Another Cliche Band Fic ; An xxKaaat Original

Chapter Nine


The bright lights made him light headed, but after multiple blinks the room seemed to become less foggy. "W-Where am I?" The mans voice was groggy and low.

"Itachi! Itachi come, he's awake!" A blonde man came and rested a hand on the mans chest. "Sasori, you're in the hospital." Deidara look a second to overlook his friend. There was gauze wrapped around Sasori's head and his left eye was black. His bottom lip was swollen and a long cut covered his chin and up to his right ear.

"Deidara?"

"Shh, it's okay. You're alright." Deidara's voice was low and soothing.

Another slow blink. "W-Where's Sakura?" concern filled Sasori's voice.

Within seconds, Itachi was at Sasori's side. "Sasori, please. I'm so glad you're okay." The red head turned to face Itachi who's face was pale. He looked awful. "Just calmly tell me what happened."

With a few seconds of silence Sasori sat up. His whole body ached and his head spun. "I was on the porch smoking and Sakura came out. She went to the Audi and I stopped her. She wasn't backing down and I couldn't let her go alone so I went too. I drove her to the hospital and she heard that CD Sasuke made for her. We got to his room and he made me wait outside. Then Sakura made me go with his bodyguard to get her some coffee. He took me to a staircase in the parking garage and he beat the shit out of me. Where's Sakura? Where's the Audi?" Sasori's words came like a wave, one after another. Quickly.

Itachi sighed and turned his head to someone on the other side of the room. "Sasuke had us all tricked." Slowly Itachi turned back to Sasori who was now wide awake. "Sasori, you've been out for almost four days. The Audi is missing. How do you feel?" Itachi gave a concerned look to his friend.

Sasori blinked and rested back against the mattress behind him. "I feel like shit actually. My whole body hurts." Sasori turned to look at his arm. It was stretched straight out in a splint. "Sasuke's guy stomped on it."

"I know. The bone was completely shattered and they had you in surgery for almost three hours fixing everything." Itachi forced a smile. "Thank you Sasori, for taking care of her." His deep voice cracked. "You're an amazing friend."

The patient shifted his head to look around the room. Konan was asleep next to Pein, Deidara was at Sasori's side. With a slow motion, Sasori turned back to his raven haired friend. "He's got her.. doesn't he?"

The man nodded. "Yeah. She's missing, no trace. Not to mention, Sasuke checked out the day after. He was completely fine and there's been no trace since then. He hasn't been at the office, the mansion or Ino's place."

Sasori sighed and punched the air with his good arm. "It's all my fault.. I'm sorry Itachi.." Sasori turned away. "I'm so fucking sorry for everything... My stupid arm and going off on Sasuke and canceling the tour and who knows if I'll be able to play the drums again. Sakura's gone, the Audi is gone... I'm just so sorry..."

"Listen to me Sasori." Itachi grabbed the mans chin and forced him to meet his gaze. "This is not your fault. None of this is your fault. This whole fight goes way back to before you. Sasuke's got problems and he's fucked up in the head. This is the last straw though. We'll find Sakura, we'll have the police and Sasuke will be put in jail. Everything is going to be okay." Itachi sighed. "All that I care about right now is that you get better. You need your strength because the sooner you're better, the sooner you can start helping us."

Without anymore words, Sasori turned his head and sighed. With everything he had, the red head even avoided Deidara's gaze. "I want to be alone, please."

"Fine." Itachi's voice was low. "Let's let him have time guys."

ACBF

"If you don't eat you'll starve and die. You're only hurting yourself Sakura." Sasuke's voice was cold as he stared down at the pinkette. She sat on her knees, chains hanging from the ceiling causing her arms to stay up. "Sakura Haruno, if you don't fucking get up you won't live to see tomorrow." With terror in her mind, Sakura tightly held onto the chains and pulled herself up into a standing position. "That's my girl." Sasuke smirked as he spoon fed Sakura his leftover cereal from this morning.

Sakura had been taken to a house somewhere south of Vermillion. She didn't know exactly where, but she knew she was currently residing in a basement. It was clear to her that the basement had once been a room for what was most likely sex slaves. There were chains throughout the room and a couch along the far wall. Opposite the couch was a cabinet that was kept locked. The floor was hard concrete with various stains upon the floor.

After half a bowl of cereal Sakura pulled away. "I'm full."

