Two days later Natsuki saw herself confronted with an extremely pissed Hidan. "I'm really sorry, ok? I didn't want to slap you." "You still did and you did it 3 fucking times! That's no accident anymore!" "Come on now! Get a grip! How am I supposed to slap you on purpose, while being asleep?" Though she had actually felt sorry for slapping him, his childish behavior pissed her off. Before Hidan was able to reply she simply turned and walked out of the room to look for Konan. "Hey, wait! You can't just leave now! We're not done yet!" She could imagine his sulking face and smiled. She knocked quietly on Konan's door. She waited a moment but didn't receive an answer. She knocked two more times with the same result. She went on to the dining room and the kitchen. Kisame, Itachi, Deidara and Sasori were sitting at the table over cups of coffee. "Morning" she said smiling. "You really shouldn't have done that back there…" Sasori said seriously. Natsuki sighed theatrically. "Not you, too… I already had the same discussion with Pain and that's the conclusion I came to: I can change neither what I am nor what I have. So instead of not acknowledging the powers I was granted, I might as well use them and save my friends, right? All of you would do exactly the same. And I don't have to become a real Goddess forever to have access to my abilities. Any more objections?" Kisame and Deidara grinned at her. Sasori and Itachi, too, were persuaded and showed a little smile. "One more request…" Unnoticed Kakuzu had entered the kitchen. "Take care of that idiot, Hidan… He's been on putting quite the strain on my nerves… He keeps talking and talking and talking…" "Doesn't he always do that?" Natsuki asked a little surprised that Kakuzu would complain so openly about Hidan. "Yeah, but he keeps talking about you…" Natsuki's eyes widened and she blushed intensely. "Oh…" She turned and left the kitchen quickly.

The men at the table chuckled and Kakuzu grinned contently. Now things would get interesting and fun.

With her head lowered Natsuki left the HQ and walked through the woods. Her thoughts wouldn't turn around anything else than Hidan right now. She remembered his scared face each time she had turned into a Goddess; remembered their situation during the mission on the tree, his voice when he called her name while she fell.

Involuntarily her feet had brought her to the clearing where she had changed into a Goddess for the first time. She touched the tree he had thrown her against, kissed her. Her right hand wandered to her lips and she remembered the feeling. Slowly she sat down, leaning against the tree, and watched the sky for the rest of the day. Sometimes she heard Konan calling her name but she didn't react.

She enjoyed a great sunset and afterwards began to watch the stars. Suddenly she heard footsteps coming closer. She sat up and saw Hidan running towards her. "What the hell have you been thinking, bitch?" he called already from distance. "Konan has been worried like hell! She has been driving me crazy! Just like Pain. When he heard that you had disappeared from your room, he has been shouting and yelling at us!" Natsuki had to smile excusing. "Sorry for that…" she said quietly, still a little numb from all the remembering and thinking. Instead of listening to his complaining she interrupted and asked: "Hidan, why were you sitting guard at my bed when I was sleeping?" Hidan looked at her surprised. He hadn't expected that. "I don't know…" he answered uncertainly. "Don't get me wrong." Natsuki quickly added with a serious expression. "I'm happy you did. I only wanted to know if you had a certain reason." A gentle wind carried her voice to him and made him shiver. Her white summer dress had black ornaments sewn on it. She turned to the tree behind her and traced with her right hand the old bark. "Do you remember this place?" Hidan looked around and eventually nodded. Slowly he stepped towards her until his body touched her back. She didn't move, didn't say anymore. His hands slowly moved to her waist. Then with a quick spin he turned her to face him. She looked at him calmly. "You'd better be serious about it." Not able to control his desire anymore, Hidan kissed her fierce. His arms entwined around her with the clear intent to never let go. He pressed her against the tree just like the first time. But this time… she wanted it, too. She put her hands around his neck while he kept stroking her sides.

Suddenly they heard Pain calling. "Natsuki! Natsuki!" Reluctantly she separated from him. "He would probably tear you into pieces if he saw that right now. Let me talk to him first." She whispered and gave him a last sweet kiss. Then she turned and ran towards her brother's voice. "I'm here." She said as she spotted him. "Why did you disappear so sudden?" he asked worried. "I needed some time to think. Alone…" He sighed and hugged her tightly. She understood his apology and accepted it gladly. "Nii-san… there's something I want you to know." He let go of her and watched her skeptically. Before she was able to say something, Hidan stepped out of the woods grinning. "She's mine now." Pain's eyes showed anger. "You little…" "Nii-san!" Natsuki interrupted him. Hidan put his arms around her waist. "Though I didn't plan to reveal it like that, he's right." "But-" "No buts… I want it… It would be great if you could accept it but even if you don't, I will not change it." Their eyes were fixated on each other. Finally Pain sighed again and nodded. Then he looked at Hidan. "You'd better be serious about it! If you hurt her, I'll tear you to pieces and burn them afterwards." Hidan agreed still grinning. "I'll go back." Pain turned and returned to the hideout. Natsuki knew it would take him a while to completely accept it but eventually he would.

"So… where did we stop again?" She smiled and kissed him which he happily deepened. More was to happen during this night which only the stars were allowed to see.