The chakra walls seemed to be pulsating all around them. Sakura could see fine cracks and dents in the surface from where the enemy had tried to penetrate their defences. The Konoha shinobi mostly looked exhausted, though Sakura realised just how much of a novice she really was when she saw expert ninja not even flinching as medics cauterised their wounds or amputated limbs. A few jounin prowled around as though frustrated at being unable to help those outside.

Kakashi bid Sakura to come sit with him. She did so, carefully keeping Ino out of her sight to avoid another flood of emotion she really couldn't handle.

"Joining the Anbu," He said quietly as she dropped down next to him, "Is hell. You learn to block off all emotion, to feel nothing in the face of danger and carry on fighting when someone you love dies. You might find that a blessing, Sakura, if we all get through this intact and there's an Anbu left to join. But I don't think so. You've always been so compassionate, so kind, even in those bleak four years when you retreated inside yourself. It may be that you have to consider other options than returning to your old job."

Sakura nodded slowly, her eyes distant as she thought hard about what could be done if the best outcome of this war came about and everyone survived and Konoha was rebuilt. Whatever happened, she knew she wanted to stay with Itachi. They'd been torn apart before, never again.

"Itachi was four years old when he first fought in a war," Sakura said sadly, "What he saw there drove him to become a pacifist. Then, he was informed that his clan was involved in a coup that would undoubtedly end in another civil war. He was pushed by the Council and the Hokage to get rid of the threat. He orphaned himself, but couldn't bear to kill Sasuke, and so left him alive. He met me and hoped he could redeem himself by training me. His choice caused a lot of pain, but I am glad to know that whatever kind of shinobi I am, I am that shinobi because of him."

Sakura let out a breath, noting that Kakashi's eyes were not narrowed in anger or widened in disbelief, he was simply listening to her, just as Anko had done.

"I went through a lot in those four years. I lost a few good friends. But I got to the point when I could take the pain I felt and lock it away. I felt anger instead of pain and felt stronger for it. I am nearly seventeen years old and am no longer willing to be a pawn. I will not be pushed in the directions people wish me to go. I will not listen to the words of those who did not believe me when I begged them. I will not wallow in my misery and pain, but will not take my losses lying down. I will not passively accept the insults or ill treatment others may feel the need to throw at me. I will make my own choices and be content in the knowledge that I am living my own life."

Kakashi murmured, "I didn't want you to grow old this quickly."

"You should have believed me right from the start. You always said I was smart. But you never really noticed me, did you? You were preoccupied with Naruto and Sasuke. You spent your time training them and didn't notice or care when I began to fall behind. If I hadn't had Itachi, I would have been even weaker. You allowed me to go into the chuunin exam, the Forest of Death, knowing I wasn't strong enough. You told me to go after Gaara when you knew exactly how dangerous and bloodthirsty he was. You left me behind, Kakashi, and were surprised when I couldn't keep up. I could have died so many times because you didn't care enough to bother with me."

His eyes flickered with some emotion when Sakura called him by his name, without sensei attached. But he didn't seem angry or upset. Just resigned and apologetic.

"I'm a crappy teacher," He acknowledged, sounding matter-of-fact, "I'm a soldier, a jounin first, and a sensei second. I knew Sasuke was strong and had potential. I knew he was angry and that he might do something stupid. I hoped I could show him he didn't have to go anywhere else to get strong, if I was teaching him. Naruto had the kyuubi and the fact that he was despised by his entire village. He needed me. They both needed me more than you ever did, Sakura. I don't know if it was you, or Itachi's influence, but you were always detached, exceptional in your own right, and never needed me to tell you what to do. You showed signs of potential in genjutsu, but Kurenai taught you that. You knew every basic jutsu I threw at you, and often scoffed at what I tried to teach you all. After Itachi 'betrayed' you, you ignored me and everyone else. You could be cruel and taciturn – a second Sasuke, almost. But even then, you were strong on your own. I never felt you needed my help at all. Iruka told me he felt the same when you were in the Academy. You are a genius, Sakura. I was lucky enough to be gifted with a team of insanely talented genin. There was Sasuke, with his innate talent and high intelligence, Naruto with his hidden abilities and determination, and then there was you, the smartest genin of your age, talented with genjutsu and yet aloof to my teachings. I should have believed you, I know."

