I congratulate and thank anyone reading this chapter! It means that you have somehow made it through the other chapters. So thanks!
Also a big thanks to Moonfur ADV for her help. Shes helped me with my writers block and has given me some really good ideas too. She also continues to help me with my writing by telling me where my mistakes are (generally a lot) and things I could do to improve. Thankyou so much! And also, you should check out some of her stories too! I enjoy reading them, so you might too!
Sparkle8419192: Thankyou! I'm glad your liking the story!
rakat14: Yeah...well trying to anyway... but yes. This chapter isn't a good example though. Whoops.
Moonfar ADV: That's actually a really good idea! Damn... I actually wish I had thought about that before hand... And as for Zabuza being a bit OOC, your right. I sorta knew that he had been after re-reading the last couple of chapters again, and I'm trying to improve on it. :) I did edit any chapters he was in to make him sound more in character so lets hope! Hopefully this one was better...
Countenance: Thanks! I'll be trying to update sooner too...
Disclaimer: I do not Own Naruto... (Are these really necessary?)
Chapter 6: Missing Girl
I'm so cold...so, so cold. Where is the light? Where is the warmth of the light? Where is-
I awoke to the small, dim light of the golden fire of a candle, watching the wild flame dance with the ever-so-gentle wind. The candle emitted a slight warmth but no feeling of comfort came with it. My eyes mindlessly narrowed onto the candle and its magnificent light.
I was laying in a warm bed, with a motherly figure looming over me with a caring face. The light began to seep through the window, thus pouring onto our faces.
...What happened? Ugh-My head...hurts. Is that why I'm at home? Mother is here caring for me and-
I gasped. No! I've never had a mother. This... isn't right. Wasn't I... captured by those three men... I... thought it was all a dream. Or is this the dream?
Suddenly I snapped back to reality. The cozy cottage around me shifted into a dark hut, lined with rotten, wooden planks and the light faded away only to reveal darkness. The face of the smiling lady faded away and morphed into the face of a man.
"Hey, shes awake."
"What does it matter? Those bindings are keeping her down. She can't really move."
He's right. My legs and arms have been bound tightly with pieces of thick rope. I tried to move but I couldn't even feel my limbs. They must be asleep from losing circulation or something. I probably couldn't move even if I wasn't bound.
I gave up on squirming and instead just stared up at the gloomy ceiling again. I shuddered. The wood grain looks like a persons face staring down at me with a wry smile and crazy eyes...I don't like it...
What am I thinking? I'm older than that...seriously...Aren't I?
"I don't really see the point of nicking some random brat, I mean she's probably not even worth much to sell. I doubt she was that one with that high bounty in that stupid bingo book of yours." one of them, Taigare Kizimane I think, said with disgust. He could seriously try to better his speaking I thought with small, inward smirk.
I was still partially confused about the whole situation, and there was no doubt that I was scared. All I could do to try and calm my nerves was to joke about the smallest things... but it wasn't really helping.
"Are you kidding me? Look at her face!" The other man, presumably Soziki Monachi stated, raising his voice a little.
Taigare then limped over to me and grabbed my chin with his hand, making me look into his wicked eyes."So what? Shes pretty, I'll give her that, but not my type." he chuckled.
"NO you idiot! Look at her! Her face seems to look like our target's a lot. "
"What, so your saying that this little brat killed 27 people in an attempt to escape her village. In your dreams! We haven't even been searching for that long." I widened my eyes at his comment. 27...people? Why would they think that was me?
"Even if she isn't, she looks like her. They look as though their from the same clan and if people believe that she is from the Tsuemanokun clan, then she'll be worth the value and our time. Everyone of those clan members are hated and most of them have been killed. Now, their quite rare people to find and rare things have always caught a good price. And just our luck, we stumbled upon one of them."
"So what are we gonna do now?"
"See if they believe that this is the girl they're looking for. And how high they're willing to pay just for her being a member of that clan. If some random pays higher then I don't care. As long as we get the highest price I'm not arguing. But we'll just have to wait until Brick gets back."
