The Fall

"It's today, right?"

"Shut up, we're not supposed to talk about it. Remember what Naruto-senpai said?"

Shikamaru's ears twitched. Feet propped up on his desk, he lazily leaned back on a cushioned office chair, the morning paper draped across his face to block the fluorescent lights and office gossip. A cigarette was neatly tucked behind his ear. His tie was loosened for the day, even though it was barely 8:00 am. Captain Yamato would probably give him shit for it as it wasn't 'professional.' People having expectations of you was such a drag.

Most of the time he feigned napping to deter citizens and coworkers from bothering him. Throughout his life, he went out of his way to do nothing. He went out of his way to be utterly unremarkable. Anything else was just… troublesome. But much to his vexation, he was a certifiable genius. And he had a bat shit partner, who he grudgingly respected, that was equally brilliant and could kick his ass into not doing nothing.

Their clearance rate was unrivaled, solving more homicides together over the past two years than the rest of the department did in five. They received commendations from the mayor and the media, who became surprisingly enamored with their prickly dispositions and disdain for the limelight. Lately, most high-profile cases were sent down the chain of command to them, often accompanied with the unspoken notion that 'Chief Uchiha was expecting results.'

So. Fucking. Troublesome.

"I heard she's twice as scary this time of year."

"You're going to get us assigned to parking duty you dipshit."

"Is it true that she threw a rookie out a window last year?"

"It was through a window to the break room and it's because he grabbed her ass—

"I don't blame him—"

"Are you insane?"

Goddamn rookies. Shikamaru internally sighed, recalling the incident and the paperwork he filled out on her behalf. Granted, she tucked her hair in a baseball cap that completely hid her distinct feature. The boot, fresh from the academy, was a hot-head, eager to prove himself among his testosterone-filled classmates. And Sakura did have a really nice ass, though he'd rather pull the trigger of a shotgun with his toes than admit that aloud. Any other day her signature long hair would be clearly visible and any other day the idiot would have steered clear. Her reputation preceded her after all.

The Widow. A crass, and technically inaccurate, nickname. Naruto tried shutting it down a couple years back with no success. The name stuck. The rumors and assumptions built off the name birthed a fearsome reputation, both within the department and on the street. Mostly bullshit, but it did prove useful at times. A recent perp nearly peed his pants when he realized it was 'The Widow' chasing him down the street. He ended up surrendering to Shikamaru without complaint. 'Better him, than her,' was his reasoning.

He remembers scowling as everything unfolded, immediately recognizing the sheer amount of paperwork involved and the scolding he'd get from Captain Yamato – as if he had the ability to control her. A lewd chuckle from a handsy boy. An audible crack as his radius was snapped cleanly in two. A loud yelp before a crash of shattered glass as his body flew into the break room. The distraught cries of Choji as shards rained down on his pizza, rendering it inedible. She merely huffed and told the other rookies to 'clean this shit up' before throwing a $20 bill at Choji as a professional courtesy.

Not even ten minutes later, in the back of an ambulance, the offending rookie put in an immediate transfer request. The official reason was that he preferred the suburbs. The unofficial reason was that retaliation against rats wasn't only among criminals. And no one was going to vouch for someone who hadn't proven themselves yet.

"You're such a fucking buzzkill."

"And you're a prick. I'm here to work and get paid. Not ogle at a superior who could easily castrate us with a scalpel."

"But I mean LOOK at her, yeah she might be 'The Widow,' but maybe she just needs a real good fu—"

"Oi."

The newspaper slid off his face as he sat up. He turned to them with a pointed glare.

"Sorry for waking you Nara-senpai," the more intelligent of the duo called out, having some decency to look ashamed. He harshly elbowed his less intelligent friend, who shakily echoed his apology.

"Get back to work," Shikamaru drawled out, "And if you talk shit like that again I'll sic Naruto on your asses."

"We won't Nara-senpai," again, the brighter fellow said, bowing profusely while shoving the other man's head down to mimic his motions.

"Tch," the detective turned back around when a flash of yellow suddenly appeared before him.