"I'll tell you a secret. I used to be obsessed with playing by the rules. I was rigid, insufferable and convinced I didn't need anyone else's assistance. I lost someone very dear to me, like you lost Sasuke. It was the making of me. I was devastated, but newly determined. I threw out the rulebook and decided to be my own man, not caring what anyone else thought. But when Sasuke died and I was forced to stand there on the platform and watch, I felt myself slipping back into my old self, the one who thought rules and guidelines were there for a reason and should never be deviated from. I hated Itachi. I wanted him dead. I thought he had betrayed his village and broken Sasuke. I then thought he had manipulated my twelve year old student and broke her too. When Sasuke died, I believed Itachi was the cause, and he was, in truth. If Itachi hadn't betrayed everyone, Sasuke would be alive. And then I was called into your hospital room. I ran when I got the call, so sure you were dead. I thought either you'd killed yourself or he'd done it for you. But when I got there, Tsunade was nearly in tears, your bed was empty and the window open. I thought he had kidnapped you. You would have been frightened if you'd seen me then, Sakura. I destroyed your hospital room in a rage. I was frantic. But then you showed up, claiming Itachi was innocent and you made it clear you had left by choice. It was like another betrayal. I was Anbu once, but no longer. Even the smartest, most experienced ninja will allow emotion to cloud his judgement. I should have believed you."

Sakura listened to his words and felt her deep-seated rage and resentment begin to fade away. She'd felt entitled to his help, his teachings and his faith. She'd demanded it all with nothing to justify it. She'd thought she was better than him and the others. She had laughed and mocked what she believed was low-level jutsu that he showed her. She had hated him for not being Itachi and after his betrayal, she had hated him for not protecting her from the pain she'd felt, as though he should have known what Itachi was doing.

Kakashi had no evidence, no reason to believe her. There was a lot more evidence, years' worth, of Itachi being a traitor. He was a missing nin. And yet, Kakashi believed her.

"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura said simply.

His eyes crinkled in a smile, and he patted her shoulder.

"Sakura," A voice said tersely, "Can I have a word?"

Shikamaru stood in front of them, flicking a match away, lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. His hands were still shaking. Sakura wondered who had helped him light it.

Kakashi stood up and excused himself, heading over to have a talk with Gai.

Shikamaru took his place, sitting down cross-legged. He gave a weary sigh. Sakura wondered how many years would pass before all of his cigarettes turned his heavy sighs into rasps.

"Me and Ino were part of a scouting team. We got separated from the rest and we were fighting together. It was Chouji. He wasn't there, he was with the team. Without him, me and Ino couldn't work together smoothly like we normally did. I got… I got the majority of them but one slipped past. He was too quick for my jutsu. I turned around and… well, it was already over and you were there. I came back here and Chouji… he's hurt." Shikamaru said hollowly, swallowing when he mentioned Ino's name, "He'll be OK, but… he doesn't know yet."

Sakura got out her hitae-ate from her bag and in one decisive move, tied it around her forehead, like she and Ino had discussed when they were kids. One day, when they were serious, capable ninja, they would wear their hitae-ate across their forehead. Sakura tightened the knot and breathed out. Kakashi had lost someone 'very dear' to him, but had used it to make him stronger. Sakura would honour Ino's death by fighting relentlessly until either she fell in battle or helped save Konoha.

"When this is over and Chouji is better, let's go out for a drink or something." Sakura suggested. She and Shikamaru had never been close, but she wanted to help him through this. In truth, she needed to be helped through it.

Shikamaru's smile was bittersweet, "Ino would have complained about the calories, called herself fat and insulted Chouji's weight." His eyes were wet just reminiscing, "It won't be the same without her."

Sakura patted him on the hand and smiled comfortingly at him.

He got to his feet, wiping his eyes discreetly. No one would have judged him if they'd seen his tears. They were in the middle of a warzone, after all. Most people would have lost loved ones, surely.

