It was that time, when everyone would gather between each other and meet, have fun, get along, reminisce about the old times. Sakura wouldn't be a part of it this year. She wouldn't be a part of it next year, either. It was over for her, Sakura knew. Who would want a weak little girl mixed in with the strong Shinobi of Konohagakure? No one. And she was constantly reminded of this, every single day. Sasuke, Neji, Shikamaru, Naruto's senseless comments that she took straight to heart. It was all over for her. She would never attend one of those meetings again. She promised herself this. Never again would she humiliate herself in front of them. Never again would she be weak in front of their eyes. Never again, would she consider them friends.
A soft sigh escaped her, blank emerald eyes looking out over the forest gathered around her home. Letting her mind drift, she wasn't aware of the presence beside her until a firm hand tapped her on the shoulder, alerting her to their presence. A cringed inwardly, knowing this was just another sign of weak she was. Twisting her head around, she looked upwards slowly, noting the regular Jonin uniform, the green flak jacket. She sighed once again, knowing she was now going to now be getting a lecture about letting her guard down. But what truly surprised her was that, instead of Kakashi-sensei, or even Yamato-taicho, Mitarashi Anko stood before her. A twisted smirk graced her lips, right eye brow lifted in a silent question at the younger females surprise and odd look.
Sakura jerked to her feet, stumbling away from the older woman, lowering into a deep bow, cursing herself for losing her concentration and not noticing the female emerge behind her. "Anko-san, is there something I can do for you?"
The older female watched Sakura straighten from her bow, head tilted slightly sideways. Moving her eyes inconspicuously behind the younger girls' back, she watched the rest of Rookie 9 laughing and joking around with each other. "Yo, Sakura. Morino Ibiki sent me to get you. " Anko spoke briefly, attempting to cover up the fact that she had found out why Sakura had been sitting in a daze, staring off into space. She didn't want to make the younger female face that, as it clearly made her visibly upset.
She watched as the younger girls eyes widened, making her green eyes almost plates in her small face. Grunting, she grinned wickedly, enjoying Sakura's surprise, and slight fear. " M-Morino Ibik-Ibiki? What-Why is he requesting my presence?" Sakura's voice trembled, practically announcing her fear to any that was listening. A blush stained her cheeks when she realized she had stuttered, head ducking down almost immediately, eyes locked on her scandal clad feet.
Anko watched her for a few more minutes, the wicked grin before having slipped off her face at the younger kunoichi's meek behavior. Glancing once again over Sakura's shoulder, a contemplating look slipped across her face, hurriedly buried beneath her usual expression. "Classified information. We'll talk more in headquarters."
And with a grin, she snatched the younger kunoichi's hand and darted off, yanking her along with her. Anko wanted to get as far away from the Rookie 9 get together as fast as possible, it being the obvious reason for Sakura's attitude. So, shoving more chakra into her feet, she leapt from roof to roof, dragging the younger girl with her the whole time, shouting back scathing remarks that prodded at her pride, and delicately maneuvered about her sensitive feelings of not being included to her friends party.
Skidding to a halt on an old buildings roof, she grinned broadly, yanking Sakura back from the edge just in enough from her tight hold on her hand. Laughing loudly, she pointed downward, motioning for the girl to follow her down. Releasing Sakura's hand, she took a diving jump, feet smacking the earth in perfect harmony with each other, legs not even wobbling once. Anko glanced up, waiting for Sakura's departure from the roof. A blur of pink and red leapt down toward her, making her scramble to get out of the younger kunoichi's way. She could tell immediately that her ankle was hurting, just from the uneven thumps when she had landed on the ground. Sakura had put one foot first, that foot taking the most brutal of her weights landing. Wincing at the pain she knew she was experiencing, she was not expecting the girl to lean down, right hand aglow with soothing mint green chakra. Blinking rapidly, it finally clicked that this girl was the Hokage's apprentice, and that would mean she would be a med-nin.
Anko grinned, watching the younger kunoichi's healing chakra mend the probably fractured ankle she had. It was also a big surprise to Anko that Sakura hadn't cried out in pain, that she had merely attended to it immediately, not wasting her time with useless complaining. Watching as the chakra dissipated from her palm, she waited until Sakura was to her full height before throwing her arm over her shoulders, laughing loudly and manically in the poor girls ear. Not even caring about the wince that adorned Sakura's face, she dragged her into ANBU headquarters, arm still locked tightly around her form.
