Ch: 25 He Who Doesn't Care

Sakura

Sakura managed to pull herself together within a half hour of Sasuke's departure, the last few seconds of their interaction still swirling in her mind not unlike the daydreams of a schoolgirl — although she preferred to think that it was hunger getting to her head rather than Sasuke.

She put on the black dress she bought in Iwa the day before, figuring that if she ran fast enough from her room to the dining hall she'd be able to brace the cold. She hadn't packed much for fun, so she dug up one of her unused bandages — a glossy, hunter green fabric — and used her kunai to shape it into a make-shift scarf to accessorize. It perfectly matched her eyes, and that much she liked. She also decided to leave her headband behind, and instead let her tresses flow loosely down her shoulders.

Sasuke was already standing outside by the time she got to the great doors, and as he nodded in greeting, she could've sworn she saw crimson flare in his eyes — a shadow gone as fast as it came.

"Looks nice on you," Sakura said to him, admiring her work. The way he wore his new dark navy knit was exactly as she pictured when she bought it the day before, the deep blues pairing nicely with his pale skin. He didn't have to wear it, but she was glad that he did.

"Thanks," Sasuke replied, eyeing her scarf. "Green suits you."

Sakura smiled, as that would've been the closest to a compliment she'd ever received from Sasuke.

Around them, darkness began to pool. Sakura looked above to the clouds, which were once white and airy, but now looked like they had eaten something and became bloated, combining into one monstrous gray clump that started to shed enormous droplets. These droplets could engulf even the heaviest rains in Fire Country — Sakura swore they almost crystallized on their way down, the sensation like being assailed by ice bullets on the top of her head. She could already feel her hair soaking even though it'd just been a few seconds.

"Damn Naruto, always late," Sakura cursed. She shouldn't have told Naruto they'd wait for him. Shivering, she darted for the only cover she could find — a sliver of dryness protected by a high bow window protruding from the walls of the dining hall from above. The rain pattered on, but it spared her upper body.

Sakura didn't like how the dress began to feel as the wetted fabric clung to every inch of her skin. She began peeling it away from her bikini region with two fingers, and then readjusted it habitually as if it had a mind of its own. But when she realized it was all in vain, she folded her bare arms to cover her chest because she wasn't sure if Sasuke could see exactly how cold she was now that her dress was a second skin.

By the time Sakura looked over to Sasuke, she saw he was drenched. "Here," she said, offering shelter. She tilted her torso 45 degrees to allocate half of the two-square-foot area she'd found solace in.

Sasuke took her up on it, and the two of them found themselves pressed up close to each other. "It's cold," he said, after a period of silence. His breath was warm, and as it hit the top of Sakura's head she wished she could curl into it.

"Just a l-little," Sakura replied, shivering.

Beside her, heat exploded. It alarmed her briefly, until she realized it was coming from Sasuke. He had his arm outstretched in the rain and he'd created an open flame so bright it was like he held the sun in the palm of his hand. Though droplets drenched his sleeve, the light burned untouched, like magic.

Sakura looked up at him. "Better."

Against the backdrop of a thundering sky, their conversation ebbed and flowed for a couple more minutes, casual and blithe. Things were peaceful and almost normal between them for the first time since she could remember. Anyone peering in would see that they were just two teammates, comfortable friends, waiting for their third companion. A part of Sakura could count the hours before something happened again, something that would cause a rift between them and return them to their equilibrium where ice and fire were at war.

An approaching orange figure yelled in their direction.

"Look who it is, finally," Sakura called with a smirk. "Nice sweater!"

The warmth from Sasuke's hand disappeared, and Sakura instantly missed it.

"Thanks Sakura, it's perfect," Naruto said, gesturing to his newly bought top half, which was now also drenched. "Sorry I'm late, had to make a stop — I never checked off the operations board, heh."

The three of them jogged around the corner to where the roar of the party boomed through the great doors. As they pulled the doors open, a pungent smell of sweat and sake hit them first.

Sakura wondered if anyone would even be sober enough to remember if Team 7 showed up.