I stared blankly at the floor, taking in everything that was just discussed between the two men. It made me sick to think that people would stoop so low as to sell children.
By the way they were dressed you could tell that they were already wealthy. One of them (Soziki) was wearing a black suit with a red bow tie and a handkerchief stuffed neatly into his front pocket. His hair was well brushed and slicked back behind his ears. The other man, Taigare, wore a grey suit with a back tie hanging off of it. His suit looked a little dirtied compared to the other mans, but still in fine condition. Their slightly plump bellies showed that they must eat well too. All signs of what a rich man would have.
So why kidnap children and sell them for something you have plenty of?
Somehow through all of this I managed to keep a stoic expression held on my face. Was it because I was used to it? Being used as a bargaining pawn?
I know... I.. was... nothing...before
Hazaki's Flashback
There was a poor, unlucky little girl sleeping ever so peacefully on an old, dusty mattress. How she could sleep so peacefully after all of the tests and injections was a mystery. Perhaps, it is the one way she escapes all of the pain. Who knows...
The little girls eyes slowly drifted open at the sound of her name on the loudspeaker. "Hazaki!" Can you come here please?"
She groaned tiredly and stumbled out of her simple bed. Slowly, the little girl walked to her door and wrapped her hand around the doorknob. It's very cold... she thought as she opened the door. Approaching the stairs, the girl sighed.
She knew where they were. They were always there. In the room downstairs, under her bedroom. That's where the testing room was. The unlucky girl sighed and silently crept down the stairs. However, the little girl stopped halfway and stared down into the abyss of darkness that awaited her. None of the lights were on...
BUMP! A sudden noise in the dark made the girl whimper and bring her arms up closer to her chest in fear. She still believed in monsters. In fact, she had even seen the monsters. What a poor six year old girl. No one should have to experience this, but she did.
All the fearful, little girl had to do was turn on the light switch, then everything would be fine. She reached out to the wall and swept her hand across it, desperately searching for her saviour. Then her hand hit something hard and a grin of relief flushed over her face. She fumbled with the switch then flicked it down. Immediately, the lights bloomed and lit up the room.
She sighed. "Scared for nothing I guess" the girl muttered happily.
"Hazaki? Are you there?" The little girl froze at the sound of the new voice. She had never heard it before... was it someone new?
Suddenly, the little girl was grabbed from behind and a big hand clasped over her mouth. She tried to scream but failed due to the hand. Instead the little girl made a weird noise and bit down into the mysterious figure's hand. He yelped in pain but maintained his grip on the poor girl.
"Stay still brat." he hissed. The little girl kicked wildly in his hands but to no avail. Soon she gave up, her muscles feeling relaxed and her head drowsy. He grinned as he noticed that the sleeping drugs sprayed onto his hand had worked after all. The girl would soon be asleep.
"Hazaki? Are you alright?" the female voice that called her on the loudspeaker called.
"Hurry up, dear child. We haven't got all night." said one of the others.
The man cautiously walked towards the door and kicked it open. The little girl swayed helplessly in his arms. Everyone in the room gasped at the scene. One of the scientists approached the man.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Give me all of your money or the girl gets it." he demanded, holding a knife up to the little girls throat. She froze as the cold metal of the blade touched her skin.
But none of the scientists, the little girl's 'so called family', moved. They held expressions on their faces showing they couldn't care less what happened to her.
"We really couldn't care less..."
"Wh-what?" the intruder gasped. This probably ruined all of his plans. He pressed the knife gently against the little girl's throat, causing some warm blood to trickle down her neck. The girl let out a faint squeal as she felt the warmth of her own blood on her skin.
"I'll do it! Don't test me!" He yelled.
"Go ahead, take this little girls life. It shouldn't matter to anyone."
