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Mind Thief, Body Thief
Part 1 - "Augury"
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She woke on a cold stone floor, her head hurting severely. Slowly, she realized what had occurred not too long ago. Someone had knocked her out, and then... then...? She sat up with a start, clutching her head and moaning as her brain ached. Overcome by soreness, she lay back down, the chill of stone reducing the swelling.
"...can't let her go, we need her."
"Danna, what good is she to us?"
"Idiot, she's a medical ninja. She can be of use to the Akatsuki."
Two male voices arguing in the background. Why couldn't they just shut up and let her sleep? Wait... Akatsuki! The black and red cloaked S-rank missing nin? Her icy blue eyes shot open when she realized what must have happened. They kidnapped her. And now they intended to use her for... for what? They needed a medical ninja. Naturally, there would be few in the Akatsuki, they didn't concern themselves with healing, probably. As she cautiously rose, her blond hair fell over her left eye as usual, and Ino glanced around at the dimly lit hall.
"Oh, so you're awake." A calm, level voice sounded behind her, the same voice she had heard first. Her head still throwing stars across her eyes from time to time, she glanced backward at the source of the voice. He was young, with short cropped red hair and expressionless green eyes, watching her placidly from across the room. Next to him sat his blond partner, and her eyes widened in shock. This other man seemed to be her male double, almost identical in appearance to her! But the comparison quickly faded as he inspected his palm and a tongue shot out from his hand swiftly. Her mouth twisted down in something between disgust and awe as she looked at the two.
"Wh-who the heck are you two?" She was afraid. Rightfully so, she was a mere chuunin rank medical ninja in a room with two S-rank Akatsuki. She didn't stand a chance.
The red haired man didn't seem inclined to answer right away, but then the blond sneered. "We don't need her, un. Why can't I just blow her up?"
But then the red haired man cut off his partner with a glare. "Shut up, brat. If we have a medical ninja, the time our associates spend on injury leave will be cut in half, and thus we would have more time to do missions. It makes perfect sense." The blond finally seemed to agree, and left the room in a huff. The strange younger looking man stepped towards her carefully, looking her over. "Hmm..." He tilted her chin from side to side, inspecting her from every angle. "What a shame. You'd never make a proper puppet. It works for fighting types, but not healing types..." He was amazed by her silence even in the face of an Akatsuki member. Impressed, even. Every captive he had taken, even Sandaime Kazekage, had squirmed and whimpered in fright before him. But she just watched as he looked her over, her gaze remaining still even though she was obviously scared. Someone like that at least deserved a name. "I am Sasori."
The predator giving its name to prey. It was wrong and yet right, a privilege reserved only for the ones he regarded with respect. Her resolve didn't falter, and she looked him straight in the eye. "Ino. And if you intend to use me as your medic nin, you can FORGET IT! I'll never do anything for you. You can kill me, I don't care." Something about being so close to death made her apathetic. Why run away from death when it was so close, breathing down your ankles while you trudged in quicksand?
"You don't have a choice in the matter." With a flick of his hands, she was drawn up off the ground, held in place by his chakra threads. "Even if you resist and try to run away, I'll just pull you back to me. I can even force you to heal us if necessary." He glanced down, still holding that cool, calm gaze. "However, I admire your spirit. I'd rather you helped us on your own. Choose. Will you be my puppet, or will you be our servant?"
Yamanaka Ino knew quite well about body control. But she also knew about being caught, and she had no choice. For the time being, she would have to help. And she'd be damned if she was turned into one of his puppets! If she had to do this, she would do so with her own power! "Fine. I'll help you on my own. Just untie me."
Sasori let go of her chin absently. "I can't do that just yet. I didn't go to all this trouble to catch you without learning a thing or two. If your hands are free, you can use the Mind Transfer jutsu to control your opponent's body. Not that it would work on me, but even if you used it on Deidara, we are always together or at least close by. Your jutsu would be completely useless." He paused for a moment, considering what he just said. "On second thought, I may as well untie you. Deidara has been out blowing things up again and he has quite a few injuries. You won't be much harm to us." His nimble hands released the ropes around her hands and legs, then he waited for her to stand. She was about the same height, and she rubbed her hands with a wince.
"I know it's useless. I won't bother to fight back." She glanced at the ground in resignation, but she was a logical person. If she got these people to trust her enough, they would let down their guard and she could escape. She intended to play this game until the pawns were in her favor. And then, when they shifted their eyes for but a moment, she would maneuver the queen to checkmate.
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A/N: A quick prologue for upcoming chapters. Short, I know, but it IS a prologue. Be patient, I'll update when school allows. I AM in college, you know, I DO have stuff to do you know. Please read and review, I LOVE seeing responses to my writing.