Inside, along the majestic refectory table running from the entrance all the way to the end of the hall, Sakura saw dozens of Iwa-nin. Some she recognized from earlier, but she saw many new faces of shinobi who had likely just returned from missions. She spotted Gado and Yui and gave them a polite nod, the latter not bothering to reciprocate, then in the far back, saw a glimpse of blue next to a blazing fireplace. It was Raito, dressed in a neatly-pressed, off-duty uniform. He looked to be enjoying a very expensive looking imported wine away from everybody else. Sakura decided the fireplace was exactly where she wanted to be — and not just to dry off.

Someone cat-called as she, Naruto, and Sasuke weaved through the crowd. She knew it was directed at her, and she cursed herself for wearing anything other than the safe, conservative clothes she was used to. Sakura shrank her shoulders and slouched immediately, almost as if it would make her small enough to become inconspicuous.

Raito nodded upon their arrival and handed each of them a glass. They took their seats on the intricately embroidered lounge couches, cozying up to the fire as promised. Sakura could already feel the fire working its wizardry, evaporating the wetness from her skin and dress into the air, drying her so that she wasn't sopping anymore.

Raito then motioned with his eyes to a particularly rowdy group of shinobi that Sakura hadn't seen before. One of them was standing on the table with his headband tied around his thigh, unconventionally. He waved his kunai around, animatedly recounting a recent tale to the encouragement of the few who sat around him. He was wallowing in whatever attention he could get from the two kunoichi sitting near.

"Born obnoxious, perfected over time," Raito began, referring to the shinobi giving the performance of his lifetime. "Combine that with post-mission adrenaline and alcohol — this is what you get," he sighed. "Some call it art, I call it… a shitshow."

Sakura had a feeling Raito was one of the few people she'd ever met who could secretly curse like a sailor but still seem so illustrious because of his soft voice and poise. He held his wine glass so delicately, even when he moved his arm the liquid inside remained changeless like it wasn't there.

The four of them continued to watch as the shinobi on the table waved his kunai and stepped backwards, missing a step and crashing onto the floor.

"And I was told Iwa-nin took themselves too seriously," Sakura said.

"I think I would've heard if he was something special," Naruto muttered. "The way he's talking ya know, you'd think he was a Legendary Sannin."

Sakura's spine tingled with a familiar sensation that a pair of eyes were watching her.

"Looks like you've got some attention," Raito said, nodding to Sasuke. "Which is my cue to leave." He picked up his glass, said his farewell, and disappeared before anyone could reel him in.

Sakura scanned the area behind her. It wasn't long before she found the two culprits, a kunoichi she passed by earlier in the medical supply room, and her friend whom Sakura had never seen before. They were at the same rowdy table, but unlike the rest of their colleagues who were still being entertained, their gaze was in her direction. They exchanged whispers, darting their eyes between where she was sitting and Sasuke.

It just occurred to Sakura how close she was sitting next to him. They were shoulder-to-shoulder, and she had her legs crossed, the result being her thigh was pressing against his. It didn't seem to bother him, nor did it her. In fact, it seemed to go unnoticed, right up until a disturbance appeared between them.

"I always wondered what I'd do if I ran into Sasuke Uchiha," a voice said. Based on where the voice was coming from, Sakura knew someone was standing right behind her. The speaker was leaning into them, taking special care to speak directly into their ears as if to be as hostile as possible.

"And now that you have, what will you do?" Sasuke asked. He had his hand in his pocket, where Sakura knew he kept his wire string.

The voice replied to Sasuke, its proximity so close to them felt like it was being whispered directly to Sakura and taunting her personally. "That there's a special place in hell for traitors like you."

It wasn't the closeness that bothered Sakura, but the disgusting, piggish undertone in the way they said it. It threatened violence, like if she were anybody else, a defenseless civilian or a younger woman, she'd better not walk in any alleyways that night.

Naruto stood up. "We don't want trouble, but we won't take crap either."

Sakura was sure Naruto could count how many Iwa nin had them surrounded from his vantage point. Her main concern was it didn't matter how many there were; Naruto would fight anyone if he got hot-headed enough.

"Was I talking to you, Jinchuriki?" the voice replied.

"Maybe not," Naruto replied, the casual tone in his voice mismatched with the hard look in his eyes, "but I'm the one that'll kick your ass if I need to."

