"Onee-chan!"
Sobs were heard in the hospital room as Ruka cried at the bedside of her older cousin's bed while clutching her hand "Onee-chan you said you'll come back to me." she sobbed harder "Y-you gave me your headband to hold onto until you came back so..so why are in this bed?" Ruka rubbed at her eyes as the tears still fell the invasion ended two days ago with casualties being the Hokage dying by his student the whole village was mourning his passing when suna and sound were told to retreat Ruka and Layla were waiting for Sakura to come home to the compound but when she didn't return they went looking for her Ruka refused to let Layla look for her alone when they thought they checked everywhere they saw a group of medic ninja carrying Sakura's unconscious form along with her other two teammates Layla sat on the other side of Sakura's bed in silence watching how Ruka was reacting to the whole situation when they were told about Sakura's injuries they were minor just a few cracked ribs and chakra exhausted nothing a few days of relaxing won't help "Excuse me?" Layla looked towards the door and sees that it is the Yamanaka heiress
Ino bit her lip nervously as she saw the cold star Layla gave her the way she always looked at her intimidated her "How is Sakura?" Ino walked into the room holding a vase with alstroemeria flowers representing her friendship with Sakura "She's okay just a few cracked ribs and chakra exhaustion." The vase was placed on the nightstand next to her bed "She should be waking up soon." Ino turned and looked at Sakura's still form on the bed her chest rising up and down showing signs that she was alive
"That's good I was worried when I was told she was admitted."
"Ino-nii?'
Ino looked over to Ruka seeing that she was staring at her tearfully making Ino's heart clench at the look she was giving her "She's going to be fine Ruka-chan." Ino tried to comfort her as she gave her a small smile and ruffled her red hair
"Stop crying Ruka."
All eyes went to the door seeing the person who spoke was the clan head of the Haruno clan and Ruka's father his arms crossed against his chest his cold green eyes looking at the three his eyes settling on his daughter seeing that she was wiping at her eyes now trying to stop crying he then looked at the Yamanaka heiress "What are you doing here?" he snarled at her making ino flinch at his tone not being used to someone talking to her that way "Get out of here." he demanded arms crossed against his chest as he glared hatefully at Ino making her flinch again at his tone and look he was giving "That's enough Daisuke-sama." They all looked over at Layla seeing that she was standing now glaring at Daisuke not caring that he is the clan head
Ruka looked at Layla then her father seeing that they both were glaring at each other trying to intimidate the other but neither backing down "You do not tell me what to do Layla." Daisuke hissed at her, angry that she was trying to order him around "Get that Yamanaka out of here now." Ruka was shaking in fear of what was going on in front of her, never really seeing her father that angry before"I-ino-nii." Ruka whimpered as tears were forming again as her father glared at her for what she said "You dare call this outsider sister?" he snarled at her rage showing in his eyes "This Yamanaka is a weakling just like the rest of her pathetic clan and you call her sister? It's already bad enough you call Sakura that but her? I will have none of that Ruka," he ordered as he looked back at Layla seeing that she was still glaring at him
Ino was pissed he insulted her and her clan! How dare he! She was going to give him a piece of her mind right now "Don't you dare disrespect me or my clan again!" Ino yelled at him fist clenched as she glared daggers at him, no wonder why Sakura never talked about her clan when they were younger. If this was how he acted she could only imagine what the rest act like "My clan is not weak or pathetic! So don't you ever say that about them again!" Daisuke looked back at her as he was ready to retort a voice cut him off
"That's enough."
All eyes went to the hospital bed to see Sakura was awake and sitting up in the bed her eyes focused on her uncle "Onee-chan!" Ruka hugged Sakura crying softly in her shirt "I-I was so scared." Sakura looked down at her and hugged her back "It's okay I'm here and okay." Sakura looked over at Ino "Take Ruka to the cafeteria and get her something to eat. I need a moment alone with my uncle." Sakura's orders leaving no room for argument as ino nods and takes Ruka's hand leading her out of the room out of earshot as the door slid shut behind them "Do you want to start a war with the Yamanaka clan too uncle?" Sakura hissed at him as she glared at him hatefully "Isn't it bad enough you want to take over Konoha? But now you want to start a war with their clan! You disrespected their heiress and her clan in front of her! Just by that, a war between our clans can break out! And don't forget they have the Nara and Akimichi clan backing them up! When we don't have any other clan ties like them!" Sakura snarled she was livid at her uncle
"I hate you."
