Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto characters and I make no profit from their use in my work of fanfiction.
Chapter Nine
**Day Fifteen**
Naruto refused to leave the office for the next few hours. Sasuke settled against the wall, allowing him the chance to look at the box of pictures alone. When Naruto wanted him he would let him know, but until then he would keep his distance.
In that silence Sasuke was able to think over the few oddities that the room offered, or should he say, the lack thereof. It seemed unreasonable to him that a man like Jiraiya had barred the room, knowingly or unknowingly concealing a box of pictures that Naruto could have had years ago. Was he trying to hide something or was there nothing here to begin with? And then there was the bad feeling Naruto had? His eyes shifted over the blonde bent over the box of pictures and then to the one window.
You wouldn’t fit bars to an empty room, so why would someone do that unless they were hiding something? And what could you hide in an empty room? It was completely plausible that the room had been empty when Jiraiya sealed it and that could have been the reason he had; but as soon as Sasuke thought it he dismissed it. So that left him with one thought...
“What was he hiding from me, teme?” Naruto asked quietly, voicing what Sasuke had just been thinking. He closed the lid on the box and stood up to stretch cramped muscles.
“I don’t know dobe, but it must be something important.”
Naruto shook his head and stared out the window, losing himself to thought again as he watched the sun make its descent on the horizon, lighting the sky with gold’s and red’s. Finally having enough of the brooding, Naruto made his way to Sasuke who pushed off the wall. He grabbed the raven in his grasp, hugging tightly.
“I don’t know where else to look.” Naruto admitted, snuggling into his chest. Sasuke wound his fingers in blonde locks, pulling Naruto even closer.
“We’ll think of something, dobe.”
Naruto nodded and allowed Sasuke to drag him from the room and down the steps, turning off the light as they went. On the second landing Sasuke turned and gripped Naruto tightly, kissing him passionately. Pulling away and slightly flustered Naruto gasped out “What was that for?”
“Do I need a reason to kiss you?” Sasuke smirked.
“No, not really...” Naruto mumbled dazedly.
With a self-satisfied grin he captured his lips again. Naruto let out a breathless laugh, steering Sasuke towards their room. He pushed open the french doors, once again revealing the marvels within. It still stunned Sasuke how beautiful the room was, painted in a soft blue color with a mural of an oak tree swaying in a non-existent breeze, the leaves seeming to flow right from the wall. It was a wonderful sight to wake up to from the cherry stained four poster bed. There was another set of french doors that led out to the balcony, showcasing the beautiful water fountain and flower garden below. But it all seemed to pale in comparison to the man standing before him…they couldn’t match Naruto’s beauty in his eyes.
“Senators really live in luxury here.” Sasuke whistled.
“True, but to look at the other houses, they couldn’t compare to mine. My family has owned this home for a very long time, before the family name became synonymous with the Senators of Konohagakure. They built it into what it is today, easily the most luxuriant house in Konohagakure.”
“It’s a very beautiful estate.” Sasuke admitted, smiling at the dobe.
“I will agree with you, but you haven’t seen anything yet. I’ll have to officially give you the tour so be prepared to be amazed.” Naruto laughed as he dragged the star-struck Uchiha through the wonders of the Namikaze family home.
~calm~
“I can’t believe you have a ballroom?! Do you really need a ballroom?” He asked incredibly, stepping fully into the large room when Naruto pushed the doors wide open. He had been awed by many of the rooms, all extravagantly decorated and oddly lived in, but this took the cake. Who could honestly say that their house housed a ballroom?!
“It comes in handy for the Senatorial parties, though I was never allowed to attend...not that I really wanted to. I was still forced to learn all those ridiculous dances though!”
“Am I to believe that you can actually dance dobe?” Sasuke challenged quirking an eyebrow in disbelief.
“You should, Jiraiya forced me to take lessons in the hopes that I would someday woo some beautiful woman. That fizzled when he learned that I was more interested in guys.” Naruto laughed.
