Beauty & The Beast - Chapter 04: Gone

B&TB

Sasuke was surprised when his father took him quite literally. Within the day over a hundred Uchiha's were gathered outside the hospital building. Fugaku and a few other higher ranking Uchiha's entered Sasuke's hospital room.

"Father." Sasuke said, furrowing his brow. His father looked like he had aged years since last they met - there were wrinkles that weren't there before. Fugaku's hair had grey that wasn't there before, and his eyes no longer held their authoritative sheen, instead they were dull with the barest hint of glittering life. "What happened to you?"

"What happened to you?" Fugaku countered, grabbing his son in a hug. It was that moment that let Sasuke know that indeed something was wrong. His father was never one for physical affection.

"I- I was kidnapped and Itachi he- he convinced the monster to let me go but got taken instead. We have to save him! What - what happened to you?" Sasuke asked, conflicting emotions coursing through him. He had been gone only for a few weeks, and has spoken to his father on the phone just yesterday. He sounded fine then, so what happened?

"Let's go get Itachi first." Fugaku said. "I... I missed you all these years. You look just like you did before..."

"YEARS?" Sasuke asked. "I - I wasn't gone that long was I? "How was this possible? It had only been a few hours!

Fugaku gazed at his son. "Of course the kidnappers wouldn't have let you in on time... And your Sharingan was offline, we couldn't track it, so perhaps it couldn't keep you up to date on time. But it has been two and a half years since we last spoke. It is March 23rd today."

Sasuke blinked. It was November just yesterday. How long was he out in the hospital?!

"You!" Sasuke barked to the nurse. "Why didn't you inform my family of my whereabouts using the Sharingan or phone transmission?! I sat in this hospital for two and a half years and no one informed them?!" Sasuke snarled.

The nurse jumped back and paled. "Sir, you've only been here for about a day..."

Sasuke sighed. Idiots all around him. He felt like he was in an episode of the Twilight Zone. Life.

"Come with me." Sasuke said, turning his attention to his father. "Time is less important right now, all that matters is Itachi."

Fugaku nodded, and they walked out of the hospital together. Outside, all hundred Uchihas greeted Sasuke in various ways. Most were concerned for his well-being.

Shisui hugged him tightly, fighting back tears. It was unnerving for Sasuke to see his normal composed, strong willed cousin on the brink of an emotional breakdown.

Sasuke pushed it all to the back of his mind though, all that mattered was one thing - Itachi.

"Thank you, father. I am glad you brought everyone. Trust me we need it for this monster" Sasuke said, as he led the way. "The place is hidden and monstrous and the locals say it is haunted..."

B&TB

"Please." Itachi said, urgency in his voice. "I know you hate me or whatever - but please let me go home. My family - they can heal my foot. The vine cut clean through- I might never be able to use that foot again if I don't get their advanced medical treatment."

It was true. This place had terribly old technology, there was no way Itachi could get proper treatment here.

Yet, the words seemed to fall on deaf ears, for Kisame made no move to indicate that he understood Itachi.

"Hello? Hey! Listen- my foot-."

"Quiet down." The beast growled.

"You don't understand!" Itachi said furiously. "I need medical treatment! I don't leave to get it I might never walk on this foot again!"

"Then don't." The beast responded nastily. "Now quiet. I won't ask again."

Itachi paled. How could anyone be so heartless? And what on earth would it do if Itachi didn't comply and spoke? Itachi didn't want to find out. Itachi suddenly felt sick in the beast's icy hands.

During that conversation, Kisame had seemingly moved them into what appeared to be the bathing room - which reminded Itachi of many of the problems he needed to ask about, aside from getting the hell out.

"I would prefer it if you didn't touch me." Itachi said softly." We do not know each other well-."

"Shut up." The beast snapped, and sat Itachi down at the edge of what looked like a large pool, though there was no water, it was empty.

Itachi obeyed, dismayed. He watched Kisame as he picked up a modern looking towel - really he had towels but no plumbing? – and walked outside, only to come back later with the now wet towel. Itachi wondered where the water came from as Kisame came back and began to wrap it around Itachi's foot.

"Please let me-." Itachi began.

"Shut up." Kisame growled. "Why are you so incapable of following directions? If you continue, I'll just chuck you out."

"Please do." Itachi said, hope filling his eyes suddenly.

Kisame's eyes glowed dangerously as he looked up at Itachi, daring him to challenge him once more. Itachi shut up.

