Sakura had learned to be efficient with little sleep, but that did not mean she enjoyed it. The pinkette groaned as she typed yet another patient follow up clinic note, the visit had left her with a sour attitude for more than a few hours and she was looking forward to a calm evening at home with a new book and perhaps a calming cup of tea.

In the meantime, coffee would have to do. She stood n her windowless, claustrophobic office and gently poured another comforting cup of liquid gold into her worn down mug. She settled back down in her chair and flipped open a folder on the newest outbreak of the disease they were now calling HH45. Ino, though a complete bimbo in front of cute boys, was incredibly talented with her investigation on the coast and was sending lab information and successful vaccination records back to Sakura in Konoha. She couldn't help but smile. To think it was only a few years ago that they were swore enemies-

"Sakura-sama!" a miniature Katsuyu poofed into existence on Sakura's cluttered desk, scattering the loose notes she was just reviewing. "Tsunade-sama has an S-rank mission for you immediately, please consider responding!" her terrified voice wheezed with effort and Sakura immediately jumped from her chair to the ninja pouch hanging the door of her office.

"What are the mission details?" Sakura said as a serious tone took command of her voice as she walked back to the desk in a hurry. For Katsuyu to be summoned was never a good sign and in the middle of a peaceful day was perhaps even more concerning.

"Spy on the Hokage tower meeting in Tsunade-sama's office right away! We have a potential threat that she mustn't alert anyone to." The tiny slug whispered her anxiety and starred up at Sakura with terrified beady eyes "Please save my summoner Sakura-sama, please please please."

With a reassuring pat Sakura smiled at the summons as she hustled over to the bookshelf and grabbed the seemingly innocent black Hannya mask from the dusty middle row "Of course, Katsuyu, please rest you've done well." Sakura ripped off her white coat and red high neck top and quickly changed into the emergency ANBU attire hidden under her desk in a tampon box. The snug midnight material covered her from her wrists to ears and nose and all the way to her ankles, creating an image of death sure to befall any who opposed her.

Names were whispered about who the ghost was, but villagers in all nations would murmur about the enraged Onryō that haunts the world now days, its wrath stealing the souls of those who dared commit violence against civilians. "Onryō" was more of an apparition than an actual person as no one lived to see its physical description and this suited Sakura just fine. Tsunade was the one who gave her the idea about hiding her identity one dreary evening months ago. Pink hair was entirely too recognizable and without her passing the jounin exam, Sakura was not allowed to be released on official solo missions of B category or higher.

"Become a shadow and tell no one. You're far more capable than ANBU and to be honest I don't want Danzo getting his hands on you."

The black Hannya mask in her hands leered at her with understanding, the ceramic mask warmed in her hand as she combed the black, wild mane surrounding the back of the mask and placed it on her head. Such a mask could commonly be picked up at any festival, but its meaning rung true to Sakura's heart: This mask represents female rage and pain. The expression of Hannya mask is demonic, angry, frightening, tormented, sad, heartbreaking, melancholic and sorrowful and unfortunately Sakura's young heart could understand the demon mask better than she could most people.

With a sigh the warm pink strands disappeared into the inky darkness underneath the mask's mane and a final glance in the decorative mirrors on her wall confirmed she was ready to use the substitution jutsu to the Hokage's tower. A pile of cherry blossoms swirling faintly on her floor was the only hint that remained in her cold hospital office.

Softly the Onryō crawled in the room above her mentor's office, chakra masked and all essence of life from her body completely covered. The prototype catsuit she wore was a new technology that ANBU was developing and having access to high security clearance areas proved to have its perks. Body heat, scent, odor, and actively bleeding wounds would be contained inside the suit until the wearer removed it. Helpful when facing ninja such as Kiba, but also incredibly annoying the Hyūga Clan with all chakra points being shielded.

Sakura placed her ear to the ground and listened with a chakra enhanced eardrum, attempted to get a sense of who was where and who the enemy was. A diplomat from another village threatening war? Was this about the rampant disease? Her speculations couldn't be answered unless she snuck closer, ideally gaining a visual of the intruder.

"-What you offer is unnecessary. My shinobi are much more capable than yours, as I believe my teenage apprentice proved more than once."

