Chapter Twenty

Money Talks

The morning drop-in session was just winding down at the hospital with parents arriving to collect their children. Sakura was making her way around the room, adjusting the floor cushions back in to neat piles and making sure all the chairs were tucked back under the tables.

Suzu, the lady in charge of the sessions was also tidying up, sorting the toys and learning aids back in to their respective boxes, and the two women chatted happily as they worked.

"You know," Suzu piped up during a lull in the conversation. "Doctor Tanaka has been here a couple of times asking if I'd seen you?"

Sakura tilted her head. "Really?"

"Yep. I've told him that you're fine as far as I know, but I think he wants to see you with his own eyes." Suzu eyed the now fidgeting Sakura. "Any particular reason why he'd be so worried about you?"

Sakura shrugged. "Not a clue."

"Don't make me beat it out of you." Suzu said in an overly-gruff voice and Sakura's lips twitched in to a small smile.

"He was at the gala at the weekend."

"Yeah, I can't believe you've been so lucky as to win tickets to that twice now."

"Ah don't worry, I won't be entering the raffle next year."

"So," Suzu prompted. "What happened at the gala?"

"Doctor Tanaka saw me leaving with my date."

"Let me guess – the rather handsome police officer you brought to visit the children before? I thought you made a lovely couple."

"We weren't really a couple then."

Suzu laughed. "Of course you were, you just didn't know it yet."

Sakura felt herself flush.

"Anyway," Suzu needled. "There must be more to the story than that?"

"Well I guess Doctor Tanaka was worried. Sasuke wasn't very happy at that moment and I guess it looked a little odd with him dragging me out of the room."

"Sakura." Suzu's voice held a tinge of worry and Sakura shook her head rapidly.

"No, he wasn't angry with me... well actually I guess he was but he was worried more than anything. I really scared him."

"How?"

Sakura bit her lip. "I can't say."

Suzu's voice was understanding. "You don't have to explain to me. So I guess Tanaka thought you were in trouble."

"Yep."

"I'd also venture a guess that Sasuke's anger became very useful by the end of the night." Sakura felt her face burn horribly and Suzu's delighted laugh echoed in the room. "I remember what it was like to be young. My husband was quite the hot-head." Sakura felt Suzu's arm wrap around her shoulders. "Now come on, let's get out of here and enjoy the sunshine."

Sakura whistled for Metsuki who had taken a nap under one of the tables and the dog lumbered to her side. Gripping his lead, she walked with Suzu from the hospital, the older woman badgering Sakura for more information on the turn her relationship with Sasuke had taken.

The hospital was a lovely place as odd as that sounded. Despite the central position it held in the city, the architects and designers had ensured there was plenty of wide-open spaces surrounding the building. As it was, Suzu and Sakura took their time walking along the winding paths and enjoying the scent of fresh-cut grass on the air. Some of the staff from the hospital, and those patients able to get out of bed and go for a walk offered Suzu friendly smiles and called out to Sakura s they passed.

The day was very lovely. The fine spring they had experienced had now given way to a warm summer and June's mild heat had now given way to an almost-sweltering July. Sakura shrugged off the light jacket she had put on that morning and slung it over her bag, letting the sun warm her bare shoulders.

"So any plans for the day?" Sakura asked her companion.

"Well I've got just over an hour for lunch but I have some meetings at the hospital this afternoon. You?"

"I might head over to the park and let Metsuki get some exercise."

"I'll walk with you. I want to try that new sandwich shop that's opened opposite the park anyway."

The walk to the main Konoha park took a pleasant ten minute stroll. They wide expanse of green grass, glistening lakes and scenic running paths made a nice break to the towering office buildings and multitude of boutiques and eateries that otherwise dominated the city.

Sakura loved the park because it was easy to find a private piece of grass to relax on and let Metsuki enjoy a bit of time-off. The hum of people's voices was loud in Sakura's ears as they cut through the park. It was lunch time after all and with both the main financial district and the KPD close by, it was a popular place for those on a lunch break to grab lunch and some fresh air.

The two women were crossing a bridge over the river that wound through the park when a loud voice cut through their conversation.

"Sakura! Hey, Sakura!"

Sakura froze, Suzu coming to a halt beside her. Sakura placed the voice easily – the dinner with Itachi's friends had been hard to forget. When she heard the heavy footfalls come to a halt in front of her she offered up a friendly smile. "Deidara."

