Echoes

Chapter Ten

A Bite to Eat

"Are you even listening?"

Sasuke and Naruto had headed back to the KPD complex after their talk with Kimi, to fill Kakashi in on what they had learned. Their commanding officer was currently reclined in his chair, feet propped on his desk and his eyes closed.

"Oi!" Naruto growled and swung his foot back, aiming for the chair legs Kakashi was currently balanced on.

"Don't even think about it." Kakashi's voice was lazy but it held Naruto's movements. The silver-haired man dropped his chair on to four legs and swing his own feet on to the floor. "Yes, Naruto. I was listening to every word."

Kakashi picked up the file Sasuke had placed on his desk and flipped through it, frowning as he did so. "I'll have someone look in to these details. No doubt they're fake but… well, as the saying goes, leave no stone unturned."

"What should we do in the meantime?" Sasuke frowned.

Kakashi tossed the file on to the desk and sighed. "Carry on with your other cases I suppose. I'll let you know what I hear back about the address. We should probably consider putting out an e-fit on the suspect. I know he's good at disguising himself but… maybe someone out there will recognise him. I'm going to dig a little deeper in to our dead scientist… see if we can pin down a probable motive."

Naruto grumbled as they left the office and Sasuke knew how he felt. He hated hitting a blockade in an investigation, especially when it meant that such a dangerous criminal was still wandering the streets.

Sasuke barely paid attention to where he was going, but his instincts were sharp enough to screech to a halt when a giggling figure emerged from a door to his right. Sasuke tipped forward on to the balls of his feet to maintain his balance and avoid yet another collision with an innocent bystander.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" The girl before him turned to face him and her surprised expression was mirrored on Sasuke's face.

"Ino?"

The blonde laughed nervously, eyes darting about. "Hi, Sasuke. What are you doing here?"

Sasuke raised a dark eyebrow. "I work here, remember?"

"Right… erm, yeah."

Sasuke looked at the room Ino had just exited and felt his lips twitch. "Shikamaru's office." He eyed the oddly speechless woman. "Interesting."

Ino flushed and raised her chin. "I was giving my statement… about what happened to Sakura."

"I thought you did that the day she was attacked."

The woman's mouth opened, and then closed when she could apparently find no response. An odd little 'humph' escaped her nose, and she turned on her heel, ponytail almost whipping Sasuke across the face. "I need to go. Don't you have work to do?"

Sasuke watched her stalk away and felt amusement creep over his bad mood. He would have to remember to tell Sakura about this.

Sakura and Kei were taking a leisurely walk back to Sasuke's, enjoying the sunshine, when Sakura's mobile rang. Digging around in her bag, her fingers closed around the vibrating phone and she fumbled for a moment before finding the right button.

"Hello?"

"Well it's about time!"

"Temari?" Sakura frowned at the exasperation in her friend's voice.

"Oh, remember me do you? Why have I not seen you since the day Gaara and I arrived?"

"Temari I-"

"I mean I didn't see hide nor hair of you at the party, and I went to your apartment earlier today and no one was in. I had wanted to see you before we went back to Suna, but seeing as how I'm now calling you from the airport, I doubt that will happen."

Sakura realised that the police must have finished with her flat sooner than expected if all the police tape had been removed but filed it away for later consideration. "Temari, I haven't been at home the past few days. Didn't Ino tell you?" Sakura knew that Ino had called all their friends to let them know she was safe and well.

"Tell me what?"

"My apartment got broken in to. I got out of the hospital yesterday and have been staying with a friend since."

"Hospital? Oh god, Sakura. Are you okay?"

Sakura hated the panic in her friend's voice. "I'm fine, promise. I thought Ino had let everyone know what had happened."

Temari snorted. "Well we're not on best terms are we?"

"What happened between you two?" Sakura sighed.

"Are you kidding me? Every time I'm in the same place as that girl she manages to take any guy I like right from under my nose."

Sakura couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in her throat. "Funny. Ino says the exact same thing about you."

When Sasuke returned to his house, he found Sakura and Kei already inside, sat in the kitchen drinking tea.

Sasuke frowned in confusion. "How did you get in here?"

"Found the spare key under the doormat." Kei raised an eyebrow. "A bit clichéd."

Sasuke pinched the bridge of his nose. "Good thinking. I should have given you a spare key this morning, Sakura."

The girl waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine I wouldn't expect that."

Kei tried to hide a smirk behind his cup. "Swapping keys already? Kids are moving fast these days."

The man grunted and jumped as Sakura's foot made contact with his shin. Sasuke thought it would be safer not to mention anything and moved to get himself a drink.

