Naruto held his head in his hands as he thought about the events of the day. The captain gave him one job and he couldn't even manage that. He felt pathetic.
"Heads up. The captain is back and he wants to talk to you." Another officer said to the sullen man.
Naruto sat up immediately and looked around the office was still buzzing with people. Officers, CSI, clean-up crews, and the worst part of it all: reporters. Naruto despised reporters of all types. All they did was annoy and worsen a situation. They like professional gossipers. Lucky for him the reporters were all outside of the building.
Naruto stood and walked into the captain's office ready to receive an earful from the pink-haired man in charge. Naruto closed the door behind him and the Captain stood and closed his blinds before standing behind his desk and locking eyes with the blonde-haired man.
"You wanna tell me what the fuck happened today?" The captain began in a calm tone.
Naruto didn't immediately reply. This caused the captain to raise his voice.
"Speak up detective." The captain added in a slightly louder and more abrasive tone.
"I don't have an answer for you, sir. He was shot in the head and died immediately." Naruto responded. starting to throw his hands up in the air.
"Don't patronize me. I have eyes I can see and what I saw was you making a mess of a very delicate situation." The captain countered.
"Sir, I don't know how anyone knew he was going to be moved today. Aside from you, me, Sakura, and maybe two other officers no one else knew he was going to be moved. It doesn't make sense." Naruto added. "I've been racking my brain to see if I missed something, but sir I can't find anything that makes sense!"
"You clearly don't understand the proper procedure when I leave you in charge of a situation. So don't worry. That won't be happening again." The tall man added.
"Sir, I-"Naruto began.
"You're suspended 30 days- no pay." The captain interrupted.
"WHAT?" It was Naruto's turn to raise his voice. "Sir we didn't even complete the investigation on the main case this man was attached to! We didn't find out who killed him and you want to suspend me?"
"Yes. Because clearly, you cannot do your job. I guess I had too much faith in a kid like you." The captain's tone was firm.
"I beg to differ." Naruto countered. "I can still be of use to this department. I'm going to find out who did this and why."
"You will do nothing of the sort, detective. I made you into the hotshot you are and don't think I won't break you." The captain boasted.
Naruto ignored the bait the man had laid out for him. He noted that this was the captain's way of breaking his staff down when he was mad.
"I asked you to do your job and not only did you make a mess out of it. I have the press on my ass wanting to know who was killed and why they didn't know about it sooner. You've made a really lousy day for me Uzumaki!" The captain continued.
"Sir, I obviously didn't intend for any of this to happen." Naruto started.
"Oh good. I'll be sure to tell that to let everyone know when they ask why there was no protection provided." It was a good argument from the captain.
"Captain, we don't have enough evidence to say what happened one way or another." Naruto was persistent.
"You've already got enough on your plate as it is sir, you cannot afford to be short a man in a time like this. Sakura's already in deep on a case if you suspend me I can't protect her and it'll be a hell of a lot harder for you to put the nail in the coffin on this incident. You suspend me and that leaves Sakura to be eating alive." Naruto pleaded his case with conviction.
"Detective Hurano has my utmost confidence. She will be fine." The captain gritted through his teeth. Naruto took note that he didn't respond well to him calling her Sakura.
"You've already done enough for me and this department. My decision is final. Hand over your badge and gun. We will revisit this in 30 days." The captain finished. His hand open to receive the items requested.
Naruto removed his gun and badge and walked over to the captain slamming them on his desk.
In a hushed and angry tone, Naruto spoke. "If Sakura is hurt, I will never forgive you, sir." He turned and walked out of the office with his head held high slamming the door behind himself.
Once he exited the office, he noticed how the bullpen had fallen nearly silent. He looked angrily looked around before going to his desk and gathering his files. He stuffed them into his briefcase and headed for the exit.
He blew past the barrage of reporters near the doorstep eagerly yelling at the man requesting a comment on the situation.
"Officer, can you tell us what happened here today?"
"Was someone stabbed or shot?"
"Does this have anything to do with a missing person case?"
