This fic is a sequel to another one of my stories, He Can Handle It. I really appreciate all the awesome feedback I got on that story. You don't have to read that one first, but there's a couple of references to it that you might not get. Nothing too major, though. You can go back and read that one, or you can pretend it doesn't exist. :)

In contrast to that story, though, I'm going to be jumping around a little in POV. No annoying first person, but the focus isn't going to stay on Shikamaru for every chapter.

I don't know how long I'm going to be able to update this one; it all depends on how creative my mind gets and how much stuff I actually have to do that doesn't involve my computer.

**EDIT**

I don't know if anyone is still around who liked this fic when I first published it in 2008, but if you are, I'm glad you're taking the time to pick it back up with me. :) (And welcome to any new readers!) I'm going to be making some little minor edits (fixing small format and continuity issues mostly) over the next few days to all the chapters, and then I'm going to **GASP** Upload a NEW CHAPTER!

The new chapter is partially sketched out, more in my head than in a document yet, but I actually have some idea of where I want to go with this fic now. So, that said, here's the important stuff:

****EDIT TWO: 2018****

Holy crap. Did I really start on this ten years ago? That's embarrassing.

So, it's been about 4 years since I touched this, and the sporadic reviews I've received in that time keep me thinking of it. In those 4 years (and slightly before that when I was doing my most recent edits to it) I've had some personal paradigm shifts that have affected how I wanted to write the story a couple of times. Maybe (potentially) all sorted now? Sure, why not.

So if you read it before, you may notice slight changes where I had smut in a later chapter, then took it out, then put it back in. (heh!)

Reviews truly are the reason I think I've come back to the story now, and we'll see how long I stay on it this time. :) Maybe I'll be able to actually fin...nah, better not say that or I'll jinx myself.

**END BOTH EDITS**

This fic is rated M for a reason. Expect violence and sexual situations.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Disclaimer Number Two: I do NOT condone human rights violations, and I am NOT an authority on the topic of torture. I will be keeping the characters 'in character' as closely as possible, and I believe that this topic fits into the Naruto universe.

And now, on with the story!

The Nature of Interrogation

Shikamaru meandered toward the Jonin building.

Three days had passed since he had returned with Team Kakashi returned from the ambush with the two scrolls full of new intelligence about Rain and the impending attack. Tsunade had wasted no time in dispatching ANBU to alleviate the threat, and she had assured the four of them that if the attack still managed to come, Konoha would be ready for it.

Things had pretty much gone back to normal after the team got back. Shikamaru hadn't seen much of Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sai except when he passed them in the street or Ichiraku Ramen. He had been training with Ino and Chouji for most of the three days, or laying about watching the clouds while his mind drifted.

The reason the chuunin was currently en route to the Jonin Headquarters was because that morning, he'd passed Kakashi. He had asked if Shikamaru still wanted his help with what they'd talked about, and the two had agreed to meet this afternoon in front of that particular building.

Shikamaru was nervous. Not the jittery, stage fright type of nervous, but the calmer, 'what-in-the-hell-have-I-gotten-myself-into' type of nervous.

He had compensated for Kakashi's well-known habit of tardiness by wasting an extra hour and a half after the appointed time to meet on the steps. Kakashi appeared to have just arrived, and he had his green book with the red 'restricted' symbol blocking the view of his masked face. Shikamaru shoved his hands into his pockets as he sauntered over to where the jonin was reclined.

"Oi."

"You're late." Kakashi didn't look up from his book as he spoke.

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery."

"Touché."

Kakashi finally marked his page and stood up, slipping the book into his hip pouch. He started walking up the stairs toward the door and Shikamaru followed. After nodding to the door attendant, they entered the foyer and Kakashi headed down the east corridor. Kakashi waited until they reached the downward-leading stairs at the end to break the silence.

"So…there's a couple of ways we can do this. we can just talk through it, or we could do a role play, or I could pull Genma in for practice or a demonstration. Got a preference?"

