• Mitsuko sat in the corner of her room, her legs brought up under her as she wrapped her arms around them. She was weeping by the window and thought hard about Hidan.

    He was different from all the other boys she had met. He talked to her and spent time with her. Hidan even kissed her! Her heart fell as the thoughts creeped into her mind that he was just toying with her as Ken did. The kiss was probably full of nothingness, just a fake to please her. But if what her father had said about Hidan was true, then why hadn't he killed her and her family yet? Maybe he wasn't as heartless as papa had said? Who was she kidding, he said he didn't know if he would miss not having her around. If he did care for her, he would have said he would indeed miss her.

    Mitsuko struggled to stand up and lean against the wall, wiping her eyes. She had to go talk to someone.

    "Nii-chan, I'm going to see Ino-san or Hinata-san. I'll be back soon," Mitsuko said loudly as she banged on his door.

    "Alright!" Haru shouted.

    Mitsuko avoided Hidan's gaze as she walked in front of his view of the television and stood at the door, waiting for him to comment on her leaving.

    "I'm sorry that I'm stupid, Mitsuko," Hidan apologized, his arms behind his head on the back of the couch. "But you stupify me," he smirked, hoping he had flattered her enough to forgive him for whatever reason.

    She sighed and slid the door back, "I'll comment on that when I get back," she said before heading out into the busy streets of Konoha.

    It wasn't a long walk to the Yamanaka Flower Shop where Ino-san worked. The small bell rang as Mitsuko walked in and she got blown away by the variety of smells from the flowers.

    "Welcome!" Ino's voice came from the back. She always tried to greet her customers.

    Suddenly, a woman with long blonde hair in a ponytail and bright blue sapphires for eyes rushed out and stopped behind the counter. She leaned excitedly over it and smiled. "Ah, Mitsuko! What are you doing here?"

    "I needed to talk to you, mama," Mitsuko said, coming up to the counter.

    Ino had always played the role of a motherly figure towards Mitsuko. Mitsuko had always called her "mama" even when Shikamaru told her not too. But Ino told him it was okay, although she understood his situation. Mitsuko needed a woman in her life to set that motherly example. Ino smiled sweetly and invited Mitsuko behind the counter, taking her under her wing.

    "I've fallen in love with him! But he acts like such a boy! I don't think he is interested in me, he's just using me," Mitsuko dabbed at her eyes with a napkin and took a sip of chamomile tea that was intended to calm her down.

    "Well, have you talked to him?" Ino asked her as she sat across from her at the small metal table behind the shop. It was the first thing you came too as you gazed at the garden. Ino's garden was ten times better than Itsuki-san's.

    "No, but I doubt it would make a difference. He'd probably reply with 'I don't know' or lie about it to make me feel better," Mitsuko crossed her arms angrily and sniffed.

    "Then he is probably not worth the time," Ino huffed, "But, I advise you tell him how you feel before you do anything drastic like kick him out or something. You need to stop feeling bad for him now that you've sewn him back together. Now he is just a moocher."

    Mitsuko bowed her head, her eyes watching the pavement below her. "He's so good looking though..."

    Mitsuko walked through the door and saw that Hidan had fallen asleep on the couch. She smiled sweetly and pulled a blanket over him. She pondered whether to kiss him or not. She was quickly interrupted by Haru as he came into the room.

    "Ah, you're home. So how was your visit?" Haru asked her as he leaned against the wall.

    "I went to Ino-san's and talked to her about Hidan," Mitsuko came up to her brother. He had the aura of their father and it struck a respect towards authority in her. "I'm gonna tell Hidan how I feel and if he does not feel the same about me, I'll tell dad to kick him out."

    "It's about time you tell him. But didn't dad say he wasn't his problem?"

    "Yeah, but... I'm afraid to do it myself," Mitsuko confessed.

    Haru laid a comforting, firm hand on her shoulder. "You won't be doing it yourself, you'll be doing it with your family."

    Mitsuko gazed up at her brother, lovingly. "Thank you, nii-chan."

    Hidan snuggled the blanket up closer to his chin in an attempt to forget the awkwardness of being there while they talked about him, but it didn't work. He did care for Mitsuko, that why he was killing people who looked at her the wrong way. He was doing it for her but because she didn't know about it, she couldn't appreciate it.

    Haru disappeared back into his room and Mitsuko nestled down on the edge of the couch by Hidan. He was so cute, sleeping there like a baby. She tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear and laid her hand on his shoulder, barely stirring him.

    "Hidan, wake up."

    His eyes fluttered slowly, trying to act like he had been asleep the whole time. "What is it? Oh, Mitsuko," he smiled at her, "You're back."

    "We need to talk," Mitsuko started, swallowing hard. Her fingers were dripping sweat from her palms. "I'll go first," she took a deep breath and prepared to let it all out, "I have a big crush on you!" she exclaimed.

    Hidan was surprised she had confessed having a crush on him and saying it so loudly but he frowned. "I like you too, Mitsuko but only as a friend. Don't get me wrong, you're really cute but you deserve better than me. You've seen what I do, it's not fitting for such an innocent girl. I'm sorry Mitsuko, but I'd just prefer to be friends."

    She glared at him, angrily. "You were toying with my feelings!" she yelled, "You kissed me and flirted with me! It was all fake!" She stood up from the couch and started for the door.

    "Now, Mitsuko... Where are you running off to now?" Hidan asked her, sitting up on the couch.

    "I'm going to find your friend and revive him so you can be on your way!" Mitsuko shouted before dashing out into the streets. Hidan leaped up and followed after her.

    "Mitsuko! Why can't we just be friends?" Hidan asked from behind her as he followed her through the village.

    She didn't answer. The wind was licking at her tears as she stomped down the road. Her hair matted to her face as she cried and bit her lip. She wanted to turn around and punch him in the gut. He never listens. He had no clue. If she couldn't have him, she didn't want him around.

    "Mitsuko, answer me," he commanded her like she was a slave.

    She clenched her fists and ground her teeth harder.

    "Can we just act like none of that happened? I liked being just friends with you," Hidan caught up beside her but she leaped into a sprint.

    Now the two of them were running side by side. Mitsuko grinned through her tears and took a quick left turn into the scrollery. Hidan kept running and saw that Mitsuko was gone. He looked around anxiously but he couldn't find her.

    "s**t..." he muttered. He was utterly lost.