Chapter 5, Buttons and Bows

Itachi's POV

Itachi noticed her outfit only once the room had cleared. "Nice bows," he said awkwardly, pointing to Konan's blouse. She smirked while staring at the white and purple patterned fabric upon her person. "Thanks, it's a gift from Nagato."

"He has good taste."

"He has his moments," she agreed with an amused expression on her face, gathering the folders on the long table within her arms. "It's not like you to comment on my outfit." He felt his neck warm slightly. "I'm working on talking to women," he admitted. Konan exhaled from her nose, a sign of a polite giggle. Itachi sipped his glass of water and smoothed down his blazer while standing upright. Konan tilted her head. "I'm just teasing you." "I know. But please don't find humor at my expanse," he asked politely. "I'll try not to." She straightened her back and regarded Itachi, a slightly serious air abruptly coming about her.

"You know, you came in mighty short notice." Konan's blue heeled foot was at the door. "Why does it sound like you're praising and berating me at the same time?"

She shrugged, shifting her weight onto one hip and pressing the folders in her arms close to her chest. "Maybe because I am. Wasn't it your little brother's wedding you skipped out on?"

"I saw the ceremony and plenty of my family. Nothing important is being missed. Besides, I can't ignore one of our top clients."

"Just don't make it a habit to leave people who are precious to you."

"Of course not, Konan-Sensei."

She rolled her eyes. "I'll let the sarcasm go only because it's too late for me to give a damn." Itachi grabbed his briefcase, "Though, let's not make it a habit, Uchiha-chan." Itachi smirked.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she said, strutting to her office with a relaxed swagger. He followed her out of the conference room, turning the light off behind him. Upon his departure from the room, Itachi noticed Kisame Hoshigaki peering at a few files in his hand intensely. "Even you need to sleep," Itachi said coolly. "I'm sure everyone's going to clear out; it's late. You should head home too."

Kisame lethargically glanced at him after thumbing his glasses up the bridge of his broad nose. "I'll leave in the next hour. I still have to read through this contract my client signed. I gotta figure out how to get out of it." "Which client?" Kisame sighed, "Another rich kid signed an all-consuming music contract. They're practical artistic indentured servants," he said with a sight. Itachi quirked a brow. "This is becoming too common for you, isn't it?"

Kisame nodded. "Tell me why they keep referring me to each other?"

"Because you're good at what you do."

"Shoot me."

Itachi laughed and pat the much larger man on the shoulder good-naturedly, "Goodluck, and goodnight." Kisame once again considered the documents in his hand, "Goodnight, Uchiha-San."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Briefcase at hand, Itachi stepped out into the open evening and shivered; the air was uncharacteristically crisp for mid-summer. And there was a dampness present, despite the rain having stopped some time ago. Itachi peered upwards, taking in the now clear night sky and the distant moon. It was a beautiful evening. The sky was dark, and only the lights on the street populated the city: that, and the one car at the curb waiting for him. Seeing the car reminded him of his fatigue.

It was near 1 am, and he was reasonably exhausted. Swiping his hair out of his eyes, he settled into the backseat of the car. His driver then silently eased into the empty main road and begun the journey to Itachi's home. Looking at his silver wristwatch, Itachi mentally calculated he could get at least a reasonable four hours of hard rest before he had to meet his first client in the morning. That wasn't quite enough, but it would have to do.

Well into the ride home, the lawyer's lips were pursed into a thin line thinking about the next day's workload-it was immense. Much of it was because he was behind on work- the last few days had been a headache of lively personalities and festivities. He couldn't sneak in a few hours even if he tried. And while he enjoyed seeing his family, dealing with distant cousins and an anxious mother and nervous little brother had taken a lot out of him. And then, of course, there was Sakura.

Admittedly, he hadn't seen or talked to her much throughout the celebration. However, the prior evening and plane ride did make him feel…things. Which, in itself, was confusing and exhausting.

The pink-haired woman had always been his brother's close friend and practical third limb since they were five years old. So, he had no issue with proximity to her. But proximity didn't necessarily mean that they were close. Sakura was always a fixture in his life, a consistent presence. Nothing more. Sure, they talked and hung out in family settings.

But… Within that moment, he thought about her green eyes and soft long pink hair-things this time around felt different. He just couldn't quite put his finger on what was different.

The thought that he was the different one didn't cross his mind.

Thinking of Sakura, he pulled out his phone. He wondered if she called him at some point while he was at the office.

Quick answer, no.

