Kushimaru sat in the living room, at a loss of what to do. His next mission doesn't start until 1500 later that day. He looked at the clock.
10:14 AM
He already ate breakfast and finished his morning training. He can only do so many push-ups and sword swings by himself. He couldn't remember what he used to do in his downtime before picking up Tsukisa. That concerned him. But at least now, he was free to figure it out.
He looked at the clock.
10:15 AM
He groaned and leaned his head back onto the couch. Maybe he should go back to ANBU full-time. Take on more high-stakes missions and more frequently. That would keep him occupied.
No, wait. He might run into her.
He groaned and put his feet up on the table in front of him.
No, wait. He'd be taking regular and official ANBU missions. Tsukisa is only a trainee and won't be assigned important missions that impact Kiri.
No, wait. She's a medic, he remembered. They would stick her on whatever mission or team that needed high success rates. Medics were valuable and sorely needed in ANBU. They were the life-support of the team, and enemies tended to go for them first. It's a sound tactic, of course, one that Kushimaru would often use. But it puts the medic-nin at a disadvantage, having to choose between helping their team members and defending themselves.
In all honesty, he wasn't too sure what kind of training the medic program has, as he'd never been. But he expected her to overcome it regardless. He expected her to live through it all having learned costly lessons along the way. She would come out smarter after tasting the real shinobi life.
He expected all these things from Tsukisa, but there was also a very real chance of her death. She was skilled for her age. She was only 7 and good enough to be a genin. But the world doesn't stop to admire strong children. Only the strong.
And she wasn't strong at all in the relative sense. Practically every other shinobi worth his salt was stronger than her. She was at the bottom of the social ladder and there's no mercy there. The weak are culled.
If she wanted to get better, she had to survive the program and train outside of it. Because ANBU wasn't known for making people stronger. They were known for making disposable soldiers. They needed deniability and the operatives were it.
He didn't know about other villages, but in Kiri, as long as someone can follow orders and kill on command, then ANBU could find a use for them. That's how Suikami even considered her. Tsukisa didn't get accepted for her strength, but because she was a medic with field experience.
Once she'd learned her lessons, she would serve a couple of years as a regular ANBU. After that, she would come out just as eager as when she first joined him. She would be grateful for everything he's offered and respect his orders.
Yes, that's the way it should be, a perfect tool for his moulding.
Yet for whatever reason, fear would creep in whenever he stepped onto the battlefield with Tsukisa. Even though she was supposed to be his tool. He wasn't scared of the enemies, nor of her and he wasn't even scared for her anymore. He was instead scared of the things she could make him do.
His instincts would betray him in the battle when she was in danger. Instead of killing his opponents, or finishing the mission, his attention would be drawn to her plight. And in a fight, a moment is all it takes for it to end.
Kushimaru clenched his fists tightly. Rather than scared, angry seemed more accurate. He was frustrated that Tsukisa, his tool, somehow had control over his subconscious self. And he can't have that.
Perhaps he should recondition his instincts―no that's foolish. They've served him well. It would be foolish to throw something away when they've been so helpful.
At least he'll have time now to get used to fighting by himself again, he thought somewhat content.
He looked at the clock.
10:42
Kushimaru sighed. That was enough introspection for the week. Maybe he should get a hobby. Juuzou's been making fun of him for not having a life besides training and missions. And the last thing he wanted to do was prove him right.
Standing up, he stretched until his joints cracked with satisfying pops. He thought of all the pointless things he's seen people do to pass time. Deciding on a simple one to start with, he left his empty house.
-:-
Munashi Jinpachi would never acknowledge this sentiment, and he definitely wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he may be just the tiniest bit jealous of Kushimaru. Not because the bastard had a better mission record than him or was in the ANBU or anything―he could care less about those things. But he was jealous because Kushimaru was doing something that was more fun than just missions day in and day out.
And after 3 years of watching, Jinpachi couldn't just sit back and let the bastard enjoy it all. So last week, he went to the genin commander and got himself a student.
