Once a pawn…

A pad, rough and unkind, made its way towards her lips, cleaning the last remains of the water drops and preventing Ino from drinking them as a last treat. It was harsh, for her thirst was painful, but Kisame was a cruel man, albeit fair, and he was truthful when he said he'll allow her only two gulps.

Ino bathed in sunlight for the first time in who knows how long, wrists tightly bound to a rope so torn apart it was humiliating to be restrained like this, but even so, she had no strength to fight. He had murdered her and feasted on her remains, teeth clashing against her meat. A shiver, hot and shameful, climbed up her legs, a soft tickle upon her belly –she pressed the sole of her sandals harshly to the ground, the action deliberated, the hatred returning.

This time when she licked her lips the cracks on her skin felt softer, mounds that remained of his torture and desire. As she glanced at Kisame a whimper drank her sorrow and forced her to display a present, slowly reaching his arm with her pinky. A slight touch, one that she was sure few, if any, had initiated out of true volition and not the exchange of coins. The man watched her, chin sharp against the shadows of trees and eyes obscured; Ino licked her lips, trying to remember how to be desirable and landing on compliant, "please-" her voice, now foreign to her ears, shattered the silence, "more."

The man was built in a way it would've been enticing had he been human: tall and broad, skilled and with hands Ino would have dreamt of had she been deprived of men as beautiful as her first true love, yet his features pulverized any desire that his frame might elicit. He watched as she approached, resting now the pads of all five fingers on his forearm, feeling his cold skin against her feverish pads.

When he glanced up towards her face, there was no amusement, no intention of the likes Ino might have wished; yet he stepped forward, pressing against her almost intimately, his mouth teasing her ear. "Tails of despair have corroded whatever beauty you possessed," he breathed, she could feel the sharpness of his teeth -he was cruel, yet his hand reached for her waist regardless. "Maybe once, before all this, I might have entertained your delusion of survival. Now, you're not even worth the erection."

The man's prose reverberated on Ino's sternum, and his words sounded so much like his teammate that it was impossible for the illusionist not to have warned him, as if he was speaking through the tongue of another. Ino smiled, for she could do nothing before such vicious rejection. Once, she would've complained as she did many moons ago with the Hyüga's prodigy whom she tracked solely to make him reconsider his words in the Chünin Exams. The boy had smiled teasingly, claiming not to have changed his mind but roaming her flesh with his eyes despite his speech. It had felt like enough victory, now, there was not enough pride in her to dispute the disgust present in the fish standing in front of her.

Kisame blinked, watching her lips stretch with no more curiosity than a passing thought, and clicked his tongue, "keep moving." He said whilst stepping away, grabbing the end of the rope to push her forward, she clenched her fingers and followed, wrists burning against her restraints and a hiss clashing against her teeth.

Pain, physical agony, was a comfort she used to rely on, it helped her focus on the tasks she deemed were the most important ones, the explosion of dull aches within her brought back her senses the moment she needed them the most. The red-eyed beast, low rumble at the back of his throat, had eaten her solace, the sweet ache that once soothed her now rendered her useless.

She exhaled and pressed her wrists harder against the restraints, savoring the raw burning shock that shook her muscles. Her mind, her ego, her looks, and her skills, all of them were stripped away from her and she was left empty, feeling inadequate and petite and overall disgraceful, distasteful. Yet this, the pressure of the rope against her wrists, this she could control, this she had power over and she relished on it, pressing her lips together and forcing the rope harder and harder against her skin until her blood soaked through. A faintly contained tremor went past her legs at the ache, and she wondered what it meant for her to want it to continue until white spots clouded her vision. A promise, she realized, the promise of her senses returning, of control, the restoration of normalcy, all of it contained in this simple gesture: the pressing of her wrists against the rope.

When she relaxed her hold, half because of enough contentment and a half because she was already exhausted, the burning stayed, danced around the pinkness of her skin; the fish glanced at her, gills opening and nostrils expanding, blood enticing for someone his kind. "I wouldn't fall for any more stupid attempts if I were you," he said, the idiot, mistaking her movements for pursuits of freedom, "you wouldn't be a match for me during your best…" and he paused, the disdain all the more palatable on her tongue when unvoiced.

Kisame resumed his walk and the sword, a creature as preposterous as its master, gently bounced against his back. Ino wasn't as strong or capable in her current state as she used to be, and even like this she could feel the energy shared in between the two beings moving ahead of her.

Tongue heavy and sour, rejection and contempt staining her palate, Ino pressed once again her sore hands against the rope, the burning returned and with it the comfort, she bit with her molars in order to withstand the initial whiplash.

