[Leaf Village – Mission Briefing Hall]
Sakura adjusted the strap of her kusarigama as she leaned against the wall outside the mission hall, half-listening to a jounin squad argue over a broken relay mission. The building was alive with tension—like it always was when something was happening the Hokage hadn't admitted publicly yet.
Inside, Tsunade's voice was sharp but low.
Sakura stepped in before being called.
Tsunade stood at the table with a map unfurled, eyes rimmed with fatigue and frustration. There was a wine bottle with no cork behind her desk. Sakura pretended not to see it.
"You look like you're in your 50s," Sakura said casually. "Lively day, huh?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, glancing up. "And you look like someone who's itching for extra assignments."
Sakura smirked lightly. "Careful, Granny. That sounds like favoritism. Think of what the others will say."
"Speaking of the others," Tsunade sighed, turning to the doorway behind Sakura, "Come in already, you three."
Sakura glanced back as Kiba entered first, grinning widely, Akamaru padding close behind him. Rock Lee bounded in energetically, almost bouncing on his toes. Kurenai followed quietly, a composed presence amidst the younger shinobi's energy.
"Oh, joy," Sakura murmured. "It's become a party."
Lee gave Sakura a spirited thumbs-up. "Excellent! With such youthful teammates, this mission will undoubtedly succeed!"
Kiba snorted lightly, arms crossed. "You sure about this, Lady Hokage? We seriously bringing the 'Dancer of Blood' for a diplomacy job?"
Sakura shot him a sideways glare. "Careful, Dog-boy. You wouldn't want Akamaru here to lose respect for you."
Kiba rolled his eyes. "Relax, Sakura. Just making sure everyone's got the memo—we're going there to stop trouble, not stir it up."
Tsunade raised her voice just slightly. "This isn't strictly diplomacy. It's containment. We've had growing unrest at the eastern border. Villagers of Tokai are openly defying Konoha's authority, and patrols have reported escalating hostility."
Kurenai stepped forward, her calm gaze studying the map. "How severe is the situation?"
"Right now, it's tense but contained," Tsunade replied. "We believe someone's intentionally provoking unrest. Your job is to find the agitators and shut them down. Swiftly. Quietly."
"Swift and quiet," Lee repeated thoughtfully, brows furrowing. "But surely, Lady Hokage, there must be a way to resolve this without violence?"
Sakura glanced at Lee, slightly amused. "Sure, Lee. Maybe we'll hug them into submission."
Lee blinked earnestly. "Well, perhaps not hugs—but surely compassion and understanding could—"
"Understanding's good," Kurenai interjected gently. "But remember, Lee, when resentment grows this deep, diplomacy alone often fails. This might require us to be firm."
"Right," Kiba agreed, smirking. "Firm but fair. We show some force, people will fall in line."
Sakura tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Wow, and here I thought I was supposed to be the harsh one. You're starting to sound like Naruto."
Kiba scoffed. "Hey, I said firm, not lethal. There's a difference."
"Enough," Tsunade cut in sharply, silencing them. "Kurenai, you have tactical oversight. Lee, you're moral support. Kiba, tracking and perimeter control. Sakura…" She glanced at the kunoichi with careful emphasis. "You handle any direct confrontations. Clear?"
"Crystal," Sakura said, barely hiding her amusement.
Tsunade sighed, waving them away. "Dismissed. And Sakura—no theatrics."
Sakura smiled sweetly. "I'll try."
They stepped out into the hallway, Lee already brimming with enthusiasm. "We shall accomplish this peacefully, my friends! I have confidence in our youthful teamwork!"
Kiba sighed dramatically. "He's gonna be like this the whole way, isn't he?"
Kurenai gave him a quiet nod. "You volunteered, remember?"
"I was voluntold," Kiba muttered under his breath.
Sakura laughed softly, walking slightly ahead as they left the building behind.
This would certainly be an interesting dance.
--
[Eastern Forest Road – Land of Fire]
Konoha quickly became a memory behind them, replaced by quiet forests and long shadows. Sakura walked ahead, footsteps measured, listening as Lee enthusiastically explained the virtues of peaceful diplomacy to Kiba, who looked ready to chew off his own ear just to escape.
