Here is chappie 8. Hope you like it! ^_^

CHAPTER 8-The Secret Passage

After their truce in the land of tea, Sasuke and Sakura worked on the case of Matsumoto Yuki.

For a month, Sasuke and Sakura did some research after school in the library. It was a secret that no one knew of and they planned to keep it that way. There weren't any recent attacks but the ANBU were still alert.

They had checked all the places that Orochimaru had been to but they didn't find any clues. One day, they were at the library as usual.

Sakura rubbed her temples, "Just when I thought we were progressing."

Sasuke leaned in his chair, "All Orochimaru has been doing is just what he normally does; sell drugs and import chemicals. I don't see how he's related to the explosion in school or the incident in the land of tea. I don't think its Orochimaru."

Sakura shook her head, "It has to be Orochimaru. He told Kabuto to put paper bombs in the school, poison Ino's lipstick and Naruto's gym uniform. Plus, my mom had a puncture mark on her neck; a puncture mark that was made by a needle, a syringe. The only criminal who uses a syringe, is that snake; all evidences point to Orochimaru."

"Think outside the box Sakura," said Sasuke. "We're missing something important."

'Think outside the box.' Sakura's mother had said the exact same thing to her when she was little. Sakura three years old and was trying to solve a five hundred piece jigsaw puzzle but was confused. After her mother said those words, she separated the pieces according to the color and was able to solve it in a day.

"Kill me if you must," said Sasuke. "But even though Orochimaru is connected to the mission of elimination of the heirs, I don't think he's your mother's killer."

Sakura was about to snap back at Sasuke but she held back. Sasuke had planted a seed of doubt in her mind. What if Orochimaru wasn't the real killer?

"If he isn't my mom's killer," said Sakura. "He is surely connected to the real killer."

Sasuke nodded, "But the problem is, we don't know who that person is."

After a long silence, Sakura spoke, "Let's go."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "Where?"

"My house," said Sakura. "There's . . . something I need to show you."

They drove to Sakura's house in silence. When they arrived, Sasuke gave a low whistle, "Nice place."

They went to the kitchen. Sakura looked at Sasuke, "Coffee?"

Sasuke shook his head, "No thanks." Sakura nodded and went to fix herself a cup. Sasuke sat on the counter.

"You live alone?" asked Sasuke.

"Yeah," said Sakura. "It's cool but it can be lonely here sometimes."

After a long silence, Sasuke spoke.

"So," said Sasuke. "What is it that you wanted to show me?"

Sakura put her mug in the sink, "Follow me." Sasuke put his mug in the sink as well and followed Sakura upstairs. They stopped in front of a door.

"Just so you know," Sakura said with a smirk. "You're the first person that has been in my room."

Sasuke smirked back, "What an honor."

Sakura rolled her eyes and opened the door. Sakura's room was light green in color. It had one queen sized bed with white bed sheets, a shelf with a lot of books and a couple of decorations, desk that had a computer on it, a stereo and a door that led to her walk-in closet.

"Come on." Sasuke said as she opened the door to her closet.

Sasuke tilted his head, "Isn't it restricted for a guy to go into a girl's closet."

Sakura rolled her eyes, "I'm not showing you my clothes. Don't worry about it."

Sasuke smirked as he followed her in. They walked to the far end of the closet. Sakura turned around to face Sasuke, "Don't tell anyone about this."

"Hn." Sasuke muttered.

Sakura moved the raincoats away to reveal the Rinnegan.

"This," said Sakura as she pointed to the symbol. "This is the Rinnegan; the symbol of power of the Matsumotos."

Sasuke nodded, "Is this what you wanted to show me?"

"This is a part of it," said Sakura. "What I really wanted to show you . . . is this."

Sakura pressed the symbol and the wall opened to reveal a secret passage.

Sasuke raised his eyebrow, "And what is this?"

"You'll see." Sakura said with a smirk. She gestured Sasuke to follow her. Once inside, Sakura switched on a light. They walked through a long corridor. Finally, they reached a door. Sakura twisted the knob and opened the door.

Sasuke's eyes widened at what he saw.

It was a huge room. It was yellow in color had several tables that were filled with papers. Notes hung from clips that were attached to a string and hung on the ceiling. There was a computer and also a board that had three pictures attached on it with magnets and some writings below them; notes and dates. In the corner was a shelf that was filled with files and folders.

"This is my research room," said Sakura. "It was my mom's office but after she died, I used it to do my research. After I discovered this place, when I was seven, I immediately began my work."

