A/N: Sorry, I know it's late but I'm really busy with my hospital training and I'm trying my best to update this story.
Please read and enjoy!
The Pride of An Uchiha
Chapter 12
What was once their small, tidy living room is now unrecognizable. The polished wooden flooring was splintered into a hundred pieces. The Uchiha-embroidered tatami mat was shredded and the right wall was completely destroyed, exposing the kitchen area. Worst of all, there were splotches of blood all around the room.
Where is she? And who did this to her?
And why?
These were the questions running inside Sasuke's mind for the past few hours as he kept investigating the house for clues.
"Any leads?" Sasuke asked Ibiki, struggling to remain calm and composed.
"None so far," answered Ibiki in his gruff voice. "The investigation is still on-going. Testimonials from neighbors were not that useful. They heard loud noises but they did not see anyone coming out from this house."
Sasuke nodded, taking in this disappointing answer.
"We are trying to rule out revenge as the primary motive," said Ibiki.
"Revenge?"
"Revenge upon you to be specific," said Ibiki. "The victim does not have known enemies so we are highlighting the possibility that an enemy of yours did this to exact revenge upon you."
Sasuke inwardly flinched at Ibiki's term for Sakura. Victim. As if she was already…
No, she is still alive. He was sure of it.
"It's possible because I have many enemies," Sasuke admitted. When he was still an international S-class criminal, he had accumulated numerous enemies from various countries and villages. Even when he was pardoned by Konoha and subsequently the Council of Kages, it did not make his image any less better.
Everything just seemed too fast, he thought in a daze. Just that afternoon they had agreed to file for a divorce and now she was missing. Abducted by someone they don't even know.
"How could have this happened?" Naruto asked in anger and frustration. "She's in a vulnerable state! We need to retrieve her!"
"I know," replied Kakashi in a grave tone, shooting a sideway glance at Sasuke, who was still talking to Morino Ibiki.
"Stupid Sasuke!" Naruto bellowed out. "I did not know that he left her alone in this house! Hell, we did not know that they were not living under the same roof for weeks!"
"I was surprised by the news too. But whatever problem they have is still between the two of them. We should not meddle."
"But look what happened to Sakura! There are now two lives in danger!"
"Calm down, Naruto," said Kakashi. "We are all concerned for Sakura's safety. And Sasuke never wanted this to happen."
More than twenty-four hours had elapsed on Sakura's case but nothing had progressed much. The investigation team was just able to sum up possible enemies and their reasons for doing so. Almost all suspects were based from Sasuke since they were working on the possibility that Sakura was kidnapped as a revenge on him. They did not know where to start since there were not many clues left to the scene and testimonials from the neighbors were not that useful.
"You've got to rest," said Kakashi to Sasuke.
"I need to figure out who took her," replied Sasuke, running his hand through his hair in agitation. "Time is running out."
"We all need to rest," said Kakashi further. "I understand how you feel about this but we won't be able to figure out anything if we're all too strained."
"I don't want to-"
"You can't handle this alone, Sasuke," reminded Kakashi. "We too are concerned about Sakura's safety and everyone is doing their best to locate her."
Sasuke gave out a worn-out sigh. "Damn it! This is my…fault."
"Don't blame yourself. You never wanted this to happen."
Sasuke nodded at Kakashi's words but deep inside, his guilt was eating him. There were so many what ifs going on inside his mind.
What if he had not left her that night?
Perhaps, she would still be here.
What if he had not broached the subject of her career?
Then, they would have not argued.
And, what if he had not married her in the first place?
Perhaps, there would be no problems like these and she would not be used as bait by his former enemies.
Frustrated and tired, Sasuke decided to heed Kakashi's advice and slept on the bedroom. Although the investigation is still on-going and the apartment cannot be used, Sasuke chose to sleep on their bedroom because he felt too tired to go back to the Uchiha manors. Furthermore, a big part of him wishes to reside in the apartment because whether he admits it or not out loud, he missed her presence.
Hundreds of miles away from Konoha, Sakura blinked her eyes open to an unfamiliar room and as her vision got clearer, she bolted upright as she scanned her new surroundings. She was in a small, dark room with a single bed and a small circular window. The room was moving rhythmically and she could smell the unmistakable scent of saltwater.
Immediately, she rushed out to the window and as she did so, she noticed that her hands were gloved and cuffed. Her wrists were also crisscrossed, preventing her from performing any jutsu. As she looked out unto the small circular window, Sakura found herself staring out against an open sky and an expanse of rolling blue waters.
I am in the middle of the sea! She thought in shock and fear.
What the hell am I doing here?
