Chapter Sixteen
"If I asked you to jump, would you?"

'You're a pretty girl,' Tsunade used to say. Not that she meant it as a compliment. It was simply a fact.

Because there was something about pretty girls that tended to draw people in. Trust them more. As if being attractive meant all the world's secrets were safe behind those easy smiles. Maybe that was how Sakura had managed to dismantle Gaara's empire singlehandedly. Or maybe she really was as good at what she did as everyone thought. Or perhaps it was all luck.

In any case, it was a wonder sometimes that she was still alive. Like a cat with nine lives, she tiptoed around Death, taunting him. Daring him. One misstep away. Always teetering on the edge. Swaying back and forth.

Sakura stood at the window, phone pressed to her ear. The other line rang once, twice. Five times before going to voicemail. She didn't bother leaving a message.

Behind her, footsteps echoed in the empty condo. Ino crossed the large room, her heels clicking against the wood floors before silencing in the middle of the room.

"You bought this?" Ino asked, glancing around the wide living space.

Sakura hummed her reply as she tucked her phone into her back pocket. Her gaze returned out the window, to the ocean and the distant horizon.

"This is like your fifth purchase in the last week," Ino told her needlessly. "Why are you buying so many places?"

Actually, it was Sakura's eighth but she didn't correct her. Instead she turned her back on the stunning view to look at the blonde. "Because it would be stupid of me to hide my entire stock in one spot. I need more safehouses to store my product."

And more places to hide. The end of her strange relationship with Tobirama had left her a little paranoid. Perhaps she had been arrogant, reckless to think that sharing a bed with Tobirama would protect her from Hashirama or the Uchiha brothers. She had unintentionally lowered her guard. Having Tobirama show up in the dead of the night had woken her like a bucket of ice water. Or a gun to the head.

"Naruto told me you had another shipment coming in later this week," Ino said. "Though, he's not sure yet where they're going."

Sakura heard the unspoken question. "I'll give him the locations later today. There're a few clients looking to restock their store. I do need him to set a container aside for me though. I need to send one back overseas."

"Back to the Med?"

Sakura shook her head, her gaze returning out the window. "China. The Hyuugas need some backup. They're having issues with a few triads in Hong Kong. And I owe them a favor."

The blonde peered at her curiously, as if awaiting a further explanation. When Sakura didn't offer one, she let it go with a half-shrug. "Do we need to prepare another container for the Senju?"

A brief silence passed as Sakura weighed her answer. Eventually she shook her head. "No, they should be good with what they have now and I'm not in the mood to be generous. I got Kabuto's payment last week so I'll have Naruto arrange a store for him and whatever is leftover can go to Hashirama."

Even without looking, Sakura could feel Ino's eyes burning into the side of her head. Could feel the wheels in her head turning as she pieced her next words together. "Is this because of Tobirama?"

"What?" Sakura asked. She turned sharply to look at her.

Ino just met her stare unwavering. "Oh, come on. You're really not going to tell me anything? I know you're sleeping with someone. It's obviously not Hashirama, and Madara and Izuna are too...well themselves for you to ever get into bed with them. So, it's either Tobirama or…Did you and Kakashi…?"

"I'm not sleeping with Kakashi," Sakura said flatly. When Ino continued to stare, she glared, "I've never slept with Kakashi."

"So, it is Tobirama."

Sakura shot the blonde a look that was clearly a warning. When Ino didn't back down, Sakura sighed. "Yes, I fucked Tobirama," she admitted impatiently. "But that's not the reason I'm pissed off."

"Okay, so what is it?" Ino asked, the amusement fading from her expression.

Sakura simply stared at her longtime friend. Trying to find the words to explain that she wasn't really mad at Tobirama. Annoyed he had held a gun to her head maybe, but not honestly mad. He had been right to suspect her as a mole.

As it turned out, one of Hashirama's men had hidden deep undercover, spying on the Senju brothers and passing along information to Akatsuki. Sakura had heard of the man's death over the news. Left in pieces throughout an Akatsuki port. Like a bloody jigsaw puzzle. Curtesy of Tobirama.

Rather, she had pinpointed her restlessness back to Hashirama directly. Her life would have never been like this if he hadn't taken her from that orphanage. And she didn't know if she was grateful or if she hated him for it. It was a very thin line she paced. Every move seemed one step away from swaying her one way or the other.

