joke! Just splash him with some water and watch him fall on his ass?

Hidan was now confused as to if he should stay angry or if he should just be amazed. He didn't have much time to think before suddenly the man began making hand seals and slammed his palm to the ground, the familiar puff of smoke appearing as a small shark was now flailing around on the ground. He summoned a shark on solid land? Hidan stood to his feet, gripping the scythe tightly and watched as Kisame pick the animal up by the tail before rushing over towards him. He found himself standing there one moment, but within the next, his body was slammed up against the wall painfully, soon sliding to the floor as the scythe fell from his grip.

He tried to roll to get out of the way, but as he went to stand, he felt the same force being slammed on his back, forcing him back onto the floor. He rolled onto his back to see what was even happening and he realized...Kisame was now just beating his body, with the body of the shark.

He yelled out angrily and somehow managed to roll out of the way, pulling out one of the pikes and moving to try to hit the swordsman's leg. He would not be taken as a joke!

Kisame moved back of course, soon releasing the shark as it vanished. So it seemed the new guy was determined.

Hidan managed to see Pein from where he was standing, noting that even he seemed slightly unamused at all of the playing around. Only, instead of waiting as Kisame gripped his sword yet again, Hidan pulled out his second pike, extending the sharpened end to duel wield.

The laughter died down as Kisame now seemed genuinely interested. He charged forward, and once again blow for blow was exchanged. Hidan moved as fast and as hard as he could, trying to get in one hit. Just one. Sure Kisame hadn't hit him yet either, but he had been slammed with water, and an actual shark! He wanted a bit of revenge. Just one. However, his hopes for revenge was dashed as Kisame finally got the upper hand. He drew the sword in a horizontal cut, and this time, Hidan couldn't block. The swore tore into his side...but literally tore.

He fell over onto his back yet again, looking up as he watched blood dripping from the end of the giant sword. Kisame's grin widened as he boasted. "Yea, Samehada here? Doesn't cut like a normal sword. This boy here will shred you into a million pieces." However, Kisame gave him credit...this was the first officially counted strike that he had managed to land.

Pein even seemed to become re interested. Now the fight was beginning to become serious.

Hidan stood however, and bared his teeth. "Big deal! Bring it on mother fucker! I'll stick that sword up your giant blue ass!"

However the comment seemed to offend the other man. Only, it was an exaggeration offense meant to complete the dramatic threat. "You little jerk," Kisame pouted.

Once again the pair began to fight, Hidan trying to duck and dodge as much as he could, however, finally Kisame, drew Samehada behind his back, and brought it into a vertical cut swiftly, catching Hidan from his stomach, all the way up to his chest and throat.

Hidan's body flew up into the air, blood pouring from the wounds as the pikes were dropped. It seemed like ages before gravity summoned him back down onto the floor heavily. Both Pein and Kiasme watched, Kisame's smile shrinking a little. "Aww...well, he started out alright Leader-sama."

However Pein's eyes narrowed onto Hidan's body. It was still moving...standing. His eyes narrowed onto the wounds, Kisame also seeming surprised. Both eyes noted that yes in fact, this man should be dead. If nothing else from the deep tears in his throat.

"I am not done yet you over grown-" he was cut off of course by Pein's voice. "Alright, that's enough."

Kisame took a step away from Hidan, placing samehada back on his shoulder. Hidan turned to glare at both of the men before Pein took a step forward, moving to stand beside of Kisame. For a moment, he seemed to not know what to say. However an idea formed in his mind. Kakuzu had this bad habit of killing each partner he had been assigned to.

Granted the last partner Kakuzu had killed purely by accident. The pair had been partnered together for a few years on top of it. He had been well liked through the organization, treated everybody as if he had known them for his entire life, he was respectful to everybody, especially Pein and Konan, was a bit of a flirt among the ladies, even going as far as to leave Konan flowers ever so often, loved to drink; highballs being a constant favorite, was always happy, laughing, smiling, provided voluntary services throughout the village on an as needed basis whenever he could, was a fine shinobi, and had even earned Kakuzu's friendship. He loved to treat Kakuzu out to drinks, never took any of the man's general crankiness to heart, knew how to fight alongside him in order to preserve his own life, but also went out of his way to make certain Kakuzu was safe. However, as suspected, there was just one bad day when he was unable to get out of the way, due to Kakuzu's overly destructive, and nearly uncontrollable jutsu. A direct hit from false darkness had finally taken him down, but his even on his dying breath, he had told Kakuzu where to find a small amount of ryo he had in his nightstand, asking Kakuzu to treat himself to a drink, and to bring his body back to Amegakure. Which with a heavy heart, Kakuzu had done. It was a sad day in Akatsuki.

However, even though Pein knew Kakuzu would not want another partner, even though this one was the polar opposite of the last one, he would be able to complement Kakuzu's fighting style well. Well enough that Pein had one task left.

"I have seen all I need to see. Come along."

Hidan's brow furrowed but he collect his weapons and followed the leader through the base. He would have asked where they were going, but as they entered the kitchen of the base, then he spotted him. The same man he had followed here, who was currently in the process of pouring himself a cup of hot tea, the robe missing from his body.

"Kakuzu-san. I have someone for you to meet." Hidan blinked and tried to look beyond Pein's shoulder, but Kakuzu's reply caused him to pause, blinking in bewilderment.

"No." A sigh was Pein's answer before he stepped to the side, moving to put Hidan into view. "This is Hidan-san. He will be your partner from now on."