Here's another one!
I've already written the entire story SOOOOO
the more comments I get the quicker I update!
Chapter 3
FLASHBACK
"We have a problem and your skills are needed. Orochimaru has made a mess of things…again," Sakura stared at her teacher, reading her facial features.
Sighing she pulled up a chair and plopped down ungracefully.
The Hokage raised a blonde brow as Sakura stated, "I might as well get ready for this one. There is no telling what the slimy bastard did this time."
Tsunade did not chuckle or laugh as Sakura sat down, making her more nervous than before.
"I need to ask you a question Sakura and before you say anything…just wait until I get everything out before you react. Please. I hate asking this as much as you will hate hearing it."
Sakura's eyebrows shot up as she got comfortable in her chair. The set of her shoulders told Tsunade that she had her undivided attention.
"Where to start?" Tsunade mumbled as she stood up and started pacing.
"Over the past several years Jiraiya has been following a string of…strange disappearances and occurrences. They are so odd that they warrant special consideration and make even the most seasoned shinobi squeamish."
Three voluminous files were suddenly tossed into her lap and she winced at the weight of them. Shifting, Sakura adjusted the thick files and subtly rubbed her leg.
"I expect you to read all of those and since they are classified, well, they cannot leave my person. You'll have to read them here as we have this meeting."
Sakura nodded and cracked open the oldest file which was dated four years ago. After about an hour she finished the first file and looked up at Tsunade in disgust.
"Yes, I know. Things get pretty gruesome and I would not be showing you any of this if you were not needed…or any younger than you are now."
Sakura raised a pink brow and muttered, "I'm 18, you know that is like middle age for a normal ninja."
Glaring Tsunade retorted, "You are not a normal ninja! You are my apprentice and I expect you to live a long life and have a legendary career. Damnit, now I need some sake. SHIZUNE, BRING ME THE SAKE FROM SUNA!"
When Shizune scurried in with Tonton at her heels, Sakura groaned and grabbed her head. Her elbows rested on her knees and her fingers started massaging her scalp.
The ANBU who dragged her to the office in the first place cocked his head to the side and questioned, "What is it Haruno-san?"
His soft tone made her look up at him quizzically before she gritted out, "My clone just finished our work."
He nodded once in understanding and went back to his previous position, shoulders relaxing slightly. It did not go unnoticed by Sakura how the other ANBU in the room had honed their attention on him as he quietly spoke to her. She blushed slightly and ducked her head, trying to hide her flush.
After pouring some sake and downing it, Tsunade stated calmly, "Sakura, I am going to ask you a question before you finish the rest of those files. I want you to think about it and all that it entails as you read the rest. You need to think about it carefully and critically. Do NOT rush to a decision."
Once Sakura nodded, Tsunade exhaled and paused. Her sharp eyes assessed her student before asking, "Haruno Sakura, would you be willing to join ANBU Team 1 for the purpose of apprehending Orochimaru? You will have to pass a test first and receive some specialized training. I want your answer in writing."
END
Sakura blurted out, "I haven't really decided yet, Tsunade-sama! I've been thinking about it but honestly, I don't know if I'm cut out for ANBU."
Tsunade steepled her fingers in front of her face and watched her apprentice.
"I know it would be temporary and under special circumstances but I am much too emotional to just…" subconsciously she looked at the masked men in the room a little guiltily.
She sighed and slumped her shoulders, "I'm not a killer, Taichou. Even when I killed Sasori I still felt some remorse. I'm a medic-nin first and foremost. The oath I took was to save lives, not take them."
She straightened as she completed her tirade and stared at Tsunade with no apology in her eyes.
I have no idea why I am the one being asked. It doesn't make sense for a medic-nin to join this operation. Maybe she has other motives that I don't yet know of.
"Very well. I don't actually need your response just yet but I wanted to make sure you were thinking about yourself and not everyone else," Tsunade stated with a proud smile on her face.
Sakura stiffened and then her eyebrow started to twitch. The ANBU in the room noticeably relaxed and one of them even audibly sighed.
"Hokage-sama, I know you worry about me and want to protect me however; I am a shinobi of Konoha. I am a warrior, a tool, or whatever my village needs me to be. I am glad you asked me to join this task force instead of ordering me to do so. That being said, I have to put the village's needs first while still keeping myself in mind second."
Itachi shifted as she finished speaking and garnered everyone's attention.
With a subtle nod from Tsunade he spoke, "Haruno-san, things have changed in the village and Hokage-sama is trying to institute a…new way of doing things. You are a project of sorts, a stepping stone to what is to really be implemented. After what happened with Danzo, a change is needed."
At the mention of Danzo and the foiled plan he had against the Uchiha; the atmosphere of the room felt stiff and cold.
Suddenly, Tsunade sighed and stated, "Well, that is enough angst for one day! You still have about a week to give me your final decision. Now get out of my office. All of you."
Sakura's jaw clenched as she turned to leave, blushing as the curly-haired male flash-stepped to hold the door open for her. She nodded her thanks and quickly sped out as she heard Sasuke let out a chuckle. She punched her teammate in the arm forcefully before teleporting away, not daring to look at the other two males.
The conversation she had with Tsunade had her pondering about village politics and how much she actually knew about Konoha's hidden depths.
The sun was starting to go down before she realized that she had wandered aimlessly around the village. She grimaced and turned towards the market to pick up some groceries for dinner.
She bought the ingredients to make her favorite curry and chatted with the few vendors who were still selling this late in the evening. A scroll stall caught her eye and she strolled into the shelves of parchment.
About 30 minutes later she had three scrolls in her arms and paid for them quickly while scanning the seemingly empty streets. Purchasing such material made her stomach twist in an anxious manner because she knew her earlier conversation is what caused such an interest in the first place.
The nape of her neck tingled and goosebumps rose on her arms when she neared her apartment. Her eyes narrowed and muscles tensed as she waited to discover the reason for her unease.
A small shift of the wind was her only warning. She twirled around in a blur and had a kunai pressed against her assailant's throat. With blinding speed, he took the weapon from her hand and had her arm pinned behind her.
He chuckled at her surprise and tightened his hold when she let out a frustrated, angry growl.