Drip…drip…drip…drip…drip
"One sixty two, one sixty three, one sixty four, one sixty five…"
Drip…drip…drip…
"One sixty six, one sixty seven, one sixty eight-"
A pause.
"Oh, it stopped."
She thinks her mind is magical and that by counting the number of times she hears the sound, it will eventually stop at the end number she has in mind.
But to her conscious mind, it is not aware that her body will automatically attend to the source of disruption before that end number.
When the dripping stops, she returns to her head and keeps her thoughts shrouded in secrecy. Perhaps she does not understand the concept of muses, that it is unique, individualised, and special to that one person. Unless she discloses its content, no one can read it.
It is hours into the night and her legs have liquified from standing in the same position for so long.
She has four experiments to complete in this dainty, darkened lab.
This is where Root conduct their research.
Governed by the great Lord Danzo, Root works solely within the shadows of Konoha.
They have their differences in protecting the village, whose values often clashes with that of the current Third Hokage. But no matter how questionable Lord Danzo's beliefs are, she has quashed all doubts.
Had Lord Danzo not given her a chance, she would not be here today.
"Composition of this chemical contains traces of mercury, lead…heavy metals?"
She mutters incoherently, as if constantly speaking to herself is a perfectly normal way of analysing and decoding samples. For this reason, she likes being confined to the laboratory. No one to say she is weird or awkward, or shame her for being fundamentally useless.
But her idea of incompetency does not lie within the 'ordinary life.' She spends time meddling with a bunch of test tubes and toxic chemicals, a task she believes should be incorporated into the 'ordinary life.'
"Those samples are not urgent," says a voice.
She startles and topples over a beaker of silver flakes.
"Lord Danzo," she says quickly.
Disregarding the spillage of those precious metals, she sinks into a heavy, polite bow.
"I've another task for you to do," Lord Danzo says.
"Another task?"
She stares quizzically.
"My only lab worker at the village hospital has recently passed. I therefore, do not have anyone stationed there. You will be the replacement."
"Same task?" She asks curiously.
"Yes. Continue your role as if you were here, but I do expect reports of daily activities. You will also conduct some experiments for me in addition to your task at the hospital lab."
She has a thousand questions that all stems from her mind's thirst for curiosity. Yet her obedience to Lord Danzo and Root is what keeps her mouth shut and her inquisitiveness suppressed.
"Yes."
"Remember Root's goal. Nullify your emotions and keep all behaviour neutral."
"Yes."
"Starting from tomorrow, you will be known as Honoka."