She suppressed a smile, enjoying their misery a little more than she probably should have.
"You know, if this unrest comes down to a contest of patience, my money's on Lee," Sakura said lightly, glancing back over her shoulder.
"Please don't encourage him," Kiba groaned. Akamaru barked softly, as if in agreement.
Kurenai, walking beside Sakura, smiled faintly. "Patience is often more powerful than force. Lee's not wrong."
Sakura glanced sideways at her mentor, a small smirk curling her lips. "I'm surprised you're not tired of preaching restraint, Shishō. Diplomacy didn't get us very far last time."
Kurenai's voice was gentle but firm. "Diplomacy isn't just words. It's about controlling the battlefield—sometimes without anyone realizing they've stepped onto it. Something you've started to grasp, if I recall."
Sakura tilted her head slightly, conceding. "Maybe. Though I'm better at other kinds of control."
"Your genjutsu skills are strong enough to manage most threats," Kurenai replied, nodding approvingly. "But true mastery means subtlety. You haven't quite gotten there yet."
Sakura let out a sigh, dramatically rolling her eyes. "I know. 'Technique without subtlety is just a club,' as you always say."
"And yet you still swing that club rather often."
Sakura laughed softly. "Old habits die hard."
Behind them, Lee was still speaking earnestly. "—And so, Kiba, if we can reach the villagers' hearts, victory will already be ours!"
Kiba threw his hands up in exaggerated frustration. "Fine, fine! But when your hugging technique fails, let me and Akamaru at least handle perimeter duty our way."
Sakura chuckled again, glancing at Kurenai. "Think Lee will be disappointed when we inevitably end up fighting?"
Kurenai's eyes softened slightly, even as she remained thoughtful. "Lee understands reality better than you think. But he believes in possibilities. We shouldn't dismiss that."
They walked quietly for a few moments, their footsteps cushioned by damp leaves. The afternoon air was cooling, the faint scent of rain drifting between the trees.
Eventually, Sakura spoke again—quieter this time. "Why bring me along, Shishō? You've got enough subtlety without me."
Kurenai smiled gently. "Because subtlety alone isn't always enough. Sometimes diplomacy needs an edge. And I trust your judgment—mostly."
"Mostly?" Sakura echoed, mock offended.
Kurenai gave her a sidelong glance. "Mostly. You're effective, Sakura, but you also enjoy your work a little too much sometimes."
Sakura's smirk returned. "Fair point."
"You're capable of using advanced techniques without trouble, but it's your temperance that matters most. That's the part I'm still waiting for."
Sakura turned her gaze forward, voice a little softer, more serious. "You mean restraint?"
"No," Kurenai corrected gently. "I mean the wisdom to know when to use it, and when to hold back."
Before Sakura could respond, Kiba interrupted from behind. "Hey, heads up—we're coming up on the border village."
Before Sakura could respond, Akamaru let out a sudden, sharp growl, halting mid-step. The entire group tensed instinctively, eyes darting to the surrounding trees. Lee's enthusiastic chatter died instantly, his posture shifting into readiness.
"What's wrong, Akamaru?" Kiba asked quietly, scanning the shadows.
A soft rustle sounded from above, barely audible. Sakura's eyes flicked upward.
"Move!"
She shouted just as two heavily armed mercenaries dropped down onto the path, blades flashing in the dim forest light. The team scattered, narrowly evading a powerful downward slash that carved deeply into the ground, scattering dirt and leaves.
"They knew we'd come this way!" Kurenai warned, eyes sharp with calculation. She instantly began forming hand signs, weaving a subtle genjutsu to disrupt their attackers' senses.
Kiba rolled aside as Akamaru lunged, teeth clamping down onto the arm of one mercenary who swiftly twisted free, hurling the large dog aside with surprising ease. Kiba growled fiercely. "These bastards aren't regular bandits!"
Lee blocked a blow aimed at him, grunting as the force of the attack pushed him back several feet. His attacker was fast, unusually so, a glint of professionalism in every precise strike. "Indeed—they're formidable opponents!"
Amidst the chaos, Sakura felt a surge of excitement pulse beneath her ribs. These weren't the usual fodder; these attackers were strong, lethal—worthy of her full attention.
