Sweet Dispositions

-Chapter 52-
Weeks

Echoes of steps and distant arguments carved into her bones.

There was an odd weight on her left thigh. Coldness around the nape of her neck and legs. Staleness of air and antiseptic made it a strange place to awaken in. In the vast darkness, Hinata felt relaxed, safe, until someone sniffled and messily blew their nose.

Hinata wasn't alone.

"My lady, I cry rivers until I see to it that you are healed! Ah! The tragedy. The horrid reality that our pawns are not loyal..." A wet voice, ugh Reize, said.

Out of that nice emptiness, Hinata was on a chilled table.

Her ear felt raw, quakes of pain stopped her from moving her head. Her ear was partially bitten off by that spear. Whoever threw it... had courage. They should've finished the job if they tilted their elbow up.

Her hand, her face and hair were wet with blood. It was hard to breathe in the hot air. She was so deep in this demon's pit. Akuma must've brought her here. Just how much time she lost was a mystery.

A thin towel covered her torso, breasts and private parts. She's so sore.

"You merit death, more torture, less food- less access to the world itself! You guaranteed that this serum wouldn't affect her in negative ways," Akuma demanded, his voice harsh and disappointed.

"You might have given her too much of a dose. Her Hyuuga body depends on chakra too much." Kabuto accused.

"Do not make this my master's fault, you insect!" Reize snapped. Reize's stood to scream at Kabuto. "He expects the utmost respect and quality from results to schemes to experiments. You don't dare get to say he is capable of mistakes. He is the embodiment of foresight and wisdom. Clear the most from your eyes or else I will disarm them for you." Reize finished with a loud huff.

It was quiet after that lecture.

"As always, it is a pleasure speaking to you, Reize-sama," Kabuto chuckled but it was an empty laugh accompanied by an empty tone.

Suddenly, the sonorous tinny sound of metallic bowls, glass scared her.  Bursts of medicinal herb scents filled the air.

The loud cacophony forced Hinata to finally blink away the darkness and followed the noise. Akuma pushed over a counter filled with medicine, scalpels and metal bowls. It gave her flashes of doing surgery and freedom.

"Master... you mustn't be worried about naught. I will take care of this and make the insect pay for ever overlooking his place on our hierarchy! Please do not release your anger." Reize pleaded.

Fluffy, sodden tissues littered the dark ground like a handful of galaxies and stars in a vast night sky. Blood, other substances and bones coloured the blackness. Reize has been crying all night or all day. Actually, Hinata didn't know what particular time it was.

Hinata's tingly arm flopped, suspended over the edge of the table. Her fingers were bowling balls, heavy and cold.

Akuma took away her chakra and she can't heal properly. No matter how much he tried, she'll have to heal normally. He didn't think this would happen and a temper tantrum ensued.

Reize blamed Kabuto and didn't notice Hinata's dry throat and twitching limbs. Watching things crash to the ground and break, Reize watched the chaos with her black eyes- worried and hysterical.

With red-rimmed eyes, Reize glared at Kabuto. "You scum, you put him in a frenzy! I should see how many times you can choke without shredding your throat! You, clean it up! Why haven't you moved?! Are you denying an order?"

Kabuto wasn't paying attention, instead, he reached out a red, abused hand to Hinata.

Kabuto's fingernails were ripped off, his knuckles were swollen like grapes and his prominent veins shone blue. The moment stunned her how he moved with tenderness, not even an ounce of malice.

"You look just like Furostomi," he whispered, a deep melancholy swallowing his words. He took the moment in, memorizing her expression. He was checking if she were real. Like he already met her face.

"Welcome back, Hyuuga, the byakugan princess." Fresh tears lined his black eyes.

Hinata remembered the grudges, resentment, and anger she held on to about him.

"Ah! She's awake!" Reize cried out, looking at the ground. "Thank you Satan, you truly know our hearts and best interests! My lord, she's awake! Her beautiful signature has stopped fading!"

There was a lamp over her and the whole room seemed shabby. Not sterile. Scalpels, surgeon tools and a group of half-concerned people loomed over her with brows furrowed.

She had a medical room just like this... until Akuma burned her house down. She was with the love of her life and now she's near the man she hated more than life itself...

"Kabuto, your malpractice and sloppiness has led to her chakra decrease to be life-threatening!" Akuma hissed.

"You irresponsible hick! I should spit on you, snake." Reize stuck out her pink tongue.

"Don't be ridiculous," Kabuto replied.

Reize got two ice balls that glowed with chakra. Looking insane, Reize said, "When am I ever... ridiculous?"

Kabuto flinched when she threw three clean attacks that he barely dodged. They made dents in the wall. Blood leaked from his arm and took out patches of skin.

The dents threatened the stability of that very wall. Reize wasn't serious. A particularly hard attack made a gaping hole and all the dust settled. The next room was just the same as this one but a figure was on the table.

The lights were off... and it smelled like fish. Rotting corpses. Oh dear. Hinata belched a little before looking away.

Akuma cleared his throat. "Hinata, are you alright?"

He came closer and Hinata flinched away from his hand.

Reize was subdued after seeing her master displeased. "Kabuto, explain what you have done to harm my lady!"

Kabuto ignored his wounds. "Hyuuga Hinata will heal at civilian rates. She almost exclusively healed all of her wounds with chakra. Now that she doesn't have any, her body is finding ways to compensate and heal in the way she never has since she was about fourteen."

Hinata agreed. She hasn't healed in a while without chakra or actual doctors. Her body has to learn how to do that...

Akuma made a displeased sound.

She's only good at things until the moment it matters, like healing. And to think she based all of her achievements off of healing.

"She will also lose more blood volume," Kabuto continued. "Her body reacts very badly to not having chakra, as she is a Hyuuga with very precise control. She isn't getting additional supplements of chakra from... people with larger than average chakra reserves."

"Hinata, you shall be taken care of accordingly and Kabuto punished accordingly as well," Akuma said lowly.

She wasn't aware of it until he held the end of her hair. It... normally takes a longer period of time to do that- to pick up a long strand... Her hair was up to her calves...

She felt a significant tug.

"You're hair is shorter. It was rumoured to be as pretty as glaciers moving down streams of pure cobalt blue. You still look wondrous," Akuma said.

The familiar warmth her cloak hair would provide her is gone. Her neck was ice cold.

She hasn't felt that since... her twelfth birthday when she refused to let her father cut her hair anymore. She wasn't a lawn, she wasn't an outcast and she didn't care if she were disappointing her family anymore. She grew out her hair.

