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Chapter 5: Compliance

The only promise I could make you,
Is that my promise is a lie.

No matter what I say or what I do,
I know how this will end.
So I'm turning away now before we begin.

And no matter what you say or what you do,
I know how this will end.
So I'm turning away now,
Because I'm dangerous for you.

-In This Moment, The Promise

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-Hokage's Office/Konohagurke/Hokage Building-

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Tsunade sighed and ran her hands along her face, trying to wipe away her weariness.

"You know, Tsunade," The white-haired sannin, Jiraiya-sensei, chuckled and placed a comforting hand on the Hokage's shoulder. "You are entitled to sleep, like any other ninja…and it is late, after all."

"If you're asking for me to sleep with you, the answer is still no, you pervert."

His hand slowly fell from her shoulder. "…..That's not what I said…"

The blonde kuniochi smiled and looked into the face of her long-time friend. "What should I do, Jiraiya?"

"Continue doing as you always have." He stated, a little more seriously.

"That's not what I meant…"

"Then mean what you say."

She paused and glanced back to the window. Tsunade had always loved the way the village had looked at night…It was always so peaceful; the wind blowing comfortably on her skin as she gazed at the moon and stars, counting them slowly as she began to feel drowsiness take her…Then the sweet, familiar smile of her lover's face, comforting her and telling her to accomplish her dreams…dreams that had once been his, but restored once more within her. She sighed. "Dan always made it seem so easy…"

"The simplicity of something is often gauged by the passion of the one tackling it, Tsunade." Jiraiya followed her gaze to the blinking lights of the village below. "If being Hokage were a simple job, then we would all hold your position."

"You should be Hokage right now, Jiraiya."

"You and I both know I'm more fitted for the work I do now."

Silence fell between the two.

"Why were the Akatsuki here…" It was no longer a question.

"To be honest, I don't know." The great frog sannin sighed; he'd pondered that question many a time during this meeting, and many a time before that. "I've been monitoring them for a while, and this move is completely randomized. Sure, the attack on Naruto was understandable-they want all of the jinchuriki, and he's just one more on their list…But for them to send the same operatives to the village, within so short of a time between this last attack, it doesn't add up…Not to mention the fact that the target is so confusing as well. The Azikuria twins are sisters of a dying lineage. They hold formidable positions in the village, perhaps, but in no way are they a threat to Akatsuki…So…why?"

"If I knew I wouldn't have called you here." Tsunade stated, sighing.

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-Akatsuki Base/Ayame's Prov.-

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"This place is so uncomfortable..."

I sighed and laid my head back against the wall; it was hard to disagree with her…
In truth, I felt bad for my sister; unlike myself she had been haphazardly thrown into this cell-I had been a little more fortunate, on the other hand, and had been able to at least maneuver myself into a sitting position. "You know, you look like a caterpillar, laying like that…"

Kiame kicked my leg. "I don't want to hear your smartass comments…" She snapped, but I could hear her amusement.

"How do you feel?"

"Like a million yen…"

I rolled my eyes. "Be serious, Kia."

"You weren't just a minute ago…" She stuck her tongue out at me and grinned. "Eh, I feel about the same. Pretty restless since I can't actually move around…But the bleeding has stopped. The pain is still there too, but it's not really bothering me right now." Her stomach growled.

"They should send someone to check on us soon," I stated, closing my eyes. In truth, I didn't know how much time had passed from our capture to our placement in this room, but I was with my sister on this one…being stuck in the same position for as long as we have was beginning to take a toll on my back and legs. Yeah, I know we are shinobi and should be trained to resist such nuisances, but a concrete floor and damp wall weren't really the best captivity conditions-no matter the prisoner. Not to mention the injuries we both had, which only made matters worse…and the starvation…ugh… "Especially with injuries like yours…and the little scene you put on earlier. If anything we should at least be able to expect some food."

"Yeah…Hopefully."

