Chapter 9: Back From the Dead
Sakura winced at the sound of her cellphone vibrating loudly. She tumbled to the other side, away from her phone in hopes that it would die. It was still too early in the morning. She wanted sleep longer after last night's events. It was only a Sunday. She deserved to sleep in at least once. It vibrated again. She covered her face with the pillow, darkening her world in the morning lights. She prayed it would die. A few seconds later, it was silent. Sakura sighed in relief. She rolled on her back, her body in content on the big, soft bed. Heaven would last a little longer.
A little was what she got. Her cell phone vibrated again even louder. She grumbled loudly. Impatiently, she reached for her cellphone sitting on the coffee table and grabbed it. She cursed that if it was Ino yelling to her about something on that stupid gossip blog, Sakura was going to murder someone, probably Sasuke since he would be the closest in the area. When she flipped open the phone, she realized that it was not a call, but her alarm. The clock read 8:51. Sakura's eyes widened in horror.
"SHIT I'M LATE!" Sakura screamed as she threw off the covers.
She quickly threw off the pajamas Sasuke had lend to her last night and put on her very own, not caring that they still smelled funky. She pulled up her socks and threw on her shoes as she slammed the bedroom door open. She quickly picked up her bag. Suddenly, she stopped. Something was odd. It was too quiet in the house. Not a single noise except for her. She paused for a moment to look around the house. It was practically empty except for her. She heard no footsteps nor breathing except for hers. She walked to the couch and was suddenly startled. The couch was clean and untouched. No blankets or pillows were on the couch.
Sasuke was supposed to be sleeping here...Sakura thought, as she bit her lips. Her eyes darted to the front door and she noticed something else was missing as well: Sasuke's shoes.
Her eyes grew uneasy. Something was wrong. This wasn't his usual behavior. He had never left without telling her. He had never made her feel worried like right now. There was no way Sasuke would leave so suddenly like this.
But that was the old Sasuke Sakura thought about. Nowadays, she couldn't read Sasuke anymore. And yet for a moment yesterday, she thought he had returned to her and Naruto. She thought that Sasuke would explain everything to them for his strange behavior. She thought that when Sasuke allowed her to stay at his apartment again for the night, he would tell her everything. She thought that they were still friends. But now, she wasn't so sure anymore.
To her irritation, her cellphone vibrated again. She checked it again, her world nearly crashing down at the sight of it.
"AAAAHHH I'M GONNA BE LATE FOR WORK!" She moaned as she opened the door furiously and slammed it shut behind her.
As Sakura exited the apartment complex dashing like a mad woman, she passed by two teenage girls dressed in fancy skirts, dark tights, and sky high heels. They were giggling and gossiping about something random in high-pitched, girly voices. This made Sakura's eyes roll. Sakura would have brushed them off like any other girl, but something about their conversation caught her interest. Especially when she heard a familiar name. Sakura felt her steps falter as she paid more attention to the conversation and where it would lead to.
"Do you know what happened?"
"I don't know. All I know was Sasuke was in the police car heading away from ROOTS corporation."
"So like, he got arrested?"
"Well duh, he was in a police car with handcuffs!"
"B-But does that mean, Danzo is like, dead?"
"Of course not! That man's still alive! I'm not sure why Sasuke would do such a thing, beating up a man almost as old as the principal. Seriously, how did he turn out like this? He's so handsome too..."
Sakura's heart stop. She didn't know whether or not she was still sleepy or not, but the words "Sasuke" and "arrested" were linked so closely, she didn't know whether to be surprised or not. Her thoughts were broken up at the moment, and for some reason, she could really see a connection going on.
Naruto and her were kidnapped by men and saved by Sasuke...
Sasuke was not home last night...
Sasuke was arrested for fighting Danzo...
He was living alone in the first place...
Sasuke was the heir to the Uchiha corporation...
Sakura hesitated to move. She looked behind her where she saw the Uchiha Tower stand above all in the Fire District. It was so high up from her, unreachable to the common person like her.
Sasuke-kun, what's going on with you?
Naruto had sat on his bed the whole morning, unable to tear his eyes away from the newspaper. An hour had passed since Ino had slapped the newspaper into his hands and had yet to leave it. Naruto wished he could close his eyes at the black and white photo of Sasuke, handcuffed, with two policemen behind him, but couldn't. He wished he didn't know what words meant when he read about how brutal Sasuke was to Danzo, but he understood it too clearly.
And then, after absorbing every little detail into his head, Naruto crumbled the newspaper into a jacked up ball and threw it in the trash can like a baseball. Unsteady on his bedside, Naruto grabbed his head and let out a strangling noise.