"Genma's that guy always sucking on a senbon, right?" Kakashi nodded and Shikamaru chuckled as the two descended down the stairs. "I remember him from the Chuunin Exams. What'd he do to you?"

"Let's just say he lost a bet and owes me for it."

"Ah." He contemplated for a moment. "Which side of it are we working on today?"

"Offense."

"I guess whatever you think will work best."

"Hn."

They had reached the basement by now, and Kakashi poked his head into one of the doors as they passed. Shikamaru couldn't quite hear the brief conversation with whoever was in the room, but after they moved on, he noticed a young ninja –probably someone's genin assistant- run out of the room and up the stairs.

A moment later, they had reached the end of the corridor. Kakashi opened a door at the end and went in.

The small room wasn't especially well-lit, but there was a single light fixture in the middle of the ceiling that provided enough light to see the dirt floor and brick walls clearly. There were two straight-backed wood chairs sitting in the middle of the room.

Kakashi took a seat in one of them, and Shikamaru followed the jonin's lead by sitting in the other.

"What are these rooms down here used for, anyway?" Shikamaru asked.

"They're basically extra. Storage, training, make-shift offices, hiding from the hokage…whatever they're needed for."

"Ah."

Kakashi didn't waste any more time getting to the point. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

"So we went over the basic ideas the other night, but we never got a chance to talk tactics. Any particular place you can think of that you want to start?"

"Not really."

"Alright. Well…let's see. The first, most basic rule of 'hostile interrogation' is this:" he paused to look at Shikamaru meaningfully with his single visible eye. "Anything Goes. That can mean physical pain, psychological, illusions, or anything else you can think of."

Shikamaru swallowed. What in the HELL have I gotten myself into?

Kakashi let the intensity of the look fade, apparently satisfied that he'd gotten his point across. He continued in a more casual tone.

"The second is this: every informant is going to have a different weakness. You just have to figure out what it is."

Shikamaru nodded. It made sense.

"Beyond that, there are two main strategies, and you have to figure out which one the informant is more likely to be susceptible to. Care to take a shot at what I'm referring to?"

"Well…the broadest things I can think of regarding…torture…would be to aim it at the actual target, or someone the target cares about."

Kakashi nodded approvingly.

"Right."

"That's where the guy failed with you, wasn't it?"

"Hm? Oh. Yeah. Anyway, sometimes you can tell immediately if a captive is more concerned about himself or the people around him. Other times, if they're good, they'll mislead you or not give any indication at all. It's a lot of trial and error, usually."

"Sounds troublesome."

"It can be. Under those two categories…there are three target areas that have the highest success rates."

"…and those are…?"

"Bribery, pride, and senses."

"Bribery?"

"Right. You can offer them something they want or need, like a trip outside, or diplomatic immunity, or their freedom, or a quick and painless death. This usually won't work on the first try, so you have to switch it up with something else. Generally, I go for the pride first. Anything from leaving scars to blackmail to anything else you can think of that will humiliate them, either in the present or the future in front of their teammates or alone."

"…where does the fear come in? You haven't said anything about bluffing versus threatening for real."

"That's probably the main overtone of the whole thing. I guess I should have started there." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, and it occurred to Shikamaru that the Copy Ninja's light demeanor seemed pointedly out of place in this dark conversation. Kakashi continued. "You can carry out every single threat you make against the informant and the people he cares about, and still not get any accurate information out of him."

"That's encouraging." Sarcasm was dripping from the younger man's voice.

"The trick is to make sure they're shitting their pants every time they feel you looking at them. And the way to do that is to make them think you like causing them as much pain and humiliation as possible."

Shikamaru scraped his boot against the dirt floor.

"Anticipation is everything, and making them think you're excited about whatever you're about to do is what's gonna break them."

Shikamaru swallowed.

"If you can make them think that, then they will never call your bluff once you find their soft spot." He paused. "Another tactic is to play nice. Make them think you want to help them, but can't unless they give you the information your superiors want."

