Summery: Five years since the attack on Konoha, two geniuses who don't see eye to eye are captured by the Rain during a routine surveillance mission. Without the use of jitsus will Neji and Shikamaru be able to rely on each other for survival?

To find the link to the Rain Nin Character Art: Check out my profile page. Their costumes are a bit to elaborate for me to literate without being confusing (smiles in embaressment).

This Naruto fic is in its pure unbeta'ed form. Special thanks to Faraway4today for helping me with the story and getting into the 'mode' of Shika and Neji's characters. I send you lots of strawberry marshmallows of happiness!

On that note, flames will be thrown in the fire to toast my marshmallows, then deleted. So don't bother.

Ch. 3 Interrogations: Part One

Shikamaru was rudely awakened by Neji roughly shaking him. Remembering where he was, the young Anbu became fully awake as if he had been slapped in the face. He jerked upright to face Neji. "How long was I out?"

"Several hours." Neji replied, watching the door. "We have company"

Within moments, the door slid open to reveal the three Rain shinobi from the day before: Kubashi, Kuma and a cheerful Hariyo. The stooped Kubashi scowled nastily and pointed a kunai threateningly at Shikamaru. "Time to go sleepyass!"

"Fine fine." Shikamaru held up his hands and allowed himself to be herded out the door by the hawk nosed shinobi. Shikamaru turned to exchange glances with Neji one last time before they were cut off the closing door. Both wondered if it would be the last time they would see each other alive. Once the door closed behind Shikamaru, Neji suddenly became nervous at being alone in the prison cell with Hariyo and Kuma. Hariyo smiled as he rolled up his sleeves. "Now then, shall we get started?"

Neji's silver eyes darted around the prison cell. Between Hariyo and Kuma, there was little room for him to maneuver around his captors.

"Don't bother." Kuma rumbled, cracking his knuckles. "Or I will break your legs to stop you from running."

At this threat, the young Hyuuga froze. He stood rigid in a defensive stance as he watched Hariyo unroll a long cloth scroll containing dozens of sharp medical instruments. The blue haired shinobi knelt down to select a large spoon knife, and held it up to the light for inspection. "Ah, this will do."

"Do you intend to torture me?" Neji asked wearily, his eyes focused on the curved knife Hariyo held.

"Torture?" Hariyo blinked then gestured at his medical kit. "These, my young patient are surgical tools that I will be using for your biopsy." the Rain nin looked thoughtful. "Though now that you mention it, I suppose I could ask you a few questions while I am extracting my samples."

"My...biopsy?" Neji had a bad feeling on where this was leading.

"Oh yes, it's the reason why I let you live." Hariyo pulled out a syringe and tested the needle's flow. "Its not often that we catch a live Hyuuga." His dark eyes flickered at the birdcage seal on Neji's brow. "With my research I might be able to crack that seal of yours; because of it I had to keep your body and your bloodline alive."

Neji scowled to cover the uneasiness he felt creeping to his face. In this small room without the comfort of his chakra, the young Hyuuga had never felt so trapped in all his life.

Satisfied with his selection, Hariyo rolled up his surgical kit and stood up to face his prisoner. In one hand he grasped the spoon knife, and in the other a plastic bag filled with dozens of empty sample jars. "Get a firm grip on him Kuma." The medical shinobi's voice became stern. "I need to dig down deep to get a thorough tissue sample."

Kuma grunted in reply then took a step towards Neji, who was all but cornered in the cramped cell. The Hyuuga glared at his tormentors and switched to an offensive stance, daring his captors to move closer.

Hariyo rolled his eyes at the prisoner's behavior as he pulled out a few tipped needles from his jacket. "Don't make me use my poison on you again." He paused then turned to his solemn companion. "On second thought, you deal with him Kuma. I don't want my poison contaminating his body."

Kuma nodded and continued his advance towards the prisoner. Neji held his ground as the fur wrapped shinobi closed the small space between them. When Kuma was only an arm's length away, Neji leapt backwards into the wall behind him. With as much strength as his sore leg would allow, Neji vaulted off the wall and flipped upside down on the ceiling above to fly down to attack Kuma's unprotected head.

Neji's sudden attack on Kuma occurred within seconds, though with his tender knee the Hyuuga knew that it was probably enough time for Kuma to anticipate. Sure enough, the Rain nin raised his arm for a counterattack as soon as Neji's feet left the ceiling. With his huge fist, Kuma knocked the prisoner from the air before he had a chance to land a blow. Neji cried out as he crashed painfully into the floor. The Hyuuga did not expect to be hit with such magnitude.

The blow left Neji dazed for a few moments. It was all the time Kuma needed to pin Neji's tense body in a tight hold that offered little chance of escape.

Neji squirmed in Kuma's grip to no avail. He could only curse and glare angrily at Hariyo approaching him with the knife ready.

"I suggest that you keep him still Kuma." The blue haired Rain nin muttered as he prodded the tender flesh under the Hyuuga's right arm. "Its only going to get rougher when I start working on his eyes."

Neji stopped squirming. Cold fear dropped down into the pit of his stomach. "My...eyes?" Neji's voice sounded small to his ears.

"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Hariyo deftly twirled the spoon knife in his fingers and gave the Hyuuga prisoner a smirk. "I will be cutting out your pretty eyes once I'm done with you."

(Shudders) I HATE spoon knives! Poor Neji! This chapter was supposed to be one big chappie, but I felt that it could stand on its own. Part two will be immediately posted.

I'd like to know what you think. Please R/R!