A/N: I'm letting the story flow on its own. I want it to get serious yet not too much. ;)
After that blurb, enjoy the story.
The new girl was an enigma.
Standing by the window as the Hokage engages in a conversation with the enemy is not how Itachi saw his Friday going. There were plans that needed to be made if the clan rioted against the leaf; not babysitting a thirteen-year-old girl. Then again, he was a thirteen-year-old boy.
"Tell Hawk to come back with the psychologist."
His first order from the Hokage and hopefully the last Itachi slide from his place walking out the room. In the busy hall of the hospital it wasn't hard to spot Hawk. A blond man standing near the anbu agent got the memo who was conversating with a nurse. Reiji Yamanaka would always be a lady's man, rude, but a lady's man. Walking back into the room with Hawk and Reiji the waiting commenced.
While the Yamanaka invaded the girls mind Hiruzen turned his attention to other matters.
"Itachi, do you think this girl is the same as two months ago?"
Abrupt and straight to the point Hiruzen questioned one of his top subordinates. Itachi had been there when the 'rescue' he thought was harmless morphed into a bigger problem. He knew the Hokage wouldn't be able to tell the expression he wore from behind the mask. His rigged stance was confirmation that he was mulling over the question. Itachi let the Hokage see from the twitch of his fingers to the puff of his chest that was taking the matter seriously.
"No, she is not. There is a change in her demeanor Hokage -sama."
"Why do you think so?"
"The need to kill and live…these factors do not apply to her anymore."
Every ninja knew what it felt like to survive only on adrenalin. It is hard to come off the high that keeps a ninja's heart pumping another pulse. Something about the pink haired girls gaze made Itachi stall. It was enough to let him know killing her wouldn't be a good idea. She understood survival to the fittest like he understood. She was protecting not only herself but something else. It made him curious.
The Hokage looked back at the girl when she awoke from her short slumber. Reiji stepped away from the bed admitting there was nothing to be done about the seal. He was unable to break it a second time. The next conversation steadily irritating Hiruzen from the tick in his brow made Itachi smile a bit. Its not everyday when someone can irritate the Hokage. Then an argument like no other began, Itachi wanted to leave by the time it was over.
"You cannot leave the hospital."
"And you can't hold someone in the hospital without a proper explanation."
"You're a rouge ninja that destroyed a whole wing. We have a cause."
The girl's green eyes darkened from displeasure. The growing pink in her cheeks started to match the bubble gum color of her hair. It was quite the site to see. Other anbu in the room didn't seem bothered, Itachi thought the expression was slightly amusing.
"I'm not a rouge ninja!"
"Then who are you?"
"…." For once the pink lips that had pulled in a snarl fell silent. Those vicious green eyes lost their vigor as the girl stared at the Hokage.
"Do you remember who you are?" Hiruzen's tone lost its bite replaced with sympathy. Resolution settled into pink features before the girl's gaze turned away.
"I'm…Sakura. Just Sakura."
"No last name?" Hiruzen was skeptical about her actions before answering. Was this a ruse?
"If I remember I will tell you." She was becoming upset again.
"...Bring in the sealing team." The girl looked surprised by the admission. The Hokage nodded to Hawk who shunshuned away with the other three anbu's in the room. Itachi stayed behind awaiting by the window for further instruction. Four other ninjas in jounin garbs shuffled into the room surrounding the bed. The Hokage gathered himself standing in the corner of the room to watch the ritual begin.
As instructed through the small changes of chakra linking to the girl's body each ninja held their palms upwards forming a bubble. In small increments the concealment gengutsu pulled itself to the surface. A seal with an upside down pendent cracked in the center focused around four distinct chakras. Breaking down each foreign link the gengutsu evaporated as another layer presented itself. This continued until the last layer disintegrated. Visibly the stiff form of Sakura relaxed completely into the bed breathing evenly. She started with her toes wiggling each one before flexing her fingers. A smile of relief spreads across her face.
"We removed the seal for now. You will be required to wear chakra suppressant's or an alternative – bed bound with the seal." The Hokage stated from his corner.
He joined the group of four ninja's who nodded to their leader before moving out of the way. Sakura tugged on the restraint of the hospital bed testing the strength. Making up her mind the kunoichi looked back at Hiruzen with a sigh. Nodding to the deal she voiced her opinion unwillingly.
"The chakra suppressants are fine."
