Disclaimer, i dont own Naruto.

Chapter 10

Hunting

"Start talking Sakura! Cause I'm clearly missing something here!" Sasuke demanded, his dark eyes scrutinizing her every move as she cowered backwards. Sakura had been all swallowed up by the intensity in his eyes, unable to conjure a single thought let alone form a convincing lie. There was no way she was escaping this apartment without an explanation and they both knew it. Itachi slowly approached her from behind, noticing her ghostly appearance, the paleness of her cheeks and the unsteadiness of her ankles just waiting to give way under the pressure of his brother's glaring eyes.

Clutching her chilled hands into her chest, she swallowed noticeably, "H-How much did you hear?" she mumbled in a small shaky voice, her jaw trembling uncontrollably as she spoke.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "I heard enough," he stated, not breaking his gaze for a second, "Answer me! What the hell gives you the right to talk to my brother like that?!" His words were sharp and his tone just as severe.

"I…" she struggled. She could not move, could not answer. She could barely even breathe, "I… I uh-"

Feeling his patience wear thin, he finally got to his feet, "Sakura!" she jerked suddenly, "I won't ask you again!"

Itachi sighed as she suddenly bumped into him in her retreat. She was useless as she was now, if they had any chance of getting out of this situation, he would have to think of something and quickly. "Calm down Sasuke," he stated coolly.

"…" Sasuke brows furrowed as he averted his gaze towards his brother, "You don't have to defend her Nii-san."

The elder Uchiha ran his fingers through his bangs and towards the crown of his head, sighing again as his hand trailed down his ponytail, "I'm not defending her at all. This yelling is just unnecessary." Sasuke remained silent, folding his arms across his chest. Itachi glanced down at the terrified pinkette before continuing, "There was an incident at school and I had to give her detention," he shook his head lightly, attempting to ignore the desperate plea in her eyes almost begging him for an escape route.

"Detention?" Sasuke arched a brow, eyes trailing between her and Itachi. 'What the hell has gotten into her?' he thought noticing the way her tightly pressed lips were beginning turning white. She was always such an exemplary student, well as far as he could remember, how unlike her to suddenly break that perfect track record. "What did you do?"

"I-I…" There was the stuttering again.

Sasuke rolled his eyes refusing to play that game any long. "Spit it out Sakura!" he approached her.

"She got into an altercation with another student," Itachi stated quickly, "I was forced to take disciplinary measures," closing his eyes for a moment, "…however I can see now that perhaps I may have been a bit too harsh."

Her breathing hitched noticeably by his last words. 'Does he mean… what I think he does?' she thought looking up at his unusually calm dark pools.

"Sakura, please leave," Itachi said, re-opening to door, "I promise you I'd sort this all out on Monday." Sakura held her teacher's gaze perhaps longer than she should have before nodding lightly.

'Wait WHAT?… What EXACTLY is going on here?' Sasuke thought watching the both of them carefully, 'She's acting way to mental for any of this to be normal.' "Oi Sakura," he called out as she took her first step towards the door, towards freedom. "This isn't over. You've been avoiding me and Naruto for almost a month, there's something you're clearly not telling me."

She turned and bowed and blurted out, "Forgive me for my intrusion!" before circling and running out of the apartment.

'She's been avoiding them?' Itachi brows furrowed. So where has Sasuke been spending his nights these past weeks?

"Oi! Matte (wait)!" Sasuke ran towards the door but stopped as she leaped down the stairwell. "Hn… that girl," he watched as the head of pink hair rounded the corner and went out of sight. Turning back to his brother, he accused, "so… you guys are like friends now?"

"…"

"Itachi?" he raised a brow.

"Hardly," the elder responded before finally finishing his drink.

"…Hn" Sasuke turned and made his way back up to his room.

Sakura bolted out of the apartment without even the slightest glance back. This had all gone so wrong, so terribly terribly wrong, much like most of the decisions she's made recently. Flying down the stairwell, she paused for a minute, clinging to the chrome metal railing as she sunk down to the dusty cold floor, trying desperately to catch her breath. Tears finally burst from her eyes, releasing every bit of fear she felt under his scrutinizing gaze, it was simply too much to hold in anymore. Her sobs grew stronger, into full water works as her whimpering cries began filling hallway, softly at first and then more and more powerful with every hitch.