"That's where team interrogations and bribery come in, isn't it?"

"Exactly. The nice guy strategy can work alone sometimes, but 'psycopath' is usually more effective."

"So I understand the pride thing, and I can only assume that by 'senses,' you mean sensory deprivation?"

"Also correct. That one takes a lot of patience, because I've heard stories about informants taking up to two weeks to break with that one. If you're short on time, you have to exhaust every other option first."

"Makes sense."

Kakashi paused and looked at Shikamaru, almost like he was deciding whether to tell him something else. In the end, he seemed to decide in favor of sharing whatever he was thinking about.

"There's a major sub-category of 'pride' that works sometimes."

"Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not, but-"

The sound of the door opening interrupted whatever Kakashi had been about to say. Shikamaru started, but Kakashi looked as relaxed as ever. He followed the copy ninja's gaze to see what the mischievous glint in his eye was about.

Shikamaru's eyes widened when he saw a senbon seem to lead a scowling ninja with shaggy brown hair and a bandana through the door.

"This had better be fucking important, Kakashi."

"Of course." There was a grin in his voice. It was rather…disconcerting.

"I was having a very meaningful conversation with two very lovely ladies." Genma seemed to notice Shikamaru for the first time. "What'd he rope you into? …Shikamaru, right?"

Kakashi just laughed lightly, giving one of his signature eye grins as he stood and patted Shikamaru on the shoulder. "I didn't rope him into anything. I'm helping him with interrogation techniques, and you're going to help me."

The senbon drooped as its user's jaw went slack with realization. "Oh…hell no."

"Oh yes."

"Kakashi, you are out of your damn mind if you think I'm going to play victim for you."

"You still owe me for that bet you lost last month."

Genma's scowl intensified. "That bet was rigged."

"It's for a good cause."

"Find someone more charitable. I don't feel like taking that kind of abuse today."

"Everyone else has missions coming up in the next day or two. All you have are the Chuunin Exams next week."

"I don't see you volunteering."

Kakashi shrugged.

"…I happen to know that Sakura's on duty at the hospital tonight."

Hospital?

Genma's senbon twitched. "…really." He considered for a brief moment, then shook his head. "Nope. I've seen your style. Still not worth it."

"Oh, not me." White hair gestured toward Shikamaru. "Him."

"But you're the one coaching him."

Shikamaru was sitting still, just watching the exchange between jonin with mild amusement and curious trepidation. The white-haired ninja shrugged.

"Suit yourself. The other option is that I'll actually cash in that other favor you owe me."

"…you wouldn't."

Kakashi raised his eyebrow.

"You would."

Kakashi grinned again.

Genma hung his head in defeat. "You're a bastard."

"That's what friends are for," Kakashi responded lightly.

Genma sighed. "Here's hoping I'm never your enemy."

Kakashi happily reached into his hip pocket and pulled out…

…a deck of cards? Seriously?

"That one, huh?"

"Yup."

"What kind of time frame am I looking at?"

"…"

"Hey, you can't blame a guy for trying."

Shikamaru watched as Kakashi pulled a card from the middle of the deck. Genma dramatically rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, making a show of memorizing the card before Kakashi shoved it back into the deck and put the deck back into his hip pocket. He turned to Shikamaru, who was now standing.

"Now, your job is to find out which card that was."

He then gestured for Genma to take a seat in one of the chairs, and the other jonin pouted as he slumped over to the one facing the door. Kakashi walked behind him, pulling a roll of wire from his pocket as he did so.

Shikamaru just watched. Clearly Kakashi had a plan, but…restraining him?

Just how far is this 'simulation' supposed to go? "Are you sure about this?"

"Don't worry about it, kid. I've been through both sides of this training. I know what I'm getting myself into."

Kakashi tied the reluctant senbon user's hands behind the chair back and his feet to the chair legs. Once that was done, Kakashi stepped back to lean against the wall beside Shikamaru. He didn't take his eyes off the "captive" as he spoke.