Oh, Kami! They cut off all of her hair. The one thing that reminds of her Neji. What will she hold onto if all they do is take from her?

Damn it. She pounded her hand on the metal. And the worst thing was that her hair was blue. All the colour was gone from it.

The door swung open. Reize stopped sobbing and Kabuto hissed at his pain at being sliced open.

Akuma still gazed at Hinata. "You look as beautiful as the first day I've met y-"

"You make me sick." All the hatred and desperation she had was just pouring- punctuated into each word. "You are death and my spirit dies at the sight of you."

"When will you surrender to me? I like being death for death allows me to shape the world. Stars may even dance in my palm if I see to it." Akuma chuckled then patted her head. "I am the authority of your mind, you have a right to rebel for a little. Hinata, you'll eventually see that my inner sanctum is the heart of operations. In due time, you will find peace with what has been given to you. I am neither chivalrous nor sporting and I like it this way."

"What is it, serenity now, insanity later? This isn't peace!"

"It is the opposite, darling girl. I have beasts that I am kind to. I control them but that's an ugly word. My greatness is solidified when they do not turn on me when the control is broken. I will take careful measures in order to ascertain my goal."

"You act like you are moral. Everyone dies the same."

"If I may, Hyuuga, why not be a God when you could be king? Why not be a God when it matters? I have a higher calling. Not many but me could answer."

Hinata couldn't take any of this nonsense. "Your higher calling ends in great tragedy and the loss of everyone and everything. You cannot give life because death only takes it."

"I am the rebirth. I give life."

"While you take mine away..."

Akuma didn't have a smart answer to that.

"My lord, Bishop Reize and Kabuto, there has been an emergency." A gruff woman said.

Akuma stood taller. "What entails this supposed emergency?"

Supposed emergency?

Hinata really saw who it was. Reize stiffened up.

As Hinata's eyes wandered back to the woman, they both recognized each other at the same time.

A beautiful woman with gold eyes, pale blue hair and black lips. She had a child trailing behind her, smiling a bit. The child- she assumed, belonged to her and Orochimaru.

Shigeko.

So, Akuma really did... kidnap the love of Orochimaru's life and his child. The child had white skin, slitted yellow eyes, and a curved smile. He didn't seem terrified.

Shigeko, her enemy, drew her weapon. Chakra recklessly spilled into that attack, making her sword glow blue.

She pounced across the room in one elegant stride. The air pressure became a vacuum as Shigeko sliced in an arc, to reach Hinata. Reize blocked the hit with a particularly solid icicle.

"What are you DOING? She's a hazard to my lord! She's the folly who defeated me not even months prior. She is a threat to the DCA!" Shigeko said loudly.

Reize slapped Shiegko across the face.

"You are lower than insects in this case." Reize reminded her dangerously. "You have the sharingan eyes but that does not make you any more powerful. That makes you have borrowed power. How could someone as useless and idiotic as you garner such a prize from the lord? How dare you draw your sword on my lady?"

Shigeko's black lips part. "I tho-"

"I am proud that you have surpassed your limitations and finally had enough brain cells to inquire and furthermore have a thought but your pea-sized brain has threatened a national treasure! For that, you must be punished." Reize yelled.

"Do not act like you have superiority over me! We are on the same level."

"You can never be on my level! You tried to hurt whom we are meant to protect-"

"I haven't heard that order!" Shigeko shrieked.

"Has no one alerted you that she is to be treated as an equal to Akuma-oo-sama? You are being a bitch and don't try this because I could be a better one than you."

"Reize, I am tired of your attitude!" Shigeko yelled, steadying her sword.

"Ooh. Stop fighting in the company of the supreme one! Those as incompetent as you both shall be punished accordingly." Jimpachi sighed. "You are all dysfunctional beings who gathered in his presence to fight? Why waste his time?"

Both Reize and Shigeko stopped, shocked as if they were electrified.

"Okay, o great Jimpachi. I shall honour you and your choices." Reize smiled graciously.

Jimpachi looked at Reize for an extra second.

Shigeko quickly bowed. "I agree."

Akuma hadn't said anything and just watched as Hinata collapsed onto the table, laying back down. "If I say I am a threat, will you end my suffering, Shigeko?" Hinata coughed.

The boy who was in blue draped clothing watched her with disinterest. The staring boy blinked. His eyes were intelligent. Too filled for a boy who looked to be of six years old. Just older than her twins. Why was he so dignified and mature?

He walked over to her in calculated movements. The glint of a knife of some sort caught Hinata's eyes. He will cut her down at any moment if he felt threatened.

"You get away from her at this instant!" Shigeko yelled.

"Be quiet mother, you might scare her," he said slowly.

Treating her as an object rather than a human, he came to the edge of the table and poked her cheek. "Those on this table are normally dead and drenched in red. You're warm and you don't seem that hurt." the boy blinked at her twice. "Weird."

Why... would she hope for normal, psychologically sound children who grew up in a war zone such as this one? He shouldn't expect death when he looks at one of these tables.

"These tables are where people save others. Not many die and that isn't weird. Real doctors would know that," Hinata looked at Kabuto pointedly.

Kabuto raised his eyebrow at the backhanded comment.

The child reached out to her ear. "Are you hurt? Does it hurt?"

"Physically, no, I am not hurt." Hinata winced. He pressed on her ear wound.

He looked at the redness that coloured his white skin. "You aren't a clone. I thought clones didn't feel pain." he grimaced a bit then whipped his hand away. The blood landed on the floor with a splat.

"My body is numb. It's my soul that hurts."

"Huh?" he asked, lips parted. He was so pale with delicate features but she knows he is emotionless.

Hinata turned over a bit. "There are different types of and forms of pain. All of them can be equal in intensity or length." She slowly reached outwards.

He hesitated, his blade in his hand. Hinata smiled calmly. What a sad upbringing... She wished she could take it all away or... take the blade out of his hand. Why was he so thoroughly trained in this perimeter?

She pressed two fingers to his forehead. "Right here is the pain that could be felt," she pressed to where his heart was. "Here is another place."

"Wounds to the heart and brain would end life immediately." he moved the dagger back into his sleeve.

"Wouldn't it? Have you felt pain from love and your tumultuous thoughts? Your soul." Hinata poked his heart then his forehead.

"No. What organ contains the soul?" he asked.

"None."

"You don't make much sense, lady. Your nerves send electrical signals to your brain when you feel pain. Your thoughts cannot cause physical pain and heart shouldn't either unless you have a medical conundrum."

"I know that better than anyone. I am a doctor but you could feel infinite pain from these three parts of your body. What comes of love can also have hate. And sometimes your thoughts could torture you."

