AN: I finally edit this chapter too...nothing major, just to make it read smoother.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters!

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback

Chapter 1

Trial

The pink haired chuunin sat on a wooden chair in the middle of a room. It was just like the graduation exam room in the ninja academy; bare.

The Fifth Hokage sat in front of her with two ANBUs by her sides, and neechan sat at the side with Kakashi-sensei.

"Haruno Sakura, Why did you brutally murder your father?" the Hokage demanded.

Sakura didn't answer.

Kakashi inwardly flinched at hearing the crime his former student had commited. He still had not yet digested this piece of information.

Tsunade rubbed her temple, Sakura was not co-operating. Her expression was blank and her emerald eyes that once held sun shine and laughter were unreadable.

'For all the previous Hokages' sake- and mine, please Sakura, say something! Anything!'

Tsunade sighed in frustration, she felt like pulling all her blonde hair out.

"Sakura, if you don't state your defence now you'll be charge guilty for murder and be sentenced to prison for live." a whimper was heard from Himiko, she stared pleadingly at her imooto.

Sakura spared a glance at her and pursed her lips more stubbornly together.

"Please Sakura-chan, don't leave me…" Himiko begged and broke into another fit of tears. Sakura lowered her gaze to the floor as if it was very interesting and silence followed with the exception of Himiko's sobs.

'I'm sorry Himiko.'

Breaking the silence, the fifth Hokage began, "I'm afraid with no reason to defend Haruno Sakura from murder, she is-"

"Hokage-sama." Kakashi interrupted, he stood behind Sakura with his hands protectively on her shoulders. "I have taught Sakura since she graduated to genin. From the past experiences I had with her, she must have a reason behind her actions. You, yourself have taken her under your wing, you know what kind of person she is. Please give her some time."

Tsunade inhaled sharply and held her breath as she closed her eyes then exhaling slowly, she reopened them. "Very well Hatake Kakashi. Haruno Sakura shall be placed under your care until further notice."

Inwardly, she thanked Kakashi for intervening. Her heart felt like it was about to be ripped out of her chest as she began to sentence Sakura.

Sakura.

Her apprentice.

A murderer.

It pained her so to be the one condemning her, Sakura was not just an aprentice, she was like a daughter.

But she was the Hokage.

She must do what is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in Konoha.

Which also included sentencing those who had committed crimes.

Everyone stood up and left the room leaving only Sakura and Kakashi behind. Himiko gave her a sorrowful look before exiting.

"I'm sorry Kakashi-sensei." the silvered haired jounin gave the young woman a light squeeze of reassurance on the shoulders.

It had hurt him to see his student in such a state. He could still feel the shock when Kurenai told him about the incident and Hokage-sama revealed the murderer.

Kakashi walked towards the Hokage's office where he was summoned to after midnight and was rereading Icha Icha Violence on the way. Entering, he found himself in the same room with Gai, Kurenai, Iruka and Asuma. Putting his book away he greeted them,

"Yo!"

While Gai started going on his one-sided rival thing, Kurenai, after sweat dropping along with the others in the room, informed, "There had been a murder."

Kakashi frown slightly, murder was not uncommon- it happens once in a while.

"What does that have to do with us?"

"It doesn't have anything to do with me, Gai or Kurenai, and perhaps Iruka, but it definitely would concern you a great deal." Asuma spoke as he lit a cigarette.

This made the copy ninja raised a questioning brow.

"A murder was committed at midnight in Haruno's residence. The victim is identified as Haruno Saitou." Kakashi's eye widened in recognition as Kurenai explained. "The poor guy must have had a painful death, he was barely recognizable, his body was all bloodied, many cuts had been inflicted upon him by most likely a kunai and other weapons, his blood was splattered against the walls and- well, if you want more details, look at the photographs, but I must say, the sight was sickening. Anyway, there were the two girls unconscious, unharmed with the exception of a few bruises, embracing each other in the corner. They were the daughters of the victim, Haruno Himiko and…" Kurenai paused a little and met Kakashi in the eye. "…Haruno Sakura."

Kakashi was relieved that his former student was alright but he couldn't seem to shake off an uneasy feeling, "Do you know who the murderer is?"

"We don't know yet, but whoever the murderer is, that person, he or she, must hate Saitou very much." Gai replied, he had concluded his rivalry fit awhile ago after Sakura's name was uttered.

A few minutes later, Tsunade entered her office and they all bowed. "Kakashi, I assume they had informed you about the murder?" Kakashi nodded.

"Are we going to hunt down the murderer, Hokage-sama?" Gai questioned.

"There's no need for that anymore, we already have the murderer in our hands." Tsunade replied surprising everyone.

"Who is it?" Kakashi clenched his left hand uneasily, he could feel his palm sweating hard.

Staring grimly at Kakashi, the Hokage responded, "Haruno Sakura."

All eyes except Tsunade's amplified at this revelation, the silver haired shinobi blinked and unclenched his hand. This must be some kind of sick joke, Sakura would never… but did she? No, someone must have set her up. Seeing Kakashi's inner battle of doubt, Tsunade added, "Sakura had admitted it and Himiko had confirmed it, Kakashi. The only thing that we are missing before charging her is her reason behind the crime."

Neither Kakashi nor Sakura spoke when they headed to Kakashi's apartment.

Kakashi never predicted this would ever happen.

He knew the day of Sakura's first kill would come despite the fact the Naruto and Sasuke had constantly shielded her from it- she doing all the healing, looking out, leading the client to safety while they killed.

She was a ninja.

A kunoichi.

Her first kill was inevitable.

And it was her father.

The copy ninja guided the sleepy chuunin to his futon and tucked her in, he whispered a goodnight and left his bedroom. He would ready the guestroom for her tomorrow, so until then, she slept in his futon while he fell into slumber on his couch underneath a blanket.

Yufvin-valentine

Imooto - little sister

I hope you like this chapter! Do you think if anyone is OOC? If so please tell me! Please read + review! It's always nice to read readers' comments!