"GARAAAAAHHHHHHH WHY CAN'T STUPID RICH SPOILED KIDS LIKE SASUKE-TEME EVER NOT DO STUPID THINGS LIKE BEAT UP WEIRD, OLD DUDES WITH ONE EYE? WHY DO THEY DO THINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE SENSE BUT REALLY DON'T? SASUKE IS AN IDIOT!"
"I KNOW RIGHT?" Ino agreed loudly, her cheeks puffing red. "I MEAN YOU THINK THERE'S GOTTA BE SOME PATTERN OR THEME TO THIS BUT REALLY, ALL THE SHIT HE'S DOING IS REALLY CONFUSING AND POINTLESS! WHAT THE HELL IS HE SUPPOSED TO GAIN FROM BEATING UP THAT CREEPY ONE-EYED DUDE OR HANG OUT WITH FOUR-EYED SLUTS AND SHARK BOYS AND LEAVING FOR EUROPE AND-"
"That's it!" Naruto exclaimed as he abruptly stood up from his bed.
Ino looked up at him, confused. "Naruto, what is it this time?"
"We never found out why he left for Europe in the first place..." Naruto said, his voice trailing off for a moment. "Nor why he came back."
Ino looked at him for a moment, then her head perked up. She flipped open her cellphone, scrolling down the screen. Her fingers paused as she examined her screen.
"Just as I thought, you and Sakura-chan really want to know," Ino replied, handing Naruto her cellphone. On it was a past post on Rumy-Nin with a picture of Sakura exiting an apartment building. Naruto was unfamiliar with it and his insides started twirling up. Before he could ask, Ino was quick to respond. "This was yesterday when Rumy-Nin saw Sakura heading out of Suigetsu's apartment. She pictured it like some stupid love triangle, but I think Sakura was looking for information about Sasuke too. I mean, Sasuke did turn to them when he returned."
Naruto nodded hesitantly as he looked at the screen. Indeed, he should have expected Sakura to do something like this. He couldn't blame her; he was at fault too. They both wanted to know the truth behind everything. They wanted to learn more about their friend. They wanted to know how Sasuke, who was once their best friend, had nearly become a stranger to them. Random fights, brawling, sleeping next to Sakura, hanging out with Suigetsu's crew, and the tension between him and Madara didn't fit the old Sasuke much. Sure, Sasuke was prone to take action than words, but not hastily.
Naruto scrolled up the screen again, unpleased at the huge picture that took up the homepage. It showed Sasuke, his hands behind his back, handcuffed. A policeman was dragging his head into the police car. Naruto could barely see Sasuke's face in the picture, only his dark eyes showing. However, something about Sasuke's eyes disturbed Naruto. They were not the usual cold and emotionless as always. Naruto could see some anger in it, as if Sasuke was regretting not being able to finish off Danzo.
Not wanting to look at the picture for another second, he clicked on another link to take him away from the scene. The screen withdrew for a moment, only to pop up with an older post. Naruto checked the date, only a week ago, and his curiosity grew. He found himself looking at another picture of Sasuke, but this time, he was sitting calmly and surrounded by three people: Karin, Suigetsu, and Jugo.
"Sasuke's new best friends huh.." Naruto uttered bitterly. "What do they know about him? I don't even want to know why he turned to these idiots."
Ino only shrugged. "Not to make things worse, but I'm pretty sure they know exactly why he left Fire District in the first place."
"But I don't want to get it from them! I want to find out from Sasuke!" Naruto cried.
"But Sasuke's in jail!"
"Then I'll bail him out!"
"You'll do no such thing, Naruto," A deep voice spoke from the doorway.
Naruto and Ino darted their attention to the door, noticing Jiraiya leaning against the doorway with a coffee mug in one hand and the same newspaper in the other. His eyes were unwavered, matching his calm face too well. Naruto walked up abruptly, displeased with his godfather's words.
"You really think I won't do anything, Jiraiya-jii? Sasuke's my best friend! I have to help him out! I need to know the truth! It's killing me and Sakura right now!" Naruto retorted.
"Naruto, this is strictly Uchiha matters only. I won't let you interfere with it, even if Sasuke is practically your brother," Jiraiya reiterated once more.
"Weren't you the one that said we should stand up to Madara? You and I know he's been playing dirty tricks since he took over the company! I bet he threatened Sasuke with something! I swear, I know it has something to do with him!" Naruto exclaimed angrily, each second building his temper higher and higher. "Lemme see that bastard right now and settle things!"
To Naruto's surprise, Jiraiya responded with a smirk.
