I have no rights to Naruto.
Enjoy.
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The bloodcurdling scream took the words right out of Anko's mouth, the purple hair Kunoichi watching in awe as Ibiki disappeared out of the room and into his bedroom. She could see his bed through the opening he had left and saw the outline of the large man as he sat down. Mouth twisting she listened to the reassuring murmurs, hands arranging the files she had brought with her as she realised just how bad the pink haired medic's nightmares were.
At the sound of the bed springs creaking she moved from her seat and put on the kettle, taking two cups down from the shelf, turning just in time as Ibiki came up behind her and instead of the green tea took out some ginger and peppermint and dropped it into both cups. Sitting down Anko watched the domestic scene, forcing her eyes to not to widen as Sakura entered, the pink haired Kunoichi was thin, her eyes haunted and ringed in black, her stomach large. It was a scene of pure ease, Ibiki stepping over and pulling out a chair as Sakura sat and pulled the red blanket she had brought with her around her, the kettle whistled and pouring two cups Ibiki added a drop of cold water to the cup with blue clouds before sitting and handing Sakura the blue cloud cup.
Sipping his own tea and watching the life return to Sakura's eyes Ibiki spoke. "Yamanaka Ino was attacked."
Anko was forgotten as she watched the two at the table with her enter their own world.
"Did they rape her?" Sakura enquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Inoichi sent some of the Clan to her the moment he heard she was with Shinobi he didn't trust."
"How nice for her." Sakura stated dropping her cup on the table and clenching her fists on her lap.
"It's good she wasn't raped."
Ibiki knew that tone and pushing her cup towards her he waited for her to take another sip before dipping his head for her to continue, the anger in her eyes also hiding a lot of pain.
"Part of me wants her to feel the pain I did. To know what it is like. For her family to know and feel it. How nice for her that her Father sent help when he walked me home and told me to take care."
The anger in her voice was deepening, Anko biting her tongue in surprise at the angry bitter young woman before her. Not that it was misplaced, Anko knew it was well deserved but she was surprised thinking that the pink haired woman had become severely depressed. It was good.
"That's awful huh." The laugh was harsh. Sakura's hands starting to tremble until Ibiki reached out and took the near empty cup from her and held her hand, squeezing it.
Anko's eyes widened despite her best efforts, taking a breath before shrugging it off and commenting. "Its human."
Two sets of eyes swung to look her, a scowl covering her face at the attention. "Its human to feel that way, hell if I was you I'd want to slap the blonde stupid."
"Oh I did." Sakura admitted, sighing. "Best friends meant so little, she believed Inoichi would tell me, she never even bothered to check. As much as I want her to feel what hell is like, I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
Silence descended on the table, Sakura's eyes dimming as she remembered. Grunting loudly Ibiki interrupted her thought, pulling a file from Anko's bundle.
"You're awful with children."
Raising a pink eyebrow Sakura's voice was laden with sarcasm, prompting a snort from Anko as she quipped. "What a pity."
"Even the Hokage couldn't argue."
Rearranging the blanket around her Sakura gave a small smirk. "Guess it didn't help that I gave him the puking child calling it a rodent when he visited."
"No it didn't." Ibiki's answered eyes smiling." Nor did it help that the child had diarrhoea and the nappy was leaky."
Sakura's eyes widened in mock realisation. "I knew I had forgotten something."
Small chuckles echoed in the kitchen before Anko handed Ibiki another file and gave Sakura one.
"With the Hokage's new measures in place we're short staffed in the medic department. I persuaded the best place for me to keep an eye on you was there. As of tomorrow you will be checking stock and carrying out first aid and any basic techniques that don't need Chakra."
It was better, much better but Sakura knew Ibiki as well as he knew her now and looked at him expectantly. When dark eyes dropped to the file she flipped it open.
A sharp hiss escaped her lips as enraged emerald eyes flew over the pages, Anko filling in the blanks.
"Everytime Shizune comes near to identifying the drug they change it, we believe each time the Hokage comes to check progress and demands Shizune leaves the room to talk to him. She can't consult with any one or ask for more equipment under the Hokage's fear that someone will sabotage and try to harm Tsunade-sama." Anko snorted in disbelief.
"She's done brilliantly but-"
"I'm better." Sakura interrupted Anko, her voice pure fact no hint of arrogance as she spoke, ignoring the look the purple haired Kunoichi gave her and devouring the information before her.
"I'll need fresh samples of Shishou's blood and all the reports you can get me on the last few months. If you could get a sample of the drug I'd kiss you."
Anko's eyebrows jumped up as Ibiki smirked. "I'll have to do my best so."
"I'll also need the same equipment Shizune has."
Catching the pressed lip and locked jaw Ibiki reached over and pulled a pink strand of hair, Sakura's yelp morphing into a large yawn as the large man ordered her off. "Go to bed." A hand rose and his head tilted waiting until Sakura slumped her shoulders, frowning and giving a huff when with a laugh Ibiki pulled the file from her. "Go to bed, I'll join you shortly."
Giving a shocked Anko a goodnight Sakura left the room, closing the bedroom door behind her leaving the ANBU in the kitchen.
Waiting Anko swivelled in her chair and stood rounding on Ibiki. "What the hell is going on with you two?"
Putting away the cups and cleaning up Anko didn't ignore how he gave her his back as he answered. "Nothing."
Arms folded Anko tapped a foot, the noise rising in the quiet apartment. She was just as good at waiting as Ibiki.
"She can't sleep alone with the nightmares."
As he turned to face her Anko saw a myriad of emotions pass through Ibiki's eyes before they were shuttered away and the stoic commander she knew was before her. Picking her battles Anko nodded a headache already forming, sighing inwardly before nodding at the taller man and bidding him goodnight.
Walking in the darkness Anko saluted the ANBU that kept an eye on her as she made her way home; no one was ever alone now and the need to remove Danzou was more urgent if after nearly six months he was ordering attacks again.
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Dia Duit,
This chapter is set after Chapter 1, all the others were set before the meeting with the Clans. Ibiki is trying to protect Sakura so is not telling her anymore about In oar the clans hence the change in conversation.
Hope you enjoyed.
Lots of Love,
The Rose and the Dagger x x x