"Doctor, its best to keep her alive for the time being. It would be a huge blow to our project to lose her now." One of them, Susan, whispered to the doctor, informing him of their current situation. To lose her petty life now would be a huge loss to their project.
"Ah yes, I suppose it would be," he then turned to face the intruder. "How bout we make a deal?"
"A deal? No way! I hold all of the cards here."
"Maybe so. But what would the cops say eh? They should be here any minute now. And since we've seen your face..." the doctor warned sadistically.
"Uh-ah-uh No! Lets make a deal? Please! What do you want?" he begged.
"What a rookie" the main doctor muttered before continuing."A blood sample should do perfectly, young man."
The intruder gasped at his request. "What are you guys? Freaken vampires?"
The doctor chuckled. "Perhaps so. Now wouldn't that be a twist?" he bellowed. He then pulled out a syringe and held it in front of the intruder, waving it tauntingly in front of his face. "Arm please?"
"Wh-what?" He said.
"Is that sirens I hear?" he beckoned with a cruel, sadistic grin etching across his face.
Reluctantly, the intruder let go of the little girl causing her to plummet down onto the ground into a heaped mess of limbs, and held out his arm.
He winced as the needle was injected into his arm and pulled violently back out.
"Thank you for your patronage." the doctor said, while putting some money into he man's hand. "Now you'd better run along. Before the cops come, that is."
The intruder couldn't believe these people. They were going to let him go just like that. There had to be a catch. He wouldn't question it though, otherwise they might change their minds. But what about that girl...
Then the man looked a the girl slumped onto the floor. He pondered for a moment if he should abduct the girl and take her away from these people. maybe find her a good home. But, then again...
"I'm sorry" he whispered while running out of the door.
The little girl just laid there on the floor in silence. She was so scared right now
After about two minutes, one of the scientists spoke up. "What an eventful night. Now Hazaki, are you ready for the tests."
They all looked at the messed-up girl on the floor. She was shaking but held a firm expression. "Y-yes S-Susan." she muttered.
"Good. Then you had better get strapped up into the table. Wouldn't want you lashing out at us again." she chuckled with a slight wince on her face.
"This one might hurt, brat." the main doctor said as he brutally snatched the little girl's arm and jabbed the needle in. He moved it around slightly, purposely creating more pain for the little girl. She winced and then tears began to fall.
"Such a brave girl!" one exclaimed sarcastically.
"Such a useless girl" another muttered.
'At least she didn't hear what we said about her to the intruder' one thought.
But the little, unlucky girl had heard it all. The combined effects of the injections and sleeping drugs then caused the poor girl to fall asleep. Her head didn't even hit the table before she was asleep.
"Such a weak, useless, good for nothing, pawn." the doctor muttered cruelly.
Oh yes, what an unlucky, little girl.
Haku's POV
I sighed. I've been searching for our targets for hours now and have yet to find any trace of them. I went to the entrance of Shukuba Town that we had previously used in search of the Guard's Visitor Flow Book, but it wasn't there. I guess the guard from earlier had waken up and noticed that it wasn't where it was meant to be. Now he probably guarding it like a dog. I guess my next step is to track down that guard and grab the book.
Its all to suspicious though... Some of the townspeople seem as though they know something, but are trying desperately to hide it. One of them even threatened to kill me if I didn't keep my mouth shut and respect their privacy.
They seem to be going to quite extreme measures to protect this man...or...maybe
Maybe they're trying to protect themselves...
"Haku."
I turned around to face the owner of the voice. There before me stood a man with eyes that were a dark, raven black with a hint of blue.
This man... Then it clicked in my head. It was Zabuza in his disguise.
"Yes Zabuza? Did you did you find something?"
"Follow me" he ordered. We headed off walking side by side towards the meeting point we originally discussed with Hazaki.
"Zabuza, I wasn't able to find anything useful on either of our targets."
"It's alright Haku, I managed to gather enough details on them," he paused then added, "Through a small amount of violence and interrogation however." It wasn't real pretty he thought, a small smirk forming on his bandaged face as he remembered his violence towards a certain man who tried to threaten him after interrogation. That man doesn't look so pretty now...
