Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
There was something freeing about leaping through the great cedars surrounding Konoha, we travelled in a formation with Minato in front, Shikaku in the middle and Kakashi and I flanking at the rear, with time spare and not much to do I decided to ask Kakashi about his training.
"My training?" he asked looking over to me, he seemed to ruminate for a moment before he looked ahead and said "It wasn't too bad. Orochimaru is very… demanding."
I waited for something more but Kakashi seemed to have finished, I began to open my mouth to ask him for some details but before I could he asked me about my training.
"I spent a great deal of time herding deer." I said, well he wasn't giving me much information - turnabout is fair play in my book.
Kakashi very nearly missed his next branch, "Herding deer!" he exclaimed, or at least as close to exclaiming as Kakashi came, subdued as he usually was.
I just nodded in response.
"You spent a month herding deer? What could you learn from that?"
"I never said I spent my whole month herding deer." I paused as Kakashi seemed to relax, "I spent most of the rest of my time playing Shogi." And he practically did a double take.
""Oi Shikaku, what have your clan been teaching Ko? I must be misunderstanding him." Kakashi called ahead.
"Shikaku looked back over his shoulder and with a smirk at me Kakashi couldn't see said "I seem to remember most of his time being used herding our deer, but we did play some shogi as well."
That crafty Shikaku, I don't know how but he must have read my handsigns all the way from where he was ahead of us, he wasn't letting anything spill to Kakashi either, Kakashi seemed to be about to erupt before abruptly he brought himself under control.
"if my father has taught me anything you can never judge a Nara by appearances" he signed to me, slowly I nodded in response, he seemed to have understood that there was some reason I trained the way I had even if it wasn't discernable on the surface.
The nod seemed to placate Kakashi and we spent the rest of the journey talking about the exams and what we might face. Honestly we had very little clue about what to expect according to Minato the exams themselves changed every time they were held and were ultimately up to the host village what they tested and how.
We took up camp that night in a copse of trees that were not as thickly built as the ones around Konoha, thinking about it the trees around Konoha seemed almost unnaturally large, I surmised that must have something to do with the first Hokage and his wood release, either he had chosen the site for the trees or the chakra from his wood release bore the trees around the village today.
I was tasked with getting the firewood whilst Kakashi found something to eat, Minato and Shikaku stayed behind to set up camp.
Getting the firewood it transpired was an easy task, it seemed like it hadn't rained in this region in quite some time, the ground had taken on the appearence of an almost powdery dirt on the surface with the soil beneath it being hard packed and unyielding, I quickly grabbed some kindling and them some larger pieces of wood, I did not know what Kakashi was going to find to eat in an area like this, there were unlikely to be rabbits building dens in soil this hard not to mention the lack of fauna for them to feed on.
When I returned to the campsite then it did not surprise me to see that kakashi was still out hunting, I took up the task of building a small pit for the fire as Shikaku and Minato finished setting up a permiter of light traps.
The fire practically lit itself and quickly took hold in the rest of the kindling I had gathered, the fire now properly established I sat back and layed out on the ground in front of it.
Not too long afterwards Shikaku and Minato returned and took up their own spots around the fire, I greeted each in turn.
"You're probably wondering how much of our training you can reveal to people outside the Nara clan." Shikaku began, it wasn't a question and him being him he had immediately seen through to exactly what had been on my mind several times since I left their home.
I nodded.
Shikaku yawned and stretched, "Tell them whatever you want." He finally said before laying back and staring at the rapidly darkening sky.
I had seem him take up this position often enough to know he was cloud watching, I stood up and walked over, I couldn't speak to him if he wasn't looking in my direction, it was the most annoying part of not being able to vocalise, if someone wasn't looking your way when you were speaking you weren't saying anything at all. Shikaku knew this and his looking at the clouds was definitely a way to deliberately avoid the conversation, why bring it up and then abruptly end it like that though? I wasn't going to let him.
"What do you mean tell them what I want?" I said from above him.
Shikaku rolled his eyes before mumbling something about me being annoying, "Exactly what I said, how would you describe what we taught you, how would you explain it to others?"
I grasped what he meant at that moment, I didn't actually know how I would describe what I had been taught, how do you communicate something that exists outside language?
Shikaku probably seeing my comprehension sighed and turnd over to look at the fire.