Daisuke took a step forward in hostility in the air but before he could take another step Layla was in front of Sakura's bed with a kunai in her hand. "I won't let you touch her now back off Daisuke-sama." Layla's eyes bled pink, activating Rakka hanabira as she glared at him, making Daisuke narrowed his eyes at her for using their kekkei Genkai against him "You dare use our kekkei Genkai against me!? Your clan head! this can be considered treason!" He yelled at her as his own eyes bled pink killing intent rolling off him in waves "You are not my clan head." Layla snarled at him as it took everything in her not to attack him "My clan head is Haruno Kai! Sakura's father was one of the best clan heads!" Layla started to him as she sees him growing angrier at what she was saying "You are a disgrace to the Haruno name! The only reason you are the clan head is that the elders got Sakura's parents killed." she spat at him "All you have ever done is driven the clan to be more greedy." Layla shook her head in disappointment at the actions of her clan "Get out now." Layla locked eyes with Daisuke as both their kekkei Genkai tried overpowering the other
Daisuke stumbled back as his surroundings faded from his sight a black abyss surrounding him "Stop this." he tried ordering but got no response but then he felt an agonizing pain in his stomach making him look down seeing a kunai stabbed him making his eyes widen but just as he saw the kunai it disappeared and he was back in the hospital room Layla still in front of him "That was your only warning go now." Daisuke glared at the two and stormed out of the room leaving them alone
"He's lucky I didn't make him see his worst fear."
"Naruto and Sasuke, how are they?"
Layla put the kunai away and crossed her arms against her chest as she eyes Sakura's form on the bed "The Uchiha is fine only chakra exhaustion and a few broken bones the Uzumaki on the other hand though he had the worst of it chakra exhaustion a punctured lung a sprained ankle his right hand broken in three different places." Sakura's eyes widened at what Layla was telling her about Naruto and all because she got captured before the fight even began she bit her bottom lip hard, drawing blood if only she was stronger she could have helped her teammates more during the fight "-Ura Sakura." she looked up at Layla seeing that she was staring at her worried "Are you okay? You're not in pain, right? I can call the nurse in for you." Layla suggested as she watched sakura shake her head at her
"I'm fine Layla it's just how weak can I possibly be? I just can't protect anyone close to me." Layla frowned, she knew Sakura always thought of herself as weak when it was the opposite she was strong in her own way "Sakura don't call yourself that. You are a strong kunoichi of Konoha." she watched Sakura nod to her but it was still obvious she didn't believe her
"Train me."
"What?"
Sakura looked up at her emerald meeting sky blue eyes "Train me please make me stronger so I don't get captured or hurt easily as I did in the invasion." Layla stared at her as she sighed "All alright I will but it won't be easy just cause you're my younger cousin and the clan heiress."
{+}
Sakura sighed in relief as she walked out of the hospital with Layla finally being discharged after a day "So where's Ruka? I would have thought she'll come with you to pick me up from the hospital?" Layla looked up towards the sky dreading having this conversation with Sakura about Ruka and what is going on with the clan "It's bad." Sakura tensed at what Layla said, her emerald eyes narrowing in anger at what possible can be going on now in the clan she was only gone for two days "what happened while I was unconscious?" Layla looked over at her seeing the anger she held at the clan showing on her face
"After the incident yesterday Daisuke." She spat his name like she ate something bitter. "He has been cruel to Ruka; he has been forcing her to train every day past her limits; he claims she is too weak and no daughter of his will be weak." Sakura's blood boiled that she was going to kill him for what he is doing to Ruka "The plan the clan has changed also since the Hokage is dead that changes everything now. There's a clan meeting tonight." Layla informed her
"You're not going are you?"
"No."
Sakura sighed as she shook her head she knew Layla was hiding something from her, she just didn't know what yet she looked ahead and saw the Haruno compound seeming untouched by the invasion which is shocking to her "During the invasion, the clan regrouped and protected the compound." Layla explained to her as they continued to walk towards their hell
"Did any of them even protect Konoha?"