Had she known that only a couple floors up, Itachi has been listening. His hand lingered upon the door hilt, unable to do anything as her long pained cries reached him. His heart clenched, and his eyes focused on nothing at all as he envisioned her small frame crouched and weeping. "…Sakura," he whispered, resisting the pull to go to her side.

As time passed, she caught herself, the sobbing receding and even on occasion forming into the most ironical smile she ever made. It even grew to the point of a light chuckle as she shook her head, her messy strands swaying lightly. "Fuck…The year is turning out to be the best of them all," she muttered sarcastically, using her grip on the metal bars to pull herself to her feet. Dusting off her pants, she took a deep breath, 'Come on Sakura, you got to get yourself out of here.' Continued her descent down the stairwell biting her lower lip in a fleet attempt to suppress the tears. It was working, until she absentmindedly colliding into a broad chest as she rounded the corner.

"Woah woah woah, easy there sweetheart," his voice chimed, steading her in his arms. 'Pink hair?' he thought arching a brow, 'Could this be...' "You ok there love?" he asked, waiting for her to catch her footing again. She looked up at him, confused glassy eyes meeting his large obsidian ones. He noticed the dried streaked tear marks along her cheeks and straightaway exclaimed, "Holy shit, what's wrong love?"

"S-Sasuke?" her thoughts slipped out as she noted the man's dark hair and autographed Uchiha eyes.

He face palmed, "God, of all things I've been called over my lifetime," shaking head in disbelief, "Now that! Well, that's definitely a top contender."

"You're a Uchiha-"

He shot her an impish grin, "In the flesh love, call me Uchiha Shisui," he gently lifted her hand to his lips, "it's a pleasure to meet you Sa-ku-ra," he sang, brushing a kiss on her clammy fingers. His bright smiling eyes were such a contrast from Sasuke's confronting one. From his sing song tone to the wide complimentary grin and sparkling eyes, he was so friendly, unusually so. It all reminded her of a particularly blonde childhood friend.

"H-How do you know my name," Sakura asked blushing, tugging her hand from his grasp, making sure to put a couple steps between her and this stranger.

Casting her another charming smirk, he closed the gap between them, gently pinching a few of the damp pink threads that clung to her cheeks. "Lucky guess," he whispered, allowing the bubblegum hair to slide between his fingers.

He was being very personal with her, so much so she was beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable. There was then a sudden sharp vibration at her knee. The sound caught his ear and as she retrieved her phone from her pants pocket his smile widened when he noted the caller ID… 'Itachi.'

Quickly remembering she was supposed to be putting at least five thousand miles between her and this building, she shoved the device back into her pocket and spoke hurriedly, "I'm sorry I have to go-"

"Woah woah, hold on there lass," he grabbed hold of her arm before she was able to get much distance, "there's no need to rush off, there's something I'd like to discuss with you…"

Furrowing her brows, she glanced at him, alarms going off in her head as his eyes focused seriously on hers, all sprightliness now completely gone.

"I do believe there's a lot we can both benefit from, if we get to know each other," he stated, pulling her closer, his lips curling upwards into another charming smile, "Whatdaya say Sa-Ku-Ra?"

"Ch," Itachi rolled his eyes, tossing his phone onto his kitchen counter. It was the third call to her that went unanswered. 'What the hell am I doing?' he thought, taking another sip, more like a gulp, of a whiskey, 'I should not be perusing this….' He bowed his head, replaying the recent events over and over in his mind.

"Oi, Sakura! This isn't over! You've been avoiding me and Naruto for almost a month, there's something you're clearly not telling me!"

If she was avoiding Sasuke all this time, who had he been staying by? He released a noticeable sigh from his lips feeling the extreme tension in his shoulder again. He needed to rest. The matter of his company, his brother… her. It was all just too much. Even closing his lids was difficult for the image of a pained Sakura was burnt into them. If he was to get any rest, he would have to talk to her. 'What should I do-'

"Nii-san… what's with you?" Sasuke voice came, grabbing a glass and the bottle from his brother. Itachi was so exhausted he had not even noticed his brother leaning against the fridge. "I know all this drinking can't be about Sakura… can it?" the younger Uchiha poured himself a large helping, glancing up at him occasionally.

