warning: lots of swearing ahead

~Chapter Fifty-Four~

Her eyes burned and her stomach churned so violently she was surprised that it hadn't climbed out of her throat yet. She tipped her head back, pieces of her hair sticking to her glistening skin and parted her lips, letting the liquid fire cascade down her throat. As Winter slammed the shot glass down, Aexstra grinned and patted her on the back. "Just like old times, eh?"

She narrowed her eyes at the grinning teal haired male, "This is how you three choose to spend your time? Trying the various alcohol that," she cast a glance at the silver haired bartender that was rapping along to a very language choice song, "is being served by a former Akatsuki member?" Kuki shrugged, knocking back another soda and looking grumpy that she'd finally run out of donuts, and Kishi looked as if he was ready to pass out.

"Yo bitch," Winter glances up as the bartender slams a tall glass with a clear liquid in it in front of her, "try this. Maybe it'll wipe that stupid ass scowl off your face."

"I can't believe you of all people are in heaven." She mutters, pushing a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, I killed a shit ton of people but the big man said it was okay. He's kinda fucked up in my opinion, but if that weasel is able to stay here I think I'm in the clear." He leaned against the counter, a rag slung over his shoulder, his vivid purple eyes glinting in the dim light. "You're new around here aren't you?"

"I suppose." Her nose wrinkled as the strong drink floods her senses, causing her cough.

"Did ya'll hear about that Winter chick? Apparently, she died and her brother threw a hissy fit because it wasn't 'her time' or some shit like that. Anyways, I've heard she's really hot and—"

"And you're looking right at her," Aexstra says slyly, his cheeks flushed with alcohol.

Hidan's eyes widen and he looks at Winter, his eyes roaming up and down her slouched over form. "You're her? Shit man, I thought you'd be a little bigger around the," he winces as he's roughly bumped into by a blue haired male who shoots him a pointed look, "uh, I mean you look great being dead and all."

She raises her glass slightly, an eyebrow cocked, "Thanks."

He grins, his usual cockiness coming back, and winks at her before moving onto another customer.

Rolling her eyes, Winter sipped at the strong drink, deciding it was going to be the last drink of the night. As midnight gave way to the twilight hours before dawn approaches, Winter found herself helping Aexstra back to his apartment, the man mumbling incoherent sentences.

While some people were glad to go to Heaven, others found themselves in a restless state, for those they cared about were left behind. So they find other things to occupy their minds, like giving themselves alcohol poisoning apparently, Winter thought dryly. She pick locked his door since the teal-haired man looked half-conscious, and dragged him over to his bed, dumping him on it unceremoniously.

She started walking out of the bedroom, pausing in the doorframe, and casting a glance over her shoulder at the slumbering man. An image flashed through her mind— blood splattering across a war-torn battlefield, Sairen screaming as she transformed into something that showcased the horror she felt, and the aftermath that followed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered so quietly one might mistake it for a mere brush of wind fluttering through tree branches, "all of you deserved better."

She filled up a water glass and left an anti-nausea pill next to it, placing it on the nightstand next to the bed. Then, like the shadows that fade from the world as the sun rises, Winter faded away into the background.

The cold air kissed her flushed cheeks as she wandered around, the houses blending together into a blur of gentle browns and reds and whites. The houses slowly drifted away, being replaced by the subtle greens of a park and the deep blue of the abyss that was called the sky.

Winter laid down on the grass, staring up at the stars that winked at her merrily, promising to listen and keep her secrets for themselves.

I wonder, her hand reached up for a moment as if to try and touch one of those faraway stars, if I'm looking at the same sky as those I left behind. Or, is it a new one? Loneliness rubbed against her like a friendly stray cat, inviting a flurry of symptoms that included a tightening of her throat, burning eyes, and clenching of her jaw.

She closed her eyes, letting her hand gently make its way back to the soft grass, letting the chorus of wind and swaying trees fill her ears. She laid there, taking deep breaths and feeling the cold held captive in the earth seep into her body.

