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Solitude is where a hawk finds solace. If your brother does not want company, then no one can find him.
You are the exception, but he deserves peace, time and privacy of mind, and you will not take that away.
"I don't know."
The ANBU do not play games.
"Uchiha Itachi, your brother has been placed on probation for killing twelve prisoners without the permission of the government, and now, he has escaped at the expense of two debilitated ANBU. I should not have to tell you how serious this situation is, for the both of you."
"I don't know where he is," you repeat, and are yanked to your feet by another ANBU. You feel a tear at your shoulder.
"Listen, you criminal piece of shit, whatever you're scheming, if you continue abusing our Hokage's mercy, and ruining her good name, I swear by god I will act as your gallows and strangle you myself."
His mask hovers close, his voice a hiss, his grip crushing. But you return his threat with apathy, and no words past, "Please don't bruise me."
"Why you-!"
A palm breaks off the attack, as a fold of white separates the incensed ANBU from you.
"Assault our witness again, and I will place you on permanent suspension."
"But taichou-!"
"Get out." The captain scans across the room, and adds, "All of you."
When the apartment clears, he lowers his hood. "Forgive his impudence. Fresh blood. Strong sense of patriotism."
"No," you say, lowering your eyes. "He loves a person, not a land... and that is always stronger." Before the captain can comment, you abruptly say, "Your time is valuable. What do you want?"
"For you to swear to the truth before us. You know the consequences if you lie."
You bow your head.
"You do not know where Uchiha Sasuke could have gone."
"I do not."
"Do you know why he would do this."
"We had a fight. One of us had to leave, and I..." You tuck your hair back and reveal the seal mark. "... was not in the position to do that."
"What was the fight about."
You pause. Then, "Do you have siblings?"
It appears he does, or once did, because he speaks of the topic no longer. "How much do you think he is a threat to security."
"My brother is not a violent person," you whisper.
His pen stops. "The fact remains twelve men are dead and two are paralyzed. It is also obvious he has no regard for the law."
When you fall to silence, he turns to the kitchen table, cleared except for two pairs of chopsticks aligned on either side. There are rings imprinted on the table, evidence you have not had the energy to wipe before the squadron came and surrounded you. But the smell of food has long left the air, and the only thing that remains in this apartment is you.
The captain examines you through the contours of his mask, through human eyes, and gives in.
"We will notify you once we locate him," he says, closing his investigation book. "In the meantime, I suggest you get some rest." His gaze lands on the fresh blood spotting through your shirt. "If you wish, we can send you a medic of your request."
You give your gratitude. Before the captain leaves, you say, "If you do see him... will you please tell him I wish to speak to him."
Your request is received.
Sakura rings in the following morning, still in the muddled hours of sleep. She gives a yawn and formalities forgotten, asks, "Alright, who is it this time? Sasuke-kun electrocute himself trying to get past security or what?"
"He is not here."
Sakura spares a moment to absorb the implications, and sighs. "I'll fetch Naruto and Sai." This has become a rustic routine to her, her mind already running over her defense plea to the Hokage while her teammates does the hunt. Your brother's friends are his mercy, they are his gateway to a safe return.
When she first sees the reopened wound, the pull of a stitch or two, she hesitates. She doesn't want to ask, but has to. "Sasuke-kun...-"
"He didn't do this."
"Sorry, stupid question," she mumbles. "Don't let this happen again, okay? The scar will worsen."
Soon, mechanical noises fill the room. Her touches are not gentle, but nonetheless precise and quick. And despite her experience, she has managed to retain her warmth. Her breathing is softer than most soldiers, smell still innocent in shampoo. You do not make eye contact with her, but your glance traces up to her hair, her ear, to see a lone silver earring.
"That's beautiful on you."
She follows your gaze. "Ah thanks... Sasuke-kun said that too..." She brushes her hair aside to showcase it, and you note the pressure of the clasp against her ear to keep it in place. The surrounding skin is red, and will swell if worn too long.
"You have no piercing."
"Tsunade-shishou will murder me if I do," she snorts.
"May I?"
At your request, she nods and drops the earring into your palm. The silver is of the same purity as the necklace you wear. And you wonder, if you never came back, what path would your brother have taken, where would his heart have swayed.
Sakura is an honest girl. Everyone in the village knows where her heart lies. Only, she doesn't pursue your brother anymore, but waits for him, gives one last try, because he has not denied her since his return. She has matured though, and if he still does not return her feelings, she will let go.
You have thought your brother would have accepted her hand before that happened, because you have seen how he is before her, seen their friendship and trust, how he doesn't rejects her. And maybe you have focused too much on that, why you have become blind to his pauses and looks in your direction, the touches he gives you more frequently than you would like to acknowledge.
Sasuke does not hesitate. He has realized his true affections before you could, and so he makes the first move.
After a brief glance, you take a pair of scissors from the medical kit, and use it to pinch the one end of the earring clasp.
"Itachi-san, what are you..."
You twist the other end back, then click close the earring around her ear once more.
Her hand goes to touch it. "I... can't feel it."
"I gave the ends a little more surface area. Hopefully that will reduce the pressure on your ear."
"Oh..." She is lost in contemplation of your work, but she recovers, glowing. "Ah, thank you, Itachi-san."
You only hope that, maybe, this will encourage her to wear it just a little longer.
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