Suddenly, the events on the previous night replayed inside her mind. She was alone in the apartment when someone attacked her. No, the person did not really attack her at once. She was the one who attacked and all he did was dodge and deflect her attacks. She was only able to see the man's face for a brief time. He looked quite old to her like between fifty to sixty but she was easily fooled by his age because he moved incredibly fast and the next thing she knew, he was behind her, a long katana threatened against not her but to her abdomen.
She can remember his words clearly before he knocked her out with something.
"Don't move or I will kill your child."
The last thing she can remember before losing consciousness was a gas mask placed on her mouth and nose.
Damn it! Where the hell am I going?
Her absence would not go unnoticed. Konoha would have known by it now and she was sure that they would go searching for her today.
Sasuke.
She wondered if he already knew and how had he reacted to her abduction. She is sure that his initial reaction would be shock then it would shift to guilt because he left her alone. Because of this guilt, he would try to find her as soon as possible.
She thought of her parents and her friends. How could have this happened?
"He was right after all," she whispered to herself. There was really someone after her and she did not listen, taking his precautions for granted and now it is not only her life in danger but the child inside her as well.
Whatever happens, she would not go down without a fight and she would do everything to protect the child inside her.
Suddenly, she heard light footsteps coming from outside. Sakura immediately went back to the narrow bed and pretended to sleep as she waited for the person to enter. An idea abruptly occurred to her.
"What if you attacked him as he entered the room?" Inner Sakura suggested.
"Risky but it's worth a shot." Sakura countered. It sounds good to her but she has a feeling that it might not go well as planned. She was not even sure how big the boat is, how many people were onboard and where in the world are they heading to. She needs some information first. She just can't attack blindly like she used to when she was still an active kunoichi. There's a child inside her and she was already on the end of her eight month.
Her hands went around on her abdomen protectively.
She can't handle this alone.
"Damn it," cursed Sakura.
No matter how perfect her plan would be, she can't fight her abductor because she would be targeted on her most vulnerable part. It would either be a win-lose or worse, a lose-lose outcome.
If she fights to the best of her ability, she might win but she would definitely lose the child. She's more of a close-range fighter and just one hit on her stomach and she would definitely bleed to death and lose her child.
The only remaining option for her is to wait for things to roll. She would soon learn who her captor is and his purpose. Then, she can make alternative plans besides fighting him one on one. She has to wait, gather information and plan.
That's the best thing she could do for now.
Think, Sakura, think.
Sasuke woke up and was surprised to see that it was almost dawn. The familiar room materialized before his eyes and for a moment he felt confused. He was supposed to be staying at the Uchiha grounds. It took a few seconds for him to realize why he was here and instantly, a sudden wave of dread and anxiety crashed over him. Without further ado, he got up from the bed and went outside.
The living room and the kitchen area looked like a total mess. Yellow tapes were lined around the perimeter of the house, clearly telling everyone that they are not allowed to infiltrate beyond the scene of the crime. A shinobi who was smoking a cigarette greeted him with a nod and told him that there would be a meeting by eight with the Hokage.
Sasuke decided to go back at Uchiha grounds first to eat and retrieve his things and weapons. As he slid open the door of the house, he noticed an envelope inserted at the door's hinge. He picked it up and tore it open.
"It must be a message from the Hokage," he thought curiously.
He took out the folded sheet of paper inside and as he did so, something from inside the envelope fell on the floor. When he looked down for a closer look, he felt his insides go numb.
A gold ring and a thin bundle of pale, pink hair strands.
Immediately, he read the paper. It was short and direct to the point.
THE EAST DOCK BY MIDNIGHT.
"Why am I not included in this mission?" Naruto bursted out in anger. "I'm Sakura's friend! I'm concerned about her welfare!"
"You are not the only one concerned about her, stupid brat." Tsunade eyed the blonde with a steely look which and took a quick swig of her sake. Then, she turned to the quiet, brooding man beside Naruto. "Are you sure you can handle this alone?"
Sasuke nodded. "Yes, it's me they want."
"But-," Naruto started to argue again when Tsunade lost her patience and cut him off.
"This is a delicate mission, Uzumaki Naruto! We need to retrieve Sakura with the least amount of fight possible because they would sure target her."
"But I want to help," Naruto said in frustration.
"I know how badly you wanted her to be safe and sound but in order to do that, we have to play by their rules. And the one they wanted is Uchiha Sasuke, not you or any one alse. Do you understand?"
A long stretch of silence engulfed the room as Tsunade and Naruto eyed each other in anger. Naruto opened his mouth but suddenly closed it again, hung his head and nodded sadly.
