Konnichiwa ^/.\^

This is chapter four! Sorry about the wait, I've been super busy and only able to write little bits at a time. But now I am done, cause I got a day off school! So here y'all go- please enjoy it, and share your opinion.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto, even after all this time xD WARNINGS: Maa, was gonna make this chapter super angsty but then someone/thing got suggested and this became more of an introductory chapter. So, yeah xD

This is what memories look like.

~SCARRED~

'Be yourself, by yourself.'

~SCARRED~

In, out. In, out. That's how his chest falls, breath rattling in his chest with the effort it took. A thin line of blood trickled from his lips, and those two simple observations were the only signs that he was slowly nearing death. If I were a bit more merciful I would have left him be, told Ibiki to have someone else do this interrogation, but I am not. I am cruel and wrathful and I need something, or someone, to take my anger out on. So I straighten my shoulders and march into the interrogation room. The door shuts loudly behind me and he jerks, arms straining against his bonds as his head swivels up.

I take a seat in the chair across the table from him. He watches me carefully, a meausured look of wariness in his eyes. I gaze at him, analyzing him quickly and efficiently. "You know," I begin, "it would be much less troublesome if you just told us what you know."

He glares at me, probably having dismissed me as not very threatening. "Yeah, your point?"

I chuckle softly, my lips twisting upwards in a somewhat-smile. "Maa, you seem determined. No worries, we here at the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force are well known for being able to break people down rather quickly. And you've only been here for what, three days? We have plenty of time."

He's visibly losing his collectiveness now, his shoulders tensing up as he pulls futily against his restraints. He looks like he's trying hard not to react to my implications. He's about to reply, but I efficiently cut him off. "Let's get to know each other. My name is Kioku Kimiko. I have been a member of this organization for the past two years, eight months and two weeks. I have conducted thirty three interrogations on my own since, and assisted in sixty two. This will be the sixty third. I have also killed a total of ninety eight people in that same time period, as well as one beforehand. And you could very well be the lucky ninety ninth."

He looks sufficiently afraid for his life now. And for good reason- I, however, am not done. "And you- you are Takahashi Nao, a ninja from the village known as Takigakure, and you are going to tell me everything you know."

He raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

I smile crookedly. "Really."

~SCARRED~

"You want me to do what?"

"Be the representative for the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force," Ibiki states, calm as ever. "The Academy has a career day, of sorts, and we need to send somebody." We are in the debriefing room, the man I'd just finished interrogating visible through a one-sided mirror. I've only recently emerged from the room, the glove of my hand still sticky with his blood. He wasn't in such a bad state, considering that I had been in not such a good mood before entering.

I pause slightly. If he wanted me to do it then that's what I would do. "When is it?"

Ibiki smiles slightly, happy that I would be attending. He knew I accepted from my asking when it was. "This afternoon in your old sensei's classroom. Be there at 12:30. Thanks, kid."

I wave my hand dismissively, ignoring the trail of warm blood trickling to my wrist. "No problem. See you later."

~SCARRED~

"MAKOTO!"

A slight pause, then the sound of paws upon the floor. Within moments my Makoto appears, a wolfish grin upon his face. He pads up to me and nudges me with his muzzle, saying, "I'm ready!"

"Good. Thanks for doing this, Mako," I reply, leaning down and petting his head. His fur was soft, having been recently forced into a bath and intense coat brushing. It was silky soft to the touch and a rust-red, some shade akin to blood. Though slightly morbid it was still a beautiful coat.

"No problem, Kimi-oujo," he tells me, nudging my hand with his nose. His silent way of asking for his nose to be itched. I comply with his request and drag my blunt nails across the top ridge of his muzzle, back and forth a few times. He lifts his head ever so slightly, clear amber eyes sliding closed. Once I am done he licks my hand, telling me, "Thanks, oujo."

"You're welcome," I reply, letting my hand brush the top of his head as we walk. Makoto was a big dog- his head reached my bellybutton, his entire body made up of powerful muscles. His threatening appearance, the blood-colored fur, orange eyes and muscled body did nothing to reveal his personality. He was, essentially, as childish as Naruto or even Kiba. Even so, he was the best ninken I could ever hope for. He wore a hitae-ate around his neck and a black vest with various weapons he could utilize in the pockets.

At five minutes to 12:30 PM we appear within the doorway of Iruka-sensei's classroom. Kotetsu and Izumo are there, clearly finishing up their portion. I was just in time. I smile; that was good. Since Ibiki-sama only told me about an hour ago, I had been slightly concerned about making it on time, especially with the time it took to wash Makoto and brush his fur.

Kotetsu and Izumo finish up, answering the last of the questions. They thank the class for listening and exit, greeting me with a wave and Makoto with fond pets to the head, which definitely pleased him, on the way. Makoto really enjoyed being pet. Iruka-sensei looks to me, smiling softly. "Kimi-san, Makoto-san," he greets warmly, the class turning to face me. I scan them quickly before turning to Iruka.