A loud bang interrupted Sakura's musing and she immediately went rigid with terror but was comforted by the furious voice below her. "Control your dogs, or no deal will even be considered before I call forth my best-" Tsunade's voice echoed loud enough that surely even Gaara-san heard it in Suna.

"Where the fuck is her ANBU, this is their job! They have one fucking job-"

"I apologize for his outburst." The deep voice rumbled an apology, and all was quiet minus the shuffling in the room below. "The situation has become a threat for our plans and I assure you it is in our best interest to take extreme measures to ensure the apprentice does not get in the hands of the Sanin Orochimaru-"

Sakura's breathing hitched and she silently cursed herself for this mistake, praying no one below heard it. Why was the snake bastard interested in her? A lowly Chunin from Konoha had no reason to be on his radar…

Tsunade began talking again and Sakura took this moment to inch her way out of the darkened room to the airduct system in the hallway utility closet but spun around quickly to meet the tanto aimed for her neck. Polished steel met with her forearm guard and the Onryō immediately shot her eyes to the man's neck desperately hoping she had not been caught in the blood red eyes that haunted her nightmares. Both assassins remained unmoving, neither willing to give the other an inch to escape. The room below was silent, and Sakura held her breath praying Tsunade had not been killed in her moment of distraction.

"You are not ANBU, who is your master?" his husky voice stirred something in Sakura's stomach and immediately the kunoichi blamed it on terror and anxiety, not daring to think of the warmth on her shielded cheeks.

"That is mine Uchiha, do not break it." The Hokage said though it was muffled through the floor. The raven-haired man immediately released his tanto from her forearm guard and swept past the Onryō, clearly displaying his lack of concern by turning his back to the unidentified figure, an arm casually brushing against her slim shoulder and knocking her slightly. A lone hand reached out and opened the door exiting the room, holding it in a polite gesture for Sakura's masked form. She glared at his shoulder, still afraid to meet his eyes, and held a hand sign up to the Hannya's mouth as she puffed into the room below, leaving dangerous older Uchiha to walk alone.

Sakura apparated in front of the Hokage's desk, placing more distance in between her blonde mentor and the dangerous newcomers. A man with bright orange hair, numerous piercings, and ringed purple eyes shifted his eyes to her dark Hannya mask and took in the details as many do in their last moments. "So, the fables have a source of reality. I must say, such vehemence from the Leaf is largely unheard of." His acknowledgement held more of a back-hand comment in it than an actual complement. Sakura bit her cheek to hold her tongue; the Onryō did not speak. Deidara's large form stood directly behind his sitting leader and sneered at the Hannya mask, a glint of something hostile in his deep blue eyes.

"She is my personal ninja withheld from the books, you would do well to speak to me more directly now and stop beating around the bush, I have a village to run and terrorist organizations to take down." Tsunade was close to losing her temper and the fact that she hadn't done so yet was probably only because the orange haired Akatsuki had come with not only Itachi Uchiha, but Deidara of Iwa as well. Three Akatsuki against a Hokage was suicide for all parties, but Sakura only felt smaller under their inquisitive stares.

"Orochimaru has had recent success with a new form of technology engineering reproductive cells to become more similar to him and thus extend his life force" the man began slowly procuring a manila folder from his cloak to which Deidara immediately took from him and began walking towards Sakura's darkened form. She tensed visibly and the bomber nin stopped, extending the documents to her "the hole in his plan is his desire to have Uchiha eyes which he genetically does not possess." The man before Sakura seemed unfazed as Itachi walked into the room, leaving Sakura to gape under her mask. Just where was everyone in this building?!

"Uchiha Sasuke is still within one of the sound bases and seems to be uncaring of what becomes of his genetics so long as the clan can be revived. Inside that folder is the knowledge one of our own managed to procure on the experimental life forms being tested."

Sakura opened the folder, searching for a bomb or dangerous jutsu, but only the horrifying descriptions of research notes and experimental trials met her eyes. Lithe hands snapped the folder closed and passed it to the tranquil blonde behind her, willing the anger she felt to extinguish. The first page did not detail the numbers of failed hosts, but the descriptions alone and overall lack of regard for life…. Honestly how could Konoha produce such a monster like him.