But he did have a text.

From Ino.

Itachi knew Ino distantly. She was a friend of Sasuke's, an upcoming socialite, and the girl who helped Sakura plan his little brother's wedding. What was she doing texting him so late?

Ino messaged him last time to ask what cake he thought Sasuke would like because apparently, a glare wasn't an answer. Itachi admittedly picked one he knew he'd like since Sasuke would likely rather not eat any sweet, regardless of the flavor. Sure enough, his little brother omitted from eating his own wedding cake. Itachi, on the other hand, had his fill of three slices.

Clicking the notification, he figured it was another light-hearted question that was awaiting him. Sakura was out of the picture, so who else was she to turn to with Sasuke-related questions? Only, the text was nothing light-hearted. Itachi straightened in his seat while simultaneously feeling his stomach drop. "Have you heard from Sakura? I can't find her. No one can."

She messaged him two hours ago.

He immediately called the blonde.

She answered after a few anxious rings. "Hello?" Her voice sounded tired and concerned. "Have you heard anything about Sakura?" "No."

Ino quickly explained that Shikamaru had called her, saying that Sakura had stormed out of the house. He didn't know where she was or if she was even okay. Itachi thought back to his last sighting of Sakura and remembered the fear in Sakura's paling face, but also the determination in her eyes. Her "running off" didn't sit right with him.

And he said so.

"I don't disagree with you…" she whispered. "Look, I have a couple of calls to make. I'll update you when I learn something." "I'm assuming you've called her cellphone?" "All night. Me and Shikamaru alike." Hearing her ex-fiancé's name made his eyes narrow. Yet his voice remained calm.

"I apologize. I know that must have been the first thing you've tried." "Yea. But it doesn't hurt to ask, right?"

Once the call ended, Itachi regarded Sakura's cellphone number. Pressing the button on the screen to call her, he wasn't surprised that it went straight to voicemail. He doubted she blocked him. So, likely, her phone was dead or simply turned off. This did nothing to relax his nerves.

His jaw tensed at the thought of her being alone at this hour. Didn't he tell her to call him if she needed him?

"Damn it," he cursed under his breath. What was he supposed to do in this situation? How could he support her?

His mind fluttered back and forth to options: search for her on his own, call a few detective friends, maybe involve the cops?

But it was too soon to make any of those calls. And there were already people searching for her so-

His phone rang.

"Hey, I know where she is." It was Ino again. His hand tightened around his cellphone. "Where?" "She's with an old friend. That's all I can say." His body began to shake, but his voice didn't waver. "And why is that?" "This friend says that Sakura is a little worse for wear. Until they know more, they won't disclose where she's at to anyone but me."

"What do you mean by 'worse for wear,' Yamanaka?"

The blonde on the other side remained quiet. After a minute of silence Ino admitted, "I was told that she looked as if she were roughed up."

"And Shikamaru has nothing to say about her condition?"

"He won't say anything on his end."

Itachi leaned back into his seat and pinched his nose, feeling a headache forming as they spoke. "Will you update me when you can actually tell me anything?" Ino laughed, it was a tired sound. "Yes, Itachi. I'll give you an update. Just… Keep this under wraps. I haven't told the boys yet." Made sense. He hadn't gotten any panicked phone calls yet.

Yet.

God, what a fucking train-wreck the next couple of days was going to be, he could feel it. Being called back to the firm on short notice was almost like an omen.

"Will do," he said. And for the second time in ten minutes, he ended his call with Ino. "Sir? Do you need me to change course?" His driver asked. "No need. Home will do. Thank you for checking."

"Of course."

When Itachi made it home, he dropped his possessions near the door and walked into his living room to collapse upon his linen green couch. The seat, firm and soft, embraced him within its confines, tempting him to sleep. He kicked off his shoes and settled deeper into the chair. Some practical part of him recognized he should at least make it to bed. Another aspect of him figured his couch would do. Put the piece of furniture to use. He didn't spend a couple thousand on it for nothing, he reasoned, as his eyes became heavier with each passing second.

Too soon, his alarm went off.

Bloodshot eyes immediately opened, searching for his phone. Smartly, he had left it in his blazer pocket, across the room. No pressing snooze today, he thought with irritation. Grumpily, he pushed himself into a sitting position, took in one deep breath, and brought himself to his feet. Going to his phone, he silenced it to see there were no further updates from Ino. As well as no calls from Sakura. How could there be? He'd slept for four hours. Sakura and Ino were likely asleep.