"So..." Minato began, he had been checking over his equipment whilst Shikaku and I talked, "What did they teach you beyond tactics and strategy, i've heard the Nara have beeen pretty impressed overall with what you've learnt and it takes a lot to impress a Nara."
"They helped me think better." I said.
Minato lifted an eyebrow sceptically, "They helped you think better? Come on I'm your sensei you can tell me."
"No really I have a whole new way of thinking and can think really well now."
Minato's expression didn't change and mentally I cursed Shikaku, he was right.
"Alright then keep your secrets." Minato huffed, "But expect extra training if you don't come back a chuunin." He said finishing with a grin that promised great pain.
I groaned internally and fell backwards onto the ground kicking up a clode of dust.
"Yo, I caught some birds but there wasn't much else to trap." Kakashi announced nonchalantly entering the clearing, he took a moment seeing my resigned position and Minato happily polishing his kunai, "What did I miss?"
"Please don't ask." I said.
That first night outside the bounaries of the village was uneventful, Minato took first shift followed by Kakashi and then finally myself, Shikaku wasn't nominated any of the watches and when Kakashi Pointed that out Shikaku simply stated it would be too much of a hassle.
I laid in the branches of a tree watching the sky give birth to a new day, I ascended to the highest branches of the tallest tree when it became clear enough to see into the distance. The difference was remarkable, behind us lay rolling hills of trees growing greener and wilder as the distance increased. Ahead though lay a gradual thinning of trees until a line of yellow cut a sharp contrast to the blue sky it hung below. I knew Suns was located in the middle of a desert but the way the landscapes simply melted into each other it seemed like we were stepping into another world.
Minato was the first to wake but I sensed Kakashi was also awake shortly after judging by how his chakra felt. Shikaku's chakra lay muted as it always was, where many people's chakra boiled or snapped or surged Shikaku's chakra always felt like a felt blanket laying over the area he inhabited.
We were away in short order, I had already packed after waking for my watch and the only thing that delayed us were the scant seconds Minato took dismantling the traps they had set up the previous evening.
"We'll be arriving in the Suna desert before the end of the day," Minato explained as well hopped through the trees, "After that we'll make slower progress so it should take us around 2 more days before we make it to Suna."
Kakashi and I both acknowledged this with a nod.
Minato's estimate was proven correct, by the time it had reached mid afternoon we had left behind the last traces of green fauna. We had long since descended from the trees, once they became more infrequent than every ten metres it became far easier to run through them than jump between them.
We took some time to change before we reached the desert proper. We changed into much lighter and brighter colored clothes with coverings for our heads. Shikaku, in one of his few breaks from the silence be had kept on this journey, informed us that exposed skin in the desert can burn within minutes, Minato seemed to take an extra precaution in rubbing some kind of cream over his face, according to him he burned quite easily so he had to use extra protection.
Running across the desert was tiring, at least at first. Minato and Shikaku adopted a technique similar to water walking where they spread their chakra over the area beneath their feet preventing the sand from collapsing into itself with every step, It took a few hours for Kakashi and I to notice during which we found ourselves getting progressively more tired due to the extra effort we were putting into running across the sand. Luckily the technique was simple enough for us to have it down within 15 minutes, I privately planned some kind of retribution for Minato and Shikaku in the future and judging by Kakashi's expression he was thinking the same, it wasn't lost on us when Shikaku shared a rare mischievous grin with Minato when we first started to try to reverse engineer the technique they were using.
When the sun began to set it got noticeably cooler though our running kept us warm enough by the time nighttime was upon us I could see tendrils of condensation rising from my every breath. Eventually Minato called us to a stop.
"There's little to burn or trap out here so you'll have to content yourself with the warmth of your blanket and the rations you brought with you." Minato announced.
Kakashi and I grimaced at each other but suddenly I had an idea. I gestured for Kakashi's attention before pointing at one of the ration bars in my hand, it contained dried apricots which I had chosen for their added sweetness but it was well known to those that knew Minato well that he detested apricots. I offered the bar to Kakashi with raised eyebrows, Minato would be distracted for a short time unpacking his bedding but I would not be fast enough to elude detection.
With a grin Kakashi took the ration bar and stood up murmuring an excuse about needing the toilet and he left the small campsite. The darkness of night being what it was he was gone from discernable site within moments.
Kakashi returned around 5 minutes later, minus one ration bar. I furtively took note of this from my side of the camp and kept my eye on Minato who was now settling down on his unpacked trappings.