"YO SHIKAMARU!" Naruto hollered, waving around a large, brown paper bag that smelled delicious. He could feel Choji's attention suddenly snap in their direction.

"Yeah?"

"WHERE'S SAKURA-CHAN?"

Troublesome.

It was far too early for this. Also, how would he know? It's not like they shared their locations with each other on 'Find My Friends,' although Naruto always badgered him as if they secretly did. Fortunately, Sakura soon walked in, dressed in all black and clutching a comically large, relative to her stature, cup of coffee. Her cheeks were bright red, flushed from the harsh cold and the tips of her fingers were pale, almost blueish. She must have walked instead of riding her Yamaha R1 this morning. She'd been walking a lot more lately. Her sunglasses remained on as well.

Shit, that was always a bad sign… the drinking must have already begun.

"HEY SAKURA-CHAN! HAVE YOU EATEN? I GOT YOU A BREAKFAST BURRITO!"

Shikamaru could feel her wince from his desk.

"Naruto, what have we talked about? About using our inside voices?"

"Eheheh sorry Sakura-chan…"

She always had a weird knack for reeling in the rowdy blonde. Back in the day, it had been Sasuke…

"Hello… Not Ugly…" Sai popped up from behind Naruto, "You look… generally alive."

Shikamaru groaned, the two idiots were going to set her off. Her pink brow elegantly rose, "That's the non-compliment, compliment you're going with this year?"

Naruto nudged his partner, hissing at him to do better. The socially inept man tried again, "I mean, you look… positively alive?"

Naruto whacked the back of Sai's head. She just shrugged, walking past them to take a seat at her desk immediately across from Shikamaru, taking multiple large, audible gulps of her coffee.

Shit, it must be the expensive, good whiskey today.

"That's the best you can do baka?!"

"I'm trying dickless."

"TRY HARDER. AND I'M NOT DICKLESS—"

A piercing whistle caught everyone's attention. It was Captain Yamato, looking already exhausted, with his brown hair disheveled and the sleeves of his white button down rolled up. He was holding what was likely his fourth cup of coffee so far.

"Nara, Haruno, get your asses to headquarters right now – the Chief asked for you both."

Both of them groaned and replied in unison, "Hai, Yamato-taichou."

"Fix your goddamn tie Nara, it's not even 8:30 in the morning," Yamato called out over his shoulder as he went back into his office.

Sakura snorted into her cup as Shikamaru muttered 'what a pain' under his breath.

"And ditch the sunglasses princess," another voice called out. It was Lieutenant Shiranui, twirling a toothpick in his mouth while giving her an annoying wink and grin.

It was Shikamaru's turn to chuckle as she scowled, pushing the shades up past her forehead and propping her hair back. She squinted her eyes repeatedly, attempting to adjust to the harsh light and blink away her grogginess. After hastily fixing his tie, Shikamaru opened a drawer, fishing around for a bottle of bright pink liquid that he always bought in bulk and always had in stock at his desk. He threw it at her head, and she caught it with one hand without looking.

Good, she wasn't too far gone yet.

"Oh WOW Sakura-chan, good catch!"

"You'd have dropped that dickless."

"Shut up asshole!"

Sakura frowned, inspecting the foreign bottle until it dawned on her. It was strawberry flavored Pedialyte.

Shikamaru gave her a knowing look, "Chug it. All of it. I'll drive."

It was non-negotiable. Her eyes softened. Simultaneously they stood, walking out of the precinct without bothering to say goodbye to Naruto and Sai, who continued bickering with each other.

Calling after them, "WAIT SAKURA-CHAN, YOUR BURRITO!"

"I'll take it Naruto-kun!" Choji enthusiastically yelled out behind them.

Shikamaru sighed loudly, fidgeting with a lighter to ignite his cigarette. Hiding a small smile, Sakura quietly unscrewed the cap and started chugging.