"Oh my…" the woman said, hand gently posed on her cheek, Inoichi watched as her blood rushed to her face, a faint blush decorating her countenance making her look younger, virtuous. "Master will not like this." Her voice, a sweet vibration that danced across the room, made him scrunch his nose.

Ignoring her, Inoichi pursued the faint traces of his daughter's presence, soft strings of her chakra that lingered in few and soon fewer spaces, the room where she slept, the halls where she walked. Weaker vestiges of her touch sparkled his senses, and despite the pressing urgency, his attention was drawn to the cutlery Ino probably held and brought to her mouth, the woman beside him paused and pinched her lower lip, watching him while he held the expensive fork.

"I didn't know shinobi were so detail-oriented as to check the silverware." She approached him, "or is it that you're admiring it? You aren't planning on keeping it are you?" She laughed softly. It was a joke, and he allowed a small smile to reach his lips before leaving the utensil back.

Two of his men, Hiryur included, scattered to look for her daughter around the vast garden, it possessed flowers of rich colour that would've picked his attention had this been a mere visit, only him and the last member of his squad -a young woman, were left to look inside the manor. Yua was adamant to leave his side, following him around each space he inspected, she was aware of his position inside the group (yet not inside the clan) which is why Inoichi suspected the woman made a spectacle of herself. Commanders tend to gain such attention amongst commoners after all.

"Your Master," he spoke, keeping his gaze before him, "when will he be returning?"

"Oh," the woman voiced her thoughts, "he's currently on Kusagakure, he waited for you to arrive when your leader sent us the missive, but after days passed and your absence prevailed, he had no option but to attend to his own duties."

It didn't go unnoticed to him how she failed to reply to his actual question. "And you said the kunoichi left the day her contract was to expire?" He continued, allowing her this small respite.

"Yes. Thought your men had revised the entrance to look for her traces, they were there, no?"

Once more, her reply left him unsatisfied, as she defied his patience by either not answering or vaguely tackling his inquiries, she was quick (he was able to admit) at diverging the point somewhere else. However, chakra traces weren't as reliable as people often thought, there was no way to know whether the trace was made upon arrival or departure, although considering the time that passed since Ino's supposed arrival at the mansion, it was mostly safe to assume the faint energy left signaled her exit. "You know your way around chakra signatures." He replied, walking forward towards the window.

Yua pressed herself onto the wall next to it, "Howard-sama is a man with many shinobi acquaintances, I'm bound to learn some things. Besides, he does possess guards that are able to access their chakra-net, such gifts come very handy in plenty of situations."

"Are you?" Yua cocked her head to the side, Inoichi dedicated her a glance, "able to access your gifts, I mean?"

She laughed softly, "ah, no. I must say, I envy those of your kind for it."

Inoichi hummed, "Pardon me, but I thought that a man that carried himself with the company of those capable of using their energy wouldn't rely on a woman without such talents to command his manor."

The remains of her smile faded, and her response seemed to settle for a short silence, then, inspecting the man before her, she spoke "my…" she cleared her throat before repeating herself, "my talents rest elsewhere."

"I have no doubt about it," he replied cruelly, he didn't mind the way her eyebrows dropped and she pursed her lips, it was a light teasing to pull her strings, see how much she'll crack if properly pressed, but Yua merely breathed and released her anger; it was hard to discern if it was because of his status as shinobi or because of kept secrets about Ino's whereabouts.

Regardless, he could not feel a single trace of chakra within her, so that much seemed to be true -it was the unknown reason behind her presence and her master's suspicious absence that made him distrust her words. "You know," he continued, Yua had turned towards the window and the light drew her silhouette in sharp colors. "Many years ago, when my realm wasn't founded yet and it was still a mere dream of our founders, the Yamanaka clan was highly requested by governments and entrepreneurs." He said and saw the woman's gaze fell upon his throat. "We were sought for our clan's gifts, as even back then people wanted as much advantage as possible during meetings and negotiations. We were never intended to become fighters, it's clear by the way we still struggle to make a name outside of our natural labor. Yet a victory isn't solely decided upon strength-"

"-A single family, much more expensive and brutal, was able to win against our technique, and when it became clear that we weren't nor would be as impressive as them, we were discarded, forgotten, left to rot."

Yua swallowed, "I don't-"

"But you see, that particular family cared not for entertaining the whims of the rich if it didn't entail their primary art form, and not many were interested in producing blood baths in their search of bigger fortunes. So, they called us once more, but their demands were higher while the reward offered was lower, so the Yamanaka refused—"

"Here's the thing," Inoichi continued, "people with that much power despise being rejected by those who hold no threat upon them, members of our family started to disappear, their traces dissipating amongst the mansions of those who wanted our techniques only for them to exploit." He smiled, "it's funny if you think about it, how the reason for our ancestors to seek Konoha's protection was our survival against those who now pay our fees."

