Echoes

Chapter Eight

Three's Company

Sasuke's lips hovered centimetres above Sakura's, close (soveryveryclose) to making contact. He inclined his head a fraction more and...

Metsuki barked loudly, startling both Sasuke and Sakura. Cursing loudly, Sasuke's ears picked up on the sound of impatient knocking coming from his front door. Realising the cause of Metsuki's alarm, Sasuke stepped away from Sakura, sparing a glance at her suspiciously pink cheeks, and moved to answer the door.

"Took you long enough, Teme!"

In that instant, Sasuke could say without doubt that he could have murdered Naruto without feeling the slightest shred of remorse or guilt. The distant sound of the bathroom door clicking shut upstairs reached Sasuke's ears and his eye twitched.

"What are you doing here?"

Naruto tutted and pushed past Sasuke, moving towards the kitchen. "So rude, Sasuke. What would Mikoto say?"

"Hopefully she'd tell me to give you a good smack," Sasuke muttered, following after his friend.

Naruto sat himself at the kitchen counter, placing the envelope he carried down with relish. As much as Sasuke would deny it, Naruto could be observant and astute when the need called for it, and the blonde man eyed the two tea cups sat on the counter curiously.

"Got company?"

Sasuke glared, feeling most put out by his partner's presence. "Didn't Kakashi tell you?"

Naruto crossed his arms behind his head. "Nope, didn't see him today. I picked up that," he nodded towards the envelope, "from my pigeon-hole when I dropped in to the office."

"Well will wonders never cease?" Sasuke grumbled sarcastically.

"So who's been here?" Naruto leaned forward conspiratorially.

Sasuke was saved answering by the sound of six feet padding down the stairs. It was quite comical to see Naruto's eyebrows shoot up into his hairline as Sakura entered the kitchen. Her hair was damp from the shower and she was dressed in a pair of light blue pyjamas that were comically patterned with images of flying toast.

Metsuki eyed Naruto with apparent curiosity as he led Sakura in to the room.

"Everything okay?" Sasuke asked lightly.

Sakura smiled, sliding on to a bar stool opposite him and right next to Naruto. "Yes. I found the shampoo in the end." She blushed, turning her face away slightly.

"Hey!" Naruto erupted suddenly causing Sakura to jump, her face a picture of startled alarm.

Sasuke wished that Naruto was in hitting range.

Before Naruto could continue to express his confusion, Sasuke interrupted for Sakura's benefit.

"Sakura, this is my partner, Naruto Uzumaki. He's a loud-mouthed idiot but perfectly harmless."

Sakura shifted minutely away from the direction of Naruto's voice and the blonde detective seemed to realise that he had scared her.

"Sorry, Sakura-chan. I just wasn't expecting you to be here... at Sasuke's house."

Sakura relaxed slightly and nodded. "Well, Sasuke has been very kind to me."

Naruto snorted in disbelief and Sasuke kicked him beneath the counter, causing the other man to yelp in pain.

"What was it that you need, Naruto?"

Naruto grumbled lowly, reaching down to rub his shin, and nodded towards the envelope on the counter. "It's the CD we took from the restaurant. Kakashi wants us to listen to the suspect's phone call again and try and draft some ideas on it ASAP."

Sasuke shook the envelope, catching the CD as it fell out. "Do you mind if we work on this, Sakura?"

The woman shook her head and smiled, reaching for her tepid tea.

Sasuke grabbed his laptop from the kitchen table and brought back to the counter. He rifled through a drawer for a moment before finding a notepad and pen and settled next to Sakura.

"Do you want me to leave?" Sakura had grown up with a soldier for a father, and sometimes she had not been allowed to sit in on meetings. She thought that the KPD would have their need for secrecy too.

"No, it's fine."

"Yeah! Stay and keep us company, Sakura-chan."

