| [Feb. 12th, 2010|07:40 pm] |
Genma lifted his head and tried to see past Kumoto and his new interrogator, to see the figures on the dimly-lit television screen. The interrogator with Kakashi had a blade in his hand, and Kakashi's head pulled back. The blade came slicing down.
Genma shut his eyes. It was a trick. A lie. It wasn't Kakashi.
"How did you escape?" Imahara asked again, impatience woven through her tone like gold threads in a princess's kimono.
"Let him go." Genma snarled back. "Let him go, he didn't do anything. He doesn't know anything."
"Oh, yes, that was the same line you used on Ayame-san, wasn't it?" Kumoto said. "You really should consider a new tactic, Genma-san. You remember how far that one got you?" Kumoto's fingers traced over Genma's in what was almost a caress. "Come here, Koto. Watch the monitor." He grabbed Genma's right index finger and straightened it, pushed it a little back, then further, straining tendons and two-years'-healed bone.
Genma waited for the snap. He held his breath and opened his eyes again to stare at the screen, because anything was better than staying in this room. The other interrogator was raking a blade over Kakashi's scalp. There was no sound. And it didn't look like the blade was making contact. A fake. It was a fake.
He waited for the snap, but it didn't come. Kumoto released his finger, trading for Genma's left thumb.
"Oh," Koto said. "Is that what you meant about chakra rerouting, Sensei?"
"Yes. You can see the jump in signal, as he anticipates pain. And then a second spike when he actually experiences it. But the transit time is abnormal because of the damage that was done to his hands before--"
"Can the two of you have your lesson some other time?" Imahara asked pointedly. She put a gloved hand to Genma's chin and wrenched his face away from the screen. "You had help. We know that, so you don't have to bother denying it. How did you get a message to them?"
Metal jutsu. Don't say it. Rescue team just read the trail Seijuro and I left. Didn't know there would be a rescue. Don't say it. Jutsu catalyzed with my own blood. Iron spiraled leaf for ANBU trackers to find. Don't answer her. He clenched his jaws so tight it made his teeth ache.
"This is tedious," she complained. "Can't you just give him the stuff Takajin gave the other one that makes them so talkative?"
"He came in with a brain injury," Kumoto said with a hint of condescension. "So no. You're lucky he's talking at all." He leaned in towards Genma. "That being said, Genma-san, I really wish you would answer her. I hate to think of vandalizing Ito-sensei's gorgeous reconstruction work, but the point of leverage is painfully obvious. I suppose I could start with your feet. Koto? Break one of his toes." |
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