"Like I said, Naruto, Sasuke is strictly Uchiha matters at the moment." Jiraiya sipped his coffee mug, winking at the two.
Naruto and Ino glanced at each other, exchanging puzzled looks. They were not sure what Jiraiya meant, let alone why he was so relaxed about it. Jiraiya's sudden roar of laughter only added to the two teenager's confusion.
"Ahahahaha well I can't blame you kids! You were so young back in those days!" Jiraiya chucked as he turned around, his back facing Ino and Naruto. Before he left the doorway, he gave them a quick side glance, still smirking.
"Then again, so was she..."
Naruto and Ino's eyes widened at Jiraiya's parting words as he made his way downstairs, finishing his coffee.
"Uchiha, is it true that the bail for your nephew is over 100, 000 dollars?"
"Uchiha, why have you yet to pay for Sasuke's bail? Is it true that you wish to take away his rightful control?"
"Uchiha, have you and ROOTS been faring?"
"Uchiha, was your nephew secretly spying on ROOTS operations?"
"Uchiha, do you realize that Sasuke is responsible for Danzo's critical condition?"
Madara struggled through crowd of reporters as he exited his limousine, walking calmly as possible. He tried to seem unaffected, but really, it was starting to ride his head. Every question went unanswered just as Madara desired, but it didn't stop the reporters from asking more. As much as he liked for his company to reach a higher publicity, Madara had always hated reporters. They usually never shone positive light on the Uchiha Corporation ever since he took over. He didn't understand why they had put on on such a negative position. He had brought the company to heights and dreams his brother could never reach. Now that he thought of it, nobody ever liked a man as great as him.
The reporters were almost like flies: multiplying with each step Madara took to his office. A wave of relief overcame him when he saw his pale, green-haired assistant, Zetsu, standing at the front door to the Uchiha Tower. His yellow eyes opened as his mouth twisted into a grin. Madara sped up to the door as Zetsu opened it for him. Madara entered first, followed by Zetsu, who paused for a moment to face the crowd of reporters.
"Uchiha Madara will not be taking any questions at the moment, thank you," Zetsu announced with his winning smile and a soft goodbye wave as he shut the door close.
The farther Madara walked down the hallway, the quieter the reporters got. Zetsu quickly followed up, matching up to Madara's pace.
"Looks like Sasuke went a little overboard than preferred, eh Madara?"
Madara frown. "I expected Sasuke to do a clean job, not blown up with blood all over his clothes. That boy doesn't realize that his wadrobe costs more than a prank shop."
Zetsu chuckled. "Yes, yes, but Sasuke never really does sleep. At least, not until his path of vengeance is done. You've executed it very well, I must admit, Madara."
"Yes, it was the best timing I could get. Back straight from Europe, his dealings with Itachi finished at last, yet he can never erase what he hears and sees. Why would I tell him to let it go when it could benefit the future of this company?"
"My, my, Madara, you really are a cruel man, betraying your own nephew," Zetsu commented with wicked grin. "But I guess if you could do it to your family, your nephew isn't much of a problem."
"Sasuke may act like he's an adult, but he is still a child. With the right words, I can turn the same boy who rebels against me into a soldier that wouldn't dare question me ever again," Madara stated sternly. "I can't believe Sasuke went that far. He knows I dread reporters."
"Like you once said, Madara, he's a loose cannon; you must tame the boy."
Madara nodded his head in agreement. He pressed the elevator button, waiting patiently for it to arrive. He glanced at Zetsu for a moment as the door opened.
"Call up the board. I want a meeting at 6. This is the perfect time to dictate what shall happen to Sasuke and his shares."
Zetsu nodded as Madara entered the elevator and doors slid closed.
Sakura yawned loudly as she sat on the counter. She rested her chin on her hands lazily, observing the nearly empty coffee shop. Only one table was occupied at the moment by a man typing rapidly on his laptop, his coffee barely touched. Sakura glanced behind her, her space almost as empty. Aside from her boss, who was upstairs dealing with money or playing online poker as he usual did, Sakura was the only one working today. Sundays were rarely busy days nor did anything happen on those days. Regularly, the shop was empty and Sakura spent most of it doing her homework when her boss wasn't looking. But today, she was feeling extremely tired, most likely from last night's incidents. Last night had soaked up all her energy, especially in her head.
Sasuke-kun...She thought, twirling a strand of her pink hair.