“I can’t complain with that.” Sasuke smirked.
“Of course you wouldn’t.” He mumbled too low for Sasuke to hear.
~CALM~
Kakashi strode up to the board and erased everything, deciding that a fresh start was in order. Tired yawns were heard and sleepy eyes followed his movement as light crept out of the room from the setting sun. They had pulled an all-nighter the night before and the lack of sleep was finally catching up to them. Kakashi reached up and pulled off the pictures too. He stepped back from the board and sat down, staring critically.
“What are we missing here?” He asked softly, tapping the end of the marker against his cheek.
“Many things.” Sakura yawned. She was leaning on her elbow heavily and her eyes were drooping in weariness. She just wanted to go home and sleep for the rest of the week.
“How are they connected?” Kakashi continued, ignoring Sakura’s comment. “What are we missing?”
“We don’t know why Senator Jiraiya was in that building or why Naruto was shot with a bullet that murdered the Uchiha’s...” Neji started.
“Unless Jiraiya was in that building because of the Uchiha’s...?” Iruka stated, climbing the steps into the precinct.
“Do you have evidence to prove that?” Kakashi asked, perking up considerably. Neji suppressed a small snicker, hiding it behind his hand. It was a longtime known fact that Kakashi fancied Iruka, but refused to pursue him for some reason or other. It was also a longtime known fact that Iruka reciprocated those feelings, but also refused to act on them. It was one of the only sources of entertainment for their small precinct; and one that carried heavy betting. Everyone had placed wagers on the two trying to determine when and if they would ever get together.
“None, it was just a thought.” Iruka murmured, scratching at the scar across his nose. Kakashi sagged slightly.
“It’s something we already thought of, but had no evidence to lend it credence.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Iruka murmured, reaching out and laying a hand on Kakashis defeated shoulders.
Kakashi hid his thrilled smile behind his gray turtleneck. He was always happy to see Iruka, when and wherever. “So what brings you by?”
“Oh, we finally analyzed everything from the crime scene. You know that we searched the building top to bottom? Well, I went back after hearing that there may have been more than one perpetrator inside. I made sure to search for all forms of entry that could bypass the front door. There was only one…”
“That’s not what the layout says…?” Kakashi stated and reached for the paper in question.
“There wasn’t another way in when those layouts were produced. They constructed two buildings beside it since then and the one on the left is accessible via the roof. There is a narrow gap between them that is easily crossed. When I went up I noticed that the lock to the door was broken. I processed the scene and found a hair with an intact follicle. I just finished with analyzing it. We got a hit. It is from the security guard of the apartment complex: Mizuki.”
“Mizuki? What could he possibly want on the roof...?” Kiba started.
“Naruto said that there was someone behind him!” Shikamaru growled, trying to stand up too quickly and losing his balance. Neji reached out and caught the dark-haired man, salvaging his dignity, much to Shikamaru’s relief.
“Shika, there is no reason to believe that he was there when Naruto was shot. That lock could have been cut long before Senator Jiraiya...”
“No, Sakura, that lock was intact when I was there processing the scene for Senator Jiraiya.” Iruka shook his head.
“So then is Naruto to be believed now?” Kiba asked confusedly.
“When didn’t we believe him?” Genma asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion.
“But...you said...and then...but...didn’t you?” Kiba spluttered, immediately confused. A whine was heard at his feet, but no one paid it any mind.
“Make no mistake. I have never doubted Narutos words; I just don’t always listen to them as closely as I should.” Genma murmured, whispering the last part so only he could hear.
“No, you just wait for some kind of proof to show itself and then you act like you believed him all along.” Raido muttered.
“Aww, Raido, that’s not true! I always believe him!”
“Sure you do.” Raido rolled his eyes, but didn’t hold back the chuckle that escaped him.
“So we need to get Mizuki back in here and find out what he was doing on that roof.” Kakashi muttered, pulling out his phone and dialing.
