She wasdoomed.
Not it the'I am in big trouble or will face trouble'kind of doom, but more like'I am definitely into so much shit right now that I don't have the slightest clue of where I should even start!'kind of doom.
Sakura's family were civilians, in Shinobi terms. However, the rest of the world knew them as merchants and (former) caravans, though her family has Noble blood inside them and could shower themselves in luxuries, her parents decided against letting her grow up within High Society due to the many complications with the Haruno Clan. Apparently her paternal Grandfather, Grand Master Fujiwara, was keen on having her and her cousins have a battle for Heirdom, which startled Sakura immensely.
"Um, mom?" She asked with hesitation. "I don't understand... if Dad is named Fujiwara Kizashi, then why do we call ourselves Haruno?" She scratched the back of her neck, a habit she picked up unconsciously from her hyperactive blond teammate.
Mebuki smiled softly, tacking a pink lock of her daughter's hair behind her ear as she caressed her face affectionately. "Haruno is my maiden name, darling. I never lost it, instead, your father was dead set on making it our family name. The Fujiwara Clan is... complicated, for lack of better words. They're aristocrats, delved deep into our country's politics and economical state. We didn't want you to grow into such environment."
The rosette frowned, thinking hard about the information she obtained but still... "What does that have to do with Grandpa Atsuya?"
Her mother sighed, staring down at her clasped hands. "Miyamoto-san wasn't only my teammate, he's also a distant relative of ours. He is a good man, though hardened by war and hardship. He saved me and your father many times back in the day but... his loyalty and intentions willalwayslay between the village and the Fujiwara Clan," She looked outside the window, watching as the birds fluttered their wings along the breeze.
"You're the daughter of two Noble bloodlines, both of which hold significant power within Daimyo's Government. You'revaluable,Sakura. Always remember that, so promise to your old and tired mother... that you will keep your eyes wide open for the deceivers and the liars."
What Sakura gathered from her investigation was thatOne:her parents have a lot, and she meansa lot, of secrets they keep away from her.Two:her mother saidtwoNoble Bloodlines, indicating she's a noble too, but she didn't mention what position the Haruno are holding within the Nobility.
Wait, aren't Nobility and Aristocracy two completely different factions?
Sidetracked.Three:Atsuya planned to use her as apawn, and she's sure it wasforthe village. She doesn't know if she should be relieved or not. One thing for sure though she is; and that's that her parents are keeping this information from even the Hokage, and she's not about to go yelling her lineage at the top of he lungs.
However, she felt something she hasn't felt for some time now.
Safety. Reassurance.
It's a little silly, but knowing that she has powerful allies by her side made her relax. Because now? Now she isn't defenseless, though she isn't protected either. Though she doesn't now how to stand, she still has a solid ground beneath her feet.
"Excuse me, Haruno Sakura?" A voice interrupted her train of thoughts, and her green eyes snapped up at the source of who uttered her name. It was aJounin,out of all things, who looked at her with pity. He appeared to be slightly familiar, but that musing was quickly vanquished when he offered her his hand, and a scroll with the Hokage's stumped seal with a written allowance for her retrieval. She gulped, heart thumbing loudly on her rib-cage as her fingers touched his palm, and with a skilled shunshin, they were off.
Sakura felt the familiar sensation of wanting to vomit once they were back to the ground. Her face turned slightly green, though with a shake of her head she tried to gather back her balance. She looked around the area that appeared to be in some sort of a... cell? The bars indicate they just landed in a prison chamber, though it could be a wine cellar for all she knew.
"This way," The Shinobi tilted his head to the said direction, prompting the rosette to follow him.
"Um, where are we going, sir?" She asked as she continued glancing around, her gut telling her that she should get the hell out of heresoon...immediately.Though the more rational part of her mind told her that she couldn't go anywhere when the Hokage himself wanted to speak to her.
"Haruno-san, your predicament falls under the category1286, however due to it's unique nature all charges have been lifted," The Shinobi informed her. "What we are about to reveal shall stay in the room, withno way out." The dangerous turn of his voice told her everything she needed to know.
"Understood, sir." She nodded, stomach churning.
The two stopped outside a ancient looking cobblestone gate, the curving lines shaping meticulously into a tall Hashirama tree (the Pride of Konoha) with it'srootsextended way down to the earth, gathering life from themiracle,the Water Fountain of the Nindaime; who was rumoured to have put a stop at Konoha's Arid Ages during the Warring States Period.
Sakura felt a chill ran down her spine. It was no secret that Lord Second (and Lord Third) were the mostcruelHokage in the history of the Hidden Leaf, but they way the lines were so carefully drawn, it felt like worshipfulness.
"Haruno Sakura, welcome to ANBU,ROOT."Those simple words were accompanied by the mysterious screech of the gate swirling around unlocked, and Sakura?
Sakura could only think that she regrets being so damnnaive.
