ZIL: Hello lovely readers here's the new chapter 4. I realized thanks to a lovely reader by the name of: Cruisegirl86. Here's my shout out to you in thanks and I hope you enjoy the new chapters!

Chapter 4: A Visit to T&I

Sakura was very excited to get ready today she chose a dark colored outfit and smiled as she pulled her hair back with the ribbon Ino had gifted her the week before. The two girls had begun spending lots of time together. Sakura smiled as she sneaked downstairs only to be 'captured' by Genma who was smirking, "Nice try Princess, maybe next time."

"Aww, I coulda got you Genma-nii!" Sakura pouted cutely causing her old friend to laugh. "Sure kid, better luck next time. Ready to go visit Ibiki?" Sakura looked confused and said with exaggerated shock, "You mean we get to visit Mr. Tall Man today?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as Genma nodded, "Yep, but remember don't tell your Mom about this. It's just a visit."

Sakura placed her hand across her lips like a zipper, "My lips are sealed." She giggled as Genma placed her down on her chair to eat breakfast before they headed over to the T&I building for their time with Ibiki. Sakura munched on her eggs, bacon, and toast quickly downing her juice. She reached high to put her dishes into the sink which slid in with a light clinking noise.

After which she rushed upstairs to wash her hands and brush her teeth. She then went downstairs and got and began finishing up her workbooks for this week so as not to miss anything before her parents got home. She finished all but her last 2 booklets the night prior after Ino had returned home with her father.

Genma just sat and ate his breakfast patiently as he kept an eye on the kid. Since they exposure of the bullying Sakura had been left alone by the other children for the most part but she started to branch out to meeting some of the other kids her age. He noticed that anytime the lonely boy Naruto was around Ino would keep Sakura distracted maybe not to be cruel but cautious. 'Poor guy but, maybe his luck will change in the years to come.'

Sakura was easily finishing her books making Genma sigh a bit, 'Kid is too smart for her own good but, I guess it can't be helped.' He stood up clearing his dishes and washed the used utensils, so they could be used later if needed before going up to ready himself for the day. 'Ibiki better be ready for us cause I'm not keeping her there all day. Hayate should've been back with the terror twins the day before yesterday which means he takes over tomorrow morning.'

Sakura smiled at Genma returned, "We go see Mr. Tall Man now? Can we see Ino after if Hayate-nii isn't available yet?" Genma snickered at the energetic little girl always eager and it made him smile. He asked, "Sure, shall we walk, or should I carry you?" Sakura paused for a moment, "I can walk with you but, if it gets really crowded you can carry me from there?" Genma nodded in agreement as he guided her out the front door before locking it as he guided the little girl down the street.

As they walked through the streets that morning they didn't draw many gazes until they began to get closer to the T&I building where they heard a familiar voice, "Well if it isn't Sakura-chan and Genma, how are you both doing this lovely morning?" Sakura turned with a bright smile and said loudly, "Hokage-sama! I'm doing great how are you? Are you visiting Mr. Tall Man too?"

Hiruzen looked at Genma curious as he elaborated, "That's what she calls Morino. He doesn't seem to mind it." Genma added with a shrug and he continued, "Her mom mentioned an incident with Danzo that I mentioned in passing when he came to see if I was open for missions. He asked that I bring her by sometime to learn more. Hokage-sama, would you care to join us?"

Hiruzen looked down at the bright child and said somber, "I suppose I should since I only heard a bit of the story from her father. It would be good to hear it from Sakura directly." He looked down upon Sakura and added, "I will also be coming to see Mr. Tall Man today it seems."

Sakura smiled and led the way into T&I going up to the desk greeter who had a dark smirk on his face, "What are you doing her pipsqueak?" He didn't notice Ibiki and Anko behind him nor the entrance of his Hokage or Genma focusing on the little girl.

She glared at him and said, "I was invited by Mr. Tall Man to visit, is that a problem?" Her green eyes sparked indignant until she heard a gruff voice. "I'm his boss so he'd better not. Hokage-sama, Shiranui, good to see you both as well." Sakura skipped up to Anko who she hadn't known so well in her previous life and she wanted to change that and hopefully save her from Kabuto before he could sacrifice her.

"Who are you, fierce lady?" Sakura said cutely. 'She would never accept being called pretty by a little girl but fierce she can appreciate.' Sakura thought to herself happy to see the younger and slightly less jaded version of Anko. Anko quirked an eyebrow at her before smirking and getting her her knees to see the kid eye to eye.

"Name's Anko, you can call me Anko-sama, Pinky!" Anko said in a playful tone. Sakura tapped her chin, "If I'm Pinky then you must be Purple!" Sakura giggled ignoring the horror growing on the men's faces as she began befriending the volatile woman.

Hiruzen chuckled as the child seemed to draw the adults into her orbit easily with her mannerisms and mature way of speaking. "Hello Ibiki and Anko, I hope you don't mind if I join your little meeting with Sakura-chan?"

