Sakura gripped the steering wheel tightly. The streets of Konoha blurred past her as she sped towards her childhood home, her pulse hammering. Her father's words from the call echoed over and over in her head.
"There are people after me, Sakura. And if they come for me, I know they'll come for you next."
She swallowed hard, trying to push away the panic clawing at her throat.
Kizashi was fine. He had to be. Maybe he was overreacting. Maybe she'd get to the house and he'd be there, sitting on the couch, flipping through a newspaper like nothing had happened.
That hope kept her breathing.
When she reached her parents' duplex home, she barely put the car in park before rushing out. Her keys jingled violently as she jammed them into the front door, her hands trembling.
The door swung open to complete silence.
Sakura's stomach twisted. "Dad?" she called, stepping inside.
No answer.
She moved through the house quickly, checking every room. The living room was untouched, the kitchen spotless. His bedroom was empty—bed made, his closet filled with all his clothes.
But his suitcase was missing. So was his toothbrush.
Sakura stood frozen in the middle of the room, her breaths shallow. What the hell is going on?
He left. He knew something was coming and he left.
Her hands clenched at her sides. A bitter taste filled her mouth as fear settled into her bones. She had no idea where he was.
She pulled out her phone with shaking fingers and scrolled through her contacts. Her mind raced, barely able to string a coherent thought together. Who could she call? Who would even believe her?
Her thumb hovered over a familiar name before she hit dial. The line rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
"Yo, Sakura-chan! What's up?"
Hearing Naruto's usual cheerful tone almost made her break. Sakura took a shaky breath, trying to keep her voice even. "Naruto… I need your help."
Naruto must have caught something in her tone because he immediately sobered. "What's wrong?"
Sakura bit her lip, forcing herself to breathe. "It's my dad. I-I don't know where he is."
A beat of silence passed. "Wait, what do you mean?"
She ran a hand through her hair, pacing the living room. "He called me earlier. He sounded—" she hesitated, struggling to find the right word. "He sounded scared, Naruto. He told me to leave the country. He said people were after him. And now... now I'm here, and he's gone."
Naruto cursed under his breath. "Shit… are you sure he's not just—"
"He's gone, Naruto." Her voice cracked. "I don't know what to do."
She could hear rustling on Naruto's end, like he was getting up. "Okay, okay. First, breathe."
Sakura clenched her jaw. Breathe. Right. Like that was easy.
Naruto continued, his voice gentler now. "Look, I get why you're panicking. But your dad's a grown man, Sakura. Maybe he's just laying low for a bit. Maybe he's handling whatever it is himself."
"But what if he's not?" she whispered.
Naruto sighed. "I get it. I do. But running around in a panic isn't gonna help. You should go through the legal system."
Sakura stiffened. "Naruto—"
"I know, I know," he cut in, voice patient. "You don't wanna deal with cops. But, Sakura… If your dad's really missing, they can help."
Sakura hesitated, chewing the inside of her cheek. Her father's voice rang in her head again.
"Don't tell anyone. Don't go to the police."
Her hands shook.
Naruto was still talking, trying to reassure her. "Listen, file a missing person report. If something shady's going on, they'll figure it out. And if it's nothing, you'll at least get some peace of mind."
Sakura swallowed hard. "… Yeah. Maybe you're right."
"I am right," Naruto said, the slightest smile in his voice. "You're not alone in this, okay? Just let the system work."
She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Thanks, Naruto."
"Anytime, Sakura. Call me if you hear anything."
She ended the call and stared at her phone for a long moment.
Her father told her not to go to the police.
But Naruto made sense, didn't he? What else could she do? Her gut twisted. She didn't have a choice.
The Konoha Police Station was colder than she remembered when she stopped by later that morning. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead as she approached the front desk. A young officer sat behind the counter, tapping away at a keyboard. He barely looked up when she stepped forward.
"Can I help you?"
Sakura took a breath, gripping her bag strap. "I need to file a missing person report."
That got his attention. He straightened, eyes flicking to hers. "Who's missing?"
"My father."
The officer's expression turned serious. "How long has he been missing?"
"I..." she hesitated. "I don't know. He called me earlier today, but when I went to his house, he was gone."
The officer nodded, pulling out a form. "Name?"
"Kizashi Haruno."
He scribbled it down. "Age?"
"Fifty-one."
"Last known whereabouts?"
Sakura hesitated, carefully picking her words. "His house. He was home this morning. But now… I don't know."
The officer glanced at her. "Any sign of forced entry? A struggle?"
