Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sub Rosa ❯ Chapter 5
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
A/N: Don't own Naruto. Love reviews. Blah blah blah. Still not beta'd, so forgive the mistakes.
CHAPTER 5
Tsunade groaned and slammed her palm against the desk, covering her face with the other hand. Shizune remained frozen by the entrance, trying to not make any sudden movements with her boss so irritated. Jiraiya lounged back in his chair like he was watching a ball game.
The room they were in was Tsunade's office. It was small, but comfortable, with splintered wood paneling and papers stacked in nearly every corner. A stack had fallen and scattered with Tsunade's expression of anger. She took a few deep breaths, then reached into a drawer to grab a bottle of sake. Jiraiya pouted slightly when she didn't offer him any. The window behind Tsunade offered the view of another brick building across a decrepit courtyard.
"As I was saying," continued Jiraiya, "Kakashi was attacked, and he thinks it was Danzo's men."
Tsunade took a swig out of her bottle, set it to the side, then leaned forward while crossing her fingers under her chin. Her amber eyes snapped furiously.
"So," she stated, "Danzo is at it again. He's interfering with business."
Jiraiya shrugged. "Are you surprised?"
Tsunade sighed, "Not really. I just thought he would honor the deal longer than this."
Jiraiya stoked his chin thoughtfully, gazing out the window behind Tsunade. "Perhaps something is going on inside. He's probably feeling threatened somehow."
"By what?" grumbled Tsunade, "we've avoided the hits on his people, and our business is obviously not as bustling as his." She waved her hand around the dusty office to prove her point.
"Even a mosquito can be deadly," replied Jiraiya. Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Don't pull that with me. Just figure this out, Jiraiya. I want to know what were dealing with. In fact, get me Shikamaru--he might be able to think something up."
"Yes, master."
Tsunade shot him a glare as he stood up, then he paused.
"By the way," he declared slyly, "I have some interesting news."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and took another swig from her bottle, waiting for him to continue.
"A little fox told me Kakashi has a girl living with him. Interesting, hm?"
Tsunade frowned after wiping her mouth on the back of her sleeve. "A girl? Do we know anything about her?"
"Nothing, other than Naruto trusts her implicitly."
The busty woman rolled her eyes. "He still trusts Sasuke even after everything. What's her name?"
"Haruno, Sakura."
Tsunade tapped her chin. "Why does that name sound so familiar? Haruno...."
Jiraiya shrugged. "Should I ask around?" he questioned.
"Do that. Don't say anything to Kakashi though. He'd be irritated enough knowing that we know. Idiot man."
Jiraiya grinned and went to leave, giving Shizune a passing leer as she scowled at him.
"Oh, and Jiraiya?" Tsunade said sweetly, "Stop charging your whores to us. Use your own damn money."
Jiraiya's shoulders slumped. Damn.
Break break break break break break Break break break break break break
Sakura woke up to a nearly naked, bare faced Kakashi leaning over her.
She shrieked and pulled a blanket over her head.
"Ah, you're finally awake," he said mildly.
Sakura counted to ten under the blankets before she sat up to look around. Kakashi had moved away, leaning against the wall watching her. Sakura couldn't help but stare. She had seen his face before--she blushed remember the context of that night--but never in a way she could really study it. He wasn't smiling, but his eyes seemed to bubble humorously.
Sakura's eyes dragged down his body then. She inspected his lean chest, long legs, muscled thighs. Her eyes stopped at his bandages.
"You shouldn't be up," she finally said.
Kakashi's lips quirked at that. "I'll be okay."
Sakura frowned. "You were really hurt. You bled a lot."
Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly, staring at something invisible above her head. Sakura sighed and got up, scratching the back of her neck and yawning. She felt grungy. Dried blood still flecked her skin.
"You need a shower," Sakura pointed out to Kakashi, looking directly at his hair.
Kakashi frowned. "I'm not that dirty, am I?"
