Chapter 10: Dead Don't Speak

Please see trigger warning for the last scene - if you don't want to read it, feel free to skip it. It does give you some insight as to where Sasuke is mentally but it's nothing you'll need to know for the story. The scene is more psychological than it is physical, in my opinion.

"You didn't think to call me when you came home to a bloody note on your door?" Itachi scolded Naruto. "Are you insane, I would have stopped what I was doing and gone to the station last night," he tried not to yell at him, but he was upset with the blond. "And you probably shouldn't have stayed home after Orochimaru clearly sent a message that it isn't safe for you to do so." He'd become protective of the blond over the years, almost as if he were his own brother.

"I'm not going to let him win like that, it's just a scare tactic," Naruto argued. "We don't even know if it is human blood or if it's even blood at all."

"Are you stupid, or are you stupid?" Itachi asked as they stood in Naruto's kitchen where he showed him the note. "What if this is Sasuke's blood? We could be working on very limited time," Itachi's cool composure was starting to crack. He didn't know how long he could remain clam.

"If it is blood, we don't know whose blood it is. He's crazy, he could've broken into a blood bank and stolen donated blood for all we know," Naruto huffed. "Look, I don't think he's seriously injured or killed Sasuke yet. He would have made a much bigger statement if he had. This was a warning of what could happen," Naruto leaned against the counter. "Think about it, the mental aspect is just another part of his game. If he were to kill Sasuke, we'd know."

"What you think he'd just put his head on a stake in your front yard?" Itachi crossed his arms.

"Actually, as crazy as it sounds, I really do think he'd do something like that. It's only been a couple of days, we both know he's not going to kill Sasuke already. At least, that's what I have to believe or I'm going to go crazy. I have to believe that he's alive," Naruto looked down at the note. "This can't be his blood." He couldn't let himself believe the worst. If he lost hope, then what did he have left to fight for?

Itachi nodded, "I hope you're right." As much as he didn't want his brother to suffer, he also didn't want to find him dead. "I don't know what's worse, thinking about Sasuke getting tortured by that maniac or him being dead. What if he's tortured just for us to be too late?" Itachi hated thinking about what Sasuke must be going through.

"I try not to think about it, I just want to find him. We have to find him," Naruto responded. "What time is the press release?" Naruto asked, trying to change the subject a little.

Itachi walked into the living room and turned on the TV, "Should be right about now."

"Breaking news," came across the screen. "We have received reports that the youngest heir to the Uchiha dynasty, Sasuke Uchiha, is missing. Inside sources tell us that this is believed to be in connection with the jail break of the businessman known simply as Orochimaru, who was set to go on trial for allegations of assault and attempted murder of Sasuke. Sasuke went missing earlier this week after being attacked at his office building. Police have declined to comment on the status of the investigation. If you have any knowledge of his disappearance, please contact the local police. The Uchiha Corporation reportedly has a large reward out for any information that leads to finding Sasuke and those responsible. We will continue to report on this story as more information becomes available."

Naruto turned to Itachi, "So, I guess it's time for us to go see our friends at the police station." Itachi just nodded as he grabbed the note Naruto had found on his door and a copy of the home surveillance showing Orochimaru putting it there.

Once they walked into the police station they were almost immediately greeted by Detective Sato and Watanabe. "I suppose I have you to thank for that lovely press release," Detective Sato shook his head.

"Someone had to," Itachi shrugged. "It's not like we gave away any information that would hinder the investigation." He stood tall, his stature rather intimidating. "If anything, you might get some tips to help you solve it."

"Anyway, I received this note on my door last night," Naruto interrupted as he handed the detective the note. "Also, I think we identified someone who is connected to the case," he added, handing him a freeze frame photo from the office security footage.

The detective rolled his eyes, "Look kid, leave the investigating up to the professionals."

"Don't call me kid," Naruto growled. Itachi put a calming hand on his shoulder, as if to tell him to stop. "It looks like that note is written in blood, you need to test it. I also brought my home surveillance video showing from when it was put on."

"We will test it," Detective Watanabe assured him, though it seemed more like he was trying to placate him. "Trust us to do our job."

