Wait [Modern AU]

Step #48


"She's not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, but I guess she'll do. She has the backing of the Uchiha, after all."

I hated those words with a passion. Said to anybody in any way or form, it makes me instantly irritated at the bold yet insulting statement. Do they mean to say that things can't be done without the Uchiha? People are not as useless as that, no matter how helpful and capable the helping families are.

It was on our way to see the contents of the box when we were stopped by some officers who were guarding the box. Word has already spread that I was the one Sasori only wanted to talk to, and so I had special permission to see evidence involved with the case.

Of course, I was put under strict supervision, and Shisui and Itachi were also tasked to make sure I was safe, since this situation puts me in a lot of danger. It's not every day a criminal and assassin wanted to talk to me, after all.

"What do you think is in the box, Ari-kun?" Shisui glanced down at me, checking my current state. He knew that we all pretty much stayed up the entire night, so checking our conditions was a must in his book.

"The box…" I thought for a moment, recalling Yuko's words before she went to the area. She said not to defend whoever, and Shisui suggested it may be my father. I wouldn't know, though. If he was right in his assumption, then it would mean that father did something shady and possibly on the verge of, or, breaking the law.

However, since the dojo was built over the box, would father even know about it?

If that's the case, then…

"Maybe it's got documents that Arrow needs? Maybe transactions, records of assassination attempts or something." I link it back to my previous assumptions of the box. "Since they're the ones after it, it's probably got something to do with them."

Shisui hummed in response, nodding his head a couple of times, thinking. I didn't know what was going on in his mind, but it looked like he was mulling over a few things.

Once we reached where the box was being held, we saw Yuko, who was talking with Fugaku with documents from the open box. She was sifting through them and explaining each one, but since they were at the farther end of the room, we couldn't hear them. And as usual, Fugaku was standing there with his arms crossed, wearing a concentrated expression.

"Ah, you're here." Fugaku, who was facing us, was the first one of the two to notice. He headed to us after patting the enthusiastic agent on the shoulder.

"Arisa, Sasori didn't say anything, did he?" He questioned me.

I quickly mulled over the facts a little bit, then shook my head. "Nothing worth noting yet." I lied.

I don't think I should say anything right now, since there are cameras around the place monitoring our every move. As Sasori implied that there was someone in the higher ranks of the police force pulling strings, it's best if I say it elsewhere.

Fugaku stared at me for a solid moment, making me break out in cold sweat as it felt intimidating. When his gaze left me, I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding, shoulders slumping forward in a relaxed manner.

Shisui patted my back with a grin on his face, almost like he was congratulating me on surviving a mini interrogation from the head of the department.

Fugaku nodded his head at Yuko, who started explaining, "Let's go over the contents of the box now." She hit the notes with the back of her hand, almost in a knocking motion, but on paper, "For the most part, this box contains information on the monetary transactions between accounts."

Money? I quizzed.

She took one of the documents in her hands and placed it on the table the box was on, "The accounts are under names that currently have no relation to Arrow, however, after going through these, we can surmise that money has moved into an assassin's account.

"For the names that have no relation to Arrow, we will look into it to see their history and other info. For the money that has moved into an assassin's account, it's been moved into Sasori's - or Scorpion's. The money is equivalent to the bounties of some that has been linked to him.

"However, his name only appears on some of them. There are other documents that have a large amount transferred, even more than the bounties. But, we can't be certain of who the accounts belong to until we start tracing.

"Now, in these documents, we've also found that there are monetary transactions between Arrow's Kakuzu and Akira. These were done a number of years ago before the dojo was built. The monetary transaction will be looked into, but judging by the amount, it seems to be a loan. But that's not the only one; there are a few more that detail amounts Kakuzu has given Akira. We plan to ask him what these are."

I opened my mouth, then closed it, having no idea what to say. It was vague and there's nothing super set in stone except for the monetary transactions. What was dad doing? Why was Kakuzu giving him money?

Is this why Yuko told me not to defend? Was it not to defend or was it that I couldn't defend? It still didn't make much sense. Until we get an answer from dad, there's nothing much I can do except ask questions.

"Arisa, we'll be doing the questioning. Please refrain from making your own interrogatives. However, if there is anything that you remember or have taken note of, let us know immediately, however small." Fugaku nodded once at me and left the room.

Yuko put the documents back into the box, inspecting each one as she did so.

"I'm sure that dad didn't know what he was getting into." I took a step closer to the table to see if I could find anything useful about the transactions. But, they really were just transactions only.

"I'm not too sure about that," Yuko looked at me with a serious expression, "You don't know what your father knows - so for all you know, he could be acting."

"He's not the type to do that!" I protested, feeling offended. Yuko wouldn't know how my dad was; what was she to say?