"Some did but not a lot." Sakura clenched her jaw in anger as she entered the compound with Layla beside her "You need to calm down Sakura before you do something you regret." Sakura knew Layla was right but it was just getting harder to pretend everything is okay when it is far from it "It's just hard Layla every day just gets worse than the last and people expect me to be fine and go along with what they plan to do." she slowed her pace, not in a hurry to get to her house where she will be alone with her thoughts "I'm scared Layla. What if we can't stop this? They're already suspicious of you and now they're getting suspicious of me too since I haven't been able to keep my temper in check anymore."
"I'll protect you."
Sakura froze as she looked at Layla.
"W-what?"
Layla placed both her hands on Sakura's shoulders and smiled at her "I'll protect you Sakura," Layla said as her resolve hardened at her words knowing that it was true "No one will ever hurt you I swear to you I'll protect you with my life." every word that came out of her mouth was the truth and they both knew it
"Layla….You-"
"Haruno-san."
Two pairs of eyes look to where the voice came from to see an anbu standing there a cat mask on their face hiding their identity from everyone
"You are summoned by the elders."
Sakura watched as Layla's expression on her face fell into a cold one as she nodded to the anbu signaling to him to leave which he did her whole posture changed now as her hands dropped to her side as she turned
"Layla are you ok-"
"Tomorrow at six training grounds four be prepared."
"What?"
"You wanted me to train you right? We start tomorrow."
She disappeared leaving rose petals behind.
Sakura stared at the spot Layla use to be at a frown on her face now as she recalled how Layla started to act once the anbu showed up her attitude did a one-eighty all of a sudden
'Layla, what are you hiding?'
Sakura sighed as she shook her head she should go check on Ruka to make sure she is okay before heading home and getting ready for the clan meeting so she walked towards her aunt and uncle's house which wasn't far as she now found herself on the porch of there house sliding the screen door open and walking inside shutting the screen door behind herself
"Anyone home?"
There were footsteps running in her direction as she took her shoes off placing them next to the step "Onee-chan! You're here, I missed you!" Sakura smiled at Rukas words as she ruffled her hair seeing her smile big at her but that's when she noticed the difference in her
Sakura's eyes narrowed as she looked Ruka up and down. She noted that her smile wasn't as bright as it usually is. Her clothing was wrinkled. She had a few bruises here and there on her body there was a bandage on her cheek "Where's your father?" she snarled out as she clenched her fist ready to argue with her uncle. She could tell Ruka was shocked at how she spoke as her eyes widened in shock "Tell me Ruka where is he?" she demanded as she eyes Ruka
"He's in his study with okaa-san but why do you need to know onee-chan?"
Sakura walked past her as she made her way to the study Ruka chasing after her "Onee-chan what's wrong?" she questioned her cousin's behavior "What did otou-sama do?" she tilted her head to the side as Sakura stopped and turned to her anger showing in her features "Look at you Ruka! He has no right treating you this way." she told her as she continued her walk to his study
"Onee-chan! Otou-sama is right though! I need to get stronger. I'm a disgrace."
Sakura spun around her chakra flaring up in her rage as she glared unintentionally at Ruka "You deserve this?" she spat as her anger was coming out "You do not deserve this Ruka! Your father is scum for what he is doing to you! He needs to be put in his place! You are still young, he can't expect you to be powerful just yet! Now wait here and don't come to the study. You do not need to see this." Sakura spun back around and marched toward the sliding door that leads to his study not bothering to knock as she slammed it open her emerald eyes finding her uncle standing in the middle his back to her tensed as he felt her presence she looked to the side of the room to see her aunt Saki looking at her nervously then back at her husband "Uncle." she spat as she slid the door closed behind her harshly as she bared her teeth at him "Sakura." Daisuke turned to his niece crossing his arms against his chest as he eyes her with cold eyes expecting an argument
"You have no right treating Ruka the way you do."
"She's my daughter."
"Like hell she is! The way you treat her is wrong!"
