I have no rights, but please enjoy my musings.

Shaking his head in an effort to sort his thoughts and muttering a 'troublesome' under his breath as if it was a curse Shikamaru ran towards the area where he could hear the most fighting going on, hoping to find Morino Ibiki. He had found Shizune and the simple words "The Hokage's hurt" had sent her hurtling towards the Hokage's office, not even asking for any more details as she grabbed a medicine bag and scrolls from her workstation. Finding an ANBU had been both hard and easy in a strange way, once Sakura had told him they were dressed as civilians he easily spotted them but it was disconcerting for the lazy ninja to see ordinarily dressed people suddenly go all ninja and disappear, shaking his head he admitted to himself he was still in shock from Sakura's revelations and the way he followed her orders without question. He had been forced to grab one man with his Shadow Jutsu and tell him about the Hokage, but it was only when he mentioned Sakura's name that the man had stood to attention and ran off to help, quickly sending the cogs in the Nara geniuses head spinning – what had Sakura done to gain the attention and obedience of an ANBU. His feet pounding the pavement as he entered the square Shikamaru could only say one thing when he realised finding Morino Ibiki would be considerably harder than he thought as he saw the crowd of enemy ninja that were presently fighting with the konoha ninja's in the square.

"Fuck"

Head bent over her Shishou's and her hands palm down on her chest Sakura continued to send Chakra into Tsunade's body while at the same time she explained what happened to Shizune. She was relived to see Shizune and grateful that the older woman didn't any ask questions other than to how to help, but she was thankful when the ANBU that came in was Squirrel and he informed her that Shikamaru had told him about Danzo and that in turn he had relayed the information to the other ANBU, who were now on the look out. Reassured that Tsunade was now safe Sakura happily let Shizune take over and with a nod to Squirrel turned around to look at the hole she had made earlier in the wall. Taking a deep breath she gave a short hop and ran at it, ignoring Shizune's cries as she jumped out into the air somersaulting as she flew, using her chakra to slow her downward momentum she bent her knees as she landed and checked her chakra. While not enough to be The Shadow of Konoha she could easily show that she was not weak, smilingly grimly as she took her gloves from her back pocket, she snapped them on with a twang of the fabric, yes, she thought, it was time people found out that Haruno Sakura was not one to mess with.

The square was so full that fighting was a hindrance, never sure if you were actually going to hit the enemy or one of your own, the enemy seemed to be coming from every corner, street and alley way. Swearing Ino ducked a roundhouse kick aimed at her head, it was too risky to use any jutsu's, the square was too packed and it was too dangerous to leave her body, they needed to spread out to be able to use their abilities, Shikamaru had turned up a few minutes ago and even he was at a disadvantage, every one was. Swiping her hair from her face she momentarily cursed her own vanity, her blonde tresses obscuring her vision and slowing her reactions, seeing a flash from the corner she tried to duck again but was jostled and fell to the side, right into the path of the kunai, closing her eyes she was startled by the shaking of her body and the absence of pain. Opening her eyes she looked up in disbelief to see Sakura holding her up by her shirt with one hand and the other holding the enemy's wrist, seemingly stopping him in his place.

"Forehead?" Ino questioned stunned as Sakura set her down on her feet and turned towards to the enemy. Snapping his wrist with an audible crack she punched him in the face rendering him unconscious instantly and dropping him a few feet away from them. Turning around she gave Ino a beaming smile, feeling slightly sheepish but also proud that she was showing some of her true abilities. Ino's head swung from Sakura to the nin and back again, holy hell, since when could Forehead do that, Ino thought to herself. Seeing Ino's confusion Sakura smiled basking in the shock that was coming from the blonde and said

"Ino-pig, are you okay?"