"Pretty impressive," Sasuke said as he looked around. He looked at Sakura and smirked. "For a seven year old."

Sakura chuckled, "Well, it wasn't easy."

"Let's get to work, then." Sasuke said as he sat at the computer chair.

Sakura cleared her throat and walked towards the board. She pointed at the picture of a man that had long black hair and yellow snake-like eyes; Orochimaru.

"This is how he looks lately." Sakura told Sasuke.

Sasuke smirked, "I wonder why they didn't catch him when they took this picture."

Sakura rolled her eyes and smirked, "Real cute, Uchiha. But this picture was taken when he was last arrested. He escaped from jail remember?"

Sasuke nodded, "What about the next picture?"

The next picture was of a woman with red hair, red eyes and round black glasses; Karin.

"She's Orochimaru's spy too?" Sasuke asked baffled.

"She was," said Sakura. "Your little girlfriend worked for Orochimaru for about two months last year because she owed him some money. She just helped Orochimaru in his lab experiments. I've already questioned her years ago and didn't get much info because she wasn't that close to the snake."

"One, she's not my girlfriend," said Sasuke. "Two, Does she know that you attend the same school as her?"

Sakura smirked, "No, because I was in my ANBU uniform and my hair was hidden. If she did know it was me, she'd pee in her pants every time she sees me."

The third picture was of a boy, who looked about twelve, with bright orange hair and orange eyes.

"That's Jugo," said Sakura. "Orochimaru had kidnapped him because he was the younger brother of Kimimaro, the owner of the Kaguya Airlines. We managed to save the boy but Orochimaru escaped. I questioned the boy, me and Madara-san. Turns out that he knew one of the snake's hideouts but when we went to check it out, it was already vacated with no clues left."

Sasuke sighed, "Whoever is behind this must have planned everything from the very beginning so that it won't fail."

"But it has to fail," said Sakura. "The five great Companies are at stake."

They both sat down and got to work. Sakura went over the files and folders containing information about drug dealers while Sasuke browsed through the files on the computer.

There was a folder that said Matsumoto Murdered. Inside it was the article of the newspaper about Yuki's death. There were pictures too. Sasuke opened one of the pictures. It was the picture of a red haired woman; Matsumoto Yuki. Her green eyes were wide open as if she had seen something horrifying. Her body was sprawled in an uncomfortable position and her torso was covered in blood.

"I see you found those." said a voice; it was Sakura.

Sasuke cancelled the image, thinking it would bother Sakura.

"It doesn't bother me, you know," said Sakura. "When I was studying my mother's case, I had to see those."

"How and when did you get those?" asked Sasuke.

"Madara-san gave them to me when I was ten," said Sakura. "I told you, he's the only one who helped me all these years. No one else believed me."

Sasuke's expression darkened, "I don't think you should trust my uncle, Sakura."

"Why?" said Sakura. "He's like a father to me. He's the one-"

"I know," Sasuke cut in. "It's just . . . there's something weird about him and I don't think he's trustable."

Sakura rolled her eyes, "Yeah right. He's the head of the ANBU and the smartest and most skilled fighter in all of Konoha. Why shouldn't I trust him?"

"The face of your worst enemy can be the face of your best friend." Sasuke murmured but Sakura ignored the statement and went back to work.

After a long silence, Sasuke spoke.

"Where was your mother's body found?" asked Sasuke.

"The park," said Sakura. "Her body was in the bushes."

"I think we should investigate there," said Sasuke. "Maybe we'll find some clues."

"I've been there," said Sakura. "There's nothing. Even if I did miss something, it must be gone by now."

"Wouldn't hurt to look again, right?" said Sasuke. Sakura sighed as they exited the secret room.

The next day, they went to the park. The park was empty; people avoided it because Yuki had died there and it brought back sad memories.

Only a few people were there; a little boys playing Frisbee with his dig, a little girl flying a kite with her grandfather, two boy twins playing catch with their father as their mother sat in the grass and watched, an elderly couple relaxing on a bench and a young couple holding hands and taking a walk.

Sakura slipped her hands into Sasuke's. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Sakura. Sakura looked away to hide the blush that was slowly creeping to her cheeks, "Just to blend in."

Sasuke nodded. The two of them walked in silence.

Sakura shivered as she walked towards the bushes; the same bushes where her mother was found. It brought back bad memories. She squeezed Sasuke's hand. Sasuke understood that Sakura didn't like being here so he squeezed her hand back; a gesture to show her that she wasn't alone.