"So what's your plan?"

"I was thinking about just letting him stew for a while."

"Not a bad plan."

Genma rolled his eyes and flicked the senbon to the other side of his mouth.

"Somehow, though, I get the feeling it's because you're not comfortable with this."

Shikamaru didn't answer, and Kakashi looked at him. "Look. This is a simulation. He's not going to hold anything against you, because he knows this kind of training is important."

Genma piped up, dropping the scowl for the first time since he'd come into the room.

"Seriously, kid. All blackmail aside," he narrowed his eyes darkly at Kakashi before returning his attention to the younger man, "Konoha needs as many well-rounded shinobi as possible, and that includes interrogation skills. If Kakashi thinks you're ready to learn this, then I'm willing to take one for the team."

He looked at Kakashi, and the senbon twitched challengingly.

"Don't worry about hurting me or pissing me off. I'll just take it out on him the day after tomorrow in a sparring match."

Kakashi just laughed. Apparently that meant he accepted the challenge.

Well, at least I know he's not here completely against his will.

"Now. Ask me about the card."

Shikamaru sighed. He didn't move from his position against the wall.

"What card did he show you?"

"Three of spades."

The genius raised one eyebrow at the mischief in Genma's eyes, and Kakashi shook his head.

"He's screwing with you. Most of the time, it won't be this obvious that they're lying." Kakashi pushed off the wall. "And Genma, if you tell him what he wants to know early just so you can get out of here, then I won't hold back in that sparring match you just challenged me to."

Genma's eyes shifted to Shikamaru for a brief moment before returning to Kakashi. The younger man heard him mutter "…bastard," under his breath.

The Copy Ninja walked over to his restrained friend. "The simulation starts now."

Genma's bandana had the metal 'leaf shinobi' plate attached to the back and Kakashi's hand wiped over the top of his head, pulling the bandana off in the process and leaving the hair below a bit ruffled. He shoved it in his pocket.

"He is not a leaf shinobi, and you need the information he has because people's lives are depending on it. Anything goes. Cause him as much pain as you need to, and don't worry about offending him."

Shikamaru resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the idea that a particular card could be valuable information, because he knew it wasn't the point.

The point here is that I have to break him. … I have to break a jonin. Shit. I wonder, though…

Shikamaru's hands folded into their 'thinking' position, and he began to turn over various options in his mind.

Kakashi walked back over to Shikamaru and leaned in to whisper in his ear, interrupting his thoughts.

"Just don't cause him any permanent damage. You have eight hours to get an honest answer; otherwise he wins."

Shikamaru whispered back, "Define 'permanent'."

"…taking longer than a week to heal."

Shikamaru nodded.

"Unless you don't have what it takes…?" There was an arrogant smirk on Genma's face, and he wiggled the senbon between his teeth to emphasize the taunt.

Kakashi looked at Shikamaru and made a sweeping gesture with his arm as if to say 'he's all yours. What are you gonna do about it?'

Shikamaru stood there for a moment as he resumed his strategizing. After several seconds, he pushed off of the wall and strode over to stand in front of the arrogant 'captive'.

The tension in the room was building, and finally the senbon twitched as Genma's smirk faltered. Shikamaru raised one eyebrow.

Maybe I can do this after all.

"Uh, Kakashi…what exactly did you just tell him?"

Kakashi apparently had no intention of answering, so Shikamaru filled the silence.

"That's for me to know and you…not to know. Now, would you mind telling me which card he showed you?"

Genma just rolled his eyes.

"…right." He looked at Kakashi. "I hope you didn't call me down here to waste my afternoon. This kid's never gonna get past 'polite inquiries'."

Shikamaru watched Kakashi's reaction carefully out of the corner of his eye. He saw the older ninja gesture with his eyes. It was definitely a 'what are you waiting for? Prove him wrong,' type of motion.