"So you do remember me, yeah?"

"Honestly, you're all unforgettable."

"Now don't try to butter me up," Deidara jested. "I'm not interrupting am I?"

"Oh no," Suzu replied. "We were just about to go our separate ways. I'll see you in the morning, Sakura."

"Right. Bye."

Honestly, Sakura felt a little awkward stood there with this man who she had met only a couple of times before and who had been privy to a rather intimate moment between herself and Sasuke. She quickly realised she shouldn't have worried. Deidara took off talking a mile a minute, babbling about the gorgeous weather and how long it had been since he had been in Konoha (there were several university-era road trips that made up the bulk of his experience with the city). And then he was crouched by her side, and Sakura had been very confused as she felt his shoulder bump against her upper thigh before she realised his attention had turned to Metsuki.

"What a gorgeous dog. I love dogs but my landlord would have a conniption fit if I got one. Itachi's mentioned this guy a few times, I hear he's quite the smart dog?"

Sakura blinked slowly as Deidara took a breath and was half-expecting him to carry on his stream of consciousness-esque conversation, but the man remained quiet.

"Ah, yes he's a four-legged Einstein."

Deidara let out a delighted chuckle and proceeded to babble at Metsuki in a surprisingly effective baby voice.

Sakura was torn between slight fear at the man's unbridled enthusiasm for... apparently everything, and amusement for the very same reason. Amusement won out in the end and she grinned widely. "So what brings you here?"

Deidara stood from his crouched position. "Hanging with Itachi. They're just putting the finishing touches on the office now. All the refurbishments have been done and they're just sprucing the place up." There was a beat of silence and then a sudden clap of hands that made Sakura jump. "Hey! You should come over there with me. I stepped out to enjoy the sun but I'll have to head back at some point."

It was with great bemusement that Sakura found herself being swept away to the financial district of Konoha by a babbling blonde that would have given even Ino a run for her money.

Sasuke was getting a headache. Rin Rikei, considering that he was supposed to be merely a highly regarded scientist, had a very knotted past. It had been simple to trace his life up until her graduated from his postgraduate studies, but then… nothing. The man just seemed to disappear until he had been hired by Karōshi and began researching artificial food.

Missing years in a person's background were never a good sign.

"Hey Teme."

Brilliant. The only thing that could possibly improve his headache.

Naruto skipped in to the office, a slip of paper in his hands. Naruto placed it on the desk with a flourish and Sasuke stared down at the long string of numbers on the sheet.

"What am I looking at?"

"Why only the missing piece of Rin Rikei's life."

Sasuke raised an unimpressed eyebrow at Naruto and the blonde pouted.

"Why does no one ever let me have any fun around here?" He flopped down opposite Sasuke and tapped the paper. "I was looking through Rikei's personal accounts for the years he dropped off the grid. Each month a deposit for the same amount was placed in to his account."

Sasuke sat up a little straighter. "A salary?"

"That's what I thought." Naruto nodded. "Anyways, all direct debits and deposits require the involved company to have a unique user ID. No matter how secretive they would like to be, it was quite easy to trace them back using that number."

"I'm hate to say it, but I'm impressed." Sasuke smirked. "So? Who did the money come from?"

"A rather small independent company that test and trial chemical products before they are declared fit for human testing."

"So another lab?" Sasuke looked quite put out. "It doesn't really help us."

Naruto grinned. "The person at the lab was quite tight lipped about giving me any information on Rikei until I mentioned who I was. Funny that people's tongues get quite loose when you mention the word 'homicide'. They finally gave up the goods and you'll never guess what the last project Rikei worked on at the lab was."

Sasuke allowed Naruto this moment of glory and motioned for him to continue.

"Rin Rikei was commissioned by Orochimaru's cosmetics company to test the safety of a new facial cream. They emailed me a copy of the report that Rikei compiled and it matches the formula that we found in his work files."

"Face cream?" Sasuke was dubious.

"Yep. Anti-aging cream apparently. I'm not sure why he took that research on to his next job with him though – he's already published his results."

Sasuke pondered this and rubbed a frustrated hand across his eyes. "Until we find out exactly what the files on his home computer mean then I'm not sure we'll get much further."

"The brainiacs still not figured it out huh?" Naruto folded his hands behind his head.

"Parts of it are still highly encrypted. What they have been able to piece together doesn't make much sense."

"At least we're making some progress."