Sakura smiled at Naruto, her feelings of wariness melting away under his sunny disposition. She wrapped her hands around the tea Sasuke had given her, letting the heat remove the last traces of dampness from her hands. She listened to Sasuke messing with something for a moment – the pop of a disk drive as it opened and the snap of a CD being placed in it. The disk drive whirled as it loaded the CD, but soon the three people were listening to the telephone calls that had come through the restaurant on the day of the murder.

"We don't need to listen to the morning calls, can't we skip to when the when the suspect called in?"

"They didn't tell me when that comes on the disk, Teme." Naruto grumbled. "It won't hurt to listen through the whole thing –we might pick up something useful."

Sasuke sighed heavily, moving to sit down next to Sakura, but didn't argue with his partner. As it turned out, there was nothing of value in the telephone calls.

They listened to Hotaka take calls from suppliers, occasionally calling for the head chef to help him finalise orders. Every now and then a particularly important customer would ring him directly to book a table, rather than placing the call with the front desk.

Naruto's fingers drummed on the counter top impatiently and Sakura began to get to know Naruto – the man could not stay still! The rustle of his clothes, the heavy breath of air as his patience ran thin. It was a striking contrast to Sasuke, who was sometimes so quiet, Sakura had trouble keeping him on her radar. In the end, the boisterous man moved from the counter and settled himself on the floor near Sakura's feet, and showered Metsuki with attention.

Sakura smiled as she head Naruto baby-talking with the Lab, an innocence in him that she wouldn't have guessed someone in his profession could have.

"Yuudai Hotaka speaking"

"Ah, Hotaka-san, san, my name is Osamu Takeshi."

Sasuke sat forward and Naruto jumped from the floor, startling both Sakura and Metsuki.

The voice on the recording continued. "I work at the temp agency with Saborou Shin. Unfortunately Shin has come down with a sudden illness and will be unable to make it in to work tonight."

"What!" Hotaka's voice rose. "It's half an hour until his shift starts, why is he not telling me this himself?"

"Shin is unable to get to the phone, I'm afraid."

Sasuke glared at the computer currently broadcasting the noise. He would bet that this 'Takeshi' was Shin's murderer. To speak of it so casually...

"Well you tell Shin that tonight is a very important night for the Jade Leaf, and that if he isn't dead the he's going to be here."

"Ah, Hotaka-san, perhaps I could suggest a better course of action? I could always fill in for Shin. As I said, we work at the same temp agency."

"No can do. I need all the paperwork doing and to see your credentials before I can let you in the kitchen – insurance won't cover it else."

" I understand... although..."

The voice trailed off and Hotaka's gruff one prompted him. "Although, what?"

"I could always come in for Shin, and we can sort out the details with the agency tomorrow. If there's a need to claim insurance tonight, it will be like I was never there."

Hotaka hesitated for a long moment and Takeshi spoke once more.

"You did say tonight would be important."

"Dammit. Okay, kid. Be here in twenty minutes and you've got the gig. If anything happens though, we never had this conversation."

"Yes, Hotaka-san."

The call cut off after that, and Hotaka apparently had no more calls directed to his office because the CD came to a stop.

The kitchen remained silent, Sasuke and Naruto frowning at each other, Sakura swirling her tea nervously.

"Hotaka is a greedy idiot." Sasuke said bluntly.

"Yeah, no wonder he was reluctant to hand over the disk... looks bad on him that two people are now dead because he broke the rules."

"So we've got the voice and a disguised face... not much to go on, is it?" Sasuke shook his head and looked at Sakura. He nudged her gently and got her attention. "You okay?"

Sakura frowned deeply. "That man on the phone had just killed someone, right?"

"We think so, yes."

"And he could talk so casually about it?" Sakura shivered. She wasn't a fool, she knew first-hand that the world was full of horrible people, but that must have been the first time she had heard someone talk so casually about someone they had just killed. "I don't know how you two do this all the time."

