AN: Okay, I know it's been ages and I'm really sorry, but writing this bit gave me so much fucking hell that it's not even funny. It took me forever to figure out how I was to further the plot, and [insert long list of other bad excuses here]. I know this update isn't much (it's actually embarrassingly short), but it's better than nothing, right?
Anyways, back to the freaking longest flashback I have ever written continues!
"It's been a while."
"I suppose it has."
The first speaker, clearly male, continued, "So how have things been going with–"
"Get to the fucking point," snapped the second voice, distinctly female and irritated.
He smirked. "Impatient as always, I see."
"I have more important matters than you," she retorted icily. Like Kiba…
Her newest Drake had been growing more and more distant recently, to the point where his fellow gang members were beginning to notice and comment. Not only that, but it was obvious that the boy was steadily spiraling down into a bout of depression–possibly severe. His eyes had lost their cheery glow and he always seemed tired. Even the scarlet fangs tattooed onto his cheeks seemed to have grown duller, as though the life had been sucked out of them.
But what could have happened? It's seems rather late for it to be about Shikama–
"Like trying to get my nephew killed?" The comment was acidic, dripping with accusation.
She started, jerked out of her worried thoughts at the unexpected allegation. What?
"Don't play dumb with me," he growled at her dumbfounded expression, leaning over and slamming his hands down on the desk that separated the two of them. Pale eyes glimmered dangerously. "I know all about the trouble you've been having with the Rogues and that you specifically sent him into their ranks as a spy, risking his life for your own means. That's despicable."
A thin blond eyebrow arched upward ever so elegantly as she leaned back, crossing her legs contemplatively. Well that was rather interesting to know (So, that's where Neji's disappeared to…), but she didn't miss a beat. "And since when have you cared for the boy's life?"
"Since he swore to protect my firstborn," he snarled.
"The child you disowned and threw out to be found by my people?" She almost laughed at the furious way he snapped his mouth shut. This was almost too easy, and it had gotten her such useful information too. "That's what I thought. You came here with the pitiful hope of putting me into your debt by blaming me for the unfortunate fate of the nephew you never cared about. Pathetic, really. Clearly you want something bad, so bad that you'd resort to such desperate measures. So what are you really after?"
He lowered his gaze, but didn't answer. He had been caught redhanded.
But she was patient. She simply sat there and waited.
Finally, he ground out, "Hanabi is missing."
She smirked. Bingo. "And you want my help, correct?"
"Yes." He grit his teeth as though it physically hurt to admit it. And with a big-ass ego like his, she reasoned it probably did.
"Very well," she grinned smugly. "That's all you needed to say, you know."
He opened his mouth–most likely to give some smart-ass retort–but then thought better of it. "Tsunade, thank you."
"Don't thank me," she responded with a kinder smile, getting up. "Thank Shizune for bullying my lazy ass into meeting with you."
He nodded. "Then please give her my regards."
"Will do, Hyuuga Hiashi."
And then the two unlikely comrades parted ways.
"Take the Inuzuka off the hit list."
"What?" Suigetsu's eyes widened, flicking disbelievingly between the phone he was now glaring at in disgust and Kubikiribōchō's barrel aimed directly at the back of the Inuzuka's head. The Rogue had spent the last week carefully monitoring and watching the Drake's every move, and now that Suigetsu had Kiba right where he wanted him–alone and off guard–Neji was telling him to abort the mission.
Pressing the cell back against his ear, Suigetsu began,"But I thought–"
"Kazuo's orders," was the curt dismissal before the Hyuuga hung up.
Suigetsu scowled, glaring at the now useless phone, and gazed longingly at the still oblivious Inuzuka. He was literally right there–a sitting duck practically begging to be killed. But Suigetsu knew better than to try and stray from any of Kazuo's direct orders. He was headstrong, not looking for a death wish.
Slowly lowering Kubikiribōchō and muttering one last, "Fuckin' hell, Kazuo," under his breath, Suigetsu stashed his pistol away before melting away into the surrounding shadows as lucid as water.
Soft footsteps echoed eerily in the otherwise thick darkness–like sharp pebbles shattering the perfect surface of a pond. A black, black pond. Kankuro glanced over his shoulder, raising one eyebrow questioningly at Neji, who kept his flawlessly apathetic mask intact. Instead of answering, the Hyuuga simply jabbed at Kankuro's back with the tip of his gun, forcing him down the steps into the cellar.
"Fine, fine, you pushy bastard," Kankuro rolled his eyes, completely without fear. He knew Neji wouldn't shoot him, otherwise he would've done it long ago. Clearly whomever Neji was working for–some sort of organization out for the Tohoku gangs, as far as Kankuro could tell–needed him for something.