Honey eyes narrowed slightly at the words before her and she flipped the pages in the folder with such a speed Sakura briefly wondered if she was even reading them. "Your spy is good; however, it seems the medical and science portion of these experiments is far beyond theory thanks to Kabuto's ethos violations. What does Haruno Sakura have to do with this? She knows nothing of eugenics."

Before the leader could speak Itachi gracefully walked up to the desk and flopped down a new folder, one Tsunade grabbed before Sakura's gloved hands could "Your apprentice has renowned chakra control despite being from a nameless civilian clan," his lofty voice filled the room and his now charcoal eyes looked into the Hokage's with purpose "Her ability to kill Sasori, as you mentioned earlier, has not been overlooked by the world. Unfortunately, she's caught Orochimaru's eyes and he desires her as a vessel for his newest host."

Sakura felt a wave of nausea run through her. Before she could take in a shaky breath Tsunade stood, irritated at the younger ninja's gall to stand over her "I assure you my apprentice would never consider running to your brother and Orochimaru. Her loyalty lies within this village and for you to dare insinuate this-"

Perhaps realizing his mistake, or perhaps deciding her fists were more fearful upclose Itachi took a respectful step back and bowed his head slightly "I did not mean to insult your beloved apprentice. It has simply come to our attention that Orochimaru lacks concern for other life and well being and an abduction is not something he is unfamiliar with."

Tsunade snatched the new folder off her desk and froze at the dozens of glossy pictures that lay inside, neatly tucked together by a bent paper clip "Where did you get these…." Narrowed eyes full of distrust launched themselves at the Leader, still calmly sitting as his disciple made his way back behind his chair.

"Same way we got in and same way I'm sure Orochimaru would too knowing that creep." Deidara joked as Tsunade sighed and sat back down, handing the newest folder to the dark Onryō. Tsunade chastised herself for thinking to get Sakura involved in this nonsense, she should have known better.

She made a show of leaning against the Hokage's desk as she looked through the pictures, a move of disinterest and relaxation to those around her, but on the inside Sakura was breaking down. Each picture showcased the pinkette in a different environment, enjoying different activities with her friends and trainings. Bits and pieces of her life photographed in nearly every setting. There was one of her sitting on the ledge of her bedroom window, alabaster skin glowing in the moonlight as she looked down below. Another showed her arm in arm with the famous Yananaka clan heir cheerfully walking down a suburban sidewalk on their way to the flower shop. The most disturbing however was pictures of her at the river, enjoying the warm Fire country sun on her skin as she cooled down from a long training session, clothes hung on a tree to dry from the quick wash as she swam wearing nothing but her dignity.

"It would be wise of you to never mention these pictures, she has quite a temper." Tsunade chuckled darkly.

"My point is to not insult, but rather emphasis the need for her protection. Sound ninja are not nearly as skilled as my men, but I don't believe she stands a chance against Sasuke Uchiha."

"Underestimating her has killed many shinobi." The blonde made a point to emphasize the sentence, rubbing in the fact that Sakura annihilated one of the Akatsuki causing the leader's eyes to narrow slightly. Tsunade considered this and laced her fingers together before placing her chin on them, elbows resting on the edge of her desk "And just what do you propose? That Konoha lock her up to never see the sunlight again? Or shall she be medically sterilized as a precaution? I assure you neither of these options will please her. Haruno is of much more use to this village alive and well, seeing her patients in the hospital and deriving toxins and antidotes should the need arise. One day of her choosing she may decide to continue her legacy and provide our village with more gifted ninja such as herself, despite being clan less." The last part was more directed at the Uchiha.

Orange hair bobbed briefly in an agreeable nob "I have a proposition, Hokage-sama. The threat lies directly in Orochimaru's existence and should he be defeated then there is no longer a worry for your apprentice. Allow my men to provide guard for her in one of our many bases. She will be safely hidden from the world until the threat can be extinguished and then returned to you immediately. While in my base she can work with the latest devices to control the plague outbreaks and continue her work for Konoha-"

Sakura couldn't help but snap her head toward the laugh coming from her mentor, only this woman would dare be amused by the Leader of Akatsuki's proposals "You must think I'm a fool. To just hand over my ninja to an enemy? Yes, you claim there's a threat but how do I know you are not fabricating it for your benefit?" The blonde sat up straight again and her chakra began to leak venomously into the room "Who is to say you are not the cause of these plagues and will kill her the moment I lose sight?"