"…"

"You know you can tell me-"

"Oi, change of plans," Shisui barged through the front door, "Inabi secretary gave me the slip, there's no flight coming in from Suna tomorrow…." Shisui trailed off before smirking, eyes moving back and forth between his two cousins. "Is this… one of those… squishy brother on brother bonding moments? Cause I can wait outside," he joked, his thumb pointing to the door.

"What is it Shisui?" Itachi ignored.

"His flight arrived in Konoha about an hour or so ago, wanna push our little hunting trip up a little?"

"I'll get ready," with that Itachi ascended the stairs leaving the two alone.

"Shisui," Sasuke placed his glass down, "Whatever happening at the company, I think it's about time you guys told me," he said folding his arms.

"Whatdaya mean?" Shisui poked his hands, playing cool as always, "the company's fine."

"Don't bullshit with me! Nii-san's walking around like a fuckin zombie these past few weeks. He always works himself to a frazzle for the company." Sasuke scowled, "Something is going on… Is it something to do with Danzo?"

"I would love too little bro, but that's not my call," the elder leaned down onto the counter, following the frost lines on Itachi's glass.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "… It's useless asking him, he won't tell me but it's blatantly obvious that that it's taking a toll on him."

"Heh" Shisui smirked again, "…running a business isn't like the texts books… especially a family run business, your brother's just trying to ease you up. It's a real pain in the ass dealing with the all bureaucratic bullshit."

"I can handle myself," Sasuke stated.

"Heh," he chuckled lightly, "And I believe you," ruffling the spikes of his cousin's hair, "I think you'd be a strong leader, the one this company needs."

"…" he nudged his cousin's hand away.

"Gomen Sasuke-chan, something's telling me you're gonna have that power sooner than you expect," Shisui smirked, pulling the bottle of alcohol from his cousin, "Soooo, gonna see that pink haired girlfriend of yours again tonight?"

"She's not my girlfriend!" he rolled his eyes, "And I told you to stop calling me that!"

"Wait? This chick his letting you sleep in her bed without so much as a commitment?! Damn! Took that one straight out of my handbook didn't you," Shisui smirked devilishly.

"Don't get too full of yourself, I haven't been staying over by her," Sasuke retorted.

Itachi paused at the staircase, now dressed in dark jeans and navy long sleeved shirt, his signature necklace peeking through behind his collar. "…Let's go," he stated dryly, grabbing his phone before heading out the door.

"See yah Sasuke-chan," Shisui waved, expertly dodging a glass hurdling to his head.

Between twenty to thirty minutes later, Shisui pulled up in front of an impressively sized home. Drawing up the hand brakes before glancing over to his cousin, who despite better efforts, had this uneasy atmosphere around him since they left the apartment, constantly checking his phone every five minutes along the way.

"…Soooo," the elder spoke first, the silence driving his insane.

"…"

"Did something happen between you and the adorable Ototo?"

"No"

"Well you see, I've gotta ask cause you seem a bit on edge the entire ride here… I mean, you know, more than usual. And since when do you check your phone so often?" Shisui grinned sheepishly, knowing fully well this had something to do with the pink haired beauty he met earlier.

"…You spoke to Sasuke," his question more of a statement, but his cousin knew fully well what he meant.

"Ah," Shisui tossed his head back, resting comfortably against his leather headrest, "you so totally owe me." A sudden soft chuckled then escaped his lips, "God, I get back into town what, a couple weeks now? And already I feel like I need a vacation." Reaching into his dark jeans pocket, he retrieved a small box of cigarettes, "But still, at least I don't look anywhere near as bad as you," his tone stoic now as he selected a stick from the pack. Tapping it twice at its head against the box, he propped it between his lips before continuing, "You look like shit man, when was the last time you got some sleep?"

"…"

"Hn," Shisui simply shook his head, "To tell you the truth, this whole Inabi issue has me a bit antsy as well," he stated, feeling Itachi's eyes finally focusing on him. He tossed the box onto the dashboard and retrieved a gunmetal lighter from a pocket compartment, flicking it once, "I mean, working around you is stressful enough," effortlessly balancing the cigarette between his lips as he spoke. "But this whole fuckin Danzo issue just damages my calm," his voice growing rougher. "And now there's this issue about you and Sasuke and that… pink haired chick I gotta worry about," he flick the lighter again, and a third time before finally drawing a flame.

