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September 13, 2016
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6:15 am
Her alarm clock blared madly, startling her awake. Sakura slammed her hand down on the snooze button, silencing it abruptly. Her eyes fluttered open lazily as she stifled a yawn. She rolled onto her side, sliding both hands in prayer position under her pillow as she lay staring at the faintest traces of light seeping through her window blinds. She glanced back at her alarm clock as the minute changed over, dreading just how quickly the night was over.
"Just five more minutes," she groaned, and tossed her body towards the other side, facing the closet doors opposite her bedside as her eyes drifted closed once more.
After slamming the snooze button two more times, Sakura finally stood fifteen minutes later.
7:12 am
She crossed her living room at least five times by now with last minute checks to make sure she had everything she needed while munching away at a chunk of apple, all while her television played softly in the background. She had the tendency to watch the news in the early morning before work with the volume turned low, almost inaudible.
"The search for Erina Ueno continues after she was last seen almost three weeks ago leaving the Konoha University Medical Center, where she works. If you or anyone you know has any information on her whereabouts, please contact the Konoha Metropolitan Police Department."
Sakura eyed the television warily, recognizing the photo of the beautiful and young doctor that flashed on the screen for the… who knew how many times now, really? She frowned, hoping that she would turn up again in the coming days on her own accord, but the sinking feeling in her stomach filled her with horrible doubts.
Taking a final bite of the apple, Sakura tossed the core into the garbage skillfully and moved to grab her form fitting peacoat. She slid one of her arms through the coat sleeves. Her newly free hand reached for the mug filled to the brim with black coffee that rested on her kitchen counter. Taking a sip of her coffee, Sakura wiggled her other arm into the coat. She shrugged it on awkwardly, struggling as she held the disposable travel mug up to her mouth.
As she got settled, her eyes focused on the television momentarily, catching a glimpse at the day's forecast, partly cloudy, a high of 16 degrees Celsius, cooler than usual at this time of the year.
The remote sat nearby on the island counter. Sakura had a habit of moving it into the kitchen in the morning for easy reach before stepping out for the day. She reached for the remote and shut off the television before tossing it onto the couch.
Finally, she slid on her low heels and in seconds, was on her way to the subway station for her first day at the new job.
8:00 am
Sakura flipped through a notebook of neatly handwritten notes.
8:02 am
Mindlessly, she crossed her legs, rocking her top leg back and forth as she continued scanning pages upon pages of medical and criminal forensics information.
8:05 am
A bulletin hanging on the wall caught her eye. Sakura tilted her head in interest as her leg rocking came to a halt. She shut her notebook, replacing it in the generously sized bag sitting at her side, filled with medical journals relevant to the job.
She gracefully uncrossed her legs and stood, her hands sliding down the backside of her pencil skirt to smooth down the dark fabric before repeating the gesture up front. In five paces, she stood before the bulletin.
Sakura scanned the various images, dates, achievements, and accomplishments of the Konoha Metropolitan Police Department posted before her. She tucked back a strand of hair threatening to invade her line of sight, her mouth forming an 'o' shape as she continued reading through the facts and figures.
8:09 am
"Doctor Haruno?"
Sakura's head snapped to the side at the man's voice.
"Yes, good morning," she replied, her voice higher pitched than usual. It happened whenever she was startled.
"Good morning, ma'am. You can follow me on back now."
"Oh, sure." Sakura shuffled back to her seat and slid her arm through her purse's handles to rest in the crook of her elbow and slung the large tote over her opposite shoulder.
The man eyed the tote just as it slipped from her shoulder. He extended an arm to stop its descent. "Allow me to help with that."
"Oh, are you sure? I—"
He smiled, his onyx irises with crimson flecks meeting her emerald hues. "Sure, it's no problem."
She hesitantly handed him the bag as she did not want to burden the man unnecessarily, but he only smiled and thanked her as he took hold of her bag. After he settled it by his side, he spoke again.
"This way."
He took off at a brisk pace, or so it seemed. His steps were large. For each one he made, Sakura took two. Still, she kept by his side as it was against her policy to fall behind.
"I'm Shisui, by the way, one of the many Uchiha who work here, so it's easier for you to refer me by first name for clarity."
"A pleasure to meet you, um..?" She felt it rude to not refer to him with a proper title, despite the lack of formality he suggested.
"Inspector works."
"Inspector Shisui, then."
"Do you have a preference, Doctor Haruno?"
"Oh, Doctor or Sakura is fine, sir."
"Alright, ma'am."
If Sakura didn't know any better, the fact that he was teasing her would have gone over her head. She smiled to herself, intrigued by his quick wit.
Entertained, she replied. "Let me try that again. It's a pleasure to meet you, Shisui."
"The pleasure is mine, Doctor."
Definitely teasing.
A smirk graced his features for an instant. Surely, he was amused by his own game, Sakura concluded.
"You didn't go to school for eight years plus to be referred to so casually." He gave her a nod in acknowledgement with a friendly wink.
And he was charismatic! An internal part of Sakura lurking deep in her mind swooned while her exterior managed to remain collected.
As they continued walking, Shisui kept the conversation flowing, a more professional demeanor overcoming him. "I apologize for our tardiness. Initially someone else was supposed to come get you, but um…" his mind wandered. "Something came up," he finished.
To Sakura, the last part sounded almost like a question with his raised intonation.
