Title: Breaking Symphonies
Author: Sparklehunter
Warnings: Shounen-ai, angst, torture
Summary: Iruka isn't dead, but it may have been the better option. Then again, all dark clouds come edged in silver. . . .
Part: Easy, 1/6 (?)
Author's Note: Number ten, part one in a series of snapshots about the aftermath of an almost-death. Sequel to Worth Something/Explanations.
Author's Note II: Please Review! They taste better than dinner, and I'm too poor to eat! And stop in tomorrow or the next day for part two of Breaking Symphonies.
Author's Note III: Don't kill me.
Breaking Symphonies
Easy
by sparklehunter
"This can be as easy as you want it to be."
There's three of them in the cell with him. The first, tall and reed thin, is painted like there's fire licking his eyes, and the second is small and so scarred his unmarred skin looks like blemishes amidst all the white knots of tissue, and the third has Kakashi's lips and cheeks, but no mask, and one brown eye and one blue. It's the Kakashi-who-is-not-Kakashi that speaks, his mismatched eyes filled with false support.
"You tell me your name, and I make sure you get dinner."
Iruka knows they have no idea who he is, though he knows who they are (they did introduce themselves; red Shiro, scarred Goro, demon-eyes Saburo), because if they had any idea who he was they would know he won't fall for such a trick. He hasn't eaten in three days, but he's no stranger to psychology – he did teach for seven long years – so he refuses to take the bait, refuses to eat in exchange for answers. He thinks that if he gives in once, it'll be easier to give in twice. Or three times.
"If you tell us where Uzumaki's gone," Saburo says, and he kneels next to Iruka.
Since they've discovered him, they haven't moved him. Iruka thinks this is because they know he's paralyzed, and so don't need to make an effort to secure him. He's harmless on the floor, right?
"If you tell us where Uzumaki's gone, we'll get you a chair."
Iruka shivers as Saburo's creamy hand (colder than Kakashi's hands, and warmer in color) runs through his hair, and fists it out of his face. There's a silent threat in the action, and Iruka is inexplicably giddy when he realizes what technique Saburo is using.
'If I was gonna torture you. . . .'
He stares up at Saburo's strange eyes, and finds himself smiling, because it's too obvious, how all of this will play out, and he wishes he had never talked to Ibiki when they were both half-drunk.
"This can be as easy as you want it to be, Konoha."
"Just tell me your name."
It sounds like a bad soap opera, so Iruka chokes back his laughter and waits for the blade to slice through his hair.
'– 'Cause, you obviously take care of it . . . means it's important to you. . . .'
"Gonna play the hard way, aren't you? Just remember . . . " Saburo says.
Iruka's hair makes a soft sound when it hits the concrete.
" . . . This can be as easy as you want it to be."
TBC
