Another Cliche Band Fic ; An xxKaaat Original

Chapter Eleven


The wall was cold against Sakura's back. Although her eyes were closed, she felt the presence of someone else. Beads of cold sweat lined her forehead as she opened her eyes to reveal Sasuke. He sat on the couch with only a dirty pair of jeans on. His face showed an expression of pain, nothing like Sakura had seen before. The look made her uneasy, but she couldn't think straight enough to ponder the thought.

"What have I done?" Sasuke's clear words broke Sakura's thoughts as her eyes opened wide, peering at the man. "What in the fuck have I done to you? What have I become?" The mans voice was quiet.

"Sasuke?" This was the first time in over a week that she'd called him by his name.

At once he glanced Sakura's way. "This whole country is on the lookout for me. I'm a wanted man now. The police, my parents, Itachi, Jiraiya, even Shikamaru.. they all know. They were all on the news.. Sakura.. what have I done?" When the pinkette didn't reply, Sasuke spoke once more. "Why did you pick Itachi?"

The question stunned Sakura. "What?"

Once again, Sasuke questioned. "Why did you pick him?"

Slowly Sakura looked down. She was dirty, bloody and bruised. "I didn't have any intentions of being with him. To be honest Sasuke, I never thought of you like that. You were a friend.. someone I was close to. I-I" Sakura choked on her words. "I could have loved you... but I never let my feelings go that deep.. It was so sudden that with Itachi. At first it seemed like a one time thing, but I wanted more. I looked at him in ways I didn't look at you..." Sakura trailed, never lifting her gaze.

After nearly five minutes Sasuke finally spoke. "I loved you from the moment I first met you Sakura." A long sigh filled the air, revealing Sasuke's thoughts on what to say next. "I was sleeping with Temari when I met you. Then after that first conversations, I called everything off. You captured my heart that one time in the cafe. I was so sure that we'd become something. Temari was pissed at me, she cut ties with me. But she was the one to give me the idea to pursue you." A pause. "I didn't want to take you, but in the hospital I knew that you wouldn't come back after the conversation we had. I've put you through hell for so long... and I can't ever fix that. No matter how much I was so salvage what we have Sakura.. I can't. Look at you." Slowly Sasuke stood up and moved across the room, keeling down in front of Sakura. He raised a hand to her chin and forced her to face him. "I've got you chained in a room. I've tried to force you to love me."

A sudden realization came to Sakura's mind. "You're drunk."

A slap caused Sakura to slam the left side of her face into the wall. "You do these things to me and I can't control my actions. You piss me off and I hit you. You make me feel shitty and I hurt you. I'm mentally unstable Sakura and I can't fix that. No medication or therapy could ever fix what Orochimaru did to me." Once again Sasuke reached toward Sakura and forced her to look at him. He moved in closer. "I thought you would save me and I'd be okay. But then I found out that the one girl I loved, and who I thought loved me... really loved my brother. Do you know how that fucking feels? When no one wants you? When your brother always got everyone and everything? Sakura, I need you in my life."

The pinkette used force to break her chin from his grasp. A rage filled her body, giving her the needed will to stand. She towered over Sasuke. "I will never love you. You took advantage of me. You emotionally, physically and mentally abused me. You've kept in in a basement and you've raped me. You may think you need me, but you don't. You're a grown fucking psycho. I hate you. I hate you more than anything in this world."

Before Sakura could even process her own words, she felt a sharp pain. Sasuke's body was pressed against hers, crushing her against the concrete wall. A hand upon her throat tightened, causing Sakura to look to her right. Then a sloppy kiss appeared upon her neck. "You're going to regret giving me that tone Sakura." The man rocked his pelvis against Sakura's small frame then began to thrust with great force into her side, causing her to cry out. "That's right Sakura, cry in pain." With a smirk Sasuke leaned in close to Sakura's ear and whispered, "You know what Orochimaru used to do to me?" Another cry of pain. "You'll find out."

