Through Thick and Thin

Chapter Eight

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

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"Why are you doing this to me, what have I ever done with you?" Sakura spat as she lay tied up on the floor, unable to even move anymore. Her whole body ached and she was tired, but she was too shaken to sleep. "And what are you going to do to me?"

"You're so clueless. Always have been."

Sakura watched Ino's feet as they paced around the room. "Clueless? About what, Sasuke?"

"Not just Sasuke, that prick."

"What happened to you all of a sudden?" Sakura shouted, at her wits end with the whole situation.

Ino laughed. "All these years, I've been here even longer than Sasuke has. I've always been there for you and he changed, he started keeping a distance from you, left you alone all the time- and I was still there. Yet, you'd rather have him over me."

"Sasuke's my boyfriend, you know how much I love him. You're supposed to be my best friend, but I don't even know who you are."

"I just got sick of you playing with my feelings. I won't be letting you or that bastard hurt me anymore."

"I haven't done anything to hurt you! You couldn't prove that Sasuke slept with anyone and he hasn't. He never cheated on me. I never said you were the one lying, you just lost it."

Ino chuckled lowly as she stopped in front of Sakura. "Yeah… guess I did."

"I've got him back on the meds, but it's pretty bad."

It was already the next morning and Sasuke's mental state had only got worse through the hours. Itachi was sitting with Shisui and Kakashi who had just arrived to let him in on all that they'd learned. The previous night had been rough and Itachi had gotten no sleep at all- and neither had Sasuke.

"Do you think the anxiety is back?" Shisui asked, frowning at the thought.

Itachi nodded. "Hopefully it will pass if we find Sakura. So, tell me what you know."

"I've questioned all their closest friends. Luckily, the Uzumaki kid was on top of the information. Once I found out everything I could about the rumor, I went to those involved, aside from the actual perpetrator."

"Who is?" Itachi questioned Shisui, but Kakashi answered.

"Ino. She's the one who started the rumor and we have substantial evidence that says she is the one who kidnapped Sakura."

"On what motive?"

Shisui sighed and started pulling out photos. "After asking around I found that Ino had been acting suspicious for several weeks and she was really going out of her way after the rumor to try and keep Sakura and Sasuke apart. When it didn't go like she hoped, things took a turn for the worst."

While showing Itachi the pictures he had, he explained everything he could. "Early this morning, I found the house Ino took her too, and found that she has an accomplice."

"Who?"

Kakashi spoke up again as Shisui continued to sift through the pictures. "The same girl, Temari who they claimed Sasuke had an affair with."

"Wow." Itachi nodded thoughtfully, sitting back with his legs crossed at the knee. "So, what can we do?"

"I have a meeting in twenty minutes with the chief of police. It's almost been twenty-four hours, so with that time frame and our evidence, they will search this place for her." Shisui spoke calmly and surely.

"Exactly." Kakashi agreed. "And I've already prepared to support Sakura's case against the girl. Both of them, actually."

Itachi sighed after having a sip of his coffee. "Very well. I won't be saying anything to Sasuke until we know more, and he's finally sleeping so I hope it stays like that for a while."

"That's probably for the best anyway. I'll swing by after the meeting, or either call you."

"Thanks, Shisui."

"I won't be back, I'll leave the rest to the PI until it's my turn again." Kakashi laughed a little as they both took their leave.

Itachi hoped time would fly by and Sakura would be home soon.

Things weren't supposed to turn out this way. Ino was disappointed even in herself for her actions, but that was something she'd never admit. She had no idea when it happened or how, but after earning feelings for Sasuke a few months back, all her feelings changed.

As Sakura's best friend, it was easy to see how Sasuke and Sakura were spending less time together, and more time with their other friends, and with a bit of alcohol in her system she'd gotten brave enough to come on to Sasuke, since Sakura hadn't gone along with him that specific night.

