Chapter Twenty Five

Hospitality

Sakura had to be honest – she wasn't expecting this. Everything about today seemed so utterly bizarre she was sure she was about to wake up with the remains of a bad piece of sushi in her hand. From being hauled over a motorcycle like a sack of potatoes and tearing away from where Itachi had presumably lay bleeding, to finding herself here... wherever here was.

The air smelled, for lack of a better word, expensive. The chair beneath her was plump with cushions, and the room itself was pleasantly warm. Sakura felt as though she had been brought on a trip to a spa rather than having just been kidnapped.

No matter how pleasant her surroundings however, Sakura was still petrified. Whoever these people were they had shot a man and she was here without Metsuki or even her cane to help guide her way. In fact her bag had been lost in the confusion and all Sakura had were the clothes on her back.

Sakura sat very still on the chair. She could not be sure but she thought there was someone in the room with her. If so then they were very disciplined, not even the slightest rustle of clothing reached her ears. The room as a whole was very quiet in fact, the only noises clear to Sakura's ears were the gentle crackle of the fire and her own elevated breathing.

She took a deep breath in through the nose and held it for a moment before releasing it. She wouldn't get anywhere by panicking. She tried to rationalise things – yes, she had been abducted and yes she was completely without any form of guidance, but had she been hurt? No. In fact she had been treated with surprising care and Sakura decided to take this as a sign that whoever had taken her had better uses for her than just hurting her.

Sakura was contemplating the idea of speaking aloud, on the off chance whoever was in the room with her would answer. Before she could decide however, she heard the click of the door turning, and the soft tap of shoes hitting the hardwood floor in measured strides sounded out.

Her hands instinctively tightened on the arms of her chair as she felt the air stir as someone moved past her. The person soon returned and there was a muffled thump as they set down what Sakura guessed to be another chair. She heard the rustle of clothes as the person settled in front of her, and she could tell they were close enough to reach out and grab her.

Her skin prickled uncomfortably.

"You've caused me quite a few problems."

The voice almost made her jump, a cold feeling settling in her stomach. She knew that voice and all her suspicions were confirmed in one disturbing moment.

"Orochimaru."

"Very good. Now I see how you pinpointed Kabuto as a suspect. I suppose it must be useful at times to have others underestimate you – they become careless."

Sakura clenched her hands and swallowed the lump in her throat. "What do you want?"

"Want? Not much my dear. Perhaps the millions upon millions in investments that were due to my company. The reputation I have spent years cultivating. Those would be nice to have returned to me."

"That isn't my fault." She protested.

"Oh it isn't? Trust me when I tell you that the prosthetics we used to disguise Kabuto were perfect. The most advance facial recognition software wouldn't have been able to pinpoint him as the same man. No evidence was left to link me to the scene and all records between myself and Rin Rikei were carefully eradicated. And of course the one time Kabuto ventures out in to public you had to be there, which of course meant there was a police officer there."

"With all that planning it seems foolish that you would do nothing to disguise Kabuto's voice." Sakura spat.

"Most people do not pay so much attention to things they can't see. It would likely have never happened that someone would connect the voice on the tape to his. And if you hadn't-"

"It still isn't my fault. You killed a man for money, he knew that your work was dangerous and wrong. People would have died just so you could make money!"

"And the people who would have benefitted from my drugs? I was so close to a breakthrough, to regenerating damaged cells. People who would have been given a new lease of life? Perhaps you, Sakura, might have found that your damaged eyes could have been healed, the tissue reformed."

"Nothing is worth that! Everyone you had tested on died as a result of your drugs. Even if you had got it to work perfectly, the cost of human life can't be bartered for a younger looking body or regrown cells!"

"Some would disagree with you."

"Not many. Trust me. You were even planning on selling your failed attempts as weapons."

"You are well informed. I'm curious. Would you be so sure in your convictions if it meant that if my drugs meant you would be able to see your precious Sasuke-kun, or any children you may have in the future?"

Sakura lowered her head. "I don't need fixing. And I would never accept anything that you advocated."

Orochimaru laughed darkly. "Such a pure heart. It almost seems a shame to kill you."

Sakura's blood froze in her veins. "Is that your plan then? Revenge?"

"I'm not that short-sighted. The Konoha police have me cornered. I cannot fly from anywhere on this continent without being spotted. With you I have a way to barter my way out."

"And where you will go then? There will be police waiting wherever you land."

"You are shockingly naive. Some people live outside of the law, powerful men who coincidentally have a great interest in my research… well the research that went wrong at least. I will be well protected by them. You may have destroyed my ability to walk in the light but I can still thrive in the shadows."

"I don't doubt that for a second."

Orochimaru hummed thoughtfully. "You impress me. I would have expected you to be begging for mercy by now."