Almost instantly Sasuke grabbed her chin and forced her to look into his dark gaze. "Is that the proper way to speak to me Sakura?"

"I'm full Sir." Her voice cracked beneath her words.

"That's right." At once Sasuke pulled away and watched as Sakura fell back to her knees. "You won't be treated like a queen here. Not when you're nothing but trash." As Sakura kept her head low, tears formed in her eyes. "That's all you ever were Sakura." A brightness appeared in Sasuke's voice. "I can see everything clearly now. A close friend of the Uchiha family. By day you stood by my side as my best friend, but by night..." Sasuke paused and took a step closer. With great force he grabbed a handful of hair and pull Sakura to face him. "By night you laid as my brother's whore. You let him touch you, but was he ever rough? Did Itachi please the little whore you've become?"

Sakura didn't reply. After a few silent seconds Sasuke pulled harder, causing Sakura to cry out in pain. "Did my brother please the little slut you became? Fucking answer me Sakura."

With tears in her eyes and pain in her voice she replied, "Yes sir."

Slowly Sasuke let go. At once he slapped Sakura, causing her to whip her head to the side. "You'll learn real pleasure in time bitch." With that, Sasuke turned away toward the door. Before leaving he turned off the lights, leaving Sakura in the dark.

When the door finally closed, Sakura gave in to her emotion. She began to sob uncontrollably. She was hot. Then at once she felt light-headed. Then suddenly, her breakfast from mere minutes before was beside her on the floor.

Images of a young Sasuke tied up in chains filled her mind. That's when it dawned on her that this was Orochimaru's old house. This place was where Sasuke had been.

Itachi's words from prior nights filled Sakura's head. In his games, he's Orochimaru and you're Sasuke.Instantly guilt filled her mind and her tears subsided. Itachi was right. In his own mind, Sasuke had become Orochimaru, the abuser. By the time this was over, Sakura would be Sasuke.

ACBF

It was nearly midnight and by then Sasori had come to face facts. Once again the whole band resided in his hospital room. By request and hospitality, the nurses had passed on two reclining chairs and a small bench from the lobby. Konan slept on the bench, Pein next to her in a recliner. Beside Pein laid a sleeping Deidara.

In the windowsill near the back of the room sat Itachi. He watched the city below. It was raining outside, and it was particularly quiet for a night in Vermillion. Anyone who knew Itachi could tell that he was in pain. He'd lost Sasuke to the darkness and now Sakura was gone. He felt alone, and truly scared. He couldn't eat or sleep. He couldn't even keep his thoughts straight. For every one second of happiness there were ten of pain. For the first time in his life, Itachi truly cared about someone more than himself. Sure, he'd cared about his family and friends but he never showed it. This case was completely different. He was completely head over heels in love with Sakura.

"You okay Itachi?" The deep voice made Itachi flinch. At once the man turned to reveal dark purple eyes looking his way.

"Pein, I thought you were asleep?" Itachi's voice was quiet.

"I can't sleep." He paused, looking over the sleeping room. "Are you okay?"

Slowly Itachi looked back out the window. The lights from the city illuminated his face. There upon his cheeks were wet streaks. For the first time in over twenty years, Pein watched Itachi cry. Finally the dark haired man shook his head. "No." At once Itachi looked back to Pein who's face was blank. "I'm not okay. I'm scared and I'm nervous and I don't know what to do. I'm used to always being able to snap and what I want and need is here in front of me. But I can't fix this. Sasuke kidnapped Sakura and they're gone without a trace. I lost my brother. My own brother hates me because of his own thoughts and image. He's convinced himself that he needs to be someone else to have Sakura. The bottom line was that she didn't want him. Then out of her own good will and care and love she came here to see him, just to make things right. Sasori was almost killed, and now Sakura's gone." Itachi paused, realizing the agony in his voice. He was shaking. "This time there's not a damn thing I can do."

After taking in Itachi's words, Pein sat back and closed his eyes. "Those friends if Sasuke's, I think Shikamaru and Temari? Go to them and ask them if they know anything. Question everyone, search Ino's apartment. Get a sketch of Sasuke's man and have his pictures published. We can start somewhere Itachi. It will take time, but we'll get Sakura back."

"How do you know?" Itachi's voice was distant.

"Because you're strong and you don't stop going after something until you've got it." Pein smiled to himself.

"I feel weak Pein."

