Chapter 3: Test Subject: Neji

It turned out to be pretty easy to find Neji. He was walking out of a store carrying a small shopping bag in his left hand. Naruto called to him from around the corner. Neji came over without protest. "Yes?"

Naruto tried to play it cool. "Whatcha got there?" He pointed to the bag.

"Some water and tea."

"Nice. What for?"

Neji started to grow suspicious. "Drinking. I'm going over to my uncle's for training in a minute. He sent me out to pick these up. I did him a favor."

"Aw, that's nice of you."

Neji frowned, knowing Naruto was up to something. "Ok, what's going on?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Naruto tried to feign innocence. It wasn't going as well as he had hoped.

"You're up to something aren't you?"

"Me? No! Not at all." Naruto rubbed his chest where the necklace lay hidden. He wondered why it wasn't working. Maybe he wasn't doing it right. "So, Neji, how are you doing? You feeling alright? Tired at all?"

Neji gave him a suspicious look. "What are you really after?"

Maybe trying it out on Neji was a mistake. This didn't seem to be going well at all. He didn't seem to be going under hypnosis in the slightest. Maybe Naruto really wasn't doing it correctly. Maybe Neji had to actually see the necklace for it to work.

With that in mind, Naruto fished out the necklace and held it up for Neji to see. "I got a new necklace on the mission."

"Oh. Was it a gift?"

"Yeah, it was. It didn't cost me anything." Which was true. Naruto looked at Neji. His eyes were on the necklace. Now to make sure his eyes stayed there. "I was keeping it hidden because I was afraid it was a little girly. What do you think?"

Neji studied the necklace closely. "Mm... No, it doesn't seem to be very girly to me. Besides, it was a gift so its appearance is beyond your control."

"So no one's going to make fun of me for it?"

"I shouldn't think so."

"That's a relief." Naruto noticed that Neji was still staring at the necklace. He had to keep the conversation going or else Neji might walk away before he had a chance to properly test it. "We just got back an hour ago or so. Maybe less. The mission went well. But Sakura wants to take the day to rest."

"Was the mission difficult?" Neji asked, eyes glued to the jewel.

"No, it wasn't hard. But I'm kinda tired, too. Know what I mean?"

"Yeah."

Taking hold of the chain, Naruto slowly rotated the jewel so it spun slowly in front of him. Neji continued to watch it. "Did you have any missions recently?" Naruto asked him.

"Yeah. I had a couple with my team this week and one with another group of Jonin... It was an A ranked mission. It was... taxing." Neji's mind was starting to get a little foggy. It was becoming harder for him to think straight. This didn't go unnoticed by Naruto. He was pleased by Neji's slow response. Neji tried to go on. "The missions went well. Everything was ok in the end. No one got seriously hurt... or anything..."

"That's good." Naruto twisted the jewel in the other direction. "I bet you're tired after those missions, though. Am I right?"

This time it took Neji a little while to respond. "... Yeah."

It turned out to be right. Neji did need to see the necklace in order for it to work. Neji was starting to go under. Now that he was distracted, Naruto thought it would be easy to put him into a trance. He tried to mimic how he saw other people do it on those TV programs and on stage. But he had to be discrete.

"Sakura likes to go to the bath to relax. She takes a nice long soak in the warm water. The water's very relaxing, isn't it? Do you ever relax that way?"

Neji gave his head a little nod. "Yeah."

"Sometimes, on really hot days, I just go to bed and relax that way. I turn off all the lights, stay in the shade with the window open so I gets a nice breeze and take a nap. Have you ever done that?"

This time Neji only nodded. He didn't feel like talking anymore.

His grip on the shopping bag grew slack and it fell from his hand. Neji blinked his eyes and started to look down.

Naruto couldn't lose him now. It was really working. "Neji, look here."

Neji looked back at the necklace and forgot all about the bag by his feet.

