Hey guys, I decided that I would start my seventh chapter instead of studying for my AP exams! YAY! No seriously, I'm taking two this year and it's a nightmare. Especially AP US History, or APUSH as we like to call it. There so much stuff to memorize! I hear three is the most you should ever do but one of my friends is taking SIX. Yeah, you heard me right six AP exams. She just might be insane, I think. But enough about AP's and on with the story!
Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I meant to upload this chapter last week but things came up...
Disclaimer: Hikari: softly laughing evilly. Our "guest" should be arriving shortly.
"Guest": NOOOOOOOOOO! You can't make me!
Hikari(the OC): Got 'em! dumps giant sack on the ground
Sack: OW! That hurt!
Hikari: Oh well.
The sack is opened to reveal Deidara tied from head to toe. His hands were even duct taped.
Hikari: Disclaimer. Now.
Deidara: No.
Hikari(The OC): Leans and whispers something in his ear
Deidara: Ack! NO! ANYTHING BUT THAT! I'll do your stupid disclaimer!
Hikari(OC): That's better.
Deidara: Hikari does not own Naruto. Now let me go!
Hikari: Fine. unties Deidara
Deidara: runs out as fast as he can.
Hikari: What did you tell him?
Hikari(oc): I told him if he didn't, we would force-feed him a mixture of brussel sprouts, spinach and broccoli covered in ketchup, mustard, relish, salad dressing, mayonaise, garlic and cheese through all three mouths.
Hikari: Nice.
Zipideedooda
"No. And that's final."
"But Baa-chan! She needs us! She's probably all scared and alone and and and..." Naruto thought for a moment before inspiration lit up his mind "Desperately wants us to take her back!"
Inwardly, Naruto admitted that that wasn't very likely at all. She was more likely to walk out by herself and say, "What took you so long?" than whatever scenario he had dreamed up. But he would say anything to convince Tsunade baa-chan.
"No. I will be sending hunter nins. You simply don't have the expertise for such an operation. Especially since she might be a spy. Not to mention, you're emotionally involved. That makes things worse."
Naruto slammed his hands on the Hokage's desk. "That involvement is the kind of thing that will make us try even harder at rescuing her!"
Sakura stepped forward.
"Tsunade-sama," she said, trying to keep her face free from emotion, "We would like to bring Hikari back alive, especially since we think she's a spy. That way, we can figure out if she really is a spy or not. If she is a spy, then we can discover what she found out and who she works for. Since hunter-nin have no attachment to her, it is more likely that they will t-terminate her. We are capable for this retrieval especially since, especially since we will have Kakashi-sensei with us..." She faltered.
Tsunade, however, smiled. This pink-haired girl showed potential. And spunk. To be able to step up and come up with this list of reasons to let them go was rather impressive. She had only faltered twice. However, they weren't capable enough. As they were now, they'd get slaughtered and she would lose three promising young shinobi, and most likely their capable leader.
"I can just make sure that the Hunter-nin don't kill her. I'm sorry kids, you guys just aren't strong enough."
"We'll get stronger then." This time Sasuke put in his two cents. "We still don't know where they took her. It will take some time to find. We'll leave the searching to you. In the mean time. we'll train and get stronger."
Tsunade thought for a moment.
"On one condition. You will have to show me that you are strong enough to go. Do we have a deal?"
The three genin nodded, then ran outside, obviously going to train.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair. Kids grew up so fast. She sighed. She needed a drink.
Zipideedooda
The next day found Hikari slung over Itachi's shoulder. Again. There was no way she could keep up with them and their monstrous chakra reserves so she was again, reduced to luggage.
"Hey, red-eyed freakazoid. Is there anyway to switch this up? You know, maybe carry me underneath your arm or maybe Fishy-chan can carry me. 'Cause this is kinda boring."
"No."
"Meanie."
Itachi twitched.
Zipideedooda
Kakashi carefully ruffled through one of Hikari's bags. There was no telling what could be in there. It could be notes taken on Konoha, on their weak points and their strengths. There might be vials of poisons to use at anytime.