"I wish I could," Naruto retorted. "But you won't even listen to what I'm trying to tell you about the person we saw on the building security cameras."

"Who is this person?" Detective Sato asked though he was clearly disinterested.

"This guy who works at the coffee shop Sasuke goes to," Naruto informed him. "He looks like he was casing the parking lot. You have to talk to him, he might know something."

"Or he was just lost," Detective Watanabe shook his head. "There's no one who's face is on film at the scene other than Sasuke and Soma, so there's nothing indicating he might be connected."

"That's bull shit and you know it," Naruto huffed. If it wouldn't get him put in jail, he would have punched the officer. He knew he had to try to remain calm no matter what.

"So, this is how you investigate? You don't follow every lead provided?" Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Only credible ones," Detective Sato responded, clearly indicating he doesn't believe that what Naruto is saying is credible. "While I admire your determination, I believe you are just pulling at strings."

"I believe it is your job not to assume anything," Itachi crossed his arms. "Unless you know something we don't," he glared at the detectives. He was not pleased with the so called detective work. "Here's how it's going to go, either you interview the young man from the coffee shop or not only will I be talking to your boss, it will get leaked to the media that the police department is doing nothing to solve this case. How do you think people will take it if you don't follow every lead to find an Uchiha? Do you think they'll trust you to do anything for anyone if you won't do something as simple as interviewing one person that may be connected to the disappearance of someone from a very prominent family?" his voice was calm, but threatening at the same time.

"Detectives," they were interrupted by a female officer. "They just found a body. It's believed to be Soma Suzuki," she told them. "You're needed at the scene."

"First Sasuke goes missing. Then you find his Jona in a bathroom, likely dead because of Soma, and now you find Soma dead. Three people, two dead and one missing, I sure hope for your sake you figure this out," Itachi warned.

"We'll be right back, you stay here," Detective Sato told them as he pulled Detective Watanabe out of hearing range. "I'm going to go to the scene, you stay here and interview them. Try to get them to incriminate themselves in Soma's death," he told him.

"We both know they didn't kill Soma," the other detective responded.

"Yes, but if we can make it convincing that one or both of them did, then we can get them out of our hair. You know as well as I do that, that note wasn't just for them. He's telling us that he's watching and if we don't do our jobs, then we're next," he reminded him. Both were terrified of what Orochimaru might do.

"I told you we never should have gotten on his payroll," Detective Watanabe sighed. "It's going to get us both killed."

"Not if we can get this buried under the rug," the other responded. He was trying to figure out how he could get on the scene and plant some evidence against the two men.

"Just don't do anything stupid on the scene. If you get caught tampering with evidence, we're both out," he crossed his arms. "Maybe it's better if I go to the scene."

"As the senior detective, I am the one that will be going to the scene. Don't worry, I'll figure something out and then we can focus on his plan."

Detective Watanabe shook his head, "This isn't going to end well if you do this and you know it. I'll see what I can get out of them, but between their work and home footage, I don't know how we'll be able to pin this on them."

"We'll argue the security footage is faked," he shrugged, his mind playing through the scenarios.

"Are you forgetting you're going up against an Uchiha?" he reminded him. "I'm just as afraid of him as I am of Orochimaru. Just be smart and don't do anything that can get you caught."

Detective Sato nodded, knowing that the other man was right. Itachi had connections, probably more than they were even aware. They walked back to the two men that were waiting for them. "I'm going to the scene Detective Watanabe will stay here and interview you two," Detective Sato informs them. "Just standard protocol, you know."

Itachi just chuckled, "If you think I'd kill someone who might have knowledge of where Sasuke might be, you're out of your mind."

Detective Sato left, leaving Detective Watanabe with the two men. "Let's get this over with," the detective mumbled. "You wait here," he said to Naruto. "You come with me," he turned to Itachi, leading him down a hallway to an interrogation room. "This is just an interview, but it will be recorded and you do have the right to have your lawyer present."

"I know my rights," Itachi assured him. "Tell me, are you going to be as incompetent on this case as you are with my brothers?" he asked. "They're clearly connected, you know, Orochimaru tying up his loose strings."

"What makes you say that?" the detective asked.