She shook her head. "No. The house was normal. Just… empty."
The officer kept writing. "Do you have any reason to believe he was in danger?"
Sakura's chest tightened.
There are people after me. If they come for me, they'll come for you next.
She forced herself to keep her expression neutral. "No."
The lie tasted bitter.
The officer nodded. "Alright. We'll process this and put out a notice. If we find anything, we'll contact you."
Sakura let out a slow breath. "Thank you." She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"One more thing, Miss Haruno."
She glanced back, her heartbeat picking up. "Yes?"
The officer studied her. "You sure there's nothing else you want to tell us?"
Her pulse spiked. For a second—just a second—she considered telling him. Telling them everything. But then she remembered her father's voice.
"Don't go to the police. No one."
She forced a tight smile. "No. That's all."
The officer nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll be in touch."
Sakura turned on her heel and walked out of the station. The moment she stepped outside, the cold air hit her like a slap. She sucked in a shaky breath, but the fear in her gut didn't go away. If anything, it got worse.
Sasuke sat on the couch in their apartment, absently running his thumb over the cool metal of his knife. Across from him, Itachi leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, his eyes thoughtful.
Between them, on the coffee table, sat two plastic bags filled with crystalline powder. Meth. Stolen straight from Danzo's supply chain.
The air smelled faintly of cigarette smoke, though neither of them smoked. It came from the neighbors. Itachi hated the smell, but he tolerated it better than Sasuke did.
Sasuke exhaled sharply. "So, this Kabuto guy…" He gestured toward the bags. "How the hell did you convince him to take this deal? You're an ex-cop."
Itachi didn't answer right away. He walked to the fridge, pulled out a can of beer, and cracked it open with one hand. The hiss of the can filled the silence. He took a slow sip, then finally said, "I have my ways."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "That's not an answer."
A ghost of a smirk played on Itachi's lips. "The smear campaign helped."
Sasuke scoffed. "Oh, right. The smear campaign that painted you as a corrupt cop."
"That's the one."
Sasuke leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. "You really think that makes you more trustworthy?"
Itachi chuckled, the sound low and humorless. "Not trustworthy. Useful. There's a difference."
Sasuke stared at him, unimpressed. "Still sounds risky."
"It is." Itachi took another sip, setting the can down. "But fortunately, I didn't make too many enemies during my time in the force. I was careful." He tapped his temple. "Others weren't."
Sasuke caught the implication. "Danzo."
Itachi nodded. "Danzo made enemies everywhere. People hate him, but most are too afraid to act. When they see someone's taking bites out of his business, well… let's just say a lot of people would like to see him fall."
Sasuke frowned, drumming his fingers against the table. "So, this is about more than just moving product."
"It's about control," Itachi confirmed. "About carving out space where we aren't at his mercy."
Sasuke let the words sink in. It was a dangerous game. One mistake and they'd end up dead. But if they played it right… if they really played it right…
Itachi checked his watch. "We're meeting Kabuto at a bar in the red-light district. 9 PM. That gives us two hours."
Sasuke nodded, standing. "We'll be armed."
"Of course." Itachi's tone left no room for argument. "No chances. No risks."
If all went well, this would be their last night in this apartment. A new deal meant new money. New security. They'd move somewhere safer. Somewhere harder to track. That was the plan.
But then Sasuke's phone buzzed.
He almost ignored it—he'd been trying to avoid calls lately. But something made him check.
A message from Naruto.
Naruto: Sakura's dad is missing. She's not doing well.
Sasuke frowned, rereading the words.
He and Naruto didn't talk much these days. Sasuke had deliberately kept his distance, avoiding his old friends. It was safer that way.
But this... this made his stomach twist in a way he didn't like.
Sakura's dad was missing?
He tried to picture her. Was she scared? Panicking? He knew how much her father meant to her. Something about the news unsettled him, like an itch beneath his skin.
"Put the phone away." Itachi's voice cut through his thoughts.
Sasuke glanced up to see his brother watching him, expression unreadable.
Itachi's lips pressed into a thin line. "Why are you still online?"
Sasuke clenched his jaw. "It crossed my mind."
"That's incredibly dangerous," Itachi's gaze didn't waver. "We can't afford risks like this."
"I know." Sasuke exhaled, shoving his phone into his pocket. "I know I'm being stupid."
Itachi studied him for a moment longer before turning away, finishing off his beer. "Good."
Sasuke didn't say anything. Deep down, he knew why he kept checking his phone.