Sakura took the exchange as an opportunity to toss a glance upwards over her shoulder. It was the same shinobi from earlier, the one who pranced on the tables telling his tales. Any semblance of jovial humor held previously was gone. It seemed he'd momentarily moved on from taunting Sasuke, and now had his focus entirely on Naruto. "Now that you mention it," he said, "kicking the Kyuubi Jinchuriki's sorry ass would make a good story."

Sakura felt her teammate's chakra swell.

"Naruto," Sakura called. "Let's not get riled up, hm?" She kept her tone light and friendly, knowing that putting him down in front of an audience would backfire. Meanwhile, her hands twitched for her kunai, which was strapped to a holster between her legs. If it came to the worst scenario, her first move would be to access the Iwa nin's popliteal artery to demobilize him. She wouldn't even have to stand up for it.

"Asuka, not in here," a voice piped up from the back.

"Outside then," Asuka said to Naruto, speaking through a forced smile. "If you'd please."

Sakura sighed. Damn it.

X

Sakura had no idea how any drunk individual from inside the dining hall managed to coordinate an assembly outside, but within seconds she found herself shivering on the sidelines of what looked to become a duel between Naruto, Sasuke, and the Iwa-nin named Asuka, an odd man who seemed to like provoking people at the worst times.

Outside, the thunderstorm had stopped wreaking havoc. Still, Sakura found herself standing in a bone-piercing frigid air which bit and nipped the skin on her bare arms until she'd basically become numb. She was being ignored for the time being, in favor of Sasuke and Naruto, but that was more than fine with her because it meant she could use her arms to preserve the tiny bits of body heat she had left. The rest of the mob had resorted to making noise, and they jeered, whooped, and yelled incoherently like animals. This made Sakura envious of Raito for running off when he had the chance.

"You first," Asuka yelled to Naruto. Loose strands from his black, slicked-back hair churned and whipped with the wind. He readjusted his headband, then looked at Sasuke. "You're up after."

Sasuke gave no response, and only looked at ease with his hands in his pockets.

"Nah," Naruto said, making his way to the middle as he cracked his knuckles. "There won't be leftovers."

Sakura groaned inwardly. Whoever got hurt, she'd probably have to heal. Which meant no matter who won this duel, she was putting in time tonight.

"We'll see about that," Asuka said, smirking. "Just one rule, if you're shinobi enough."

"And what's that?" Naruto asked.

"Only use jutsus that you've invented yourself," Asuka replied.

Naruto scoffed. "What kind of rule is—"

Asuka appeared directly in front of Naruto with an ax kick, bringing his leg down with full force. Naruto dodged just in time and skidded backwards, but a small dent was left on the ground where Asuka's foot made the impact. It was clear the Iwa-nin was fast and strong. "Let's see how you fare against the first jutsu I ever created," he yelled as he dropped low to the ground, planting firm hands upon the earth. "Doton: dojjibōru no jutsu!"

A tremor rippled around them, and little mud bubbles began rising from the earth. They started to inflate, building slowly until each bubble was about the size of a head. They began pelting Naruto from every direction.

"Cripes!" the blonde shouted, jumping as one of the mud balls whizzed between his legs. He started waving his arms frantically as he dodged some more, visibly panicking as he grasped at straws thinking of a jutsu he could use. "I can't do any of my jutsus without using shadow clones first!" he cried.

"Sounds like a 'you' problem," said Asuka, mercilessly diving forward with a combination of punches.

"Screw. This. Rule!" Naruto grunted, blocking as best he could.

"I'll grant you mercy," Asuka said, "if you admit it!" He flipped over and gave Naruto a roundhouse kick, which was caught in the blonde's hand before it could hit his body. He used the leverage to push off and land a wheel kick into Naruto's cheek.

"Admit what?!" the blonde yelled, staggering to his feet. Sakura couldn't help but feel a little sympathy, as asking Naruto to think and fight at the same time was like asking Sakura to mix antidotes with her right hand and wrap bandages with her left.

"That you're just not shinobi enough!" Asuka shouted, barraging Naruto with another series of punches and attacks.

The crowd roared as the blonde fell backwards.

"You want original, have it your way!" Naruto yelled. "You like girls, right?"

Girls? Sakura wondered, until she realized what he meant. Oh no, she thought.

