Rated M: Sexual Content
A/N: Things get a bit dark and descriptive in the next two chapters. CONTAINS RAPE. For those who don't want to read the details, there is a summary available at the beginning of chapter 20.
Gentle waves…mumbled voices…a pounding thrum inside his head. Those were the first things Kioshi became aware of as he returned to reality. Uhgg…Chakra exhaustion was the worst… It was like a migraine on steroids. What caused him to push so hard? Where was he?
It took the boy a few seconds to remember. Oh right…He was on a mission to Kiri. The ship had been attacked. Botan was dead… Lixin poisoned… He had been trying to escape when he had been overpowered and defeated.
Wait! If he had been defeated… Kioshi tried to move. As he'd feared, he was hindered by restraints. Tight cords wrapped around his ankles, knees, torso, wrists, and fingers. Not an inch was gained. Disturbingly, he also realized he was naked. Every cord bit into bare skin, no cloth being felt between.
A harsh kick was sent into his stomach, and Kioshi grunted, curling up tighter on the hard wood.
"Looks like the boy is awake," a male voice sneered from above.
Kioshi couldn't see the assaulter. A thick blindfold was in place. It was completely dark, even though hot sunlight could be felt beating down.
Sounds of approaching footsteps were heard, and a hand was placed on his chest. A medical scan was then felt, dense spiritual chakra washing over him. This aura was new. The one performing the task wasn't one of the ninjas who had attacked him. There were a few other unrecognizable auras as well. These people must have stayed behind while the others engaged.
The gentle rock and rustling sails confirmed that he was currently on a ship. It must be his captor's vessel. The other had likely sunk and these people would have to have one of their own to be out on the ocean this far.
"He is stable but still greatly fatigued," the healer said.
Kioshi agreed with the assessment. The headache and weakness were disorienting, but otherwise, nothing else seemed amiss. His shoulder had been healed. All that was left from the stabbing was a faint irritation of a puckered scar. And his lungs must have also been healed because there were no signs of drowning. It was either that or he had been rescued quickly after falling into the water unconscious.
"What do you want?" He croaked. It was a cliché question for a captive, but that didn't make it any less important. It would be nice to know why he was here. Whatever his future held, it wasn't fun so far. His throat was parched. The heat was like that of the afternoon. He'd likely been unconscious for at least 18 hours. It had been evening the last time he'd checked.
"You will stay silent," A male voice answered firmly. The tone was deep and commanding. "If not, you will be gagged."
Kioshi grimaced. A gag was the last thing he needed. Stuffed cloth would suck away any remaining mouth moister. Would it be alright to at least ask for some water? His headache was getting worse. Chakra exhaustion was weakening, but dehydration could be deadly.
Luckily, there was one sane person on this boat. Not long after, the healer came up to him and offered him the liquid, lifting his head up and letting him gulp a few pints. By the voice and delicate fingers supporting his neck, he assumed it was a woman.
Using spiritual chakra, Kioshi could tell that all the eight surviving attackers were present. Five of them were angry and regretful, two were outright hostile, and one was indifferent. One of the hostile ones had been the one who kicked him. Both he and his partner projected spiritual fluctuations of mourning. They must have been close to the sensor or the other ninja Kioshi had killed. It seemed like the deaths were unplanned. None of the group projected feelings of happy accomplishment.
Good. It's what they deserved. The loss of life was unfortunate, but it was their fault. Retaliation had only been inflicted in self-defense. What had he done to deserve this?!
No one spoke for some time, leaving the tied-up boy to wallow in dread. What was going to happen to him? The murders would ignite retribution, and the possible initial reasons for capturing him also were not appealing.
Kioshi had always feared this day would come. Traveling to other countries was a risk, but there were dangers everywhere, even within the village. Hiding fully was impossible, and living solely in fear was miserable.
Why had Sile betrayed them? If the archive worker hadn't disabled communication and his guards, Kioshi might have had a chance. Now he was captured, and it would be weeks until Konoha realized something was wrong.