Tension ran high and Sakura remained ready to pounce on any of the men that made a wrong move toward her mentor.

Pein stood and Sakura nearly pissed herself, jumping slightly in the process "I assure you I have no means of deception, however given our current status I understand your apprehension. I will not waste any more of your time. Should you change your mind take this ring and place it on your right thumb. It is a means of communication and we can continue negotiations at a later date should you decide it is beneficial."

Deidara rose his hand to his clay bag smiling and Sakura shot a sendon at him, piercing the tanned skin as he yelped. The Leader gazed into the eyes of the Hannya mask and made contact with Sakura's eyes, making her freeze in her actions to grab the tanto on her back "Your Onryō would do well to post guard in the meanwhile, she's nearly as quick as your copy nin." And with that the trio disappeared in a murder of crows.

"You can't possibly be considering this Shishou," Sakura's muffled voice came from behind the Hannya mask voice thick with worry "Their plan is sloppy at best, desperate to utilize my capture as a bait for Naruto to come running to them."

Tsunade reached under her desk searching for the Sake bottle that should be there and glared when she came up empty handed. "Precisely why I requested you come today instead of Shizune or Kakashi." With purposeful strides she crossed the room to a decorative vase and reached in to produce a smaller bottle of sake and two cups. "The toad sages will hide Naruto away along with Yamato under the guise of Sage training, while Kakashi remains in the village to track your whereabouts. No matter what their threat has been made clear: you will be abducted." Tsunade sat down wearily and poured for her apprentice, ignoring the silence she was greeted with. "Akatsuki could be telling the truth and Sound with steal you away, or Akatsuki will. It doesn't matter but we need to be prepared."

"You can't protect me from every scenario and every outcome. I didn't become the kunoichi I am just to be babied and sheltered! I'm stronger than that," A furious hand wave towards the door emphasized Sakura's attitude "they might not respect what I've become, and Kaka-sensei might see me as weak, but I expected more from you Shishou!" Sakura hastily removed her mask and slammed back the cup offered to her, bracing for Tsunade's temper. It had been years since Sakura dared give her an attitude and she knew the consequences would come.

"You are not just some ninja and you know that very well." The older woman stood and slammed her fist on the desk, cracking the rich wood slightly "I asked for your thoughts, not your sass. Control your pride and listen to what is at stake Sakura or I swear I'll place you on complete suspension and house arrest until Orochimaru is dead!"

Sakura bit her tongue and steeled her gaze, a trait Tsunade learned was Sakura saying she was done with the attitude or anger. The older woman sat back down and finished her sake "You are to change your entire routine, never taking the same way home. Increase your security and lock you damn doors." Tsunade threw down a picture of Naruto sneaking into Sakura's apartment through the sliding door in her bedroom, Sakura's pink hair peaking out from underneath the comforter on the bed obviously asleep. Sakura blushed at the obvious implications of the picture. "Naruto nor any of the other shinobi from your graduating class will be alerted about this. The last thing I need is one of you hot heads rushing in to solve the problem alone and try to be a fucking hero." Sakura smirked slightly, knowing her group has given the Hokage more than one tension headaches. They really were a hardheaded group.

"Are you thinking about taking the Akatsuki up on their offer?" Sakura ventured cautiously as she poured her Shishou more sake.

"I'm…. not sure yet. On one end of the spectrum is Orochimaru, rape, horrendous torture that I can't even imagine, and your child weaponized against the world. On the other is Akatsuki, their motives not entirely understood. Do they truly wish to protect your genetics from getting into the hands of the wrong people? Or are they seizing the opportunity to bait Naruto and to capture the Kyubi after killing you both…" Her eyebrows knit together in focus as she spread the contents of both folders on her desk, reviewing the threat from both sides. "For now you're dismissed. Take care of those security issues immediately, I need time to think this through."