~CALM~
Naruto relaxed into Sasukes grip as he was whirled around the ballroom slowly. It was a calming moment for the two of them, but Sasuke was happier to know that Naruto was the one benefitting most. He wanted to keep him distracted for the time being. They could pick up where they left off tomorrow.
“What are you thinking about, teme?” Naruto whispered.
“I’m thinking about all the things that I could be doing to you right about now.” Sasuke lied.
“Really?” Naruto asked, keeping in time with Sasuke’s lead as they danced around the room.
“Hmm, yeah, there is so much that I could put you through.” He teased. Naruto laughed his pulse thrumming with the possibilities. “But we won’t be doing any of that right now. You still need to heal before we can do some of the more
‘vigorous’ activities.”
“You promise?”
“I promise you dobe.”
Naruto smiled and pulled away from Sasuke, putting an end to their slow dance. “You are not a bad dancer, Uchiha.”
“You’re not bad yourself, Uzumaki.” Naruto released a laugh and kissed Sasuke soundly.
“Sasuke…” He whispered breathlessly. He leaned back in to capture the raven in another kiss, but the tinny sound coming from his pocket stalled him.
“What the hell is that?!” Sasuke asked with a frown on his face.
“My phone...!” Naruto replied. Slipping his hand into his pocket he pulled out his phone and hit the speakerphone button. He muttered a tired hello.
The voice on the other line didn’t falter once as he greeted back, his voice filling the room as if he was standing right next to them. ‘Naru?’
“Shika!” Naruto exclaimed happily, stifling the yawn he was about to let loose.
‘You didn’t call to let me know that you arrived safely.’
“Oops...” He replied, rubbing his mussed up hair sheepishly. Sasuke quirked an eyebrow and shook his head. He earned a jab to the hip for his trouble.
‘Oops, that’s it? That’s all I get; oops? What the hell where you up to that it slipped your mind to call me?’
“...” Naruto but his lip, but otherwise refused to answer.
‘Naru?’
“... ...”
‘Naru?’
“... ... ...”
‘Naruto!?’
“Does it matter what he was occupied with? Doubtless you would have known if the dobe hadn’t made it home safely otherwise.” Sasuke growled. He molded his body against Naruto’s back, jerking the phone out of his lax grasp.
“Hey!” Naruto squawked. He tried to turn in Sasuke’s grasp, reaching for the phone that was held just out of his reach. Naruto huffed when the arm around his waist tightened considerably.
‘Hmm...’ Shikamaru groaned. ‘You were doing something stupid again weren’t you?’
“I’m offended, I did not!” Naruto protested.
‘I know you, Naru...’
“I hardly think that grocery shopping is doing something stupid, Nara.”
‘Uchiha, I doubt that is all that you were doing.’
“Are you envious?” Sasuke snapped.
“Sasuke!” Naruto shrieked.
‘Would that make you enormously pleased if I was, Uchiha?’
“Shika, don’t...” Naruto stated sadly.
“You had your chance and you failed to act upon it...”
‘Because I knew that I wasn’t good for Naru...’
“Stop it! I’ve had enough of this. I thought you two had made peace?!” Naruto barked. He pulled free of Sasuke’s grasp and stormed out of the room. Sasuke stood stunned before giving chase, Shikamaru’s voice chasing them from Sasuke’s clenched fist. He rapped against the french doors seconds after it was locked in his face. Damn the dobe could be fast when he wanted to be!
“Dobe...”
“If you know what is good for you, you will leave me alone for now teme!” The infuriated man yelled through the door.
‘Naruto?’
“You too Shikamaru! I don’t want to hear a thing from you!”
Shikamaru sighed and hung up after begging Naruto to call back when he was in a calmer state.
“Dobe?” Sasuke tried again, tapping against the door softly.
“...”
The Uchiha sighed and slumped against the door, sliding to the ground. He stared at the silent phone in his grasp wondering what the hell just happened. Now the dobe was angry at him and that infuriated the Uchiha. He wasn’t the one that started this, but he was the one paying for it.