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-Search Party/Kumogakure Forest outskirts, 20 miles out from Akatsuki border-

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Kakaski sighed. He'd been at this for a while now, and still his hounds hadn't found the scent of the Azikuria girls. With as many as he had on his team, they should have found something by now…Ah, and the sun had already gone down too…Wonderful circumstances…

"Ruki," Kakashi pressed the small radio he had clasped around his neck, transmitting a signal to one of the two others he had in his human party. Perhaps one of the others had had better luck than he. "Have you turned anything up?"

The radio buzzed and a transmission came broadcasting in. "No, still no word." Ruki paused, "Kunyai passed by my perimeter earlier and he said he hadn't found anything either. You know… We could meet up somewhere and start over again in the morning, or maybe we should try to send message to the Hokage…?"

"I've already sent an update to the Hokage. Besides, if these girls were taken not long ago, it would be better to continue searching-the scent will still be fresh."

"…Understood."

"That kid trying to chicken out on you?" Pakkun stated, walking around to stand beside his master.

The Silver-haired jonin chuckled to himself; leave it to Pakkun to be so blunt. "No, he's fine." Kakashi stated, "It's understandable for someone as young as he is to want to call it in, but like I said-the scent is still fresh. We can't afford to rest right now. Plus…I've learned my lesson after dealing with Itachi once; we need to stay on him, see what their real plan is. "

"I guess that's my cue to get back to work then." Pakkun sighed, trotting off towards the trees.

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-Kiame-

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I fidgeted against the floor, my legs had long since fallen asleep…and God, I just wanted some relief. "Ayame…are you awake?"

"Yes, Kia."

A little wave of guilt washed over me-had I woke her up? "C…Can you sleep?" I asked, hesitantly. I know I couldn't, at this point I'm not even sure it was possible.

"No," From the tone of her voice, I could tell what she meant. It was one of those times where she couldn't, not for lack of trying-just that her body wouldn't let her. How many days had she been without sleep now? 3, 4 days? "Not for a while, anyway."

I nodded and rolled around on the ground. I'd felt helpless many a time in my life, but this situation was on its own level of awfulness…

'"Kiame, why are you crying?"

I glanced up through watery eyes to see my sister looking down at me. I hadn't heard her come up…But then again, I was also crying. She still had a fresh bruise on her cheek, now swelling to envelop her eye. "D…Daddy hurt you…and…I…I couldn't stop him…" I began to sob. Why did he always have to be so mean to her?

Ayame laughed and placed a gentle hand on my head. "There was nothing you could do, Silly Kia. You know how daddy can be…"

I shook my head and wrapped my arms around her legs. "N…no! I…I was too scared to do anything! I..I could have stopped him!"

"It's alright, Kiame. Calm down." The gentle patting on my head continued.

"I..It's not! I won't let him hurt you again!" No longer would I be that crying girl in the corner, I found my resolve that day-my nindo, my ninja way. "I'm supposed to protect my sister! T…That's my promise, Aya!"

"In that case," My sister smiled and dropped to her knees alongside me, holding up her pinky. "My promise to you, Kiame, is that I will always be there for you, okay? No matter what, at any cost."

"S…sisters forever?" I asked, wrapping my pinky around hers.

"Sisters forever." '

"Kiame." I gasped, bringing my memories to a crashing hault. "Kiame, why are you crying?"

I blinked, realizing the tears I had fought so hard to keep contained were now pooling around my eyes, falling in streams down my cheeks. "I…"

"It's alright." I could hear the reassuring tone in my sister's voice. She wasn't beside me, but in that moment I felt like she was there with me, holding me like she did that day.

"I…"

"It's alright," Ayame chuckled. "Try to get some r-Wait." I looked up at my sister. Her demeanor had completely shifted; she sat up, her body back contorted against the corner wall, glaring at the area adjacent to her-practically growling. "A…Ayame?"

"Stop crying, and prepare yourself. Someone's coming."