"Hazaki's not here." I said.
"Hm, just as I thought." He stopped walking. "Haku, I believe we may have been cheated."
"Hm?" I asked, confusion clear in my voice.
"Hazaki should have been back by now. Its near night fall after all." I agreed with a grunt as I noticed the setting sun and the dimming blue sky. It was getting dark.
"Maybe she's just lost?"
"Hmph, is that a statement or a question, Haku?" he teased before continuing. "There aren't many places for her to look in this town that match the description we gave her to search for, in fact there are next to none. I think our little Hazaki may be in trouble."
My mind began to search for any possibilities as to where Hazaki is or what she may be doing right now. None brought up a sense of hope or relief. I looked at Zabuza with worrying eyes as he pulled out a small black book with golden writing on the front.
It read; Shukaku Town Visitor Flow.
"And the fact that I couldn't find the names of our targets anywhere in this book arouses more suspicion. If they had were really come into Shukaku Town legally, as we were told that they did by our client, then their names should have been in this book. I couldn't find their names, but I did find one particular person in here that struck me."
"And who was this person?" I asked. I already knew the answer. I just couldn't believe that we fell for this.
"Our client, Brick Jonesti. (Au/Too many names to keep track of -_-)
I was right. We were snitched by the client. This has happened before but we had easily sorted everything out. Easy for us, that is. But what could they want with Hazaki? Did they know we were coming after them?
"So if he is here, we should go looking for him. Ask him some questions." I said with clenched fists.
"It's the best place to start. He might even know something about Hazaki whereabouts too. Come on, Haku, lets go"
If he's hurt Hazaki, then he will pay. I thought.
Hazaki's POV
It seems like I've been here for hours just watching the world go by through a small window. The candle had dwindled out a while ago. If it wasn't for that small window, I would be shrouded in complete darkness.
The two men from before, Soziki and Taigare, left me here in this room as they went in search of their friend. Just before they left however, they placed a seal on the door. Obviously they weren't the two low-life thugs we had previously thought they were. We weren't told by our client that they have the same abilities as ninjas. We have been lied to. Tricked.
So, am I what they were after all this time? Me?
I don't know what they are going to do. Before they spoke about selling me for money and some type of...clan? I couldn't quite remember. Ever since thos two men left the room, I've been able to calm myself down a bit. But I was still scarred. I had to find a way out of here before
This whole situation is actually funny. Never wanted before, turned down by all and now everyone seems to want me for something.
I closed my eyes and tried to drift off to sleep, but found it impossible. I was too scared that something might happen if I did. I might not even wake up of I fall asleep I thought with a shudder.
My mind flashed back to the all too familiar image of the dying girl with the pink hair. The one who died...in my own hands...
I shuddered. That dream has still got me traumatized. It felt so real. I could feel the warmth of her blood on my hands as I picked her up before. And her face of pain and sadness...
Who was that girl? I've never seen her before, but yet I fell as though I have... I know it...Just where?
My thoughts were cut off by the sound of the door behind me slowly opening. I gasped as a small amount of warming light from outside poured into the room. Then came the footsteps, increasing in sound as the owner of them slowly walk towards me in an almost-taunting manner, knowing that each footstep they took dampened any hope I had.
"Oh Ha-za-ki" the girl sang in a sing song voice. "Are you scared?" It was that girl. The one who haunts my thoughts and dreams.
My other fears began to fade out of my mind. All my attention was focused on this girl.
I began taking quicker, sharper breaths as her shadow loomed over me. I struggled to move away but the bindings held me in place. All I could do was wriggle slightly to the side. After getting at most a 2cm distance from her she slammed her foot down hard onto my chest causing all of the air inside me to escape through my mouth. I began to cough uncontrollably, not being able to breath in any air due to the hand that was wrapped around my throat.
