Chapter 12 Changeling.

"Megumi Haruno married to Kizashi Haruno for ten years, both civilians of Konoha since birth. Their parents were the same." Sarutobi threw down to folders that contained the Haruno line since the founding of the village. They weren't a clan just a family of three at the start and have remained that way since. They didn't stand out except for their unique hair, they weren't overachievers and had no connection to noble clans before. There was the Megumi's friendship with Lily Yamanaka, but that was from both being mothers. Sakura didn't seem to have much of a relationship with the young Yamanaka Ino.

The Young child Sakura was the only anomaly, she wasn't like the children her own age. She remained him of Itachi, a child who had seen to much but that should be impossible, she was born in the time of peace. Kakashi's report replayed in his mind.

"She sounded like a shinobi who have seen the worst the world had to offer and wanted desperately to protect her love ones from the same faith," Kakashi said kneeling before him his face worried. "She seemed to know more than she should, her mastery of fuinjutsu is also unusual for a child."

A changeling was his first guess, it wouldn't be hard to transform into a child and maintain it for a long time, provided you have that endurance. Cases like these weren't uncommon and Kakashi also thought this to be the case. The Uzumaki that acted as a stage performer was their primary guess. An adult pretending to be a child can only go so long before they go insane. Releasing the transformation and performing in a pleasure house.

Hana Uzumaki a travelling performer, fuinjutsu and genjutsu specialist, was the perfect match for what he was looking for. She had to be to changeling's true form, but that raises the question what was she doing and why? Kakashi reported she had a fondness for Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke, even going so far as to save Itachi for his sake.

As much as he hated to admit it, young Sasuke could very well be a weakness of hers, along with Naruto and the Hyuga heir. What did all these children have in common that she would want them all in her inner circle?

He had already assign Itachi to watch her along with the Uchihas since they seem to be her main focus. Never before had his old age burden him so, he retired for a reason. Years of war have left him withered, where was Jiraya when he needed him, if not for the Hokage position, he could at least be able to help with the Uzumaki and her fuinjustu.

His master lord second was a fuinjutsu master himself, it was only a shame he didn't think to follow in his footsteps.

His gaze landed on the photos of the previous hokages, blond hair and blue eyes looked at him warmly. Minato was truly a prodigy and his marriage to an Uzumaki only reform that, he mastered fuinjutsu and even invented his own from the Second's own jutsu.

A thought hit him with the force of a tsunami. He sat up horrified. What if that was the reason she was interested in Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto was the son of the Forth and an Uzumaki, Sasuke was a part of the Uchiha clan. The very clan suspected of releasing the Nine tail demon. Could she really want to release the Nine tails? Why? It made no sense to want to, Naruto would die in the event and the Uchihas... Would have the ultimate weapon at their disposal.

Surely not...

An orange glow overtook his office was the sunset in the distance, night was fast approaching.

He needed to speak with Danzo.

Mizuno Uchiha, young and ambitious, a bit of a rebel but loves his fiance more than life. I looked at the man in question, head resting on his lover's lap face in pure bliss. His eyes appeared to be close but I could sense his Sharingan activated and watching. I marked him in the "redeemable" category, he seemed to only be fighting to protect his world, I.e Ayame Hiko soon to be Uchiha. I closed my scroll of judgement and stood, careful not to fall off the light post.

With my sakura Anbu mask look alike, from the spring festival, I looked very suspicious. Most dismissed me as a child playing shinobi, others thought me an actual Anbu. I didn't know how to react to the latter.

A familiar sensation washed over me and I smiled pleased, with my judgement done I could spend some time with him. With a backflip, I cleared the pole and fell towards the nearest roof. I frog hop from the roof to a wall and finally the ground, landing in a crouch. Sealing away my mask I spun on my own version of ecstasy.

"Sasuke!" I leaped into his arms, startling the poor boy.

"Sakura-chan?" He yelped, trying to keep his footing. "Where did you come from!?" I smiled at his wide eyes, so innocent and pure.

"Where have you been?" I imitated a pout, "I missed you."

He blushed as I had intended and scratched his cheek, he winced and pulled his hand away. Only then did I notice the bruises on his face.

"W-what happened!?" I began to panic before Sasuke poked me in the forehead Itachi style. I gaped at him, that was an Uchiha exclusive move. I teared up for some reason, Itachi did that to Sasuke to show affecting, Sasuke had only used it to shut me up. So then why was I so happy?

Missing my dilemma or choosing to ignore it he explained.

"I'm training with father." He said his cheeks flushed. My eyes widen as he spoke; if Fugaku was already training him it meant I was almost out of time! I smiled despite it all. Sasuke was happy, his smile was infectious. "He's teaching me the fireball jutsu but I'm not good at it yet." This fact seemed to disappoint him, he lowered his head in shame.

"We can't all be prodigies, " he looked up at me. "Itachi has his own path that he walks, it one unique to him and one others can not easily imitate. You are not Itachi, and therefore can not be expected to do the things he can." I looked up at the orange-toned sky, dusk was really beautiful. "Itachi might not show it but there are things even he can't do."

