I have no rights to Naruto.
Enjoy.
O0o0o
The room was stunned into silence, everyone's attention riveted on the imposing couple dressed in black standing before the Hokage's office. The revelation that Ibiki was Death wasn't very far fetched, the ANBU's theory and rumours proven true, for the Konoha 12 it was seeing a legend in the flesh and having another reason to be wary of the tall, scarred man. Kakashi, Yamato, Asuma, Kurenai and Gai nodded to themselves, they along with Ibiki were all near enough the same age, when Death had first come onto the battlefield many had talked and wondered, only a handful of shinobi from among the ninja countries had qualified to be the ghostly figure, Ibiki being one of them.
But Sakura, standing there next to her husband, dressed in her black clothing and armour, the mask of The Shadow of Konoha in her hand –that was unnerving. After the debacle over a year ago everyone in Konoha knew she could fight, but now she was also the Shadow of Konoha – no one would dare impersonate that person and no way would Ibiki or Tsunade would just stand there so calmly unless it was the truth.
Blond hair swinging wildly Ino looked at everyone's reaction, the ANBU's hidden underneath their infernal masks, Neji, Shino and Shikamaru were as stoic or uncaring as ever, Shino's reaction undeterminable , with Neji and Shikamaru having their eyes narrowed slightly in thought, the ever said 'Troublesome' coming from her teammate as Neji nodded his head. Beside her Chouji was attempting to subtly eat a bag of his favourite chips, Lee was being kept silent by Gai's presence, a restraining hand on his shoulder, TenTen's eyes held a gleam of astonishment and slight jealousy, Ino mentally scoffed that girl was way too weapon happy and had wanted to join ANBU for months. Kiba was kneeling down on one knee his hands in Akumaru's coat as he sniffed the air watching the couple before them in thought, Hinata was watching with sad eyes, Asuma and Kurenai standing next to each other – as if their relationship was a secret anymore, hell it had been the worse kept secret in Konoha. But looking as Team Kakashi, Ino narrowed her eyes . . . there was something about their attitude.
"Maharani is ours." The quiet words held a world of promise and threat as Sakura spoke them, her hard eyes threatening any one to object as she turned slightly and dared anyone behind her to say a word.
"Forehead . . . what . . . you." Ino stumbled over what to say, what was she even suppose to think, the others seemed to have the same worry or was it concern on their faces as she did.
"Leave it Ino." The soft words form the usually baka of a blond grabbed her attention, her eyes widening as she accused Naruto. "You knew, you all knew!"
He came over to her side, his hand wrapping around her and dragging her back to her team, whispering furiously. "Yes, we knew. Be quiet and wait Ino."
Naruto was afraid, afraid for his sister, for his Sakura-chan, Team Kakashi all knew her temper and her true abilities, but this anger, the words she was saying were too familiar, sombre blue eyes looked over to his brother, as if knowing he was being asked his opinion Sasuke tore his eyes away from Sakura, a small frown marring his face as he met Naruto's eyes and nodded.
Ino, oblivious to Naruto's worry was about to protest, the large hand of her sensei on her shoulder making her stop, along with Chouji taking her hand. Forehead was her best friend, what the hell was going on, why was she keeping all these secrets from her, why the hell was everyone always telling her to stay quiet. Emerald eyes looked over at the disturbance, dark obsidian following, the weight of those eyes, the fury and barely restrained anger shutting her up.
Satisfied there would be no more talk Ibiki and Sakura turned back to Tsunade, looking at the serious demeanours of Tsunade and Jiraiya they were satisfied that they had their full attention. Reaching under her armour Sakura took out a bunch of scrolls and placed them on the table. Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the innocent looking scrolls, annoyed at how the two before her had shanghaied her meeting.
"These are to be sent to all the Hidden villages, Maharani is ours and no one will interfere. As according to mission guidelines we are informing them of our intentions."
With Ibiki informing her, Tsunade reached out to fill her cup with sake and took a drink, quickly thinking. They weren't asking her permission, far from it, they were telling her, they were trying to order the Hokage around . . . . . but reining in her temper and thinking about she couldn't fault them . . . much. She been just about to give orders to catch the bastard and Ibiki and Sakura had more invested in this than anyone, it was personal, but looking at their eyes she knew it wouldn't hinder them. It would make them more careful, more exact, and more deadly, the bastard had taken their child, her grandchild and Tsunade was far from stupid, with or with out her backing they would go after him.
Drumming her fingers on the desk she cast her eyes around the room, no Tsunade thought, she was not stupid.
"You are to have an ANBU team with you as well as Team Kakashi, that is non negotiable, otherwise I will lock the two of you in one the interrogation rooms until we get him. Understood!"She barked her orders and watched the exchange between Sakura and Ibiki.
"They will follow our orders." Sakura stated.
"Agreed."
Ibiki cupped Sakura's elbow with his hand and pulled her close, they stood touching but there was no wrapping of arms or affectionate touches that they loved using to startle people, besides comforting each other, their attitude was unrelenting and Ibiki stared at Tsunade judging her words.
"We will be at Headquarters."