Saki nervously bit her lip as she watched the argument unfold between the two she knew Sakura was right in every way he shouldn't be treating Ruka the way he does "You have no right to tell me how to parent when you're just a kid." her husband snarled at Sakura, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "She's too soft when she should be stronger. Now it's because of you she's the way she is, you baby her! You make her weak!" Daisuke accused her as he glared at her
"She's just a child! She's not even old enough to be learning the stuff you want her to learn! You can't force this on her when she should be learning stuff at the academy that's why she goes! You make her feel like she is a failure as a child! She shouldn't even be feeling that way at her age!" Sakura turned her eyes on her aunt and pointed at her "And you! You're her mother and you're just allowing this to go on! Mothers are supposed to protect their children not let them get put down verbally all the time especially when it's her own father!" Sakura shook her head in disappointment "My mother would be so disappointed in her sister right now if she were alive." Saki flinched at that knowing it was the truth
"Enough Sakura!"
Sakura turned her eyes on her uncle seeing that his hands were placed at his side, his eyes no longer blue but pink petals swirling in them as he stared at her angry "You will not speak to her or me that way again understand?" he hissed as he glared harder at her showing his dominance "You are the clan heiress so start acting like it before I strip you of that title." he threatened
"You can't do that! I was born into the clan heads family! You were not aunt Saki was!" Sakura stated as she couldn't believe what he was saying he had no authority over her title "Don't you ever threaten my title again!" she snarled at him anger radiating off her in waves as her eyes started to feel strange "Let's not forget you were born second to the main house, your brother was the intended heir, you weren't, it was just unlucky that he died on a mission and you were up next for the title." Sakura's eyes widen at his words. She cant believe what he was saying about her brother no one talks about her brother that way!
"Don't you ever bring up my brother to me! Ever!" Emerald eyes bled pink with one petal in them spinning, shocking the other two in the room that she activated the kekkei Genkai in her anger "My brother meant everything to me! So don't you ever say anything about him to me again or else you'll regret it!" she declared to them as she took a step forward
"Sa-"
The surroundings around them started to vanish for the two older Harunos a black abyss surrounding them their senses dulling to the real world as a barrage of kunai came raining down on them Daisuke tried overpowering Sakura's kekkei Genkai with his own but was shocked when he couldn't
"How is this possible!?"
"Sakura stop please!"
"Onee-chan!"
The two older Harunos found themselves back in the study shock coursing through their bodies at what Sakura just did to them Daisuke was angrier than shocked that Sakura was able to overpower his own fully formed kekkei Genkai this proved how strong she could be if she had a fully formed one "Onee-chan please stop! Okaa-san and otou-sama did nothing wrong! Don't hurt them!" Ruka pleaded as tears were forming in her green eyes as she watched all eyes turn to her now "Please onee-chan stop." Ruka looked into her cousin's pink eyes one petal in them swirling but she then let her eyes fade back to emerald as her anger slowly faded away at the look Ruka gave her
Fear
She turned back to her aunt and uncle and bowed to them "I'm sorry for my action and I'll accept any punishment you give out." she turned her back to them and walked out the door not giving them a chance to respond back she didn't even look at Ruka as she walked away from them
She didn't go to the clan meeting that night,
{+}
"So I hear you finally activated the kekkei Genkai."
"I did."
"But I also hear you used it against Daisuke."
"I did."
"I'm surprised, to be honest that you were able to overpower his fully formed Kekkei Genkai."
"It was his fault for underestimating me, Layla."