Some days, he felt like reaching out. Like reconnecting with the people he left behind.
But he never did. And now, with this news about Sakura…
He had the urge to talk to her. To make sure she was okay. But he couldn't. He had already made his choice. And if he really wanted to keep her safe, he had to stay away.
Even if it killed him.
The family house felt different now.
Sakura stood in the entryway, her pulse a dull mumble in her ears. The air inside smelled faintly of her father's cologne and old books, but something about it felt… off. Too quiet. Too still.
She clenched her fists, swallowing back the growing unease in her chest. Her father was missing. And the police weren't going to magically solve this for her overnight.
If she wanted answers, she had to find them herself too. Taking a deep breath, she set to work.
She started in the living room, rifling through his drawers and bookshelves, but nothing stood out—just bills, receipts, and old documents.
Her father's bedroom was next.
The wardrobe was neat, his clothes hanging with an almost obsessive precision. But Sakura had been through this room before, and she wasn't looking for what was obvious.
She crouched, running her fingers along the wooden base of the wardrobe, pressing lightly against the back paneling.
And then—a faint click.
Her breath hitched as the panel shifted. It was a hidden compartment.
Heart pounding, she carefully pulled it open, revealing wads of cash stacked neatly inside.
Sakura stared.
This was… a lot of money.
More than she had ever seen her father with.
She swallowed hard, exhaling slowly. Maybe it wasn't that strange. Maybe he just didn't trust banks. It wasn't unheard of.
But something about it didn't sit right. Brushing off the unease, she searched more thoroughly, moving to the drawers by his bed.
That was when she found the gun. A standard black Glock 19.
Sakura stared at it for a long moment before picking it up. It was heavier than she remembered. The metal was cool against her skin. Her fingers moved on instinct, checking the magazine. Still loaded.
Her father owning a gun didn't surprise her. He used to take her to the firing range when she was younger, had taught her how to shoot. Back then, she thought it was just a hobby. Admittedly, she wasn't bad at shooting herself.
She hesitated, then slid the gun into her purse.
She finally turned to his computer. Sitting down at his desk, she pressed the power button, watching the screen flicker to life.
Then came the password screen.
Sakura chewed her lip. Her father was predictable in some ways, but this…
She tried a few things—her name, their late dog's name... nothing worked.
Then she hesitated, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
"Mom's birthday..."
She typed it in. And the screen unlocked.
Her throat tightened. Of course. Shaking the feeling off, she quickly navigated to his email. Most of it was mundane—work emails, spam, bills.
But then she saw it. An email from a contact named "Mr. Blue."
Her brows furrowed as she clicked it open.
Subject: Urgent Meeting
Kizashi,
Meet me at the usual spot tonight. No delays.
Mr. Blue
Attached was an address—one she didn't recognize. Sakura copied it into her phone, pulling up a map. Her stomach twisted.
It was in Konoha's red-light district.
She rarely ventured there. It was a rough part of town, filled with bars, underground clubs, and places that the police conveniently ignored.
Why the hell was her father meeting someone there?
Her fingers tightened around the mouse. Everything in her screamed that this was stupid. That she should just let the authorities handle it. But her father's voice echoed in her head.
"Don't go to the police. No one."
Her jaw clenched. She couldn't just sit around and do nothing. Taking a shaky breath, she shut the laptop and stood.
Tonight, she was going to that bar. She needed answers.
Later that day, Sakura pulled into a dimly lit parking lot, gripping the steering wheel with white-knuckled hands.
This was stupid. This was beyond stupid.
She had no plan. No backup. Nothing but a vague email, a handgun, and a gnawing fear that she wasn't ready to confront.
But despite knowing how reckless this was, she couldn't shake the hope—however small—that she'd find something inside.
Maybe even find him. Her father.
She shut the car off and exhaled, trying to steady herself. The neon sign flickered above the entrance of the bar, the name half-burnt out. She had never been here before, but the place reeked of trouble.
Still, she stepped out and walked inside.
The stench of alcohol and smoke hit her immediately.
It wasn't packed, but the patrons scattered around the bar weren't the friendly type. Dim lighting barely illuminated their faces, and the air buzzed with quiet conversations and low laughter.
Sakura hesitated near the entrance, scanning the room. Where the hell was she even supposed to start?
Was she just supposed to shout out "Mr. Blue" and hope someone raised their hand?
She cursed herself under her breath. She was in over her head. But she had already walked in. Turning back now would look strange.