ACBF

Shikamaru stared into the golden liquid in his cup before downing it once again. The burn gave him a rush just long enough to forget temporarily. But as soon as the burn was gone, Shikamaru came back to his senses. Slowly he peered toward the pale man on his right. Without any words Shikamaru turned and put up a finger. "Another please."

"Shikamaru, why'd you call me here?" Itachi's voice was low. He then took a sip of the red wine in his glass. "You look like shit."

The pineapple haired man rolled his eyes. "Thanks Itachi." Balling his fingers into a fist, Shikamaru finally gave in to the lingering question. "Temari told me she cheated on me with Sasuke. How long it went on I have no clue. But I know that it for sure ended when Sakura came into the picture. Who would have thought my best fucking friend?" Shikamaru took a drink from the newly refilled glass.

Itachi's eyes were wide. "You're serious?" When Shikamaru nodded Itachi's head fell. "He's fucked over a lot of people Shikamaru. You have a right to be pissed. How did she tell you?"

"We haven't been right since everything broke out. I've slept on the couch, we haven't talked. I can't stand to look at her without thinking that she had a part in a murder and a kidnapping. She confronted me about everything and I told her that. She tried to blame Sakura, and I threw it in her face that I'd known Sakura since before her and Sasuke met. Then Temari tried to say that people change and Sakura probably left willingly. So, I agreed. People change. I told her that she changed, but I knew Sakura too well to know that she'd leave with Sasuke. So she told me that I was the one who changed because all I ever did was work. So I told her that I worked so much to buy a new house so we could start over, but I bought that damn ring instead. I told her how I had to work since all she ever did was sit at home. So she told me she and Sasuke were close.."

"She said she didn't talk to him." Itachi cut in.

Shikamaru gave a weak smile and glanced at Itachi. "Exactly. I caught her in her own lies. So she told me everything. I got up and left. I haven't been home in two days. I didn't take my phone, that's why I called from a pay phone. I left everything there."

A long silence fell between the two men. "I think you need to go back and talk to her. Shikamaru, you don't have to forgive her but you have to try to work things out. You and Temari have been together for three years. It'll be hard but I think together you can overcome it with time." Itachi looked toward Shikamaru to see him staring back. "We were never close, but I've seen you around. This isn't you and I don't like it."

A pause. "You're nothing like Sasuke told me." Slowly Shikamaru stood up and grabbed for his wallet.

Itachi set a hand on his arm as he warmly smiled. "I've got this Shikamaru. Go get her, make things right. If you need anything, call me. I don't care what time or where you are, I'll be there."

For the first time in two days Shikamaru gave a real genuine smile. Slowly he stuck a tanned hand out toward Itachi. "Thank you, for everything."

ACBF

When Shikamaru pulled up across the street from his house, the first thing he noticed was a familiar black Audi in the driveway. Almost instantly a wave of rage washed over him, he knew who was there. Taking off with a sprint, he ran toward his neighbors house and pounded until someone answered. When a young woman answered, Shikamaru explained that he needed two use the phone and why. Of course with kindness the woman smiled and let him do what he needed to. Within five minutes he was back out the door and on his front porch. Taking a deep breath he barged through the door and headed toward the living room.

The blonde woman froze and her eyes were wide when she saw Shikamaru in the door frame. "S-Shika.."

"Well well well, if it isn't my old friend." Sasuke sat comfortable on the couch with a smirk across his face. "Nice to see you, such a shame it's under these conditions though. Poor Temari told me how you left her after she broke the truth to you about us. Hurts doesn't it?"

Ignoring the question Shikamaru clenched his fists. "Where is Sakura?" His voice was a near growl.

"Shikamaru, please don't." Temari shook her head as tears filled her eyes.

"Temari, you invite him after you know all he's done!? I come back to fix things with you and instead I find him here. You know what he's done, why? Why in the fuck is he here?" Shikamaru was yelling, not caring who heard him.