Naruto stood very still, bringing his hands together in a formation she knew all too well. "Oiroke no jutsu!"

"What's going on?" she heard a voice say.

"I can't see anything through the smoke," said someone else. A few of the Iwa-nin in the crowd craned their necks and squinted in anticipation for what kind of jutsu this would be. Asuka stood in a defensive position, waiting patiently for the air to clear so he could block any incoming attacks.

But there weren't any incoming attacks, because Naruto's "new and improved" technique had rendered a female version of himself in a neon orange bikini, with breasts that could give Princess Tsunade a run for her money and a t-string thong so realistic that the Hermit would cry tears of joy.

A riot ensued. The mob roared with laughter, but they began hollering praise to Naruto for the creativity in his jutsu and for its effectiveness in throwing off an enemy. Sakura wanted to put a hand to her forehead, to shrink backwards and be swallowed by the crowd so she wouldn't have to stand as the proud captain of Konoha's #1 most unpredictable ninja.

"Well played, well played," Asuka said, laughing. "Now that is a unique technique. Not half bad! I knew I liked you from the start!"

"Liked me? You were all up in our faces," accused Naruto as he transformed back to his ordinary self.

"Semantics," Asuka replied, wrapping his arm around Naruto's shoulder. "You know, you have originality. I like that. Stick with me and you'll be climbing the ranks in Iwa faster than no time at all!"

"He hasn't been promoted in years!" shouted a voice from the crowd.

Everyone laughed. As ridiculous as it was, Sakura couldn't recall a time when Naruto's improved sexy jutsu didn't work, and especially after years of adult practice to perfect it. But at least Team 7 had broken the ice and Naruto's little stunt would lessen the hostility they were experiencing.

"Alright, two shots for me and my new friend!" Asuka exclaimed, leading Naruto inside. The crowd cheered and followed suit. As the group's average level of sobriety took a nosedive, it seemed the number of questions about life in Konoha began to increase.

"Sho tell me," said an extremely intoxicated Jonin to Sakura. He stood facing her, but his body was swaying back and forth. "Yer the shlug 'cesses apprentice arencha? 'Sit true wha they say? That her tits—" He thudded to the floor and passed out before Sakura could punch him in the face.

"Ey—!" Another Iwa-nin stumbled in with putrid vomit on his breath, and it took everything within Sakura to not make a face when the stench hit her in the face. "'Dis mebbe the a'cohol talkin'," he told her, "but yer pink hair kinda seggsy—"

"Idiot," said another incoming Iwa-nin, far less drunk than the first two. He put his shoulder under his drunker friend's armpit to lift him up and lead him away from Sakura. "You're gonna hit on her in front of her teammates?" she heard him whisper as they left.

What's that supposed to mean? Sakura wondered with an eyebrow raised. She watched as the two of them disappeared, and then shook her head. They had gone into the dark crevices of the messiest and most out of control party she had seen in years. She had a number of reasons to not partake, not that she felt comfortable enough to anyway.

Eventually, Sakura lost count of how many times one of their new Iwa 'friends' floundered over to Naruto or Sasuke, insisting that everyone take 'one more' shot for 'good luck'. She thought she even saw Yui come by to share a drink with Sasuke, but the exchange was too subtle for Sakura to see through the hazy air of alcohol fumes, cigarette smoke, and sweat.

But though she expected the rest of the night to carry on as such, Sakura was proven wrong when the great doors to the dining hall busted open, sending in a frush of fresh icy wind. The abruptness was akin to a bucket of cold water poured on a lazy man's shoulders first thing on a Sunday morning, sobering the room and quieting it to a gentle whisper.

"Captain," one of the Iwa-nin nodded, stepping out of the way.

As he walked through the dining hall, Jun parted the crowd directly down the middle. Every Iwa-nin within ten yards saluted him with perfect form, as if they had been pretending to be drunk the entire time.

"At ease," Jun said, waving his hand as if to swat away the formality that had intruded on everyone's good time. He picked up a shot of sake sitting on the refractory table, then lifted it into the air. "As you were, please."

This was met with cheers all around, but much of the mischief that had plagued the room until now seemed to take permanent leave with Jun's arrival. It seemed he was respected and well-liked by all, except perhaps Sasuke, Naruto, and now Asuka, who remained unaffected by his presence.