Thinking back on the unease and agitated emotions, Kioshi cursed himself for not investigating the man further. Spiritual scans couldn't detect reasons behind emotions, but the fear should have at least put him on guard. Maybe then he could have warned Lixin and Botan...
But the cover had been believable. Lixin had said that Sile had been traumatized by something. That had easily explained the feelings. Sile was also Lixin's cousin. It was rare for people to betray family, at least ones who truly seemed to care about them. Lixin was like an optimistic, supporting, older brother.
Was Sile blackmailed? It's the only possible explanation. A lack of anger was not easily faked. No threat had been detected. Sile had not shown any hostility, only guilt…
But how was blackmail possible? What did Kiri have over the man? Wasn't Konoha safe? And where was Sile now? Had he returned home to spin a lie?...Did he retreat elsewhere? Had the foreign Anbu betrayed and killed the man after he was no longer useful? Maybe he was just hiding his aura?...
Out of all the options, Kioshi hoped for the man's death. This wasn't out of hate. Negative and vengeful emotions did little good. But trust was a different matter. Konoha didn't need such a threat to their security. What damage could the man still cause? The archives held many secrets, and other ninjas could be led into traps.
The sun continued to beat down uncomfortably, and Kioshi shifted painfully in his bonds. His skin was only light olive where clothes usually rested and a harsh sunburn was starting to form.
Was this a purposeful form of torture?... Being stripped naked and tied up with no shelter?
A bathroom break was also unlikely to be offered. As time continued, the pressure in his bladder got worse and worse. When it got unbearable, he realized that perhaps being naked was a good thing. It would make things easier.
Having an audience was embarrassing, but there was little choice in the matter. Kioshi rolled over and did a sit-up, turning to get on his knees
"Stay down! Don't move!" The commanding ninja barked.
Kioshi froze and swallowed. "I need to piss," he explained softly. "I wanted to do it near one of the drain holes." It was a risk speaking against orders, but soiling the deck might cause even more anger. It was also something he didn't want to lay in.
There was silence for a moment, then footsteps approached. Kioshi tensed. The cords pinning his arms to his waist were grabbed roughly and the commanding ninja lifted him up to stand. Support was needed due to Kioshi's weak state and the fact that his legs were numb and tied together. He was dragged over to a corner and something metal was heard being retrieved. The thin rim of something was then pushed under his member. Kioshi assumed it was a bucket.
"Get on with it," the man said with impatience.
Kioshi relieved himself, and afterward, he was dragged and lowered back down to his original location. Thankfully he wasn't dropped or thrown.
"You may ask for the bucket again if needed," the commanding ninja said. "Stay silent otherwise."
Kioshi nodded, and the man retreated.
000000000
Days passed, and during that time, Kioshi received little information about his future. His captors stayed silent on deck besides stating basic orders and questions, and Kioshi's ears weren't good enough to make out the mumbled conversations down below.
At least the ninjas seemed to be under orders to keep him in relatively good health. He received food and water twice a day, and the commanding ninja had interfered when one of the hostile ninjas tried to choke him.
That had been an adventure. The attendant had tried to suffocate him with food at one of his feedings, shoving it violently down his throat. Thankfully, the action had been reprimanded.
His blistering skin had also been addressed. The medical ninja had healed the ailment, and to prevent further injury, he was now stored in an empty supply bin.
Its lid had been propped open, so it didn't get too hot or stuffy. Being allowed down below with the bunks and cargo would have been better, but he'd take what he could get. The ninjas obviously didn't want him near their food, weapons, or sleeping quarters. They had already underestimated him once. It was probably why he was watched so closely, despite being restrained thoroughly with cords and a draining seal.
Draining seals were commonly used on powerful ninja prisoners. They did the opposite of imprisoning seals. Instead of trapping chakra, chakra was forcefully pulled out of a victim's body, not letting it get above a certain level. Technically, they were un-seals, though, in the ninja world, seals were any motion or shape that manipulated chakra.