After overhearing the gossiping girls, Sakura had immediately bought the first newspaper that had Sasuke's name blaring on the front page and read every detail. According the article, Sasuke had confronted Danzo in the middle of the night of unknown reasons and proceeded to fight him. Both he and Danzo managed to put up a fight, but Sasuke had taken the winning shot to Danzo's stomach. A night janitor had overheard the noises and immediately called the police, hence the arrest of Sasuke. Aside from that, Sakura had no idea what was going on nor why Sasuke had decided to go after Danzo. He had been acting incredibly strange ever since he returned. First, he was cold and distant from them, held on the belief that friendship meant nothing to him. Come the Gala, Sasuke was just the same cold person if she had not pressured to take her and Naruto in for some clean up. Naruto had somehow convinced the two that Sakura should stay in Sasuke's apartment for the night.
And then they slept together in the same bed. Sakura blushed slightly as she remembered this. She recalled that it was practically meaningless really. It was cold that night and Sasuke was being stubborn. He did not wish to take the couch, complaining that it was too cold. After several minutes of bickering, Sakura had allowed Sasuke to recover his own bed as long as he stayed on his side of the bed. Sakura was unable to sleep that night until she was convinced that Sasuke was really asleep and stayed at his side. Unfortunately for her, it wasn't until she woke up in the morning to her friend's berading and Rumy-Nin that things took a wrong turn. She had not been aware of how and why Sasuke had suddenly turned around and wrapped his arms around her. It was unnecessary, humiliating, and yet, warm.
She rubbed the side of her arms, unable to sit still as she remembered all the events accumulating to that front page cover. The newspaper was laid to the side, clear to Sakura's view. The black and white photo of Sasuke being taken away from the police had disturbed her greatly. It was very normal for Naruto and Sasuke to get into lots of fights, but not to the point where the police was involved nor a top CEO. Sakura never remembered Sasuke as being incredibly violent to the point of desiring blood. Or at least, that's what Sakura saw in Sasuke's eyes of the photo.
Her thoughts were cut short when Sakura heard a delicate, sweet voice speak up.
"One misto with lot's of caffeine, please."
Sakura looked up, her eyes widening in surprise. She had barely noticed the woman walk in. But it wasn't the woman's presence that made Sakura startle; it was the way she looked. The woman was, in Sakura's mind, stunningly beautiful. Sakura guessed the woman was only in her mid-20's, but her outfit spoke loud as if she was a powerful woman from the Upper District. She was pale with dark black eyes and rosy lips, barely any makeup on. She had long, silky dark hair that was undone yet was perfectly placed around her shoulders. Covering her slender frame was a long cream overcoat in sheer dark tights and studded stilettos. Although her eyes were dark and black, they radiated the warm her pale skin could not and only her smile could melt any man's heart. Sakura thought she was the ideal beauty for woman. Any man would be lucky to have her. There was something graceful about her, the way she held her purse lazily between her hands yet flickered her fingers like royalty. Sakura could not stop staring at the woman. She was incredibly beautiful and yet, something about it wasn't unique. There was something about the woman's beauty that made Sakura do a double take and try to discover why her beauty was not original.
The woman raised an eyebrow, chuckling sheepishly. "I hope my hair isn't too much of a mess. I've just gotten off a very long flight from New York. I was hoping some coffee would wake me up a bit, you know?"
"Oh yes, of course! Right away, ma'am!" Sakura nodded her head quickly as she hurried to the coffee machine and started on the drink.
As Sakura prepared the drink studiously, she kept sneaking side glances at the awaiting woman behind the counter. For some reason, Sakura felt like this wasn't the first time she met this woman, even though it appeared she did. She had never seen this woman before. Or at least, the same one. She looked so familiar, but Sakura couldn't picture it right. Why did it feel like deja vu when she saw that woman?
Sakura capped off the coffee and handed it the woman. To Sakura's surprise, the woman handed her cash; no credit cards. Sakura hesitated to take the money, but did so anyway. It was very uncommon for members of the Upper District to use cash, even for coffee shops. This woman was no doubt from there but Sakura couldn't understand how even though she dressed like one, her smile said something different. Shaking away her thoughts, she sectioned off the money into the cashier and smiled at the woman.
"Thank you. Have a nice day, ma'am," Sakura greeted.
The woman smiled warmly at her in return. "Will try."
The woman turned around, walking slowly towards the door. Just as she was about the exit the shop, a blond boy had furiously opened the door and dashed inside. Naruto pushed the woman aside gently and ran right up to the counter. Startled by Naruto's sudden arrival, Sakura stepped back slightly, blinking.
"N-N-Naruto? W-W-What's going on?" Sakura asked, dumbfounded.
"Sakura-chan! It's about Sasuke! W-We got to do something!" Naruto breathed out heavily, almost panicking. "I think something bad is going to happen to him!"