He went off in Neji's direction, the other jounin nodding in greeting at him. Tenten gazed at Sakura, a bandage covering half her face. She shook her head and looked away. Lee wasn't there. Sakura tried to ignore the surge of fear she felt as she noted his absence.

Tsunade stood in the makeshift hospital section, where dozens of people lay on stretchers or sat up with bandages covering various body parts.

Sakura watched as Kakashi made his way over to Tsunade. He whispered in her ear, looking over at Sakura a few times. Tsunade looked at Sakura and sighed visibly even from far away. She made a sharp gesture and some Anbu appeared out of thin air. She spoke to them for a while, the main leader nodding, until they spread out in formation all around her.

Sakura felt a smile break out on her face, they were taking her advice, they knew Pain planned to attack Tsunade!

She got up, conscious of the Konoha hitae-ate tied noticeably across her forehead as she crossed the base, heading for Tsunade. Hostile eyes from all around followed her as she walked. She glared at every unfriendly face, snapped a reply back at every insult. Felt them shrink back under her sudden, uncharacteristic defiance.

Tsunade saw her coming and put down the bandages she had been unravelling. She straightened up, beautiful face grim and stern, hands on her hips.

When Sakura reached her, she saw her hazel eyes were hard and glittering with anger, "Sakura, I can't tell you how happy I am that you are alive and well. However, I am –"

"Don't even say it." Sakura interrupted her angrily, "I just saw my best friend die. My home is burning down all around me and I don't even know if my family made it out OK."

Tsunade's hard glare softened then, "I don't know if your mother was evacuated in time. Your grandmother is here," She gestured behind her, at the wooden stalls functioning as makeshift wards, "She was in the hospital when Konoha was invaded. I think Kakashi got her out and kept her safe until we made this our base. He brought her here. She'll be fine."

Another blow. Her mother… what had happened? No, she couldn't focus on that. She would allow herself plenty of time to grieve later.

"I wanted explain about Itachi. He told me everything."

"Oh, I bet he did." Tsunade said wryly, "I bet he told you the entire truth, with every detail… I'm sure he mentioned that he slaughtered children. I'm sure he told you how his parents died."

Sakura drew in a shuddering breath, "He told me why they died. But I'm sure as Hokage you already know, right? I doubt you even asked the Council. The Uchiha were planning a coup. The Council and the Sandaime commanded Itachi to kill them to prevent war from breaking out."

Tsunade was shaking her head, a disbelieving smile on her face, "Sarutobi-sensei would never have agreed to that."

"Would it matter if he did?" Sakura said, exasperated, "The Council don't need the Hokage's consent, you of all people know that! If they wanted Itachi to do it, the Sandaime would be forced to go along with it, like it or not! And oh, by the way, what a fantastic plan! To prevent war, let's kill everyone and hope no one questions it! The whole village mourns their death, the day of their massacre is remembered as a tragic event, when really the Council must have been congratulating themselves on a job well done! Itachi was thirteen years old when they forced him to do that! And look what peace it's brought Konoha!" Sakura gestured all around them at the war-torn village they stood in, "It's not as if that brilliant plan spurred the lone survivor to go on a quest for revenge, abandoning his village and becoming a missing nin, eventually being executed for it! Sasuke's life was ruined by that plan, but if they'd had their way he wouldn't have had a life to ruin in the first place. You can't create peace from war. If you refuse to even consider the possibility that Itachi is a double agent for Konoha then you aren't the amazingly intelligent sensei I admire!"

A muscle was leaping in Tsunade's jaw as she gritted her teeth to prevent the hundreds of angry remarks she so obviously wanted to shout in reply.

"Do you know what got me through the four years of everyone believing I was a traitor?" Sakura leant closer, ignoring the warning mutters of the Anbu, eyes burning angrily, "I had a few precious people who believed in me. You were one of them. Despite Konoha's treatment of me, the torture, the hatred, Sasuke's death, I had only wanted Konoha to see my loyalty, to prove it to my village and myself that I was no traitor. Well, Tsunade-sama, I don't care anymore. I don't feel the need to beg and plead with you anymore. I'm no traitor, but I'm not a dog you can kick around and yet still be completely loyal to you. Yes, I've never betrayed Konoha but I'm not going to bother trying to persuade anyone because I know. I don't need anyone else's belief but my own. I'll defend Konoha, but I won't be treated like I was before. Itachi is the most loyal of Konoha's supporters and I am proud to be his student!" Sakura said loudly, not caring if anyone heard her. Let them tut in disgust. Let them believe the worst of her. They could no longer get to her.