Continuing down the stairs, Kankuro began to squint, his steps becoming more cautious so as not to trip. "Hey, Nej, where're we goin'?"
The barrel digging between his shoulder blades receded as, with a faint click, pale and artificial light barely managed to chase away the clinging shadows. Flinching against the sudden illumination, Kankuro shaded his face and blinked. He looked back at Neji, eyes clouded with confusion. "Wait, where are–"
"No, please! Stop, just please stop! I'll do anything, just make it stop!"
The shriek turned Kankuro's blood cold. Never once in his entire life had the Blue Moon ever heard that voice sound anything other than strong, demanding, confident–No, no, no, no. It can't be. That's impossible…–but now it sounded weak, close to tears, and so utterly broken.
Kankuro whirled around, true and utter terror fueling the rush of adrenaline now pounding through his veins. His eyes widened in horror.
"Temari!"
Neji almost flinched at the absolute fear and pain and anguish ringing in the cry. The barrel of his gun wavered just slightly, but he just gripped it tighter and grit his teeth. This is for Hinata, he reminded himself. It's all for Hinata.
Gritting his teeth, Neji forced himself to watch with an air of indifference as Kankuro threw himself on the ground beside Temari's bruised and broken body. Gently bringing her limp form into his arms, he supported her head with one hand to stare in shock at the scarlet and purple streaking her skin–all horribly visible because of her lack of clothes.
Immediately she screamed again, her eyes wide yet unseeing as she felt more hands touching and groping. Tears streaming helplessly down her face, she cried out, "No! P-please, I'll do anything!"
"Shh, shhh," Kankuro soothed as he struggled to hold his thrashing sister. "Temari, it's just me, Kankuro. Shh, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."
Her hoarse shouting slowly died down as he continued to comfort her. Stilling but for trembling racking her, Temari reached a shaky hand up and place it on Kankuro's cheek. "K-Kankuro?"
"Yes, it's me." Kankuro couldn't even muster up the mental strength to remember to feel embarrassed about crying in front of Neji. That was the least of his worries. Cradling Temari close, he felt her wince even as she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest. He tried to run his fingers through her hair–something she'd often done for him as a kid–but it was so matted and filthy that he couldn't manage it. Instead, Kankuro opted for rubbing soothing circles on her back with his thumbs, murmuring, "Shh, it's alright. Everything's alright."
Leaning back a little, as much as Temari's vice-like grip would allow, Kankuro began to survey the damage.
Sporting a split lip, a black eye, and numerous gashes, there was a pool of blood beginning to form around Temari–along with dried streaks and other obvious signs of a struggle painted on the floor–but Kankuro was shocked to realize that it wasn't coming from the injuries speckling her body. Instead, there was a good deal of blood streaming along her inner thighs from between her legs. Her very bare legs.
Realization dawned hard and fast. "They…raped you," he whispered, his words hardly audible above her muffled sobs. And with it came the anger.
If it hadn't been for the fact that Temari would probably suffer another panic attack should he suddenly vanish from her grasp, Kankuro would have whirled around and lunged for Neji. Settling for the next best option, Kankuro delicately lifted Temari bridal style into his arms before turning to face Neji.
The Blue Moon was disgusted to see the apathetic, almost bored, look plastered onto the Hyuuga's face. Hardening his own facial expression and keeping his anger tightly contained, Kankuro said tightly, "So why did you bring me down here?"
"To remind you why you're going to do exactly what we tell you," Neji replied evenly.
"You fucker," Kankuro hissed, taking a threatening step forward.
Click. "Wouldn't do that if I were you." Neji's face gave nothing away as he calmly aimed his pistol at Temari.
Kankuro froze, eyes widening. "You wouldn't–"
Bang! Temari let out an agonized cry, instinctively clinging even closer to Kankuro as fresh blood poured from the bullet now embedded in her shoulder.
"Don't tempt me," drawled Neji coldly. "Now will you come with us on the raid?"
Kankuro grit his teeth. Neji could sense the tumult of emotions raging through the younger boy; it almost broke through the icy veneer he'd pulled over himself. The veneer he'd convinced himself was really him, that feeling pity and sentiment towards Kankuro was ridiculous because the Blue Moon was simply a tool and nothing more.
"And if I don't?"
"The girl dies," Neji answered simply. "Slowly and painfully."
Silence. Neji smirked knowingly.
"Very well."
So, hopefully that answered some questions. I don't know when I'll update next, but I'm definitely not giving up on this story :]
Review please?