Shikamaru sighed. I guess they were both serious when they said not to worry about hurting him…

"How troublesome."

Suddenly the back of his fist was flying toward the senbon user's face. Unfortunately, he saw it coming.

The senbon jumped in Genma's mouth, flicking upwards in a motion that left a long cut along the top of his wrist. Shikamaru's fist connected anyway, but Genma had made his point.

Kakashi spoke up casually from his position against the wall. "You might wanna do something about that thing."

Shikamaru clenched and unclenched his fist a couple of times, watching the blood ooze from the top of his wrist and forearm. He appeared to ignore Kakashi's statement.

So that's how it is. Alright then; no more warm-up. Time to put my plan into action.

Slowly, a grin spread across Shikamaru's features. He hoped it was menacing as he addressed the seated man.

"Thank you. That's exactly what I needed."

Suddenly his fist was tangled in the back of Genma's shaggy brown hair, pulling his head backward and exposing his throat to whatever weapons Shikamaru might want to threaten him with.

Apparently, Genma hadn't expected such an abrupt reaction. Shikamaru saw him wince in pain for a split second before regaining his relaxed demeanor. He wiggled the senbon tauntingly.

"What are you gonna do, kid? Hit me again?"

Shikamaru's menacing expression didn't falter, but neither did Genma's challenging one. After a brief moment of glaring down at a cocky 'captive,' Shikamaru's hand shot up and snatched the dancing senbon harshly. It accidentally cut Genma's lower lip as Shikamaru pulled it out of his mouth.

Genma pouted as Shikamaru lazily inspected the needle-like weapon for several seconds, twirling it in his fingers much like a cigarette. He didn't release the jonin's hair.

"Why are you always sucking on these things?" Shikamaru tapped the end of the weapon against its owner's chin, just under the bleeding cut on his mouth. "They can be pretty dangerous."

"Advertising. Ladies like to know you're good with your mouth."

Shikamaru laughed humorlessly. After a few seconds, he casually dragged the tip down to rest against the soft spot just under the pulse point on Genma's still exposed throat. He felt the jonin instinctively tense.

"I've been wondering…just how sharp are these things?"

"Go fuck yourself with it. Then you'll know."

"That's not very polite."

Genma said nothing, and Shikamaru's grip tightened in his hair. He also applied a little more pressure with the senbon.

Shikamaru noticed when Genma's eyes darted over to Kakashi for a split second, and he saw the slight amount of worry in them. Kakashi betrayed nothing.

He's questioning whether Kakashi told me not to injure him too badly. This is good.

"Now about that card."

"The birthday card? Sorry, I forgot to send it."

In a single motion, Shikamaru wrapped his fist around the senbon and struck Genma with a hard uppercut, releasing his hair in the same instant that his fist connected. The chair's center of balance shifted backward for a moment, but it didn't fall over.

"…son of a bitch…" Genma's eyes were tightly closed, and he was breathing a little harder than before. Shikamaru moved forward to grab him by the collar, but Kakashi interrupted.

"Shikamaru, wait a minute." He looked up to find the Copy Ninja with his head tilted, gazing intently at Genma.

"Too much?"

"No, it's fine. Just give him a minute so he doesn't pass out."

Shikamaru nodded and released the fabric in his hand. I didn't mean to hit him quite that hard. I'll have to be more careful. It's no good if I knock him out.

A moment later, Genma seemed to have recovered from the shock of the blow. Shikamaru noted the change, and kept his confident attitude as he spoke.

"Don't make this more troublesome than it has to be. What card did he show you?"

Genma just scowled, working his jaw for a moment to find out exactly how hard that punch had been.

Shikamaru pocketed the senbon and reached for his collar. Genma silently challenged him to a staring match, and at the last second Shikamaru switched the aim of his punch down to Genma's abdomen. Judging by his grunt, the senbon-less ninja hadn't expected the change.

…It's going to be a looooong eight hours.