"This is -we'd never… to even think…" Yua stammered, face red with fury and embarrassment, her hands shook, fists pressing against her thighs.

"I'm sure your Master wouldn't," Inoichi reassured her, "after all, those who tried to reinstate in such savage ways collapsed under Konoha's sword." He gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, "although is curious, how you put yourself in that equation. It's the nature of your relationship with your Master beyond being a pair of open legs?"

"Mister—" Yua expelled saliva through her teeth, so angry, such a child… "I will not tolerate this sort of disrespect; we were kind to allow you to stay and search—"

"—Ah, apologies," he interrupted what was sure to be a rant, "it's just customary to rely on such unpleasantries when performing my job."

"I do not care for such… conventional ways of yours," she spat, "we've been very gentle in lieu of the circumstances." And she moved, shadows of the parting light displaying her rougher features, "you and your men are to leave by dawn."

Inoichi, hands clasped tightly behind him, did not concern himself with her and focused his gaze on the garden beyond the crystal, such heat couldn't be good for the blossoms, he wondered who was in charge of protecting the flowers and why hasn't seen them yet. Few servants were around the vast space, how curious…

The storm brewed from the depths of angry grayish clouds whilst sand clung to his sandals. The fragrance, an insipid taste of moisture, refreshed his nostrils from the perfume of rotten flora. His back complained at his movements, he was young no longer, and amidst the cracks on his skin due to his ever-advancing age, pain arose. Pink blossomed at the very tip of his nose, remembrance of the sun's kiss when he departed; his legs shook for he had yet to return to normalcy, his chakra had been almost wiped by the task bound to him, yet he thought he had enough to perform this duty, if the one with the nine tails was safe, which was the one that belonged to his realm, then he ought not to displease his Leader and reveal his cover.

Suna was… displeasing to him, it was void of everything he learned to love from his village, it lacked green and moisture, and Suna's shinobi were unpleasant as well, they used their connection with the sand to jump upon foreigners only to return to the depths of the desert and wait for their next victim, mere burglars without honor, fighting for a village without Spirit nor future. The Kazekage's bounty was set, and the two assigned to bring him were soon to depart…

Rain's warning bound the sand to the ground, the wind picking up rebellious grains that clashed against his skin. Whilst running he kept his eyes dormant, his gifts consumed too much chakra and he couldn't bring himself to waste precious energy, even like this he would be death for talented shinobi, but he held no challenge for the mind tricks of an expert, his eyes were to be used against the father and seek out the truth once and for all.

Past the border of his gaze, there where a sharp line divided sky from earth, two black figures (shadows of their human form) picked through from the horizon, Itachi did not stall on his step, not when noticing that one of them was sitting. It would be a comical view if it weren't for the storm soon to arrive. The Uchiha pondered his options, even without his gifts he was able to determine the nature of the shapes and he swallowed, impatient. Had he been discovered?

When he paused, cloak dancing amidst his ankles, the old man sighed, back cracking at the movement, the one on his right (orange hair against white mask) glanced at his Lord and slightly moved closer to him, an umbrella at his hands. Itachi did not know whether he brought it for the sun or the rain, he doubted they'd foresee this weather in Suna's territory. Storms were such a weird occurrence in these lands…

Silence stretched amongst them, wind sang in between their bodies and age clung to all of them, it made them weary of one another. At last, urgency won, and Itachi allowed his eyes to pose on the old man's. "This isn't… astute." He said, not allowing his voice to shed light on his reasoning.

The old man brought his fingers to his chapped lips, his cane hung from the chair's arm, "didn't take you for someone concerned with appearances, seeing the scene you caused." He replied, unbothered by the weather that cried faintly now, a teardrop reaching Itachi's cheek.

Denying would've been unbecoming of him, as of now, shame climbed upon his neck and he scratched the skin under his lips to adjust the most basic foundations of his costume. For silence he settled, shoulders tight, stomach empty. "What has happened to you, dearest child?" Danzo spoke again, the cold breeze caressing their skin, "to think this set was your doing… such a careless situation…"

And a small smile grazed his thin lips, "I wasn't to believe such nonsense until Fü pointed you out, your energy danced above this devastating scenery of a place, such a reckless child. Tell me your reasoning, I'll be kinder that way."

"Such big words coming from a liar," Itachi replied and saw the boy beside Danzo stiffen, "kindness does not suit you."