"I know you aren't that dense," Itachi shook his head. "This is classic behavior for men like him, once someone isn't needed they get discarded. I can assure you, this won't be the only body to drop along the way if you don't solve this."

"Is that a threat, sir?" he asked.

"Are you asking if I plan to kill anyone?" Itachi leaned forward. "I plan to find my brother and anyone that has information on where he is is valuable to me. So, no, I don't plan on killing anyone. Now whether everyone handling this case keeps their job, that's questionable with the rate this is going."

"This is very inappropriate, sir," the detective told him.

"Listen carefully, I'm watching you and I don't trust you. I'll be having a talk with your Chief tomorrow, we already have an appointment scheduled and I'm going to make it very clear to him as I am to you now, if you don't have anything by the end of the week, I will get it reassigned to someone I trust."

"You can't do that," the detective shook his head.

"Are you sure about that?" Itachi asked. "Tell me, are you a native to the city?" he asked.

"Yes, what does that have to do with anything?" the detective responded.

"Then I'm sure that you think you know who I am and what I do," Itachi sat back in his chair. "But you don't know half of it," he told him. "You're scared of Orochimaru when really you should be scared of me," he told him. "I won't do anything physical to you, but I can ruin your entire career. I can and will expose you for corruption and get you thrown in jail. Cops don't do well in jail and trust me when I say, Orochimaru isn't going to help you when you're in there. He won't be associated with a cop."

"You remember you're on tape, right?" the police offer reminded him.

"Did I say anything illegal?" Itachi asked. "I merely said I'd talk to your boss and expose your corruption. If that's threatening to you, then I'm assuming you have something to hide," he sat up straight. "I'm merely giving you a warning so you know to expect a discussion with your boss tomorrow. Really, I'm being nice by not making it a surprise. You have time to get your priorities straight," he told him. "Almost a week to be exact."

"The week is almost over," he replied, suddenly nervous about what would happen after that week.

"If you do your job correctly these next couple of days, then it shouldn't matter. If you're following correct procedure and talking to everyone you need to talk to, following every lead, then you should have nothing to worry about. If you aren't in Orochimaru's pocket, then a government investigation shouldn't scare you. But it does, doesn't it? Because you are in his pocket. But I'm a kind man, I'll give you a chance to change your side, show you aren't corrupt."

"Government investigation?" he questioned nervously.

"Yes, I'll get this to be federal if I have to. I will have the entire department investigated and corruption will be exposed. Do not underestimate me Detective Watanabe," he warned.

The detective took a deep breath, "I'm not corrupt."

"Then I look forward to the progress you'll be making on my brother's case," he held his head high. He wasn't going to let the case fall apart because of two detectives working for Orochimaru. "Please, pass on my sentiment to your partner. I'm sure he'll be interested as well."

"We really should get back to this interview," Detective Watanabe redirected the conversation.

"What more is there to say?" Itachi asked. "I don't know where Soma was hiding, but I am guessing that's his blood on the paper found on Naruto and Sasuke's door. Anyone that knows Orochimaru can clearly see it's him on the security camera, he looks right at it. His eyes are unique, I'm not quite sure how he got them to be permanently golden, but they are and you can see them in that video. Of course he wore a mask so you could have some way to deny that you can tell who it is, but we both know who it is. Don't we? We didn't need a video to know who's behind it all."

"How are you so sure it's Soma's blood?" he asked, trying to do as his partner said and find some way to twist Itachi's words.

"Well, it'd send a message wouldn't it? One that says he's not worried about getting his hands dirty," he responded. "It was meant to taunt Naruto, but it's also a message to you and your partner. A message that you're disposable to him and that'll happen to you too if you don't do what he says. That's why you're trying to push the blame on me and Naruto," he deduced. He smirked at the look of surprise on the detective's face, "Do you think I don't know what you're trying to do here?"

"You seem to know a lot about how criminals think," the detective responded, ignoring the question.

"It's basic psychology," Itachi shook his head. "Do they not teach about this stuff when you become a detective? If not, then I really need to talk to your Chief about how you're being trained. You aren't even asking the right questions. You haven't asked me the most basic question of where I was last night."

"Well, where were you last night?" he asked.