Kisame worked on Itachi's foot for a while, applying a cream Itachi didn't recognize but was sure was probably incompatible with his own body. He kept his mouth shut though.

When Kisame was done, he lifted Itachi up to take him who knows where and Itachi whimpered, wanting to speak. A glare from Kisame had Itachi's heart race as he dared to speak.

"I-I need to, er, use the facilities. Bathroom." Itachi coughed. It was awkward having to ask, like a child.

Kisame stared at Itachi oddly before continuing his walk.

"There is an outhouse near here..." Kisame said. "Use it whenever."

An outhouse?! Itachi's brain whirled. What century was this?!

"I was told I am not to leave my room." Itachi dared.

"Then don't." Kisame snapped. "Die from bloating."

Itachi almost snickered. "Then why waste all this time on my foot?"

"Must you irritate me?"

"I was unaware I was irritating you, I apologize." Itachi wasn't even sorry.

Kisame winced. "Don't- just- you can leave to use the outhouse or the bathing place, okay?"

"Why don't you just get modern plumbing?" Itachi asked.

"Plumbing?"

"Yeah like running water?"

"Water doesn't run."

"Well not literally it doesn't... Look I have to go we can continue this conversation later." Itachi winced as he looked towards the out house." Let me at least walk there alone. Put me down."

Kisame let Itachi off, and Itachi could almost swear the beast was laughing at him, as Itachi limped over to the outhouse.

B&TB

"This is the place!" Sasuke said, as they approached the building." He's inside this main hall, not one of the side buildings..." Sasuke said.

Fugaku nodded and gave the signal. Several helicopters and snipers were set up in the distance.

"Active your Sharingans on One.. Two.. Three!"

Hundreds of red eyes swirled to life and Fugaku got out a loudspeaker.

"We have this place surrounded!" Fugaku spoke into the device, which amplified his voice loudly. "We wish to negotiate the hostage with you. Please make your intentions known or we will attack."

Silence was their only answer.

"If you do not respond within 5 minutes we will have no choice but to enter." Fugaku spoke roughly.

They waited their five minutes anxiously.

"Let's just go in!" Sasuke hissed. "He has Itachi! Itachi could be hurt!"

"Give them time." Fugaku said gravely. "We have to follow procedures..."

"Fuck procedures!" Sasuke ground his teeth together.

"Patience." Fugaku snapped. "Do you think it's any easier for me?"

"No." Sasuke balled his hands in fists.

"Now!" Fugaku said, and Sasuke wasted no time in breaking down the door with his legs.

Thirty Uchiha filed into the building and spread out.

Sasuke led his father and several others straight to the room he was held captive, and broke down the door. The room was empty, even the awful furniture was gone. In fact now that Sasuke thought of it the entire building was utterly empty.

"I- he was here!" Sasuke said, his eyes widening in shock.

"I see." Fugaku spoke into his mic. "Thanks."

"Sasuke there is no one in the building, we have searched the whole place and done aerial scans for any form of life. There is none in the area."

B&TB

"I want to take a bath, that outhouse was disgusting." Itachi choked as he left the outhouse, pinching his nose.

"I'll have Jared bring water from the lake and heat it for you then." Kisame said gruffly.

"So now you're accommodating? I don't understand you." Itachi said aloud. "But I suppose in some regards you have been a good host. Thank you."

"What was that about running water?" Kisame asked as he picked up a protesting Itachi.

"Water runs through pipes or other means from a water source, such as a lake. It allows water to be accessed through the home. Often there is a boiler to heat the water so as to maintain control of temperature. There are also drains, or pipes that take the dirty water and such through sewers to other sources." Itachi explained. "It's modern plumbing."

"Interesting concept, it was a dream, magic, or a theory by heretics in my time." Kisame responded. "We had no such thing."

"Your time?" Itachi asked. "We live in the same time. The proof of it is the fact that we are speaking even now."

"I suppose, but what I mean is that I am much older than you."

"Ah. Expression of speech, not a literal meaning." Itachi berated himself for misunderstanding. "I apologize, I was thinking too much of the rather... Modest way in which you live. It is like the Amish I suppose?"

"Who are the Amish?" Kisame asked curiously, and by this time they were back inside, in the living area, where Kisame seated Itachi on a sofa.

This time, Itachi was distracted enough to keep speaking. Someone actually wanted to hear his lectures!