Instead, he found the book Sakura had lent Hikari, a few pairs of socks and a couple recipes that Hikari had jotted down that she had discovered. He put those aside. He would examine them for code, but he slipped the recipe for Hikari's tomato soup in his pocket.
Zipideedooda
Sasuke was panting. Kakashi had given him over to Gai, the crazy taijutsu jounin. Apparently, he needed to improve his stamina and strength. And, the jonin had a trick for combating the Sharingan, and Sasuke intended to find out what it was. But in the mean time...
"Come on, Sasuke-san!" called Tenten, "Just four more laps to go!"
"YOSH!" shouted Lee, "The fires of youth truly burn within you!"
Sasuke would have snorted if he had the breath. How in the world did they run ten laps around Konoha with thirty pound weights on each foot?
Zipideedooda
Naruto had sought out Jiraiya again, for training. He got a few exercises for charkra control: if he mastered them, he would get taught a couple more ninjutsu, or so the Pervy Sage promised. The blond haired ninja remembered the kidnapping. He closed his eyes and clenched his fist. He couldn't do anything to protect her. He had to get stronger. If he couldn't protect Hikari, how could he protect the village, and if he couldn't protect the village, how could he ever become Hokage?
Zipideedooda
Sakura after she had found out that Kakashi knew no medical jutsu at all, went straight to Tsunade and begged for an apprenticeship. Tsunade had started her on learning basic human anatomy and the secret behind her power punches. Sakura panted, and pulverized a tree trunk.
"That's enough," Tsunade said. "You've completely exhausted your chakra reserves."
"But Tsunade-sama-"
"Go home, take a shower, then study those textbooks I gave you. I'm quizzing you tomorrow on chapter 15."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama!"
Zipideedooda
"What did you do to us?" hissed Itachi venemously.
"Maybe if you let me go, I can see what the problem is." Hikari was pleased to hear that her voice was mainly quaver-free. She knew exactly what the problem was. An itchy red rash should be creeping up the Akatsuki duo's arms. They came from the poison ivy leaves she had rubbed on the insides of their cloaks.
Of course, neither of them were terribly pleased to feel the beginnings of the itch and of course they (rightfully) blamed it on her. So currently she was pinned to the tree. She could see every detail of the bark that was inches away from her nose. It had hurt, dammit, when he had slammed her against the rough trunk.
Her arms were aching for freedom. She could feel Itachi's gaze boring through the back of her skull and hoped he would let her down.
After what felt like ages, Itachi dropped her. After she had picked herself up, she grabbed Itachi's hand and almost immediately let go. It was covered with splotches of ugly red bumps, all the way up to his shoulder.
"Woah, that's the worst case of poison ivy I have ever seen."
"Fix it."
"Uh, I have no idea how." Hikari backed away slowly from the oldest Uchiha, only for her back to meet the broad expanse of a tree trunk.
"Oh, but you must have some idea." Itachi's voice suddenly got all velvety smooth, as he approached, his face inches away from hers, red eyes glowing with fury.
"Um, hold on a sec," Hikari scratched her head, " Er... when you shower, wash with cold water, no wait, that's prevention. Um, well it won't spread, I think. All you have to do is endure the itching until it goes away. The more you scratch, the more it itches. Oh, drink more water to flush it out...I think, oh! And ice helps with the itching. Well, none of that stuff would hurt to try..."
Hikari looked nervously at the fuming Uchiha and decided, she probably shouldn't try anything like this anymore. It was funny but...Itachi was just way too scary.
It took two more days of traveling to get to their destination. On the last day, they blindfolded Hikari. Needless to say, she wasn't very happy about it. They had to tie her hands behind her to keep her from ripping it off.
"You guys really don't have to blindfold me you know. My sense of direction is horrible. Just remember what happened when I first woke up."
Kisame sniggered.
Hikari rolled her unseen eyes. "Hardeeharhar, yes it was incredibly hilarious, but I think my point is proven. Can you guys please take this thing off?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"NO. Now shut up before I knock you out."
"..."
"Please?"
Suddenly, with no warning, Hikari was plummeting to the ground.