He wasn’t sure how long he sat there before the door behind him pulled open, causing him to fall back against the cherry wood flooring. Naruto was trying to hide a smile as he towered over him. With a smirk on his lips and an evil glint to his eye, he beckoned Sasuke inside and nodded towards the bathroom.
Without batting an eye, Sasuke rolled over and pulled himself up to stand face to face with Naruto. With a stiff nod, Naruto let him pass and into the bedroom where Sasuke proceeded to slip into the hot bath Naruto had drawn for him. Within minutes he was joining the dobe in the kitchen who was in the process of raiding the fridge.
He seated himself at one of the bar stools, looking around the large kitchen. It hadn’t occurred to him before but he couldn’t help noticing now. “Do you have a house phone, dobe?”
“It is somewhere.” He admitted, pulling out food from the fridge to make sandwiches.
“Does that mean you have no clue where it is at?” Sasuke asked. A frown marred his face…surely he knew where it was?
“I get by with using my cell…remember not everyone knows who I am so if they wanted to talk to me they just call my cell.” He muttered happily smearing mustard on his bread.
“And what did Jiraiya use? You can’t tell me he used a cell as well.”
“No, he didn’t have one. He was rarely reachable and he liked it that way. It was easier to do research that way.”
“Research?” Sasuke asked.
“Don’t worry; his kind of research is not important.” Naruto chuckled.
“Are you sure? Shouldn’t they know this…?”
“Genma, Raido, and Shikamaru already know. Trust me; if it was important to the case I would have mentioned it before now.”
“Ok, but you do have a house phone?” Naruto laughed as he turned to stare at the frowning Uchiha.
“Is there a reason you are so concerned with my phone line?”
“What if there is an emergency…?” He asked, shrugging his shoulders.
“I have my cell.”
“What if your cell is dead…?”
“I’ll use yours.”
“What if mine is dead…?”
“Then I will use the neighbors.”
“And if theirs is dead…?”
“Really teme?”
“What if the whole street is out…?”
“I don’t think that will happen.” He laughed at his lover’s conspiracy theory. It was adorable really and somewhat endearing.
“But it could. What if…”
“It’s fine.”
“Dobe!”
“You are welcome to search if you feel that strongly about it. Good luck with that by the way. I have no clue where it is and I haven’t bothered to look for it either.”
Sasuke felt his eye twitch, wondering how lazy someone could be. “We’ll search for the phone later.”
“You will search alone then.”
Sasuke glared at Naruto, who seemed unfazed as he placed two sandwiches on the counter and took a seat next to the Uchiha.
“Surely this would be something you would like to do together?” He asked through gritted teeth.
“No, not really. It doesn’t bother me, but it clearly bothers you. You want it you find it.”
“You’re not being a very hospitable host.”
“You don’t have to stay.”
“I didn’t say that I didn’t want too.”
“Then what is the problem?”
“It’s laziness!”
“You can be such a bastard!”
“And you’re a lazy idiot!”
“Asshole."
“Moron.”
“Jerk.”
“Dimwit.”
“Bastard.”
“Neanderthal.”
“Teme!”
“Dobe!” Onyx clashed with wintery blue as the two glared each other down, neither refusing to back down or give up any ground.
~CALM~
Neji raised an eyebrow at Shikamaru, who only sighed and placed his phone on his borrowed desk. The vein in his temple was pulsing as he grimaced, completely aware of the eavesdropping precinct. He didn’t want to see Genma shaking his head or Raido rolling his eyes, which he knew they were doing right at that moment. He didn’t want to witness Kiba’s bewildered expression or any of the girls frowns; but most of all he didn’t want to see Neji’s questioning look.
“Feisty as ever?” Genma asked, causing Shikamaru to snap towards him.
“Yeah, though I should have just assumed that he was trying to settle in and get adjusted. I just worry about him.”