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Itachi stopped outside the prisoner's door, glancing at the chakra seal he and his fellow members had placed along the frame. It was surprising that even though the girls were being deprived of their chakras, they could still sense his approach. Nevertheless, they were becoming an annoyance…

Warily, he re-activated his Sharingan and released the seal; momentarily, anyway. The door opened, flooding bright light into the otherwise dark room. Within his immediate sight, was the youngest of the two twins, Kiame, he believed. Her eyes, wide and wet, met his with a fierce hatred, despite the fact that she was still lying upon the floor. Itachi disregarded her look and took a step inside, reactivating the seal; he had grown used to the stares of disgust over his long years upon this earth, one girl's petty look wouldn't sway that. "Can you move?" He asked, lighting the wall torch to his right.

She shook her head, refusing to speak.

Itachi placed the tray of food he had brought upon the floor beside him and shut the door, revealing the hiding place of the other twin. She, unlike her sister, didn't hold the same vulnerable appearance. Her eyes, surprised at first, quickly changed to fierce and blue. This, too, he would disregard. "Can you move?" He asked her as well.

Instead of answering, however, she spat at his feet.

He glanced back at her, refusing to let her childish act go noticed. "No, I take it."

-"Why are you here?"

Itachi turned to see the green-eyed girl, Kiame, staring at him.

"I'm here to feed the two of you. That is what you were yelling for, was it not?"

Kiame's cheeks grew red. How did he know it was her?
Grabbing her shoulders, gently-much to her surprise-Itachi pulled her upwards and into a sitting position, placing her back into the closest wall.

-"Don't you dare touch her, scum!"

The Uchiha glanced back over his shoulder to see Ayame, rage-filled and clearly in pain, ready to pounce on him. Inquisition filled him then; she clearly cared for her significant other, but not for herself, or so it seemed, unfortunately for her this game was growing tiresome. "If she were to be left on the ground, she would have asphyxiated upon swallowing her food." Itachi flashed his Sharingan at the holds of the elder Azikuria and she came crashing to the floor, electricity jolting through her body. "I think it wise of you to stay in silence, less you wish for more of what you just received."

"Hey!"

Itachi turned his attention back to Kiame, bringing a pair chopsticks full of ramen to her mouth. "I advise you to eat. None of us wish to hear more of your relentless complaints, and if you wish to stay alive, I suggest complying."

Kiame glared at him, "You wouldn't kill either of us. If you wanted to you jerks would have done it by now."

He placed the ramen back into the bowl, stirred, and brought another mouth-full to her face. His patience was growing thin. "True. Though, in this instance, it would no longer be our fault if you died of starvation. And no, before you say it, it isn't drugged either. Now, open."

Kiame glanced down at the food. He didn't seem to be lying…"The longer you make me wait the longer your sister goes without food." Cautiously, the green-eyed girl opened her mouth-which, in turn, was filled with the steamy noodles. She was hesitant at first, but once her taste-buds caught wind of the succulent pasta, she was literally begging for more. Itachi would wait for her to chew, then swallow-which didn't really take too long-and he would repeat his action; open mouth, ramen, wait, reprise; which continued until her bowl was completely empty. "Are you thirsty?" He asked.

She nodded slowly.

Carefully, he brought a pitcher of water to her lips and tilted-allowing the beverage to fall into her mouth. When she seemed as though she had had enough, he would allow her time to swallow, ask again if she still wanted more, and would repeat-as he did with the food. "Do you require anything else?"

Kiame shook her head, hesitantly.

"Very well."

With that, the Uchiha placed her dishes alongside the door, and he turned to her sister, Ayame. "Don't you dare." She hissed.

"Are you not hungry?" He asked, slightly amused at the look she was giving him.

The Azikuria scowled, of course she was, but she refused to let this arrogant ass-hole feed her. She was a respectable shinobi, and there was NO way in hell she would sit here and allow herself to be coddled and fed by her KIDNAPPER.

"Regardless," Like he had with her sister, Itachi took the girl by the shoulders and placed her into a sitting position (well, more so, seeing as she was in a slightly better state than that of her sister), opposite of Kiame. She struggled, but it did little use due to her restraints. "You require food if you wish to live."