Yuko didn't even stop what she was doing. "Arisa, you're taking this to heart. I don't know your dad, nor will I ever know him like you do. But as a junior officer in the force, let me say this: you won't ever know who someone truly is."

She closed the box and left the room with it.

As she left, the officers went too.

Now it was just the two of us, cementing the fact that the case might turn sour when dad talks.

The talk with Yuko left a dry taste in my mouth. She didn't care for what I felt about this whole thing. Don't my words hold any meaning?

I pursed my lips and went straight back to where I was before, wanting to sit down and just think, or sleep. Either one.

"Ari, wait." Shisui caught up to me easily and walked side by side, glancing at me every so often to see if I was ok. "I'm sure Yuko didn't mean any harm by that."

"Doesn't she believe me when I say that dad's not that type of person?" I slow down and frown slightly, brows furrowing. It's not like it was solid evidence - but from someone who has lived with him, I would've seen most, if not all, sides of that person.

Shisui stared at me for a long moment, then breathed a light sigh, ruffling my hair. "You know, as someone who's played and won at detective games when they were young, you're letting your emotions cloud your judgement."

"Hah?" My eye twitched and I stopped, staring up at the male. He just grinned at me, then poked my forehead, laughing.

"That's more of the Arisa I know!" His laughter died down when he saw my expression stay the same, and he ended up grabbing both my cheeks, thumbs on either side of my lips, to bring my lips into a smile.

"C'mon Ari, you need to smile at times like this."

I raised a brow, wondering what he was on about. "Shisui, what do you mean by emotions clouding my judgement? What I said was the truth about dad, wasn't it?"

Shisui stopped playing with my cheeks and let his arms drop back to his sides, "Well, you're not wrong about that, but as an officer or someone who does do some form of interrogation, we need to put any and everything under suspicion. That includes what you're saying about him.

"Think about it, Ari. If you were an officer who doesn't know how a suspect acts normally, what can you do but suspect? Even if someone says that they're a good person, you'll need to hear it from several different people and see what their opinions are and if it aligns.

"However, even with that kind of testimony, it's not right to rule out questionable or illegal things that that individual might have done. For example, a criminal might treat his family like gold, but rob a bank and kill people. The family would've stood by that criminal because he was good to them. However, those who have been affected by what that criminal did, they'd want him jailed and hate him for what he's done. Does that make sense?" Shisui went off on his monologue.

But, I listened to it all. It's not all the time Shisui went off on rants like this. And if he did, it's normally a point that people can't refute.

Shisui continued, "What I'm saying is, there might be more to the picture and we need to uncover it. That includes the type of things that your dad might have done, or was an accomplice in. He might've had no idea that he was, though.

"As for emotions - you can make your statement, but it doesn't change the fact that they'll be suspicious of him. It's a form of testimony or witness statement, so we can't just dismiss it, but it's something we do keep in mind for the rest of the investigation.

"So rest assured, Yuko isn't taking your words lightly. She'll be keeping them in mind."

"That was a long ass monologue." I sighed and crossed my arms, thinking his words over. Now that he's mentioned it, he was right. "I was too quick to get upset. I know that she's doing her job, but because he's my dad - my dad of all people - it's hard when a family member gets accused. It's not like I want to see him convicted."

"I know, Ari." Shisui patted me on the back, "But don't worry, it should be all good! After all, you have the mega-genius Itachi and the awesome-adept me on the team!" He pointed to himself proudly, making a funny pose.

I just blinked at him, but then smiled, chuckling ever so sightly.

"Yeah, at times like these I should smile, right?"

"That's my girl!"

"What?"

"I SAID ATTA GIRL!"


"You're back." Itachi looked up from a report he was reading in the break room. He hadn't come with us to where the box was, it was only Shisui and I. "How did it go?"

"They were monetary transaction documents." Shisui fixed himself a cup of coffee and sat down next to his cousin, glancing over at the report he held. "Nothing on Scorpion?"

The genius shook his head, "He won't talk unless Arisa is the one there."

"I still don't get why," I sigh and slid into a seat. "I also don't really get much of what's happening with the investigation after seeing the documents."

"That's for us to find out and you to not freak out on." Shisui remarked. I shrugged.

"Sasori wants to see you by the way." Itachi fixed the report he was reading, and placed it face down onto the table. "I'll lead you to the room." He left the papers on the table and waited for me to get up, then shooed me out.

Shisui didn't join us, and instead waved as we left. As I left, I saw him picking up the papers that Itachi was reading, scanning it with a serious expression.

"Father is back to interrogating Sasori, but since nothing is happening, we're sorry to have to ask you to go in again." Itachi explained apologetically.

I shook my head with a light sigh. "It can't be helped."

Itachi murmured a light apology and stopped in front of the room Sasori was residing in. "I'll be on the other side of the glass." He opened the door for me, gently guiding me in with a hand on the small of my back.