Instantly Sasuke stood up and his gaze went dark. "You don't talk to her like that. I'm right here you asshole. I'm here because she called me crying, telling me how bad she fucked up. As for Sakura, well she's fine. She's far away from here and I doubt you'll be seeing her any time soon." Slowly Sasuke took a step closer to his friend. "Now do us a favor and calm down. I'll go freely and you can fix things with Temari. It's that simple."

"Don't move Sasuke." Shikamaru had a death glare. "It's not that easy and I can't let you go." Sasuke gaped. "Not to mention, Itachi is nothing like you told me. Do you know how much he cares about you, Sakura? He even cares about me. He's the reason I'm back here. He's the reason I want to fix things with my fiance, but instead you're here. She's going behind my back again."

Sasuke took another step. "Even you fell to the hands of my brother Shikamaru. It's disgusting. You're almost as bad as Sakura. But, as well as that goes I've already beat it into her that Itachi isn't coming for her. She's finally accepted that fact."

With rage in his heart, Shikamaru lunged forward and tackled Sasuke into the couch, causing him to cry in pain. From behind the two, Temari screamed in fear. With Sasuke in pain, Shikamaru stood up and pulled him from the couch onto the floor, then dove down with an elbow into Sasuke's chest causing him to cough. "You son of a bitch." Shikamaru's voice was strained. "You deserve every ounce of pain one can endure." Three more blows delivered to Sasuke's face brought about blood that splattered to Shikamaru's face.

Thinking quickly, Temari jumped and pushed Shikamaru off Sasuke and into the nearby glass table that instantly shattered. Realizing what she'd done, Temari stood up and backed away, shaking uncontrollably. Slowly but surly Sasuke stood. He was unsteady and his lip was busted, his chin cut deeply. Blood dropped toward the floor. With a sharp look, Sasuke lunged toward Shikamaru on the floor.

Before he could move an inch, Pein was atop him crushing him into the floor, a hand on his head.. "Don't move asshole. There's about four guns pointed at you right now and it would be a huge mistake to resist." Applying handcuffs quickly, Pein stood up and reached for the metal holding Sasuke's hands together. It barely took any effort to pick up Sasuke, and his head was low as Pein towered over him. With a firm grip on Sasuke's hands, Pein looked up toward Temari who's face showed horror. "Take her in too, she's got a part in everything."

Two officers held Temari as they applied handcuffs to her trembling form. Her eyes were teary but she didn't speak. She didn't even look at Shikamaru. At once Pein gave a hand toward the brunette and pulled him back into a standing position. "You okay?"

Shikamaru cleared his throat. "Yeah. Thanks man."

Pein's voice was deep as the police officers across the room waited for further commands. "It's what I do. The police were told to inform Jiraiya and I if anything happened. After all, Jiraiya was in the military for about twenty years. He taught me all I know." Pein gave a small smile. "I'd like if you'd come with me Shikamaru."

The brunette nodded. "Alright."

With that Pein turned back to the officers. "Take these two separately, and make sure Sasuke goes with security. Although, he's a little beat up right now and I don't think he'll try to resist." Pein looked down at Sasuke who's shirt was blotched red. "Let's get a move out, take the Audi for investigation."

Just as Pein had predicted, Sasuke gave no resistance as he was shoved into the padded security vehicle. Temari was put into a regular police vehicle and once inside, she finally began weeping. After only four minutes, the place was evacuated and the nearby neighborhood crowd had scattered. After a few calm seconds, Pein turned to Shikamaru who was in a daze. "Thank you for calling. I know it must be hard. You were extremely close to Sasuke."

Shikamaru sighed. "Not close enough apparently."

