Happy Accidents

Chapter 34: Artistry

A/N: Hi readers! This chapter is one of the first chapters that will be crossing over with my newly released fic, Who Am I?, which is a SaiIno-centric fic set in the same universe! For the most rounded reading experience, it is HIGHLY recommended you keep up with both fics as they will feature different parts of the plot from other characters' perspectives. Events in one fic may affect characters in the other fic, and vice versa.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Once they were back at the office, Sakura quickly got to work on the remains, quietly cataloging and making verbal notes while Sasuke worked out of her office. This was their usual routine; he rarely, if ever, spent time up in his own office when they worked cases, as it made it easier for them to bounce ideas off each other and coordinate when they worked together. Over the last month, it had made them a formidable team together, closing cases with rapidly increasing success.

They were what people liked to call a dream team. The only thing they hadn't made public was their growing relationship. It wasn't wrong for them to date, as they technically worked in different departments, but they also weren't exactly official in any manner, either. Sakura realized it was a strange conundrum; they were both the type that didn't want to put a label on things. Sakura would have liked to know what to label them as herself, but she wouldn't dare push that. This was as new for him as it was for her.

"One of our persons of interest is here for an interviewer, so I'm going to head upstairs. Call me if you need anything," Sasuke said as he peered around the corner, giving her a short wave before jogging up the stairs. They'd managed to keep their office interactions purely professional; Sakura didn't mind in the slightest. The only person that was aware of anything going on between them was Ino, and the blonde would be absolutely sworn to secrecy about it. No way would Ino sell her out, not for a moment. Not unless she had a damned good reason—probably something to do with life or death.

Speaking of the blonde... Sakura could hear those familiar clicking heels coming down the steps, but she could also hear a second set of footsteps coming along with them. Hinata, maybe? No, Hinata would have had much lighter footsteps. These were heavier, likely from a taller male, a gait more like Sasuke's, from what she could tell.

Leaning back to see who it was, Sakura saw Ino was accompanied by a tall, dark-haired male she didn't recognize. His skin was an alabaster white, bangs hanging just over his forehead in a short cut. He was dressed in a more casual outfit than most of the other detectives, and the way he looked around observantly told Sakura he'd never been here before.

"And this is the autopsy area. Hey there, Sakura!" Ino waved energetically, giving her friend a smirk. Oh, Sakura understood now. Ino had managed to catch this tall, dark, and handsome fellow upstairs and gave him the tour. Whenever there was a hot new guy around, Ino was quick to pounce on that.

"Hey, Ino. Who's your friend?" Sakura asked casually, giving them a wave. "Dr. Sakura Haruno, medical examiner. A pleasure to meet you. I'd shake your hand, but I'm a little goopy." She gestured to her gloved hands.

"...Sai Gaka," the male replied curtly. His demeanour was a bit like Sasuke's, but he had a different air about him, almost one of total nonchalance. "I do not believe goopy is a word a doctor would use as an accurate descriptor for your duties. Then again, choosing to be a medical examiner could be the reason for that." His words definitely caught Sakura off-guard, leaving her absolutely stunned. That was... incredibly rude if she was honest.

"Excuse me?" She said sharply as she stepped forward. "I'm a licensed medical pathologist, I'll have you know, and I have a doctorate in forensic anthropology, thank you very much." How uncouth of him to question her capabilities like that; just who was this guy?!