There was no way she'd ever forget the cold look in those dark eyes, or the vicious words he'd hissed at her. Maybe he was right, maybe she was a heartless bitch who had the nerve to stab her best friend in the back, but it hurt worse to know he didn't want her.

After that she just had to break them up, to destroy that bastard by taking Sakura from him instead. However, Sakura was just too crazy about him to walk away and that messed everything up for her. It was true, she was jealous and selfish, but she didn't care. Her friendship was over anyway, because she knew it was only a matter of time until Sasuke ratted her out. But, she found it funny that he hadn't yet.

Even after the rumor.

Sakura was a fool, and a scared brat and in no time at all, she'd lost all respect for her. It could have been because of Sasuke, but Ino didn't really care why. All she cared about now was bringing a world of hurt to Sasuke, just like he'd done to her.

She'd taken a chance, and everything was ruined. So, she figured she might as well go out with a bang.

Ino knew she'd hit bottom when she didn't feel anything after confronting Sakura. It didn't bother her to see the girl cry. She didn't feel the slightest bit of guilt for planning her upcoming death. The only reason she was putting it off was to torture her first. She wanted it to be known that Sakura had suffered substantially. She wanted that Uchiha's life to be over.

But, she wanted him alive, to suffer as much and as long as possible. A few more hours though, and she would be making her move. She was sure Sakura would be begging to die by then.

Waking up, the first thing Sasuke noticed was his drugged state. Sluggish and drowsy, he could barely move, even to turn his head to the side. He stared at the wall for a long while, thinking over his situation. A calm had settled over him thanks to the drugs and he couldn't fight it off. He was worried about Sakura, everything was his fault and yet, there was nothing he could do to help her.

The room was quiet aside from his slow, even breaths and he'd never felt more alone than he did then. His medicine kept him from lashing out and having panic attacks, but it did nothing to settle his emotions. When there was nothing else he could do, he sobbed quietly while his mind turned against him. It had been a long time, but when he got this overwhelmed, all he wanted to do was die.

Sakura was gone, possibly even killed because of him.

And Sasuke would never live without her.

"So, you're planning to kill me. But, what are you waiting on. Why the torture? What if someone finds me before you kill me."

Ino smirked as she tightened the rope around Sakura's body. She had every inch of her tied up. "I'll just kill you then. I don't care what happens to me."

Sakura shook with adrenaline and fear. It didn't even make sense for Ino to have gone so crazy. Nothing could justify her actions. Everything hurt and it was hard to breathe being tied so tightly, but Sakura wasn't going to give in. She would keep fighting to the very end, even when it was getting her nowhere.

Ino would have to answer for her actions, one way or another but Sakura did not want to die. She wasn't ready. There was so much she wanted to do in life, and there was Sasuke. She needed to be there for him. She could only imagine how he was feeling at that time, but she hoped and prayed he was okay.

"Oh my, I think we have company already. Well, well Sakura. Any last words?"

Heart dropping, Sakura looked around the room scarcely. She was unable to move though, there was no way for her to escape. Unless someone came to her rescue, there was nothing she could do but await her demise.

Ino knelt down over her, showing off a long and sharp blade. It was shiny, sharp and seemingly unused. Sakura swallowed hard at the sight of it as Ino laughed mockingly. "I decided not to shoot you." She explained. "I thought it would be more traumatic for your little soulmate if you were really fucked up. What better way than to stab you to death?"

Sakura's skin started crawling and her breathing picked up, chest aching from struggling for the breaths with her chest being bound so tight. "You don't have to do this, Ino. Killing me will solve nothing, it will only bring you more problems."

"Yeah well. I just don't care anymore. Bye bitch."

Ino's hand with the knife raised high in the air and swiftly, in the blink of an eye, the knife was stabbed into her leg. She screamed at the top of her lungs, a pain like none she'd ever experienced taking over her body. Her body wiggled and thrashed in an attempt to escape the knife and some stabs were missing her, but she'd been caught good several times by the time the door burst open.

