Chapter 49: Captured

I groaned as I opened my eyes, my head feeling like it was splitting slowly.

Blinking. a few times to clear my vision, I looked around the dimly lit room, sighing in relief when I saw Anko and Kurenai sitting next to me.

Anko was still unconscious, while Kurenai was slowly waking up.

As I waited for them to regain consciousness, I took in my surroundings and our current state.

We were tied up in a dim room, the only source of light coming from the frame of the door in front of us. The ground was just dirt, and the walls were made from tied together logs. There was a table with a chair beside the door, where our gear was currently scattered about.

I could see the scrolls strewn on the floor, one torn to pieces.

Our vests and cloaks were placed carefully on the table, while the kunai and senbon where stacked together. All our other weapons and items were in piles, likely based on who they were taken from.

Additionally, and most worryingly, I couldn't gather my chakra at all. I could still feel it, but I couldn't use it.

I looked over at Anko when she groaned, and after seeing her eyes flutter open I looked towards Kurenai, who was looking towards us.

"Damn... who would have thought they'd find us..."

Hearing Anko, I gave a wry smile before looking at the door.

I could hear voices outside, however I couldn't make out any words.

"They used genjutsu... With reserves that high, and with such abundant chakra in the surroundings, I didn't think they'd have the control to use it..."

Kurenai nodded at that, sighing as she said "However, is it right to judge them based on our standards? After all, they may have different ways of focusing the chakra needed. Besides, I swear I saw her eyes glow before we were placed in the genjutsu. Maybe some kind of Doujutsu they developed over the years like the Sharingan?"

Before I could respond the door swung open, a tall woman walking in.

Pulling the chair to the center of the room, the woman looked between us three, before focusing her gaze on me.

Her olive skin was littered with scars, and her tattoo's were a dark crimson. I couldn't make them out due to the light, but the tattoo's looked like both kanji and simple geometry.

She wore a a long robe made from black fur, which hugged her body tightly. Various bones were strewn into the robe, and I met her deep blue gaze. Her eyes had a few creases, but besides that she looked around my age.

"As you appear to be warriors, we give you the same choice we give our own warriors who betray us."

She dragged her gaze over all of us again as she spoke, her voice raspy and low.

"Either become the slave-mate of someone in the village, or take your chances in our arena. Lose, you die. Win, you are free to leave this place."

Hearing her options, I looked at her before growling "How do we know you would even keep your word?"

She smiled down at me, however her blue eyes grew hard.

"We would swear it between each other in front of the gods. No one would break such an oath."

I scoffed, however before I could say anything else she growled in annoyance.

"I gave you your options. Choose. After all, are you not the leader of this group?"

She raised her hand, my pendant and ring in her palm.

Seeing it, I widened my eyes before trying to jump towards her.

"Give them back now!"

She chuckled, before saying "After you choose."

"We'll fight."

I looked over at Anko, who was glaring at the woman.

Nodding, she tossed the pendant and ring at my feet, before getting up.

Drawing a small blade, she kneeled in front of me, grabbing my jaw as she stared me in the eye.

"Don't try anything, or I'll slit that pretty throat of yours."

I glared at her, but remained silent.

She moved her blade to the rope binding me, cutting it.

Backing away, she looked at me warily.

I picked up the ring and pendant, quickly putting them on before folding my hands in my lap.

I may be angry and annoyed, but I will acknowledge my position.

She is stronger than me, and armed. I don't have a death wish, so even if I want to kill her, I simply can't.

After watching me for a few more moments, the woman nodded before freeing both Anko and Kurenai.

They just moved closer to me, glaring at the woman.

She chuckled again, taking a seat before speaking.

"Well, at least you are more civil than the others who have come here. Now, since you all choose to brave the arena, let me tell you how it shall work.

You will go through multiple fights, each harder than the last. You will fight alone, and against both beast and human. You will have no need to worry about fighting each other; there is no glory to be had in pitting people against their comrades.

After winning every fight, you will then be brought to the Altar of Divine Beasts, where you will make an oath to never harm this village, and we shall never harm you.

Simple, yes? We receive entertainment and a better understanding of the outside world, and you get your lives."

She smiled at us, waiting for a reply.

I nodded, and I watched as she got up.

Moving towards the door, she stopped before saying "As you are aware, your chakra is sealed. It will be unsealed only when you step foot into the arena. Besides that, there are multiple guards outside this room, so don't think of leaving. Until I come to take you to the arena, stay here."

Exiting, we heard something be moved in front of the door, likely a bar to make it harder to escape.

I sighed, leaning against the wall. Feeling both Anko and Kurenai grab my hands, I smiled at them.

"We really shouldn't have come here."

Anko chuckled, before saying "Oh I don't know, it doesn't seem so bad~"

I laughed at that, before looking at Kurenai, who was still frowning.

"We do not know if they will keep their word. If they end up-"

I squeezed her hand, saying "If they try to separate us, or force us to become their... 'slave-mates', we'll fight with everything we have. If we can't win... well, hopefully we'll meet in the Pure Lands..."

She smiled at me, before getting up.

Moving over to the table, she started sorting through the gear, and Anko and I followed suit.

As we got all our stuff back, I prayed that we managed to get out of this ok.

We were in a foreign land, in hostile territory, and were now being forced to fight for both our enemies amusement and our own survival.

Placing the longsword on my back, I took in a deep breath.

We all stood there in silence, hoping and praying that we would all make it out in one piece.

After all, we have already seen how much stronger the people and animals here are. Do we really stand a chance?

I leaned against the table, looking at the floor.

More and more thoughts ran through my head, before looking at Anko.

She had grabbed my hand again, smiling at me before giving me a kiss.

"Well, I made peace with a scenario like this long ago, and I just have to say; I am damn lucky to have met you, Kokoro."

Kurenai looked over at us, saying "We all made peace with this when we signed up to become Shinobi. However... yes, I am very happy to have met you as well, Kokoro. Even you, Anko."

I chuckled at them, before saying "Let's not have this talk, hmm? Never seems to end well..."

They both chuckled, looking towards the door.

"If this was any other nation, we could attempt an escape. But here? It is borderline impossible."

I nodded at Anko, adding "Yup, we could at least bargain or negotiate, as well as attempt escape. However, here? Not possible."

We continued looking at the door, before raising our guard slightly when the bar was raised, and the woman walked back in, a long spear in her hands.

She looked towards us, smiling as she said "A pity, many of us were hoping you'd be cowardly enough to warm our beds."

We glared at her, making her chuckle.

"Well, I have to say I think you all look much more... beautiful, with those expressions. Anyways, follow me. You shall see the arena you are to fight in."

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So, I believe I have put enough reasoning for why it would be almost impossible to attempt escape, let alone off themselves right away. Both Anko and Kurenai, while loyal to the village, are more loyal to Kokoro, and she is more loyal to them then the village. I know Hiruzen would be surprised to find that out...

Anyways, I also have a bit planned with this village, so strap yourselves in...

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