"Finally!" she murmured, almost gleefully, unraveling her kusarigama chain and beginning a slow circle around her opponent. "I was beginning to get bored."
Her enemy, a tall mercenary armed with twin curved swords, gave a harsh grin. "Brave talk, little girl. I hope you can back it up."
Sakura's smile widened. "Funny, I was about to say the same to you."
He attacked suddenly, blades slashing high and low simultaneously, expertly. Sakura moved like a dancer, chain singing as it spun around her, deflecting the first strike and catching the second. She pivoted sharply, spinning the mercenary sideways before driving her elbow into his side, knocking the wind from him.
He staggered briefly but recovered swiftly, clearly experienced. Sakura's grin deepened as they circled again.
"Not bad," she teased. "You're the first mercenary I've met who actually knows how to swing his toys."
Nearby, Lee struggled against a similarly skilled opponent, his usual boundless enthusiasm now strained by the sheer effort of defending. "Sakura—these foes demand our respect!"
"Oh, they have it!" Sakura replied cheerfully, dodging another rapid assault with practiced grace. "I respect anyone who can keep me entertained."
Her opponent growled, frustration beginning to darken his face as he slashed harder, more desperately. Sakura's movements became sharper, more precise, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Kurenai's genjutsu disrupted another attacker, who staggered and clutched his head. "Sakura!" Kurenai called sharply, observing Sakura's playful demeanor with growing concern. "Enough playing around—finish this!"
"Already?" Sakura asked, feigning disappointment as she sidestepped a furious strike. "But I was just getting warmed up."
The mercenary lunged forward with reckless anger, abandoning precision. Sakura pivoted neatly, hooked her chain around his blades, and tugged sharply, sending them spinning into the underbrush. Weaponless and off-balance, he stared at her in stunned disbelief.
Sakura stepped close, blade pressed lightly against his throat, her voice soft but undeniably dangerous. "You know, if you're going to ambush a kunoichi from Konoha, bring better weapons—or at least a friend who knows how to fight."
She smiled sweetly. "Next life, maybe?"
Before he could react, she delivered a clean, decisive blow that sent him sprawling unconscious at her feet.
A moment of silence followed, punctuated only by heavy breathing. Lee and Kiba, still locked in their battles, exchanged wary looks as their own opponents hesitated slightly, suddenly aware of Sakura's presence behind them.
"You guys need help?" Sakura asked playfully, casually spinning her chain.
"No," Kiba grumbled stubbornly, teeth bared in determination. "We got this."
Sakura laughed, thoroughly amused. "Suit yourself. But try not to keep me waiting."
Lee shot her a worried glance, sweat trailing down his brow. "Your enthusiasm is… unsettling, Sakura!"
She merely smirked, stepping back slightly, her gaze returning to Kurenai who watched her closely, expression unreadable but clearly troubled.
Sakura pretended not to notice. Instead, she turned her attention to the remaining skirmishes, thoroughly entertained—and silently hoping there'd be more where this came from.
Lee, still locked in combat, finally caught his opponent's arm mid-strike, grip tightening with newfound resolve.
"Forgive me," he muttered earnestly, before delivering a powerful kick straight to the mercenary's torso. The blow sent the man flying backward, crashing through the underbrush and leaving him unconscious against a tree trunk. Lee quickly exhaled, steadying himself. "One down!"
Nearby, Kiba and Akamaru moved as one, flanking their mercenary opponent in perfect sync. With a sharp whistle, Kiba signaled Akamaru to feint, forcing their enemy to overextend. As the mercenary swung desperately, Kiba lunged, delivering a swift blow to the attacker's temple, dropping him heavily to the forest floor.
"Finally," Kiba muttered, breathing heavily. He glanced over at Sakura, who stood nearby, smiling broadly as her own opponent fell lifeless at her feet. "Why do you look like you're enjoying this so much?"
Before she could answer, Akamaru growled again, ears flattening sharply. The leaves rustled as another group of mercenaries emerged from the shadows, heavily armed, disciplined, and deadly. It was clear now—this ambush wasn't random. They were expecting the Konoha shinobi, prepared specifically to counter them.
"They've been waiting for us," Kurenai called, urgency edging into her usually calm voice. "Prepare yourselves!"