“Well, he’s your partner. It’s understandable, expected even.” Raido chipped in. “Considering what just happened a week ago...I don’t blame you.”
“He
was my partner.” Shikamaru muttered softly, his eyes falling on Neji’s pale ones. It only reflected understanding back for which he was thankful, but how much of this could the Hyuga take? How much before he inevitably pushed him away? He thought he was fine with Naruto’s choice; they even had that awkward moment in the interview room, so why couldn’t he let it be? Sasuke had won and he had lost by his own doing. Damn that promise he made to Jiraiya! Without looking at anyone he dived back into the files he was committing to memory, waiting impatiently for when Mizuki would arrive; which wouldn’t be until tomorrow morning.
~CALM~
Sasuke continued to glare at Naruto; not letting up and not giving any ground, even as his lips began to mimic the blonde’s and curl into a smile. Soon they were both laughing and kissing, unfazed by the minor argument they just had. Sasuke sighed against the bronze neck, nipping it lightly. Naruto moaned and pulled Sasuke off the stool to stand in front of him. He sighed as he wrapped an arm around the slender raven, hugging tightly. Slightly surprised, Sasuke could only smile.
“Dobe?”
“I’m tired teme. Let’s go to bed?” Sasuke nodded his agreement. They made their way to the bedroom silently, changing quickly and slipping into bed. As soon as Sasuke settled Naruto rolled into his side, his arm coming to rest on his chest. Sasuke brought his own arm up and twined his fingers with Naruto’s, slipping into a peaceful sleep.
~CALM~
**Day Sixteen**
Kakashi led Mizuki towards the interview room, allowing Genma and Raido to file in before he closed the door behind him. The security guard crossed his arms and glared at the three of them.
“What now? I thought all the questioning was over with? I already told you what I...”
“Why don’t you take a seat?” Genma offered, he pulled his own seat out and flipped it around, sitting with his chest against the back. Mizuki sneered, but otherwise made no move to sit.
“That wasn’t a request.” Raido stated, taking a step towards the belligerent man. Feeling slightly intimidated by the scarred man, Mizuki hastily seated himself, crossing his arms as if to ward him off.
“Have you ever been on the roof of the condemned building?” Genma asked.
Mizukis eyes narrowed fractionally as he answered evenly. “Not that I can recall, no.”
“Really? Think really hard here, don’t worry take your time.” He smiled, chewing on the toothpick in his mouth.
“No, I have never been on the roof.” He answered stiffly.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure, I would know where I’ve been wouldn’t I?”
“Of course.” Genma smiled. “So how do you explain your DNA being found on the roof?”
“It isn’t mine...”
“DNA matched.” Raido cut in swiftly.
“There must be a mistake; I was never on that roof.” Mizuki asserted.
“DNA doesn’t lie...”
“Well it must be!”
“Here’s what I think.” Genma pulled out his toothpick and smiled feral as Raido seated himself and continued. “I think that you were on that roof...it may have been the day Senator Jiraiya was murdered or it may have even been the day that my friend was shot. I’m leaning more towards the latter, but anyways...your DNA was found there, there was no mistake, the DNA didn’t lie, so the best thing for you to do is to come clean about everything.”
“There is nothing to come clean about, I wasn’t there.” Mizuki ground out; his eyes darting around the room frantically.
“I don’t believe you Mizuki. I’ll tell you now, if you were involved in any way with the murder and more importantly, involved with Naruto’s shooting I will make it my personal mission to see to it that you get the maximum penalty allowed by law.”
“Are you threatening me?!”
“Of course not,” Genma smiled. “But I give you two words:
solitary confinement.”
“You bastards!” Mizuki spat, jumping from his chair and knocking it into the stone wall behind him.
“Calm down, Mizuki.” Kakashi drawled from the shadows.
“Like hell I will, I want my lawyer!”
Kakashi sighed and pushed away from the wall, leaving the room with a shake of his head. Genma and Raido followed behind, looking wretched.
“He did it. That son of a bitch did it!”