"That is not your concern-"

"You're not fuckin serious right?" Shisui interrupted, "You're the closest thing I have to a brother Itachi, and you expect me to just turn a blind eye to all this?!" He shook his head again before lighting the cigarette, "I know how much your brother means to you, so this… well it doesn't make it any easier." He ruffled his curls as he exhaled a small puff of smoke, filling the car with a distinct musty scent with an undertone of sweetness. He needed that cigarette, he really really did. He took another puff, slowly began feeling the tension in his shoulders dissipating, nothing a little nicotine to undo that knot.

"…" Itachi remained silent. He did not mind the smoke particularly. He recognized his cousin's concerns but knew that this was just one of those moments where Shisui simply needed to vent. After weeks of mindlessly searching yet achieving no progress, he could relate.

Suddenly, he heard his cousin sighed, "Remember when we were in our teens, and I used to be the first person you'd confide in whenever your dad piss you off?" It was a rhetorical question and Itachi knew it. He took another puff before continuing. "Back then… well, things were a lot simpler, not having the responsibility, I kinda miss that. My dad was still around too, and somehow he used to manage dealing with this fucked up company. God alone knows how he put up with Fugaku. Hn… I really wish I knew." He chuckled to himself again, "Ahh we were so naive back then though, thinking that one day we wouldn't have as much shit to deal with," he smile cynically, "boy were we wrong."

"I will deal with this," Itachi stated absolutely, "We simply need to know how deeply Danzo's influence has been planted."

"Deal with this huh," Shisui thought aloud, "You're talking about changing the values and perceptions of this entire clan, their very way of life. That is," he shook his head, "that is beyond any one man's ability to accomplish, even for you."

"… It is my duty to undertake," he stated, closing his eyes.

Grinning widely at his cousin, he teased, "Ahh the all noble Itachi, I shall serve as your knight sire. I'm sure the pink hair princess will be impressed."

Itachi sighed, he knew things would have end up back here.

Smirking, he carried on, "You remember back in the day, there was this one chick? God what was her name?!" He grinned jovially as was his usual self again, "Yugao right?" Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. "She was unbelievably hot! And you had like the biggest crush on her, but couldn't find a way to confess. You even came to me for advice that one time. You always had a thing for older women, if I remember correctly, she was you your first wasn't she?"

"Why are you bringing this up now?!" he rose his voice, ready to get out and walk away.

"Cause," his smirk widening by the second, "We need to talk about your new love interest!"

You're wasting your time," itachi attempted to reach for the door when it clicked lock.

"How does one even begin to fall for a high school girl?"

"Shisui we are not having this conversation now," he warned.

"Why not now? Inabi isn't going anywhere. He just got back, if he's even in there at all," he peered out his window, "the place looks dead." The property was dim, except a few single lights near the garage and back garden, it was clear Inabi wished no one to know he was back.

"There's a car in the lot," Itachi pointed out.

"Oh yeah, you're right, almost didn't see it there- holy fuck look at that car!" the elder remarked.

"Let's go," Itachi lead, unlocking the door.

"Fine, but when this is over we've gonna have a long talk about your choice in women."

Itachi ignored him, both hopping out of the vehicle.

"Alright," Shisui took his last puff before chucking his cigarette to the sidewalk, grinding it against his priced leather shoes, "Let's do this shit." Glancing towards the faintly lit garage again, the elder Uchiha whistled as though taunting a woman. Arching a brow, Itachi joined his cousin's side, following his line of sight. "Well hello there sexy! Look at that fucking Porsche! That's the new model right?" Shisui commented, taking a closer look, "Dude these cars sell for like anything north of a million bucks. Inabi must be packing some serious paper."

"Hn," Itachi closed his lids as he responded, "Let's just get this over with."

Glancing over his shoulder to Itachi who was yet again checking the time on his phone, he remarked, "Got somewhere to be?" The younger Uchiha remained silent, pocketing the device and following him up to the front door. Shisui had been the one to press the doorbell, Itachi however decided to lay low, leaning against the supporting pillar behind the door and out of immediate view. He was very anxious to get this entire ordeal out of the way, purging the company of the forging parasite and all his associates, however, knowing what else the pinkette had to say did constantly play on his mind.