Pein put a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder and looked away. "No one was close enough. No one could have stopped this. He had us all fooled from the beginning. Sasuke's got issues that go way back, only certain people know about it. I hope that we can make Sasuke crack and he'll tell us about Sakura." A pause. "I'd like if you came with me to the mansion in Vermillion. I know that home isn't particularly a place you'd like to be right now. We've got an extra room available and no one in the band has a problem with you. Just before the police told me, Itachi called and told me about the bar. He's really touched that you reached out to him."

Shikamaru looked up at the orange headed man. From the various piercings and his cold eyes, Pein's personality wasn't justified by his looks. "Thank you Pein, thank you very much. I'd honestly like that... Can I have a few minutes to get come clothes?"

Pein smiled. "As much time as you need. I'll be in my car." He pointed toward the orange sports car parked on the street.

ACBF

"Anko Mitarashi here, reporting live from just outside Vermillion City Prison. We're here covering the arrest of the owner of Uchiha Enterprises, Sasuke Uchiha. It was released earlier this week that the youngest child of Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha, had kidnapped upcoming artist Sakura Haruno, also girlfriend of his older brother Itachi Uchiha. The two had been missing for nearly twelve days when a call was made telling police that Sasuke was visiting his accomplice, Temari Sabaku. She too has been arrested. There are still no details of Sakura Haruno yet. We'll be here later with more details on her whereabouts and more details of this case. Thank you for tuning in. Once again, this is Anko Mitarashi."

Sasori sighed as he turned the television off. Slowly he leaned his head back and took in the silence of the house. Everyone currently residing in the mansion had busied themselves with activities to keep their minds off Sasuke and the still missing Sakura. Pein, Itachi and Jiraiya found themselves down at the station meeting with the detectives and investigators. Mr. and Mrs. Uchiha were currently taking time to themselves and relaxing with Pein's parents on the beach. Deidara and Konan had nothing better to do, so they were both currently sleeping upstairs. Jiraiya's wife Tsunade occupied herself by going into work and completely booking her schedule.

With nothing to do and a broken arm, Sasori found himself relaxing. Although, even when he was alone in silence his thoughts would race over and over again. No matter what time it was or where he was, he'd find himself thinking about Sakura and he'd find ways to put the blame on his own shoulders. He'd heard the countless "It's not your fault!" over and over again, yet deep down... he knew it was. Sakura was gone because Sasori let her go that night. Sakura was gone because he left when Sakura told him to. That was something he'd never let go.

"Sasori." The high pitched voice caused him to jump. Before Sasori had the chance to sit up a black headed woman was towering over him.

"Kureani?" Sasori questioned. "What's up?"

"What are we?"

Sasori furrowed his brow. "What?"

"What are we? We go on dates, we cuddle but we're not official. What am I to you?" Kureani's voice was quiet as she sat on the floor in front of Sasori.

Finally he sat up. "I mean.. you're fun and all but.. We're not an item Kureani... We've talked about Dei-"

Kureani held up a hand. "We've talked about him on multiple occasions. The more we talk about it, the more I force myself to believe that you feel the same way." Small tears formed in the rim of Kureani's eyes. "Give me an answer Sasori. Should I stay or should I go?"

Sasori gave a small smile. "Why are you here if you already know the answer to your question?"

With a small voice the woman replied. "I want to hear the words from you. Not indirectly, but from you Sasori."

With a slow blink Sasori hung his head. He didn't want to hurt the woman, but she'd held on for more than he bargained for. Slowly Sasori looked back up and met her gaze. "I'm in love with my best friend Kureani. I love Deidara." Kureani slowly nodded and stood up. Without any words she left the room and a self battling Sasori. Just before she turned the knob to leave the mansion one last time a voice caught her attention.

"Kureani?" There at the top of the staircase stood Deidara. He wore no shirt and low hanging sweatpants. His blonde hair all fell down and only one baby blue eye showed through the tangled mess.

With a small smile and teary eyes Kureani turned and nodded toward him. "He's all yours now." Upon those words the woman turned and opened the door, making her way outside.