"Good," Tsunade said with a small smile. "Then shut up and listen to the plan."
"You mean I'm still included in this mission?" Naruto asked in confusion, his bright blue eyes sparkling in excitement.
"If the need arises then yes, you are included."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Because you kept opening that big mouth of yours instead of listening!" Tsunade barked. "Now do you still want to listen to the plan or you would keep blabbering?"
"Of course, I'll listen to the plan!"
After devising the mission plan which stretched to more than an hour, Tsunade crumpled the scroll and gave Sasuke a blank one.
"What's this for?" Sasuke asked.
"Communicate to us as discreetly as you could," instructed Tsunade. "Whatever happens, you must avoid risking a battle with them especially if Sakura is near."
"Understood," said Sasuke, taking the scroll.
Tsunade leaned back against her high-backed chair and propped her feet above the paper-stacked desk. "Off you go."
Before closing the door, Sasuke swore he heard Tsunade say, "Good luck, Uchiha."
The waves crashed against the jutted rocks of the cliff then it returned back to the sea, only to crash again to the cliff a few seconds later.
Repetitive, thought Sasuke. Yet, it has a somehow calming effect to him. He had been waiting for almost an hour, a bit too early for the designated time of the meeting. And finally, he saw it.
With the help of the moonlight, Sasuke saw the tiny figure of a sailboat manned by a single person. As the boat neared the shore, Sasuke jumped to the cliff and landed gracefully on a large, mossy sea rock.
"Where is Sakura?"
The person manning the small sailboat is wearing a thick, dark coat and a large straw hat that shadows his face. Fortunately, the man removed the hat and answered his question.
"She is on an island."
Estimating the man's age to be the same as Kakashi's, Sasuke noticed the long, diagonal scar on the man's nose, spanning the upper left cheek to the lower left. He racked his brain trying to remember the man but he can't evoke any memory of the man's face. Maybe he was one of those nameless shinobi he had attacked before.
"Bring me to her," demanded Sasuke. "And what the hell do you want from me?"
The man laughed revealing misaligned teeth,"I need nothing from you. I am merely hired to fetch you and dispatch anyone who might come our way." He peered around, sniffed and shrugged. "Too bad no one's here. Seems they're right that you'll follow what's asked. I have never fought someone from Leaf before. I heard you guys are pretty good. How I wish…"
The man did not finish his sentence and flashed him an annoying grin. An unspoken invitation to fight.
Irked, Sasuke decided to ignore the man. He is sure that he can defeat the man in a few minutes or so but he does not want to waste any time fighting.
"Bring me to that island. I want to meet your client," said Sasuke in a clear, demanding voice. "Now."
The man shrugged and jerked his thumb to the small sailboat. Sasuke walked past the man and hopped inside the sailboat, settling in the opposite end. With the help of the wind and the waves, the boat glided smoothly across the sea and away from the territorial waters of Konoha.
The sound of a metal scraping against the dark, cement floor stirred Sakura awake. Gradually, she lifted her eyelids open and saw a metal food tray lying near the metal doors.
"Breakfast," she thought blearily.
Slowly, she got up and dangled her legs, remaining in a sitting position for a few minutes before shuffling towards the food tray and bent to pick it up, the manacles on her wrists and ankles adding to the weight. She went back to her "bed" which is made up of planks and started to eat her meal.
Even though she dislike the food being rationed to her for the past few days, she had no choice but to eat what was given or she would die of starvation.
"How long have I been here?" Sakura mused to herself as she chewed as piece of vegetable.
Three days? Maybe a week already?
She really had no idea how long she had been stuck up inside the cell. How was she supposed to know? The dimly lit cell has no windows and when she tried to ask the guards outside the steel doors if its day or night already, it's as if they did not hear her.
But the biggest question plaguing her mind is why is she kidnapped? The usual motive is money. It could be a possibility, she thought. She did not have that much money in her bank account when she was still single. But when she got married to Sasuke, she effectively has the equal rights to his money too since she is the legal wife. As the remaining Uchiha, Sasuke inherited all the money and properties of the clan. She remembered the time after they got married and they had to sign a joint account, she saw his bank account and considering the amount, Sasuke could effectively buy some shares of land in Konoha.
Somehow, the thought of him brought an ache inside her. Even though she hates to admit it, she missed him. A lot.
Tiny droplets of water started to fall from the sky. It felt refreshing to his skin after a long, hot journey under the sun.