"I was at the office until about nine, then I went home. You're welcome to look at both security footages. This morning I went to Naruto and Sasuke's before coming here, again you can check the security footage," he responded. "All I really do is go to the office and home, whatever the time of death is, I'll be able to account for my whereabouts. I take security very seriously," he told him.

"Of course you do," the detective responded. "And what about Naruto, would he kill?"

"I'm not sure Naruto could even kill a fly," Itachi told him. "He certainly isn't dumb enough to kill someone that might know where Sasuke is without getting a location first and if we had his location we certainly wouldn't be here with you."

"Any of your friends willing to kill?" he asked.

"What friends?" Itachi asked. "Work and family are my life. I go out with Kurama, Naruto's brother, some times, but he isn't a killer. He knows how important it is to both me and Naruto to find my brother. My ex certainly wouldn't kill for me, we didn't end on the best of terms. Other than that, I just have business associates and who kills for a business partner?" he explained nonchalantly.

"Something tells me you have some associates that would," the detective argued.

"I can't think of any," Itachi told him. "Even if I did know people that are capable, they would not do it without getting me the location of my brother," he added. He gave him a look that made it clear he wasn't one to be messed with. "Are we done here?" he asked.

The detective escorted him out of the room to get Naruto. Itachi looked at the blond, "If you don't feel comfortable talking to him, I can call the family lawyer."

Naruto shook his head, "I have nothing to hide." Itachi nodded in response as the blond followed the detective into the same room they were just in.

"Are you going to be as confrontational as him?" the detective asked.

"Depends, are you doing anything to find my fiancé?" he retorted as he sat across from he detective.

"I'll take that as a yes," the man sighed. "If you're going to threaten my job, just get it out of the way now."

"Threaten your job?" Naruto laughed. "I leave those kinds of things to Itachi. I didn't grow up knowing future senators and what not," he shrugged. "I was just the poor kid who when to a school with a bunch of rich kids."

"Future senators?" he asked.

"The Uchihas are quite the force to be reckoned with," Naruto told him. "I'm pretty sure he could get the president on the line if he needed to."

The detective shifted uncomfortably, "Of course. How could I forget?"

"That's a great question actually," he responded. "How could you forget that this is perhaps the biggest case of your career? You don't get this, you'll probably never get promoted. Hell, they might even move you to desk duty, if you aren't fired for corruption."

"You don't even have the Uchiha name, why are you so cocky?" he asked. "I understand Itachi, but you, you're no one."

"This no one made Sasuke Uchiha fall in love with him to the point we're getting married, I'm sure you know that I've referred to him as my fiancé multiple times. I may not be an Uchiha by blood, but they see me as family and I will be by marriage one day if you do your job and find Sasuke," he reminded him. "I see how Orochimaru manipulated you."

"Excuse me? I don't work for Orochimaru," the detective denied.

"Of course you don't," Naruto rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, your partner is the brains of this operation, you're just the puppet that got pulled in by association."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the detective shifted in his seat.

"Aren't you going to tell me my rights, officer? If you want to try to frame me for this you should at least make sure it's usable in Court," he crossed his arms.

The detective clenched his jaw, "You have the right to an attorney, would you like to have one present?"

"No," Naruto declined

"You have the right to remain silent, would you still like to talk to me?" he asked.

"Yes," he accepted. "Do you really want to talk to me though? We both know that I didn't do this," he told him, staring him directly in the eyes.

"And how would I know that? I wasn't there when he was killed," the detective responded.

"I would hope not," Naruto relaxed in his seat. "But we both know Orochimaru or one of his guys was there and did this. Do you think the general population is that stupid that they'd believe me or Itachi would do this?" he asked. "Tell me, how do you plan to turn this on us? I'm assuming Itachi didn't say anything or you wouldn't be interviewing me. You saved me for second because you think I'm the weak link and will say something stupid," he deduced. "I have nothing to hide. I just want Sasuke's disappearance solved and for the people responsible to rot in jail."

The detective's phone rang, his partner calling. "We're done here, but don't leave town. We'll want to talk again."

"Like I'd leave town while there is an ongoing investigation to find my fiancé," Naruto scoffed as he got up. "Have fun talking to your partner," he walked out.

Detective Watanabe sighed as he answered the phone, "How's it going there?"

