Chapter Twenty-Two
Keep your enemies closer…

"Have you found him yet?"

"No," Kakashi said.

Even though the phone she could hear the anger in his voice. Both towards Kabuto and himself. For not being there for her or for it happening in the first place, she didn't know.

"I just need more time. I will," Kakashi continued.

"I know. Let me know when you do."

They hung up after that.

Outside, the city was just waking. Little streams of sunlight pouring in through the breaks in the clouds. Birds danced in the gentle breeze, chirping their songs as the spring winds carried them between the skyscrapers.

Sakura watched the world continue to turn from inside her apartment. The first one she had bought after moving here. She had holed herself up there for the last three days following Kabuto's attack. Both to heal and to come to terms with the fact that she had kissed Itachi. CIA Agent, Uchiha Itachi.

She told herself her impulse had been a defense mechanism. An attempt to block out the memory of Kabuto's murder attempt. That it wouldn't happen again. It couldn't. Because he was on one side of the law and she was on the other. Their worlds would only collide in a fiery explosion that would likely end with both of them dead. If not nearly so.

Raising her coffee cup to her lips, Sakura took a long sip before she released a heavy breath. She glanced down at her wrist to distract herself from more thoughts of Itachi. The rope that had bound her hands hadn't broken the skin but the bruises left behind were still an angry red and purple. Not the mention her wrist was still a little swollen with the sprain. She probably should have listened to Kakashi when he told her to ice it.

Pursing her lips, Sakura eyed her phone where she had set it down on the windowsill. She stared at it for a long while. Weighing, deciding. On impulse, she picked it up and dialed out. The other line rang five times before going to voicemail. She didn't know why she had expected anything else but she couldn't help the sigh of frustration that pressed between her clenched teeth as she ended the call.

Less than a minute later, her phone rang in her hand. She hated the feeling of hope that briefly bloomed in her chest before she read the caller ID. Like she had actually been expecting a call back.

Biting back her annoyance, Sakura swiped her finger across the screen. "Orochimaru," she said flatly.

"Come now, dear. Don't sound like that when I'm doing you a favor."

She swallowed back her retort, half-wishing she had never called him that night after Itachi had left. Instead, she waited silently. For him to tell her what she wanted to hear.

"Sheesh, you took after Tsunade more than I thought," he mumbled, before continuing, "It took me a few days, but I managed to clean up that mess you made in New Jersey."

"And the bodies?" she asked.

"All disposed of. Most of the men were criminals. Nobodies. No one will come looking for them. And even if they do, they won't be found."

He spoke with an air of utmost certainty that Sakura trusted. She knew Orochimaru was cunning, subtle and resourceful. He could likely hide a body in the front garden at a police department and never get caught. Perhaps that was why Tsunade had had so much confidence in him.

Sakura breathed a silent sigh of relief. "Good. How much do I owe you?"

On the other end of the phone, Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh, my dear. You should know by now that I have little use for dollars and coins. My currency is much more valuable. A favor for a favor. I'll call you when I am in need of your services."

Then the line went dead.

Sakura lowered her phone slowly, feeling that familiar bubble of irritation build in her chest. This was exactly what had happened last time. Orochimaru had been only too willing to help her clean up the whole Gaara incident, help her sweep it under the rug. Quick and easy and silent. In return, she need only to transport an entire shipment of drugs into China for Orochimaru. To a place she didn't trade, with a product she didn't work with.

Everything had worked out fine in the end, but the entire incident had left a sour taste in Sakura's mouth. She only hoped Orochimaru would be more forgiving of his favor this time around. Though, she sincerely doubted he would.

Turning away from the window, Sakura headed into the kitchen to charge her phone. She powered on her computer in the meantime, planning to check in on things before she wasted the rest of the day watching television. Something mindless that could distract her for a couple of hours.

However, that plan quickly vanished when she saw a new email from Temari sent only a few minutes ago. Without hesitation, Sakura clicked on it, her eyes scanning through the information rapidly. She read the email once and then twice and then a third time, not entirely believing what she was seeing.

Grabbing her phone once more, Sakura called out. The phone only rang once before the line connected.

"I just got your email. You're sure the shipment was from someone in New York?" Sakura asked before the blonde could speak.

"I had my guys look into it," Temari replied, her words coming out smooth and slow like she had just finished a glass of wine. "This is what they came back with."

"You're sure?"

Temari huffed, obviously offended. "Of course, I'm sure. I wouldn't have sent you the information until I was."

