Strength

(A/N: this chapter contains material that may not be suited for younger readers. If you don't like torture then please refrain from reading this chapter, as most of it pertains to the abovementioned subject.)

~xxx~

She awoke in the middle of the night, gently removing herself from his arms. Ayako didn't want the Akatsuki to think there was anything between Hideki and herself. They would use that against her and she knew it. So, she moved away from him or tried to that is. Hideki's arms tightened around her waist as his nose nuzzled her hair.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his breath fluttering in her hair. She nodded into his chest and sighed into his comforting embrace. Ayako shifted to look up at him.

"I should really move…if they catch us like this, they'll use it to their advantage." She whispered to him. Something flashed in his eyes; something that she figured was possessiveness because he tightened his grip on her and shook his head.

"Just a little longer, please." He whispered to her bringing a hand to her cheek. God, his eyes were so beautiful to her that she couldn't resist the intensity of his gleaming stare. Their lips met in a tender display; touching lightly despite the raging hormones of their teen bodies. And before they could get swept up in their emotions, Ayako pulled away her eyes closed and lips slightly parted.

"Hideki…" she sighed just millimeters away from his peach lips. Her eyes opened and caught his gaze. His topaz gaze smoldered with lust, possession and something deeper… something she wanted to believe was love.

"Ayako," he whispered back and brought his lips to her forehead. Then he was moving, gently pushing her off of his chest and working at the buttons of his shirt. Before she knew what was happening, his shirt was over her shoulders covering the stitched skin of her back. The small gesture sent a shot of warmth threw her body, the loved feeling making her smile.

She placed a chaste kiss on his lips before moving away and settled against the wall just a few feet away. "Thank you." Ayako whispered then curled up in a ball on the floor. Hideki watched her as she went back to sleep. He marveled at her strength of will. Hideki wanted nothing more than to hold her for the rest of the night… but she had a good point. If the Akatsuki found out about their new found feelings for one another, they would certainly use that to their advantage. That was something she wanted to spare him from and Hideki realized that she felt the same way for him as he felt for her.

He made a vow to himself that once they were out of here… he would thank her properly and practically demand Itachi to let them see each other. With that thought in mind, Hideki closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. He was asleep before he knew it.

~xxx~

Kisame could feel the shift of the atmosphere in the cell. Something happened to strengthen the girl's resolve which he could clearly see in her eyes. They were more determined than they were yesterday, deeper in color with the slightest tint of red in her charcoal gaze. He was singing his praises to whatever god was listening when he drained her chakra… Kisame was sure that she was planning something in that cold gaze of hers.

Sasori had seen and sensed it too, moving quickly to scoop up her dazed figure before someone snapped. The death glares they had received from the blonde boy against the wall were a little unsettling but he did nothing to protect the girl from them. There was a hell of a lot of tension in the 10 by 8 cell, from the moment they walked in to the second the door closed, both Akatsuki members could have cut it with their arsenal of weaponry.

Hefting her weight on one shoulder, Sasori waited for Kisame to lock the door. They shared a wary glance and walked down the hall.

~xxx~

Ayako was alert to the presents of the orange-haired Akatsuki leader when she was brought into the room. Once again chained to the ceiling, Ayako met his gaze and glared.

"Are you ready to join me?" Pein asked as he crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.

"Never." She seethed through clenched teeth. He frowned at her and gave a curt nod.

"Very well… Sasori," he said pushing himself to stand his full height. "You know what to do." Sasori nodded and moved to stand before her with a kunai in one hand while the other gripped the tattered black shirt of her uniform. Hideki's shirt had fallen off her shoulders when Kisame drained her chakra. Then her black shirt was no more as Sasori's kunai tore through the fabric. Her chest bindings fell away with her shirt, exposing her breasts to the men in the room.

"I told you they were nice." Kisame pointed out as he grinned at her bare chest. Ayako shivered slightly at the hungry look in Kisame's eyes.

"I wouldn't press your luck, Kisame-san." Sasori said as he moved away from the female hanging before him. "When she joins us, she'll be your partner." The statement was meant to deter Kisame from further actions against the girl… but they went unnoticed by the blue skinned shinobi. Kisame merely grinned more and licked his lips.

