The Disappearance of Haruno Sakura

By Chemicalisation

The Fifth Chapter

"Kakashi sensei."

Kakashi looked up from the report that he had been reading and resisted the urge to sigh. He put the report back on his desk and leaned back into his chair. "Yes, Naruto?"

Naruto stood on the doorway of the office, his expression severe. Behind him, Ino stepped into view. She nodded towards Kakashi. "Good morning, Hokage sama." Her tone was somewhat more respectful than Naruto's. But then again Yamanka san was a clansmen. She understood tradition, her parents having taught her so since her birth.

Kakashi tilted his head in greeting. "Good morning, Yamanaka san."

"Kakashi sensei." Naruto took a step forward. Ino stepped into the room and closed the door behind her.

"We need to talk about Sakura, Hokage sama," said Ino quietly. "We can no longer put this off."

"Ah," said Kakashi as he interlinked his fingers. "You wish to go and search for Sakura by yourselves?"

"You were expecting this. So you know that I need to find her." Naruto's bottom lip quivered. "Whether she is alive or dead."

"There is nothing, Naruto," said Kakashi wearily. "I have left no stone unturned in search for Sakura. The only conspicuous thing is the continued absence of anything."

"But its still too early to give up," said Ino as she crossed her arms, her long blonde hair swishing around her.

"Nobody is giving up. I am simply reminding you that even if you did go searching after Sakura, you would find nothing." Kakashi tried to rein in his irritation. He could not keep having this conversation every other day. "Better and more experienced trackers than both of you have failed."

Ino took a step forward. "Perhaps, there is something that you do not wish for us to know?"

Naruto looked at Ino with surprise. Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that I am not allowing you to chase after Sakura because of my own specific interests, Yamanaka san?"

Ino flushed but continued anyway, "Was the mission really to heal the residents of Ishigakure? Isn't it rather a simple job for Sakura? Someone like me could have done it, or even a chunin."

"Kakashi sensei," said Naruto, turning back towards Kakashi. "Are you keeping something from us?"

"Sakura was my student," responded Kakashi, barely managing to contain his fury. "I would never let any harm come to her. Remember Naruto, I told you-"

"Those who leave their teammates behind are worse than trash," Naruto finished Kakashi's sentence. But suspicion still darkened his expression.

"But you are no longer her sensei or her team captain," said Ino, her eyes watchful. "You are the Hokage, Hokage sama. Different jobs and different objectives."

Kakashi tilted his head. "May I remind you who you are speaking to, Yamanaka sama?" he said, his words cold as ice.

Ino turned red. "I just wish to remind you, Hokage sama, that when Uchiha Sasuke defected from the village, teams of shinobi were consistently sent after him," she said stiffly. "Why not for Sakura?"

"Because we had a general idea of where Sasuke was at the time," said Kakashi. He clenched his fist under the desk. Something had to give. "Trying to find Sakura right now is akin to groping around in the dark."

Ino opened her mouth, but before she could say anything Kakashi lifted his hand. "You will not gain anything from this conversation, Yamanaka san. I suggest that you drop it." He paused. "Incidentally, it is good that both of you here. We have received intelligence from Suna."

Naruto stilled. "About Sakura?"

"Possibly," said Kakashi, ignoring as to how Naruto's eyes had lit up with hope. "It appears that Sasuke was spotted at Ishigakure three days after Sakura arrived there. I have already sent him a message asking him to confirm this."

"He was there!" Naruto leaned forward, excitement radiating off of him. "He could have seen something!"

"Or," Kakashi said softly. "Sakura could be with him."

"You're right," said Naruto, his eyes lighting up. "Sakura and Sasuke got engaged just after the war ended but in the last two years they have barely met each other, with Sasuke being away and everything."

"Is that really possible?" asked Ino, not at all convinced. "I mean, wouldn't Sakura would have said something? Its not like you would have stopped her if she truly wanted to be with Sasuke. Then why didn't she send a message?"

"And why," Naruto wondered out loud. "Why didn't I sense her chakra?" He shook his head. "Nothing makes sense."

You know what else doesn't make sense?, Ino thought cagily, why Kakashi had waited to tell us this?

"Dismal business, this entire affair," said Hiashi as he sat on the couch in the Hokage's office later in the day.

Kakashi sat opposite him on an equally uncomfortable couch, with his feet popped on the lower table between them. "It must be terrible," Kakashi remarked dryly. "For the wedding to be postponed."

Hiashi closed his eyes as if refusing to engage with the Hokage. "Yes, well Uzumaki san refuses to continue on with the wedding until Haruno san is found." He frowned. "It can't be helped."

"We'll find her," said Kakashi, his posture relaxed.

"Are there any leads, Hokage sama?" Hiashi asked, reopening his pearl eyes. His polite tone indicated disinterest but Kakashi knew better to take him at face value. A few years ago, Hiashi would not have even bothered to ask after Sakura. After all, she was not a clansman and belonged to a nondescript civilian shinobi family. She was no prodigy with the likes of Naruto and Sasuke surrounding her. But Sakura had been the apprentice to Tsunade sama and had roots where people seldom looked. Kakashi had just begun realize that. And it appeared that Hiashi was catching up as well.

