I have no rights to Naruto.
Enjoy.
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The mission had been too much of a coincidence Ibiki decided straight away. Danzou assigning it to him easily, without the usual smirk or ooze of self-satisfaction, Ibiki agreed that certain groups within Ame were unhappy but to send the head of ANBU and two ROOT operatives to investigate was overkill.
Something was going on.
He had warned Sakura to watch her back; letting her know Anko would be around if she needed anything and under no circumstance was she to leave the hospital or her home without someone by her side. He had even ordered a few trusted ANBU to dress civilian and walk with her if needed.
He did not rush the mission but carried it out professionally and with extreme proficiency not giving his ROOT watch dogs any reason to object, they even complimented him on catching information they missed. Grunting in relief Ibiki walked through the gates of Konoha nearly four weeks after he had left. Nodding at the two Root Shinobi who were going to deliver the report Ibiki broke his usual after a mission routine; he did not go to ANBU headquarters but instead headed straight to the hospital.
The need to ensure Sakura's wellbeing with his own eyes was overwhelming, discomfort in his gut growing as one of his ANBU bumped into him on the street and tapped her apartment on his wrist. Changing direction with ease he ducked under a shop overhanging using a henge to put him in his usual attire, less attention drawn than that of a six foot six ANBU walking the streets.
Without knocking he entered the Kunoichi's apartment, the smell of blood immediately hitting his nostrils he banged his way through the small apartment, eyes narrowing as he saw Sakura, sitting on the ground, a thin trail of blood falling from her wrist as her right pressed the blade to it.
"What the hell is this Sakura!" His voice boomed through the apartment as he fell on his knees and flung the kunai from her hand and held her wrist. He sighed at the shallow two inch long cut she had made. It would bleed for a while but it wouldn't even need stitches.
Searching her face he was angry to see the dead look back in her eyes, the way her face showed no emotion. "Sakura?"
It was as near a plea as he had ever heard in his own voice, the tall man pulling the pink haired woman into his lap as he sat more comfortably on the ground, taking care with her protruding stomach, the near five month pregnancy looked larger, Ibiki noting to check the fridge and cupboards once again before he left.
"He killed them."
"What?" Cold dread filled Ibiki, increasing when Sakura's pale face looked up at him.
"Hisoka went to visit her Mother in Wave Country two weeks ago. I didn't hear anything about Teri. I was put to filing last week; he forgot the main holding for files over two years are in the basement. I heard the crying . . .I." She gulped and closed her eyes. "There were no guards, nothing; he's so sure of himself. I looked in through the door, Teri was hooked up to life support but it was Hisoka."
Tears started falling, hitting Ibiki's arms as he held Sakura tight, she was beginning to shake as she told her story, Ibiki wished for the first time that her voice would be dull and not the rising panic it was now.
"Her head was turned to me; she was the only one to see me. I saw . . . . I watched the light go out of her eyes, oh Kami. I just watched as she died."
"They removed the baby by caesarean. Danzou watched the whole time. He told them not to bother with the Mother, that she wasn't that essential."
Hiccupping breath stalled Sakura's speech, huge gulping breaths taken before she continued. "He said to make sure Teri survived for more breeding stock . . . . . . I couldn't watch anymore. I ran."
Ibiki stared at the wall, holding Sakura tightly as she clung to him. Even he couldn't have fathomed Danzou being this vile, the Kunoichi that were raped were all talented, and to be able to simply decide to kill one meant he could kill all of them. Bile rose in his throat, forcing himself to swallow Ibiki listened to Sakura speak softly tears in her voice.
"I can't, won't let that be me. He'll kill me or he'll have me on life support, pregnant all the time. There's nothing to stop him from taking me, no one cares, there all gone, I'm alone . . I …"
"Stop." The command in Ibiki's voice stilled Sakura's near hysterics. The tall man not refuting anything she said, inwardly he agreed.
Dark eyes bore into tear filled emerald ones. "Do you trust me?" He got an immediate response.
"Yes."
Picking up her kunai Ibiki slashed her wrist.
Two hours later he stood at the bottom of her hospital bed, nodding at the Hokage's words.
"A pity, I thought her stronger but all Kunoichi hold an emotional weakness."
"She's young, not enough experience." Ibiki grunted.
"The babe she carries is strong." The pride Danzou held was revolting, the calculating gleam in his eye giving Ibiki pause. "Her foolishness cannot continue. Put her under surveillance."
"She already was."
"A Shinobi who thinks ahead without needing to be told, good. She fears you?" Danzuo questioned not giving Ibiki a chance to answer before adding. "You found her; she is your responsibility now."
Scowling and grumbling loudly Ibiki groaned. "Hai Hokage-sama."
"Move her into your apartment, no use moving a busy Shinobi like you. I 'll have her moved to the crèche, practice will do her good."
Bowing as Danzou left the room without another word; his guard following him Ibiki sat heavily down on the chair beside Sakura's bed, reaching to take a sedated Sakura's bandaged hand, thanking Kami it had worked and needing to figure out a plan B.
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Dia Duit,
I don't even know what to say and I wrote it, except go Ibiki.
Despite the material I hope you enjoyed.
Lots of Love,
The Rose and the Dagger x x x