Hello Guys! Author here! First off I want to say thank you all for reviewing and favoriting my story so far! This is my first story so I hope we all have fun here together. This is also my very first posting on this site (any site) and I'm still getting used to all the buttons and such. I also just want to say I'm so sorry for the wait, it's been a super busy year! What with school and everything and the transitions at work, it's been a hot mess and I haven't had any time to de-stress by writing for this lovely story.
Thank you for reading the first chapter, and just a heads up that I edited this one because after posting this chapter the first time I decided that I didn't like the flow. It wasn't until much later when I checked on the chapter I posted did I see all you lovely readers, and oh boy, am I sorry about doing this. Again, I think the flow is a bit better for the story to continue in the following chapters.
Second! I also noticed after I posted that I forgot to put in an Authors note, whoops! Sorry for that also e3e. Anything pertaining to pairings, they've been decided a looong time ago, but hey 'm flexible and I can make divergence if you guys want. Am I gonna tell you the pairings? Nope, for now just have fun with it and try and guess or make up your own. I'll reveal who's gonna be with who in the future with some clues…but I like being vague, you have been warned.
Anyways for now-story start!
Okay so when a special girls' friends would always say, "Gosh your just too cute" she just could never relate that word to herself. If anything she'd see herself as the later statement of "only you" after a rather ridiculous situation or other that would not have happened unless scripted or otherwise in a movie or made up joke about the person walking down the street and running into a pole. She was a strange little thing, something that she didn't do on purpose, 'honest!' she'd cry in defense arms closed in, hands covering her face, and the heat of embarrassment rivaling a chili pepper.
Regardless, the situation she was facing herself with would probably fall under the latter category. A situation where she, again, never placed herself on purpose.
'honest!'
It started like any other day, a morning filled with blur as she felt her way around the halls to find her first meal. She got into her car, went to college, came home, studied. Found leftovers to eat, watched tv, hung out with her darling sister and went to bed…only to wake up on a metal table.
Now, she expected a rinse and repeat of the previous day, albeit hopefully with less tripping and stuttering, and finding the absence of a blanket and soft bed left the dark-haired girl feeling more disoriented than her usual mornings.
Now, she never complained of where she'd had to sleep. As long as she was able, she'd sleep on any surface. It didn't matter if it was the floor, a stiff bed or a place in a cold room and the sore muscles the next morning aren't so bad. She rather liked how the burn felt, and it was fun to push it just slightly to test how far she'd go with the burn everyday until it dissipated.
Still, it was falling asleep in her comfortable bed and waking up not in her comfortable bed that irked her. The cold of the room let her know she wasn't dreaming. Her room is never like this, she wakes up if she is cold or feels a draft. Years of being alert to temperature changes helps her not get sick, she can already feel her tonsils swelling, her saliva drying up. She recognized that if the situation wasn't so surreal she'd be much more scared. Feeling her palm on the edge of the sharp table she sits up and opens her eyes wide, as if it would help her adjust to the darkness of the room faster…it doesn't…Before she could delve on her thoughts further a deep chuckle followed by the sounds of padding footsteps approached her. Her mind immediately thought of the dark creature that would crawl in the dark like the ones mentioned in fairy tales and jumped up and blindly scanned the darkened room.
It's childish, yes, and she knows this. It's illogical that a monster with too big eyes, a large, large mouth and pointed and jagged teeth would be the one in here with her but she couldn't help it. There were no corners to guard her back, she was on a steel bed that should function better as a table and the draft swiping her back reminded her how exposed she was on all sides. All she could do was curl away from the chuckling, which was in front of her, and lifted her feet up accordingly. No monster was going to eat her legs ta-day. NOPE!
"Oh look at you, frightened. Like a little mouse," Another chuckle, and the girl went still, determined to identify what was coming to her. "It's alright dear, I won't hurt you, we have found your kind to be much too delicate, despite numerous attempts at creating stronger vessels."
It was still dark and the mans deep voice felt like slippery ink, it made the small girl shiver, but she let it slide as she hooked herself to the mans words. Once her response leaves her mouth she wants to smack herself and prays no one else ever finds about what her response was. 'Honest!'
"Delicate? Vessels? U-um sorry sir, I'm American, not a boat."