Sasuke nodded. "You know, thinking about it, Orochimaru's name has come up from enough different channels that we may be able to get a search warrant. If they can pinpoint that IP address more precisely to Orochimaru rather than the whole of Otogakure then I think we might be in business."

"Naruto nodded. "Come on, I think we've earned some lunch. We can speak to Kakashi about this on our way out."

"Sakura?" Itachi sounded surprised to see her stood in his new office.

"Hi." She smiled.

Sakura gathered that the elder Uchiha looked at Deidara for an explanation as she felt the blonde shrug, his arm still draped casually over her shoulders. "I saw her when I was out and decided to bring her back."

"Kidnapping now Blondie?" Sakura picked up Kisame's voice across the room. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"Don't hate my magnetic personality." Deidara sniffed haughtily. He lifted his arms to stretch and Sakura took the opportunity to sidle out of grabbing reach.

"Well," Itachi said, approaching her. "Welcome to what I'm sure will be the bane of my existence."

Sakura laughed lowly and took a few steps forward. She could remember the bland, uninspiring portrayal of offices from the shows and movies she had watched as a teenager. Of course she couldn't say if there was grey splashed all over the place but she had a feeling that Itachi had done things differently.

The floor beneath her feet was not the cheap carpet tile that she walked over in the hospital offices, but instead a hardwood floor (highly polished if the way her feet were slipping was anything to go by).

"When are you moving the furniture in?" Sakura asked Itachi.

"Hey how'd-?"

"The echo." Sakura cut off Kisame's question.

"Most of the things will be delivered today." Itachi answered her, ignoring Kisame's astounded expression.

"It seems like a good space."

"Yes, apparently before this it was used as an art gallery."

"Trust Itachi to have the trendiest bank office in the city, yeah." Deidara yawned as he passed them.

"Yeah, if he gets himself a few paint swatches and fabric samples. He could pack this job in and become an interior designer."

Kisame and Deidara collapsed in to laughter and Sakura heard Itachi sigh in exasperation.

She patted his arm sympathetically. "Where are the others?"

"Sasori is in my office, just across the room. Kisame and Deidara were driving him extremely close to committing a homicide. The others are either at work or still in bed." He paused, gently taking Sakura's arm and guiding her to a nearby sofa.

"I thought the furniture hadn't arrived yet." Sakura queried.

"Some have, the odds and ends. We're still waiting on all the desks and other office equipment."

"Hey if this is the service your customers get then sign me up."

Itachi laughed lowly. "Sorry, I'm going to be dealing with corporate banking. Unless you start pulling in at least six figures a year then I can't help you."

"I'll have my people call your people." Sakura smiled.

Itachi sat next to her. "So where is Sasuke today?"

"Work." Sakura answered. "I was fortunate enough to only be working until lunch time today."

"Have you eaten yet?"

Sakura shook her head. "I was ambushed by Deidara soon after I left the hospital."

Itachi huffed in apparent despair and stood up, gently taking Sakura' elbow. "Come on, I haven't had a chance to take a break today. Besides, I'm not comfortable with the way Metsuki is sniffing around that potted plant."

Sasuke listened as Naruto babbled on about arranging a night out with the guys from work – apparently Kiba was dating a girl who worked at a new club in the city and… well honestly, Sasuke was being very generous with the term 'listening'.

"Hey, Teme look."

Sasuke put down his overflowing sandwich (heavy on the tomatoes), turned in the direction that Naruto was pointing and saw a sight that caused him to groan inwardly.

Who should happen to have decided to visit his favourite place to grab lunch other than his brother and his friends?

Sasuke was contemplating getting his lunch wrapped up to go when he spotted another, much more welcome figure. As Kisame moved fully in to the busy coffee shop, Sakura's form became visible. The group moved over to the counter and Sasuke could hear general bickering from Deidara and Kisame over the former's decision to order a tuna melt.

Sasuke watched as Metsuki's ears perked up and his large, furry head turned in his direction. The Labrador made to move towards him before catching himself and coming to a halt. That was enough to catch Sakura's attention and she also turned her head towards Sasuke.

Watching as Itachi noticed Sakura's distraction, Sasuke met his brother's eyes and Itachi whispered something in to Sakura's ear.

The pinkette smiled and wove her way through the small tables that filled the cramped shop.

"Hey there Sakura-chan!" Naruto chirped cheerfully when she got close enough to their table.

"Hi." Sakura smiled in return.