"You're not though. I know you Itachi, and I know that you've got the ability to find her and bring her back. Now get some sleep. You need it more than any of us."

ACBF

"I-Itachi?" Shikamaru's eyes were wide with surprise.

"Shikamaru, I've got to talk to you." Beside Itachi stood Pein who held a grim look upon his face.

"Shika baby, who is it?" A feminine voice called from behind.

Without taking his eyes off Itachi, Shikamaru turned his head slightly. "It's Itachi and Pein." After a large swallow, Shikamaru took a step back and held the door open. "Please, come in."

Shikamaru and Temari lived on the east side of Vermillion in a small but well kept neighborhood. The couple resided in a small ranch-style home on the curve of Willow Street. Both Pein and Itachi followed Shikamaru through a short hallway that opened into a kitchen and dining area. When Temari finally caught sight of Itachi, she could do nothing but stare.

Motioning toward the table, Shikamaru sat on one side. When both men were seated, Shikamaru took a deep breath. "What's Sasuke done now?"

Itachi shot Pein a glance who didn't return it. "Well, I'm guessing you know about the change in Sasuke too?"

Shikamaru scoffed. "Yeah, he came to me and Tem. Asked us to record a song he'd written." From behind the brunette male, the sound of slamming was heard. Ignoring it, Shikamaru went on. "We went, and halfway through Sasuke got really emotional. He started crying actually. Before the track even ended he stormed out of the studio. That was the last time I saw him."

Pein jumped the gun. "Temari, have you had any contact with Sasuke since then?"

"No!" Temari practically shouted. "I don't understand why you've come to my house to question us about Sasuke. Especially when you hated him Itachi."

Shikamaru turned. "Temari." His voice was cold.

"Sasuke was in a car crash and was sent to the hospital." His voice was complete monotone and that grabbed Temari's attention. "Sakura took Sasori with her and they went to the hospital to see him. But when Sasuke's guard got Sasori far enough away, he picked his ass and left him in a parking garage to bleed. When Sasori was found, he was barely breathing. The next morning Sasuke checked out and he's been gone ever since. So has Sakura. No phone, nothing. Even my car is missing."

Temari's eyes were wide. Shikamaru turned to face Itachi. "He kidnapped Sakura?"

Itachi nodded. "We think so. She wouldn't just leave like that. It's been five days now Shikamaru." A hint of strain was in Itachi's voice. "Sasori's pretty messed up..."

From behind Shikamaru, Temari choked. "Sasuke said he had a plan to make you pay." The blonde woman looked like she was going to pass out. At once all eyes landed on her. "He told me he was going to take Sakura back one way or another. But I never thought this would be part of his plan..."

Instantly Shikamaru turned to face his fiance. "You fucking knew...?" His voice was barely a whisper.

Tears grew in Temari's eyes. "He told me he was going to off Ino... And I encouraged him.." Temari put a hand on the counter for balance. "That crash was planned... he faked it all... He knew Sakura would come to see him.. I gave him the idea to confront her there.." The woman began trembling. "I didn't know he'd kidnap her..." She looked up into Itachi's red gaze. "I'm so sorry..."

Pein glared at the blonde. "Where the fuck are they?"

Temari shot the group a glance. "I don't know.. Sasuke told me a friend of his owned a property somewhere down south but I don't know where.."

After a few silent moments Shikamaru turned back to Itachi. "Is there any way I can help you? I'll do anything."

Itachi's voice was low. "Keep Temari on lock down. Anywhere she goes, you go too. She's helped the enemy and for all we know she could still be in contact with him." Rage filled Shikamaru's eyes. "You've got my number and I yours. Shikamaru, if you find out anything call me please. I'll do the same for you."

Shikamaru nodded. "Thank you Itachi."

The two guests stood up. "We've got to get back to the hospital. Sasori had surgery on his arm this morning, we haven't been back to check on him yet. Thank you for everything Shikamaru."

"Let me walk you out."

Shikamaru simply ignored Temari, leading the way for the two men following him. Once outside, Shikamaru finally questioned. "She's played a part in the murder right?"

Itachi stopped and turned around. "The only people who know are us and Sasuke. Unless Sasuke tells the police, Temari will be fine. If you'd like to talk about it in a more private matter, you can give me a call tonight Shikamaru." With that, Itachi turned to step into Pein's car.

As the two men pulled away, Itachi couldn't help but stare at the broken man staring into space on his front porch.