Before any one could question Ibiki or ask anything else the two were gone. No seals, no chakra spike, just gone.
Rolling her eyes Tsunade looked at the now empty spot and took another mouthful of sake. Gathering the scrolls in her hands she smirked as she noted the seals shutting them, they would certainly grab attention, thrusting them out she looked up and barked.
"Nara send these, the rest of you get out!"
-x
Slipping a lock of her browny red hair behind an ear Terumi Mei waited for the doors of her office to burst open, she could hear the pounding footsteps and sighed as she waited.
"Mizukage! Mizukage! This came for Konohagakure."
She smiled at the young Chunnin panting after his long run and thanking him took the letter from his hand. Looking it over she waited until the young Chunnin closed the door.
"Very interesting."The bodiless voice floated through the room before her advisor, friend and bodyguard showed himself.
"Isn't it." Mei agreed looking at the two seals that held it closed, one bore the insignia of the Konoha ANBU, more specifically the personal seal of The Head of Torture and Interrogation and the second was one not seen in about eight years, Death. Opening it up she hummed and hawed before sharing its contents.
Watching as he read it she spoke. "There was much speculation that Morino Ibiki was Death, he and Momochi Zabuza were favored for the position, the truth is not too surprising. But this Morino Sakura I have never heard of, have you?"
"The Apprentice of the Godaime Hokage is one Haruno Sakura, which is the only Sakura I can recall from the files." Ao said.
Mei clasped her hands together on her lap and looked out the window down onto Kirigakure. "Find all the information you can, I want to know everything before I even consider their so called request."
The sarcasm was not lost on him as he read the letter, putting it back on her desk he bowed and left the room.
-x
He had spent all afternoon looking for them, for her. He had tried and failed to explain the burning need in him, he had been at a loss for words. Anko had been flippant and sarcastic; her words hitting him, the message clear as she smirked and made him roll his eyes when she hissed like a snake, a smile that showed her sharp canines displaying her pleasure.
Now walking through ANBU Headquarters he knocked and entered Ibiki's office, the door was slightly open and he walked in finding his pink haired team mate sitting on the desk a mirror in her hand as she angled it around her head.
"Sakura."
"Sasuke." She returned the greeting, never taking her eyes from the mirror.
He stood and watched her, stepping forward, saying. "Don't do this."
That got her attention, hard, cold, emerald settling on him. She was pale he noted, her cheeks looking a little hollower than before the loss of her child, was she eating?
"Don't let revenge consume you."
She ignored him hopping off the desk and sashaying towards him, her eyes flat and humorous as she handed him the mirror.
"Like you did?" she questioned as she positioned his hands with the mirror. "Keep it there."
He watched her, watched the accusation come from her, as he growled out his agreement. "Hnn."
"What's good for the goose is good for the gander." She intoned with a lilt, a cruel smile on her lips, her hand suddenly held a kunai, twirling it in her hands, the point coming very near to Sasuke's face. Her smile morphed into a smirk her eyes locking onto his above the mirror, with a swift practiced hand she caught her hair and cut it with the kunai. The kunai disappeared and she held out empty hands, pink strands floating to the ground, Sasuke's eyes followed them fall noiselessly before he took in her new short choppy hair cut.
"You know nothing."
He bristled at her words. "How long did you, Naruto, Kakashi, all of Team Kakashi try to convince me? Revenge consumes you Sakura, it can destroy you. Take it from some one who knows." He stated, trying to reason with her, for her to see the truth, it was near as he would come to begging.
"I am not you."
For a moment his eyes bled red before he controlled himself. "I wanted revenge on the man who took my family, so do you."
She narrowed her eyes at his words, a cruel painful smirk on her face. The door opened fully breaking their eye contact to watch Ibiki enter the room, his hard voice questioning.
"Hellcat."
Sakura's eyes softened the tiniest bit, so minuscule that if Sasuke hadn't been nearly nose to nose with her he would have missed it. They turned back to being hard, cold and cruel as they bored into his, Sakura looked him up and down, a sneer on her face nearly an exact copy of the one Ibiki would use as she said.
"You know absolutely nothing."
With a final glare, she shoved past him and walked to Ibiki, Ibiki's fingers brushed her now chin length hair, a look passing between them that Sasuke couldn't interpret. With a solemn 'Uchiha' he turned and with an arm around his hellcat walked out of the room, calling out as they left.
"ANBU training grounds tomorrow at 5 am."
-x
Ao returned just as the sun was setting, waiting for the group of Shinobi to leave the room he walked in and set a file on Mei's desk, summarizing up the contents as she flicked through the file.
"Morino Sakura, formerly known as Haruno Sakura, apprentice of the Godaime Hokage. Interesting girl, wasn't much on her apart from exceptional medic skills, Head Medic of the ANBU division and member of Team Kakashi – that is until last year, it was revealed that she worked secretly with Morino Ibiki to catch Danzo, Konoha's Head of ROOT during a takeover of Konoha, she also killed Sasori of the Akatsuki."
"Pink hair, interesting." Mei mused out loud as she listened.
"About five months ago it was then revealed that she and Morino Ibiki had been married for over two years. No one in Konoha knew."