By this time, Naruto had taken out his shuriken and kunai for display, and the Iwa-nin were asking questions about the displacement and velocity of his tools, to which he mumbled lots of 'yeah's in place of any physics-based explanations. Sakura observed as he dug himself deeper and deeper into a hole by refusing to admit he had no idea what they were talking about.

The two kunoichi from earlier, the ones Sakura caught staring at her and Sasuke, had mustered up the courage to approach him by now. The three of them sat chatting by the fireplace, with Sasuke being pleasant, even allowing the women to pick up his hand to show them a spark of his lightning chakra — an act which met with much delight.

"Haruno."

Sakura turned around. It was Jun, and as if the sound of his voice was some sort of genjutsu, it seemed to pause all the conversations within the immediate vicinity.

Jun didn't seem to mind the attention though, and continued to ask his question with zero hesitation. "Are you working after this, or do you have time to spare?"

Uncomfortable with how quiet the dining hall had gotten, Sakura gave the most neutral response she could think of. "I… didn't have plans," she said slowly.

Jun broke into that easy smile she loved, the one that made her stomach do flips. "Come out with me," he said. "I want to show you something." It was phrased like a command as though he wouldn't expect her to say no, but it was gentle and polite.

Sakura felt her cheeks start to pack on heat. She didn't know if this was work-related, but she didn't want to embarrass herself by assuming that it wasn't. She nodded, aware the chakra in the room had shifted. From the corner of her eye, she saw Naruto looking at Jun with distrust in his eyes. Sasuke's expression had darkened, and his irate demeanor startled the two kunoichi he'd been in a conversation with. They began to back away from him. That must've been what the Iwa-nin was saying earlier about asking her out in front of her teammates.

Jun looked around the room, as if oblivious that he was the one who caused the change in atmosphere. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"Hell yeah there is," Naruto blurted. "Sasuke, tell 'em."

"I don't care enough to." Sasuke's expression had morphed into the unaffected, nonchalant attitude he liked to wear. "Date her," he said to Jun.

Sakura's face flushed, and she didn't know if it was anger or embarrassment. For all she knew, Jun could've just been asking her out to drinks to recap the team's activities as a way to make a chore bearable. Or he could've been showing her something about the medical supplies that would make her job for the Tsuchikage easier. And since when did she have to ask Naruto or Sasuke for permission to do anything?

"Well, actually," Sakura began, ready to tell off the three men. "I don't appreciate—"

"Captain! You'll want to see this!" a voice shouted from the outside.

Sakura heard gasps coming from the far end of the room, where the great doors had opened again. The storm outside had returned, carrying violent winds and heavy rains. The room erupted into low murmurs as a hooded figure stood in the doorway. "J-Jun?" it said.

The voice was female, and her cloaked hands fumbled for something to hold onto. Her hands grasped the slate of wet stone next to her, and her sleeves fell to her elbows, revealing a bony wrist encased by clammy, pale skin. She fell to her knees, almost begging, "w-where are you, Jun?"

"Kurotsuchi!" Yui called, rushing to the hooded figure's side.

"Can I have s-some water?" Kurotsuchi asked weakly.

It was the first time Sakura had seen anyone in the Tsuchikage's family in public, and from the ghost-white faces of the Iwa-nin around her, it was the first time they had as well.

"Well don't just stand there!" Yui screamed at everyone. "Can't you see she needs water?!"

Jun left Sakura's side, calmly stalking towards where he was being called. The heavy clicks of his boots on stone did little to veil the bone-chilling silence that had overtaken the room. "No," he finally declared.

"No?" Yui asked. Her eyes narrowed as she rose to her feet, as if to shield Kurotsuchi from the approach. "What do you mean no?"

"Relax," Jun told her. As he kneeled next to Kurotsuchi, he took one of her hands off the ground into his own. "We have to get you to your room" he said gently, coaxing Kurotsuchi's arm around his shoulder. "We'll get you water there."

This act seemed to disarm Yui. "I'll come with you," she offered. She wore an expression of sympathy and sorrow, worlds apart from the looks of apathy Sakura was used to seeing.

"Stay here, Yui," Jun replied curtly.