"Iruka-sensei, nice to see you," I reply, smiling. He ushers me in and I move to stand in front of his desk. Others are in here, including people I know. Like Asuma-sensei.

"Class, this is Kioku Kimiko from the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force and her ninken, named Makoto. Give them your full attention and be respectful. Please give a small introduction of yourselves, describing how you got to this point. Then tell about what you do," he says, the last part directed to us. Then he moves off to the side, sitting by the window. I lean back against Iruka's desk and survey the kids. Their eyes are wide, narrowed in on Makoto. He is, in return, watching them and carefully sniffing the air. He begins patrolling up and down the aisles, sniffing each student politely as he passed. There's silence for a few moments. Then I speak.

"Hello," I greet them, "as Iruka-sensei said, my name is Kioku Kimiko and I am here from the Torture and Interrogation Force. I am not exactly sure as to what information about myself I should share, so I will simply give a basic overview."

"I'm sixteen years old and graduated from the Academy at twelve. I was teamed with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, Hatake Kakashi as our sensei. About four months into our teams, the chunin exams came around. I passed the written exam with flying colors, as did Sasuke. Naruto didn't answer a single question. We fought against many during the second round, and very well could have died, had it not been for our apparent luck. We made it through with several injuries, most of them mine because for several days my teammates were incapacitated. One of the former sannin, Orochimaru, invaded during this. He targeted Sasuke because of his Sharingan and almost killed Naruto and I. Some of his henchmen attacked as well, when both Sasuke and Naruto were unconscious. That's when I got a large portion of my injuries. During the preliminaries of the third round there was an uneven amount of participants that year, and one had to go twice. I fought that person- his name was Dosu, the leader of Orochimaru's undercover team. Through the use of taijutsu, a water summoning scroll and my chakra affinity, lightning, won the round. He died."

"When time came for the final part, I forfeited. I was still promoted to chunin, being the only of my team, and the head of the Torture and Interrogation Force approached me. His name is Morino Ibiki. I demonstrated several abilities that showed me to have lots of potential for that particular field. He offered me a position and I accepted. Then the invasion by Suna occured, the Sandaime was killed and a new Hokage was being sought after. Two members of a notorious criminal organization, the Akatsuki, arrived in Konoha to retrieve information on the Kyuubi. My sensei, along with two other elite jonin, approached them. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and fell victim to the Tsukuyomi of Uchiha Itachi. I woke up much later with help from the current Hokage, Tsunade-sama. Not long after my teammates left Konoha to train, once my training was complete. They have only recently returned. I am currently about to participate in the jonin examination. Any questions before I move on?"

There is one. I indicate the child, a snowy-haired boy with vivid blue eyes. He lowers his hand and asks, "What was Tsukuyomi like?"

I flash a smile. "My very worst nightmare. Now, for how I met Makoto..."

~SCARRED~

Kuso!

Another kunai, barely dodged, ducking under a tree branch and moving as fast as I could manage with a 130-lb body slung over my shoulder and blood trailing down my leg from contact with a poisoned shuriken I failed to dodge. The blood is warm and soaking my pants, reminding me that I was in some serious trouble.

Deciding running through the trees was no longer advantageous, I let myself plummet down through the trees. My teammate, a fellow chunin by the name of Shio, would be out for at least the next ten minutes, having been hit by poison sooner than I. And I only had about five before I would be paralyzed and fall unconscious. This would be the perfect time for someone to come along and help.

And not a moment too soon did that thought cross from my mind, because a massive dog with fur like blood and animalistic eyes comes barreling through the trees, examining me as if I were a threat. All I can do is say the first words that came through my head. "Help me."

My voice is low with exertion and desperation. "Help me," I repeat. "Please. I know you understand me. I will repay you."

My opponents locate me. I hear them landing on the ground behind me, the five of them all wielding weapons. I couldn't fight them or outrun them. This dog before me is my last hope. He glances at me, at Shio's unconscious form, the people behind me, and then back to me. A slight jerk of his head. I feel relief course through me. I had two minutes left.

I move to the side, going into the forest a few yards before setting Shio down against the tree. I check his pulse and do a sweep to make sure he wasn't bleeding or injured. Then I fall back against the tree next to him. My vision is wavering and I can hear the distinct sounds of fighting. I cannot move anything anymore, my limbs impossibly heavy. The last thing I hear before falling unconscious is a vicious snarl and scream.

~SCARRED~

"So Makoto essentially saved my life," I finish. Makoto has finished his rounds through the room, and has gone to the back to acquire treats from any of those who had them. He gets some from Iruka, as well as bits of food others had with them. I smile at him. "Isn't that right, Mako?"