Layla eyed her younger cousin as they sat crossed-legged in the training grounds "True that may be Sakura but I've told you before don't let your anger get the best of you that will be your own downfall." Layla told her as she watched Sakura nod to her "Well at least I know where to start in your training. Now Sakura what do you know of our kekkei Genkai?" Layla asked as she leaned back waiting for Sakura's answer
"Our kekkei Genkai is called falling petal also known as Rakka hanabira its strength is mainly in genjutsu but it also helps increase our chakra reserves so we can perform more jutsus and not easily succumb to chakra exhaustion but the downside is we slowly start to lose our way the more we use our kekkei Genkai." Sakura explained to Layla
"That's the basic summary of our kekkei Genkai but there's more to it than what you said." Layla stated to her "Our kekkei Genkai is referred as the sister kekkei Genkai to the Sharingan since the similarities it has as our kekkei Genkai has four stages each stage make us stronger and faster but what makes us different from the Sharingan is that our eyes hold the power to show people's worst fear but there's a backlash if you don't have control of your kekkei Genkai you could be trapped also in your worst nightmare." Layla stood up as she stretched getting ready to continue her explanation "When trapping someone in there worse fear it's like a genjutsu but they can't get out of it like they can a regular genjutsu only the user can let them out of it with time you will have control of that but first we need to work on your Rakka hanabira since the first stage is the easiest to control it mainly centers around your chakra reserves and genjutsu while each stage increases those though the higher stage its harder to maintain it." Layla closed her eyes and then opened them showing her pink eyes with four petals in them spinning "It has been said that when the Sharingan and Rakka hanabira join forces we will be a force to be reckoned with." Sakura stared at her cousin and tilted her head to the side "How do you know so much about the Uchiha Layla?" she froze a the question sakura asked her and her expression changed to one of grief and sorrow
"I….I used to be close to two Uchihas."
"Who?"
Layla turned away from Sakura as memories of the past came to her
"Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha."
"W-what?"
"They were my best friends."
"That was tiring!"
"Shisui only you would complain."
"Don't say that tachi-chan!"
Layla chuckled as she watched the two argue back and forth about the latest mission the three had together it was nothing major just another recon mission on the edge of the fire border to investigate this group of S-class criminals called the Akatsuki but by the time they got there they were already gone
"Layla-chan!" Shisui whined as he looked over at her with his onyx eyes a pout on his face
"Yes, Shisui?"
"Tell tachi-chan I was not complaining!"
"You were though."
Itachi smirked as Layla agreed with him while Shisui continued to pout hanging his head while walking next to them
"I can never win with you two."
"How about I treat you to some Dango?"
Shisui looked up at her eyes sparkling with excitement and joy
"Okay let's go, I'm starving!"
Layla looked over at Itachi seeing him staring at the ground in thought
"You coming Itachi?"
Itachi looked up at her and shook his head "I need to get home and report back to otou-san and to see Sasuke." he waved at the two and shunshined leaving them by themselves
Shisui looped his arm with Layla and smiled at her "Shall we go now?" he asked watching her nod to him a slight blush on her cheeks as they walked towards the Dango stand together
Layla closed her eyes willing herself not to cry at the memory of him she missed him so much the news of his death drove her into a depression she tried talking to Itachi but he closed himself off from her leaving her to fight her own demons by herself making her feel abandoned by the only other person at the time she trusts with everything then not two weeks later he massacred his clan and fled the village making himself a criminal in everyone's eyes
"Layla, you okay?"
Sakura looked worried as she saw Layla take deep breaths and then opened her eyes to look back at Sakura, her pink eyes still swirling with petals "It's time we start your training Sakura." Layal fully turned to Sakura pulling out a kunai and throwing it at her at lightning speed making Sakura's eyes widen as she tried to dodge it but got scratched by it as it hit a tree behind her "I will not be holding back so prepare yourself Sakura." Layal dashed at Sakura another kunai in her hand Sakura quickly activated Rakka hanabira and prepared herself for the attack
{+}
Sakura collapses on the grass, her body aching all over from the spar she just had with Layla that she sorely lost at "There's a lot of work here to be done." Sakura groaned at Layla's words causing her to chuckle "Kakashi did good on your stamina but it could be better we'll work on that and your chakra reserves are good but they need to be better we'll mainly focus on increasing them for our Kekkei Genkai since it does take a toll on them." Layla sat down next to Sakura "You have perfect chakra control so that will help you stabilize your jutsus more quickly than most you can even learn a bit of medical ninjutsu if you want with your chakra control." Layla suggested as she looked over Sakura's body seeing the bruises and cuts littering her body from the spar "Maybe I will just so I know how to treat minor wounds." Sakura spoke up as she sat up
"Now let's work on your genjutsu with rakka hanabira." Sakura nods as she lets her eyes become pink again with one petal in them spinning "Don't hold back Sakura." Layla ordered as she locked eyes with Her letting herself be trapped in the genjutsu
The surroundings around Layla started to grow silent no longer hearing birds chirping or insects
"Layla-Chan!"