"Is this in retaliation to the war on drugs KPD is fighting?"
"Was it an officer or suspect that taken down today?"
Naruto ignored them all as he got into his car with his briefcase and sped off. He needed to be away from them all.
As he drove he wanted to speak to only one person. Only one person could completely understand what he was feeling a how badly he was hurt by the captain's harsh actions: Sakura. Not even his own wife, Hinata could understand the severity of the situation.
As his mind drifted to Sakura, he reached for his phone to call her and explain what was going on but decided against calling her. She was undercover. He couldn't risk getting her killed. Besides, her phone was broken. He chose to just drive around and try to clear his mind.
Sooner than later, he found himself on the wrong side of town. It was run down and dilapidated. All of the new construction in the city hadn't made it over to this side of town yet. Aimlessly, he wandered around until he saw a familiar car. Sakura's car. Why was it on this side of town? What business did Sakura have over here? He slowed slightly to visualize the license plates. Indeed it was Sakura's car. Naruto sped up and drove around the block to ensure he wasn't followed or seen. He then returned to where her car was.
He got out and visually inspected the car. It looked to be intact. Nothing was out of the ordinary. It just looked like it was parked here. He touched the hood to find it was still warm. She was here recently. Or at least her car was here recently. He looked around to see if he could put a fix on his current location. He was somewhere on Allenwood lane. He peered in the window and saw nothing out of ordinary. He was a few loose strands of pink hair. Yep, this was Sakura's car.
He carefully reached for the passenger's door handle. It was unlocked.
"Sakura. You idiot." He said aloud as crept into the car. He instinctively checked for the badge on the passenger's side of the car. No badge. He let out a sigh of relief. He checked the driver's side. He felt the familiar metal and leather item. He smiled for a second.
He heard a car in the distance approaching. He grabbed the badge and scurried back to his car and drove off. Hiding his car behind a few of the older houses. He quickly turned his lights off and stopped the engine. From his location, he could see a few men in a nice gray car get out and immediately start searching the vehicle. Naruto wanted to address them or call it in but remembered he was suspended. He was no longer an active officer. He couldn't operate the way he used to.
He watched intently as these men systematically and quite efficiently searched Sakura's car for about 5 minutes. They were speaking, but Naruto was too far away to hear what they said. Once they had finished Naruto noted how they unceremoniously drove off. He sat still for a few more minutes trying to process everything that he'd just witnessed.
Who were these men and why were they searching her car? Where was Sakura? We're they planting evidence? Is this apart of Sakura's case? Or did he just sit back and watch thieves' case her car?
There were more questions than answers. As he pondered, he reached for his key to start his engine when he heard another car approach. He let go of the key. This time a nice black limo approached and Sakura got out of the car. She looked fine. She didn't look like she was injured. She went to the trunk of the limo and grabbed a bag of some sort and got into her car. Sakura started the car and the limo drove away. Sakura followed suit shortly thereafter. Naruto started his engine and began to follow the car back to wherever it was headed. He noted Sakura went back to her apartment. He circled the block and parked a few streets away.
Once again, he turned his lights and engine off. Should he go and approach her over what he just saw? He was certain he just watched her car get searched and Sakura went on a shopping spree? He needed answers. He needed to talk to her. He couldn't risk calling her, but he was willing to see her in person. He had to at least let her know he had her badge. She may be in danger. But she signaled that she wasn't. Naruto was conflicted.
He couldn't risk blowing her cover. He chose the conservative option and started his engine and drove home. He needed more information before he walked into the situation blindly. As he drove home, he thought about his day and heated disagreement with the captain.
Why was the captain so angry? He's never this angry. Most of what the captain had to say placed blame on Naruto.
"I mean if the captain was so mad about the way things turned out why didn't he oversee the operation?" Naruto wondered aloud. Just then a lightbulb illuminated in Naruto's head.
"Where was the captain?" He thought to himself. "If I wanted to make sure the job was done right. I'd be there myself." He pondered. Naruto applied more pressure to the gas pedal as he wanted to get home faster. He had case files he needed to review.