"I can't do anything, there are people taking photos everywhere and the scene has been pretty throughly processed. How'd it go there?" he asked.

"Nothing we can use against them," he told him as he walked out of the room and made his way outside to ensure now cameras would be able pick up what he was saying. "Look, I think Itachi is pretty serious about us potentially losing our jobs," he told him. "He's talking about getting federal investigation going."

"He can't do that," Detective Sato laughed.

"He seemed pretty confident that he could," he responded, concerned about his future in the force. "Naruto also helpfully pointed out that with the media on this now, this is the biggest case of our careers. We may never get promoted in the force if we don't solve this," he told him nervously.

"We'll talk about this more tomorrow after Itachi talks to the Chief," Detective Sato told him. "Then we'll have a better feel for how much he actually can do."

NS (TW: Violence - tried not to make it too graphic, psychological torture)

Orochimaru smirked at the younger man in front of him. Sasuke tried to move away as he ran his fingers along the bruises on his back, but the bindings prevented him from going anywhere. "This color has always looked so good against your skin."

"Fuck you," Sasuke growled.

Orochimaru grabbed him by the hair, "Is that a request."

"Don't fucking touch me," Sasuke hissed, refusing to back down. He wasn't going to let Orochimaru break him.

The older man chuckled, "Still so feisty, we'll break you of that." He threw Sasuke down to the ground.

Sasuke grunted as he hit the floor, unable to break his fall. He was pretty sure that he had at least a concussion, "If you're going to kill me, just do it already."

"What would be the fun in that?" Orochimaru asked as he walked over to the box across the room. "I paid a visit to Naruto last night," he taunted. "Left him a nice little present to commemorate Soma's death."

"Leave Naruto out of this," he demanded. "He has nothing to do with this."

"On the contrary, he has everything to do with this," Orochimaru told him. "You were never so defiant. You would take a beating like a good boy, now you've got this mouth on you." He pulled out a gag from the box, "I'd use this, but I like to hear you scream." He tossed it back in the box, grabbing out a knife, "This should do the trick."

Orochimaru kicked Sasuke so that he was laying on his back, making him wince in pain. He held the knife to Sasuke's throat. "Do it," he said, practically daring him to kill him. "Get it over with." He knew the man wouldn't kill him just yet and his attitude was probably only making it worse. Sasuke didn't really want to die, he wanted to get back to Naruto, but part of him wondered if Naruto would still want him after all of this. He was trying to hide it, but he was breaking a little on the inside. He wouldn't let Orochimaru see how much it truly affected him, but he knew that even if he did survive he may never be the same.

"It would only take one cut," Orochimaru responded as he ran the knife down Sasuke's throat. He didn't put enough pressure to puncture the skin, just enough so that he could feel the tip of the blade move against it. "Or a cut here," he said as he ran it across his leg where the femoral artery was. "This one might take a little longer than the neck," he told him. "Or I could stab you here," he said as he placed the knife above the skin where Sasuke's lung was, "How long you think you'd live?"

Sasuke tried not to show the fear in his eyes. He knew what Orochimaru was doing, he was trying to hurt him mentally. He wanted him to break before his eyes. He got off on the fear he instilled.

"If I cut here," he place his knife away from all major arteries and organs, "It'll hurt, but the good doctor will be able to patch you up."

Sasuke didn't get a chance to say anything before the knife dug into his skin. True to his word, he didn't cut him anywhere that would kill him before the doctor could stitch him up, nor did he do enough cuts that would cause too much blood loss. They were small, but painful. "Do you think Naruto would still love you with all these scars?" he asked with a smirk.

He set down the knife, grabbing Sasuke by the throat, "I don't think he will." He took pleasure watching Sasuke try to grasp for air, before releasing him. "This has been fun," he grinned before calling the doctor in.

Sasuke didn't even bother saying anything to the doctor, knowing his pleas would fall on deaf ears. He let the doctor stitch his wounds. "I tried my best so they wouldn't scar, but I don't have anything that will help the healing," the doctor told him. He frowned as he left when Sasuke didn't say anything in response. He wished he could help the man, but he couldn't risk his family. "I'm sorry," he said as he shut the door.