Chapter 1

Water drops!

She can hear water drops along with smelling a revolting stench; something rotten she supposes. Groggily, she cracked her eyes open. A hard cold floor under her, ropes were wrapped tightly around her wrists; sure thing that would leave nasty marks for a while!. ' where am I' she thought. Trying to focus with a pounding headache is undoubtedly hard, but she have to put all of this in one side now. What is this place?, where is she?, and what bought her here in the first place?; bound down like a lowbred horse. Squeezing her eyes, she tried to remember. The last thing that came up that she and her bodyguard arrived to Los Angles, met her escort in the airport and…

(flashback)

" Himiko Kawasaki?" a young blonde man greeted her with a question, spikey thick golden locks were dancing with the wind of the private airstrip. He had that uninterested look on his face, which was decorated with three whisker like marks on his right cheek, Himiko assumed it was an old injury that defied to heal 'till now. Hands shuffling in his suit pants, he raised his eyebrows impatiently , waiting for her confirmation.

In convenience, she nodded. Might of have rudely staring she was.

"officer Jack Berns. L.A.P.D" he greeted monotonously . holding his hand out for her to shake, but her big bodyguard: kenji, who was on her right, stepped in front of her preventing them both from making any contact.

" Its lady Kawasaki sir, and may I see your identification card?"

Despite the size difference between Kenji and officer Berns, the blonde didn't even waver or even blink, instead. when she managed to peek like a little girl over her bodyguard's shoulder , he held an apathetic expression . circular dark blue eyes that Himiko swore she saw before, traveled up and down Kenji.

" you must certainly can." He uttered. Placing his right hand under his expensive black suit, flashing a silver stamp ring hugging his index finger, he handed the ID card to the large man in front of her.

While Kenji eyed over the plastic card, Jack continued to introduce himself, dreary eyes not leaving Kenji alone. "the L.A Government sent me as an escort for you" the blank stare was dragged on her now " lady Kawasaki", back on Kenji "the orders say that I have to drive you safely to a press confess before handing you to another escort that would take you to the hotel." Drawly, he finished.

" am sorry officer, but I personally talked to the security head earlier, and he stated I would be escorted straight to the hotel, for; you see, am terribly tired." She said smiling.

A smile Himiko was forced to give throughout her life. A smile that would win anything. A Fake smile which was taught to her by her own husband.

The young spike haired blonde shrugged. " change of palns." He said simply. Snatching his ID card from Kenji, he gave them his back, walking. He had the rest of his hair bound into a low ponytail, long enough to reach his shoulder blades.

She frowned at his back. This boy has some attitude. "but…"

Turning back, he sighed; visibly annoyed, looking straight at Himiko. " am sorry lady Kawasaki, but the chief of L.A.P.D phoned me himself an hour ago, giving me an order to squire you urgently to the city hall for a press confess. interviewers are waiting." He said through his teeth " you wouldn't desire for the American public to get the wrong image of Japan would you lady Kawasaki" the young officer smirked, giving them his back again.

" what press confess precisely, and why I am not informed earlier?!" she asked, taking her sun glasses off anxiously. Her bodyguard sensed her tension.

Jack spun to them. "excuse me!…." lifting his eyebrow with displeasure. "do you want me ask the chief lady Kawasaki?" he tapped his ear wire. Seemingly, he couldn't take enough calling her with her last name.

Clearing his throat, Kenji got her attention and whispered. " ma'am, he is only an escort . I don't think he has any further information. Officer Berns is just following orders."

Himiko sighed, running her fingers through her indigo long hair. " No….it's alright, I will go"

"tsk! Honestly, right this way."

What an abruptness.

By looking to her escort's back, following him, Himoiko noticed that his gait smooth and calm. Too calm.

" have we met before MR. Berns?" she blurted without thinking.

Without turning his head to address her, he voiced " nope!"

But the middle aged woman was sure she did. Somewhere.

" hope in" his voice cut through her line of thoughts, opening the back seat door of a black Marcedes.

Forcing a smile, she thanked him and got in the car. Kenji decided to sit with her at the back, and while doing that, he was calling the bodyguards they hired in L.A.

The door of the driver's seat opened, and officer Berns stepped in. she heard him confirming to someone through his ear phone, gathered her from the airport and there will be there soon. peeking at the review mirror, the indigo haired woman could only see his lower part of his face. She just couldn't manage to quite staring at the young male. And what's wrong with that un nerving smirk of his, why would he smir….