Sakura considered telling Ino all of this. There was no judgement in her eyes, only patience and quiet curiosity. But Sakura couldn't find the words to say any of it. She never could.

Instead, she shook her head. "It's too long to go into the details now. Tell Naruto the plan. I'll reach out to Kabuto and get you his current location for shipment."

Ino looked like she had more to say but fortunately kept her mouth shut.

They were spared the tense silence by Sakura's phone suddenly buzzing in her back pocket. She laughed ironically when she read the caller ID.

"Hashirama," she answered less than welcomingly. "What can I do for you this time?"

If he heard the curt tone in her voice, he gave no indication. Merely replied levelly, "I need another shipment."

"Oh?" Sakura asked, holding up her hand towards Ino to halt her retreat. Ino eyed her curiously but remained silent. "Your boys in the South in need of new gear already? I figured you would have some leftovers with your ranks as thin as they currently are."

"Not mine," Hashirama told her, ignoring her ruthless jab. On the other end, the faint background noise suddenly faded as though he had slipped into another room. "There was a problem with another supplier. Izuna-"

"No," Sakura cut him off.

He paused, either surprised by her blatant refusal or because he was choosing his next words carefully. When he spoke again, his voice was pleasant and calm. Deadly calm. "You do not even know what I am asking."

"Well unless you are asking me to off Izuna, which I seriously doubt, my answer is no. I am not doing that man any favors."

"Consider it a favor to me then." When she didn't reply, Hashirama sighed. "I will pay you double."

Sakura laughed. "No."

"Triple."

This time she was the one to pause. Weighing the pros and cons. Really, giving the guns to Izuna didn't affect her business and with triple the normal rate...well it was almost like taking candy from a baby. It really wasn't fair to Izuna. Good.

"Fine," Sakura relented. "Send me the address where he wants them."

"I will have Izuna call you."

"What? Don't-!"

But Hashirama had already hung up.

Sakura growled as she lowered her phone. Hashirama could be so petty when he wanted to be.

A minute lapsed with the room in silence before Ino slowly prodded, "So, don't tell Naruto to bring the shipment to Kabuto?"

Raking a hand through her hair, Sakura thought. She sorted through the clients that had orders pending, those that were paying the most and those had been waiting the longest. A deep sigh passed between Sakura's lips.

"No, tell Naruto Kabuto's shipment is being rerouted," she told Ino. "He'll have to wait until the next one. As soon as Izuna gives me an address, I'll let him know where it's going-"

As if she had summoned the devil himself, Sakura's phone rang a second time. The number was unsaved, but she was confident enough to take a wild stab. "Hello, bastard," she said pleasantly.

There was a pause on the other end. Only the sound of a very patient breath being drawn. "I hate you," Izuna said.

Sakura couldn't resist her smile. "The feeling is mutual. So, let's get this over as quickly as possible, shall we. Where do you want the delivery?"

"The Grand Lotus hotel. They have their food deliveries arrive at 11pm. You can disguise the shipment in a truck and exchange it with my contact tomorrow night," Izuna told her.

She stared out the window as he spoke. Listening while she watched the large cargo ships move about the bay. Some heading into port, others out to sea while some remained anchored in the harbor, waiting for their shipments to arrive.

"Fine," she agreed. "Book a room. We'll exchange the keys there. And Izuna," she said before he hung up, "tell Hashirama the money better be in my account beforehand. No payment, no deal."

Through the phone, she heard him take another measured breath. "I will uphold my end of the deal. Just make sure you do the same. I swear, if you fuck this up-"

Sakura didn't hear the rest of his threat as she ended the call. She smirked, a little too pleased with herself. Ino actively resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Sakura's antics. "You know that doesn't help."

"Does me," Sakura shrugged. "Anyway, we better get going. If we're going to be ready for tomorrow night, we need to move."

That disapproving look was still on Ino's face but she followed Sakura out of the condo nonetheless. The door echoing in the utter emptiness as it shut behind them.

xx

Just as planned, Naruto drove the shipment to The Grand Lotus hotel, dressed in one of those ugly, brown delivery outfits. Hat and all. For some reason the look at fit him well, which amused Sakura to no end. Much to the annoyance of the blond.

Across the street, Kakashi sat perched on a roof, overlooking the five-story building.

Sakura waited for confirmation they were both in position before she had a cab drop her four blocks from the hotel. She walked the rest of the way, hands deep in her pockets as her breath fanned out before her in pale, white wisps.