Blue eyes widen
"S-shisui?"
Shisui stood there in his anbu gear staring at her with a charming smile as he waved at her to come closer
"What's taking you so long? I've been waiting for so long to see you again."
Tears pricked her eyes as she stared at him noting that he still looked the same as the last time she saw him
"How's tachi-chan? He is still only giving one-worded responses?"
Layla opened her mouth but no words came out. She didn't know what to say "What's wrong Layla-Chan?" Shisui stared at her worried for her but then grinned "Cat got your tongue?" He teased her
"It's a genjutsu, Layla." She told herself as she recalled her training session with Sakura "All you need to do is stay calm and not let this get to you." She told herself as she took a deep breath and exhaled
Shisui walked up to Layla and put his hand on her forehead making her flinch back eyes widen in shock at his action
"La-"
"You left me!" All rationalization went out the window as she spoke those words "You committed suicide and left me!" She bit her lip forcing herself not to cry "All you left was a note! There wasn't even a body to bury." She spat out "The news killed me Shisui! I was devastated! You and Itachi were my family but once you died….Itachi abandoned me too." She clenched her fist as she stared at Shisui seeing that he was staring at her blankly not affected by her words
Shisui skin started to turn greyish and blood poured from his mouth as his kin started to decay
"I'm dead, no thanks to you."
"That's enough." Layla activated her own kekkei Genkai and tried to dispel the genjustu Sakura had over her but couldn't "What?!" She tried again but was met with the same results
'How the hell does she have this much power over her own newly achieved eyes?' Layla tried again to break through the genjutsu and succeeded the second time as her surrounding came back to life Shisui fading away Sakura appearing in his place
"I'm impressed."
Sakura looked at her and was startled that she spoke "W-what?" She looked at her confused at her words
"It took me three tries to get out of that genjutsu you put over me even with my own Rakka hanabira it took me three tries. You're chakra control and genjutsu will be unstoppable and if you can make me or Daisuke struggle against it, just wait till you master the kekkei Genkai." Layla praised as she could see the shock in Sakura's eyes at her words obviously believing that she wasn't that good. "Now Sakura let's work more on your genjutsu and then we'll move on to your stamina to increase it," Layla said to her
{+}
Sakura groaned her whole body ached she had bruises and cuts covering her whole body while Layla barely was even touched she had a few cuts and bruises but that's about it "It's time we call it a day Sakura so you can get patched up we will meet back here again tomorrow at the same time and I'll have some scrolls for you in medical ninjutsu and some elemental jutsus too for you to practice." Layla informed as she watched Sakura flinch when she moved a certain way "Got it I need to go pick up Ruka from the academy right now." Sakura told her as she was getting ready to leave
"I'll see you later Sakura."
Layla vanished leaving Sakura alone in the training grounds
'Time to get Ruka.'
Sakura left the training grounds walking towards the academy to go pick up her younger cousin she just hoped Ruka wasn't still scared of her after yesterday's incident
'I've never lost my temper that bad before.'
'Well I don't blame you outer the way he is treating Ruka is unacceptable!'
Sakura nods subconsciously as she neared the academy she could see kids running out towards their parents or siblings ready to go home she scanned the crowd for Ruka and noticed she wasn't there
'Where is she?'
Sakura leaned against the tree in front of the academy and waited for Ruka to appear which wasn't long as she ran out of the academy looking in all directions trying to see who came to pick her up her eyes finally settled on Sakura making her heart stop for a second fear creeping its way into her as she feared that Ruka was afraid of her "Onee-Chan!" Ruka ran towards Sakura with a grin on her face as she threw herself at her, trusting her to catch her which she did "You came to pick me up!" Ruka smiled at her as Sakura put her down "How was school today?" Sakura held Rukas hand in hers as they started to walk towards the compound
"It was good we practiced sparring today onee-chan."
"How was that?"
Ruka grinned up at her
"I won! It's all thanks to the training I'm getting!"
Sakura grit her teeth
"That's good."
Ruka eyed her older cousin and noted how she looked worn out
"Are you okay onee-Chan?"
Sakura glanced at her and smiled softly
"I'm fine just been training a lot, nothing to worry about imoto."