Sakura stared at him flatly. "Yes. Yes you are."
Kakashi sulked slightly and Sakura made her way to the dining room, only to be stopped as she passed Kakashi. He reached out and grabbed her wrist. She stared at his hand, then up at his face, which was looking at her searchingly.
"Thank you, Sakura," he said, his voice deep and rumbling.
Sakura felt her cheeks warm as she stared up at him, and she felt slightly entranced. "Anybody else would have..." she mumbled, trailing off as he moved a little closer. She couldn't breathe. There was an expectant hush in the air, as though both were just waiting for something to happen. His callused began to slide gently up her arm, a whisper of a touch, but she felt it all the way to her belly, to her thighs, to her toes, as though her whole body was focused on feeling that single caress.
The reverie was cracked as a knock came to the front door. Kakashi's hand snapped away, his eyes dimming as though shutters had been pulled over his emotions. Sakura flushed and took a step back.
"You should probably get dressed," she muttered awkwardly. "I can get the door."
Kakashi nodded and limped off. Sakura waited until he was at the top of the stairs before answering the door.
It was Kurenai. She took one look at Sakura, the dried blood and shadowed eyes, and burst in.
"What happened?" Kurenai barraged, searching the room with her gaze.
Sakura shut the door behind her. "Kakashi's getting changed," she said. They heard the shower start above them. "And taking a shower too, apparently."
Kurenai rounded on Sakura. "Tell me what happened."
Sakura shrugged. "I honestly don't really know. He just came home last night injured."
"He hasn't said anything?" Kurenai asked.
Sakura shook her head. "I only just talked to him, but he seemed okay."
Kurenai slumped slightly, a relieved sigh issuing from her lips.
Sakura smiled grimly. "Do you want some tea?"
Kurenai nodded and followed, sitting herself at the dining table with a groan. Sakura glanced at her curiously and Kurenai laughed thinly. "The baby," she explained. "It's a little more difficult to move around at this point."
Sakura laughed and finished preparing the tea. She settled herself in as Kurenai stared out the window. Sakura listened as the shower stopped. Kakashi would be down in a few minutes.
Sakura was right, Kakashi appeared a few minutes later, hair wet and dripping. He had donned a pair of navy blue sweat pants and a plain black t-shit, along with his mask. His bandages had been rewrapped messily. Kurenai focused on the same thing.
"You were injured," she stated.
"Only a flesh wound," Kakashi replied.
Kurenai's eyes narrowed. Sakura, sensing the tension, stood up. The other two glanced at her curiously and Sakura smiled at them apologetically. "I think I need to take a shower." She waved down at herself. "I'm a little gross."
Kurenai smiled as Sakura left the room. She could feel Kakashi's eyes on her the whole way.
Break break break break break break Break break break break break break
Kakashi turned to look at Kurenai after Sakura looked at the room. Kurenai studied him with an upturned eyebrow and pursed lips.
"What?" he asked.
Kurenai just smiled enigmatically. "Nothing."
Kakashi frowned and went to sit at the table. Kurenai stood up.
"Strip," she ordered.
"Kurenai, I didn't know you felt that way about me," Kakashi joked blithely.
"Don't be cute, Kakashi," Kurenai said flatly, "I want to see your injuries. You were limping."
Kakashi sighed as though in agony then quickly pulled off his sweat pants, leaving him in front of a woman in his boxers for the second time that day. He pulled out his book from where he stuffed it in his pocket as Kurenai kneeled down to unwrap his leg and forearm. There was a few minutes a blissful silence before Kurenai interrupted it.
"Kakashi?"
"Mm?"
"Did she do this?"
Kakashi glanced down at Kurenai, who was currently studying the stitches on his leg.
"Yes," he answered.
Kurenai frowned thoughtfully, eyes taking in every detail of the clean, strait sutures.