KMPD Headquarters was a modern, illuminated 30-story glass building in the center of Konoha. It was also a cold, intimidating beacon of authority looming over the city skyline. Inside the tower was floor after floor of sycophantic bureaucrats, eager to one-up each other to secure promotions and commendations. Everything they did was for glory. The complete opposite of Sakura and Shikamaru, who couldn't give a flying fuck about making it past detective. After arriving on the top floor, she could feel stares searing into their backs as they walked toward the Chief's office. Shikamaru strolled casually beside her, but she could tell he was tense. This environment made them both uncomfortable.

His severe looking executive assistant saw them coming down the hall, wordlessly ushering them into the office as soon as they arrived. Madara's uniform jacket was off, hanging neatly on a coat rack near his massive oak desk. Wearing a crisp, black button down and silk tie, this was the most casual she'd ever seen him. Long black, spiky hair covered most of his right eye, but his hard gaze still penetrated through. Large, skilled hands firmly grasped an open file that he was absorbed in. Neither dared to disturb the Chief, choosing to silently stand at attention across from him. There were no other chairs in the office. It was one of the many ways he exuded power over people.

As if he wasn't already intimidating as fuck.

Setting the file down, his piercing eyes looked up at them when finally acknowledging their presence, "Haruno, Nara."

"Sir," they said in unison.

Never one for pleasantries, "I called you here because an impeachable source confirmed Orochimaru is back in town."

They both stiffened at the name.

Orochimaru was a criminal mastermind involved in everything from arms dealing, trafficking, extortion, prostitution, money laundering, and more, all as a means to fund his gruesome hobby of human experimentation. One of his more egregious crimes was running a pedophile sex club, charging premium for 'cherry poppers' and producing and distributing videos on the dark web. Ultimately it was busted, leading to the indictment of a few prominent church and community leaders. Two hung themselves before their day in court. One was viciously shanked after being 'mistakenly' mixed with gen pop. About five years ago, when the Federal government was building an iron-clad RICO case against him, he suddenly vanished. Then the witnesses and evidence started disappearing too.

"Clearly you're both aware of him."

They nodded.

Leaning back in his chair, "What is not widely known is that he is responsible for the car crash that killed the former mayor and his wife, Minato and Kushina Namikaze, 20 years ago."

"Naruto's parents…," Sakura croaked out, "It was an assassination?"

"Yes."

"Shit, and it was kept under wraps otherwise it would seem like open season to go after other city officials," Shikamaru deduced.

"Precisely. I want you to assemble and lead a taskforce, reporting directly to me, to bring him in. We'll need to play this extremely close to the chest as Orochimaru has a history of infiltrating this department. Your COs have already been briefed. They'll delegate out most of your ongoing investigations as this is now your highest priority."

They both nodded.

"Send me your recommendations for the taskforce by the end of the day, though Uzumaki is a non-starter. I'm sure you both can comprehend why."

Slightly frowning, she bit back her protest. Madara was right. Naruto was a phenomenal detective, but a textbook loose cannon. The revelation that his parents were murdered rather than the victims of a tragic accident would cause a shit storm. All discretion and finesse would fly out the window. Still, it didn't sit well with her that she couldn't let Naruto know, or give him a shot at nabbing the piece of shit.

Slightly turning his attention to the man next to her, he dismissed Shikamaru with a wave of his hand, "Nara, please wait outside while I speak with Haruno on a separate issue."

Shikamaru glanced at her. She faintly nodded back that she'd be fine.

"Of course, sir."

There was a pause. After the door clicked closed behind Shikamaru, Madara leaned over his desk, resting both elbows on top with his hands clasped in front of his mouth, "Today is five years, right?"

Green eyes widened in surprise, "Err yes, sir."

"Anything new?"

"Sir?"

"Detective."

She flinched at his enunciation, "No, still nothing." Feigning ignorance was futile. They both knew that she continued working on Sasuke's case all these years, against protocol.

"Disappointing, but that's to be expected."

She grimaced, "It's just… that can't just be it. There's no way it was random. It was a little too perfect. Convenient."

"Unfortunately, sometimes things just happen. And cold cases are technically outside of your scope, Haruno."

"But sir—"

"I won't order your off," she exhaled the breath she was holding, "But don't let chasing after ghosts consume you. You're a valuable asset. I'd hate to see something happen to you."