"That's strange."

"The strangest."

It wasn't strange at all. Shigeko didn't teach her child love or hope or dreams. That's what's strange.

He turned his hooked nose up to her. "Your hair was cut off. Did you defy the lord?"

The lord? Does Akuma cut hair when he is defied? Who cared?

"I have but no punishment should come forth. We all harbour free wills." Hinata traced the infinite sign on his forehead. "That goes on and on."

He leaned in and chamomile wafted around him.

"Does Akuma-oo-sama want you around? Are you here to serve him? I would have killed you if it weren't the case because you spout nonsense." he asked.

Hinata's hand stilled, shocked by the statement. He would have her killed? She slowly retracted her fingers.

He suddenly jumped. "You've stopped. Have I done something wrong?" he asked, alarmed.

"No, they have." Hinata's gut twirled but she patted him on the head. "You are not to blame."

Hinata looked to see Akuma lecturing the Jimpachi, Reize, and Shigeko. They were to blame.

The boy turned to Kabuto. "Uncle Kabuto, what nonsense does she talk about? Why does she keep on touching me? Is she mentally ill?"

"No. She speaks of hope. The ill and the healthy speak of that." Kabuto said lowly.

The little boy was still confused. "Hope?"

"There is the light that is hope. That comes from the sun. They could also be people. Sometimes you look away but they are light. Look for those who you find to be the sun. Who shelters you, finds you comfort and growth and most of all- can make you understand the difference between worlds of pain the realm of thought and choice. Look for your sun."

"You say such nonsense, lady," he sighed, "but I want to know more."

Hinata looked at him worriedly. She doesn't know if she'll be alive to do that?

"She-" Kabuto scrunched up his expression.

"Don't you dare speak on my behalf, Kabuto." Hinata snapped. "You are the reason I am defenceless. I have no chakra because of you. You are the reason the war started. You are the reason my house burned down and my children were in danger. Everyone I know is suffering. Don't you dare speak to me or on my behalf!"

He's unremorseful. He has a nefarious agenda without any accountability. She's surrounded by anarchists who put diseases in the water. Ah. She wants to pull out all of her hair- oh, wait she doesn't have any!

Kabuto looked at her then opened a drawer. He got a patch of alcohol and a bandage. "I have to heal all your other injuries. I was interrupted by my ineptitude. Should I apologize?"

"An apology isn't enough to make up for anything you've done," Hinata retorted.

"I'll be a good ghost soon enough."

He soaked the fleece pad with some substance she's never seen before. He used a band to secure the band against her ear. The mixture smelled of plums and alcohol. It stung briefly.

"He who hit you will be taken care of by yours truly. I accompany my lord and Jimpachi to... attain the motif of the man who... upset my lady. She will not be able to wear earrings and her silky hair- will not fall so gently down her back. They won't caress the colours of heaven." Reize black eyes made her seem a tad bit mad. "I will... make him feel my loss."

"Hinata- you will be escorted." Akuma whispered.

"Don't tell me instructions after you put in an uncomfortable situation that almost took my head off," Hinata said. Her hair's gone, her family isn't here and she's hurt. Her ear might fall off.

"Ah, feisty. If there is a poem, you must recite it correctly even if it gives you a sense of loss, homesickness or glee. It must be heard," Akuma shrugged.

She couldn't stop getting kidnapped when it happened and she couldn't stop this from all this madness getting this far.

"You amusing little harlot, you'll stay here forever, I'll see to it." Jimpachi smiled.

Hinata gulped. "You can't see me, though. The future can't be seen by those who are blind and stupid." Hinata purposely ignored the sinking feeling in her stomach. A flow level panic attack plagued her but she looked away.

Shigeko stared at Hinata, curling her fist. "Hinata is a fine specimen. Maybe someone'll strangle her because it leaves less blood."

Reize smacked Shigeko. "Shut up before you gurgle on your own blood, idiot." Shigeko glared at Reize before staring at Akuma. "I apologize in all your greatness, my lord."

"Why fall in love... with such an interesting... woman, Akuma-oo-sama?" Jimpachi sneered the question.

Akuma shrugged a bit. "My dear Jimpachi, you cannot control the heart but you can control others."

Jimpachi and Reize shared a significant glance.

"And yes, Hinata," he walked closer to her. "You wouldn't trust a compliment when I say you are ravishing and you do better under positive reinforcement. However, you will be exposed to me in every facet of your being."

His eyes scanned her body. A wave of trepidation chilled the back of her neck. She was staunchly aware of everyone who saw all her assets.

Politeness missed him as he took in every inch of her flesh. He was fully clothed and reaching for the only cloth that protected her body from the elements.

He will not- he can't!

He violently snatched the towel away and it dropped onto the floor nearby, watching the look in her eye.

"Release yourself to me," Akuma commanded firmly, his voice so heavily accented and husky- it left her in shock.

A rush of cold enveloped her. Her face burned from fresh mortification. She writhed under him and tried to cover her breasts.

Jimpachi had a lewd smile while Reize nodded and clapped her hands together.

"I have seen all of it and discovered it in depth, don't hide from me," Akuma whispered.

That made her freeze. Hinata's confusion overrode her actual despair. Her head ached as she was hit by a maelstrom of bad thoughts. What... has he done to her while she was unconscious? She wanted to throw up.

"Do these problems torture you? That's my job," Akuma snatched her hands away and viciously held them over her body. He almost lifted her off the ground.

He hadn't looked below her neck -thank kami- but she held eye contact with the one eye that was shown by his mask.

A breath left her slowly, thick and pained. The sound of her heartbeat, static and the electrical beeping of a nearby machine overlapped her answer.

"No." Hinata whimpered, flailing in his hold. "No, I will not bow to you."

"No?" he asked.

Hinata struggled, wrenching to get her body free. No matter how much she lurched, she was still suspended.

"You have a hard time trusting higher beings. I will be an excellent partner and mentor. You are just a good shinobi. You won't follow your instincts and you must follow orders. You will still serve me no matter how many times you die for me. Your bad behaviour will be corrected in due time but hey, that may take forever. It doesn't matter who you are or who you used to be, only who I teach you to be."

"You are a monster," Hinata yelled, kicking his shins. It felt like iron but who cared about her feet? Her toes keep on skidding against the cold floor.

"I'm a demon king, if you will, dare. A real Akuma-oo-sama," he set her down then took off his hakama jacket. He brushed his thumb across her trembling lip. "I ride the swell of blood in the tide. You are only my true care. I will not punish you without reason. You don't want to know what happens when you disobey me."