"Disgusting pig…" Ayako hissed as she glared at Kisame then turned her face away from him.

"Let's begin, shall we?" Pein stated more than asked as he leaned against the wall, crossed his legs and stared at Ayako, fully intent on witnessing her screams for himself. Sasori gave another nod and went back to the table. Ayako locked her gaze on Pein's ringed eyes. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seen her pain.

A cold hand settled on the small of her back, she stiffened. Sasori's finger weaved its way into her stitches, stopping to give her a split second to register what he was doing before yanking hard and tearing the thread from her reddened flesh. Ayako clenched her jaw to keep from shouting her agony to the men staring at her. Sasori sighed when her body only jerked from the force of his tug and nothing else happened.

His hand moved a little higher and he repeated the process to a few more areas of her back. Yet he got nothing in return, not even a gasp. Pein pushed himself from the wall and stalked toward her. He stood to the side and rested an open hand on her flat stomach while the other reached behind her and settled between her shoulder blades where the longest stitch lay.

"You will join me." He said to her as his index finger looped under the knot. "I have great plans for the world," Pein continued as he slowly, painfully; pull the stitch loose from her skin. "And I need the Sharingan to achieve them." He pulled a little more, watching her eyes for any sign of pain, but he got nothing. Ayako could feel the blood run down her back, the pain was astronomical but she kept his gaze. "You will submit to me!" he growled a little louder and yanked the rest of the stitching from her back, feeling her blood coat his fingers.

She remained calm.

Pein gave a frustrated growl and walked away from her and out of the room, slamming the door as he left.

"Damn, she's got some balls." Kisame exclaimed as he watched Sasori turn the girl to face the table. He was unnerved at hearing the sound of flesh being ripped apart and to see the aftermath of stitches torn from her back, made him want to vomit. Not that he was squeamish at the sight of blood, no, the fact that it could happen to him made his stomach churn. Kisame had to applaud her though; her strength was something beyond anything he had ever seen.

Having your stitches ripped out without making a peep in protest was something to be commended.

"I see no reason to mar such beautiful skin but…" Sasori spoke as he retrieved what looked like a filet knife from the table. "What other choice is there since you refused his offer?" holding the knife steady, Sasori began to carve intricate designs onto her flat abs, digging the utensil deep into her flesh as streams of blood slid over her muscled core.

Ayako's leg twitched as they dangled over the floor. She could feel the blood begin to collect in her sandals, making her feet slide in her shoes as they scraped against the floor. She was suddenly aware of Kisame right behind her.

"We never did get that scream from you." He whispered in her ear as his hands glided over her hips and bottom. "Leader-sama never did specify what kind of scream he wanted to hear." Ayako's leg suddenly thrust into his groin, causing Kisame to stumble backward and Sasori to cut a long gash through his work on her stomach.

"Kisame, get the hell out!" growled the frustrated redhead as he tossed he knife onto the table. Kisame grumbled but left none the less. Sasori let out a sigh and turned away from her. "You can cry if you want, I'll soundproof the room for you."

"Why?" he heard her ask, pain lacing her simple question. Sasori turned back to look at her.

"You don't deserve this kind of treatment." He stated simply. Sasori walked to the door and paused with his hand on the knob. "And he told me you wouldn't be hurt when you were brought here. I don't like being lied to." Then he was gone, leaving her to hang there for god knows how long.

~xxx~

Kabuto sat under the window, the only light in the room. It had to have been about noon and they had taken Ayako before the sun was up. So, there was nothing to do except talk his fellow cellmates.

Kankuro said nothing, as expected. Hideki on the other hand was more than willing to talk.

"So, she stopped a thief and then became your bodyguard?" Kabuto asked, trying to get a grasp of what he learned. From Hideki, Kabuto found the raven-haired girl to be quite the adversary. She was strong, cunning and incredibly brave… well, from what Hideki had seen. He had explained to Kabuto the events leading up to their capture and Kabuto was impressed. Had Hideki stayed in the trees like he was supposed to, he and Ayako wouldn't be there now.

"She's something else. I've never met anyone like her before." Hideki said with a small smile. That smile cemented all of Kabuto's suspicions about their relationship, though he'd never say anything about it. Kabuto was about to say something when the door opened and Sasori stepped in.