“There is no proof, Genma.” Raido muttered.
“I don’t care about proof, did you see his reaction?”
“I saw it clearly. I have no doubts that he knows something about Naruto’s shooting, but we have nothing to hold him on and certainly nothing that says he was the shooter.”
“Naruto could have died and, at the very least, he knows...!”
“There is nothing we can do!” Raido snapped. He knew how Genma was feeling, he really did, but they couldn’t build a case on guess-work. They needed this to be iron-clad and what they had was circumstantial.
Genma snarled at his partner and stormed out of the precinct, intent on releasing his frustrations out on the overly abused pavement. Raido shook his head and dropped into his seat, swiveling around to Shikamaru’s direction.
“Can you call Naruto; I have some questions for him.”
~CALM~
Sasuke woke with a start as a loud ringing noise interrupted one of his fantasies just as it was about to play out. With a grunt he poked Naruto gently, trying to rouse him from sleep. Naruto growled and settled in to ignore him, but Sasuke pulled away into a sitting position. Blue eyes snapped open with the sudden movement and with a groan Naruto moved to answer the phone resting on his dresser. Why did he put it so far away from the bed again?
‘Naruto!’ Kiba shouted out, causing Naruto to take an involuntary step back.
‘You don’t have to be so loud!’ Raido admonished.
‘Troublesome...’
“Uh...” Naruto mumbled. He scratched at his tousled hair and yawned deeply into his hand.
‘We have a question for you.’ Raido murmured.
“A question? About what?” Naruto asked tiredly, almost falling asleep standing up. Sasuke made his way over to the dresser and hugged the dobe to his chest, listening to the detectives miles away as he snuggled close to Naruto’s neck.
‘About the shooting...’ Shikamaru stated calmly.
“What do you want to know...?”
‘Can you remember anything more about the man behind you?’
Naruto stalled, instantly alert where moments before he was having trouble staying awake. He frowned in sudden thought. “I thought you didn’t believe me?”
‘We had no evidence to prove your statement.’ Genma replied.
‘When did you get here?’ Kiba asked.
‘Keep up with the times, dog boy.’ Genma admonished.
‘Troublesome!’
‘Enough, all of you! Naruto, can you remember anything else? It is important...’
“I told you everything I know, Raido.”
‘Yes, but we need you to think really hard.’
“You have an idea who it is, don’t you?”
‘We didn’t say that.’
“You didn’t have to Genma.”
‘Please, Naruto, can you recall anything else?’ Shikamaru asked.
Naruto sighed and closed his eyes allowing Sasuke to cradle him from behind. He let the warm breath fanning over his neck lull him into his memories. And he allowed his memories to take him right up to the landing and the man in front of him, the click behind him, his body turning, sudden darkness surrounding him...but nothing jumped out to him. With a frown he replayed through the memory two more times, before something finally stuck out. It seemed so obvious to him now that he couldn’t understand how he overlooked it.
“They were on the fourth step up...hmm... There was something that was reflecting light. It shined in my eyes.” Naruto muttered somberly. “Sorry, I don’t recall what it was, but I remember seeing the light as I turned. After that I couldn’t tell you.”
Shuffling paper was heard over the intercom as Raido muttered a hasty thank you. Shikamaru’s voice was heard once again. ‘Thank you Naru...Umm, how are you feeling?’
“I’m feeling fine…...uh, about earlier...?”
‘I’m sorry, that wasn’t what I...I didn’t mean...’
“It’s ok, Shika. I’m really sorry though. I never wanted to hurt you.”
‘It is by my own doing, I am getting exactly what I deserve.’
“Nobody deserves this.” Sasuke interjected, feeling oddly charitable. Of course it was all because he had Naruto in his grasp right this second and Shikamaru was over an hour away; plus he didn’t want to have Naruto angry at him again. He almost shuddered at the thought.
