Cafe Anime

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Author: Jade

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it’s characters…But Aiko and the Crane belong to me!! So hands off!

Notes: *** = *Thinking… Ouch…It hurts…* More Notes: -- = the Crane or the Kyuubi speaking. --I am Crane…Hear me caw--

Ninja are trained on how to deal with pain. It’s a skill that becomes necessary if you are taken prisoner by the enemy. They will torture a ninja until he or she is on the brink of death to obtain useful information. If you can deal with the torture, you won’t cave in, and you might survive.

Aiko had not been captured, she was handed over. The village she had been taken to had turned on her. Where she was now, she did not know. She did not know how long she had been in her new location. The blindfold blocked out all light, she could not tell if it was day or night. She could not ask. When she had previously attempted to do so, she was answered with a gag and twenty lashes. The chains had long ago stopped the blood flow to her feet and hands. The village that had sworn to protect her, had sent her to her death.

Aiko did not know how much longer she would be able to endure the physical torment. At some point during her stay, her tormentors had stopped feeding her, and she was beginning to feel the effects. Even a ninja cannot last long without food or water.

Aiko could feel the Crane growing restless. They shared the same body; If one died so would the other. Knowing that, the Crane was beginning to worry about the co-owner of its body.

--Give me control.--

*No.*

--They must pay for what they’ve done.--

*Their time will come.*

--Your patience will lead us to our death.--

*You will wait then?*

--Death is not an option for me. If your situation does not improve, I will be forced to interfere.--

*That is understandable.*

Aiko was distracted from her conversation by the clanking of keys outside her door. She could feel hands roughly lifting off her blindfold. It took her a couple of minutes before her eyes were adjusted to the light. When she could see, she noticed a man standing in front of her with a scroll. He slowly opened it, his fingers shaking. She noticed that he was trying very hard not to make eye contact.

“Woman, your case has been evaluated, and the elders have chosen your punishment.” Aiko stared at him. “Your execution will be held tomorrow at noon.” The door slammed shut behind him as he left.

--We must do something.--

*We will wait.*

--The time for patience is over. As you heard, we have run out of time.-- *You’re wrong, we still have time. Executions are always a display…* She sighed. *It’s disappointing.*

--What is?--

*I was hoping we wouldn’t have to kill anyone this time.*

--It is the only way.--

*That‘s what‘s so disappointing.*

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Author's Note: - Okay…I love Aiko…She’s so calm and collected. If I was in a cell like that, having been tortured for who knows how long? I’d freak out. I think I really like her…but it’s up to you guys…soooo…*wink wink* you know the drill. So get your butts movin' and your fingers typin’ on those darn comments that you know you want to leave me….the next chapters going to get juicy…hehehe juicy…*ahem* sorry