A/N

Guys, your comments on the last chapter were ridiculous XD Clean your brains! XD

Anyway, this chapter is dedicated to Milliana_Uchiha for taking the time to PM me with a long paragraph of advice/things I can improve on my writing skills. It's greatly appreciated.

Now, on with the chapter!

~*~*~*~*~*~

That annoying sound she has to hear every morning rang in her ears and she opened her eyes. Sakura felt her head lightly going up and down and she heard heavy breathing. Craning her head up, she saw his close-eyed face. The Uchiha's raven locks were still perfectly placed, despite being asleep, and his face held a relaxed and peaceful expression. The sunlight shining through the white shears left an illuminating glow on his structured, handsome façade. Even asleep, he was sinfully stunning. Sakura then realized his arm was wrapped securely around her waist. The feeling of Sasuke holding on to her, made Sakura feel protected, yet she couldn't wrap her head around why she feels so comfortable around this dangerous criminal.

Wanting that annoying sound to stop, she hesitantly removed his arm, and clicked the button that stopped the alarm clock. Sighing, the pink-headed detective sat on the side of the bed, and rubbed her eyes. She did not want to go to work today. Sure, Sakura can easily call off, but it seemed completely wrong to do that.

Lazily, the pinkette got up from the bed and walked to her closet to pick out her attire for the day. Once she did so, Sakura went to bathroom, and changed. Her eyes glanced at the mirror, and she began looking at herself.

What does he see in me?

Her hand reached for her head, and she cringed at the thought of Sasuke possibly using her. It could be a possibility, but he also confessed to her. The Uchiha talked to the pinkette about the dark depths of his past. . . The deep trenches of pain and sorrowful agony of losing people you love is never easy to discuss. Hell, it was basically torture. The light in one's eyes slowly fades away, swirling into a deep ocean of darkness when one watches their loved one's lives unexpectedly diminish. Sakura could see that in his hypnotizing onyx orbs. When she looked into his eyes, she could see the hatred and the thirst for revenge. Although she doesn't see the need to question Sasuke's motives, due to the many details he's told her, the pinkette just wonders. . . Why her?

The detective would have expected a gorgeous guy like Sasuke to be in a relationship with a girl like Ino. And then it hit her. . .

Where is Ino?

Ino knows about Sasuke. And what's worse, is that Sakura hasn't heard any news about Ino. Then again, the pinkette has always trusted her close friend, and that's all that should matter. Sighing, Sakura left the bathroom. Quietly, she grabbed her jacket, but glanced at Sasuke to make sure she didn't wake him. After all, the peacefulness on his face is something the emerald-eyed woman wishes she could see more often. All Sakura ever sees in his expression is coldness. Once she was halfway out the door, she stopped at the familiar voice.

"Sakura?" His voice was hoarse.

The emerald-eyed woman turned around and watched as he rubbed his eyes, and sat on the edge of the bed. Even after just waking up, his appearance is enviously perfect. It's crazy to think the Uchiha could be more beautiful than a woman.

"I was just going to work. Didn't want to wake you." She replied with a small smile.

Sitting on the side of the bed, he nodded.

"Alright, well. . ." The pinkette started awkwardly, "I'll see you later."

"Wait."

Sakura turned back around, and the Uchiha used a hand gesture to signal her to come to him. She did so, and placed herself in front of his sitting body. He looked up at her, his onyx eyes were droopy and emotionless. Slowly, Sasuke put his hand on the back of her neck, and brought her head down to his and planted a light kiss on her lips. Sakura was taken completely aback by his sudden sentimental action. Kissing him was basically guilty pleasure. Sakura knows she shouldn't be doing this, but everything about this man made butterflies flutter in her stomach. . . Something she's never felt towards anyone in her life.

"Be safe." The ravenette cautioned.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"I have a strategy." The lazy Nara stated, and everyone turned to listen.

Naruto grinned and was almost jumping out of his seat, "Let's hear it!"

Leaning back in his chair, Shikamaru explained, "We are going to have to work two cases at once." Confusion crossed everyone's features, but he continued, "I read the evidence and research you guys collected last night, and the Akatsuki case stood out to me. I remember how much heartache you guys went through when you couldn't find three of them and the case got called off."

Kakashi frowned, "You want to call the Akatsuki case back on, don't you?"

He nodded, "I do. That means more troublesome work, but we'll all just have to deal with it."

"Why would the Akatsuki case be significant to the Uchiha case?" Sai asked.

Yawning, Shikamaru said, "Itachi Uchiha is part of the last remaining Akatsuki members. In your report, it is stated Sasuke Uchiha could possibly be on the hunt for revenge. After all, his own brother killed their entire clan. Sasuke wants to find his brother. If we find out where the Akatsuki are hiding, we could somehow make it obvious to Sasuke where they are hiding, resulting in him going to their hideout. But guess what? We'll be there when he finds the place."