"At last," murmured Sasuke with a mix feeling of relief, nervousness and anticipation. Finally, he reached the island and he's nearing on finding Sakura. A light fog hung around the area which made visibility poor. He walked and entered the forest, cutting branches obscuring his way. The man who had fetched him awhile ago had left after they reached the shore. Then, he heard a loud rustling of leaves a few meters away and he immediately unsheated out his kunai in preparation for an attack.
A rugged man with a deeply-tanned face came out from the dense clump of trees and bushes and looked at him then to his forehead protector.
"Uchiha Sasuke," he stated. "Follow me."
And without further ado, the man turned around and sped fast, disappearing against the thick clump of trees and vines. Sasuke followed suit, immediately activating his Sharingan in case of any ambush attack.
What do they want from them? From him?
The forest thinned out to reveal an old, dilapidated looked like it had not been used for decades and the building looked like a cross between a dormitory and a prison. On the far side of the building, he noticed that a steel door was left open, presumably by the shinobi he had just met. Even though Sasuke wanted to explore the building with the hope of finding Sakura, his gut feeling told him that it would be better to face the person behind all of this.
The rusty steel door led to a long, spiral rickety staircase that seemed to be on the verge of collapsing. Sasuke wasted no time and climbed the stairs and as he reached the top steps, he was greeted with drawn kunais, katanas and swords. Five rogue shinobis including the one he had just followed earlier was facing him with grim faces, obviously guarding the man on the far corner of the room.
"Down with your weapons." The voice at the end of the room said.
Recognizing the voice and chakra signature, Sasuke's Sharingan blazed as the man slowly turned around to face him.
"We meet again, Uchiha Sasuke."
"What's the meaning of this?" Sasuke asked in anger and disbelief. "What do you want from us! Where's Sakura!"
"Ah...one question at a time, Uchiha," the man replied in a bored voice.
"Damn it! Answer me!" Sasuke shouted in anger. Instantly, the five rogue shinobis drew their weapons, ready to attack him at any slight movement from him.
"I don't have anything against your pretty, little wife. She just had the misfortune to be associated with you."
"Then leave her out of this! What do you want from me!"
Giving him a cryptic smile, the man replied. "A little patience."
"Clutching his fist in suppressed anger, Sasuke eyed with dislike and coldness. "Spit it out, Ao."
The aura around the room changed and Ao decided to stopped playing charade. "You don't deserve what you have, Uchiha."
At this statement, Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
Continuing, Ao flashed him a disdainful smirk. "You don't deserve to live after all the crimes you have committed."
"So you wanted to kill me?"
"Your life is a waste, I have no use for it," replied Ao. "Something more valuable than that."
"What are you complaining about then? I have already paid for my crimes.".
Ao let out a dry laugh. "Three years in jail? Your community service? House arrest? S-ranked missions? You call that punishment when people with lesser offenses rot in jails and gets executed?"
"Mizukage's order I presume?"
"What she doesn't know won't her," said Ao referring to their Mizukage.
"The verdict was the Council's decision not mine."
Ao waved off an impatient hand at the mention of the last Council of Kages. "Thanks to your jinchuuriki friend who turned the tables at the last Summit."
He looked at Sasuke with undisguised disgust and said. "You have committed crimes not just against Konoha but to the international community at large. A criminal like you deserves death."
Flashback of the last Summit of Kages and Uchiha Sasuke's trial
A hushed silence fell among the crowd when the Five Kages of each country entered the dome and took their high-backed seats on the raised platform. None of them talked to one another and each had stoic and tired looks as the Summit's Appointed High Clerk started the trial by introducing each of the respective Kages followed by an opening statement.
"Disciplinary hearing on the thirtieth of November into offenses committed under Acts of Treason, Article 1 Section 3, Clause 9 by Uchiha Sasuke, eighteen years of age, male, single, citizen of the Hidden Village of Leaf.
"...witness for the defense, Uzumaki Naruto, eighteen years of age, male, single and citizen of the Hidden Village of Leaf."
There was a collective muttering among the crowd as Uchiha Sasuke was placed on a chair with hands and feet bounded by chakra-suppressing manacles. Five high-ranking shinobis each from the Five Countries were around him as precaution in case he attacked the Kages. The level of anticipation and excitement was palpable and it was no wonder because full court trials were held rarely in history.
"The charges against the accused are as follows: that he did knowingly and deliberately left Konoha to join forces with Orochimaru, a former Leaf-nin and Akatsuki member, in full awareness that the latter had just launched a failed attack to their Village; That he joined and collaborated with the international criminal organization, Akatsuki; Attack and frustrated capture of the Eight-tailed Jinchuuriki, Killer Bee of Lightning Country; Attack on the Summit of Five Kages held at the Iron Leaf Village; Murder of Danzou, a member of the Council of Elders of the Hidden Village of Leaf; Frustrated murder of Karin of Kusagakure and Haruno Sakura of Konohagakure; Alliance and collaboration with Uchiha Madara and Yakushi Kabuto on the Fourth Shinobi World War."
