Chapter 21.
"Ahh, that hits the spot," the officer said after drinking heavily from a gourd. This man was Rakita Sotada, the same man they had failed to ambush. He would come and tease Chusei with food and water. Rakita figured since he wouldn't budge to normal tactics that depriving him of food and water would. "Now what's that scowl for no need to be upset" he chuckled. "Sir a message from command has arrived," a chunin said bowing to him. "Sigh. It never ends. We'll pick this up later, chao.!" Rakita said leaving both the food and water on a table across from Chusei.
Time seemed to slow the longer he was held in his cell with his will only keeping him going. He refused to answer anything so they began using more unusual means of torture and entertainment it seems. Exhaustion began to take its hold on him and once again brought him into a deep sleep.
Flashback:
Years had passed and Chusei was 8 now, he had a bit of a growth spurt and was looking more like his father. He also began helping his mother more and more around the house and bringing in money by hunting. Provided by Yatz sensei and his tor..cough I mean training course. Thanks to that he was able to utilize the basic water whip and was currently practicing the mist Jutsu but it was a project for a later day. The town hadn't changed all too much, business was the same though there were worrying rumors. Such as a cou by a clan against the country and crackdowns being drawn.
He didn't think too much about it since it didn't involve them as they were a neutral trading hub. Shaking his head and clearing such thoughts he brought himself back to the present. Chusei was currently fishing with Kai and Kurumi, "I got one" Kai exclaimed sporting a large grin. After a minute of back and forth, he pulled the fish in for it to be revealed as a tiny fish. Both Chusei and Kurumi both tried and failed to hide their amusement, "Shut up!" Kai replied, earning a heavier laugh from the two. An hour later they all took their catches for the day and went to the market to sell the fish.
They got a fair deal on their catch and perused the market before splitting off and heading home. Chusei and his mother had a fun evening as she invited Yatz over for dinner. Chusei wasn't blind to the interest the two showed in one another. He didn't worry either since he knew Yatz wouldn't hurt her. Chusei excused himself earlier to give them a moment. As he slid into bed he had a small smile on his face, seeming things were looking up.
Around midnight:
Chusei bolted awake at the sounds of explosions and screams. His door was thrown open and his mother ran in. Telling him to pack quickly and meet downstairs, not questioning her he was soon packed. Upon descending the stairs he saw his mom and Yatz looking outside both worried. "There you are. Quick we have to go, I know you have questions but save it for later kid." Yatz said quickly, guiding both of them out and towards the coast. It didn't take long to get there. At the coast were a few ships loading people onto them. Everyone was in a hurry. In the distance, he saw both Kai and Kurumi along with their parent's board an adjacent ship.
They were quickly guided to their ship, one owned by a friend of Yatz. It didn't take too much longer for them to set sail. Soon the small fleet was making its way to sea only for them to be blocked by Kiri warships. He didn't understand what Kiri wanted with them and his thoughts were interrupted when the ship began to rock. They were attacking them; it just didn't make sense. The fleet split trying to evade the Kiri fleet but was soon overrun and boarded. Chusei's ship was the last and was a lighter ship giving them more speed but it didn't matter. As the warships begin launching bombs blowing a hole in the side and sending him flying. His vision began to fade and the last thing he saw was the ship he was on burning and sinking to the depths.
His memories from then were fuzzy but he'd somehow clung to a piece of wood torn off the ship. Floating for days possible before being picked up by pirates and put to work as a cabin boy. They kept him for a long time before selling him to some slavers who then, in turn, sold him again to bandits. Throughout it all, he took the pain and suffering and directed towards his goals. Obtaining freedom and getting revenge against Kiri for the slaughter of his town and family. It would be a long time before one day a blonde-haired boy found his way to his cell and freed him. While he was wary of him he soon learned to trust and rely on him. Eventually, they would meet others he could call friends, and unlike before he wouldn't fail them. To this, he vowed!.