The mercenaries charged as one, blades glinting murderously in the afternoon sunlight. Immediately, the clearing was thrust into chaos.
Sakura's smile deepened into a wicked grin as three mercenaries converged directly upon her, each wielding weapons with deadly confidence—one with twin short swords, another carrying a heavy spear, and the last brandishing a large, serrated blade.
"Three against one?" Sakura laughed breathlessly, chain already spinning into a deadly blur. "Now you're just spoiling me!"
They attacked simultaneously. Sakura moved fluidly, spinning her kusarigama in wide arcs, weaving it expertly around her body. She ducked under a horizontal slash from the spear, pivoting quickly to catch the spear shaft with her chain, wrenching it violently from the mercenary's grip.
The spearman stumbled forward, momentarily off-balance. Sakura's sickle flashed out sharply, slicing cleanly through his forearm. He screamed, blood spraying in a wild arc as he staggered backward. She laughed delightedly, almost dancing as the blood splattered across her face.
"Who's next?" she taunted cheerfully, sidestepping a swift dual-blade strike aimed at her throat. She let the mercenary close in before suddenly spinning, using the severed forearm from the ground to smack the startled swordsman in the face, temporarily blinding him with blood.
The third mercenary pressed aggressively, serrated sword swinging down powerfully. Sakura narrowly avoided it, the blade slicing a shallow, burning cut across her shoulder. Pain seared through her, but she only felt more alive.
"Not bad!" she called, voice bright with adrenaline. She flicked her kusarigama sharply, the chain snaking around his leg, then pulled viciously—toppling him to the ground. "But not good enough!"
Nearby, Kiba and Akamaru furiously fought against their own set of opponents, forcing their enemies to backpedal desperately. Lee moved with lightning-fast precision, his powerful strikes breaking weapons and bones alike. Even Kurenai had abandoned subtlety, her powerful illusions turning attackers against one another, confusion and chaos erupting around her.
But Sakura barely noticed them. Her focus was entirely consumed by her own battle—her own deadly performance. She spun elegantly, blades flashing like extensions of her limbs. Her movements were beautiful, precise, and utterly merciless.
Her attackers tried desperately to regroup, but Sakura gave no quarter. Another precise strike severed the swordsman's wrist, sending weapons flying along with another spray of crimson. He collapsed to his knees, howling in agony.
"You dance terribly," she mocked lightly, delivering a swift finishing blow. She barely paused before pivoting to face the last mercenary, still struggling to rise from the ground.
"Wait!" he gasped, hand outstretched defensively.
Sakura tilted her head, genuinely amused. "Really? Now you beg?"
He trembled, eyes wide with fear. "Please—"
Her kusarigama moved faster than his plea, silencing him permanently.
Breathing heavily, her face and arms painted with streaks of blood, Sakura finally paused, chest heaving from exhilaration. The pain from her injuries was sharp, undeniable—but it only made her feel more vividly alive.
Slowly, silence fell once more. The others had finished their fights as well, bodies lying motionless around the battlefield.
Lee stared at Sakura, visibly shaken. "Sakura...that was—"
"Necessary," she interrupted coolly, cleaning blood from her blade with practiced ease. But the light in her eyes told a different story.
Kiba and Akamaru exchanged wary glances, wisely deciding against commenting further. Kurenai said nothing, but her expression spoke volumes—a mixture of deepening concern and uneasy acceptance.
Sakura ignored it all, heartbeat gradually slowing. "Shall we move on?" she asked lightly, the remnants of her smile still lingering dangerously.
"Indeed," Kurenai said quietly, voice tightly controlled. "But stay alert. The village clearly anticipated our arrival."
Sakura nodded calmly, already anticipating the violence that lay ahead, her veins thrumming with silent excitement.
For her, the dance was just beginning.
---
[Border Village of Tokai – Eastern Land of Fire]
The sun had begun to set by the time they reached Tokai. The distant rooftops came into view, silhouetted against a sky streaked with deepening red. After the violence they'd encountered on the road, the quiet village ahead felt unsettlingly peaceful—a deception Sakura was already wary of.
