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Part One:
Numb.
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Life is like a sunset, that beautiful radiant burst of life before fading into the stunning wonderment of night as the stars look down.
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Amnesia
Chapter One: Anything?
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Retrograde amnesia.
Memory loss related to events that occurred before damage to the brain. Patients are unable to retrieve long-term memory of events and information learned prior to the brain trauma.
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My head pounded, the light from the fluorescent lamps stung my eyes. There was a horrible tightness in my chest that felt like the entire world was crushing me. Every inch of my being ached in protest, my hands were bound behind my back, my ankles bound together. My mind was clouded with fog; I couldn't fathom where I was, or who I was for that matter; only that sinking feeling of this is bad.
My mind was blank and a knot of terror was forming in my stomach.
"You're awake, kunoichi?" Stated the deep gruff voice; which made me futilely attempt to recoil in fear.
Kunoichi? Is that my name?
I was yanked into the air by the back of my clothes. An unknown hand pushed my chin up. I almost screamed at the grotesque sight. The man's skin had a ghastly mottled blue hue, amber predator's eyes and gill like slits on each side of his neck. Strapped around his forehead was a metal plated headband with a foreign engraving.
Who is this man? What is this man?!
"Not so strong without your chakra, eh?"
Chakra? What the hell is that?
Before I could speak the man threw me, with inhuman force, to the other side of the room, my body connecting with a wall of brick.
"Why don't you stand up for yourself?" mocked the man, whom chuckled at his joke. I yelped as he dealt a swift kick to my ribs. I couldn't breathe, I gasped helplessly for air.
I'm so dead…
"Kisame!" An angry voice bellowed through the brick walled room. "What do you think your doing?!"
"I was just having some – "
"Fun? Not with her! Get out now, fool!"
The area seemed to shake as the shark man strode out of the room, leaving behind a putrid stench.
I felt gentle hands tug at my bindings, and then roll me onto my back. Blazing red and black eyes stared down at me. This man too wore a metal headband but with a different engraving, but still had a huge strike through it. The man had almost feminine looking eyes as he had extended eyelashes that curled skywards. But that by no means lessened his intimidating presence; he glared at me like he could see into the recess of my soul.
A long fingered hand curled around the back of my head, I flinched in pain. He let go.
"As I thought." He whispered.
"Wha- "
"I need you to stay perfectly still." It was more of an order than a request. The tone of his voice told me to obey or otherwise. I watched as he examined my hands, then my arms. He then slowly tested my ribs for damage. He did the same for my legs and feet. I flinched or whimpered each time he touched a bruise, which I seemed to have masses of. However it was frightening when his fingers lingered on my stomach, but he continued as nothing had happened.
"A possible fracture in the left lower rib, excessive head trauma, possible broken ankle and mass bruising." The man recited to no one in particular. He smirked at me. "I recommend bed rest."
"Who –"
"You may call me sir, now sleep." He blinked and revealed red eyes. They began to spin.
He's trying to hypnotise me!
I snapped shut my eyes instantly.
"Open your eyes." It wasn't a question, it was an order. Slowly and hesitantly I cracked open an eye and then the other. "Look at me."
With a single glance his eyes made me feel faint, my vision was tunnelling, noises were numbed.
But then again, sleep would be nice…
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I was suddenly woken by a raised voice. I realized instantly I was not in the same basement, but in an ordinary looking bedroom, and groaned as I remembered the previous events. A weird shark monster and a hypnotist.
"Was it necessary for you to hit her?" the voice was deadly calm.
"She wouldn't stop screaming, besides she was still being controlled by - " this voice was rushed and nervous.
"I don't care! She has no use to us now!"
"Just kill her." This voice struck fear in my heart.
"I can't kill her, she's…- she's awake. Stay out here, oaf, I'll talk to her."
I slunk back into the bed sheets, it hurt to move. That man must have moved me while I was unconscious. My head throbbed, as did my left wrist, but I could see nothing visibly wrong with it.
"You're still alive, interesting..." The man that had checked me for wounds spoke, appearing at the doorway. Only this time he wore a huge black cloak with red cloud detailing. I made an effort to try to yank the comforter up; it would be nice to die warm. I was too weak to run or fight.
"Whe-"
"Don't speak." He snapped, eyes flaring seriously. "I have some questions first." He linked his hands behind his back, striding across the room calmly as if we were simply friends sitting at home. "What is your name?"
"I don't know."
"Where are you from?"
"I don't know."
"What is your status?"
"Wha-"
"Your rank?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Shame, I didn't want to kill you." With lightning speed he had pressed a long knife to my throat and straddled my knees, his spare hand grasping my wrists.
"NO! Don't kill me, please."
"Why not? You're worthless to me now." He pressed the knife harder; I felt warm blood trickle down my neck.
"I'll do anything. Just please… don't kill me."
"Anything?" He repeated, his eyes flaring with amusement.
I gulped and saved, yet ruined my life with a single word. "Yes…."
He placed a hand over my eyes. "Goodnight love." He whispered in my ear, breath ghosting my outer ear. Again, blackness overtook me. And that sinking feeling came that he had set me up for that response…
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A/N: Chapter revised 23/02/08
Much love,
Narky.