Chapter 6

Why Don't You Do Right?

Sai:

In Sai's eyes, the vast majority of people were complicated and unpredictable. Admittedly, despite the artist's best efforts, he knew that he would never understand others in the way that people typically do. Somewhere in his brain or understanding of cultural norms and friendship and being cordial, wires had been crossed. Leaving him socially awkward at best, a freak at worst.

However, Sakura seemed to be an exception. The pink-haired woman was always straightforward with him and others. There was no second-guessing, no uncertainty, only her smile, her playful (though at times painful) fists, and tenderness to those she cared about. Thankfully, she cared about him. Why? He wasn't sure.

His only thought was, thank goodness she did. So few seemed to share her sentiment.

When Sai was Sasuke Uchiha's freshman roommate, he initially thought he'd get along with the writer. They looked alike and had similar personalities. However, that didn't seem to be enough for the two to be friends or even be cordial to one another.

The two immediately butt heads upon their first night living in the dorms. Over what? Sai wasn't sure; it must have been a trivial matter. This was often the case between the two. The one saving grace of the single college semester they were forced to room together was Sakura Haruno. He wasn't sure what she saw in him, when Sasuke began to push him around and break his things. But she was compassionate. She saw something in him that no one else saw, at least so far. When Sakura stepped in, giving Sasuke an earful about respect, Sai's life suddenly got a lot better. In more ways than one. He had a friend to speak to, to hang out with, and to rely on. So, when Itachi Uchiha called him for a favor related to his pink-haired friend, Sai admittedly felt inclined to do what he could. Especially after the most recent incident.

When Sai saw Sakura in that park a night ago, he saw a stranger. A wounded woman who looked lost and defeated. It perturbed him in a way that he couldn't quite place. Because while he knew Sakura felt pain, that she suffered like any human being… She never allowed her worries to reflect in her eyes, and she never showed that level of vulnerability. And to see her look so dull and lifeless, a shadow of the woman he's known for years, for the first time in nearly a decade, he felt angry. Which led him to Konoha Hospital.

In his plain black shirt and straight-leg pants, he looked casual next to Itachi's three-piece suit. The artist regarded the slightly older man with a curious eye as Itachi spoke to the receptionist.

The elder Uchiha brother had an air of authority and sureness about him that Sasuke lacked. Sasuke was indifferent and aloof. Which was even more relevant due to the boldness of Itachi coming to Shikamaru's workplace.

Admittedly, Sai was curious about what Itachi intended to do and what inspired him to be so direct to the man in question. He had yet to ask such things; he didn't exactly know Itachi Uchiha personally. The lawyer was more myth than man in his book. Everyone, regardless of their profession, knew who the Uchiha were. And Itachi Uchiha, heir to the Uchiha fortune, was indeed a practical celebrity. And yet, he was here maneuvering through Sakura and Shikamaru's mess. Why? Sai couldn't stop himself from wondering, from thinking, and from questioning the lawyer's intentions. Even though he knew whatever the outcome would be, it would benefit Sakura.

"Um, he's quite busy, you know?"

Sai's attention snapped back to the receptionist before them in the small lobby of the surgeon's office. She was a brown-haired woman with large round eyeglasses and slightly large front teeth. Sai immediately linked her to a mouse upon her appearance and demeanor. He cocked his head, watching her sweat as Itachi took one step forward. "He'll make time for me," the Uchiha said smoothly, a gentle though intimidating grin inching on his lips. She "eeped" once, in terror and in pleasure (interestingly enough), then nodded. "Would you like a seat while you wait?" she nearly whispered, her face reddening as she stood upright from behind her desk.

Itachi smiled once more, this time with a friendly disposition. "We're quite alright, thank you. I'm sure he'll be right out." Sai quirked a brow. His confidence is uncanny.

It wasn't until nearly five minutes later that Shikamaru stepped into the waiting room. Itachi smiled upon seeing the slightly younger man. "Nara, you look well." That was a lie. Shikamaru looked like complete shit. His skin was paler than usual, his eyes had deep circles, and his shoulders slouched more than he remembered.

"As do you two. I'm assuming you're here because of whatever Sakura said." Itachi elegantly tucked a strand of long black hair behind his ear, "Interestingly enough, she hasn't said much. But don't worry. We'll be discussing Sakura at length, I assure you. Care to give us some privacy?" "I'd rather stay out here." "And have your receptionist hear all the tantalizing details of your private life?" Itachi asked, his brow arched in surprise.

Shikamaru sighed and shook his head. "Have it your way. But just know this is all a misunderstanding." "Oh, I'm quite interested in your perspective on the matter at hand, don't worry. You'll have your say."