"Get down! Get down!"

Shouting was all she heard as her vision blurred. Sakura could feel herself bleeding out. There was no more pain, but rather a numbing sensation she felt as her eyes closed. She knew she should fight to stay conscious, but she was weak. She was tired and she was unable to keep herself from giving in to sleep.

"How many?"

"Thirteen."

"Shit."

Things had happened a lot sooner than Itachi assumed and he was nearing hysteria himself as he learned the outcome of the situation. Now at the hospital, he sat with Shisui who filled him in for then, before he could speak directly with the doctor.

"How long has she been in surgery?" Itachi asked, feeling quite pale and nauseous.

"Almost ten minutes now. It's major surgery though. It could be an hour or longer before we know anything else." Shisui looked around to make sure they were out of anyone else's earshot. "The girl is here in the hospital too. She took a shot in the stomach and will be taken straight to jail as soon as she's treated."

"I can't believe they're even treating the bitch."

It wasn't often that Itachi found himself angry, and never had he been so angry as he was then. For him to be told there was a possibility she may not pull through, and for him to just picture his brother at home, high on medicine just to keep him sane. It was a bad situation either way he looked at it.

"Does Sasuke know?"

"Hell no." Itachi snapped quietly through clenched teeth. "There's no telling what he'd do if he found out."

"He has a right to know, Itachi. He'd want to be here."

Running his hand through his hair, Itachi groaned. He didn't know what to do, or what the right thing really was. It wasn't that he didn't want Sasuke to be there for Sakura, but he couldn't help feeling that Sasuke wouldn't take the news well. At all. If he learned that Sakura had been found so covered in blood that she was unrecognizable, or that she'd been stabbed thirteen times, he would probably lose all that was left of his mind.

"Listen, Itachi." Shisui called, plopping his hand down on Itachi's shoulder. "Tell him she's alive, and she's going to need him. It's good news."

While there was the possibility that she wouldn't make it…

Itachi just didn't know, he'd never been more unsure about anything. It was nothing but a fact, if he brought Sasuke here and he had remained calm, only to find out the emergency surgery failed… he would go absolutely insane. There was no other possible outcome.

Knowing Shisui was right though, Itachi ran out of the hospital. He had to get back home to Sasuke, he had to get him to the hospital. It's what both he and Sakura would want.

Sasuke could feel in his heart that something terrible was happening to Sakura. He'd tried to get out of bed, only to fall to the floor being as out of it as he was. There was a desperate need in him to get to her though, and he'd started crawling to his bedroom door.

It had been a long time since he was so heavily medicated, but he knew firsthand how distressed he'd been. He was sure Itachi had a horrible night as well, and he didn't blame his brother for giving him the drugs. Right then though, he really wished he hadn't. Because he needed to find her, he needed to be there for her.

He was so sorry. He loved her so much.

The door opened, coming a hair away from whacking upside his head and then Itachi was in his room and kneeling before him. "Sasuke!"

"Itachi… Sakura needs me."

"I'll help you up, you're coming with me."

With Itachi's help, Sasuke was able to walk and slowly they made their way through the house. Now, his heart was pounding, and he couldn't bring himself to ask where they were going, because he already knew. Sakura had been found, and he was too afraid to ask any questions.

As soon as Ino was out of surgery, two officers came in to question her about the incident. She was in pain, but it was mild compared to the rage she felt. It was possible that Sakura would still live, and she wanted her dead and gone. She hoped she never made it out of that surgery room alive.

"So, you say you're guilty and are prepared for the consequences. But, what's your motive? Are you happy with your actions?"

Ino laughed, wide crazed eyes staring up at the ceiling. "Just felt like doing it. And it's not over. It's far from over."

The two officers exchanged a look before excusing themselves while preparations were made for her arrest. It was apparent that the girl wasn't in her right mind, but now it was up to the victim to be questioned. If her surgery went well enough for it to happen.


A/N:

Thanks for reading.