So, forcing herself to act natural, she wandered further in and slid into an empty seat at the bar. She kept her head low, resisting the urge to fidget.
She felt like a fish out of water.
Across the bar, a man in a cheap suit sat at the counter, his posture tense. He checked his watch, frowning.
Kizashi was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.
The bastard was never late.
The man, officer Izumo grumbled, flagging the bartender for another drink. He wasn't drunk—not yet—but he was getting there. This night was already turning into a waste of time.
But then he detected movement in the corner of his eye. His eyes flicked sideways as someone slid into a seat a few stools away.
A young woman.
She bowed her head slightly, avoiding eye contact. He almost dismissed her, but something nagged at him.
Something familiar.
His gaze narrowed. And then, when she finally raised her head, he remembered.
Kizashi had once, by accident, flashed him a photo of his daughter while fishing out a document from his wallet years ago.
This girl...
She was older now. But there was no mistaking the resemblance.
Is Kizashi sending his kid to do his work now?
His lips curled into a smirk. Maybe this night wasn't a waste after all.
"Young lady."
The voice startled her.
Sakura turned, blinking up at a middle-aged man in a suit. His tie was slightly loosened, and there was something too casual about the way he leaned against the counter.
"You know Kizashi Haruno?"
Her heart skipped. Her first instinct was caution. She didn't know who this man was.
But then... what if he knew something?
Swallowing hard, she nodded. "Yeah."
The man studied her for a beat before offering a thin smile. "Thought so." He extended a hand. "I'm a friend of your father's. Name's Izumo."
Sakura hesitated. His suit made him look a little too professional for a place like this.
"You're... a cop?" she asked carefully.
"Sharp girl," Izumo nodded. "Yeah. Your father and I go way back. You look just like him, you know? That's how I knew."
Relief washed over her, briefly. If he was a cop, maybe this was fine. Maybe she wasn't completely stupid for coming here.
She forced herself to stay composed. "My dad hasn't come home yet. I guess he's just late." She tried to keep her voice casual. "I just came here to—relax."
Izumo hummed, nodding along. Then, his phone buzzed. "Excuse me," He said, glancing down.
Kizashi poked the hornets nest. The deal's off.
But his daughter filed a report this morning, looking for him.
The department is sending you and your partner to her apartment tomorrow to interrogate her.
She is to be silenced.
Izumo's thumb hovered over the message. His lips pressed into a thin line. He slowly lifted his gaze from the screen to Sakura, who sat unaware.
The situation had just changed.
Meanwhile, Sakura remained quiet, her breathing steady. Izumo's silence made her shift uncomfortably.
Then, he tucked his phone away, his face unreadable.
"You shouldn't be out here alone this late, kid." His voice was suddenly more pointed. "I can give you a ride home."
Alarm bells rang in her head. Something about his tone had changed.
She shook her head. "I'm fine."
Izumo's smile stayed, but it didn't reach his eyes. "C'mon now. I insist."
Sakura tensed. "Really, it's okay. I have my own ride."
His hand tightened slightly around his glass. "Your father wouldn't want you wandering alone. And it's part of the investigation. We need to talk about your missing dad anyway."
Her heart skipped. She hadn't told him she filed a report, that her dad was missing.
Blood rushed to her ears. This was bad. This was really bad.
She forced a smile, keeping her voice calm. "I just need to use the bathroom first."
Izumo exhaled through his nose, but after a pause, he nodded. "Go ahead. I'll be waiting here."
Sakura pushed off her seat, moving toward the bathroom. Her legs felt like lead, but she forced herself to walk normally.
Her brain screamed at her.
Was this why Dad warned me? Was this why he said no cops?
She reached the door, slipped inside, and locked it behind her. She gripped the edges of the sink, staring at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her reflection was wide-eyed, lips slightly parted, breath uneven. Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it was trying to break free from her ribcage.
She was in danger.
She thought of the gun in her bag—her father's Glock. A last resort.
She swallowed hard and took a shaky breath, trying to force down the rising panic. She had to get out of here. Fast.
Her gaze flicked to the stalls behind her. Empty. Then up to the window near the ceiling—small, but not impossible.
She acted quickly. Stepping onto the toilet seat, she reached up, fingers grasping at the metal railing blocking the window. She needed to pry it loose.
My apartment key.
Digging it out of her pocket, she wedged it into the bolts, twisting, scraping. The metal groaned under the pressure, but she kept at it. Come on, come on!
Finally, with a soft snap, the railing loosened. "Yes!" She yanked it free and set it down quietly beside her.