Through the phone, Sakura could hear the delicate ringing and chinking of silverware against porcelain. As if she had interrupted Temari in the middle of dinner. Normally Sakura had enough decency to at least let the woman finish her meal, but now wasn't the time to be courteous. This information was too important.

"I need you to figure out who is was exactly," Sakura told her. "Can you do that?"

A thoughtful hum sounded in her ear. "Well, it'll take some men away from my other clients and I don't know how long it would be before I got back to you…"

"Temari, can you do it or not?"

There was a slight pause on the other end of the phone. Only the clinking of glasses filling the silence. Then the blonde sighed, "Yeah, I can do it."

"Good. Give me a call when you know."

Sakura headed out into the city shortly after that, already knowing that Temari wouldn't fail her. Her reputation depended upon it. Sakura drove into downtown, parking her car in one of the many multi-leveled garages that cost far too much money.

She wandered down the sidewalk, the hood of her black petite coat over her head to protect her from the breeze. At the third intersection, Sakura pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the message from Ino again.

The address came back to a tavern. Wedged between two large, stone buildings, it didn't look like much. Just a little place that didn't belong. But the most unusual thing about it was the fact that it was open. It was a little early to be serving beer and fried food, even in Sakura's opinion.

Unsurprisingly the place was completely empty. Well, almost anyway. In the middle of the tavern was Hashirama and Madara, both wrapped in suits of the most expensive material with shoes that gleamed in the lighting. They were seated at a round table, halfway through breakfast.

"Morning, gentlemen," Sakura greeted. "Mind if I join you?"

Without waiting for permission, she pulled out one of the extra chairs and lowered herself into it beside them.

Hashirama stared at her for a long moment. One that seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Then a pleasant smile settled on his mouth. "Of course not."

Sakura smiled in reply, only turning her attention away when a young waiter approached the table. He held out a menu towards her. "Something to drink, ma'am?"

"Coffee," she told him. She gazed briefly at Hashirama and Madara's half-empty plates before adding, "And a ham and cheese omelet. With sourdough bread on the side."

The young man wrote down her request in his notepad before he excused himself with a promise that he would get her order in immediately. Sakura was still wearing her smile as she turned back to the men. "Well isn't this just a quaint, little place."

"It is. One of my favorites, actually," Hashirama told her.

A little needlessly because why else would he pay them so much to open and serve him and Madara breakfast.

Still, Sakura hummed noncommittally as the young man returned with a coffee mug for her. She filled it with cream and a little bit of sugar before her gaze drifted to Madara. He hadn't said a word since she had sat down but his eyes had yet to stray from her.

"I haven't seen you in a while. How's Izuna?" she asked conversationally. Her tone a little haughty.

Madara waved his hand in the air, as if he was already bored of the topic. "Still upset you broke his nose, but it is not the worst thing that has ever happened to him."

She couldn't resist her sarcastic pout. "Pity."

"What can I do for you this morning, Sakura? I'm sure you didn't just drop in for a chat," Hashirama said, redirecting the conversation before they could get too carried away. She was certain he was itching for her to state her business and leave so he could continue his conversation with Madara privately.

"No," Sakura admitted, pausing only to take a sip of coffee. "I'm here because I'm letting you know that I've dropped a shipment off with Tobirama and that any future packages might be delayed."

"Oh?"

"Something has arisen in the East and I am freezing most of my store until the issue can be resolved."

"Sounds serious," Hashirama murmured into his coffee mug, sounding utterly unconcerned.

"Nothing too worrisome," she shrugged. "More of a bother than anything. But I wanted to inform you personally that any movements against Akatsuki might need to be delayed unless it's an emergency."

"That shouldn't be an issue. Akatsuki has gone underground as of late."

Sakura cocked her brow. "Is that so?"

"My informants tell me that they took a big hit in Africa," Madara interjected. His tone reflected that of a bored school teacher giving a dry lecture rather than a major dealer finding good news with one of his enemies. "Something about one of their main warehouses in Egypt being raided by police. They have had to move their production elsewhere."

"Perhaps your problem in the East is from the authorities as well. A leak?" Hashirama offered.

Sakura met his gaze over her coffee mug, trying and failing to read his expression. She didn't know what he was trying to get her to admit. If there was a leak, she was certain Temari would have found it and told her.

The information on Akatsuki was news to her though. If there was a pause in their movements that would reflect on the port in New York. Unless the person pulling the strings here in New York was involved. She would have to check in on Naruto to know for certain.

"I doubt my troubles in the East are connected," Sakura eventually said with a casual shrug. "I don't have any products near Egypt. But I suppose anything is possible. I'll have to delve into the matter later."