Ibiki nodded his agreement, "That's fine I'm sure we all could use the details regarding the matter. Follow me Sakura stay close to me or the Hokage and no wondering." The young child turned her attention to Ibiki and followed as told saying with a wave over her shoulder, "Bye-bye Purple!"

Anko just looked after the kid before looking at the desk attendant, "Kids cute…smart too huh Tonbo?" Tonbo looked after the group and asked, "Wonder what that's about normally they don't bring kids to T&I." Anko shrugged, "Seeing as the Hokage was with her not to mention Shiranui and the boss invited her I realize it's not really my business unless they say so." She punched him on his shoulder, "Just roll with it Tonbo think to much and you might break yourself." Anko left heading towards the tower exit to grab her usual dango fix. Tonbo rolled his eyes and just stated aloud, "Today's been a weird day…glad to see some things never change."

Ibiki guided the group into his office and Sakura sat in his chair causing the man to smirk but he chose to say nothing. Hiruzen nodded and sat down as did Genma before Ibiki closed and sealed the room to prevent eavesdroppers. Sakura looked up at Ibiki wondering, 'What are you going to ask me about I wonder, Morino-san?'

"I'm sure you're curious as to why I invited you here with Shiranui, aren't you Sakura?" Ibiki asked as he sat in the chair nearest hers. Sakura nodded and said, "I guess you wanted to show me your office?" Her tone filled with innocence and naivete causing the surly man to chuckle. "Not quite, I heard you're afraid of Danzo. Care to tell me why?"

Sakura shrunk in the chair her eyes falling to the floor, 'Damn it how am I meant to explain that!' She took a deep breath and said, "He feels wrong…" Ibiki and Hiruzen both shared a look of surprise and Ibiki continued, "How does he feel wrong?"

Sakura took a moment to try to find the words, "He feels dark, like a tar. I felt like if he got me I would never get home again. He doesn't feel nice at all...no warmth, safety, or rea-reasu-reassurance. He feels wrong." She shivered as she recalled the horrible sticky feeling she got in her old life from the man never liking the way he operated as the leader of Root.

Hiruzen recalled his sensei Tobirama mentioning knowing the essence of a person by their chakra. Sticky chakra was normally resembling greedy, power hungry, and generally unpleasantly dangerous people. He decided to ask, "Sakura-chan is their nothing welcoming about him at all?"

Sakura shook her head furiously in a negative stance, "Nu-uh, he's bad, bad, bad news. Like scary make people disappear kinda bad. You know I heard he takes orphans and trains them like ninja but not normal ninja…scary ninja that only listen to him. They never were heard from again and the places couldn't find anything. I don't like him…he scares me."

Genma looked a bit nervous, "Hokage-sama, surely children haven't gone missing to be found in Root…right? I mean," he paused as he whispered in a hushed voice, "Minato-sama ordered that Root Anbu be permanently disbanded. It would be treason if it were still running!" Hiruzen gave Genma a regretful glance causing the man to curse, "Are you kidding me?! You let those shadow ranks come back after how long it took Minato to get ri"

"Shiranui- enough before the child hears!" Ibiki said sternly. Genma just rebutted, "She already knows about them you heard what she said he's taking orphan kids! What if he goes after Naruto? Minato would find a way to kill us all from the afterlife if any more harm comes to that boy then there is already."

Hiruzen leaned toward Sakura and said softly, "I'm sorry that you've only seen the scary side of him. Danzo was once a kind man…I'm afraid that I may be the one to blame." Sakura shook her head in disagreement, "No way! He's bad cause he chose to be. You're good…you only do bad when you can't do good. He's different from you by lots."

'You may be flawed Hokage-sama but we all are there is no such thing as a perfect person. Only an ideal of perfection to be strived towards even that can be distorted and changed from person to person.' Sakura thought to herself as she hummed waiting for the two Jonin. Hiruzen sighed, "I did reinstate the organization out of necessity there is nothing more to be said on the matter." He paused as both men turned to face him, "However, both Sakura, Naruto, Neji, and Sasuke are on a list of individuals Danzo has been directly ordered by me to leave alone for a number of reasons. Should he approach them again he will be dealt with swiftly as needed."

Genma was still rattled by the revelation but stood to retrieve Sakura and nodded to the Hokage. "I believe you are making a terrible mistake. A dangerous one that may cost us all in the long run…I just hope I'm wrong but, I won't say anything as long as he stays away from Sakura, Sasuke, and Minato's son. That goes for his agents too they don't belong anywhere near these kids." He made a firm gesture, "If he goes after them or sends someone else then all bets are off and I'm calling you out for it Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen nodded in understanding, he knew there would be risks of a fallout with his ninja corps should the Root Anbu organization ever be caught in the light of day again. 'I will face it if I must Genma, should that time arrive while I still live.'