The door finally eased open, revealing a Uchiha in his mid-thirties with dark shoulder length hair and already furrowed brows. "Shisui, who told you I was back?" his voice rough and agitated, not noticing his CEO leaning against the marble column.

"Inabi, mate," Shisui smirked casually, "You are not the easiest guy in the world to track down." Itachi remained silent, allowing his cousin to take the lead. He added, "Remind me to have a few words with that secretary of yours."

"What the hell do you want Shisui?!" asked Inabi, his tone more aggressive this time. He clearing was not warming up to the man's charm.

"Me? I just wanna talk," Shisui smiled despite the daggers he was being shot.

"If you're here to beg for your job back don't waste your time. I don't have the authority to reinstate you… nor the patience," Inabi stated smugly. "You're better off talking to that cousin of yours for a position at HQ."

Shisui scowled, his smile immediately disappearing, "You misunderstand me," his voice was deadly serious now, "I just came here to ask you some questions, but my cousin here," he moved aside revealing said CEO, "I'm pretty sure he wants your blood." Shisui smirked as Inabi's eyes shot open in absolute horror. As he met Itachi's piercing glare, he hurriedly shut the door, stopping short against Shisui's foot.

"Ahh! FUCK!" The curly haired Uchiha growled at the pain throbbed up his left foot, now crushed between the door and the frame, "Geesus man!" Shisui began hopping on his right foot clutching his other attempting to ease the pain, "Inabi!" he yelled in absolute rage. The spooked man took off into the house.

"Follow him," Itachi ordered calmly, lifting off the pillar.

"With what?! One fucking foot?!" his cousin yelled, glaring at him, "I'm not sure I can chase a man with the fucking bunny hop!"

"You're letting him get away," Itachi pointed out matter of fact, heading to the side of the house.

"Ahh! Fuck!" Despite his pulsing foot, he pursued inside after the culprit, trying his best to ignore the aching limb. Leaping over the couch, he tailed Inabi as he circled around some furniture, though his living room and into his kitchen. Throwing any random object at his pursuer, Inabi tossed a knife set absentmindedly as he made a dash for the back door. "Shit!" Shisui swore, barely dodged the knives as they came free of their frame, "Are you fuckin crazy?!" he gritted his teeth, leaping over the counter. He quickly grabbed the first thing at arm's reach, "Those were fuckin knifes you son of a bitch!" he shouted, tossing a good few plates at the man. They shattered one by one against his back, sending him to his falling to knees.

Inabi staggered up, reaching for the doorknob when it suddenly pulled open. Itachi entered the kitchen with his hands pocketed and his temperament contrastingly calm. Shisui rushed to the door, resting a heavy palm on the man's shoulder and panting for dear life, "Alright, let's try this again." He pushed Inabi down onto nearest chair while he fought to catch his breath, "Pushing aside the fact that you almost took my FUCKING HEAD OFF!" he yelled, "We're gonna sit and talk like men." Itachi folding his arms and leaned against the fridge, remaining calm and composed in contrast. He allowed his cousin to take the lead.

"You two are wasting your time, I didn't do it!" Inabi blurted out as a trickle of sweat rolled down his brow, his face pained with apprehensive.

"Didn't do… what?" Shisui tormented the man, wiping the beads of sweat from his own brow. He was mocking him and Inabi knew it.

"I'm not up for your games Shisui," he snarled, his dark eyes shifting being them. "I've heard the rumors. There's an investigation going on. They're saying he didn't really sign those damn share transfer forms," Inabi pointed at Itachi.

"Rumors? Made by whom?" Itachi asked furrowing his brows.

"Some members of the board" Ianbi shrugged before wailing out in sudden discomfort, "Ah!"

Shisui squeezed the man shoulders tightly. "Come on, I know you can be more specific than that… for your bran spanking new Porche's sake."

"Who did you hear this from?" Itachi asked again as he felt his patience growing thin.

"Mikoto-san" he finally answered.

…

"Listen to me, you see this guy here," Shisui indicated towards his cousin, "He can be a cold-blooded dick when he's pissed off properly. Now are you sure you wanna go down this route, accusing his own mother?"