Watching Ino shake her head minutely Sakura smirked and looked at the wreckage that was usually Konoha's main square, she knew Ibiki was in the middle of this cattle mart but the way all the ninja's were packed in there made it impossible to get to his side. Suddenly realising a way to grab every one's attention Sakura smirked and looked at Ino, informing her

"Ah Ino, you might want to check your balance"

Confused Ino started to ask why, as Sakura raised her leg straight up to her torso and slammed it down gathering chakra to her foot as it hit the ground. Mouth hanging wide open Ino was gobsmacked as a fissure a foot wide was created and ran the length of the square sending tremors out as it knocked the unsuspecting ninja's on their feet.

Sakura was the only one left standing as she walked along the square gaining everyone's attention, she was dressed slightly as a civilian her hair tied back in a low pony tail she wore a black stretch tank top and a long wide red skirt, grinning she lowered her hands to the tie at her waist and undid the knots letting a flutter of red fabric that everyone's eyes followed go and hit the ground, leaving her in a pair of red pants that split all the way to mid thigh at the sides showing off bandages that held shurikun's and kunai's. Making her way to Ibiki's location as the ninja's watched her warily, she reveled in their shock as she giggled. It was amazing to do this, to not worry, to be able to show her abilities, coming within Ibiki's range she decided it was about time she had some fun and let out some of that pent up anger and stress she had built up from carrying on the facade of having amnesia for the last month and a half.

"Well, you want to play boys and girls, then lets play" she stated with an evil smirk that sent shivers down many people's spines, that made a few look at Morino Ibiki thinking there may have been a personality switch and that made the ANBU from the Tea mission step back to watch the Haruno girl in action.

Now standing beside her father Ino was about to step forward to help Sakura out of her madness when her forearm was caught in a tight grip, turning around she saw a civilian dressed ANBU holding her back.

"Haruno is more than able to handle herself Yamanka, watch"

About to respond Ino stopped as she recognised the voice behind the mask as Keiko, looking around she saw that many of the ANBU were stepping back, some taking the jounin Konoha 11 with them, Morino Ibiki was stepping up to stand beside Sakura, whispering a few words in exchange she barely caught Sakura's 'fine but it doesn't mean I like you' response just as Ibiki scowled then let a sadistic grin take over his face truly sending a shiver down everyone's spine as he bit back loudly

"Fine, you play first, but im not letting you have all the fun Haruno"

Gulping Ino stepped closer to her father and tentively said

"Dad, what's going on?"

Looking down at his daughter Inoichi sighed as he saw the worry in her eyes as she looked at Sakura. Following her gaze he no longer saw the young pink haired girl he usually saw, in her place he saw a battle hardened Kunoichi with fire in her eyes and anger in her stance but what gave him pause was the excitement in her eyes, an excitement he knew well, it was one the new rookies held, the one genin's held for their first misson. It was obvious now that the anger Sakura showed at times, the feroicity she used to heal would have another outlet today and knowing her temper and seeing how the ANBU gave her room, seeing the respect Ibiki seemed to be giving her for her ability, despite their mutual hatred of each other it was obvious that it would be a spectacular display.

"Playtime" he responded softly channelling his memories of ANBU and slight friendship with Ibiki. The expectant tone causing Ino to whip her head back to her father to see his smirk, ,as Sakura performed a running handstand towards the oncoming group of attacking ninja's and let a series of handless throwing knives fly from her hands, backed by chakra they connected with the targets, not only killing them but going through their bodies into the rogue nins behind them. Ino gasped as she watched on in awe as Sakura engaged the enemy coming to her, all the time with a slight smile on her face, a loose ring had formed around her, Ibiki standing a few feet behind her, enough to give her room to manoeuvre but as he said enough to let him join in the fun in a bit, the enemy had unconsciously sorted into groups one attacking at a time. The ring of ninja's watching waited, the ANBU knowing an almighty display was to come and the jounin Konoha 11 realising suddenly that maybe, just maybe they should have not have teased the pink haired woman about her fighting skills or use as a medic.

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Dia Duit,

And maybe just maybe I'm evil – but it's such fun. I know it's a cliffie but I want to create a decent fight scene but I warn you it may be short, plus I wanted to tie in Inoichi from earlier, hopefully things will make sense but if not I'll gladly answer questions.

Happy New Year

The Rose and the Dagger x x x x