No time to hesitate. She tossed her bag through first, then hoisted herself up. Her muscles screamed as she forced her body through the tight opening, wiggling, straining.
But then her foot slipped on the edge. "Shit!"
Her breath caught, but she was through. She hit the ground hard, scraping her palms. But she was outside. She did it.
No time to celebrate. She grabbed her bag and took off toward the parking lot.
Her car wasn't far. Just a little more...
"Hey! Sakura!"
She skidded to a stop. Her blood turned to ice.
The cop.
He stood just outside the bar, a phone in one hand. His suit was slightly unbuttoned, his tie loosened, like he'd stepped outside to take a call. He hadn't seen her escape, but now...
Now he was looking right at her.
Her feet moved on their own. She sprinted toward her car, panting with the effort. Behind her, the cop pocketed his phone and started chasing her.
"Sakura, stop!" he shouted.
Not a chance.
Her fingers dug into her bag. Should I pull the gun?
No. Not yet.
Her keys—she fumbled for them, her hands shaking so bad she could barely grasp them. The car beeped in the distance. Almost there...
Pfft. Pfft.
A muffled sound rang out behind her. Something whizzed past her ear. Her breath hitched. A silencer.
She was being shot at.
Her fingers slipped, causing the keys to drop to the ground.
Shit. Shit!
Izumo watched as she bent down to grab them. Her death in this parking lot would be too public, but it could be covered up. He knew this bar didn't have cameras, didn't ask questions. He took aim with his pistol...
A gunshot cracked through the air.
Not his.
Izumo flinched, stumbling back. Someone had fired at him. He spotted a figure ducked behind a parked car, holding a pistol.
"Freeze!" he snarled, raising his gun and firing back. Sparks flew as bullets slammed into the car's hood.
The figure took cover behind the car. Izumo cursed, heading towards cover as he slid a fresh magazine into his 1911.
Then he heard it—the deep rumbling of an engine.
He whipped around, eyes widening as a white Toyota RAV4 came barreling toward him.
"Police!" He yanked his gun up, aiming at the windshield. "Stop—"
Too late.
THUD!
The impact rocked through the vehicle. Sakura's hands clenched the wheel as she felt the thud of the body hitting the car. She slammed on the brakes, allowing his body to tumble off the hood.
Silence.
Her heart raced in her chest. The officer's body lay still on the pavement.
Then another voice called to her.
"Sakura!"
She jolted. The voice was familiar. But still, her fingers instinctively reached for the gun in her bag—
But then she froze. "Sasuke?"
He was running toward her, his face tense. And just behind him was Itachi.
Sasuke reached her first, grabbing the driver's side door. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Sakura stammered, but before she could answer, Itachi's voice cut in.
"No time. We need to leave."
He didn't look at the cop's body. Didn't ask questions. Just gave orders. Sasuke nodded, slipping into the passenger seat while Itachi entered the back seat.
Sakura's head was still spinning. "Where are we—"
"Drive," Itachi ordered. "Now."
Sakura hesitated, gripping the steering wheel. Then she turned to Sasuke, who still looked rattled. "What are you—"
"You have some nerve," Itachi suddenly snapped at Sasuke, his voice cold. "Fucking up our entire meeting just to shoot a cop."
Sasuke's jaw tightened. "I saw him chasing her. What was I supposed to do, let him kill her?"
Sakura's breath hitched. Her fingers clenched around the wheel.
Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "We'll deal with it later. Just drive."
Still shaken, Sakura obeyed.
The car pulled away, leaving behind the bar, the motionless body, and the life she had no way of returning to.
Sakura's hands were still gripping the steering wheel too tight. Her breath came in uneven gasps as the weight of everything crashed down on her.
The road stretched ahead, empty except for the glow of the streetlights. Her heart was hammering in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears like a war drum.
She had to stop.
With a shaky exhale, she pulled the car over, the tyres skidding slightly against the pavement. She put it in park and slumped forward, resting her forehead against the wheel. Her body wouldn't stop trembling.
For a moment, silence filled the car.
"Why did you stop?" Itachi's calm but firm voice cut through the stillness.
Sakura lifted her head, eyes darting to the rearview mirror. He was watching the streets outside, sharp eyes scanning for movement. Always calculating.
"No one's here," he muttered, more to himself than to her.
Sakura swallowed hard, her mouth dry. "I just…" she trailed off, struggling to find the words.
Sasuke shifted beside her, watching her closely, but he didn't say anything. He just waited.