The heat inside the lobby immediately chased the chill from Sakura's skin. She popped the top button of her jacket off and pulled her blonde hair out from inside the collar as she made her way towards the front desk. It wasn't her favorite wig by any means, but it concealed her natural hair flawlessly.

"Good evening, Miss. Checking in?" the woman asked politely. She probably wasn't much older than Sakura herself.

Sakura smiled in return. "Yes. Senju Tsunade for one night."

The hotel employee turned to her computer and punched in a few numbers. "I have you in Room 308 on the third floor. Single queen-sized bed."

"Perfect."

"It looks like we have your credit card on file so all I need is a signature and I can send you right up. Can we help you with your bags?"

Sakura shook her head as she accepted the usual nondisclosure and hotel rules contract. She signed the agreement, printing Tsunade's name in perfect cursive with a well-practiced hand. As the woman filed away her paperwork and registered her door key, Sakura gazed around, briefly reading the flyers on the desk: free Wi-Fi, pool hours. The hotel's apologies that the workout room was currently undergoing construction and would not available for guest use.

"Your door will be the second to last on the right," the woman said, handing over Sakura's paperwork. "Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to make your stay more enjoyable."

Sakura smiled her thanks. Once she was sure she had everything, she headed towards the elevator. The lift chimed pleasantly before the doors opened. She waited for an elderly couple to exit before she stepped in.

Just before the doors closed, Sakura glanced back at the receptionist. Only to find her still watching Sakura, phone pressed to her ear.

A sinking feeling settled deep in Sakura's stomach. It was probably nothing but she hit the button for the fourth floor, one level above her own. The hallway was empty, except for two bellmen. They were heading towards her, pushing an empty luggage cart.

Sakura smiled at them as they drew closer, taking in their pristine, red hotel uniforms. Her first clue something was wrong were the nearly invisible earpieces in their ears. Her eyes dropped to her hotel card, feigning confusion as she looked at it and then the room number around her.

"Excuse me," she said as they crossed paths. "I'm afraid I'm a little turned around. Can you tell me where Room 408 is?"

The closest man glanced at her hotel card, her thumb conveniently covering the '3' written on her card, before he glanced at the door numbers. "408 is at the end of the hall," he pointed. "Take a right at the corner and it'll be the second to last on your right."

"Perfect," Sakura said gratefully. She took a step down the hall, only to turn around again. "Oh, and can you tell me, is the workout room twenty-fours or does it open in the morning?"

He half-turned back to her. "It's twenty-four hours."

Only it was closed for construction. And Sakura had been around guns long enough to recognize that strange bulge on his hip beneath his clean, tight suit. The butt of a weapon. He was armed. And if she had to guess, a federal agent.

She smiled again even as adrenaline began to spread through her veins. "Thank you."

Staying calm, Sakura continued down the hall, even as she felt the men's eyes follow her. She scanned the hallway carefully, searching for any cameras hidden in the ceiling or in the corners of the walls. Her mounting alarm cooled somewhat when she found none.

Ducking around the corner, Sakura pressed her back to the wall and waited with baited breath. Sure enough, a few seconds later she heard their footsteps, muffled by the carpet.

The gun was the first thing Sakura saw. She grabbed the first man's wrist and swung him around until he hit the wall. His face struck first, knocking him unconscious. She let him drop as she turned to his partner. His gun was trained on her, but she was close enough to slip under his guard and hit a painful pressure point until he dropped his weapon.

Sakura dodged his first swing, using Kakashi's close combat training to kick the side of his knee. He dropped to the ground and turned to grab her in the same motion, but she was faster. Using a supported elbow, she knocked him in the back of the head. He collapsed to the floor, boneless.

It was all over in less than thirty seconds. Still, Sakura remained motionless, listening for any voices or more approaching footsteps. When all was quiet, her eyes returned to the unconscious men at her feet. She searched them quickly, her heart jumping in her chest when she found both had badges: FBI.

Pulling her phone out, Sakura called Kakashi. "We're aborting this. Now."

"What's wrong?"

Through the phone she heard the scrap of his equipment as he hastily dismantled his scope. "FBI are here. I don't know why and I don't have time to explain how I know. Get Naruto. Make sure you both get out."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine. I'll call you as soon as I can."

After ending the call, she pocketed her phone before she returned to one of the unconscious agents. On his hip, she found a radio. She grabbed it before she headed towards the stairwell, only pausing to rip the hotel floor plan required by law posted on the wall.