Sakura wondered if he could see the tremble that was making its way through her body or the way she was clenching her jaw to stop her teeth from chattering. "I'm sure you did."

"Well we will see how brave you are when the time comes to kill you. Once I have made it away from Konoha I will have no need for you. You will be dead before dear Sasuke-kun can find you."

Sakura kept her face emotionless as Orochimaru stood, the air disturbed once more as he his chair legs scrapped across the wood.

"Come Sakon, let's leave our guest in private."

Sakura waited until she heard the door close before she allowed the first tears to spill over her cheeks.

"He's made it too easy. If he wanted to disappear he'd have no trouble."

"That's the point, he doesn't want to just disappear... not until he's got his money at least."

"Still," Naruto grumbled. "It stinks of a trap."

Kakashi kept quiet but was actually in agreement with Naruto. They were in the locker rooms shrugging on Kevlar vests and KPD-issued navy flak jackets. Their guns were checked and holstered and Kakashi looked around at the others in the room. They were a good bunch, all having worked with Kakashi on special missions before.

Naruto was pouting that he wasn't suiting up with them but the young man had not yet completed his training for such situations, same for Sasuke. Speaking of which –

Kakashi was just adjusting the radio in his ear when the Uchiha stalked in to the room, a serious look on his face, and yanked open his locker. He reached in for his jacket when Kakashi caught his wrist.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" Sasuke grunted.

"It looks like you're planning on coming with us."

"And?"

"You're not."

Sasuke opened his mouth to protest but Kakashi shook his head firmly. "You haven't finished your special ops training Sasuke. This isn't going to be like your regular investigation. Kidnapping, hostages... and besides..." He trailed off and Sasuke glared.

"Besides what?"

"You're too involved." Kakashi said simply.

"Involved!?"

"Yes. You're worried about Sakura and that's fine, you have every right to be but it won't help her if you let your emotions rule your head. The last thing we'd need is you making a target of yourself."

"Like hell I'm staying here. My brother has been shot and my girlfriend has been kidnapped!"

"No arguments, Sasuke." Kakashi's voice was sharp and held no room for complaints. He pointed at Naruto. "Naruto is staying behind too. You can both keep an eye on things from here but you are not stepping foot outside these doors until we return with Sakura. Do I make myself clear?"

Sasuke glared and did not reply, choosing instead to slam the locker door so hard that the metal bent and it bounced off the lock, swinging back outwards, crashing against the locker next to it with a loud bang.

He cleared the room in three angry strides and was gone from sight.

Naruto looked at Kakashi pleadingly but the silver-haired officer gave him a flat stare. Naruto frowned and followed after Sasuke slowly, mumbling curses under his breath as he went. He would be lucky to come back with all his body parts – Sasuke was looking for someone to chew up and spit back out.

Naruto stood next to Sasuke in his office, both of them staring out of the window at the plaza below. They could see the procession of sleek, black vehicles emerge from KPD's underground garage and up in to the sunlight. They watched the cars pull away in to the busy streets and out of sight.

Naruto folded his arms behind his head and glanced up at Sasuke. "So?"

Sasuke grunted.

"Oh come on! I know you, Teme, and I know there's no way you're going to sit here like a good boy."

Sasuke turned from the window silently and walked over to his desk.

Naruto watched in confusion. "You aren't just going to sit here… are you?"

Sasuke looked up at him then, his eyes dangerous. "Like hell."

His hands went to the badge at his waist and he slipped it off his belt, throwing it on to the desk. Naruto watched silently. "They can forbid me to go as an officer, but not as myself."

"They'll probably strike you off the force for this."

"I don't care." With that, Sasuke grabbed his shoulder holster from his desk draw and shrugged it on, pulling his suit jacket on afterwards to cover the weapon. He nodded at Naruto and left the room with purposeful strides.

The rest of the floor seemed engrossed in their own tasks and no one spared Sasuke a second glance. He was on the landing, deciding to bypass the lifts for the stairs when he heard Naruto's voice.

"Hey Teme!"

Sasuke stopped and turned around, his eyes flicking to Naruto's waist and the suspicious lack of a badge.

Naruto grinned at him. "Not going to let you have all the fun! Besides, I want Sakura-chan back safe too... and you'd totally get killed if I wasn't there to save you."

Sasuke's lips twitched minutely. "Tch, Dobe."

Naruto punched his shoulder and the two men fell in to step with one another.

"I do believe that is my pay check." Orochimaru's voice was pleasant, just bordering on smug.

Sakura could hear the low rumble of multiple engines as cars pulled in nearby. The gun pressed in to her side kept her quiet however.

"Ah so close, but not enough it seems."