"So, how was your day Sasuke?"

The dark-eyed man took a seat next to Sakura and pondered her question. "I'm not sure. Our lead turned out to be promising but I'm not convinced it will really lead anywhere."

"Got an interesting case?" Kei seemed genuinely curious. "It's not about who attacked Sakura is it?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No, two of my colleagues are dealing with that. This is a murder investigation... well double homicide by the looks of it now."

Kei sighed with relief. "Well I'm glad that has nothing to do with Sakura. Robbery I can handle, murder…" He looked at his daughter's pouting face. "You never told me Konoha was so dangerous, Petal." Sakura pulled at face in her father's direction and he laughed. "So, this investigation?" Kei turned his attention to Sasuke. "Do you get many like them?"

Sasuke knew Kei was fishing to see how stable his life was – checking if there was a chance he may get himself kill – and shrugged. ""We deal in homicide quite often. Not had one like this before." "

Sasuke saw a newspaper just next to Kei's arm and gestured to it. "Knock yourself out." The older man said.

Sasuke unfolded the paper and skimmed through, knowing the media wouldn't have let up on the poisoning case just yet. Sure enough, ten pages in the face of the first victim could be seen. The restaurant had kept Shin's name out of it so far, they didn't need the extra publicity, but Sasuke was sure someone at the temp agency would blab before the day was out. There was no doubt in his mind that the story would be back on the front page tomorrow – Shin's face alongside the dead scientist.

Sasuke pushed the open newspaper towards the Major. "A very public poisoning, the target a very prominent scientist." Kei nodded, familiar with the story. "We've found out that the person suspected of placing the poison killed a waiter at the restaurant in order to take him place."

Kei's eyebrows shot up. "Someone really wanted that scientist dead."

Sakura ran her fingers around the edge of her teacup, recalling the voice on the phone... how calm and unmoved it was despite knowing he would have two men's' blood on his hands. "Could we talk about something else?"

The men sat with her looked at her in surprise. "You okay, Petal?"

Sakura nodded. "Fine." She smiled at them. "Just wondered if you wanted to do something special tonight, seeing as how you'll be leaving in the morning."

Was he? Sasuke sent a surreptitious look at the Major. Honestly, it would be a bit of a relief.

"Well we could go out for food somewhere... maybe not this 'Jade Leaf'." Kei read from the newspaper.

"Not funny at all, Dad." Sakura's expression was less than impressed and Kei let out a huff of embarrassment.

"Sorry." He looked at his host. "Sasuke, you'll join us won't you?"

Sasuke was surprised that Kei wanted him there. "Well I-"

"Please, Sasuke?" Sakura placed her hand on his arm and her large green eyes were beseeching even without her sight.

"Hn. Sure."

Sakura smiled and stood from the table, moving to get another cup of tea. When Sasuke looked at Kei he was confused to see a look of great amusement on the older man's face. What was so funny?

The choice of restaurant had been left with Sasuke. Of course that resulted in Sasuke calling Shikamaru and asking him to get Chouji's recommendation on a good place to eat. Shikamaru had the benefit of being so laid back that he was almost horizontal, and the man had not even questioned why Sasuke needed to know.

A quick call had confirmed their reservation for the evening, leaving Sasuke slumped on his sofa, shirt sleeves pushed up to his elbows and a pair of tailored black trousers hanging sinfully from his hips. Kei was flipping through the sports channels on the television; apparently the Major was a boxing fan.

Sasuke stifled a yawn as he watched the two men on the screen exchanged tired blows. Kei glanced over at his despondent form.

"You a gambling man, Sasuke?"

"Nope." Sasuke shook his head.

Kei raised an eyebrow. "Only with your life, am I right?"

"Not even then, sir."

Kei offered him a wry smile and Sasuke thought he must have said something right.

"Ready! Sorry for taking so long."

Sasuke turned his head to the doorway and almost swallowed his tongue.

"Well Petal, don't you look nice."

Sakura smiled at her father and shrugged. "I was speaking with Temari earlier and she suggested it. She's the one who bought it for me actually."

Sasuke had never met Temari, but he could say she had good taste. The sage green dress looked beautiful on Sakura. The halter-neck was flattering and the skirt flared out at the hips, letting a long expanse of pale, smooth leg show. Sakura's pink hair was swept up into a casual twist and Sasuke's eyes were drawn to her swan like neck.

"Looks lovely, doesn't she Sasuke?"

Sasuke started at the Major's words and coughed in to his fist awkwardly. "Er, yes." He felt like slapping himself and addressed Sakura. "You look beautiful."

Sakura bit her lower lip as she fought to supress a smile. "Thank you, Sasuke."