"We catch the bad guys, Sakura-chan." Naruto said brightly. "That's what keeps us going."

Sakura smiled at him and nodded. "So what will you do now?"

"I think a sweep of the temp agencies. I don't think this Takeshi would have actually registered at one, but maybe he enquired some in to which agencies temped for the Jade Leaf. He would have had to pick a victim from those on the rota to work that night."

"Good idea. I'll check with the restaurant if they use any other agencies. When I get the final list of who works for who, we can hit the agencies and see if they remember anything." Naruto stood from his position leaning against the counter and stretched. "I'll catch you pair later."

Sakura bade him a quiet farewell, and listened as the front door opened and closed. "Sure you're fine?"

Sakura nodded her head. "Yeah just thinking."

Sasuke frowned at her uneasy expression and cast his mind around for something to break the tension. "Well, you know what I think?"

"What?"

"Those are some really weird pyjamas."

Sakura laughed at Sasuke's comment. "Guess it's lucky I don't have to look at them then. They're soft though, which is the main thing."

"You like soft things then?"

"Doesn't everyone?" Sakura sat up straight. "Or do you sleep on a bed of nails?"

Sasuke's voice was lined with amusement. "I usually just sleep hanging from the rafters."

"Oh, I can imagine that." Sakura deadpanned. She returned Sasuke's earlier nudge. "So what do you like?"

"Like what?"

"Anything. You must like some things, right?"

Sasuke let his gaze trail over her face and huffed out a faux-annoyed breath. "I suppose." He paused. "I like tomatoes."

"Tomatoes?"

"Yeah, tomatoes and onigiri."

"What food do you not like?"

"Sweet things."

"You were an odd child weren't you?"

Sasuke couldn't find it in him to be affronted. "What about you? So far I know you don't like spicy things, but what foods would be on your lists?"

"I like syrup-coated anko dumplings, umeboshi and anmitsu."

"Tooth decay is common for you, isn't it?"

Sakura tutted at him teasingly and hopped off the barstool. "Would you mind if I went and had a nap? I know I've been sleeping a lot at the hospital but I-"

Sasuke placed his finger on her lips and Sakura jumped, not having realised he was so close. "It's fine. Come on, I'll show you around the room."

Sakura soon found herself curled up on one of Sasuke's spare beds (soft, she had teased him), with Metsuki on the floor next to her. She let her hand hang off the bed and play with her companion's ears. It had been an odd couple of days. A mixture of terror and comfort.

She breathed in the scent of the pillow deeply. It didn't hold Sasuke's scent, but she could detect the washing powder that he used on his clothes. It was good enough, she supposed, and let herself drift off, feeling secure and dare she say… happy.

Sasuke was sat on the floor of his living room, case file spread around him, when he heard movement upstairs. "Sasuke?" Sakura called his name, a yawn in her voice, was on the stairs. "In here," he called out, knowing Metsuki would lead the way.

Sakura made her way in to the living room, allowing Metsuki to guide her to the sofa. Sasuke watched her as she got settled.

"Good nap?" He asked.

Sakura's head titled to the side, and her head moved down a little. "Yeah, amazing. Why are you on the floor?"

Sasuke huffed out a breath of amusement. "I'm looking through the case files, trying to make sure we haven't missed anything. Still waiting on Naruto to get the list of agencies."

Sakura slid from the sofa and settled across from him, legs folded beneath her. Metsuki lay his head on her lap and she stroked him automatically. "How did you meet Naruto?"

Sasuke was surprised. "Why do you ask?"

Sakura shrugged. "I just wondered. You seem like complete opposites."

Sasuke scoffed lightly. "Well we are that." He stared at Sakura, measuring his next words. "I met him in high school. He was always getting in to trouble, pulling pranks and on constant danger of flunking out."

"And you weren't like that?"

"I wasn't even friends with him back then really, we didn't keep the same group. I preferred my own company. Spent most of my time studying up on business law at my father's request."