‘Maybe, but you were right. I had all the opportunity in the world and I never acted upon it. I wish you guy’s a lot of luck and I truly mean that. Just take care of him or I may be forced to steal him from you.’ Shikamaru chuckled humorlessly.
“You have nothing to worry about; I intend to take very good care of him, Nara.” Sasuke promised, pulling Naruto closer into his chest.
‘I guess you pass my test.’ There was a sigh before a click was heard, signaling the end of the call.
“I will take care of you for as long as you will allow me.”
“I would have that be forever.” Naruto whispered, settling against the chest behind him.
~CALM~
As soon as Shikamaru hung up he focused his attention on Raido as he taped a picture of Mizuki to the board, pointing an arrow to his metallic security detail badge. “It’s circumstantial, but I want to test it out. Kakashi, you are about the same height as Mizuki and Kiba’s about the same as Naruto; the steps are about the same height as the ones in the building so we don’t have to go there. Let’s just test it out. I’ll take the place of the other shooter.”
Everyone complied and where soon in place, stifling yawns as the sun splashed the horizon with the beautiful red and pink hues of sunrise. Raido pulled out his flashlight and pointed it at Kiba as a makeshift gun. “Ok, now turn your head Kiba...that’s right.” Kiba squinted as the sun light reflected off the makeshift badge Kakashi had pinned to his turtleneck.
“I’ll be damned...” Genma murmured losing his toothpick to the dirty asphalt of the parking lot as his mouth dropped open.
“It’s circumstantial, but this is good.” Raido agreed a grim smile on his face.
He documented his findings in the file and made his way to the steps. The four of them making their way back inside the building were unaware of the fact that they were being followed inside.
“Where is my client?” The man asked. The detectives turned to stare at him, Kakashis eyes narrowing slightly as recognition dawned on him. Why was he here for Mizuki?
“In interview one, I’ll show you.” Kakashi muttered. As soon as the lawyer was ensconced inside with his client, Kakashi made his way over to Tsunade’s office, knocking on the door. Amber eyes floated upwards and away from her paperwork; Chief Sarutobis eyes mimicking hers.
“The lawyer that Mizuki hired is the same man from Gato’s entourage from the other week, Waraji*.”
Tsunade leaned back in her chair and entwined her fingers, resting her chin against them. “And what is the relationship between Mizuki and Gato?”
“I don’t know, but I sure as hell will find out.” Kakashi assured, moving back into the squad room.
~CALM~
It didn’t take Kakashi long to find the connection, it wasn’t exactly hidden. Gato was the one that owned the apartment building that Mizuki worked in. What was hidden was the reasoning behind the high-powered lawyer for a lowly security guard. Kakashi taped a picture to the board of Gato and drew a line between him and Mizuki and from those two, a v-line to Naruto’s picture; a huge ‘?’ mark in the middle of the upside down triangle.
“How are they all connected?” Kakashi asked himself.
“We need to talk to Gato again.” Genma stated, smirking around his toothpick. “This could be real fun.”
“Genma...” Raido warned, but couldn’t stop the curve of his own lips.
~CALM~
Gato stormed into the small precinct a short time later his entourage struggling to keep up with the diminutive man. He was sweating profusely in his pinstriped suit, puffing and wheezing from the exertion of storming the stairs so quickly. It was clear to everyone he was livid.
“What is the meaning of this?!” He demanded, rapping his fist against a desk. How dare they summon him! Him, the Mayor!
“We had some more questions for you Gato.” Genma smirked.
The Mayor turned and glared harshly at them. “I have nothing to talk to you about!”
“But you will answer their questions, Gato.” Tsunade replied sinisterly.
“You have no right...!”
“Hey, Raido!” Genma interrupted. “Do you agree that he has something to hide by refusing to answer a few questions?”
“Why, yes, Genma I think he does?” Raido replied. He smirked at his partner.
“Up to your old tricks I see.” He sneered.
“Tricks...? Us...? Nooo...” Genma scoffed.
Gato grit his teeth and clenched his fists. “Your games don’t amuse me,
detective.”