Sakura glanced about the room, watching as unidentified ninjas, wearing regulated ANBU gear moved about the place with confidence. There was a desk, a short woman with blond hair cropped to her chin and riveting sea blue eyes stationed behind it. The walls were bare, worn steel with battle scars adorning it, giving the place an almost chilling, yet admirable feel. Door ways, hallways stationed about the building, leading into deeper corridors, the same marked up steel flowing down them. Some doors were made of worn out wood, big and think oak that wouldn't be taken down easily. Other doors, most of those located in hallways, were metal, thick and large by the looks of it. Sakura stared about in wonder, mouth open slightly and eyes taking in the sights with ninja honed observation skills.
It was Anko's loud, boisterous laugh that broke her out of her observation of ANBU headquarters. Glancing toward the much older, and experienced kunoichi, she stared at her, uncomfortable in this place of strength. Exhaling, she worked up her courage, glancing at the floor once more before turning and facing Anko. "You said Morino-sama wanted to see me?"
It was then, that Sakura noticed how the easy movements of the ANBU operatives became tense, strained almost at her words. Gulping silently, she shifted closer to Anko, feeling eyes upon her, drilling into her, making her spine tingle in an alarming way. Glancing up at the Special Jonin, she pleaded with her eyes for her to take them from this uncomfortable area. Seeing the glint in Anko's eyes, she knew the older jonin had understood her plea. Nodding her head, Anko grabbed onto her hand again, actually skipping down the hallway to their left, the one with most of the metal doors. Sakura tried to follow at a more sedate pace, but Anko's grip forced her to move quicker. It wasn't long until they were stationed in front of a large, oppressive metal door, no sound making itself known to the outside form the inside. Anko leaned forward, rapping her hand against the door in three, short rapid knocks.
Sakura didn't hear anything that would indicate it was okay to enter, but Anko must have, because she snagged Sakura's hand again, and with a wicked laugh, shoved the door open, dragging Sakura into the room at the same moment. It was instinct for her to look about the room, cataloging escape routes, and possible weapons. It wasn't until her eyes landed in the middle of the room that she froze, breath stopping in her lungs and eyes widening. There, sitting peacefully with a careful smirk arranging his scarred features was Morino Ibiki, master interrogator, and leader of ANBU black ops. He was impressive, all muscles, confident posture, fixated stare. His scars on his face added to his intimidation, the large black trench coat clinging tightly to his buff arms. His steely eyed stare was fixed on Sakura, taking in her startled and froze expression. Sakura knew of course, that she wasn't making the best of first impressions. But, really she just didn't care. Morino Ibiki freaked her out, simple as that.
Anko, growing bored of the tense atmosphere, broke out into guffaws and loud speech.- "Yo, Ibiki-bear! I brought her for you. Should have seen her face!" Sakura blushed darkly at Anko's words, glancing to the side and at the floor. Clenching tightly her fists, she raised her eyes again, intent upon not embarrassing herself more. Taking a deep breath, she readied herself, exhaling almost imperceptibly. "You called for me, Ibiki-sama? Is there something you need?" Her voice was strong, not a single tremble in the whole sentence., even though she wanted to cower away from his large, intimidating form.
Ibiki stared at her silently, assessing every inch of the young, inexperienced kunoichi. Anko had been right, the girl did show some potential, much more after Hokage-sama had taken her in. Anko had paid witness to her chakra control, surprised that someone that young could already have such a secure hold over it. She reported this to Ibiki himself, making him wonder about the young kunoichi. It wasn't everyday that Anko praised someone. You pretty much had to torture and then kill a person in the most brutal way before gaining her non-violent attention.
Finished with his cursory and perusal of the girl before him, Ibiki took his head off of his hand rest, settling back in the comfortable leather chair he was seated in. Tapping his right foot in a rhythmic motion, the master interrogator signaled Anko, the vibrations being picked up easily by the Special Jonin. It was a way to communicate, something only the highest of ranks knew. They couldn't have Chuunin using it, and on accident, spilling their secret way of talking and communicating to enemies.
A large smirk grew on Anko's face. Ibiki was pleased with her choice of possible applicants for apprenticeship. Leaning forward intently, Ibiki stared straight into Sakura's eyes, proud of the way she didn't flinch at his gaze. "How would you like to be my apprentice, Haruno Sakura?"
Wewt. Done. This is a possible story I'm thinking of. Since I've written all my other stories, I've seriously grown up. My writing style, if I do say so myself is better than ever before. And, I intend to make longer chapters. Much longer than I've ever done. I'm not exactly sure if I'll finish this piece. It's all up to reviewers, and if I get enough people who want it to continue. This story is not going to be like all the other, "Sakura gets stronger by training with Itachi" or whatever. I'm not just going to make her strong in the next three chapters. It will be a struggle for her to get stronger, and she will fail along the way. I intend not to make her a 'Mary Sue.' Hopefully, if people do want it continued, I won't fail in everyone's expectations.
-Darksinfulwolf