"I would see to it," Hashirama said. A demand concealed as a suggestion. "I wouldn't want your store to dry up the moment Akatsuki regroups."

Sakura simply smiled in response as the waiter returned with her breakfast. She ate just slow enough to not give the appearance that she was rushing while the three of them continued their conversation. She listened as Hashirama spoke of his plans to overthrow Akatsuki's territory in Newark. The warehouse was still running strong, the port under Akatsuki's protection.

"Tobirama tells me they haven't brought in any more product in the last few weeks, likely because of the raids in Egypt," Hashirama added with a glance in Madara's direction. "But they are still continuing to expand in the area."

"In my experience, Akatsuki likes to build relationships with those already in the Underground here. Once they learn how their contacts work and operate, they take him out," Madara informed them. "They did the same thing in Africa. It is how they grew to power so quickly."

Sakura considered this silently as she munched on the remains of her toast. With one, large swig, she finished off her coffee before she wiped her hands and mouth on her napkin. "I'll chat with my informants in the Underground. See if they've heard of anyone looking to make connections in New Jersey or New York."

"Let me know what you find," Hashirama told her.

Nodding, Sakura recognized her dismissal. She smiled as she pushed herself to her feet. "Enjoy the rest of your meal, gentlemen. Thanks for breakfast."

Then she turned and made her exit, only too well aware she had left Hashirama with her tab.

With her hands deep in the pockets of her jacket, Sakura made her way down the block. She merged in with the other pedestrians, crossing the street with the herd before they parted ways. Some turning left, others right. A handful into the coffee shop on the corner while she marched on. Ahead of her, a woman with a stroller parted the crowd. Sakura followed her, finding it was easier than trying to push her own way through the morning foot traffic.

At the next street, their paths parted as Sakura took a left. She was only halfway down the block when her phone vibrated in her hand. It was Kakashi. After popping her headphones into her ears, she answered.

"I found him," Kakashi told her.

It took a moment for his words to sink in. Then all her senses sharpened as anger and hate and revenge began to build in her chest. "Where?"

"Southern New Jersey. He's laying low but I can take him out. It wouldn't be hard to hide the body."

"No," Sakura said, her mind already moving. Already planning. "He's mine."

"What do you want to do?" Kakashi asked.

"I want you to follow him. Don't let him out of your sights. I'll get there as soon as I can."

With her orders given, Sakura hung up the phone. She hurried down the street, back to the garage where she had parked her car. Rage pulsed through her body like a second heartbeat, pumping through her veins and setting her skin on fire. She wanted Kabuto dead. But she would only be satisfied if she was the one to put the bullet through his head.

Sakura's phone chirped from a notification as she started her car. She pulled the device out of the pocket of her coat, expecting a text from Kakashi with an address. Instead, what she found was an email from Temari. With no subject and one word that made her blood go from boiling hot to icy cold:

Madara.

Sakura barely registered the rest of her email. Temari told her she was still looking into the name and that she would get back to Sakura once she knew more, but Sakura knew there was no point. Because there was only one Madara in the Underground.

Releasing her grasp on the steering wheel, Sakura sat back in her seat, feeling dazed. Like someone had just punched her in the face.

Madara was working for Akatsuki. He was in league with the biggest threat to hit the United States in years. And she had just had breakfast with him.

It all suddenly made sense. How Akatsuki knew what the Senju were going to do next, how Hashirama had so many moles in such a short time period, how Akatsuki had managed to sneak into New York while Izuna was supposedly monitoring the ports.

Her, Ino, Kakashi, Hashirama, Tobirama, Naruto, they were all in danger. Sakura tried to recall everything Madara had said during their conversation. She had to assume that he had been lying when he said Akatsuki had been forced underground in Egypt. Which meant they were likely building up their arsenal. Sakura would have to move quickly if she was going to outsmart him.

Only before Sakura could shift her car into drive, her phone pinged again. This time it was from Kakashi. A single address. Straight to Kabuto's location.

Closing her eyes, Sakura inhaled and exhaled slowly. When she opened her eyes, her choice was made. She would go for Kabuto and then turn her sights to Madara. Because while Madara was a catastrophic problem that threatened everything she had worked for, Kabuto was personal.

Once he was out of the way, she could lead the CIA right to Madara. And then she could finally turn her sights on her true objective: Hashirama.

to be continued…

Thank you to those who reviewed. My motivation is starting to hit a low, so if you enjoyed please comment. Enjoy your Sunday/week!