Sakura gritted her teeth. If only she could reach the door handle.

They were in a plush car, the leather seats like butter under Sakura's tired body. From what she had managed to pick up, Orochimaru had several cars – no reason for the police to know which one he was in – and the money would be left clear from any police officers.

"How I wish you could see this, Sakura. It doesn't look like dear Sasuke-kun has joined us, but Hatake-san is here."

Sakura stiffened. She did not want Kakashi – any of the KPD officers – to be hurt trying to get her back.

"Orochimaru." Kakashi's voice sounded, amplified by a loud-hailer and Sakura grasped on to the sound of his voice greedily – she was already making memories it seemed. "We have the money you requested and the promise you will not be followed."

Orochimaru chuckled "Of course I won't. Kabuto." He raised his voice just a little to the man in the front seat. "Give them what they came for."

Kakashi stood at the meeting place, feeling distinctly uneasy. The space was wide and open, with a flyover to the east and disused warehouses to the west. His sharp eyes spotted four nondescript black cars spread around the space.

Two were a short way from him in the lot, the third at the only other exit to the area, ensuring the police didn't block them in. The fourth was parked on the flyover above. Kakashi would bet that that vehicle contained Orochimaru himself – the man was no fool. All in all Kakashi felt completely boxed in and he didn't like it. A shrill ringing broke the silence and he lowered the loud-hailer in his hand, looking around for the source of the noise.

"Hey." Genma muttered from a short distance behind him. "The oil drum."

Kakashi glanced to his side saw a rusted metal barrel, and on top was a sleek silver phone, the screen lit up with an incoming call. Kakashi narrowed his eyes, not liking the set up, but approached nonetheless. He withdrew a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to pick up the phone. He brought it to his ear and connected the call.

"Good afternoon Hatake –san."

The voice was familiar to Kakashi who had gone over the restaurant tapes many times. "Kabuto I presume?"

"Yes, although I suppose I should say that I wish we were speaking on better terms." Kakashi gritted his teeth and declined to reply. Kabuto laughed lowly and continued. "Orochimaru-sama has the girl with him. She is unharmed. Do you have the money?"

"Yes but I want to speak to her."

Kabuto was silent for a moment before replying. "Fair enough."

There was the sound of movement as the phone was passed through the air and Kakashi heard ragged breathing.

"Sakura?"

"Kakashi!"

The girl sounded close to tears but Kakashi smiled at hearing her voice. "Good to hear your voice, Kiddo. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine but don't trust them, they-"

Her voice cut off suddenly and Kabuto's voice was on the line once more. "That should be enough to convince you she is alive and well. Now, the trade off."

"I have the money."

"Good. You will place it in the middle of the lot and then retreat back to your cars. I want all officers on their knees with their hands in the air. When we are satisfied we have the money we will let Haruno-san out of the car."

"You are asking for a lot."

"Yes, but unfortunately it is you that has a lot to lose."

Kakashi knew he was right. He held a hand out and motioned for Genma and Asuma to place the black bags full of money in the centre of the area.

"Good." Kabuto said when the money was where he wanted it. "Now back away and on your knees."

Kakashi glared but backed away, giving instructions to the others when he reached them. None of the officers were happy to be so exposed but did as commanded, dropping to their knees, their empty hands in the air.

Kakashi's right hand still held the phone to his ear and he kept it there as he watched the doors to one of the nearest cars open and two men climb out. They were masked and impossible to identify as they collected the money returned to the car.

Kakashi heard a phone ring on Kabuto's side and the man answered the phone with a clicked. There was silence as Kabuto listened to what they hand to say and a snap as he closed the phone.

"Well, everything seems in order. Thank you Hatake-san, this concludes our transfer."

The three cars in the lot began pulling out and Kakashi's voice became angered.

"What about Sakura?"

"Of course, how foolish of me." The sound of car doors opening above had the police officers' gazes move to the flyover. The back door of the fourth car opened and another masked man climbed out, this time however he was dragging a smaller figure.

Kakashi's eyes widened at the feminine form, hands bound behind her back, and a black cloth bag over her face. Kakashi could hear her muffled cries from here he was knelt.

"Orochimaru-sama thanks you for your cooperation, Hatake-san." Kabuto's voice drifted out of the phone still held in Kakashi's hand. "Have a nice day." With that the line disconnected and the man on the bridge above gave Sakura a harsh push.

Kakashi was on his feet in a flash, rushing towards the bridge even as Sakura's form toppled over the railing. He had not even cleared half of the parking lot however, when her body hit the hard floor below.

Well add this to the group of chapters that have been written for a literal decade! I was going to be nice and post the rest along with the above chapter, but honestly this was just the perfect place to cut it. Sorry (but not really!).