Sakura walked ahead slightly apart from the others, still flushed from adrenaline, her heartbeat only just beginning to slow. Her wounds still stung slightly, a persistent reminder of the violence she had danced through earlier. She felt electric, nerves humming with the residual rush. There was something thrilling—almost delicious—about approaching unknown danger.
Behind her, Kiba and Akamaru maintained quiet vigilance, ears alert, noses to the wind. Lee had fallen silent as well, his usual enthusiasm dampened, replaced by a careful seriousness that felt unnatural for him. Kurenai remained composed, her expression calm but sharply attentive to their surroundings.
Tokai was hardly more than a collection of narrow dirt roads and humble buildings, bordered by fields slowly darkening in the twilight. The air was heavy, charged with suspicion. Lanterns flickered uncertainly behind windows, villagers watching warily as the shinobi entered their territory.
"Friendly bunch," Sakura murmured, smirking lightly as they walked further into town.
Kiba sniffed the air cautiously, eyes narrowed. "They're afraid. Angry too."
"I can't entirely blame them," Kurenai said quietly, scanning the village streets. "We didn't exactly arrive without incident."
Sakura shrugged lightly, still savoring the rush beneath her skin. "They're the ones who sent the welcoming committee."
Lee shot her a worried glance. "Perhaps they're merely desperate. Violence rarely arises without cause."
She glanced sideways at Lee, smiling faintly. "And sometimes, Lee, the cause is just that they enjoy it."
Lee's expression tightened slightly, clearly troubled by her implication. He opened his mouth to reply, but Kurenai interrupted gently yet firmly.
"Focus. This isn't over yet."
As if on cue, the village headman appeared on the path before them, flanked by a handful of armed villagers. He was an older man, stern-faced and proud, eyes narrowed suspiciously as he regarded the shinobi approaching.
"You've come far enough," he said sharply. His voice was brittle, but determined. "Konoha isn't welcome here."
Kurenai stepped forward calmly, hands raised slightly to show peaceful intent. "We're here to talk. Nothing more."
"Then explain the blood," the headman retorted, eyes flickering pointedly over Sakura's clothes and weapons. "I know what happened on the road. They were good men."
Sakura's lips curved slowly into a smile that barely concealed her lingering excitement. "They weren't good enough."
The headman glared harshly. "You Konoha dogs never understand. Always taking from us, calling it protection. It ends now."
Kiba growled low, Akamaru tensing beside him. Lee's fists clenched tightly, clearly conflicted.
Kurenai held up a hand again, stepping closer. "No more bloodshed is necessary. We just want to talk. Give us a chance to understand your grievances."
The villagers exchanged tense glances, uncertainty briefly flickering in their eyes—but their leader held firm, defiance plain on his weathered face.
"You've already answered clearly enough with your blades," he spat bitterly. "Your village speaks with violence. So now, we'll respond in kind."
At his words, more figures emerged from buildings and alleys around them, armed with blades and clubs, clearly prepared for further resistance. They were villagers—untrained but desperate, their eyes burning with rage and defiance.
Sakura felt her heartbeat quicken again, eyes gleaming as anticipation rose inside her. The threat of more violence made her skin flush hot, nerves tightening pleasurably. She bit her lip slightly, almost savoring the tension.
Kurenai glanced at her briefly, sensing her mounting excitement. Her expression tightened imperceptibly, but her voice remained controlled. "Sakura, remember—"
"Subtlety?" Sakura finished with a smirk, casually twirling her kusarigama again. "I know, Shishō. I'll try."
Kiba grimaced, eyes flickering between villagers. "Well, this turned ugly fast."
Lee hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the prospect of violence against civilians. "We shouldn't fight them if we can avoid it!"
"We might not have a choice," Kurenai replied solemnly, tension heavy in her voice. "Be prepared."
Sakura stepped forward slowly, her gaze locked on the villagers, her smile shifting into something darker, almost inviting. "Last chance to talk," she said sweetly. "Or dance. Your choice."
The headman's eyes blazed with defiance. "We're done talking."
Sakura's grin widened, heart racing in anticipation. "Perfect."
The village erupted into chaos in seconds.
Villagers surged forward, driven by rage and desperation. Their faces twisted in anger, weapons raised, the light of rebellion burning clearly in their eyes. Despite their lack of formal shinobi training, sheer numbers made them dangerous.