I spluttered and gasped as she added more pressure to her foot. "Oooooooh, I think you are!" the delight in her voice was uncanny. She then grasped my hair and pulled my face up to level hers. A wicked grin formed across her face and her eyes lit up with joy.
"I think its funny to see you all tangled up in that rope on the floor and in such a mess. Here, let me help you." she said with a giggle. All of a sudden, the ropes that bound my hands loosened up. They fell to the floor with a slight thud. But then, a sudden pain flowed through my limbs.
I let out a slight snarl at the pain and slumped down to the floor. It hurts...so much...wha-"Aggghhhh!" I yelled as the girl continued to undo my bindings with a huge grin on her face. I immediately brought my hands to my chest and tensed up my legs. The girl began to cackle wildly at my pain.
"Whoops, silly me! Ahaha! *sigh... The blood flowing back into your arms and legs must be painful. Heehee!"
I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. I can't move yet...tch. I guess I'll just have to...sit here and wait until I can feel my legs.
"Who...are you?" I asked the girl. I need to know.
"You've asked me this so many times already, so give up."
"Just..."
"Just what? Ahahaha" she mused. I just don't feel like telling you my name." She added mockingly.
"Why...are you here?" I asked next. I just want an answer!
"Why am I here? Right here? This exact spot?" she asked while giggling. "Weeell," she began, pulling my head up to her face by my ear." I'm here cause your here. Heehee! Was that not the answer you wanted?"
She released my ear and I fell back to the ground. I hung my head down, shadowing my face and emotions with my hair. I could feel the anger rising up inside me. This girl, I've had it! Just wait-
"Are you gonna try something Hmmm?" I instantly froze. She was...behind me... I could feel her breath on the back of my neck. Despite its warmth, her breath sent shivers throughout my entire body. I didn't even see her move! She didn't even make a sound... and she could tell what I was thinking... Just who is she?
"Gained some courage, I see...aha!" she giggled. "Not that a little courage will do much for a hopeless...weak... useless... girl like you." she said in a mocking tone, leaving slight pauses to let her insults sink in. "I wonder... Was it that boy and man that gave you that courage? Hmmm. Perhaps I should pay that boy a visit then."
"Don't... Don't you dare touch them" I grunted, raising my voice and throwing a punch aimed at her stomach. The pain from the 'pins and needles' was excruciating. It felt as though my arm was being stabbed in multiple places. Suddenly, my arm was stopped mid flight to her stomach by something.
I twisted my head to the side to get a better look at what happened. I gasped. She...she caught my arm! H-how?
The girl had lowered her head, causing her bangs to fall over her face.
"Ooooh! Your being a defiant little one, aren't you!" the girl cooed as a big, sick grin fell onto her face. My eyes widened in pain as she then began to twist my arm to the unnatural side. Even with that slight movement, an array of painful 'pins and needles' attacked my arm. I winced and snarled in pain.
"Don't order me around. Know your place" she muttered. She then let go of my fist and I, once again, collapsed to the floor. My limbs are still too numb to stand...Dammit!
"Don't speak out to me ever again!" she yelled as she kicked me in my stomach, sending me sprawling across the ground. Everything became fuzzy and hazy...
All I could hear was the sound of her merciless giggles. The world around me merged black and then faded into the familiar scene of the room where I was held captive.
I gasped and opened my eyes. What happened? I thought. Where...what?
Just as I was trying to piece everything together, I heard the creak of nearby rotten floorboards... And they were very close.
Shit! What happened. That girl... It was all a dream again! It had to be! I was kicked over into that corner...and now I'm here. And the world around me...was different...wasn't it?
I looked down at my arm to search for the signs of the bruises the girl left me, but I couldn't find even the slightest trace of being hit recently. Just the same old, worn bruises I've seen everyday. Nothing knew.
So it was a dream...good.
I sighed in slight relief. I still had another problem at hand. I snapped my head up to the door as I heard another creak. This time it was right outside the door!