"Surely I could help—"

"Yui," Jun said sternly, "you have a duty here."

At first, Sakura didn't know what that meant. Why wouldn't Jun allow Yui, someone who obviously cared deeply for Kurotsuchi, to accompany her? But as Sakura looked around at the Iwa-nin, she understood. Damage control.

Yui seemed to understand this as well, and despite the brief flash of disappointment across her pretty features, she faced the rest of the crowd and gestured with her arms. "Give them room to clear out," she instructed.

As they were told, the dozens of Iwa-nin cleared an exit path, and it wasn't before long until Jun's and Kurotuchik's backs blended into the night sky. But although Kurotsuchi's arrival came and went like a dream, the haunting image of her frail, sickly state left some of the Iwa-nin shaking their heads. "She's sick in the head," someone murmured.

When Sakura looked to her teammates, she realized they too had gone.

Sasuke

The diversion couldn't have come at a better time. As soon as the attention of the room shifted away from them, Sasuke bolted for the exit on the other end of the hall. What he hadn't accounted for, however, was his pesky teammate to follow him to his room.

"For the last time Naruto, I don't care," Sasuke said. How could he? He didn't have the right.

Sasuke forced his body to keep busy with menial tasks, because anything was better than letting Naruto see him standing around his room like an idiot. He'd collected what little items he had scattered around his room and put them neatly into his pack.

"Sasuke. How could you not care?" Naruto asked. "You'd let Sakura, our Sakura, go out with some, some sicko?"

"She's not ours," Sasuke replied. She's not mine, said the voice inside his head.

Naruto made a guttural sound with his throat, indicating how exasperating it was to belabor the point. "Oh come on. She's a part of Team 7. We look out for each other. We always have."

Ha, right, Sasuke thought. When they were kids, he used to make Sakura cry all the time. Even now as an adult, she was almost a casualty in his war against Itachi. There was never a time that Sakura was better off with him than away from him. So although Naruto might be exasperated, Sasuke felt he should be feeling that way himself — how could Naruto possibly think Sasuke knew what was or wasn't good for Sakura? But nevermind that. "What'd he do, anyway?" Sasuke asked.

"Who?"

Sasuke sighed. "Jun."

"Oh, I don't know," Naruto replied. "Something's not right with that guy."

"But did he do anything, say anything? Why'd you call him a sicko?"

"Uh, because he's being a creep," Naruto replied.

Great, because Sasuke could definitely quantify 'creep'.

"And he stole our scroll, remember?" Naruto added. Then he paused, as if in wonder. His mouth made the shape of an 'o' as some revelation settled. "Maybe Sakura agreed to go out with him to find out what happened to the scroll."

Sasuke nodded in understanding. But did that even matter? Something was off about Jun, but it wasn't just about the scroll. Was it simply because of what Sasuke knew — that Jun wanted to date Sakura?

Sasuke was, after all, a guy, and he knew how guys thought. He knew all about what Jun was fantasizing about in his head, all the ways he could kiss Sakura, touch her. And Sasuke just didn't like that someone was thinking about his teammate that way. It wasn't like he preferred to be the one kissing and touching Sakura, either. But then, Sasuke thought, it would be so much different than if Jun was doing it.

"Earth to Sasuke?"

Naruto's invasive pestering yanked Sasuke from his thoughts, from the mental images of Sakura he'd memorized with his Sharingan, particularly the one from today with her in the rain in her dress. "What?" Sasuke snapped, doing little to mask how inconvenienced he felt.

"I said," Naruto repeated, "let's just follow Sakura and Jun and see what they get up to, ya know?" The blonde grinned a sly, crafty, and fox-like grin, which only indicated to Sasuke that he was up to something mischievous. "Maybe somehow Jun'll get a big, rotten egg tossed on his head when he's trying to make a move."

"No dobe," Sasuke replied through gritted teeth, leading — but practically pushing — Naruto out the door. "You already talked me into doing things I normally wouldn't, like not pressing Sakura about the Akatsuki incident and apologizing. But this? This I will not do."

"Aw, c'mon Sasuke! Why not?"

"Because," Sasuke said, feeling like he could rip a chidori the size of Iwa. "I. Don't. Care."

"But Sasuke—"

Sasuke slammed the door in Naruto's face.