There was a pause…and the man chuckled. Lights shot out from the ceiling above, blinding again before sight returned past the splotches of grey. The man who owned the voice stepped forward as she felt fright accompany her embarrassment at the sight of him. She'd never seen someone as pale as him in her life, and she had dressed a fresh cadaver before! They were a greyish yellow in tint but this man...man? the voice was deep so lets go with man- was like white rice and looked sticky like it also. His face was framed by inky black hair and, wow, his purple eyeshadow and gaudy matching earing must mean he really cares about his looks.
'well, you can have a deep voice and be a woman also' she found herself thinking.
"American, is that what you call yourself?"
"No, I'm Alejandra." She squeaked without thinking, transfixed on the mans' skin, 'was it a condition? Is this what lymes disease is? Poor rice man.'
Unaware of the girl's thoughts the 'rice man' chuckled again amused at how freely she gave her name…they all did, she was faster than most, unfortunately for her. Said girl noticed his face splitting grin on his pale as paper face.
"ah, Dora is it? Very well" he responded and started approaching her. His skin making him look like a ghost.
Wow
She could feel herself getting fixated on this.
'does he never leave this place?...did he straight up just change her name?'
"Well, aren't you interesting," he walked closer, "you seem much more stable than the others, tell me-" He reaches for the strands of her long dark hair, she leans away from the touch 'stranger danger!' ,"- How are you feeling chi-?"
"uncomfortable"
…
The girls eyes widen and her face goes red, before she explains herself and tries to apologize for the rude remark a boy no older than eleven or twelve (or so she thinks, she's never been good at guessing ages) walks in while taking notes on a clipboard. "Orochimaru-sama, perhaps there was a flaw during the transition, her responses are concurrent to the possibility of mental delay related to-"
"Yes, though I appreciate the input Kabuto-kun this is not the case. The others were much more…encumbering upon their arrival, and I have a feeling this is merely a case of disorientation." He then turned his attention to the girl sitting on the table.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it that way!" she apologized after finding the right opportunity to voice her condolence. She didn't want to interrupt their conversation after all. That's just rude. She didn't see the teenager beside her smirk in amusement.
"Nevertheless child, I believe introductions are in order, I am the Snake Sannin, you may call me Orochimaru-sama, and this is Kabuto-kun who will be aiding me in overseeing your progress."
"Hello Orochimarusama and Kabuto Koon…Progress?"
The next thing the foreign girl knew she was in a room that looked like a glorified jail cell with the promise that she would be picked up later. Now that the initial shock was out of her system she was able to start asking questions and decided that the next time she saw that rice man she'd do it. "Why am I here and how didn't I not wake up?" would be a nice place to start. Luckily, her sister had the night shift last night making her the only one at home last night, so no, she was pretty confident that she was the only one taken…probably…she's like 90 percent sure of it. Sitting on the creaky bed she contemplated her situation. This was a bizzar kidnapping thing probably. Though if that was so, she was sure she would've had some kind of flashback. That sounded right after all right? Isn't it what happened to kidnap-eez? Well she wouldn't know, it's the first time she was kidnapped…successfully but she's not going to open that vault right now. Noo sir-ee-bob.
On the way to her room slash cell, there was nothing but a big empty hallway (several hallways) and unfortunately for her she was so dazed at what was happening that she wasn't paying attention to which direction she'd come from. Probably the left, then from the next left…was it two or three rights? There were no windows and any air vents she saw were way too small to fit in through and the whole place was sparcly lit, which added to the coldness of it all. Maybe all the shitty-oh wait theres a drain-all the shitty dampness was from no proper ventilation. This drain was too small to squeeze through, poking it just now confirmed that. How else would she be able to escape? Maybe bide her time, win the confidence of her captors and sneakily find a way out…That sounds good!
Maybe asking for answers was counterproductive then? If she asks where she is they are probably not going to answer. Seriously, a bad guy wouldn't reveal the location of their creepy hide out. It's just stupid. And remembering all the jars in the room she came from, she's assuming black market at best!
….
Oh my god.
They might harvest her organs! Or worse! She'll be sold to the highest bidder! Hopefully she was still in the country, it would make it easier to get home, or find the police, whichever came first.
'Wait! The bathroom!' she realized that maybe there was a window there, or a big enough vent to let out all the steam to the outside and voila!
