Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

22 reviews! Wow! You guys are amazing! Thanks you! As you can tell this is the first time I've got that many reviews for one chapter. Also I know I haven't updated in like two weeks, but I'm kindda drowned in projects.

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Chapter 8

With a swift tug, she lifted the comforter. With that she slid inside to get a good night sleep, although it was not an easy task to accomplish. Little twists here and there, but no avail. Without another fight, she lay still for the moment to think. Think about what is happening, to her and possibly people around her.

With a sigh, she placed a cool hand on her forehead and relaxed against the surface.

She needed to leave before Sasuke gets more involved. It is not his place… but he is already so engrossed in the matter, there is no way he will back away. Especially when it has something to do with his brother.

Funny, how I wish I had a big brother or sister right now… but I don't. The facts were as simple as they get. Another fact that bugged her, her entire life was that she could not see ahead. It's always been bumpy and there were too many obstacles to face. Never has she had one moment that she could predict, but… that's life for ya.

There was this one time that Sasuke mentioned to her about his brother and it was too silly that Sasuke didn't know much about his own brother. He claimed that Itachi ran away because of his free will and that Sasuke was left with nothing else but work.

She also remembered that bewildered expression he had when other men complimented her and so much as to kiss her on the back of her hand. She found that it was all too childish. It was obvious that she had a slight crush on him. His image had interrupted her train of thoughts, countless times. It was hard to deny it. But whom am I kidding, he's rich, I'm poor. He's got looks and what have I got to offer? The rank of their status held all the difference.

She wished that she could remain here and all her troubles would no longer exist, but she would not be happy even if it came true, for her friends were the real ones in trouble and she wouldn't be able to smile again. Who was she doing this all for? Her comrades of course.

They were her family and still are. She wouldn't trade anything for them and yes, even Sasuke wouldn't be worth their friendship.

With the thoughts cuddling her, her eyes became wary and they fell. She lay still; sound asleep with a small hint of happiness lingering on her features.

Sasuke and Mr. Chillhurst sat on the comfy, French chaise longue, listening carefully at the reports handed out by their business maintenance manager. So far only one client has declined their contracts through out the entire Uchiha business career. The stocks were high and rising smoothly, sailing the corporate sea.

"And lastly, there was a big cash withdrawal from Mr. Uchiha on May 13th from the company budget. That is all," a tall man with short, light brown adjusted his glasses as he waited for one of them to speak up at his little speech, which included top notch diagrams with it.

"Cash withdrawal?" Mr. Chillhurst raised his eyebrow at Sasuke, "are you stealing from your own company now?"

Itachi. "No doubt about it," talking to no one in particular.

" 'Doubt about it'?" the older man repeating, catching Sasuke's glance.

"It was Itachi. I've never taken cash in a large amount before. I did once took some lone from the company for a necklace for mother, but that was years ago," he spread a deep frown.

"What do you propose we do?" Mr. Chillhurst asked with a growing frown of his own.

"Hunt him down," Sasuke spat out. A pregnant silence filled the air. Mr. Chillhurst noticed the determination in Sasuke's eyes as he started in a deep thought.

"Uhm…" the brunette on the opposite side tried to get attention.

"Oh, yes. Thank you Genma for the wonderful presentation and I hope to see you again soon," Mr. Chillhurst spoke up, his frown turned upside down.

"Thank you. I'll show my self out if you don't mind," he eyed Sasuke who had his elbows placed on his and fingers intertwined in front of his eyes in deep thought.

He exited with a formal bow. Mr. Chillhurst turned to Sasuke. He made his way to the door and was about to exit, when he saw Sakura approach him, or rather the room. This gave an idea to him. He turned on his heel so Sakura would follow in.

"Sasuke," the older man spoke up, startling the boy. Sasuke jolted his head up.

"What?" he questioned.

"How about you take a vacation?" he offered.

"Vacation? This is not the time to kid around," he stated firmly as he got up.

"Do not worry about Itachi. I'll hire the top detectives in the city and make sure they don't leave a stone unturned," he finished explaining.

"That's not possible at a time like this," he declared clearly.

"Of course it is. I just have to dial a couple of acquaintances," he pushed the matter, "and besides, you haven't had a long vacation in a while now."

"That's none of your business!" Sasuke spoke up and exited the room with a gloomy expression on his face.

Sakura turned to look at the older man. He smiled and told her that he'll be okay. She nodded and also exited the room quietly.

The study door was closed just as Sakura suspected. Quite hesitantly she lifted a small, lose fist and gulped before knocking.

She knocked twice, but still no answer. She grabbed the door handle and pushed opened the door slightly to take a peek in there.

Just as she saw him, he put his pen down and turned towards her, "What?" he questioned.

She stumbled back a bit with shock, but then gathered herself up, "Um… I just came to check up on… you," she chocked out as she took a step in the quiet room.

"Done?" he asked impatiently.

"Look! You don't have to be so rude about it!" she spat, clearly aware of her heart at her throat. She gulped and glared daggers at him, pinning his gaze.

Clearly surprised by the pitch of her voice, Sasuke knitted his brows and glared at her in return, "you and I both know that this is my matter and it doesn't concern you in anyway, so why don't you run along."

"Oh, is that it? What if I told you that I actually cared about you!" she spoke with a couple of breaths and when Sasuke looked at her strangely, she realized what she just said. She suddenly found her shoes very interesting.

After a minute of awkwardness, Sasuke cleared his throat and spoke an octave lower then his usual voice, "I'll… I'll talk to you later," with that he turned his attention to his work. A thin line of blush on his cheek went unnoticed by Sakura.

Sakura nodded and left in a heartbeat, closing the door behind her. She walked slowly to her room (guest). She clutched her dress underneath her collarbone, breathing hard. Her face was beat red. It certainly did not help. I feel so stupid. Stupid. He'll probably think I'm some sort of a nutcase and he'll defiantly get rid of me. I mean my comment was… freaky.

I think I'll go take a long bath… right now.

Around one am, Sakura rose from her bed and opened the French doors to the balcony. She leaned against the railing and watched the starry sky. The cool wind swayed her hair to all sides.

"What is with you and these long balcony trips early in the morning?" Sasuke's voice sounded from the doors as he approached her and stood beside her, watching the sky like last time. Sakura looked at him in surprise, how did he know she was there?

She turned back and watched the crescent moon lighting the sky with such small light, "it helps me think," she replied, her voice just above a whisper.

After a couple of minutes just in silence, Sakura spoke, "Sasuke… I'm… sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have raised my voice."

"Hn. Forget about it. Just go to sleep," he lifted his hands off the railing and made his way back into the room.

Letting out the breath that she didn't know she was holding, Sakura followed him inside.

A/N: So what'd you think? I know I gave out hints on a vacation; hopefully I'll do something about it in the following chapters. I hope you liked it and I'll try to update as soon as I can. Also about Itachi, he'll defiantly show up, when you least expect it or maybe not? Anyway please review!

Question: Why do you think Mr. Chillhurst was so eager to get rid of him?