We sat there for some time, Shikaku staring off into the night and Minato asking us questions about what we expected from the exams. Eventually though Minato reached for his pack and withdrew a ration bar.
Kakashi and I could only hope that the one he had picked was the one we planted as it was too dark to confirm which bar he had grabbed, he would have a few of these rations among his possessions so in truth it was unlikely to be the one he had grabbed, all the same though I'm not sure how Kakashi felt but I was sat with bated breath as Minato, so slowly it seemed, removed the packaging from around the snack and then bit into it.
I dared not breath.
Minato crunched twice more into the bite he had taken, I began to think he must have chosen a safe ration bar. He seemed to roll the contents of his mouth around for a moment speculatively before daring to take another tentative chew and I knew the same instant Minato realised for even across the camp in the limited light his face took upon such a hue it appeared as if a second dimmer moon stood against the dark.
The sound of Shikaku sniggering broke the silence, he must have known all along, then Minato was up gagging and running out into the sand beyond our sight. Kakashi and I had to content ourselves with the sound of retching and then water being gargled and expelled.
Minato returned to the site minutes later looking a little greener and in no fettle for conversation, he sent an accusatory stare in my direction before ordering us to sleep saying he would take first watch.
We both hurried to obey, Minato did not look too impressed with our revenge.
I was woken by Kakashi for the last watch, with no vantage point to survey the area around us I settled on the top of a nearby dune overlooking the camp and watched as the sun rose. I do not think I would ever willingly choose to live in a place as desolate as the desert but watching as the sun rose and ignited the ruddy orange sand of the desert, bringing it to life, I could not deny that it was a truly majestic landscape.
With first light everyone woke up and made quick work of dismantling the camp, it was easier travelling during the mornings and evenings I would learn. When the sun reached its climax in the sky later that day we stopped at a well Shikaku guided us to. I would not have seen it against the desert, it was little more than a small mound of clay baked dry around a hole in the ground. I was beginning to wonder what we would do for water, true we could survive for now with just rations but without water which we were rapidly running dry on we probably wouldn't survive more than a few days.
Minato brought a bucket and rope out from a seal and assigned Kakashi the job of drawing the water whilst he took watch.
"Some of the smaller settlements in Wind country do not take kindly to strangers using their wells." Shikaku explained quietly to me, "They guard the locations of their wells jealousy, it is only due to luck that I discovered this one on a previous trip."
"There's a settlement near here?" I asked, shading my eyes against the sun, straining to see any signs of nearby civilisation.
"They're nomadic but yes, they never stray too far from their precious wells, and for good reason, out here without water you face one of the worst deaths imaginable." he explained tiredly, "And no clouds to boot."
I chuckled a little at that last remark, of course he'd care about there not being any clouds.
Some time later we left that small oasis with enough water, Minato advised, to make it all the way to Suna if we rationed it properly. The rest of our journey passed without incident, discounting an incident the next morning when Kakashi found a scorpion in his bag, I thought maybe Minato placed it there in revenge but he wouldn't go that far would he?
We arrived at Suna later that same day, it exposed itself at first as a distant rocky outcropping against the azure sky and as we got closer I began to realise it was much bigger than I had initially anticipated, with no frame of reference for size the rock we were heading towards grew and grew until when we arrived it towered above us. Minato and Shikaku guided us to a small fissure in the wall of rock that it transpired was the way into the village. We were stopped here by a pair of Suna ninja who observed us suspiciously.
"For what purpose have you come to Suna," The more severe looking guard demanded.
"We have come for the Suna exams," Minato explained.
"And him?" He gestured towards Shikaku with his chin.
"I am here to speak to your Kazekage, he is expecting me." Shikaku practically yawned as he handed the guard a scroll with an official looking seal on it.
The guard broke the seal and examined it for a moment before grudgingly nodding.
"You three," He said indicating Kakashi, Minato and myself and passing Minato a scroll, "Will stay at the inn indicated on this map, curfew is at 7pm. Do not cause trouble." He turned to look at Shikaku, "Sagan will show you the way to the Kazekage." so saying the other guard stepped forward ready to lead Shikaku.
Shikaku glanced at Sagan before suppressing another yawn, "Well lead on I suppose."
Minato placed his hands on both mine and Kakashi's shoulders, "We'd better be making our way as well." he said as he guided us forward into the village.
