Article 21 - Chapter 17 - Torture and Interrogation.
Warnings: I do not own Naruto, it's intellectual property is owned by none other than Masashi Kishimoto. I own the OC's that I've added to the story and nothing more.
Notes: Hello! Urgh, I'm a spazztic when it comes down to actually editing. The whole time I'm thinking of things I want to write in the future and I end up killing my motivation lol. I told myself I wasn't going to write ahead until I revised and edited more, but I'm waaaaay too impatient, So I pumped this chapter out. Sorry for being a little slow on this one, So here's about 5,000 words for you (:D)
*** Call To Action: Looking for someone capable of being an editor/proofreader. Also accepting Beta's to hear opinions about chapters before I release the final draft to FFN (If you're interested, hit me up with a PM. Thank You!)***
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
(Last Chapter: Inner Monologue)
"Who could it be? Who could become my Anchor? Lee?" I thought.
...No, Lee has yet to truly find his way in life and I certainly can't trust him with any of my true feelings yet… Perhaps Sasuke? He ends up defecting the village… Well he did before I probably fucked that up causing him to skip a year in the academy. He was a viable option especially if I wait until Itachi slaughters his clan and I tell him it was all directive from the village.
...I simply can't afford to wait that long… No I need someone else. It would be a gamble… but perhaps I can convince Neji to come to my side? The only thing I truly see standing in the way his is dreary outlook that everything was predetermined. Perhaps I can convince him that isn't true and test him… I want to hear his true opinions of the clan and village. He's a genius and I doubt manipulation would affect him so it would all well and good be a complete gamble - But I can at least mitigate the damage by feeling him out. If he seems too adverse to the idea, I could always change my mind.
…
┬┴┬┴┤ Chapter 17 ├┬┴┬┴
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
What did he just say? ...I don't think I heard him right?
"Huh?"
The blonde looked at me for a moment before he repeated: "You're free to go."
It was that easy? How screwed up is this world that they can shrug off a 6 year old strangling themselves. Well, I guess I can't complain, otherwise I'd need to answer more for the brunt of my peculiar behavior.
I collected my belongings and quickly made to leave. Before I reached the door, a hand fell on my shoulder, gripping it, making me wince. What was it now? … Was even this just a test to see how I would respond?
A quiet fury ignited inside me for even allowing myself the hope this was real.
"Take care of yourself. If you need to talk to anyone, you may request me through the psychological therapy department in this hospital. Remember - You're not alone."
My animosity melted as if ice flung into the sun, instead a sinking feeling replaced it, a realization that his sympathy would be wasted on me.
"T-thanks Y-Yamanaka-san." I choked.
I pushed the door open making my escape. I kept myself under control, trying not to move too fast, but still make progress to put distance between myself and this place. One step at a time. I kept walking. The scenery of the village was serene. I found myself lost in my own thoughts.
What would I say to Neji? … How can I present a piece of myself to him? -One that would show some of my imperfections, but not too many that he wouldn't accept me. I need to find out what he thinks... why has he given up hope? How can you discard hope entirely? Can I do that? Would I want to?
*Kachhhooooooooooom!* A crash of thunder brought me back to my senses.
The humid mist of the fog chilled my lungs. It felt so therapeutic. My nerves which were wound so tight started to lose tension. The air which forcasted rain caused me to turn in the direction of the compound.
What do I know about Neji? Hmmm… Well I know he resents the illusion the main family controls his destiny. I know he resents his father sacrificing himself - Even if he doesn't accept the fact on the surface. His eyes' of my memories are like a mirror of mine now, reflecting the same pain, the same regret. I hadn't fully understood it until today. Yes, Today was different.
I paused. The archway of the clans domain hung over me. Beautiful etchings covered the keystone where the two half arches met. I had never noticed it before, but there were two people who leaned against each other, probably in representation of a strong foundation built on delegation of duty. I'm alone again… I have to walk into this place alone, and work to sway to get someone on my side. I need someone in my corner, I don't want to be alone.
I struggled, albeit shortly. I took a strained step, followed by another. My steps continued until I stopped at a door. I focused on slowing my breathing. Focus… I need to be calm. If I'm too emotional I won't be able to control myself. I could very well say things without thinking it through. Even if Neji is smart enough to see through any manipulative tactics I could take, It wouldn't be smart to send caution to the wind.
*Knock Knock Knock*
My heart lurched in my chest. Stupid, calm down. Idiot!
I let a raspy sigh escape my lips.
Silence.
I'm not a patient person. As much as I'd like to believe that I'm long term goal oriented... My flesh, My weakness - I know better than that. How could I get to my goals if I fall apart before reaching them?
