[COMPLETED] The Iron Heart [MISSION]

In the still and peace of the night a now familiar dark figure sneaked through the unattended village gates, magenta eyes that strongly gleamed in the obscurity. The unperceivable shadow rapidly trekked through the rustic and traditional roofs, her Shunshin no Jutsu easing the process. She leaped from building to building, sandals softly landing on the thicker parts of the material to avoid echo within the walls. Her face was shrouded with a gas mask, kindly borrowed from an aloof Hoshigakure Shinobi. This permitted an easy and fast infiltration through the otherwise troublesome poisonous gas barrier, that currently housed in the Hidden Village along with great part of its territory. Once inside all she had to do was walk straight, and ta-da! Further approximating the depths of the Star Village, she found taller and wider shelters.
And she knew just where to stop.

In a heartbeat a faint thump hit the roof of a huge room that many would guess was designed for meetings. But not entirely. It was used, instead, as a bedroom for a little kid. She wasn't expecting it, and so, like a spider, crawled down to the window frame to peek inside. Someone was fiddling about in the dark and plastered silver of the radiant moon, the figure being much too small to be classified as that of an adult's. What was this person doing awake at such an hour? Albeit for the female in duty everyone was enjoying a tranquil slumber, but not whoever was inside that room. She had the house right, but could this actually be Hikari Kotora, daughter of the Head Jounin of the Star? If so, what was she exactly doing? Her initial plans had involved the victim being subject to sleep, and since that wasn't the case then her whole plans had to be modified. What a great way to start-off.

As a black contrast to the navy blue and speckled canvas behind, she accommodated herself and was now perched on the windowsill, attentively putting all focus within the room. The tinier body in front was giving her back to her, her arms and eyes paying attention to an uninteresting toy. "And one day..." She caught her whispering. "I will be the Hoshikage...! Just like daddy promises..." Oh, how tough will it be to shatter and stomp on such dreams, haha... Just like stepping on a leaf. She must've been even younger than she had estimated, perhaps only barely reaching her twelve years! This wasn't part of the plan, not at all. She wasn't going to just retreat and go away now! If this was the target then she was going to do what she must without backing down. She always resolved these doubts in such powerful way, using her own perfectionism against her, and it worked alright.

With the stealth of a cat Jena stepped within the gigantic room, narrowed eyes preying on the shadowy kid in front. The thing was already dulled by the effects of sleep, head briskly nodding off and yawns echoing every once or twice. Good thing that was present, or the misson could have been completely busted. "Kokuangyo no Jutsu," was all she had to mutter, casting a hazy effect on the Genin's eyes. She was confused at such blur, rubbing eyes and believing it was her own exhaustion. "Kanashibari no Jutsu." She seized the opportunity, watching as she could only sit frozen and allow her hands to coil around her torso, a hand tightly clenched over her mouth. "You're coming with me," she growled as she hoisted her up in her arm and headed speedily to the window, feet gently crossing the bedroom.

Recovering from the temporary paralysis, the kid began a flurry of kicks and muffled insults, trying to pry free of the Hell Girl's grip. It was of no use, as she was stronger than those puny, scrawny muscles. Soon enough she leaped off the window, bouncing on a nearby rooftop and continuing her escape to the unguarded gate. Hah, these ninja thought so confidently of the gas limitations. If only they had known she arrived that night, stealing a soul from the population? She used her current height to jump over the walls, propelling herself with calculated coordination and required skill. It was difficult balancing herself and the child included, all with the imitation fighting, yet she managed fairly well. Brutally descending on the grey soil because of the extra weight, she reincorporated her stature and dashed into the decayed woods.

Once deep enough the Missing-Nin resorted in freeing Hikari's mouth, bracing for a waterfall of raging indignity. And she did good in doing so, for she blabbered and furiously flailed around. Shrugging and flinging her over her shoulder, she kept walking amidst the hostile act. "You! Let me down this instant!" She would scream, vainly as there was no other there to save her. "I am the daughter of Hoshigakure's Head Jounin! My dad and the Star Shinobi will come and kill you!" 'I'd like to see them try."
"Shut your mouth," she snapped after a few shouts.
"Let me down! I order you to let me down you dumbdumb!"
"Shut. Up."

---

"If you don't shut your mouth then the wolves here will bite your head off and make a good dinner out of your body."