She threw herself backward immediately. Her feet shredded against the glass and other things Akuma left on the ground.

Hinata wrapped herself up in a little ball in the corner. Thirst, hunger, and fear add to all the mistakes she could make and now she's here. She's forgetting her training. Never lose sight the forest, even when you're in the weeds, that's what Neji always told her.

Why can't she be with Neji? What would he do now? Arghhh!

She was due to die in this dangerous place. She's unsafe. Demons are running this prison, using it as a power base, information centers, factories to train future soldiers. She happened to have the boss lusting after her...

Her legs just carried her away without her mind being involved in the decision. She ran through that hole and saw the dead, rotting body that was there.

In the pale glint of the light, Hinata trembled as she looked closely. It... was her.

Long blue hair. Same sized breasts. The odd dimples above her pelvis bones. The thinness of her ankles, the curves and her pinky finger that was a little too crooked after a knife accident. Her hands seemed calloused and damaged from her years of harsh Hyuuga training. The pain of breaking a finger didn't register in Hinata's mind. It was a given, normal part of every week.

But this... Hinata was mutilated. Obviously.

Slashes to her breast, inside her intimate places. Holes in her body. Drill marks. Her skin was missing card-sized patches. Her eyes had been stolen, precious parts of her body broken. Her bones shattered. Dislocated bones. A twisted spine. Deep lacerations... Bruises. Red blood that was black. Her skin was black and blue, gray from... death and the lack of oxygen.

They... drained her... of all her blood? What... this... Hinata's clone? The clone died in such violent ways. Hinata died being tortured.

She hadn't noticed she was crying until a hand wrapped around her waist, drawing circles just below her sternum.

"I got... frustrated and I... went too far. I wonder... At times, where your pain and reactions will go, where it would settle, where it would hurt. I am grateful that clone 002 led me to euphoria but she led me to disappointment. She made a mistake." He breathed against her neck. "Don't make me be death, a demon or evil to you. You won't endure that."

¤¤¤

Week 1-6

Week 1.

Hinata laid on the floor, sighing. Her head was on Reize's thick lap. The pretty carpet smelled of iron and soap.

Food. Water. Sasuke. Food. Water. Save me. Food. Water. Raikage.

Blurry walls. High ceilings. Her prison is so beautiful. Why is it so pretty?

They've killed her Raikge. She didn't have any more tears to cry. Her eyes were bone dry since she wasted all of them. She hasn't eaten. Her stomach pain was a given, a new norm.

All those tea dates. Training on the roof. Good times protecting him with Darui. He even tried to hide the fact he spoiled her rotten. He loved her kids. Hinata loved A like a father. Sure he was rough and rude but he was so sweet and mild.

Hinata killed him. Killers don't deserve to eat.

And Jimpachi's blue veins bulged on his translucent skin. His chin-length purple hair swayed with his angry, chopped movements and his suit was crimpled.

"Reize, baby, if she doesn't want to eat- then fine!" Jimpachi yelled after giving Hinata a series of black looks. "She doesn't even respond to your touch. Why hold her?"

Reize gasped. "Jimpachi, she satisfies me, unlike some people I know." Reize gave him a pointed look and held Hinata closer, smelling her hair.

"Such a transparent lie," he whined.

"My lady, if you don't eat, you'll die." Reize pleaded, stroking Hinata.

Hinata hadn't directly spoken to Reize. It frustrated the maid. Even so, Reize tended to her every need.

"Yeah, lady Akuma," Jimpachi sneered, using the name she abhorred. "You'll die."

There was a deep silence. Hinata closed her eyes, accepting her fate.

Jimpachi stomped.

Some dust floated into Hinata's eyes as she opened them.

"There isn't any honour in not eating something. Drink something." Jimpachi barred his white, fanged teeth.

"I'm not afraid of death," Hinata sagged. She wonders if A-sama was afraid? He could break buildings with his hands, pinch galaxies together...

"Who cares? You'll die and Akuma will grieve."

Too bad I am already dead, Hinata sighed.

"Honor your master's promise. Be his ingenue. Tch. Do what he wants," Jimpachi said loudly. "Honor your master."

Hinata exploded. "Who are you to talk of honour? You rape women and kill children and wear this skin like a cloak of pride. You don't know honour. You will never pronounce shame or guilt so you don't know honour."

"I can't believe that I wanted to fuck you. I killed useless men for you. Taking care of you is a daily insult. I have to go against my ways to help you. You're a melancholy, annoying and ugly queen. You sicken me. Sicken," he yelled loudly.

"Jimpachi- do not insult your lady... I should bite your fingers off and feed them to the pawns." Reize yelled. "Repent for your words!"

Jimpachi dodged the icicle Reize threw at his back. "Shut up, Reize." he snapped, slamming the door.

He stomped out of the perfume-infested room and seconds later, she heard the gruesome cry of someone getting slaughtered. Hinata just closed her eyes. That's the sixth time some innocent person has died in Jimpachi's hands due to him releasing his anger out on someone.

"Well, my princess, men always intrude on the fun." she sighed.

It gets worse after Reize baths her. She has she wake up early, though she never knows what time it is. She had oil in her hair, black satin clothes with the finest fabric, intricate lacy designs and this layer of makeup.

She has morning breakfast with him.

Later on, Akuma waited patiently in the hallway as Hinata stared at her raw and swollen feet.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

Everything. Hinata wanted to say, but she didn't. She held her tongue. Her feet hurt.

"All this walking around in ugly shoes make my feet hurt..." Hinata held back a whimper.

He approached her then gathered her into his arms. She tried to fight it, being touched by him but his hold was solid. He wasn't letting her go.

Reize smiled at Hinata and Akuma. "Lovely position. It increases intimacy. I know she's fertile right now."

Hinata's half-hearted squirms intensified but they weren't paying attention to her. They were looking at something behind her.

It was three people. Their clothes were ragged, their tanned skin almost browned by dirt and mush and they ran with a sense of urgency that she's never seen before.

Reize cleared her throat. "I'll handle them, worry naught my lady, my lord," she said cutely before bowing. "I regret not spending more time with your elegance but duty calls."

Akuma tensed up as Reize was like lightning, moving fast and striking her enemies with a vengeance. Hinata's trained eye saw Reize slice their heads off.

It made a horrid squelch as swirls of blood coloured the ground. Reize crouched and picked up the two heads, specifically hiding their slack expressions and their eyes.

"Why- why must you kill them? Let go of me." Hinata asked, eyes red and her glare sour. She pounded on Akuma's chest.