So, following her line of thought she tumbled to the bathroom and was disappointed when it was another concrete covered room, even the toilet was made of concrete! 'this guy has a serious problem, besides just up and grabbing people from their beds! HOW do you make a TOILET out of CONCRETE! Or more importantly WHY!?'.
Accepting that nothing else would come from exploring she sat on her bed again and waited, determined to deny any more sleep lest she wake up on another table but as usual it was a losing battle.
The clattering woke her up and took away all the breath she had. Finding the source she saw a boy her age with bright yellow hair and acid green eyes carrying a tray. He wore a white uniform with purple trim, and took the time to slowly make her way over to her bed, "Oh! I'm sorry for waking you! I forgot how doors in this side can get jammed! I brought your meal, Orochimaru-sama said we should get you accustomed to the food right away." He smiled a bright smile and placed the tray in front of the girl. Standing in front of her she saw how tall he was, 'huh…that's weird.
He let out a seemingly warm smile "Now go ahead and dig in! I'd avoid the yellow peppers for last if I were you."
"You eat this stuff too?" quirking her lip she poked the food. It all looked pretty good, there was rice, a grilled fish and some green stuff with the yellow peppers on top. It was slightly cold.
"Everyone here does, though it may look it, it's not poisoned, I swear."
"hmm." Was her only answer, too many questions floating about and not sure where to start. Doro beamed, "It's alright, Orochimaru sama will explain in time, you are the newest one so we will all look out for you okay?"
And just like that, before she could ask any questions, the bright eyed boy left the room, white robes swaying behind him.
"Why is everyone so bad at listening to questions?" she whispered to herself and looking down she realized matching matching robes were placed next to her. 'huh, when did he put those there…"
'Why are they so small?'
The next time the door opened she was met with a dark skinned man with long dread locks, but looking closer she noticed the braids. He had a stern face but he seemed nice and in an accented voice he told her to follow him. She paused for a few breaths, not missed by the new man.
"My name is Nagamaki. I am to bring to the study and under orders, you will comply."
Without a second thought the mentioned prisoner jumped out of the bed, mindful of the rails because she was still in a daze, then promptly followed Nagamaki into the hallway but not before bumping into one of the frames on her way out.
They arrived where the study was, she supposed, considering Mr. Naga (that's his name now, she can't remember the rest) knocked on the door. It's been quiet the whole walk down the halls 'two lefts, three rights' she noted. There must have been an affirmation that someone was in there since he promptly opened the door, revealing a 'thank god!' warm and dry room.
The endless dark tunnles were everything that you'd expect from a bad guys secret hideout. It was dank, dark and cold.
Everything was still made either of concrete or metal but at least there were no mysterious jars…or bed looking surfaces where her organs could be harvested.
"Ah, just who I was expecting, our newest guest, little Dora-chan. I apologize for the rush this morning, but you see, I had some business to take care of. Now sit, sit, there is a lot to cover today."
He was sitting at a desk and looking right at his new company, namely her, with his chin in his palm. Those yellow eyes were almost glowing in the dim lights and it all screamed predatory. Like a snake eyeing a mouse. A nudge from her escort and she was prompted into the room.
"Oh, and no need to come by later Nagamaki-kun. Rest assured, I will take care of everything."
The door closed and it was just her and the rice man, she could still smell the sourness of vinegar wafting off him. "Now, no need to be shy child, think of this as an introduction course. All those like you have gone through it." Orochimaru spoke as he stood and guided her to the chair across from his.
His hands were cold.
The dark haired girl finally allowed her speech to return to her, this was all so surreal. "like a class. Why?"
After a pause the man in front of her chuckled again and leaned back in his chair, giving an air of relaxation but it proved to affect her in the opposite way. She could feel her back straightening and hands clenching. What were the odds of her running for her life if anything happened? Not much.
He continued, "I'm here to clear the air, you surly have many questions you want answers to, and I'm here to oblige. Before we begin I must ask that you refrain any further questions until I have briefed you, is that clear?"
Not trusting her voice she answered with a stunned nod which coaxed a smirk out of his pale lips. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out objects that, to the stilled girl, held no meaning. A bean plant in a small clay jar, a balloon with what she assumes is water inside of it, a black sticky, gooey ball, and a flute? "uuuuh" she said smartly, this only seemed to amuse the rice man more.
"Go on, pick each of them up, they won't bite."