Sakura donned the dress. It looked wonderful on her. It was a loose, flowy, cream white, strapless number that extended down her legs stopping right above her ankles. It was rather regal and featured a small portion of lace in the lowcut back of the dress. It was elegant and stately. She looked like royalty.
"Eat your heart out Tenten." She said as she reviewed her figure in the mirror. It looked absolutely amazing on her. She opted to style her hair in an elegant updo to match. Her makeup was lightly applied to compliment her natural beauty. She looked like a picture from a Victorian painting.
She paired the dress with simple flats before changing her mind. She wanted to look show-stopping. She then chose to utilize a pair of cream white four-inch heels and a pale emerald clutch purse because it matched her eyes so well.
Taking one last look at herself, she gathered her belongings and checked the phone Itachi gave her "NO MISSED CALLS" the phone read.
"Good. Let's go." She said to herself in the mirror. She inspected her arms. Her bruises were no longer visible, however, her arms were still sore. She left her apartment and locked her door and proceeded to get in her car and meet them at this restaurant.
She arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule and parked. She peered into the restaurant to see if she could visualize Tenten or Itachi. She could not. The place was packed. There were plenty of important looking. Her anxiety was creeping up but she took and few deep breaths before getting out of her car. Much to her surprise, Itachi was waiting there for her.
He looked dashing. It was another three-piece suit, but it was paired with a cream white tie and undershirt that she couldn't help but notice that it matched her dress impeccably. He walked forward and presented his arm to her. Sakura smoothly accepted his arm. She opened her mouth to speak, but he spoke first.
"You look wonderful." He replied.
From what she knew of him, this was uncharacteristic. He did not ever pay her compliments before, but she was not going to point this out less he never compliments her again.
"Listen closely. Our guest for this evening is a high-paying associate. Tenten is here for security purposes. I need you to size this man up." Sakura nodded along to Itachi's words.
"Understood. What can you tell me about him or her?" She asked attempting to gather intel.
"He likes pretty women and enjoys a good business deal." Itachi replied.
"Sounds like someone else I know." She added without thinking. She thought that would anger the man, but it did not instead it make the man ever so slightly blush. Sakura noted this. He was cute. He was coy. He was a man she could definitely fall for, but this was work and she couldn't allow her heart to get in the way.
"I'll introduce you as my business associate. That way he thinks he has a chance with you." Itachi added.
Sakura noted the emphasis he put on the word thinks. Almost as if he was interested in her. She didn't have time to be distracted with the words of a man who was a target for work. That was like falling in love with a horse before it goes to the glue factory. Why was feeling this way about him all of a sudden?
"Understood. Let's make him believe it." She added before they walked through the threshold of the restaurant. An attendant looked up to see the beautiful woman on Itachi's arm. Noticing the man's growing smile, Itachi flexed his arm a little more to pull Sakura in closer to him. Sakura noted his ministration and smirked a little. He was being protective of her. It was rather cute.
As they approached the table the man at the table stood to greet them. Tenten was already at the table with the man and rose as well upon their arrival.
Tenten looked immaculate as well. Her signature two bun hairstyle was relaxed down her back and curled. Her red dress highlighted the ample amount of cleavage she usually kept hidden. She was dressed to impress. Sakura moved her eyes to the newcomer at the table.
The man presented his hand to her. Sakura returned the gesture and letting go of Itachi's arm in the process. Itachi frowned slightly as he stood at his table place next to this man. Sakura smiled as the man spoke.
"Well, Kami! Who is this beautiful woman you've been hiding from me." They shook hands.
"This is Sakura. My latest business associate." Itachi spoke.
"She is too pretty to be consumed in a business interaction." The man replied.
"Sakura, this is Jiraiya. He's a business partner of mine." Itachi replied. "Let us all be seated." At that everyone sat. Sakura was seated with Tenten on her left, Itachi on her right, and Jiraiya directly in front of her.