That was one of the threats that momentarily worked on the young one. Some quiet gaps lodged between the two, until the annoying kid fused up all her hissy fit again. Why in hell was she stuck with this imbecile?! She had no idea Hikari was plainly a youngster, even less that she was this noisy. And now look at her, carrying this snotty child around attempting to reach neutral borders. There she should not be bothered, and the interrogation would take place. By chance she might hold the information she sought, and if that were not the case then she had two options: find a way to return her without her screaming of her kidnapping, or utterly obliterate to avoid such a problem. Indeed, the latter of the two would not be humane to whichever kind-hearted soul that might learn of said cold and wretched getaways. Truly it wasn't of her business what they may think of her already, and this whiny attitude had provoked her to do so since she uncovered her mouth.

It was only a painful hour before the monochromatic lands faded out of view, and more sunny and lush terrain welcomed her abroad the Countries. The kid had continued her fake authoritative commands, only to be ignored by the poker faced Jena. "Fucking had to be a brat," she cursed visibly loud for the other to hear. She responded with a growling scowl, crossing arms and sending a meek prod of her foot on her gut.
"You deserved that," she cackled, proud of having attacked a rogue ninja.
"What exactly?"
"T-The kick I just gave you! I will beat you up when you let me down!"
"What kick? All I felt was a weak nudge on my clothes. You're a pesky little rat, and I would be grateful if your mouth would shut up for once. I have no issues silencing it myself if needed."
"Wha... Let me down you stupid-faced woman! I'm going to shout and everyone will hear me and come to my rescue."
"Who exactly? We're out all on our own on neutral territory, and there's not a single person here to come 'save you'. Besides, I doubt anyone would like to carry the burden of an imbecile brat such as you."

And so they verbally bashed at each other. Of course, by experience, the older girl won the assaults in each round, leaving Hikari fuming in frustration. Her feet directed the amazingly not suspicious shadows until they reached a secluded portion of a dense forest, and so she halted. "Eh?" The Hoshi-Nin had exclaimed, alarmed by the sudden stop. Not paying the minimum focus to her, she held a hand up and hammered her magenta sight to a particular tree. 'Magen: Kokoni Arazu no Jutsu,' she thought and visualised the exterior of a shabby house that perfectly fit in the midst of the shrubbery. She canalised the Jutsu to afflict the Genin, yet also extended the view to herself and whoever happened to stroll by. That would make the whole acting part more credible. In less than a few beats of the eye, a dark and certainly unattended shelter had risen out of nowhere, occupying the desired space.

Without implying any clue as to her doings, the Missing-Nin ascended the creaking set of stairs, holding the door open and shoving her shoulder forward. This caused the small body to fly head-first to the ground, and she smirked at the stupid display. Once she was reincorporated to her feet, she rushed here and there, finding no exit other than that where the black-haired demon was guarding. "Let me go now, this is an order!"
"Not going to happen, not until you tell me all I want to hear," she hissed, practically glaring at the blonde daughter of the main authority.
"I am the most important girl in Hoshigakure! My father will find you, for I am Hikari Kotora."
“What is a shadow to the night, a mortal to a god, an angel to the Devil?”
The riddle struck the brat, and quite surprisingly as well. She was surely mocking her sayings, poking fun at such intricate words messed up together. "Bla bla bla, can't hear you!"
Rolling her eyes, Jena sighed as her patience slowly but surely was burning short. "Wow you really are stupid. Let's see if your father taught you well of your country."

Placing a hand on her beating chest, she summoned minimal effort to push the kid off balance, watching as she miserably stumbled to the dusty floor. Closing up on her, she towered like a mighty obscure being with only magenta irises beaming with violence. "Tell me everything," she snarled like a hungry wolf, preying on the secret indents of the Hidden Village. "If I don't get what I want, then I'll see in how many ways I can extortion you until your soul shatters." The ringing sentences sunk deep within Hikari's dismay, and her breathing accelerated, signalling possible fear or intimidation. Great, they were getting somewhere. The brat would be scarred for life, but heck, it didn't matter at that moment. All present was that she needed the weaknesses and general confidences of the Star land and its people, and she would stay days in here until that was finished with.

"P-Please... Let me go, please," Kotora pleaded, a knot embedded in her throat. Was she going to cry? Aw, how cute~.
"I think I've made myself clear," Jena reminded her, shaking her head meanwhile. "You answer what I ask, and then you can go crawling back to your dear daddy. Everything's strictly professional. And we could say a bit personal, on the other hand."
"What... What do you want...?"
She grinned. Evilly.
"Let's start off by something easy. Here, why is the Star Village pushing the other Nations away?"
"... Daddy said that the Hoshikage is not interested in tying the citizens in international matters. He told me that as long as they did not step through the Five Great Kage's path, then we would be at peace."