"I bet you like to do a lot of things to relax after a mission, don't you?" Naruto had to get him to relax so he would fall into a trance. "You said you like to meditate, right? Is that relaxing to you? Just to clear your mind and think of nothing. Doesn't that sound nice? To relax, I'd think of an ocean. Just sitting there all by myself in the quiet, listening to the waves lapping up on the shore."

Neji's eyes started to droop slightly. Naruto had to keep trying. He had hoped Neji would be under by now.

"Have you ever been on an ocean before? Floating on a small boat or a raft? I love that feeling, don't you? Just having the gentle waves carry you off. Rocking you to sleep."

Neji's eyes drooped a little more. Then, as if suddenly remembering where he was, Neji opened his eyes more fully, trying to shake off the heaviness. "I should... get going..." He sounded like he was half asleep already. Naruto couldn't let him go that easily. Not when he was already so close.

"Just relax, Neji. It's ok."

Neji wanted to take his eyes off the jewel and continue about his business, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Just looking at it gave him a very pleasant feeling. It was getting harder to think. But not thinking felt good. He liked this feeling. A tingling sensation spread through his brain, taking away his thoughts and concerns. He should have been suspicious. He should have realized something was wrong. As long as he stared at that necklace, no such thoughts came to mind. It was comforting. Relaxing. Neji could feeling himself starting to slip away. Before he could try to bring himself out of it, he fixated on the jewel again and completely forgot what was troubling him.

Troubling? Was he feeling troubled? No, couldn't be. He didn't feel troubled. Was he forgetting something? What had he been doing a moment ago? How much time had passed? What was he talking to Naruto about again? What was he saying? These questions lingered only for an instant before being wiped from his mind and faded away.

He felt nothing but peace. His mind had gone completely blank. There was no reason to fight back. Why would he? He felt really good. The beautiful jewel brought him comfort and security. There was nothing to fear and nothing to do but relax and enjoy this wonderful feeling.

"You have all day to do things. Just take a minute to breathe. You deserve a rest. Just relax for a minute and take in a deep breath."

Without meaning to, Neji inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh, feeling relaxed. It felt so good, he decided to do it again. He could feel himself relaxing even more.

"Now what were you doing, Neji?" Naruto asked him softly.

He tried to remember but he couldn't. "I..." He had completely forgotten.

"You were going to relax, weren't you? You're feeling tired, aren't you?"

That's right. He was feeling tired. He did want to relax.

"You're really tired, huh? You look pretty tired, Neji."

Neji nodded his head.

"You want to rest, don't you?"

He nodded again.

"That's good. It's good to relax. It feels great, doesn't it?" Naruto had to get Neji to sleep. That's when he could command him. At least, that's how he thought it worked. "You should close your eyes now and go to sleep."

Neji's eyes started to droop again. Then they opened a little wider. He wasn't that easily put under. He seemed to be resisting. Neji started blinking, trying to stay awake.

"It's ok, Neji." Naruto tried to keep his voice calm. So far, this wasn't working the way he had planned. In his head, this would go so smoothly. Maybe he was doing a sloppy job. He had to keep trying. Maybe if he went about it a little slow, weaning him into the state he wanted. "Just relax and take in a deep breath."

Neji did so without thinking about it. He let out a deep sigh, feeling relaxed.

"Good. And again."

He obeyed.

"And again. Doesn't that feel nice?" Neji started to slump. "Now take a deep breath in and out. In and out. Relax."

Neji started yawning. He was feeling pretty relaxed.

"You look sleepy, Neji."

Neji blinked.

"No, it's ok. It's good. That's a good thing. It's time to go to sleep."

This time, Neji just stared at the jewel. He didn't give in and he didn't resist. His mind had stopped working at this point.

"You're getting sleepy. Very sleepy."

Neji gave a soft moan, trying to fight it off.

"You're eyes are getting heavy. Heavier and heavier."

His eyes drooped again.

"You're getting sleepier and sleepier and sleepier."