"Naruto, calm down! Right now, the only way we can help him is if we bail him out and we can't do that!" Sakura argued painfully. "We don't have that kind of money! Besides, only family can bail a minor out!"
"It's not about that, Sakura-chan! Look, before everything starts getting out of control, there's something you have to know-"
"Sweetie, thank you for the coffee. Have a good day," The woman said cheerfully before closing the door behind her.
Naruto's eyes widened and for a moment, he appeared frozen. Sakura saw the sudden change, and grabbed for his shoulder, shaking it.
"N-Naruto? Naruto, are you okay?" She asked, worried.
Slowly, Naruto turned around to face the streets behind the window. He saw the same woman that was just in the shop a couple minutes ago, her long dark hair bouncy back and forth behind her. She had a content smile as she sipped her coffee and her dark eyes lit up gleaming. Naruto's eyes followed her every movement as the woman walked away from his view.
"Naruto, what's wrong? Stop acting so weird right now," Sakura asked, looking back and forth between Naruto and the woman.
Naruto's body was shaking. Sweat was pouring down his forehead. "I-I-It really is true..."
"What are you talking about? Naruto, please tell me!" Sakura pleaded.
Naruto didn't answer. Instead, he only went on, his voice unsteady and confused.
"She's back."
Madara waited impatiently on the end of the long, glass table, where only his seat was filled. Every chair on the other side was empty and clean, untouched since the morning. Madara looked up to the clock; a minute after six. He grumbled slightly. This was very unusual. Usually, his board members were very strict about getting on time, at least fifteen minutes before the actual meeting. All the executives were well aware of never crossing him. Tardiness was something Madara could not tolerate. Apparently, it didn't enter into his board member's heads this morning.
His cellphone rang. Madara immediately reached for it and pressed it against his ear.
"Where is everybody?" He was quick to ask, not even checking who it was.
"I have yet to see them in the building, sir," Zetsu responded on the other line. "Madara, I thought you should just know ahead that-"
"I don't care about anything else; find the other members or else they're done for with our company," Madara seethed through his teeth. "They need to realize how important it is to fully gain the last shares from Sasuke."
"I'm fully aware of that, Madara, but you have a visitor right now," Zetsu replied, avoiding the demand.
"Can't you tell that this is not the time for reporters? I need the board members to finalize my decision by tonight!"
"I don't believe it's going to stop our guest. She's already on her way to your office."
"A woman?" Madara scoffed. "Why didn't you stop her, Zetsu?"
There was a pause in between. Madara could sense the hesitation from Zetsu on the other line. "Y-Yes, Madara, I don't know how I'm supposed to break this to you-"
"Are you telling me you didn't have the guts to stop her? Who is she, Zetsu? I want to know which damn bitch was brave enough to march in this building like she owns this place!" Madara demanded sternly.
"Oh, but I do, Madara."
Madara turned his attention to the door and did the most un-Uchiha thing: His face was in surprise.
Entering the door was a dark haired woman with matching eyes and pale skin. She wore a slimming cream sweater dress, sheer tights, and studded stilettos, her overcoat around one arm and a red purse in another. She dropped her purse heavily on the glass table as she took a seat on the opposite end of the table, facing Madara. She crossed her leg and positioned herself from the side, resting on arm on the table. Her piercing black orbs placed it attentions on Madara, a familiar smirk coming across her face.
"Pleasant to see you too, Madara," greeted Uchiha Shizuka.
Rumy-Nin
Your #1 Hot Spot for the Dirt in Fire District
Back From the Dead
Hey lovelies,
OMFG you guys won't believe what I just discovered in the last few minutes. Words cannot describe how excited I am for this post to go online at the moment from my latest findings. You guys won't believe who was just spotted at the airport, let alone in Fire District itself, in the picture below. Let me guess, most of you guys are looking at this screen, dumbfounded, asking yourself "who's that chick?" like some stupid pop songs. In my case, the real question is "Where have I seen this chick before?" She looks like she belongs, but no one has ever seen her. Well, at least in the past couple of years. I don't blame you guys. It had been way too long since this girl's stepped foot in Fire District. Actually, I believe I was only just a child when she was still around town. But like boomerang, those that leave Fire District always find their way back. Just like Uchiha Sasuke.
And to be exact, it looks like boomerang kids are common in Uchihas.
And speaking of Uchihas, they sure do enjoy a good homecoming.
XOXO Rumy-Nin
Posted September 9th, 2010 4:23 PM
Yep, yep, guys. You just met my OC. What do you guys think? I really want your opinion. Thanks for reading!