"This is not armature work, you know that, right?" she mumbled as she picked up the bandage to rewrap his thigh. She did a much better job than he had. Kakashi shrugged at her comment, studiously focusing on his book.
"I'm surprised you let her work on you," she expressed, voice tactfully even.
"I didn't have much of a choice," he replied.
"You were that out of it?" Kurenai stated at him, surprised as she rewrapped his arm cleanly.
"No," Kakashi muttered, "she's just that forceful."
Kurenai laughed and dragged herself back to her seat, staring at Kakashi thoughtfully.
"You still haven't found anything new about her?" she asked.
Kakashi shrugged. "Naruto knows her. But not where she's been the last few years."
"Interesting..." mumbled Kurenai. "I'm surprised you haven't figured out more. You're the master of espionage after all."
"She's not an enemy, Kurenai."
Kurenai shot him a disbelieving look. "And when has that stopped you before?"
Kakashi shrugged.
Kurenai smiled knowingly but decided to let the line of questioning drop. They sat for a few minutes of contented silence. Kurenai sipped her tea and Kakashi read. He put the book away when the dull thrum of the pipes leading to the shower silenced. Kurenai shot him another indiscernible look right before Sakura entered the room again.
"A nice shower, Sakura?" Kurenai asked politely, and Sakura nodded, flushing as she caught of Kakashi in his boxers again. He had yet to don his pants.
"You're going to get sick," she said pointedly, and Kakashi shrugged, but made to slip them back on. Sakura slid into the seat next to Kakashi.
"You did a good job with his injuries, Sakura," Kurenai finally said.
"Ah," Sakura replied awkwardly. "Thank you."
Kurenai nodded. "It almost looks as if you've had experience."
Sakura shook her head, relaxing a bit. Kakashi watched her face for a hint of something, anything, but she seemed to not be hiding anything. "I just like reading medical books," she stated a bit bashfully. "It's always interested me."
"Interesting," Kurenai smiled. "Have you ever thought to go to school for it?"
"Um..." Sakura faltered, "I have never really had the chance."
Kakashi remained silent. Sakura was being interrogated--in a friendly way, but interrogated none the less. He was too curious to stop it though. Similar questions had been going through his mind as well. Kurenai just put up a better pretense of polite chatter than Kakashi was able to.
"That's unfortunate," replied Kurenai. "May I ask why?"
Sakura's back was strait, shoulders tense and brittle looking. "It's really expensive."
Kurenai nodded. "Perhaps you should look into some loans or grants?"
Sakura nodded. "I may do that," she said noncommittally.
They remained silent for a few seconds until Sakura changed the subject. "Do you want some tea, Kakashi? I forgot to ask."
"That would be nice," he replied. Sakura got up and padded to the kitchen, going through the motions of boiling water. Kurenai stared at Kakashi, her eyes obviously relaying a message.
'The girl is hiding something....'
Kakashi nodded then shrugged.
Break break break break break break Break break break break break break
A few days passed and the fridge was nearly empty. Sakura frowned as she searched the cupboards for something edible only to find tomato sauce, canned corn, and dog treats. Kakashi didn't have a dog, so she wasn't sure why those were in there, but they looked old.
Sakura glanced at the time, so see it was a little past noon. Kakashi hadn't appeared from his room yet, but... she was damn hungry, and she certainly wasn't going to eat dog biscuits. Unfortunately, getting food also meant being forced to go to Kakashi's room. The last time had been more than awkward. The grumbling of Sakura's stomach made the decision for her.
She stalked up the stairs and stood in front of Kakashi's door. Taking a deep breath, she knocked.
"Kakashi?"
She waited a few seconds, then a muffled "come in" floated through the door. Sakura paused, then cracked the door and slipped in.
Kakashi was still in his bed, laying on his belly. The blankets pooled around his waist, revealing him to be shirtless. Sakura stared, entranced for a few seconds, until he turned his head to stare at her curiously. He looked to be half asleep. Sakura blushed.