"I understand sir…"

He gave her a curt nod, "Good. You're dismissed."

She pivoted to turn, yet something made her pause, "Sir…"

He raised a brow, "Yes?"

Looking back toward him, hesitating, "How are… How are Sasuke's parents?"

It seemed as if his gaze marginally softened, "They're as well as can be expected. You should visit Mikoto-chan. She asks about you. You're one of the closest things she has left of him."

Her throat burned, constricting at the influx of emotions.

"Your choice."

"I'll consider it," she said more to herself than to him.

There was pause.

"If there's nothing else, I have another meeting."

Her eyes widened and she frantically began to bow, "Oh yes, of course, sorry sir. Thank you for your time. Have a good day."

As she rushed out, she failed to see Madara's calculating eyes staring at the back of her skull.

Shikamaru loosened his tie again. A cigarette hung carelessly from his lips as plumes of smoke rose around him. His eyebrows furrowed while scrolling through his phone. It was a look typically reserved for when either his mother or Temari were giving him a hard time.

"You good Shika-kun?" she called out, interrupting his reading. Her cotton candy hair swirling around her as the wind picked up, ushering in dark, overcast clouds.

Scowling while looking up, "You know I hate it when you call me that?"

Giving him a cheeky smile, "I know."

Throwing the stub away, he ground it with the heel of his shoe. As they both piled into the black Dodge Charger, he shot off a quick text before turning on the ignition. On their way back to the precinct, it started to lightly snow. The steady rhythm of the windshield wipers echoed in the silent vehicle. Sakura gave her partner room to marinate on whatever was troubling him. He always shared, when he was ready.

Sighing, "My mom is on my case about grandchildren."

Letting out a low whistle, "Isn't it a little early for this? In every sense of the word?"

"She's an early riser. She likes Temari enough. And she's bored with retirement already."

Chuckling, "Are you interested in marrying Temari? Having kids with her?"

"She's great. I love her. Eventual kids would be nice. But marriage seems like such a drag. So many ups and downs. Take my mom and dad for example."

Staring wistfully as snowflakes pelted at the windshield and quickly melted from the heat of the vehicle, "I don't know… even with all the ups and downs, it'd be nice to be married to someone you loved."

Shikamaru's hands suddenly tensed around the steering wheel. He opened his mouth.

Shaking her head, she interrupted his unspoken apology, "Don't worry about it."

He threw her a skeptical glance as she took out her flask and pulled a shot.

She was feeling anxious, more emotional. A familiar pull behind her navel hinted that she might vomit. From withdrawal. From grief. Probably from both. She actually really hated alcohol. The taste and mouthfeel left a lot to be desired. But the effects of alcohol kept everything at bay, numbing her. Blanketing her in nonchalance. Especially today. No longer needing to be 100% sober anymore, she pulled another shot. As long as Shikamaru felt secure that she had his back, he didn't comment (aloud). As long as it didn't interfere with the job, no one judged her at the precinct. Everyone had their own coping mechanisms and vices. Many equal to, and some even worse than, Sakura's.

Changing topics to divert his unsaid disapproval of her drinking, "Who do you think the source is?"

Shikamaru paused before answering, "I'm not sure, but if it was someone we needed to know, the Chief would have shared. He's very deliberate with his words. That man doesn't say anything more than he needs to."

She nodded in agreement.

"He's too intense. It's going to be such a fucking drag reporting to him."

Laughing, "Yeah, he's pretty terrifying. I'm glad he's on our side though."

"How you mean?" Shikamaru drawled.

"I mean think about someone like him… THE Madara Uchiha… focused on diabolical shit instead?"

Giving it a thought, "Yeah, that would be really troublesome."

"Anyway, we're both on the same page on who we want, right?"

"Tch, do you even have to ask?"

"Well, can you follow up with the Chief then? I'll be—"

"Don't worry about it. I got it."