"He's telling the truth" Itachi interrupted, closing his eyes for a moment. He had suspected as much. He knew his mother well enough to know something did not add up within the past had neither call nor pestered him about his brother since their dinner. She obviously knew more than she let on.

Shisui studied his cousin carefully before continuing. "Look I'm not gonna sugar coat things, you're already looking pretty guilty here," he dragged another chair and sat facing the man. "I mean you all but killed me tonight and a dog doesn't run unless he's guilty." Itachi continued to listen in silence. "So let's start from the beginning. You and… 'Mikoto' sold the shares of our company's main supplier to that aristocrat Danzo without proper authorization from our very own CEO here. Now his signature was forged and there's not even a single paper trail to be found. We've talked to your partner in crime already, and it would seem!" Shusui's voice started to rise in volume, "You were the one in possession of these mysteriously missing documents. Now we know that Danzo has a huge part to play in all this, but, all the fingers seem to point directly to you. Now we came to you first cause if we launched a public investigation, well, a sleaze-ball like you can end up with some serious indictments if we did, so spill."

Itachi smiled inwards, his cousin could be quite intimidating when his temper got the better of him. And this was one of those rare moments when he had the pleasure of witnessing it.

"Hn," Inabi folded his arms, "I didn't forge his signature," Inabi spat, "Believe me, the thought did cross my mind but the damn thing was just too intricate for me to make a convincing copy."

Shisui sighed, "What about the purchase agreement. We heard you handled the documents," Shisui added.

"Ugh," he scuffed, "Your mother kept breathing down my back pressuring me to get this deal to go through. She kept calling me every damn day," he turned his gaze to his CEO for a moment. "I knew there was no way I'd get you to sign those authorization forms but she wouldn't listen. On top of that, she refused to talk you about it, and I know I sure as hell could convince you, so, I went to Danzo. Dealt with some guy named Shin. He took the documents to him. Danzo assured me that he'd be able to convince you to sign, so I didn't question him."

Itachi's sighed inwardly, running a hand through his hair. Things were becoming more and more complicated by the second. "Where are those papers now? You had to have shown it to accounts to get the shares transferred. So where are they?!" Shisui demanded, having searched through every filing cabinet in Uchiha Co. and came up empty handed. No accounting personnel had seen it pass the transfer either, so it had to have been taken.

"Ask Mikoto. I delivered them to her months ago, that's the last I saw of it," Inabi stated plainly.

"Ugh! Mikoto again…" the curly haired Uchiha heaved a heavy sigh before turning to his cousin. They needed to get their hands on that document, and it was at the very place they had started. He felt like they were going in circles. "Somehow I don't think he's bullshitting us."

"Let's go," Itachi instructed, lifting off the fridge. Shisui sighed and nodded in agreement.

"Hn, don't think for a second that Mikoto is so senseless to just leave those documents lying around waiting for you two morons to collect them."

"If you attempt to contact my mother, I assure you, you won't have an office to return to on Monday," Itachi warned.

"Don't leave town," Shisui dropped that line as he got to his feet.

"Hn. Itachi," Inabi snickered sinisterly, "Don't you dare threaten me. I'm not afraid of you. An arrogant little boy who's walking around with his parents' cash in his pockets trying to act all tough."

The both stopped. Shisui raised a brow. "Go ahead Itachi, you can act high and mighty now but don't forget, we 'little' peons may not have the controlling vote yet but we are still the founding pillars of this company. We have the know-how and years of considerable input in this company so don't think for a second that we don't have an influence on the rest of the board." Itachi ignored him and turned to leave. He had no time for idle threats. They needed that documents and they were going to get it.

"It would seem that Danzo has compensated you quite well for your allegiance to him in this transaction. Enjoy your new found wealth whilst it lasts, however, I advise you not to be hasty and spend beyond you means Inabi, before you find yourself in debt so deep you cannot recover from."

"Hn, you have no idea how beneficial this transaction was to this company. You and that sniveling little brother of yours… you're just a liability to this company, Fugaku must me turning in his grave."

Itachi fists clenched, his annoyance very present on his features this time. "Woah woah itachi, he's not worth it!" Shisui interjected.

"Heh," snarled Inabi, "weak."

"Allow me," Shisui planted his full fist against the man's face, almost breaking his nose in the process, "damn I take that back, that's more satisfying than I thought," he turned to his cousin grinning widely, "You should totally try it."