Ruka stared at her as they continued to walk hand in hand
"I'm going to catch up to you!"
"What?"
"I'll get stronger and then I'll be a ninja you can rely on to watch your back onee-chan!"
Sakura froze as she stared at Ruka
"You won't have to feel like you're alone anymore!"
'Ruka….'
Sakura could see the determination in Ruka as she declared that to her even though Sakura wished Ruka could just stay a kid for a while longer "Imoto." She spoke softly as she raised her free hand and flicked Ruka in her forehead causing the younger girl to grunt in slight pain as she started to rub her forehead that had a red mark in the center now "I know you will I have no doubt in my mind that you will be stronger than me." Sakura stated to her as her smile started to become forced as she looked at Ruka seeing that she was shocked at her older cousins words to her
"You really mean it?"
"Of course."
'After all the next generation always surpasses the previous one.'
"Now shall we go home?"
"Yes, onee-Chan!"
{+}
Layla kneeled on the cold concrete floor her head bowed to her superior the tension thick in the room as she waited for him to speak to her "Haruno." he spoke his voice holding no emotion in it as he addressed her making her tense as she looked up at him her eyes staring at his back "Your clan is to far gone and it is time for us to take action against them before they do." Layla's eyes widen slightly as she bowed her head again as she waited for him to continue dread filling her as she feared what he will order her to do "Hiruzen was a fool putting off not dealing with your clan when they first started to act out." he tapped his cane on the ground in frustration "I'm no fool like him." he stated as he turned around to face Layla his one visible eye narrowing at her "This will be an S-class mission Layla Haruno." he leaned back slightly as he watched her noting the way she tensed at his words "Your mission is the annihilation of the Haruno clan." He watched as her head shot up looking at him wide eyes full of disbelief in them at his orders "Leave no one alive." Layla was filled with disbelief at his orders; she couldn't believe he was ordering this from her!
'I can't do this! My clan may be too far gone but killing them won't solve anything! And he wants me to kill everyone and be made a criminal in Konoha's eyes!' Layla glared at him, pure rage coming off her directed at him. It's been a long time since she was this angry 'I refuse this! I will not massacre my clan for him! I will not hurt Sakura or Ruka!' her killing intent started to come out as she snarled at him standing up taking a step toward him but before she can take another step two anbu appeared around her one holding a tanto to her throat while the other had a grip on the back of her neck
"You made a foolish choice."
"Eat shit Danzo!"
The anbu that held the tanto to her throat brought it closer to her drawing blood "Don't you dare speak to Danzo-sama that way!" he snarled at her but it only made her madder as her eyes bled pink four petals spinning in them as she glared at the two anbu
"You have no choice in the matter, Haruno. It's either you do the mission or I order someone else to do it and you will die alongside your pathetic clan."
Layla looked back at him wishing for him to die a slow painful death she will not accept this mission "I refuse." Layla then vanished leaving an afterimage of herself in the place she use to be standing causing three pairs of eyes to widen as they all recognized the technique she used and how similar it was to Shisui's body flicker
The two anbu looked around trying to find her but she was too fast as she appeared between the two her right fist coming at the anbu that held the tanto while her foot went at the other anbu both connecting with her attacks throwing both back away from her as she performed hand signs putting the two in a genjutsu making them live their worst fear
"You made an enemy out of me today Danzo."
Layla pulled out two kunais and flicked her wrist at the two anbu knowing they couldn't protect themselves she watched as the kunai embedded itself in both their skulls killing them
"Your root ninja are no match for me."
Danzo glared at her as his hand tightened on his cane "What happens next is your own fault." he declared as he watched her turn her back to him "You walk out of this room and your cousin will pay the price." Layla froze as she turned to glare hatefully at him with her kekkei Genkai making her look more intimidating as her anger was increasing
"You dare threaten my cousin? That's a death sentence Danzo! I won't let you touch her! If I see any of your root anbu near her or even you I'll show you why my enemies fear me!" Layla left leaving Danzo to seeth at her actions and words she spoke to him all that mattered now was making sure Sakura was safe and sound
Danzo glared at the door Layla left through
'You will regret what you decided today.'