The moment the three men entered Shikamaru's office and the door closed behind them, Sai cooly stated, "The scratches on her back, the large bruises, the busted lip- you have a lot of explaining to do." "Sakura doesn't have to say anything to us. One look at her, and you and your career are finished." Shikamaru looked uncomfortable in his seat at the mention of his career. "Because," Itachi lethargically continued, "Who would want a women-beater to operate on them? You're unstable at best, violent at worst." "It was a mistake, I didn't mean-" "At this point, it doesn't matter. What does matter is how you'll react from this point on." Shikamaru clenched his jaw as Shikamaru asked, "What exactly does she want?" Itachi took a seat at the chair in front of the desk. "What she wants is unknown to me. As I'm sure you can imagine, with talking to Inoand going to the police, she's had a busy morning. So, such matters haven't come up, I'm afraid."

Shikamaru stiffened. "The police?" Itachi sighed. "Yes, well, she looked worse for wear. But I assume that the cops are the least of your worries. Itachi narrowed his eyes. "Sakura is like family to the Uchiha, and it leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth, and I'm sure my father's mouth as well, to support a hospital that employs despicable men such as yourself." Shikamaru's eyes widened.

"Are you threatening me, Uchiha?" "No, I'm merely stating facts." Sakura's ex-fiance jolted upright, abruptly banging on his desk with his closed fist. Itachi narrowed his eyes. "It was a mistake! I admit I was rough. But she's telling lies. Sakura is merely acting out because of Temari."

"And pray tell, who is this Temari person?" "My girlfriend." Sai nearly saw red at the mention of Nara's "girlfriend." Stepping past Itachi, he grabbed the surgeon's white-collar and brought him practically over his desk. "Girlfriend?" he inquired.

He thought of his friend, of her sitting in the rain and dark. He thought of her bruises and cuts. He thought of her exhaustion and lifeless gaze. And he thought of the man who was now in his grip, who caused all that pain, which could never possibly be rectified. But how dare he mention another woman. How dare he blame Sakura! "You're scum," Sai said plainly, his eyes widening and then narrowing. "She is too good for you, always has been. You didn't cherish her. Why didn't you cherish her? Why didn't you love her like you should have?"

When Sakura began dating Shikamaru, it caused quite the fuss to her trio. Naruto and Sasuke were up in arms. But Shikamaru has been a friend of theirs since they were children. So what could they really say? Her boys had each other. She had no one. So what were they to say when she became close to Nara? When did they become official? What could they say? And while he liked to think he was close to Sakura, he knew it wasn't his place to speak about the matter either. If anything, Ino was all for it. Leaving the three men at a loss. What could anyone say in the face of Ino and Sakura's excitement?

Sai wasn't particularly fond of the aspiring doctor. He only asked one thing of Shikmaru when they crossed paths, "Treat her well." Years later, he was picking up his friend from a park looking more than worse for wear. It infuriated him in a way that surprised him.

A hand clasps his shoulder from behind. Sai's head whipped around to find the culprit for touching his person, to lock eyes with Itachi. The lawyer shook his head once. Sai's nostrils flared in frustration, then he relented. Shikamaru huffed upon releasing Shikmaru's collar. The doctor situated himself with a deep frown. "I don't care about this Temari person," Itachi said simply, his face a perfect calm. "I only care about Sakura." Sai felt his hands shake at his sides as he took careful steps backward, away from the desk, and away from Shikamaru.

"What I want are the following: a fair split of the assets, no harassment of Sakura, and for you to keep a respectful distance from her as well. I want you to allow her to grab her things this afternoon without fuss. And I want for you to allow her to contact you versus the alternative." "I have plans with the house after work." "These are my conditions." "And if I refuse." "I'll make sure to take everything you have, Nara-San. I will ruin you, to put it quite simply." The threat was given with a silky sincerity that even Sai was mesmerized by.

And that was that. What more was there to say?

Upon departure, Sai asked Itachi why he needed him there? He didn't do anything. Itachi smirked when he said, "It was to keep me accountable." "For?" He glanced at the artist with a rageful gleam in his exquisite eyes. Sai was sure he could literally see flecks of red in the ocean of dark brown in his eyes.

"Your presence was assuring that I wouldn't commit murder, not to say I'm quite done with him yet."

Author's Note:

Hi friends! Sorry for the short chapter and extended period between updates. I've been dealing with a ton of health stuff… I'm working on getting better, but it's still a struggle to do what I love sometimes. Thank you for your patience. I hope you're all doing well!