Chapter 2: Mysterious Found The Lost Purse

Sakura's POV

As Sakura retraced her steps from before confronting Sai on the dancefloor, she crossed over to the basement's staircase, carefully maneuvering through the massive crowd of ravers, pushing, shoving, grinding, and drinking to their hearts content. It would've been dark in the room if it weren't for the neon paint splattering bodies and the floor. Sakura delved deeper into the room, sweeping the floor like she was some Maggie metal detector.

Had she left her purse here or could she have left it in Sai's car? She keenly remembered bringing it into the club but making a hissy fit with Sai and his bimbo had thrown her purse to the back of her mind. There wasn't really anything of importance in her purse, apart from the evidence she had captured on her phone. Now, she had neither. So much for tailing him back to the place that it all started with her and Sai.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Sakura slams into a big piece of meat dressed in a tank top and sweat gliding off his skin as their bodies make contact. Sakura shivers disgustedly.

"Whoa there," The buffoon quirked a grin at her and shouted. "Hey pretty girl, I think you owe me an apology."

Sakura raised her brows, surprised at the clash. She opened her mouth to rebuttal, but he didn't allow her to when he towered over her, his fouled breath indicating he was intoxicated. "Or," He exaggerated the pun into her ear, "Instead, you can blow me as an apology!"

The pinked whipped her head back, loss for words. Who in the hell did this guy think he was talking to her like that? If he only knew what he was getting himself into, oh, he'd wish he'd keep his mouth shut! She glared icily at him, but the man was too wasted to notice as his sweaty palms met her breasts. Sakura yelped.

He probably took that as a sign to keep going; his strong hold on her was like tentacles, sticky and slimy as he attempted to cop a feel. Now, Sakura wished she had her pepper spray on her. But it was in her bag. The pinkette struggled to push him away, kicking his shin to create some kind of pain, or space for him to yield at her mercy. It didn't work. "Let go of me!"

"I believe the lady said to let her go." A brand new voice showered over her shoulder, his broad chest cushioning her fall and the grabby hand reaching for her bust froze midway. Sakura blinked, her senses going haywire as the recognizable stranger from before had come to her rescue yet again.

"Sasuke…"

"Back off man," Sasuke growled, his husky voice turning dangerously cold, making Sakura's toes curl. "She's mine."

"Dude, chill." The drunk raver let go of her instantly, his arms propped up in a defending dismissal of not wanting to interfere. "Didn't know she was yours."

Sakura gritted her teeth, not liking how they were shouting at each other about her as if she wasn't even there, but the earlier ministration done to her left her troubled and upset. How in the world had she become a damsel so quickly? It wasn't like her; she didn't plan on this.

She needed to make an example of this to that clown. Putting up a front, she thumbed Sasuke and glared at the pervert, "Touch me again, and this guy will put you behind bars!"

"You're a cop?"

"Beat it, kid."

She watched the guy bolt, merging back into the depth of the herd of ravers, probably off to find his friends or perhaps, a new victim. Sakura let out a relieved sigh, turning around to thank her stranger once again.

The first thing that caught her eye was the strange image of betrayal, the frown adorning his sharp features and the empty void that reflected in his eyes, were nothing of gentle like he had shown on Hwy-41 or the kindness he portrayed. He, too, towered over her as if he was some toy soldier, awaiting orders. She swallowed.

"You're not off the hook either." He said, leaning towards her. Though it was loud in the room, his voice was crystal clear. "I'll put you behind bars too if you don't come with me."

"What? Me?!"

"You're a minor." He said, his gaze unwavering and what he next presented made her chest squeeze and her eyes widened. "You don't belong here."

He held up her fake ID and the only way he could've gotten that was… he had her damn purse!

Sasuke's POV

"Who are you? What do you want from me?" She exclaimed, trying to shake off his hold on her arm. He needed a place to sit her down and get answers, but they were surrounded by music and bodies. No room for privacy.

"Answers." They trudged back to the staircase and climbed up the way they came. Back on the main floor, Sasuke dragged a not-too-happy pinkette whom stormed after him, calling him unkind names until they both reached the elevators outside the club's garage. When inside, Sasuke tossed her bag to her before letting go to operate the elevator.

The young woman backed away from him, caressing her wrist as she shot a glare at him. "What's this about? There are many minors down there!"

"What's your name?"

"What?"

"What's your name?"

She looked taken aback by his question and unsure of how to go about his interrogation. It wasn't as if he gave her any choice to since he practically locked himself and her in the elevator. Which reminded him…he turned and pressed a red button, stopping the elevator from proceeding to climb. Turning back, his orbs flew to her bottom lip bitten down by teeth before her next response registered in his brain. "You should know already."

No, what he knew was just a speculation, not facts. "Your name."

"W-why do you want to know my name?"

"You know mine."

"Oh." This time, her gaze held a gleam as if she figured something out but won't say. "It's Sakura."

Sakura…like her phone's background screen photo. Makes sense now. But what didn't sit well with him was not just the fake ID, it was what, why and how in the hell did she end up on the interstate when her purse was here all along? Was she kidnapped? Roofied? He needed answers!

"Is that all?" She asked, patience waning on her tongue. "You clearly went through my bag. Did you find anything useful to use against me?"

"Aside from a tampon, there is one other disposable weapon I can use against you…physically." He stated, watching the annoyance in her expression turn into sheet of dismay as the very thought of her pepper spray came to light.

Her ears turned a red shade darker than what her features would allow, glowing in embarrassment as she sputtered for an answer. Then backing her towards the end wall, and with a gentle tug of her loose strand, he asked, "Now, what were you doing here, Sakura?"

"T-that's none of your concern!"

Unacceptable.

"I'll ask again."

"Like I said, I don't see how that's any of your concern."

"It is." Trust him, what her being there and what could've been of her had everything to do with his concern. He was working on an open case and it looked to him that this girl could lead him to a possible network of dangerous people…that is, if she turned out to be a victim herself.

"Why? You don't even know me, apart from my name." She spat; her arms akimbo as she scowled at him.

Was this her defense mode? Or perhaps she's not a victim of the industry. Maybe he assuming too much.

"Then, tell me so I can understand your situation. I think you owe me that much after tonight."

Her mouth fell agape like a fish out of the sea. He got her, hook and string attached; she was going nowhere until he got his answers.