"Are you just going to stand there all night?"

"I didn't want to disturb ya, you looked peaceful and all that shit."

The grass bent as Hidan sat down, a few feet away from Winter. His violet eyes had dimmed along with the setting sun, his silver hair a reflection of the moon above. "It never gets easier, I'm going to tell you that right now. That guy, Aexstra, has been coming to the bar for weeks, and I can assure you he's not the only one. Death changes everyone, whether it's for the better or worse. Some of us get jack shit, others get their families and eternal happiness."

"And what did you get? I'm guessing it wasn't 'jack shit' by the tone of your voice."

"I got my own form of punishment, seeing all the people I killed every day and being reminded that I fucked up real bad." He sighed, a rough sound that scraped across the air, "All I'm trying to say is, look for the good in being here. Or some sappy shit like that. I'm not good with pep talks, and I take it you're not one to get hyped up by them either. Just... find something to keep you sane I suppose."

"Who would've thought, the great Hidan giving me advice that isn't half bad." Her words sounded sarcastic, but Winter was glad he'd stopped to speak to her.

"Yeah, you've been blessed bitch. Now get up, I'll help you find your way home, Heaven is endless and I don't want to face the wrath of the asshole that you all your brother."

She opened her eyes, turning her head so she could look at him, "Says the king of assholes himself." He shakes his head, and for the first time, Winter notices that he's not wearing the necklace of Jashin.

"At least I'm the king of somethin'. Now get up, I plan on going to sleep before the sun rises and I have to interact with people."

She sat up, her stomach clenching and the world fading in and out of focus for a second. Making it to her feet proved to be harder than it should be and Winter stumbled, Hidan's hand on her shoulder the only reason she didn't fall back to the ground. "You're shitfaced." His blunt words helped pierce through the fog that had encased her mind.

"Well, it was my first time drinking." Her words sound messy to her ears as if they were stumbling into one another.

"Your first ti— shit man, why didn't you let me know? I wouldn't have given you half the drinks that I did." He mutters something that sounded suspiciously rude, but Winter was more focused on not emptying her stomach on Hidan's bare feet.

"Fuck! You bitch, that's disgusting."

Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, Winter laughed weakly, "It sure made me feel better."

"C'mon, I'm taking you to someone else so they can deal with you. I don't get paid enough for this shit."

Her ears were ringing and Winter focused on keeping upright, each step a task that was unusually hard. They made their way through districts and streets and ended up at a quaint looking house. Hidan pounded on the door, the sound resonating through Winter's skull and making black spots appear in her vision.

A light flickers on, a female voicing annoyance and a male tone replying soothingly. The door opened a few seconds later, the sudden light making Winter squint. Bright light flooded her senses, making it hard to make out the man standing in the doorway. Words were exchanged, and Winter found herself lurching forward to find gentle hands steadying her.

"Easy there." The voice was distinctly male with such a gentle warmth to it, Winter found her eyes struggling to stay open.

The world itself furled and unfurled around her, and the next thing she knew, Winter was laying in a bed. Her eyes peeled open for a second, finding ocean blue eyes looking at her with a hint of worry in them, as well as kindness.

"What—"

"Shh... I'll explain everything in the morning. For now, get some rest." With a wink, Minato vanished and Winter couldn't find it within herself to resist.

So she slept, leaving reality behind and welcoming a dreamless sleep with open arms.

i hoped you guys enjoyed this overdue chapter! i have AP testing this entire week, and then after that i'll have a LOT less homework, which means i can have more time to write which means more updates (hopefully lol)

QotC: Did I accurately write Hidan (he's honestly a complex character to write so... I hope I did him justice) ? 

thank you all so much for your patience! it really means a lot to me.

and just a side note, I've entered this story and Fireheart into the naturowattys (voting starts in June so I'll let you guys know when all the voting 'n stuff happens) i hope you'll consider voting for one of my storys :) [so totally check out Fireheart *wink wink nudge nudge* ] 

ily you all <3