"Subdue, don't kill!" Kurenai ordered sharply, voice firm but cautious. "They're civilians."
"Understood!" Lee called back, though his voice carried reluctance. He blocked strikes carefully, visibly distressed as he gently but firmly subdued each attacker.
Kiba cursed loudly, struggling to keep villagers at bay without seriously harming them. Akamaru lunged with calculated restraint, pulling weapons from villagers' hands instead of biting flesh.
But Sakura danced differently.
From the moment she stepped forward, it was clear subtlety had slipped from her grasp. Her kusarigama moved gracefully yet viciously, each movement infused with growing delight. She sliced shallow cuts across limbs to disable attacks, smiling wider as panic spread through her opponents. Blood splattered across her cheek, and her breath quickened, a shiver of excitement dancing down her spine. She bit her lip unconsciously, savoring the dangerous rhythm of battle.
"Come now," Sakura purred, eyes glinting dangerously as a group encircled her. "Make it interesting for me."
She twirled swiftly, chain spinning in glittering arcs. With deliberate precision, she severed a villager's hand, sending the limb tumbling across the dirt to strike another attacker's chest, scattering the group in horrified confusion. Sakura laughed softly, feeling something deeper stirring inside her, a euphoric, dangerous thrill she couldn't explain—but neither did she want it to stop.
Kiba shot her a glance of shocked disbelief. "Damn it, Sakura! Dial it back!"
She ignored him, pivoting elegantly to deliver another sharp strike, savoring the way blood ran warm and slick across her fingertips.
Kurenai moved quickly to Sakura's side, intercepting a frantic villager with a swift, non-lethal strike to the neck, dropping him unconscious. Her voice lowered dangerously as she faced Sakura. "Control yourself."
Sakura met her mentor's stare, breathing deeply. The air felt electric, intoxicating. "I'm perfectly controlled," she whispered back, lips curving into a wicked smile. "You worry too much, Shishō."
Elsewhere, Lee struggled, holding back his full strength against desperate villagers who pressed closer and harder. "Please! We don't wish harm!" he pleaded earnestly, even as he forced one attacker aside. But desperation drowned his words, and villagers continued to push forward, fear overcoming logic.
Sakura's laughter rose softly again, an eerie, thrilling melody amidst chaos. She danced fluidly, each strike more decisive, her body humming with growing excitement. Each gasp, each cry, deepened the intoxicating rush within her. She hardly noticed the fresh wound that split her cheek, barely flinching at the searing pain; instead, it heightened her pleasure, pushing her further.
Yet even as the fighting intensified, a faint sound reached Sakura's ears—the frightened crying of children hidden behind closed doors, the sobbing pleas of mothers begging to stop the violence. For a brief moment, the cries seemed distant, dream-like, pulling at something deeply buried within her.
Sakura hesitated, blade still poised mid-motion, a subtle crack appearing in her ruthless mask.
It was then she met Lee's troubled gaze, his eyes wide with pleading concern. "Sakura, please. These are people, not enemies."
She stared back, the exhilaration faltering, replaced by a sudden, unsettling clarity. For just a moment, the dark pleasure subsided, leaving only the cold taste of iron on her tongue.
"Enough!" Kurenai shouted, voice filled with commanding authority. She stepped forward decisively, unleashing a complex, powerful genjutsu that surged across the battlefield, swiftly dropping most of the remaining villagers into unconsciousness.
The silence afterward was stark, punctuated only by labored breathing.
Sakura's heart was still racing, body trembling from the rush. Yet, as she lowered her weapon, the intensity she'd felt began fading, leaving behind a troubling emptiness.
She looked down, hands slick with blood—not enemy shinobi, but villagers driven to desperation. Confusion flickered briefly in her eyes, quickly masked by practiced indifference.
"Secure the survivors," Kurenai instructed firmly, voice edged with quiet disappointment.
As the others moved to obey, Sakura stood still, watching her mentor carefully avoid meeting her eyes. Lee's expression held cautious sympathy, Kiba shook his head bitterly, but none spoke directly to her.
She clenched her fists slowly, nails biting into her palms.
Something was deeply wrong, something buried beneath her surface. Something she didn't yet understand.