The Inn we were using had apparently been commandeered for the use of all Konoha shinobi visiting for the exam, for some reason the powers that be thought putting shinobi of different villages into the same cramped living area was a bad idea.
Kakashi and I had a separate room to Minato, it was intended for 3 people since that was the usual size of a chunin exam team so with only myself and Kakashi inhabiting it there was room to spare. We had a single window cut into the dry stone that all the buildings in the village seemed to be made of, it did little to cool the room despite there being no glass or shutter, even the rare breeze that floated through did nothing to cool us.
I quickly set to work drawing a seal to air condition the room and placed a smaller barrier seal above the window preventing the cooler air from my air conditioning seal from escaping. Kakashi appreciated this immeasurably. He didn't say so but I could see how much he was sweating even beneath his light desert clothes.
"So," he began, laying onto one of the beds, "What do you think the first exam will be?"
I considered for a moment my now forgotten ink brush tucked behind an ear, a bad habit I had picked up from Kushina it frequently stained a goodly amount of my hair black, "Minato said that the first exam usually tested mental faculties right? So maybe it'll be an exam."
"An exam huh?" Kakashi looked back at the ceiling, "That would be pretty boring."
I didn't reply, I didn't disagree either, to have come all this way just to take a written exam would be pretty big waste of time in my opinion. All we could do though was wait. We had the morning to ourselves but were to report to the Kazekage's tower at 1PM the next day for the first part of the exam. I finished unpacking my things since the kurfew had already taken effect and we weren't allowed to wander the village, with us spending at least a few days here it made no sense to keep everything in my bag.
After I unpacked I lay on the bed, strangely now that I thought about it this was the first real bed I had used in this life. I turned over and tried to get some sleep.
I discovered that having an air conditioned room had a draw back the next morning when I stepped out to explore Suna and walked into what felt like a wall of heat. Even in the morning when the sun has barely risen it was hot in this village. I asked Kakashi If he wanted to explore the village with me but he wanted to make sure all of his equipment was prepared for the exam so he stayed behind.
Walking around the village I was surprised to see that almost none of the buildings were taller than 3 or 4 stories high, the only exception seemed to be some buildings built into the wall that ran the perimeter of the village and the Kazekage's tower. I suspected it might be due to the strength of the stone they used to build everything here.
I found breakfast for myself at a small stall, ramen wasn't the style here, likely due to the scarcity of the water, a food requiring broth was definitely a luxury. I bought a skewered lizard which was dry but surprisingly flavorful.
I was still wandering when Shikaku appeared next to me.
"If you've come for your rematch it's probably not the best time, the exams start in a few hours." I said.
Shikaku let out a small chuckle, "No I didn't come for that. You know you're still my student even if you can beat me at Shogi."
"You've come to teach me something then?" I asked, I was beginning to think Shikaku did nothing if there wasn't a reason behind it.
"Something like that. What do you think of this village?" He asked.
I shrugged, "Its hardly an economic hotbed but that's hardly surprising considering the location," I nodded towards the sun, "Out here the sun seems more like hurdle than a boon to life."
"So why do you think people live here?" Shikaku prodded.
"I… don't know." There had to be some reason, I felt no one would subject themselves to this climate and environment without reason.
"See if you can find a reason before we leave back to Konoha." Shikaku said before wandering off in his lazy ambling way. I sighed - he was giving me homework now!
The rest of my morning produced nothing of note, I spoke to a fair few merchants but no one that lived in Suna, according to one merchant I spoke to there were more merchants in Suna than he had ever seen, I surmised this was due to the upcoming chunin exams, with more people came more money and even the worst merchant knew to follow where the money flowed deepest.
I got back to the inn with plenty of time to spare but still found Kakashi and Minato waiting there for me outside.
"Minato thought it best to set off for the first exam early in case there are any ninja from other villages wanting to cause any trouble." Kakashi explained.
He had worded it quite diplomatically but I caught his intended meaning. There were villages that still harboured a deepset dislike of Konoha, I doubted they would actually cause any trouble inside of Suna but you couldn't be too careful, the scars of war ran deep and could easily reopen at events like these. I nodded and we started making our way to the Kazekage's tower
It wasn't too far but soon I noticed Minato wilting beneath the sun, he was still in his jonin attire which in the midday sun of Suna might as well have been the confines of an oven, Kakashi even looked a little put upon by the time we arrived at the tower despite his lighter clothes. Luckily I was dressed as lightly as I always was so I wasn't as affected by the sun's rays, my feet however were beginning to feel like they were being slowly cooked before we stepped inside and into the shade.