They both knew she'd start spiraling soon, holing herself up in a random room obsessively reading and re-reading Sasuke's case files non-stop. Pulling up to the station, he slowed the car to a stop and shifted the gear to park. The snow was coming down heavier, in large, fat white flakes, beginning to accumulate on the asphalt, trees, and buildings.

Eyeing the snow, "Call me if you need a ride home tonight or get one of the patrols to drop you off. Do not walk home."

Rolling her eyes, "I thought Naruto was supposed to be the mother hen?"

Giving her an unimpressed look, "Either listen to me or I'll give Naruto a heads up that you need a babysitter."

Scowling, "Fine, asshole."

Turning to her, he sighed, "Just… try to take it easy today."

She grimaced, "You know I can't."

He gently grabbed her shoulder with a reassuring squeeze. There was nothing left to say.

Her uneventful shift was long over. No new revelations emerged from Sasuke's files, yet again. She nearly flipped a table out of seething frustration. Naruto stopped by numerous times to check in, distracting her with the latest office gossip and recent developments in his cases. He tried feeding her ramen on three separate occasions and each time she turned him down. Ramen one of the ways the blonde coped, however she couldn't really stomach it anymore. Weekly dinners at Ichiraku used to be a thing… before.

Sai stopped by twice. The first time, he awkwardly read the fortune from a half-eaten fortune cookie – 'When one door closes, another opens' – in a poor attempt to console her. She was certain everyone could hear Naruto's yelling when she kicked Sai out. The second time, he wordlessly slipped her a small piece of paper before scurrying out of the room. It was a rough, but beautiful sketch of an old group photo with her, Naruto, Sai, and… Sasuke.

She nearly cried.

Shikamaru visited her only once, and it was to leave a bento box and bone broth outside the door. He knew she didn't like to be coddled. He also knew she could be utter shit at taking care of herself. Acquiescing to his earlier request, knowing he'd follow up on it, she got one of the patrols to drop her home. Despite it being late in the evening, it was the fact that she ran out of alcohol that prompted her to head home in the first place.

The chime of the elevator signaled the arrival to her floor. Given the late hour, the lights were dimmed, and the hallway was empty and silent. Her footsteps were muted against the carpeted flooring. Arriving at Apt. 803, she saw a large, padded manila folder propped up against the door. Fumbling with her keys, she crouched down and grabbed it, before unlocking the door and pushing her way in. Throwing the package on her coffee table, she went directly to the kitchen cabinets and took out two bottles of red wine. It was the easiest to guzzle down and black out on. Uncorking a bottle, she took a lengthy swig, ingesting gulp after gulp as she looked around.

Everything was exactly as she left it. As he left it.

After Sasuke died, she didn't dare move. There were so many memories in this apartment. A slight scorch mark near the stove from when he tried to be romantic and make a homecooked meal, swearing and scowling as she teased him endlessly for jeopardizing her security deposit. A faint, yellowish residue was stamped on the wall next to the door from when she threw an orange at his head after he called her 'annoying' during an argument. There was a slight scuff mark on the hardwood floor from when they decided to forgo the $75 delivery fee and move a new couch in themselves. He kissed her foot better before proceeding up her leg, past her thigh, to make her really feel better, after they accidentally dropped the couch on her big toe.

She shuddered at the memories, taking another large swig, easily halfway through the bottle at this point. Walking back over to the coffee table, she picked up the package, noticing a sticky note was attached.

The handwriting was a slanted, elegant scrawl: 'This was mistakenly delivered to me – Your Neighbor Pakkun, Apt. 808'

Plucking the note and tossing it on the table, she took another drink before ripping open the top of the package and dumping out its contents in front of her. The only thing that dropped out was a single handheld, digital voice recorder. Flipping the empty package front to back to front again, she noted a few things: it was inconspicuous, the labels were printed, and the sender was an unknown P.O. box.

Curiosity got the better of her as she exchanged the packaging for the device. After scrutinizing it, she turned it on. After second guessing herself about fiddling with a sketchy foreign object sent to a member of the KMPD, she tentatively pressed play.

There was silence. Then static. Then, a voice.

"Sakura…"

The bottle of wine shattered at her feet.