Itachi tugged his hair tie from his low ponytail and ran his fingers through the length of the silky strands. His arm unsurprisingly ached with the action. No matter how expensive a couch is, it's not a bed. Of course, he was aching. Far from refreshed but better off than hours prior, he made a beeline for the bathroom and began his morning routine. It wasn't long before he was clean, dressed in a new black crisp suit, and his coffee was in his hand. Checking his watch, he grabbed his briefcase and walked to the car service that had promptly arrived.

"Sir," the driver greeted with a polite tip to his hat. Itachi nodded in recognition, sat within the vehicle, and then thumbed through his email app. He had over 500 emails waiting for him. A headache began to form. Placing his phone on his lap, he peered from his window lethargically.

The outside was dark, unaware of his troubles and unconcerned of the city's early ongoings. The universe seemed silent and at peace. Of course, he knew better. As a lawyer, there were always people trying to better another person. His very livelihood depended on this nature of humanity. Still, he enjoyed moments in the day like this when the worries seemed scarce. When the world wasn't so overwhelming.

Even he could fall victim to the falsehood of it all.

And then, he was before the brownstone that housed his firm, and reality became apparent once more. Straightening his tie, he eased out of the backseat of the car and began his day.

It was near noon, after Itachi's third meeting for the day, when Sakura finally messaged him. "Hey," she said simply. "Hey," he texts back, standing at the espresso machine in the lounge area. "I heard you had a rough night."

He saw the texting bubble appear on his screen, indicating she was responding, then watched it abruptly disappear. Had he said something wrong? Maybe his fatigue was to blame for his lack of tact. He rubbed his eyes roughly. After a few minutes, she thankfully responded. "Yea."

"Are you alright?"

He was almost startled when his phone began to ring. He answered immediately. "Hello?" "I thought this would be better." Her voice was distant and tentative. Guarded, even. It was strange, different, and instantly made him on edge. "Do you want to talk about what happened?" She laughed anxiously, "Not really. But I know I have to at some point…."

"Ino called me last night. I was worried. She said no one knew where you were." "I ended up staying at a friend's." "I told you to call me if you needed anything." "Yea, I know. But I couldn't call you last night."

Itachi was about to ask her why when a man's voice came through the line, asking to speak with Sakura once more. He vaguely heard the words "report" and "more pictures."

He asked her slowly, "Where are you?"

"Sorry, one second, Itachi." He imagined she put a hand over her phone or put the line on mute because it was suddenly silent on her end. Then, she reappeared, her voice was small and feeling more distant than before. "Sorry, that was just the officer." "Officer?" He felt his back tense and his face strain with worry. "Where are you?" he asked again. "Um, at the police station." "Why?" "Well, um… Shikamaru and I had a disagreement."

The established lawyer's brown eyes widened. So, his earlier assumptions were correct, as much as he didn't want them to be. Her disappearing, Shikamaru not clarifying what happened to make her runoff, and now, the police station-it all indicated one thing.

"I'm going to kill him," Itachi grit through his teeth.

"N-No, Itachi. Please."

Espresso forgotten, Itachi stormed into his private office and slammed his door closed behind him. His mind was suddenly wild with the imagination of Sakura's current condition. "Sakura, don't lie to me. Did he put his hands on you?"

She didn't respond.

She didn't respond…

"Sakura," he pressed sternly.

"I-I, look, Itachi… I have to go."

And she was gone.

Itachi

immediately rang his assistant with a clenched jaw. "Sir?" "Clear my schedule for the day and for tomorrow morning, I have a family emergency to attend to." "Of course, do you need assistance with anything else?"

"Yes." He straightened his black silk tie. "First, call Konoha Hospital for me. See if a Shikamaru Nara is working today. Second, once you hear back from the hospital, get a car ready for me."

"Of course, Uchiha-San."

"Thank you."

He'd known Sakura since he was ten years old. And while he certainly wasn't close to her in the way Sasuke was, she was still important to him. He thought back to her smile and laughter the day before. He also thought about her drunken stint only a night or two ago. The pain she tried to hide, the drinks she downed, the insecure gaze she gave him as he walked back to his car when he dropped her off… He knew he shouldn't have left her.

But he did.

And there was no changing that.

However, all was not lost. The one thing he could do was deal with a certain Shikamaru Nara.

After all, it wouldn't do for someone important to me to be hurt, and for the person who hurt them to go unpunished.

It wouldn't do at all.