"Front desk confirmed 308 checked in. Second floor is secured," the radio crackled. "Moving in on the third now."

Listening, Sakura studied the map, her only focus on getting out. There were only two stairwells, one on either side of the building. With the FBI focused on the hotel room she had intended to meet Izuna's contact, it was likely they were covering the stairs on the north side.

She would have to try the south side.

With only a second look to ensure the two agents were still unconscious, Sakura headed towards the opposite stairwell. She held the radio towards her ear to listen for updates as she moved, only lowering it when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

Sakura gave pause when she recognized Itachi's number. She had sent him a text message last night, updating him on Izuna and Madara's plans. Because even though she hated working with the CIA, she hated Izuna more.

Now, however, she felt her temper rise. She had kept all the details regarding her delivery tonight secret, but it wouldn't surprise her if Itachi had put a tail on her. This was exactly why she didn't strike deals.

"Did you do this-?"

"Please tell me you are not at the Grand Lotus hotel right now," Itachi interrupted, surprising her.

There was something about his tone that cooled her building anger. He sounded almost worried. Anxious perhaps? Still, she held onto her misgivings. "Why is the FBI here? Did you call them?"

"Of course not," he snapped, almost offended that she would suggest such a thing. "You didn't tell me anything, other than you were meeting one of Izuna's men tonight. And if it is who I think it is, it was supposed to be Izuna's primary link to Hong Kong, one of the biggest arms dealers in China. He's been on the FBI's watchlist for years."

"So why did they choose to move in today?"

"I don't know," he said quickly, his words a little breathless like he was running. "You need to get out."

"Yeah, I'm working on it," Sakura replied curtly.

She paused when she reached the other end of the hall to peer through the glass. She didn't see anyone but she pushed the door open silently and gazed down at the lower landing. Sure enough, there were a dozen uniformed police armed to the teeth, ready to move on command.

Sakura slipped back onto the floor, closing the door soundlessly behind her. "They have the floor secured," she said as the radio crackled to life in her hand. The agents were about to move up.

On the other end, Itachi was silent. Then he said, "Go to the roof."

Confused, she wondered how that would help her. The surrounding buildings were much taller than the hotel. There was no chance she could jump to the neighboring buildings.

But they were right on the water.

Sakura ground her teeth together. "It's forty-five degrees out," she hissed.

"And so is the water temperature," Itachi stated almost matter-of-fact. "You can survive fifteen minutes."

"You have got to be fucking kidding me."

"If you don't, you're caught. And I cannot help you," he told her.

Her grip around her phone tightened. Processing, weighing, deciding. Her lack of answer was all Itachi needed.

"There is a park less than a quarter mile south," he said. "The current will help you. I will meet you there."

Then he hung up and she was alone again.

Sakura stood there for a long moment. But then the radio crackled to life again in her hand and she was moving. She pushed her phone back into her jacket pocket before she slipped out into the stairwell once more. The agents were still only a level down, their quiet shuffling the only sound echoing against the steel and cement. With breath held, she began her climb up.

Up on the roof, the wind was even more biting. The building to the north blocked the worst of it, but it still chilled her skin. Sakura went to the edge and peered down. Below, the water was black and encompassing. Like it was just waiting to swallow her whole.

Out of all the crazy things Sakura had done in her life, this definitely ranked near the top. But at least she had a story. If she survived.

Taking a step away from the edge, Sakura bent down to tuck her pant legs into her boots. She pulled on her winter gloves next and folded the sleeves of her shirt and jacket into them as much as possible, doing everything she could to lessen the flow of water through her clothes.

She would definitely get wet. That was a fact she couldn't change. But maybe she could use her clothes to work as a sort of crappy wetsuit. At least she had brought her winter jacket with her. Though she still wasn't sure if that would help or hinder her.

"Secondary suspect is still in the building. Two officers down. Fourth floor, east wing," the radio suddenly said.

"Securing the fifth floor now," another replied.

Sakura couldn't wait any longer. Stepping forward again, she climbed the three-foot-high, solid railing. The wind whipped around her as she perched precariously, like hands nudging her forward, tempting her to just jump. Her adrenaline rushed through her veins sharply. Painfully. Her body's last attempt to beg her to stop.

That's when the door to the roof banged open.

And that's when Sakura stepped forward and plunged into darkness.

to be continued...

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