"We're done here," stated Itachi. Both cousins left the man speechless and bleeding from nose.

It was just minutes to twelve when Shisui drove up to their apartment. He switched off the ignition, both sitting there in silence. Shisui hummed lightly before remarking, "Sasuke's car is gone, he must've taken off again… " Itachi remained silent. "Dude let's just head to your mom's in the morning and get this all sorted out, try to get those papers while we're at it too."

"…."

"Itachi, hey man for all we know inabi could be lying about through his ass-"

"I'll get them," stated Itachi, exiting the car. He checked his phone again before taking heading out the yard.

"Hey wait up! Where are you going?" his cousin questioned, shutting the car door.

"Out."

"On foot?" Shisui arched a brow, "Oi! You crazy, you need to get some rest!"

"I won't be long."

"Itachi…" Shisui watched him as he walked away before shaking his head, 'It's your turn sweetheart, take care of em.'

It was now a good few minutes after twelve, Itachi had been pacing in front the Haruno resident for God knows how long, trying to talk himself out of actually doing this. He paused, thinking how insane he must seem to any onlooker. He looked up to the night's sky and heaved a great sigh. He was being ridiculous, far out of the norm for a Uchiha, even his annoying cousin would have just made a decision by now. Glancing back to the small door, he made up his mind. Walking onto the porch, he lifted his hand and placed three unsure knocks against the wooden door…. And waited.

"Goodnight," Itachi bowed nervously at Mekubi who seemed quite distractedly upon answering the door, her eyes glancing back down the hall to her husband who, despite all the strength any man his size could possess, could not manage to fix a suitcase shut. Mekubi, like him, had been dressed quite formally, adorning pressed shirts and work suits.

"H-hello?" she finally greeted her guest with her full attention. "…I know you, you're that Uchiha's brother aren't you?" she eyed him suspiciously, given the time of night, it was to be expected. From there previous meeting, Itachi guessed that the blonde had not been overly fond of his brother and by extension, he could not wrong her for being weary of himself.

"I am, forgive my late visit," he responded respectfully.

"How can I help you?" she asked curiously.

"I would like to speak with Sakura for a moment, I promised her that I'd pass by-," he attempted to explain.

"Mekubi! Where did you put my tie?" her husband's voice call out from down the hall.

"It's on the arm chair hun!" she yelled pressing her fingers to her temple. "Sorry, we're running a little late. Come on in," she stepped aside. "Sakura! Your friend is here," the blonde called but got no response. Turning to the Uchiha again she informed him, "She's been in her room since this afternoon." Glancing towards the living room again, she mentioned distractedly, "You know what, go on up, I doubt she's asleep at this time anyway," eager to return to her packing.

"Which chair?" her husband called out again.

"Ugh!" Mekubi groaned, "The only arm chair in the living room!" Itachi could clearly see her patience wading, and thought it best to not stick around to witness it.

Approaching the top of the staircase, Itachi had to guess which room belonged to her. Approaching the door to his right, heard some orchestral video-game music leaking out of the room and took his chances. Knocking softly upon the door which was left slightly ajar, he received no response. 'Perhaps she was asleep,' he found himself holding his breath, easing the wooden door open making it creak lightly at its hinges. Was he… anxious? "Sakura?" he called out, to be greeted only by an empty room which he instantly concluded was hers. The room was off white in color and decorated with coral pink curtains, purple scented candles and matching ornaments along what he assumed to be a small make-up table. Towards the center of the room, there was a small unmade bed, adorned with pink cotton sheets trimmed with white lace, revealing a more childish, feminine side of her. However this was not what took him off guard. Piled on top the bed was a mound of clothes save a few which had been strewn upon her grey carpeted floor. He was quite taken aback by the state of her room. 'She's… so messy,' he thought noticing the avalanche of papers atop her desk, ironically resembling his own. Advance mathematics, chemistry and even his biology notes was scatter arbitrarily about the table below her still active console controller. He had been mistaken, it was nothing like his, there had been to order to this mess.

'Where is she?' he furrowed retrieving his phone again, 'Did she go out?' She had not answered his last few calls, but it did not hurt to try one last time.