He looks over at me. "Yeah, Kimi-oujo," he says, and the head of every child swivels around to stare at him wide-eyed as he spoke. His voice was deep and rumbled in his chest. I chuckle. He looks at them, stating, "Well, anyone have any more treats? I'm pretty hungry."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh, Mako... alright. While he's collecting treats I will continue. Please make an effort to listen. Now, for all the stuff I do. As a chunin, I have done nearly every single job available, or worked with others that have the jobs I haven't. Gate duty, missions office, assissting the recordskeeping office, helping out the intelligence divisions, going out on countless missions, acting as a proctor during the Exams, running errands for the Hokage, all sorts of things. Even working in some of the shops, doing pretty mundane shit. But my main job is with the Torture and Interrogation Force."

"I have been a part of it for two years, eight months and two weeks, to the day. I mentioned earlier that I exhibited qualities making me perfect for it. One of them would be my kekkai genkai, bloodline ability. I have a perfect memory. I notice everything that a human is capable of picking up on, and have been doing so since I was a newborn. Like how the kid who asked me about Tsukuyomi fed Makoto a riceball left over from his lunch or how the boy in the back there is younger than the rest of you. Because of this, I can read others with ease. So in the course of an interrogation this clearly becomes of great use. I have performed multiple interrogations by myself. Training for this position included being subjected to many of the torture methods performed on those interrogated, as a final test of sorts. I can't go into detail about any interrogation I was present during except for the one I was the subject of..."

~SCARRED~

I snarl, "Not a fucking chance!"

Another chuckle. "Oh, you'll change your mind. Trust me." His hand darts out, the kunai now pressed against my shoulder, right on top of my scar. He presses it closer until blood wells up, visceral against my pale skin. He drags it downwards. I scream out, as loud as can. He was pulling it downwards painfully slow, extending it further past the original end point to the tip of my broken middle finger. Of course, when he hits the broken portion, he presses it even harder into my skin. At this point my throat is beginning to ache. He tosses the kunai onto the table. It skids to a halt, just narrowly avoiding falling from the table. It leaves behind a trail of blood, making my stomach flip at the sight. Ibiki steps away, heading to what I assume is the door out. I don't pay much attention, instead looking at my arm. Blood flows freely from it, staining the ground crimson...

...

Shimon pulls the chair back onto the back legs, confusing me even further. So a gag, plus being pulled back until I can easily see the ceiling just above the table. Suspicious. Add something that was held in a bucket...fear pools in my chest. Whatever this was, it couldn't be good. Tonbo hoists the big bucket over me, poising it above my head. I hear liquid sloshing around inside. It's most likely water. A little bit of it splashes over the side, landing on my stomach. Yeah, definitely water. He glances over at Ibiki. Ibiki nods once, and the bucket's slowly upturned over my mouth.

Water rushes over my mouth. It feels like I'm drowning and I can't breathe. I let out a muffled scream, struggling against my bonds as hard as I could. I squeeze my eyes shut. My already broken bones ache from all my movement, but I was straining them even more. And I couldn't help my reaction. The water streams down to my wounds.

That's when I realize it has salt in it.

...

Ibiki grabs my hair in his hand, jerking up until my head's painfully forced up. Inoichi, who's crouching in front of me, looks into my eyes, searching them for something. By this point, my mind and vision are so blurry and my senses impossibly alight with crippling agony that I can barely process anything. The world felt like it was swimming around me, tossing and turning and tumbling around and around until I was dizzy. Blood's trickling a path down my chin and down onto my neck, originating from my raw and bloodied lips. What I can process, though, are the hand signs Inoichi begins forming. I've seen them before. From Ino. The mind-transfer jutsu.

...

The pulling subsides after a moment. Ibiki tugs my head back, looking into my eyes. I spit out one word through the blood filling my mouth. "Fuck you," I tell him, gathering blood in my mouth and spitting it on his uniform.

He raises an eyebrow, whistling softly. He releases his hold on my hair, and my head automatically slumps forward. "Well," he says, "congrats. You made it into the Torture and Interrogation Force."

~SCARRED~

"...excruciating pain," I finish. "Any questions-" I stop suddenly, words and bile filling my throat. What in the hell was this feeling- overwhelming dread, like the feeling in my chest as I walked into the clan grounds to discover my slaughtered family- and then a build up of chakra, like it was when Kakashi did body flicker...

Kakashi...

A loud bang sounds, and suddenly Kakashi is before me, crouched down slightly. He spots me almost instantly. Kakashi-sensei- I think. "Kimi! We're being summoned by the Hokage- there's an emergency! The Kazekage-" he tells me, grabbing my arm and pulling me along with him.

~SCARRED~

Welllll, the end? (x

I think that ending sucked, but I have only a few more minutes before I gotta get off the computer so I figured it would work. Sorry if it is disappointing!