13
She awoke on a stone floor that sent shivers throughout her body. As she attempted to shift to a sitting position waves of pain shoot through her wrists, from the metal shackles that bound her to the concrete wall.
The cell she was kept in had no windows, and was lit by a small flame from a single white candle.
The silence was interrupted by footsteps outside the door.
"Are you sure about this my lord?" inquired a curious voice.
"Yes Kabuto bring her out she is part of the bargain." Bargain…. She was
confused, what were they talking about; she feared what was in store for her.
Her qualms would have to wait, for the door opened, and in stepped two ominous and familiar faces. Lord Orochimaru and his right hand man Kabuto Yakushi. It was those very men that gave meaning to her life as well give reason for her death.
She knew neither the warmth of a mother's touch, nor the gentleness of a father's voice. Taken from her home at a young age she was forced into a harsh and lonely life. All memory of her past had been washed away by an endless sea of blood which she knew would one day mask her from the world she so desperately wished to see. She was bred in captivity, as to speak, one of Orochimaru's numerous test subjects, and unfortunately for her, his favorite.
Life in that world was simple, learn to kill early and learn to kill well. Emotions were superfluous and affection was unheard of. Days were filled with brutal training that wore her to the bone, and relaxation was only found in the form of damp floors and iron shackles. She was left without a home, a family, even a name was a luxury she couldn't afford she was merely a number. 13.
As the two men advanced deeper into the cell she felt her heart beating faster her head spun trying to decipher their next move; was she to be beaten, experimented on, or just tormented for the sheer thrill it seemed to give them?
"Good morning and how are you today my little pet?" Shivers flew up her spine at the sound of her lord's sadistic tone. Their eyes met, it felt like a blade was against her throat, she felt as if he had his long ashen fingers around her neck. That is the kind of fear he installed in her. "G- Good morning Orochimaru-sama" she was shocked by the sound of her voice, it had been at least three days since she had any contact outside of her cell. Hunger and dehydration were getting the better of her at the moment.
She struggled to stand, but her legs wouldn't do as they were told. After many unsuccessful attempts she slumped back to the floor defeated. "Kabuto bring the poor girl her food she hasn't eaten in days, she won't be of any use to us if she's dead." Orochimaru said, a wicked smile playing on his face.
"Yes my lord" as Kabuto turned to leave Orochimaru whispered something in his ear that made Kabuto gasp in surprise, but 13 was too tired to worry about what had been said she only thought of the food that would soon fill her stomach.
After she ate she was taken to the washroom. "You get ten minutes I will return for you then." With that Kabuto left her to her own devices. She stepped into the tub and allowed the heat of the water to sink deep into her muscles. This was the first time in days she felt this relaxed.
Unfortunately there was still something bothering her. Something just didn't feel right her Lord never treated her with such delicacy or care. Perhaps she would have to under go more tests today. How she dreaded those "operations". She'd be strapped down to a metal table covered in blood. Then came the prodding and poking, and needles everywhere. Strange liquids would be injected into her system sometimes she would feel very tired and others it seemed her insides were ablaze. But the worst was when her Lord would take out the knife.
He would slowly run the blade over her skin until it broke, and her screams filled the hallowed halls of their hideout. As she recalled the days of the past she slowly ran her fingers over the short scars that covered her arms. Whenever she underwent an experiment the only way she kept her sanity, was by concentrating on the sensation the blade sent through her body. Losing herself in the icy heat that a blade instilled was the only way she survived the agony.
Her concentration was broken when the door opened silently to reveal Kabuto. Panic struck her, "Oh I… forgive me I didn't know it had already been ten minutes I'm so sorry!" "Now, now don't get so worked up 13 I'm just here to retrieve you it seems my Lord can not wait any longer." A wicked grin played on his face; she feared that there was something more that he wasn't telling her.
"Yes of course, well I'll change quickly, if you will excuse me." There was something wrong she could feel it in her bones. Kabuto walked towards her slowly like a cat cornering a mouse. "Oh there is no need for that", he said pulling a syringe out from behind his back. "We just need you go to sleep", terror struck her abruptly, but there was nowhere to go, the only exit was behind Kabuto and his needle. All she knew was that she wasn't going to wake up on an operating table again. She bolted out of the tub and ran for the door when a strong hand wrapped around her wrist like an iron vise. A prick sent chills through her body, "n…no", was the last thing that escaped from her mouth.