Akuma just continued carrying her after Reize and Akuma shared a look. "If you can't watch that, you won't be able to stomach what comes next. Ha. I'll keep you with me."

Akuma stepped around the pools of blood and the headless forms as he spoke. So casually. It was as if people fell dead before him all the time... Off to hell they went. Every day.

She's always getting placed in these agonizing situations. She has to accompany Akuma everywhere.

During meetings, torture sessions, bathtime when she sits in the corner while he openly bathes, nakedly, and made shameless sounds. She had to be with him when he ruined others and ate dinner like he hadn't cut off a man's limb.

She's been exposed to loud music being played for hours to disorient her. Her ears ring at the twang of a koto. There was sensory deprivation. Extreme temperatures. Endurance challenges. Watching physical torture. She can't rise to the occasion.

The meetings were the worst. One time, she fell asleep and woke up to some bastard clawing at the lip of her skirt. Akuma broke their arm, yanked it clean out of its socket.

He looked at her straight in the eye and said, "I will always protect you." he continued his conversation with another doctor.

"Yeah. Of course, experiment 0291 worked but Ida isn't reacting to stimuli, she's gotten 0.2 kilograms of liquid x." One "doctor" said, speaking in code.

Now Hinsta knows why normal non-doctors are so confused and squinty when she talks to other doctors. She wants to know the terminology. It would have made things less ambiguous.

All she knew was that this place was a field for testing something. Something big.

"Morality will come back when their mission is complete," A doctor said.

They talked about having control of Iwagakure and they're holding off territory in Kumogakure.

"The world is boring without the scent of blood..." Akuma yawned once the doctor left. "Do you reckon that?"

"I do not identify with violence." Hinata looked at the soup they ate.

It was breakfast, why were they eating dumpling soup? She just wanted a peach. She never ate in the mornings because the kids would gobble up the turkey bacon, the scrambled eggs and fried tomato slices. She misses them. Dumpling soup used to be her favourite dinner.

"That's magical on your part, however, you will fight all my wars. It's only empathy and that could be trained out of you. You are a young person not yet willing to eliminate the whole community of... freedom fighters. However, don't you deserve the best? Like me. I am the best." he leaned back and read some documents.

Hinata decided not to answer.

Akuma was, all in all, a businessman. He tinkered with the stock market and made money with grand profits. He was the one who strategically and methodically tore everyone apart by invading different parts of society. They have supporters all over.

She lifted the tea to her lips and drank a bit. She had a bit of solace in the burst of flavours. It reminded her of mornings when Sasuke would complain. Sasuke had spoken of the dreams he had and his general hate of uncomfortable stupid people. She gets lost in that sea of time and love. There isn't any sweetness. Just pain.

Akuma watched her intently. He wore the mask but she felt his evil orbs' gaze glide over her in these obscene, outrageous dresses like a knife cutting skin.

"What?" Hinata asked lightly, fearing the manic answer. Did he put something in the drink? He's tampered with her food, her perfume, her clothes- her mind!

"I wish I could be so bold. The cup's rim, the food you devour and the tea you drank... are all kissing you. Fleetingly in a macabre way. I wish I could be so bold."

Hinata put down the cup of tea and never drank tea again.

Being deprived of everything she loved in protest of Akuma-oo-sama was more of a punishment for her rather than him.

She'd get bombarded with sweet smells and wake up in his bed chambers. He would haunt her by being imprinted on the canvas on her eyes. She twisted away, she gets frozen and she wants to say no but she can't.

She's woken up with half-moons of nails on her skin. The ring of hands around her wrists. The daisy chain of redness from being strangled. She's just trapped in a crown, on a throne, beside a man who wants to see the world burn.

And there's all this talk about pawns being sacrificed for science? Are they experimenting on the pawns towards a greater goal? They already achieved the complete cloning of people and the erasure of chakra from well-trained shinobi- what else can they achieve with more time and sacrifices?

What other horrors would they do?

¤¤¤

Week 2

Hinata slowly ignored the numbness of her feet since she wore heels all the time. She rocked back and forth in her chair, ignoring the fuming of Shigeko outside of the door and the odd mother-like calmness of Reize.

"Hinata, if you move too much, I won't get the hairstyle right. Your pillow-soft hair will irritate your ear." Reizd caressed Hinata's nape, her hands gelid but soft.

Hinata threw uncomfortable shoes at Shigeko. "I am NOT eating with that man! Do not ask me to betray myself!" Hinata yelled.

"You have childish attitudes but you look so womanly." Reize sighed plainly.

Shigeko grimaced, her black lipstick twisted into a scowl. "Why are you complimenting her? She's rejecting our Lord!" she gesticulated wildly.

"You don't understand love, then. No matter what she does, I will always see the good." Reize patted Hinata's head. Hinata flinched away but adoration remained in the black of her eyes. "See."

Shigeko's long and lean body tensed up. "You're delusional. Get her and your psyche under control," Shigeko hissed. "Why wouldn't your lady sit on gold and feast on sunshine and rubies while you get the chance to sit in heaven? You want iron dessert?"

"Go find the corner of the globe before insulting your lady."

"Pfft- as if I wouldn't know the globe is circular." Shigeko folded her arms.

"When I asked you to draw a map of the world, you drew two circles, you idiot."

"Go to hell, Reize. I am tired of your attitude! Hinata acts like a child with all this trust of Akuma!"

Reize laughed. "Don't make me cut you. I'll maybe even bury you out at sea... or you'll float, as a glacier to match your thought process speed," Reize looked at Shigeko with a deep, evil glare.

Shigeko gulped then recovered, yelling. "Despite how much you and all the other people try to throw me out of this fortress, I'll stay here until you die, Reize, for Akuma. Out of those who protect Akuma-oo-sama on the field, in the real world, where you don't have pets. I win the most battles. I am the one who wields the sword. I am a soldier who Akuma-oo-sama trusts more."

"If this is a battle of loyalty, you lost," Reize said calmly, her breath fog. "While you guard him, I protect his legacy, his dream, his well-being, his loved ones and the very fort you boast to preserve. We do not share glories of the sea and land because I am here, with my lady."

Hinata looked at the both of them. They're both acting in the way that they think is right. Hinata doesn't know why but their argument feels like it has the strain of many years of unsaid, unanswered anger weighing it down.

"I'll live another hundred years and you'll still be useless," Reize said so coldly. "He shows dignity and force. His real strength is overwhelming and I adore him. I like my lady. I like my master as well. I raise my white flag and attack enemy ships. I betray those closest to me. I bleed for my masters. Others fall on swords to make my lord happy. I will only die when protecting my lord or my lady. I'll kill anyone who stands in the way of my loyalty and my mission." she chuckled, clenching her teeth. "Has Akuma ever told you he loves you?"