"I'd rather die than have you feed me!" She spat, again.

Itachi rolled his eyes. "You and I both know that if you were to die, you would leave your sister here-alone. If you don't wish for harm to befall her, I advise you open your mouth."

Ayame's eyes narrowed-she was going to call his bluff. They wouldn't dare lay a hand on her sister.

The Uchiha glared, his patience had long since gone. Not only had he had to capture these girls (which backfired due to Kisame's overwhelming arrogance), but now he had to feed them as well-which, in retrospect, was not going as well as he had planned. With one hand, he held the ramen to her mouth, and with the other he took hold on her jaw, forcing her lips to part. She, again, struggled, but ultimately gave up when he shoved the chopsticks into her mouth. Refusing to be outdone by him, she sat there-glaring with a mouthful of pasta; she was hungry, and if her mouth salivated anymore she might even drown, but she would not let this jerk have his way.

"Swallow." He demanded.

She shook her head.

"I said, swallow." His hold on her jaw tightened, making her squint with pain-there would surely be a bruise there tomorrow morning.

Again, she shook her head.

Itachi scoffed and glanced back at her sister-his hand hovering above her restraints. "If you do not comply with me, I will electrocute her. And I promise you," He hissed, "I will not be as merciful as I was just a moment ago. Now, swallow."

Ayame bared her teeth and, with much effort, finally managed to choke down the food. Itachi nodded and removed his hand from her face, replacing it with another mouthful of ramen. Ayame complied with his actions; open mouth, ramen, chew, swallow, wait for another, then repeat the process. Upon the emptiness of her bowl, he asked her, like he had with Kiame, if she required water. She nodded, and he reiterated the same process he had for her sister, until it too was empty.

"Do you require anything else?" He asked.

Ayame paused for a moment, staring at the man before her, until his question finally registered with her. "…Heal my sister."

The Uchiha cocked his head to the side and glanced back at the girl in question. In the torch-light, there were visible injuries to the girl's legs, and from what his Sharingan could she, she had also suffered from quite a bit of blood loss, mostly from the trauma to her head, but also from wounds to her hands and back. Itachi frowned, despite the many abilities he did have, healing wasn't really one of them. "I cannot." He stated.

"Then bandage her." Ayame hissed, refusing to back down.

Itachi looked at the girl beside him; she had been wounded just as badly as her sister, yet she, like he, was still willing to go to great lengths for her sibling, something that truly impressed him. "With?"

"I'm sure you idiots have some sort of medical kit around this base," Ayame glared. "If not, then use that cloak of yours, something."

"I'm okay, Ayame…" Kia whispered.

Her sister rolled her eyes. "Like hell you are. Don't argue with me."

"Very well." Itachi stated, beginning to remove his cloak.

The two sisters looked at the man before them in shock; what did he say?

"Hold still." He warned Kiame. He didn't really know why he was abiding to that girl, perhaps out of mutual respect, but either way it still pissed him off. Taking a kunai from his belt, the Uchiha tore the cloak in his hands, creating shreds of cloth long enough to use for bandages. Once he finished, he took his place along Kiame and began to wrap her injuries.

Ayame looked on, wary of his movements. After all that had happened, she was surprised the black-haired man had actually listened to her. This man had tried, and succeeded, in capturing her, after all-favors were no longer required, not at this point.

"There." He stated, rising. "That should prevent from further bleeding or infection. I'll let the others know as well, so they can be monitored in the coming days."

Kiame looked on in shock. First her sister was fighting this guy to no end, now she just asked him to bandage her-and he just…did it, no arguments, no electrocutions…Weird. "U….Uhm, thanks?" She mumbled, trying to find her words.

Itachi disregarded her comment and gathered the dishes from the other girl, placing them, along with the others, upon the tray. As he stood to take his leave, he glanced back at Ayame, flashing his Sharingan as a warning. "I expect you to comply next time we come to feed you, Azikuria."