He probably never would have noticed the little bar at all. Small, camouflaged amongst the brick buildings on either side of its doors, one would walk right past and never know. Perhaps it was the beckoning of the only door on this street that he knows nothing about. Or perhaps it was the fact that the shadiest characters seemed always to float around this scrap of a door.

What Itachi Uchiha couldn't deny, was that this little bar had the strongest liquor outside of his own private stock in his study, and regardless of how he found the place, he needed a drink, away from the problems awaiting him at his flat.

With a sigh, he pushed open the door, and took his seat at the corner of the bar. Tendrils of smoke weaved through the air around the patrons milling about the room. A small stage with a microphone stood taking up the back wall, the low lights giving the entire area a feeling of anticipation and tension. The regular band members talked quietly with each other, nursing drinks and cigarettes as their instruments lay near the curtain behind the mike. Figures from all forms of the underground community congregated under this roof, neutral ground with an uneasy peace.

The click-clack of stiletto heels brought all attention to the stage, where a young woman of about twenty-two, was settling herself on a tall stool. Pink hair fell to her mid-back, streaks of blood red barely visible in the dim lighting. A sequined black halter dress hugged her luscious curves, accented by the charm bracelet on her right hand. Black shoes that criss-crossed to finally tie behind her muscled calves adorned her feet, and as she looked up to the audience, they came to rest on the bars of her seat.

Transfixed, Itachi watched as the vixen began to sing, a sound sultry and enticing, yet laced with something indecipherable – Pain? Loneliness? Loss? Secrecy? Her voice engulfed him for a moment, and alone in her world, their eyes locked and she told her story.

Sometimes I feel

Like a motherless Child

Sometimes I feel

Like a motherless child

And sometimes I feel

Like a motherless child

A long...long way...from home

And sometimes I feel

Like I'm almost gone

Sometimes I feel

Like I'm almost gone

Sometimes I feel

Like I'm all alone

A long...a long way from home

Gripping the microphone to her as if it were her only source of energy to finish the number, Haruno Sakura sang on, eyes closed and heart pounding with the adrenaline rush of being on stage, memories flooding every crevice of her soul. Nothing else mattered but this moment. Not the music that had begun to accompany her somewhere at the end of her first verse, not the smell of the cigarettes burning her nose, and not even the beautiful eyes of the stranger that sat at the bar.

No, tonight was her night. Her escape. The only other being in her mind's eye was the microphone in her hands.

C'mon, C'mon

Who's got a shoulder when I need to cry

I feel restless and I don't know why

Cry for help, but still feel alone

Like a motherless child along way from home

Lord I'm lost I can't find my way

I'm dealin' with the struggles in my day to day

My soul is weak and I wanna be strong

I try to run away but I've been running to long

I've been running to long...

I've been running to long

Belting out the next words, she found herself now standing, wielding the microphone as if she were born to tell the world of her past. Tears stinging her eyes, Sakura continued, washing her sins away with each note.

Who's got a shoulder when I need to cry

I feel restless and I don't know why

Cry for help, but I still feel alone

Like a motherless child along way from home

Lord I'm lost I can't find my way

I'm dealin' with the struggles in my day to day

My soul is weak and I wanna be strong

I try to run away but I've been running to long

With a shaky inhale and one last look at the crowd, Sakura closed her eyes and softly sang the last words, a single tear running down her cheek.

I've been running to long...

I've been running to long

Like a motherless child

So lost and so long

Like a motherless child

As the last chord struck on the piano, the bar erupted into cheers and applause for the young lady, and Rizu, the bar's oddly boisterous bartender, helped her down the stairs and over to the bar where he promptly began mixing a drink. Sliding it over to her, Rizu eyed the girl carefully, taking his time as he cleaned a glass

"It's been a long time, Red," he began.

"I wasn't gone too long was I Zuzu?" was the sweetly spoken reply as she took a sip of her brandy.

"Now come on kid we've discussed you calling me that," he looked around. "You're going to ruin my reputation."

"Well now, we wouldn't ever want that, would we?" Sakura said, rolling her eyes.

"Don't you raise you eyes to Heaven with me young lady! I'm not too sure I like your tone, either," he said pouting. "No love for big brothers in this day and age at all!"

"Aw, quit being such a baby, you know I love you to bits and pieces," came the answer.

Rizu's eyes softened. Three years. It had been three years since he last saw his little sister, and all he wanted to do was pull her into a bear hug and never let her leave his sight again. "I missed you," he said. "Am I to assume that you are here because you know I wanted you to come home?"

With a bitter smile, Sakura's hand tightened on the glass, spider cracks becoming clearly visible. "You know that's not how it works, Zuzu."

"Yeah," he sighed. "I know." Without further warning, Sakura vaulted over the bar to land in front of her brother, who immediately pulled her into his arms.

"I missed you, too big bro." Dammit. Her voice had cracked. Now was not the time to get emotional. Tightening her arms she breathed in the scent that would always be her brother. Ginger and alcohol.

Pulling back, Rizu looked his sister over. "You've gotten so big. Who told you it was ok to dress like that? You may be travelling all over the place, but not dressed like that you aren't!"

Rolling her eyes affectionately, she pulled her brother to the back room. "Come. We have much to discuss," she said, eyes never leaving the swish of the leather jacket that walked out of the room.

Hm. She thought. Red eyes. I never got to introduce myself.

Following her brother, she shut the door behind her. Face becoming gravely serious, Sakura looked him in the emerald eyes that matched hers so genuinely.

"It's him."

To be continued . . .