Prologue | Masquerade


Duty today; repentance tomorrow... Or so is the motto of the ANBU.

To say that Sakura had been surprised the night ANBU recruiters had knocked on her door would be putting it quite mildly. She had been surprised, without a doubt, yet she knew an opportunity when she saw one. ANBU, she decided, was exactly what she needed. The expedient to her goal. The path to her success. What she didn't know was that she, too, was exactly what ANBU needed.

ANBU - Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai - are those responsible for carrying out assassinations, tracking, surveillance, and missions requiring specially trained ninja. Some ANBU serve as interrogators that probe the minds of enemy ninja to learn information valuable to the village. The shinobi in ANBU are hand-picked by the Kage; chosen for their individual capabilities and special skills. Age, gender, background, or previous rank bear no weight in this decision.

Sakura had taken a night to think over the decision. Of course, being nominated for ANBU didn't really mean anything, even if it was an honor in itself. There were still many trials and tribulations one must go through to truly qualify and become one of elite, after all. But it was the chance to truly prove herself, the chance she had been waiting for.

Duty, honor, country: those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.

This is what they told her when she was fully inducted. This concept had been drilled into her head, among many other things, just as the black ink had been driven under the pale skin of her right shoulder. Sakura had trained alongside fifteen other recruits in the beginning; only three had passed to become ANBU, herself included. Neji was another, she had learned over time, while the third remained anonymous. This didn't matter to her though, because she had other, more important things to focus on.

ANBU usually work in teams formed to the requirements of the mission, ensuring maximum success. They wear their masks even in their own village, for their identity as an ANBU agent is to be known only by the Kage and village elders unless a mission deems otherwise.

The nightingale singing it's night song; the bird of love, sheltering secret lovers from prying eyes. Sakura had nearly scoffed at the irony as she graciously accepted her porcelain mask, donning it upon her face for the very first time. She had been bestowed with the alias Chie, meaning "blessed with wisdom".

If an ANBU is mortally wounded in battle, they are required to destroy their bodies to prevent any information from getting into enemy hands. Always hidden, always anonymous, always in the shadows, never to see the light.

If Sakura had learned anything since she joined ANBU two years ago, it was this: duty is not collective, it is personal. Furthermore, she who defines duty for herself is her own master. There were times when Sakura forgot these things, when courage and faith and hope seemed to abandon her. Sometimes she felt like she was drowning for the sake of her duty, her honor, and her country; she need only remind herself that the end would justify the means.

Members can also leave the organization if they so wish, though everyone knows that you're never truly free. Once ANBU, always ANBU.

Duty may very well be personal as opposed to collective, but there was never such thing as credit; no personal recognition. Again, this did not matter. This was not her goal. Her goal was, above all else, to gain the strength she so desperately sought. Even if no one else knew, she would be content with power. She would not be satisfied without it.


A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; all rights belong to Kishimoto Masashi.

I know what you guys are thinking. "Angel, what on Earth are you thinking? Starting another story while you have so many others to complete? For shame." Well, I can't help it. I've had this idea in my head for long enough, and I cannot resist the temptation to write it out.

This is a prologue/teaser for my new GaaSaku. So far my stories have portrayed Gaara as a 'good' guy. This story will explore the darker, crazier side of him, though hopefully he won't be particularly out of character. This story will become M-rated, for violence, gore, and maybe sexual content.

This story is extremely AU. Think of it like the Invasion of Konoha Arc didn't occur (Suna didn't attack Konoha at the Chuunin Exams) so the Yondaime Kazekage/Gaara's father is still alive. This is why Gaara is ANBU and not Kage. In this regard, he never had the epiphany scene with Naruto. However, Sasuke did leave after the Chuunin Exams. The Kazekage Rescue Arc didn't happen either, meaning Gaara still has Shukaku. The Fourth Shinobi World War Arc has been omitted as well.

Major Arcs to omit for this AU story: Invasion of Konoha Arc, Kazekage Rescue Arc, Invasion of Pein Arc, Shinobi World War Arc, etc... A lot will be omitted, but there are still canon events that have taken place. You'll see.

The Rookie 9 generation is around 25 years old. Sasuke has not returned. Sakura is in ANBU, and so is Gaara. And Tsunade is still Hokage.

Hm. I am excited about this story and I'd be thrilled if you follow/favorite/review, but I can't say I will be able to update regularly. So sorry in advance!