"Come." He commanded Kabuto as he stepped to the side. "And bring the shirt with you." Kabuto stood up and Hideki tossed the shirt to him. He caught it easily and moved to the door.

When they reached the room, Sasori stopped and knocked on the door. This confused Kabuto. Was there someone else in there with her? After a few heartbeats, the door opened and Kabuto walked in followed closely by Sasori.

Ayako was rubbing her cheeks on her arms, trying to hide the fact that she had been crying.

'That's why he knocked.' Kabuto thought as he walked toward her and began to assess her injuries. He was thoroughly confused, looking over the cuts to her stomach and the re-opened stitches he had painstakingly worked on the night before. Kabuto's eyes met her gaze; one that said 'I'll tell you later'. He gave a small nod and left it at that.

"Do you have enough chakra to heal her?" Sasori asked from the door. Kabuto turned to him and nodded. Sasori walked over to him and took the restraints off then went to the back wall. Letting the rope out slowly, Kabuto grabbed a hold of Ayako as she came down.

"Fuck…" she hissed in protest as she sat on the floor. Kabuto handed her the shirt after he unchained her from the shackles. Quickly, he healed her back as Ayako held the shirt to her chest mindful of the blood on her abdomen.

"Here, let me help you." Kabuto whispered as he took the shirt and slid it over his arms. Ayako nodded her thanks as he pulled the shirt up to her shoulders. "I'm going to have to cut your hair." He said to her.

"I understand." She whispered and fixed her gaze to the floor. Ayako loved her hair but sacrifices had to be made. Besides, it'll grow back.

"How much needs to be cut?" Sasori asked as he picked up a pair of scissors from the table. Kabuto looked up at him and gave a small smile.

"Up to her shoulders." He answered then turned back to Ayako. "Don't worry, it'll grow back."

"I know that." She growled at him. "I'm just tired." Suddenly, Sasori was heading to the door.

"I'll be back; Deidara is better suited to cut hair than I am." Then he was gone, closing and locking the door behind him.

"He wasn't as nice when I was under his jutsu." Kabuto commented as he worked to heal the gashes along her abdomen. The door swung open and in walked the blonde that had attacked her.

"So, someone needs a hair cut, yeah?" he asked with scissors in hand.

"Cut just enough to keep it out of her stitches." Kabuto ordered and moved to the other side to make room for the bubbly blonde. Ayako had just finished buttoning the shirt when Deidara squatted down in front of her.

"I really wish I was here to see you kick Kisame in the nuts, yeah." He said with a snort. "Would have been funny as hell to see, un." Kabuto gave a soft chuckle.

"Have him feel you up and see how you feel about it." She snapped, eyes drooping in exhaustion. It took a lot out of her to keep quiet and not scream during the last session. Lord only knows what they in store for her tomorrow.

"Oh, I've been there, yeah. I never got the chance to kick him in the nuts though, un." He was behind her now, looking down the back of the oversized shirt to see where the stitches were. A few minutes later, he was done and already out the door. Sasori put the restraints back on Kabuto and led them back to their cell, though Ayako was carried back by Kabuto.

~xxx~

Ayako felt warm and oh so comfortable. She snuggled into the soft yet firm surface with a contented sigh. Then it shifted and she felt the vibration of a soft… chuckle? Onyx eyes fluttered open to the soft moonlight filtering in through the high window. Scanning the room, Ayako could see that Kankuro and Kabuto were asleep on the other side of the room. She turned her head and met the topaz gaze of Hideki.

"I wasn't too sure at first but…" he whispered to her with a warm smile. "I like your hair cut." She turned in his arms and laced her arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug. His arms went around her waist, being careful of the stitches in her lower back. Right now, she needed the comfort he was offering.

"Hideki," she said as her arms tightened around him.

"Everything's going to be alright." He assured her as he placed a chaste kiss on her shoulder. Something warm and wet fell on his shoulder; he knew instantly that Ayako was crying. He pulled her to sit on his lap as she continued to silently cry on his shoulder. "Don't worry; I'm sure Itachi-sama is out there looking for you as we speak." Tear-filled eyes looked up at him.

