Down the Same Path

*New uniform on top , different mask, and the shirt is longer though*
'Well, this is different,' she thought to herself while taking of her old ANBU uniform to take a shower. 'I'm captain now, the burden is mine. I have a meeting with the elders in a week and the strange thing is that's Danzo will be there as well. Hmm..' While showering she made sure to put extra soap and shampoo to get rid of the stench that she had gained from her mission. After 10 minutes, she wrapped herself in a towel and looked at her new uniform. There was a red vest and a red belt. The black material of the shirt and pants she wore were familiar, yet on top of the stack of cloth laid new gloves and a mask, along with her red headband. The mask looked like kakashi's and now she knew the reason why Itsuki always wore one. She dried her body and quickly put on the uniform, wanting to see how it looks on her. 'Why does the captain gets extra protection, and cool stuff,' she thought as she assessed her uniform on her. She grabbed the mask and put it over her head and slid it down. 'Wow it fits, now all I need it to put my ANBU mask and boots and I'm ready to go,' She put on her boots that could resist the kicks she uses and finally grabbed her new mask, it was a panther one, with purple stripes, showing her status. She took a deep breath and slowly put it on. She had accepted her status now. "Alright, time to go back to Lady Tsunade," and with that she quickly got out and ran to the Hokage's office, trying not to be seen. She could feel the same chakra signatures and realized that time had not passed as fast as she thought. She did her signature move, sliding through the window into the office, and was met with silence. "Welcome Panther, since your rank was raised your name has changed to panther. The uniform seems to fit well and I hope the mask doesn't bother you ,but it is needed in case your ANBU mask breaks the bottom one will hide some of your features. Now take off your mask," Tsunade said proud of her pupil. Sakura nodded and time seemed to slow down for Naruto, Sasuke, Ino, and Karin, while shikamaru and Hinata stared at their friend with pride. They all took her appearance in. Two Kunoichi were jealous of her and envied her, while the other two were proud for their friend. 1 male shinobi smirked at everyone's reaction while other two felt their hearts beat. Naruto had a small blush but sasuke kept his face stoic. "Sakura-Chan you look like a female version of kakashi except the pink hair and green eyes. Why does your hair seem spiky like his? Are you related to him? Maybe you are? Believe it?" Was all Sakura heard from Naruto's mouth before another blonde seemed to interrupt him. "Sakura, did you sleep with all the ANBU to get your status or did you kill your captain?" And at that everyone seem to freeze. Ino doesn't know when she crosses the lines and she had crossed one right now. 'Show no emotion, an ANBU doesn't show emotion, especially the captain,' she thought as she sighed. "Yamanaka you are still a genin, plus the only one who would sleep with someone is you. I don't have time to fool around with someone else, especially have this useless conversation with you. ANBU aren't supposed to kill each other. We're sisters and brothers who will give up their life for this village. Sorry for not meeting your expectations," Shikamaru almost burst out laughing and Hinata had a big smile on her face. Sasuke stared at the pinkette in front of him, 'She's changed ,but she reminds me of itachi.' "Lady Tsunade i will be taking Shadow and Lily and will be changing some things. Don't worry they're for the good," and with that she bowed, put her ANBU mask on, and montioned for the other two ANBU to do the same. After they left Naruto broke the silence that fell over the room. "Grandma what happened to Sakura?" Tsunade narrowed her eyes and said ,"Well Naruto. She went trough pain and heartbreak and blames herself for every bad things that happens. She has been through a lot and back then joining the ANBU was her only salvation. Now you came here begging me to convince Sakura to talk to you, Naruto," she said as she fixed some papers on her desk. Naruto raised his head and said ," I was but not anymore. I get it, we hurt her and left her alone. Just like I was alone, no one was there for me. Sasuke, she went through something similar like you did. She grew up with her parents but they were murdered and she couldn't do anything. The pain she must've felt. I'm sorry Sakura-Chan," at the last part he whispered it to himself and Tsunade couldn't help but feel sympathy for him. Sasuke just frowned when he mentioned the death of his parents but felt the pain of loosing someone you've spend years with. He turned and left the office before hearing a Wait up and found Naruto next to him. Maybe I do have hope to improve, Itachi.
*with Sakura in her office*
"Shikamaru you're now in charge  of battle plans or any planning with the ANBU and Hinata I would like you to train some ANBU on how to block chakra points. It will be beneficial to have that skill,"Sakura said in one breath and Shikamaru let out a small laugh. "How's captain going for you?" Sakura looked up from her desk and said,"Well it's going like it should so I'm not complaining, just I feel a little well a lot like kakashi right now." Hinata smiled at her friend and was about to say something but a knock on the fire interrupted her. "Captain, the elders wish to speak with you," an ANBU said as he bowed and apologized for intruding. Sakura stood up and put on her mask," Shadow and Lily go do the tasks I set up for you." And with that she left with the ANBU who delivered the message. 'Why so early? They said a week for the meeting? Is this really urgent that it can't be held back any more? If only she knew that she would soon hear the one mission that will destroy her life.