Paranoia || Naruto Uzumaki ||

Paranoia || Naruto Uzumaki || Chapter 20

Kabuto texted Melanie. His previous twelve texts having been ignored. The excessiveness of this didn't register in his mind. His frustration was growing. He had a schedule to follow. He didn't calculate in Melanie's defiance.

He texted her, reminding her to wear warm clothes.

No response.

He texted her the time he would be picking her up.

No response.

He texted her threatening Naruto, sure of her instant reply.

No response.

Kabuto scowled. His threats weren't meant to be taken lightly. He admired Melanie's bravery. Her defiance only made his need for her stronger.

She wasn't easy.

She played his game.

Kabuto adjourned his heaviest jacket. A blizzard was due to blow through. He wanted to grab Melanie and head to their destination before it hit.

His impatience had him reaching Space Jam in no time.

He strode in, eyes trained on Sakura serving a table. She turned, sensing his approach, her eyes widening slightly.

She tried to escape behind the counter but Kabuto was faster.

"Where is she?" His grip on her arm was tight.

"The manager is away for the night." Sakura said, not meeting his eye.

"Melanie," Kabuto clarified. "Where is Melanie?"

"I don't know," Sakura said. This time meeting his gaze. Her eyes shown with insubordination.

Kabuto tightened his grip. "You will tell me."

"You don't scare me."

Kabuto chuckled. "I wonder how Mr. Yamanaka, Ino's father, would feel, if he were to receive an anonymous message."

Sakura raised her chin. "That's best you've got?"

Kabuto smirked, eyeing her over the rim of his glasses. "Melanie wasn't the only one I caught on tape. I never took you for the kinky type."

Sakura flinched, unable to hide the surprise in her eyes. Kabuto gave a moment for his words to sink in. He was confident he would get his answer any minute.

"Go to hell." She wrenched her arm away from him, hurrying out back.

Kabuto frowned, making a mental note to send everything he had on the impudent girl to Mr. Yamanaka.

Next stop, Melanie's house.

The wind was picking up, the cold air chilling the metal of his glasses. The lens fogged up as he breathed into his hands for warmth. His arms fell to his side at the sight of Melanie's house.

There were no cars in the driveway, all the lights off. He briskly made his way to a window, peering inside. No movement. No sound. Kabuto pulled out his phone, checking all the social media posts.

Nothing.

He signed into a fake profile he had created to analyze Naruto's private profiles.

Nothing.

Where the hell was Melanie?

She couldn't have disappeared. The next stop was Naruto's house. The twisting of his gut, the bile rising in his throat was almost enough to turn back. Why Melanie would ever consider going there was beyond him.