"Well," Sakura said as she let go of Sasuke's hand. "Let's look for nothing."

Like Sakura said, there weren't any clues found. Sasuke was about to give up and go home when something caught his eye; a small dirty, old and tattered cloth that was inside a hole in the tree.

"Sakura," he called out. "I found something."

Sakura jogged towards him. Sasuke held up the piece of cloth, "It looks like this has been here for some time."

"Let's go back to my place." Sakura said in a serious tone.

They went back to the research room. Sakura examined the cloth with a magnifying glass and felt every inch of the cloth with her fingers.

Sakura's eyes widened, "I've seen that kind of cloth before."

"Where?" asked Sasuke.

"When I was little," said Sakura. "I went to a seafood restaurant on my birthday with my mom. It was quite expensive but my mom said it was my birthday treat. She took me out for sushi and the chefs there all wore aprons of that quality cloth."

"Where is that restaurant?" Sasuke said as he put his hands on her shoulders.

"It closed down," said Sakura. "A few days after my mom's death, the people working in that restaurant packed up and left."

"Doesn't it seem a bit too suspicious that they move away right after your mom's death and now we find an apron piece that was worn by the chefs of that same restaurant?" said Sasuke.

Sakura nodded, "If we investigate that restaurant and its staff, we'll get some clues about the killer."

"I'm on it." said Sasuke as he sat down at the computer.

Sakura stood behind Sasuke, "Any idea where that restaurant has moved?"

"Kiri," replied Sasuke. "But if we go there, everyone will suspect something. Plus, we have to be there if any more attacks occur."

Sakura bit her lip. Finally she spoke, "I know someone who can help us."

"Who?" asked Sasuke.

"He's a member of the ANBU investigation squad just like me," said Sakura. "And, he's also my partner in the ANBU."

Sasuke nodded, "He's in Kiri?"

"Yeah," said Sakura. "He went there for a vacation but I think it's about time that he came back."

Sakura pulled out her phone and made a call. Sakura sighed as her call went to voicemail. She left a message after the beep; "It's me. When you get this message, call me immediately." Sakura leaned against the wall.

"Sakura," Sasuke said suddenly. He walked towards her and stood in front of her. "Why did you tell me about all of this? It could have been your little secret but you told me. Why?"

Sakura was silent for a long time. Finally she sighed, "I don't know."

"Yes you do," Sasuke said as he stepped closer. "Give me an answer."

Sakura shook her head, "I don't know, Sasuke. I just . . ."

"Do you trust me?" Sasuke asked as he placed both his hands on either side of Sakura, so that she was trapped between him and the wall.

"Trust?" Sakura scoffed. "I don't trust anyone except Madara-san. I've realized the hard way that trusting someone brings pain."

"Trust is like a mirror," said Sasuke. "You can fix it if it's broken."

"But you can still see the crack in the reflection." Sakura replied.

"You told me about your secrets," said Sasuke. "Secrets you haven't even told to Madara. Why?"

"I don't know!" Sakura yelled. She took a shaky breath. "I don't know."

"Trust me Sakura," said Sasuke slowly. "You have to learn to trust people again. True, it brings pain but you can learn through your mistakes."

"I . . . I'm scared." Sakura admitted shakily.

"Don't be." Sasuke whispered. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Sakura's. Sakura stiffened at first but then relaxed. Sasuke pulled away.

"I'll be leaving then," said Sasuke as he walked towards the door. He turned and looked at Sakura. "I'll see you tomorrow at school." Sakura nodded. Sasuke closed the door behind him and left.

Sakura's heart was beating fast. Sasuke had kissed her so sincerely; a kiss to let her know that he would never betray her. Her hand absently touched her lips. Her body had automatically reacted to Sasuke's kiss. She relaxed when he kissed her. It was then when she realized that she already trusted Sasuke.

Sasuke, after reaching home, went to his room and lay on his bed. He didn't know why he had kissed Sakura. He remembered the look of sadness and fear in her eyes when they talked about trust. Sasuke understood that Sakura had been through a lot and that it was hard for her to trust anyone.

He closed his eyes and gave a small smile at the memory of the kiss. Sakura had stiffened but then relaxed; a gesture which meant she trusted him. He sighed as he let the sleep take over him.

Me: ooh! SasuSaku fluffiness!

Hinata: Please review ^_^