"Never heard such ridiculous rubbish before. Now then, what consists of your ranks? Tell me of your people."
"Well... I don't go out of the house often, but I see them training through my window. Many grow strong because of the meteor and the chakra that comes from it, and others... Others are just weak, daddy says."
"Okay, understandable. We'll get to the meteor subject later... Care to give me details on the Hoshikage?"
At that point, Hikari began trembling and sweating nervously. Oh, touchy subject it seems. "Well?" She inquired, frowning at the jittery girl, whom remained coveted by a silent and scaredy mantra. "What a shame, you were doing so good up until now... Magen: Narakumi no Jutsu."

Performing only a hand seal and a widening of her eyes, the Missing-Nin activated the fear-revealing technique. Instantly the other's body jolted, jaw dropped in awe at the blackness that swirled around her. "No, no... Everything's... dark," she whimpered, eyes lost and darting. "Stop this... S-Stop this!" Her limbs shook somewhat rigorously, her hands rising to her head and fingers cupping her ears. Jena knew it wasn't only the lack of light haunting her, but something more... She couldn't quite place her finger on the secondary menace in her fears, but she guessed it wasn't adopted by mere coincidence.
"What now, scared of the dark?"
"I can't breathe!" She blurted out, half coughing and half choking. Was it for real? Was the Jutsu actually stimulating a suffocating experience on her? She'd never really faced someone with such a fear and counter with the Hell-Viewing Technique, so she had no way of telling if this was actually result of it or because of the stress.

"Make i-it sto-op!"

With that shrilling, curling scream the C-Rank Shinobi disrupted the nightmarish Jutsu. The child dropped with hands on the ground, panting as if drained from that hell of a ride. She remained expressionless, judging the current state of Kotora and cocking her head to a side, intrigued. She released a giggle and a short-lived grin, a hand resting on her temple in plain admiration. My, had she a strong will after all? No matter, she would tear, tore and cripple it until nothing would be left. She knelt, one of her hands reaching out and forcefully clutching the blonde, messy hair, and she tugged backwards so that her disoriented eyes had no other direction other than within those bottomless magenta irises. "Are we clear now?" She forewarned, her voice low and dripping with passion for her suffering. At that moment she did not recognise herself, the devil that was on handle right there and then. She had never strayed so far from her natural short-temper and destructive honesty. Now? Wow. She could tell something was taking over, and it wasn't in the least pretty.

The brat gave a slight and debilitated nod, almost unnoticeable if she hadn't been so close. "Good," was all she mentioned, loosening the grasp and standing once more. It felt... good to be watching from above. It felt superior and powerful. She liked how it felt. "Where were we? Oh, yes. Tell me all you know of the Hoshikage."
"... ... He is an aging man, daddy described him that way, with a b-bizarre disease that is slowly killing him from... the inside. He doesn't go outside the... Kage Residence, ever. H-He gives his orders and others have to lend their hand."
"Selfish old man with too much time in his hands. Proceed."
"They say he was o-one of the most affected by the chakra... radiation. No one knows if this is true, but my dadd -"
"I asked for facts, not speculations."
"S-Sorry... He is wealthy, or at least that's what he boasts. Any treasure from Hoshi no Kuni immediately belongs to him."
"Greedy it is... That's one nice advantage to know. Go on."

She shifted on the dirty planks making up the floor of the beat-up house. "No one has yet learnt this, but my... daddy told me he saw very strange s-scrolls hiding about his office."
"Do you think the Hoshikage is keeping Forbidden Techniques to himself?"
Shocked by the question, the Hoshi-Nin gazed at the wooden floor. "I-I'm not sure..."
'So the old fart is collecting more than just gold and gems. Could also be secretive, confidential information or some nifty restricted Jutsu.'
"A-And... also..."
'Oh?'
"Although he may... speak and tell that he is devoted to the people... Daddy says he is lying."
For some moments the atmosphere hung dry and unnerving. Neither of the two uttered anything, both lost in thought. Outside the sharp gale sliced itself to dodge the trees, taking in its path the illusionary house. To add impression, it seemed as if the wind was penetrating the small chips in the architecture, cooling the intense scenery around the two females. Then, Jena sighed and parted eyesight to the right wall. "I believe that'll serve. Let's move on, shall we?"