Shieko shifted. "N-no. He hasn't."

Reize smiled evilly. "That's another victory we cannot share. He's mine and I am his. She is mine, too."

Hinata huffed. "Whatever happened, I am not eating with Akuma. Let me eat with the pawns. I swear, I would rather eat like a pawn and starve rather than eat like a queen with him-"

Reize slapped Hinata's cheek, both shocking Hinata and Shigeko.

"What- the hell, Reize? You really betray everyone! Holy shit! How can anyone trust a basket case like you?" Shigeko shrieked.

Hinata's eyes teared up, not from shock or the sheer fear- it hurt. Stung. She didn't think Reize would ever hurt her, though.

"What impudence." Reize snarled.

Hinata spat out blood. "No matter how many times you beat me, I would rather eat like a pawn and starve rather than-"

Reize hit her again. Hinata tasted cold blood.

Reize's yell bounced off the walls. "You don't understand anything like a child. There is a great disparity between how Akuma treats you and how a regular pawn is treated. Learn the difference or so Satan help me and give me strength," Reize directed a hawk-like glare with the chill of death towards Hinata. "I won't tolerate you not appreciating my lord. So you'll be a pawn and you'll-"

"Fine, let me be a pawn! I'll go to the cafeteria."

"Che. You are too stubborn. It's a curse."

Hinata turned away but they went to the cafeteria. An explosion went off, people all fighting in the cafeteria. Hinata stood in her spot.

"Sit down and eat!" Reize yelled.

Hinata reluctantly did.

Hinata cheek stung from the aftermath of their altercation. Reize punished her a lot.

Reize was in charge of domestic affairs. She took care of the "pets" as the pawns affectionately coined women like Hinata. Pets were the servers who made clothing, took care of the children, and those who were sold off as wives to high ranking bishops. Hinata was essentially a concubine and partner of Akuma.

Reize soon explained the conflict. "There are two thousand beasts in the cafeteria. Only five hundred meals have been given out."

That's why blood is heavy in the air, on the wooden benches and tables and also on their sliced up skin. They're tearing each other apart. Reize watched Hinata, fighting those who wanted Hinata's bowl of food.

"This is the battle between life and starvation. You win to live. Now you eat if you win and you live. That is what my lord says gives them the drive to stay motivated. They're too hungry to start a rebellion, too hungry to question who gives them food. They hunger for success."

So this is the disparity between me and the pawns. Am I supposed to be grateful? Hinata poked at her food.

If it could be called food. It was this yellow substance that looked all too familiar in a toilet bowl. This wasn't food. It was mush. Like acid and few grains of rice, strands of hair and other dead things.

"What meat is that?"

"Does it matter when you are desperate?" Reize asked.

She would normally balk at the gourmet dishes, fresh plump vegetables that were given and the steaming noodles, rice or dishes that were fit for kings... demons from hell.

The pawns still look awful. Different stages of life shinobi with sunken, dead eyes. Rheumatic. All bloodshot and cloudy. Murderous and unforgiving. They smelled like a sewer, their clothes were in threads and they watched her every move. Their teeth out and stained yellow like rats. They swarmed, pressing against each other to get this... meal? It wasn't a meal.

Pawns had their system.

They all had immense levels of brutality that were on par with shinobi she's seen at home... There were different pawns; disposable, non-disposable and purposeful. Disposables were the pawns that got experimented on, the ones not loyal or those who had no chakra. Non-disposables were the pawns that could recklessly loot and kill. Purposeful pawns are the ones who could with reason, gather information, use chakra, relay battle tactics, and be of use to Akuma's freakshow.

They were ugly truths. She didn't mean to get into this mess. She couldn't fight back because she was a skeletal mess.

Reize was so close and cold. Her red curls brushed Hinata's shoulder. Reize snarled into Hinata's ear. "People die for that meal! You must accept that Akuma is kind. He is graceful. He is power and he shows you mercy despite your insolence! You are better than these pawns and don't you forget it. Accept it."

Was Hinata dumb for rejecting this good lifestyle? She's a prisoner... no matter how nicely they treated her. If people die for this, she might as well rebel against what heaven Akuma is. She doesn't want to be grateful. She picked up a golden spoon.

She can't depend on him or think she's superior to the bloodthirsty pawns because she gets special treatment. Whatever is the meaning of this craziness... She should eat. She will eat. If they survived this- she can too-

When the fighting got too much, Reize plucked Hinata out of her chair, away from the foul bowl.

The spoon fell to the ground. Shigeko gritted her teeth. "Why would you purposely put your lady in danger? They all want to kill her during mealtimes! You're a bitch!"

Reize checked Hinata for injuries. "My lady, you mustn't eat the food! Cling to the life you were given! Why would you fathom to eat it?"

"Why not? You picked the wrong man to follow," Hinata hissed.

Reize held Hinata's face. "I have to give her shots and medicine from inhaling the-"

Interrupting her, Shigeko pushed Reize aside. "I don't trust you with her."

Hinata's mouth dropped open. "Shigeko, you wanted to kill me, on behalf of Sasuke and what he did to your son's father-"

Shigeko rolled her eyes. "You know what my pure feelings are. You never know who Reize will freeze out and leave to die." she turned to Reize. "Lady Akuma knows I hate her. You, you are a snake who confuses her. She doesn't know what your intentions are."

Reize looked between Hinata and Shigeko with drawn swords. She looked heartbroken, bottom lip quivering. "My lady- we will return to dine with Akuma."

She was taken to Akuma.

Music played with the richer people and the crueller intentions. While eating with Akuma, there were silk tablecloths in trade for cracked wooden tables, chandeliers instead of swinging vine light bulbs. The fine foods instead of crap. The higher-ups laughing instead of crying. They were all round with pudge instead of barely getting by on tears.

Those darn forks and knives that were clean and polished- gold, instead of people violently using molars and hands to eat as utensils.

She couldn't stand the atmosphere. The softness of the scene. The moment she got here, she's learned... known authentic physical terror. The bowl winked at her with its contents floating.

Her stomach growled, she hasn't eaten but the bowl never looked enticing.

Akuma watched her, so did everyone else at the table. Reize dutifully prayed to Satan, which was counterproductive and Akuma watched her more intensely as the night went on.

Everyone else left, to satisfy whatever and indulge their devils.

Akuma remained at the dinner table. Shigeko had a knack for bowing in the presence of Akuma, so that's what she did.