She finally turned to face them, voice raw. "How did you find me?" Her eyes flicked between the two men. "How did you know I was at that bar?"
Itachi didn't flinch. He leaned back slightly, arms crossed. "We had our own reasons for being there." His tone was unreadable. "The real question is, what were you doing there?"
Sakura opened her mouth, then hesitated. Her fingers clenched against the wheel. She had so many thoughts—so many things she wanted to say—but all she could manage was:
"I was looking for my father."
Itachi sighed, rubbing his temple. Sasuke's gaze snapped to her, but he didn't interrupt.
Sakura let out a weak, breathless laugh. "I thought… I thought maybe I could get some answers there. That maybe someone knew something." Her voice wavered. "But all I did was nearly get myself killed." She closed her eyes for a second, trying to steady her breathing. "If you two weren't there…" She swallowed. "I would've died."
She let that truth settle between them. Silence passed.
Then, her voice dropped lower, shaking. "I killed someone."
Sasuke's brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't speak yet.
Sakura stared at her lap. "I hit that cop with my car." She inhaled shakily. "I killed him."
Sasuke finally spoke. "You didn't kill anyone."
Sakura's head snapped up, blinking at him.
Sasuke's voice was firm, steady. "He's unconscious. That's all."
"But I—"
"Listen to me." Sasuke leaned in, meeting her eyes. "That cop was trying to kill you. He shot at you first. You didn't do anything wrong."
She opened her mouth to argue, but Sasuke cut her off, his voice dropping lower. "And if he did die, then it was self-defense."
Sakura shivered, staring at him.
Sasuke's jaw tightened. "You know that, right? Those men—whoever they are—they're the same people responsible for whatever happened to your father. They're targeting you now, and that's a problem. You don't think that's suspicious?"
Sakura's hands trembled on the wheel.
He continued, quieter now. "I understand if you feel bad about what happened." His voice softened just slightly. "But you had no choice."
Sakura shook her head. "No."
Sasuke blinked. Even Itachi glanced at her.
She looked at them, as if barely believing what she was about to admit.
"I don't feel bad that I hit him."
The car was silent. Sasuke sat back a little. Itachi watched her more carefully now, his expression unreadable.
Sakura's voice cracked. "I'm just… scared." She wiped at her eyes before a tear could fall. "Scared of what's going to happen to me. Scared of what happened to my dad."
Sasuke exhaled quietly. Then, after a moment's hesitation, he reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly, looking at him.
Sasuke glanced toward the backseat. "Itachi."
His older brother didn't answer at first.
"We have to help her."
Itachi's brow twitched slightly, as if the idea irritated him. "That's out of the question."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "You saw what happened back there. Her life is in danger."
"And that's exactly why it's too risky," Itachi countered. "We don't even know how deep this goes yet. Taking her with us could make things worse."
Sasuke clenched his jaw. "So you want to just leave her like this?"
Itachi was silent.
Sasuke leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping lower. "We both know what kind of people we're dealing with." He glanced at Sakura, then back at Itachi. "She's involved now, whether we like it or not."
Itachi sighed through his nose, rubbing his temple again. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally...
"… Keep driving."
Sakura turned, eyes wide.
Itachi looked at her through the rearview mirror. "I'll tell you where to go."
Sakura's pulse pounded. She gave a shaky nod and shifted the car back into drive. Her hands were still trembling as she gripped the wheel. The white SUV pulled back onto the road, disappearing into the night.
The drive to Sasuke and Itachi's safehouse was silent.
Sakura's fingers still clutched the steering wheel, knuckles white, but she wasn't gripping it in fear anymore. She was gripping it to anchor herself. To keep from falling apart.
Her mind was spinning. Everything that happened tonight—what could've happened—it was too much.
The streetlights flickered past the windows in a blur. Sasuke sat beside her, staring ahead, but he wasn't really looking at the road. His arms were folded, his jaw locked tight. Itachi, in the backseat, was eerily calm.
Some minutes later, they arrived at the apartment, getting inside. Sasuke helped her to a seat, while Itachi sat across.
Sakura swallowed hard. She needed to say it.
She took a slow breath. "My father…" She hesitated. Then quietly, "I think he was kidnapped."
Sasuke turned to her. Even Itachi straightened slightly in his seat.
She forced herself to keep going. "It happened a few days ago. One day he just..." her throat tightened, voice trailing off.
Itachi's voice was steady. "And the police?"