Kakashi nodded and replied, "Basically we're killing two birds with one stone. . . Finding the Akatsuki and arresting Sasuke Uchiha."

Shikamaru smirked, "Exactly."

"There's a flaw in this 'strategy,'" The pinkette began, "We can't be sure the three remaining members of the Akatsuki are still together. Three is not a big number, so they could've gone their separate ways."

The lazy detective stared at her, "That's where you may be wrong. I looked through files of the Akatsuki case, and during the investigation, an undercover cop joined. He informed the department that the other two members, Sasori and Deidara, have a strong bond. They were practically inseparable during the time the undercover cop was a part of the Akatsuki. It's no doubt the two could still be together."

"Yes, but where does Itachi fit into all of this? He could've left." She replied.

"You could be right, but the Akatsuki is the only means of protection Itachi Uchiha has. Being alone could increase the chances of being caught. And if Itachi were taken in, he would face charges of manslaughter, drug-use, and theft. It benefits him to stay in a group of professional criminals like Sasori and Deidara." Shikamaru shrugged, "And even if we're wrong, it's worth a shot."

"Right," Sai nodded, "But if we find their new hideout, how could we somehow get the information out to Sasuke Uchiha, so he will go there?"

Shikamaru closed his eyes, "We'll deal with that when the time comes. For now, two of us will work the Akatsuki case, while three of us will continue the Uchiha case. Everyone will be involved in both cases, but it's best if we work the two cases separate."

The Uzumaki gave a slight nod, "So who will work what case?"

The pineapple-haired man looked at each of his fellow detectives, and stated, "Hatake and I on the Akatsuki case and everyone else on the Uchiha case."

"Wait," The pinkette started, "May I request taking your place on the Akatsuki case?"

"Why?" The Nara asked.

She replied, "I failed doing the Akatsuki case. Working on it again will give me a sort of redemption."

Shikamaru paused before answering, "I see. . . Alright, you can take Hatake's place."

"Why not yours?" Sakura asked.

"The Uchiha case wasn't mine to begin with. I'd rather stay inside my boundaries and work on a separate case."

"Right," Sakura smiled, "Thank you for allowing me to switch cases."

It is true the pinkette wanted to redeem herself, but there was also another reason for her need to find the remaining Akatsuki members. She knows Sasuke wants revenge on Itachi and as much as she hates to admit it, the emerald-eyed woman feels the need to help Sasuke on the quest to finding his elder brother.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"I see. . ." The ravenette replied, thinking about what the detective just told him.

Leaning towards him a bit, she asked, "What do you think? I am doing this for you after all."

He smirked, "I'm just glad you're not head of throwing me behind bars."

"Yeah, yeah," The pinkette started, as she leaned back on the couch, "This is going to be really difficult though. The Akatsuki are a smart bunch, even if there are only three of them left."

Dismissing what she just said, Sasuke stood up and grabbed his sheathed katana. Sakura rose an eyebrow at him in confusion and stood with him.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

Sighing, the Uchiha replied, "Out," His eyes turned to her, "But I want you to come with me."

For a moment, Sakura's facial expression held worry, but then turned to eagerness and exhilaration. She nodded in response, and Sasuke scanned her attire for a moment.

"Wear black," his velvet voice recommended, "It's best to not be seen."

~*~*~*~*~*~

Grabbing her hand, the Uchiha helped her off the fire escape, and into a narrowed alley. The black hood on her head covered her bubblegum pink locks. Sakura stared at his back, as he took the lead in front of her. The detective then realized how she didn't even question where they were going.

Do I trust him that much?

His head turned towards her, raven locks flowing to the side due to the wind, "Stay near the walls and don't seem too tense. Causing suspicion is the last thing we want to do."

Right when he said that, Sakura knew. . . This is what criminals like him do. Sasuke Uchiha is not a reckless criminal, so he knows how to not cause intuition. After all, he's been doing this for years.

Their footsteps echoed as the two continued walking at a normal pace through the empty alleys and back roads. There was not one person to be seen, due to how late it was at night. Sakura tilted her head up at the night sky, admiring the full moon and the flickering stars sorrowing it. At times, she would gaze at the sky, forgetting the conflicts going on in her life.

"Hey," the sound of his deeply, rich voice made her stop daydreaming, and look towards the Uchiha, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

His gaze shifted back ahead of him, "I'm surprised you haven't asked where we're going."

"I didn't think I needed to." The pinkette replied, looking down.

Staying silent, the Uchiha stopped abrumptly. Sakura stared at a blocked off entrance, and she immediately knew just where they were. The eerie silence made her stomach clench. A light breeze made nearby debris and leaves move around the ground.

"This is. . ." Her words trailed off.

Sasuke gave a curt nod, "Yeah."

Turning to him, the emerald-eyed woman gave Sasuke a concerned look, "Why are we at South Avenue?"