"You joined me in feasting but you demanded to have the... meal from the cafeteria?" he commented drily, looking at Hinata.

Hinata stared at the bowl.

He sounded beyond displeased. "You haven't eaten. What is the meaning of this?" Akuma sat up, empty plates beside him with empty glasses of wine.

He looked at the guilty Reize.

Shigeko looked between the staring Akuma and the ever, unusually silent Reize.

"Seriously? So now the bitch has nothing to say?" Shigeko muttered under her breath.

"Shigeko!" Akuma warned.

"I-I apologize!" Shigeko lowered her head in submission. "My lord, my temple, my saviour, your lady wanted to see what pawns ate. Now she's angry that they don't have what she has." Shigeko huffed.

Akuma laughed deeply and richly. "Oh. That can be soothed, sweet, sweet Hinata. You have all that you can wish for here. All that you want is here. I am here..." Other laughs interrupted his words. "You never cease to amaze me."

The more he spoke, the more she wanted to eat- just so she wouldn't curse him out. She got a spoon, ready to ruin her guts. He's making her so mad. Ah. She's nostalgic for the time when metal bent in her hands, when she felt all the precious metals.

"Your old life is that meal for pawns while you dine on the sweetest nectar, provided by me, your god. So now, Hinata- what do you choose?"

Hinata looked at him then tossed the spoon away.

She pressed the dirty bowl to her lips-

She chugged the soup. It wasn't soup. At first, it tasted like vinegar and ashtrays. Its texture was sludge. It tasted of bad luck and disease. Her tastebuds shrivelled, recoiling away from the soup.

Then- it hit her!

She promptly threw up on the nice tablecloth, the pretty plates, and the wine bottles. That's how she spent the next week, in bed, throwing up, getting rocked by Reize. Scolded by Jimpachi and Shigeko. Hated by Akuma for defying his orders and spitting on his hospitality.

Despite the tsunami it caused in her guts, Hinata would do it again. And again. And again. Way more than that. She was fed good food after that, yes but Hinata will never eat meat ever again. At least the meat that Akuma provides; there's a chance it may be human, animal or even insect meat.

∆∆∆

Week 3.

She said goodbye to fragile nights by herself, jumping into silence. She's tired of the same routine and she's resentful.

Reize carefully dressed her wounds. Her left hand was finally healing. It didn't sting anymore and basically faded to nothing. She also did Hinata's hair, trimming it, so the bob was maintainable. It curled just under her jaw.

"Ah, my lady, you are regaining all of your weight back. Akuma appreciates it. He believes you look sexy while healthy!" Reize chirped.

She was always happiest before bedtime, Jimpachi said that it was normal but Reize never slept, so Hinata never knew what she did...

"Did... he say that?" Hinata asked nervously, in front of the mirror. Will... he touch her and make her do inappropriate things?

"No. I know he would say that though. I know him as much as I don't know you." Reize smiled sadly. "What is... your favourite colour?"

"Haven't you people gotten enough information from stalking me and ultimately killing my sister's fiance when he was like twelve?!" Hinata snapped.

Reize stared at Hinata, undoing the braid. "You still don't forgive me? At least you speak to me. I am infatuated with you."

Hinata looked out the window.

Daybreak's coming back around.

Moonlight lightly drips onto her cheek, stroking her. Normally, the clouds draw what's happening on the skyline as today ends and the promise of tomorrow comes around. Today, the sky is empty and calm, just like her thoughts.

Until she gets shipped into Akuma's room. It's humiliating!

"Why did you make me wear this? Why couldn't I stay in my chambers?!" Hinata hissed.

Reize's eyes lit up. "You've called it your chamber! You claimed it-"

Pawns and other important officials alike stared at her. Some coughed. Hinata noticed that a lot of pawns coughed and wretched. It was as if the ones with chakra were sick. She knew that the chakra disease preyed on people's chakra channels but this was a bit excessive.

"Whatever! Reize take me back!" Hinata's wearing a nightgown Akuma picked out himself.

Argh. People are whistling, watching like meat and sharing nudges and lewd comments. Aw. She hates Reize and Akuma!

"Why are they staring?!" Hinata mumbled to herself.

"It would be a crime to look away." Reize laughed, looping her arms with Hinata.

She shoved Hinata into Akuma's room. Akuma was shirtless. He still slept with a mask or at least took it off when he believed she was asleep.

Agh. She hasn't gotten used to sleeping beside Akuma. He holds her possessively, his hand creeping just below the lip of her normal pants- he sleeps shirtless. It's too dark to see anything.

She lies awake, at night, thinking how life should have gone. She hates his touch. She hates the smell of lavender. She hates the way she has to be his plaything. She still doesn't know what his real name is or what he really looks like. He is a nameless face just... torturing her.

She then pinched him, waking him from his slumber. The sudden pain wasn't too much, just enough to alert him there was a threat. She needed to check something.

His eyes didn't glow up, tainting his vision red- like Sasuke would.

"What are you doing?"

Tension was infused in every single one of his words. He seemed dangerous, the pressure of his words and the command just rang through her.

The... sharingan- sharingan wasn't there. Why wouldn't he use the sharingan? The shock of him not using his sharingan suggested two things; his sharingan didn't work or he didn't use his sharingan for normal combat. Why wouldn't he?

Anyway, he was still staring at her- she didn't know. It was too dark. All she knew was the grip on her arm. She needed a reason to be touching his lower body.

"I had a bad dream." Hinata tried to take back her wrist, acting cautious and submissive.

"Oh." he sat up, and they were still engulfed in total silence and she thought he believed her.

He tugged her up, still holding her.

"I don't believe you. Were you trying to see my face? You don't have your byakugan but were you trying to see my face?"

"I..." her cotton mouth stopped her from speaking. "I had a bad dream. Sasuke normally-"

"Don't bring up the past!" he snapped, his breath hot against her face.

She continued, though she was secretly praying for her life. Survive. Survive. Survive. "I would normally touch the person beside me to find out if... If I am in a nightmare or not."

"And?" he pressed on.

"I... I wanted to know if I accumulated enough chakra to see your eyes and face. I just wanted to know the face I will one day kiss." she said.

Every word was a cut to her tongue.

Agh! As if she would kiss him.

A little devil on her shoulder reminded her something; she isn't with Sasuke. She's officially a free woman. They... practically broke up.

They... did.

He squinted at her. "That's a lie. Byakugans, at least the old ones... don't see in the dark."

How does... he know that? The most Byakugans would see are chakra lines since there is no light in the human body. And what is that talk of old byakugans?