Draining seals were effective on disabled prisoners, and imprisoning seals were effective in stopping someone in battle.
They both had their strengths and weaknesses. If chakra draining seals were used on someone still fighting, it could easily be overpowered and destroyed. But if a chakra imprisoning seals were used on an exhausted opponent, the person could potentially gain enough strength to overpower it in the future.
Chakra imprisoning seals were also more dangerous if a prisoner was rescued. Since it didn't drain chakra, a prisoner would be ready to fight once it was removed. But at the same time, draining seals lacked stealth. They left a constant trail of your prisoner's chakra behind. The fact that a chakra draining seal had been used on Kioshi, attested that the ninjas would rather have him weak than hidden.
They also added a blindfold, which was smart. This stopped the threat of genjutsu. According to Konoha intelligence, no village had a seal that could directly drain or imprison spiritual chakra. To hinder it you had to use special barriers or tie up a prisoner's fingers and hope they needed a seal to perform techniques. You could also keep the person unconscious, or keep the captive blind.
Blindness wouldn't stop genjutsu from being performed, but it would make it unconvincing. The environment had no effect on illusions. Light, shadow, and many other aspects had to be created artificially. If the caster didn't know what to implement, then false images would easily be recognized.
Kioshi could still create convincing sounds, smells, or sensations, but that would only anger his captors. Honestly, even his genjutsu at its greatest would be useless in this situation. It wouldn't cause actual harm and could easily be dispelled. The best he could hope for was brief entertainment that incited no punishment. It wasn't worth it.
000000000
A day later the mood on the ship changed. There was more anticipation. The ninjas paced around, lots taking frequent trips to the railings.
"Ship in sight," one of the ninjas finally called. The tone was blunt and unsurprised. Kioshi assumed this was what everyone had been waiting for.
"Is it the trader's?" The commanding ninja asked.
"Yes."
"Good." the man said. "Go get Ren to prepare the prisoner."
Ren?... Who was that? And what did the commanding ninja mean by "prepare."
Kioshi was taken out of his bin, causing his heart to beat a bit faster. His worries were slightly decreased when the healer was fetched. So this was Ren? It was nice to finally have a name. She knelt down next to him, and a bag was opened.
"Which of you will be leaving with him?"
"Me and one other," the commanding ninja replied flatly.
"I have four bags of the drug in storage," the woman said in the direction. "Each will last twelve hours, so exchange them as needed. Keep an eye on the boy's brainwaves. If the green light on the machine starts beeping, it means, he is waking up, so increase the dose by turning this knob up a notch. If the red alarm goes off, stab one of these into a thigh muscle and decrease the dose. Understand?"
There must have been a nod because the woman didn't say anything else. The boy could feel reluctance in the woman's aura as his chin was grabbed. It was probably due to the danger about to be inflicted. Anesthetics could easily kill, especially if a person was weak or if it was used over a long period of time.
Why wasn't the healer going with them? Was it to draw less attention? If Kioshi understood the situation correctly, he was being transferred to a trading ship. Not only that, but he was going to be put under while only two ninjas accompanied him.
That meant that his captors were going into stealth mode. If he was drugged, the chakra draining seal could be removed, which would allow his physical chakra to be sealed. They could then stuff him in a supply crate, and only sensors would be able to tell the difference. Healers usually didn't accompany traders, and it was rare for more than two ninjas to guard ordinary supplies, so the lack of further company also attested to this.
Kioshi didn't resist as a needle was inserted into his neck. He'd rather not be poked more than necessary. A strap was then velcroed around the area like a choker collar to hold the insert in place.
After that, events were forgotten.
000000000
When Kioshi woke up, he was in a different location. The air was cool and stale. It was hard to move. His head felt heavy. The best he could do was roll it to the side.
