As We Grew Up

Chapter 18: Who?

"Can we see Suke-kun?" Temari said with a stern voice. She was talking to Makoto at the moment. There was no doubt she was hiding something.

"N-no, Sasuke is not feeling well. Can you visit some other time, darling?"

Temari's eyebrows furrowed. She spared a glance at Naruto who was suspicious too.

"Ma'am, this is urgent. We would not mind if Sasuke is sick," said Kakashi as he interfered with their conversation.

They have been talking to the lady in front of their house for half an hour now. This past hour, she has done nothing but stall the bunch with pointless stories. By bunch, I mean Naruto, Temari, Shizune, and Kakashi.

They came to Sasuke's house to continues investigating but faith had other plans. 

Makoto shook her head. "No, no, I'm sure it would be fine for-" she was dilly-dallying their come but was cut off by Temari, of which had enough of her behavior. 

"No, Ma'am. We will go inside your estate without hesitation. We have orders from the hokage to do so. I know you are hiding something and we will get to the bottom of this." the blond's voice did not flinch as she walked pass the old lady.

Makoto sighed in defeat, she knew she could do nothing for Temari is headstrong. Even she knew this.

"Very well. I'm sorry for distracting you from your job." she breathed. Naruto apologized and so did Kakashi. Then, the three followed Temari's lead towards Sasuke's room.

They were not sure why the old lady downstairs stalled them but they knew there was something off. They passed Sasuke's father on the way and Itachi too, the father and son were having tea. They did not mind and focused on the investigation.

Temari was the first to come by Sasuke's door. She breathed a sigh of relief, one way or another, Sasuke was dear to her. Even as a friend. She knew what it may cost him if it were true that he attacked Gaara. She knew.

Naruto followed and gazed at Temari's worried face before knocking on the door. 

"Sasuke? Are you there?" Naruto. Usually, he'd come with a silly face and call him a teme by the door but now was an exception. Things were serious as can be, their faith relies on the investigation they do right now. 

Yet nothing came to the door. Kakashi and Shizune are with the two blonds now and they could not hide their unease either.

Naruto sighed and knocked once more. There was no response. 

Kakashi was holding pieces of paper Shizune told him to hold and Shizune was reading the paper she had in her hands. She did not mind the knocking, she read the questions again and again in her mind. Business is business. Law is law. She thought.

Temari was growing impatient and stopped Naruto from knocking once more. 

"I'll do it." her eyes did not give any hint of emotion. Naruto nodded and so did Kakashi. Meanwhile, Shizune was still reading the questions.

"Sasuke? Open this door right now." 

Once she said so, they heard footsteps come close to them. But it was not from Sasuke's side of the door but their's. 

They saw Makoto, teary-eyed. She held her hand close to her chest. Her figure stepped closer to the ninjas and they only stared. Kakashi though assisted her to walk. 

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner but..." Naruto sensed Temari's aura grow vexed. He pats her at the back.

"I think Sasuke is really sick. He has not come out of his room since this morning. When I checked upon him, the door was unlocked and I saw him lying on his bed asleep. He didn't wear a top and I saw lots of marks on his chest..." she wiped her tears and breathed back and forth. Makoto had a hard time breathing.