I have no rights to Naruto.

Enjoy.

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Closing the door to his and Sakura's bedroom while leaving a crack which allowed him to listen out Ibiki held in the wince as he turned, hand coming up to hold his ribs as he took a deep steadying breath waiting for the sharp pain to ease. Scowling he peeled off his jacket and without care took a kunai from his belt and slashed his jumper from neck to waist so that it simply fell off like a buttoned shirt. Easing himself onto the bed he pulled out the pills Sakura had especially made for him downing them swiftly.

They were nearly triple strength and still only dulled his pain. Too many years of fighting and torture were taking a toll on his body, and now in his fifties Ibiki had to admit that perhaps it was time to wind down his time in the field. He was not getting old but he was older than the ANBU captains and seasoned ANBU, many of which were voicing decisions to retire from ANBU to take Genin or work solely in admin, training or in interrogations. Leaning his head back on the pillow he closed his eyes, slipping into the meditative state he had learned years ago 'sleep while standing' trick as civilians called it. But exhausted, weary and in pain from his returned mission Ibiki fell asleep, the morning sun hitting his face no deterrent at all.

Hours later Ibiki was roused from his sleep by the sound of shutting doors, voices filtering slowly in and out through his haze.

"-Father."

"It's okay no one's home."

"But what ab-"

"It fine-"

"Are you feeling okay?"

Silence met Ibiki's ears, hand reaching to hold his ribs as he breathed and let himself fully wake, setting a bleary eye at the tablet container on his bedside locker. Picking it up he belatedly noticed the new seal and Sakura's hand writing on the side.

'Slightly stronger but it will make you drowsy, make sure you don't have to go anywhere. Hellcat x'

Shaking his head Ibiki laid back down, closing his eyes in concentration as the voices filtered back in, the silence and tiny moan only backed by his daughter's voice.

"Your kisses are yummy."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine." Even Ibiki heard the smile in that.

"It was your first time-"

Kissing sounds made Ibiki scowl, a haze growing as the words made sense.

"I have a few aches and bruises but I'm a kunoichi-"

More kissing sounds.

"Are you sure, Angel?"

"Yes, I promise. . . .it really was amazing Zou, I know you said it could hurt, but that really didn't matter."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it Angel."

"When can we?"

Low satisfied chuckles filled the air, Ibiki going blind with rage at the next words. "Eager are you?"

Kissing sounds faded as Ibiki sat up straight in the bed with deadly menace, legs swinging to the side, pain melting away as rage, hot and scorching descending into a red haze filled him somehow reaching out to grab a sweater and dress. Death filled him, hands clenching as he pulled open the bedroom door and stalked to his prey. Entering the living room, he saw the forms of his little Angel and the asshole – the dead asshole- that had touched her walking down the street through the window.

Yanking open the door he prowled out onto the street following the burgundy hair of his daughter, the ache in his ribs sharping the faster he walked, the growl vibrating from his chest growing as he saw the couple disappear into the early market crowd. Tactics running through his head Ibiki about faced and stalked towards ANBU Headquarters, making those before him scatter, bringing back memories of the past when Ibiki had parted the crowds with menace and determination. Shinobi cursed and the ANBU quickly assembled at Headquarters, an alert issued and ready to follow Ibiki's command.

Barely taking in the packed reception area Ibiki zoned in on two, barking loudly. "Seko, Juca!"

Turning sharply he walked straight back out the door and back to the markets, growling as the two men joined him, staunchly ignoring the ANBU that followed him on the roof tops.

"Zou slept with Angel."

The men's chakra rose to deadly levels, suppressing Genin, Chunin and some unfortunate Jounin causing them to slump and collapse in the street. The ANBU above them shifting warily, duty and loyalty dividing them until with a shrug and a silent agreement the ANBU decided they would only step in to stop the three men from killing Zou.

Spying the soon to be dead man Ibiki nodded, Seko and Juca quickly rushing forward, Juca hitting Zou quickly as Seko pulled Angel from her fallen boyfriend. The dark skinned Shinobi quickly rolling to his feet and assessing the threat, eyebrows furrowing at the sight of an irate Morino Ibiki and equally mad Seko and Juca, Angel suddenly paling and stilling in shock as both her teammates and Dad told her in chilling voices to be quiet and stay out of it. The ANBU surrounding them making Zou still, watching as civilians scrambled away before feeling his jaw and facing his attackers, anger overriding fear.

The night he had confronted Ibiki for the first time Zou had earned his Father's praise, the admittance that he had collapsed, knees weak and sweating when he was safe within his hotel room only gaining more of the Raikage's approval. Be brave but don't be stupid, stand up to Morino Ibiki but never forget what he is capable of. Reading the files that were allowed Zou agreed completely.

So carefully he asked. "What is this ab-"

With a groan Zou hit the ground, the unexpected hit harder than he would have anticipated. Morino was in his fifties but his punch wasn't aged. He vaguely heard Angel protesting before he was struck again, this time his raised arm and kick swatted away by Juca who glared venomously at him as he stood looking Ibiki in the eye.

"You dared to touch her."

Ibiki spat his words, ignoring Angel as she called out to him to stop, Seko ducking her swings and grabbing her, the anger in Seko's face, in Juca's and in her Dad's so unusual, so strange to be directed at her scaring her, making her stop and watch.

Suddenly Ibiki lashed out, ribs protesting but pushing past it as he attacked the dark skinned Shinobi forcing him on the defensive, fighting until he had him backed up to a wall and took a surprising step back, Seko hitting Zou from the side and watching him crumble.

"Dad, Seko, Juca . . .?"

Eyes black with rage Ibiki knelt down, hand holding his side as he spat out. "You thought you could sleep with my daughter and get away with it?"

"What-"

"Dad no-"

"Don't try to deny it. I heard you, both of you."

Ibiki stood, looking back at his little Angel who looked at him in dawning horror.

"What, no, no Dad we...oh Kami." Kaida went red as she looked around taking in the spectators. "I haven't slept with him Dad, I haven't slept with anyone."

Her quiet confession eased the tension that ran the length and breadth of the three men. Seko looking from Zou to Ibiki. "What did Morino-sama hear so?"

Mortified and her anger slowly returning now that the three men she loved more than any others were calming she bit out. "He took me spelunking, I got a few cuts and bruises and aches from crawling through the caves, it's the first time I ever did it."

Jaw setting Kaida looked at her Dad. "Are you done beating him up?"

Ibiki closed his mouth, looking Zou up and down intently before nodding and twisting with amazing speed to slam his fist into Zou's face knocking him unconscious as he hit the ground. Catching the open mouth shock and resignation on Kaida's face he waited for Zou to come to seconds later, Juca and Seko flanking him as he warned.

"But you are thinking it; take that as your warning, what will happen will be much much worse."

With that Ibiki turned and with a 'see you at home in ten minutes' to Angel walked away, turning the corner and covertly looking around before grabbing Seko and leaning heavily on him. His two protégés instantly worried.

"Morino-sama!"

"I re-broke my ribs."

"We'll bring you to Sakura-san."

With s roll of his eyes and wince as he jarred his ribs Ibiki nodded his surrender admitting with smirk that made the younger men chuckle in a little fear.

"Hellcat's going to kill all three of us when she hears."

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Dia Duit,

Sorry for the long time between updates, real life is hectic and this is quicker to update than Tell Them – not as much in depth thinking. Hope you enjoyed it.

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x