Uhgg… He needed to stop waking up like this. Mumbled voices could be heard and a scan was felt. The person performing the task was unfamiliar.
Where was he? Who was this person? At least there was no migraine. It was like floating in a cloud. Everything was numb.
More mumbled voices…a rustle… someone fiddling with something on his arm. Kioshi tried to open his eyes to see what was happening, but a tightly wrapped cloth prevented it. He was still blindfolded.
"Water..?" he croaked. He wouldn't bother asking who, what, where, or why questions this time. Only physical needs had been granted.
A cup was put to his lips. Kioshi tried to lift his head for a better angle, but a metal clamp stopped it. Confused, Kioshi accepted the water anyway, gravity making it hard not to choke.
His restraints were different now. Instead of being wrapped up like a mummy, he was now clamped down to a horizontal table. His ankles were spread-eagled, and his wrists were down to each side. His neck was also fastened in place. It was impossible to roll over or sit up.
He remained naked, making him feel extremely exposed in the face-up spread position. As the drug wore off, his most private and sensitive area began to feel strange and slightly painful. Wiggling slightly, it was finally deduced that a catheter had been inserted.
It was uncomfortable and humiliating. The least these people could do was give him a sheet! Dignity aside, it was cold!
But things would probably get worse. He should be grateful this was all that was currently being suffered. How long would he survive? Was it good if that number was high or low?
Death should be avoided if there was a way to escape. But was it possible? The chakra draining seal was back in place. It wouldn't even allow him to hold enough chakra for basic body enhancement. And help wouldn't be coming, at least not for some time. No one in Konoha knew where he was.
He didn't even know where he was.
Doubts had begun to arise that this was actually Kiri. Sure, the Anbu masks had indicated this but why proclaim your allegiance in committing a crime against another nation? It actually made more sense to frame or illude to someone else.
There was also the fact that not a single water technique had been performed during the attack. Kiri was known for them. Out of ten ninjas, one should have at least shown something, especially being completely surrounded by the element.
Most of the techniques had been lightning-based…
Was Kumo the one responsible?... The lightning nation was powerful and organized. It made more sense for them to send ten high-ranking ninjas out to do such a mission than Kiri, who simply couldn't afford the manpower right now. The lighting nation was also bordered by the same ocean.
Another idea was Danzo. That would explain Sile's fear and betrayal. But why would Danzo order such a thing? They might not agree with each other at times, and Kioshi might often be a nuisance, but he still brought wealth, protection, and prosperity to the village. Was Kioshi really such a threat or incitement to risk such a crime?
Root members also tended to be emotionless, which wasn't his experience with his captors. Of course, those were only the members he'd met...
A large heavy door opened, the creak breaking Kioshi from his thoughts. A rattle and squeak of a cart was then pushed in. His heart quickened. Were they going to torture him for military secrets?... Gouge out his eyes?... Both?...
Four ninjas were shuffling around. Kioshi was surprised to feel that one was Ren. The healer must have come here separately at some point.
He flinched slightly when the catheter cord was swiftly pulled out. Okay…Nothing horrible so far… The absence was actually a relief. Ren's presence gave him a bit of comfort. The healer wouldn't allow her comrades to do something too sinister, right? Scatch that. Guilt didn't mean action. If it did, the woman would have helped him escape earlier.
His jaw was grabbed and pried open. A cloth was then stuffed inside. Now things were getting irritating. His brief struggle made little difference. Another cloth was quickly used to tie the gag in place.
Well, at least he knew they didn't want information…
His member was then wiped with a cloth smelling of sterile chemicals. Kioshi swallowed. He didn't like what this indicated. It had always been a possibility, but gods! This would never happen on earth!
Unfortunately, this course of action was probably the best way to harness someone's bloodline abilities. Why settle for one pair of eyes, when following a natural path could produce more with little effort?
