This a much darker story than what I usually do... Not so much in terms of graphic content, but more in a dramatic sense. If there was any one thing I could praise about this, it would be the strength of the various relationships between the characters. While writing this, I've tried to avoid making anyone out to the be the badguy of story. So I hope all of you will enjoy reading this.
THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE
PART II
.o.o.o.
In the upper reaches of the Hokage's Tower, Shikamaru waited silently in Tsunade's office. The curvy blond quietly read over his report with a serious expression on her face. Interrogation Specialist Marino Ibiki was also in the room with them, his arms crossed and a visible look of annoyance on his face.
Tsunade's blue eyes flitted intently over the paper, looking at the various details contained in it. Then after a few more moments, she set the report down and looked up at Shikamaru. She sighed and leaned back against her chair, momentarily closing her eyes and rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I was afraid something like this would end up happening…" She began in a solemn tone. "If your assessment is right, then things just became a whole lot more complicated."
Ibiki frowned and shook his head. "Frankly Madame Hokage, I don't see what the problem is here." He remarked incredulously. "That 'girl' that your referring to is the enemy, and I don't see how some sob story has any baring on these proceedings. Tsunade looked at him with a neutral expression as he continued. "Now we brought her here to get information, not give her therapy." He added, looking over at Shikamaru as he spoke the last part.
The young Shinobi noticed the dismissive glance that Ibiki had sent his way. "I take then, by your comments, that you disapprove of my methods?" He asked, maintaining a cordial tone as the older man glared faintly at him. "With all due respect, Master Ibiki, this is my assignment- not yours." He replied in a calm, resolute manner. "...And I intend to carry this out as I deem fit."
"Your methods?" He snapped back. "What the hell do you know? You're just a child!" Ibiki retorted, taking a step towards the teen- his long black coat fluttering as he moved. "Maybe this is beyond a kid's ability to understand, but we're at war! ...It's our duty- our obligation- to ensure the safety of Konoha by any means necessary." The scarred man declared as he glared at Shikamaru. "And if that girl knows ANYTHING that can help us, then we have to get it out of her!"
Shikamaru took a step forward. "But at what cost? You seem content to talk duty and obligation, but what about ethics and morality?" He countered in a low tone. "I may be young, but I'm not naive. And I know that our enemies are ruthless and are willing to resort to deception and terrorist tactics." He added seriously. "But regardless of that, I'm not- and neither should you be."
The tall man narrowed his eyes. "And while you're busy doing all this soul-searching, just how many people are going to die?" Ibiki replied darkly. "Unlike you, I live real world... So I can't afford your sort of morals."
Shikamaru shook his head and smiled enigmatically. "Morals aren't just some kind of commodity that we can pick and choose... They're the principles that guide our actions and help define who we are." He continued. "They are the beliefs that countless Shinobi have given their lives for- including the Third Lord." The dark-haired youth paused. "And I will not dishonor his memory by giving in to fear and paranoia."
"And that's something that even a fanatic like you should be able understand." Shikamaru then shrugged as he looked at the enraged man before him. "Because if not... Then perhaps it's YOU who's forgotten what it means to be a ninja of Konoha!"
Ibiki's scarred featured contorted angrily and he clenched his gloved hand. However, Tsunade realized what he was about to do and stood bolt upright. "Ibiki! That is ENOUGH!" She exclaimed as she slammed her fists down on her desk (most likely stopping the the man from hitting Shikamaru). "Regardless of you personal feeling on the matter, WE are a people of laws. So regardless of her affiliation, Tayuya is- as a POW- entitled to certain rights!"
"Is that clear?" She asked, prompting the man to step back and bow his head slightly in affirmation. Satisfied with his response, Tsunade then turned to Shikamaru. "And as for you, I expect you to handle her debriefing like a professional… As long as I am confident of your abilities, then you'll remain in charge." She was silent for a moment. "Don't let me down Shikamaru."
He nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Hokage... I'll do my best."
.o.o.o.
After his confrontation with Ibiki, Shikamaru had been eager to just get back home... At least here, he could think more clearly. The teen continued writing in his notebook as the sun set. Darkness was rapidly approaching as he sat out on the back porch of his family's house. Without looking away, he heard the door slide open.
His father emerged and quickly took a seat beside him. Shikaku glanced over at his son for a moment as he wrote. "So, did anything happen at the tower?" He asked before turning to look at the dark orange-red horizon.
The teen stopped righting and sighed. "Arguing, mostly..." He replied dryly, eliciting a chuckle from his father. After that, silence fell between them for several secants. "My first session with the prisoner didn't quite go like I expected it would… And Ibiki-sensei doesn't approve of how I'm handling things." He explained.
Shikaku nodded. "As I'm sure you've realized by now, things hardly ever work out the way we want them to..." He began with a sigh. "And as for Ibiki... Well, that's to be expected. He's not a very 'nurturing' man... He's the sort to favor a more hard-line approach to things." The dark-haired man remarked. "I take it that you've chosen to handle things differently than he would?"
The son nodded. "Yes... And he's pissed because I know he'd rather see her in the hands of ANBU or his people." He began, turning to face his father. "Dad, do think I'm wrong in what I'm doing? Do you think that I'm allowing naivete and wishful thinking to cloud my judgment?"
Shikaku looked at the young man beside him- seeing himself reflected in the youth's features. "I don't know... But one thing I can tell you is- is that something must feel right to you when you do it. You have to be true to yourself, because that's part of what all this is about- the truth."
Shikamaru nodded. "I hope you're right..." He paused. "Because regardless of the outcome of all this, something tells me that whatever truth I find- it won't be the sort of truth that everyone's seeking."
.o.o.o.
There was hiss, then the downpour of warm water from the shower head. Tayuya sighed as she let herself soak in the water for a moment, before she set about washing herself. She'd been escorted by non other than Sakura Haruno and pair of Anbu, which the pink-haired girl had shooed off once they reached the shower block.
Tayuya was grateful to finally be able to clean herself up. She'd been cooped up in the cell for days, so she wasn't about to complain when the chance came up to get out and regain some semblance of humanity. Eventually, the sound ninja emerged- just in time to catch a towel the Sakura had tossed at her. The darker-haired girl nodded and began drying herself off. She noted a fresh pair of clothes lay folded in the corner. She walked over and quickly got dressed. She paused and looked at the other girl. "...Thanks." She mumbled as she walked up beside her.
Sakura simply nodded. "It's nothing... Shikamaru asked me to be your escort. He figured you'd be more at ease with another girl- plus, I abilities allow me to maintain the necessary safety protocols at the same time." She explained with a small smile. The two young women made their way back down the same hall they come through, meeting back up with the black-ops along the way.
"Shikamaru will be here in a little while," Sakura began as they arrived at Tayuya's cell. "In the meantime, I'll see to it that your sent some proper food to eat while you're waiting." She added simply.
The pink-haired medic ninja started to leave. "Wait," Tayuya began, causing Sakura to stop and turn back to face her. "Why are you all doing so much for me... after what I the others did your people?"
Sakura's expression became serious as she regarded the other girl. "Because... unlike Orochimaru, we value life. It's... in our nature." She replied simply, leaving the other girl to mull over what she'd said as she was led back into her cell.
Tayuya sat down on the bunk and leaned back against the wall as the cell door closed. "In there nature..." She mused as she sat alone, amidst the silence of the dark gray room.
(- End of Part II -)
I'm really proud of how this chapter came out. I think that the dialogue between the various characters is particularly good. While the first chapter was more about Tayuya, this one focused more on Shikamaru- allowing his character to shine. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed reading this. Feedback is always welcome.