Neji yawned again, his eyes drooping even more. He wanted to go to sleep.

"It's ok, Neji. You're going to take a little nap now, ok? Just rest your eyes for a minute."

Neji closed his eyes.

Naruto lowered the necklace, staring at him. Did it really work? Was he really under? He thought Neji would put up more of a fight than this. Then again, it wasn't very easy to get him into this state. "Neji?" he called softly.

"Hm?" Neji opened his eyes slightly. He wasn't under just yet. But he was close. Very close.

Naruto moved the necklace closer to his face, hoping the more Neji stared, the more tired he would become. "You're getting even sleepier, Neji. Very, very sleepy."

Neji stared blankly at the necklace. Naruto couldn't tell if he was resisting or not.

"Take in another deep breath. When you breathe out, you will feel even more relaxed. Take a deep breath in... and out."

Neji started to slump again. This may take a while. Naruto continued to repeat himself over and over again. The more he talked, the sleepier Neji became. He could barely keep his eyes open anymore. He really wanted to sleep now. This was starting to work. Neji was heeding to more of his commands.

Time to try something else. Hopefully this would do the trick.

"Now I'm going to count down from ten. When I reach zero, you will fall into a deep sleep and be completely willing to do anything I say. Understand?"

Neji nodded, not fully understanding what was happening or what Naruto was saying. He was too out of it to follow completely. He just wanted to sleep.

"Ten... nine... eight... you're feeling relaxed... seven... deeply relaxed." Naruto watched as Neji's eyes grew heavier and heavier. "Six... five... four... you're very, very sleepy... three... your eyes are so heavy... two... so sleepy... one... and... zero."

Neji's head fell forward and his eyes closed. He started to fall forward but Naruto held him up by his shoulders. Supporting him with both arms, Naruto let the necklace fall onto his chest. He didn't need it anymore. Neji seemed to be under now.

"That's it... go to sleep..." Naruto peered around to see if anyone was watching them. No one looked toward the alley they were standing in. So far so good, but Naruto had to be quick, just in case someone came their way. "Now, Neji... you will do anything I tell you to do. Understand?"

Neji nodded his head once.

Now to make sure this worked. Commands. He needed commands. "Ok, let's see... Neji, when I snap my fingers and say the word 'sleep' you will go back into a trance, but it will be even deeper than before and even more relaxing. And when I say... 'awake' and snap my fingers again, you will wake up from your trance and remember nothing of being put into a trance. Got it?"

He nodded a second time.

Naruto was curious. What if Neji was faking this? What if he didn't remember anything from this trance and it was all for naught? There were still a number of things he wanted to test out on him but he couldn't do it here. Not now.

Just one more little test.

"Neji, tonight... you will come to my place at 6:00. You will come to my door and knock three times. When I open the door, I will greet you. When I say 'welcome' you will enter my apartment. You will wake up only after I close the door and turn the lock. Understand?"

He nodded.

If Neji did this, it would prove that the commands really did take effect. He didn't ask Neji to do anything embarrassing just in case it really didn't work. This was just another test.

"Ok, Neji." Naruto released his shoulders, snapping his fingers. "Awake."

Neji suddenly opened his eyes. He swayed slightly but quickly recovered. Naruto quickly tucked the necklace back under is shirt.

"You feel ok, Neji?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." He had a feeling like he was forgetting something. He couldn't remember what they were just talking about. Then again,when Naruto started rambling, he had a tendency to tune him out and let his mind wander. That's what must have happened. "But no, I don't think that necklace looks girly on you."

"Oh, good." Naruto smiled brightly at him. "So I guess you have things to do, huh?"

Neji looked down at the fallen bag, remembering. "Oh, yeah, that's right. I have to get to my uncle's." Neji picked up the bag and made sure everything was in there. "I'll talk to you later, Naruto. Right now I have to leave."

"That's fine. See you later." Hopefully around six o'clock.

What will Naruto do next?

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