Sasuke didn't dare look at Kei but he knew the older man was having the time of his life making Sasuke feel awkward. "We should probably head out."

The trio (and Metsuki) headed to Sasuke's car, Sakura remembering to grab a blanket to keep her pet's claws off Sasuke's leather seats.

Chouji had recommended a recently opened sushi bar near the centre of Konoha. The place was new enough that, although the food was delicious, the place wasn't stuffed full and the owners had kept their prices reasonable.

The ride was pleasant, with Sakura at ease keeping both her father and Sasuke in conversation, and soon they were pulling in to the small car park. Sasuke opened the back door and helped Sakura out, Metsuki following along after her. He escorted her to the front door, Kei leading by a few paces and entered the restaurant.

It was warm and inviting. The décor was modern, with black leather seats and glass tables offset by bright blocks of primary colours painted on the walls. Sakura breathed in the delicious smells permeating the air and was impressed at Sasuke's choice.

"Hello, welcome to Heiwa Sushi. My name is – oh." The female voice broke off suddenly. "Sorry but we don't allow pets in the restaurant." Her eyes narrowed at Metsuki.

Sakura painted a polite smile on her face. "He's a service dog. I think you'll find it's illegal not to make an exception in this case."

"Of course," the woman mumbled and scooped up three menus. "As I was saying, my name is Rika. Table for three?"

"Please." Kei answered the woman, his gaze instinctively harsh. Well… was it his fault he disliked the way Rika had spoken to his daughter?

"Right this way."

Rika led them to a table near a window of the restaurant and allowed them to get settled. She placed the menus on the table in front of Kei and Sasuke and then hesitated giving Sakura hers. "I'm sorry, I don't think we have Braille menus."

Sakura shook her hands in a placating gesture. "It's fine, it happens more than you'd think. I'm sure one of these fine gentlemen will help me along."

Rika relaxed visibly. "May I get you something to drink while you decide what to order?"

Sasuke ordered a glass of water while Kei ordered a bottle of wine to share with his daughter. Rika jotted their order down and left them in privacy.

Sasuke, who was sitting next to Sakura, read the menu aloud in a soft voice. He had done it almost instinctively, and enjoyed how Sakura would add in her own thoughts on the food on offer. Metsuki was being very well-behaved, curled up on the floor beside Sakura, but Sasuke would bet his large brown eyes were following the food as it was passed around the restaurant.

By the time Rika returned with their drinks they were ready to order. Sasuke thought he would have to thank Chouji as the service was remarkably quick and the food delicious. The three ate their food with relish, Kei entertaining them with more stories of his time in the army. Many of the anecdotes Sakura had heard, if her facial expressions were anything to go by, but Sasuke was amused by what the major had to say.

They were down to the last few pieces of nigirizushi when a shadow fell over the table. Sasuke looked up at the interruption and felt his jaw tighten.

"Well, Sasuke Uchiha. Isn't this a pleasant surprise?"

Sakura's head rose at the voice and Kei wrinkled his nose at the bizarre appearance of the person before them.

"Orochimaru." Sasuke gritted out.

He met the unnatural yellow eyes of the man, noting how he had obviously had even more surgery since they had last met.

Orochimaru's smile was wide and disturbing. "How are you Sasuke-kun? I must say I never expected to see you here tonight… can't say I'm complaining though."

Sasuke supressed a shudder. "How are you?" The question was out of politeness but no one could mistake it as friendliness.

Orochimaru wasn't deterred however. "Very well indeed. Business is booming after all." He glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. "Speaking of which, I'm in the middle of a business meeting. Just saw you on my way in and thought I'd say hello. I'll be seeing you around, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke's narrowed eyes watched as the tall man disappeared in to a private room and he growled lowly.

"Friend of yours?" Kei asked mildly, snatching up a piece of sushi with his chopsticks.

"Hardly. He's a thorn in many people's sides."

Sakura snorted in to her wine glass. "That was a man? He sounded a little girly to me."

Sasuke eyed the pink flush on Sakura's cheeks and wondered how much wine she had had. Kei apparently found no reason to worry however and laughed along with Sakura.

"Long glossy hair and purple eyeliner… I had my own doubts."

Sasuke shook his head and sighed. "It's never wise to underestimate Orochimaru."

"How'd you know him?" Sakura chased a piece of octopus around her plate with little success.

Sasuke placed one of his chopsticks in the path of the piece of food and Sakura caught it with ease. "He used to be part of the Konoha Police Department. Served as second in command to Superintendent-General Sarutobi."

"Used to be?" Kei now seemed interested.

