Chapter 5: Mysterious Found A Vanishing Act

Sakura's POV

The next day, Sakura awoke with a terrible headache and bloodshot eyes. Whether the cause was from the rain or crying her eyes out, it didn't matter, Sakura was not feeling today. She groaned aloud, feeling numb and heavy. She needed to get out of bed, to start the day anew and fresh, but how can one do that when all they want to do is be comforted with hugs and ice cream?

Sakura had little to no friends in her town growing up. She was lucky enough to meet Sai who agreed to move in with her. The first three years was a fairytale and it could've been just that. Sakura lets out a whine, turning over onto her side and stared out the shuttered window.

It was still dark out, or at least that's what she originally thought until she did a double take at the clock on the nightstand that read 8PM. How long had she slept for? How long did this reservation last for? She had no clue and she couldn't ask Sasuke because he had her phone. Was he awake? Or sleeping? Did it matter if he was doing either? The man was practically a jerk a night ago… a charismatic, gentle but cold-hearted man, might she add. Why was Sasuke taking too much space into her head?

Was Sakura becoming one of those people who'd catch feelings quickly towards someone she hasn't met just because they were there when no one else was, and to fill the void of an empty heart? Was that it? Sakura squeezed her eyes shut. She needed a clear mind, to distract herself with something other than that jerk-face Uchiha who oh-so-kindly helped her out, saved her from a pervert, listened to her venting, and reserved her a place to rest. She guessed she did owe him a lot for putting up with her for the whole morning of the night.

Making up her mind, Sakura got out of bed and peeled off her soiled dress and hopped into the shower. It was hot and steamy, a pleasurable distraction to take her mind off of things and focus on her body. Scrubbing away the stank the rain had infused on her skin and in her hair, Sakura soon came out feeling rehabilitated. Smoothing out her tangled hair, Sakura pulled on a white, fluffy robe and walked out of the bathroom, only to pause at the main entrance.

Her hotel door was partly open. Taking a step back, the pinkette pivoted around for her forgotten purse which had her pepper spray in it and came up empty. Instead, she had bumped into a heavy set of arms and a curse that left her lips.

"Kuso. What are you doing here?"

Sasuke's POV

The weekend came by quickly than he had expected. Sitting behind his work desk, Sasuke needled through the files upon files on the Akatsuki. It took him three days from his last mission to discover the next secret assembly one of the Akatsuki members will be showcasing the vaccine at. Taking off his reading glasses, the man rubbed his eyes in exhaustion.

A knock was heard outside his office door before a flash of blond hair poked in. "Hey there, stranger."

"Naruto." Sasuke greeted, leaning back into his chair. "Good, you're back. What did you find out?"

"Straight to business, always." A lopsided grin appeared on his colleague's face. "You should rest. You've been at this for a decade!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and mumbled to himself, "Overstatement of the century."

"Seems like the Akatsuki are making their next move."

"Tell me something I don't know already."

"Heard there's a new batch of serums on the market. They're selling fast." Naruto said, plopping himself onto a chair and propped his feet on top of Sasuke's desk.

"Then we have to be quicker and take them down."

"Won't be easy." Naruto said seriously. "Although, we're working towards getting an agent in. She's already passed the third phase."

Third phase…of what exactly?

"She?"

"It'd be more appropriate seeing how the red district is circulating the traffic of women. Our agent is capable of getting the job done."

"You do realize that if her identity becomes exposed, it's all on you and your department." Sasuke noted. "And besides, whether she does or not, it's doubtful she'll be treated differently."

"She knows the risks."

"By the way, mind telling me who this agent is?"

"Her name is Ino but because this is a confidential matter, it'd be wise that you don't know her last name. Her alias is Candy."

"Understood."

"Now that that's settled, what's been happening since my absence? And don't leave any detail out." Naruto pushed, planting his feet on the ground; this time, propping his elbows on the desk and chin in hands, looking as interested in Sasuke's social life than he has been led to believe.

"Work."

"No, I don't think that's what I heard."

"Heard what?" Sasuke cocked a brow.

"Kakashi told me you found yourself a woman." There goes that swindle grin Naruto usually pulls off when he's into mischief. Sasuke grit his teeth, cursing the old man for spilling nonsense.

"Did you bed her?" Naruto urged, wanting answers. "Was she even pretty?"

Eyes to the ceiling, thoughts of a certain pinkette began to invade his mind. Not only had he left her to fend for herself, he had accidentally taken her phone with him home. He was no better than her ex, he thought inwardly. Despite his constantly pings from Kakashi, nothing seemed to come through for Sakura the night her ex ditched her on the interstate; no missed calls, no voicemails, or oncoming text messages; nada; zip!

BRRRRRRRING!

Both men's eye flew to the landline sitting atop the desk. Naruto waited as Sasuke picked it up.

"You've called the office of K-City Private Investigator, Sasuke speaking."

"Hello Mr. Uchiha, this is Hinata from K-Hill Hotel. You reserved a room three days ago."