"Very, very interesting."
Ao smirked as he continued. "The Raikage had an enlightening meeting with her a few months ago. It seemed her Hokage had sent Morino on a seduction mission without telling her, she interrupted a meeting between the Hokage and Raikage, punched the Sannin Jiraiya through the wall and attacked the Hokage, it took Team Kakashi and Morino Ibiki to calm her."
Mei found the note on the meeting and questioned. "Due to her condition the Shinobi were reluctant to use excessive force?"
"She was pregnant." Ao confirmed. "That's where the guy Maharani comes in. An old acquaintance of Morino Ibiki's, he wanted revenge, poisoned her during the baby shower. She lost the baby; she only had a month left."
Mei's face hardened, a small prayer passing her lips for the child. "Still . . . "
"That's not all."
She raised an eyebrow at her old friend and gestured to him to finish up.
"At a meeting with the Hokage this morning, Morino Ibiki and Morino Sakura revealed themselves to be Death and The Shadow of Konoha respectively. They have declared Maharani their prey."
"Now that is an interesting development." Mei sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. While many accused her of over thinking she liked to look at all the angles, she did not want to throw Kirigakure back into the nightmare of blood that had been her predecessor's domain. The Shadow of Konoha and Death were formidable opponents on their own, but as a team they would be even stronger, as parents wanting revenge nothing would stand in their way. This was their not so subtle warning – get in their way and pay the price. It was a declaration and now they didn't care who knew. Tie the feared Morino Ibiki with legendary Death and only the most skilled shinobi, the top percentile of shinobi would go after them . . she didn't know enough about the young woman but it was probably the same, The Shadow of Death had only once ventured into Water country once. They were drawing lines in the sand.
"Any word of the other countries?"
Ao smiled. "It is believed the Raikage will agree, on his return from Konoha he added some stipulations for anyone visiting Konoha - Never stop any Konoha ninja or civilian trying to deliver a CODE RED. If you meet Morino Sakura don't say anything to piss her off, if she is pregnant stay away from her. If Morino Sakura and Morino Ibiki are fighting get your team and get the hell out of Konoha."
Mei gave a twinkling laugh at the stipulations.
"The Kazekage will also agree, but already offered his services – he was supposed to be the child's Godfather."
A powerful ally, Mei thought. Too long Kirigakure had stood on its own, without support or even an ally.
"Send out the birds, we won't interfere with their hunt. See if we have any information on this Maharnai, but don't work on it. We are being very generous to allow them entry and access. This debt may come in handy, or at the very least open doors for an ally. Keep this information about the Morino's confidential as well."
She snorted in amusement as she looked over the letter. "Regardless of our permission or not, they would still come after him if they thought he was here."
Mizukage,
Maharani Itoh of no affiliation but of Shinohi inheritance is wanted by Morino Ibiki and Morino Sakura.
He will be hunted within and throughout the ninja countries, by those mentioned above and any team accompany them.
Your co-operation and any information pertaining to the capture, torture and death of Maharani Itoh is expected and appreciated.
Morino Ibiki
Under the mantle of Death
Head of Torture and Interrogation, Konoha.
-x
The morning was grey and cool, the dawn chorus filling the ears of the four ANBU and Team Kakashi that waited at the ANBU training grounds. Naruto was yawning his head off, barely voicing his surprise through them at Kakashi's prompt arrival. Sai and Yamato had taken on their old habitats, similar to the waiting ANBU as they stood and waited for the arrival of Ibiki and Sakura. Wren, Squirrel, Newt and Newt's ANBU team captain Ox, the ANBU assigned, stood or knelt, Sasuke sitting on the ground next to them his chin resting on his clasped hands as he thought about his team mate. At the moment she and Ibiki had only one thing on their mind. He wondered if it was better or worse to have someone by your side, thirsting for the same things, would they keep each other sane or would both be consumed by the darkness.
A sharp gust of wind carrying dirt and grit flew straight into their eyes, forcing them to shield their eyes. Opening them they found Ibiki and Sakura standing before, their faces hard and grim, wearing their uniforms, their masks on top of their heads, apparently they wanted everyone to know who they were, wanted everyone to know exactly who was going after the bastard and wanted everyone to know exactly who they would be trying to stop.
"You will be the distraction, no one gets Maharani but us; we need to make sure you can keep up with us." Ibiki intoned, his voice bordering on insult, Sakura following offering no time for protests.
"You will be training with only half your Chakra, even a week of this training will improve you."
She tossed a Chakra inhibitor bracelet at each one of them before turning around, once again expecting them to do as they were told. Kakashi sighed and exchanged a look with Yamato, quickly meeting the eyes of Wren, Squirrel, Newt, Ox and Sai, but Naruto and Sasuke was oblivious to the exchange – they would learn. ANBU training all over again . . . times a hundred, the fun.
O0o0o
Dia Duit,
Well I hope you enjoyed that and thanks to everyone who reviewed, there was a load of them and I think I answered all of them, but just in case I missed you – Thank You!
Please review and let me know what you thought of the chapter.
Lots of love,
The Rose and the Dagger x xx