#| ic

"You'd be not too surprised with how grilling and baking takes a more.. organic approach in the Outer Ring. Just about anywhere amidst the sunrise can be a spot to freshen up some grub, just have the perfect surface that makes the heat does it's magic."

What a wonderful night! When the sunrays kiss his blue skin from the gaps of the curtain, Kisame lazily turns on the bed. Yawning, a stretch that moved the sheets from the bed. The morning's cold, the softness of the bed that calls for just another 5 minutes of sleep that almost makes him feel guilty for some reason. What’s wrong with a bit of comfort? He wishes for a little more as he nuzzles the pillow and finally opens his eyes.

He doesn’t pay attention to his surroundings as he gets up and brushes his teeth. His partner always had many secondary tasks whenever they stopped by any village. Just like Kakuzu with his bounties and Sasori with his art, as long as it didn't interfere with their main goal it was harmless. By the end of the day that same annoying dubious smile would show up as if nothing happened, rambling compliments to appease to his good side. Shrimp flavored rice crackers matched with bats of eyelashes are the key to him not get questioned.

"Writing is too bothersome as I thought… Something simpler shall do, Nee." 

His mind was too entertained with that simple date to give a second look on what happened in that place. He has always been a simple minded person, or just innocently excited with planning a simple celebration. 

“One whole year...” He whispers to himself as someone that tried to make a script.

Something simple. I nee something simple.

Kisame is back at their room, a tray filled with food (mostly from the complimentary breakfast.) is by his side on the bed as he sat there with crossed legs. There's three slices of bread, homemade mayonnaise, three boiled eggs and an Omurice.The shinobi picks one of the boiled eggs, peeling the shell; His own fault for doing it once, forgetting Orochimaru's tendencies of being spoiled and now having to do it every single time. Unless he wanted an annoyed gaze for the rest of the day as if had insulted him deeply.

That makes him chuckle as he takes another egg in his hands.

"Kekekekeke. He's such a weird person, my partner, neee. ~ " A joyful smile fills his face in a manner he only remembers from the past. Peeling scales of fishes that his mother caught during a long day of summer. At the last egg, the shining of the ring finally cut the denseness of Kisame's mind. A note? That should explain where he went this time.

"............" 

The glittering curtain that covered his days for the past one year finally drops.

5:00 pm

It 's evening now.

Denial. 

How long has he been staring at the same spot on the wall? Hand still holding on the same note as his face had stuck in the same expressionless gaze as the moment he got tired from rereading it over and over. He's drowned by feelings he doesn't understand and cannot comprehend. Stuck, frozen in place. He wants to puke his own guts; something hurts inside. He is unaware what. For a moment he wondered if he was poisoned or in a genjutsu. 

He finally moves, eyes staring at the breakfast tray. It especially stares at the Omurice which has a simple snake and shark drawn on it with ketchup. 

"What a bummer." His throat is dry as he forces a grin. 

He slowly lays down on the bed, his eyes are tired like his body for some reason. 

Maybe he was really poisoned.

Anger.

The next day his work truly starts; checking every bit of that room for a single clue. His missing note, the scratches on the floor, the clothes missing from his bag.

How could he not see it? It's almost like a yellow scroll in the middle of a green jungle.

Impossible to miss. 

What's wrong with a little comfort? That's his answer right there. He has to pay for the fine for staying longer than he’s supposed to be. 

Bargaining.

A week from that day is where he stands alone in their meeting, he's the only one by himself as the other pairs explained their gains from their last missions. Curious eyes waited for Kisame's turn like vultures. 

" He deserted. Orochimaru fled while I was asleep." There's silence, rude jokes that he doesn't listen well. There's demands and questioning that he also takes a while to process. What more he can explain? He  He got comfortable. It’s his fault.

" It was my fault, but If you wish for I—" Orochimaru wasn't a priority in their plans. Hunting him would only delay their next move, especially someone as Kisame. He can't really say anything about it, can he? 

He loves the comfort of following orders. The way he doesn't need to think or plan his own desires and seek them. 

Doesn't he? He agrees with Pain and quietly accepts his next mission.

Depression.

He's doing little jobs now as others get bigger missions for the time being. 