"I know he is." She said in a low tone, voice breaking slightly from crying. "I just don't want anything to happen to you." Her hands grabbed the fabric of his tank top. Hideki's hands went over hers.

"Did something happen?" he asked gently. Kankuro had woken up and crawled over to them.

"What's the matter?" his tone was quiet yet it held the commanding undertone his position as ambassador demanded of him.

"Their leader was in there with me today." She said as she looked down to the ground. "I can't help but think that tomorrow will be far worse than today was." Ayako looked up at them and sighed. No one said anything for a while as they contemplated the possibilities.

"No matter what happens next, we have to stay strong. For Konoha, Suna, the daimyo, all our friends and family are out there looking for us right now. We just have to keep focused and try to find a way out of this mess." Kankuro said as he placed a hand on the teens' shoulders. They nodded at his words and looked at each other; an uncertain future hung over their heads but they were sure they'd make it out of this… together.

"Get some rest Aya-chan. Lord knows you need it most." Hideki said as he gently set her down on the floor and put his arm over her shoulder, pulling her to lie on his lap. Ayako was asleep in minutes with Hideki stroking her hair.

"There is a way out of here. We just need a few supplies." Kabuto said as he sat up and looked at the window. "Or a ferret…"

~xxx~

"Tobi is a good boy." Someone called from down the hall. The group of four had just finished their first meal in days when the loud, childish voice cried over the deafening silence.

"Shut the hell up Tobi, yeah!" that was Deidara. They knew that for certain… but who was Tobi? All eyes turned to the door as one of the men unlocked the door and it swung open. Deidara looked as though he were going to kill the masked man hopping around behind him. Walking into the room, Deidara stepped toward Ayako only to be pushed out of the way by Tobi.

"Oh, Deidara-senpai… she's so pretty." Ayako scowled at the man inches from her face.

"Mind getting the hell out of my face or do you want me to kick it?" she snapped as her eyes narrowed. Tobi was pulled back by Deidara and he offered her a hand accompanied by a brilliant smile. Ayako refused the offer and stood on shaky legs. That didn't matter to him as he picked her up and flung her over his shoulder. She really felt like a piece of meat now as they exited the room.

"Idiot…" Kabuto scowled then turned to Kankuro. "It's now or never." He said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small purple pill that Ayako had hidden behind her headband. "It hasn't been tested yet but Ayako said it should give you enough time for a summoning without anyone noticing." Kankuro nodded. The men figured that Kisame would be around soon to drain Kankuro's chakra and now was the perfect time to get a message out.

Kankuro ate the pill and made a string of hand signs. There was a poof as a small column of smoke rose from the ground and Karachi stood at its center.

"Where's the princess?" the fury animal asked as he looked around and was met with solemn faces.

"We're at the enemy base, Karachi." Kankuro spoke as he reached forward and picked up the ferret in both hands. "Find Itachi and lead him here. Ayako won't be able to last much longer." Karachi gave a salute and crawled onto his shoulder. Kankuro stood and walked to the window, helping Karachi up and out.

"How long do you think it'll take for the team to show?" Hideki asked eyes glued to the window.

"Knowing Itachi's tracking skills and overprotective nature," Kankuro said as he scratched the back of his head. "He'll be in the vicinity by this time tomorrow. These guys are smart but that bird they brought you in on would have let one hell of an impression on travelers." That was good news.

~xxx~

They had been at it for four hours now and the girl hadn't said a word. Pein said to make her talk yet she clamed up and stared at the wall. Tobi had been bouncing around the room for the hour and a half, annoying the hell out of Deidara. So much so, Deidara thought he was the one being tortured.

"Tobi wants to try. Tobi is a good boy, Deidara-senpai!" the enthusiastic man-child shouted.

"Whatever, I'm going to go take a leak, yeah." Deidara sighed as he walked to the door. "I hope she breaks out of that chair and kills you, un." He muttered under his breath, walked out of the room.

The air in the room changed drastically when Deidara left causing Ayako to sit a little taller, preparing her self for the worst.

"And now the fun really begins." This was a new voice behind the mask. Slowly, Ayako turned her head to look at Tobi and she froze. It wasn't Tobi any more. The man who stood there taking his mask off wasn't the idiotic, carefree man he once was. She felt a menacing chakra surge that chilled her to the core. When his eyes finally met hers, she could clearly see the crimson glint of Mangekyo.