The door closed behind me, and I was left alone with Sasori yet again.

"Hello." Sasori greeted me this time with the same expression as before.

"I heard from the others you only wanted to talk to me again." I pulled the chair out and sat down, placing both my hands on the table in an upright position.

The assassin took one of my hands and played around with my fingers, inspecting each of them and pressing random points of my palm, giving it an almost massage quality.

"Uh…" I was unsure of how to start. Did assassins usually do this?

I'm sure Fugaku and the rest of the police were wondering exactly what would be said, but I think they had a thing in mind that they didn't bother mentioning to me before.

"So, um, is there anything else you can share with us that may help with the case?" It wasn't the most appealing question, but what else was I to say?

Sasori paused at my question, staring at me with an almost bored expression. He stopped playing with my hand and instead opened my palm, gesturing to me to come closer so he could write the words on my palm.

I leaned closer, nearly bumping heads with the redhead. He started to write words slowly, after each word, he would tap the table once to indicate the end of a word.

I think someone is coming to help me escape.

My eyes raised just slightly, wondering if that meant that the higher ups are going to be making their move. After all, he mentioned not to trust the higher ups.

In response, I took his hand to write down what I thought.

Who is it that wants you out?

Obviously Arrow.

Do you know the person behind this?

I'll give you details at a later date right now too dangerous because of the cameras.

I understand. Also, your siblings. Do you want us to try and find them?

Don't try they will know instead do it naturally so it's not younger sister Temari goes to your school, primary school area.

What?

His sister went to my school? Since when? But then again, I only knew of those who were in the high school area, rather than the primary.

Make friends somehow?

That's easier said than done. I'm not even in the same area.

Be careful, she's under surveillance.

Roger that. Also, I'd like to ask about the contents of the box. Did you know what was in there?

Yes...it contains monetary transactions between Akira and the members of Arrow and its affiliates. I was there to confirm some of them, but I was in disguise. Some of them ordered assassinations and other dirty work.

What did my father order? Or, what did he get money for?

He was loaning money to build the dojo, along with other expenses.

Is Arrow a loan shark too?

Yes, but not many people know about it.

But why did he go to Arrow and not the bank?

Kakuzu did the dealings, but I don't know exactly what he said. All I know is that Akira was borrowing money, and he worked with us.

Worked with you guys? What did he do?

If I recall correctly, he was doing some dirty work as well.

Dirty work? Was he doing what you were doing?

No, not at all. He was part of the security team. But they made them do a lot of dirty work, for example cleaning up after assassinations.

Don't you mean he was an accomplice then?

Yes.

I had to pause my writing for a moment to digest. I pressed my lips together, cold sweat forming on the back of my neck.

This was certainly not what I was expecting.

With a deep breath, I continued to write.

Does that mean that each 'business' trip he went on, it was for Arrow?

I would expect so, unless it was related to the dojo. From what I know, he was a contract employee, like me. We get paid for each job.

Alright. That makes sense - is there anything else that you know about this? And if there is any additional information?

Sasori thought for a moment, halting his writing. He tapped my palm in 5 second intervals, thinking up of a way to help.

I don't think any other information would be useful at this point in time.

That's alright. Thank you for sharing your insights.

Make sure not to mention this information in front of police cameras. There is a good chance the higher ups will listen in.

Alright, got it.

"Thanks, Sasori. Then, I'll come back at a later time." I nodded to him and left, leaving behind the villain.

As I went out of the room, I made a beeline straight for the room behind the glass - but as I opened the door, a taller, built man in police uniform came out. He halted after seeing me, and then grinned, showing sharp teeth.

"Good morning, young lady." He greeted. I moved out of the way to let him through, and went inside, wondering who he was.

Fugaku and Itachi were the only ones there, and they seemed to be in the middle of a talk.

I could barely make out the words, but from what I know, the topic revolved around the case.

I closed the door behind me and waited for a little bit so that they could finish whatever they were talking about. I could hear them clearer now, and found their conversation to be intriguing.

Throw Sasori in jail, to stop questioning him, and let the special units take over the case?

The higher ups want to transfer the case to someone else?

But wait...if what Sasori said was right, then that means that they want to transfer it to a person that's affiliated with Arrow, especially if the higher ups are in control. Does that mean that person-

My thoughts pause as I remember the officer I saw before entering the room.

Wait...wasn't his skin...tinted blue…?

Flashbacks to the previous night's ordeals made my eyes go wide with realisation - that was the same fake police officer that was at the scene of the dojo last night!

I glanced at Sasori, finding that he was just staring at the glass with no expression. He warned me not to say anything if there are police cameras - and this was most likely one of those times.

What do I do?

As I was thinking, the monitor started to flash, then, it shut down, along with all the lights.