Before she could finish that thought, Himiko heard a click sound, and the next thing the car was foggy. Before Attempting to voice a question on what was happening, lady Kawaski was out of consciousness.

(end of flashback)

"kenji…" Himiko called softly for her big muscling redeemer. "Kenji?..." she croaked again. Her throat aches for water.

Bright light hit straight for her eyes, squirming. She tried to shield them using her hair when she turned her head to one side. Footsteps were approaching from her left. Himiko's strange lavender eyes were tempted to peek through her dark locks, but the lights were too damn bright! She couldn't anything for the they were only focused on her. And that's when her senses decided to come back, taking in her surroundings she tried not to panic. Her wrists along with her ankles were tightly wrapped behind her, sitting on hard cold concrete, head spinning from that strange fog she sniffed. She was kidnapped.

" your finally awake."

She hear a male's voice say. Panic lavender eyes searched for the person responsible of it, but alas!. " who are you?" she barked, thankfully. Her mouth isn't gagged, and she managed to not cough for her throat was dry.

Chuckling was the man. And then he came to view. Its that black expensive looking suit again!. The as her escort was wearing. "who are you?" she dared to ask again.

" your worst nightmare." Finally responding he continued. "and I'll be the one asking question. K?"

Himiko Kawasaki started to shake. Yes, it was her escort!, but what is he doing?. Wasn't he supposed to take her to that so called press confess? She knew something is not right from the very beginning.

"okay?" harm was clear in his voice.

"o…okay." she whispered.

Pulling something which sounded like a chair, the maybe young officer sat on it, she still can't see his face for it was covered by the shadows. He pushed a worn out picture toward her. It held a couple, the woman was holding a baby, both were smiling sincerely.

It….its Kushina and her husband. She was shocked, why would a picture of her best friend be with this man. Her best friend would never have known kidnapers.

Kushina was a kind, funny spirited person , who just has that very loving personality that Himiko found it endearing, and was grateful that she was Kushina Namakazi's best friend…..until that horrifying event happened…

"judging by your face… you knew them." Her kidnaper said slightly amused. She looked up and nodded with a frown.

"how did you get their picture?" she narrowed her eyes and then they widened when she came to realization "you're the one who killed them" she yelled.

Suddenly, Her back was slammed to the wall behind her, she cried in pain by how hard her back was slammed. Opening her eyes slowly she was welcomed with a very angry young man.

Wait those eyes…those circular dark blue eyes. Now she recognizes who is this person. This young lad is a spitting replica of Kushina's husband…

"Minato" she asked meekly. The blond boy growled at her, letting her go and slide down the wall, he stepped back.

"so you did know them".

Looking up at him, wincing at the pain in her back. He looks so much like Minato.. but didn't Minato…die!

"first question.." he held his left index finger, walking around her "how was your relationship with the Namakaze's?" he came to a holt waiting for her answer.

Her mind was spinning, why does this person, who looks a copy of Minato, ask about his own family. is this some kind of a sick joke.

The blond boy sighed and bent down to be as the same eye level as her. "look here lady. I don't have all day for you.. so answer the question quickly ..and I won't kill you painfully" he placed a sharp knife against her neck for emphasis.

She gulped and looked up at him, she understood that he was not a patient person, so she might just give him what he needs , and pray not to harm her.

"Ku..kushina was m..my best friend from w..when we were k..kids , we grow u..p with each other.. our h..husbands worked together. But when we both got married. W..we started to less m..meet with each other d..due to our husbands". She said shakily.

"what do you mean due to our husbands" the blond raised his eyebrow at her.

"when m..me and hi…hiashi married, he started come along with me w…when I..I visit KU…kushina" It was starting to be hard for her to breath "and when e…ver he m..meets Minato… they start to argue.. so I…I decided to stop visiting Ku..Kushina like i…I used to be..because of my husband's behavior". she finished panting heavily.

He removed the knife from her neck, but not before drawing some blood." What were they arguing about?" he asked calmly.

" I don't know… I don't know….i don't know…" she kept repeating in a whisper.

"Oh common! am sure you remember something" he mocked. " perhaps I can refresh your memory". Standing up, he smirked, and walked up to her placing a tape on her mouth. She tried calling for help but to avail.