My lips pulled into a frown. I could feel the familiar chakra presence inside these walls. I knew he was in there.
*Knock Knock Knock Knock... Knock Knock*
Silence… It cut into me like anxiety. It unsettled me.
...Sound… Footsteps approaching…
"If I want trust… I'm going to have to give some away… If I want love... I'm going to have to learn how to change." It was a quote from somewhere I don't remember… but it flashed into my mind in these few seconds before our confrontation.
The door opened with a slow creak. The familiar boy looked down to my face. I felt a heat emanate from my core, A warm soothing pulse.
"Can I… -I come in?" My throat felt scratchy and the words weren't coming out how they were in my head.
Inside his eyes' I could see pain. Pain from seeing me here. A pain born from confusion.
He opened the door further, moving to the side indicating I could enter.
My heavy steps fell ungracefully, Like they were made of lead.
The door shut behind me. I continued through the home not looking back. It had been a while since I visited him here to be honest. I found my way into a wooden chair I pulled from the dining space. I noticed that his eyes wouldn't meet my own anymore, instead staring holes into the ground.
"Neji-Senpai… Why do you think we were put in this world?"
His eyes darted to me, looking even more confused than before. His eyes stared past me in thought.
Silence…
"Destiny has placed us here to fulfill a purpose. -All of us…" He looked like it hurt him to say, but he definitely believed his words.
"What were Hizashi-san and Ayasha-san's purpose?"
I could see my question cut like a blade. Frustration and pain flashed like a bomb, His fist impacting the table causing a glass to clink and tip over. The glass rolled along it's side to escape off the table, but I reached out and plucked it from the air before it could reach the floor.
"F-f-f-for the main clan." He choked out in a violent rage. Those words pulled out of him like teeth. His eyes glazed over, then turning to walk away.
I leapt from my seat, clasping onto his hand which dragged behind his body. He spun around in surprise, giving me a questioning glance.
"Do you really think that we were put in the world to fight off the village's enemies and protect our family… Is that all a human life boils down to?" He remained silent. A myriad of emotions appearing one by one, before finally being replaced by a pensive mask. I quickly added: "I don't think life is that simple..."
"WHAT OTHER CHOICE DO WE HAVE? NONE! WHY EVEN BRING IT UP? IT DOESN'T MATTER MINA - IN THE END WE ARE TOOLS, GET IT THROUGH THAT DENSE SKULL OF YOURS. YOUR ASPIRATIONS ARE THE CLANS! THE SOONER YOU ACCEPT THAT, THE LESS PAIN YOU WILL EXPERIENCE." His breaths erratic and tears streaming from his eyes. He resembled more a broken boy than the prodigy I had come to known over these past years.
His fists balled up, squeezing it tight with great strength. The circulation being cut, evident by the pale shade of white they became. My hand still clutching at his wrist was weakly tugged at in an half-hearted attempt to escape my clutches.
"I'll find a way for us. Believe in me. I will fight tooth and limb against destiny and society alike. I feel like I could do anything with you at my side…"
A look of flabbergasted shock and panic shone through. He looked doubtful, but for a brief moment, I could have sworn I saw a glimpse of hope.
"Rrrawwghhh!" He exclaimed, slapping my hold, and turning to run. Sprinting down the hallway, then out the door, leaving it open, and not even turning to look back.
I fell to my knees in the doorway watching his figure grow ever smaller.
"It hurts... this sucks so much… Please don't go…" I choked for air. My lungs felt completely dysfunctional. The sound of rain pouring all around, drumming against structures and the ground helped drown my cries of agony... I struggled to close the door, favoring to head to my empty home.
I slinked in through my window, cold and damp. I peeled the soaked clothing off me, slinging it against the wall. The clothes that briefly stuck to the wall, eventually found gravity was a too powerful force, being finally pulled to the floor.
I reached for a spare blanket to dab at my hair and wrap it up. Goosebumps fighting up from the cool draft from the window caressing over my skin. My body shivered and shuttered, but I ignored it. I dove into my bed, digging my face into the bedding and pillows to drown out my screams.
My screams came less and less, till I was too tired to scream or fight. I just wanted to lay still… deathly still. 'What's the point of reaching the top if I don't even want to look up?'
…
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
"What's going on?!"
Shouting downstairs alarmed me as to what was going on. I quickly arrived downstairs to the realization that a number of men besides Tokuma-san were inside the house, and even more were pouring through the open door.