"Your father... Head Jounin, of course. You've repeated it it so many times I won't be allowed to forget," the rogue ninja scorned, her fingers lacing with a loose strand of silky hair and twirling it around. "What is his name? Is he loyal to the Hoshikage?"
"Daddy doesn't want me telling others o -"
"Did I request his rules over you?" Her irises flickered with a momentary aggressive gleam. "I asked something. If you fail to deliver any information I will continue to twist your brain until it squeezes out."
"... His name is Zoro K-Kotora, and he's been working under the Sandaime Hoshikage's reign... for as long as the man had succeeded the N-Nidaime. He always told others he would risk his life for the safety of the Star leader, but when he is with me he tells me he sees 'foul intentions... disguised behind promising words'."
"Ah, the usual two-faced asshole. What else?"
She looked up at her, a resilient and hopeful shimmer in her teary eyes. "He is very strong. He has trained with the meteor."

Ah, the meteor. Legend says that in the center of the Hidden Star Village descended a heavenly body that has been half burrowed in the soil for millennia. Perhaps not so many years, but a couple of generations would do. No one belonging out the limits of the country knows if it's only a chunk of rock or a mystic gift from the sky. Rumour has journeyed far and wide that said meteor radiates a vibrating and deadly chakra, outmost hazardous to a normal human. The populace of Hoshigakure is inevitably exposed to said frequencies, and are so physiologically and psychologically enhanced or deteriorated. Depends on the Shinobi. Like Hikari remarked most had been blessed with the chance of potentially boosting their capabilities with such absorption. Others remain immune, or die in due time. What could be this brat's outcome? Was the meteor and chakra related to the mysterious gas barrier? Why don't they destroy it, or attempt to move it?

She thought it would be best to reach that subject. Jena flicked the locks of hair she had been toying with, crossing arms and redirecting attention to the pitiful child. "As a matter of fact I would like to go into that very matter. Tell me of the meteor and this odd chakra radiation. What can you tell me?" Even so, she hadn't expected to have urged this very particular topic, looking around as if asking the earth to swallow her that very instant. "I'm waiting."
"I can't."
"Oh?"
"That is secret Hoshi-manners. I will not speak, do what you like but I won't speak...!"
"... Heh, I see. You probably had no best idea in mind." With her patience running as usually short, and with time slipping from her hands, she knew what she had to do. This pesky brat was ruining her day, salve for the rich information she was acquiring. If it were not for that she would have... pierced her heart with... Yuugure, and then... What was she thinking? No, that was not it. "You non-gratifying, weak, putrid runt. I'll show you how you should obey.."
"You will never make me spe -!"
"Meiton: Yuurei!"

Only a spine-and-bone-chilling cry shattered the lonesome silence. A flock of bird specie, frightened by the desperate and terrorised yell of the human, spread their wings anxiously and hoisted themselves into the air, pretending to fly away from whatever could endanger them. What they could not see is that, below, in the depths of the forest a fraudulent shelter housed in a ruthless and vicious Missing-Nin and an egoistical yet innocent younger girl. Taking a more detailed view inside, the blonde Star ninja possessed that horrified, stricken face you could only form when in presence of death. Bare inches from her was a disastrous and grotesque illusion only crafted for her, clawing and tugging her from inside. Her skin drained in colour, eyes fluttering in dizziness. The Genjutsu was yet too striking for someone her age, and she retrieved much too many chakra from the vessel. In a second, her body collapsed on the dust below.

"Fuck it."

---

Dawn waned on, decorating the sky with colours that now felt cold to the Hell Girl. She was leaning against the only rusty door, her sight never departing that of Hikari's unconscious body. Through the little creaks in the wood filtered particles of unknown material, being revealed by the shine emitted through the holes. She had passed out for nearly ten minutes already, but it did not worry her. When she waked she would continue her interrogation. Nothing about the kid's well-being had remotely crossed her mind at the moment. "Look who decided to come back," she jested with a cruel grin, just as the figure lying on the floor groaned and blinked her eyes open. "I sincerely hope your subconscious has slapped some reason into you."