Itachi had dropped her! And she was pretty far up as well. She felt indignation well up inside her, but it was quickly replaced by fear. She ruthlessly quashed down. Fear wouldn't help her survive. She felt the wind whistling in her ears. It really didn't help that she couldn't see. She couldn't orient herself at all. There was no way to tell if she was upside down or if she was just tumbling. She wanted to scream, but she clamped her lips shut. What good would screaming do anyways? She was going to die, simply because she pissed off Itachi once too many. She should have figured out where to toe the line. She was just sad that she wouldn't be able to go back home. Or see team seven again. If only things could be d- She refused to think of such things. Things couldn't be different. She would end up splattered on the forest floor. And there was nothing she could to do abo-
Suddenly, the world jerked to a halt. She wasn't falling anymore. Faintly, she realized that Itachi had caught her.
"Have we learned our lesson?" he asked cooly.
"Huh, she didn't scream." That would be Kisame.
As soon as the realization that she was going sunk in, all the fear that she had been suppressing on the way down came crashing over her. She trembled in Itachi's arms, and she was glad that the blindfold absorbed the few tears that had squeezed out of her eyes.
By the time they reached the base, Hikari had fallen asleep.
Zipideedooda
When Hikari woke up, she did not recognize her surroundings. She was in a stone room, lit by four torches on each corner. There was a small toilet in one corner along with a sink of matching size as well as curtain for privacy. A pile of blankets and pillows had been carelessly tossed in one corner. There was only one exit, a heavy set, wooden door. Her hands were free, but there was a metal collar around her neck, chaining her to the short, stout metal stump in the middle of the room.
The chain was long enough to give her access to the entire room, but it was humiliating, degrading, to be chained up like a dog. That had to be the purpose of the chain. There could be no other reason. It didn't restrain her from anything except going out the door and that was probably locked and bolted. It was psychological warfare. They were trying to humiliate her, downgrade her worth in her own eyes.
Well, if she realized it, it meant it wouldn't work right?
Zipideedooda
Hikari was sitting on top of the metal pole, picking at her toe, and talking into an invisible phone when Itachi walked in. She laughed inwardly. She'd swear she had just saw him twitch.
"Yeah, just shove that pickle up his nose. Hey, I'll have to call you back. Looks like I have company. What's up, Freakazoid?"
Itachi ignored her.
"You are going to answer all of my questions truthfully. Or this will end badly for you."
"Yeah, yeah whatever."
"Where did you come from?
"I don't remember."
"Why were you in Konoha?"
"To buy some of their ramen. I heard it was really good!"
"Were you familiar with Team Seven before the last few months?"
"How could I be familiar with them? I hadn't set foot in Konoha before."
"Did they know anything about you before you became their client?"
"Of course not."
Itachi held her gaze for a moment, then turned to leave.
"The next time I question you, I expect the truth."
Itachi left the room, leaving Hikari to her own devices.
She chewed on her lip, thinking, "Well, he knew that I was lying on practically all accounts but I hope he didn't glean too much from this... I should probably keep him from learning anything about me. Other than that, what can I do here?"
Hikari pondered this question for a moment.
"That's right! I can escape! Now why didn't I think of that earlier? But the question is how?"
The answer, it as it turned out came with her next meal.
The orange-masked flibbertigibbet, Tobi, walked in with one, very burnt piece of toast.
"Hi! You must be Hikari-san! I'm Tobi and Tobi is a good boy! Tobi has brought you dinner!"
Tobi handed her the toast.
"Um, Tobi-san? I don't think I can eat this... it's way too burnt. Can you just go get me some of whatever the others are eating?"
"But Hikari-san, this IS what everyone else is eating."
Hikai looked down at her inedible toast and then back up at Tobi. "You're not kidding."
"Tobi is a good boy! He would never kid!"
Hikari stood up. "Come on, Tobi. Take me to the kitchen."
Zipideedooda
I thought this was a good stopping point. Please let me know how this chapter turned out. It is currently 3:15 am, so I need to get some sleep. This might not be my best chapter (especially since I wrote so late at night) but it's not my worst either. But it's not too particularly funny either, but I got some good development there. It was a pretty serious chapter. Well, please review...zzz...