Sakura let out a bitter laugh. "Nothing." She exhaled sharply. "At first, it felt like they were helping, asking questions, pretending to investigate. But after tonight…" She let out a breath. "I think the cops are keeping a lid on it."
Itachi narrowed his eyes. "Do you know why someone would want to take him?"
Sakura ran a hand through her hair. "I—" Her voice wavered. "I don't know. He ran a logistics company. That's all. I don't know what he could've been involved in to get him…" She trailed off, squeezing her hands together.
Itachi leaned forward slightly. "What was the name of the company?"
She hesitated, then murmured, "Six Paths Shipping Solutions."
Silence. A heavy, suffocating silence.
She blinked, speechless. Sasuke and Itachi shared a look.
That name.
Sasuke felt his stomach drop. It all added up now.
Six Paths was one of Danzo's businesses. A front for drug smuggling. They had hit a shipment not long ago—intercepted one of his major deals. Made off with meth.
And if Sakura's father was the one running the company…
Sasuke stiffened, his breath turning shallow. He pushed back his chair suddenly. "Excuse me."
Sakura looked up, confused, but he was already leaving the room.
The bathroom door shut behind him as Sasuke braced his hands against the sink. He turned on the tap and splashed cold water onto his face, trying to drown out the storm in his head.
It was their fault. Him and Itachi.
Sakura's father was missing because of them.
Because they went after Danzo. Because they raided that shipment. Because they took the drugs and left a mess behind.
Sasuke exhaled shakily, running a hand through his damp hair.
His mind kept flashing back to her face—to how scared she looked, how lost she was when she admitted she didn't know what was happening.
He did this to her.
"Fuck..." He clenched his fists. Sakura was supposed to be safe. That's why he pushed her away. That's why he made sure she had nothing to do with his world.
And yet, even after all that... her life was ruined anyway.
Because of him.
How could he even look at her?
He swallowed down the bitterness in his throat. His reflection stared back at him in the mirror. He looked exhausted. And infuriated with the person staring back at him.
For a long moment, he just stood there, gripping the sink. Then, he let out a slow, shaky breath.
He couldn't let this break him. Not now. He turned off the water and walked out.
Itachi was still talking to Sakura, his tone measured, calm. Trying to keep her grounded.
Sakura sat curled up on the couch, hugging her arms around herself. She looked small. Vulnerable.
Sasuke wiped his damp hands on his jeans, still feeling the sweat on his skin.
Then Sakura looked up, and her eyes brightened just a little at the sight of him.
Something in Sasuke's chest twisted. He didn't deserve that look.
Sakura slowly stood up, as if gathering her strength. She hesitated, then took a step toward him. She lowered her voice. "Thank you."
Sasuke blinked.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she clenched her hands. "For saving my life."
She tried to keep talking, but her voice broke.
Sasuke felt something crack inside him. "It's okay," he murmured. Without thinking, he reached for her.
Sakura hesitated—just for a second—before leaning into him. And then, suddenly, she was sobbing.
Her shoulders shook violently as she pressed against him. Her fingers curled into his shirt, clinging to him like a lifeline.
Sasuke's arms wrapped around her without hesitation.
He held her tightly, feeling every tremor in her body, feeling her tears soak into his shirt.
He ignored the weight in his own chest. The guilt pressing down on him like a boulder.
She needed this.
So he stayed silent, and let her cry.
Three days had passed.
Sasuke and Itachi had gone through with the deal with Kabuto. The payout was enough to get them out of their old place—to somewhere safer, somewhere Danzo's reach didn't extend so easily.
But no amount of money or distance could undo the damage.
That morning, the news broke.
Kizashi Haruno was dead. A suicide, they said. But Sasuke knew better.
Danzo had buried another problem. A loose end, tied off cleanly. Kizashi had been missing for days, but now, suddenly, he had been "discovered" in some rented apartment, an empty bottle of pills beside him. Of course, this was all tailored, so he might've been shot in the woods for all they knew.
Sakura had said nothing when she found out. Sasuke had expected an outburst. Anger. Despair. Something.
But all she did was sit in silence.
And now, as he entered the room she had holed herself up in, he found her just the same—seated on the sofa alone, lost in thought. Her hands rested loosely in her lap, her expression unreadable.
But when she looked up and saw him, something in her face lightened.
Not much, just a little.
But it killed him that even that was enough to make him feel relief.
"Hey," she greeted softly.
Sasuke walked toward her, shoving his hands into his pockets. He didn't know how to start. But then the words just came out.
"Me and Itachi have been talking. We've decided you should know the truth."
