Summary: Through absence, Uchiha Sasuke begins to grasp the true value of Haruno Sakura. Post-562, will deviate greatly from the manga. Drabble series.
Disclaimer: Naruto is (c) Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, Inc.
IN ABSENTIA
The Best of the Worst
Sasuke knew Naruto was trying to garner his attention and, therefore, perversely kept his gaze locked on the hinagiku, or daisy, that Sai had gifted him. A combination of habit and guilt was the motivation for his immature conduct. From the onset Naruto had been dogged in his pursuit to become relevant to Sasuke's existence, so Sasuke habitually feigned disinterest or ignorance to disabuse the notion; as a bonus, the ploy always riled Naruto. As for guilt, Sasuke did not want to observe Naruto's mien – whether it be accusing or forgiving – because he was not sure his stoicism could withstand the display.
"It's my understanding that a gift is customary for when someone's unwell." Sai, unaware of the underlying tension, tutored Sasuke in the language of flowers. "The florist said daisies mean faith. We can't lose faith in finding Ugly as the alternative is..." The onetime Root agent searched for the correct description in his vault of newly attained emotions. "...distressing."
The sentiment was shared by everyone in the cramped hospital room - Kakashi, Naruto, Sai, Shizune, Tsunade, Yamato, and Sasuke.
With great consideration, Sasuke laid the delicate flower on his bedside table. The respectful action was not lost on his companions, prompting Shizune to comment, "I'll bring a vase by later, and we can put it in water."
"Ah," Sasuke conceded, gaze diverted to his lap.
Tsunade snared the group's focus with the utterance of a single name. "Zetsu."
"I beg your pardon?" Kakashi inquired at the abrupt revelation.
"In light of Sasuke's report, odds are that he's involved in Sakura's abduction. Given that White Zetsu was incinerated with Amaterasu, his survival is virtually impossible. That leaves the second entity, Black Zetsu. It seems he may have survived being impaled by Chōjūrō's sword, Hiramekarei, during the war. This isn't shocking if you bear in mind that White Zetsu mended himself after having his neck snapped by the Raikage. Black Zetsu may have similar healing properties."
Yamato posed a trio of follow-up questions. "What in Sasuke's report implicated Black Zetsu? Why didn't we ensure his execution during wartime? How did he escape?"
That Yamato was not a fan of Zetsu - Black or White - went without saying. In the Fourth Shinobi World War he had been a POW and, while in custody, used to bolster the White Zetsu army as a consequence of his being imbued with the First Hokage's DNA and nature kekkei genkai; it had not been an agreeable experience.
"And why are we just learning about the possibility of his survival?" Kakashi supplemented with discontent.
"Grandma, explain," Naruto growled.
Tsunade chose to abide their censure, to an extent, as she had an active role in the matter at hand. The outcome of a decision rendered by her and her fellow Kages was now adversely affecting Team Seven. "Chōjūrō advised that, while still pinned to the ground with Hiramekarei, Black Zetsu melded into the earth and disappeared. When Black Zetsu didn't reemerge, even to assist Madara and Obito, we assumed that he was deceased and declared him as such. Chōjūrō had pierced Black Zetsu in a vital organ, and any normal person would have perished from a comparable injury."
Sasuke's impaired throat led to a discordant vocalization. "Since when was anyone connected to Akatsuki normal?"
"Yourself included?" Sai had yet to fully grasp the concept of a rhetorical question.
Red eyes flashed at the unintentional barb. Sasuke's stint as an Akatsuki member, in fact any of his days spent as a fugitive, was not open for discussion in any capacity. He had said his peace upon returning to the village and undergoing a lengthy inquest as well as mandatory psychiatric evaluations. He refused to rehash his past misdeeds.
Kakashi interjected before a brawl could erupt. "You haven't told us what in Sasuke's report implicated Black Zetsu. Plus, what purpose could he have to abduct Sakura?"
A resounding knock suspended the exchange. At Tsunade's beckon to enter, the door swung inward and granted access to a subordinate of the Torture and Interrogation Force. This was an unforeseen and promising development as Tsunade had not thought to hear from T&I for several more hours; it was also cringe-worthy to think of the suffering Ibiki must have met out to obtain the expedited intelligence.
The agent took quick measure of his audience and then concentrated on Tsunade. He deferentially dipped his head and gave her the courtesy she was due. "Hokage-sama."
"Let me have it," Tsunade rejoined with her usual no-nonsense attitude.
A scroll was proffered for her review. Tsunade accepted and unfurled the parchment, brow furrowing as she read its content.
"Well?" Naruto impatiently asked.
Tsunade gave those in attendance a cautionary stare. "I need you to brace yourselves. The news could be worse, but it isn't idealistic either."
"Tell us," Sasuke insisted, stomach in knots and prepared for the worst though she had suggested to the contrary. Life had not been kind to the young man, so why should this occasion be any different? He had strived to deny it, but Sasuke was slowly coming to grips with the likelihood that Haruno Sakura would soon be an added casualty to his expansive memoriam of friends and loved ones. From his perspective, the weakness of creating bonds was being reinforced again.
"Black Zetsu's participation is plausible, but there's evidence of organizational activity. Our prisoners belong to a cell within the Ishikawa Group. It's a crime syndicate based out of Stone, with illegal dealings that include, but aren't limited to, extortion, robbery, murder, and the trafficking of arms, drugs and humans."
Ishigakure was in Stone Country. Sasuke had previously deduced that the shinobi who held him at kunai-point was from the vicinity of Ishigakure; the accent had been distinctive. This was too much of a coincidence to overlook, signifying that the intel was a solid lead.
"Isn't it out of character for Black Zetsu to collaborate with common criminals?" Sai quizzed.
"Not if the collaboration were to promote his own agenda," Kakashi refuted.
Yamato speculated aloud, "So, what's Black Zetsu's agenda and how does it pertain to Sakura?"
"Forget that," Naruto was not to be deflected. "I want to know why Grandma told us to brace ourselves. Why's she worried about these Ishikawa assholes?"
"The Ishikawa Group isn't your garden variety thugs. In recent years, it has risen in the ranks of the shinobi world's underbelly. The group's gained special notoriety for its trafficking industry, and has retained a contingent of elite shinobi to protect its interests."
Naruto compelled, "And?"
"A kunoichi of Sakura's caliber is exceedingly valuable on the black market." Tsunade's voice was laced with compassion, setting everyone on edge. "Her wartime efforts made Sakura a renowned medical-nin. She's recognized for her exotic looks, impeccable chakra control and unparalleled strength. Not to mention, she's apprenticed to a Sannin that happens to be the presiding Hokage of Konohagakure."
"What're you insinuating, Grandma?" Naruto's volume had heightened by many decibels.
"It's conjecture, but I see two logical reasons Sakura might have been taken: Black Zetsu kidnapped Sakura for some nefarious scheme or the Ishikawa Group kidnapped Sakura and aims to auction her off to the highest bidder."
"Highest bidder…" It was apparent that Naruto was racking his brain, endeavoring to assimilate what had been said and what had been left unsaid.
Finally daring to meet the eyes of his rapidly deteriorating teammate, Sasuke took responsibility and imparted the cruel reality of the situation. "Slavery, moron. It's feasible that Sakura has been or will be sold for some wealthy degenerate's sick amusement."
TO BE CONTINUED