Sasuke trailed his fingers across the back of her hand and she turned her attention to him.

"Hello." She grinned. "Good day so far?"

"Maybe." Sasuke answered, pulling the chair next to him out and guiding Sakura to take a seat. "Just growing old dealing with this case." He eyed the quartet still stood at the counter and sighed. "So should I even ask how you wound up with that group of clowns."

Sakura shrugged. "Deidara just sort of popped up and insisted I go visit Itachi's new offices. Your brother decided that I needed lunch and so here I am." Sakura tilted her head. "I wouldn't have expected to find you guys here."

Naruto answered her enthusiastically, his mouth full of half masticated bread. "This place makes the best sandwiches in Konoha. I would have preferred ramen but Teme here put his foot down."

"I'll put my foot down your throat if you don't stop talking with your mouth full, you idiot."

Naruto rolled his eyes. "It's not like it bothers anyone but you, Teme." Sasuke glared at Naruto and blonde apparently grasped what he had just said. "Oh! I didn't mean it like that, Sakura-chan. Honest!"

Sakura merely smiled. "Don't worry, Naruto. I won't regret not seeing the contents of your mouth." She paused and recalled the phrase that Sasuke complained that his partner was always yelling. "Believe it."

Sasuke groaned 'there were two of them' while Naruto laughed loudly and punched Sasuke in the arm.

"You don't deserve her, Sasuke."

Sasuke opened his mouth to bite back at the blonde when his brother approached the table, a carrier back containing his and Sakura's orders hanging over his wrist.

"I have your food Sakura. Would you prefer to eat it here with my brother or join me and the others out in the park?"

Sakura looked startled at being asked but as she opened her mouth, Sasuke's phone rang.

Sasuke fumbled for it in his jacket pocket and glimpsed Kakashi's name as he pulled it out. "Hello."

"Good news." Kakashi's voice held a hint of excitement. "Shiho from the lab just came down and told me they've managed to get a specific location on the IP address that was in contact with Rikei."

Sasuke stiffened. "Orochimaru?" He saw Naruto perk up now.

"Bingo. You and Naruto need to get back here now. We're going to focus on Orochimaru for the time being. We're an inch away from getting a search warrant but I want to scour everything before we make the application. I want his bank accounts, business associates – everything gone over with a fine toothed comb to make sure we've got as much as possible on him." Kakashi paused. "Sasuke I don't need to tell you how important this is. We need a reason to get in there and find out what he and Rikei were emailing each other about. With any luck his computer will still have traces of the communication."

"Got it." Sasuke went to end the call when Kakashi spoke once more.

"I'd recommend you and Naruto bring extra clothes – I reckon you're going to be living at HQ for quite some time."

Sasuke's groan was lost as Kakashi disconnected the call. "Come on, Dobe we've got work to do."

Naruto shoved the rest of his sandwich in his mouth and stood up, brushing his hands off.

Sasuke cupped Sakura's face in his hands, aware of his brother's eyes on him. "I have to go."

Sakura nodded. "See you at dinner?"

Sasuke hesitated. "I don't think I'll be back. Kakashi said it could take a while."

"Oh." Sakura's face fell momentarily before she nodded and smiled up at him. "Okay I understand."

Sasuke looked at his brother and Itachi gave him a pointed look.

"I'm sorry but if I'm not going to be back I'll call and let you know. Maybe Itachi –" Sasuke trailed off and Itachi smoothly stepped in.

"Sakura is of course welcome at mine anytime she wishes."

Sakura nodded again though her eyes were fixated downwards. "It's fine." She patted the hand that was still on her face. "You go and save the world, Superman."

Sasuke let out an amused breath. "I'll see you soon." Placing a soft kiss on her lips he followed Naruto from the restaurant.

Kisame and Deidara noticed him as he passed but the annoyed look on his face was enough to stay even their tongues.

Really, Sasuke thought, Orochimaru was becoming a larger pain in his side than he could have ever imagined.

Yet again two thirds of a chapter sit completed for months before I get off my butt and finish it.

Thanks for all the lovely reviews once again, they really push me to get the chapters finished.

The next few chapters are pretty crime based and then there's a chapter I've had written for ages now which I love to bits so I'm excited to post that.

I'm off to Rome for my birthday in a couple of weeks so I will try my very best to post the next chapter before then.

Your reviews bring more joy to the Akatsuki than teasing Sasuke does! See you next time.