Oh, he knew he wasn't cut out to be a teacher. But if fucking Kushimaru can do it, then he'd be damned if he couldn't.
He chose the top student from last year's graduating class, some clan girl with an interesting kekkei genkai. More than teaching her though, Jinpachi was interested in the more …entertaining aspects of having a student, like getting to boss her around or have her do his errands. Or even pit her against Tsukisa and bet on the match―because betting on his own matches with Kushimaru was starting to get boring.
And all Jinpachi wanted to do right now was find the said bastard and rub in his face his sensei status.
When he couldn't find him at his house, he went to the training grounds. He knew today was Kushimaru's day off―he'd been on a 4-day mission and came back yesterday. But when he couldn't find him training either, he opted to just wander around the public areas in Kiri.
Eventually, after 2 hours, Jinpachi found his rival. Kushimaru was sitting on a park bench with a small bag surrounded by birds. He saw him dig into the bag and throw seeds at them. A few of them squawked at being assaulted but ate the seeds nonetheless.
"The fuck are you doing?" he asked him when he neared.
"I'm feeding them," Kushimaru answered looking up.
"...Why?" Jinpachi asked, bewildered.
"...Isn't this what people do?"
"I guess?" he countered. He was very confused at what he was seeing. Kushimaru was a ruthless and maniacal killer. He held no mercy for his enemies and very little patience for anyone else.
At least that's the Kushimaru he knew. "But what the fuck are you doing it?"
The other stopped in thought. "...It's a hobby. Or some shit like that―I got too much free time now and―"
"Huh?"
"You know what, fuck it." He grabbed the bag and threw the whole thing at a bird. The seeds scattered in a small explosion of feathers and invited more critters.
"What do you mean you got free time?" Jinpachi asked, crossing his arms. "Don't you got Tsukisa to train? You even blew off beer for Ameyuri's return over that brat."
"She's in ANBU now."
"What?! ANBU? Why the fuck is she there?"
Kushimaru didn't respond to that. He just leaned forward and stared at the feast in front of him.
"You bastard!" The other withdrew his massive sword and brought it down as heavily as he could. Kushimaru quickly jumped out of the way and the bench he'd been sitting on splintered into pieces. The sudden noise and action scared away the creatures and anyone that was passing by.
"What the hell Jinpachi?!" the other yelled as he landed and took out his own sword.
"What the fuck am I supposed to do with a student now!?" Jinpachi closed the distance and swung his Shibuki.
"Why do you even have a student?!" Kushimaru asked as he blocked the blastsword. It resulted in the paper tags exploding mere seconds after he flipped away.
"So I can beat you at being a better teacher too!"
"You're not even better than me at shitting!"
Jinpachi growled and jumped at him once again. They started trading blows as usual. Seeing these two specific Swordsmen fighting was not an uncommon sight in Kirigakure. So even though they were at a public park, a place not at all designated for battle, no moves by anyone were made to stop them. Even the few who physically could just figured they'd get bored and stop on their own.
When they eventually did and both were sprawled out on the ground, Jinpachi spoke up. "When is she coming back?"
"...I don't know," Kushimaru answered, equally as tired and panting as the other. "Whenever she gets out."
"Hmm," Jinpachi accepted with a groan. "How'd you get out?"
Kushimaru turned his head to stare at him from across the park. He wasn't unsettled in the least and met his sharp gaze. "I killed my sensei and took her sword. They couldn't keep me in ANBU after I became one of the Swordsmen."
"Oh right. I heard something like that." Jinpachi said nonchalantly and looked back at the sky. He vaguely remembered hearing rumours about that incident a decade or so ago. Apparently attacking a fellow Kiri shinobi was pretty controversial back in the day. But they let it slide since Kushimaru killed his sensei in battle.
The other took offence with his tone. "You trying to pick a fight―"
"Think Tsukisa will come for you?"
It was Kushimaru's turn to look at the sky. "...No. She's a wuss." He silently got up and dusted himself off. "But she better if she wants Nuibari. 'Cause the only way she's getting it is over my dead body."