Then, intending to see her grandmother, she walked around the Hokage without looking back.

Crack.

The chakra walls hummed with the sound of a reverberating blow. Shinobi tensed and got out weapons, patients huddled under blankets and looked up at the purple walls of chakra fearfully.

Sakura shared a shocked look with Tsunade before the woman disappeared from sight, Anbu coming from everywhere and covering her.

"Sakura!" Kakashi yelled, his voice urgent.

Smash.

The chakra dissipated slowly as it was struck, both by physical and chakra strikes. The shinobi holding the walls together with their own energy winced, their hands shaking in their seals.

Then suddenly, a kunai soared through a gap and struck one of the wall shinobi. She fell soundlessly, and more gaps appeared with her death.

Enemy chakra soared all around, people all around in cloaks forcing their way through the barrier, the Konoha shinobi leaping up to defend their fragile base.

Sakura was just about to punch an enemy when a green blur whizzed past her in a devastating kick, Lee nearly tore the man's head off in one strike, jumping back as the enemy fell.

Lee glanced at her and grinned, noting her lack of cloak and Konoha hitae-ate tied across her forehead.

"The lotus blooms twice!" He yelled before throwing himself into the fray.

Everyone gets a second chance.

Sakura saw some shinobi near Konoha's fallen shinobi and snapped, flying into a rage at the thought of Ino's body being damaged.

She let her hands flicker through the seals and sank into the technique, feeling a web of chakra all around her, the tendrils of enemy and friendly chakra entwining. She sought out the enemy chakra – rougher, harsher, unfamiliar – and began weaving her jutsu.

Fire spread about the destroyed hospital, licking the edges of the crater they stood in, leaping in brilliant hues of red and orange.

She heard many of her victims screaming; believing they were on fire and feeling the pain their minds tricked them into believing was real.

First, pain and shock, second, destabilise minds.

Lee defended her as she formed her jutsu, later joined by Gai, who greeted his student happily, covering his back.

Crows cawed.

Her enemies, still cowering under the flames they believed overwhelmed them, heard the caws and felt pure horror seep through them as the jutsu did its work.

Everywhere around her, people were screaming, fending off illusory crows and trying to put out imaginary fire, allowing the Konoha shinobi to swiftly finish them off.

Sakura launched herself into the air when she spotted a few clinging to the weak chakra walls. One came to meet her, kicking off the walls and flying right at her.

She grabbed him by the shirt, evaded his strike and spun him around once, using the momentum to throw him down to the ground with the force of a mountain. He hit the ground with an almighty crash, the sound echoing like thunder.

A woman in an Akatsuki cloak managed to land a hit on Sakura, but the disgraced chuunin's own punch was much harder: she poured chakra into her fist and smacked the woman across the crater, watching as she hit the chakra wall and fell twenty feet to the ground with a crunch.

Sakura felt the touch of a very familiar chakra, bright and powerful. She looked down and saw Naruto fighting in the masses of people swarming around.

She dropped to the ground, sprinting towards her friend. He didn't see her, he was looking at Hinata. Pain wants to take Naruto, Sakura chanted in her mind, I won't let him!

A solitary crow cawed loudly, not of her own making. She whirled around. Itachi stood, eyes flicking around the crowd until he saw her, Raban flying above his head.

Sakura tried to fight her way back to him, but was pushed in the direction of the crowd – towards the group of Anbu defending Tsunade.

Sakura's skin tingled and she held her breath just in time, Shizune's formidable cloud of poison passed by, a few senbon whizzing through the air.

Shizune scowled furiously at her, throwing another senbon with deadly accuracy.

A dango stick, thrown with chakra, knocked the senbon off-course, protecting Sakura.

Anko landed beside her, black cloak spreading around like wings as she descended.

"Welcome back." Anko said, her grin mischievous and delighted. She was immediately engaged in a fight with a much larger man, and Sakura felt her bloodlust strengthen. She would never understand her friend's love of killing.