He eyed Sakura's puzzled expression. "My father always expected me to join his business. He's been teaching me and my older brother how to run the business our whole lives. My brother, Itachi, graduated from university when I was sixteen and went straight to work for our father."

"You said earlier that you didn't want that, right?"

"No. I was prepared to do what was expected of me though, even if it wasn't what I wanted. I think I would have ended up in the offices by now if it wasn't for Naruto."

"What happened?

"We got in to a fight."

"Huh?"

Sasuke smirked at the memory. "Like I said, he's an idiot. One day he found out we were having a sub for maths. He stole a bucket from the janitor's closet and set it up over the door."

Sakura's face was breaking in to a smile now, apparently seeing where this was going.

"I just so happened to be running late that day and got there as the bell went. Turns out I was still earlier than the teacher, because I was the one who got soaked when I opened the door. Naruto stood there laughing and I lunged for him. By the time the sub came in we were beating each other black and blue."

Sakura laughed openly now. "What happened?"

"Detention for a month. We had to take it together. My father was furious, I'd never been introuble before... my brother never did anything so stupid." He paused, aware of the bitterness threatening to creep in to his voice. "Maybe it was because I was angry with my father, but when I started to get to know Naruto during detention and I saw how focused he was on his dreams, it made me think about what I wanted too."

"Policing?"

"Yeah. Like I said, I went to uni and studied criminology and then applied for KPD. First day there we get put in to two-man squads under a CO and I find out Naruto had enrolled too... he hadn't told me that he was joining so it was a surprise when we were shoved together on the first day."

"So you've been partners ever since?"

"Yes. And Kakashi has always been the one who makes sure we don't kill one another."

They talked about Sasuke's life then, about the first case Naruto and he had ever had (bringing to justice a loan shark who was terrorizing an old man named Tazuna), and about how Kakashi and Naruto never failed to drive him crazy. It was odd for Sasuke, talking so freely. Though he had good friends in Naruto and the gang, he had never really been one to share his feelings. He supposed it had something to do with how stoically his father had seemed as a child.

It was... nice though, talking with Sakura like this. "So what about you?"

Sakura wrinkled her nose. "What about me?"

"You seem nothing like your best friend."

"Oh, Ino?" Sakura smiled. "Well she's one in a million... thank god."

"How did you meet again?"

"We went to school together here as children. Then my dad got moved to Ame and I kept in touch with Ino and the other girls through phone calls and the occasional visit. Ino came to see me as often as she could when I started to lose my sight. Said she wanted to make sure I was still putting my outfits together right." Her smile softened. "She acts ditzy and rough around the edges, but she has been like a rock. When I turned eighteen I moved back here and stayed with Ino for a while. When I was used to the city again, I found my own place and Ino helped me settle in."

Sasuke thought of the loud-mouthed blonde (he knew two of them now) and found new respect for her. " It must have been hard for your dad to let you move away. Ino said he was over protective didn't she?"

"Yep," Sakura nodded and then paused as a thought occurred to her. "I'd best call him and let him know what happened. He'll find out anyway when he gets the claim on the health insurance."

"And he won't mind that you're here?"

"Hmm... staying with a man he has never met before, all alone, and who, let's be honest, I've only known a short while." She tapped her chin in mock contemplation. "Nah, he won't mind at all."

"Sakura… what rank did you say he was?"

She laughed then, startling Metsuki. "He'll be fine, Sasuke. He's a good man that judges people on their actions. If anything I think he'll want to thank you for being so kind to me."

"I doubt it." Sasuke mumbled, but Sakura ignored him, fishing in to her pyjama pocket, for the phone that she had stashed there after she woke from her nap.

Sasuke kept his eyes focused on the files in his lap, pretending not to listen to Sakura's call and then realising she wouldn't be able to tell that he was trying to give her some privacy. "Do you want me to leave?"