"It is possible that she may be with Uchiha Sasuke," said Kakashi, taking care to keep his expression indifferent. "Not confirmed, of course."

"Is it likely?"

Kakashi smiled without any real humor. "I would not like to take up any bets against Sasuke."

"And Haruno san?"

"I have known the child since she was twelve," said Kakashi, drumming his fingers against his seat. "A little bit more cleverer than others but nowhere as farsighted as Nara Shikamaru. Predictable, somewhat."

"Forgive my impertinence, Hokage sama," said Hiashi, bowing his head, a gesture so elegantly done that not a single strand of his long dark hair fell out of place. "But her disappearance isn't entirely a predictable event."

"Are you worried, Hyuga sama?" A bemused smile reluctantly played upon Kakashi's lips. It was expected Hiashi would be worried. Hell, he was as well. But it was another thing to vocalize it. Sakura had been busy in the last a few months. And now in her absence, he was realizing the implications of her actions. He had warned her at the time not to play with fire. But, unfortunately, that silly girl had ignored him. Kakashi shook his head. The smartest of his students but he still could not count on her to think things through.

"If she has not been found by now then she is dead, Hokage sama. Or good as dead," said Hiashi, his expression carefully arranged into that of condolence. But Kakashi was not fooled. Look underneath the underneath. Sakura, you foolish little girl.

"Hyuga sama, you should not underestimate Sakura," said Kakashi as he picked a non-existent lint from his clothes.

"So they say. She was a teammate of my future son-in-law and an apprentice to your predecessor," said Hiashi. He raised his gaze to study Kakashi's profile. "A valuable medic-nin but human nevertheless."

Kakashi did not respond.

"She died serving Konohagakuru. It is an honor for every ninja," said Hiashi. He paused before resuming. "The reason that I have come before you is regarding something else entirely."

When Kakashi did not speak, Hiashi continued. "The civilians are quite unhappy with the treaty with Kumogakure but you can expect firm support from the shinobi clans. You, after all, know the necessity of surviving the post war upheaval. We will not abandon you at a time like this."

Kakashi broke himself free from his reverie. "Where are we in terms of the support?"

"Ah," said Hiashi. He was expressionless but confidence thrummed under his skin. "There are ten seats in the Council of Elders including yours, Hokage sama. You will need need to attain a majority of six in order for Konoha to enter into this bilateral treaty." Hiashi paused. "You have the full support of the Nara, Inuzuka and Hyuga clan on this. The Yamanaka and Sarutobi clan are hesitant but I can assure you, Hokage sama, that they will come through. The Aburame clan has little investment in this treaty. If we were falling short of votes, I would say we could convince them of our point of view. But as things stand, it will not be necessary. In all likelihood, in order to appease the Akimichi clan, they will either abstain or vote in negative. Tsunade sama and Uzumaki san are amenable towards your advise. This vote cannot possibly go against your favor, Hokage sama!"

"I agree." Kakashi looked longingly towards the window before turning back towards Hiashi. "But the Akimichi clan has been harshly critical on this. After all, they have roots in agricultural business. They stand to lose a great deal financially from this treaty. The civilians as well have approached me with their concerns. We can't just ignore them."

Hiashi stood and walked towards the window overlooking the village. He had turned his back towards the Hokage, a sure sign of disrespect, but when he spoke his voice was measured and calm. "Hokage sama, do you know why the Hyuga clan has been so willing to enter into this treaty with Kumgakure?"

Hiashi turned towards Kakashi, who looked back at him pensively.

Hiashi lifted his chin. "Kumogakure has consistently deceived Konohagakure. They have sought to steal the Bakugan of the Hyuga clan several times. They tried to kidnap my eldest daughter when she was a mere child and could do nothing to protect herself. And when the Hyuga clan fought back, they demanded me as a reprisal. I had to deliver the body of my dead brother to them, knowing as I did so my nephew would become an orphan."

Hiashi's gaze hardened. "On the face of it, the Hyuga clan has every reason to hate Kumogakure. We have every reason to distrust them."

"But," Hiashi closed his eyes as if he keenly felt the weight of his words, "during the War, the Hyuga clan lost nine of its own. Their loss is felt keenly, deeply, and everyday by the people of my clan."

Hiashi opened his eyes. "Hokage sama, the distrust the Hyuga clan had of Kumogakure cannot continue. This world of distrust and hate will stain our hands with the blood of our children. The Hyuga clan can no longer be an accomplice to this destruction. Kumogakure offers us peace and their friendship, Hokage sama." Hiashi's gaze was ferocious. "Who are we to spit on it?"

His expression hard and rigid, Hiashi looked at Kakashi. "We must allow this treaty to go through. For peace, Hokage sama. For the love of our children. We survived this war. But will they survive the next one?"

A/N A pretty busy month so I didn't manage to get as much done as I would have liked. I have another fic Dreaming in Pink pending so I think after this I will be working on that. Also, don't forget to review! Writing this makes my day better so I want to know what you guys are thinking as well :)