As the true leader of the Akatsuki, Madara had taken it upon himself to convince Ayako to join their ranks. He just needed some… leverage. Then he was moving, walking gracefully toward her. Long hair fanned over his back and shoulders, giving him the presents of power that he long held up until his fight against the First.

"Ayako, I've waited far too long for you to comply." His smooth baritone spoke in the chilled room. "I have a very important task that only you can carry out. The Kyuubi will follow only you now." Madara was kneeling before her, Sharingan eyes beckoning to her, swirling. "You can control the fox demon and bring him to me."

"Never… I'll never serve you." She hissed tearing her gaze from his. He almost had her.

"Didn't you father ever teach you to respect your elders?" Madara spat as he roughly grabbed her by the chin, making her look at him.

"Only those who deserve it," Ayako fired back with a heated glare. "And you deserve to rot in hell, Madara-sama." She wrenched free of his grasp only to have him grab her hair and pull her head back.

"Maybe so, but first I'll need to change your mind. Just sit back, relax and…" he paused as the Mangekyo began to swirl, hypnotizing her instantly. "Scream!"

~xxx~

Pein entered the room to find Ayako slumped in the chair, terrified eyes locked on the floor.

"Your orders, sir?" Pein asked watching Ayako's chest heave to catch her breath. Too bad for him; he missed her screams of agony and pleas to stop.

"Bring the boy and make her watch him suffer." Kisame and Sasori were sent to bring Hideki to the room while Pein and Madara retreated to their respective quarters for the night.

He knew; Hideki knew something was wrong when they came for him. And there was nothing he could do to fight back. The room they took him to was a easily twice the size the cell they had dragged him from, devoid of anything except a table with various types of tools on it, chains hanging from the ceiling and a chair that Ayako was strapped into.

Speaking of Ayako, she had looked up when the door opened and terror shot threw her system. Her mouth hung open and she let out a squeak, unable to form words as they strung him up and tore away his shirt. Hideki was turned so that he faced Ayako; her eyes never wavered from his. His blue eyes seemed lighter than normal and it broke her heart. Where was that passion she saw before? It was Madara's fault, all of it, she told herself then the whip cracked and Hideki roared.

She could only stare as Kisame beat and flogged Hideki repeatedly while tears slipped down her dirty cheeks.

"No, Hideki…" the words were barely above a whisper.

"This will stop if you just say yes. He can go home along with the other two." Sasori said as he crouched next to her. "If you value him, you'll say yes."

"Don't Ayako, don't give in –ah!" Hideki was cut off by another crack of the whip.

"Hideki," she whispered and promptly passed out. Sasori heaved a sigh and unstrapped her from the chair.

"Let's go. We may have better luck tomorrow." He said and moved to the door. She felt a little heavier than normal but paid no mind; dead weight was heavier than most expected.

~xxx~

The cell door opened and Hideki was tossed into the room while Ayako was placed gingerly on the floor.

"Fix him." Kisame commanded as he took the restraints off of Kabuto's wrists. Once he was finished the two Akatsuki members left with a shuddering slam of the door.

"Is he alright?" Ayako asked as she sat up and crawled over to Hideki. Kabuto gave a tight nod and sat back on the floor.

"We sent Karachi to look for your father as you requested. And I must say that your miracle pill worked perfectly.

"Good. Let's get out of here." She said as she stood. Her image flickered for a moment then became clear again. Ayako was standing before them with two medic packs and Karasu, Kankuro's favorite puppet.

"Nice, so the idiot forgot to drain you of your chakra?" Kankuro asked with a grin.

"That's right…" she trailed off, something was outside. The tiniest flicker of chakra caught her attention. "There here!" she whispered harshly and move to hand the guys their items while she, literally, tore the restraints form Kabuto's arms. Itachi appeared in the window seconds later.

"Are you able to run?" he asked calmly. Ayako gave a nod.

"Tell everyone to stand back; we're coming out."

A/N: As requested, the Deidara cameo is for The Sliver Spork. Send me a shout and tell me what you think!