"Um," she stuttered, "I was wondering if there was a grocery store nearby. I could pick us up some groceries."
Kakashi mumbled something and closed his eyes. Sakura stood there awkwardly.
"I'll go," he finally yawned.
"No, you need to sleep. I can go alone," she protested.
Kakashi opened his eyes again, blinking. "Okay... Down a few streets. Off 15th." Sakura nodded, memorizing the street. "My wallet is on the counter," he continued, "take forty."
Sakura nodded again. "Thank you, Kakashi."
He mumbled something and turned his face back into the pillow. Sakura nearly laughed, but restrained herself and snuck out of the room, closing the door behind her softly. She nearly bounded down the steps, excited at being able to get out of the house for a bit. She was going stir crazy, and had nearly finished reading Kakashi's Icha Icha series. Going grocery shopping was a good excuse to get out.
Sakura found Kakashi's wallet by the phone. It was simple black leather, fraying at the corners. Sakura smiled fondly as she flipped it open. At the front was his license. She studied the picture. He looked bored, and perhaps a tinge uncomfortable. He wasn't wearing his mask.
Behind that was a debit card, shoved in with a movie rental card and a library card. Sakura stared longingly at the library card but resisted the urge to swipe it. Kakashi was bound to notice if she did, and it would probably dissolve any trust he had with her. She had stopped asking him about what had happened a few nights ago on the same principle. He refused to answer, and seemed to just get irritated whenever she pushed it. It frustrated her to no end, but she would just have to wait for him to tell her, or search out the truth herself.
Sakura grabbed the money and stuffed it into her back pocket. She bundled herself up in one of Kakashi's jackets and a scarf, and, as an afterthought, grabbed her knife and photo from the washroom where she had left them after washing her old jacket. It never hurt to be too careful.
It was clear but cool outside. The sun shone brightly, and Sakura reveled in the feel of it on her skin, despite the nipping cold against her cheeks. She set off at a brisk pace to keep herself warm, memorizing the layout of the neighborhood. After about ten minutes she reached the busier roads and from there easily find the grocery store.
It was small, compared to other grocery stores, but of a good enough size to stock what a chain store usually carried. The floors were dirty and the lights dim but Sakura was still grateful anyway. She grabbed a hand basket and began to peruse the aisles.
Her basket was about half full when her skin prickled with nervousness. She casually grabbed a box of crackers to study while glancing down the thin aisle. Sakura tried not to tense when she saw two men at the end, staring at her. With an extremely relaxed air, she put the crackers in her basket and began to meander the opposite way.
Sweat broke out on her forehead and she could feel her blood beating loudly in ears. They had found her. She didn't know how. She hadn't been out in weeks and even then she hadn't been anywhere they would know.
Her brain raced through possible escape routes from the store. She rounded the corner of the aisle, pausing, then turning left where she saw the swinging doors to the back room of the store. The front door would be blocked, she was positive. Glancing down the aisles she saw one man keeping pace with her. The other had disappeared, which meant he was probably behind her.
Sakura quickened her pace minutely, trying to keep her breathing even and calm. The grungy black doors were only a few feet away. Sakura pretended to nearly walk passed them before she spun, dropped her basket, and sprinted through them. She could hear a shout, but ignored it and slowed to search the storage room for an exit. She felt relief as an emergency exit came into view, and immediately took off for it. Behind her, the swinging doors slammed open. Sakura didn't dare look back for fear that she would lose even a second time.
Panting breaths behind her, heavy footsteps, and Sakura forced her muscles to go go go. She cursed the heaviness of her jacket as it chafed and slowed her down.
Sakura reached the door and pushed through. Alarms sounded, a screeching, piercing sound that made Sakura want to cover her ears. She was through the doorway when a large figure appeared before her. Sakura cursed and made to avoid him but wasn't fast enough. His fist swung at her gut, and Sakura felt the air leave her lungs at the force of it. She felt like retching, and when she fell limply, a strong arm caught her.