"Well hell. Now I'm more than just a partner. I basically raised this kid after his parents were killed." Jiraiya added. Sakura made a mental note of this as well. Good intel for her to have. Itachi quickly shared a glance with Sakura as if to say "Don't remember this." It wasn't a request either.
Jiraiya looked over to Itachi and the men began to speak. Tenten leaned over and spoke to Sakura.
"Don't try anything cute here. I'm always packing heat." She said sweetly in a hushed tone.
"Oh Tenten, can't we have at least one interaction without showing off your plethora of weapons?" Sakura asked in the same tone and volume.
"That's for you to decide sweetness." Tenten returned.
Jiraiya returned to speaking to Sakura in compliments and flattery. No doubt in an attempt to bed her that night. Sakura consistently dodged the topic.
It was going to be a long dinner.
Sakura remained charming and convivial for the duration of the dinner. She wasn't sure what Itachi wanted from her, but she kept Jiraiya talking. She feigned interest in whatever mind-numbing topic he wanted her to take an interest in. It was taxing.
She noted that Itachi looked rather dapper tonight. He eyes were boring into her in a rather intense fashion. She'd noticed he'd steal a glance of her from time to time, but never as deliberately as he was doing tonight.
Per Itachi's baseline, he was dressed to the nines this evening. Bespoke and understated. He dressed like any other Konoha businessman, but the way he wore his clothes added a certain flair to him that couldn't be replicated. He was something else. This flair he had was intriguing to her. It made him a man of mystery. He'd always been a man shrouded in mystery wrapped in an enigma, but Sakura was becoming accustomed to this. It was comforting to her in a way. He was easy to read. Easy to talk to and she knew even when he's saying the least he's communicating the most.
When she had his arm earlier in the evening, she remembered how well-toned his muscles well underneath his garment. Itachi took care of himself, she would not expect anything less than that for a man in his capacity and line of work. But his reserved clothing never emphasized it. She liked that. He was modest in a fashion. His words and actions spoke for him not his body. He was more substance than surface and perhaps that is what Sakura needed in her life. Substance. A man who was strong, but tempered. Powerful and restrained.
But none of these things should matter when you're discussing a man that is in a profession to undermine everything you've worked so hard for right? He was the enemy...right? This man is a monster...right? Maybe some other man named Itachi was, but not him...right? He was smooth and direct. He was her type even if she didn't know it earlier. He was her type.
As he watched her engage with Jiraiya, Itachi noticed how well she spoke. She handled herself with such elegance and charm. She was flirtatious and witty yet firm and direct. It was a juxtaposition that he'd rarely seen in an associate or a woman. Her eyes were so beautifully framed on her face. Her hair looked like soft stands of silk whose only job was to highlight her charm. Itachi was aware of how intoxicating her features were but he'd never fully seen her shine like this.
After meeting her at her car, he was stunned to see how well the dress looked on her, or her well she looked with the dress. Her looks aside, she had the brain to match. Her witty banter and business-focused mind made her more than just a visual treat, it added depth and substance. It helped him see her character as a whole. She was wooing him. Whether she knew it or not and he was allowing himself to be wooed but such an amazing woman.
Itachi had dated women who were either strictly business or all play and relationships like those didn't work out for him. They were either too boring or just too much in general. But this woman. THIS woman. She was different. She made him tighten up. He chose his words carefully around her less he loses sight of her darling smile or a chance to engage in more of the banter with her he so enjoyed. She was more than just an associate. She was a woman he could see a future with.
He tried to pry himself away from analyzing the details about her, but his mind would not stop. His mind continued to review her qualities. She's not afraid of pain or taking action into her own hands, she can make a deadline, she handled her first blind drop without letting him down, and now she was handling her own with Jiraiya. What else can she do? Her talents were endless. He was more than just amazed, he was enamored.
Itachi sat back in his chair and took a sip of the wine in the glass in front of him. Sakura looked over and shared a smile with him while Jiraiya and Tenten conversed. It was official. The stoic man was starting to fall for her.