A tall man with a wide build stepped closer to me. He had two scars running diagonally across his face. His cold, calculating, and emotionally detached eyes' stared through me causing alarm to ring through my mind. His Hitai-ate plastered onto a dark blue bandanna. He wore a black trenchcoat, still dripping from the rain, which was covering up his uniform.
Is this that Ibiki guy who was supposedly the head of T.I. ?! -What the hell? What do they know? Was letting me go a pretense? Did they overhear my words to Neji? Oh no… I've been truly careless… STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!
"Mina Hyuga, After close examination, our staff believes that your psychological welfare needs to be addressed. I knew Ayasha Hyuga personally and have made your rehabilitation and therapy my top priority. Please come with me." His words rough and to the point, could have been interpreted as me still having the final say, but his demanding tone left little doubt.
I stared in utter disbelief. He's lying through his teeth! I quickly shot a glance over to Tokuma-san whose face was scrunched in horror. No, this certainly is not something that simple…
"Do I have an option to decline?" I asked.
"I apologize, You don't." He said without a hint of emotion.
A tooth sunk into my tongue. A coppery taste swirled into my mouth which I fought back with swallows. I was lead through the village and stared at by many… I'm sure my suicidal story is going to be fed to the village, and I didn't even get a chance to tell Neji in person… I hate the authority that hovers over me…
I was brought to the T.I. building. As I was being lead through it, several people noticed and pityingly peeking at me - sure to keep their intentions hidden by looking elsewhere quickly and seeming overly occupied.
I was likely being hauled off to hell. Being-X had won. Checkmate. The only way I could logically see myself weasel my way out of this would be the strategic equivalent of a child's tantrum to wipe the board.
I was lead deeper and deeper into the area's underneath the surface level of the building. As soon as we got to the elevator, they blindfolded me… which honestly was a stupid countermeasure considering I had the Byakugan and I could see regardless. I considered activating them so I didn't have such a sense of spatial confusion. I wanted to prevent them from robbing me from anything further…
The familiar harsh voice cut into my ear that woke me to my vulnerability.
"Your Chakra is sealed. Try as you might, you will never get it back until you cooperate."
There was nothing that I could do… This is the worst place I could find myself probably in this entire world. If they see all the way through me, there will be no escape… Happily never after. The man has probably dealt with more monster's than I could imagine… How could he not recognize me for what I am?
I could still feel the chakra of my surroundings, which helped me paint an image of the building I was being blindly lead through.
Ironically, this is the 2nd time my vision has been stolen from me… The first through genetic failure, now through isolation.
I kept walking… and walking… and walking… until metal screeched and I was shoved forward. A clank sounded behind me alarming me to a possible situation. My arms flew out and I felt my surroundings. A smooth metallic surface that sapped my body heat through touch made me pull my hand back.
A draft nipped at my exposed skin sending chills through my body. The walls surrounding the door were made of solid rock or concrete, and as I felt my way around my surroundings I found a bed. (If it could really even be called a bed.)
It was a firm long cushion placed along a metal cott. I laid on my back against it uncomfortably, pulling my arms through my sleeves and cradling them near my core. I shivered and stewed in my misery. I wanted to give up hope, abandon it completely and give in to the hopelessness.
I really did want to…
But I couldn't. A retreat isn't defeat, it's conserving resources to better be allocated later. I'll just emotionally retreat for a while. Drown out my real emotions and brainwash myself into believing some of the misguided teachings of the leaf. I needed to get my story together. I needed to figure out what exactly my options were. I have a final stand, and they are trying to sap me of all my will to resist. I can't make it look like I give up, but I can't seem to be against the ideals of the leaf either. I need to walk along some moral middle ground that I can explain away whatever they have on me… The only problem is I'm in the dark on what they actually know… SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! FUCK!
I laid out, moving my body occasionally to generate just a little more heat. I kept up the cycle out of my self interest and will to persevere. I waited patiently to get my turn. If they don't have enough evidence against me, Hiashi-sama might be able to fish me out of here by the time he returns.
It sounded logical, but I wasn't certain in my evaluation. It was more of a pretty thought that I fed myself and clung to. It made the hours that crawled by more sufferable.
I sat up quickly after registering footsteps outside the room… they were getting closer! Perhaps this is my time, I've got to get ready… the footsteps paused outside of the door… and then continued past… why? Were they not for me? Are these even more mind games they are playing on me? To unsettle me, to leave me completely disconnected?
The thought that they would try this hard on a six year old girl pissed me off to no end. It really helped wake me to the unacceptable standards of this world. COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE…
Those words repeated in my head to help reaffirm my enemies… which were this whole world and the demonic 'Being-X.' Perhaps if I survive, I'll gain enough power to enslave the world and change it to my whims. What a beautiful thought!