"R-right" She still leaned to grab the flute wearingly, letting paranoia get the best of her. She had her entire body, ready to run (or chug the thing at his face, whatever came first) in case the object of her stress spontaneously combusted.
Seeing her limbs were still intact after touching the object she started to relax, and gingerly brought it to her chin. Before she made her way to the balloon she let out a sigh of relief only to let out a squeak in surprise when a loud and off tune music note tagged along for the ride, "JESUS CHRIST!" and threw the flute away, unknowingly toward her captors face. It was fast but she saw how the ink haired man caught it as if it were nothing. 'What is he, a ninja!?'
"Kukuku, alright, go on child, there are still more to go."
"…okay." 'I'll avoid the black gooey one for last, just in case it does explode or something'. Nodding to herself she took hold of the water balloon. It was warm in her hands, and it brought a kind of comfort she didn't realize she needed.
"WHAT THE!?"
Turns out the warm water feeling was literally her hands holding the water. There they were, studio Ghibli style, encasing her hands! She could see how she was sucking the water from out of the balloon. Any other situation and she would have been pleasantly entranced, but now she was just wondering if they put some kind of drug in her food this morning! (That blond guy (what was his name?) said it wasn't poisoned, but that's just something a bad guy would say! She couldn't believe she fell for it!)
'If it's sticking, scrape it off!' Was her next thought and so, trying to avoid the mysterious black mass she immediately went for the pot with the plant. I her hurry her fingers brushed the soil, the water didn't let go and the plant promptly leaned into her touch. It was as if magnetized. The shock wearing off she awed at the site. Moving both objects back and forth and she found how easily it was to manipulate. It was almost magnetic, until she moved the water through the plant and felt a sucking motion. Gathering all the water to her left hand she wove it into the leaves of the plant and a green liquid came out on the other side. This made her stop, and from the loss of concentration the water glob popped and splayed all over the counter. The place on the leaf where she manipulated the water wilted, if only slightly.' I'm hurting the plant', she thought, and felt dejected. Her mother had a green thumb, and the garden was full of beautiful greenery. She never had the green thumb despite all her attempts to learn.
"One more."
The voice of the man in front of her made her jump, 'I almost forgot about him' which prompted her to look up and caused her to freeze. She remembered her situation and the ease she felt just moments earlier froze over, and she was very conscious of the gleaming stare she was receiving. Her only comfort was that if he wanted to do anything creepy or perverted he would have done so already.
Wanting to get away as soon as possible she went for the sticky looking black ball and burned her fingers on contact and an orange flame erupted. Her squeak of surprise was all that sounded in the room until the pale man with inky hair started clapping.
"I just burned your table, why are you clapping?"
'Did she already forget the rules? She's lucky she's entertaining' Orochimaru was very happy with the results and if not for that she would not have garnished such a reaction. Yes, his displeasure would have led her to a very unfortunate fate. "To start with your earlier questions my dear, you are no longer home. You were chosen to be a participant in an experiment pertaining to the laws of life itself. "
'that sounds like bull' she thought to herself not understanding half of what he said, the thoughts were not hidden in her face so it did not slip past the snake like man.
Regardless, Orochimaru continued, "…and congratulations you passed the first test. You're training will continue as planned."
"…am" she tentively raised her hand as if to ask permission to speak. Yes, her compliancy looks to be second nature, if a little rough around the edges. For her first few hours here, he was liking the results very much. "You may speak" he said.
"training? For what?" It's obvious she's no longer home, (No science she knows makes water bend to her will. Unless she was really drugged up) why be so redundant? unless he was rubbing it in her face?
"As I said, you are no longer home. That is to say, you are in, what to you is, another world, for all intents and purposes. Where your home is one way this one is completely different. Here in this world there is darkness and only those strong enough to live in it can thrive. That is what I want to accomplish here. This world has a limitless amount of power and harnessing it will change the world as we know it. The only way to access that power is through you my dear. That is what a Shinobi is, what you will become."
There was no way she was believing anything he was saying.
"I see you don't believe me. Look, even now you resemble a frightened little mouse. Believe it or not I am telling you the truth and this is your new home now. I will teach you all you have to know. You can trust me."
She was so not trusting him, "…Okay."
The now dubbed Dora, would forever call this day as the shitty lecture day where everything she knew about anything was thrown up to the air and this was only the start of the first edition of her story. The prologue to the sequels of her new life.