Well, speak of the devil. Sasuke's gaze softened as he continued the call, ignoring his colleague's blatant looks thrown his way. "Yes, that's correct."

"Well, sir, we've tried contacting you these past couple of days and were unable to reach you 'til now. There seems to be an issue regarding your companion and the room she's occupying."

Sasuke furrowed his brow, not sure what Hinata was going on about. He only reserved the room for one day. The word occupying is active and is concerning. Was Sakura still there? Was she taking advantage of his kindness by overstaying his reservation?

"Go on."

"Anyway, we received a complaint of a certain mildew stench coming from your reserved room. Unfortunately, we are unable to reach her personally or offer her a different room."

"What is she saying?" Naruto whispers, tapping his desk catching Sasuke's attention. Sasuke ignores him, turning away.

"Why is that?"

"Well, sir, she had the 'Do Not Disturb' sign outside her room door. Due to our hotel policies, we are obligated to respect the privacies of our clients until they remove the sign. It's been three days past and still no sign of her."

Is that so? Could it be that she's bedridden from the rain? A dread filled Sasuke, overwhelming his consciousness to go over there and check up on her.

"Because of this matter, we will have to overcharge you for the remaining days."

"Understood. Thank you, I will stop by later to see for myself." Sasuke hangs up and sighs deeply.

"Now, will you tell me?" Naruto nudged, "What was all that about?"

Sasuke thought the same, refusing to think other than the obvious. Either Sakura is getting back at him or she's in real trouble this time.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

Naruto whistled as he walked into K-hill hotel that afternoon, admiring the architecture interior design of the foyer. Imperial staircases sidled the lobby like a ballroom would, marble floors and high chandeliers.

"Fancy," Naruto said in awed and spotted a nude statue peeing into a vase. "Who knew you had…taste."

Sasuke rolled his eyes and dragged his colleague to the front desk where two receptionists were hovering over a computer screen, whispering ardently to each other. Naruto coughs bringing the attention from the two to both men.

"Gentlemen, welcome to K-hill hotel. How may we serve you?" The male receptionist greeted to both of them.

"I'd like to check up on-" Sasuke began, noticing the way Naruto was smirking at him which annoyed him even further from going out of his way to accompany him. "An acquaintance of mine."

"Of course. May I have your name and the room number?"

"Sasuke Uchiha, room 219."

The receptionist paused before looking back at his associate and nodded. "Ah, yes, Mr. Uchiha. We've been waiting your arrival. Miss Hyuuga has informed us of the situation. Please follow me."

Sasuke and Naruto followed the young fellow up the flight of the stairs to the second landing, reaching their destination in less time it took to take the elevator up. At the door, there was indeed the no disturb sign that Hinata mentioned on the phone. The employee knocked on the door and called out for Sakura, but no answer came.

"Permission to enter, sir?"

"Permission granted."

Grabbing his handy dandy key card, the employee opened the door, letting Sasuke in first and then Naruto before following heed. The first thing Sasuke noticed upon entrance was that Sakura wasn't inside the room.

"Apparently your lady companion had left the bath running and it ended up flooding the floor, creating a safety hazard for our tenants the room below." The worker announced, showing the way to the damaged bathroom.

"Hinata didn't mention this on the phone."

"Ah, well, there was an emergency evacuation earlier today, so we were able to get inside and check for members unaware of the situation. We found the damage was already done."

"So, where is his lady?" Naruto piped up, stepping outside the bathroom.

"That's… We are unsure of her whereabouts."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke queried, walking to the center of the suite. It seemed like all Sakura did was slept and took a shower. Everything else about the room was neat and untouched. So, where did Sakura go? "I was told that she hadn't checked herself out."

"My colleague was checking the security feed when you two arrived to see if we could spot her during the evacuation."

"And?"

"No sign of her appearance…yet."

Strange, Sasuke thought. Was Sakura in trouble after all? There couldn't have been a way for anyone to reach Sakura since he had her phone, and it sounded all the stranger that Sakura hadn't been seen leaving this room since she checked-in. And yet she wasn't inside. How odd.

"What's this door lead to?" Naruto asked, pointing to a door connected to the room aside Sakura's bed. Now noticing the said door, Sasuke narrowed his eyes and wondered if there was some pervert behind the door and happened to chance upon Sakura…perhaps, he had spied on her or something.

"It connects to the suite next door. However, they're normally locked, unless reserved otherwise. Which in your case, Mr. Uchiha, you hadn't reserve." The man explained, showcasing the locked knob.

The blonde hummed, eyeing the door before turning to Sasuke. "Sounds like we got a mystery on our hands."

"There's no we." Sasuke declined, crossing his arms, hiding away his concern. Why was he feeling so worrisome for a stranger he just met? All he wanted was answers which she ended up giving but now it seems there is more to Sakura than just getting what he wants. Where the heck could she be? He didn't want to think the worst, but the very thought of her vanishing on the spot could only mean one thing… Was Sakura abducted?