Eating is bothersome—he doesn't really need to eat everyday. That was a habit developed to be more human. He can go well for weeks with only one big meal. 

He catches himself cutting around the tenderloins again. Suddenly his appetite stops and he leaves the rest of the deer to the animals in the forest.

Kisame just keeps completing missions non stop—sleeping only when his body collapses, usually in a body of water where he stays at the floor until he regains consciousness again. Samehada complains daily in little grumbles of the quality of Kisame's chakra. It's too much but without any taste–But Kisame can't do much about it. He can't get bigger missions without a partner, and being paired with another pair made him want to pull his guts away. 

He tries to reassure Samehada, changing its bandages as an apology.

Acceptance.

"......There's no missions...right now." Zetsu exclaims, having to repeat it a second time. 

That's the first smile Kisame has in a month, with Samehada on his shoulder. " Then I shall spread my wings a little, could you warn the others?" 

As Zetsu nods and disappears, Kisame looks at the horizon. Bearing his fangs as he used to before.

It's time for the hunt to start.

That past year he learned a lot too. Kisame's dislike for long plans and alike wasn't a lack of intelligence but rather because it was boring. Talking, negotiating, bargaining; all of them were qualities the sannin had. He was always beside him, listening and watching. Subconsciously learning too.

He can't solely count with his own hunting skills—maybe if he started three days after he vanished or had any clues perhaps. From zero it would be a little harder.

He shows the note for the first ink's seller he finds.  “Excuse me, where I can buy this Premium Black starline Ink? Nee ~”

—----

Six times, it was six times where he was close to his goal. 4 entire months. Did he had any sleep at all? The excitement and adrenaline pumped his body every single time that scent turned stronger. Even his tactical plans had become better, no more useless fighting with minor pets. Let them drown between the crumbling walls and their bases. Only then he would then enter inside to check the gains—as long as anything precious would go back to Akatsuki's funds it was an excuse to continue his hunt. 

It's just too exciting to stop now. He feels truly more a beast than a human—driven only by that desire to find and end Orochimaru's life. Is that what desire tastes like? It's a powerful thing. Another thing he learned. He will be sure to thank him when he bites his head off.

Lighting country. 

The sky is clear, there’s no sign of rain soon. There's a distant tremor and a loud crash that scared the birds from the top of the mountains. Cracks on the wall that start slowly to leak water. Light rain starts to fall followed by a strong torrent from the top of the mountains that suddenly seems as if someone broke down a barricade. 

Another louder tremor.

Finally.

A thing jumps from the top, failing down right by the border of the platform. Samehada breaks the floor upon landing. The bigger figure has his face down, the shinobi doesn't need two hands now to do signs. The mist invades their stage and only his shadow can be seen. 

"Found you, neeee. My Cinderella.... Kekekekekekeke. ~" 

He knows better than anyone to sub underestimate one of the sannins; the shadow grows in size as Samehada's silhouette disappears. The monster is five sizes his own figure, on his fours it seems even larger.  Gray skin, claws that tap over the ceramic's floor. Dorsal fin is what can be seen the most in between the thick mist. 

This form had not been used before in that whole year, it was rather something he rarely needed to. However for this execution, everything needed to be special. To clean his mistakes—to end that headache of wrong choices. It's just like in the sea, the Monster of Kirigakure circles and circles. Until he attacks, he pins down the male figure down to the floor.

He lost weight.

His fangs are closer to their cheek, he breathes closer as he drools out of anticipation.

He changed his shampoo. 

Its time. 

Because killing his comrades is his special mission. What a terrible life.

”Ah, and that should do it.”

Rather than being an active participant within the art of trick or treating. Thoma instead served as a supplier, exposing multiple table spreads of luxurious looking cookies, cakes, dango alongside many more Inazuman brand of treats. The kitchen has been on ‘fire’ today and this is exactly why.

He’s proud to display all of this scrumptious work.

“Happy Halloween! I’ve made sure to tab each treat in case there’s any allergic reaction, so be sure to give ‘em a read! While hard candy may not be in the cards, I hope the array of softer, baked treats can certainly satisfy a sweet tooth.”

B////