"There is nothing big brother can't do!" Sasuke disagreed, he was always so defensive when it came to his brother.

"There are." I pushed on, "He has poor time management skills otherwise he would have time to play with you." Sasuke remained silent. "He's not good with girls, thus never perusing a relationship. He wants what's best for everyone, even at the cost of his own sanity, his a pacifist not suited for the shinobi world." I took a shaky breath, "even so he'll keep fighting, keep, because he doesn't know how to say no." Sasuke pulled me into a hug as I trembled uncontrollably. Once upon a time, I was like Itachi Blank blue eyes stared back at me, framed by blond curly hair. I gripped onto Sasuke's shirt desperately, his chakra flooded my senses grounding me. I was no longer that thing, I was here in the arms of my first love for whom I had declared war on fate itself.

Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Itachi, children born to be warriors, turn into soldiers, without a happy ending. Never. I'll rip the universe apart before I allow anyone I love to suffer.

There's a saying "crying yourself to sleep", sobbing into your comforter, be that a person or a comfortable blanket. I looked down at Sasuke as he snored softly, curled up in his bed. My eyes stung from crying so long and yet he was the one sleeping. I couldn't help but smile, brushing my hand through his hair. He leaned into it my hand subconsciously and I felt warmth rush through me, my cheeks heated. A blush, I remained myself, it was an interesting feeling.

With a heavy sigh, I crawled out of bed and made my way downstairs where the trio sat around the low kitchen table. Itachi had no doubt inform them of what had transpired at the shrine. This was fine I needed an excuse to involve them anyway. Rounding the corner all eyes, blazing red with chakra, was on me. I smiled, even as a shiver ran down my spine.

"Good evening everyone", I greeted with a pleasant smile.

"We need to talk." Fugaku's voice was stern and left no room for arguments. Itachi and Mikoto didn't move to argue so they were no team interrogate. I sighed in defeat spreading my senses as I moved closer to the wall. There were a few people about, but they were Uchihas. I snapped my fingers placing a sound genjutsu around the house. A memory of a lively dinner played in my head and would be what eavesdroppers heard. I touched the wall concentrating, inked kanji spread across the wall and about the room. Sound absorbent, noise-cancelling, and effectively making the room soundproof.

I strode over casual, not at all in a hurry, what I was gonna tell them would change everything. Absently I wished I had stayed by Sasuke's side. Sitting down across from Fugaku, Mikoto to my left, Itachi to my right. They were so tense it was making me anxious, I shifted under their intense gaze.

"Who are you and where is the real Sakura?" Fugaku got straight to the point. Surprise overtook me and I blinked. They thought I was an imposter?

"Why can't I be the real Sakura?" I asked because seriously, I was born in this body ya know.

"I had always thought you were too mature for a child," Fugaku explained; the worried faces of my parents flashed before my eyes. Were they under the impression I was a changeling? "Your skills with fuinjutsu is unusual for someone not of the Uzumaki clan. Your protective nature of Naruto only verifies that you have some connection to them."

Mikoto was watching my every move, she was friends with Kishina and had welcomed Naruto with open arms as a result. She knew his lineage and had promised to have the boys be friends, she kept her word to a dead woman. That was one of the reasons I liked her so much, with my involvement with Naruto, it makes sense she would want to verify my identity.

"So then what have you done with Sakura? Hana Uzumaki." His eyes narrowed and his mangekyou activated. It was the first time I had seen his, I didn't even know of its capabilities, it was probably a bad idea to look into them but I couldn't look away.

I realized my mistake too late, my chakra flow came to a sudden halt. My genjutsu shattered and my seals faded away. Inner screamed at me to look away but that was impossible, my eyes were filled with awe as thought returned.

The ability to cancel chakra with a single glance, no wonder he was a beast on the battlefield. Numbly I registered his shocked eyes and Mikoto's gasp, how was such an op character never explored. I glanced down at my now bare hands, it was almost odd to see clear skin instead of tattoos. I could feel the seals still there but they were beyond my reach, this power was truly incredible.

"What's the meaning of this!?" I looked up to greet shocked faces. He had stopped my chakra flow so if I was a Transformation I would turn back to my original form, too bad this was my body.

"Possession?" Mikoto helpfully supplied. I frowned thinking of the only people I knew could do that. A snarl graced my lips making Itachi reach for his sword, that I didn't even see there before.

"I am who I am," I answered irritated.

Its all for Sasuke inner told me in an attempt to cool my temper, I hadn't realized I was having an identity crisis until they started asking questions. Was I Sakura or was I a parasite in her body. If I was here since the beginning, did that make me the original in this timeline? Or did I devour Sakura's soul and take her body. I groaned, isn't this was drove Kabuto insane to the point of teaming up with Orochimaru?