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
(Sasuke POV)
Rain pattered down onto the umbrella stretched over his head while he hurried along the paved roads toward the outskirts of the village with the groceries his mother asked him to pick up. A yawn escaped his lips as he rolled his shoulders to loosen up the body which became stiff in the colder weather.
A familiar figure cut across in front of him running like a maniac and passed him. The white eyes bloodshot as they passed didn't even notice the Uchiha as the figure ran ever forward past him and out of sight.
"...Neji? What happened to him?" he whispered. "Hnn…"
He became lost in thought before realizing he had stopped in the middle of the road which were nearly empty due to the weather. I wonder what could have happened to cause a reaction like that from him… hmm…
Deciding contemplating on the matter would do nothing and that in the end it would only be a waste of time, Sasuke continued on towards his home.
…
The next day, a certain Hyuga was missing from the class and several of the kids in class whispered to eachother. It was odd, especially considering the state he had seen Neji yesterday. He had a lack of composure that was chilling when compared to his usual smug and confident self.
Mina was nowhere to be found, except on the lips of the students all around him.
"I heard she tried to kill herself so she is being treated somewhere-"
"-Yeah, I heard her guardian died… and didn't her original mom kill herself in front of her? No wonder she's so scary."
What?! That's impossible. She's so strong, she's the strongest girl I've ever met in our age bracket. Why would she ever try to kill herself? Try as he might no solution to his question satisfied him, therefore he considered the information to be false. She couldn't have tried to kill herself, They must just be baseless rumors.
Having just made up his mind, He glanced back at the Hyuga in the back of the room. He was deadly silent. His head face down, only being held up by his arms that were crossed together on the desk.
They can't be true… She doesn't seem the type to give up.
The image of Neji running past him flashed over and over in his mind, leaving his stomach churning uncomfortably.
Next he thought of the moment Mina seized up and choked in the exhibition match between her and Neji. She just let the attack hit her, like a panic ridden deer frozen in fear.
What is going on? It doesn't make sense she could be that weak to seek out escape over revenge. If someone killed someone from my family, I'd never let them go. I'd hound them to the ends of the earth until I got my revenge… Isn't that how she was too?
The Uchiha's head was starting to hurt by the string of thoughts going wild inside his head. Nothing was making any sense.
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
(Mina POV)
After being lead out of what I could only assume to be the holding cell that I found myself trapped in for the past… while.
I was lead somewhere else, finally being stopped and coerced to sit into a chair. My ankles were locked in cuffs, then my blindfold was removed.
A light directed towards my face made it difficult to make out my surroundings, but through squints and stretching my neck I made out the surroundings to be something of a interrogation room.
The man sitting in front of me cleared his throat which yanked my attention from my surroundings. He had a neutral expression… and a hand snaked around a cup.
It wasn't until now I realized how dry my throat felt.
"May I have a drink?"
A frown appeared on his face but he didn't answer. Instead, he fidgeted with the cup. Sliding it between both his hands which were atop the table.
My eyes started adjusting to the abnormality that was the rooms lighting. I squeezed them shut, blinking several times hoping to speed the process up.
A faint drip sounded repeatedly… Drip...Drip...Drip...Drip…
The room would have been devoid of all noise without the incessant dripping and the scraping of the bottom of the cup that kept being slid across the table.
The room was small. No windows. Devoid from anything along the walls I could see. No clock or timepiece was in the room. No distractions at all.
Ibiki Stood from his chair, and walked behind me. I strained my neck to follow him, but eventually I just had to look over my other shoulder to keep my eye on him. He walked in circles around me without ever saying anything. After several minutes, a knock sounded on the door and he left the room through the door.
He hasn't said anything… He's depriving me of any information. Does he just want me to talk? Is he trying to coerce me to incriminate myself without him even needing to say a word?
-I'm not that weak, and I know that you're probably on a timetable. I hope I get to see that calm persona break… I hope I get to see some desperation… however unlikely that is.
After a few minutes, the door swung back open, and a figure walked through the doorway closing the door behind him. He approached closer making it apparent that it was a different man than last time. This man was wearing colorful clothing, had deep emerald green eyes, and blonde hair tied back into a ponytail.
"Hello Mina-chan. Sorry to meet you under such grim pretenses. The staff decided it was best to show you how unpleasant you could be treated to remind you how good you have it outside these walls."
Bullshit. Scare tactics on suicide risks are idiotic. I'd have to actually be a 6 year old of mind to believe that… oh no!? Can he hear my thoughts? ARE YOU IN MY HEAD BASTARD?