Flashing her a mad man face he turned around taking his jacket off and rolled up his sleeves. he returned to the darkness, Picked something up and came back with a terrifying view.

A very beaten up 'Kanji' ,his right ear out of its place, blood covering his face, clothes were ripped. And when her eyes sled to his cut open abdomen , she actually vomited on the tape and caused her to struggle breathing. It was inhuman to do such a thing. she couldn't think anymore, this image will surly hunt her in the future. Himiko tried to scream, tears were running down her cheeks.

Now, her own vomit is chocking her, her consciousness is fading. Is this how the dear lord is punishing her for her sins? His greatness is the only who knows how hard she prayed for forgiveness. Is this how she is going to die?. Asphyxiated?, or just like Kenji!, her guts out in this rotten…somewhere for the flies to feast on?

What an irony. Himiko felt like cackling.

But abruptly, the tape ripped off of her mouth, stoutly she coughs, heaving for breath, dark sleeks fell over her shoulders, she felt the sinister young man, the perfect young copy of Minato, abducing down to her. The Japanese woman barely can raise her blurry stare at him, the wall behind prevented her from scooping further away…

"I finally found you!" he muttered. As if talking to himself.

They were so firm, his eyes; his dark crystal eyes, its glare so strong. Demanding, capturing hers.

"j..just onegai.. onegai, am losing my sanity" she begged, tears shazing her sight. " you aren't Minato…just ..just who are you?" all she wants to know, is her best friend alive or not?

"answer me!" his yell echoed through the vacant place, strong hands clutches her 100,000 yen worth sweater, elevating her sharply off the ground, unaffected by her weight. " . . ?. answer the damn question now, or I'll rip your head off of your body."

Himiko felt something wet sliding down between her legs, she was shaking, might of just die from fright. No need to tire himself and verbalize his threat.

This person, no!. this monster. Is scary plaintive as that. Though, looking through these exquisite irises, her terrified gaze can see what is behind them, what this man is seemingly hiding.

Lost, deviousness, and even panic.

And for a strange reason sees her daughter. Her dear dear Hinata. Her sunshine, or as everyone have been calling her; your dead child. Her beautiful smiling, bright expressions flashed in Himiko's mind. She tries to smile along but, cannot.

'Hinata' around her turbid thought Himiko felt herabductor tightens his grip on her, what he said next through his clenched teeth haven't surprised her one bit…

" he is the one whom have paid for your riddance, your dear husband. Lord Kawasaki."

Himiko's awareness of what surrounds her is fading, her eyes drifting closed. If the man before her asked for her revenge, she would gladly utter whatever she knows, maybe by doing so god will expiate her awful sins, which were originally done by her silence for her husband's crimes. She was the cause of them all. Latching on the little life she has left, Himiko whispered difficultly "Minato Nara was the general commander of the Japanese army, a..and the fi..first adviser for the Defence m..minster" deep inhale. "whereas m..m..my husband was a m..mere…."

"…soldier" the blonde continued for her, she figured he predefines information holds her husband's life, and how he climbed his way to the top chairs of the ministry. Lowering her to the stony ground again, the young blonde leaned her not so gently against the wall, sinking to her eye level, and sternly gazing into her like he have been doing earlier, Himiko knew what is he rushing her to speak about, that little secret detail, for she has not time left. Chest rising and falling frantically , she murmured.

" Hiashi keeps ….something …hidden in his s..afe, a..assests between t..he silver m..made sakura trees in ….our mantion… something made by…Ku..Kushina" how foolish was Hiashi. When one day he came to her at 4 a.m. in the morning stanching of thick cigars and upscaled sake, stating to her with a wild look on his heavy creased face that he found what her dreadful friend had created, and now he is celebrating!, and where he is going to stew it away from the eyes to see.

He tardily broke into a triumphal smirk: the young man, making the scars on his slightly tanned face crinkle. Drifting his view to his watch hugging his left wrist to see the time, he stood up, walking to the chair and cuffed his jacket to get rid of any dust. Without turning to face her, busy on wearing, he informs her that she has one minute and thirty-two seconds to free herself to scatter out from this place before it collapses on top of her head. And how she has to considers it a token for her generous corporation. if she lives that is. With that he left, not one withdrawing step can be heard.