He walked out of the park, leaving an amused Jinpachi.
-:-
Ao walked through ANBU headquarters with a completely healed arm. It was his first day back after taking a two-month medical leave. He was wearing the standard gear and a mask rested on his face. He knocked on the Commander's door and entered when he heard the Come in.
The head ANBU stood between the far wall and the desk. He had his back to Ao and was looking out at the sun rising from the horizon. It was a seemingly peaceful morning in Kiri, but the ANBU commander knew otherwise.
"Angler reporting for duty, sir," Ao said with a bow.
"Welcome back Angler," the other said, turning his body slightly to Ao. "Hope your leave was restful."
"Yes Commander, it was. Thank you."
"Hmm," Tsurugi acknowledged and turned fully to face him. "You're being promoted to Captain and a new recruit will be added to your team. She should already know the ANBU protocols by now so you will oversee her mental conditioning instead." He handed him the recently-created file on his desk.
"Understood," Ao said as he took it. A smile stretched across his face not only at the fact that he was made captain but at the picture that was in the file. A pale face stared back at him with eyes devoid of any of the mischief or challenging spirit he remembered. Furrowed eyebrows and lips set in a line only added to the grim, almost pitiful, look; a stark difference to the calculating glint he saw before.
"Callsign Marlin," Tsurugi started as he sat down at his desk. "While not the youngest we've ever had, she is among the few." He paused as he looked at reports of skirmishes along Iwa and Kusa's border. "And quite skilled in iryoninjutsu. She'll be an asset to your team, especially during long-term missions."
"Yes sir." Ao's heard rumours about her medical exploits, about how she comes up with unconventional procedures and effective techniques. He supposed he'd give her a little credit for that. He's not overly well-versed in medicine, but seeing as how it'd taken him about a month to learn basic first-aid, he'll admit, though never out loud, that she could be skilled in iryoninjutsu.
"Good," the Commander said with a nod. "She's in ANBU T&I. You're dismissed, Angler."
"Excuse me," Ao said with a quick bow and left the office.
On his way to Marlin's location, he couldn't help but feel anticipation. She was his first assignment as Captain, and he was going to make sure he succeeded. And that meant making her the asset they wanted him to.
After the walk to the basement, he found the room she was being conditioned in. It was a grey space made of concrete and metal. The only entrance to it was through the monitoring room. This room and the holding space were separated by a door and a one-way mirror.
When he entered, he saw his long-time friend and teammate ANBU Grouper. He immediately stood up from the control panel and bowed.
"Congratulations on the promotion, Captain."
"Save it Heki," Ao said with a wave. "It's just the two of us."
"Sure thing, Capt'n," the other smirked.
"You're insufferable."
"Heh. And yet here we are," Heki said as he sat back down in front of the one-way mirror.
Through it, both could see Marlin strapped to a metal chair in the middle. She was wearing the ANBU uniform, fitted to her size, without her mask. Wires were attached to her temples, arms and chest. Her breathing was haggard and every inch of visible skin was coated with sweat.
"What procedure are you using?" Angler asked as he moved closer to the window.
Grouper straightened, picking up on the slight change in atmosphere. "The standard torture resistance. She's been given intel and told to withhold it from us. The longer she resists, the higher the voltage after the breaks."
"How long has she been in there?"
"Just short of 4 hours."
Angler looked at the screen that displayed her vitals. They were beginning to stabilize. He decided it was time for another round of electrocution. He looked at Grouper before his eyes landed on the microphone. After considering it, he turned it on and spoke into it.
"Now that I am the team leader, I won't be tolerating any disrespect towards superiors."
He turned off the mic and ignored the questioning look Grouper was giving him. Immediately, Marlin's head snapped up. She looked at the mirror with dread widening eyes and a silent shudder parting her lips. She stared at them as her face betrayed her emotions. One after another, Angler read her feelings like a book; fear, guilt, regret and finally resignation.
Upon accepting her situation, her lips trembled, not unlike prey caught in a predator's grasp. She slowly closed her eyes and hung her head in defeat. They could see droplets fall onto her knees as her body shook with each sob.
