I have no right to Naruto.
Make sure you read chapter 11, the alert didn't go out for it.
Enjoy.
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"Can you come up with an excuse?"
"No need, the medics need information and the Hokage has made it practically impossible."
"Good, everything is prepared, and yes information is missing but genuine reactions are needed."
The tall man gave the other a look, the shady alleyway meeting speaking volumes to him about the situation but nodded abruptly. "Understood."
"I'll owe you one."
"We'll see what happens."
With that the two tall men disappeared, one into the darkness of the streets, an ANBU reaffirming the ROOT spies had been knocked out and the other using a Jutsu to return to his quarters.
The next day was clear and the sun shining, reason enough for a good mood but as day became evening and evening became night Gaara had had enough. They were only here for a brief twenty four hours to go over contracts, treaties and joint missions and in that time the acting Hokage had brushed off and/or changed the subject away from one of the prime reasons the Suna delegation were in Konoha for.
Finally he spoke his voice was cold and his narrowed eyes focused on Danzou as he spat. "Everything has been spoken of apart from the most important thing we are here to discuss."
A small bald man stood, scanning the minutes of the meeting and loudly verifying the topics discussed and what was left on the agenda.
"Enough." Gaara cut him off, the anger now in his voice causing the clerk to plunk down in his seat nervously as the red haired Kazekage faced Danzou and his advisors.
"Over the last few months, our letters to Haruno Sakura concerning the Hospital, medic training and the sharing of new techniques have gone unanswered."
"Doctor Isshin has been handling it-"
Danzou scowled as Gaara interrupted once more.
"Forgive me but I do not trust a medic I do not know, it is understandable that Shizune is caring for Tsuande-sama, but Haruno has proven herself capable and knowledgeable, initiating the programme after her last visit where she saved the life of my brother." He shamelessly name dropped, being on first terms with Tsuande and Shizune though he rarely used them had Danzou's advisors sitting up straight as he had barely even acknowledged their presence.
"Haruno no longer works in the hospital so she wouldn't be able to help you." The female advisor sniffed ignoring the aghast looks on the faces of the Suna Shinobi, Kankuro growling.
"What do you mean; she's the best damn medic after your Godaime and her first apprentice."
"What my advisor means is that Haruno now works with ANBU, and due to her busy schedule has been unable to reply to any questions." Danzou smoothly explained, his smile the barest twitch of his lips as he tried to convey pride in the pink haired medic.
Gaara nodded in acceptance, green eyes thoughtful. "I would like to congratulate Haruno on her promotion."
Danzou spread his hands, face disappointed. "I would be honoured to pass them on but at the moment she is unavailable."
"Then I suggest you make her available."
Danzou bristled as the command from the young Kazekage, teeth grinding as he smiled. "Sadly she will only be available after you leave tomorrow."
Baki stepped forward and with Gaara's nod of permission spoke. "It is imperative our medic speaks with her, we have a number of critical patients that Haruno was corresponding about and techniques need to be discussed. As the Kazekage's chief advisor and the one responsible for his safety I recommend that we delay our departure, if Haruno is on such a tight schedule she can escort us half way, to the Fire County border and then return. It would be enough time for us to get the information needed."
Danzou could do nothing more than grit his teeth and clench his fists under the desk as his advisors agreed with the Suna Shinobi, he was only the acting Hokage as the Kazekage reminded him and as his advisors agreed with the red haired Kazekage that keeping the relations with Suna on the positive a necessity.
None of the Suna Shinobi missed the anger radiating off Danzou, smartly keeping quiet at the realised win. As the last few documents were agreed Gaara stood up, bid all a goodnight and with his advisors and Shinobi were escorted to his quarters for the visit. None missing the heavy presence of Danzou's personal force ROOT.
The delegation waited at the gates of Konoha the next day ready to leave, all noting the repressed anger of the Hokage, the nervousness of the gate guards and the aloofness of the two ROOT shinobi by Danzou's side.
At Kankuro's gasp all turned around, none, not even Gaara unable to keep the shock form their face.
Sakura walked toward then, wearing the typical Chunnin style outfit of pants and shirt, the sleeves rolled up and the flak jacket open due to her pregnant stomach straining against the shirt. Her hair was pulled off her face showing the sharp cheekbones and obvious lack of eating and tiredness, the circles under her eyes made Gaara frown as they were nearly as dark as his own. Ibiki stood by her side handing her a small pack containing food and a drink bottle before nodding in welcome at the group.
Sakura stared at them, giving Ibiki an uneasy look as her hand rose and dropped; about to fiddle with her Shinobi headband she remembered she was no longer allowed to wear it as a non-active Kunoichi.
Ibiki loudly cleared his throat, staring hard at the Kazekage who for an instant gave an apologetic smile to the duo before stepping forward.
"Haruno-san forgive my rudeness. We had not heard, cong-"
"I was attacked and raped." Sakura was blunt, hitting GAARA, Kankuro and Baki like a sledgehammer, her voice cold and angry as she interrupted Gaara, words of congratulations were sickening and vile, only angering her further.
Gaara turned on Danzou, his Gourd shaking as his sand vibrated with his anger. "How did this happen!" more important how could it have been let happen, was Gaara's unspoken question.
"We believe Rain or Akatsuki." Danzou answered, face holding just enough sympathy and worry tor the bystanders.
"Gaara's eye's narrowed into slits, his Chakra darkening before he hissed. "Akatsuki have –"
Baki stepped forward in the blink of a eye, hand clutching Gaara's arm, forcing him to look at the former Genin-sensei, a hidden conversation carried out in a second as Baki spoke. "Why were we not informed, the presence of Akatsuki in any area is to be reported to all villages. Not to mention attacks on certain persons."
"Kunoichi are attacked all over the Shinobi counties, it is a sad fact of life. Danzou commiserated, missing the murmurs that sprung up or how the Shinobi at the gates, Izumo chief among them frowned.
Gaara hissed. "This has happened to others!"
"We are investigating."
"The other villages should have been informed immediately." Baki stated, turning quickly to give Danzou his back in obvious insult. Gaara held out his hand to Sakura, green meeting emerald as he bowed slightly to her and thanked her for joining them while nodding in reassurance to Ibiki next to her, the large torturer's stance screaming protector as he stood next to Sakura.
Just as Sakura took Gaara's hand Danzou spoke. "Two of my personal Guard will accompany Haruno so she is guarded on the return.
No one missed the sharp breath from Sakura or the way her face paled, her fear was palatable and Gaara grit his teeth from the strength in which she held his hand.
"It would be a grievous occasion if she was attacked after complying with your request."
Baki gave Gaara an eyeful, Kankuro, growling at the threat and warning as the Kazekage raising an eyebrow in question but following his Genin-sensei and trusted advisor's plea gave Danzou a nod in agreement.
Ibiki stood and watched, stance tall and rigid as he watched the Suna delegation leave, his eyes at all-time focused on Sakura until she disappeared from view. His shoulder did not slump, did not drop, one would be unable to say if he was relieved, annoyed or anything. Ibiki gave nothing away.
Not even when Root Shinobi dropped by his side, the masked face and emotionless voice informing him. "You are to come with us."
He turned and looked down on them. "Why?"
"The Hokage wishes to speak to you."
He barely blinked but in that instant Ibiki prepared himself for what was to come and without a fight or a word followed them.
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Dia Duit,
The next few chapters are going to be fun. Really hoped you enjoyed.
Lots of Love,
The Rose and the Dagger x x x