A deafening silence engulfed the place after the reading of charges against the accused was done. To Sasuke's mind, it was nothing but a monologue. He just wanted to get over it. He did not give a damn anymore on what would be the result whether it be execution or life imprisonment.
Death is better than enduring a life caged in a cell, he thought afterwards.
He just wanted it to be finished.
"And now the court is open to hear the accused's side."
Sasuke stepped into the witness stand and he had just took his seat when one of the Kages, particularly the Raikage started to grill him with questions.
"Where is Sakura? I agreed to your terms and came here alone."
"Ah, I think she's still alive," said Ao scratching his chin with a hint of uncertainty much to Sasuke's disgust. "You wish to see her? She's down there."
In no time, Ao's led the way while Sasuke followed and the rest trailed a little farther behind them.
They descended a series of stairs, took turns on twisting alleys and dark candle-lit passageways and passed endless cells. It reminded him of the place he resided when he went to Orochimaru to seek power. He did not know which is worse, Orochimaru's lair or the place they were in. It was no wonder he could not sense Sakura's chakra, she was placed deep underground.
What does Ao really want from him? He said that he does not deserve his light punishment. Does it mean that he wanted him to be incarcerated and rot in one of these dark cells? Or be executed?
Ao was part of the Alliance during the Fourth Shinobi World War and specializes with chakra sensory. The Five Countries may have united as one during the last war but after it, they went to their own businesses of restoring and rehabilitating their villages. Like some of the Konohagakure residents, most shinobis from the Five Countries were not in favor of the result of the trial.
The last hour of his court trial was still fresh on Sasuke's mind.
He was guilty beyond reasonable doubt and he was just awaiting for his punishment. This became the object of argument between the Five Kages. The Raikage and Tsuchikage wanted him to be executed, the Hokage, Kazekage and Mizukage voted for life imprisonment. Life imprisonment should have won but the Raikage immediately objected and spoke before them. The Mizukage seemed convinced and agreed with the execution. The crowd cheered as the Raikage's side won, 3:2.
He was to be executed.
Sasuke maintained his emotionless facade as the Council clerk started to read out his punishment. He was ready to die. He had died when his family was murdered. It was nothing new except that the death would be tangible and final. From the periphery of his vision, he could see Naruto and Kakashi with grim expressions while Sakura buried her face on Naruto's shoulders, obviously crying.
To his and everyone's surprise, Naruto went to the podium where the Council clerk was standing and silenced the room with a shout. He spoke before the Five Kages and to the crowd and like what Ao had said, he turned the tables with his words and charm.
The people love Naruto as much as they hate him. Naruto was the people's hero and he was the people's enemy.
"Ah...here we are," said Ao, breaking into his reminiscing. They reached the end of a dark, musty hallway revealing a single, solid metal door with a small rectangular window.
Sasuke watched with loathing as Ao conversed with the person on the other side of the door. How could they keep Sakura on such a disgusting place? Rats and cockroaches kept sneaking beneath their feet and the place reeked of blood, urine and decay.
Ao moved away from the window. It was his turn. He looked inside expecting to see Sakura up close but no, she was a meter far from him. Clutching the steel bars tightly, her green eyes shone against the pale torch-lit dungeon. Her hair was in disarray, she had obviously woken up from sleep and her arms were thin, her fingers like sticks and her skin as pale as paper. Her wrists and ankles were bound on chakra-suppresing manacles and there were two rogue-nins guarding the door, their blades threatening to slash her throat and abdomen. Their eyes were anywhere but away from him obviously wary of his Sharingan.
Pure anger surged through his veins as her saw her condition. He felt like his chest was being squeezed. Is it pity? Compassion? Longing? When was the last time he had seen her? Touch her skin?
She opened her mouth to say something and even though he could not hear her, he could perfectly make out the word coming from her lips.
"Sasuke," her lips said softly.
"You just have to choose, Uchiha," said Ao from behind him.
Suppressing the urge to kill the man behind him, Sasuke spoke in a cold, rash voice. "Exactly what?"
A cryptic smile formed on his face as Ao replied, "Easy. You just have to choose - your eyes or your wife."
A/N: I dunno how court trials are done so I just took some hints from Harry Potter Book 5 during Harry's hearing. Thank you for the reviews! I'll update as soon as I can.
Happy New Year!
Reviews please!