"We go way back," the old man, hand raised to stop his guard from acting on his impulses, said, "it's simply fair to allow you your defense, considering our history…"

"I murdered my entire family following your orders, I hunted down those that were scattered across the lands under your guidance, I've proven my loyalty, I've proven my cunning. But you, you weren't able to keep your word. Sasuke, the one I entrusted all of you, is nowhere to be found."

"You were a faithful servant to Konoha," Danzo conceded, "the same can't be said for your little brother, he brought shame upon himself and our village…"

"He was a child!"

"I didn't come here to quarrel about your kin," Danzo stopped him, "what impulsed you to commit so many mistakes? To return to the very same place the daughter was seen last? Why are you targeting this clan, is your group interested in their knowledge? Is there information I should be aware of?"

Itachi, the prodigy of a clan he decimated, boy and man praised for his intelligence and skills, saw his plans crumble against the earth, he desired… he wished to spare his village of another betrayal, a betrayal that he had yet to discover. The blonde lock of hair, the woman in the tea shop from the day he visited his home once again… before he pushed Sasuke to the snake's wanting arms… all of it came crashing down. Were Yamanaka truly traitors? Was he worried that Nara and Akimichi were on it too? It has been so long since this started, and everything that happened in between, that he wasn't sure no longer. His brother, the light of his eyes, was missing, and he was devastated by the thought. Perhaps, he realized, he had obsessed so much over this as not to think of his child's departure; as if Akatsuki wasn't enough headache.

"I…" he replied, feeling like a complete idiot… an investigation that he took too far and lost any logic… ah, Sasuke, where are you? "I suspected treason…" he admitted, truthful words coming off his lips, "I'm unaware if my suspicions are true."

"You weren't able to find a single proof yet you continued your search?" Danzo spoke, mocking tone and brow furrowed.

"You lack patience, I wasn't about to expose my doubts and send another family to Kami."

There was a slight pause, Danzo was a man with a quick mind and quicker tongue, yet now, where time was a precious resource, he decided to take a pause, "the Gods must be on our side, don't they Fü?"

The guard did not reveal his surprise at being spoken to directly, he had trained him well, "I never thought," Itachi commented, "that you'll find the prospect of betrayal so enchanting."

To that, a smile painted itself upon his countenance, "I can see the charm in a man's vengeance," he said, head bowed towards the boy beside him, "I know it's difficult to learn that you haven't been my first indiscretion… nor my last."

"Is this to what you've reduced all of this?" Itachi asked, brows furrowing, "a desire for revenge? Isn't that self-centered?"

"My child…" Danzo lamented, "your brightness doesn't allow you to see human's primitive ways, if you measure everyone by your yardstick, you're bound to see greatness where there isn't."

"You on the other hand seem to deny everyone of the intelligence you possess, underestimating is just as dangerous as its opposite."

Danzo waved a hand, "Inoichi is a man whose greatest pose of danger is to be acquaintances with Shikaku Nara," he grumbled, "the fool is barely a Tokubetsu Jönin that failed to be the best at a job that he was born to perform, outwitted by a commoner like Morino…" he continued to dismiss, "regardless… such a threat can't be exactly dismissed, can it Fü?"

"No, sir…"

"You did everything wrong so far…" Danzo sighed, "and as per usual it is me who has to clean up everyone's mistakes…"

Itachi stiffened, the rain started to fall copiously yet remained silent, the only sound it made was when against their bodies, Fü took his umbrella and opened it, saving his Master from the worst of the weather. "Is it –"

"Do not concern yourself with such trifles, allow us to handle this matter on forward," he stood, Fü followed his movements, "luckily for you and our realm, it was imperative for us to regain control of some details before the impending return of the vessel…" He clicked his tongue, "the boy is to return shortly if Tsunade is to believe…" He added and then shut his mouth in a thin line, providing no more information than what was already told.

"Danzo-sama," Itachi walked forward, "the Yamanaka leader…"

"Hopefully you already disposed of the heir, although it won't matter if you didn't. Regarding the Leader, ah—" he turned, putting his hand on the shoulder of the boy, "his fate has already been decided."

"But—"

"It's already happening my child," Danzo added. "there was a reason why I stopped you."

And he walked off, with a pace so slow Itachi was sure it was to mock him. He saw them leave, dressed figures that painted themselves black the more they disappeared in the distance. The rain droplets, gentle against him but soaking him regardless, pushed his shoulders lower, it was better to believe that nature was to blame and not this feeling of… inadequacy.

A/N: Very hard times for me and my family, I fear I won't recover. From now on, I can't guarantee regular updates as I'm struggling with grief. Chapters will be posted once written, and I can't say when that will be because I tend to write when I'm inspired, as of now, I'm never in the mood, too busy crying.

Take care, and hug those you love.