And that, Sakura realized with quiet dread, frightened her far more than the blood now staining her skin.
---
Villagers lay unconscious across the streets, carefully positioned by Lee and Kiba to avoid further injury. Soft sobbing and muffled voices emerged cautiously from behind closed doors, filling the night with the subdued hum of fear and loss.
Sakura stood apart from her team, leaning against a damaged fence, staring blankly at her blood-smeared hands. The vibrant thrill from earlier had drained away, leaving behind only a strange hollowness. Her breathing had steadied, yet her pulse still echoed in her ears, slower now—colder, more distant.
"Sakura."
She turned slightly. Kurenai stood a few paces away, observing her carefully. Her mentor's eyes were calm but troubled, holding back judgment.
Sakura gave a weak smile. "Come to lecture me, Shishō?"
"No lecture," Kurenai said softly. "I'm just here to talk."
"About what?" Sakura asked, voice harder than she intended.
Kurenai stepped closer, her presence steadying yet firm. "About control. About the line between efficiency and cruelty. About whatever's driving you."
Sakura stiffened, her smile fading completely. "I got carried away. That's all."
"It's not," Kurenai countered gently. "We both know it."
Sakura swallowed, frustration tightening her chest. "They attacked us first. We fought back. Isn't that how it works?"
"Yes," Kurenai conceded softly. "But enjoying it the way you do—it isn't healthy. Or safe."
Sakura looked away, unable to meet Kurenai's penetrating gaze. "I'm fine."
"You're lying," Kurenai said quietly. "To me, but more importantly, to yourself."
Before Sakura could respond, Lee approached carefully, expression hesitant yet deeply concerned. Kiba lingered just behind him, Akamaru watching Sakura warily, as if sensing a threat.
"Sakura," Lee began softly, clearly struggling for the right words. "I understand our mission required force, but…surely there is a point where we should restrain ourselves?"
Sakura's jaw tightened. "If we hadn't been decisive, it might have ended worse."
"Decisive," Kiba scoffed quietly, arms folded across his chest. "That's one way to put it."
Sakura turned sharply, glare fierce, prompting Kiba to back down with a wary shake of his head.
Lee raised his hands peacefully, earnest as always. "We trust you, Sakura. But even you must see that this…this wasn't right. It was excessive."
She bit down on her lip, trying to control her rising temper. "What exactly would you have preferred, Lee? Us going down instead?"
"No, but—"
Kurenai lifted a hand gently, silencing them both. "Enough. The village is secure. We've fulfilled our mission." She gave Sakura another meaningful glance, voice softening slightly. "Rest for now. We'll talk more in Konoha."
Sakura sighed deeply, nodding with visible reluctance. "Fine."
Kurenai stepped away, followed by Lee, who gave Sakura one last worried look. Kiba hesitated briefly, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"You okay, Sakura? You seemed…different back there."
"I'm fine," Sakura repeated coldly, her tone leaving no room for further questions.
He sighed heavily, shaking his head and stepping away. Soon, Sakura stood alone once more, shadows playing across her face beneath the flickering lamplight.
Her gaze returned to her hands, still stained with drying blood. She slowly closed her fingers into fists, the muscles in her arms tightening painfully.
Why had she enjoyed it so deeply?
That excitement, the wild thrill that had surged within her—it felt like a separate force entirely, something rooted far deeper than adrenaline or shinobi training. It felt darker, almost predatory.
A sudden, cold shiver ran through her, the weight of uncertainty pressing heavily against her chest.
She knew violence was inevitable in her line of work, even necessary. But this had felt different—this felt like something she couldn't entirely control.
Her thoughts drifted briefly to Naruto and Sasuke. They would've understood, perhaps even grounded her, had they still been beside her. But they were gone—both unreachable now, lost in their own shadows. She was alone.
For the first time in years, Sakura felt a sharp pang of fear—fear not of battle or enemies, but of herself. Of what she might be becoming.
She closed her eyes tightly, fighting back a sudden wave of nausea. Tomorrow, she would bury this feeling. She'd wear her mask, the confident smile, the playful facade. But tonight, beneath the crimson-stained stars, she couldn't escape the quiet truth:
Something was terribly wrong.
And she had no idea how to stop it.