Sakura's brows knitted. "The truth?"
Sasuke exhaled. "What we've been doing."
He sat down beside her. The air between them felt heavy. Then, carefully, he began.
Danzo. The man who pulled strings from the shadows. The man responsible for countless disappearances, assassinations, and crimes hidden with the help of his carefully selected allies.
Sasuke told her how he and Itachi had set out to dismantle him piece by piece. Danzo was a disease, and they were cutting him out.
But as much as it pained him, he took great care to hide the other news from her. The one that explained why her life had fallen apart so suddenly.
Sakura was silent as she listened. But as she absorbed his words, Sasuke saw something click in her eyes.
And then she whispered, "That's why."
Sasuke glanced at her. "What?"
She turned to him, her gaze piercing. "That's why you pushed me away."
His breath caught. She had always been perceptive. But facing it—acknowledging it—was something else entirely.
Sasuke clenched his jaw. He didn't want to admit it.
But she was waiting. Her expression wasn't accusing. It was just patient.
And maybe that's what made it harder.
His throat felt dry. "I didn't want anything to happen to you because of me."
Sakura's lips parted slightly.
"You're..." His fingers curled against his knee. He had almost said it.
Too precious. She was too precious to him.
But he couldn't say that.
So instead, he forced himself to say, "You're a good person. You deserve better."
Sakura's gaze softened. A slow breath passed through her lips, and then, unexpectedly, she reached for his hand. Her fingers were warm against his palm.
"I understand."
Sasuke stared at their joined hands. His pulse hammered in his ears. There was something disarming about her so simply accepting him. About her just knowing.
Time passed, but neither of them spoke for a while. The quiet stretched between them, deep and settling.
Then, Sakura broke it.
"I want in."
Sasuke blinked. "What?"
Sakura straightened. "I want to join you."
The words were clear. Unwavering.
Sasuke's stomach twisted. "No."
Sakura frowned. "Sasuke—"
"No, Sakura." His voice was sharper now. "It's too dangerous."
"And what do you think I'm going to do if I don't?" she snapped. "Sit here? Keep pretending I'm okay?"
Sasuke clenched his fists. He could feel the fight coming.
Sakura's eyes burned into him. "This Danzo shithead took my father from me."
Sasuke exhaled heavily. "I know that. But—"
"Then you should know why I can't just sit here!"
She wasn't backing down. Her shoulders were tense, her breath unsteady, but she was resolute.
"I'm not just gonna be dead weight you know? I-I… I have skills to offer. Medical knowledge, I know how to handle a gun if necessary, I can… I can…"
Her voice trailed off. And then, she whispered something that stopped Sasuke cold.
"If we're all going to die anyway, what's the point?"
His blood ran cold. He stared at her, at the emptiness in her voice, and suddenly—he remembered himself.
He had said those same words before. To Itachi.
Sasuke exhaled shakily, running a hand over his face. She sounded just like him. Like someone with nothing left.
For a long moment, he just looked at her. And then—he gave in.
"… Fine," he muttered.
Sakura's brows lifted slightly.
Sasuke leaned back against the couch, rubbing his temple. "Itachi was right. He said you'd want in."
Sakura let out a short breath, half a laugh. "Smart guy."
Sasuke sighed. "We'll still have to talk with him." He took a deep breath, then he met her gaze again.
"But if this is what you want… I'll back you up."
Sakura's eyes widened slightly. Then, slowly—she smiled. She leaned into him, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "Thank you."
Sasuke stiffened.
He felt her warmth bloom against his skin. For a moment, he almost pulled away.
But he didn't. Because he remembered.
He remembered the last time she touched him. The last time her warmth had been on his skin. The night he severed ties. The night he walked away from her, leaving her standing alone in her home, heartbroken.
He remembered the exact moment her warmth left him. How the cold crept in it's place, harsh and unbearable.
Now, it was here again. But it was a bit different this time.
Still healing him. Still doing something inside him that he couldn't get from anywhere else.
He had pushed her away because he thought she was too distant. Too pure. Someone with a future. Someone untouched by the weight he carried.
But now… She wasn't that person anymore. She had lost everything. She was suffering. Alone in the world, just like him. Because of me...
And yet a twisted, unspeakable way, he no longer saw her as someone he didn't deserve.
She was just like him.
She was hurting, reaching out to him again. But why was he still trying to push her away?
Sasuke let out a quiet chuckle to himself. Then, his arm moved. He wrapped it around her...
And pulled her closer.