"You force me to wear skimpy clothes, look like a harlot, get belittled! You hurt me, then heal me a lot. And I can't even look at you in your eyes?" Hinata demanded.

"If you released yourself to me, I would give you my all, even my face, my name, and my lips. You are reluctant at loving me. Anyone, really. It's quite strange that you shoved all your love towards Sasuke, who wasn't ready. I guess I need to dial it back." he said, laying back down.

"No more gifts, gowns? No more- sleeping with you?"

"No. I'm playing coy. Let me take possession of you at your best age. Your gentle voice. Your perfectly soft body. I want to shred you apart. I don't think my patience will fade anytime soon. However, I would... like to take it to the next level." he traced a finger on her thigh, laughing lightly.

"I will bite your finger! Do not touch me!" Hinata shrieked.

His voice was still raspy, which she never got used to. It was like sandpaper on her skin. "At the funeral. I saw you smiling. It was a good day, bad day, the worst day of your life and you smiled. I saw it and I thought, I had to make you love me. Anyone who is willing to see the good in something as merciless and cruel as death is someone who will see good in what I am doing. It became a habit to love you."

"What? A funeral made me become your object of fascination?" Hinata hissed.

"No. It was your smile. It's pure and innocent. It glows up an entire room. It's also modest, you have to see it a lot and often to notice it. To appreciate it." he reached out to meet Hinata flinching away. "I haven't seen your smile. You used to be so cheery. So bright. Now you're a fading star in this paradise."

Hinata ignored the profound sadness in this voice. "The paradise you give me is desolate."

"It will be blooming because I am so greedy for you, you're sharp but with softness and gentleness," he whispered, laughing.

Akuma reached out to her, entrapping her in his stronghold. His rippling body muscles against her back was strange. He was always warm.

He says love is a paradise, it's a prison... He's romantic and thinks she's unwilling to escape. The more she broke free, the more entangled they were. She understood, very clearly at the moment that she can do very little.

Akuma promptly fell asleep. He held her closer. It was the worst. The quiet was a bitter medicine.

Hinata got out of his bed, ignoring the way he stirred. When she opened the door, none of the light was strong enough to shape a shadow on his face. He's just a disguise. She didn't know who he was...

Her feet were ice blocks because of how much she stood and did nothing. Her back against the door.

Staying out here was dangerous; she was weak since she took the chakra pills and refused every second meal.

Hinata could breathe now but she doesn't have any news about her family. She never wanted to hear Sasuke say he didn't love her or want to marry her. She wanted some gentleness again. She just... can't be... just a friend.

She's... so in love with him. How could they get through this?

Then she heard a distinctive voice- Jimpachi. He couldn't see her in the shadows. Jimpachi was in charge of warfare and combat. He trained the pawns and kept them in line.

Shigeko helped him as an assistant. Jimpachi was a cruel, sadistic man. Shigeko, on some weird level, didn't agree with his ways.

He'd demand for her to harshly disagree with his choices only to torture her for being truthful. If Shigeko hadn't criticized Jimpachi enough (most likely to avoid any pain or injury) he would punish her for being dishonest.

Jimpachi couldn't touch Hinata without consequences so he tortured those around him...

"Why wouldn't the prototype hold? We got the right candidate and we took extra precautions to avoid this situation. The vessel just burst. The chakra coils are too close together." Jimpachi sighed. "All that work for a lowly life form."

Hinata didn't know anyone else who spoke about humans like that except for the self-entitled Jimpachi, Reize and Akuma.

Who was Jimpachi talking to in the dead of night? A scientist? Reize, no Reize hasn't mentioned her other responsibilities and... Hinata. Was it another doctor? Another torture master? A pawn?

She was already tired and this woke her up, better than any tea Mitsuyo's ever made.

A deep ache spread through her. Hinata missed Mitsuyo... All they've argued about... weren't supposed to hold significance.

Hinata's trying to get back to Mitsuyo, Someina, the kids- Sasuke. She's waiting for the tidings of them. She promised to hold the necklace, caress it. Feel the weight of it settling on her chest. Even if she didn't deserve it.

Jimpachi paced around. "Oi, Kabuto, Reize is right! You're an insect without a brain! Why does this keep on happening? You said you made countermeasures to stop this from happening to live patients. Akuma-oo-sama specifically asked-"

"I can't make miracles happen!" Kabuto protested.

Jimpachi sounded annoyed. Irritated. "If he asks you to. You have to. Then you end up with flesh bags like her, straight outta a nightmare," Jimpachi sucked on his teeth, a thick sound of the shoe hitting flesh sounded. Kabuto didn't cry out, so Jimpachi hit something else. "Y'know, there's no fun in seeing women like her die. This is just disgusting."

Hinata accidentally revealed her position. That small movement, laziness, breathing out of time with Kabuto and Jimpachi was a mistake.

"Who's there? Come out before I crucify you!" Jimpachi threatened.

He threw a kunai Hinata barely dodged.

Hinata came out of the shadow, her heart pounding. The cold night air made her teeth chatter. She didn't think it was the cold air, though. Terror gripped her limbs.

Kabuto was on his knees, looking at her weirdly. Jimpachi saw her and swore. "Why the fuck aren't you sleeping?!"

Hinata was saved by being at least seventeen feet away from them. Kabuto moved in front of the woman who supposedly died. She did gross anatomy. She knew how to discern causes of death by autopsy. She needed to know why they needed her eyes!

"You little harlot! Why were you eavesdropping?" Jimpachi demanded, his booming voice bouncing off of the walls.

"Don't act like this is my doing. Who's careless enough to talk like this- when information like that is sensitive?" Hinata retorted.

"Your smart mouth never gets tired? Not even after the rounds with Akuma?"

Hinata reddened! "It- it wasn't like that! You are why women choose to stay celibate!"

Jimpachi's face became red, in contrast to his normally cool and sleek exterior. The redness was odd near the purple of his hair.

Kabuto tried to carry the woman, to leave but the woman's neck tilted, revealing her face.

The woman's mouth hung open. Hinata was a frozen statue, not falling but not exactly keeping upright either. Why were her eyes gouged out? The dead woman looked like she wanted to scream, so Hinata screamed for the both of them. It used every inch of her.

"Kabuto- why are you experimenting on people? Talk to me, say something!" Hinata demanded.

Kabuto looked at peace. His eyes were wet and naked with panic, though. His eyes- for some reason, swallowed her.

"If I speak, if I say anything- then Konohagakure will fall. You will fall and I don't want that," Kabuto said calmly.

Jimpachi knocked her out soon after.