“I’m not playing games,
Gato.”
“All this is because of that Uzumaki brat! You want revenge for his shooting! Well I had nothing to do with it!”
“My, my Gato...You must have a guilty conscience. We said nothing about wanting to question you about the shooting.” Kakashi drawled, his mismatched eyes piercing the Mayor with contempt.
“Why else would you call me here for?”
“Well, we are investigating Senator Jiraiya’s murder?” Sakura supplied, her arms coming to cross over her chest.
“I have complied with all of your ridiculous questioning, but I’ve had enough! I have told you everything I had to do with that building!” He sneered, his face turning an ugly shade of red as he puffed out in anger. “If you attempt to pester me again I will sue this department for harassment!”
“How can we be harassing you when we only have questions?” Genma smirked.
“Shove your questions; I do not have to talk to you!”
“Let’s calm down now Gato. There is no harassment here...” Chief Sarutobi soothed.
“Save it
Chief, I want my lawyer.”
Kakashi sighed and directed the Mayor towards the other interview room, leaving him to wait out his lawyer who was currently representing Mizuki.
“That is just like him to do that!” Genma sneered. He pounded on the desk in anger, glaring at the closed doors of the interview rooms. “He used to pull that trick when he didn’t want to answer our questions back in Konohagakure.”
“I’m even more convinced that one or both know something about Naruto’s shooting.” Kakashi stated.
~CALM~
Gato strode out of the precinct in higher spirits than when he had entered, a positive spring in his gait. Mizuki followed behind him quietly, looking paler than normal. The detectives watched them stroll out unable to make them stay. One thing was clear to all, the Konoha detectives were on to them and they wouldn’t get far before they were brought down.
“There they go.” Kiba growled.
“Let them go, they will soon know what it feels like to be behind bars. I want a look into all Gato’s records. Sarutobi Sensei, can you do that for me?” Tsunade asked.
With a nod he motioned for Genma and Raido to pull up the records on the computer. It was only a matter of printing them off. Five minutes later they had all the files they could ever need pertaining to one man and his many criminal misdeeds; most of it compiled thoroughly by Naruto.
“Naruto sure was busy if he compiled all this information.” Neji whistled.
“Let’s just say that Naruto was determined to take him down when Gato tried to stall his appointment to the Konohagakure Federal Police.” Shikamaru smirked.
“That was a mistake that he is currently ruing.” Genma laughed. “He should have known better than to go after a future Senator, especially when he is under the umbrella of his protective Grandfather...” Genma stalled his mouth falling into a dark frown.
“Genma?” Raido asked.
“It was revenge.” He muttered. “Gato hired Mizuki to lure the Senator out here in the hopes of murdering him, knowing that Naruto would follow to investigate, bringing him out of his safety zone and into the lion’s den. It all fits, Raido. All this is just a case of revenge!”
“But how do you explain the bullet that matched the Uchiha’s?” Sakura asked, bursting his epiphany bubble.
“Maybe the gun had been on location until that day...”
“No, that is impossible. Mikoto and Fugaku were murdered in their home when Sasuke and Itachi were away at a sleep-over. Their home is miles away from the building so I can’t see the killer hiding the gun there. And there was no evidence of erosion on the bullet extracted from Naruto, which you would find if a gun was hidden for over 15 years. I also find it highly unlikely, given what the building was used as, that a gun could stay hidden in there for long.” Kakashi stated.
“Damn and it seemed to fit so well!” Genma murmured pulling at his bandanna is exasperation.
~CALM~
Gato instructed his driver to pull up in front of the apartment building and park. He turned to Mizuki, a glare evident even behind his diminutive sunglasses.
“Not a word about this, Mizuki! Keep your mouth shut and you have nothing to worry about!” Gato growled.
“Do I look stupid to you Mayor?! I know the consequences I won’t risk it by opening my mouth!” He growled and exited the car, Gato sliding out behind him and into the apartment building...........................................
BANG!!!