Having seen enough, Angler turned to his partner. "Keep going," he said and crossed his arms. "And randomize the lengths of the breaks in between. I don't want her getting comfortable."
"Understood."
Grouper pressed a button and raw electricity travelled through the wires and into Marlin. Her body seized up and trembled with a different kind of pain. Her mouth opened and Angler had no doubt she was screaming. Thanks to the silencing seals placed around the room, however, they won't be bothered to hear it.
"How long should we continue?" Grouper asked, looking at his squad captain.
"Until she passes out or gives in," the other replied. "In which case, she'll be punished." He opened the folder he brought and laid it on the table in front of him. He sat comfortably in one of the chairs and took the mic once again.
"Shall we start?" Angler asked rhetorically and flipped a page. "Let's talk about your sensei―the reason you're in this situation in the first place."
-:-
It was some time past the 6th hour and during one of the longer breaks that Grouper noticed Marlin shaking violently. Before that, she was still like a rock, only her chest moved with each breath.
After an hour and a half of Angler saying provocative things to her with no response, he stopped. At first, she had reactions, like bowed heads and clenched fists and sometimes even a few tears. But after a while, she just sat there and took everything as if she was numb. At which point Angler went on to say even more goading things before he realized she wasn't listening and chose to stop wasting his breath.
But now Grouper was nervous, and his partner seemed to notice it too.
"What's going on?" Angler asked him.
"I'm not sure," the other answered as he looked at the monitors. "Her vitals aren't abnormal for her situation." He looked back at the one-way mirror to see Marlin's head roll back. Her eyes were shut tightly and her mouth opened wide in what appeared to be laughter.
Ao exchanged a look with Heki before he moved past him to the door. When he opened it, the silencing barrier broke and the sounds of childish laughs filled the small monitoring room. It took them both off-guard. But of course, it didn't show in their demeanour. They watched as her eyes teared up and her mirth slowly turned into sobs all the while her trembling continued.
Angler steeled himself and went in. He was relieved she wasn't having convulsions or seizures, but now he was confused.
"Marlin, acknowledge," he ordered her.
Her head rolled up. She came to a shuddering stop and looked at him with bloodshot eyes.
"...Heh...Virgin," she croaked. "S-shinobi are the pro..blem," her head rolled to the other side, "and shinobi…are the s-solution." She chuckled a little. "...And sometimes…the c-cure is worse…t-than the illness," she finished in a hoarse voice.
Angler stared for a moment with narrowed eyes before going back to the monitoring room. "Keep going," he told Heki who looked at him inquisitively despite his mask. The other did as he was told and a sliver of her screams reached them before the door fully shut.
"Why was she laughing?" he asked as Angler sat back down in front of her open file. "A psychotic break?"
"It's probably delirium." He wrote as such in the column for her first mental conditioning. "I've seen it before."
Grouper accepted with a nod. He figured there'd be more time to ask about that later and returned his attention to Marlin. He noticed her lips moving in a way that doesn't support screaming, but he chalked it up to her laughter and delirium.
"Just gonna stand there and watch me burn.
But that's alright because I like the way it hurts.
Just gonna stand there and hear me cry.
But that's alright because I love the way you lie."
Tsukisa sang, unbeknownst to either of them.
"I love the way you lie."
-:-
"Love The Way You Lie" by Eminem feat. Rihanna
A/N: The proper Japanese term used when someone leaves a room is shitsure-shimasu. It roughly translates to "excuse me" or "pardon me" as one leaves the room. That's what Ao says as he leaves Tsurugi's office in case anyone was confused. I'm trying not to use actual Japanese unless it's for proper nouns like names.
This chapter actually wasn't planned as the plot could still move forward without it. I originally wasn't going to write about her time in ANBU at all, but my beta convinced me otherwise. So here it is. Hopefully, with this context, her character development in the next couple of chapters will make sense.
Sorry for the late update again. I'm nearing the end of my buffer chapters so updates will more sporadic from now on.
Stay safe out there.