Brilliant flickers of crimson red tore across the ebony sky. A foul wind screeched across the wavering sky, tearing branches from trees and the whimpering girl from his arms. He looked down, he couldn't see her face. Only the crown of her head, he had seen this head before but he couldn't comprehend why she was in his strong arms. He couldn't comprehend the feeling in his chest, the feeling that wouldn't let her go.

She clung to him; small arms wrapped around the trunk of his body, her hold tightened as thin legs were swept from under her. He was rooted to the spot, he couldn't take the step he needed to take and pull her legs down with one of his. She was being pulled away with more force now. Her tiny hands loosening their grip on his sides.

"Don't let go" he instructed.

His own arms began to slip from around her; she was being torn from his very arms. His body lent forward, where he could not walk to her. Her waif like body stuck for a moment in his embrace, then she was whipped away from him. His arm shot out and grabbed a delicate hand. Her touch was cold; the warmth deep under her skin was slowly fading. Above them the sky began to change- mallard greens and palatinate (1) purple swirled into frightening and disturbing patterns. His head shot up and he cried out as he saw images of his life in ruins.

Doggedly he turned his head back to the girl- away from the images, away from his future. He started as he realised she was hanging on by only two fingers. She looked up, her eyes flashed chartreuse (2) and the last, little grip on her digits slipped away and she was gone. The last thing he saw was the fear in those deep, beautiful eyes.

"Sasuke-kun" she whispered, the words echoed in the air, becoming louder and louder; he thought his ears would burst. And still, he could see her eyes in his mind.

The atramentous (3) haired man sat bolt upright. Sweat dampened his sheets and he shivered in the cool morning air. He sank back into the bed, sighing. It was just a dream. It was always a dream. Steadily over the past years his nightmares had been getting worse. He stared at the white cracked ceiling; deciding it was time he got his apartment sorted out. After all, it wasn't like he couldn't afford better. He let his gaze lazily slide over the room. He cursed as he saw the time.

"Fuck!"

He jumped out of his bed. Well, he tried. He tripped and landed hard on his face, his foot was caught in the duvet. He tugged his foot free and ran to the shower. He ripped off his boxers turning the water on, already reaching for the shampoo. Slowly the water worked its way through the pipes eventually hitting him, colder than ice. He swore again.

"Shit!"

He galloped from the shower pulling on his clothes, he hopped down the stairs pulling his charcoal trousers up and belting them. He grabbed his keys on the way out and finally shrugged his crisp, work jacket on. He began to run, run past the same people he dashed past everyday. They smiled tiredly at him, same old, same old. Everyone knew the dark blur of speed.

He was Uchiha Sasuke. Number one detective on the east side: rival to the equally famous Haruno Sakura. But, of course, they would always go to the Uchiha with their problems- this was the east side! At twenty-seven he was the number one bachelor in the city. Famed for his wealth, intelligence and smouldering looks. Unfortunately for the love sick hundreds, he had no interest what so ever in women. His life was work. His love was work. It was kind of sad really.

His feet pounded on the grey concrete, he concentrated on his stride length, occasionally glancing up from his feet to check his direction. He glared at the people around him, not out of hatred but the fact they never seemed to be in a rush like he was. He ran past a red headed couple giggling giddily, a familiar looking blonde haired woman crying, holding a small child's hand and finally a street artist on the corner near his destination. He slowed down as one image caught his eye. The canvas was a mass of mallard green and palatinate swirls, they were starting to form patterns-disturbing patterns.

It was a huge coincidence but he brushed it off as that. The raven haired artist smiled at him, dark eyes staring knowingly. Sasuke sneered at him, he knew the type. Always trying to trick you into thinking they knew more than you thought. Sasuke hated them all, manipulative bastards. He turned his back on the man and leaned a hand on the café door. It swung open with ease; he strode in calling to the man behind the counter.

"Oi, Naruto! Coffee. Easy on the milk" he ordered

"I'll get on it Sasuke-teme" snorted the tousled blonde behind the counter. His azure blue eyes twinkled below thick brows and he winked at the grinning waitress next to Sasuke. Sasuke hadn't known Naruto long; he had only recently moved to town- a few months ago by his reckoning- and started up the café. It had the best damn coffee in the city. Lots and lots of caffeine: ideal for Sasuke's long working hours. Naruto was obnoxious, loud and could never keep a secret. The complete opposite to Sasuke himself. A perfect friend for Sasuke (more a perfect source of easy information).

"Got any new cases?" queried the blonde.

"Nothing special, quite pathetic really"

"Your always looking for a challenge, why not solve a missing case?"

"You know that's not my scene"

"What if it's a friend?" the question was greeted by silence. Sasuke was half curious but the other half of him knew there was something off. He knew these disappearances would affect him directly at some point. It really was a pain.

"Who was it?"

"Nara Shikamaru"

"What do you mean Nara is missing?!" Sasuke raised his voice in anger and astonishment. He was rather fond of Nara, the silent, smart type. Much like himself, they had often sat next to each other in the bustling café quietly reading their books or sorting through work. As good, a companion Nara was, Sasuke couldn't see why he would be taken. Nara had a reputation of being extremely lazy. Lazy to the point it drove his loved ones insane. Probably why he married Yamanaka Ino- Sasuke had always thought her a bit cracked. Also up until now, most of the cases had been low profile. Nara was a photographer and had high profile jobs with most of the news papers around. It was strange that one, who was almost famous, would go missing. This was bad news for those who thought they were safe.

"Calm down genius, I'm just the messenger, go with the saying and all"

"Oh Naruto, how I would love to shoot you" scoffed Sasuke with scorn. He grabbed his piping hot coffee from the counter and threw the change, carelessly over his shoulder. Sasuke sprinted for the door and ran down the street to the green door of his office. He slotted the key in and turned the polished gold door knob. He bounded up the narrow stairs to the sanctum of his office. Furiously he swiped everything from his desk to the floor; it crashed down with a deafening thud. He pulled the typewriter forward and began to type viciously.

Case 295

Class Field: Abduction

Person/s: Nara Shikamaru

Case taken: Yes

…

Hi I hope this chapter is ok for you guys yeah I''m in the middle of my GCSEs wish me luck lol.. I shouldnt be writing this as I have history tomorrow joy of joys right any way... 1) A shade of purple 2)A shade of green 3)Another word for dark... you see Im trying to stray away from the typical onyx and raven thing )