Her ghostly form disappeared from the dark office in a puff of smoke, the wisps tauntingly swirling toward Tsunade and leaving the faintest smell of her apprentice. An angry hand slammed on the desk once more as the Hokage grit her teeth "You won't take her from me,death. I won't allow it this time."


The day had hardly begun and yet Sakura felt exhausted. The paperwork in the hospital was calling to her, and a nagging voice in the back of her mind told her how far behind she was on updating her charts, but that would have to wait. Sakura appeared in her living room and quickly shut the curtains together in frustration.

"Stupid, Akatsuki-" Sakura turned the dead bolt on her front door and went about setting up new triggers for traps. "Sticking their noses where it doesn't belong and dicking around-" a new wire trap physically covered her entry way, making it impossible for anyone to even think about entering without alerting her.

Satisfied with that door Sakura carelessly threw her mask on the counter and stomped to her bedroom, deciding the sliding door needed to be dealt with immediately, but stopped halfway to turn back and grab a beer from the back of her empty fridge. "And I'll be damned if its noon. I need a drink after that bullshit." She grumbled unhappily as the top popped off. An angry swig tumbled down her throat and the pinkette continued her journey to the bedroom, slamming the door open-

"Hi Saku-"

"AH!" a glass bottle flew through the air and nailed Konoha's number one knucklehead square in the forehead.

"FUCK, SAKURA-CHANNNNNN!" Naruto fell backward on the bed, clutching the newly acquired and bleeding in jury in pain "What the shit?!"

"You scared me!" Sakura propelled herself and held a discarded shirt to his eyebrow. "Hold still, stop fidgeting-" Immediately Sakura went to work removing the glass shards and throwing them to the floor.

"I just got home and wanted to nap, that's all! Yeash you're jumpy. What's gotten into you saku-" A quick glance down and Naruto took in her apparel "What's with the suit?"

Without hesitation Sakura pulled healing chakra to her left hand and hovered over the injury site "Oh this? I was getting some training in with Gai-sensei and-"

"They make those awful suits in black? You think there's an orange?" Naruto interrupted as he pulled at the fabric on Sakura forearm.

"Orange is not a ninja color, Naruto. We need to talk about your intruding by the way! It's not safe for me to just leave the door unlocked all the time, you gotta learn to use the front door or stay at your own house!"

"Mah Sakura the bed isn't cozy and you have a gazillion pillows!"

"or sleep with Hinata!" the usually shameless blonde blushed a dark pink and Sakura laughed at his expense.

"She's still in the Hyūga compound! I'm positive the clan would start a coup if I got caught in her room!" Naruto poked the tender new flesh in aw "Why are you home already? Work didn't need you?"

Although an idiot, Naruto was unknowingly asking some hard questions and even a small amount of digging would alert someone of her strange activities. "Shisou sent me home to prepare for a potential diplomatic mission, you know how it is out there." Sakura stood and went to her closet to grab a new set of clothes "Hey get out, I need to change."

"Hai, hai get on with it." and a small shut of the door left Sakura alone. The pinkette stepped over a pile of clothes and reached for the lock on the sliding balcony door, flicking the lock and pulsing chakra through it to enhance its strength. Staring out the glass she looked across the rooftops, searching for where the Akatsuki spy could have been to get such detailed pictures of her home. No obvious spots came to her view, but still the hair on her arms rose with her anxiety and she slammed her curtains shut.

"Oi Sakura-chan, come here!"

"Fuck. The mask you idiot!" Sakura threw on her clothing and walked to the kitchen where, sure enough, Naruto had the mask on his face.

"Boo! Did I scare you?!" How was this man one of the most feared ninja in the world?

"Naruto, you literally to come here." Sakura reached to get more beers and handed him one which he happily guzzled down. "That's just a silly souvenir from the festival theater from last year." Sakura took a pull of her beer as Naruto finished his off.

"Hey, lets grab some people and have a training day competition! Anyone who isn't working is to meet at field nine in an hour and we can practice our moves for the next mission! You and me against everyone else!"

"They'll destroy us, we need to make it more fair than that Naruto!" Sakura laughed at his enthusiasm but agreed to training. If she was going to even the playing field against an abduction, then she would need to be as prepared as possible. "I'll be there in 30 minutes and we can do a tournament style competition. Loser buys dinner!"