Minato turned us both around to face him and placed a hand on both our shoulders, "This is where I leave you, remember what I've taught you, show your quality as shinobi of Konoha."
It was a unusually serious speech from the ordinarily carefree Minato and even after his hand left my shoulder it felt like a weight had settled there. There didn't seem to be anything more to say so Minato nodded to both of us and we followed the small crowd of ninja from various villages down the hall and into a room that was quite bare with the only furnishings being the individuals being instructed to line up along the back wall, Kakashi and I quickly found ourselves arrayed alongside them where we waited.
I looked up and down the row to our left and right. The mix was predominantly Suna shinobi, unsurprising considering they were the host, some of the ninja present were on the cusp of adulthood, some looked to be new genin, none though looked as young as Kakashi and I. As I looked among them I noted that those that were looking around themselves rapidly found the position we took up on the lineup and I cursed inwardly, a team of 2 and we look younger than anyone here? We were going to be the first priority for any team with half a brain between them.
Before I had time to curse our situation further a female shinobi wearing long robes and a sand colored scarf entered. The reaction of the Suna shinobi was immediate as a hush fell over them, obviously this individual was no slouch.
"I am Karura and I will be leading this year's chunin exams." She paused here looking over the shinobi present, "Those of who are incapable of inflicting or withstanding torture should step out now. your withdrawal will not reflect negatively on your record and you may compete in the next chunin exams."
That got everyone murmuring, certainly torture was a part of life as a ninja everyone was aware of but I imagine no one really expected to be put through it in an exam of all things. My own experiences on my first mission outside the village and then the imprisonment at the hands of Danzo flashed through my head. I felt ill. Kakashi nudged me and I looked to his face which showed open concern, I had probably gone a little pale and Kakashi was not unaware of what I had gone through.
"Withdraw?" He signed.
The temptation was there. But we had not come all the way to Suna to give up at the first point of difficulty, I resolutely shook my head. Kakashi looked at me a few moments more, his eyes searching before he nodded and faced forward again.
I took another look around the room, surprisingly it was a team of older genin from kumo who were the only ones in the end to withdraw. I did spot another genin team from Konoha on my second look around though, they were actively trying to seem unimportant and at first glance your eyes skimmed right past them, they were obviously quite skilled in subterfuge, I only recognised two of the genin on the team however both had been members who had been part of our graduating class. Morino Ibiki who I had noted had always held a serious demeanor and Hayate Gekko who I knew was renowned for his budding kenjutsu skills.
"If that is all here are the parameters for the first part of this year's chunin exams. One among each of your team's is to be given a passcode, divulging this passcode will not automatically mean your failure in this exam but keeping the information may help you later." She paused and looked at us, her eyes as piercing as a blade, "I want to make this absolutely clear. You do not need to keep this information in order to pass." After another moment she nodded, "The individual with the passcode will be sent into a room with the remains of another genin team who will attempt to extract the information from you, those extracting the information are not to cause mortal injury or outright kill there subject, there will be proctors observing at all times and as soon as an interrogation reaches that point they will step in. We can not implement any direct punishment since you all in effect have diplomatic immunity for the duration of these exams. That said those of you that do break this rule will be disqualified from the Suna exam and will not be allowed to retake it in Suna or any village with which Suna is a formal ally."
I blinked. That would certainly be an effective dissuasion, Suna was already allied with Konoha after coming out of the last war and we were set to host the exams next and there was pretty open talk of Suna being in diplomatic talks with the village who would host after that. Anybody who broke this rule would be effectively barred from another bite at the Apple for at least 18 months.
"We will now be giving the passcode to those among you that will be that will be interrogated." I felt Kakashi shift at my side, he had stepped forward, face resolute, obviously volunteering himself. "To select those being interrogated you will each be given a box out of which you will withdraw a ball."
Even as she said this proctors came forward with small wooden boxes, Kakashi stepped back again, a frown now marring his brow.
"Those that randomly select the black ball from the box will be the interrogated. Those that select white the interrogators." Karura finished explaining.
Our proctor reached us and proffered our box. It was an interesting design, rather than a hole in the top there was 2 holes one on each side, looking at the other boxes I saw there were 3 holes for the other teams, it appeared our box had been prepared just for us.