"Oh?" It didn't take much to guess an important meeting or something along those lines had arisen.
"It'll be a busy day, no doubt. For you too. Come find me if you feel overwhelmed."
Sakura was not against the idea, but the abrupt suggestion left her mind to now wander into uncharted territory.
Shisui chuckled at her thoughtful expression. "I have quite the collection of stress balls in my desk, Doctor. Nothing more than that, I promise."
Quirky? Eccentric? This man knew what he was doing well.
Shisui spoke again, Sakura's attention still trained on him. "We're heading over to meet your supervisor. Well, I guess you are kind of your own boss, but," he piped matter-of-factly, "everything you do eventually ends up in this man's hands. He's like the 'Boss Boss'," he emphasized.
"I look forward to meeting him," she said pleasantly. "What's he like?"
"Ask anyone here and they'll say he's handsome, charming, intelligent, and reliable. Personally, he's the straight man to my funny man in addition to all that. He's a good boss and an exceptional person. I'm sure you'll like him," he concluded.
Sakura looked at him curiously. They must know each other well, she thought.
Shisui must have had a good read on people's thoughts. He answered her unvoiced question with ease. "I work closely with him; we're partners. On the field." He felt the need to add that last part just in case it wasn't yet clear with all his light-hearted chatter.
She snorted, finding the man comical and charming. Most certainly disarming.
Rounding a final corner, they at last arrived at a shut door. Sakura examined the plaque outside.
Itachi Uchiha
Chief Inspector, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
She recognized the name immediately and gave a nod in recognition.
Shisui knocked once, paused to let the sound resonate, and tapped two more time in staccato rhythm.
Sakura observed silently, deducing that it must have been a unique knock to distinguish who was at the door.
"Come in," a voice called from within.
Shisui smiled at Sakura before turning the knob and opening the door. "Head on in. I have to get going, but I'll be seeing you around, Doctor," he said, holding the door open for her.
Sakura thanked him and entered, her low heels clicking with every step she took. The door clicked shut behind her.
Itachi stood at his desk and took Sakura's hand when she offered it out, greeting each other with a firm handshake.
The young woman smiled brightly. "Good morning, sir. It's nice to meet you."
Itachi's eyes fell on her pink hair and then her green eyes. Recognition was immediate.
"Likewise, Doctor Haruno. We've been awaiting your arrival for quite some time now." Itachi gestured to the chair. "Please, take a seat." Once she did, he followed suit. The faintest smile traced his lip. "You look familiar," he said, inviting conversation.
Her eyes lit up. "I thought so, too."
Oh, he knew who she was. She and Naruto were often the ones hanging around his brother during their school days. They were something of a dynamic trio, always where the other was from grade school even through university. After they all graduated with their undergraduate degrees, career pursuits had pulled them apart, though they had kept in touch while the physical element of their relationship was lost on them.
Sakura continued with medical school. Naruto, now married, graduated with a degree in international relations and went on to work for the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And Sasuke-
"Do you have a brother?"
Speak of the Devil. He had also gone into law enforcement.
"I do," he confirmed. "Sasuke? You might know him."
Something registered in her eyes and Itachi caught it effortlessly. The name most certainly rang a bell to her, and he knew exactly why.
As for Sakura, she knew she saw his face a few times before, but Itachi being around five years older than his brother was a great enough age difference to explain his constant apparent absence from the household. The few times she did catch a glimpse of him when he was older, he was simply in for a visit.
"That explains it. I have seen you before," she confessed. "Small world."
"It is," he agreed. They smiled at each other before the conversation defaulted back to work. "If you give me just a moment, we'll get you on your way, Doctor."
She nodded. "Thank you."
Itachi reached for the telephone on his desk, cradling it between his head and shoulder as he punched in an extension. He rested one hand by the edge, supporting his weight while the other firmly held the phone. Sakura watched as he pursed his lips at the dial tone, waiting for someone to answer on the other side.
"Doctor Haruno has arrived. Please send someone down to show her the way." He nodded along as the person on the opposite line spoke, a women's voice. "I'll have someone run down the papers later this afternoon." He nodded some more and pulled a face Sakura found quite funny, like someone had said something mildly annoying or obvious.
Sassy, much? She held back a smile.
"Yes, thank you," he finished. Itachi returned the phone to its dock. He turned to Sakura. "Someone's coming back to show you to your new lab. I hope it suffices."
Itachi glanced at the watch bound to his left wrist. "I'm sorry I can't introduce myself properly right now. Hopefully the afternoon settles down better. It would be nice to formally make your acquaintance."
Charming for sure. What other words were there to describe him?
"Of course, sir. Whenever works for you."
He smiled politely, excusing himself in the process, and left the door propped open.
Sakura shifted in the chair and entwined her hands together on her lap. She glanced at the clock hanging to her right on deep gray walls and looked down at her wrist. His clock was set forward three whole minutes, perhaps in a habit to keep him from running late.
She sighed and leaned back in the chair, wondering what kind of work environment this place would prove to be. Footsteps faded in and out as they approached and passed his office, all with haste while Sakura could only wonder when this 'someone' would show.
So began the waiting game anew.
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A/N: Thank you to those who have followed and reviewed. The stage is being set and will continue to be over the next two or three chapters, so please stick through. Reviews are welcome and encouraged. Until next time!