One of the four from the sealing team pulled two metal bangles from a pocket. Reaching over they were clipped on her lower arms after each restraint. The thin metal was cool against her skin digging against the metal frame of the bed. Her chakra was drawn to each bracelet absorbed to the level of a civilian. Sakura didn't look upset from this fact but rather unsure what to do. While the Hokage instructed the sealing team to leave he stood beside her bed waiting until the door closed.
"Since you are wearing those you will be placed in an apartment under surveillance. The anbu in charge of you, Rook, is behind me."
Hiruzen referred to Itachi with a head nod which the young boy returned. Before Sakura could comment the Hokage continued giving out his rules. Itachi didn't feel up to the task but couldn't complain.
"If you go anywhere your escort will be with you unless their switched out. If you try damaging the chakra suppressant cuffs the seal is the next step. Rook will show you my office tomorrow morning at eight. We will speak a little more about your arrangement here. Is that understood?"
"Yes Hokage-sama"
Hiruzen gave Sakura one last look before exiting the room. The door shutting behind him didn't easy the silence in the room. Green eyes stared at Itachi trying to find a hint of identity under the layer of black clothing; even his hair was covered under a layer of body suit. Itachi made the first move walking away from the window. He made do by unclipping the restraints from each of Sakura's limbs. She watched silently flexing each ankle and wrist. Afterwards, Itachi went to a chair in the corner picking something up. When he turned around a pile of clothes spilled from his grip to the foot of the bed.
"Dress yourself. The window is guarded."
Sakura's cheeks grew red in embarrassment from her slip up. When he turned away her gaze slid to the second opening of escape. She didn't think Itachi could see that with his back turned. He repressed a small grin when Sakura tried lifting herself from the bed. He had seen this jutsu before. It took energy of all kinds to make it work.
"Aren't you going to help me?" She inquired.
Sakura tried lifting herself up until slipping back into the bed with a groan. Her muscles were too weak.
"Hokage-sama instructed me to watch you not help you."
"But how am I supposed to get to my apartment if I can't lift myself up!"
"Willpower."
The uncertainity of staying in the hospital bed was getting to Sakura. If she couldn't get out of it then would they put the seal back on? What would happen if she was bed bound? With each question running through her mind Sakura didn't see the hand sticking out towards her. Itachi had rounded the bed standing where the Hokage was minutes ago. When his hand wasn't grabbed Itachi hawled Sakura from the bed in one go growing impatient.
"Hey!"
"Your slow."
"You could have waited."
"Your taking too much time-"
"What time? You're my guard."
"I do have other duties. If you want to stay in the bed then so be it." Itachi dropped Sakura on the edge of the bed. He stepped away before walking outside hearing a gasp from inside the room. The young anbu could hear Sakura struggle cursing under her breath. After a few minutes the door opened with Sakura hanging on to the wall for dear life. Her legs were shaking, and it didn't look like she would be standing the next minute. A glare was directed Itachi's way which he ignored in favor of walking down the hall.
"Wait a second!" Sakura yelled out trying to follow outside the room while holding on to the wall. She slid down to the floor before she could get any further.
"Please!" It was a plea but a real one this time. She was sitting on the floor panting from extreme movement after having none for two months.
"Please I need your help."
Itachi turned around to the downed girl on the floor. Making up his mind about a few things the young anbu walked back towards her. Bending down to her level an arm slid behind her then under her legs hiking her up in his arms. A squeak was the only complaint from his charge when he carried her off and out of the hospital. Sakura blushed ten shades of red trying to hide against his shirt when people looked their way. Itachi was unphased by the attention.
It was another day for unexpected circumstances.
On the way to the apartment Itachi received odd looks from civilians. An anbu carrying a young girl was one thing but one asleep and not covered in blood was another. Treading along the main path through the village towards the shinobi side of the tracks, Itachi never considered how odd the site would be. It was a job, instructions from the Hokage that would be carried out, nothing more. When Sakura stirred in his arms tucking her face into his neck Itachi couldn't help the sweat that accumulated on his forehead.
How can someone with so much power fall asleep in the hands of a stranger? This is unusual. Maybe she is stupid? Possibly.
Itachi stopped questioning the mystery in his arms by the last stent of the trip. Jumping to the second balcony of a three story building it was easy maneuvering Sakura to one side of his arms while picking a lock with the other. Securing the door to the side he walk through the living room to the back room seeing a full size bed by the window. Laying Sakura in the middle before covering her with a blank Itachi stared at her. It didn't last long as his thoughts strayed to the clan meeting he was surely missing.
Locking the balcony door and jumping to a nearby roof Itachi sped to the outskirts of town. There was another situation in the form of a small child he needed to take care of first.