Shit! I have to hide! I thought. My heart was racing right now and my mind was all messed-up. I still felt a little groggy from before. I didn't know if I was still dreaming or not, but I knew one thing. I had to get away from here. I panicked and crept for the cupboard that was behind me. Just as I had opened the closet door, I heard two men talking.
"Alright, its time to move her out. Brick's downstairs waiting. He wants to clarify that she actually looks the girl we've been searching for. And if she actually is a descendant from the 'oh-so glorious' Tsuemanokun clan."
"Hmph, leave it to him to be so paranoid!"
"I wouldn't call it paranoia, I'd call it just wanting to get the job done right."
"Call it whatever you want, it's still annoying."
I mouthed a squeak and slowly, trying to make sure the door didn't creak that much, shut the closet doors. I heard the footsteps of two people walk into the room followed by muffled gasps and shouts of shock.
"Shes not here!" one of them shouted.
"Don't y.. ... I know that, ... ... ...!" agreed the other. I could barely hear them talking due to the closet doors being closed. All they sounded like were muffled cries of disappointment and worry.
"S.. ... ..ve escaped thro... ..e window!" The other one grunted in agreement. I couldn't help the small smirk that grew across my face. They think I've gone through the window! What luck.
"Whats with the ruckus up there?" A new voice bellowed from downstairs. His voice was loud enough for me to hear it clearly beyond the cupboard doors.
"We ha.. . ..ight problem..."
"What do you mean?" the man's voice roared through the floorboards like a lion.
"She ... escap... ... the window, sir." Soon all I could hear was the fast approach of heavy footsteps bounding up the stairs. Next thing I knew, the door outside was slammed against the wall.
"You two, find her! She couldn't have gone far. I'll stay and check this place out. Go!" he ordered.
"Yessir!" they answered cowardly. Fear was obvious in their voices. So they fear this man? I wonder why...He does seem to act as the dominant one of them all.
Two of my kidnappers scuttled away and ran outside in search of me. Now it was just me and this new man, Brock. Our client...
"Worthless!" he shouted as he slammed his fist into the wall, causing me to jump and gasp in fear. Immediately I pulled my hand up to my mouth to muffle my breathing, hoping that he didn't hear me.
I heard something nearby fall off of the wall and shatter. Then I heard another object being thrown and slammed into the wall opposite to me. I began to whimper in fear of this man. If he catches me... Oh god! Who knows what he will do. I can't stay in here for long. I have to get out of this place!
Suddenly, another loud bang echoed from the room as the man through a nearby chair. It crashed into the wall right next to me and splintered into many pieces. I began to whimper again.
After regaining his composure slightly, he shouted out to me. "Little girl, I know your in here somewhere. You can try to hide, but I'll find you! And when I do your gonna wish you were still dealing with those other two imbeciles!" he threatened. I silently opened the closet door, making the smallest gap, and looked at the man. The light shined on his bald head like it was glass. He had a big, firm, bushy beard that followed down his neck, seeming to keep its woodcutter shape. Without making a noise, I quickly closed the cupboard door. God... I'm so scared. Please go away! Please! I thought, whining mentally.
"Afterall, I can hear your pathetic, little whimpering." he said, turning his gaze towards a closet in the corner of a room...
...The very same closet that I was hiding in...
Poor Hazaki, never gets a break huh.
I've been playing too much Corpse Party. I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for, once again, how long it took me to update this story. Sorry. I truly am sorry.
So, to show that I'm sorry, I made this chapter slightly longer than usual. Slightly...
Also I know that Zabuza has been a bit OOC lately. Its just that I didn't really know how he acted before the battle with Team 7. (Like when hes training Haku for all of those years) But now I have a slight idea on how he acted, so hopefull I'll he'll be more in character now! Hopefully he was more in character with this chapter, same with Haku too. I hope they were...
If you have any questions regarding this story then please, don't be afraid to ask!
Thanks for all your support!