Down the Same Path

Right after her status was announced, the Sand Shinobi took Itsuki's body and buried him. They all bowed their heads, brought flowers, and gathered together to say farewell to a good man. Shikamaru and Hinata looked at Sakura, who tried not to show emotion, but was failing as a sad smile took over her face. Sakura wanted to cry, cry all day, for her friend that she had failed to save, just like her parents. She had not been strong enough, even if she tried, she knew she will always fail to save a friend, but she couldn't bare the pain it brought of loosing a loved one. She remembered the first time she met him.
*Flashback*
"Do you swear to give up your life for this village, no matter what?" As she was kneeling on the floor, the captain of the ANBU said those words aloud. Itsuki looked at her with calculating eyes, looking for any hint of expression. He saw none. 'Good,' he thought meanwhile Sakura was thinking of her choice. 'I can be strong to protect everyone I love, giving up my life for everyone I care about..'
"Yes," she said as she raised her head up. Itsuki looked at her and said ,"Sakura Haruno, You're now ANBU." And with that she knew her life had changed for the better.
*Flashback ends*
Now she was captain, and the burned was now hers. Her mask will change along with her status had changed. She will make no mistake and make Itsuki and the rest of her friends proud. The funeral ended and Sakura turned to her two comrades and put her mask on. "We need to report back to the Hokage and leave no detail from the report. Shikamaru and Hinata nodded and started running out of the village. Sakura waved goodbye to the Sand Shinobi and followed her comrades. The heat of the village was intense and sweat could be seen on their bodies, mixing in with the blood and sand that stuck to them. Their injuries weren't intense but still they will take care of them when they arrive at the village. Two days had passed and they could finally see the gates to their home. They slowed down and greeted the guards. "How come you guys always come in covered in blood," Izumo said as he looked at the shinobi in front of him. "We just stopped to say hi, plus we need to report back to Lady Tsunade," said Sakura as she saw Kotetsu looking around them. "Where's Itsuki?" Hinata looked at Sakura and said,"He's dead, and Sakura is now captain of the ANBU." Kotetsu looked down and izumo nodded. "Go, finish your mission," and with that they took of to the roofs. "I always wonder what the village would think when they see three blood, sweat, and sand covered ANBU," said Shikamaru as he grinned. Hinata shook her head and said ,"They would freak out and that's why we take the roofs. Shikamaru you're smart you should know that." Shikamaru slightly shook his head, the plan was to raise the mood and it worked. Sakura saw the Hokage tower and told the other two," We're almost there and I sense other Chaka signatures. Be on guard," and with that they neared the office and swiftly entered through the windows, landing on their feet and saw a slightly pale Tsunade. And four shocked faces. Tsunade straightened up and said ,"
Report and take off your masks." The three of them took of their masks and Sakura stepped forward. "Haruno Sakura, Captain of the ANBU, reporting the mission. The Sand shinobi and enemy shinobi were fighting when we got there. A bomb was thrown in front of us and we had to take cover. The three of us fought together and soon joined our captain. When we joined our captain," she paused and the sadness in her eyes increased,"He was impaled in the back. My healing did not work or heal him. I got promoted to captain, my lady," and with that she stepped backed in line with Shikamaru and Hinata. "Understood, the mission was a success but at the same time a loss. Sakura go get your new uniform and mask and announce your status to the other ANBU. Shikamaru and Hinata stay, we'll discuss more. Dismissed," Sakura nodded and leapt our the window and ran towards the ANBU headquarters. "Why are you guys covered in blood?" Ino asked as she took in their appearances. "Yamanaka we were in battle, and we had to kill. Simple as that,"Hinata said in a cold voice. Shikamaru nodded and Naruto flinched at the sound of her cold tone. Karin was clinging on to an annoyed Sasuke, who stared at them with a calculating stare. Ino stared at them with a curious gaze, trying to see beyond the walls that they kept up. "Hokage, Blossom didn't take his death well, but she showed no emotion. A tear rolled out of her right eye but yet no emotion was on her face," shikamaru stated as Sasuke listened intently. Hinata stepped forward and said,"It's just like when she found her parents dead, except she did show emotion back then. I'm afraid that she's taken her ANBU career and stands by each of its rule," Tsunade nodded and was handed a scroll with deeper details about the mission. Naruto and Sasuke eyes widened when they heard that Sakura had lost her parents. 'She's just like us now,' they both thought but Naruto was upset. She had lost her light, and now the Sakura he knew was gone.
Sakura announce to all the gathered ANBU," Captain Itsuki does honorably in battle and appointed me captain. I won't let you down, and I'll make the ANBU stronger. Our village's safety and the people in it along with our loved ones are our number one priority. We will not fall!" And at that the elders handed her , her new uniform and mask, while the ANBU cheered at her speech. A new road was ahead of them and they were excited.