Sakura shook her head. "No, that's fine... unless you'd prefer me to l take the call in the kitchen or-"

"No no, Sasuke said, realising that he would like to hear her father's reaction. "I'll just read through these files some more."

Sakura held down the key she had assigned for her father and let the speed dial kick in. The phone rang half a dozen times and Sakura was just about to put it down and try later, when a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Sakura."

She smiled at the happiness in her father's voice. "Hi, Daddy. I haven't caught you at a bad time have I?"

"No, I I'm just at the house getting something to eat. No recruits I have to scare the daylights out of today."

Sakura sighed out a laugh, realising how much she missed her father. He was a tall man, strong and imposing and he was renowned for the volume he could make his voice reach. She had heard more than one of the soldiers on the bases speaking of her father in a half-admiring, half-terrified tone. To her however, he was a big softie. She could never have asked for a better Dad.

"So to what do I owe the honour of this phone call?"

Sakura hesitated a moment too long it seemed.

"Sakura?" His voice was more insistent now, worry tinging the edges.

"It's nothing Dad, I just thought I should let you know that I had a bit of an accident."

Sasuke scowled at her choice of words. It was no accident.

"Accident? Are you alright? What happened?"

"I'm fine, Dad, really. I er..." She frowned, knowing he was about to blow his top. "My apartment got broken in to and I came home while they were still there."

There was silence on the end of the line and Sakura hurried to fill it.

"I'm okay though, promise. Just a few scratches and some bruises. Other than that –"

"They bruised you?" Kei's voice was low and dangerous. "Where are they now?"

"They got away." Sakura whispered. "They figured out I couldn't see them and took off after looting the place."

"Are you at your apartment now?"

"No," Sakura bit her lip and Sasuke strained to hear what was being said. "I'm at a friend's house."

"Ino's?"

"No, Dad. His name is Sasuke."

"A boy?"

"Dad," Sakura blsuhed. "I hardly think he's a boy."

Kei ignored that comment. "Why are you there?" "Because Ino has Inoichi at her place and he's allergic to Metsuki."

Kei huffed. "Well then, what does this Sasuke do?"

"He's a police officer." Sakura could feel her cheeks burning. "He's been very good about the whole thing."

"They've placed you in protective custody!"

Sakura rolled her eyes at her father's panicked tone. "No Dad, don't be silly. I knew Sasuke before this happened. But I feel safe here too."

"I'm coming to Konoha, Sakura."

"No, Daddy. There's no need."

"Damn right there's a need!" Sakura was shocked, her father was usually so calm. "I want to see you're okay with my own eyes and I want to speak to this friend of yours. I have a few days downtime, I'll be in Konoha by nightfall. I want you to have this Sasuke text me his address and I'll come to you."

"But-"

"No buts young lady. I'll see you soon."

The call disconnected and Sakura groaned, flopping on to her back and gripping her hair. Sasuke watched in amusement, thinking that she really did look like a twenty-year old girl in that moment.

"Not good news?"

"He's coming here." Sakura's voice was miserable. "I knew it was a bad idea to call him, he treats me like I'm still a little girl."

"He's worried." Sasuke said simply.

"I know," Sakura mumbled before rolling on to her stomach and poking Sasuke's leg. "I'd have thought you would be more worried. He is coming here after all."

Sasuke had managed to hear most of the conversation and so wasn't shocked. "I gathered. Well I've got nothing to hide. Who am I to go up against a Major?"

Sakura smirked at his teasing tone and couldn't resist ribbing him back. "You'll be lucky if he doesn't land a helicopter on your front garden."

*Whistles* So, not been too long has it…

Ah, I'm sorry. Busy, busy times. The good news is that I have been writing more frequently. Any of you who also read my ATLA fics will know that I have been updating at regular intervals. Now that I finished the other fic I had on the go, this story has now become my priority.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews. The reaction to this story has been amazing and you guys really make it worth forcing my sorry butt to write.