A warm hand replaced the cloth and it began to stroke him, moving skillfully and effectively, confirming Kioshi's fears. They were going to use him for breeding! The rape wasn't painful, but it was violating.
He struggled and willed his body to ignore the stimulation, but it was no use. He was a year into puberty. His member quickly became hard and stiff under the touch, and it wasn't long before he released what was desired. The semen didn't land on him or the table. It was caught by something, the container being capped and set down on the cart.
This was theft at the highest measure! Weren't these medical ninjas? They were supposed to help people! A person's seed was something personal that should be given willingly!
Scanning their emotions, Kioshi found that at least Ren and another ninja were uncomfortable with the situation. The two remaining ones, however, were excited.
Ren inserted the catheter again, but her gentleness did nothing to quell Kioshi's disgust. How could she just sit by and watch? Betraying or defying her village would be dangerous, but a village that did this didn't deserve any loyalty. This wouldn't just affect him negatively, but also any children born by it. No one should have to come into the world this way.
But maybe he was taking his power and influence for granted. He might have stopped this in Konoha, but it was harsh to expect someone to give up their life and family for a stranger, especially when the attempt was likely to fail. It would just make things worse. Ren was at least considerate in some things.
The healers left, and the room become silent and still. Kioshi tried to shift around to get some blood flowing to parts pressured against the table, but it did little good. Movement was limited. It seemed cramped muscles were going to be a new friend.
The gag had also been left in place, which was even more infuriating. Why? He hadn't said anything, and who was he going to alert?
They had picked this place wisely. The room's temperature and stale air indicated that was someplace underground. Based on the thick sound of the door, the walls were probably also thick in density.
There was also a powerful spiritual barrier. His aura was 100x more powerful than a cell phone wave, but it still couldn't even begin to penetrate through the canceling chakra.
His existence was trapped in a 20x 20 space, and it was getting claustrophobic.
He needed to escape.
The first thing to do was to find a way out of the restraints. If he could do that, then further action would be possible.
A small purple portal would do it. The energy could easily cut the clamps off. The only problem was getting enough chakra to do so.
He'd need to resist the draining seal. This could be done with spiritual chakra. Kioshi focused, surrounding his core and veins with the energy. He needed to seal his physical chakra manually as all the natural ones were currently being overwritten.
After trying and failing, Kioshi realized it would probably be easier to just surround his core and forget the veins. Stopping the energy from flowing out from the source in the first place meant less area to cover.
Kioshi built up layers of dense spiritual charka around his center. It was harder than sealing physical chakra normally, but eventually, the pulled charka was stopped and anchored.
His chakra levels then began to rise. Kioshi smiled. If he could get up to full strength, with enough luck and surprise, he might be able to leave this nightmare.
When his core levels doubled, his joy was quickly ruined when something flared hot on his chest. It felt like knives stabbing into him, electrifying and painful. He screamed through the gag, losing focus, causing his spiritual barrier to falter. Physical chakra rushed out of his core in a wave at this, quickly dissipating back to weak civilian levels. The punishment continued a good half minute afterward, causing the boy to buck and spasm incoherently.
Kioshi shook with sweat when the infliction finally stopped, breathing heavily, trying to get his lungs and mind under control. What was that! Had his actions triggered something?
That seemed to be the case. Now that he thought about it, this should have been expected. He was locked in a strong spiritual hindering room. It was obvious his captors knew or at least suspected he was skilled with the energy. Why would they leave such a simple solution open to exploit?
Kioshi swallowed. The chakra levels allowed before punishment were enough to create a few dime-sized portals. Perhaps if he was quick, he might be able to cut the clamps. But what good would that do? He'd only be able to get free from the table. The real challenge would be afterward.
He'd need to have the power to get out of this prison, out of this country, and back to Konoha. This all needed to be done without getting re-captured.
Exhausted, Kioshi decided he'd ponder on the problem later. His mind currently wasn't clear. It was best to get some sleep.
He eventually drifted off, and his problems faded away.