Kakashi looked at me asking for confirmation again that I was ok with this. Honestly I wasn't sure. But I nodded back all the same and we reached into the box simultaneously and Kakashi withdrew his ball moments before me. I didn't need to look at mine, Kakashi's face spoke volumes. I put my arm on his shoulder my own ball left hanging at my side with my fist closed around it.
"Your objective in this exam is to extract the data from your captive, those who fail will be dismissed from the exam. Remember you are not to use lethal force and those of you who are to be interrogated are free to divulge your passcode without retribution. I will repeat for clarity, to pass the interrogators on your team need only complete their objective."
"Looks like the most important job is left to you." I said to Kakashi. He didn't reply, he was looking at his ball looking torn. I gave him a last tap on the shoulder as the proctor guided me away and towards the other unlucky few who drew the short straw.
We were stood far enough away that I doubted the other teams could hear what Karura was saying but she activated a crude looking privacy seal nonetheless, "On the outside of your ball you will find a number, that number will correspond to your interrogators team," I looked back at the other teams and found she was right, each team was stood below a number on the wall, "Inside of your ball you will find your passcode, you will have 3 seconds to memorize it after opening it before the paper combusts. Do that now."
I opened mine after noting the number 8 on my ball. My passcode was "Red", simple enough I thought, I flinched surprised as the paper combusted in my hand, 'I must be distracted if I'm forgetting details like that' I thought to myself.
After that we were quickly sent back to stand with our chosen interrogators, I had been placed with one of the few Kiri teams present. I chose to take their smiles as welcoming smiles and tried to ignore their vicious edges. I think these guys were looking forward to this. I saw Kakashi's victim was the one member of the other Konoha team I didn't know the name of though I learned it was Tokara when he attempted to introduce himself to Kakashi. Not a bad move, it would be all the harder to torture someone who treated you like another human being. Kakashi though completely ignored the statement and the proffered hand which Tokara eventually let fall to his side looking glum. I couldn't blame him for trying. I could tell from a distance such niceties would get me nowhere with my interrogators though.
After a few moments the same proctor that had carried the box for Kakashi and I came over to direct us to where we would be situated for what was to follow. I didn't let my mind stray too far in that direction. Apparently this proctor would be my escort for this first phase, I imagined the rest of the proctors were similarly matched up. He guided us out of the room down some stairs into what seemed like a subterranean area of the building and down a corridor with doors positioned at intervals along the sides, I saw teams ahead of us enter the earlier ones and all too soon we were being directed into our own cell, furnished with only a chair in the middle of the room.
"You will have 5 minutes to prepare followed by one hour in which you are to attempt to extract the information, you can choose to have your captive tied to the chair or left free." The proctor announced professionally as he closed the door.
One of the Kiri ninja grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the chair, "Tied to the chair of course," he said, his voice came out like a high pitched rasp, almost more breath that voice, "We wouldn't want our little Konoha nin squirming away."
The proctor nodded and provided the Kiri ninja with rope which they used to tie my legs to the chair and my arms behind my back. I had to admire their skill this was obviously not the first time they had tied somebody up, there was no slack in the rope and I noted that whilst it was a simple knot it was quite unbreakable from my position. The rope itself seemed to have been reinforced in some way for though I strained against it it did not fray or even loosen.
The two Kiri nin stepped back after a few moments with noises of contentment, obviously happy with their work, one of them began spinning a kunai idly in one hand as the proctor checked the time.
"You may begin in 5 seconds," he said at last
The two Kiri nin turned towards me and the one that hadn't dragged me to the chair spoke in a drawling tone, "Don't suppose you'd want to divulge the passcode now, save us the trouble? There's no repercussions after all other than letting us pass this phase."
It wasn't a bad option and one I had considered, still though if I was able to keep them out it would be less competition, I opened my mouth to let loose with some witty barb when I paused. I couldn't talk. Even if I wanted to talk my hands were literally tied.
The two Kiri nin took my hesitation to mean I needed more persuasion, "Well this wouldn't have been as much fun if you did."
I shrunk down into my chair as they advanced.
AN: Really wanted to finish the next chapter before posting this one but I have completely restarted that 3 times at this point so I think I'll post this one so there's at least some progress. Reviews are great (good or bad) so leave one if you have time. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'll see you in the next one (eventually!).