Like any common human she sat straight with her head bent forward, face turning to the planks of wood. She was yet dazed by the effects of the Dark Release: Ghost Jutsu, and the intensity of the move had been unintentional, but as if she cared. She watched quietly as the other was recovering from the effects, her poker face painted like a mask. "Will you be talking now?" She asked conveniently, now that she seemed a tad more conscious than before, and surely apt to reply. "I can always resort to more physical methods if needed," she considered, absentmindedly glancing to the roof in thought. "Drowning, hanging, twisting, encaging, burning, crushing... You name it, I'm all for that sort. Bear in mind you can still escape my hell, only if you answer my heeds."
The Hoshigakure Genin gulped, obviously displeased and grossed out by the arrange of demises she had planned for her. She rose to her knees, not having sufficient courage to move any further.

"The gas barrier..." The child of the Head Jounin began, clearly not in condition to speak but forced by the Meiton Shinobi. "It has been there ever since we have memory. It has aided us, and betrayed us... Daddy always told me stories of when the poisonous gas fended off a whole a-army of ninja, but if blown incorrectly it could devastate... our own lives."
"Complicated neutral."
"B-But the meteorite..."
"Tell me, don't even think of shutting your annoying mouth now."
"T-The chakra it emits is part of a training method in which ninja harness... its power, gaining supernatural chakra levels. When this technique is mastered to its maximum stage, it blesses the user with nearly... unrivalled chakra control, to the point where they can solidify it as a shield or c-create wings to fly."
"Amazing. To think that you selfish imbeciles keep it to yourself."
"Although... It isn't so amazing as you think. The strength of such chakra waves are... way too untameable and too strong for the Shinobi to handle, causing their insides to corrupt and their organs to weaken, eventually leading to internal bleeding or organ failure."
"Always a downside to the road to divinity. Is that all you know?"
"That is all... daddy taught me."

"What would happen, say, if somebody was to absorb the chakra directly from the meteor, instead of the radiation?"
Hikari was at a loss of words. She gaped at the daring challenge, eyes widening double their size. What would happen? Did she know? Her lips were separated, but not even breath escaped the gap.
"Do you know?"
"N-No..."
"Hm... Pity."
"Y-You're not... going to hurt me?"
"I trust that you are telling the truth," she backfired quickly. "Otherwise I would hurt you, and will if I find out."
That section of the conversation was over then. She was satisfied with what she had learnt, and gave herself a rewarding smirk of satisfaction. The blonde Hoshi-Nin continued to tremble under her harsh stare, cold sweat dampening her clothes. Would it end now, was it over? Was she free? Jena gave a quick summary of everything that had been talked within the day, memorising every single sentence and every single word. She had found a gold mine, and she had stolen all of the luxuries for herself. If only someone was to see her then.

Just then, the girl attempted to stand up, her knees wobbling and stance off-steady. She wanted to push her back on the floor, yet she could not understand why. Today had unravelled a new side of her, one that she had not seen in years. She was unsure to overthink of it too much, fearing that it might lead to future inconveniences. "Ah..." Kotora had mumbled stupidly as always.
"What?" She rapidly questioned, arms crossed.
"The Nidaime tried to do what you asked... and the n-next day they found him... dead."
"I can guess why. No surprise though. Anyway, you have somewhat complied to what you must. I am returning you to the Village as you no longer are of use to me."
Relief and joy washed over the kid, a nervous and crooked grin stretching her lips. Her hands shook, her legs shook. What a nuisance, really. "I'm going with daddy, I really a -"
"Oh, one last thing," she mused with a voice so unmistakeably sadistic it could freeze your heart. "I have to be careful of where you run about with that idiotic mouth of yours, and I just know you are as dumb as to tell the whole Village of me and today. I'm going to tell you something: I am going to be watching you, day and night. If I ever catch you blabbing about me or this kidnap, what you saw the shadow explode into will be you instead."
The menace was perfectly understood by the tired, depressed, and fatigued girl. Nevertheless, she pressed on.
"You might not see me, but these eyes are always watching you. I am going to make sure you keep me a secret, and if you don't, well..." She trailed off, giving a devilish smirk and a low laugh echoing from her throat.

Jena had underestimated Hikari's will, but everything turned out better in the end. Dissipating the Fake Surroundings Technique, the Missing-Nin pushed and forcefully drove Zoro's good-for-nothing daughter through the neutral lands, approximating Hoshi no Kuni's borders. The familiar decaying territory welcomed them once more, and by then the sky had transformed into its natural navy blue and speckled white. Some more steps later, a mist-like purple greeted them. They had come back to where they started. Paying the pathetic girl one final glare, Jena hissed, "Remember today, remember me."

And twirling around, Hikari Kotora dashed with all her strength into the gas barrier, filtering her face with her hands to avoid intoxication.