Ignoring her question, the Uchiha proceeded towards the blocked off entrance that was like a tall wooden fence. His fingers trailed along the fence, until his hand stopped. Taking a large plank of wood off the fence, he slid through the entrance.

"Sas-"

He cut her off, "Come on."

Sighing in defeat, she did as told and followed his lead. Once she was through the entrance, the Uchiha placed the wood back in the correct spot. Turning to Sakura, he gave her a stern look.

"Listen to me," He started, "Stay behind me, and be aware of your surroundings. If you see someone, let me kno-"

"Sasuke," she chuckled, "I think you're forgetting what my occupation is."

Sighing, he replied, "Just be careful."

It didn't take long for the two to walk quietly through the dangerous and abandoned neighborhood. Fortunately, there were no disruptions or people around. Sakura kept glancing at her surroundings cautiously. She has bad blood with this place after all.

"We're here." Sasuke said, as he walked towards a run-down house.

The pinkette's eyes widened in staggerment, "Sasuke, why did you-" his solemn expression stopped her.

Sakura could feel the dark aura of the past. It was almost as if she could see the blood stains and the image of death. The feeling in her chest was very unsettling, and it made chills run down her spine. The cold Uchiha ignored the pinkette, and hopped through a window, Sakura following him. Everything was dusty and dark, as well as eerie. This is a place of the past, and the detective felt like an intrusion.

Not wasting another minute feeling vulnerable, she asked once again, "Sasuke, why did you bring me here?"

Her emerald eyes shifted to his hands, which were clenched.

"I want you to understand why I do these sinful things, Sakura." Sasuke stared at her with remorse in his eyes, "This home meant everything to me, because everyone I held deep to my heart lived under this very roof."

Her eyes watered, as the pinkette stayed silent for him to continue.

The ravenette grit his teeth, "The feeling of having everyone you love taken away from you right in front of your eyes is something you'd have to experience on your own to understand. That's why. . ." he spat, "That's why I despise others. They are so ignorant of everything."

"Sasuke-" He cut her off, wanting to vent further.

Closing his eyes, Sasuke continued, "My Father always fawned over my brother and that made me beyond envious of Itachi. I wanted my Father to acknowledge me like he did to Itachi. And just when my Dad appreciates me, his existence becomes no more."

Sakura could feel the tears falling from the corners of her eyes.

"And my Mother. . ." Sasuke began, "My Mother was so caring and I was never appreciative of her enough. She loved me and my brother dearly, yet her life was taken away by someone she held very dear."

She walked hesitantly towards the criminal, and placed her hand on his arm gently, "You don't need to tell me all of this. I understand you feel tormented."

He sighed, "I don't want you to think I'm lying to you."

"Sakura shook her head, "I know you aren't."

Slowly, the pinkette wrapped her arms around his waist, embracing him in a comforting way. Pausing for a moment, the Uchiha accepted the hug. Over and over again, he asked himself. . .

When was the last time I hugged someone?

~*~*~*~*~*~

Being wary of their surroundings, the two walked at their own pace towards Sakura's apartment. An uncomfortable chill crossed the Uchiha, and he looked around for any signs of a presence. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a silhouette for a split moment until it disappeared. A grave expression crossed his features.

Sakura noticed this and asked, "Is everything okay?"

Careful not to worry her, Sasuke replied, "Come on."

And his pace increased.

~*~*~*~*~*~

There was no doubt he saw him. No doubt whatsoever.

I wasn't cautious enough.

Jogging, he could see the abandoned house in his field of vision. Stopping to catch his breath for a moment, the man finally reached the large house. After scanning his surroundings for any intruders, he entered the house. His dark eyes narrowed at a tatami mat on the floor and he lifted it up, revealing a wooden hatch. Lifting up the door, he walked down the latter.

"There you are." A familiar voice called to the man, "Where have you been?" He placed his polished finger-nailed hand on his hip in question.

The mysterious man turned to the blonde, "Out."

The man with blonde hair stared at the other, as he walked past him. Both of them reached a room, and entered.

"Well," he started, "Did you find him?"

His dark eyes closed, "Yes."

Smirking, the blonde called out, "Sasori, my man! Come here!"

The crimson-haired man walked into the room, his footsteps echoed off the walls. Sasori's never-aging face held a bored expression.

"What is it, Deidara?" He asked.

With his smirk growing, Deidara replied, "Itachi found the guy."

Sasori frowned, "Well tell us," his red-tinted eyes turned the Uchiha, "I don't like to be kept waiting."

Nodding, Itachi responded, "He saw my shadow, but our suspicions were correct."

The crimson-haired Akatsuki member's lips slightly tilted upward, "So Sasuke is indeed seeing her."

"Yes," his onxy eyes closed for a moment, "We now know who we're after," opening his eyes, he finished, "Sakura Haruno is our target."

~*~*~*~*~*~

I wanted to make the Akatsuki members somewhat unpredictable, so I randomly chose Deidara and Sasori.

Hope you enjoyed!

~Kit_Katzzz