Hinata was fighting with Naruto, but she suddenly spotted Itachi and stiffened. She quickly glanced over him, noting the Sharingan, the Akatsuki cloak, and her frown tightened. She pushed Naruto behind her and fell into a defensive Hyuuga pose. Neji immediately joined her.

Itachi finally reached Sakura after killing any enemy who was unfortunate enough to fall into his path.

"Sakura." He touched her face lightly, before his head jerked up to stare at the ceiling of chakra.

A tall man with bright orange hair and many facial piercings dropped down near them. His cloak, black with red clouds, swirled around his feet as he touched the ground in landing. He slowly straightened up odd spirally purple eyes sweeping over everything.

He scanned the crowds until he saw the massive group of Anbu swarming around the Hokage.

A gigantic sword appeared in his hand in a puff of smoke.

Itachi grabbed Sakura's arm, "It's Pain, it's the leader of Akatsuki." He said, his voice so flat and calm Sakura knew they were in deep trouble.

Pain turned to look at them as if he knew they were there before he even saw them. Itachi had removed his hand from Sakura's arm but Pain stared at the place in which Itachi's hand had rested seconds before.

His eerie eyes turned to Sakura, drifting over her unmarred, unscratched hitae-ate tied across her forehead.

"You are an exceptional ninja, Itachi," Pain called over to them, "But must work on inspiring loyalty in your followers. That one has betrayed you. Has betrayed us."

Itachi's chakra swirled into something a little more dangerous than usual, "How so?" He asked, his voice sounding indifferent.

"I only told you of my plans. And yet the Hokage stands, still alive, surrounded by guards despite what I assumed would be chaos and destruction. It does not take a fool to work out why." He made eye contact with Sakura. She shivered, fear sinking low in her gut.

"You are mistaken." Itachi's voice was deadly.

"I think not." Pain looked over at the Hokage and then suddenly, quicker than Sakura's eyes could follow, he was there where he'd been looking, right by Tsunade's side.

He lifted his sword and –

Sakura, Tsunade had always taught her speed and evasion was key to be a medic, she sped across the crater quicker than she had ever moved before, feet pounding off the ground, blue flickers of chakra lighting her path.

"No!" Her scream ripped its way out of her throat as she evaded the Anbu and ran straight into Tsunade, who still had not noticed Pain behind her.

Pain, unbelievably, lowered his sword.

Sakura stood, arms flung out in her attempt to protect the Hokage, Pain's eyes tracing her face.

"You claim to be on my side and yet you would give your life for the Kage of Konoha." He said tonelessly.

Tsunade had immediately been swamped by Anbu just after Pain's sword would have driven straight through Sakura had he not stopped himself with impeccable self-restraint and speed.

Itachi appeared by Sakura's side, apologies and promises already falling from his lips, his hands up defensively to shield Sakura from his leader's wrath.

Pain listened and then, with the Anbu preparing to strike out at him, he made his move.

He shoved the sword through Sakura's chest, ripping through bone and sinew with unnatural ease, impaling her chest and slicing through her heart.

"SAKURA!"

More chapters to come.

Invasion pt. 2!

Many old faces return.

Angry Sakura fuelled by the pain of losing Ino tells Tsunade where to go and also mocks the Council's plan! Much more fun to write defiant!Sakura than eager to please!Sakura

Pain knew what Sakura looked like from her physical description. Her Konoha hitae-ate informed him that, despite her recent defection, Sakura had not bothered to slice through the Konoha seal. The fact that Tsunade was heavily guarded despite what his little spies had told him caused him to realise Sakura had warned Tsunade somehow. He believed Itachi would tell the plan to Sakura, but did not believe Itachi would betray him.

He had no such difficulty believing it of Sakura.

To be fair, he was right.

Tiny NaruHina moment!

Sakura mends her relationship with Kakashi.

Pain stabs Sakura. That meanie! I never liked him.

Itachi gonna get maaaaaaad.

Quick poll for fun: What's your favourite Ninja clan, and why?

A) Hyuuga

B) Uzumaki

C) Uchiha

D) Other! Let me know!