The blonde's expression didn't drop the small friendly grin he wore. It would seem if he was going to get inside my head, he'd probably need to at least do a hand sign... so perhaps I'm just being paranoid.
The Blonde slid the cup over to my free hands, and I quickly looked inside the cup, eyeing it carefully.
I was thirsty, but perhaps there is some sort of drugs in this to help coerce a confession. I lifted the cup to my lips, turning the bottom up.
I sealed my lips tight to be sure that none of the liquid found its way into my mouth before setting it back down on the table to the side… hoping he wouldn't have noticed I didn't take a drink.
"I'm sure your hungry by now right? If you could eat anything what would you want - I might be able to get someone to fetch it."
This question was probably posed to help me lower my guard, perhaps build rapport with this man establishing some sort of good cop bad cop routine. The comment did nothing to settle my heart in chaos, In fact it may have served to wind me tighter because of the connection I made between this and the "Final Meal" established in prisons in my last life. A chilling thought.
I'd be stupid not to take him up on his offer though… I had avoided unhealthy food like the plague in this life, and If I were going to have a final meal, I wanted something warm, and something renown from the village.
"Is there anyway I could get some fully loaded Ichiraku Ramen bowls?"
The man across the table chuckled at my request. "I'm sure we could accommodate you with that, let me go have an order be put in." He said standing out of the chair, it being pushed back and making a scraping noise across the floor.
The man slipped out through the door leaving me alone once again. I celebrated each little victory I could get stalling this out.
The longer I can prolong them from getting information, the higher chance I can be bailed out by Hiashi-sama after his return. These people are nuts, maybe even more nuts than me. They aren't looking down on me at all. They are treating me like a intellectual equal… This isn't good at all.
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
(Inoichi POV)
"The girl is very weary despite pretending to only be somewhat weary… She has a terrifying intellectual capacity to see through deceit and ploys." Ibiki stated.
"Hyuga-san didn't drink from the cup. She lifted it to her mouth but had her mouth closed the entire time." The Hyuga standing beside Ibiki reported.
A deep sigh escaped Inochi's lips looking at the both of them. He wished he could tell them they were overreacting… but being in the same room as her, and all the surveillance data that is compiled in the reports only help commemorate their misgivings.
She was certainly different. She held herself in the same manner as a counterintelligence agent. Was this Hiashi-san's doing giving her this training? Does she have some sort of role to play within their clan that is so confidencial that T.I. has no records on it? Are the Hyuga planning something which could put the village at risk?
This little girl was making waves across the whole village. No cases similar to hers had ever been given to him before. The closest recorded cases of similar behaviors are that of Itachi Uchiha, and the legendary sannin Orochimaru.
The intelligence level is certainly on their same level especially comparing them from her respective age, but the intentions and aspirations of the two couldn't have been more different. Is she to become some sort of savior for the leaf, or a monster?
"How will we go about determining if she is an invaluable asset, or a unimaginable threat?" Inochi asked softly.
Ibiki smiled at his previous mentor's question, a cold malicious smile.
"We will gather as much information as we can, then connect to her through pain. We will become equals until I can see what she sees. It's a blessing she is very durable; I don't imagine her breaking easily."
┬┴┬┴┤神の起源├┬┴┬┴
Authors Notes: Zemptai-sama again, Finally got to the Neji scene I've been wanting to write FOREVER. At this point in the scene, he is oblivious to her suicide attempt, and when you see him in 'Sasuke's POV' he had realized he ran from her when she was in dire need making him feel terrible. As to answer a Guest's question as to potential pairings… I don't have any picked, and I'm undecided whether to give her one or not. Having this story be a Semi-SI and writing a romantic relationship through her eyes kinda makes me want to cringe because I'd have to imagine myself in her shoes. If I give her a pairing I'm also undecided whether it will even be male. I have never done a reviewer question before, but I figured this is as good as any place to start.
Reviewer Question: - Who would you pair/ship with our MC, and why?
(If you wouldn't ship anyone, you can just as well say no'one and explain your reason as well!)
I write so I can share with you guys, and it warms my heart to hear your opinions and interact with the readers.
…
**SPECIAL THANKS to the great people below who left me a review, It means a lot!**
-Redderthanred31 - Yes, Orochimaru is a sort of transhumanist that believes that humans need to work together to further themselves as a species. It makes sense how this sparks a decent into his madness and how he would be capable of rationalizing any action he takes.
-Mysterious Goat - Your comment spurred my Reviewer question, so thanks for your input.
-Guest
-SteveTheBeast
-Killua Meatrider