"I'll be back in a sec." Kisame said, and left. Itachi was alone to look around the ornate living area. It was heavily decorated in red and gold. Even the chair he sat on seemed to be red and gold, in fact it was quite comfortable, though everything was still dusty. Itachi could smell the ancient air of things, like being in an attic.

When Kisame returned, he brought glasses - ones that were quite clean and sparkly, Itachi noted- of wine.

"I don't drink." Itachi apologized. "But thank you."

What he didn't expect is what happened next- Kisame left without a word and returned with orange juice.

"I- thank you." Itachi said, blinking at the kind gesture. "You didn't have to go out of your way for that."

"It was nothing." Kisame responded, taking a sip of his deep red wine. "Now, tell me about the Amish."

Itachi began his long speech on the Amish until he was interrupted by Jared coming in to let him know the bath was ready.

Itachi reluctantly got up. He was quite enjoying talking to Kisame, who asked questions and showed a genuine interest in Itachi's history lessons.

"I can find the way on my own." Itachi said, as he walked towards the baths.

"I know. I intend to join you."

"W-what?!" Itachi jumped. "That's not appropriate!"

Kisame looked at Itachi strangely. "You come from a more conservative society then I take it? Though you look like them, and they are the ones who taught me communal bathing..."

"Communal bathing is certainly not normal where I come from!" Itachi said, shaking his hands and head side to side.

"I will give you your privacy then, and bathe after." Kisame responded thoughtfully, his old anger gone. "However, afterwards you must tell me all about where you come from."

Itachi was more than happy to agree to that if it meant he could bathe alone.

With that, Kisame carried Itachi - much to Itachi's dismay- off to the baths, which were filled with steaming water. Kisame left immediately after.

"Jared, I did discuss bathing privately with Kisame-."

"I am only here to inform you that in the adjacent room I have a bath robe and a silk Hanfu to wear. They have been created for you. In addition I must go below the baths to keep the bathwater warm. Rest assured, I cannot see you where I am headed." Jared spoke in monotone, as he opened a wooden door, from which Itachi could see a set of stairs leading down. As soon as he finished, he closed the door behind himself and was gone.

Itachi hadn't realized someone would actually have to keep the water warm constantly - he had heard of such a practice once upon a time. Keeping that in mind, Itachi decided to bathe quickly. Just before though, he found a towel and the clothes that Jared had mentioned.

The bathrobe was a bright Crimson red and fluffy, very modern. The silk hanfu -beautiful Chinese clothing Itachi had only read about and seen in pictures in the past - came with no under garments, but did have several layers -thankfully. It was a deep green and red and looked far too expensive, but Itachi was sure he could pay it back when he left.

With that, Itachi set them by the steaming water, which was now in the pool that Kisame had brought Itachi to earlier. Itachi felt a tinge of guilt at realizing someone probably had to carry all this water over, and decided he would try to help out.

Itachi fell into the hot water and let the stress and tension seep out of him, relaxing and washing off the dirt and grime of the day.

B&TB

"I-I'm not crazy." Sasuke said, his breaths coming in bursts, sweat pouring over his clothes. He had spent almost three hours running through the entire - quite large- building. Memorizing every room, every area. It was empty, uninhabited and quite frankly, spooky. Several teams of Uchihas had joined him and confirmed that there was certainly no living soul in the area.

"I had some research done." Shisui said, approaching Sasuke." This land belongs to the Uchiha. One of the many lands we own in this village and other areas in China. We have never used it though."

"I- ours? Our monster was on Uchiha land?" Sasuke slumped.

"Are you sure there was a monster?" Shisui asked, scratching his head.

"Yes!" Sasuke nearly screamed, his body shaking. "Itachi! I-where can he be?!" Sasuke willed himself not to cry, as panic threatened to invade him.

"Don't worry, we WILL find him." Fugaku said as he sat down next to Sasuke, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "We will use all the information we can get our hands on. We are asking the locals now - if the kidnappers left the building with Itachi and all of his furniture and such, that means that there must be some trace, especially if done in such haste."

Sasuke shivered and closed his tired eyes. Itachi was out there somewhere, somewhere that seemed to be just a distant memory in the empty house before him. On his life, he swore to avenge his brother and find the monster that took him from their lives if it was the last thing he did.

B&TB

Thank you to elric0sis/hikaruharuno for beta-reading you are the BEST.

Thank you to Jessi & HeavenOnFire for the amazing fanarts (please go to previous chapters for Jessi's art, and current one will feature HeavenOnFire's art, only on AO3).