Unknown

After the party, with the Tsuchikage's granddaughter safely in bed, He watched Jun parade little Sakura through the nightlife of Iwa. The pink-haired kunoichi was none the wiser. Anyone else watching wouldn't have thought twice about the couple, but He knew the blissful ignorance was one-sided.

It also seemed definitive that little Sasuke-kun would opt not to kill his beloved teammate after all. Or, rather, Sasuke was able to be convinced that the idea that pretty little Sakura was working with Akatsuki was a figment of his own imagination. And so Sakura was alive, working at the behest of a medically desperate Iwagakure, flirting with the Tsuchikage's so-called captain.

Meanwhile, it was just a matter of time before Danzo began on his way to Iwa, to collect what was dearest to him.

How many moving parts is too many?

The muscles in His lips quivered as they curled. Oh, dear, He thought. Left alone, precious Sasuke would perish in the crosshairs of a political game beyond his comprehension. And that would just not do. Not if He wanted the Mangekyou Sharingan.

To protect His own interests, He would have to act. But He was no fool; He couldn't make a direct hit on little Sakura without re-igniting a deadly personal vendetta from Lord Hokage herself. Tsunade was no longer crippled by hematophobia, and that was a confrontation he could do to avoid. And He couldn't just appear in front of Sasuke-kun either, to tell him the truth about his beloved teammate.

Instead, He would have to take a little time off work and set certain things in motion. Covert things. He would have to begin a little project of His own to… help Sasuke come to the same conclusion as He — that Sakura was indeed still working with Uchiha Itachi. And that she must pay.

This wasn't just business for Him. Not anymore. The cutting-edge techniques of future shinobi depended on the emergence of the rare Mangekyou Sharingan, dependent on Him absorbing little Sasuke-kun with the Mangekyou Sharingan.

And so this was personal. Things could never go back to the way they were now that the cat was out of the bag. He'd be late to join the party, but at least it meant He could eliminate two threats to his precious Sasuke-kun at once...

Danzo was away.

That meant little Sakura would be first.

Itachi

"THREE DAYS," Kisame yelled, hoisting Samehada onto his shoulder. "That's how long we sat around twiddling our thumbs over a dead corpse."

A few of the civilians had rushed past, not knowing which was the bigger threat—a ginormous walking, talking shark, or the tattooed occultist with blood trailing after him.

"Shuddup prick," Hidan muttered, half still gone to the bliss of his last ritual. "You sayin' we had somethin' better to do?"

Itachi pointed to the road beneath them, where bits and pieces of the splintered wood from the balcony above had yet to be cleaned up by the City of Yukkao. It was where they last had contact with Sakura before she went dark a few days ago. "We missed them."

"See? Idiot," Kisame mumbled under his breath.

"It's sacred fuckin' duty, ya prick," Hidan spat. "I don't control when lord Jashin calls."

"Quiet," Itachi commanded, as he pieced together what had happened. "The innkeeper said three fled in the middle of the night."

"If ya think you can trust 'em," Hidan muttered.

"The innkeeper was compensated… well," Itachi said. "Without our generous donation, they would be out of business."

"So she's alive then," Kisame said with a toothy grin. "Can't have gone far crippled."

Itachi silenced the world around him to think. Like Kisame said, they could still be close. Depending on how volatile little brother's temperament was that night, Sakura and the Jinchuriki could have been damaged too severely to make the trip to Iwa. And Itachi didn't want to make the trip in his state if he didn't have to.

He decided he would send another note to Sakura. She hadn't responded to the last one, but he knew his jutsu was still intact. It meant she was still preoccupied. With healing, perhaps.

"Itachi," Kisame called from down the street. "You want to see this."

Itachi saw his colleagues standing together, and for the first time in consensus to not bicker stupidly. It seemed they were too fixated on a filthy sheet of paper they'd collected from the trash. As he approached, he noticed something oddly familiar about the contents.

WANTED BY THE ALLIED SHINOBI FORCE

FOR MURDER

REWARD: 1,250,000 RYO

CRIMINAL IS ARMED AND DANGEROUS

It was familiar, but for one reason only:

Printed so large that it covered almost the entirety of the paper was the face of Sasuke Uchiha.

To be continued…