Chapter 10: Time and Time Again

Sakura's POV

"Don't argue with me on this, Lee."

"I would never dream of it, Sakura," Lee said somberly. His once happy facade turned into a brigade of emotions before settling on a lesser form of sympathy. "If anything, I really wish you took this seriously."

If he only knew, Sakura thought. This isn't what she wanted; it was what her father wanted. Lee probably doesn't know the burden of having to overtake someone else's responsibilities for their own and make it better. She would be giving him this chance to learn for himself if he agrees.

"Shouldn't you be discussing this with your father?" He added, bemused to why she came to him first. She shook her head.

"It's not something my father will take no for an answer. Besides, my father has a growing admiration for you since, well, you're as close to him as a son he's never had." As much as she hated to say it, she hoped this false pretense would catch his attention and possibly, hopefully change his mind.

He was quiet for a moment, and then he spoke. "I really do think you should reconsider your decision of giving this," He waved his arm around the scenic, "all up. For me. It's very humble and noble of you."

He's giving her too much credit for such a proposal as this. Does he want it or not? Did she really have much of a choice? Her father deemed her unworthy if she wasn't the heiress of his dojo and the very thought of her family looking down at her for not owning up to her responsibility made her feel triggered and vexed. Rock Lee must have seen her troubled face because then he requested time to think over it before giving her his answer. Giving him a week - that's plenty of time, right? - would settle the ultimatum her inner refused to confront now rather than later. If her becoming an independent young businesswoman with a one tracked mind was a burden to her family, then what kind of family like that needed her anyway?

"So, what answer did he give you?" Shikamaru asked on their drive back to AGENDA.

"He didn't. Not yet, anyway." Sakura exhaled, tiredly. "He requested a week to think it over before he makes a deal with the devil."

"And if he turns you down?"

She just offered Lee a once in a lifetime chance to own the dojo and he won't take it off her hands? There are other people who would love to take the dojo off her shoulders and use it for their own gain. Not that she cared either way. She just thought she'd start with Lee first.

"That won't be a problem." Sakura replied, and took out her phone.

Sasuke's POV

Another feral cry ripped through the young redhead as the man crushed her skull against the door, muttering sweet threats at her. Sasuke was surprised Karin hadn't succumbed to a concussion by now, considering her face was all bloody and her glasses cracked.

Static rumbled in his ear as he swept his surroundings - with Naruto narrowing into place, his glock outwards in a preventive offense and him guarding his back - Sasuke zeroed in his gaze towards the heap of skin and bones lying on the ground. Head lolled to the side, Sasuke could see how lifeless the other girl was compared to just a few minutes ago, but luckily, her lips were still moving in a hushed murmur.

"No one's gonna help you, girl." He growled, kicking Karin back into the lit cell and added, "You're basically meat pie to us. Just an experiment gone wrong." Then he bellowed a poorly wicked laugh that turned into a coughing fit.

With that said, Sasuke caught Naruto's glimpse - what were once bright blue eyes were now a dark cobalt blue - serious was written across his face and Sasuke knew the blond was ready to bolt and take control of the situation. Though Sasuke would normally wait to see what would occur next, Naruto was not known to be patient on missions; always acting before thinking about the consequences, and with Sasuke as his partner, he's used to cleaning up his mess.

I can take him, Naruto's gaze told him. Should he allow Naruto to settle the score or wait and see what happens next? Before he could make his decision, the older man slammed the door shut and grabbed June's legs, dragging her in the direction towards the elevator shaft.

Sasuke caught Naruto's smirk, knowing perfectly well what he could possibly be thinking and he was sure it wasn't anything good.

"You're no good to us dead, little miss." The crazy man said, hauling the girl towards the broken shaft. "Just like the others, it's time for you to rest in... pieces." Another barmy laughter followed.

"Not on my watch, you sick bastard!" Came Naruto's voice, cocking his gun and firing. A sudden charge of static electricity made a flach presence within the vicinity, momentarily blinding Sasuke before the hall was in complete darkness.

The heck was that - did Naruto misshoot and blew up a fuse instead?

Scuffling was heard aways from him, but aside from that, Sasuke needed to get down to business. Were there others in the domain coming for backup? If so, Sasuke was ready. Turning on his night vision goggles again, Sasuke slowly crept over fallen debris and steadily made his way towards the cell Karin was thrown in. He didn't hear anything from inside. Perhaps Karin was knocked out or maybe the room was soundproof - if this was really like an asylum, it'd be a convenient purpose to install one. Growing cautious, Sasuke swung the door open with his foot and surveyed the interior of the room from the entrance. Instead of a cell, it was more of a prep room for a mortuary: just an embalming table with a rolling tray of tools on the side, a trolley and splatters of blood trailing from it. But no bodies. Stricken with alarm, Sasuke swiftly backed away just as a menacing howl and a swing of a knife came flying at him from his blindspot.

Straightening up, Sasuke dodges another swing until his back hits the opposite wall. This time, he's caught off guard when a flash of light crosses his vision. A silent curse leaves his lips as he rips off his goggles - and with eyes clenched in pain as he attempts to adjust to the darkness - he hears her coming for him. That's when he makes his first mistake. He shoots rapidly.

The clicking sound of his gun announces the emptiness of his mag. Turning on his heel, Sasuke manages to feel the wall back towards the direction of the elevator. Did Naruto finish the deed?

'Come in, Naruto? Over.' Sasuke whispered into his comm. Static rebounds in his ear and Sasuke can only assume the worst. 'Naruto, are you there? Over.'

Damn, with darkness consuming his vision, he's unable to actually distinguish the outline of things obstructing his view.

'Sasuke…' Naruto's voice rippled through. 'You okay, man? I heard rapid shots. Over.'

'Yeah, that was me. There may be others nearby. What of the crazy old man? Over.'

Naruto didn't respond right away but when he did, it wasn't over the radio. Heavy footsteps came closer towards Sasuke, his guard up in case it was another perp, revealing only to be his partner with a glowing vest.

"Dead. The girl, too. I wasn't able to get to her in time." Naruto bowed his head hiding away what supposedly was a sullen expression, one that doesn't belong on his colleague's face.

Sasuke nodded, grimly. Sometimes, their missions that involve victims don't always go accordingly, if they can help it, and they knew that from the beginning. If ever caught in a situation that's unavoidable, don't let it get to you. There is no time for emotions to get in the way of the mission. Isn't that what he told Kiba?