"I was born and raised in Konoha, I was given the name Sakura by my loud and overbearing parents. In fear I would be alone forever my father brought me to the park to make friends. There I met Naruto and a lasting friendship was born. Soon after, while on a run, I met a Hyuga maid and from there Hinata Hyuga and Neji Hyuga. As we were of the same age group, it only made sense we would be friends. Then there was the spring festival, and the rest is history." Recapped my life and story of friendship. I was only 8, my life has been eventful. It started as me refusing to act like a child I was not, to plotting a massacre. We grow up so fast.

"So then, how do you know about the Uchihas and their plans?" Itachi accused. There was only one thing I could say to get them off my back.

"I saw Shisui's execution."

"I see..." Danzo hummed in thought, after hearing his childhood friends predicament he had to fight the grin wanting to mask his face. He had heard about the young kunoichi that had challenged her class and won, it was the talk of near all shinobi. When he met her she seemed so timid to think that was an act. She surely had a sense of danger. If she was a changeling she wasn't doing a good job at staying unnoticed, but perhaps her mission was not to remain hidden but get their attention. She has affiliations with three noble clans and even the head of the Information department's daughter, a Yamanaka. Building unbreakable bonds with powerful people would ensure her safety should her life be threatened. She was a danger to the village.

"I say we deal with her before she becomes too much of a problem." He advised his old friend. Hiruzen hummed stroking his beard, he had to have thought the same, surely he wasn't so naive.

"The clans will be in uproar and Naruto will become emotionally unstable if something were to happen to her." He warned. Oh, Danzo hadn't forgotten the walking time bomb she had gotten close to. Going so far as to have both the Uchihas and Hyugas protect him was a clever plan, however.

"We should make an example of her so the boy will be more careful with whom he befriends. As the Jinchuriki he must learn to value the village first and friends second." Danzo pushed. The third exhaled smoke, his eyes tired.

"I had wanted young Naruto to learn to love the village on his own." He said. Danzo knew this was a lie, he had heard the report of his friend had gone out of his way to change the child's world view. "Very well I'll have her taken in and presented as a traitor to the village." Hiruzen closed his eyes as he ordered her execution. He had always thought the act of public shame before executing unnecessary but Danzo agreed with the Second's ideals. Those that are a danger to the village have no place in it.

"We should attack now while she's unsuspecting!" Caught the criminal unaware and unable to defend themselves.

"No, they are still in the Uchiha district, to attack one of their own will give them fuel and cause to start a civil war!" Hiruzen said in a stern almost scolding voice. Danzo backed down, he was getting ahead of himself. Patience would be the key, the girl was unaware of his role so he could afford to take his time.

"As you say." He bowed " if that is all I will get the capture team prepared." He turned and began to walk away.

"Oh, and Danzo!" Hiruzen called, causing him to stop and look back. "Put Kakashi on whatever team you're going to make, he is familiar with the target and has the skill needed should things get out of hand."

Danzo nodded seeing this to be true and began he slow limp away, things were finally looking up.

In the silence that allowed my announcement, I took that time to rebuild the sound barrier and genjutsu.

"That's..." Itachi was at a last for words, he had been there in Shisui's last moments no doubt the memory still hurt. Seeing his vulnerable face made my heart ache in pity. He was only 14 why did he have to suffer such a burden? Sasuke and Itachi laughing plagued my mind, the image of Sasuke standing before a hill of graves swearing to avenge them, came next.

I had planned to limit the number of people massacred to only thus that we're unsalvageable, but thinking about it, wouldn't that make more "Sasuke's" more capable of fighting that the child Sasuke was. Itachi would kill them thus rendering my effects useless. I nipped on my bottom lip. I needed a change of plan, those judged had to die and there needed to be a spy in the Akatsuki, along with someone strong enough to protect Konoha from ambitious rouge ninjas.

"Execution?" Fugaku was barely containing his wrath. "He committed suicide did he not."

"I suppose you could call his plan suicide since it ended in his death," I said bluntly. Suddenly I was pinned, a sword at my throat, a familiar pair mangekyou scarlet eyes pierced my soul.

"Don't you dare! Talk about him like that!" Tears dripped onto my face and once again I was reminded of how young the was.

"That was insensitive of me, " I admitted, "won't you forgive me?" His body trembled as he loomed over me. Oddly even with a sword to my throat, I didn't feel fear. Itachi was grieving and burdened with far too much. I sat up and pulled him in a hug, he allowed it, burying his head in the crook of my neck. Mikoto watched in awe, far as I could remember Itachi didn't break down and he certainly didn't seek comfort from anyone.

"Father, " I gained Fugaku's fury from the name, he narrowed his eyes on me. "For the sake of your clan, family and unborn child I have a request." I used my trump card, Fugaku looked wide-eyed at Mikoto who looked away bashful. He gritted his teeth, he didn't like being cornered I knew, It hurt me to do this but it needed to be done. His eyes were blazing red when they met mine again.

"Won't you teach me a jutsu."

Hello night walkers! Luna here with another chapter thrill seeker. Things are heating up and I honestly excited for what's to come. I had a plan for I was going to end this arc but I came up with something even better, I hope. Anyway for reading, hope you enjoyed.

Until next time, night song!

Next chapter, may 8 two week!?