Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 4

Sakura estimated that a few hours had passed before the man came in again. He didn't say anything this time, merely pushing something that she assumed was more food. The shuffling of feet signalled his impending departure, but before he could fully step out of wherever she was held captive, she quietly asked, "W-why am I here?" She mentally cursed herself for the stutter.

Her captor paused. "I am not obligated to answer you."

"Not obligated to answer me?" Sakura's voice was stronger now, fuelled by her growing anger and annoyance.

"That's what I just said."

"I am here because of you! The least you can do is give me some sort of reason. Are you going to kill me? Hold me hostage for something?" Sakura was near shouting now, and in spite of herself, her tears were starting to pool around her eyes.

He hesitated for a few seconds, before answering, "Hostage."

"What for?"

This, he didn't bother gracing with an answer and before she could react, he had already slammed the metal door closed. She panicked.

"Wait! Let me out!" she banged her fist against the cold, hard metal. "Let me out!"

But it was clear that he had no intention to.

"Ah! If it isn't Uchiha-san! Injured again?" said man nodded. The nurse looked at him sympathetically. "I know you always insist on the best Uchiha-san, but I'm afraid Sakura-senpai isn't in today. She hasn't for a few days now and we haven't heard from her at all. It's rather strange, coming from her. I hope nothing bad has happened…" she trailed off before she realised what she was meant to do.

"My apologies Uchiha-san. Will Shizune-senpai be acceptable?" But when she looked up from the computer screen, the man was gone.

"Bad news."

The man's companions immediately looked up upon his grave tone. "Go on."

"Haruno Sakura has been absent from the hospital for a few days. I have reason to believe that the Akatsuki has made their move."

"So it seems." One of his companions sighed. "I knew that arrest a few days ago was too easy. It was probably a distraction from the real plan."

The other man in the room groaned, "Kakashi is going to kill me for this."

"That's not important right now, Obito. What's important is retrieving the hostage and figuring out the Akatsuki's true motive. I have a feeling that it is something very big."

He received a glare in response. "You're not the one facing his wrath, Shisui."

Said man ignored him. "One of the underlings we caught spilled some info. The Akatsuki has a hideout in the north-western corner of Konoha, in one of the abandoned warehouses. We were just about to send a team to investigate." He turned to the silent man still standing by the door of the office, "Do you want to be on the team?"

He paused, contemplating, "No. I doubt the Akatsuki are stupid enough to put themselves at risk. Even if the information was true, they are probably long gone by now.

"I have a small lead that I want to work on. I'll inform you of anything I find."

Shisui nodded, "Alright then. Keep up the good work, Itachi."

Itachi nodded and turned to leave, his mind preoccupied. He fished out a phone from his pocket and watched as the screen lit up. The lock screen display was a picture of his younger brother, a small smile on his face, but a genuine smile nonetheless. To his right was a petite girl with shoulder-length pink hair and bright green eyes. She was sporting a smile that spoke volumes of her immense happiness and delight.

As Itachi stared at the picture, there was a buzzing in his pocket. He flipped open his phone and pressed answer, but not before giving a final glance to picture of the couple in the other phone.

Sorry Sasuke. I couldn't keep my promise.

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