"He left shortly after I joined the KPD… about four years ago now. Struck out alone and invested all his savings in a fledgling cosmetics business. He's the face for all struggling businesses. Within four years he's pulled the company up to world-class status. They invest in chemical research for cosmetic products."

"Make-up?" Sakura asked?

"From what I heard." Sasuke shrugged. "Fund research in to cosmetic surgery too."

"Well he certainly practices what he preaches." Kei noted. "I don't think I've ever seen someone so pale." He sent the Uchiha a sly look. "He seems to have a real hard on for you, Sasuke."

"Dad!" Sakura gasped and Sasuke thought a small part of him may have just withered and died.

"I'm just making an observation." Kei picked up his wine and Sasuke came to the conclusion that Harunos could not hold their alcohol.

"Orochimaru fought quite hard to get me on his team when I joined KPD. Fortunately I got placed with Kakashi instead."

"That could have ended in a very ugly manner." Kei nodded knowingly at Sasuke and the younger man could not supress a shudder.

It wasn't too late when they arrived back at Sasuke's house, but Kei opted to head to bed citing an early start as his excuse.

Sasuke followed Sakura and Metsuki in to the living room where the two twenty-somethings collapsed on to the sofa.

"Ah, that was an amazing restaurant, Sasuke."

Sasuke hummed in agreement and sat up. "Want another drink? I could use one after seeing Orochimaru."

Sakura nodded in agreement and Sasuke plodded to the kitchen. He looked in the fridge and found a few bottles of beer at the back. Grabbing two he headed back to the living room, popping the tops off with the bottle opener as he went.

"Here," Sasuke pressed the cold bottle in to Sakura's hand. "I'm all out of shiraz I'm afraid."

Sakura smiled and took a hearty swig of the drink. "I'm sure I'll manage." She rolled the bottle between her hands for a moment before focusing on Sasuke again. "This Orochimaru really unsettles you, doesn't he?"

Sasuke let his head roll backwards. "He just radiates a bad vibe. He's a slimy character… I think he'd kill his own mother if it meant an extra zero on his profits." Sasuke looked at Sakura curiously. "You didn't get a weird feeling around him?"

Sakura shrugged. "He just sounded quite ridiculous to me if I'm being honest." She smiled at Sasuke. "But enough about disturbingly androgynous men. I had a really nice time tonight, Sasuke."

"Yeah?" Sasuke was a little thrown at the secretive curl to her lips.

"Yeah. And you know what else?"

"What?"

"I think I had a bit of Dutch courage. I think I've found a shot of much needed bravery."

"I think you'll find it was a shot of tequila." Sasuke tried to joke, feeling the air get heavy from the way Sakura shifted closer to him.

"Semantics." Sakura grinned, apparently appreciating the humour. "But honestly, I've been thinking about this since Naruto arrived yesterday."

Sasuke could feel her breath on his face now, the sweet tang of wine drifting in to his nostrils. "About what?" His voice was embarrassingly low.

"This."

Sakura shifted on to her knees and pressed a firm kiss to Sasuke's lips. Her aim was a little of and she only caught the corner of his mouth, but Sasuke turned his head and deepened the kiss.

He wasn't sure how long they remained like that but eventually the need to breathe won out. Sakura's courage had apparently been expended on that entire kiss and her face was flushed red.

Smiling shyly she shifted her legs from underneath her and stood up. "Well, I'd best get to bed. Goodnight, Sasuke."

Sasuke bade her a soft farewell, still fairly stunned at the turn of the events. He listened to her feet hurry up the stairs and ran a hand over his face.

His fingers skimmed past the smile on his lips and he shook his head.

Well hell.

Success! A weekly update was promised and a weekly update has been delivered.

I love all of you for your fabulous feedback for the last chapter. I'm glad you all liked Daddy Haruno. He's off next chapter but it's not the last we've seen of him.

One thing I have to address – I had some people ask how the poisoning at the restaurant was connected with Sakura's attackers. The answer: they aren't. Just two unrelated incidents but which will both serve a purpose.

Anyhow, I hope you all liked this chapter and the little bit of fluff I slipped in for you at the end. What about that Orochimaru eh?...

Hopefully I'll soon have time to go an look through the previous chapters in detail because honestly, some things were written so long ago my brain has kicked them out of my head. For that reason I thank the people who have pointed out mistakes to me – glad to know you read the story so closely.

So hopefully, real life permitting, I'll see you next Sunday for the next chapter.

Keep those lovely reviews coming you gorgeous people you.

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When they get back to the house Kei goes up to bed and Sakura and Sasuke stay downstairs to have a last drink – sweet moment. Perhaps a kiss?