"Sakura?" he questioned, pulling the phone from his ear when he heard a muffled simultaneous ringing from across the room, coming from what he guessed to be her bathroom. There was no answer, no response, nothing. Slowly drawing closer to the ringing as it went on, he absentmindedly bumped his foot against an empty metallic flask laying on her carpeted floor. Knitting his brows together, he quickly retrieving it. 'She's been drinking,' he frowned, inching the bathroom door open. There she had been, sleeping soundly in her tube, naked. His breath hitched, her immodesty forcing him to turn away immediately.

"Hello you've reached Sakura, leave a message," her voice messagesounded loudly from the phone clutched at his side, piercing loudly through the silence in the room.

'Can she not hear that?' he thought when suddenly a loud clank caught his ear. "Sakura!" he mouthed, his muscles immediately tense as the possible calamity of the situation. Moving to her side, he noticed yet another metallic flask upon the floor. She had passed out, not even that had woken her.

Her head was bowed forward with her pink bangs veiling her eyes with its ends submerged into the now cloudy bathwater. Her phone was precariously lain atop the edge of the tub, just within her reach. She had been waiting for his call all night and yet... "Sakura," he whispered, pushing the hair away from her eyes, securing it behind her ear. Nudging her lightly, he shrilled at the icy water that rolled against his fingers. "Shit," he swore, the water was freezing and she had not even stirred, 'How long has she been in here?' he pondered quickly rolling up his cotton sleeves. Grabbed a towel from the wrack and carefully lifted her out the bath, he cradling her within the towel in an attempt to provide some warmth.

"You came…" she muttered finally, feeling her body being lifted into his arms.

'She's shivering,' Itachi noted as she dug deeper into his arms. Taking slow steps back into her bedroom, he carefully laid her down onto her bed, wrapping her frame within the fabric. "I-I didn't think y-you'd come," she stammered, clutching the towel to her chest. Lifting a trembling hand, she pointed towards the bathroom rack indicating for a pink striped robe. He immediately understood and retrieved it. If her parents had seen them as it was, well… he'd be dead, without a doubt. Handing her the robe, he noticed the pinkness of her cheeks and the jerkiness of her movements.

Turning away as she began removing the only fabric clothing her naked frame he stated plainly, "You're drunk," folding his arms across his chest.

"I'm n-not," she attempted now robed, falling back onto her mass of pillows, her wet hair soaking into them. Attempting to have a conversation with her now was pointless. She was already upset to begin with and adding alcohol to the mix was just not the best of combinations. "D-Doesss SSSasu-ke know you're h-here?" she look up at him from her hazed eyes, squeezing the excess water from her wet strands into her drenched towel.

He gazed down at her again, her bangs still clinging to her forehead. "No-"

"Sakura! We're off! Leftover's in the microwave okay! Hurry up Hunny!" Mekubi's voice came from downstairs before the front door was slammed shut.

He was now alone with this drunken emotional girl… perfect. Shrugging he responded, "No, he doesn't know I'm here," glancing down at her. Her lids were closing down, battling to stay awake. "I should go, I'll call you when you wake up, if you still wish to talk then-" he stood up, about to leave when he felt a small tugged on his shirt.

"Please don't go I-Itachi… don't leave me alone… I-I don't want to wait for your call with b-baited breath anymore," she muttered before drifting off, his shirt slipping through her fingers.

This was not smart… not even a little bit. Every part of him told him this was so horribly wrong and yet… Nuzzling a few stands atop her forehead, he gazed down at her sleeping form for almost an eternity, cursing the power she held over him… "How can I think to leave after hearing that," he whispered, crouching down next to her. "It doesn't matter what you have to say to me…" he muttered, trailing his tender touch across the apples of her cheek, "I'd always be compelled to forgive you."

A.N.

Soo hear's what happened... MY laptop crashed...while i was writing this chapter... yeah.. Together with exams, i just wasnt motivated to finish this chapter for a long loong time. =( gomen.

If it wasnt for you guys support i wouldnt have been able to do it. Thank you very much for the reviews and favourites, they're been my constant motivator throughout Break My Silence.

As for the next chapter, im warning you guys in advance, it has lemons! Its already written , just need to polish it up a bit, so i'm pushing for next weekend.

It shall be done! O.O

But yeah, let me know what you guys think of this chapter.