"Good job, Kisame," a smooth voice said from behind her. Sakura tried to take in deep breaths, not moving as she tried to regain her wits. She wanted to just drop and curl in to herself, but she couldn't afford to.
She looked up, facing a nearly gigantic man with small eyes and a blue tinge to his skin. She grinned when he saw her looking at him.
"Fast, but not fast enough, girl," he stated maliciously. Next to him another man stepped up. He was much smaller, slender even. His blood eyes stared at her under a fringe of raven black hair.
"Itachi," Sakura gritted out.
"Sakura," he greeted, "we have been looking for you."
Sakura snarled, "let me go."
Itachi frowned. "No, I don't think so."
Kisame pulled a roll of duck tape and Sakura grimaced as he bound her hands behind her back tightly. Deftly he patted her down, removing the knife, photo, and cash from her pockets, then he grabbed her neck tightly, pushing her in the direction of the parking lot.
"Don't try anything," Kisame warned, "or you'll be hurting more than you are now."
Sakura glared at him, but turned back to Itachi. "How did you find me?"
Itachi shrugged. "Luck. We weren't even looking for you. At least, not here."
Sakura frowned. She must have the worst luck in the world if that were true. She didn't ponder it further though, instead focusing on how she was going to get away. The odds were stacked heavily against her. Her hands were bound, and she was being escorted by two presumably strong fighters. At least she knew Itachi was, and Itachi wouldn't lower himself to be paired with someone substandard.
They came up to a black car. Kisame opened up the back and shoved her in. She stumbled and fell, and he laughed. Itachi went to the driver's side, while Kisame went and settled into the passenger's seat. Immediately Sakura set to work twisting her wrists against the tape, trying to hide her winces as it tore her skin. Kisame kept glancing back at her with a malicious smirk, and each time Sakura would still and glare at him defiantly.
"Girl's got some spark, " he said to Itachi, who just glanced at her through the rear view mirror and didn't respond.
They were driving to the city, and Sakura felt panic creeping in. She got her bonds loosened by the time they were driving through crowded one-way streets and towering sky scrapers. She slipped the tape loose and waited patiently until they came to a stop at a street light.
Quickly, trying not to think about it, she jumped for the door, pulled up the lock and threw herself out. She landed on all fours, and her knees burned from scraping the pavement. She didn't let it slow her down though and instead picked herself up and began sprinting down the street.
She could hear Kisame curse somewhere back behind her, which made her push her body even more. She didn't want to find out what he would do to her if she were caught.
She pushed past people, ignoring their exclamations of anger and indignation. She turned down another street, then down an alley. She didn't stop. Her lungs burned and her legs ached but she forced herself to keep going, weaving through streets hoping she had lost him.
She finally had to slow, and ducked into a department store. She strode through until she found a bathroom sign. She entered, surprising a woman who was doing her makeup. The woman eyed Sakura's appearance incredulously, and Sakura smiled back at her politely before locking herself in a stall at the far end. A few seconds later the woman left and Sakura released her held breath. She collapsed against the stall, her breath coming out in shallow pants, her limbs shaking. Slowly she slid to the floor, not caring about sanitation, and put her head in her hands.
'Careless. You were very careless,' her Inner voice whispered.
She had been. She had stayed in one place too long and had put other people at risk. A coil of guilt nearly choked her. She had been so lucky they had seen her at the store, lucky that Kakashi hadn't been with her, lucky they didn't know where she had been staying.
Sakura nearly groaned. She was so screwed. Kisame had taken everything from her pockets, even the last photograph of her family. Tears threatened to squeeze from her eyes, but Sakura held them back. It was not the time to cry. It was the time to think. She was homeless, penniless, friendless, and they were searching for her. Now that they knew she was in the area they wouldn't stop searching.
'So screwed,' her Inner voice repeated.